First Thanksgiving (yes - posting a little late)

Time continues to fly with staying busy with work, getting a master's degree, being a single mom, and playing city league volleyball and basketball. The night before heading up to grandma and grandpa's for LJ and I's first Thanksgiving! Can't you just see his excitement as he's lounging with his bottle?! Such a big and growing boy...



LJ was not hesitant about trying everything with Thanksgiving dinner. He loved, loved, loved the sweet potatoes (OH YEAH!!! That's my boy!). He ate pumpkin pie w/whip cream!, mashed taters, lima beans and corn, stuffing, turkey - what can I say - he enjoyed all that I did. And he slept like a champ!!! Here we are getting ready for bed after a fun day of eating and family!!!



Happy 1st Thanksgiving, my handsome son!



The remainder of the weekend was spent just hanging out with the family. My oldest sister, her family, and my brother were up at my parents. Here was a moment that I just couldn't pass up catching on camera. Can you tell that she is a proud grandma?! Owynn sitting in between grandma and grandpa, Bry Bry relaxing with his shirt up for whatever reason in between grandma legs, and Skylar just passed out sleeping up next to grandma. Who wouldn't be happy and loving this moment!






My sister and I took an opportunity before I left to catch our own moment on camera. Oh how I love my family - and yes - that is my brother adding his own little "moment" to our picture in the background. What can I say - we really are Pipers!



And just a little added note - Kien celebrated his 7th birthday at Chuck E Cheese - here is LJ taking a ride with Chuck E.... It was fun to be there and celebrate with Kien and his mom and family. I'm glad that my son has the opportunity to know his brother and celebrate these moments with him. I pray for continual acceptance as they grow older that they can turn to each other as brothers and support the other. Happy Birthday Kien! Thanks for such a fun party!

My handsome growing boy!

The joys of being a mother can be seen in the little growth areas of their children. My joy is this handsome little man. I love to dress him in his Sunday Best! And here he is - pin stripe pants and vest to go with his long sleeve white shirt. Such a stud...










On Friday night, Kim's boys came over and watched LJ for a little while. And even though we got called for help in changing a diaper :), and about every 10 minutes because "he's not going to sleep, he's just standing up in his crib." - it was a good experience for the boys. When we got back to my house, here is what we found. Taylor had given up and decided to hold him. And LJ was quick to pass out! Aren't they both just so cute!!! It's awesome to see Taylor and Will help out so much. Thank you boys!







Now, I'm sure all mother's have experience this - but LJ was so tired a couple of nights ago that he couldn't sit up straight - and he kept putting his head to the side, but he didn't want me to take his food away... Go figure.







On the mornings when LJ wakes up while I'm getting ready for work, he typically tries his best to follow me around the house - which I purposely walk around like when I'm brushing my teeth - so that he can get faster!!! And if I stop somewhere, he pulls himself up on my legs. Isn't this the best sight EVER!




AND WOULDN'T YOU KNOW IT!!!!!! CINDI MORGAN HAS COME OUT OF THE CLOSET!!!



She was wondering what I was taking a picture of her for - but I just couldn't help myself! She went "under the stairs" (which I think is the most AWESOME idea ever) to get a toy that Emmett no longer really uses. She gave it to LJ to help him on his journey of learning to walk. Which by the way, he loves to pull this ontop of him... I think he has it a bit backwards... But he will push it up against a wall (as it has wheels) and then push all the buttons and whatnot that make music and various noises.... Thanks Cindi!!! And way to go for coming out of the closet! (And thank you for being such an amazing friend. I will never be able to put into words how much you've helped me, and continue to help me. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance).

Just chillin'

How would this not make your heart melt and want to just snuggle right up with him?



In my month of Thankfulness, I have so many blessings that it is hard to decide where to start. One of my volleyball players from my freshman team has become such an awesome part of our lives (along with her family!) Megan has helped me with babysitting, and even just coming over to take care of LJ so that I can get things done around the house. You can see from the coming pictures just how comfortable they are with each other...





And on Saturday, we were able to finish up the portrait parties with our final session. I'm sure Shandy is glad we are complete with all of them too! I know I'm exhausted!!! It was fun though... This next photo - well - LJ and Megan both didn't make it through the afternoon at the park - and took the chance to catch some zzz's! Aren't they cute!



For those of you who do not know, LJ has a half brother, Kien. We were able to make a couple of Kien's soccer games - and here are the boys after Kien's last game. Their smiles just make me melt. I'm so glad that both brother's enjoy being around each other, and I hope that their relationship will be able to keep growing as they get older (even without the connection of their father - the boys have a couple of amazing mothers, if I do say so myself!)




Wouldn't you know - someone.... has figured out that he can stand up by himself! Can you see his excitement?!



He cracks me up as his gets himself stood up and then sqwauks at anyone because he can't figure out how to get back down and move onto the next toy...



What can I say, he is such a handsome little man... Stay tuned! There will be some sneak peaks up sometime this week from the photo shoot - and we'll see some new changes and some different captures of life... What are these, you ask? You'll just have to wait and see...

Dig down deep....

Have you ever had those days, those moments where you have to rely on other people, places, moments, music to help you get through the hurdle that is placed in front of you? To dig down deep in order to maintain that face that allows those around you not to inquire too far? In essence, fake it 'till you make it? Taking one step at a time, making things as simple as necessary to pass each moment, one breath followed by the next..... Now don't misread what I am saying. Merely stating that life is not all grand and wonderful and sometimes you just need to realize that things are out of your control. At that point of realization is the point in which we must fall to our knees and cry unto heaven for the direction that we so desperately seek. The cavat - how long do you wait for the answers? Simple really - let me put it this way.... At the moment you kneel down and pray unto heaven for help, you must release and realize that you just asked for those things to be place in the hands of Heavenly Father. He, and only He, will take these burdens from you. Allow Him to do so - and as you stand back up - remember - you just gave them to your Father, He will not forget to help you. The answer may not come at that very second, but He never promised it would be. He did promise that our burdens would be lifted. We must take the little moments of serenity that are needed whenever they come - at noon, 5pm, 8am, even 3am - these moments have been created (even though we may curse the lack of sleep that is evading our lives). Our Father will never leave us alone. There may be no one on earth aware of your struggles or your sleepless nights, but your Father is pacing the floors and gazing at the stars with you. His arms are around you - even when you feel so desperately alone. Life will continue - the sun rises every morning.

I am so thankful for the many blessings that surround me in my life. I have so many wonderful friends that help me in their very own special ways. Some are more visible than others - and I am always looking for ways in which I can find to show them my love and appreciation for all they do for me. Especially for all the help and assistance I receive with my beautiful son. How can I ever repay the many lives that have given their assistance since before he was even born! I may struggle with various aspects, but I am eternally grateful for my many blessings.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. My burdens have been lifted by all of you who have answered our Father's plea to come unto my aid - especially when I have been stubborn to not ask myself. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for being worthly and able to listen to the small promptings. You have blessed my life.

NOW - what would a post on this blog be without some pictures!!!!

Shandy, in all of her outstanding abilities.... here are some sneaks of his 9 month pictures!!!






And here is one that Hollie was able to capture for me!!!

The battles of single parenthood.....

To start off the Fall Season - I've had the joy of dealing with a few sleepless nights with a cranky baby (yeah, I said LJ was cranky - hard to believe!). And after the 2nd night in a row - I called the doctor and he asked me to bring him in. Turns out the little guy was fighting with a sinus infection AND and ear infection. No wonder he was cranky! But needless to say, thanks to a kind and understanding doctor - he gave me a prescription for some night time cough medicine for LJ and we were both able to get a nights sleep! Yeah!!!

Now on to an update for the past coupls of weeks....

This picture shows you the reason why you NEVER leave your cell phone where high school volleyball players can get to it... This is Alex and Melissa, there were on my Freshman team last year at Mountain View High School.



And thanks to Grandma, LJ is now trying even more to be like Grandpa and sporting the BSU pride! Isn't he just a little ham for the camera~



Halloween is here folks!!! Well - at least it's around the corner! Here we have a little beenie to help keep Mister's head nice and warm - and you can't read it, but it says My 1st Boo! And his shirt has a little ghost on it... either way - LJ is stinking CUTE!!!




I love the surprise look on his face!!



Over the past weekend, we were able to go up to Cambridge and spend the weekend with Grandma, Grandpa, and Tera, Dan, and the kids. After church, we were all locked out of the house since Grandpa locked the doors and was still at choir practice.... Anyway - while waiting, the puppies (6 weeks old - mini-dauschound - sp?) decided to crawl up and get warm with LJ in his carseat.... Isn't it just adorable!







Check out this smirk!!!



Ahhhhh - puppy kisses....



Of course the little guy is excited about shopping.... he was enjoying himself as I was putting different hats on him trying to find one that covers his big noggin! Can you see his hair sticking up?



Even though I'm done coaching the Freshman team for this season, I still help out with the Varsity team when I can. LJ came with me over to the game at Meridian High School - and I sat in the parking lot for a little while to let him get more of his cat nap before heading into the gym... Isn't he just a handsome little man!



"My future's so bright that I have to wear shades!"



On a late night shopping excursion with Grandpa, LJ didn't quite make it through Lowe's without crashing... But he got to ride on the big cart along with the garage shelves!!! Makes LJ look a little small.... but we all know different!

My amazing little sister!

Ok - so some of you have met my little sister, Shera. I just wanted to share a part of her amazing talents.

This is a little recording she did of the song she wrote and sang for her husband for their anniversary earlier this year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRYV-9JKqnM



Isn't she just AMAZING!!! I can't believe how blessed I have been to have such a wonderful family. My sister's are by far the most wonderful gals that I know and they are so strong! Thank you all for your extraordinary examples. I love you!!!


Even though this day started some major heartache in my life - it was great to have my family surrounding me. And look how beautiful they are!!!



What's even better - is there are now 4 more babies since this photo - not even 2 years ago!

The infamous MRI shot!

I was finally able to get a still shot of the MRI screen that showed my glorious tear of the rectus femoral quadracep muscle........... Isn't it just lovely!!! I tore my right quad - even though it's shown on the left side....