Happy Four Months Haleigh

   I totally forgot to write a blog post on Hales turning 4 months old yesterday!!!

Baby Girl,
    I just can't get over how much you change by the day. From the moment I saw you it was LOVE!!! Your little personality is so BIG and I absolutely love it. You make me smile every time you pout those adorable lips, bat those beautiful eyelashes, and giggle the day away. God gave us a wonderful gift when he gave us you. I love you baby girl and I can't wait to watch you grow.
Love,
Mommy

    My post of the day shall go as this...I'm TIRED. I'm STRESSED. I'm in need of a BREAK. Oh...and tomorrow is MONDAY. BOO!!
     To make a long (make that VERY LONG) story short, we went grocery shopping today and both the kids were in "lovely" (note the sarcasm) moods. It was only by the Lord's will that I didn't throw myself down in one of the aisles kicking, screaming, and throwing my own little Mommy tantrum. And for that, I thank God for instilling me with even a small dose of patience. As I've always said, GOD IS GOOD!!!

Our Love Story

     Nine years ago today, I started dating my best friend. And yes, I asked him out, lol. We met at a day camp where we were both camp counselors. I had a boyfriend at the time but things just weren't going great with that relationship. The first time I met Caleb I thought he was cute, but kind of nerdy. *grin* He was into comic books, video games, and all the things that this girly, girl was not. But even so, there was just something about him that made me smile. For example, to get my attention, one day while we were at camp, he tripped over a root on purpose just so I would bandage up his knee; and yes, he DID bleed. Quite an extreme to go to just to get a girl to pay you attention, but I still think it was super cute. 
    On one of our breaks that week, we sat on a picnic table talking about our families, friends, beliefs, likes and dislikes. It was at that moment I learned that he was a Christian and also when I started to think the world of him. Call it infatuation, if you like, but I knew it was love from that moment. I did have the tiny little issue of having a boyfriend, and trying to figure out a nice way to let him know I had met someone else. :-)  Even though in that moment I wanted nothing more than to hold this boy's hand and ask him to be mine, I resisted. I just wasn't the type of girl to cheat on a boyfriend...regardless of how crummy the relationship was and how HOT this new guy was. *smile*  But, I invited him to church as I was raised to do and headed home contemplating on whether or not to make the phone call to break up with the current boyfriend, but decided against it for that moment. 
     Caleb ended up showing up for church that Wednesday night for youth group and I was ECSTATIC! But then, my boyfriend at the time walked through the door shortly after Caleb arrived. And it was in this moment that the boy I had already fallen so hard for learned that I wasn't available. One of my friends shouted out down the hall..."Raquel, your boyfriend's here!!"  I looked away from Caleb, down at the floor, and willed a rock to show up so I could crawl under it. No such luck. The truth was out and I was humiliated. But, you know what? Caleb didn't leave. HE STAYED and was even nice to my boyfriend. I knew for sure in that moment I would be making a phone call to break things off as soon as we got home (as I knew better than to have relationship drama at youth group). I said goodbye to Caleb and said I would see him the next morning at camp.
     I got home and made that phone call; in my opinion, the BEST call I ever made. I was nervous at the time for reasons I won't repeat on here, but in the end, I broke it off. Not without him calling my house at least six to seven times that evening that ended in my Mom giving him up the river for calling so late. So yeah, it was officially over and I was officially FREE!!! 
     I spent the next couple of days at day camp getting ready for the end of week show with the kids. I did get one of my friends to ask Caleb for his number, which he wrote down on a piece of napkin since that was the only thing available to him at the time. I sent my email back to him (by a friend) on another piece of napkin and got ready to leave for the day. Hoping against all odds he would email me soon. And do you know...HE DID!!! We emailed back and forth for quite a while and then he called me a week or so later. Talking to him on the phone that first time was seriously the most nervous I had been in my entire life. I was finally experiencing true love..and I knew it. :-)  I told him I would need some time to get over my last relationship (which was really just a ploy to reel him in even further). Playing hard to get is the oldest game in the book but most guys are still totally oblivious to it...as was Caleb! *grin* He told me that he would wait for me FOREVER! That totally made my heart melt on the spot. I waited a couple of days and then asked HIM out! He was shocked, but said yes. And let me just say, it was a few weeks before we decided to kiss but that is a day I will NEVER forget. None of that tongue down my throat stuff either...a sweet kiss on the cheek and another one on my lips. I swear I didn't stop smiling for days. 
     God has blessed me with an absolutely incredible husband. That's our love story...and the rest is history!

Well Visits

     I totally forgot to update with a post about Noah and Haleigh's well visits for this past week. Noah went for his 18 month on Tuesday. It was the first doctors appointment I have missed with either of the kids, but that's because I was at the eye doctor learning that I'm some sort of medical marvel and finding out how to be a pirate for the next few months or so...let me just say, I am totally rocking the eye patch!!! *grin*  Noah is 32 1/2 inches long and weighs 22 pounds. Dr. Beazely says he is right on track for growth and from what he can tell from his growth chart, he shouldn't grow up to be an obese teenager...which made me happy. :-)  Haleigh went yesterday for hers and weighed in at 12 1/2 pounds and was 22 1/4 inches long. I compared her four month to Noah's and they are exactly the same on everything except for weight...she is two pounds lighter than he was. I'm guessing that's probably because she doesn't eat a bottle at night anymore and he did up until he was probably six or seven months old. So yeah...it was nice getting to hear how well she is doing. The funniest part of her visit was when the nurse gave her, her shots. Haleigh looked the nurse dead in the face, started pouting which quicly turned into screaming/lip quivering, and didn't break her gaze. She started that nurse down until I even felt like telling the nurse I was sorry for her...what a crappy job to have; making babies cry. :-(  But yeah, besides that, everything went really well.
     Right now, both of the kids are asleep for their naps and I'm so grateful. It's so hard to make it through my days now that I only have vision in one eye. It's been giving me horrible headaches everyday and that just puts me in a bad mood. I have to work extra hard to remain positive, but even so, I am trusting God with this. I know that He is giving me this to make me stronger...I won't let this break me. I guess I will get off of here now so that I can rest my eyes for a while and then maybe get some housework done. Hope each of you has a blessed day.

Central Serous Retinopathy

     This is what I was diagnosed with this morning at the retina specialist clinic. Basically, it's a disease where fluid leaks from the veins in your eyes and pools under/behind your retina. This causes blind spots in your vision, which is what I have been experiencing since last Friday. I currently have 20/400 vision in my right eye making me legally blind, for now. The doctor put me in observation period which will take place over the next three months. Basically, I just have to wait for my body to correct this on its own, which could take as long as three months. If it doesn't go away then I will be having lasik eye surgery sometime in October to fix this issue. 
     You can imagine, I had quite a breakdown in the doctor's office this morning when he gave me the news. It's not the worst thing that could happen, and I know that, but living with blindness in one eye for possibly the next three months is just not an easy thing to face. I feel like the past six months have been nothing but bad news and I am very much looking forward to having this behind me. 
     Please pray that the Lord not only takes this away SOON, but that I will remain positive throughout this experience. One thing's for sure, I am definitely starting to appreciate my sight much more and I no longer want to take things for granted. 

     Yesterday I started having a lot of pain in the eye that's been giving me trouble. I called my eye doctor and they moved my appointment with the retina specialist to this morning at 9:30. I'm really worried about it and I'm praying that it's something that can be fixed within the next few days. My vision is really impaired and it's hard to do anything...especially drive. Yesterday I took the kids to a nearby park just so they could get out for a while. And even though it was super close to home, I was still scared to be driving. Then, I guess because my left eye is trying to work to compensate for my right one, I got a horrible headache and a ton of pressure behind my right eye.  I will try to update with a post later depending on how the appointment goes. 

    ** I do have a special prayer request for my blog readers. Friends of ours recently gave birth to three triplets (born two months early) and their little girl has a large heart murmur which still hasn't corrected itself after two rounds of medication. She may have to have surgery to correct it so please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. My heart goes out to this beautiful little baby and to her parents (and baby Es two brothers). I will update as soon as I know more.**

Ocular Anemia

   This is basically where fluid covers the retina. The doctor thinks it could possibly be a post strep complication (as she normally doesn't see this in people under 40). But, if it is fluid caused from a leaking blood vessel it won't go away on it's own. I have an appointment set up to see a Retina Specialist on Friday at 1pm. Please pray it goes well. If this doesn't clear up on it's own in a couple of weeks (or if I do have a leaking blood vessel) I have to have lasic eye surgery. So yeah, that sucks. I have deal with impaired vision until this corrects itself or surgery does which is really getting me down. I'm trying so hard to remain positive but I'm just so sick of having all of these issues to deal with. God is good and I know His will, will be done in this. Thanks to you all for your constant prayers and support; it truly means so much to me. My eyes are really sore from all the tests they did today so I'm going to get off of here for now. I just wanted to update everyone with my results.

Out of Sight, Out of (my) Mind

    I thought I was experiencing "floaters" in my right eye, but when I called to set up an eye appointment this morning, my eye doctor seems to think it's something more serious. I am really worried I am losing my sight in my right eye but we won't know for sure until after my appointment at 2:00 today. Please pray for me...that this is NOT what is happening and that the Lord would give the doctor wisdom of how to fix this issue.

Quick Post

     So, I have a ton I would LOVE to blog about but at the moment, my sight is slightly impaired. Another side effect of Keflex, which I didn't know until Friday, is that it can cause floaters. Basically, it's like seeing the spots in front of your eyes that a camera flash causes, but constantly. It's supposed to go away as soon as the antibiotic is out of my system (which could be as long as TWO WEEKS..YIKES!). I also have to wear an eye patch for a while so that my left eye doesn't become too strained (hardy, hardy har, lol). I'm trying to make the best of this situation and remain positive but I have absolutely made up my mind: no more antibiotics unless the condition won't go away without them and definitely no more Keflex. So yeah, life is crap. No, not quite that bad, but I'm starting to get a bit down at the thought that my body just can't handle illness the way it once could. Geez I feel old.
     So, tomorrow or maybe Tuesday (or whenever my eyes are strong enough to blog about my most amazing weekend), I will do that. I have a ton of pictures to upload of our trip to Monticello and Foamhenge (heehee) and can't wait to share our awesome memories. Please say a prayer for me if you get the chance...that my wacked out body will correct itself soon. Thanks to all!!!

Finally Got Some Answers

     I thought it was odd that my strep throat (and blisters) weren't going away after 5 days on antibiotics, so I called the doctor's office. Turns out, I have oral thrush, which was caused by the antibiotics. So now, I kind of have to deal with it until I'm done with the dose which I think is this upcoming Wednesday. I am supposed to eat yogurt, because that's supposed to kill a lot of the bacteria or something; I'm not sure I quite understood everything, but yeah, so that stinks. Oh well. Going to enjoy my weekend regardless of my body's weird malfunctions! Have a nice night everyone!!!

Bad News, Good News, Odds and Ends

     Bad news is that I'm still suffering from a really bad sore throat; as in, blisters are covering the entire area of my upper throat region. So yeah, that is pretty bad. Everytime I try to eat, it feels similar to when you get salt in a paper cut. I'm doing my best to keep a positive attitude but after only being able to eat applesauce and popsicles for a week, it gets kind of hard. :-(  
     BUT, on a positive note I have lost five pounds which means I have already reached the goal I had set to reach by the fall. HOORAY! Maybe this will jump start my continuing weight loss and that would just be AWESOME. 
     I did want to blog a bit about my babies today. Noah, as ya'll know, turned 18 months old yesterday. I just can't get over the fact that he is no longer a baby, no longer a toddler even, but now a little boy. I enjoy waking up each morning wondering what new discovery he will make that day. Just yesterday, he started trying to pick Haleigh up on his own, which is something he hasn't tried before. Noah normally asks me or Caleb if he can hold her, but has never initiated it himself, so that was pretty cool. And sissy absolutely LOVES her brother so you can just imagine the smile she gets across her face when she is cuddled up in the arms of her brother. 
     Speaking of baby girl, I just can't get over that next week she will be 4 months old. I can't thank God enough for both of our adorable little blessings. We love them so much Caleb and I have decided to have at least one more, possible two. We are currently discussing plans for adding a new addition, but don't get too excited because it definitely will not be this year. Caleb has promised me he will take me to Key West next summer if I'm not pregnant before then (and I definitely won't be, lol) so we are looking at next fall or winter before trying for another baby j. *GRIN*  
     We are leaving tomorrow morning for our weekend getaway. We are both so thrilled at the prospect of sleeping past 6am and being able to kiss without Noah freaking out. Let's just say he isn't a fan of sharing Mommy with anybody and that includes Daddy, lol. We are visiting Monticello and I'm really excited. Many of you don't know that I'm a closet history buff; I tend not to talk about that too much because I would come across as being totally nerdy. But yes, I prefer to carry around the guidebook myself and give me and hubby our own little tours when we go and visit historical sites. Then, I talk about the information and knowledge we learn for DAYS afterwards. Call me crazy, but I get all excited over history, lol. So yeah, I'm REALLY looking forward to this time we will have together and thankful to my parents for making this a possibility! (LOVE YOU BOTH!!!) 
     Anyways, it's off of here to clean and start packing. Can't get over that hubs and I will have an almost entire 48 hours to ourselves!!! Hooray for Grandparents!

Happy 18 Months!!!

Noah Bug,
     I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. It really does seem just like yesterday that you were looking up at me for the first time. I've loved watching your little personality develop over the last year and a half. And seeing you develop into the awesome big brother you are has been a wonderful and most exciting thing to be a part of. Mommy loves you with her whole heart, baby boy.
"I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be!"

Here is a song "Never Grow Up" by Taylor Swift. As the months pass I am constantly reminded of this song and how somedays, I wish it could come true. But, then, I can't wait to see the man you turn into, baby boy...the things I know you will accomplish. Mama loves you, Noah Whately!

     My family is FINALLY starting to get better from this yucky strep throat. Praise God hubby hasn't gotten it yet and I pray that he doesn't. We are supposed to go away for our anniversary trip this weekend (we had to postpone it b/c of other issues earlier in the month). I'm really looking forward to a weekend away with my love...it will be so much fun. We both really need a break, lol. It's definitely been a rough couple of weeks. 
     On a different note, we are only 2 days away from Noah turning 18 months old...and on the 30th Hales will be four months. I just can't get over how quickly time flies these days. :-)  As soon as I have a chance I will post new pictures. I've been slacking over the past couple of weeks while my family has been sick, but now that we are finally perking up, I'll keep up with it a little better. 
     I'm going to get off of here for now because Mom is on her way over to spend the day. Hooray for grandparents. :-)

Now Me

    I started to feel totally crummy yesterday evening with a sore throat. I woke up at 4am with a fever over 100 and achy all over...not to mention my throat felt AWFUL. To make a long story short my whole family is taking stock in antibiotics, lol. Hales came back positive this morning...surprise, surprise. My awesome hubby took off work (even though I said I could handle things myself today) and so that has been great. I slept until 8:45 which is not like me at all, as I'm usually up by 6am every morning. So, it's off to rest up for the day because tomorrow I'm bleaching EVERYTHING in this house.

Now Baby Haleigh

     Well, now little miss is running a fever of 102. Our kids' pediatrician won't be back until Monday so we had to deal with the most awesome doctor ever (eye roll and note the sarcasm). She said to bring her in tomorrow morning to do a strep test and get her started on an antibiotic if it comes back positive. I'm fairly certain that's what she has since she and her brother tend to share everything. Let's just hope that applies to toys as they grow up and not just illness, lol. Anyways, please continue to pray for out little ones and that the Lord will heal them and take their sore throats away soon. I'm at the end of my rope; exhausted from many sleepless nights with Noah Bug (and now with baby Haleigh) and I'm starting to feel sick myself. I just keep asking that the Lord keeps illness away from me..at least until the kids are better. Hope each of you is having a wonderful weekend.

Seriously?!?!?

     As most of you already know, Noah Bug has strep throat and so the doctor we had to see (because ours was out on vacation) decided to start him on an antibiotic. That was fine. I just wanted  him to start feeling better quickly. Well, we've tried for three days to get him to take it; we've mixed it into different types of drinks and food. We've tried putting a little into his mouth over the course of 20-30 minutes and even pretending to drink it ourselves. NOTHING WORKS! The second he tastes it in anything, he gags and screams, refusing to take it. And if we squirt it directly into his mouth, he vomits. That sort of defeats the purpose of keeping plenty of fluids in him. So yesterday, I called and talked with Dr. Beazely's nurse (LOVE HER) and she recommended that we bring him back in today to get a shot. I was super stoked because two shots and then he would be good to go. :-) 
      Anyways, she scheduled us for a 9:00 appointment this morning and I got the kids up and ready. We made it to the doctor's office (me, by myself, without anyone there to help me) and waited and waited and waited some more. FINALLY we got called back and this new doctor's nurse came in. She told me to get Noah undressed and take him back to the scales. He screamed when I laid him down on it because the table was cold and he is still feeling back. I reached over to rub his foot to comfort him and do you know what that nurse had the NERVE TO DO???? She smacked my hand away and said "Don't touch him!!! I'm weighing him!" I kept my mouth shut because I had my kids with me and I didn't them to see their mother go off on someone. 
     That put in a bad mood so when the doctor came in I wasn't really in the best spirits. I tried to remain positive and explained that Dr. Beazely's nurse had suggested we come in so Noah could have the antibiotic in shot form. She asked a few questions and I told her he acted like he was feeling a bit better but we couldn't get him to take (or keep down) his medicine. She looked at me like I was the dumbest person she had ever met and said "he will fight you no matter what you do because he is a toddler and that's what toddlers do". I understood that because that is what they do. But then I explained that he has never had a problem taking Motrin or Tylenol, until we tried making him take this antibiotic. I then explained that he was terrified to even take that because he thought it was the other "bad medicine". She then said what still makes me cringe and shake with anger...."Well, then, I guess you're just going to have to wrap him up in a blanket and force it down his throat!!" WHAT?!?!? 
       I see this as child abuse. I know that some people would say that you have to do what you have to do to get them to take it. And sure, if this was the only option, I guess I wouldn't have a choice. But I DO have another option. He can be given two shots and then he will feel better and I won't feel like an abusive parent. I do not believe in using force with my little ones. I never have and I never will. These are gifts from the Lord and I will treat them as such. Wrapping them up in a blanket, while forcefully holding them down, and then forcing them them to take medicine which makes Noah vomit. NO WAY! Not going to do it. So yeah...that's my little rant of the day. I actually think I'm going to call the pharmacy and see if they have either of these two in the form of a suppository. A friend suggested that and it sounds like a good idea to me.
    Anyways, thanks for listening to my issues. It felt really good to vent about it and get that out. I know that some people will disagree with my thoughts on the issue of distributing meds with force but that's ok. He's not their kid, lol. I'm off of here to lay down for a bit. I have no doubt my blood pressure is through the roof! 

     I feel like this is the first chance I've really  had to sit down since early Tuesday evening. The last couple of days have been spent cuddling my feverish little boy and willing myself to hold back tears every time I have to force feed him the antibiotic which he HATES.
    It all started Tuesday evening when we were hanging out and playing in Bug's room. He had been seemingly fine for the earlier part of the day and I thought he just was super tired because he didn't take the best nap that day. We were playing and he was being his usual bubbly, hyper self until around 6ish or so. Then, he started whining and wouldn't talk or play. I went over to pick him up and then I knew that something was wrong; he was burning up with fever. Being an experienced Mama I went straight to the medicine cabinet and got the thermometer. (We finally broke down and bought one of the ear thermometers so we wouldn't have to take the kids temperatures rectally anymore...HOORAY) Anyways, after a couple of seconds it confirmed what I already knew...Bug had a fever: 100.2. That didn't really worry me because his fevers have reached close to 103 with his ear infections. We willed him to drink lots of juice and water and put him to bed early. He woke up 5-6 times that night and by 3am his fever had reached 102.5. I waited until 8am yesterday morning and called the pediatrician's office as soon as I knew they were open. We got scheduled for a 9:30 appointment and off we went.
     We got there and while we were hanging out in the "oh so fun" waiting room, I told Caleb I thought it was Noah's throat that was bothering him. I even ventured to say that I had a feeling it was strep, but Caleb leaned more towards another ear infection. We got called back and the doctor came in. She checked Noah over while I named his symptoms and told her that in my opinion, he had strep throat. His temperature was now reading 103.5 (with Tylenol) After what seemed like an eternity of poking, prodding (and screams that would make blood curl) she confirmed it...his throat was definitely the issue. She wanted to do a strep culture, and because I already knew this wouldn't go over well, I braced myself for the aftermath of swabbing a toddler's throat. I put on the strongest Mommy face I could muster while simultaneously trying to not let on to Noah what he was about to endure. Then, out came the swab and down his throat it went...let's just say this, to make a long story short, I left the hospital covered in vomit and tears with a half broken heart. I knew this would probably be how it ended because it's what happened to me every time I got strep throat as a kid, which turned out to be quite a lot, resulting in having my tonsils removed in the fourth grade. :-)
     So, yes, we headed home where I spent the rest of the day cuddling Noah and trying not to lose my mind as I cared for our 3 month old daughter and sick little boy. Praise the Lord Caleb was able to take off work and go to the doctor's office or one of you may have seen me aimlessly wondering the streets of Salem, lol....mind totally gone. *grin* In all seriousness, though, I am pretty beat. Make that totally and utterly exhausted. We finally got Noah to bed around midnight last night but he was up again at 6:30am. I called Mom and asked if she would mind watching Hales today so I could focus 100% of my attention on little Bug. He is currently napping (praise Jesus for that) and I am taking a much needed break. Off of here now to get a bit of housework done until the wakes up.
     Please continue to pray for Noah and that the Lord heals him quickly.

Three Years of Bliss

     I married my best friend three years ago today. I can't believe the many things God has done for in these few short years but I wake up every day knowing that I am blessed. Caleb is an incredible husband and father; I can't imagine my life without him in it. There have been rocky moments in our marriage; financial issues, learning how to put up with each other's pet peeves when we first began living together, learning how to become parents. All of those things were difficult, but we put God at the center of our marriage...made Him our foundation, and that has made all the difference. 
  
 Caleb,
    I can't wait to spend the rest of eternity with you.  I know this year has been especially difficult, dealing with your Dad being gone and adding a new addition to our family. But through these things, God has strengthened us. I am so thankful to have you as my spouse because I know without a shadow of a doubt, you will always be there for me. I have faith that you will never leave me, and no matter how many hills we have to climb in this marriage, I will be right here by your side. I love you, Sweetheart! Happy Anniversary!

Richmond Pictures (Edited)

Home Again, Home Again Jiggety-Jig

    We are back safe and sound. Had an AWESOME weekend with friends but it is SO good to be home. :-)  Looked at a couple of apartments while we were up there and have definitely decided we will be moving in the next 18 months. Although, our biggest decision is still WHERE to  move. We LOVE the Richmond area but have also been looking at South Carolina or Georgia...it's really where the Lord takes us. We are also going to have to see which positions open up at DDS's on the East Coast in the next year and a half. So yeah...still lots to think and pray about. We shall see...exciting, exciting. I will be posting pictures later tonight or sometime tomorrow of our trip. Hope each of you had a VERY BLESSED weekend!!!

Compassion for Casey

    A friend of mine posted a link to this blog on their Facebook today. I read it and it spoke to my heart. As a Christian, we need to set ourselves apart. I do not and will NEVER condone sin (murder or otherwise) but in the God's eyes, aren't our sins all the same? I sin, you sin...we ALL sin.  I must have compassion for her, whether I like it or not, because that's what Christ would do. As his follower I WILL have compassion. I had so much anger at first, when the verdict was read (and wouldn't the Lord see that as a sin as well?)  This young woman still has a chance to enter the gates of Heaven, but with millions turned against her (including Christians...and I was one of them) it seems impossible. If we have compassion for Casey Anthony and forgive her of the sin we think she has committed, and treat her the way Christ would, she has a chance to turn her life around; to live forever in God's kingdom, and as hard as it might seem, WE have to make the first steps towards love and forgiveness.

http://www.ragamuffinsoul.com/2011/07/casey/

Fun with Friends

     I am SO looking forward to our upcoming trip to Richmond. We are leaving tomorrow afternoon around 2ish. I probably won't be able to sleep tonight because I'm just so dang excited, lol. Please pray for safe travel and that the kids won't make the trip there and back TOO crazy, haha. I'm keeping both kids awake until we leave (not as easy as it sounds) so hopefully they will nap for most of the way there. Hope each of you has an awesome weekend!!!

Casey Anthony

found NOT GUILTY on ALL murder charges. Several counts of giving false information to law enforcement. So, the most she is looking at is four years in prison and at "best" (if you can call it that) is being released on Thursday morning following her sentencing. I watched the trial, knowing in my mind that the jury would find her guilty. I mean, the chlorophorm (sp?)  and the duct tape pretty much summed it up for me. Not to mention, she continuously LIED throughout the past several years...and didn't even report that her daughter was missing for a month. And during that month, did she grieve? Did she care? Did she search for her missing daughter? NO...she PARTIED! WOW!!!! That really convinces me that she didn't murder her child (note the sarcasm). I seriously just do NOT understand how this jury could come to this verdict. 
    There are so many women out there who try for years to conceive, only to be told later that they can't have children. Women who miscarry, have stillbirths, have their children pass away before them...and then you have women like this; women who would MURDER their children and not think twice. Women who INFURIATE me to the point of madness. As I watched the jury give their verdict I literally shook with anger as I held my own baby in my arms. Looking down at her, letting the tears stream down my face, unable to wrap my mind around such a horrific act. There is no justice for baby Caylee today, but one day, our Father in Heaven will grant her the justice she deserves. I will not judge the jury, I will not judge Casey Anthony, or others involved in the trial, because ONE DAY, MY GOD WILL JUDGE!!! My prayers go out to the family and friends and jury members involved in this. 
     I just had to get that out...I'm going to go hold my baby girl in my arms and cuddle my Noah Bug and thank GOD above for these blessings. 

Fireworks

    Caleb and I debated all day about where to take the kid to see fireworks. This evening, my brother called and said The Salem Fair was bringing back fireworks (for the first time in FIVE YEARS!!) So, problem solved...HOORAY! And the really good news is that even though they won't start until 9:30, we live just a couple minutes away so we can still have the kids in bed by 10:15 at the latest. YES! 
     It's been quite a long day and I'm am so ready for bed. :-)  
     Happy Fourth of July!!!