9.30.08

Check this article out...Divorce stalks Katrina survivors. Our pastor, Ray Cannata, was interviewed for it.

We are safe in South Carolina, but very worried about the Gulf coast. Keep praying.

8.28.08

It seems ironic that tomorrow is the 3rd anniversary of Katrina and we are now anticipating Gustav's arrival. Tonight, many of you may be watching college football (Go Gamecocks!) or getting ready for the weekend. That's not the case here in New Orleans. I was driving through the city earlier and many people were filling up their gas tanks, buying water and supplies, cleaning out their refrigerators (people were selling their food on the side of the road), packing up their most valued possessions, and drowning away their sorrows (I saw a sign at one bar that said "It all seems better when you drink"). Matt & I are planning on evacuating tomorrow. I would be lying if I told you I wasn't scared, because I am. I am scared of the unknown. I am scared that as I leave this city tomorrow, that I will leave a piece of my heart behind (even if only for a few days). I cannot imagine what those who survived Katrina are feeling right now. Their hearts must be heavier than mine.

Please pray not only for New Orleans but the entire Gulf Coast, as we anxiously wait to see what Gustav will do. Pray for wisdom for those who will be effected by this storm. Pray for those who survived Katrina, that this storm will not bring back that awful pain. Pray for our government leaders, that they will be wise in their decision making. Pray for safe travel of all those evacuating. Pray, pray, pray. We know that God is in control of all these things.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Last Saturday, we had some college friends, Erin & Nikki, in town & we got to hang out with them for the day! We had so much fun!

We ate at La Madeleine.

And walked back to our house to cool off.

Rode the street car.

Hung out at the Riverwalk.

Rode the ferry.

And ended the day at Cafe du Monde.

Gustav.

So, the word is, there is a *possibility* Gustav will be heading our way. We are getting prepared, just in case. We went to Wal-Mart to buy some food & bottled water (which was scarce). We are packing up everything tonight in case we have to evacuate, but have all the supplies we need in case we stay and just have bad weather. Please be praying!!!

One busy girl!

In the past week, Emma has been quite the busy little girl...

*Emma began sleeping in her crib. She had been sleeping in her pack 'n play in our room.
*Emma is sleeping tons better at night! She is now only waking up once at night. And last night she actually slept TEN HOURS straight!! Woohoo!
*Emma is teething. Lord, help us! She is knawing on everything, drooling up a storm, and we can actually feel a tooth! I've heard of some babies that begin teething early and don't see a tooth break through for months! This might be the case for Emma, because 3 months is definitely early to be teething!
*We have been putting Emma in the exersaucer and she LOVES it! Praise the Lord, I can finally put her down! She loves being able to stand up and likes to play with the toys. She can even turn herself around in it.
*Emma now bats at toys constantly and can even push the buttons on her toy phone. She loves that it lights up and plays music!

Needless to say, she had a busy week last week! We are proud parents! :)

pictures

I've added a bunch of pictures to our family picture album (under Three Months).

Emma TV

One of those days

Today has been one of those days where I fall in love with New Orleans all over again. Emma and I headed over to PJ's on Maple Street to meet some new friends. I love Maple Street. It's a cute area with bookstores, cafes, and coffee shops. We had a great time with our new friends and I was reminded of how much I love the people of New Orleans. Then we took a drive down St. Charles and it was a perfect afternoon full of people jogging, walking their dogs, playing at Audubon park, and riding the street cars. I don't know any other way to describe it, but this city brings joy to my soul. So many people don't get it, how can you love a city so much? There's just something about this city that gets in your blood. I never want to leave.

hand dryer joy

Have y'all seen this???
This is my vote for invention of the year! It is the best hand dryer I've ever used in my life! Quick and easy (and fun)! If you don't have these in your local movie theater, come on out to New Orleans and I'll show you a good time!

*Props to my friend, Karina, for letting me borrow her camera and not thinking I was crazy to take a picture of a hand dryer in the bathroom! Oh what we do for the blogging world!

Three Months

Dear Emma,

You are now three months old and as sweet as ever!!! You personality is really starting to come out now. You love to be around people and definitely don't like to be left alone (needless to say, your Mommy doesn't get too much done around the house these days). You are definitely a talker and once you get going don't want to stop. You smile lots and have the cutest little dimple when you do so. You have started to laugh sometimes too. Some of your favorite things to do are: eat (of course!), suck your thumb/fingers, watch ceiling fans, look at windows and lights, go outside, read books, look in mirrors, be sung to, have the wind or air conditioner blow your hair, and play "scary fingers" with Daddy. You are also starting to enjoy looking at and playing with toys. You are such a happy baby as long as you are with others and your reflux isn't acting up. We took you to the doctor last Saturday and you weighed 12 lbs, 4 oz! You are getting chunkier by the day and we love it! You are not much of a sleeper--you "cat nap" lots during the day and still wake up every 3 hours at night. It's okay though, your Mommy savors every precious minute with you. Emma Grace, you bring such joy to your Mommy and Daddy's lives. We thank God every day that He has blessed us with you!

I love you more and more each day,
Mommy

We've got a thumb sucker!

Yes, Emma has been consistently sucking her thumb for a few days now. It's so cute!


And here are a few more pictures for your enjoyment.

Mileage

Emma is one traveling baby!

New Orleans, LA to Fort Mill, SC=723 miles

Fort Mill, SC to Whiteville, NC=159 miles

Whiteville, NC to Florence, SC=82 miles

Florence, SC to Whiteville, NC=82 miles

Whiteville, NC to Fort Mill, SC=159 miles

Fort Mill, SC to Black Mountain, NC=126 miles

Black Mountain, NC to Greenville, SC=77 miles

Greenville, SC to Fort Mill, SC=112 miles

Fort Mill, SC to Columbia, SC=77 miles

Columbia, SC to Rock Hill, SC=69 miles

Rock Hill, SC to Fort Mill, SC=8 miles

Fort Mill, SC to New Orleans, LA=723 miles

Total mileage=2,397 miles in 14 days!

Whew! And I didn't even count the many trips back and forth from Fort Mill to Rock Hill!

No wonder we were exhausted by the time we got back to New Orleans!

P.S. Emma's not too fond of the carseat anymore. Wonder why?

Highlights

I am well rested and ready to blog! After Emma's 4 hour nap last night, she slept great and only woke up once! She must have known that Mommy needed rest! Here are some highlights of our trip that I haven't had a chance to blog about yet...

Emma got to spend time with her great aunt Karen. Karen even babysat while Mrs. Parks and I went to a consignment sale! Thanks Karen!

Emma got to meet her great grandmother, Mimi.

And her great grandfather, Papa.

Emma also got to meet her great grandmother, Grandmommy Parks.

And her great aunt Lita.

And her great grandfather, Granddaddy Parks. Emma is so blessed to have four great grandparents!

We got to spend a day with Aunt Amy, Uncle Michael, and Cousin Will!

And eat dinner with great aunt Debby.

Emma went to the nursery for the first time at Westminster and got to hang out with her buddy, Gus. And Mommy got to see her friend Courtney!

We spent lots of time with our dear friends.

The Parks, the Edingers, and the Beasleys all went swimming!

Glad to be home!

Emma and I are SO glad to be home! We had a wonderful time visiting with friends and family, but are completely exhausted! I took a 4 hour nap when we got home and Emma took a 4 hour nap (unheard of!), ate, and went back to sleep. Hopefully this won't ruin her night. I have lots of stories and pictures to share, but I'm way too tired to post anything else right now. I'm sure I'll get too it tomorrow.

Fun with friends!

Kelly, Emma, and I drove to Columbia yesterday to visit Mrs. Kay as well as Jennifer, Cameron, and Devin (two precious boys that I used to babysit way back when). We had a wonderful time and then came back to Rock Hill to have a cook out with more friends! It was a fun-filled day!

Emma in her purple dress with Mrs. Kay's purple bears

Devin, Cameron, me & Emma

Joce & Emma matching in purple

Lori & Emma

Tamica, me, & Emma

Picture update

Emma and I have been QUITE busy traveling around visiting our family and friends. We have been to Whiteville to see my family, Black Mountain to visit both sets of Matt's grandparents, Greenville to visit Aunt Amy, Uncle Michael, and Cousin Will. And today we're going to Columbia to visit Mrs. Kay and Cameron and Devin. I've taken TONS of pictures and posted them to our Picasa site (link on the right side of my blog). Here a few of my favorites...I'll post some more later.

Emma sitting in the rocking chair at my parents

My mom loving on Emma

Uncle Stephen holding Emma

More pictures to come!