My First Thanksgiving Cooking Experience!

This year was my very first Thanksgiving Cooking Experience! Michael had to work all day, so I it was up to me to cook everything. Last year, Michael did most of the cooking. It's no secret that Michael is way better at cooking than I am! He also enjoys it much more than I do. I'm a little bit too OCD to enjoy cooking. I stress myself out and always end up making a huge mess! I started by marinating my turkey overnight with an injectable Cajun butter. We then covered the turkey in a dry rub and let it sit overnight. Colten and I woke up early, ate some french toast, and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! They always show great performances of Broadway's latest hits, so I always enjoy that! Colten loved watching the parade!
We decorated the house a little bit, which Colten loves to do! He loves to explore new things and he loves to help! He also LOOVES to help cook! He helped to put all of the french fried onions on the green bean casserole...he did a great job!
My Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, and Cheddar Garlic Mashed Potatoes turned out GREAT! I was so proud! Also, my very first experience with making dressing was a success!!!

I have some pictures to share with you today!


My Darling ALMOST 25 MONTH OLD Baby boy :)



This is Colten's "MEAN FACE."



Praying before lunch:





Trying to eat all of the cranberry sauce!



The Christmas Wreath I made:

Time for an Update!

It's been quite a long time since I've updated! Since my last post, I've had laparascopic surgery for Endometriosis. I found out that I have Stage 2 Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Polycystic Ovarian Disease, as well as a small tumor on one of my ovaries called a Cystodenoma. I also have premature aging of the ovaries. My chances of having another child without some type of fertility treatment is slim to none. To say I am devastated would be an understatement. I've been crying for hours and hours. We will never be able to afford the treatment. I am so thankful that I was able to defy the odds once before, with the birth of my beautiful miracle baby, Colten. I'm still praying for God to show me the plan he has for my life. I'm praying for God to let me prove the doctors wrong.
It's out of my hands now.

In other news, MY BABY TURNED 2! We didn't have a party or anything. Colten and I had a blast making cupcakes complete with chocolate icing and lots of sprinkles! :) For his special birthday dinner, we cooked one of his favorites, Chili dog Tater tot casserole. It was yummy! He got lots and lots of great toys from His Aunt Coco, Uncle Joe, Nanna and Pop, Grammy and Paw Paw, and his Great Aunt Lisa! He loves loves his Chuck dump truck and his Elmo toy!

Colten has been sick for almost a week now! Mommy is very exhausted and is praying to have my normal little boy back soon!

Now, for some pictures! These were all taken with the camera on my cell phone, since a cute little boy with blue eyes BROKE my digital camera!







Colten sitting in the Trauma One Helicoptor!







THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I LET MICHAEL AND COLTEN PLAY IN THE DIRT!




ME AND MY BABY ON HIS BIRTHDAY!



WASHING THE TRUCK WITH DADDY

Sad News....

Not many of you probably know this, but I've been having some health issues recently. I've had tons and tons of blood tests. They've tested every hormone possible, my thyroid (twice), my blood sugar, insulin (I had a 3 hour glucose test), different vitamin levels, and even a progesterone test. I went back to my specialist to get my lab results and I have a serious Vitamin D deficiency, I'm hypoglycemic, and I have some insulin resistance. He says all this explains why it isn't easy for me to lose weight, why I'm so exhausted all of the time, and one reason why I feel so depressed. I had another follow-up appointment with my Reproductive Endocrinologist on Wednesday. I have a large Ovarian cyst that I've been trying to get rid of through hormone suppression therapy for the last 3-4 months. I found out that the cyst is still there.

I also found out the reason why I'm in excruciating pain every month. Why I stay up at night crying. Why even Ibuprofen 800 won't touch my pain. Dr. Michael Fox (yes, that's his name) told me that my uterus is twice it's size. He also informed me that I have Adenomyosis. Adenomyosis is basically endometriosis inside the uterus. He also says that my cyst is an endometrial cyst, and that my endometriosis is probably everywhere, not just inside my uterus. My surgery has not been scheduled yet, but I will be having Laproscopic surgery to take care of my cyst, endometriosis, as well as my adenomyosis.

Colten is even more of a miracle that I originally thought. My future of having any more children is uncertain at this point. It's not completely impossible, but it's not terribly likely either. I am devastated that I might not be able to ever give Colten a sibling. I am devastated that I might not ever give my husband more children. I am devastated that I might not ever feel a baby kicking inside of my belly. I am devastated that I might not ever get to hear my baby's first cry. I had two days where I just cried all day. I cried at the baby names that I already had picked out (Which will stay top secret, by the way! You never know!)

All I can do at this point is pray that God lets me know what the right thing to do is. He has a plan for me. I am so grateful that no matter what happens, I have at least one child. One glorious, beautiful, amazing child.

Colten's First Trip to the Beach!

This past weekend was SO nice! Michael was actually off all weekend, so we have two days of fun-filled family adventure. Saturday was our big grocery shopping day. We found tons of great deals and bought enough groceries to last us a month! We then had lunch at Chic Fil A (yummy!) and came back home for a nap. Sunday, we went to Little Talbot Island State Park. They have miles and miles of beaches right on the Atlantic Ocean. Colten had a total blast! He chased the birds, threw grapes at them, and even yelled "Eat bird, Eat!" We played in waves and sand. We all had such a good time. He was completely exhausted by the end of the day. I have pictures to share!!


Colten's first step in the ocean!!!

22 months!

So my little bitty baby boy is not so little anymore! He will be 2 years old in just 2 short months! I can't believe how fast this time has flown by. He is such an amazing light in my life. He is my entire life! Colten is sitting on my lap right now. Wherever I am, he has to be also. He is the biggest mama's boy! He's talking all the time, full of attitude just like his mama. I've gotten a touch of the terrible two's already, and I'm scared! I think I might have gray hair and a lot more wrinkles whenever this is all over with!

New Pics....

His first time having chocolate milk:




Playing my broom like a guitar when Queen came on the radio;