Need Prayer for my Stepmom

I found out last night that my stepmom (Debora) had a stroke yesterday. My dad came home from work to find her barely conscious. She has lost the use of her right side, can't talk and hasn't been able to swallow. Zachary and I got here around noon today and I spent most of the day at the hospital while my mom and stepdad kept Zachary. Debora is in pretty bad shape but we did notice a slight improvement in her tonight. She tried to talk but the words just wouldn't come out. She tried several times and we could understand a couple of words but it was obvious that she was getting very frustrated. She also was able to eat some yogurt tonight which is great because this was the first time she had eaten anything since Thursday night. I would ask you guys to please pray for Debora and my dad. We are waiting to hear what the doctor has to say about her recovery. They attempted to do an MRI today but there was too much swelling. They have scheduled another one for Monday. The good news is that my dad and Debora are both very strong Christians and my dad is holding up well. I hope that tomorrow he will be able to get some sleep because he hasn't really slept since Thursday night.

I'll post again soon. Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus

It is SO easy to get lost in the shuffle of Christmas and forget the real meaning behind it. I was listening to a Christmas show on the radio the other night and they were talking about traditions at Christmas. One lady said that she bakes a birthday cake every Christmas for Jesus' birthday. That really hit home for me. What an awesome tradition that is! In my family we have many traditions but now that I have Zachary, I want us to start new ones. Since he really isn't old enough to help me make reindeer snacks, sit through candle light service or help hand out gifts to less fortunate families, I decided that we will start those traditions next year. I'm really going to be thinking about other traditions that we can start as well. I want Zachary to grow up knowing the true meaning behind Christmas and understanding that the true joy in Christmas is giving to others.

We hope you are all having a wonderful Christmas! Ours has been absolutely perfect! Zachary has had a wonderful time with his family, playing with his cousins and trying to figure out which new toy to play with first. Santa brought him a tent and tunnel set which he absolutely LOVES!! He also got a big Tonka truck, a radio flyer wagon, clothes, other trucks, a learning laptop and other goodies. I got some really great pictures today but I'm too tired to post them tonight. I'll do them over the next couple of days. We are probably going home on Thursday, just for a few days, and then we'll probably come back next weekend.

I still haven't decided what I'm doing for New Year's but I think we'll probably end up hanging out with the family. This will be a first for me! New Year's is one of my favorite holidays so I used to always go out on the town with friends. That's all changed now that I have Zachary. I mean, I could do that if I really wanted to....because I certainly have plenty of people of babysitters for him. Actually they squabble over who is going to keep him next. ;-)) I just don't think I want to leave him. There is no one else in the world that I can think of that I'd rather be with than him!

Zachary has been in the best mood since we've been home. He has really grown attached to his nanas and papas and Uncle Dave. We also found out that he really doesn't like for other children to take things from him. I saw him flex his muscle last night when one of his cousins tried to take his Curious George truck. Not smart on their part. ;-0)

This Christmas has been the most special EVER! Our little angel is such a blessing from God. I have no doubt that he was hand-picked just for me. Like I've said before, I can't even remember what my life was like before but I know it doesn't get any better than this. *smile*

Hope the rest of your holidays are full of blessings and joy! Check back soon for some Christmas pictures.

(((((HUGS)))))
Rebecca and Zachary

As promised

Mommy probably won't miss this one.


Let me see if I can get this one.


Zachary and papa napping.


It's my water bottle now mommy.


Sleepy boy


Zachary poses for a picture with mommy.


Zachary and his cousin Christoper.


Christopher and Zachary getting ready to play ball.


YUMMY


"This is really how I like to eat."

Ok, so here are some pictures. We had a good day today....pretty low key. Zachary loves our Christmas tree and is constantly wanting to touch it. I have to keep my eyes on him constantly. ;-))

Been a while..

since we last posted. Sorry about that. We have been doing great and staying very busy. Our Thanksgiving was awesome! We hung out with the family and Zachary played with his cousin Christopher who is about 1 1/2 months younger than him. They had a great time together. We had lots of good food! Zachary enjoyed the turkey and all of the other goodies. I have lots of pictures to post but I'm so tired tonight that I'm going to have to wait to post them tomorrow.

Last night we went to get Zachary's picture made with Santa. After practically standing on my head, I finally got a really cute smile out of him. Luckily, they captured that smile. I got 1 5x7, 2 3x5s and 4 wallets for a whopping $32. Geez...they are making a killing off of that! Anyway, I was happy to get there before the lines got long and get the picture made. We waited in line about 20 seconds. You can't beat that!! Chad and his little boy Brady were with us too. We tried like crazy to get Brady to sit on Santa's lap but he wasn't having any part of it. So, we finally gave up. After that, we got something to eat and then we took the kids to the play area in the mall. They had a great time running around and playing with all of the other kids. Zachary and Brady were both sweet on the little girls. It was interesting to watch.

Zachary is doing great and really growing and changing. I will try to scan the picture of him with Santa so I can post it.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Hugs,
Rebecca

Happy Halloween

Zachary lovin' on Sara

Back home at last

I really love this picture!!!

Zachary and Nana Dot

Zachary with Pastor Stan and Mrs. Donna

Mommy and her pumpkin baby

Zachary, Grace and Coble (another Guatemalan angel)

"Beauty and the beast"

"I really do love older women."

"Why does my mommy have me dressed like this?"

My little dancing lion

We went to "Trunk or Treat" at church tonight and had a great time. I got SO many great pictures. Sara went with us and Zachary was clinging to her all night. He was fascinated and puzzled by all of the costumes. He looked in the mirror and just smiled and smiled at himself. Then I put my blonde wig on and he just stared at me as if to say "Where is my mommy?" He loved looking at the costumes and wasn't afraid at all. He just stared at everyone and gave them the "do you KNOW how crazy you look dressed like that" look. He had fun and so did we!! I managed to keep the candy away from him this year but I'm sure that next year it will be a lost cause.

Hope you all had a great Halloween with your little ones!

Hugs...

What a great weekend

One year ago: Zachary and Savannah

One year ago: Meredith and Zachary
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Mommy and me

Mommy's gift from God.

Mommy and her little man

"Two pumpkins down...two to go."

Pumpkin Baby

"Let me see if I can pick this thing up."
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"uuummmm, isn't this one for girls mommy?"

Zachary's first time seeing a llama.

We love the bunny rabbits.

Zachary and Uncle Jim are ready for the hayride.

Just hanging out

"Mommy, I already know how to play basketball."

"Thanks Sara. I can reach the basket now."

"I wonder if I can make this shot."

"Well, I'll just take my ball and leave then."

Future basketball player

It's true...I'm in to everything!

We had SO much fun last weekend. Saturday morning, we met Sara at the gym, played some basketball with Zachary and then we worked out for 1 1/2 hours. Burn baby burn!! ;-)) Then we left there and later in the afternoon we went shopping with Sara at the mall. We had fun running all around...helping her get everything together for her Halloween costume. She dressed up like a mafia woman. ;-)) I would be posting pictures but unfortunately her camera got stolen at the party on Saturday night. ;-((

So then Saturday evening, Zachary and I picked Nana Dot up at her house and we all went to the church up the street from our house for a Fall Festival. We had a blast. They had everything set up in the gym so we let Zachary go inside. He was running around everywhere....just laughing and laughing. Zachary and I did the cake walk and would you believe that I won FOUR times in about 30 minutes?! So we had all of this cake, all kinds of cookies and brownies. I am on this major health kick so I didn't eat any of it. I ended up giving it all away!! I guarantee you someone enjoyed it. ;-))

So Sunday morning, we got up and went to church. We had an awesome Sunday School lesson and sermon. It was just what I needed. I felt as if I was drifting away some and I wanted to get back on track. That class and sermon were just what I needed to help me accomplish that. I felt SO much better when I left there yesterday. So we left church, came home and Zachary took his nap. Then Uncle Jim came over and we went to the pumpkin match and corn maze. We had a great time and I got SO many good pictures. It only took us 30 minutes to get through the maze and that was record time. ;-))

I was just thinking that last year at this time I was in Guatemala with Zachary. Our friends Keely and Savannah & Veronica and Meredith were also there. We spent a lot of time together...mostly in the room. Keely and I had connecting rooms which was really cool and Veronica and Todd stayed next door to us. Last year at this time, there was a warning posted for Guatemala stating that things were dangerous and that we should use extra precaution. That's why we stayed in the room most of the time. It was fine with us though...as far as we were with our angels. ;-)) I thought I would share a couple of the pictures that we took last year. It's so hard to believe that I had to travel to see Zachary last year and now he is home and in my arms forever! I thank God every day for this precious gift that he has given me. My eyes fill with tears of joy every time I think of how blessed we are!

Check back tomorrow for pictures from Halloween! Have a great week! Hugs...

Friday Eve

Thank Goodness it's almost the weekend! It has been a really busy week!

We are planning to go to the mountains this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing all of the beautiful leaves and taking Zachary to the pumpkin patch so we can get some pictures. There are so many things going on in Asheville this weekend so I think we may end up there.

I have posted some pictures from last night. We were at dinner with my friend Sara and she took these pictures of Zachary. I just love the close-up pictures!!!

Hugs,
Rebecca

It has been 6 months today since Zachary came home from Guatemala

Mommy, I'm getting really sleepy now!
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How sweet...

Hi mommy!!

Today is another milestone. We have been home now for exactly six months! It seems so much longer to me. I feel like Zachary has been here all along. I actually can't even remember what it used to be like before he was here. There is no doubt in my mind that God planned all of this. Zachary absolutely loves his mommy and the feeling is mutual! I have watched him grow up and change so much over the last 6 months. I feel so blessed to have Zachary. What a precious gift from God!

Ok, so enjoy the pictures and I'll write again soon. Tomorrow we are going to the pumpkin patch and on a hayride so I should have lots of good pictures. ;-))

Hugs....

Looks like tubes are in our future

Today I made an appointment for Zachary with an ENT doctor. We are going Monday morning at 9am. I'm ok with getting tubes in Zachary's ears if it will stop these earaches. He was so miserable on Monday. I never want to see him like that again. I have numerous friends who have had tubes put in their children's ears and that fixed the problem. That's what we're hoping for too!!!

Week before last we had our 6-month post placement done. We really liked our social worker and she loved Zachary. She said that she couldn't believe how much personality he has. By the time she left, he was blowing her kisses. That's his thing now...he blows kisses to all of the girls. What a little charmer he is. ;-))

So, the latest on my love life is that...well, there's not one now. I met this guy back in July and we really hit it off. The chemistry was flying but we started off as friends and took things slow. So then we moved to the next level and shortly after that the problems started. One of my pet peeves is when men don't do what they say they are going to do. I simply will not put up with that. There were several times when he was coming by or said that he would call, and I didn't hear from him until the last minute and on one occasion, not at all. Well, three strikes and you're out. I wrote him off after he said he was coming by and I never heard from. Then he called and acted like nothing was wrong. I let him know early on that this is one thing that is really important to me. Apparently, he can't handle it. So, it's just little man and me again and I'm fine with that. Truth be told, I don't have time to be dealing with a relationship right now. Zachary and I are always on the go and we hang out with friends and family alot. One day I'm sure God will send the right man in to our lives but until then, Zachary will get ALL of my attention. ;-))

More to come later with pictures....

Hugs!

Weekend in the Mountains

Fall is finally here!

Catch me if you can!

Look at all of these pumpkins!

Irresistable!

Mommy and me

Can we take this pumpkin home mommy?

Beautiful view

View from the chairlifts at Ghost Town

I'm gonna be a cowboy when I grow up.

Wow papa! I'm impressed with how fast you got on that horse!

I crack myself up!

Papa, thanks for sharing your coffee with me.

Papa and Me

Yeh, I know I'm adorable!

We have been crazy busy lately! I'm sorry for not writing. I'm trying to do better....really!

Last weekend we went to the mountains with my dad and his wife. We had a really good time. On Saturday, we took Zachary to Ghost Town. We had to ride the chairlifts to get there. Zachary loved it. He wasn't scared at all. Zachary also took a pony ride while we were there. He loved that too! He looked so precious on the pony.

The scenery was beautiful last weekend! The leaves were starting to turn and the weather was perfect. The air was fresh and crisp. It was so nice to finally get a taste of fall.

On to other things, Zachary has another double ear infection! He had to have two rocephin shots. It was terrible. So we have decided to go to the ENT doctor on Monday and talk about tubes. We are going to have to do something...and quick. Monday he was just miserable. I felt SO bad for him! He was much better by yesterday and today he was great. He woke up in his usual happy mood. He was SO excited to go back to daycare today. He really loves it there. Today we also got proofs back from the pictures that they had made at daycare. His were AWESOME!!!! I loved all four poses. I ended up getting two poses. I'm going to give those to the family at Christmas. One is a close-up and the other one has him sitting on a bench with a vine and a pumpkin. He looks so absolutely adorable. I swear, every day when I get up, I thank God for Zachary! I am SO blessed to have him.

Sometimes I just stop, reflect on things and thank God for all of the blessings he has bestowed upon us. There is so much sadness in this world. I have close friends who are sufferring....one whose husband is dying from cancer, one who lost a 37 year old friend to a massive heart attack, one who just had her third miscarriage, several who are waiting on their adoptions to be finalized so that their precious angels can come home and several who are sufferring from depression, for one reason or another. I just pray that God will wrap his arms around all of these who are in pain and to comfort them during these times. Prayer is the key!

Hope everyone has a good rest of the week!