My Two New Favorites

Well, after Preston's appointment last week where Dr. Baker assured me it was okay to put him in the jogging stroller I've been itching to get out and run with the two kids! I know, I'm crazy, but ever since last October when my doctor discovered the cyst and I was told that I couldn't run, I've been envious of people out running, especially ones jogging with children. So, today I got out the awesome new stroller (my first new favorite thing) that my dad gave us as a baby gift, loaded up the two kids, grabbed my new muzzle mace, a pacifier, burp rag, house key, and cell phone and off we went! I was amazed at how far I actually made it jogging with 2 kids, but this stroller is incredible! I actually think that it's easier to push than our single jogger was with one kid. I only made it a little shy of 18 minutes because these hills are going to take some getting used to again, but I was excited to be able to make it that far. Preston LOVED riding not being so strapped down and of course Savannah loved being right beside of Preston. Christy, Laura, and Elizabeth get out those strollers because I'm ready for some nice runs once it's cooler out!

Since now I officially have no excuse to avoid exercise, I've decided to start my diet back. I have felt just awful lately and really want to get this baby weight plus a good extra 25 pounds off so today is the day. It's going to be hard to be good with Dave's birthday coming up, but I have to remember that moderation is the key! Above is a picture of my second favorite thing, Nestle Pure Life Water with a splash of fruit. I only bought it because is was B1G1 at Harris Teeter a few weeks ago and I had a .75 coupon that tripled, but it is super delicious. Every diet goes much better with lots of water, so this will be a regular in our house from now on!

No More Travelling

We have officially decided that the Bachmann Four are staying put until we have a new, bigger van! For two weekends in a row we've made day trips to visit family and they have been nightmare trips home on the road. Today we ended up stuck in traffic on 85 and what should have been a 1 1/2 hour trip ended up being 2 hours and 15 minutes . . . 45 extra minutes with two tired children is too much! So, the hunt has begun for a new car. We did have fun visiting Dave's family though. We enjoyed a nice lunch out, and then had delicious cookies with Brusters Ice cream to celebrate the August and September birthdays. Fun times!

Frustration!!!!

Today has been one of those days where no matter how hard you try you just can't get anything done! I ran out for a quick errand before lunch with the kids and when we got back it was apparent that the power had gone off briefly while we were gone. I guess it did something funky with the phones because for over 3 hours we've had no phone service. . . which makes it a little difficult to call in a repair. I used the ever so user friendly Windstream website to report the problem and this is the response I got back:

Discussion Thread---------------------------------------------------------------Response (Latasha S.) - 08/21/2009 01:31 PM When experiencing problems with your phone service we ask that you please contact our repair team at 800-782-6206 so, that we may schedule an appointment for our technician to review the issue. You may press '0' at anytime to speak with a representative.Thank You, Windstream Customer Support

Just icing on the cake . . . if I had phone service I wouldn't need to call you! IDIOTS!

Visits With Some Special Friends

Last week, my precious friend Marie came to visit us all the way from New Jersey! I really enjoyed being able to catch up with her and her mom for awhile, but of course we didn't have much time for talking with two toddlers running around. Savannah thoroughly enjoyed playing with Marie's son Brody! Back in the day I spent A LOT of time at the Harrod's house playing Monopoly and mostly aggravating Marie's brother John. Fun times, fun times. Unfortunately my brain was not working last week and I didn't take a single picture! :(



Today we had another visit from a special friend. Jamen flew in from Boston this week and stopped by to meet Preston and spend some time with us here. I was not the greatest friend because as soon as my kids were asleep I left to run errands. I sure got a lot accomplished, thanks Jamen!! Savannah LOVED having him here to play games with her all day. I think he was exhausted when he left this afternoon at 6pm.

My Birthday 2009

Well, today was officially my birthday. Dave tried so hard to make it a super special day starting last night when he offered to take the couch for the nighttime shift with little P. I refused to let him since I knew he had a long day at work today. Then he offered to get breakfast for us at Chick fil A, but knowing that we were eating out tonight I just didn't want to overdo it. However, he did surprise me with a pedicure gift certificate, a CD that I had been wanting, balloons, and a Ben and Jerrys ice cream cake. Yummy!! He is such a wonderful husband!

The morning started off pretty rough with my emergency trip to the eye doctor. My eyes have been bothering me for some time and by yesterday evening it was to the point of severe pain just opening them, not to mention extreme sensitivity to light. The verdict was double cornea infections . . . which means no contacts for probably a month. I'm going to die wearing these glasses for so long!!!

After that we made a quick run to Harris Teeter to do another triples load and then headed home. It took me quite awhile to explain to Savannah that we weren't having a birthday party. I guess she thinks that's what you do because she just didn't understand how we were going to have cake and no party. I finally just had to tell her that I was slap to old to have my own party!

After the kids were down for their naps, my precious neighbor Marlene came over and sat with them while I went for a much needed massage. It was heavenly! The ladies in the neighborhood had taken up money and bought me a gift certificate for a massage and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.

I did have quite an emotional day with realizing that I would not receive a call from mom. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal, but it really was. I had lots of other birthday wishes, calls, e-mails and cards, even flowers delivered from my sweet friend Lisa, but nothing is like hearing your own mother's voice singing Happy Birthday. I can only hope she was singing from Heaven.

We wrapped up the evening with a birthday dinner at Red Robin and ice cream cake at home. Preston was extra good today and Savannah was a huge helper too. Thanks kiddos! Here are a few pictures from our celebrations . . .

Aren't they adorable!!

Preston eyeing my cake . . . not this year buddy, maybe next time.

Savannah loved eating (and wearing) mommy's cake!

Photo Shoot

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from our photo shoot on June 24 . . . when Preston was only 4 days old!!

First up, Sweet Preston!!

Next, my two cuties together . . .

And our little 3 year old Princess . . .

Finally, a couple of family shots . . .

A Mom Like No Other

I've been trying to for over a week to find the right words for this post and have realized that words alone will never express all that I want to say. So here is my best attempt at sharing some of my mom as well as some of what the Lord has taught me through this unbelievably difficult season of life.

I believe that the Lord provided us with a miracle by giving us a perfect day with mom several weeks ago. We had been to see her and she was able to hold Preston for the first time. The people she loved most were by her side and she had a great day. We talked, laughed, and read lots of cards that people had showered her with. She looked good, seemed to feel good, and as usual was talking about being able to leave Hospice when she was better. My mom was a woman of faith. She knew the Lord might call her home, but she never gave up on the idea that He could - and just might - perform a miracle and heal her sick body. However, shortly after this, maybe even Sunday night she took a turn for the worse. By Tuesday she was only communicating a little, but did respond to my question when I asked her if she was scared. She whispered "no" and closed her eyes again. I was able to sit by mom's side, pray over her, and just really share with her how much I loved her and appreciated everything she had done for us over the years. It was precious time that I'll probably never forget. Things went quickly after that and the Lord finally took her home on Saturday afternoon, July 25.

I'll never forget what a giving woman my mother was. She LOVED giving gifts to people and once even gave away her car (well actually I think she ended up selling it for $1 for some legal reason). We would never leave from visiting her without at least a couple of bags of stuff she had carefully selected for Savannah and of course some type of food too. She didn't have very much, but with what little she did have, she gave most of that away.

Mom was super talented. She played the violin, sang in the choir, was a great cook, talented hair stylist (boy will we miss those free cuts), and was unbelievably creative. We finally made her stop buying us lots of gifts at Christmas and insisted that if she just had to give us something that she make it. Those are my favorite gifts! From birdhouses to Christmas ornaments, she made us lots of things that we'll treasure forever.

She also loved the holidays. I think Christmas will be super hard for me this year because that was mom's absolute favorite time of the year. I have had Christmas morning breakfast with her every year of my life and will miss that precious time this December. Plus, there is no one on earth who can make french toast like she could. She always served up a feast Christmas morning that we all looked forward to!

Mom took advantage of every opportunity to have our friends over. From New Years Eve parties to high school club meetings, she loved every second of having our friends at her house and never once complained about the mess. Several of my friends even referred to her as "Mama Page". She chaperoned band trips and was the "cool" mom. She loved her friends (ours too) and they loved her. I guess the close to 200 cards she received throughout her sickness and the constant line at visitation would represent how much she was adored by so many people. She would do absolutely anything for a friend. The Lord has very clearly spoken to me about this . . . in 40 years people aren't going to remember if my house was always neat or an absolute mess, but they will remember if they felt like an important friend and felt welcome in my home.

Family was super important to mom. For a few years she hadn't been very close to her sisters, but her sickness renewed that sense of sisterhood. She even said a few times that if her sickness is what it took to reconnect with them, then it was worth it. My aunts were by her side around the clock most of the last two weeks she was in Hospice and I know mom cherished that time with them.

Lastly, my mother was an awesome mom! She sacrificed so much over the years to make sure my brother and I had everything we needed . . . and wanted. Mom was a true example of unconditional love. She was the only person on earth that I could call and know that she would drop everything to come and do whatever we needed, happily, and without complaining.

I miss mom so much that I can't even explain how empty my heart is right now. There are days that I go to pick up my cell phone to call her and realize I can't. I know that healing is a process, but I also know that it will be a long time before my heart heals. I trust it will come. However, in the meantime, God has made Heaven super real to me. It's almost like mom just moved to another city . . . well she has, a city with gold streets and a mansion just for her. For so many years she has poured into the lives of so many and now she is sitting at the feet of Jesus worry free loving her new life. I know someday soon I'll be with her again.