I am still Alive :)

Bella at 14 months old

All 3 kiddos on the first day of school :)

Yes, dear 29 followers-

I am still alive! I know you have been wondering and wondering where I am (or not, you know). But the truth is I just didn't feel like my blog was worth reading. But here I am for a minute..not sure I will stay long. ha!

Things are going fairly well for our family. Noah is still looking for full time work in the Surgical Tech field while doing part time computer programming.

I am still working full time at the attorney's office and doing school full time too. School, work and life make for a really long day but I would not have it any other way :) (hey that rhymed!)

Elijah is 7 years and (almost) 4 months old now. He is in 2nd grade and doing MUCH better than last year with his conduct and grades. He is still getting in a little trouble for not finishing his school work but it is a drastic improvement from last year. He is playing soccer now and loves it!

He hopes to do Karate during the Spring.

Kirsten is 5 years and 8 months old now. She is getting so big. She is in Kindergarten and really flourishing well! We are so proud of her. She has become a little "diva" though :)

Baby Bella is not such a baby anymore at 15 months old, more like a toddler now. She is so smart! She goes to a Christian daycare during the week and does great. She is walking/running/jumping all over the place!! I can hardly keep up with that girl! She says some words that are understandable but mostly still just talks jibberish! :)

Halloween is right around the corner. Our kids are going to be: Elijah-Anakin Skywalker, Kirsten-A princess ladybug, and Bella-A pink poodle :) They are going to be precious.

Well I hope your weekends are great...we have plans to attend our local Zoo Boo and then trick or treating Monday :)

Miracle Blessing

Well Hi there strangers! I know I have been MIA for over a month and a half..things have been kind of crazy around our house. I hope (no promises though) to be back to blogging regularly VERY soon! But I wanted to let you guys know that a miracle blessing happened yesterday..





Do you remember my cousin Becky and her baby boy Jake?





Of course you do, well Jake is now HOME!!!!! Yes, ladies (and gentlemen) Baby Jake now weighs over 7 lbs, breaths on his own and takes a bottle like a champ! They were discharged from Vanderbilt University yesterday morning and made it home yesterday afternoon!





Thank you for all your prayers. Please keep them up for baby Jake as he does have a long road ahead of him but I know our Ultimate Healer and He is GOOD! :)

A baby Jake update!!

Just wanted to give you an update on second cousin, sweet baby Jake. He is up to 4 lbs 3 oz. and still being fed breast milk thru tubes. He is off of the ventilator and holding his own. His surgery will be in about 3 weeks. My cousin wanted me to thank you for your prayers!

This first picture is my absolute favorite! I am thinking about having it put on a canvas or something for my cousin.


Becky & baby Jake :)

Look at all that hair!!

Don't you just want to eat him up! I wish so badly I could go see him in the hospital!

My cousin Ashleigh (Becky's sister) told me that when Jake cries all Becky has to do is speak to him and he is silent. I thought that was the sweetest thing!!

Thank you all again for your prayers for our sweet baby Jake! I will keep you all updated as much as I can!

Just a note, if you are in a position or feel inclined Becky is in need of Virgin Mobile phone cards and extra money for expenses. The hospital feeds her 3 times a day but she has no money for anything else she needs. Her husband is having to travel back and forth to Vanderbilt from their home (about 4 hours away) and the money for gas is really breaking the bank for them. Becky's address is below:

Becky Brown
3311 West End Avenue
Room 309
Nashville, TN 37203

Thank you all again for your sweet prayers! You will never know how much they are appreciated!

Things Bella likes to play with...

...that are not her toys!



1. Power tools. This morning I walked in our room after showering and Bella was trying to get to a screw driver that was left out from hanging pictures the day before. I tried to get her to come and play with her rubby ducky and fishies but she refused. She kept running (crawling really fast rather) back over to that screw driver. I eventually had to place it where she could not find it!


2. Cords. Yes, I know I have blogged about this before but sheesh this child is almost impossible to keep away from cords in our house! Absolutely insane. I am almost certain that she b-lines for them as soon as I put her down in any room. She usually knows where they are in any room too..smart little child.

3. All of mommy's hair products. Every morning when I am getting ready she raids my hair product drawer (probably because it is the lowest one..but it is better than having the makeup drawer down there..can you imagine?) But instead of just playing with my brushes and combs she goes for the things that spray. Yesterday she sprayed her body with hairspray! Then thought it was extremely funny :)

What things do your babies/kids play with aren't their toys? :)

A handy little chart for when you need it :)

If you are like me, when I am having a rough day (like today! sheesh!) I usually go to God's word for a piece of advice. I received this handy little chart in an email from my Aunt today and wanted to share it with you, my awesome readers!


YOU SAY
GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES

'It's impossible'
All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

'I'm too tired'
I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

'Nobody really loves me'
I love you
(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34)

"I can't go on'
My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

'I can't figure things out'
I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

'I can't do it'
You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

'I'm not able'
I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

'It's not worth it'
It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28)

'I can't forgive myself'
I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

'I can't manage'
I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

'I'm afraid'
I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

'I'm always worried and frustrated'
Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

'I'm not smart enough'
I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

'I feel all alone'
I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)


I tried to make it into a chart for you but it would not work for me. So just read it as the first line is what you say, second line what God says and the third line is the scriputure to back it up! Some of these verses are my favorites :) Always know that when you are at your weakest point...just hold on to the Bible, open the Bible and believe in His almighty Word and you will make it through! He has promised us this!

11 months!

Bella,


You are 11 months old! My oh my how time has passed by so quickly in front of our eyes. In one short month we will be celebrating the day of your birth! I remember so vividly like it was yesterday.


You are about 22 lbs (estimated). You wear anywhere from size 12 months to 24 months clothes. Size 4 diapers. Size 3 shoes.


You took your first steps recently . And since then have taken several more. You can walk just holding one hand of someone and cruise around the furniture constantly. I am sure you will be taking off and walking on your own all the time very soon!

You are a great eater...you beg (like a puppy dog) for our food when we are eating. You still have baby food occasionally but mostly it is table food. You are completely off formula, whole milk is all you drink now. I have almost weaned you from your day time bottle into a sippy. You are still getting used to that. However, you still take your morning and night time bottles. I will try and wean the morning one very soon. It won't be easy because you are definitely a "bottle baby" :)

You have two teeth on bottom in the middle and your top left eyetooth is coming in.

Words you can say:

Dada
Mama
Papa
Baba (bottle)
dydy (bye bye)
baby

You wave bye bye (when you feel up to it). You much prefer to be barefoot and naked than to have clothes/shoes on! We have not had an issue with you taking off diapers yet. I hope that is something you never do! ha ha.

Kirsten and Elijah are your favorite toys. You think they are the best thing since sliced bread (which you love by the way).

You have a ton of hair and it seems to be changing to a reddish/brown color. You have the prettiest brown eyes ever!

Bella, you are so loved. We can not fathom life without you. Continue to grow into a such a beautiful toddler!

Love,

Mommy & Daddy

Thankful Thursday

I am so very thankful for this little miracle in my life. I was given a 20% chance of getting pregnant on my own without fertility meds. Noah and I were not trying to have a baby. I was very sick when I found out I was pregnant :) However, I am ever so thankful that she came into our lives and have changed them forever.

I love you Isabella Grace!

Kirsten-isms

Our middle child, Kirsten, is quite the character. I thought I would share with you some of the funny things she has done recently, other than the pool incident.

-Upon entering a public restroom that might be a little "smelly", Kirsten says in her not to quiet 5 year old voice "Cori! What is that smail (smell with a southern accent)!?!"

*note to readers, the bigger kids are not biologically mine. They are my step-children, that is why they call me Cori :)*

It is especially nice when the culprit of making the bathroom "smelly" is still in there. Super awesome mom moment.

-While driving home from a girls only breakfast with Kirsten and Bella last Saturday, Kirsten and I are talking about all the holidays in the year. I am telling them to her in order from first to last and I come to Memorial Day. She promptly says "Mario Day!?! Do we just play Mario all day? I don't even like Mario!"

-On our way home from vacation 2 weeks ago, Noah, Kirsten and I stop at a small country store for a few things. We get to the register and out of NOWHERE Kirsten says "Cori? You are my step-mom right?" "yes ma'am, I am" "Cori? Why do I HAVE to have two moms?" "We have discussed this before and we can discuss it later in private. Ok Honey?" "Ok I guess" (she never asked again, lol)

-It was late and Kirsten had just gotten out of the bath. Elijah was now in the bathtub and Kirsten asks "Where is Elijah?" Noah says "he is in the bath" Kirsten "Outside?" Noah "Kirsten, is there a bathtub outside?" Kirsten "no". ....a little later Kirsten is moping and Noah asks her what is wrong. She says "Well I really want to go outside with Elijah but I already have my pajamas on" Clearly she wasn't listening when we told her he was in the bathtub and not outside. ha!

-I walked in to Bella and Kirsten's room to hear Kirsten talking to Bella and saying "what is wrong baby? do you want a paci? do you want a puff? do you have a poopie? do you need a bottle? do you need some medicine? do your teefies hurt?" ha ha! It was sooo cute!

Kirsten is such a spirited child. She cracks us up daily! I can't believe she will be starting kindergarten in August!

Scripture of the Day

Psalm 91:2

"This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him."

I fully believe and declare this statement true in my life! He is my refuge, He is my safety and He is my GOD! I trust my life wholly to Him and no other God.

:) May God bless your day!

A little Jake update

I recieved a text from my cousin today on Jake. She said that baby Jake is off his ventilator and breathing great on his own! He is learning to suck so he should be able to take a bottle of breast milk soon. Becky has been pumping and freezing the milk for him at the hospital. Praise God she is able to do that! He needs all the nourishment he can get and breast milk is always best if possible :)




Jake and his mommy, my cousin, Becky.





He is still so tiny. Please continue to keep Jake and his family in your prayers. He still has a long road to go but we have faith in our Lord that He will watch over Jake and bring him through these trials.

Scripture of the Day

Todays scripture comes from 1 John 4:7-8

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."

How true!! GOD.IS.LOVE!! My kids will tell you that when you ask them :) It is too darn cute. I love seeing my kids love Jesus! Nothing warms my heart or makes me more proud than to hear my 5 year old belting it in the backseat to The Redeemer by Sanctus Real or I refuse by Josh Wilson :) Makes a mommy proud!

Exciting News :)

I wanted to get this down on my blog tonight!

Are you ready? Brace yourself...
















BELLA TOOK HER FIRST STEPS TONIGHT! :)

I am super excited. She took 2 then took 1 more after that. I was yelling and it scared her then she refused to take any more. My baby girl is getting so big. It all happened so fast that I didn't get video or pictures :( I will be sure to next time though.

The first time she was walking towards me and the second time she was walking towards daddy who was tempting her with the cell phone (which she loooooooves!)

Yay Bella! We are sooo proud of you!

Daddy's Fun Pool Experience

Daddy took the big kids to the pool by himself yesterday. I was busy dealing with a fussy baby at home so did not venture out to go. Upon his arrival he tells me the reason they left the pool only an hour or so after arriving.

Apparently, Kirsten (our 5 year old) had to go "potty". So daddy calls her over to him and asks "Do you need to pee pee or poo poo?" and Kirsten (bless her innocent self) announces in a very loud 5 year old voice:

"Well Daddy it is all mixed in up there (pointing to her belly). It is going to be a bad one! and it is going to smell awfully bad! I think we need to go home fast! I can't hold much longer!! (cue pee pee dance)"

Noah rushes both kids into the van and drives them home.

Not sure daddy will be taking the kids to the pool by himself any time soon :)

Father's Day

Our Father's Day was nothing grand. Church. Picnic lunch on the back patio for the kiddos. Then the fun part begins.


Bella was being cranky all morning. She refused to eat anything of any substance (with the exception of her favorite puffs). I had tried almost everything to get her to take a nap. So I was only left with one option: forfeit my afternoon and take a nap in my big empty queen sized bed with her. What can I say, I will do anything for my children, including take a nap on a lazy Sunday afternoon. I sacrifice like that :)

So B and I are laying down fast asleep (finally, glory hallelujah!). I hear my door open and tiny little voices snickering. Then I hear "CORI! WHERE IS BELLA?" Yes, that is right ladies and gentlemen after working 2 hours to get her to take a nap and maybe 45 minutes of sleep, the big kids snuck "quietly" in to my room only to scream and ask where Bella was. Of course, Bella sat straight up in the bed.


Then my little hethens errr...sweet children asked if Bella was awake?!?! I said "if you don't get out of here in 2 seconds I am going to ....". They were gone before I could finish my sentence. Honestly, I don't remember how I was going to finish it. But I am guessing it wasn't going to be pleasant.


Needless to say, Bella refused to go back to sleep after that. REFUSED! So we got up and went into the playroom where the big kids were begging to go to the pool. I politely asked (told) my husband to take them swimming because I was NOT a happy camper and neither was Bella. She fussed and fussed all afternoon.


I finally decided to take her to the pool with the big kids and just when I was walking outside my husband and kids were pulling up. I asked why they came home so early and he said Kirsten said she needed to potty. This is where he tells me the super funny story of his day at the pool. :)

Dinner was uneventful. Oh except for Bella refusing to eat in her highchair and my mother in law who knew I had been dealing with a fussy baby all afternoon lovingly offered to feed Bella in her lap. Not sure she will be doing that again any time soon :)


After dinner, Bella was so tired and so cranky that I had to let her cry it out in her crib. I hate letting her do that. I sat outside her room and cried too. But she would not sleep any other way. I tried rocking her, singing to her, pushing her in the stroller...nothing worked. Felt like a huge mommy failure at that point in time.


Yep, that is how our Father's Day went. Oh daddy did get a new shirt and a new hat for Father's Day though :) Which he loved!


Hope your Father's Day was a little less eventful than mine :)

A couple things & Scripture of the Day

First: My cousin, Becky and her son Jake are doing well. Jake can not have his heart surgery until he has been in the NICU at Vanderbilt for 5 weeks. However, the doctors are optimistic that he will be healthy and fine! Praise God!

Second: I know I have not uploaded vacation pictures. I am a terrible blogger! ha.

and now for our scripture of the day: Joshua 24:15

But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the LORD."

One of my favorite verses. Me and my family...we serve the LORD! :)

Happy Monday-ing!

Need a new blog design?

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She is super great to work with and does great work! Tell her Cori sent you!

Jake Eli Brown

Here are some sweet photos of my 2nd cousin Jake Eli who was born yesterday at 11:30 a.m. and weighed 4 lbs 1 ounce!! Praise God!

Jake and his mommy, Becky, will be traveling to (or have already traveled) to Nashville to Vanderbilt Hospital for Jake to have heart surgery.

Please continue to pray for Jake and his family as they go through this stressful/heart wrenching time.

Thank you all so much! We believe in an ULTIMATE HEALER and in His devine Grace!

Urgent Prayer Request!-UPDATED!

UPDATE 06/16/11 @ 11:25 a.m.:

My second cousin was born. He is 3 lbs and he and his mom are doing well so far. Please continue to pray for him to continue to gain strength so he will come through his heart surgery .

ORIGINAL POST:


Hello Friends, I have a prayer request.

My cousin Becky Brown is in the hospital giving birth to her baby boy that is only 31 weeks gestation. This is her 3rd pregnancy. She lost the 1st baby boy(Jaren) at 29 weeks pregnant and she lost her 2nd baby at 12 weeks. We all know that a baby at 31 weeks can survive however he has a heart defect. And will require open heart surgery as soon as he is strong enough.

Please pray for my family and for the doctors working with my cousin and her baby boy.

Scripture of the Day

Ephesians 4:32

"Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you."


I love this verse! It truly hits close to home for me. I have been harboring anger and I know that needs to be something that I fix (soon!).

Things You Should Not Do In An Attorney's Office

Or any other office/establishment away from the confines of your own home:

-Cut your toenails-I am absolutely not kidding. I have had more than one client do this in our lobby.

-Wear rollers in your hair, houseshoes (they are called HOUSEshoes for a reason) on your feet, or annoyingly obvious pajama pants.

-Bring your pets. Unless otherwise noted or a service animal, pets are not allowed in professional offices. Just because you don't want to leave "sparky" at home doesn't mean that we want your "baby" here in the office.

-Bring your breakfast/lunch/dinner with you into the lobby. Eat before you come in or leave early enough to eat at the fast food joint you stopped at. We don't need to smell McDonald's french fries wafting through the office all day.

-You should not call the paralegals/female attorneys "baby" "sweetie" "darling" "honey" "cutie" or any other words of affection. Ma'am, Miss or our names will be just fine.

-While the paralegal/attorney is trying to explain to you the answer to your question..do NOT cut them off and tell them they are wrong. You asked them for advice and if you don't want to hear it then don't call. We are trying to help you but being cut off every 2 words by someone saying "I don think 'dat right" is pretty irritating and does not make our job any easier.

-We are not a garage sale, antique dealer, or craigslist seller so therefore our prices do not change when you try to "haggle" us. Would you go to Wal-Mart and ask them if they would take $99 for that $599 television? Probably not.

Ok..that is the end of my rant. I could go on and on about the annoyances of my job but I am just going to say that I am blessed to have a job that supports my family. I actually enjoy my job...just the clients irk me sometimes :)

Happy Wednesday!

Embarking on a New Adventure

Yes, ladies and gentlemen that is right. Our oldest, Elijah, has embarked on a new adventure this summer.

He has started to learn to ride his bike without training wheels!! We are probably behind on this "milestone" as he we will be 7 years old in 3 weeks but nonetheless we have "officially" started his training. Well I probably should not say we because I had nothing to do with it. His Papaw (Noah's dad) took him over to the elementary school near our house and practiced with him.

The Bad News: he ran into the only pole in the parking lot 4 times.

The Good News: he has pretty good balance and Papaw says that 7-8 more practice runs and he should be good.to.go! :)

Scripture of the Day

John 14:10

"Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me."

I believe this verse explains at least two parts of the Trinity. The Father and the Son. Jesus says to his disciples that "I am in the Father and the Father is in me". Clearly stating that they are one.

I believe in the Trinity.

The Father.

The Son.

The Holy Spirit.

*As an aside..I would like to pray for all the people being affected by flooding in the northern part of America and fires in New Mexico. I do not personally know anyone in either of these states but the devastation happening has really hit a heart string with me.*

Faith in Jesus Saves!

Scripture of the Day

Today's scripture is from Psalm 37:8

"Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper--it only leads to harm."

I know I tend to be a "hot head" sometimes but I don't consider myself an angry person. Do you? The bible pretty bluntly tells us...don't be angry because it will only lead to harm. In my life, I have found this to be very true :)

Happy Tuesday. May God Bless you in All you do today :)

Scripture of the Day

This scripture goes along with my last post:

James 1:27

"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

Things we take forgranted

If I had to guess, you probably have one (or more. We have 3!) of these in your house. Am I right?

Well the children at Shine Uganda Ministries which our ministry helps support use this:

And they are in need of a new one. Desperately. We are raising funds to help them build another toilet/bathroom. They do not have running water so a "normal" toilet is not something they can have. But with your donations and support they can have a new toilet/bathroom area that is clean and more sanitary. Just go here to donate if the Lord calls you. The children would very much appreciate it.

Please visit Shine Uganda's website for information on sponsoring a child there or click on my "ministry" tab above to read more about what we are striving to do.

About 3 weeks ago we recieved letters and drawings from the children at the orphanage. I am going to get them scanned and uploaded as soon as I can.

May God Bless You.

Bella's Birthday Outfit

My very good friend Cadie owns a business called Babee Producks :) You should definitely check her stuff out. She custom makes everything and anything. Bella has 4 shirts from her now. She made this outfit for Bella's first birthday. I LOVE it. It is so bittersweet to be planning her birthday.

Here is the cake/cupcake we chose for her party too.

I had a personalized banner and centerpieces created for her party by Piggy Bank Parties on Etsy. (Have I mentioned before that I Loooooooove Etsy?) I will try and upload those images later.

I will try and get our vacation pictures uploaded tonight..no promises though.

Just checking in :) & some scripture.

Hey lovely readers :) Just checking in from Branson, MO. We are having a blast. Today will be Day 2 (first full day) at Silver Dollar City and we can't wait to spend more time there! I am missing my baby girl like crazy but getting updates from my parents all the time and I know she is being so spoiled.

The big kids are stoked about going back to Silver Dollar City and riding more rides. Shockingly, Kirsten was not afraid on most of the rides yesterday so I am hoping that is the case again today :) ha! She is a little bit of a scaredy cat when it comes to those things. ha :)

Well I hope you are all having a grand Friday!

Phillipians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".

Just a cute photo I wanted to share

Bella had corn on the cob for the first time last night...she LOVED IT! :)

Scripture of the Day

*Just a little note..I may be absent from my scripture of the day until Monday because we are leaving tonight for vacation :) I will try and remember to blog from my phone but I may not. ha!*

Today's scripture is one of my favorites and one that our children (well the older two) have memorized: John 14:6

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. "

Pretty self explanatory...no one comes to the Father except through Jesus Christ!

I hope you all have a great week/weekend! I will be back Monday with lots of vacationing pictures :)

Scripture of the Day

Today's scripture comes from I Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

I really can't say anything about this than the verse already says. Pretty self explanatory :) How amazing that we have this set of rules to live by!

Happy Monday! May God bless your day abundantly.

Scripture of the Day

Todays scripture comes from John 14:3

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also."

Isn't is awesome to think He is preparing a place for "YOU"? and then He says He will take us to Him :)

Happy Sunday! May the Lord bless your day!

Scripture of the Day

Today's scripture of the day comes from Romans 12:5

"...so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other"

We are having a low key weekend with the kids :) Just living and loving summer!!

May Jesus Christ be in your day and bless you!

Happy Weekend-ing :)