Time is Flying By

Today was Avery's 1 month check up. I cannot believe that she turned 1 month old yesterday and that it had been two weeks since she finally came home from the hospital. Little Miss Avery is a whopping 5lbs 11ozs and is still 19 inches long. Her weight, height and head circumfrance is still considered as <5% percentile for her age. She has some serious catching up to do. Dr. Allen said that her weight gain is on track and she looks great. We don't have to go back to see him until her 2 month checkup. I'm not looking forward to that day though and I'm sure she won't be either. She will get 3 shots and the rotovirus shot via mouth (so technically it's not a shot I guess). I can't believe how quickly a month has passed by.

Last night I cooked for dinner a dish I first cooked when I was 15 years old. It is a chicken stir fry dish but not in a Chinese food way. I use to make it for my mom when we found out it was something that she could eat due to the Celiac Disease. I scoured the internet high and low for the recipe and finally found it right before Avery was born. It was my first time cooking this in years and it turned out so good. Even the kids liked it. It is definitely something I will make on a regular basis. I just ate leftovers and it was still super yummy!

As I've reluctantly written about it has been a very hard time on us financially. Lee has been laid off since November 7th and doesn't start his new job until December 28th. Connie, the most wonderful administrator at Mackenzie's school, found out about our situation when Lee was talking to her almost 2 weeks ago. She adores Lee and he just poured his heart out to her. I think it felt good to tell someone what had happened. Well she called me that day and I told her that things had been really hard, etc.

Last Wednesday she said that some people at the school were wanting to do something for those who were having a hard time this year. I felt very uncomfortable accepting donations from anyone because it's quite embarassing and we shouldn't be in this position. Not us of all people. Connie told me that people want to help out and let them. Well today she called me and told me that there were already diapers at the school for me to pick up along with a gift card for gas. Little did she know that I was on my last pack of newborn diapers and needed to buy more. I picked up 2 packs from her today.

I was in tears when I saw her. I am so thankful for the person who has done this for us. She said on Thursday after 11am I can pick up the gifts for Mackenzie and Jackson. I told her that I know the person wants to remain annoynmous but I would like to write a thank you letter to those who helped us and how many cards should I write and if she would make sure those people got my letter. She told me it was just one person doing it all. I had suspected that it was Connie doing this but she just hugged me and didn't say anything. I think it's her and if so I'm going to cry a river.

This is the lady that before Mackenzie ever started school there I fell in love with. She was so great and friendly. She helped me get Mackenzie into the school when she wasn't zoned for it and it was almost at capacity. This is the lady that always has a smile on her face and knows every single student by name. She has made such an impact on me that I even called the school districts office to tell them how amazing she is and to brag on her. She cried when she found out I did this. I didn't want her to know it was me but I wanted someone above her hear how much she is appreciated.

I am just so thankful for her and whoever it is who is helping our family out right now. It still kills me that I cannot do this for my family this year though. Lee and I were talking about the help we've gotten this year and he asked me what I thought about adopting some kids from Mackenzie's school next Christmas and give back to someone else in need next year when we will be back on our feet. I told him I thought it was a great idea and how I love doing things such as that. I still remember our youth group helping a family out back in Montgomery when I was 14 or 15. It had such an impact on me. We both think it would be a great thing for our kids to be involved with and learn about doing for others. I cannot wait to be able to do something for someone else in return.

On another note I put on makeup today for the first time since May. Oh my gosh it felt great! I don't wear a lot of makeup any way but I felt better about myself. I just washed my face (I'm finishing this post at 9:03pm so the time on it is when I first started typing it which was much earlier in the day). I feel as if my face is more refreshed. It took less than 5 minutes to put it on and it made me feel 100 times better about myself. I am going to try and make a point to put on my face every time I go out.

I am very excited to be going to my parents house this weekend. We are leaving on Friday and coming back on Monday or Tuesday. We will celebrate Jackson's birthday Friday night. On Saturday night we will celebrate Christmas with my parents, Elizabeth, Ben (her fiance), Avonelle and Wilson (my grandparents on my mom's side). I cannot wait to see Avonelle and Wilson. It has been a year or so since I saw them last. I am also so excited to see my parents again. I know it's only been 3 weeks but I miss them. Family means so much more to me than it ever has. I treasure my relationships with them so much. It will definitely be a full house at my parents though.

Downstairs Avonelle and Wilson will have the guest bedroom. The other bedroom down there is a study so no one can sleep in there. Upstairs I think Elizabeth and I will share the bedroom with Jackson and Avery (Mackenzie will sleep in my parents room). Lee and Ben can sleep in the bonus room on the sectional. Lee has to sleep with the TV on and there isn't one in the bedrooms. I just hope his snoring doesn't keep Ben up. It will certainly be crowded but I am looking forward to it so much.

Okay, this was a long post. I just had a lot to say. I am so thankful for so many things this year. We may not have money or materialistic things but we truly have a lot to thank God for this year.