Cincinnati Zoo

On Tuesday we came up to Northern Kentucky for a mini-vacation to kick off our summer. Jay and Micah promptly played golf when we arrived. Jay was the victor this time and Micah had to call Tim to tell him what a great golfer Jay is to fulfill his end of the wager.
Yesterday we went to the Florence Mall where Eve chose to make a blue teddy bear at Build-A-Bear. She chose a lovely pink tutu for the bear to wear, too. We had a yummy lunch with Finley and Kacey and bought some Great American Cookies for dessert. Eve and Finly also enjoyed riding the carousel together!
Today we went to the Cincinnati Zoo. It was Eve and Finley's first visit there! We saw lots of animals, but Eve's favorites were the cats at the cat house. We look forward to lots more fun tomorrow!!

Welcome Alayna Claire Tucker!

Jeff and Jennifer Tucker became the parents of a precious little girl on Saturday night. I was blessed to be there for it all!
Today, Eve and I, along with some friends, went to visit "Aunt" Jenn and her new baby at the hospital. Eve was amazed at her teeny-ness and ooohed and coohed and loved all over her. I know Eve will be a great big sister!
When we were getting ready to leave, Eve gave Aunt Jenn a hug and said, "Aunt Jenn, did that baby come out of your belly?" Jennifer said, "Yes, she did! See my belly is all squishy again now that she is out, not hard like it was at your birthday party last week." Eve then looked from Jennifer to the baby and back again, glanced and me then said to Jeff, "I fink I need to go now."
You could actually hear the wheels grinding in her little head as she processed that one. I can only imagine what she was thinking, but I know what I was thinking, "Yeah, you're right smart girl... I've gotta go through all this, too, in about four months... and our lives will be changed forever!"

Happy 3rd Birthday, Eve Lynn!

Today Eve had a wonderful Blue Cinderella birthday party at Grammy and Grandad's house. She was excited to have out-of-town family in and a couple of friends from church. Her favorite gift was the scooter from Mommy and Daddy. Eve is truly a blessed girl and we are very blessed to have her!!

Eve gets her wish!

Yesterday afternoon Jay, Eve and I watched a wriggling, kicking baby on the ultrasound screen. After checking all the vital "stuff" and letting us know everything was looking good the technician told us that Eve's wish for a baby sister would come true. It's a GIRL!!
We are blessed and happy to have a healthy growing girl who obviously already responds to her big sister's voice and presence with twists and kicks. Now comes the major task... to gently break Eve into the notion that her baby sister will not be named Mary. We are feverishly working to decide on her name so that Eve can get used to it... I am not sure how understanding she will be that we will not be using her chosen name, but I know she already loves her sister no matter the name (and Mommy and Daddy do, too)!

Happy Mother's Day!

I am blessed by all the wonderful loving mothers in my life (most importantly my own) and blessed over and over again by the gift of being a mother myself!

Mary or Moses?

I haven't really had too much to report on lately, which is good, I suppose. After 4 months of constantly feeling nauseous and living on Phenagren and hourly snacks, I am finally feeling much better. For the past couple of weeks I have been feeling the tiny thumps from our "little teeny baby." It really is all different the second time around... for instance my elation at the first tiny flutters turns to a little bit of dread as all the flutters will turn to contractions before all is said and done. :)
Next week we will get to find out what this "little teeny baby" is and I couldn't be more excited! I am ready to plan and prepare for this little one and I'm ready to give "it" an identity.
Eve fully believes the baby is a girl, though she will now at least admit that it might be a boy. I recently asked her what she thinks we should name the baby... she chose Mary for a girl and Moses for a boy. While I like her train of thought on the Bible names, I'm not sure we will go in either direction.
Anyone want to venture a guess on this baby's gender before we find out?!?! Check out my poll and vote!

Happy Easter

We have had a great Easter weekend! Mamaw and PawPaw came for a visit and brought Eve's Easter dress. Mamaw certainly outdid herself on the lavender creation... as usual. Yesterday we had fun at the egg hunt at church. Eve and Zak found lots of eggs. This morning Eve was surprised to see that the Easter bunny had come. Her favorite gift was the big lolli-pop. After church we finished the festivities by having lunch with Grammy and Grandad. We hope your holiday was just as blessed as ours!!

How would you reach the moon?

One Wednesday night a couple of weeks ago we were on our way home from church when we had this conversation.
Eve: Mommy, I see the moon up in the sky!
Me: Yeah! Me, too!
Eve: I want to go up to the moon. But, how can we get there?
Me: Well, we can't. You have to go in a rocket to get to the moon. Only astronauts can fly to the moon. Do you want to be an astronaut when you grow up?
Eve: No.
Me: Yeah, I think you would make a good teacher.
Jay: Or doctor or lawyer.
Me: Or actress! What do you want to be when you grow up, Eve?
Eve: (pause to think) Um, I fink I'll be a tree.
Me: (trying to stifle my giggles) Well, that would be nice.
Jay: Who made the trees?
Eve: God.
Me: What would you do if you were a tree?
Eve: Reach up to the sky!
Thus Eve proved you don't have to be an astronaut to reach up to the moon.

The Fall, The Fools and The Flu!

This story goes all the way back to last Friday when Jay and I picked Eve up from the sitter and we learned about THE FALL. (We were returning from my check-up at which we got a free impromptu ultrasound... Mom and baby are doing great!) Well, when we arrived, Eve was crawling through the kitchen to meet us and Mrs. Jennifer said, "She can't or won't walk." Eve had been doing some "twirling weally fast" on the ceramic tile floor, had fallen and hurt her knee. Since that moment she wouldn't put weight on her left leg or walk, though crawling didn't seem to bother it. The three of us headed home where Jay and I proceeded to check out her knee and try to assess the situation. After lots of tears and constant refusal to stand or walk, we (or rather I) decided to take her up to Primary Care and have it checked out. They took us right back and X-Rayed her knee. (I wasn't allowed in the room, but did run into the ultrasound guy we had just seen in secret only an hour earlier.) The X-Ray showed that nothing was broken, though she still refused to stand or walk for the doctor and had some tenderness when the doctor examined it. We were advised to give her Motrin and watch it through the weekend.
On Saturday morning we hoped Eve would just forget about the whole knee thing. (Though she continued her refusal to walk all Friday evening at the M.E.S. Spring Swing.) Unfortunately, she hadn't forgotten and after waking up promptly informed she couldn't stand up in bed, nor could she walk. The crawling went on all morning! (Jay was beside himself with frustration at the over-dramatizing of his two-year-old, but started to believe something might really be wrong after a while.) Grammy and Grandad came by later in the morning with toys and encouraging words to urge Eve into walking, but she would only stubbornly stand or hop on one foot. Finally, Grammy said, "Eve, Grammy has to go, but if you will get up and walk to me right now I will take you to Dairy Queen." After a few moments of debate, Eve stood up and limped over to Grammy. So, Grammy, Grandad and Eve left for the DQ leaving Mommy and Daddy feeling like THE FOOLS.
On Sunday morning Eve woke up feeling bad with a high fever. We let it go for a few days, hoping it was just a virus that would run its course. (I desperately wanted to avoid the doctor's office and the risk of getting any other illnesses.) After three solid days of fever and once a chesty cough developed today, we decided it was time to go to the doctor. That's where we learned that Eve has THE FLU. Fortunately we are nearing the end of it. Unfortunately, pregnant women can't take any preventative medications. So, I am holding my breath hoping to remain well. Mom says that sometimes God spares mommies from getting illnesses that their children have. I pray He thinks of me this week!

Noteworthy?

Well, it has been awhile since I have blogged about anything really noteworthy (other than the baby, of course) so I thought it was about time I wrote a little something. (Though, I am not sure any of this is really major... just catching up a bit on Eve.)
Lately Eve's taste in food has changed. She turns her nose at things she has eaten all her life like bananas and asks for seconds on things I consider yucky like lima beans and black eyed peas. The other night she made her own creation out of cheese pizza and pineapples. She was really proud of herself and really liked it!
Eve's playtime is starting to change, too. She spends lots of time pretending with babies or cooking and still loves to dress up. A couple of evenings ago she spent nearly an hour in her room alone reading book after book. It was sweet!
The Puricellis were in town visiting last weekend so we took a moment to try to get a cousin photo. This is the best we could do!
What will we do with more babies in the mix by this time next year?!?! The days of our sweet photo sessions when Eve and Zak were little are long gone, I'm afraid! But, I'm sure Grammy and Grandad wouldn't have it any other way!! :)

ANOTHER Stark will be born!

We are excited to announce the impending arrival of our second child. He or she is due the first week of October and we couldn't be happier! Eve is certain the baby is her "sweet baby sister." Only time will tell if she is right or if a brother is on his way. Jay and I are just pleased to have a healthy start to the pregnancy and look forward to preparing for the arrival this fall. Our family has been so blessed by the addition of Eve, we are humbled God is blessing us again!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Christmas continued!

Since our plans to visit extended family in Alabama over the Christmas holiday fell through, Eve has been recently blessed with packages on the doorstep. She gets really excited when she sees them saying, "Mommy, is that package for me?"
Aunt Debby and family sent a fun package with baking supplies, cute books and a stuffed animal elephant in January. Who knew Eve could love a big red mixing bowl so much?!? She uses it for a variety of purposes including but not limited to making soup with plastic food, piling books, and storing plastic treasures and jewelry.
This past weekend Eve got a package from "Other Mamaw." (This is what she calls my grandmother. The name came about one night when everyone was visiting for her birthday and she was headed for bed. She was telling everyone "night, night" and got confused with the multiple "Mamaws and PawPaws.") Other Mamaw and PawPaw sent lots of presents right up Eve's alley. They sent markers, pencils, colors, coloring books, sticker books, paper, stickers, and more!! (A girl after my own heart!) She loved opening all the gifts and was especially impressed by the blue wrapping paper! Tonight on the phone she thanked Other Mamaw and told her she liked her presents. She ended the conversation with, "Well, the thing is, Other Mamaw is good. Bye! Love you!"

Normal?

Tonight feels strange. It is quiet in our house, but for a new reason. Tim, Emily and Zak have gone home. I am so happy their power is back and they are able to sleep in their own beds. I know they are ecstatic! But, I can't help feeling a little sad. Eve and Zak both cried when we told them tonight. We really had a fun week amidst all the craziness. I am glad they get to be home. I am glad my own house is straightened and well-lit. But, I just don't feel "normal" yet.
We head back to school tomorrow... just about the only district in the entire area. It is bitterweet in a way. It's a huge blessing that our city has power and water and everyday life can continue, but it feels almost unfair that so many others are still without daily necessecities and aren't even beginning to think of daily routines. With counties still in shambles around us, I just don't see how we can have a "normal" school day tomorrow.
I guess everyone reacts differently in times of crisis. I guess I worked so hard to act normal for Eve, to provide meals for my family, to accomodate our loved ones, to think one step ahead of the next bad thing to occur, that I didn't take the time to feel. Now it is all just hitting me at once... as I type online and watch the Super Bowl in my warm, lighted home alone with my own family and vaccumed carpets I think, "Whoa! Did all this really happen to us?" It is a let-down in a way after all the excitement of the week. Wild was "normal" for a short while, so actual "normal" seems unfamiliar.
BUT... I am NOT complaining!!
Only One was responsible for seeing us through to today and He deserves all the glory for those 21+ things from the week for which I am truly thankful! If "normal" means God watching over me and my family no matter the circumstance... I hope every day is a "normal" day!!

Item No. 21...

For which I am thankful tonight:
21. Sarah and Philip! After the power went out again this afternoon and Tim and Emily left for a weekend in Memphis, we decided it was time to evacuate, too. Once we decided to leave, Jay and I rushed around the house gathering any leftover food, some clothes, toiletries and a few toys for Eve. We called to see if Sarah and Philip would take in a few weary travelling house guests. Of course they were ready and willing for us to come so we made the trip to Bowling Green in time for a hot meal at Logan's Roadhouse. Just when we thought we couldn't be blessed anymore...

God is Good All the Time!!

We have officially survived the mass power outage that came as a result of the ice storm in Western Kentucky this week!!! There are many things about which I could complain here, but instead (as per my only new year's resolution) I will accentuate the positive. The following is a list of things I am thankful for tonight:
1. Our gas logs, gas stove and gas hot water heater.
2. The sun room -turned- walk in refrigerator.
3. That only two ice-laden limbs that fell in our yard... away from the house and cars.
4. That our power was among the last to go out at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday and was among the first to return tonight at 5:15 p.m.
5. TIM, EMILY and ZAK!!!!!! They have been without power longer and have been staying with us since Tuesday night. You truly don't know how much you love family until you live with them and I am proud to say I love them all dearly!
6. Emily's three suitcases full of food and our hot meals eaten by candle light.
7. Car chargers for DVD players and laptops so the kids could have some Mickey.
8. Grandad's knack for cooking on the grill! Yum!
9. Grammy's love for the kids and willingness to "take over" with them when we are tired (and that's not just during ice storms).
10. Grandma Byers's spirit, vitality and sense of humor.
11. Mom, Sarah and Kacey's caring prayerful hearts.
12. Jay and Tim's ability to make us all laugh at just the right time.
13. Flashlights, candles and the big orange basketball phone!!
14. Streetlights! Murray is dark and eerie without them!
15. T-Mac, Mike, Chad and everyone else who works for Murray Electric.
16. News Channel 6... on the radio.
17. Wednesday night church service... turns out you really miss it when you don't have it, especially when you need fellowship!
18. Our precious Eve and Zak who have been real troopers.
19. Snapfish books! (You better believe Emily and I are planning one for this experience already!)
20. The exact moment when I realized the power was back on and we all started jumping, dancing and shouting!
So, refer back to my title... It turns out that if you really look beyond the obvious negatives in a situation you will find that "God is Good All the Time, All the Time God is Good... Even during power outages and ice storms!"

How I Love You...

The sermon at church this morning was taken from the song, "When the Night is Falling." It is a beautiful song and has quickly become one of my favorites mostly because of the chorus in which the phrase, "How I love you, child, I love you," is repeated. After the sermon was over we stood to sing this song today. I was holding Eve, singing in her ear, and she had her head on my shoulder with her arms around me. When we got to the chorus she raised up, put both her little hands on her chest and sad, "Mommy, you love me?!?" I smiled and said, "Yes, I do!" She looked at Jay, who was singing, too, and said, "And Daddy loves me, too?" Wow! Out of the mouths of babes! Though her observation was right... we do love her, it brought into perspective how we feel about God, "God, you love me?!?" We are SO not worthy of that love, but are SO blessed to have it anyway!!!

When the night is falling, and the day is done.
I can hear you calling, "Come"
I will come while you sing over me.
When the night surrounds me,
all my dreams undone,
I can hear you calling, "Come."
I will come while you sing over me.

When the night would hide my way,
I will listen until I hear you say,
"How I love you, child I love you."
When this life is over and the race is run,
I will hear you calling, "Come."
I will come while you sing over me.

-Jernigan

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.
For starters, this post is certainly not a copy off of Melanie. I would never steal a blogging idea from anyone... and especially not my own sister's sister-in-law to whom I am not officially related, but strangely, through the cyber-world feel like I am.

At the Stark home this weekend we have by no means been completely non-productive. For instance, we did not pile dishes in the sink, toys next to the shelf and trash by the back door. Likewise we absolutely did not hide baskets of clean laundry in our bedroom with the door shut while church visitors were over yesterday afternoon. We would never hide messes behind closed doors here! Also, we did not move said laundry from the middle of the family room floor just minutes before the visitors arrived.

Jay certainly did not forget to use the gift card we had for our lunch at Cracker Barrell yesterday. Furthermore, he did not move the gift card over from where I had placed it directly in front of his debit card in his wallet in order to pay. (For the record, I was not secretly happy that he forgot, because the fact that we still have the gift card does not mean that we get to go back there soon.)

After we did not waste the rest of our afternoon yesterday, I decided that today would not be wasted, either. So, I did not spend my day off chatting on Facebook and I did not play obscene amounts of solitaire on the laptop while lying on the couch. Above all, I absolutely did not watch "Bring it On: All or Nothing" on E! and I certainly did not like the movie!

To finish our day we went to a Lady Tigers ballgame. The game started at 5:00 p.m. and I did not not pack Eve supper and instead pack ritz and goldfish crackers. In addition, I most assuredly did not allow her to eat an entire popcorn from the concession stand during the game. And never ever would I turn my head as she ate the popcorn pieces she dropped on the floor.

Finally, I will not lay on the couch and watch "The Bachelor" before bed. (And, for the record, the clean laundry is not still in the baskets in our bedroom un-folded.)

Welcome, 2009!

On Eve's first new year I started a holiday tradition. Every new year I make some black and white photos of her in front of a mirror. It is neat to watch Eve inspect her expressions, look at her reflection and smile. As I look back on 2008 I, too, can reflect and smile. No, not all things have gone "according to plan" this year and we were not without heartache for ourselves and others in our life. But, we have arrived at the end of the year with far more than we deserve from God. Isn't it wonderful to be able to count your blessings and know that the good always out-weighs the bad? Despite anything that may have happened (or not happened) this year, I have a wonderful husband, a precious daughter and loving friends and family. Rather than make big resolutions that I am bound to break within a month, I think this year I will choose to take life day-by-day, continuously take stock in all the amazingly good things in my life and (most of all) give God the glory and praise for every single blessing. May you have a happy, healthy, prosperous and blessed 2009!

Santa came!!

Eve woke up yesterday morning to find that Santa had come! She was surprised and very perplexed that he actually ate his cookies and drank his milk. Even the reindeers' food was gone! It was lots of fun watching her open her gifts. Ironically, she was most excited about a $4 afterthought present in her stocking... just a reminder that 2-year-olds don't care how much you spend and are happy with the simple things... we should all be as sweet!

Mamaw, PawPaw, Grammy, Grandad, Micah, Kacey and Finley all came to see what Santa brought. Later in the day Aunt Sissy, Uncle Pip, Aunt Kayla and Uncle Andrew arrived. After Eve's naptime we opened MORE presents. Eve's favorite was her dress-up trunk from Mamaw. Eve's grandmothers certainly know her well... she is ALL GIRL!Christmas is a good time to take stock of all with which God has blessed us. This Christmas especially we are reallizing how truly fortunate we are to have Eve. She is the greatest gift we have ever recieved!