Vacation

For Fall break we went to PCB with our family and a group of our closest friends. We had a blast! Days spent on the beach, watching the kids play in the sand and ocean, nights spent on the patio talking and just being together. This was far one of my best vacations. It was my kids first trip to the beach. They loved it. They made memories of a lifetime. How many kids get to go on vacation with their best friends? I hope they remember this trip for a very long time.

 

While we were there Briley Jane turned 8 months old. Hard to believe time is going by so quickly. She's starting to develop her own personality. She hasn't started to crawl-she's not even interested. She loved the ocean and the sand.

 

The only small hiccup we had was Troy got stung by a jellyfish- it was funny in a way.

 

 

To my babies- I hope you had the best time ever. I hope that you enjoyed spending time and making memories with your best friends. That's what life's all about.

 

To my friends- thank you for being a part of one of the best vacations ever. I love you guys and don't know what I'd do without any one of you.

Look who's 6 months!

Whoa, it's been a while, I know.

Our sweet Briley Bear is six months old today.Life with her is amazing.

She is trying to feed herself already!

Bubba trying to help her out

Briley Bear- you are 6 months today! You have made our family complete, Sweet Girl. You have so many people that love you so much. I thank God everyday that He gave me you and your brothers.

Love, Mommy

Briley's Birth story

Tomorrow Briley will be four months old. I wanted to write this while I remember all the small and important details. This story is for her to read someday.

For most of January I was in and out of the hospital with high BP. Dr. Boerner wanted to deliver her as soon as possible, but a group called The Maternal Fetal Group wouldn't allow it until I was at least 37 weeks. I was miserable and on bed rest and waiting.

I took the boys with me to my last doctor visit before I got induced. The funniest thing happened. The room had a baby doll holding a cigarette. It was saying that what you do while you re pregnant is what the baby does. Trace didn't understand. So he ask the doctor why he had something like that in his office. To know Dr.B. He's straight to the point. He's a no nonsense kind of doctor. Dr. B looked at him and instead of saying something like"smoking is bad for the baby'" He says matter of fact" You smoke and get cancer,and die." Wow. The look on all of our faces were priceless.

Fast forward to Wed Feb 1. The boys were with Nanny and Pa. Troy and I arrived at the hospital at 5ish. we were supposed to be there at 5am on the dot, but Troy had to stop and get himself breakfast.mmph. We got checked in and made the long walk to our room. I was so nervous, excited, and ready to it to be all over with. Dr. B came in at 6 am to break my water with no luck and it hurt like crazy.I don't remember it hurting so bad with the boys.Little did I know that was going to be a breeze compared to what I was in for that day. The dr came in after an hour and I begged for his mercy,it finally broke. The nurse had given my potocin to get the show on the road.

About 8am our boys came with Nanny and Pa and we waited. I started hurting by this point. At 10am  I was given my epidural that absolutely did NOT take at all! The only thing it did was bottom my BP out and I thought I was going to die. I got poked for no reason. It hurt. I kept telling the nurse it hurt. She couldn't figure out why. Believe me I kept pressing that epidural button. I wasn't getting any relief. She sat me up, turned me from side to side hoping it would help-nothing. Nothing I did helped and I was hurting.  by 11am I was dilated to a 3 and holding. I had a room full of family and wasn't interacting with any of them. Thankfully they didn't mind.

I kept pleading with the nurse to do something. Having my boys didn't feel anything like this. She wouldn't keep checking me because she was afraid I would get an infection. So about 2:45 something happened. Something was wrong and I knew it. I grabbed onto Troy's shirt-thought I was going to pull it off of him- and begged for him to make the pain stop -now I know he couldn' t have done anything for me, but still I tried. At this point I was sobbing. Troy got everyone out and got the nurse. She checked me and I was ready to deliver this baby!!!

Now during my pregnancy I had a plan about who was going to be in the delivery room when I had her, who was to see her first.. well that plan went right on out of the window. At that moment, all I heard were curtains be closed,drawers slamming, and people running around the room. Troy, my mother-in-law, and my granny were watching Briley be born. I remember nurse Lisa telling me not to push I had to wait 18 minutes... 18 minutes really? Dr.B was on his way and that's exact time it takes him to get there from his office.  18 minutes later I was pushing. Briley was kind of high because I was only 37 weeks. So it took a little longer for her to drop down. They had to turn her..which was not nice. After about 15 minutes of pushing at 3:36 pm, Dr. B held up and cute little baby girl and said "Here's what was causing you all that trouble." Oh yes she did, and she was TOTALLY worth it.

I didn't cry. I was still in shock I think. Then I looked up at Troy and grabbed his hand and said "its finally over." I know that was awful of me, but hey it happens.

When Nurse Lisa laid Briley Jane on me, all the pain I felt melted away. I forgot about it. I had this beautiful baby girl in my arms.

I do have to say something about the nurses there at MTMC. They are wonderful. The nurse that helped deliver Briley also helped deliver Trace, so she was extra special.


If I had to do it all over again, I would. My kids are the most precious little humans and I would endure the pain all over just so they could be in my life. God made women strong for a reason.


This was taken as soon as she was born. Already looking at the camera.

Proud Big Brothers.They were the first to lay eyes on her.

Mother's Day

Today is my first Mother's Day with Briley. She's made this day so special just because she's here with all of us. Our little family wouldn't be complete without her. '
  This day can be emotional for some. Some people are having a hard time because their mothers have passed on or are no longer in their lives. We all have a story of some sort.

Today seems extra special because there are women in my life that has stepped in and has taken the place of my mother.

I had surgery Friday. I can't lift anything , and that includes my baby girl. My mother in law has stayed with us the whole weekend and helped me out with her and the boys. I am grateful for her, she has always been there. She doesn't get told enough by anyone how much she is appreciated. She does so much for so many and ask for nothing in return. She has taught me how to be a better mother and I'll always be thankful for that.

Mother's Day shouldn't be about gifts, flowers, cards, etc. It should be about taking the time to stop and say thank you for your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister or whoever else impacts your life. It's a special day to let them know how much they are loved and appreciated.

I thank my God that He gave me three little people that call me mommy. I have Mother's Day everyday when i look at my three beautiful children.

So to the special women in my life thank you so much for being there, giving me advice, being my "mom", and being  the best friend a girl could ever ask for. Yes, we've had falling out, but you loved me enough to stay in my life through my crazy pregnancy phase. Thank you for sticking by me. That means more than you'll ever know. You know who you are.

Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there. I hope you take time to realize what a blessing it is to have someone call you Mommy.



ApRiL

Happy Birthday Boys

Having two birthdays 3 days a part has proved to be difficult some years, especially as they get older.



But this year was a success! WE had the boys' birthday party at our house. We tried to keep it simple, but fun. So we got a big water slide , cooked hamburgers and hot dogs, and everyone had a blast. WE are so blessed to have a wonderful family and lots of wonderful friends.

They loved the water slide!

Briley and TT

3 months

Where does the time go? Briley Jane is three months!
She is an amazing baby girl. She sleeps through the night and wakes around 6 am. When she wakes up she always has a smile on her face. She's starting to laugh and giggle out loud. I am so in love with my kids. There aren't words to describe how I feel.

Baseball is in full swing. Trev started a new travel team and Trace will be playing travel for the first time this summer. Briley is starting to get use to the yells and cheers at the park.

I am blessed beyond words. This past three months we've had a lot going on and can't imagine what it would've been like without the help of our dear friends and family. They have been amazing. My kids are so lucky to have wonderful people in they're lives and I can't imagine our world without them. Even though I signed up to take food and deliver cupcakes and totally forgot.. what great friend am I?

Having three kids is trying sometimes. Usually, there's blood, guts, and tears.. not really, but you know what I mean.  I have one screaming, the other climbing the walls, and then there's Trevor. He's always the one trying to help with the other two. I'm getting the hang of it for sure. It took me a while to realize that I have to start getting everyone, including myself, ready like three hours before we go anywhere. I've only been caught without extra clothing and milk once. I'd say that's pretty darn good... if you know me personally. So I think we'll all make it. As crazy as our lives are , I wouldn't trade it for the whole wide world. 

And i owe a BIG thanks to my MIL. Without her I don't know what I'd do. She's a very special lady that stays by my side through anything and everything. I'm so thankful to have her in mine and my kiddos' lives.

So to sum it up. These past three months, minus the little bumps, have been SIMPLY AMAZING.

Our Boys

It all started in 2007. They played for the Dodgers. A lifetime friendship started that year. One was on first base,the other was pitcher. They were both 5 years old. It was Trev and Thomas, the duo had pitcher and 1st  on lock down.

 Our boys got to play baseball together again. Now they are in kid pitch. Thomas is pitcher and Trev is catcher. The friendship is still going strong.

The other night I was watching them play together. Thomas and Trev made a play that only they knew they were going to make. I ask Trev when I got home if he and T talked about making that play and he said "No mom, its just the look we gave each other." It was as simple as that-the look. I realized then what our boys have. They have the kind of friendship that they know each other so well. I hear them encourage each other during the games. It makes me proud to know that my son's best friend encourages him.

Trev and Thomas- if this post ever finds you. I hope you two boys remains friends forever. To have each others backs no matter what. Don't let society's cruelty get in the way of your friendship, and always be true to who you are. And leave them girls alone.Just know that us moms, and probably nanny too will not be too far behind you, in disguise. You are our boys and we all love you more than you know.

 True friendships see no color

2 months

I've decided to make this blog my diary of being a mother. It'll be nice to look back and see how much my kids have grown and the little things they do that we sometimes forget. My friend has a blog that she keeps to keep up with her precious little boy. She's an awesome blogger you can check her out here.

briley went for her 2 month check up on Monday. She got 3 shots..tear. Here is how much this gal has grown

         weight- 11lbs 13oz
          height - 22.1/4 long.

I can't believe it's been two months already! I have enjoyed this little girl more than anything in this world. I'll share her birth story in a later post.

I thank God everyday for giving me my precious babies and my wonderful husband. 

My Papa

My Papa will be be gone six years on May 5th,. I think about him everyday. I cry as I am typing this because my heart hurts so badly, I nuiss him.

Papa was my hero, my father. I remember his laughter, his smile. I have only good memories of him. He had nine grandchildren; eight girls and one boy. He had us all spolied rotten. He made us believe that he had a secret candy factory hidden under his bed. That man loved candy, especially chocolate covered cherries and M&Ms. Someone always got him the collector M&M man every Christmas. He believed that everything old or rare "would be a collectable someday" and he played the lottery faithfully. He worked up until the day his body gave in. He always provided for his family with our needs and most of our wants. Papa paid for my first year of college and was so proud that I decided to go. I wanted to make him proud.

I used to write notes to him every morning asking him to get me up at a certain time for work. I later found every single note from me that he kept. He never said I love you a lot, but I knew without a doubt that man loved me. Trevor thought  Papa hung the moon. He would have to go with Trev just to get a haircut. Trevor wouldn't go without him. I remember Trev sitting in Papa's lap while he got his hair cut and the look on Papa's face was priceless. They loved each other so much, As I look at Trevor today, I see some of my grandfather in him. The way he sits sometimes, his smile and I see my grandfather in Trevor's eyes no matter what anyone says; I see him. I'm really sad that Papa never got to meet Trace. He did name him though. He knew we were having a boy and picked out Trace. Papa died 12 hours after Trace was born. He waited on him to be born before he went. I was the last to speak to him and I let him know that Trace and I were fine and he was healthy. His last words to me were "OK" He didn't have the strenght to talk, but he let me know that he was listening.

I want the world to know what kind of man my Papa was. He was a hardworker, loyal, friend, father, husband, brother,uncle, and most importanly he was my Papa. I miss him each and everyday. He was saved when he died, so I know for a fact that he's in Heaven looking down and watching over all of us. I just want him to know just how much I love him and miss him.

Dear Papa,
 I love you to the moon and back.

Love, Tink Tink

Trevor

This afternoon as I watched Trevor and Trace, I realized what awesome eight year old I have. He's my best friend, he's my little man, he's my everything.

Trevor was a surprise for Troy and I. I went to the doctor Sept 19th 2001 with a "stomach bug" that I just couldn't get over. Well... it lasted for nine months. I had no clue at all that I was expecting. My granny took me to the doctor and she was just as surprised as I was. To be honest I wasn't happy or excited. I was scared and in shock. How did this happen??? Well I know how it happened, but you know what I mean. I called Troy as soon as we left the dr's office. I said "Troy, we're going to have a baby." You know what he said to me? Nothing, he hung up. I know I know, that wasn't very nice, but you have to understand we were young and had our whole lives ahead of us. I was in college and Troy was working a full time job. We had no responsibilities, we were just young and free. After the initial shock was over... WE WERE HAVING A BABY!!!

Fast forward to May 3rd 2002. My great granny Goldie McElyea passed on this day. I was to deliver any day, but I wanted to say my last good byes to her. Troy couldn't travel to Huntsville, AL that day. So my granny and mom, and mother-in-law went to Huntsville. My mother in law was determined that I was not going into labor without her there. I got through the funeral without any labor pains and I was relieved that I didn't have any problems while I was down there. The next day I had a dr's appt. and we decided that I needed to be induced on May 6th. I went to the hospital on the 5th to start the process. A whole day passed and still no baby. I was having major pain in my lower back, but no contractions. That night the doctor said that he was going to send me home and just wait and that's when the "daddy" came out in Troy. He refused to take me home. I was hurting so bad in my back, they then discovered that I was having back labor pains because the baby was faced down. The doctor broken my water and then it was just a waiting game.

A few hours later  I thought I had an accident and I could feel something. I called the nurse for more epidural. That stuff is awesome. When she came in to "check" me ..." Uh- the baby is crowned, it's time." OMG! I was so scared and excited all at the same time.

I'll spare the details, but just so you know... TROY, yes that's right, Troy delivered Trevor all the while the doctor videoed the whole birth. Yes, as weird as it seems.

So at 6:35pm on Tuesday May 7th 2002. Trevor Robert was born. Weighing 7lbs 7oz. My baby boy was finally here. That was one of the very best days of my life. Trace's birth was the other best day.

All the pain and struggle was so worth it. It didn't really hurt that bad and I would do it all over again.

Fast forward to the present- Trevor is such a humble, patient, considerate child. He has a heart of gold and it's as big as the world. He loves with his whole heart and cares about everyone around him. I am so proud of him and so blessed that he is mine all mine. He's there to make you laugh. He's so funny. I love him oh so much and i want the whole wide world to know what an awesome kid he is and just how much I love that little guy.

***To my sweet boy, Mom loves you to the stars and back.

Our Renegades

Today we are have the Renegades' first fundraiser of 2011. It's being held at the Smyrna Rescue Squad building on Front St. It's a spaghetti supper and silent auction, with a lot of good stuff. So please come out and show your support to this awesome team. A lot of people have worked hard to pull this off.

The Renegades are a group of very talented boys that work their butts off during the whole season. They practice two days and week and most games are Friday thru Sunday. So you get it? They.work. hard. They have won a lot of championships.

We are more than a team, we are family. We spend more time with each other than with our own families. The boys have a bond that is unbelievable. We have a great coaching staff. All of the coaches devote so much time to these boys and have helped them to be what they have become. Personally, we have the most devoted coaches I've ever seen and I'm not just saying that because my great husband is one of them, ha ha.

Even the lil bros have made some lifetime buddies.

The parents and grandparents play a HUGE part of the success of this team as well. We all support our boys and  coaches. I love our team. When tragedy strikes one of our players' family, we pull together and make this happen to help our fellow teammate out. We are so proud to be a part of such an awesome team/family.

We love our Renegades!!!!

What's the New Year going to bring?

Bring on 2011!!  We have decided to spend New Year's with our boys at home. We have stayed at home the past couple of years and it was nice. We play games and watched movies and just spent time together and ring in the New Year together. Both of the boys can hold up all night, which they try to keep going until the wee hours of the morning.

For the New Year I hope for my family and friends to be happy and healthy. I want some things to change for myself and have decided to make those changes , not only because its a new year, just because I feel like a new year is a fresh start. I want to be a better mother, wife, cousin,granddaughter, sister, friend, and a better person all around. I have been blessed with everything He has given me. i plan to be more faithful to Him for he is the reason my life has worked out as well as it has.



From our family to yours' HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

McElyea Clan

Meet the McElyeas { my awesome uncle, aunt, and cousins} We met today to get some family photos that were looong over due. We all are guilty of that, right?  We had such a good time. We laughed so hard.  They are an awesome family and I'm so proud that I'm part of it.

* Thank you so much for letting me do this. I had a blast.
I'm only going to put a couple up... Don't want to spoil the Christmas card pic.
 
This one above is one of my very favorites. Its a family sharing true laughter. They didn't know I was shooting this one. I love to see families that can laugh togther, it makes it all so much better.