"Miss" Sally: A Tribute

I know it's been a while, but my heart is heavy and I am hoping this will help.  Can I tell you about someone special?  Would you listen to me ramble for a few minutes?  When I got ready to begin school in Troy I had some complications regarding where I would live.  It left me with 1 option...to commute.  Through a family connection, a very dear couple who knew very little about me, offered to let me move into their home.  So I did.  When I moved in, I thought I might stay a year, but I ended up staying with them the entire time I was at Troy.  They became like family to me.  We shared dinners, long conversations, laughter (lots of laughter), beach trips, Auburn/Alabama rivalries, and so much more (my heart smiles just thinking about these things).  I came into their home at a time that I felt a little lost about where life was taking me.  I came in questioning some things that I had believed for a long time.  I am certain that "Miss" Sally listened to my sob story at least 499 times.  But she listened.  Every. Time.  She was a great listener.  My time in their home was very healing.
After college, I moved and started my first job, but we continued to call each other often.  During this time, they moved to Auburn, and I would occasionally go spend the weekend with them.  They still invited me on their family beach trips.  They had 4 children and many grandchildren so these trips were so much fun to me. They sat at the front at my wedding.  There is a precious picture of him looking at her prior to the start of the ceremony.  (They were probably in shock that I was finally getting married.)  B and I started to visit together. B is convinced she makes the BEST french toast known to man. One visit that stands out in my mind was just after we brought Ella Kate home from the hospital.  It's no secret that I was pretty sure I had ruined my life and would never sleep again.  Ever.  But "Miss" Sally and Mr. Terry brought dinner that night and I remember as they left, she said to me, "Honey, it's going to get better." She had this laugh that I can still hear. And for some reason when she said that I thought, "you know, maybe it will".  I had a little hope.  She was right.  It did get better.
Two years ago, they celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.  We went and enjoyed our time.  Ella Kate was a big fan of the dance floor and "Miss" Sally enjoyed it as well.  We visited them this past March and had the best time.  We spent the day sitting outside, remembering all those times in Troy and laughing.
This precious couple had so much of an impact on my life.  They are selfless.  That is the first word that comes to mind.  I was not the first person they had invited into their home.  They represented the love of Christ.  I think you would have a hard time finding anyone who thought otherwise.  Because that was just how they were.  I have so many fond memories that I'm sure you don't have time to read, nor do I have the time to type.  But I want anyone who reads this to know that Terry and Sally Ingalls were a Godsend in my life.  Words fail me to describe just how much I love them.
This past Saturday morning, I received a heart breaking phone call.  "Miss" Sally's earthly life ended unexpectedly that morning.  Her family is heart broken, as are the many others who loved her.  My heart aches like it hasn't in a very long time.  But my hope is this:  "Miss" Sally is in heaven.  Her joy is full, and I will see her again one day. I want those who didn't know her to know about her, for she was a precious, precious lady.  We could all do well to leave a legacy behind such as hers.  Please be in prayer for her family and friends as they celebrate her life this week.  Remember that life is fleeting and precious.  Spend time with those you love.

Party of 4

Our party of 3 became a party of 4 about 4 weeks ago at 7:44 a.m.  Ella Kate is thrilled.  Why was I so worried about her?  She thinks he's great.  She says he's "adorable", "so nice", and "so cute".  Bradley and I are amazed that a baby can be so easy.  He sleeps!  Thank you, Lord.  He (so far) is really laid back.  He gets that from his Daddy.  He also looks just like him. We've all adjusted fairly easily over the last several weeks.  I continued to send Ella Kate to MawMaw's and Papa's during the week so I could have some time with John Hudson.  It's been a sweet time.  Before Ella Kate arrived I envisioned countless hours of relaxation and reading while she slept.  Ha.  That didn't happen.  EVER.  The reading.  The relaxing. Or the Sleep.  This time has been so much different.  We get up once during the night.  I don't know what to think.  So we'll just be thankful.

I am a worrier, and a new baby brings new worries.  I even called the doctor the first week because he slept all the time.  I watched him constantly the first several nights at home.  I've been known to stick my finger under his nose to make sure he's breathing.  I had a small breakdown on our 3rd night at home because I let the worry consume me.  I talked to a sweet friend and spent some time looking at several verses that put my mind at ease.  God has been so good to send encouragement and reminders of his presence about this worry that I struggle with.  On that particular night, Ella Kate came into the living room where I was in tears.  She was singing Jesus Loves Me.  We sing this all the time, but I fail to hear the words sometimes.  It was so what I needed on that night.  God loves our children and he watches over them, even when we sleep.

We took our first trip to the beach yesterday as a family of 4.  Bradley says he looks like a beach contractor carrying our stuff to the beach.  We were thankful to have Uncle G, Courtney, and her friend, Nancy with us yesterday to help carry stuff.  I was a little nervous because Ella Kate HATED the beach her first summer, but it went great.  And the extra people were great entertainment so that we didn't have to stay in the water the whole time.  According to EK, you aren't at the beach if you aren't "in" the water.  It was a perfect day, except for the places I missed on Bradley's back with the sunscreen.  Sorry, B.

We're off to spend the afternoon with some long lost friends of ours and their baby girl.  And back to the beach with some great friends tomorrow.  I need a nap, but I have all summer, right?

Feeling extra blessed today,

Hope

Change is Coming...

We just tucked our baby girl in for the last time as our only child.  This makes me sad for her for some reason.  Her world is about to be flipped upside down, and I hope she handles it well. As excited as I am for what we're gaining this week, I'm sad about being away from Ella Kate all week, and I'm worried that she'll have a hard time adjusting.  It makes me a little emotional.  Maybe that's just the crazy hormones already.  Or maybe it's a combination of things.  I rocked her to sleep yesterday at nap time and had a good cry while I rocked.  We never rock her to sleep.  She rarely asks to be rocked.  But I needed it yesterday, as much as she did.

We are so excited about John Hudson's arrival.  Stay tuned for pictures. Coming soon...

The Countdown is ON.

We haven't dropped off the face of the Earth...nope we're still here.  Just being a blog slacker I guess.  I'd tell you I'll try to do better, but you see, there's a little baby boy about to join this household in no more than 9 days and I remember how this new baby thing goes.  CRAZI-NESS.  That's exactly what it was the first time around.  I was INSANE, EXHAUSTED, MOODY, MEAN, etc.  I have plans to be a little more sane this time, but I'm not making any promises I can't keep.  Regardless of the madness that comes with it, I am PUMPED.  I've been checking things off my to do list this afternoon, and it's only 1:30!  Bradley has been a champ.  He swears he's hung the same curtain 4 times, but hey, the 4th time, he got it just right.  He's been checking things off our list too, and I really appreciate him.  He does it with a smile.  He has even taken Ella Kate out for a few hours just to give me some "Mommy Time" as he calls it.  That's why I'm finally getting to blog today.  They went to MawMaws for lunch and I'm laying in the recliner watching HGTV... Ahhhh.

I will attempt to keep you posted on John Hudson's arrival.  We ordered one that sleeps on a schedule this time.  I forgot to check that box when we ordered Ella Kate.  In fact, we're still working on her schedule.
Looking forward to an exciting couple of weeks.  Hope yours is great too!

I'm BACK!

So it's been awhile. It's been a long while.  Sorry for the delay.  Life has been busy and interesting as usual.

Ella Kate is growing up so fast.  She makes us laugh all the time.  She has a bit of a strong will.  Sometimes I'm not sure how to handle her, but we're all learning together.  She's been sick a few times in the last couple of weeks.  This is new for us.  She had only had 1 sick visit until a month ago.  We've been blessed in that area.  And we've seen the doctor twice in the last month.  I hope she's on the mend.  And I hope she's learning to sleep in her own bed again.  This momma is tired.

John Hudson is also growing fast, as am I.  We'll be scheduling a c-section again, so I'm hoping we have about 10 weeks to go.  I was beginning to think his nursery would be pink and he would have no clothes, but we're getting there.  B painted the nursery 2 weeks ago, and I've been thrifting to find a dresser and rocker. I've also bought out Carter's.  We found a dresser today at the beach.  I'm pretty pumped, although I wish I'd offered less than I did...pretty sure the man would have taken it.  Either way...it's coming along and maybe we can finish before he makes his arrival.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about 2 babies.  Ella Kate will be a big help, but it hasn't been so long that I've forgotten how hard it was the first few weeks after we brought her home.  Honestly, I thought I was Losing. My. Mind.  I cried.  A LOT.  It's possible that I cried more than she did, but it got easier.  I remember one particular night during that first week when I was sitting at the kitchen counter sobbing.  B asked me what was wrong and I told him through tears, "It's getting dark!!!  It's about to start again."  I'm hoping we'll settle in a little faster this time. Regardless, we'll survive and he will be worth the sleepless nights.  We're excited, and that's an understatement.

Life has brought about some uncertainties lately as it often does.  I guess we never really know what lies ahead, but as Bradley has to remind me, God has a plan.  I also made a decision to resign from cheerleading...a decision that makes me sad, but excited for time with my family.  I do love my girls.  They are sometimes my escape from the real world.  I love listening to their stories.  They make me laugh.  They make me proud.  But I realize that the demands of 2 children will be greater, especially during football season, and couldn't figure out a way to make it all work.  I know it's the right decision, but as exhausted as I get during basketball, I texted B during the last game Thursday night and told him it made me sad to watch the season end.  This sounds crazy to some of you, but I spend countless hours with these girls.  I am thankful for the opportunity.  They've taught me as much or more than I've taught them.  If they don't remember anything I've ever said, I hope they remember to never settle for just ok...in a husband, in a job, in life.  Wait for the best, girls.

I took a personal day yesterday.  It was AMAZING.  B took Ella Kate on to Maw Maws.  I watched the Today Show in my pj's.  When I finally did get dressed, I treated myself to a manicure, a pedicure, and Sonic.  When I got home, I sat in the backyard and read my Kindle.  I might have caught a few Z's in the sunshine as well.  I had an appointment yesterday afternoon and was still home alone, so I blared a cd from my college days while I got ready.  Pure BLISS.  I needed yesterday in a bad way.  We left late and spent the night with B's brother and his wife in Freeport.  It has been an extra good weekend, and it's only Saturday night.  B has a fire going and I'm snuggled up on the couch.  After I post this, I plan to Pinterest until I hit the sack, which may be sooner than later.

I promise to make a better effort on the blog.  Hope you all enjoy the rest of the weekend.

This may get sappy...

So this weekend, actually about May, my cheerleaders and I started a journey that we'd never taken before.  We decided we'd give this competition thing a go.  About 2 weeks ago, I was wondering if we'd lost our minds.  Last Monday in the middle of a 6 hour practice, I called B and told him that I was really worried about this.  However, by the end of that long practice, I had decided they'd pull it off, somehow.

I won't tell you that cheerleading is life, but for most of these girls, it's their talent.  It's what they're REALLY good at.  And they're my girls.  Some weeks I spend more time with them than I do with my husband and my own child.  They teach me A LOT.  They tell me things I don't want to know.  They make me laugh.  They make me mad.  Friday night, when they surprised me with a baby shower after checking into our rooms, they made me cry.  They are great.

Yesterday, I was extremely emotional when they finished their routine.  I was SO PROUD of those 15 girls.  I was proud because they set their minds to something and they pulled it off.  They have put in countless hours of hard work for 2 and a half minutes on the floor.  But it was important to them and they did it.  They were ranked 3rd out of 7 squads.  I think they are often overlooked, so I wanted this post to be about them and what they work so hard for.  You represented ZC so well.  If no one else realizes what you've accomplished, I DO.  I love you, girls.  Super proud of you and the goals that you've reached.  Also, a big thank you to Ms. Monica, Adria, Paige, and Shanelle at gymnastics.  You're the best!

Now, on to Thanksgiving week.  Two fun days at school and 3 days off.  I'll take it.  Have a wonderful week.

A Little of This...A Little of That

Well baby #2 is...........a boy!  I was more pumped about this than my husband.  You see, the plan I have is never to do this pregnancy thing again.  So I knew we either got a boy this go round or we had all girls.  On the way to Dothan Monday morning, I talked myself through all the reasons 2 girls would be great .  I wanted to be prepared either way.  He was extremely cooperative, and we were told immediately that it was definitely a boy.  Off we went for a little birthday shopping and celebrating.  We spent a couple of hours at Chuck E. Cheese that afternoon and had a blast.

I had a workshop in Troy Wednesday-Friday and I officially decided if there were a Hardees in Elba, I'd be in serious trouble.  Yes, I had a biscuit. every. morning.  Yes, they were great.

We had Ella Kate's 2nd birthday party yesterday, bouncy house and all.  She LOVED it.  I'm not sure how many adults she convinced to get in there with her, but I know there were several.  So thankful to all the people that came and loved our baby girl.  Last night we watched Bama crash and burn.  B needed a little cheering up, so we broke out Christmas Vacation.  It was nice.  I told him it was almost like we were dating again, except for the 2 year old climbing all over us throughout the movie.  It was a great Saturday.

Today we visited Newbia Church where they honored our football team and coaches.  It went well until Ella Kate attempted to take a few bills out of the offering plate during the offering.  I've always heard, "if you need some, take some", but I'm not sure who shared that with her.  It was a nice service.  We've had a lazy afternoon.  We made home made pizza for supper, and Ella Kate is trying out all of her new toys.

Next weekend, my girls travel to Hanceville to compete in the State Cheerleader Competition.  I'm nervous, although probably not as nervous as they are.  They have put in SO MUCH hard work.  I'm super proud of them and we hope to make our mark in Hanceville next Saturday.  Love you girls!

Hope you all have a super week!  Here's to 6 more work days, then Thankgiving Break!