I sure did like the Zoo...

So what has our week entailed??? Well, I started off the week not feeling well...stomach troubles that lasted until today. Meredith had a good week visiting with mom and a good school Christmas party. I missed the party because my right eye was yucky and I was worried I had pink eye, but now I think I just had an infected contact. Meredith's class made the cutest reindeer shirts for the season. Today we went to MOPS group and enjoyed a time of relaxation and discussion on the Greatest Story Ever Told. Our speaker focused on the life of Jesus through the eyes of Mary. It was really touching to me to see that through all that Mary faced, carrying the Blessed One, Delivering in a Stable, having all the visitors to see the Baby Jesus, and then to later watch her Son die on the cross, she continued to trust God and partnered with Him to follow in His will for her life and always had perfect peace in Him. It really spoke to me in a special way and renewed the burden within me to really trust God that He is in charge and I can rely on Him to provide for everything I need, and if He does not provide it for me, then I can have perfect peace knowing it was not His will. God help me to dwell on this and not to get my eyes focused on the contrary.

Meredith and I went last night to the Lights at the Zoo. I was so impressed. I was not sure what to expect, but we had a blast. The lights were great, as well as the pretend snow falling. It was a beautiful night and we enjoyed visiting Santa and looking at the awesome lights set out and we even watched a cute 3D movie about Santa's elf.

Meredith had an accident in the theater, but that did not dampen our spirits....even though it kept us from riding the Carousel. She has been regressing lately in that area and I have to admit, just when I thought we had things nipped in the bud, she is really struggling this week. Oh well, I pray for wisdom to know what is going on and strength and grace to get through this difficult time.
Meredith woke up from her nap with a 102 fever today and ran a fever into the evening. It was really scary, because it came out of the blue, with no other symptoms. I just had to pray over her and know that God will protect her and give Cory and I wisdom to know what to do. We need peace in knowing that God is watching over her and will help us as parents to know if there is something going on!!! I will keep you posted on her progress....hopefully tommorrow will prove to be better for her!!! Maybe I will even be able to report that she is all better?? I can hope right?

My Big Girl does Big girl things!

I continue to beat myself up for not having my camara with me at all times. It seems like I carry it for a while and don't take any pictures and then I put it aside, and it isn't there when I need it. What am I getting at? Meredith had her first haircut today and she was such a big girl. She was so excited and watched the sylist's every move. I kept asking her what the lady was doing and she said "making hair pretty." I thought that was cute. She sat sooooo still (which most of you know is not like her at all) and was in awe of the whole process. We only got an inch or so off and some framing around her face. She was ready to show it off to the world, announcing to everyone that she got her hair cut. I guess there are some girly things about her!! I have been bugging Cory about trimming it for some time, but he finally gave in a few days ago and said to go ahead. When he saw her today he had tears in his eyes...I think he was worried I would let them cut too much. Much to my surprise, he was okay. Not only that, but all the curl wasn't cut out. After her hair dried, it curled up in the back as usual. I hope Pantene doesn't see the likes of her, of she will be an instant commercial ad. HAHA!!
I have to throw in a cute pictures of Meredith and cousin Avery. It is so neat to have Avery here with us 2 times a week. I am glad Meredith has her, even though she is so little, I know it won't always be that way. Avery loves her so much and vice versa. Avery just lights up when she sees Meredith and Meredith doesn't really have to do a thing.
That is all for now. It is well after midnight and I am just winding down from working tonight....did I mention how busy we were...26 babies in our nursery...and I was responsible for 10 of them at one point!!! I hope to sleep well tonight!

Christmas Parade

This isn't the best picture, but I thought it was sweet of us watching the Christmas parade.We went to the Lexington Christmas parade yesterday. Althought it was really cold, It was a great time for all....Meredith liked it alot and she had to imitate everything. She danced, jumped rope, and marched in the band. She even collected 6 pieces of candy. One person passed her by and did not offer her a piece and she called out "Gimme me a piece of candy." It cracked all the people around us up!! It was really cute and just made my day to see her facial expressions. We are wrapping presents now and Meredith is playing with 2 pair of kiddy scissors that I found....who would have guessed that scissors would occuply her for like 30-45 minutes???

Can I use the Holiday excuse?

Cory is continuously bringing to my attention the lack of attention I am giving to the blog....forgive me!!! Along with everyone else I have gotten caught up in the holiday hustle and bustle and just have not taken the time to blog....not to mention that Cory has stolen my cord to download pics here...and who want to read the blog without some great pictures?
Well here is to catching you all up....We have over the last months had 2 trips to the pediatrician (thank God for a 10 dollar co-pay). Meredith has had a single ear infection and then one week after finishing her meds a double ear infection. She has not been a sick child up until now, but the last 2 months have given us a run for our money....she is been sick on and off for 2 months. For now she seems to be doing well. She also began having night terrors...and for those of you who do not know about those....I hope you never do. It started when we went out of town for Thanksgiving and she was so off of her schedule that she suffered from them for about 1 week. Middle of the week this week she has started sleeping through the night again. with some random waking up to ask to come in our room, or thirsty. I can handle that over the screaming and kicking any time. We have been praying with her as a family and keeping her on a tight schedule and that really works for her!!! Praise God!
Let's see....on top of all of that, I have a friend who delivered triplets 3 months premature and 2 of the 3 infants have passed on in the past week...one around 4 days old and the other was 10-12 days old. Austin, the remaining boy is doing okay, but still needs much prayer as he is less than 2 pounds. And of course, Lisa and Chris do as well. On top of all that has happened to them, she had to have her Gallbladder removed in the midst of everything. Please keep then in your prayers.
Meredith continues to amaze us with her vocabulary and thought process. She came in from outside yesterday crying and saying that her dog was "screaming at her" aka barking. She told Papa Steve today she wanted 2 ponies, and then "no, one donkey and one pony." He still insists that he is going to get her one and I know she will hold him to that. She still is talking about the house that burnt down the street from us. I explained to her what happened and how her Daddy broke into the house to help a teenage girl get out of the house. I already knew that Cory was a Hero, but I guess God wanted to prove that to me too. It was a very sobering day and impacted us greatly. Fortunately, there was no one hurt and the family is being taken care of, but still a tragedy. God often puts us in places to be used of Him, if we just yield to His Will. I know God had Cory off that morning and caused him to see the smoke and go investigate. Thanks be to God for his safety as well. God is Good!

Lindsey started back to work this past week and I got Avery for the first time on Friday. I am keeping her again on Monday and Friday, and will continue to have her 2 days a week as long as Lindsey needs or wants me to help! She is such a joy to me and I am loving having her around. For now it is filling my baby void and we continue to look to the Lord for another child. We know God has a perfect plan and timing and as hard as it is sometimes, we know He hears our prayers and knows that desires of our hearts. Avery has been on time for sure!!!
Most of my Christmas shopping is done....just a few loose ends to tie up. I am really enjoying the season this year and looking forward to watching Meredith.

She LOVES Christmas lights and we frequent the neighborhood to check them out. Cory is fininshing up our outdoor lights for her. We got our Tree up on November 30th and had the indoors finished by the 2nd, so that we will have nice long time to enjoy it!!! Meredith has her own little tree in her room and seems to enjoy it alot. We got to visit Santa....he came to my work and Meredith did really well. I guessed she would be shy, but she went right up to him and sat on his lap, snuggled and smiled for about 5 pictures and told him she wanted a Ball....SURPRISE!!!! She got her face painted with a stocking and got a candy cane to eat.....it was alot of fun to watch her. All of us kids are thinking of spending Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's this year and waking up to Santa.....I hope he knows we will be there...wink, wink. We thought it would be a fun change to wake up under the same roof and have a nice breakfast together.....a good ol' Griswald family Christmas (I hope not!)
As for me, I have been working some as well, but not enough to be overwhelmed with...Thank God. He is providing and blessing.
I guess that catches you all up briefly and I will try to add pics soon and update more often!!