I'm a child of God, a daughter to wonderful parents, wife to an amazing husband, Mother to 4 little Hams and a friend to many. Our youngest son was born 6 weeks premature with multiple birth defects. He is Globally Developmentally Delayed, Intellectually Disabled and has a diagnosis of a Defect in Complex I of his Mitochondria. Follow us while we learn our new "typical". We are living and learning everyday and praising God every moment for our blessings!
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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Not Me Monday
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Homecoming 2009
This weekend was Rebel Homecoming, as always it was fun. A lot of the older boys who now play at the local High School come and watch the kids play and of course cheer! All the teams decorated floats and we did a traditional homecoming float parade around the field. My dad drove the float and donated his trailer for Jake's float. His theme was Band of Brothers and the boys all played blow up instruments and my Dad rocked out some ole skool music on the CD player for them. Gracie's theme was ESPN Game Day. 35 little girls on that trailer was a tight fit but they had a great time. Even though later in the day the rain came we kept on playing. We played our town rival - Bluestar and both of our teams won! Gracie's team won 14-0 (at least that is what she says the score is and I can't remember but I do know we won) and Jake's team was 28-6! What a great day....
Friday, September 25, 2009
5 Question Friday!
1. What celebrity have you been told you look like?
Lee Ann Rimes (before I had kids when I was 40 lbs lighter) which would be OK if she hadn't totally turned into a freak all of a sudden and started cheating on her husband...I'm just saying....
2. What is your all time favorite movie, any special reason why?
Stepmom, although a sad one because the real Mom dies, it has a great story and because I have such an amazing Stepmom who raised me from the time I was 13...it takes a special woman to accept someone as their own!
3. Since we're talkin' movies...Popcorn: overrated, underrated, or 'bout right?
I love me some Popcorn, probably because I'm on Weight Watchers and I can eat a whole lot of popcorn for very little points, and I'm all about the quantity!
4. Are you a glass half empty or half full kinda person?
Half Full most of the time but I must say the last 18 months have challenged my spirit and soul in more ways than I ever imagined but most of the time I try to be half full
5. What perfume/cologne do you wear?
Does baby spit up count? Actually, I rarely wear perfume. I mostly just use body spray - I like Gap Pink.
Quick run down of the rules...copy and paste the following questions to your blog, answer them, grab the MckLinky BlogHop code and link up! I'd also be very grateful, appreciative, forever indebted, honored, etc...if you'd link back to Mama M.!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Lions, Tigers and pigs.....oh my!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Big Girl School
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Weekend Wrapup
Saturday was Football Football Football. We played the Highland Springs Saints and Gracie's team won 7-0 (they scored in overtime) and Jake's team won 21-7! It was a great day for the Rebels! Ethan is feeling so much better but we didn't want to take him out all day so Chris and I switched off, I went to Gracie's game while he stayed home with the little kids and he went to Jake's and I stayed home with the little kids.
Sunday brought about Sunday School and Church. Gracie and Jake both moved up to new classe this year and are loving being in the older classes. Jake can't wait until next year when he is old enough to acolyte. I better make sure the church checks their insurance policy, sure would hate for my kid to be the one that burns down the 100 year old church! We dropped the big kids off for Sunday School and took the little ones over to Starbucks and Anna Claire enjoyed her "coffee" which is really ice water in a coffee cup but she thinks it's coffee. So cute! I really enjoy simple little moments when she gets to have us all to herself, well Ethan was with us but he doesn't mind sharing the spotlight, unlike his other sistser.
This afternoon I sent Daddy Ham to the third floor to pull out the fall decorations. Fall is my very favorite time of the year to decorate. After I get it set up I will post some pictures and I would love to see yours...
Anna Claire starts Preschool tomorrow at a local church, 3 mornings a week from 9-12. Please pray she keeps her clothes on, doesn't leave the building and doesn't break out in song singing the following verse to her very favorite song these days:
You know I like my Chicken Fried
Cold Beer on a Friday Night
And the Radio Up
Yes, these are the only words she knows and as I type this she is screaming them at the top of her lungs....oh boy!
So funny, this is what I came home to Friday night, just like her PaPaw she can sleep while sitting up!
Friday, September 18, 2009
5 Question Friday
It's MamaM's Five Question Friday....So hop on over to her blog to check it out!
1.What's you favorite line from a movie?
"My mother always said, life was like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get" - Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump - Forrest Gump.
I like that one and RUN FORREST RUN....
2.What "group" did you belong to in highschool?
Goth, jocks, prep, drama, nerds?
I wouldn't say that I really hung out with a certain type of group. I had friends in all circles..pretty lame I know but I still have friends from all types of backgrounds and financial status. Makes life more interesting that way!
3.If you had $1000 just for yourself, what would you spend it on?
First I would start with a Grande Latte at Starbucks than make my way over to Oasis for a some spa time and than head over to Short Pump for some retail therapy...shoes clothes...oh wait, my $1,000 is gone already!
4.What was your favorite childhood cartoon?
Smurfette - I mean really, do I need to say anymore?
5.What kind of sleeper are? Back, tummy, side, sprawler?
I sleep best on my tummy, that is when there isn't a baby in it...
So there ya have it!!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
IT'S BECAUSE WE ARE POOR....
Big Ham - Mom, can you buy me a DSI?
MamaHam - No, you have a Playstation, WII and a regular DS. You don't need another video game thingy.
Big Ham - But my birthday and Christmas is coming up. Why can't you just buy it for me for one of those holidays?
MamaHam - Because I said and I just told you why.
Big Ham - Geez, Mom, I never get anything.
Medium Ham - It's because we are poor, that's why you can't get a DSI.
Oh, I'm still laughing about this conversation....
On another note, Baby Ham is sick. He has RSV AGAIN. He is home resting now and hoping that it does not get worse as the night progresses or else we get an all inclusive 3-5 day stay at the hospital....Please pray that Baby Ham can fight off this off and MamaHam and Daddy Ham has patience. And please don't forget to pray for the Little Hams who God Bless them can't get a new DSI 'cause Mama and Daddy Ham are poor....still laughing out loud!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Happy Birthday To Me!
My Birthday was on Saturday and I spent the day at the football field watching Jake and Gracie and was so proud of them! That night my husband made a yummy dinner and the kids made me hot chocolate lava cake - yum yum! On Sunday we went to my parents house after church for lunch. It was Rally Day at Church (my favorite day of Sunday School, by the way) and the kids had a blast. They both are moving up to a new Sunday School Class and are so excited. Oh, how time flies. It just occurred to me that Jake will have first communion next year...oh my! Of course, ya'll know that Lisa (also known as my Step Mom but really she is the only true Mother that I have ever had, when you look up the definition of Mother she is the only who fits that bill for me!) makes the most amazing meals and always has the best decorations. She is Southern right down to the Sweet Tea! Lovely cakes, tables and flowers.... Check out this video of the best gift every that a Mama can get on her birthday!
She made this awesome strawberry cake just for my birthday!
Look at that pretty table, she had cute little roses from her garden, ain't that so sweet!
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Rebel Rumble....
Jake's game was delayed due to an injury and an ambulance was called to the field. The player is OK but he had hurt his neck so they wanted to be sure he was good before they moved him from the field. A football Mama's biggest fear is to have her son taken off of the field in an ambulance but the boys all seem to think it's cool! No thanks, we will pass on that one! Jake's game was awesome. Those boys played so well and won 14-7 - so far we are undefeated!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Every Good and Perfect Gift is From Above...
The title of my post tonight is from James 1:17. This is the bible verse that we chose for Ethan's Birth Announcements. During our pregnancy when we found out about Ethan's health issues we knew that no matter what the outcome we would love our son as much as we love his brother and sisters because just as God had given us three other beautiful perfect children, He was blessing us with HIS perfect creation.
Ethan has come so very far since that scary day last summer when he was safe and protected still growing inside of me and doctors told us that he was a very sick little boy and a decision would need to be made about his future. That decision was not up to us or his doctors, it was God's decision. He was our perfect gift from above and God had blessed our family with him.
Mrs. Vicki is our Occupational Therapist from Early Intervention that comes to our home twice a month. She is amazing and Ethan just lights up when he sees her. She is also a Gift from God and is helping Ethan become a strong little boy. She is so great with him, she has taught us all kinds of little "tricks" to help along the way. Sometimes I feel like a brand new Mama with him even though I have done this three times before. But his determination and will keep me going every day. He is amazing.
Tonight he started holding his bottle all by himself for the very first time. He has not had the strength in his arms or the coordination to do this alone but he practices every day and tonight he did it all by himself. He knows, he knows just how special he is and how proud of him Mama and Daddy Ham are - we see it in his great big blue eyes.
Here are some pictures of Mrs. Vicki and our Sweet Ethan...
All that hard work with Mrs. Vicki - Ethan had to take a nap with his big sister Anna Claire...
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Back to School
This morning I heard little feet running down the stairs at 6:30. Jake and Gracie were both actually very excited to be back at school. Jake was excited to be going into 3rd grade and being on the second floor. That is quite a big deal at his school, all the big kids - grades 3-5 get to be upstairs! Gracie was just really excited to be wearing brand new clothes...!
They both had a great day and returned home very excited about the new year.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Tomatos, Football and Cheerleading...
Yesterday was the official start of Rebal Football! Jake played in his first tackle game and loves it! We played in the 1st annual Cherry Tomato Bowl. The High School kids play every year in the Tomato Bowl. Named after our famous Hanover Tomatos, of course!
Jake's team won 27 - 7. Go JV Pee Wee Green! Sitting up in the stands and looking down on my "little boy" was well kinda intimidating. He's not so little anymore and in his gear he looks really grown up!
Gracie cheered at her first football game and was HOT! She had a lot of fun though and loved being in front of all the fans!
Jake, Chris and my Brother Jon left at Jake's 1/2 time and headed up to C'ville for a little Wahoo Football. That outcome was not as great as Jake's but the boys still had fun. Jake is now determined more than ever to go to College at UVA. Sounds good to us....
Here are some pictures from yesterday....