12.31.2010

Farewell 2010 and a long overdue post

Last Sunday our pastor had us go around and share about our year; what happened, challenges, blessings, etc. Now I don't think of myself as someone who only remembers the good, but when our turn came all I could think about was Adam graduating college, me being able to become a stay at home mom and our expecting not only our second child, but a little girl. All great, happy things. It has been a great year.


With that being said, there is a post that is a year overdue. One that I haven't been able to bring myself to write. I will warn you now, it will be very uninteresting and really something I'm doing for myself. To mark down some of the millions of memories that have popped into my head this year.


January 1, 2010: We spent the first day of this past year at a memorial service on Pine Island for my grandfather, William S Cope. Mr Bill (as we kids called him), was not my biological grandfather, but was in every other way. Losing him was one of the hardest things for me because he was the first person I've lost. Yes, I've known others, but not personally. Not like this. His memorial service was New Years Day, and was spent with a chili party on the island with all his family, neighbors and friends. This was a tradition that he had started many years back and seemed to everyone to be the perfect way to celebrate his life. Everyone ate, shared pictures and told stories. It was very nice. Heartbreaking, but very nice.

So here are some memories that I have spent many hours living in this past year...
Every summer I most looked forward to spending time at my grandparents house. As soon as we made that right hand turn onto the causeway my heart started beating faster. This was the road that led to the magic. I know. It sounds super cheesy, but it's true. We'd turn onto Manila Drive and there it was. The big blue beach house. I loved that house. As a kid it was the best house I'd ever seen. We moved around a lot when I was younger and so this is the house that I always associate with my childhood, even though I never actually lived there. As an adult I can now see the house's faults and flaws, but it's still my favorite place. (For this reason, if anyone has an extra $700,000 you'd like to pass my way so I can buy it, I'd be eternally grateful. And I'd let you visit.) Looking back, I cannot believe I was so blessed to have such a place and family to spend time with. These are just a very few, of the things I will never forget.

Waking up every morning to the sound and smell of Mr. Bill grinding his coffee beans. Kayaking around the island, stopping for soda breaks and Mr. Bill teaching me how to get rid of hiccups (to this day I still use his method). BBQ shrimp out on the balcony, watching the sun set. Swinging in the hammock. Playing "Shells", or what I later learned was called "Mancala." Visiting the college with buildings that Frank Lloyd Wright designed, the summer I wanted to be an architect. Opening a restaurant in the house, invited all our friends and neighbors. Learning to play solitaire on the computer (back before computers were common items... crazy thought, I know). Learning how to make fettuccine Alfredo, from scratch, with only the freshest ingredients. Where the Wild Things Are. Mr. Peanut. Flounder. Going out on the sailboat and being terrified a shark would eat me. Sitting at the bar, in the tall director chairs, watching in awe as he cooked. Caribbean music. Going to Lee & Rick's for oysters, and me ordering chicken fingers. His smile. Spins in the black chair. The toast his gave when Adam and I got married. And of course, puzzles. Those were ours. Always.

My Gramma and he were (Gramma still is), the best grandparents a kid could ever dream of having. I loved my time with them when it was happening, but looking back now, I appreciate it even more.

The rest of the first half of this year allowed me to further explore grief. My biological grandfather died. Although I never knew him, it was hard to watch my mom and uncles go through the grief. Without getting into too deep, there was a lot of "what ifs". Given that I did not speak with my own dad once this year, it made me think that I could be in their shoes one day. I sincerely hope not. After that, my mother-in-law's father-in-law passed. Then, Cecil DeGarmo, husband of Margaret, former owners of Margaret's Hallmark. They were the first people I worked for and completely credit any and all good work ethics I have, to them. They taught me so much and I feel like they helped me grow up, become an adult.

Of course, there were many ups and downs, happys and sads, easys and hards mixed in along the way. The first part of the year taught me about loss, grief and moving on. The second half was full of humility, happiness and dreams coming true. Overall, a great year.

Looking very much forward to 2011. We're starting it off with chili, just the way Mr. Bill would.

See you next year.

12.30.2010

27 Weeks

Hooray for this week!
We had a great Christmas and Adam's been off all week.

Not sure if I mentioned this before,
but last week,
or maybe the week before...
or maybe this week...
anyway...
one morning
I woke up and didn't think Elijah was up yet.
He then comes running into the bathroom to tell me
he was playing on the computer and with the camera.
I went into the office and sure enough.
The computer had all kinds of menus up
and there was the camera.
Below are a couple of the 20+ pictures of evidence:



We've been staying busy this week
by getting Reese's room ready.
Ok.
Not ready but working on transitioning it from an office
to a nursery.
Step one: get everything out.
That's what we've really been working on.
But in between going through the millions of papers/notebooks/school books
and finding places for all the furniture,
we've managed to squeeze in lots of fun.

Mom got us year passes for the Science Center
so we went and enjoyed that for a bit this week.
My boys loved it :




Not only did E get insanely adorable Buzz Lightyear pajamas,
that, paired with his Buzz wings made for super cute photo ops,
BUT
we also got him Woody pajamas.
Pair that with his new rocking horse
and we were just soaking in the cuteness this week.

He had a hat too,
but took it off before we could snap the pics.

Today we went to Busch Gardens
(Thank you Robbie!).
We haven't been since Elijah's birthday last year
and loved seeing all the animals!


Elijah's favorite part?
Why the train,
of course!



Our little one was POOPED by the afternoon.


One of my most favorite things of the moment:
my babe in blue jeans and bare feet


And here we are
27 weeks along


3 months from yesterday.
12 weeks and 5 days.
1 trimester.
That's all we've got left until our little Reese arrives!
Although we still have some time to go,
Adam is starting to panic that she might come early.
Like any second now.
It's so funny and so very sweet.
The other night he went to dinner with his 2nd family (the Baers)
and when he came home learned that I was having some back pain.
Nothing alarming.
I think it was sciatica or something.
Just a sharp pain in my lower back.
I've had it before and was really not worried,
just resting it.
But Adam was so concerned.
"Should we call the Dr?"
"Do we need to go to the hospital?"
"Is it labor pains?"
:)
No dear. I'm fine. I promise.
Again today,
different circumstances, same line of questioning.
Like I said, super sweet.
I'm not sure where this fear of his is coming from.
Elijah was right on time
and we have no reason to believe this one will be any different.
I think what energy was before used up for school,
is now being focused on me and baby Reese.
I'm not complaining.
Pure sweetness.

Looking forward to the weekend,
changing years
and eating up all the time I have with my two handsomes.

12.26.2010

Christmas in Pictures

Wow,
What a great Christmas we had
with our family and friends.

Baking gingerbread cookies for Santa:



Riding his new horse at Nana's: 

Playing with the train: 

Christmas morning: 



Let's see if Santa ate his cookies and drank his milk...
well he drank all the milk: 

but he left a couple cookies.
No problem,
Elijah finished them for him: 


Our little Buzz Lightyear: 




Relaxing, watching Polar Express: 

Had to wear the wings everywhere.
Over at PawPaw's: 

Daddy's little lawn helper: 

Reese got presents too,
only this is how they were labeled: 
(Nice try PawPaw, but we're not naming her Arvina)

Christmas dessert at our house: 

Elijah and GG
reading the recordable book she made for him: 

Part of the fam
Mom was there too
(on the computer monitor) 

Uncle Dave and E playing with his RC truck: 


Gramma, me and baby Reese :) 


Robbie, Adam and Allen 

The preggers :) 

Elijah shaving like Daddy with his new Buzz shaving set 



12.24.2010

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very blessed Christmas
from our little family.

I have so enjoyed shopping, baking and making gifts
to give our family and friends this Christmas.
Nothing that is wrapped under a tree
comes close to the greatest gift we've all received.

If you haven't heard this song,
I highly recommend you do.
(Although, if you want to hear the best version,
you'll have to come by church and hear Shelbie Shave sing it)
The lyrics are beautiful
and I hope it fills you with a refreshing
of God's love and hope for the new year.

Follow the star to a place unexpected
Would you believe, after all we've projected,
A child in a manger?

Lowly and small, the weakest of all
Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother's shawl -
Just a child -
Is this who we've waited for?

Bringing our gifts for the newborn Savior
All that we have, whether costly or meek
Because we believe.

Gold for his honor, and frankincense for his pleasure
And myrrh for the cross he will suffer
Do you believe?
Is this who we've waited for?

How many kings step down from their thrones?
How many lords have abandoned their homes?
How many greats have become the least for me?
And how many gods have poured out their hearts
To romance a world that is torn all apart
How many fathers gave up their sons for me?
Only one did that for me.

How Many Kings by Downhere

Merry Christmas
from the Testons
and their tots

12.23.2010

26 Weeks: Merry Christmas Eve Eve

Merry (almost) Christmas!
I am celebrating today by being a tad bit lazy.
This week has been super full of
baking, baking, baking,
cleaning, wrapping, cleaning,
and today I'm ready to relax;
store up some energy for the next three days.

Last weekend Adam graduated
(hooray! & pics in post below).
We also went out to Sea World to see some of the Christmas shows.
Unfortunately, the weather was a little ickish but we did see the Christmas Tree Light Show which was by far the coolest thing I've ever seen!
All these trees on the water lit up and blinking to music.
Super cool.
We also walked through the Christmas market
and Elijah loved all the animal light displays.


Sunday was our RCF Christmas brunch and was filled with so much good food,
and we had so much fun helping the kiddos color pictures to tell the story of Christmas.

As I mentioned,
there has been A LOT of baking in the house this week.
I've made:

Paula Deen's
Half a Million Dollar Pies 

Dad's Peanut Butter Pies 

Cocoa Kiss Cookies 

As well as Pumpkin White Chocolate Cookies & Peppermint Bark
(looking through pics I realized I missed taking pictures of these!).

All that's left is gingerbread cookies for Santa
that we'll make as a family tomorrow morning.

The house has smelled ultra delicious.
My kitchen table is covered with food storage boxes
just waiting to be divided up for gifts.

Yesterday, once all the baking was done and the kitchen was cleaned,
Elijah and I went out back to play (something we haven't done all week)
and had such fun.
I cherish the moments when, while watching him, I can be reminded
of what life is like through the eyes of a child.
We practiced playing catch, with he and I about 6 inches apart and me tossing the ball into his hands. He would just squeal with delight when he caught it, and when he didn't. :)
The outcome didn't matter, he was just thrilled with the effort.

Later he went and played with his MM 4 wheeler in the grass. I always tell him it doesn't work very well out there, but he has to try anyway. When it gets stuck in the dirt, he likes to climb off it, press the power button and make a hole with the spinning wheel. As he was playing yesterday, he came to that time where it was stuck in the dirt. He climbed off, but then moved the 4W first. He didn't realize this unstuck it. He pressed the button, all ready to enjoy the process of making a hole, but instead the car starts moving and he's still holding on trying with all his might to keep the thing still.
After a while he realizes his plan is not working.

Onto something new.
He tips the car over on it's side. Then over again onto it's back.
All boy.
Er... maybe not.
All's fine and good until he looks down at his hands.
I wait for it.
I know it's coming.
"ICKY! Mommy! Dirt off!! Off! Hands dirty! Wash hands! Icky!!"
Hahaha.
Elijah.
Mr. No Fear.
Mr. Destruction Force.
Mr. Doesn't like dirty hands.

Our little Reese is doing great.
I'm really hoping that the sleep schedule she seems to be on now sticks. She moves and kicks ALL DAY.
She's already kicking up in my ribs which I'm not too excited about as we still have three months to go. But usually at night she's pretty calm.
Please, please, please
let this be her pattern when she arrives.
I'm still pretty comfortable.
For the most part.
Usually.
Ok, really, I'm holding on to every  little bit of comfort I have left as the tides are quickly turning and every day I'm finding things to be more challenging and MUCH more uncomfortable.
Standing, sitting, laying, there is no position that allows me to breath and keeps my back from screaming. But I'm definitely not complaining. All the discomfort is just a reminder that our little girl is there and growing.
That's what we want.
It will be over before I know it and I know there will be days (most likely long, sleepless nights) when I'm wishing she was back in the womb.
Safe. Secure. Quiet.

Lastly,
I just want to say a huge
CONGRATULATIONS
to our friends Jennifer and Marc Sherman
who welcomed their baby girl Tuesday.
Welcome to the world
BrookLynn Leigh.

Merry Christmas!

12.17.2010

Adam's Graduation

He did it!

Elijah was super excited to see his daddy

and thought it was pretty funny that he was wearing a dress :)










Elijah wanted to be a graduate too.




Adam,
I cannot express how proud I am of you.
I know over the past 6 years
there were times when that light at the end of the tunnel
was so dim or could not even be seen.
Thank you for not giving up,
knowing that God would get you through,
and setting a great example for our children
of hard work, dedication and a lot of patience.
We love you like crazy.
E, E&R :)

Jeremiah 29:11