It' Been A Long Ride...

in the car since we left Las Vegas . Before we left Liam got to see Santa Claus flying in with a helicopter and probably thought that was way better than if he actually came in on a sleigh with a couple reindeer.

We were able to stay with some friends in Colorado on our way and enjoyed a walk in the snow.

We drove through I do remember how many States on our way to Michigan and had a fun stay in Chicago on our way. Looking out from our Suite in the Sheraton (hotwire.com is awesome) and watching the skyline of Chicago while big snowflakes fell down was very romantic I thought.

Liam did really good on the drive and had fun looking through his books. He continues to learn more and more everyday and is constantly picking up new things. He put a big smile on our face when he recently pretended to pray before we had dinner. He just put his hands together, bowed his head and mumbled some baby words before he started. He is quiet the entertainer and loves to make people laugh. It is hard to believe that in only 7 weeks he will be a big brother. The pregnancy has been going extremly good so far and I don't feel a big difference to the last one. If you ask Lance on the other hand the answer could look a little different. He might tell you that I am a lot more emotional and that I get irritated fast! Who knows if it is the hormones or the fact that I am just ready to sleep in our own bed with Liam in his own room after almost 6 months of gypsy living. And anyway, he has done and extremly good job keeping up with my grumpyness. Thankfully it is not a constant condition but only comes in terms.

Despite the fact that I miss our home in SC I do enjoy being around his family and was touched by them all surprising me in the kitchen with a big birthday cake singing Happy Birthday. Thank you for making me feel special. Another highlight was when we all got together on Christmas day at his Grandma's house and spent some time praying together. That was very moving and God's presence was undeniable. It is great to be part of such a good, Christian family. I am glad that we had that time to focus on the real reason for the season.

Liam enjoys being around his cousins very much and loves playing with all their toys. It is great to see him interacting with other children so well and makes me excited about the next one. I really do enjoy the time I have remaining with him being the only child though. I know it will never be the same again. It is so amazing how much you can love your child. Sometimes when he hurts himself and cries I feel like crying along with him (even though the hormones could play there part here too).
It is so nice being able to spend so much time with Lance and great getting all the help being so far along. He does such a good job taking care of Liam and Liam absolutely loves his "Papa".

I hope this blog finds all of you doing well and I wish you very Happy New Year!!

This Is So Moving!

I found this on the internet and found it so moving that I wanted to share it with you...


Jim Satnan
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in GRASS VALLEY, CA. It was believed that he had nothing left of any value.

Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.

One nurse took her copy to Missouri.

The old man’s sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.

And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this ‘anonymous’ poem winging across the Internet.

Crabby Old Man…
What do you see nurses? . . … . . What do you see?
What are you thinking … . . When you’re looking at me?
A crabby old man . .… . Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit …… . . With faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food … .. . And makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice … . . ‘I do wish you’d try!’
Who seems not to notice .. .. . …. . The things that you do.
And forever is losing … . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not … . . Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . .…. . The long day to fill?
Is that what you’re thinking? . …… . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse … .. . You’re not looking at me.

I’ll tell you who I am… . …. . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, … .. . As I eat at your will.
I’m a small child of Ten . .… .. With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters …. … .. Who love one another.

A young boy of Sixteen … .. With wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now … . … A lover he’ll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty … . .. My heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows … . . That I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now … …. . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide … . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty … . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other .… . . With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons . . … . . Have grown and are gone,
But my woman’s beside me … . . To see I don’t mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play ‘round my knee,
Again, we know children .… . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me … . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future … . . Shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . …… . Young of their own.
And I think of the years .… .. . And the love that I’ve known.

I’m now an old man … . ….. And nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age … . . Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles … . . Grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone … . Where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass … . . A young guy still dwells,
And now and again … . . My battered heart swells.
I remember the joys … . . I remember the pain.
And I’m loving and living … … . Life over again.

I think of the years, all too few … . … Gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . .… That nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people … … . Open and see.
Not a crabby old man . … . . Look closer . .. . See ME!!