Joining the blogging world!

Well, I've finally decided to join the rest of you mamas in the bloggin' world! For those of you who didn't know, I quit teaching this year to stay at home to take care of our baby girl - Bella Marie. She was born June 22, 2007 via a C-section due to my blood pressure rising in my 8th month. Little Miss Bella has brightened our lives ever since! She is the 1st grandchild on my side & my three younger brothers (John-28, and the twins - Paul & Peter-26) are so in love with her. They just eat her up, and fight over who gets to hold her, play with her, etc. - whenever we see them. She is the 1st granddaughter on Brady's side, since Brady's brother (Bryan) has two boys (Sloan-4, and Lewis Paul -3 in March). As my nephew Sloan says, "everybody loves Bella".

While staying home, I decided to tackle my library certification and a 2nd Masters degree (Library Science) via online courses @ UNT. One of my former principals also called me up to tutor 4th graders on a weekly basis in writing & reading; and since I'm trying to keep my teaching contacts viable, I said yes... What was I thinking??? - with a newborn!!! Thank God, I survived my 1st semester, and somehow managed to make A's in both of my library courses - yippee! I have never seen such busy work!! Needless to say, this 2nd semester, I am only taking one course, but I will still be tutoring in Wills Point once a week.

Brady has been back in school also, working on his kinesiology degree (and prerequisites to PT or PA school). He has been making great grades as well, since he has to keep a competitive GPA for the PT/PA schools. Last semester, he was able to cram his courses into a Tue/Thurs schedule, and was home M/W/F. I just loved that, because we were all able to hang out at home together and experience Bella as she was growing and changing. Unfortunately, this semester - no such luck - he has classes everyday except Thursday. :(

Brady has been such a blessing to me; and now with the addition of Bella, I know even more so than ever before, that God chose him specifically for me! He is the epitome of a doting father and loving husband - and he never fails to crack me up (even when I'm "spitting nails mad" about something). Someone recently asked me if he changes any dirty diapers & I had to laugh at that. From the very beginning, because of my C-section - he was the one changing ALL the diapers at the hospital and at home for several weeks until I was recovered enough to get around. In fact, I think the very 1st few nights at the hospital - he had to change like 5-6 POOPY diapers! Poor thing - especially since he has such a sensitive sense of smell, I know it was awful for him - but he never hesitated. Little Miss Bella has her daddy so wrapped around her little pinky - it's not even funny, but it is very sweet. We have been blessed that we've both been able to be at home with Bella at this early age.

On a side note, we are in the process of trying to sell our business (BahamaMamas), since neither of us have time to deal with it - especially now because of Bella. We also have some possible opportunities opening up and would like to be added to your prayer list. Well, I think that's all for now, I'm looking forward to sharing stories & pics. Happy reading! XOXO