Good Week!

Again, this is one of those posts that I won't go into detail as if you know us you know what is going on. I just ask that we get lots of prayers and positive thoughts!

We also have Bailey's 2nd birthday this weekend! I know I know it is true our preemie baby is 2 days from being 2 years old which seems crazy! Stay tuned for what I am sure is a weekend of fun and lots of pics!

Thank you for everyone that has been such a great support to us! I cannot tell you how much we appreciate each and everyone of you and the prayers that have been offered to us.

Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover

Today trying to set aside the headaches, nausea, and moodiness that these meds have created for me we ventured out. I had gotten Joe tickets to see Dave Ramsey live for his birthday and today was the day! We were both excited as we both enjoy Dave Ramsey's advice and Joe really looks up to him as someone he aspires to be like. I wasn't sure though, I mean 5 hours of listening to 1 person talk about finances doesn't exactly seem like something enjoyable on a Saturday. I was totally surprised and the 5 hours was delightful! Dave Ramsey is not only a financial genius but also just as funny as he is on his radio show! I highly recommend that if you have a chance to see him speak you should. We also bought several things from his "Total Money Makeover" line. Joe also bought Bailey the kids version eventhough she is still 1 year from being at the recommended age for starting the lessons...YES, my dad will also be very proud about this purchase! What....who says girls marry a version of their dad?!?!?? ;)

All-in-all a fun and educational day!

Peek A Boo

While at the beach Bailey decide to play hide and seek and then peek a boo with me in the master shower. Bailey thought it was hysterical and was laughing her little head off which of course made me laugh until my cheeks were sore! I was able to catch some cute pics...enjoy!

Lots Going On

We have so much going on and because of the nature of all those things I am not sure that many people want to read it so I will just leave it alone. First, because if you know us you know what is going on and are probably sick of hearing about all of it. Second, because it might be a little TMI(too much info) for some. I will say that this is going to be a good year for us and we are just relying on excellent doctors, lawyers, and most of all God!

Excuse the morning hair! ;)

As for this past weekend we had a nice time down at the beach with awesome weather!!! Bailey got to open her Christmas presents from Joe's mom, Gloria, and Frank which she of course loved! Bailey is so lucky to have so many people that are so generous with her and we feel honored to have such wonderful family members! I know it is a ways away BUT in May Bailey will get to meet all of Joe's family as we are going to take her to Lubbock with us for 5/6 days! That's right Lubbock better prepare for the cutest toddler it has ever seen...yes, I am biased!

Sorry for the lack of updates!

There has been a lot going on family wise and I have not been in the mood to really write much. The trend has continued this week and I think will get worse next week with all the doctors appointments that are going to start taking place. We are very hopeful that the doctors will help give us the small push we need and we will have happy results before long! If you could spare some prayers for us it would be appreciated!!!

I have a 3 day weekend and will either be going with my parents and Bailey to the beach house or Bailey will be staying here with Joe and I. Joe cannot go to the beach house as he does not have Monday off. :( I am hopeful that a nice FUN 3 day weekend whether spent at home or at the beach house will yield something great to blog about!!!

Blah!

I knew at the end of my 2 weeks off I would have to hand Bailey back over to my parents but didn't think much of it. I mean we hand her back every Sunday night no problem, right!?!?! So, when I left my parents house on Sunday night I had NO idea how sad I would be. Granted, I had a bad cold, Joe was gone, and I had to start back to work the next day but still. I cried A LOT as I sat home without my little bug to keep me on my toes. I know I lose a lot of sleep when we have her, that it isn't as easy to do things like Target when I have Bailey, laundry seems to pile up faster, etc BUT all the bad things are SO minimized when she is running around laughing under my feet! She can so easily make a bad day amazing by just cuddling up to me even if it is just for a minute. I know that there are so many of us that love her beyond belief and because of this it makes it sad for anyone of us not to have her for an extended period of time. It makes me wonder what the future holds for us and how we deal with all those things that no one wants to think about. I guess for now all I can do is enjoy Joe and I's weekends with our little bug and push aside all those sad things that I don't want to think about!

A Look Back On 2008

I must say that we have had our ups and downs as a family this year but I am only going to focus on the positives as that is what I want to remember going forward! I know I cannot forget the bad times but I can choose to only highlight the good times! Looking back on this year we really are blessed and while we have our problems like any family we are happy, healthy, have jobs, and that is all we can ask for right now!

February...

Bailey and Gloria(Joe's Mom and my wonderful MIL!)

Bailey opening a gift at her birthday party!

In February, Bailey turned 1 and that was an exciting time as the previous year we spent that week in the NICU with a 5lb preemie! Now we had a healthy, happy, thriving 1 year old on our hands! We had a small family gathering to celebrate. Gloria, Joe's mom, came in to town to celebrate her birthday as well!!! It was a fun weekend with Joe's family!

March...

Trip, Bailey, and Me

Part of The Karsnia family in the kitchen at the Port A house.

March was a busy month for us with many guests! First, my mom's side of the family came to Houston to see Trip(my cousin) off to Iraq. It was a sad but happy time as we all came together to wish him well! Second, my dad's side of the family came down to Port Aransas for a get together. It was an amazing long weekend in which Bailey and Nissa pretty much stole the show!

April...

Hanging out with friends and family at the Nascar race.

Inside the track...this place was HUGE!!!

Jerrit and Angie

Joe and I

In April, Joe and I traveled to Dallas to see what was my first Nascar race. I was iffy at first but it was lots of fun and I even got to cheer on Fenway Racing who won the race with Carl Edwards! Joe's sister, Angie, and her fiance, Jerrit, joined us along with lots of friends! We also traveled to Lubbock to help Gloria move into a fabulous new house!

May...

In May, Joe enrolled and started his double masters program at Texas Tech where he got his undergraduate degree. The program he is in is brand new and classes are only held twice a year for a week both times. He does however, have homework all year...blah!!! He is doing great though and I am so proud of him!!!

June...

Bailey toddling after the dogs!

Then came June and with that a walking toddler!!! Bailey shocked us all when at 16 mo we thought she would never walk and she toddled around the corner and has been on her feet ever since!

July...

Bailey and Uncle Bill Bailey and Danielle

Bailey outside at the beach house.

In July, we spent the 4th at the beach house with family and friends.

August...

Bailey and Aunt Jackie watching the planes.

Bailey and Grandpa getting off the plane in Int'l Falls

Bailey and Nissa in the pool on my grandparents deck

Bailey helping water her Great Grandma's flowers!

Me, Tim, and Jackie hanging out.

Tim, Dad, an unhappy Bailey, Tyler, Grandpa

Bailey enjoying her time with Tyler!

Tyler, Bailey, and Dad on the deck hanging out.

The view of the lake from the deck.

Grandpa and his honorary grandchild, Tim

Bailey and her great-grandma looking at pics

Bailey, Nissa, and their great-grandma watching the water at Sha-Sha.

In August, we had the privilege of traveling to International Falls, MN to see my dad's side of the family. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!!! My parents, Jackie, Tim, Bailey, and I traveled to the gorgeous lake weather leaving behind the Texas heat! Joe could not make it because he was in his 2nd session for grad school. We had a fantastic time seeing MANY members of The Karsnia Family that we haven't seen in a while. We couldn't have asked for a better getaway!

September...

Bailey outside on her 1st day of school(Mother's Day Out)


Checking things out.

Having fun at "school"

Bailey started her first days of "school" or mother's day out this year! We felt that she needed to socialize and become accustomed to people other then us! She really enjoys Ms. Anna and Ms. Jennifer and they love her!

October...

The Pirate Princess

The Pirate Princess enjoying a sucker. Joe and Bailey, his pirate princess.

In October, we finally got Bailey set-up in a big girl room at our house! She absolutely loves it and sleeps there with no problems! For Halloween, Bailey was a Princess Pirate and was more into the decorations then the candy.

November...

Our new addition, Costco, whom we adopted at 1o weeks old.

Tired puppy!

Thanksgiving spread!

Bailey enjoying some cranberry sauce with Grandma

In mid-November we found the newest addition to our family online at a shelter site. Believe it or not we had to go through a thorough interview and home inspection before we were approved. Once we were we picked "Blue Jay" up in Austin and brought him home as Costco! He has been a great addition to the family! Then for T-day we were once again down at the beach house. My mom's side of the family joined us along with a few honorary family members for the holidays! It was a fun time as always!

December...

Okay, I won't bore you with more pics of Christmas since you just saw them and are probably sick of pics at this point in the post! I will say we had a great Christmas albeit a quiet one.

Could I spend New Year with a cuter face then that?!?!?

Okay, I could spend it with 2 cute faces!!!!

How Bailey ended 2008!

As far as New Year's...Bailey, Joe, and I spent the evening together. We kicked it off with a great steak dinner at Texas, Land, and Cattle where Bailey ate most of my kabobs! Then we headed home and rang in the new year with Bailey sleeping and Joe and I cuddled under a blanket on the couch with champagne!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!