Friday, November 21, 2008

Things I'm looking forward to......

Watching Tiger basketball! I hope they win tonight....they didn't play so well last night.

Thanksgiving Eve party with friends and family!

Making my mom's dressing for Thanksgiving.....it's so yummy!

Putting up our Christmas tree. We will do that next weekend after Thanksgiving!

Happy Friday!

Monday, October 27, 2008

A Big Blessing.....

I forgot to mention in the last post about my new job! Stephen and I spent the summer praying about a way for me to bring some income in without taking me from home too much. We quickly realized after I resigned from my last job when he started with his practice.....that it would be almost impossible to save for adoption #2 without more income coming in. Well, God answered that prayer and blessed me with a part time position with my church.......Highpoint Church. I am really excited about it and the hours are extremely flexible so I don't have to miss a minute of this..............




The latest and greatest.......

It's been awhile since I've updated this blog.....guess we've been a little busy! Here's what's been going on.....

Stephen is taking his boards today so he's been really busy studying lately. We're all glad that it'll be over in a few short hours.....

Stephen has had a cold that has lasted about a month now.....the docs keep telling him that if he can get through his first winter he'll be fine after that. He is still enjoying his job though so that's good.

Friday night we went to a pumpkin carving party with our small group and it was a lot of fun. We carved pumpkins and made smores around the fire.....see pics below

Saturday morning I did Race For the Cure. It was really neat and I will be looking forward to next year. There is so much bad/evil in this world and it was great to see thousands and thousands of people all coming together for a good cause!






Monday, September 29, 2008

Happy Fall Ya'll

We had a great time yesterday going to pick out our pumpkins. The tradition in our family is you each get to pick out one so we left with 3 pumpkins and some pretty purple mums. The man selling the pumpkins fell in love with Caroline so he gave her a little bitty pumpkin of her very own. She carried it around with her the rest of the afternoon!







Thursday, September 18, 2008

Girls just wanna have fun!

I met Christina, Jodi, and Lindsay while our husbands were in med school together. I know I could NOT have survived living so far from home, Stephen being best friends with his cadaver, and his non stop studying without these girlfriends! We instantly hit it off and have been such close friends ever since. We all had to move away from each other when our husbands all started residency and that's been tough but we have gotten together every year for a girls trip. This year we went to Temple, TX to Christina's house and we arrived there in TX on the day she turned 30.....it was special getting to spend the day with her on her birthday! We laughed A LOT, went out to eat, shopped, got pedicures, and spent time on the lake. It was a great trip!



(I somehow couldn't delete this photo...I was trying to rotate it! Christina picking up me and Lindsay from the airport....yes, I made her wear a tacky necklace and carry that sign!)


At little "dream" jewelry shopping! I'll take one of these and one of those!


Out to dinner to celebrate Christina's birthday!


A day at the spa....what could be better?!?!


I was in need of the spa after I did this!!







Thursday, September 4, 2008

Picture Update


Currently, Caroline's favorite thing to do is sneak into the office
and climb into the chair and type on the computer....she does
manage to pull up itunes and dance a little too!


I decided to let her feed herself pudding the other day. We
started out with the spoon...


but she decided her hands were more fun!!


Caroline and Molly! My dearest friend of all(Shanna) had a
little girl in March just so Caroline could have a best friend
to play with! Wasn't that so kind of her? Just kidding......she
and her hubby thought they were done having babies, they
have 3 boys all in elementary school, hubby had the v surgery,
and along comes Molly!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Where would we be without friends?

Every girl needs a friend like Heather......
You brightened my day yesterday with these beautiful flowers!
Thank you(and Paul too!)




Thursday, August 28, 2008

We went out to dinner tonight with my family to Cracker Barrel.....my mom was the queen of "comfort food" whether cooking it or eating it. We thought that was the perfect place to honor mom.....sit and rock while waiting on a table.....drink sweet tea and eat some yummy veggies. We all love you mom!




Me and Care Bear sitting and rockin'


Then she wanted to rock all by herself!


Caroline and her "Brit-Brit" (Brittany)


Yes, that's butter she's eating...after all we were at Cracker Barrel!


Mitch(my brother-in-law)Thressa(sister) Brittany(my niece)
Andrew(nephew) Carolne, me, and Stephen

Missing Mom

I can't believe it's been 2 years since I said goodbye to my Mom. That was THE hardest thing I've ever done. A few of the many things I miss about my mom......

1. Watching Tiger basketball with her. She absolutely loved Tiger basketball more than anyone I know. They made you proud Mom...Final Four....so close to being National Champions.

2. Having fresh pecans. She would go around the city(she knew where all the best pecan trees were in Memphis) and pick up pecans that had fallen from trees. She would then sit and shell them. (while watching a lifetime movie no doubt) Then she would distribute the pecans to all of her loved ones. You knew my Mom loved you if you were lucky enough to receive a gallon size baggie of fresh shelled pecans. I would put mine in the freezer and pull them out whenever I needed them for a recipe.

3. Being able to call her when I have a cooking question(which is like everyday) or when Caroline does something cute(which is like every minute) or ask if she's read anything good lately so I can borrow her book.

4. Her lasagna!! Oh how I would love to have a big helping of that yummy lasagna right now....because mine never turns out as good as Mom's!

5. Her generosity. My mom was always giving something to someone-even though she had very little to give! She used to collect change. There wasn't a time that I was with her that she wasn't bending over in the parking lot or a restaurant or wherever we were and picking up a penny, nickel, dime, etc. Every few months or so she would roll all of her collected change and give it to her grandchildren. While Stephen was in med school, she would often send us a little of that money she collected and tell us to go out to a nice dinner.

miss you so much Mom........

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

More pics from camp.....


Our friends Todd, Eileen, and baby Cecilia who was adopted
last November!


Family photo! (our only one from the whole trip because
we have such a busy body on our hands!)


Caroline showing Justin(her birthfather) how much she
likes limes!


Caroline and Bethany(her birthmom)

Camp Pictures!

We're home from camp and exhausted! Nothing like chasing around a 16 month old all weekend while outdoors and no fences or doors to close to keep her somewhat in your eyesight. Just out in the wide open to run free...she had a blast! We on the other hand had a good time but found it hard to really sit and visit with others but oh well...there's always next time. Caroline did really well on the plane ride....we took along lots of things to keep her still. We got to meet lots of other families who have adopted through Abrazo, see friends we already knew, and visit with her birthfamily. Overall, it was a great trip and we're glad we went even though it wore us out!




Momma and Caroline on the playground!

Daddy helping Caroline on the stairs!


Checking out the teepee.


Clapping along to songs from the guest musician!


Opening a present from her birth grandmom!

Friday, August 15, 2008

Camp Abrazo Here We Come!

I hope that our experience last night is not an omen of things to come this weekend. We drove to Little Rock last night which is where we fly out of this morning to San Antonio. We are headed to Camp Abrazo....a camp that our adoption agency does every summer for all of the families who have adopted with Abrazo.

We get to the hotel last night, unload the car, get Caroline to sleep, and settle into bed ourselves....when we hear some sort of alarm sound and it was extremely LOUD!! This sound went off and on for about 2 hours and none of us got any sleep during this time. It finally stopped and then we all fell asleep but our little angel decided to wake up bright and early at 6:00 am!! So needless to say that we are all exhausted and we are about to board a plane with a tired and cranky baby......we could use your prayers!!

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

One of those days....

Yesterday was.....shall we say an eventful day! It all started when the crew arrived bright and early to clean our carpets. Stephen headed off to a morning training session and Caroline and I went shopping for a wedding gift. Not just any wedding present....a wedding present for her birthmom so we wanted it to be special. Well it took all morning and we finally came up with something. We met Stephen for lunch and then rushed home because the Direct TV guy was coming to install our DVR box(Yes, I know what you are thinking....how could ya'll have gone this long without Tivo? And the answer is.....I DON'T KNOW! I already love it and it hasn't even been a full day.) I put Caroline down for her nap and started working on a couple of pies. We were going to my sister's house for dinner for my brother-in-law's birthday and he loves pies....I of course being the perfect sister-in-law said I would make him some pies. I thought it would be okay because Stephen was home so I could work on the pies while he let the Direct TV guy in and handled that. However, we just purchased a wireless router for his laptop(I know, I know...we are behind the times. But hey, we're catching up....now we have Tivo and wireless!) and he decided to install that. Well, that took all afternoon and several phone calls so he was locked up in the office all afternoon. Meanwhile, I'm making a pie and I'm at the part where you are supposed to be constantly stirring the ingredients on the stove while it comes to a boil and of course who shows up right at that moment....the Direct TV guy! I let him in and try to juggle answering his questions while stirring the pie filling on the stove. He then tells me he needs in the attic so I thought ok he'll handle that. But then I look outside in the garage and he is just standing there.....I assume he is waiting on me to pull open the attic stairs so I proceed to quickly take care of this because I remember I'm still in the middle of pie making. Something was in the way of the stairs so I shove it out of the way and then the stairs come crashing down....ON MY HEAD! I am bending over holding my head and then Stephen appears and says...."What's going on?" I yelled at him to handle that situation so I could tend to my pie and I think I said something sarcastic about him being a huge help.

So anyway, now that I've rambled on....we now have really clean carpets, a wedding present, Tivo and wireless internet. Oh, and the pies turned out alright if I do say so myself!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Feeling Better

My ankle is feeling better.....after lots of meds that is. I am doing well getting around on it but I still can't exercise so hopefully the ortho doc will shed some new light on the situation next week!

She makes me smile everyday!






Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Down but NOT out!

So some of you know that I have been in the process of training to run a 5K in September. I have been very excited about this and have actually enjoyed the program until last Thursday. I was 4 weeks into the program, had shed a few pounds, and was making good progress when I somehow hurt myself. I was so proud of myself too because I worked my way through shin splints the first 2 weeks and was back on track and feeling good and WHAM! So, it's my right knee and my left ankle. I went to the dr. today and have been advised to go and see an orthopedic dr. but the first available appointment she had is two weeks away.(don't ya love it?) The dr. today said no more running for the time being and if I feel up to walking at all that I need to wear a brace on my knee and one on my ankle! I'm feeling rather old right about now. Anyway, I would appreciate your prayers first of all as I try and chase after a very active 15 month old with an injured knee and ankle and also I would like to run in the race in September if that's possible. I'll keep you posted.....

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Date Night!!

My sweet husband planned a very special date for us last night. He wanted to surprise me with a nice dinner and my favorite movie of all time(Sound of Music) was playing at the Orpheum. Well, he was later getting home from work than he had planned on so we had to grab fast food and eat it in the car on the way to downtown. We made it in time to see the movie which was wonderful! Then we walked over to get a crepe from the CrepeMaker. Yummy! That was a great way to end the date! I also got to sleep in because Caroline spent the night with my sister and her family last night!

What a wonderful way to start the weekend!! Thanks to my thoughtful hubby!!

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Family Time!

Riding the carousel at the mall with Momma
Playing with the faucet....she likes it more than her sprinkler!

While Daddy was watering the lawn I thought I'd run through!
One of my favorite things to do......sit on the hearth and read a book.
This is my post naptime hair do! What do you think?
Having lunch at Lenny's....one of Daddy's favorite places!
My new Elmo sprinkler....thanks Faith for letting us in on the fun!


Stephen scheduled two weeks off in between finishing residency and starting with the practice. So it's been a week and a half and it's been absolutely wonderful. I don't think Caroline quite knows what to think of her Daddy being home this much! We've tried to balance getting things done around the house that have been put off and just hanging out having fun.

Stephen and I had a weekend away this past weekend and we went to a bed and breakfast in Brentwood. It was so nice and it's called The Brentwood. If you're looking for a great place to go for a weekend away....we highly recommend it! Sorry to all of our Nashville area friends who we didn't visit with but we just had two days away and wanted them all to ourselves!

Hope you enjoy the pictures of what we've been up to over the last couple of weeks!!













Thursday, July 3, 2008

Exhausted....but not because of my child!!

So I LOVE to read but don't really have the time anymore. Lately though, I can't get enough of a good book. I have read 3 books in the last couple of weeks which is what I used to do on a regular basis before I was a mom. Anyway, I have been staying up late at night after Caroline goes to bed to read. I started reading Nicholas Sparks's book Dear John on Monday night and read about a third of it. Then on Tuesday night I read another third of it. Last night we went out to eat with our small group and I put Caroline down when we got home and picked up a little around the house. When I got in bed it was already 10 o'clock and I told myself to go to bed so I wouldn't be so tired today but I couldn't help it. I had to read just a few chapters....his books are hard to put down. Anyway, I ended up finishing it around midnight so I can barely keep my eyes open today. I am so mad though....it so did not turn out the way I wanted it to. I won't ruin it by saying anymore for those of you who have yet to read it and want to.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

F-I-N-A-L-L-Y!

There have been times when I did not think this day would ever come. That I would be a mother first of all and that we would be a family of three. (For those of you who do not our story, Stephen and I struggled with infertility and were blessed with our sweet Caroline through adoption in April of 2007) Next, that Stephen would ever be finished with medschool/residency. (That process only took 7 years) And last but certainly not least, that I would become a stay at home mom. (That one has been 31 years in the making) Growing up there were no visions, goals, or dreams for my future that didn't involve me being a mother. It's what I've always wanted to do and I have been blessed with the opportunity to be a mother to the sweetest little girl in the whole world!
So, yes the time has finally come.......we are a family of three, Stephen is finished with the long journey of training to become a doctor, and I am officially a stay at home mom.....and it feels so right!

God has been so faithful through it all and we give Him all the glory!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

I'm trying again!

So, I tried a few months ago to start this blog and didn't quite have the inspiration needed at the time to keep it going. As you can see from that post, I started it right after we came back from San Antonio and had just watched the Tigers lose the national championship game. What was I thinking?? I think I have just now gotten over the loss and I feel a little inspired now.(and I received a friendly little nudge from my dear friend Heather) Hopefully I will do a better job of keeping up with it and keeping all of my friends and family informed of all the happenings in the Stancil household! Stay tuned......

Friday, April 11, 2008

In Mourning....


So the Tigers lost the big game on Monday. I was there and had to endure watching the team walk off the court with their heads hanging down to their chests. It was the saddest sight I've seen in a while. If I had let myself I could have sobbed like a baby. However, my niece Brittany needed me and my counseling abilities. She took the loss hard and it was left to me to cheer her up. I did the best I could.

What a season Tigers!! Congrats to you for a job well done!!