Grama & Grandaddy & Birthdays & Love

I just wanted to give a super quick update and ask for some prayer!

My Grandaddy has been in the hospital since last Friday evening and they are still in the test running stage. So far, we know he has polminary fibrosis (sp?) (the bottom half of his lungs have hardened). There is also something off with his blood, his heart, and his spleen. Lord willing, they'll be able to get him figured out and taken care of. Praise the Lord he went to the hospital when he did! If he had waited any longer, the doctors said there's no way he would have made it. Thankful to God for sparing my Grandaddy's life once again.

Earlier, I took Ryder by there so he could see his Pop Pop on his first birthday. After visiting for a bit, I walked downstairs, down some halls, and into the emergency room...to see......my Grama. Yes, my Grama. She fell this morning, hit her head, and really tore up her arm and hip. We're still waiting to see whats happening with that, but it was absolutely heart breaking. I left my Grandaddy's room with, "Tell your Grama I love her and I'm so sorry I can't be down there with her." and then left Grama's room with, "Make sure you tell your Grandaddy that I love him." And I did. And he cried. And it broke my heart some more.

So if you get a chance, send a prayer up for my sweet grandparents. It's so hard for them to not be able to be there for each other.

Oh, and thank you for the birthday wishes! I've had happier days, but that's alright. :) I'm about to go shopping with my fantastic boyfriend, so I'm POSITIVE that'll brighten up the mood. Retail therapy & the guy I love.

Win-Win.

Unintentional Yet Beautiful

Today, my brother {who is now on the bike patrol} was going to be riding by our house with lots of other people. With this being our first time seeing him on the bikes {only his second day on the unit}, I naturally grabbed my camera and we all went outside. Unfortunately, I don't have permission to share the fantastic picture of my brother because he thinks he looks too goofy. :) I beg to differ.

Before and after they rode by, my mom and I took random pictures that ended up turning into a pretty cute photoshoot.

Side note : I just want to say THANK YOU to these parents of mine. They are such a blessing and the most Godly examples I could have. They just celebrated 27 years of marriage and they've made a wonderful picture of how a marriage should be. They aren't perfect and they've certainly had their ups & downs, but over all, they've showed the boys & I that marriage is forever and it's always worth it. I'm so thankful that their love for each other has continued to grow, but I'm even more thankful that their love for the Lord is even greater than their love for each other. Mom & Dad, thanks for being so wonderful. You're truly the best of the best of the best & I love you so much!

Photo Cred : My Momma!

Photo Cred : My Momma!

Photo Cred : My Momma!

Photo Cred : My Momma!

Photo Cred : My Momma!

Photo Cred : My Momma!

Photo Cred : My Momma!

What a stud muffin. 

And on that last picture, two misquotes landed right on my sweet nephew's face. :)

So thankful for cameras to capture these precious moments.

Sebastian & I & Our Best Friends

It was a big day for my best friend! Like, graduating from college big! 

It started out as a cold, rainy day. As Pomp and Circumstance started to play, my dad decided that there was no way we were going to see anything that was happening {which was very true} and so we went into the chapel to watch the live stream. So I was the silly looking girl with her telephoto lens taking pictures of a screen. But that's alright. :)

Katie, I'm so proud of you! I'm so thankful to be able to call you my best friend and I can't wait to see what God has in store for you. :)

It was also a HUGE day for Sebastian's best friend! Like, ENGAGEMENT DAY huge! 

These are our Chris-is-proposing-to-Jewel-today!!!! faces.

Guys, we are SO happy for you! We know you've wanted this for a long time and couldn't be more thrilled for this next stage in your lives. We're so excited for you both!

It's been a fantastic day for our best friends!  

Twenty-One

I've got a birthday boy sitting next to me. :)

Twenty-one years ago, God put breath into a life that has changed me completely. One that makes me happy, sometimes crazy, but always thankful. One that loves me more than I could have ever dreamed of being loved by anyone.

I couldn't imagine going through life with anyone other than Sebastian. I'm so thankful that God has brought him into my life and has used him to influence me in the greatest of ways. I can't wait to see where the Lord takes us from here. We're trusting His will will be done in our lives and our relationship and we will be used the way He intended us to be.

In the mean time, I'm going to go watch Rise of the Guardians with my twenty-one year old stud muffin.

Carson Seth

How horrible has my blogging been?! Today, I've seen a few people do posts, so I figured it was catch-you-up-on-life kind of day. :)

Well, baby Carson is here! But you live under a rock if you didn't know that. :) He made his debut on January 9th at 4:36 in the afternoon. His due date wasn't until February 2nd, so he was born an adorable 5 pounds 11 ounces and was 18 1/2 inches long. When he was delivered, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck and he wasn't breathing. His head was bruised significantly and his body was gray in color. Because he was a preemie, the NICU doctor was called in for the delivery, so once he arrived, the doctor took him to the side and literally pumped air into his lungs. Within minutes, his perfect infant wailing cry filled the room. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Carson ended up having to spend 8 days in the Special Care Unit {which is different from ICU} and Seth and Stacey had to go home without him. Can you imagine how hard that would be?! I definitely can't. But God will make a way, amen? At Chesapeake General, they have a couple of rooms for parents to be able to stay in if their baby has to stay an extra night and they've been discharged. I'm not sure if many parents get to leave and then come back, but Seth and Stacey were able to do that! If I can remember right, they were there for two nights, but the doctor told them that even if they kept the baby for another week, they could stay in the room. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Ever since the 17th, Carson has been home. He's been growing and he's been SUCH a blessing to all of us! The first week of Carson's life was the farthest thing from what Seth and Stacey had expected and planned for, but they were so strong. I'm proud of both of them and am so thankful to have them in my life. And now this precious baby boy! He's here and he's healthy. PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Seth wrote this song while Carson was still in the hospital. It's as heartfelt as you can get.
"The doctors took him to the side and with God's help, they gave him life. We heard his cry and that was our hallelujah!"
Having been there, this is the most powerful line I've ever heard. Makes me cry every time. :)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=524650540908518

God has blessed us, once again, in the form of baby Carson Seth. You're loved, little guy. More than you'll ever know.

Winter Wonderland

In case you don't have a window of your own, IT'S SNOWING!

Today has been a lazy day of vacation planing. While getting things settled for our Outer Banks beach house rental, snow flakes started to fall. For where we live, we're pretty much in a blizzard right now. :) Luckily for me, I have the perfect tree in my front yard to photograph from inside my nice, cozy home.

Now, my fantastic boyfriend {who isn't much of a snow fan} has just built a big fire with wet wood.  

I'd say we're walkin' in a winter wonderland.