Home Sweet Home

Home will be much sweeter when Brian comes home! Today he should be home mid afternoon. I thought I would write one last time before our house becomes whole again. I always try to find the good in every situation. Sometimes I fail miserabley but this time, I have learned a little more about myself. Many of you know the history with Brian and I. Let me share a few of the details. Brian and I were engaged twice before we actually got married. When we broke our engagement, I was devastated and did not have a clue as to what the Lord was doing. We were apart for a year and through that time, the Lord was molding and shaping me into my own person, fully dependent on Him, not man. There was a time of bitterness but as I surrendered my thoughts, hurts, and time to the Lord, healing came. I was able to think clearer and I was my own person with my own ideas and thoughts. The Lord sometimes brings a time of separation between earthly things to restore them.

While Brian was away, I was forced to be my own person and make choices and decisions. I found myself again in the same place, the same issues that I had been facing that year that Brian and I were separated. As a married couple, you become one but you are still your own person. I truly believe that when you are who God intended you to be, your relationships are purer and more enjoyable. While Brian was at school, the Lord reminded me of who He made me to be. The passions He gave me are part of who I am and lately I have dismissed them for one reason or another and I need to get my priorities right. He created us unique, and when we don't use what He gave us, we are missing out on something so precious and wonderful!

Although, it was a tough two weeks with Brian away, I was able to learn some valuable lessons. The Lord knows what He is doing with my family and we can't wait to see what is in store for us. I am so excited to see Brian and share with him all of the things the Lord has done!

When You Say Nothing At All

There is not much to say about today. I believe I have hit the bottom as far as energy goes. I closed my eyes for five min. and I think I really went to sleep while the girls were watching Backyardigans.

For my bad day yesterday, the Lord took care of me! He is good! When you keep Him first and trust His word, you can never go wrong!

Ella counted to 14 today for Hannah! Yay!!! And Ava has added "ball" to her vocabulary. She says it all the time! Ava is turning one is less than a month and I have yet to decide what we are going to do for her birthday...any suggestions???

A Breath of Fresh Air

After having the very worst day possible, Brian called and said he had some time to meet for dinner. I hurried home and got the girls ready to go see their daddy. Ella was excited to see him and kept saying " Bye byes Mommy, Bye byes". Ava didn't know what was going on...until we met him at the deserted Burger King on Exit 60. Their little faces were priceless! They would have jumped out the window if they hadn't been buckled in their seats. It was so nice to see Brian and it makes these next 5 days a little more bearable.

Brian had a presentation today, which got reviewed by a professional speaker. He did outstanding! The man that reviewed his presentation said he had a gift for speaking. Brian said he is so glad he decided to listen to what the Lord had put on His heart to do another year of school. He has learned so much already and made some good friends as well. Although he is exhausted and misses his family, it will be worth sacrificing some things for a year. (I am so proud of you babe!!!)

"Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart; working for the Lord, not man".
Collosians 3:23

It's all catching up...

This morning was heavenly. I do not remember the days where I saw 8:00 on the clock when waking up. Today was a nice reminder of what that looked like and felt like. I was stunned when the girls didn't wake up till 8 am.! It was wonderful!

However, waking up that late caused us to have a shorter time getting ready for church. Amazingly enough, we were only about 10 minutes late...until the cat got into the garage! I was about ready to just leave the cat...forever!!! So Zoey, our cat, made us 25 min. late. I was ready to throw her up the stairs(sorry Marcie).

Ella loves going to church. Her favorite part is puzzle time. She does so well. Ava, on the other hand, has a dificult time being in the nursery. But today, I did not get buzzed! YAY!!! She stayed in her class the whole time! It was wonderful and I am so proud of her!

After an incredible church service, we all came home, ate lunch and took a nap. Ella woke me up and Ava, who is normally the first one awake, woke up last. All this change is catching up with all of us. We have 6 more days til Brian gets home. We hope to see each other on Wednesday for dinner. It will break up this week and we will have something to look forward to!

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Church was incredible this morning! I realized how many stupid excuses I give to God rather than being available for Him to use me. It really puts a person's life in perspective. If you have about ten minutes, listen to David Ring, through the link below:

David Ring ::: www.nashvillespeakers.com

Sleepless Saturday!

Today was going to be a pajama day, but thankfully my mom, neice and nephew came up to visit! Although pajama days are wonderful, seeing family is way better! It was a day of cleaning! My goal is to have everything clean by the time Brian gets home. Even the closets! I really love to organize so to keep me busy and not bored and depressed, I organize!! That is when I am not busy with the girls, which is very rare on a normal day!

Lacy and Trent entertained the girls while mom helped me organize my closets and finish laundry. The girls loved getting together with their cousins! Ella actually got to go outside for the first time in ages! Lacy is like a little mother. I never had to worry with Ella or Ava when Lacy was around. She took very good care of them! Thanks Lacy! And Trent was the jokester the whole time, making Ella laugh all day! We ended the day at Chick Fil a (my favorite!!!). That is always a good place to end your day at!

I was looking at pictures today of Maddox and I really think that Ava and Mad, could be mistaken for more than cousins. Even my mom said something today about how Ava looks a lot like her Aunt Jess. And I think Maddox and Ava look very much alike. Anyway, only an observation! Random thought of the day:o)

Yay For Weekends

The McKenney's visit

Liam takes his first step! (of course it's because of music!)

Ella is talking to Daddy through Skype

I think it is safe to say that everyone is glad it is Friday on this end of the computer. ( Hon, I am so sorry you don't have your weekend, but remember the goal...). This week has gone by very slow but the weekend has finally approached us.


The McKenney Family brought Chick Fil a (our favorite!) for dinner. It was so great to spend time with them. And Liam took his first step tonight too. Sarah and Brian are proud parents! It brought back memories of Ella and Ava when they were learning to walk.

Ella had no accidents today while Hannah was watching the girls!! I am so excited! I hope we can keep that up!

Mimi, Lacy and Trent are going to come and visit tomorrow! I am so glad to have visitors instead of being alone every afternoon and night. I don't plan on doing anything tomorrow! I believe we will just hang out and have fun!

We set up our web cams tonight! They are awesome and I don't know why we didn't do it sooner. We got to talk to Brian and see him too! The girls were so excited to see their daddy. Ella talked to him twice and wanted to call him before bed. She misses her daddy! Ava's favorite thing to do was giving kisses! I know we can't wait for you to come back babe! But I am holding down the fort while you are away...with the help of several friends and family!

Rescue Relief

Another work day down and one more to go until the weekend! I just want to give a shout out to all single mothers. YOU ROCK!!! I am getting first hand what it would be like to do everything and I am definitely not perfect so I mess up. In every area, you have to be strong because you are it to your kids. I will say it again; I am so blessed with my incredible husband who does so much for his family. He is our superhero and I am so glad that the MBA program last just a year! Ha ha!

Another blessing that came along today is Brian's parents. They came and spent the night because they are flying out to see Josh and Marcie for Josh's birthday (Happy Birthday Josh!). They helped out so much with the girls and the girls loved seeing their Gramma and Grampa. Ella and Ava never left their side! It was funny and so sweet! Those two missed their grandparents so much. Since Teri and Sid were there and I obviously was not the popular one tonight, I got the last of my cleaning done which was a huge relief! And got to go to Walmart...BY MYSELF!! It was so nice! How wonderful the little delicacies of life are! LOL!

I bought a web cam tonight. Now the girls and I will be able to see Brian while we talk! How cool is that?!?! I am super excited...if i can figure out how it works. The girls will be so excited to see Daddy on the computer. Of course, I don't know who will be more excited, the girls or Daddy??

The Babysitter

So today was the first day that Hannah, the girl's babysitter, watched the girls. I totally trusted Hannah, however a little nervous about how Ava would react to both Brian and I being gone for such a long time. Both the girls were outstanding! Ava was always smiling and right where Ella was. And Ella had two accidents, which is better than what she has done in the last three days! We are so blessed with Hannah and have been blessed enough to afford to have a sitter for the girls.

I am amazed everyday, how everything has taken place and how all the little details have fallen right where they should be. We take for granted so many things and when you are put in a position where those things leave, you realize just how precious they are to you. And you begin to get your priorites in line, no matter what the cost in other areas.

It's time for change!

Not speaking about the Inaugural Address and Obama's catchphrase, but rather change in our lives. With Brian gone for the last three and a half days, I feel like were dating again (without actually going anywhere). Those feelings that come when you see his name on the caller id or hear his voice after going all day and not talking to him. It is nice to feel that way again. After being married for four years, having two kids, and both of us working there has not been a whole lot of room to create those moments of excitement!

Today, the girls had a play date with Liam McKenney. They had been cooped up in our house so we traveled to Chattanooga to play. They had a nice time playing but were ready to be home and napping (maybe it was me that was ready for that!!! Haha!). Sarah, Brian, and Liam are going to come over on Friday and hang out which is nice. It is something to look forward too! Teri and Sid are coming on Thursday night to spend the night. I am so glad because that makes two nights that I won't be by myself and I will have help!

Ella is learning more and more. She confidently can count to ten most of the time and she is learning her shapes. Ava has learned how to climb up onto Ella's bed all by herself and for the first time tonight, ate Chicken, green beans and macaroni and cheese with a fork. She is growing up! They both are!

Big Day for Ella!

Playing with Blocks

Eating a snack

Giving kisses to Daddy

Today was a pretty typical day in the McEachern household until I was awakened by my kitten, Zoey, wanting to eat. Then Ava woke up because of the kitten. Now it is 5:30....AM, on my day off! To say the least, I was not too excited about getting out of bed. However, the Lord really blessed me because I gave Ava a bottle and she went back to sleep till 8. Ella woke up at 7 so we did the normal routine.

For some reason, the girls were a little fussy. So we pretty much did whatever made them....less fussy. They got it together though, when Hannah, their babysitter came over. Ava reacted as normal. She loved Hannah as long as I was holding her. Ella was quiet and really studied her as I gave her the rundown of the girls schedule. After Hannah left, Ella said she wanted Hannah to play with her so I think they will do well with Hannah.

NEWS FOR ELLA: Although, I think we have gone through every pair of panties Ella owns today, Ella poopied in the potty for the first time! For any of you who aren't parents, just wait till you are. It is very exciting! :o) Let's just hope she gets the hang of it soon!!!

Ella, so excited that she went poopy in the potty!

A mourning morning...

No, there wasn't any mourning going on this morning. Well maybe a little! The girls slept long enough for me get ready for the day, which for those with two kids, it is difficult getting a shower when the kids are awake! It was a blessing. We ate breakfast without much whining and got dressed for church in record breaking time! Now we are watching Dora while I write this blog. Hon, we are doing great( although we wish you were here)!

Finally Joining the Blogging World

Some of my friends have been telling me to start blogging because it is awesome. So I decided to try it. Brian is going to be away for a couple weeks, so this will be a good way to communicate with him (Love you babe!).

Tonight was pretty routine: dinner, bath, quiet time, prayers, and bedtime. Ella was so sweet tonight as we prayed. In the middle of praying I hit my eye on her bed and at first, I wasn't sure what she was doing, but when I stopped praying, I realized she was praying for my eye and then gave it a kiss (much like we do when she gets hurt). It was one of the sweetest gestures! I know that tonight wasn't to bad because Brian and I have been appart for a day before. As time goes on, the time apart will get more difficult. But I always go back to when God allowed this opportunity to enter our lives. And it keeps my emotions and mind in check. He is so faithful and we have stepped out in faith, knowing that He will lead, guide and direct us through this next year, this journey towards the future!