It's me, Charity

I just have to share these pics of my joy this past week! I got these clear containers for Christmas so I could organize my freezer. At my old apt I didn't have an ice maker so I had plastic racks inside that I stacked stuff on. Well now I have less space so something had to be done. Enter these plastic shoeboxes. They are FABULOUS!!! I now have more space in my freezer WITH an ice maker than I did without one! And I even have space in the middle so I can go get some frozen pizzas and ice cream! YAYS!!

Ok so these pictures are alittle out of order but I got to spend time with the Madster on Weds night while her Mommy got to go pamper herself for a little bit! She was such a good baby! She gave me my first smile and giggled at me!! It was sooo sweet!! She did get alittle hungry and was fighting sleep, I think she just wanted to hang out with me more :) But I did get her to take two 20 min naps! yay me!! This is hilarious!!!! I was cold so I got out a blankie, she must be warm blooded because she was not interested in it. When I got the blankie I saw this ADORABLE hat in her room and I thought how cute would she look in it? So I put it on her and she was NOT.A.FAN. I got rid of the hat and she was back to her happy, chill little self! Its so cute she thinks she is a big girl and has to be sitting up like a big girl. She didn't like it when i was holding her like a baby. She needed to be sitting up so she could watch tv! Just chillin out! We had a mini photo shoot, i posted the...

We start off Christmas Day with my yearly photo shoot by the tree!! I actually like my face in this one! Too bad that box wasn't wrapped! Yes I am barefoot. 1. I prefer being barefoot ALL the time and 2. my parents heat with wood heat and its always WARM in their house. Growing up my Christmas pics have me in shorts. In Indiana. true story. Dad was getting alittle antsy. Mom and I were taking pictures. At least he didn't threaten to go cut wood this year! FINALLY!! Bible Time!!! Dad opens his first present! A new toolbox!!! I've really been wanting a watch so I was excited to get one and ITS PINK!!!! Mom sporting the headband I made her! Grams posing in her new pretty necklace I got her! This is pure JOY on my face people! My first picture with my NEW CAMERA!!!! After I opened it and started screaming my Dad looks at my Mom and says WHY!!! WHYY!!! WHY WOULD YOU DO THIS TO ME?!?!!?!? hahahah poor man hates having his picture taken and having it put on teh internetz...

Today was my monthly lunch with Emboz and now Madi!! I was excited to see them both but apparently Madi didn't share that excitement because she slept thru the whole thing! When you read this though I will be babysitting here and Emboz assures me that at that point is her awake time! YAYS! We met at Moes! Sooooo yummy! Everytime I eat there I remember when I took my bro there for the first time and he realized a. they had 6 different kinds of salsa and b. it was all you can eat. he was in hog heaven! makes me smile everytime! Mother and Daughter! Rockin the Pink Weds!! We took this pic for our friend Joy. She always mocks my headbands and bows, so we had to show her that Emboz wears them as well and looks darned cute i must say! Wish I'd worn mine! Here we all are! My hair is struggling but whatever! Its break, not very many people are seeing me so I don't care!!

So other than posting pictures of my Nephew I am seriously struggling with the whole blogging thing! I don't know what my problem is! It seems like I have been SO busy ever since break! I did have a wonderful Christmas with my family! I drove home to the farm Thursday night after work, and sacked out on the couch reading a book, and then I moved to my bed to continue reading the book untill almost 2 am! It was a really good book! I finally gave up and went to sleep since my eyes were hurting. I got the best sleep Thursday night that I had in months! I slept untill 2 pm!!!! And what did I do when I got up? Went right back to my book to find out what happened! :) I did finish my book and then helped Mom with some of the dinner preparations. I discovered that I am not good at twisting knot rolls. Way too complicated for me. So I just rolled them out for her and she twisted them. I don't think I'll ever be making pretzels at this rate! After that I discovered that I am actually...

It's Christmas!! WHAT WHAT!!! And my Auntie will be holding me this time next week!! Let's have a DANCE PARTY!! BREAK IT DOWN!!

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever beliveth in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 Without the Manger there would be no cross!! ‎"6 For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince Of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his Kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with Judgment and with Justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this" (Isaiah 9:6-7). For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,Gl...

We're doing a flashback here today and rocking out to our favorite songs from 2010. Chipmunks Christmas Song When I fall in love-Nat King Cole Party in the USA-Miley Cyrus Prelude/The Sound of Music I want it that way-Backstreet Boys Show me Heaven- aka.. the Respiratory Love Song!- Jessica Andrews Just a Friend-Biz Markie Come Rain or Come Shine-Danny Gokey Lost without U-Robin Thicke Back at One- Brian McKnight Tearin up my heart-NYSNC Just the way you are-Bruno Mars You belong with me-Taylor Swift Somewhere over the rainbow-Israel can'tspellhislastname I want you back-NYSNC only complete with Cherry's dance moves! New York State of Mind-JayZ & Alicia Keys And finally because we rock and so do our lives! Who wouldn't wanna be me-Keith Urban

Katie Marie made me a cling for my truck! Coolest thing EVAH!!!

I hit hit publish post and realized the count is up to three and not two! The first started when I fell on the sidewalk walking into work on Tuesday. Right in front of the security guys and the "Snow removal" person. Second happened when I was running errands at lunch and ran to Payless and saw my friend Lynne from the opposite end of the aisle. I've known her for years and have always called her "Foxxy" a play off of her last name. So I saw her at the other end of the aisle and of course, me being me, yells out FOXXXXXYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! She looks up and says I don't have my glasses on but I'm pretty sure thats Charity! So I replied indignantly, what do you mean you think its me? Are you cheating on me with someone else??!! I probably shouldn't have said that with the same exuberance as i yelled her name seeing as she was very close to the check out lines that were all packed with at least 5 people in each lane. They all turned to stare at us. And snic...

So far the count is at two. I'm going to tell this story because 1. I have no shame and like to remember my stupidity and 2. Apes and Katie laughed hysterically when I told them.. although its better acted out! I came back from lunch today and walked into my building. As I was coming out of the small hallway into the main area I see Dr Avery! Or rather I *thought* I saw Dr Avery. So I got really excited and SUPER excited when I realized he had FINALLY cut his hair and trimmed his beard! I have been bugging him about this for over a month so I have pure joy in my heart to see less hair on his face! Well me being me, enthusiastic and well, loud, I immediately, without even thinking, I'm telling you I was so caught up in the joy of shaving people, starting screaming "AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!!!" I was attempting to scream "AAAHHHHH!! You cut your hair!! And shaved!!!! YAYS!!" However in the midst of the "AAAAAA" I made eye contact with "Dr Avery" an...

Yes little Benjamin, You are!! Snugglemuffin got released from the NICU yesterday and had his first car ride-which he greatly enjoyed! (on a side note i can't wait to see how my brother drives now with a baby, maybe I won't fear for my life anymore?) Thanks to everyone for their prayers, love, hugs, encouragement and everything you have done for our family during this time! We love you all!

We did our stocking exchange at work today!! It was so fun!! I love my little sock monkey that was sticking out of my stocking when I walked in!! Miss April couldn't wait and took hers out and put it on her desk!!!! She is like a little kid with gifts, which is why I didn't bring anything in untill today!! Sherita was not excited to have her picture taken especially when she found out it would be on my blog. She asked for a privacy disclaimer to sign and approve all mentions. I told her that wasn't happening. You know me- you're on my blog!!! Apes with her stocking- MINUS the sock puppet!!! Me with my stocking! Can I just say I love break when I can dress all cozy and like a bum! It came in handy for when I fell walking in this morning. yes, I fell. again. and my hip hurts. more on that later!! Our Sock Puppets are in love! Side note- WHY am I always the boy? And Holy crap do I not have any friends that are anywhere near my height? I look like the Jolly Green Gian...

Its hard work being this cute!!

Some of you may have been thinking this very question and wondering how my nephew was doing and what was going on. Well, Cherrybear was in the Hospital. Nope not the NICU in Iowa visiting Benjamin. Good ol St E East here in L-town. I decided to check out first hand the quality of the facility that our students do some of their clinical work in, you know, just to make sure it was up to par and all.. or maybe not. ... Well I have been in the Hospital. It all started almost a week ago last Sunday morning. I woke up not feeling good and thought it was just my normal stomach issues. Untill I found myself in the bathroom throwing up and doing other things we shall not speak of. 17 times. 17 times in 11 hours. I did not know that was possible. I did not want to know that was possible. I'm here to tell you that sadly for my sake, it was possible. Apes and Steve came over to check on me in the afternoon after I had texted her I was so sick and kept passing out and couldn't keep anything...

Today's Update from Kev The Spinal Tap test done this am shows higher than normal levels, 50% reduction from the original test. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, this could mean we stay another 7 days Prayer Items: - Wisdom for the doctors to make the correct decision - That the antibiotics would eradicate the infection! - That the Jaundice Level will NOT go up anymore (rather stable or decrease) - Strength (Physical/Emotional/Mental) for Liz and I Praise: - The private room that we got moved to today - A better nights sleep last night

I'm going to start just posting the updates that Kev is putting on his FB profiles. He and Liz are pretty private people and I want to respect that and not tell every little detail of what is going on. And even though Benjamin is a tiny little baby he doesn't need to have all of his medical chart posted online for the entire world to read :) So with that said here is the Afternoon Update for Saturday ‎-Benjamin has been eating good since midnight on the 10th. His jaundice levels are up, so this am they put him under the light, praying that will be down tomorrow am when they retest. Praying that he has more BM's as that is needed....Praise that he had 3 this morning! - NICU has gotten busy, praying that we don't get moved to a publi c room (ie no walls just a curtain) Our parents came back home this afternoon as there is a blizzard headed for Iowa and a nasty storm headed for us. They did make it back safely and didn't get caught in adverse weather as they did g...

Its a Christmas Miracle!! A picture of me and Dr Avery where neither of us looks like a crazed lunatic(cough * him *cough) or struggling(cough *me *cough) !

Tonight was our annual Kossuth Cafe at church! I waffled on going a bit because even though we've had some good news about Benjamin its still emotional and exhausting, but I decided to go and spend some time with my friends who I drug along with me :) I am SO GLAD i went. My love tank is over flowing right now. I am so in love with my Church Family! I got so many hugs and love and care for me and my family and Benjamin tonight it was wonderful. It just felt great to be around so many people that know me and love me so much. Definitely what I needed. I'm so happy that I have this church and have met these wonderful women through my bible study. I am so blessed. And Kathy and Dr Avery aren't that shabby either :) I truly know some awesome people and I am so thankful God has placed them in my life!

I didn't blog about this yesterday because we were really in the thick of it and it was all I could do to get through the day at work. My beautiful nephew Benjamin is in the NICU in Iowa. He has two serious infections. The good news is that we got some results back today and if he holds steady and doesn't have any setbacks we are only looking at 14 days in the NICU verses the Month they were originally thinking. This is a huge praise! He is getting his own private room in the NICU today, Kev and Liz are getting cots in his room and being allowed to stay there 24/7 which is wonderful. Things to pray for right now: Safety for my Parents as they drive to Iowa this afternoon to be with the threesome. Rest for Kevin and Liz Benjamin to get his appetitte back and start eating more- he is so sick and miserable at this point eating is not high on his list of priorities (He's a Hendress though this should change!!) The meds to build up in his little body and start working and making...

Its been a rough day. This is the best you're getting. Me last night with Jimmy John's day old bread that I bought for 45 cents and made myself a delightful sammy with!

Well as you might know my sweet nephew arrived EARLY this morning! So I pretty much had the best day ever and I want to blog about it so I don't forget everything! I woke up on not alot of sleep today. I was still awake at 1 am and woke up around 6 am and drifted in and out of sleep. Needless to say when my alarm went off I was less than thrilled. Nonetheless I got up and started my morning routine. I sat down at my computer at 8:20 and was shocked to see I had 26 emails! Sadly none of them were important or from actual people, so I cleared them out and hopped over to FB to check what was going on. While I was scrolling down the feed reading what happened overnight I just happened to glance over at my email tab and I noticed it said I had 2 new emails. I thought that was pretty weird since less than 5 mins before I had cleared them out. So I decided to see what I had. Probably more junk mail I thought. I clicked over to my mail tab and saw I had an email from my bro and sil with th...

Proudly Introducing the most beautiful boy in the world, my nephew, Benjamin Robert. Baby Boy, I am going to love you like none other!! Full post about this mornings excitement coming soon!