Stressed OUT!!!

Gosh, I don't think I have been this stressed out in a loooong time! We have so much going on right now and our future is so uncertain. Some of you know that Tony is getting out of the military. His term is up 31 December 09. The part that is uncertain is whether or not he is going to spend the last 6 months in Iraq or not. If he goes he will be leaving in just a few months and the kids and I will move back home. As of now, we don't know if he is going or staying, therefore we cannot plan whether we are going to be packing our whole house and moving in just over a month.

If he doesn't go to Iraq, he is going to put in for an early out. We want to do this because it would work out a lot better for our family to get to Texas before the start of the school year. 1) because we can enroll Kaden in school there and not have to start him here then take him out a few months later. I just think that will be really hard on him his first year in school. 2) because Tony can go ahead and enroll in fall semester of college. 3) because moving in the winter will not be fun 4) I have a good chance at getting a good job but will have to be there by August. 5) it's just time for us to get out of here.

I can't wait to leave this place behind. I honestly don't think I will miss a thing. We did make some awesome friends here but other than that we haven't enjoyed too much else.

Please pray for us as we make this huge transition here really soon. The unknown is very scary--for me at least. Tony seems to be sailing along and not worried about a thing. I want to make all the right decisions and end up where we want to really be in the end.

Wow...He amazes me more everyday!!

I just got word that there are 130+ of us etsy sellers participating in the Cora Paige Etsy project. Wow....HE is so BIG!!! I also know of the amount so far from just 30 of those sellers, although I'm not going to tell you yet, but I will say it is HUGE!!!! This is awesome. If you haven't went and looked at all of the amazing, beautiful stuff that is for small--go now! What better time to shop then now--all proceeds go to Cora's Playground.

See story below that was published on Etsy.

The Cora Paige Etsy Project

Love is a Movement: The Cora Project

Story by joyshope, PamperingBeki Published on February 20, 2009 in Craftivism	Photo by cdduerksen

In a small town in the middle of Kansas, you get to know people pretty well. Everyone seems to know everyone's aunt, cousin, brother, dog, or teacher. So when we recently learned that Cora, the 10-month-old daughter of our friends, The McClenahans (aka "The Macs") was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, it rocked our community.

Cora's mom, Jessica, is a blogger and word quickly spread throughout the blogging community. Thousands of people began visiting their blog, leaving messages of love and encouragement.

Sadly, Cora Paige passed away only 3 short weeks after her diagnosis, but the strength and faith of her parents has spread and inspired people globally. In lieu of flowers at her memorial, The Macs asked for donations to be made to help build a playground in their baby girl's memory - Cora's Playground.

Etsy seller joyshope recognized a strong need among people who wanted to do something to help, but no one was quite sure what to do. She offered the simple suggestion on her blog, www.joyshope.com, that Etsy sellers make items to help raise money to build the playground. The idea exploded into something beautiful!

Now we are launching The Cora Playground Etsy project. Over fifty shops are donating their time, their love, and their creations to help a sweet family who many have never met, but have changed our lives and our hearts forever.

Please search Cora Paige to see the listings. Know that your purchase will send love to Kansas. It will help build a legacy, a playground for generations of children to enjoy. A legacy for a beautiful girl who's time on earth was much too short.

Cora Paige Items | Jessica McClenahans Blog

Posting comments...

I've had a few people ask how to post comments. If you look under the post you will see where you can click and leave us some love. What are you waiting for??? Go and tell us what you think!!

Crazy morning and my sweet little chunka-chunka!

She's just so stinkin' cute! Oh, and she has a new word.
Today we were having one of those crazy, running late kind of mornings. I woke up 45 minutes later than I needed to, had promised a friend I'd take her son to school, needed to clean my house for a friend who was coming into town, and oh yeah...my kids wanted breakfast. So, what did I feed them? Good ole' nutritious powered donuts. Yep--that was their breakfast and they loved every minute of it!

Anyways, so lately Milee has become a VERY good eater. I sometimes wonder if she would just continue eating as long as I kept putting food in front of her. Well, this morning she too, got to try donuts for the first time. (I know that is so awful to feed my 1 yr old powered sugar donuts) After eating 4 of them-yes they are the small ones-I told her that she had had enough. She looks up at me, then points over toward the donut package and YELLS "Moh, Momma"!! (more, momma) She was not full and she wanted me to know! Gosh, got to love the sweet little chunka-chunka!!

Simply Chic Bebe...for Cora.

As many of you know, I have a little side job on etsy.com. I enjoy making fun, girly things for my daughter and for others as well. I came across a blog of a wonderful lady who is selling items on etsy and donating all proceeds to The Cora Paige Playground fund. I have prayed really hard for days about this and decided to jump on the bandwagon. The only reason I prayed about it was because I didn't know if I really had the time to make things and get them out in the mail. Now that I have started selling some things, I am so excited. I am going to wait 2 weeks and then at the end of those 2 weeks, I will donate all profits to CPP fund in honor of Miss Cora. That little girl touched my heart and I love that I can add a little bit to her memory.

Take a peek...there might be something there you like. Plus, it's for a great cause!
www.simplychicbebe.etsy.com

The View from our Front Porch...

Ugh! It's snowing...again! I will be heading to Texas in just a few weeks and I am so excited to get to some warmer weather with NO snow. It was pretty and nice for a little while but now I'm DONE!!! This is our view looking out our front door. You can kinda see the road. They have been plowing it every 30 minutes or so but it's coming down so fast they can't keep up with it. Yuck

Warm weather fun...

We had a decent day a few weeks back here in Utah so the boys got to get out and play on their new scooters. Thanks Grampy for the present. We love them!!

Love this scripture

This verse has really encouraged me over the last few days. I am trying really hard to not ask God "why" but to trust him in everything I do.




“But my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater. So, it is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:8-11

Monster Jam here we come!!!

Now it is time to celebrate Rylan's 3rd Birthday which is this Sat. Feb. 14th. Yes, he is my Valentine's baby!!! We are taking him to see Monster Jam which I really think he is going to love. I have told him but I don't think he knows exactly what I am talking about. Watch for pics...coming soon!

Milee One Year Pictures

First Birthday Party in Style...Cupcake Style!

We celebrated Milee's first birthday a little early because we had friends moving away and wanted to share the day with them. I planned Milee a super cute cupcake party and it turned out great. Thanks girls, for helping me with the cake and decorations!! Now for a few pics!

One Year.

How did we go from this...
October 2007--6 months pregnant.

to this...
One day old--February 1, 2008

to this so fast???

One Year Old. January 31st, 2009

Time passes with a blink of an eye. I'm learning more everyday to cherish every moment! I love you, Milee--my sweet little love~bug!!

A Moment of Silence for Cora...

A blogger friend of mine thought of having a moment of silence for this sweet baby at the time of her memorial service. It is now 1pm in Kansas. I stop in this moment and ask you Lord to be with this family. They know you so well but need comforting like I can't even begin to imagine. Thank you Lord so much for giving me and my family another day. I need to learn to be more grateful!!

For Sweet Cora....a moment of silence.....

Sweet Cora is resting in the arms of the Lord now.

This precious little girl, Cora, went to be with Jesus this past Sunday. She fought 3 long, hard weeks of cancer till her tired, weak body let go. My heart aches for this precious family in a way I have never known. I find peace in knowing that she is pain-free now. A new beautiful angel in heaven.
Please pray for this family! They are having Cora's service today (Tuesday @1pm) and I can't imagine what they are going through. It is definitely pain that no parent should ever have to feel.