A crazy two weeks!!

The past two weeks have been a whirlwind it seems like!!! Let me update you...

First, we finally have a name for our new puppy!!! Lucy it is!! She and Zeke kinda have a love hate relationship. He loves to play with her but sometimes she gets a little too rambunctious and he just can't take it anymore!! It's a daily occurrence for him to come in screaming and crying because she's taking a liking to his ankles!! I'm praying soon she'll outgrow this gnawing on Zeke's ankles phase!!

Second, Nema is now 7 weeks old. She's doing great!! She's up to 10 pounds 2 ounces now!!! she's smiling a lot lately and I just love her little gummy grin!! Here's a few recent pics...

Zeke and Nema snuggling!! He's such a good big brother! 

Cowboy Zeke!! 

Pretty girl, 7 weeks old.

Love her smile!! 

Third, Zeke is loving the nursery!! PRAISE THE LORD!!! Arnett and I have both been able to sit in church and Sunday School together!!! We pull in the parking lot at church and his first words are, "I wanna go play!!" Thank you for your prayers, God has been so gracious!!!

Fourth, Nema got some funky rash on her face and around her neck so we had to make a trip to the pediatrician. My parents were in Gainesville that day for some appointments they had so they were with me, thank the good Lord!! Right before Nema's appointment we were in Sears and Zeke accidentally dropped his sprite. It of course, went everywhere!! As we were finding some paper towels, Zeke slips and busts his chin open!! Thankfully, we were on our way out the door to the pediatricians office. When we got there I asked for a band-aid and they were like, "Um, I think the doctor will want to look at it!" Me, "Okay, sounds good." Docotor, "Um, yeah, we're going to have to super glue that together!!" Whew!! What a day that was!! His chin is fine now and so is Nema's rash!!

Fifth, we had to take Lucy to the vet for her 2nd round of shots. My dad kept Nema and Zeke went with me. He loved being my big helper at the vet's office!! On our way home, I noticed some buzzards right across the end of our driveway. I looked and it looked like our precious Molly laying there. I called Arnett and he wasn't home. I saw his Dad at the house, so he went and investigated for me. Sadly, it was her. She was a great dog and will be greatly missed!!

Me and Molly, October 2008

She was my first baby!! 

Lastly, my dear mom was diagnosed with breast cancer this week. It was a shocker for all of us, as there is no history of breast cancer in our family. We are thankful that excellent care is just down the road at Shands in Gainesville. Surgery will happen in a week and a half or so. Mom has been given the option of having a lumpectomy with 5-7 weeks of radiation or a mastectomy without radiation. She is currently trying to decide which one she wants to go with. There are pros and cons to each. Please pray for her as she decides which option to go with. Pray that God would give her the strength she needs. Pray that the surgery will go well and that the cancer has not spread to her lymph nodes.

Until next time...

Is it March already??

 I so can't believe that it's March 1st already. This year has already been flying by!! I guess it's because we've had so much going on lately!! I had written a post a week ago about our little princess turning 1 month but I just realized I never got around to posting it!! Oops!! As hard as it is to believe Nema turned a month old last Thursday!!! She's doing so well! Praise the Lord!!

The Lord has heard and answered our prayers about Zeke. I think we're finally starting to get back on track with his discipline. He had gotten pretty defiant over the past month and there were days I thought I wouldn't survive or that he wouldn't survive!!! We're learning that spanking isn't as effective right now, so we've introduced the "naughty stool". Let me tell you, he hates that naughty stool!!! Parenting sure has a way of making me really stop and think about the grace God has lavished on me!! Even though I so don't deserve it!!! Praise the Lord for His grace that is so abundant!!

We all made it to church Sunday before last. Zeke went to big church with us and did pretty well for a 2 1/2 year old!! After church Arnett went and sat with him in his Sunday School class while I went to our Sunday School class. Arnett said about half way through Zeke warmed up and got down to play with the other kids. Yesterday, I took him to church for the Wednesday night activities. For his age group they play in the nursery and outside on the playground. I figured another hour and half or so in the nursery would boost his chances of getting used to the nursery! He did great! He walked right in (with mama right behind him) and immediately started playing!!! He seemed to enjoy his time and I was able to leave for brief moments of time without him panicking too bad!! Please continue to pray for him and his transition into going by his self!

Here's a few recent pics of the children:

Nema Grace, 1 month old!

Nema Grace, chillin' in the recliner

Zeke, cheesin' for the camera! 

Nema Grace, 5 weeks old. 

Sweet baby!! 

Yesterday, Arnett had us a surprise waiting when we got home from church! Zeke LOVES his surprise and I must admit, so do I!!! Here's what we got...

Our new puppy!! Sorry, but she's still nameless!!! 

Zeke loving on his new puppy!

Zeke playing outside, enjoying the warm weather we've been having!! 

So, all in all things are well here!! We are starting to get settled and get comfortable doing this family of 4 thing!! I would say we're into a routine but we're not!! We just kinda go with the flow around here!!

Thank you for your prayers and for keeping up with us on our journey through life! Until next time...