Big Shocker...

OK so I tried to wait longer to make sure everything is ok, but I can't do it. It was very VERY very surprising, but I just found out for sure I am PREGNANT!!!! It was for sure NOT planned. I freaked out at first because I am not done with Faith being my baby (she will be 21 months when the baby arrives), but it is growing on me and I am getting excited. I am a little worried about this pregnancy because I had NO symptoms at first which was different than with Faith, but I know they are all different. I am beginning to have the sick stomach feelings, I just hope (like with Faith) I don't actually get sick.

OK so here is the story... I took a pregnancy test the Wed. before Thanksgiving (which some of you knew) and there was a very light line. I went to the doctor the same day because I was sick and didn't want to go through Thanksgiving being sick. I told the doc. I might be pregnant so she tested me. She said I wasn't and gave me a shot (which kind of worries me too because I shouldn't have had it if I was pregnant). So I don't know if the doc. was wrong or what. Then about a month later still no period, so I took a different type pregnancy test and the plus showed up. SO Stacy and I decided, without insurance, I would take advantage of the pregnancy clinics free test (more accurate). Well it was positive as well, so they said I would have had to been pregnant when I was at the doc. because it would not have shown up otherwise. So don't know what happened there, but they aren't sure how far I am. They are guessing I will be due July 23ish, but will know better after my first ultra sound which is Jan. 7th. SOOOO I guess I will let you know more then. I am trying to stay positive and not worry. I think the worry is just because I am still shocked. It took us years to get pregnant with Faith, so it was a surprise!!! Anyway, please add this exciting news to your prayer list, THANKS!!

Faith's still sick.

Just a short update on the sickness issue. We have been to the doctor more lately than I think we have since she was born. She still has a double ear infection. It has lasted through 3 ten day antibiotics and has gone on for close to a month. All I can say is poor little girl!!! She is now going through a round of shots and another medicine that is for a resistant bacteria. Some of you will know more about this than me, but basically my doc. dumbed it down to say something in her body isn't letting the meds. work, so we are going after that "thing" (the bacteria he thinks). If any of you had tubes when you were young you prob. went through all this. I didn't so it is all new to me. The meds. she is on is hard core though. It is very rough on the stomach and she hasn't been eating well since she got sick a month ago. Our once chunky little girl has lost over a pound in a month. Doctors do NOT like that much and neither do I. This medicine is probably going to make her loose more weight they say, so we will see. I know this is no where near the worst thing a child has gone through, but it is so hard to watch your little baby scream through shots, scream through doctors visits (we have been everyday this week) and scream through taking MORE meds. She took her meds. so good the first 2 rounds and now she screams as soon as she sees it coming. I breaks my heart. Anyway, the next step is to go to an ENT specialist, so we hope this will work and we will not have to do the tube thing, but we will see. Please keep Faith in your prayers. Thanks!!

Winter sickness...

Always seems to happen to us sometime at the beginning of the cold fronts coming and going. We are ALL sick. Not fun being sick on your birthday!!! I got sick the Tues. before Thanksgiving. I went to the clinic and got a steroid shot and over $100 dollars in meds. Yes, 100!!! And guess what, the day we got back from Austin my symptoms returned, and I have been sick since. Faith got a bad cough Thanksgiving morning, but was acting fine. I decided to take her to the doc. last Tues., since we both missed school. She had a double ear infection... She is a trooper. She has a very high pain tolerance I am told. Last night it hit her hard though. She screamed from 10 pm till 12. She is usually out around 8:30, so we knew something was up. We called the doc. because she was in obvious pain; she was kicking and twisting her little body and wouldn't let us hardly hold her at all. It was real sad. Come to find out when a baby has a double ear infection, they can have phantom pains in other parts of their body. Learn something new all the time. We knew she was acting like her stomach hurt, but the doc. said that was probably what it was. Interesting and good to know for next time. Well, just got the last call. Stacy was feeling left out I guess. He said he has a fever and all the symptoms of whatever I have. Fun stuff!!! All of this is coming while we are in the process of changing insurance. Not good timing. We had to get on temp. insurance, which is like having none unless something major happens, until Stacy was at his new job for 90 days. I guess you could figure that out with the $100 dollar meds. What is worse, we have spent around $700 dollars since my first doc. appointment. Isn't that ridiculous!!!!!!!! I get sick to my stomach just thinking about it. Our new insurance is ridiculously good. I would only spend like $300 to have a baby. Crazy good!!! We spent a couple thousand with Faith. Anyway, all that to say I am so ready for this new insurance and we will likely not have temp. insurance again. It is so not worth it. Well, we are all going to just sit on the couch and sleep all weekend I guess. Hope better news to come!!

Mix of Many

This is a mix of Halloween pics and my trip to Tennessee to my friend, Bethany's wedding. First the wedding... It was a very fast trip. We left Friday morning and spent the first night in a hotel. Then we got to Tenn and had the rehearsal dinner that night. The wedding was on Sun. Monday we went to Alabama to visit family for lunch in one town and stayed with some friends that night in another town. Then we left Tues. morning and spent that night in a hotel and back home by Wed. afternoon. Very Very fast trip. We were at a different place every night and drove around 2,000 miles in 6 days. Faith was a trooper. She only cried when she was tired, but fell asleep soon after. She did throw up for the first time on the way down, so I was so worried she would puke on one of my friends that would come grab her and walk off. It was sooo fun and I wouldn't have missed Bethany's wedding for the world.


This was Faith's dress for the wedding. It was outside and a cool, but perfect fall wedding day. Is she not the cutest thing ever!!

Me, Bethany and Anna at the reception. The wedding was at this beautiful plantation in Nashville. She was a beautiful bride.

At our hotel, Faith loved playing in the drawer. There is not much for a 1 year old who has been in a car for 7 hours to do in a cramped hotel room, so this was the excitement.

Bethany and her new husband Derek at the rehearsal dinner. Love you both!!

How cute!! These are my boys... Beau, Todd and Ryan Garrett. They are like brothers to me.

Me and Faith before the wedding started. She is so cute!!



Now jump to Halloween... This is my little pumpkin playing before we left to go to the Fall Festival.

Funny Story...

My two nieces, Chloe (6) and Lily (3), found a new toy one day. They took a full bottle of Lysol and sprayed it all over their bodies and sprayed it in the air and tried to catch it on their tongue. (Not the funny part!!) They used half the bottle of Lysol playing this game. Luckily they didn't get sick from it. My brother and sis-n-law sat them down to talk about how bad it was for them to do this. They told them it is very dangerous and it is like doing drugs; you never mess with cleaners because it can kill you. They talked for a long time (trying to scare them a little I think, so they wouldn't do it again, or anything worse like drink it). Well... later that same week Chloe's kindergarten class happened to be talking about drugs. They were going around and talking about how bad drugs are and such... you probably remember the drug free weeks in school. When it was Chloe's turn she stood up and got this very serious look on her face. She said, "Well guys... I have only done drugs ONE time. I thought I was going to die. It IS bad stuff." I am sure the teacher was shocked and didn't know whether to laugh or freak out. A phone call to my sis-n-law came soon after I am sure, but everyone in the family just die laughing at this story. If you know Chloe, she is very serious and I am sure was trying to tell the kids "from experience" don't do drugs!!

ACU Homecoming

I win!!! I am the first to post about homecoming... probably because I didn't have to travel, but I look forward to everyone's posts.

Ok, so I am always surprised that when you get good, old friends together, it's like you see and talk to them everyday. I love my girl friends and roommates from ACU and I wish we did get together more often, but when we are together it is like we go straight back to those college days. We laughed... a lot, joke around, catch up. I just love it!!! And love them!!! I think in less than 24 hours we already had inside jokes and other conversations I will not mention... I will let someone else explain "blog stalking", who peed there pants where from laughing, and what crazy things we did (stealing club signs and "sneaking" out), BUT ANYWAY, I just can't explain how much fun it is to get together with friends.

It is crazy to think it has been 5 years since we graduated and left ACU. It is so strange to see everyone with kids or pregnant. Instead of talking about the cute boy in our Science 101 class, we are talking about how the delivery went, diaper rashes, who is crawling, walking, being potty trained, and when we are going to have the next kid and start all over again. I love how life has changed... and stayed the same. There is still stress, late nights, frustrations, disappointments, and of course excitement, happiness, success, and lots of love. There is just different things that bring about these feelings and situations. We are all in a different stage of life now, not necessarily better (although a husband and kids have to be the best thing in life), just different. Anyway, I am beginning to babble, so it was SO GREAT to see everyone and bring back fun memories from college. I love you all and look forward to the next time we get together and take the walk down memory lane.

NOW for the PICS... (this is only a few, more on myspace if you have it)


GATA breakfast and the girls from my pledge class.

Kylie and Me... I miss her!!!

OK, this picture is so funny. Look at the action in the photo. Not one is looking at the camera. I laughed forever when I actually looked at their faces and what they are doing. SO CUTE!!

The ROOMIES, I love so dearly!!! They are the best!!!

Nathan (Kylie's son) and Faith hanging out at the parade.

Faith's First Birthday

Here are some fun pictures of Faith's birthday party. Some are from the Abilene Performing Arts Center and some are from our house. It was a really fun and tiring day. She seemed to enjoy all the attention. I guess they all do. She didn't like the cake at first because we haven't given her any sweets until the cake. BUT of course she grew to like it rather quickly. She got a lot of gifts... a lot of little people which she loves... and tons of other stuff. Anyway, just wanted to share the pics. If you have a myspace, then there are a lot more pictures on there.

Born to be a Wildcat

Here are a few pictures of Faith in her first Wildcat outfit. I hope you will be seeing her in one of the upcoming ACU todays. We will see!!! Just wanted to share.

New Season

OK!!! So I hope I wasn't the only one with a schedule this week for the new TV shows. I am interested in what shows everyone is into. My list is Criminal Minds (my favorite!), dancing with the stars, Shark, Cold Case, NCIS, The Bachelor (who's from AUSTIN!), According to Jim (so funny), Numbers, Ugly Betty (Love this one too!), Cane (good newby), Vegas (a new addiction). I know, I know, it looks like I have no life but TV. I am not usually this bad, but the first shows of the season are so good. Let me know what you are addicted to these days!

Update from Abilene

I am finally in our house in Abilene. I lived with my brother and his family for a full month. They are the best and we are very thankful for them. Our house is growing on me even though it is VERY old and still needs a lot of work. We have put in new carpet, tiled one bathroom, tiled the counter tops, put in a new kitchen sink, and painted everything. We still need to tile the back splash in the kitchen, tile the other bathroom, change out the counter tops in both bathrooms, pretty much redo one whole bathroom, and paint the cabinets in the kitchen. All of this will be over the year though. We have to spread out the work even though I would love to just get it done. It is going to feel like we are remodeling all year I am afraid. Stacy is still in Fort Worth during the week and here on the weekends. (He is actually in Huntsville on business right now, but still gone either way.) We look forward to him being home sometime before Christmas, not sure when yet for sure. Abilene is growing on me. I love teaching the 3 year olds at Highland's Young Childrens World. It is fun and gives me and Faith something to look forward to twice a week. Faith also goes to Kinder music. Which is something we would not have done if we were in Fort Worth, so that is great about being in Abilene. She loves it and I love having that time to bond every Sat. It is very fun. Faith has taken 3 steps on her own, so I think she will walk anyday, though she is a quick crawler. She is still into everything and we are working on understanding what "no" means, especially since we have tools and construction stuff everywhere all the time. She also just started talking. Crazy, I think she is still to young, but besides the normal words being mama, dada, nana, and papa; she just added ball and uh oh to her vocab. Uh oh is of course involved in the dreaded game of droping things and wanting me to pick it up every 2 seconds. We are NOT starting that... I hope! I usually just tell her oh well it is gone and for now that works. Well, I guess that is it. I want to thank all of you who had us in your prayers during all the problems that came up with the move. We could still use some of those prayers for Stacy. It is beginning to show for both of us. And I hope to post more now that my computer is up and running!!

Faith's new tricks

I wanted to brag a bit on Faith... I guess it is ok to do that as a mom!! ha ha Faith has some fun new tricks. So she still crawls backwards when on the floor, but the crazy girl will crawl forward on a bed. Very weird, but she can sure get to what she wants going backwards. It is pretty funny. She has started getting up on her hands and feet (sticking her rump up in the air) and puts her head on the ground and rolls. She is trying to do a flip... Her cousins have taught her that since we have been staying with them the past 2 weeks. It is pretty good for a 10 month old. She loves dancing to Bella Dancerella, another cousin thing. She is pulling up now and LOVES walking while holding on to your hands. I think she will walk before she crawls forward. By the way, when she is concentrating on all these new things she sticks her tongue out. Those who know my brother may remember he does that as well, playing basketball mostly, but she must get that from him. ha ha She love cleaning up. If anyone takes stuff out of a box, she puts it back in. Makes it hard to unpack, but I guess it is good for the future!! Her new favorite toy is Little People. If your kid doesn't have them, get them. They are great and easy to work with for kids. They are for 1 year olds I think, but they are to big to swallow or anything. Anyway, that is Faith's tricks update.

Quick update on the move

OK... so I don't like moving for many reasons, but the problems that arise make it worse. We were supposed to move last Friday. That was pushed back to Monday because the carpet wasn't finished. We got here Mon. and the carpet still wasn't finished. Then we found out the AC was broken. So we called and the guy didn't come out until yesterday. SO we have been staying at my brother's house (thank goodness he lives here) all week. We have not unpacked a thing and that is a cause for more problems, such as what box did I pack the diapers in... kind of important!! HA! Anyway, we are going with the flow, but several things got bumped for the weekend. Sorry if that had to do with you!!! Please keep us in your prayers and hopefully this weekend will be a fun filled weekend of unpacking!!!

Moving Day

Ok, so after all the craziness, we are finally having our first big moving day. I say first because we have to leave some furniture in the house for it to show better and for Stacy. We are moving the business though so Faith and I will officially be Abileniens (sp?). we are moving over Sun. and Mon. and I must admit I truly dread it. I hate moving and most of all the stress that comes with it. I have been having nightmares the past few nights of about any and everything that could go wrong, from things breaking to things falling off the trailer on the way, to our house in Abilene getting broken into while I am there with Faith alone. Let me just say, I haven't slept well!!! I am making myself paranoid since during college our old house in Abilene did get broken into and stuff stolen. Anyway, all that to say... keep the prayers coming and thanks for all the ones that have gone up for us. My next post will be in Abilene!!!!

NEW JOB...

Stacy got a new job. He has been working with my brother the past several months in Abilene. He loves working with my brother and doing the construction stuff. He has always liked building things and such, but he has another job. He is excited and sad at the same time. He will miss working with Kris, but this new job will have the same excitement and pays more (which is always nice). He will be working for a company called Eagle Construction and Environmental Services. I am not fully aware of what his job calls for, but it is something about placing bids on jobs and then overseeing the job if they accept his bid. Don't quote me on all that; I am sure I will learn more as we go. We will still live in Abilene for at least a year. Which means, Stacy will have to commute about 50 minutes. Luckily he doesn't hate driving like I do. Anyway, we will look into moving to Clyde after the first year. It is about 20 minutes closer for him. We are very excited and want to thank those that have prayed for us. We were happy with him working for Kris, but are excited about this new venture. Just wanted to fill you in on our changes.

TEETHING...

I know this is my second post today, but that is probably how I am going to fly. I forget to post, then when I do I have a lot to say. Did you ever stop and really think about teething? I can't imagine the pain of bone being forced through skin like matter. (I assume your gums are somewhat like skin, but don't know.) OUCH!! I never really sat down and thought about it until one night when the meds. we like to dope them up on was not really doing the trick. I can see why after thinking about how painful that must be for them. Poor little babies. They have to go through so much. Maybe that is why we never remember being babies. Who knows?!?!

Single Parents

OK... So if you are a military wife, you do not even need to read this complaint. You have it much worse, I have no doubt. BUT I must say, I think all the single parents out there are my new heroes. Stacy has been in Abilene since June and we just found out that once I finally get to move there he is going to start his new training. Where you ask... Oh Fort Worth!! So we are just going to trade places. After his 4 month training is over, we will have been apart for almost 6 months.... Half of a year! It is so weird to think about. We have gotten to see each other on those random weekends that I have made it out to Abilene, but it will not be happening once we do the big switch. I miss my husband. And mostly I am sad that he has to miss so many of Faith's new tricks. She is still changing so fast, he misses a lot. Anyway, I just need to vent and complain. IT IS TORTURE!!!

Picture Time with Faith

Few pics I got from my mom's CD. Enjoy!!



Me and my girl!!! The love of my life (along with Stacy of course).

Blue eyed girls, Faith and cousin Lily. Everyone says they look alike.

Faith with her two oldest cousins, Lily and Chloe.


It's eating time.

Look at those blue eyes!!! Just like her daddy.

5 years and Loving it

Well it has been five years for the Dow's. We are enjoying life and of course our baby girl. I can't believe it has been 5 years already. I must say I have the best hubby in the world. He is so good to me. He treats me as well as when we were dating. I must say to have a man open your door after being married 5 years is something these days. He makes me laugh and enjoy each day. I hate when we are apart and love every moment we have alone together (which is rare with a baby as many of you know). He is the best dad. I have to say one of my favorite things to watch is Stacy talking to Faith. To see such a strong man in such a gentle way is a gift from God. Stacy is a wonderful husband, father, and leader of the family. I am so blessed and thank God daily. I love you Stacy!!!

We are going to get to go on the second date we have had since Faith has been born. I know that is sad, but it is hard to leave a baby (especially while I am still breast feeding). I am so excited to have some us time. It will be nice. I can't wait and I will let you all know how the date goes.

OK I know I am going to get in trouble again for not posting a picture, but it will come once we finally get moved to Abilene and our computer is up and running.

Update

I figured I would start with an update. Let's see where to start...

Moving... I hate moving. It has to be one of the worst things ever. We are in the process of heading back to Abilene. I thought I would never go back, but all it took was have Faith. We are moving back for many reasons, but I must say the best is that I will get to be a stay-at-home-mom!!! I didn't realize what I was missing out on until summer started. I can't stand being away from her and I am so blessed to have this opportunity to stay home with her. Another great reason, I must say, is being near my brother and his family. Faith and Emma (niece) will be in the same class. It will be fun seeing them and the other girls grow up together. Back to the moving topic... We are trying to sell our house, which is another pain of moving. We have some people that are interested and just hope something works out. I will keep you posted on all this craziness.

Stacy... He is joining my brother in the housing business. He loves working outside and doing hands on projects, so I guess this is going to work out. He and my brother are in the "flipping" business. For those that do not know this term, they buy cheap or for closed homes, fix them up and resell them. It is long hours and very hard work, but he likes it. We hope the industry stays up like it is now.

Faith... She is amazing. I must say I think she is the smartest kid there is (as we all think of our kids). She amazes me everyday with what she can do and how fast she changes. She is mobile and always on the move. I love seeing the curious side of her. She seems to want to know how everything works. She is using some of the sign language we are teaching her and I know will pick more up soon being that she is almost 9 months old. I can't wait to see how she will grow and at the same time want to keep her as she is. She brings so much joy to us and our love for her grows with every passing minute.

Me... Well, I am done with teaching in public school for a while. I must say I loved it and a part of me will miss it. I have enjoyed the way God molded my life. I went into teaching expecting a regular 2nd grade class and ended up teaching various types of special ed. classes. I must say God is great and knows me even better than I know myself (you would think that would be obvious). I LOVED special ed. The kids are amazing and I learned so much from them. I am a much better person after working with the kids I have been blessed to teach. I will definitely go back to special ed. when I start teaching again. I can't see myself anywhere else. They are all a gift from God and I can see God in them daily. Next year... I will be using my teaching skills. I am going to do the mothers' day out thing. I will be able to have Faith with me and still make a little money. I am excited about it and will let you know how it goes.

That is the update for now and I am sure not all of my postings will be this long. I usually do not have that much to say.

I GIVE IN...

I know, I know... It is about time. I decided after fighting it for a long time to join the rest of you and become a blogger. I finally realized that I could not keep up with friends without joining the blogging world. I am not sure how all this works yet so be patient with me and my first few postings. I am sure I will get used to it soon.