The family came for a visit. We had a nice time together. Spent a few days in North Conway and a few days in Maine. It was very nice to see them. I think this is going to be my parent's Christmas card this year... they, of course, want to show off Ryan!

Ryan was more interested in playing than having his photo taken. Oh well... he's still cute!

Ryan after eating some peas. He's not so sure what to think of them yet, but he loves rice cereal and applesauce.

The McGee's: Vanessa, Nick, Pauline, Roger, Memere, Me, Adam and Ryan! Memere is loosing her memory, so we had a small visit, which really cheered her up.

Okay, I swear we aren't bad parents. BUT, Ryan woke up on Saturday at 5 a.m., drank and bottle and wanted to play. We had to get ready to go to Brunswick, so we put him in the exersaucer to play. One minute he was squeeling in delight and the next he was fast asleep. After the photo we removed him, kissed him and put him in his carseat!

Our Friends Steve and Sarah had their second baby on Monday. Here's little Madison. She is perfectly healthy and weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long.

Wildlife

Yesterday was a good day.

At first I didn't think that Saturday was going to be all that exciting. For one, I had to wake up with Adam at 5:30 and drive to Brunswick with him for work, wait around while looking in shops for 1 p.m. and then have the rest of our day together. I wasn't too happy about the early morning part, so I was dreading Saturday.

It started out bad. Ryan woke up at 5 after being stuck in the slots of the crib for the last time! We got a bumper later on Saturday to prevent this. Anyway, so it was 5, Ryan was happy and awake, I was sleepy and wishing we didn't have to go with Adam.

We got ready, got in the car and went to BK for breakfast. There was no food in the house and we needed something fast. The day began to get better... yummy food and a little coffee to wake a sleepy mumma.

On Route 4 Adam suddenly slammed on the breaks. I looked up wondering why the guy in front of us wasn't going and then followed Adam's finger to the moose. A MOOSE, A MOOSE! I have finally seen a moose in Maine.... first time ever since living here for almost three years!!!! I was beginning to think that the only moose I would ever see would be the one that's stuffed and in LL Bean. The moose was majestic. He was HUGE... as along as the car he was standing next to in the used car lot and way taller. His antlers were beautiful. I was so excited about this that I couldn't remember were we put the camera, so by the time I got it out, said moose had crossed the street and wandered into the woods. I was slightly disappointed at this, but glad to see the moose.

The day got even better. I was able to find Ryan two cute outfits (which he really needs now that it's cooler) on super sale at Carter's outlet. I just happened to be there for the 75 percent off. I wasn't going to purchase, just look and then I stumbled on huge savings. We also got an LL Bean winter hat for his HUGE head (it's 18 inches already!) for later this winter. He has hats that fit now, but we wanted to use my coupons for free stuff before it expired. So, a free hat and mittens for Ryan.

Then, I stopped by Adam's work to use the potty and they saw me and let him leave early, which allowed us to make seeing his grandmother, who hasn't been well, for a nice visit and cute family photos.

Then, while picking up the bumper at Babies R Us (no where else sells them separately) they were offering free photos at Kiddie Kandis and we took advantage of the freeness and got really awesome photos of Ryan. Of course they tried to sell us stuff too, but we just took the free stuff and may go back later for other photos.

We had dinner at Nick and Vanessa's house (Adam's brother and sister-in-law) and had a good time.

On the way home on the road by the landfill I saw a shape of some animal on the hill. I asked Adam to stop and back up so we could see it. Well, it just wasn't one, it was an entire family of deer just grazing on the hill. No photos of his wonderful moment either since it was too dark, but it was just awesome watching them. Two big ones even kissed! It was wicked cool.

So, that's our wildlife adventure on a wonderful Saturday that I had been dreading and I have no photos to prove it. But, in case you were wondering, moose do exist. I had my doubts before, but know they exist now.

Things I love about fall

I decided since fall is my favorite time of year that I would complie a short list of the things I love about this season.

I experienced my first fall in Greenville and I haven't stopped loving it yet.

1. Crunching in the leaves.
2. Fall foliage – I love how the colors are so breathtaking in purples, oranges, reds and yellows.
3. Cinnamon scented candles… and pumpkin ones too
4. White hot chocolate
5. Cooler temperatures. It's more fun walking outdoors without sweating
6. Warm comfy pj’s and slippers
7. Flannel sheets
8. Apple pie
9. Thanksgiving - a great excuse to see family and eat lots of yummy food.
10. Weenie roasts and hay rides.

Frustration and Faith

I hate it when people give you the run-around. It's been happening with this one organization for what seems like too long now. First it was that I should keep breastfeeding so I wouldn't have to get their vouchers for formula. I feel I did fairly well on the breastfeeding front, considering I pumped my milk for three months. I was sick of pumping, sick of being up around the clock to do so and felt I had done okay for the first go at it (even my doctor gave me a pat on the back, reminding me that both of our medical problems right after delivery and the ones still going on didn't set us up for a great start... we aim higher next time).

Anyway, then come to find out Ryan has issues with formula, but it's too late to turn back the clock now that the milk is dried up. So, the organization says get a prescription from good old Doc and they will make sure I get the one he can tolerate. Well, today, I show up with the script and they said I need a note of diagnosis! So very frustrating.

*Big deep breath*

On another note, I've been reading about faith. It's so easy to have faith in the good times, but when your back is up against the wall faith is hidden in the deep dark corners of life and we try to draw on other things, like logic, reason and past experience. Hebrews 11 can't say enough about the people who had deep faith in God. How would Moses know when he raised his hands that the waters would part? He just had faith and it happened. The list in that chapter is a good one. I've enjoyed reading it over and over again on my study of faith, so I share it with you so that maybe you will find a nugget of gold for yourself.

Here's Ben wearing Adam's hat. While exploring our kitchen and coat rack the hat feel on his head. Ben cried. So, I had to show him that hats are fun to play with.

Ryan was very excited to be in his exersaucer on Friday morning. He's trying to hold Louis the Lobster in his right hand =)

We also saw Fr. Dan (the priest that married us). He met Ryan for the first time. We ate wonderful double chocolate chip cookies and Maggie's Yummy Burritos.

This weekend we went apple picking with Jeremy, Maggie and their daughter Marianna.

Sarah and Kyle with Ryan.
Okay this photo of our Labor Day get together is a bit dark, but it's the only one of all of us together!

Little Ben!

BLESSINGS

This past weekend was lots of fun. Our dear friends Kyle and Sarah were visiting. We had lots of fun. We played Dutch Blitz, ate Shain's of Maine ice cream, ate at Fi Wood Chinese restaurant, had a bbq, played guitar hero, talked, talked and talked and the girls made jewlery and played with Ryan and the boys played Magic.

When Kyle and Sarah left on Monday night, Adam and I both agreed we were sad to see them leave. We had a lovely time and still agree we are, dispite distance and a bad habit of not keeping in touch, closer to them than many of our other friends. When we get together, we can talk about anything and it always seems like old times.

Sarah made new friends with Ben, the boy I babysit. I am pleased to write here that he will be around a lot longer than I was thinking. His mom said she was leaving his dad and then I suppose that changed over the weekend when he promised to go to counseling with her. I really hope things work out for them. This is her second marriage.

And, in January I will be taking care of a little girl who will be three months old then. Adam and I will be back to what it was like when I had a newspaper job, though we have some debt to take care of before it's really back to old times. I have to say we feel really blessed. God continues to provide in so many ways. We've really learned a lot about ourselves and our finances through our situation. We just never thought one of us would get fired and were one of the many people in this country who weren't saving money like we should have been. While there was money in the bank, there wasn't three months of living in the savings.

Anyway, we are just so thankful and we appreciate the many prayers that have been said for us.

A few random updates...

1. At this point, we aren't going to sell our house. I'm wicked excited about this... we even have a plan on how to keep it. Yay!

2. Adam's leaving WM again and taking another part-time job with a partner of his doctor's for nights and Saturday mornings instead. This job change = more money, better hours, more time with family.

3. I interviewed with a family tonight and will possibily be taking their daughter on as a second child in my day care. More money here too. The couple found out about me through a mutual friend. Funny becuase I was just about to put a new ad in the newpaper and see what happened. If it's meant to be, they'll call back and say I have the job!

4. Ryan has his first cold. I feel awful for him, but he seems in good spirits and isn't really fussy, just congested. Poor kid! I suppose if H, who also had a cold, hadn't been kissing him he would be okay, but I'm not too worried. Kids are bound to get sick at some point.

5. Adam got to go to a soccer game. I'm happy he got to have a boy night and really enjoy himself instead of working and working and working. He deserved such a treat! And New England won, so that made it even better!

6. Looking forward to S. and K. visiting Maine soon. Been a long time since we've seen them and sure do miss them. Such excitement!

Planes, automobiles and the midwest

Ryan took his first plane ride this past weekend. He and I met my mom in Cleveland, Ohio and drove an hour from there to see my grandparents. Ryan was such a good boy on the plane! The first trip, he flirted with another baby across the asile from us and talked with the older lady sitting next to us. On the way back he slept the entire ride!

It was nice to see family again. I hadn't seen my grandparents or my uncles, aunts and cousins since 1999! We had a lovely time catching up and Ryan stole the show. I neglected to take my camera with us, mostly becasue it's large and awkard to pack. Photos, however, are on the way, thanks to my mom.

It was nice to see corn fields again too. I do miss the midwest. We had four and a half wonderful years there and I always say I'd like to go back. Although I enjoyed the trip, I am glad to be back with my honey. Ryan and I both missed him, even though it was only for three days.

Ryan is three months old today! Right now he's napping and little Ben (the boy I babysit) has left for the day, so I thought I'd post something here for this week. Last week, the honey went to the used baby clothing store and purchased baby boy a winter jacket, mittens and this cute exersaucer pictured above. Ryan isn't quite big enough for it yet, but we stuff blankets behind and in front of him and then sit with him and talk and play with him while he's in it. He's very good at holding his head up and loves to be standing up, so this works out good and gives my arms a break (did I mention I am getting really good upper body strenght?). Anyway, daddy picked out the best exersaucer (at a great price... these things are WICKED expensive new). It has lots of farm equipment that detaches from the sides and connects to make a train to play with. When he gets too big for the exersaucer the top comes off and connects to the bottom to make a huge track for the train!

On the issue of the house, a new development. Sister-in-law, who is working her way up the LL Bean ladder in the finance department, is coming over this evening to help us create a plan for staying in home. I am WICKED excited abou this. I've been praying we didn't have to sell. I don't want to move. The thought of it has had me down right depressed, so this glimmer of hope means the world to me. I know there have been many joining us in praying about this issue, and while I don't know if this is the answer just yet, I am hopeful. In addition, father-in-law who has been unemployed for ages now has a job! We are wicked excited for him.

On Saturday, Adam and I made the treck to Panther Pond for his boss' annual BBQ. It was a very relaxing day. The temperature was just right. After a mega lunch of burgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, fruit, chips and dip and dessert, we took a boat ride around the lake. It was really nice and so relaxing. Dr. Mathieu's wife, Diane, kept Ryan at the lake house so both Adam and I could enjoy the ride. Ryan was asleep by the time we got back! I took the camera this year, but still neglected to take photos... sigh!

I was a little disappointed that there was no lobster this year, but that's completly understandable considering the circumstances. Dr. Mathieu had a heart attack in January and has managed to keep his business running while working part-time and having other doctors from other practices fill in the gaps. It's Dr. Mathieu's 20th year in the business and the original plan was to celebrate in Las Vegas (there was going to be an eye care seminar at the same time), but that all changed and we're just happy Adam still has a job (which he loves, by the way, and I can see why. Dr. Mathieu is a really nice guy!).

After the BBQ, we stopped off at Babies R Us to return some bottles that we never opened and weren't planning on using. We exchanged them for two outfits, two more pacifiers (I am tired of trying to figure out where the two we own now are located), two big boy bibs for when Ryan starts soilds in a few more weeks, and some toys for his car seat (they dangle off the handle).

After purchasing the car seat toys, I was able to sit in the front seat with Adam for the first time in who knows how long. Ryan was entertained and we could have conversations without having to yell at each other over Ryan's cries (he hates his car seat).

Adam and I joinned Steve and Sarah to watch a soccer game. The boys watched. The girls talked about babies. Sarah is due for baby number two on Oct. 19.... Trevor, her little boy, will have just turned a year a few weeks prior! We're all hoping he figures out walking by then, but it's not looking too hopeful... he can't quite figure out how to crawl yet.

On Sunday, I worked more on cleaning the basement. We have an appraisal on the house this coming Friday and once that's done I think the house goes on the market.

Already this morning I have painted two doors. We'd been doing it slowly and now it's kind of crunch time since I can't imagine that some one would want to buy a house with a bunch of white doors and a few off white ones. Maybe they would, but at least it will be more attractive this way.

The selling the house issue has been difficult. I know we had to make tough choices and this seems like the right one, but it's not easy. I hate moving and would rather just stay put. We keep saying it's all in God's hands so if the house it meant to sell it will happen and for the right price, but it's so hard to really put our housing future in God's hands and trust him to do what is best for us.

More prayers on this issue still very welcome!

Don't have time to post about crazy life right now, but wanted to show off my beautiful baby boy.


I just love his eye lashes... look at that smile!