Life is so precious

I found out today that Bronner Burgess, son of Rick Burgess died yesterday. Rick Burgess is the co-host of a morning radio show, Rick and Bubba. When my pastor announced it at church, there was an audible gasp. It has stayed with me all day today. I don't know if it is because I am familiar with the victim (if only through stories) or if it is because I now have a child of my own. Most likely it is a combination of both. My immediate response was to pray for the Burgess family, but for what? I mean what do you need after the loss of a child? I can't imagine. I just prayed for the Lord's presence at this time. I didn't know what else to ask for.
As I have thought more and more about it today, I thought more about one of the things that drew me to their show: Rick and Bubba are both Christians. They speak about it on a regular basis. I went to their website and found this message:

We ask that you bathe Rick, Sherri, and the entire Burgess family in
prayer as they deal with the loss of their youngest son, Bronner Burgess. We all
are grieving together in this terrible loss. The Burgess's want to give all
Honor and Glory to GOD for the many blessings He has given us, especially the
life of Bronner Burgess. And while we do not understand, we know who is in
charge and His will be done in life and in death.

Wow! Could I have that kind of faith? In that situation? I hope so!
I also thought about my precious little Katelyn. After church, I hugged her and held her so tightly-as I am sure many parents did. I have been thinking of that little two year old child and his last moments. I only know that he drowned, apparently from falling into the family pool. How horrible for him! I think about Katelyn. Will I be able to protect her from all the dangers of the world? I pray for her protection, but will it be enough? Every time I have looked at my sweet Katelyn's face today, I have thought about little Bronner Burgess. My heart aches for that family. I know there is nothing I can do to change things for the Burgess family, and I know that my life will go on even as theirs is still standing still, but for right now, tonight, I am sharing a tiny portion of their pain.

Shrinking Mommy

Mommy has lost 8 more lbs for a total of 18 lost!

Family Update

Katelyn is eating the little star shaped puffs now. She was so funny when she first tried them. She made so many funny faces. I captured a few. At first she would chew one a little with her front teeth, the I would see it come flying out of her mouth. We had to work a while on keeping it in her mouth. She finally got it today. She chewed and swallowed a couple. I am so proud of my big girl!!! She is learning so much. I have to brag for a second...
Things Katelyn can do:

She can drink from a straw.
She can point to my mouth on command.
She can walk down the length of the couch.
She can take things and hand me things.
She can make her fingers do "Itsy Bitsy Spider" when I move her wrists.
I have no idea if this is more or less than any other child her age, but I am overwhelmed with pride at her accomplishments! It amazes me the things she can learn and remember. She took a bath with her cousin, Lonna Grace, in the big tub tonight. They had so much fun! We got some pictures. They are pretty cute!!
We are all getting over the sick funk. Katelyn had ear infections in both ears. Brent and I had the creeping crud. I am still coughing like crazy. I also had pink eye. Brent had some ear funk yesterday, but seems to be okay today. It has been a mess for the past week. I sterilized the house Tuesday-I was out with pink eye. When I went back Wednesday, I could not talk. That's a bit of a problem when you are a teacher. But I just got one of my students to "translate" and it worked out. They were pretty cooperative. Katelyn spent the night at Catey's house Tuesday night. I just wanted her to be away from the germ infestation that seemed to be taking over my house. So Catey picked her up Tuesday morning and kept her until Wednesday. That was so hard!! I was actually having daydreams about her in class on Wednesday! She was much less moved by our reunion than I was. I got the usual leg kicks and arm waves that I get every day when I come home. I was hoping for a few squeals or something, but oh well. I'll take what I can get.

Holiday Fun

Katelyn had such a great Christmas! She went to Atlanta and saw her Bibi, Pop, Aunt Mandy, Uncle Jacob, and cousins Issa and Mae. She loved the time she spent with them. Then she came back to B'ham and visited her Grammy and Grampa. Then she came home and her Nana and Granddaddy came over with the rest of mommy's family. She got to play and open presents - she probably even ate a little wrapping paper- and visit with all of her family.
For the New Year, she celebrated with a bottle of formula and went to bed 30 minutes early. She couldn't hang with the big kids. Of course her mommy and daddy were asleep by 10:30, so I guess she gets it honest! No worries though; all thirteen of the neighbors in the house across the street were outside at 11:30 shooting industrial strength fireworks. So Brent and I were up to ring in the new year. Fortunately Katelyn slept through the explosions and, mercifully, slept until 8:15 the next day.
In my two weeks off, I have accomplished exactly nothing on my "To Do Over Christmas Break" list. But I did get to spend a lot of quality time with my daughter and my husband, so I call it a success!

Bedtime

Katelyn has a bit of a stubborn streak that she gets from her dad. Sometimes when I change her diaper, she will try to roll over. I try to hold her, pacify her with a toy, tell her NO, all to no avail. She will keep on and keep on until she is on her stomach. Tonight, I was trying to get her ready for bed and she decided that this was not what she wanted to do. So she kept trying to roll over, then, when she was over (by the way I love that look they get once they get to their stomach that says, Wow! Look at the view from here!) I had to pick her up and lay her back down, at which point she would stiffen her body and walk her feet back so I couldn't get her down. I gave her two lotion bottles (she plays with the small travel ones when we get ready for bed) both of which she threw behind the dresser. I was on my way to the bathroom to get a third bottle with her under my arm - her butt sitting on my hip - counting down from ten so as not to lose it when I caught a glimpse of her in the mirror. I broke out laughing. She had a look on her face that said, Okay, where are we going now. She was just looking around taking it all in. She had no idea that I was frustrated to no end and she was the cause. All she knew was that she was headed on another adventure with mommy! I love this kid!

Have a Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Gunns

Brent, Rachel,

& our little star: Katelyn

Lord send an angel...

This is my little daredevil. She knows no fear. She loves to be thrown up in the air, held up by her ankles, ridden around on the space mobile (which does occasionally crash), and she will crawl off a bed - as we all know. She has eaten paint, paper, and who knows what else off the floor - of course to her it all looks good! She has had Apple Juice and Nilla Wafers - and who knows what else, Grandaddy???? She has been clobbered with the stocking holder from the mantle. There was also the time mommy covered her with a blanket so she wouldn't get chilly, only to find it wrapped around her head at two in the morning. Still she smiles and laughs, because through it all, she really doesn't ever know she was nearly killed! (Well, she might have had a small clue when she fell off the bed.) She still crawls straight to the edge of the bed or chair to look over. She still tries to dive out of my arms and into the bathtub. She still commandoes straight into walls. (I mean really, at what point do you get the concept of, "Hey there's a wall there - maybe I should stop.")

So I say, Lord send an angel to protect my precious little angel. Because we both know mommy is not always on top of her game and she's pretty fast! And Lord, please let her always know that even if I get there a little late or can't be there at all, that you will be.

Big Buds!

We went to the lake for a Thanksgiving dinner with the Gunns & Allbrittons. Katelyn and Pop hung out and caught up on the news. I know it's too early to tell, but these may be two peas in a pod!

PG Christmas Parade

Getting ready to go watch the Christmas Parade! We are so excited!

Katelyn was very interested in all the things going by.

Cousins Lonna Grace and Emma Kate love taking care of their baby cousin.

I am sure they will teach her many things!

Getting a ride with Daddy! In case anyone hasn't noticed yet (because it's not obvious)

this is one wrapped daddy!

Katelyn's Dedication

Katelyn was dedicated on December 2nd. It was so sweet. Brent's family drove over from Georgia and my family was there. Katelyn got to wear the beautiful Christening gown that Brent's mother made and her cousin Issa wore before her. The family came over for lunch after church. It was such a big day for Katelyn and we appreciate everyone making it so special.