As per request...

My Memaw came to visit us for a few days...Reese is going to get to stay home and play with his Memaw while I'm off at work. Here we are tonight. Memaw was feeding Reese her gravy and toast and he LOVED it!

SLEEPY!

You can't really tell, but he was waving at me and hitting his tray!

Of course after his grilled cheese with gravy, it was time for a bath...

His Gigi asked for updated pictures today...and so this is what came from that!

Reese LOVES the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show on Disney. It really is a good show. We have a few recorded on DVR and play them back for him when he is getting restless with toys. They have a really cute "Hot Dog Dance" song at the end of the show and one day while he was watching, he started dancing to it. It's so precious because he knows when to stop because they are talking and not singing. And he knows when to start up again. He really is the smartest kid, EVER!

I taught him to say he is "1"...I'll try to get that on video soon. But for now, enjoy! I also got him walking on video, but it was too dark and you can't see it.

In the still of the night.....

The house is silent. Not eerily silent, but peaceful silent. Reese's CD has stopped for the night and Garrett is sound asleep in bed. This stillness and quiet has allowed me to do some soul searching tonight.....I'll share with you...

For so long, I wanted a baby. I knew I wanted to be a mom since I was little. I had the most amazing example in my mother and I wanted to share the love that was shared to me. When Reese was born, I was shown the most perfect example of love when Nicole said to me "He's yours, he never was mine." She gave of herself to our family so unselfishly.

Things changed when Reese came home. Life was forever altered. This life changing experience was the BEST thing to ever happen to me. My perfect son has made me whole, complete, and full of joy. He loves me no matter what, he is excited each and everytime I come into a room, he pulls my head to him so he can kiss me.

Things changed within our marriage as well. Reese has taught us patience, respect, love and joy. I look at Garrett with a whole new set of eyes. He is the most perfect father and husband. He takes great pride in his son, in our family. He loves us unconditionally. He is teaching Reese about loving me...

Garrett and I have had some harsh realities lately. Some things have happened in our lives that have made us take a deep look at our hearts and what we want for our family. No longer is it about us, but it's all about Reese.

We have come to realize that people we once thought of as friends, can no longer fill that role in our lives. Things that we used to do for fun, no longer make us smile. I have a hard time when people say "just get a babysitter" or "won't Garrett watch him today?" The answer to both of those questions will always be yes, but the truth is, I don't want to be away from my boys. They are my heart and soul, my life. And the more I ponder it, the more I have come to realize that these boys make me happy. They are who I want to spend my time with. They are who I want to hang out with. They are who I want to share breakfast, lunch and dinner with. They are the ones I want to talk to , hug, and snuggle up to. They are my life.

Life took on a whole new meaning when my dad died. Things I always treasured, didn't seem quite so important anymore. People I counted as friends, weren't there for me. The fact of the matter is that life is short and you should only do what makes you happy. Be with those who make you laugh, do the things that make your heart smile, and say I love you often.

If I could say it, I would say : Quit worrying about your appearance. Quit worrying about what other people think. Be who you are - not who you think people want you to be. Dont' change with each group of people you are around. You are who God made you to be and that is special. Don't try to be something He didn't make you to be. It's not about who you know, but how you treat and love those you do know. Smile more. Laugh more. Be kind more. Try not to talk so badly about people you say are your friends. You aren't perfect, so don't expect perfection from everyone else. If you can't do it yourself, don't expect others to do it for you....slow down. Take time for family. Love those people in your family because in the end, they are all you will have left. That is your legacy. Quit worrying about impressing people with your job, your car, your purse. Just be you. It's not about how much money is in your bank account or what your husband does for a living....but it is about loving those around you, being kind in all situations, being gracious, courteous, and cheerful. Don't worry about things you can't change, but instead learn to love the things you can't change - especially in people. And most importantly, love God first and most and all of this will just fall into place.

And something else completely different...Julie, you make me smile. I like that you are "my kind of people". There is something to be said for being friends with people who are like you and were raised like you...good people like to hang out with good people :)

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!

See this AWESOME, ROCK YOUR FACE OFF, TOTALLY RADICAL new page???

I can't take credit - send the love over to KELLY at FABULOUS K DESIGNS! I was a random drawing winner....

Check her out - she's got a cool blog - www.fabulouskblogdesigns.blogspot.com

Chew on this....

Mom sent this to me today......

Pretty good stuff.

"When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better."

A little sunshine in my day...

Ok, so Shalom WIlliford sat down next to me in Sunday School on Sunday and said "Everyone is going to ballroom dancing lessons today, are y'all?"

I laugh and tell her no and she tells me how much fun it is and we should come. So, when Garrett comes and sits down she leans over and says "Y'all come to ballroom dancing this afternoon!"

Much to my surprise, Garrett says "OK!"

So, we learned how to Fox Trot on Sunday afternoon. We will learn how to swing, Rumba, and Waltz (I know how to do this because my daddy was always a good dancer and taught me).

Don't be surprised if you see us next year on TV.

The lessons were in the Family Life Center on the Skating Rink. Saturday was my first real experience at the Family Life Center. There are 2 full size basketball courts, a weight room, a cardio room, racketball, a walking track, a 6 lane bowling alley and a skating rink. Oh yeah, and a cafe...This place is super cool.

We went back across the street to get Reese from the nursery and all the kids are sitting watching a movie - but not our little Reese. He was climbing up the slide.....He just LOVES to get to play on the Green carpet at church for the slide....

In other news, I am getting a FABULOUS makeover thanks to Kelly at Fabulous K Designs. Check back soon.....This chick is awesome!

In other news, Reese and I are sick. Garrett is healthy which means he will be sick when he heads to Houston next week. Go figure.

And more shady business going down at Garrett's old place of employment, THANK SWEET JESUS that He provided us a better opportunity.

Wow....

My friend Shoni just called. Her mother in law had a double lung transplant almost a year ago. Things have gone exceptionally well. There have been some minor setbacks, but other than that, she has done great.

Shoni called last night to say they were doing some emergency surgery to remove some stints that they had put in.

I just got off the phone with Shoni. When I answered, I answered to sobbing. Dane's mom had flatlined and was in a coma.

Dane flew down this morning and was in the room with her when all this happened. Shoni hasn't heard from Dane for over an hour.....

Just keep this family in your prayers.....Dane is very bitter and angry with God over this entire thing and Shoni is scared at what could happen with him if God decides to take her Home.....

It is scary to lose a parent - and even scarier to watch them die. No child should have to see that - especially when that parent is so young......Pray that God can soften Dane's heart to see all the wonderful things God has planned for his life and to feel that his mom is part of that plan....And pray for Shoni as she tries to stay strong.

I'm a lover!!!

Here are just a few things I've enjoyed reading the last few days........ Some I've read before, some I've known, and some are just things that make me step back and take a second thought.


"With Christ all things are possible."

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man must be seeking the Lord in order to see it."

"God doesn't give you the people you want. Instead, he gives you the people you need. To teach you, to hurt you, to love you, and to make you the person you are meant to be."

"Without trials there would be no chances at triumphs."

"Never regret something you did, because at one point it was all you ever wanted."

"Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4"

"To the world you might just be one person, however, to one person you might be the world."

"Sometimes when we least expect it, a door closes in ourlives. Circumstances may change, dreams may get shattered, and plans for tomorrow may disappear. But when one door closes, God always opens another. When we are facing disappointment in our lives, sometimes it is hard to see that this is also part of God's plan, but it is true. God knows what is best for us, and He will lead us to where we need to be. Have faith in him and you will reach all the wondrous things that he has waiting for you."

"Do what makes you happy. Be with who makes you smile. Laugh as much as you breathe. And love as long as you live."

She's tough...she tries to hide it...she's difficult. But if you make an effort...she's worth it. She's worth the effort.” -Dr. Derek Shepherd

Change; we don’t like it, we fear it, but we can't stop it from coming. We either adapt to change or we get left behind. And it hurts to grow, anybody who tells you it doesn’t is lying. But heres the truth: the more things change, the more they stay the same. And sometimes, oh, sometimes change is good. Oh, sometimes change is everything. "

"you cut me down to size, and opened up my eyes, made me realize, what I could not see"-coldplay

"Faith is being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it." Hebrews 11:1

"Well behaved women rarely make history."

Chuck Norris FACT: A Handicap parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Chuck Norris and that you will be handicapped if you park there.

"We're adults. When did that happen? And how do we make it stop?” -Dr. Meredith Grey

"You got to wonder why we cling to our expectations, because the expected is just what keeps us steady. Standing. Still. The expected's just the beginning, the unexpected is what changes our lives."

"Be the change you wish to see in the world - Ghandi

Maybe some women aren't meant to be tamed. Maybe they are meant to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with.

Some people believe that without history, our lives amount to nothing. At some point we all have to choose: do we fall back on what we know, or do we step forward to something new? It's not hard to be haunted by our past. Our history resurfaces time after time after time. So we have to remember, sometimes the most important history is the history we're making today.”

So many things...

I've been thinking about how blessed my life is...

After my dad died, I was so sad, so angry, so mad that cancer had ruined all our lives. In the midst of all that was going on, my life was changing drastically. I had just gotten married the month before, my husband had just taken a new job, in a new town, which meant I was quitting the job I had for 4 years and moving to a town where we knew NO ONE! There was so much that was stressing me out, yet, so much to be thankful for.

Fast forward 8 months later and to us starting the adoption process. I remember our social worker, Bob, coming to our house, answering all our questions, and just being a blessing in a very unknown and scary process. I remember getting off the phone with Lisa and her saying, "Don't expect to hear anything for at least 6 months." I hung up and thought about how perfect that would be....6 months would be summer, I would have time to focus on a birth mother. However, God had different plans for our family. Two weeks later, I got a call from another social worker about Nicole. Nicole was 6 1/2 months pregnant and we could be a possible match - would we mind if they showed our profile? "OF COURSE NOT!!!!!" The next day, the surpise of all surprises...Nicole wasn't 6 1/2 months pregnant - she was 8 1/2 months pregnant and was ready to give birth at any time!!!!! Holy cow! This kid was coming!

We got the call at 4 am on Thursday February 22, 2007. It was time...he was on his way!

Kenny Reese Rasor was born. What a joy! I had no idea how to be a mother, but I knew that God had given me a special special gift and I would do the best I could.

We are approaching Reese's first birthday - and about this time last year were right in the thick of our process. It's hard to believe that it has almost been one short year since God so richly trusted Garrett and I with this precious little boy.

Life has changed in the best kind of way for us having Reese now. He is precious and I love him and life has purpose and meaning now that he is here.

So, not long after all the heartache, God blessed me with a precious gift.....He knew what He was doing all along.

Sometimes I think we forget that God is in control and why try to do it all on our own. Reese is proof that God does indeed have this life in control and I believe he knows what he is doing. I feel like our story with Reese is proof of that. So even though some things in my life hasn't gone as I would have had them go, I know that God is in control and He will take care of it all. And for that I am thankful...

If that won't make your heart melt....

Reese has been having these little mini fits when I drop him off at Alma's in the morning. So far, we've had some good distractions, which have helped, but I feel like such a bad mother as I walk away as he screams.

So yesterday, I walk in the room and he makes a mad crawl towards me and is grunting the whole way. I swoop him up, he giggles, and then goes in for a kiss! And then, clapped at himself for being so sweet!

Now if that don't make your heart melt, then I don't know what will.....

Back at it!

Well, I'm back to my old blogging self!

School started last week and it was a great week for me. I didn't have to go Thursday or Friday because of my surgery. Katie stayed home with Reese and so that was fun. We went shopping for his first birthday and I bought this car for him. He LOVED the box it was in, so his KK put him up on it. However, sadly, this car went back because it wasn't exactly what I was looking for.

I never knew how much I could go overboard on things until we started looking at Reese's birthday party. I went all out, much to the disappointment of my husband, but hey, he only turns 1 once, right?



We celebrated Garrett's 27th birthday on Saturday. We had dinner at the Beehive with a group of about 15 friends and then headed back to the house to play Wii. It was fun, but everyone loved original Mario best. Who couldn't resist an old school game of Super Mario Brothers?

I was going to have a girl I work with make his birthday cake, but she had that bug that's been going around. So, last minute I headed over to Creative Cakes and this is what they produced. Everyone loved it, but the fact is that Angie's cake would've blown this one out of the water. Don't worry though, she will be making Reese's cake for his birthday and let me tell you, SHE IS FABULOUS! Check out her blog at www.kenleykakes.blogspot.com She does some great stuff.



And finally, yes, I am one of those moms who holds her child down to do his hair. But, when the finished product looks like this, how could you resist?