Thank you GOD....

I'm back home now...As some of you know I went home to Lake Charles for a couple of weeks to get some help from my amazing family during my first trimester rough patches that will soon be completely gone...I just know it. My visit was great, and all I can say is....I'm one lucky person. My family is AMAZING, and I don't think they realize how much I appreciate them, so I decided to try my best and let them know through the amazing gift of words....



Mom,

I can't thank you enough for every morning and afternoon that you took care of Jack as well as me. It was so nice to be able to sleep late and wake up to Jack who had already been fed breakfast, changed & entertained in the wee hours of the morning. While you were away at work during the day we missed you, and it was so great to hear your car drive up in the afternoon. Jack learned so many things while spending the afternoons with you playing outside, exploring all of Paw Paw's "toys" (tractor, 4 wheeler, air compressor) while I took an afternoon nap that was so greatly needed. I know you were tired after a long day at work, and I appreciate the warm meals, you helping me with Jack for supper & getting him bathed and ready for bed each night. It was a true blessing to have you to help us! I love you more than words can say, and feel so lucky to have such a wonderful mother. Jack has been doing the "monkey" and "tiger" successfully everyday thanks to you :)



Dad,

Your company came in handy more than I would have every imagined while I was home. Before I came to Lake Charles I spent many days at home alone, and I never got out of the house. It was really starting to get to me, and I felt depression creeping in. Thank you so much for convincing me to leave the house each day, even if it was just to run errands with you or to drive out to the boat launch. I truly enjoyed my rides with you, our stops to get drinks, and all the candy we ate! Most of all you taught me to force myself to get out of the house even if I feel bad, and I have to say it works! Thank you also for playing with Jack at my toughest moments, and letting me get some rest during the day. It was a great two weeks, and I really loved all the time we spent together.



Nana & PopPop,

What a house keeper the both of you are! It was so nice to have ya'll here, and I can't thank you enough for the endless hours you spent washing dishes, unloading & loading the dishwasher, washing clothes, cleaning my floors, cooking & most of all caring for Jack. I really don't know what I would have done if you guys hadn't showed up a few weeks ago. I was at my breaking point, and I'm so greatful that ya'll were able to be here to help me. I really don't think I would have been able to drive myself back to Lake Charles...it was a true blessing to have you guys offer to do it for me, and then drive me all the way back! Thank you both so much for all your time and love!

And last but not least....

Brad,

I know its been tough to have a wife that feels so bad all the time, who hasn't cleaned house in a month, or cooked dinner to say the least,, then to have her leave for two weeks with your little boy who I know you missed dearly. I can't thank you enough for the endless supply of kind words and positive thoughts! You never once have made me feel bad for my lack of duty and absense. It was hard to be away from you for so long, but I have to say it helped me so much to be with my family during this tough time. Thank you for being so patient and understanding. I couldn't ask for a more loving person to share my life with!

Call, Brad's Birthday & a night in the hospital...

Friday started off as a bitter sweet day...it was Brad's birthday, but he was on call in the surgical ICU. Luckily his parents had come in town the day before to help me out since life has been pretty tough lately with the whole being sick thing & taking care of Jack while Brad works, works, works. Anyways, I started getting pretty sick Thursday night and stayed pretty sick all day Friday until I ended up in the ER for dehydration. It was lovely. After the blood work was ran it showed I was pretty dried up, so I was admitted for the night to continue IV fluids and phenergan for the nausea. I am so thankful Brad's parents were here to take care of Jack since Brad was on call & I was out of commission. I knew Jack was well taken care of and completely content with Nana and PopPop, and that was a great feeling. I was discharged Saturday and sent home with all kinds of good meds. Brad even brought home all the supplies to give me IV fluids at home if needed, so next time I don't have to spend hours after hours in the ER. The past few days have been interesting, and I'm definitely feeling better. My plans are to head back to Lake Charles with Brad's parents to spend a few weeks to get more help with Jack...I'm not quite ready to be on my own just yet. Thank goodness for family!

Oh...while in the hospital I got an ultrasound which was pretty awesome. Since I've been so sick I've been a little worried about the baby. We got to see him/her and hear the heartbeat! We haven't done a dating ultrasound yet, but I'm pretty sure I'm 8 weeks 3 days! It was definitely a relief to see that there was a little baby in there who appeared to being doing just fine despite how I've been doing! Lots of thanks to God and all the miracles he works!

Adventures Around San Antonio

Awhile back we went on an adventure with Brad's parents out into the hill country where we found this beautiful little place. Lots of people were swimming, but it was a little too chilly for me. The man made waterfall was pretty cool, but Jack was a little unsure b/c it was really loud. We walked across it, and let him put his hands under the running water.

and life goes on...

Before finding out I was pregnant I started getting pretty nervous about actually being pregnant and being able to take care of Jack considering when I was pregnant for him...I was sick for the first 16-20 weeks. Then I found out I was pregnant...and then at 5 weeks along I started getting sick. I have to say it has been pretty sucky. I'm very thankful I don't have to get up and go to work everyday, but in a way its harder because I feel so bad when I can't play with Jack like he's used to. As far as taking care of the house...cooking supper...those things can suffer a little, but it kills me when Jack obviousely needs my attention, and I can't give it to him. When I was pregnant with Jack I basically just suffered through the nausea and vomiting b/c my doctor was pretty conservative, but now that my husband is a doctor I've been able to get some relief with a fabulous drug called Zofran. There's nothing worse than a crying baby, and a mommy who can't get away from the toilet bowl. I only take it when I really need it, and its been a true life savor!

On a lighter note, this morning I woke up feeling well...no drugs nothing...just my almost normal feeling self, and I LOVE TO FEEL WELL!!!!!!! I say almost normal b/c there have definitely been some edgy moments, but no real nausea or vomiting! Thank you GOD. I was able to go to the grocery store and gets some light cleaning done around the house...and I was able to really start feeling excited about this baby rather than feeling so sick. I'm convinced its a girl...please Lord let it be a girl. I want to decorate a girl nursery sooo bad! I've probably spent waayy too much time on the internet looking up girl nursery stuff today!

Anyways, for an update on Mr. Big Brother to be...

Jack is doing great. We had our follow up appt., and he's not anemic anymore, so the iron supplements have worked! He'll stay on them for another two months though, and we'll continue to do follow ups monthly to make sure. Hopefully he'll start gaining some weight! As far as everything else with him, he's a busy little boy! He saw a cat on the TV today, and he walked up to the TV and said "at" (which means "cat"). He has also associated our front door with Brad, so he'll walk to it throughout the day and say "DaDa" which breaks my heart. He also LOVES to be outside getting dirty, but its so darn HOT. I'm so ready for the fall! Soon enough it will be here, and we can look forward to nice evenings outside, pumpkin patches, Halloween, crispy leaves, scarves, hot chocolate, thanksgiving, christmas trees....oh how I love the Fall!

Jack plus 1 more makes a family of 4!

If you haven't heard, we found out we are pregnant this week! It's still early, and we won't see a doctor until 8 weeks, but we are extremely excited to share this news with our friends & family!

Brad is beyond thrilled...he was ready for another one 6 months ago! I still can hardly believe it, but at the same time I'm very happy too! As you would expect...Brad wants a boy...and I'm ready for bows, dresses, and everything pink! I guess we'll see soon enough! At this time we think the due date will be April 16th, but ofcourse I'm sure it will change a little once we see a doctor. I'm excited because I'll be big and pregnant during the winter...and Spring is just a great time to be born!

*If you knew me when I was pregnant with Jack...things got yucky pretty quick....I'm keeping my fingers crossed...since some prayers my way!

Home Sweet Home

Last week I went home, and we had a great visit! Jack spent almost every afternoon playing in the yard with my mom. I'd usually find him full of dirt and stripped down to his diaper...he was in heaven! He has also learned what "outside" means since then! After supper we'd usually go to the park where Jack played and splashed in the water area. It was really nice in the evenings, and my Dad was able to relax and watch Jack play which he enjoyed. We visited my family in Kinder one day, so Jack got to see Marianna! We also went out to my parents camp where Jack rode the four wheeler again....he was so serious the whole time...he wanted to figure it all out! My dad showed him how to turn it on, and he thought that was really cool! Overall, the trip was great and I'm already ready to go back :)

*Sorry the pics are out of order

We told Jack to give her a hug...so he got a little closer but ever so gently.
at the park

diggin in the dirt...he LOVED it!

Water park area

*Notice the oh so serious look on Jack's face!

Playing with Granna!

Let's toast to an amazing life...

As some of you may know, Ben Brown passed away last week. Ben was a good friend of mine many years ago. I have many wonderful memories of Ben even though its been years since we have seen eachother or talked. I met Ben through Key Club, and I got the honor of going to his senior prom with him. It was on that night that I learned what a true gentleman was. Ben was one of the happiest people I've ever met. Everyday he had a smile on his face, and he was ALWAYS making the best of life. He loved life. He loved making other people happy, and he did anything he could to do so. I feel lucky to have known Ben, and I will always remember him. I am determined to remember Ben in all of the positive ways, and I ask that you do too.

What happened to Ben was a tragedy. I've had the hardest time wrapping my head around it, because it doesn't make sense. A letter was written by one of his friends, and its helped me to find peace in all of this. Its something we all should read carefully.

Classmates and friends,

As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, our Catholic High Family has suffered a great tragedy in the loss of Ben Brown. I can attest that he had an intense devotion to Catholic High and his family, and I regret that we will never find a replacement for him.

There are a few things I want to address concerning the past few days. First, please do not make any presumptions about Ben’s death based upon the limited information available. Rumors seem to be the most abundant source of information at this time, and unfortunately, it seems as though we will never know the exact truth about what happened to Ben. I would encourage you to pursue this line of thought: at this time, there is more information indicating that Ben’s death was accidental, and not a planned or intentional act. His coworkers have indicated that he sometimes sat on the roof of his office building to enjoy the quiet, and watch the sunrise over the city. Also, he left no behavioral indicators that he was seeking any closure in his life. He was beginning many new projects in his life, and was pursuing them with his typical unparalleled intensity. There is no physical evidence to indicate any otherwise.

Secondly, we can all form hypothetical explanations for what may have happened, but in truth, none really matter. We owe it to Ben and his loved ones to remember him for his incomparable dedication, his compassion for everyone in his life, and his tireless pursuit to better himself and those around him. I ask that you have the courage to promote these memories of Ben in the face of any rumors or falsehoods that may emerge in the future. The best thing we can do to honor Ben’s memory is to carry on where he left off: continue to strive to better ourselves, care for our loved ones, and build the institutions that make our lives better.

That being said, many of you have approached me with questions about memorial scholarships and endowment funds. Ben was the driving force behind the Class of 99 Endowment Scholarship, which was included in the June 2009 Bear Facts. When he first proposed the idea of creating a scholarship, Ben wanted to create something to honor the memory of our former classmate, Jared “Happy” Rachal. We later decided to create a general endowment fund for our entire class, in the event that another classmate would pass away. As Ben explained to us, “we do not want to create a competition between memorial scholarships.” If you choose to make a donation to the Class of 99 Endowment Fund that Ben created, you can choose to do so in his memory. Additional avenues to honor Ben’s memory may materialize in the future, and I encourage you to pursue them as well.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Very Respectfully,
Norman V. Ryan, Jr.