Hurricane Ike

I forgot to tell you that we lived through Hurricane Ike. However we are refugees at the Christianson's here in Queen City. They seem to be one of two coaches with power. Last night was long with NO power. We were pretty bored. We are being told Friday before we have any power... UHG!!! Oh well, more time to spend with our second families... coaches!:) We have learned a lot about the East side of the state. It tends to be a throw back in time. That is a post for another day. Needless to say we are OK!

Quick Note

I have had a few people worry that I have dropped off the face of the Earth. It seems that I have. Living in East Texas has it's ups and downs. We have had a terrible time getting Internet, TV, phones... etc. hooked up at the house. Therefore I haven't been able to Blog. I can check

I will do a quick catch up since it has been so long. Jentri is two months now... almost three. She is doing well. We found a wonderful woman to keep her. She only has Jentri and helps me with Landry after school. We are so blessed. Landry has started school and is repeating Kindergarten. He loves his teacher and seems to be progressing well at this point. He has email from work but I cannot get on my blog. So, it's back to the drawing table for me.started going to speech which we are anxious to see the results from. Brett is coaching in Queen City and although they have yet to win a game... he likes they guys he is coaching with. I am counseling in Atlanta at the Middle school. That has been a rough start. The counselor before me left a nice mess! So, I have been cleaning it up.

Most have asked why it has taken me so long to get our utilities in place. My answer goes into... Well, three days after arriving here I ended up in the hospital running high temps. Come to find out I still had placenta left in my uterus. I'm doing much better. It made losing baby weight easy. Now to keep it off and lose more. Hopefully I'll get my Internet up soon. Or my posts will have to happen when I'm at a friends house or our families.;) We hope this finds you all doing well.

One Week

Man... it was one week ago today that our precious Jentri joined our family! A week can fly. She is the most wonderful little baby with such a sweet disposition. The only time she really gets upset is when you try to wake her for feedings or she is ready to be fed, and.... well really those are the only times I can remember her really crying. Except for yesterday when I put her in her car seat and failed to notice the binky under her butt. She was mad... but quickly quieted down and went to sleep. Poor baby! We both had our week check ups yesterday. Jentri's pediatrician, who also happens to be Landry's had no idea we were pregnant. So imagine her surprise when we walked in with a new baby. Dr. Sickler had nothing but glowing comments to report. Which was a relief, since we did leave the hospital with her being a bit jaundice. She gave a thumbs up on her progress and sent us on our way. Unfortunately I'll be back in a month for her 1 month check up which entails shots. And let me tell you... I don't handle those very well. That is why I usually make Brett go. So, I'll put my big girl panties on and suck it up for the team. I'm not looking forward to the experience at all! We proceeded to my doctor appointment where my staples were removed and I had a once look over. Doc Joseph was impressed with my recovery, but didn't want to get ahead of himself. It took so long to get Jentri out because I had so much scarring from Landry. He seems to think I might have a good chance of this being a better recovery, but time will only tell. I feel really good, with the exception of just being TIRED! I'm sure that won't go away anytime soon. I need to try to get into a routine so when school starts, I'm ready and so are the kids.

We are busy trying to get somethings done here, and when I say we I mean Brett and my parents. I pretty much sit and watch, and give input. I'm sure there will be some things missing upon our arrival to Atlanta, but I haven't had to work. I'm simply grateful. The fact that we are moving has started to sink in. I have known for months since Brett has been driving back and forth, but it didn't affect me because I was still here working. Now I'm the one leaving... and the emotion of leaving truly wonderful people behind makes me sad. I know, my hormones have kicked in, but that just makes the emotions that much more intense. Frisco has been our home for the past 5 years, which if you know us is a long time. Prior to our move here we moved every 2 years. The bonds run a little deeper here. Friends like these will be hard to find. And on top of all this chaos we still haven't sold the house. I'm leaning on faith right now. Because, if I didn't I might send myself over the edge. Please pray for the house, and for God's will, and if it isn't his will to sell then make sure He lays it on my heart what we need to do!

Family of Three No More...Now a family of Four!

Our lil bit arrived Tuesday morning at 8:21 am weighing 7 lbs 8.6 oz and 18 1/2 in long, Jentri Jane Phipps joined us! Landry's birth came with lots of complications so we weren't sure what to expect with this one... it HAD to be better though. There were a few problems left from the scar tissue of my first delivery and that is what took them so long to get her out, but once she was out we new she had arrived. She cried loudly and flashed that massive amount of dark hair. I told you the last sono showed lots of hair, but I wasn't expecting it to be so dark. I don't know why... both Brett and I came into this world with LOTS of dark hair. Our first day and night were a bit rough. Up lots and little sleep! Days two and three in the hospital went fabulous. As a matter of fact they went so well I got to come home tonight! It is always good to be back in your own bed, and your own home. Landry has been a trooper. He stayed with Lute and KB for the last two nights, and was excited we were going home. We got in the car and he said to me.. "I'm so excited that we are going home and we get to keep Jentri forever!" He has been fun to watch with her. He was a bit timid at first. He didn't want to touch her and was nervous about her "angel kisses". Landry was also worried that I was going to die in the hospital. Fortunately we have friends like the Croys. KB handled him so well and let him ask her questions and helped him work through his fears. By Wednesday when he came up he couldn't wait to hold her, and talk to her. Last night he introduced himself to Jentri as Landry Tate Phipps, her "Big" brother. It was sweet. Tonight we discovered that Landry also believes that he is big enough and strong enough to lift her and carry her. Needless to say we had to discuss some ground rules with carrying Jentri. He is eager to help in any way, except changing diapers. Big surprise. It has been so much fun having many visitors, phone calls, and text messages. Our stay at the hospital was WONDERFUL... we were blessed to have incredible nurses care for us along with the different doctors who stopped to check on us. Now we get to get down to the business of life at home. Or at least temporary life here in Little Elm, as we will soon be heading to Atlanta. I have attached a few cute pics. I'm sure they won't be the last! You know how I am about adding photos.

The "Last" Day

This is it... the "last" night before I go in to deliver Lil' Bit! I spent most of my "last" day wrapping up "last" minute details. I did manage to pamper myself. I went and had a manicure and pedicure. But, then it was down to business. The swing I ordered came in, I picked up my months supply of prenatals, and finished the laundry. I know... there will always be laundry to do, but at least what was dirty is clean for the time being. I colored my hair, I can't stand the gray just yet, and I knew there would be pictures, so no need in flashing those beauties. I packed my bag since I had everyone else packed.

Brett and Landry had a "last" day also. They took the car to get it inspected, oiled and cleaned. Then they spent the afternoon bowling, eating and playing games. It was a great way to spend some much needed time together. I decided bowling was out for me.

The rest of the after noon was spent relaxing and eating our "last" meal. My mom made her wonderful lasagna when she came a few weeks ago for the shower and managed to make extra for me. It is my favorite meal she makes. So, I managed to save one for tonight to enjoy before I get to eat those delicious meals at the hospital.

I then went to my friend Amy's house for a gathering of gals for a Southern Living Party. It was just another way for me to think about something besides tomorrow. I contained myself and purchased nothing! But, enjoyed visiting with the ladies and seeing what was new and on sale.

Finally, Brett and I took Landry to our second family's home... The Croy's. They will be keeping him at night so that Brett can be at the hospital to help me. We found out that the hospital I'm delivering in does a "leave in" nursery. Meaning the baby is pretty much in your room a majority of the time. With a C-Section I can't imagine spending nights by myself, KB & Lute said they would keep Landry so Brett could be at the hospital.

It has been an exciting day. Many people have called to check on me and let me know they were thinking about me as tomorrow nears. Or they have called to let me know they would be coming to visit us at the hospital. Either way we have been blessed by those who have remembered and showered us with their love. Obviously I won't be posting anything until I'm released on Friday... but expect to see more pictures than words.

Family of Three

We went out to a little place that I like to take pictures and took our last set as a family of three. Since tomorrow is the day before Lil' Bit arrives I figured we would be busy trying to wrap up loose ends. So, I made everyone dress up, grabbed the tripod, and camera and off we went for some family bonding. The pictures actually turned out OK. Landry got to try his hand at using the "big" camera and did a pretty good job. As always I'm not all that impressed with how I look. What I see in the mirror and what came out in the pictures don't seem to match up. But, when do pictures really reflect what we see in ourselves!;) Landry is quite the model. You can tell he has grown up with a mother that makes him pose for pictures. As a matter of fact he made us pose for the pictures he took. We enjoyed the evening as a family. We actually thought about bringing Chappy with us, but decided at the last minute it would be hard to be in pictures without him being with one of us, and then he would get overheated. So, he missed the "family" shots.After pictures we decided to go grab a meal out, and talk about the life changes that we would all be experiencing as a family. Landry told us all the things he would be teaching his little sister. Such as reading, writing, and of course having kids. He wouldn't give us much detail on what he was going to tell her about having kids but it made us laugh.After pictures we decided to go grab a meal out, and talk about the life changes that we would all be experiencing as a family. Landry told us all the things he would be teaching his little sister. Such as reading, writing, and of course having kids. He wouldn't give us much detail on what he was going to tell her about having kids but it made us laugh.Tomorrow holds lots to do before we head to the hospital EARLY Tuesday morning. Landry will be staying with our friends the Croy's at night, and coming to spend the day with us at the hospital. He and dad will be hangin' out during the day and relaxing at the house in the afternoons. It will help dad recover!
We are excited! It seems like we have lots to do before Tuesday. I'll keep myself busy in hopes of keeping myself from getting anxious. We love you all and can't wait to share in the joy of our new arrival.

BANG!!!

First off... I'm fine, the baby is fine, and Landry is fine! My intentions were to post yesterday and celebrate the fact that in one week we would be welcoming "Lil Bit". Obviously that did not happen as other things got in the way. We woke up and I needed to run to Walmart to pick up a few things I wanted to have for the hospital, and for Landry. I decided to make a "Big Bro Bag" for him so he would have something too. Mind you the Walmart is maybe three blocks from our house... no harm, no foul. Unfortunately on our way home the van behind me decided to punch the gas and slammed into the rear of my car and send me into the man in front of me. It happened soooo fast, I didn't have time to react! My glasses flew off my head, Walmart bags were all over, and I was left in shock. Landry was fine. As a matter of fact he was out of his belt and up beside me before I really had time to react. He was checking on me, and worried about the baby. I wasn't sure what to do. I was upset, and I had to mentally go through who I could call to come be my "support". I was able to immediately get a hold of my friend Amy who lives a street over from us. She and her husband showed up at the accident, and took care of me. I was a mess. Amy dealt with the two guys, the firemen, paramedics, and police, all while they were attending to me. Landry just wanted to leave and go with Amy and Ben. He saw no need to sit on the side of the road anymore!

Needless to say I was checked out by the paramedics and sent on my way to the hospital. Landry went with Ben to Centennial High School Basketball Camp where he had a blast. After about a 1 1/2 hours at the hospital we were sent on our way with a thumbs up! Amy stayed with me the whole time, and when I got home KB was cleaning, and making dinner for the night! I am again reminded of what great friends the Lord has blessed me with. Brett decided to come home early too! He showed up with Lute in tow at about 6:30. It has been nice to have him home... I know Landry was pumped. He hasn't left Brett alone since he walked through the door. I think I have given my mom a few more gray hairs with this pregnancy. Especially since it was my second surprise visit to Labor and Delivery for monitoring. As a matter of fact she was ready for them to go ahead and just bring Lil' Bit now!

As for today... I'm achy, but nothing like I thought I would be. All is well, and I see my doctor tomorrow for my last and final check before delivery. There is much to do before our bundle comes! Please keep praying for our home to sale. I know God's timing is perfect... I just want His timing to be mine. I of course know that is unrealistic, but it would be our last check off on our list of "Things to Take Care of"!