Dinner for 4

Brett and I decided to host Thanksgiving at our house this year, because he was on-call for work and my dad likes to host Christmas, so I wanted one of the holidays at least. Once that decision was made, we were given the motivation we needed to hurry up and finish updating our kitchen and dining room. My parents bought us a brand new SS glass top range for our 2 year anniversary, which was an amazing gift!! So we then decided to paint our cabinets and update all the hardware from brass to brushed nickel. Then it was onto the dining room. It was a very boring beige with an ugly brass light fixture, so that had to change as well. I painted the room Posh Red and white and hung a new light fixture that will coordinate with the other light fixtures I'm going to change out in the kitchen and foyer. I wanted this all done for Thanksgiving, so we busted our butts and finished it up this past weekend. I'm a perfectionist so it takes me extra long to go back and make sure every little line is perfect and there are no 'oops' spots anywhere. It looks great!!

P.S. I do not recommend Valspar Signature Series HD paint that you see all the commercials about and it being able to cover really well. Wrong!! This is dark red over a skin tone beige and it took 3 coats (4 coats on the largest wall) to cover it completely. Next time I will stick with my Sherwin Williams paint like I'm used to.

Anyway, back to Thanksgiving. We were planning on having my family, Brett's family, and my parents' neighbors over at our house for the big meal. But Brett's family decided they'd rather stay at their house, because his dad likes to cook. Okay. So it's just my family and their neighbors. Then my dad called and asked me if I'd be upset if my mom and him went to Colorado for Thanksgiving to spend it with my grandma. No. Go ahead, I'd do the same if I could. So since my parents weren't coming, their neighbors won't be coming either. That makes it just me, Brett, Carter, and my brother. Instead of being bummed about it, I am still very excited. Just because there will only be 4 people instead of 14 won't stop me from making a meal to feed 30. I will be in all my glory from breakfast to dinner. I really enjoy being able to spend the day cooking. I used to really enjoy making great meals for Brett, but since I work so much nowadays, I really don't have the time anymore.

I can not wait for Carter to be able to enjoy his first turkey dinner. Last year he was only a week old and I was still in major pain from giving birth to him. Also I was dealing with the baby blues that I swore I'd never suffer from and was an emotional mess. blah.

So those are my plans for Turkey day, what are everyone elses?

Justice Shall Prevail

My father just received a call from Lieutenant Kyle Norrod of the LaVergne Police Department informing him that no charges will be filled against him regarding the incident on Tuesday. It was determined that my dad acted well within his rights of the law to protect himself from grave bodily injury or death. Duuuuuuuhhh!!! We already knew that! But thank God the police figured that out.

I never feared my dad having to face prosecution from all of this, because I knew for a fact he acted within the legal guidelines, but I was seriously disturbed at how some of the media outlets spun it. And even more saddened how the police treated him during this process. Rather than investigating where more of his stolen property had gone, they pursued trying to bring charges against him. Had they done their job and called around to the local scrap yards on Tuesday, like they should have, they would have found about $4,000 worth of his stuff at Clark Iron & Metal in Murfreesboro. But it's too late, because once the owner of the scrap yard saw the story on the news, the metal had already been scrapped. He had to call Chief Boyd at the LaVergne Police Dept. 4 times before the jackass would take his call. Someone needs to fire that prissy bitch.

Now, I have contacted all 3 news stations that ran their first stories in hopes they will run a follow up. We'll be watching!

Protecting The Criminals

A couple of days ago my father found himself in a very scary situation that we as humans hope that we never have to face. He interrupted a robbery on the property he owns in which he has plans to move his business to. He was on his way to early vote and he drove past a couple of guys on his property stealing some contruction equipment. He pulled in to assess the situation and that's when things went south. He stepped out of his vehicle to confront the theives and they jumped into their pickup and attempted to run him down. Every member of our family is a gun carry permit holder and we all carry personal firearms in case we are ever faced with a life or death situation. As the men were charging their truck towards my dad, who was next to his and didn't have the option of jumping out of the way, he had a split second to make a decision to try and save his life or keep him from grave bodily injury. That's when he pulled out his gun and attempted to shoot out their rear tire to put a stop to their threat, rather than shooting the men themselves. It worked. They didn't run him down and they turned and fled the lot. My dad called 911 and the men were caught and arrested as they were trying to get on the highway.

My dad came back to the office and was obviously worked up over the entire ordeal, but felt as though he had done the right thing. He then went back to the contruction lot to see what all had been stolen. That's when the situation turned on him. The police were there to question him and they soon turned to him as the criminal. Long story, short the police are pursuing a case against my father in which they are investigating whether or not he lawfully fired a shot in self defense. I understand that they have to look at every angle, but they went on the news saying that he was only trying to protect his property. I am infuriated!! The story aired on 3 news channels here in Nashville and only Fox 17 got the story right. The other 2 channels chopped it and twisted to make it look as though my father saw them stealing his stuff and he shot at them. Words out of one news reporters mouth were "Clark saw the men stealing his property and that's when he got a gun". Are you kidding me?! Are you seriously kidding me?! First off, he didn't just get a gun, he carries it, and second of all he wasn't shooting at the vehicle because the douche bags were stealing his stuff!! His life was being endangered and he took action rather than being a sitting duck like most people in society!

What Channel 5 news failed to mention was that one of the men was listed as a dangerous gang member as well as being a convicted felon in possession of a loaded gun. Yes, that's right, they had a loaded gun with them as well. They were complete scum bag, dangers to society and to my father, but my father is the one that's being made out to be a criminal. Somethings wrong with society and it's comes down from our leaders. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Here is the news clip from Fox 17, who happened to portray the story in the most accurate light.

WZTV FOX 17 :: Newsroom - Top Stories - Police Question Whether Shooting Was Self-Defense

Going To The Shows

I think I must bridge this blog from my last one somehow, but not sure how. So in regards to the recent events in my life, I have given them up to God and put my trust fully in him. He knows his plan for my life and I will be satisfied with whatever that is. I am now choosing to focus on the positive things in my life, so please don't take it as blowing "it" off. Thanks. Here we go.

I know it's a little early, but the Christmas buzz is really starting to pick up around Nashville. Of course this being Music City and all, there are some really great shows and concerts going on. There is no better time in Nashville than Christmas time. Opryland Hotel always decorates their entire hotel in Christmas decor and people from all over the country come to see it. This year it will be extra special, because the hotel was flooded back in May and won't reopen until around Thanksgiving. Most of their decorations were destroyed, so everything will be new. It should be quite the sight to see.

One show I have been really wanting to see the last few years but haven't gone to yet is the Radio City Christmas Spectacular held at the Grand Ole Opry house. Well that's gonna change this year. My mom just bought tickets for us all to go see it on Dec. 11. It's a bit pricey, but I think it will totally be worth it. And Carter gets in for free!! Let's just hope he'll sit still and there will be no kicking and screaming. He's usually a very well behaved baby, so my fears aren't too great, but you never know. Whatever the situation, it will be a great time! I can't wait!

I also wanted to get tickets to see Michael Buble on Dec. 5, but it's 8:00pm on a Sunday and seeing as how Brett and I both get up at 5:15 to go to work on Monday morning, I'm not really sure that's the best idea. I'm still debating it though.

Michael W. Smith is also having a Christmas concert at Brentwood Baptist Church and I think that would be really great to check out. The tickets go on sale Friday, so we'll see about that.

The Opry also puts on a huge display/exhibit made out of ice every Christmas season. It's called "ICE" (pretty fitting) and the themes over the past couple of years have consisted of The Grinch, Charlie Brown and some other famous characters. I have also failed to check this one out, so that is definitely on my To-Do list this year. Carter is sort of big enough to enjoy it too.

And to finish the season out, our church, World Outreach Church, puts on a mean Christmas Eve service. This area doesn't lack in the department of musical talent, so if they don't manage to get a famous singer in to perform, their own talent is pretty darn good. I'm already getting so excited! And yes, I'm one of those freaks that likes to play Christmas music from Halloween - on. Don't roll your eyes.

So cheers to the upcoming holiday season!!

Not Worthy Of A Title

This blog is not worthy of a title, because I don't what I could really title it. I'm sad, angry, crushed, and the list goes on...but I just don't want to put a title on it. What I have to say really sucks and is far from the happy joy filled blogs I normally write.

This morning I was at work when the office phone rang and the name of my doctor's office came across the screen. They called me at work. At work. This could only mean one thing in my mind. I picked up and the nurse practioner that checked me out was on the line, she informed me that my HGC levels had continued to drop, but slowly rather than rapidly. This in their minds would indicate a ectopic pregnancy rather than a miscarriage. This would also explain the pain I felt last Friday. They said they would recheck my levels once again on Monday, but that they would most likely be terminating the pregnancy at that point. All the hope that I was still holding onto at that point was crushed. This baby is not going to make it and there is nothing I can do about it. What filled my heart with joy a few days ago has now filled it with sadness. I know that lots of women go through things like this everyday, but I never thought it would happen to me.

So with that said, I wish I could at least have a day to mourn my loss, but I can't because I'm at work and someone already called off sick, so I'm stuck here to just suck it up. It's pretty hard putting on a smile and talking to customers when I feel so crummy inside. But I guess I will do what I have to do. Brett and I will get through this and we'll try again some day. Thank you everyone for all of your support. It's been more of a help than you probably realize.

This Is What Faith Is For

Let me just start this off by saying one thing. I am a completely open book when it comes to my life and I don't keep much to myself. I believe in sharing the good with the bad and letting people know when life doesn't always treat you fairly. With that said, I hope that gives some kind of explanation to those that may think I shouldn't be sharing this. Now, here we go.

When I went to the hospital on Friday night and found out I was pregnant, I was completely shocked but have come to really embrace the idea of having another baby. I have actually become very excited. The blood work they did on Friday showed my hCG level (pregnancy hormone) at 89. In a healthy, normal pregnancy this count should double every 48 hours. So I had another count done on Monday and am going back today to have yet another count done to see what the levels look like.

This afternoon I got the call to make sure I was coming in for more blood work and I grilled the girl about what my count was on Monday and that's when she informed me it was 64. Devastating. My faith tells me to keep holding onto hope that everything will work out the way God wants it to. But what God and I want, may be two different things. A drop or lack of increase in the hCG count could indicate an ectopic pregnancy or be a sign that I should anticipate a miscarriage. I am trying to think positive, that maybe the count was wrong on Friday, but I will know something more tomorrow. Please keep me and my family in your prayers as we were not anticipating any of this.

Why Waste Any Time?

So this past Friday was one for the record books. It was a very stressful day due to me having to let someone at work go and overall just wasn't that great. So my stomach was in knots the entire day and when I got home it didn't ease up much. But at about 7:15 pm as I was just getting done with dinner, I had a horrible pain in my left kidney area. I ran to the bathroom and fell to my knees in pain and then noticed some blood. So I immediately thought it was a kidney stone and after making a call to my mom, decided I should go to the hospital. This pain was like no other pain I've ever felt. It was worse then labor pain!! We dropped Carter at the neighbors' house and booked it to the hospital.

I went to the hospital by my work, because they are known for their fast ER and I was checked right in. Of course they had me take a urine sample and hooked me up to an IV to get some pain meds in me. They had decided they needed to do a CAT scan, but were going to do some blood work first. About 30 mins later, the nurse comes back in, pulls up a seat and just stares at me. Her expression said "I've got some news for you", I just had no idea what it was. That's when she informed us that my pregnancy test came back positive. Whaaaaaaaaaa?! That's impossible! I just had my period a week ago! And TRUST ME, that's impossible! Well I guess it's not, cause I was definitely pregnant. Note to all...conception can happen the VERY day right before your period. I am proof.

So they cancelled the CAT scan and looked closer at my blood work. My pregnancy count was only 89, which either means they had caught the pregnancy very early on (ummmm...yes, i think that's the case) or the pregnancy may be abnormal. It was too soon to do an ultrasound, but they urged me to go to the OBGYN as soon as I could and have them check me out. The kidney pain I was feeling subsided with the pain meds and never returned all weekend.

So now I am left wondering what happened. Did I really have a kidney stone and it possibly stopped moving, so the pain went away? Or is there something wrong with the pregnancy? I guess we'll find out when I go to the doctor this afternoon. At this point, I'm just praying everything is okay. I'm also praying that God gives me the strength and patience to take care of two babies!! Oh my gosh!!! I mean, Brett and I weren't exactly being the most careful, but we had just decided we were going to get back on BC and wait a while. Haha! I guess God had other plans. Even though we weren't expecting this, we are very excited! I'm excited about staying healthier and in better shape this pregnancy. No more gaining 50 lbs!!

Let's hope for a girl!!!