October & November Happenings...

Hi Everyone!

I know it's been awhile since I have posted on here.  I guess I just found it difficult to put into words all the different feelings that I have been having lately.  So, here's what's been going on!

We had a great Halloween in our new neighborhood.  It's known as the hottest place in town and we were ready!  With over 500 pieces of chocolate, we were prepared for the masses!  We carved the pumpkins and made Halloween cookies for the neighbors.  We love our neighbors!!  I can't say enough good things about them!  It's like having 2 sets of parents/grandparents for Jeremy!!  And the best part is that they don't call the cops on us when the dogs get out.  Although, they really don't get out anymore, but I'm sure if they did, they would let us know and return them. 

Jeremy was the Cookie Monster for Halloween.  This costume is so special to me because my Mom made it nearly 40 years ago.  All 3 of my sisters and myself have worn it as well as my neice, Madilyn.  Jeremy actually wore it last year too, but sadly, he caught the Swine Flu the day before so he was quarantined in the house.  I was worried that it might not fit, but it did and he loved it!  We had a hard time keeping the top part on, but we were able to bribe Jeremy for a few pictures.

Before we went Trick-Or-Treating, we spent the day at Busch Gardens for Hallow-Scream!  It wasn't scary during the daytime and Jeremy really enjoyed being able to ride all the rides one last time before the season closed.  He even got to meet Cookie Monster himself!

 After Halloween, we taught Jeremy about All Saints Day and how it's a very special day that we get to remember his Sissy, Savannah.  We also took the time to remember each of his great-grandparents who live in Heaven, as well as some of our fish who didn't survive the move.  I'm fairly certain he has a good understanding.

Last week, I underwent surgery to try to repair my "reproductive organs" in the hopes of having successful pregnancies in the future.  I had 6 different procedures done and according to Eric, everything went very well.  In fact, they showed him pictures and handed him a video, which in turn, made him toss his cookies.  I have no interest in seeing such things but I am interested in listening to the commentary during the surgery.  We'll see if I can build up the stomach for that! 

As I am recovering and getting back on my feet, we are preparing for Eric to have knee surgery next week.  We are hopeful that it will be successful and in a few months once he is recovered, they will operate on the other knee.  We ask for prayers for his safe surgery and speedy recovery.  This year's Thanksgiving will be courtesy of Fresh Market.  I know how much Eric enjoys all of the Thanksgiving goodies, and I'm hoping he will have his appetite back quicker than I did.

We are very excited and looking forward to celebrating our 1st Thanksgiving & Christmas in our new home!  I cannot wait to set up the Christmas Tree and train that runs around it and watch Jeremy open up his presents from Santa.  We are looking forward to starting some of our own family traditions.  One tradition that I am looking forward to (and I'm sure Eric is too) is not participating in Thanksgiving evening/Black Friday madness.  Each year I have been there with the best of them, but we are trying, as a family, to take everything in and just really enjoy each other.

Until next time,
~ Shannon

Vacation Bible School

This summer, I signed Jeremy up for a few different camps that I thought would be of interest to him.  A lot of people have questioned why I do this, so let me begin my explaining my thought process.  I am not a teacher.  Many times, I have questioned why I was so interested in business if I was going to have children.  If I had known, maybe I would have chosen a different career path.  I didn't, so this is where we are today.  Because Jeremy is an only child AND because I am not a teacher, there are limits to what I can give him as a child.  For example, I want him to be very social and have lots of interests.  Since we don't have any other children right now, these activites keep him going.  He did very well in his 2 year preschool and overcame his speech delays after only 5 months in school.  He is very interested in gymnastics so we did 2 weeks of gymnastics camp.  Anyway, we heard about Vacation Bible School at Church a few weeks ago and inquired about the age range.  They told us preschool so we signed him up.  He is one of the younger ones, but since he did go to school, he knows how to listen to other adults, wait his turn, keep his hands to himself, and follow instructions.

Monday, my husband and I took Jeremy for the 1st day.  There was so much singing and dancing!  It looks like so much fun.  When I picked him up, the teacher said he did very well, didn't have any potty accidents, and was such a pleasure.  I was impressed.  The second day went well too.  I would arrive about 15 minutes early each day to watch the group prayer, singing, and dancing.  I wished there was a Vacation Bible Camp around when I was a kid!

Wednesday, I dropped of Jeremy and talked to the Director.  I asked her if I could help for next year.  Her response was, "Yes, but I could really use your help today and for the rest of this week."  I told her I had a dentist appointment but I would come back.  When I returned, I went to the office and asked her what I could do to help.  She asked my name and I told her.  Now, many people in our parrish know of me and my husband because of Savannah, but they may not be able to associate our names with our faces.  Again, she said, "I've heard that name before."  I responded, "Yes, Savannah was my daughter."  That's all that needed to be said for her to get it.  She quickly put me to work!

I was put as the adult leader wtih the 3rd graders.  They had two teen helpers but no adult leader.  The kids were so well behaved and I was so impressed by how well run the program was.  Each morning for the gathering activities, we practiced our dancing and singing to that music that I thought was so cool the 1st day.  By the end of the week, the music wasn't so cool anymore.  In fact, I found myself practicing the movements in my sleep.

Yes, that is Jeremy holding up the "R" for the special word of the day!  And yes, I am one of those annoying moms who snaps pictures of everything my child does.

It was a great experience for me.  There were lots of other things I could have been doing while Jeremy was at camp, but I feel good about knowing that I was right where God wanted me to be.  The simple messages that were taught:  Trust God, Love Never Fails, Care for Others, and Share your Faith ~ these apply not only this week but each and every day.  Throughout the past 15 months, I haven't always trusted God.  In fact, I have questioned him and repeatedly.  Why was Savannah taken from us?  Why can't I get pregnant again?  What did I do wrong in my life to deserve this?  Why do other people have beautiful children only to hurt and abuse them?  Why did you let Savannah die?  Some of this is part of the normal grieving process.  I understand that I will not know the answers to any of these questions.

I also know that I have many blessings, and the most important one is love.  I have a husband who loves me and accepts me.  He doesn't care whether I am a size 4 or size 14 (I have been both and all sizes in between in the last 5 months).  He doesn't care if my makeup is on or my hair is fixed perfect.  He loves me for who I am ~ unconditionally.  I have been blessed with Jeremy, the light of my life.  That little boy makes me smile each and every day.  The only type of love he knows is unconditional, whether it's for our kitten, Oreo, or the homeless man that hangs out at Farm Fresh.  The teaching is something I need to remember ~ Love Never Fails.  Savannah loves our family and we love her.  Our love for her and each other and our love for God will never fail.

So, the moral of this story is that teachings are not just for the kids.  Even an old person like me (and I feel very old because I've been hanging out with 3rd graders and 2 teenagers) can learn something from Vacation Bible School.  And yes, I will be sporting my dance moves tonight at the Closing Ceremony.  And I might even let Jeremy keep the CD of that annoying music.

"Hope is a renewable option: If you run out of it at the end of the day, you get to start over in the morning."

Until next time, remember to count your blessings.

Blessings,
Shannon