Sparkling Emily

Our sweet little baby isn't really a baby anymore. Last night she graduated from preschool and tomorrow is her last day. She starts Kindergarten in THREE months and I haven't been able to shake off this overwhelming feeling of sadness. Every Monday, I start work early at home so that I can take Emily to school for the day. This time with my sweet lady has become such a blessing to me. Even though I am working, we still manage to snuggle in the bed for a little bit. Yesterday was my last Monday morning at home with her. Ever. :( I know we will have more Monday mornings every once in a while, but I don't imagine they will be the same. I am so blessed to have a job that allowed me to move my schedule around a little bit so I could take her. When I think of Emily, there are several things that come to my mind... She is the most loving little girl, a snuggle bunny, very curious, mischievous, and lately, a prayer warrior. Seriously, if you have a hurt or prayer request, give it to her and she's going to pray about it every night until she eventually asks if you are feeling better (usually a few weeks later). Emily likes all things that glitter and shine. She loves lip gloss, jewelry, playing with her babies, and can't wait to go to the American Girl store so she can buy her baby Belle some new clothes. She is also very smart. She memorized several scriptures, songs, a poem, and the Lord's Prayer for graduation last night. My sweet Emily, you are growing up to be a beautiful little lady. When I asked God to give us another child, I never imagined we would be blessed with such an amazing little angel.

A little catch up on P

Preston is growing up so very fast and is really starting to become a little gentleman. He is about to finish 1st grade and has totally blown Jeff and me out of the water with his love and desire to learn. He has made straight A's this whole year and we couldn't be more proud of him. We have been blessed with amazing teachers, Mrs. Pepin and Mrs. Mayhall (who happens to be a friend from Trinity Baptist). He started his 2nd year of baseball with the city of Southaven. He plays for the Redbirds and is having a lot of fun. This year, he has already hit a home run and a GRAND SLAM! He's still pretty shy and quiet, but comes out of his shell around his friends. Preston, we are so blessed that God gave us you. You are such a nurturing little boy and big brother. Our hearts are beaming with thankfulness to God that He allowed us to care for you here on Earth.

It's TIME!

It's time to get back on the blog wagon. I follow several different blogs by people I know and love and even some total strangers who have shared some incredible God stories that have had me up late reading and weeping as I journey through their lives. Don't worry, those blogs are public and have thousands of followers. I know that God has touched many lives because of their stories. Anyway, I want my kids to be able to go to our blog and read about things that happened in our everyday lives. Life is crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Preston's "Little" Accident

I'll start this post by saying that I wrote this so that I will not forget all the details of our adventure a couple weeks ago. WARNING: it is VERY long!
On Monday night, November 2nd, we were sitting in small group talking about being a lukewarm Christian. That's when we heard a loud crash and then the cry of one of the kids upstairs. This crying kid ended up being Preston. He had fallen off a toy about 3 feet off the carpet. Jeff calmed him down and he started playing again.
About 5 minutes later, one of the boys came downstairs and told us that Preston's arm was starting to swell. I went upstairs and got Preston and ended up holding him in my lap for the next 45 minutes so that we could finish our discussion. By the end of our meeting, Preston's arm right below his elbow had gotten really big and was pretty hard. That's when a couple of the ladies said that we needed to get it checked out. They told us where the closest Lebonheur minor med to our house was so Jeff and I loaded up the kids and we were on our way. We got there at about 9:15 and said a prayer in the parking lot that God would protect us all from any sickness that might be lingering in the building.
When we walked in, there was no one in the waiting room! As I was filling out paperwork, the Dr. came out into the waiting room and looked at Preston's arm. She immediately sent us back for x-rays and then took us back to a room. They gave Preston some Tylenol with Codeine after determining that it was indeed broken. The first dose he promptly spit out so they had to give him another dose followed by a couple sips of blue Gatorade.
After that, they wrapped his arm in a splint and sent us to the ER. Thankfully, Jeff's parents were able to drive out and meet us at the minor med and take Emily (who was charming everyone in the minor med) home to spend the night with them. We got to the parking garage at Lebonheur about 11:30 pm and prayed again that God would shield us. Once we finally arrived in the ER, we sat down and were called back within 5 minutes! Another way God was showing His hand in everything. Around 2am, the orthopedic Dr. came in and told us that Preston had a Supracondylar fracture. Basically, it's a break right at the elbow that requires SURGERY! They put an iv in P and then sent us up to a room. We got to our room around 3:30 and Preston and Jeff were asleep by 4. Of course, I was not able to sleep because I had just been told that my baby boy was about to undergo surgery. He had the surgery Tuesday morning at 9am and spent the day recovering while watching Scooby Doo. We were able to go home Wednesday afternoon, but not before we stopped by Target to get him a Spider Man toy.
Preston has recovered very well and we are so proud of him for being so brave!

Preschool update

Preston and Emily (and their teachers) survived their first week of preschool! Emily's teacher says that Emily is a little cuddle bug and Preston is amazing us with all that he is learning. Here is a picture of what he colored last week:

Preston, we could not be more proud of you!

PRESCHOOL 9.14.09

Preston and Emily started preschool at Getwell Road Methodist Day School on Monday. I have seen a lot of programs and this is not a Mother's day out program. It is a full blown preschool that is just offered 2 days a week.  When I toured it in April, I was blown away by how structured they were and couldn't wait for the kids to start going. All summer, Preston would ask when he was going to go to school. He was so excited. So, Monday came and Jeff and I took the day off so that we could take them and pick them up. Preston had attended 2 different Mother's Day Out programs in the past, but Emily had never been a part of one. There were no tears that morning much to my surprise and when we picked them up, they didn't want to leave. Emily's teacher said that she was pretty standoffish at the beginning, but by nap time, she had to get on to Emily a couple times because she would not stop talking. Who would of ever thought that one of the Shands kids that never talk to people would get in trouble because they wouldn't stop?! When we got in the car to go home, we asked Preston if he made any friends and he said yes. When we asked him what their name was, he told us all about a little girl in his class that was very pretty. Jeff asked him if he thought she was prettier than Mommy or Emily and he said "uhh yeah!" As if he was shocked that Jeff needed to ask after he had told us that she was very pretty! Oh my word, I'm not ready for the girl liking business! It is very sweet though. While they were at school, Jeff and I got to spend a few hours of pure adult time. We really didn't know what to do with ourselves. We had to run some errands and then decided at 11:00 that we would go ahead and go to lunch (we didn't know what else to do!) After lunch, we went to Kohl's and sat in massage chairs. Jeff looked like he was in pain the whole time, but I enjoyed every minute of it! It's amazing the things you can do when you don't have kids tugging on you or screaming because he gets to walk and she has to ride, or because we won't buy them a toy even though we just bought them one the day before and the list could go on and on! Overall, we all had a fantastic day and are so blessed that the kids can be a part of such a wonderful program. 

Happy 2nd Birthday Emily

2 years ago on Thursday, August 23rd, in a room filled with love, Jeff, Mom, and LeeAnn watched as Emily Kate made her grand entrance into this big world. She was so tiny (6lbs, 6oz) and was the most beautiful little girl I had ever seen. When we arrived home on Friday afternoon, the house was full of family. Preston, Mom, Barrett, LeeAnn, Elliott, and Abigail all greeted us and couldn't wait to get their chance to hold sweet Emily. It was one of the most precious times in our lives. A time that I will never forget. 

The first year was very rocky, but with the help of some medicine and prayers, we all made it through just fine! This second year has been such a whirlwind. I'm learning more and more how fast time flies when you are having fun! We have spent this year doing so many fun and wonderful things, but I think one of my favorite things has been hearing Emily sing. She loves music, but has just recently started singing Jesus Loves Me. It just melts our hearts every time she sings it. I have also enjoyed seeing the nurturing side come out of her. She loves her baby dolls so much. She loves to rock them and change their diapers, feed them, and push them around in her stroller. She loves her Bubby so much and loves to say "I love YOU!" over and over. 

Emily Kate Shands, I hope you know how special you are to our family and everyone that knows you. You are such a blessing to us and we look forward to every minute we get to spend with you! 

Happy Birthday Sweetie!