Anniversary Vacation

For our 2nd anniversary, we both were able to take the whole week off of work and take a little vacation. We thought about cruising again, but were trying to think of something a little less expensive (even though I think a cruise is generally the most-value filled getaway). The parent's of one of my closest friends offered us a condo they own down in Vero Beach for the week, at no cost to us!!! What an amazing blessing!! We were able to cook some meals at the condo, have some time to ourselves, and explore the area.

We visited the Navy Seal Museum. It was really interesting and we probably could've hung there a lot longer than we did, but we had a lunch date.

We also visited the McLarty Treasure Museum, which was really neat.

This tree was out front, and I thought it was so different. It looks like 2 people embracing.

The museum is on the beach, at the precise location of a shipwreck during a hurricane.

No hurricane weather here though....a simply beautiful day...

with this handsome fella all to myself!

Our view from our "free" condo....the backside is on the Indian River Lagoon, and we were able to see amazing sunsets each evening.

And the frontside faces this!! Picture perfect.

We had such a great time, and it was such a blessing to be able to have this vacation without spending a ton of money!

The Past Few Months...

And why I haven't blogged in a while. In some ways I have so much to say, and in other ways I have nothing to say. The past two and half months have held one of my greatest joys as well as my greatest sorrow. I've contemplated blogging along the way, but oftentimes, I don't feel like I would do well at articulating my feelings. However, for me, this blog is a journal of sorts, of Wade & my adventures, happenings, etc. And this is part of our lives, part of us.

September 19, 2010 - Wade thought I might be pregnant. Decided to take a test. I knew it would be negative. Everytime I think I'm pregnant, it's negative.

It's positive!!! It's faint, but that second line is there!!
Excited, scared, thrilled.
Baby McKenzie is due May 24, 2011.

October 7, 2010 - First prenatal appt.
Everything looks great! Dr. says bloodwork looks great. Ultrasound shows a "fetal pole" but he says that's not uncommon for this early in pregnancy (7weeks, 2 days). Dr, says I can come back in 2 weeks for another US and a chance to see the heartbeat.

October 18, 2010 - Our 2nd Anniversary!
We were able to get away for the week to South Florida, where some friends loaned us their condo on the beach, free of charge. What a blessing! We were able to spend time with some of my closest friend, spend time alone, just the two (three!!) of us, and talked about how much our lives were going to change with Baby's arrival.

October 21, 2010 - Second Appt.
Was so hoping to see my little one's heartbeat, but sadly, my Dr. told me there didn't appear to be one. He wanted bloodwork done to see where my levels were at, and wanted me to see a perinatologist with a better ultrasound machine. He encouraged me not to give up yet, but also told me he did not want to give me false hope.

We were devastated. We spent a week waiting for the appt. with the specialist, although the bloodwork confirmed our worst fears. We would not have a baby. The following Thursday, the specialist did the ultrasound, and showed us that in addition to there being no heartbeat, the baby stopped growing at 6 weeks.

I am one of them, now. One of the women that my heart has always gone out to. One of them that had to say good-bye way too soon. One of them that feels a gaping hole, as if something is missing.

As we've struggled to adjust to the idea that we will not be welcoming our new bundle of joy in May, we rejoice in knowing that God is our strength and our comfort. He has used this experience to bring Wade & I closer to each other, and to bring both us even close to Him. We praise Him still, as He is the same before this happened as He is now. And we still believe all of His promises.

Feeling Nostalgic

I heard about this neat website on the radio yesterday. It's like a t.v. time machine and lets you pick a date, and then videos of old commercials, t.v. shows, etc. play randommly from that year. I'm having so much fun clicking through different dates, and so many of them bring me right back to my childhood....the good 'ole days. Have fun!

YTTM.tv Time Machine 



The Grand Canyon

Yesterday we decided to take a day trip to the Grand Canyon. Ok ok....it's a little far for a day trip, so we compromised and went to Providence Canyon State Park, also known as "Georgia's Little Grand Canyon".

It took us about 2 1/2 hours to get there, and we couldn't get over some of the hills we encountered on our drive as we got closer....it almost felt like we were actually in the mountains!! My ears even popped a couple of times. The park is near Lumpkin, GA, just South of Columbus. We paid our entrance fee, and started exploring.

Apparently in the early 1800"s. the early settlers' poor farming practices caused erosion to create little ditches. In the 1850's, the ditches were only 3-5 feet deep. They are now up to 150 feet deep....extremely shallow in comparison to the real Grand Canyon, but we'll take what we can get, for a day trip.

 

There was a trail that you can hike down to the bottom and back up, but it takes a couple of hours, so we decided to save that for next time. Or maybe we'll just wait to ride mules down into the real Grand Canyon. We hit Cracker Barrel for an early dinner on the way home, and overall had an AWESOME day!

Birthdays

So I got the chance to visit my favorites in South Carolina, and got to be part of the birthday celebrations of two very special kiddos.

On Friday, this cutie patootie turned 6 months old!!

And on Sunday, this special boy turned 3 years old!!

Maddie was helping us set up for Quinn's party on Saturday, but we worked her too hard and she needed a break.

When she finally woke up, she was ready to party!

This handsome fellow was trying SO hard to be patient as he waited for all of his friends to arrive.

Hmm....are they ever going to get here?

Finally, Q's friend Sarah showed up, and Q took her for a ride.

When Christian arrived, he got chauffered around a little also.

Grandma was there to help celebrate!

Quinn is so excited that everyone sings "Happy Dirt-day" to him.

Q's favorite: Lightning McQueen

And since Uncle Wade couldn't come to his party, Quinn wanted to make sure he showed him his motorcycle riding skills. "Look Uncle Wade....no hands!!"

I'm so blessed to get to be "Auntie Trish" these two special kiddos. They fill my heart with so much joy!

Crabbing

A photo progression of last Saturday's supper of fresh seafood:

As the storm rolled in...

and the sky grew darker...

And as I took photos...

...of said storm...

and dark skies...

The husband was too busy collecting to worry about a lil' old storm....

and as his pile grew & grew....

I jumped in to help a little....

                                         
                                  But mostly I just took pictures....

....because it's what I do...

...and then he cooked...

....and then I finally put the camera down....

...because it was time to eat!

Wouldn't want to get fresh blue crab all over my camera, now would I?

Oh yeah, and it was fabulous.