Baby is Growing and Life is Settling

So above is the latest picture of my most favorite baby, Allison Olivia, you make Grammy very happy.

I find myself exhaling and relaxing the shoulders a bit. Chuck made a decision after much prayer and thought and we will not be relocating to North Carolina for the job offer. I am glad of course, since we can stay in our comfortable "perfect for us" home but most importantly, we remain minutes from our precious granddaughter, daughter and son-in-law. There is a small part of me that is a bit disappointed - I so want to leave this State's heat and humidity (I still hope to someday) but as much as I hate that part there are too many other parts that are great.

Life is settling in other ways too: Chuck is enjoying his volunteering duties over at the firehouse; our granddaughter is growing and becoming a happy person; I feel closer to my daughter and I so enjoy watching her become a wonderful mommy to Allison. Chuck and I are making the way back to our whacky sense of 'normal'. Chuck and I have good jobs (for today at least). Paying bills with a paycheck instead of unemployment benefits is nice.

During our period of unemployment, I knew without a shadow of a doubt we would be okay - although I am the first to say there were days of complete fear. I know that the sense of peace I was blessed with came from our Lord. I also knew if I remained faithful, HE would provide and deliver us to today. Thank you God for so many reasons.

My How the Days Fly By

My beautiful daughter Lauren and her beautiful daughter, Allison have been visiting us almost every single weekend since Allison's birth. This has been such an enjoyable and precious time for both Chuck and I. Of course we enjoy visiting with Ben and Lauren too but kissing, loving, holding and just enjoying Allison has been a TRUE and COMPLETE BLESSING!

It seems hard to believe that this Sept. 22, Allison will be 2 months old already. Time literally runs at fast speed around here. I am always telling Lauren to enjoy every single moment with Alli, even on the days she is exhausted from lack of sleep and lots of breast feeding because time has a way of flying.

I know a big time culprit is my full time job... I feel like I am either driving to or from it, ironing clothes to wear to it, making a lunch for it or actually at it! The job is going well and I have no complaints what so ever - well except that I even need to have a job at all. Ha-ha.

Right now Chuck and I are at a crossroads. We have an opportunity to move to NC with a job offer for Chuck. On one hand it is our ticket out of this hot and humid state but on the other (very heavy hand) it moves us away from our daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law. Not to mention Chuck's two sisters and their families, good friends, a beautiful house, and so on.

I am not really open to this move, but as a supportive wife, I will make the most of it for my husband. I just can't bear the thought of not spending weekends with my girls and being 9 hours away from them. I feel like they bring me some of my happiest days. I have decided that I am leaving it in God's hands. I pray and I ask Him to please guide us and put us where He wants us. I am so not capable of a decision without His guidance.

I end this update grateful as always and loving my new role as grandmother. My thoughts and prayers are with those that have been and are about to be affected by this summer's hurricanes. There has been some very bad flooding in our very own city and on our very own street. We are so fortunate to have suffered no problems and for that and many other reasons, I thank God!

Happy News and Updates

I have been away lately and for very good reasons. Our granddaughter was born July 22, at 9:11 p.m. and it has been busy around here since. I was able to be there for the birth and had the great privilege of cutting her cord. Her daddy gets a little squeamish and decided to let me have the honor. Mommy did just wonderful and was a real trooper and literally pushed her out in 40 minutes. Our beautiful Allison Olivia is here and she is such a joy.

We had a hard time deciding what to be called as grandparents, since both of our parents are known as "Grandma and Grandpa" and it seems weird for us to take those same names. So Chuck will be known as "Papa" and I am leaning towards "Mama". I know Allison will call us what she wants but if I keep referring to ourselves as Papa and Mama, it may just stick.

Chuck's job seems to be going well and he seems to like it. He is on his second week and like I say "so far...so good". My job is getting busier as the Company let someone go and of course some of that person's duties are now mine. I will continue to remind myself that I am lucky to have a job and try very hard not to complain that my pay remains the same while the workload increased.

There is much to be thankful for and I am.

Good, No.... GREAT News!

Chuck was offered a job. Praise the Lord. He will start in 2 weeks. He will be back into the vault and safe technician world. It seems surreal and I guess once the paychecks start rolling in I will actually believe it. The company called him on a Thursday and he interviewed on Friday morning and was offered the position. We are so grateful and happy - Once again, I thank the good Lord.

On another note...Lauren is 38 weeks and 3 days along. The picture was taken last night. She is spending this Saturday afternoon with us. She is very uncomfortable and feeling ready to give birth. She has lots of pressure and contractions but nothing regular enough to call it "serious". Chuck went to go pick her up this morning as Ben was home sleeping late. Ben is going to stay home to get things done and stay with the dogs for a while. I love having Lauren home with us. It brings back warm memories of when she was younger. I know once Allison is here, Lauren's world will forever change (for the better) and she will no longer be my only baby :)

Work is going well for me and for that I am grateful, thankful and happy. I will be keeping you all posted. I am hoping I will be holding Allison in my arms any day now!!!!

Grateful As Always

Getting ready for a long weekend, getting ready for a relaxing three days of no work and no plans. It is a "play it by ear" kind of three days.

Lauren has her 37 weeks of pregnancy Dr. visit tomorrow and her Dad will be taking her. Ben has just started a new job and can't take off and I am trying like crazy to save up my leave time for after the birth. So I can try to be around to help the new family of three out.

I want to take this time to say Happy Fourth of July to all and to thank the troops over seas for their dedication and efforts. Thank you.

Another Wonderful Weekend

I haven't posted in a while. We had a busy weekend last week, we enjoyed the Baby Shower on Saturday and then Father's Day was Sunday. It was one of the fastest weekends in a while but an absolutely enjoyable one!

Lauren and Ben received so many wonderful gifts for Allison. They are all ready for the arrival with the nursery and items all prepared and washed. I am not sure about the mental preparedness part but I know Lauren is feeling tired and uncomfortable. I am sure those of us who have had babies can remember that very long last month!

Still no job for Chuck. My job is doing very well and so am I. All in all life is beautiful. I have no complaints only gratitude. Thank you Lord for everything in our lives and may you continue to bless us as we do our best.

Happiness Abounds

I am just thankful for so many things and I want to take this time now to "Thank you Lord, for loving and blessing me and my family".

Congratulations are in order for our nephew BJ who is graduating from high school today. Wish we could have made the trip to NC to celebrate with everyone.

Happy belated and current birthday wishes to: Mike, Jack, Heather, Stephanie, Jerry, BJ, and Gary. Add Lauren and my name to this list and my mother in law has lots of cards to mail out in May and June.

Next Saturday is the Baby Shower for Lauren. The nursery is coming along great and will be done in time to show everyone at the shower. I will post more after shower and will hopefully have some pics to share.

Happy Weekend and Enjoy!