Motrin, Tylenol & Popsicles

Our weekend was full of Motrin and Tylenol, thermometers and popsicles. On Thursday, Ali Grace got strep throat. It was not a big deal until Friday night. Her temperature got really high and stayed at 101 all night. It got up to 104 Saturday afternoon. I thought my heart was going to stop beating when I read that thermometer. I was about to take her to the ER when Billy calmed me down. Her temp came down to 102 after an hour. All day Sunday we battled high temperatures and just eating lots of popsicles in between alternating Motrin and Tylenol. Monday morning was the scariest. Ali Grace's temperature was 104.8. Billy and I took her to the doctor where the doctor said that the current antibiotic was not working at all and that her throat looked worse. Ali Grace got a rocephin shot and a new medicine. The shot hurt my baby so bad, but I knew it was for the best. She had a fever of 103 most of the afternoon, but Monday night her fever FINALLY broke. She is still limping on her leg...not sure if it really hurts or if she wants sympathy and to be toated around.  I want to thank everyone who called, texted, facebooked, etc. suggestions and prayers for us this weekend. Ali Grace has never been that sick before and I hope this is not starting something. It is scary and helpless plus exhausting.

Getting pampered...

Last Thursday, my friend Leigh had signs that she was in labor. I picked up her boys, Thomas and Taylor at daycare and they came home to play with Ali Grace. They are so cute and so good. I was worried that they would not want to come home with me or would get upset when we got to my house. They did great. Billy cooked pancakes for supper and they even asked for more.

After supper, they played and played with Ali Grace's toys. All 3 fixed my hair...not a good idea when you are tender headed.

Leigh had a false alarm. We can't wait for Kennedy to arrive, but longer she waits the stronger she will be. Ali Grace can't wait either because Thomas and Taylor will get to spend the night with her...hopefully!

Happy Birthday Aunt Kiki!

Birthday Wishes to Aunt Kiki today! We love you!

I hope that you have a great day celebrating because you deserve it. We don't always see eye to eye on things, but I am proud to be your big sister. I hope that this next year is a better year for you. I was a big sister before a mother, so always know that I am here for you. You are beautiful and so much fun to be around. I am thankful that God gave me 2 sisters that are also my best friends. Enough of the mushy stuff, Have a great day and remember I love you. Happy Birthday Crystal!!!!

Go Tebow!

Below is an email that I received today and wanted to pass along. I think Tim Tebow is a strong and brave human being. His faith and willing to stand up for what is right is so inspiring. Becoming a mother was the richest blessing that God has given me. I do not believe in ending a life because of a bad decision. God blesses women with the ability to have children and not all women get to experience that miracle. For that, there is adoption. Adoption is the other choice. If a women does not want to raise a child then give it up for adoption. There are so many families that want children that are unable. To love a child and have them love you back, it the most rewarding experience. Because of adoption, I have my cousin, Adam in my life, my good friend and stepsister, Candice and so many other friends. Now, I will get off my soapbox and let you read the letter from Crosswalk.

Dear Crosswalk Friends,
Once again our values are under intense attack from radical liberal feminists. Only this time they are venturing where they never should have gone.
Football. And not just any football game. The Super Bowl.
This week, the liberal feminist organization, National Organization for Women (NOW), launched an all-out effort attacking a pro-life ad that will be in the Super Bowl commercial line-up. The ad, produced by our good friends at Focus on the Family, tells the story of Pam Tebow’s decision to continue with her pregnancy against her doctor’s advice and give birth to the Heisman trophy winning Florida Gator Quarterback, Tim Tebow.
NOW’s call to take this advertisement off the air is their attempt at shutting down the Christian witness of Tim Tebow and his mother. Standing by their convictions, the Tebows made this ad to share their experience of accepting God’s plan for their lives and experiencing the ultimate gift of Life.
Shouldn't the “pro-choice” position respect Pam Tebow’s decision to choose Life and then tell others about that choice? What is the worst case scenario in allowing this ad to air? Women are exposed to an example of sacrifice for the sake of an unborn child.
The fact of the matter here is that they are attacking more than just Tim Tebow and his mother for having the courage of their convictions to share the positive message of Life—they are attacking you and me, and the values we stand for.
We can’t allow this to go unanswered. When someone this prominent is willing to put himself out there with a positive message about Life, we need to support him.
Click here and go to our page, where you can send your name and a message of encouragement to Tim Tebow and his family.
Let’s show Tim Tebow that the pro-life movement is standing behind him and thank him for sharing his mom’s beautiful testimony on choosing Life.

God bless,
Marjorie Dannenfelser
President
Susan B. Anthony List
www.sba-list.org

Happy Birthday Nick!

How are you already 4 years old? We love you!!!!!

Family and Football

It has been a while since I posted anything, so I thought I should let everyone know we are doing great. We have been taking it easy that last two weekends and it has been so nice.

Nana and Poppy came over Saturday afternoon and Ali Grace was thrilled. She loves her Nana and Poppy so much and has not seen them since Christmas. She showed Nana everything that Santa brought her and more. These are precious memories that I love seeing between my mother and daughter. My mom sacrificed so much for my sisters and me and taught me how to be a great mom. I hope that I am able to teach Ali Grace the same.

Nana and Ali Grace fixing Tinkerbell's hair
Do you think Nana likes her a little bit?
Billy rented 2 movies for Ali Grace for Saturday night, Alvin and the Chipmunks and Annie. Ali Grace loved Annie! She watched the whole movie without moving or talking like she normally does. She sang or tried to sing a long. It was cute. It was one of my favorite movies, so I hope she likes musicals too.

Sunday morning we went to church and were actually on time. This does not happen very often, so we were pleased with ourselves. We have started going to a new Sunday school class for young adults. Billy and I were a little worried the first week when we were the oldest couple (other than the teachers) and the only couple married with a child. This week was much better since a few more couples came who also have children. I don't like being the "older couple" in the class quite yet. So far the lessons have been about balance. How we balance our careers, family and church. Sometimes we put church on the bottom of the list and how we can avoid doing that.

Ali Grace loves going to her "church class." She can't wait for church to be over and go to Sunday school. She does not know anyone in her class, but walks in like she has been there her whole life. I guess that she gets that from going to daycare. I was more nervous going to our Sunday school class than she was.

Looking cute in her black and white!

We could not stop with that picture. She found her Daddy's hat and wanted a picture it.
She knows how to melt her Daddy's heart!

Sunday afternoon, we went to Aunt Jenn and Uncle Jimbo's house for Papaw Hoss' birthday dinner and to watch the highly anticipated football games. Ali Grace and Savanah played babies, we all ate and of course watched football. We were glad to see the Colts win for Daddy's sake. But the game we all waited on was the Saints and the Vikings. I honestly did not care which team won. My Dad's family is from the coast, so naturally are all Saints fans. I remember my grandfather watching or listening to the Saints play when I was little. I am also a Brett Farve fan too. The Super Bowl should be a good game!

Poor Landon gets left our when Ali Grace comes over...being the only boy. I feel bad for him, but he taught Ali Grace a few things about football. He had her catching the ball and running and even tackling a pile of blankets and pillows.

Girls can play football too.

Ali Grace impressed Landon when she threw a spiral to him. He was so excited. I did not see it, but he was so proud of his little cousin.The cutest football players that I saw all night... Brett too!

Happy Birthday Papaw Hoss

Happy Birthday Papaw Hoss. We love you!!!!!!

Thoughts & Prayers to the Boykin Family

*Edit*
An account has been opened for the Boykin Family in Macon to help with any expenses at Citizens National Bank in Macon.

I know tragedies happen all over the world, but when they happen in your little hometown it shocks everyone. I still can't believe the evil that grows in people's hearts. How can people hurt each other and do the unforgivable.

A mother and child's life were taken last night in my hometown. It seems so unfair and is always hard to find God's meaning in these situations. I knew the mother from school and her child through Junior Auxiliary. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I can't imagine what they are going through and what the next few days, weeks and even years will be like for all of them. I still can't believe something so bad happened to people that I knew in my hometown. I think the whole community is in shock.

The good thing about living in a small town is when tragedy hits, everyone comes together and supports each other. Please keep the Boykin family in your prayers. They will need it.