Happy Valentine's Day!!

Today we are celebrating Emma & Evan's second Valentine's and mine and Justin's 14th Valentine's Day together.  We actually started the celebration yesterday.  Emma and Evan had their 1st Valentine's Day party at school.  As I mentioned in my last post...I found the cutest idea for Valentine's on Pinterest...so of course I had to do it.  Below is a picture of our Valentine's this year. 

How cute are these???  I ordered the shovels online a couple weeks back just to be sure they were in on time.  Then, of course the marshmellows and baggies were things I could get locally.  I made the tags one day while I had to answer the phones at work...so it all went well.  I actually helped with Emma & Evan's party at school.  I don't really think they needed me other than to help the kids eat their yogurt...but I was happy to be a part of that fun time with them.  They also celebrated Grandparent's Day at school yesterday.  That was a fun treat for MaMa, PaPa, & Grammie. 

So what did Emma & Evan get for Valentine's from mommy & daddy??  They each got a new spring outfit...which they DIDN'T need, some candy approriate for them, a Doc McStuffin's DVD with lots of episodes on it, a new sippy cup with an attachable snack holder (Yes...it was something they didn't really need but it was neat), and some new bibs...that cover most of their bodies.  They are trying to feed themselves more and more and this momma HATES a mess.  So, these should help some.  MaMa & PaPa gave Emma & Evan each a book and a new pair of pj's that will come in mighty handy for PJ Day at school next week.  Is that a coincidence or what??  I think they might have gotten a hint from mommy!! Aunt Katie & Aunt Alison also gave Emma and Evan some books.  They are so lucky to have such sweet thoughtful aunts!!  So, what are mine and Justin's Valentine's Day plans this year??  Not your normal romantic night out.  We will be spending our night with our two littlest loves and wouldn't have it any other way.  We might get to sneak away this weekend for dinner and a movie if either of their willing aunts have the time.  If not...we will get our date in soon!!  Hope you all have a Happy Valentine's Day.  We have lots of FUN things happening over the next few weeks...including TWO birthday parties next weekend.  We can't wait to help Colby & Caroline celebrate their 1st  birthdays!!  Check back later to see what is going on with the Turner's!! 

My sweet girl after their fun filled Valentine's Day at school!!

Some of Emma & Evan's Valentine goodies!!!

My sweet boy after his Valentine's Day at school.  He looks so big & long here!!

 

A Little of this and a little of that....

We have been busy little bees around the Turner house.  As I type, Emma & Evan are down for their naps!!  We just came in from a little play time outside because it is 65 degrees in February!  Not your typical weather but I'm loving it!! Our outside time was going well until they found the ant hills.  Ant bites and 1 years old aren't something I wanted to tackle...so we came back inside.  Not before I got a few pictures though.  Emma is still not a fan of the swings.  She LOVES the slide but that is about all.  Evan loves it all.  As long as that boy is outside...he is good to go!  That makes his mommy and daddy Happy Campers!!  

  

What's new with Emma & Evan. Well...Emma has learned to climb and she climbs on EVERYTHING!!!  I am not excited about this but she seems pretty proud of herself.  We have a couple pictures of our little climber!  Evan is watching Emma closely and trying to climb himself but chunky monkey can't quite get himself up just yet.  We had to take him to the doctor this week.  He woke up Monday morning and his eye was red.  He had been to the woods the day before with Justin and we weren't sure if something got in it or if it was pink eye.  Thanksfully it wasn't pink eye.  While we were there the doctor FINALLY gave him an antibiotic for his cough and congestion that he has had for 3 weeks.  She didn't give us anything for Emma...just more cough medicine.  Evan weighed in at 25lb 10oz.  He is a big boy and I love every bit of him.  Him & Emma both will give you hugs and kisses when you ask for them and it seriously make my heart smile each time!! Speaking of hearts...I decided to do the Heart 4 Kids program this year that His Radio...our local Christian station...is putting on.  Each year a few weeks before Valentine's Day, they get people to make homemade Valentine's Day cards and mail them in.  Then on Valentine's Day they take them to sick little children in the hospital. I heard on the radio this week that sometimes a child has gotten betwen 50 & 60 Valentine's day cards.  Of course that depends on how many cards they receieve and how many kids are in the hospital...but that is awesome.  I thought this would be a fun tradition to start with Emma & Evan.  Plus, it is a reminder of how thankful we should be that our babies are healthy!!  So, the whole family...Justin included...have been working on these cards.  Emma & Evan didn't do to much because I didn't want them ruining the cards but I did let them glue the eyes on.  Actually I put the glue on and they stuck it to the card.  I am not brave enough to give them glue just yet!! :)  See below our process and the finished product!  I think they are adorable! 

Marcie hard at work

Justin hard at work

Emma playing with the costruction paper!

Evan playing with the construction paper!

 

 

Our homemade Valentine's!

I think they were pretty cute!!

 

Also, I decided I wanted to make a Valentine treat for the kids in Emma & Evan'c class this year.  I found the CUTEST idea ever on Pintrest!  The last part of my idea arrived in the mail yesterday so you will have to check back next week for the big reveal of the Valentine Day project. Twice a year Switcharoos have a HUGE consignment sale in Greenville & Spartanburg.  People sell their gently used clothes at cheap prices.  We have a couple of these local consignment sales in Greenwood but nothing like Switcharoos.  Me & momma had planned to go Friday when it opened to the public...but a girl at work has passes to get in early before it opens.  So, me & momma headed to Greenville today to shop for some Spring & Summer clothes.  Boy did we find some clothes.  I got Emma 16 new outfits and Evan 19 new outfits plus 2 bathing suits. I didn't really even spend that much money so Justin was glad.  Here are my steals of the day!!

Emma's new outfits!

                                                                Evan's new outfits!!

We also celebrated one of my best friends 30th birthday last night at the Village Grill.  She didn't know anything about it and was so surprised!!  Boy do I love good surprises!!  That;s about it for this week in the Life of a Turner...Until next time... 

Praise the Lord for Good News...

The last time I blogged I had been for my biopsy.  Well the results from that were inconclusive so really that was a waste of my time.  We went ahead with the surgery on the 22nd like we had planned.  Once the mass was out and was sent off for testing we would know then if another surgery would be needed or not.  As my title hints...the pathology report came back showing no signs of cancer...so we are praising the Good Lord above and rejoicing that I don't have to have another surgery!  The surgery itself wasn't that bad.  I had to be at the hospital at 10:30 and they took me back about 1:00.  By 3:30, I was awake and back in my room.  Everything went as planned.  I have a 5cm incision.  The stitches are still in and bandaged up...so I really haven't seen the incision good yet.  I went back on Friday and got the drain tube out.  That was a relief.  It didn't really hurt having that in...it was just in the way and I was scared to death to move because I didn't want to hit it.  So, I am just taking it easy now and letting everything heal.  I can't pick the babies up until Tuesday.  That has been the worst part of all of this.  They don't understand why their momma isn't doing anything for them anymore.  I have to brag on Justin.  He has always been a great husband and daddy but words can't even describe how good he has been to me, Emma, & Evan this week. I am definitely so grateful to have him in our lives!!  In other news...daddy is in the hospital.  Tuesday when he woke up his incision from his leg surgery was draining.  It hadn't been before and this wasn't supposed to be happening.  They put him on a antibiotic for it and he had some sort of reaction to the antibiotic.  He went to see Dr. Ellenburg on Thursday and he immediately sent him to Tower Pointe for lung x-rays.  Daddy was also short of breathe and Dr. Ellenburg thought he might have blood clots in his lungs.  I am so thankful he went to  the doctor and they found them as soon as they did.  The immediately sent him over to the hospital and started working with him to dissolve the clots.  I didn't get to see Daddy until today.  He was very weak and tired but he is going to make it.  It never ceases to amaze me how God works things out.  The leg draining seemed like a hastle but in the end revealed a MUCH bigger problem that we probably wouldn't have ever known was there.  So, until next time...the Reid's are going to try to FINALLY get healed up.  Momma's arm is healing well.  She goes back on the 14th of February and we think she will finally be released.  We have been through enough for a while!!  We are thanking God for taking care of us though and never leaving our sides.  What a AWESOME God we serve!! 

What's happening with the Turner's...

It is a rainy Wednesday afternoon here.  Emma & Evan are playing so I thought I would give a little update on our lives.  I went for my biopsy yesterday.  I had it in my mind that this was going to be horrible.  Thankfully I was wrong.  It wasn't something I would volunteerely do again...but it wasn't too bad.  When I first arrived they took me in for an ultrasound to be sure the mass hadn't changed and to locate exactly where the radiologist would have to stick the needle for the biopsy.  Then, the radiologist came in along with a nurse and a pathologist.  The pathologist's purpose was to be sure the samples the radiologist collected were efficent enough that they wouldn't have to go back in for more samples.  That was a blessing because when the pathologist was finished making sure the samples were okay he told me that nothing really screamed cancer to him...so that gives me a little peice of mind.  I'm not clear just yet because there were some things he wanted to check when he got back to his lab...but as often as he does this...I feel like he knows what cancer looks like these days.  Then, I went to have my blood work drawn.  I have my appointment with Dr. Tarasidis tomorrow.  He will dicuss with me what the results were of the biopsy and whether he is taking out the whole thyroid or just half.  I am still nervous about the appointment and the upcoming surgery...but I am still trusting God and knowing he will take care of me.  In baby news...Emma is up to 23 lb. 4 oz. We know that because I took her to the doctor today to check her lungs.  She's had a little cough for the past fews days...and I am a paranoid momma!! :)  Our little bottomless pit better slow down or she is going to catch Evan.  Last time we took him in he weighed 24lbs.  He has definitely slimmed up since he started walking.  My little chunky monkey isn't too chunky anymore!!  They are doing all kinds of things anymore.  Talk all the time and we are able to make out more and more words.  I just LOVE watching them and how curious they are.  Every night when we put them in the bed...I always check them before we go to bed.  That is my FAVORITE part of the day.  Nothing is sweeter than a sleeping baby.  They look so peaceful and I just thank God for them all the time.  They bring so much joy into our lives. 

Another obstacle on Our Faithful Journey!

I went for my yearly appointment with Dr. Forrest back the beginning of December.  While she was examining me she felt a lump on my thyroid.  She said it was small but she wanted me to have an ultrasound just to be sure it wasn't anything.  So, before Christmas...I went for the ultrasound.  Obviously it came back to be something because she referred me to Dr. Tarasidis at Greenwood ENT.  I went for that appointment this past Monday, Jan. 7th.  According to Dr. Tarasidis there is a mass on my left thyroid and it is coming out.  He is doing a biospy on it next Tuesday, the 15th, to determine more what the mass is.  Once it is determined..he will decide if he wants to take out the right thyroid as well. Surgery is scheduled for Jan.22.  I am beyond grateful that I first of all made my yearly appointment with Dr. Forrest.  When I was told she didn't have an opening for almost two months...I thought about just going with someone else.  THANK GOD I DIDN'T!!!  Secondly, I am glad that Dr. Forrest was proactive enough that she wanted to check this out rather than just not worry about it because it was small. I am very anxious about the upcoming few weeks.  I have never been put to sleep...so that has me worried, I have never had to face something that could possibly be cancer...that has me worried, and I have never been away from my sweet babies...so that has me worried.  But doesn't God's word say we shouldn't worry!  Easier said than done though.  Even Dr. Tarasidis told me that I didn't need to worry about this.  I am trusting God that if this is something God is going to heal me through this surgery and I am going to continue on my Faithful Journey of following and trusting HIM.  He was there with me through my whole pregnancy...so there is no reason to doubt He will be with me through this!  I am going to praise Him through this storm and give Him all the credit when it's over and this is behind me.  That's just a quick update for now.  Babies are napping but will soon be awake and I need to clean up.  We are having out annual 96 girls gathering this weekend at my house and it is a T-Total wreck!  I do have a 2-man wrecking crew living here with us now though...make that a 3-man wrecking crew.  Justin needs to be included!! :)  Until next time...keep those prayer coming!!!

Ready to bring in the New Year!

Today ends 2012.  What a great year we have had!!  We have spent the last twelve months busier than ever.  It went from watching our precious babies, who did nothing but sleep all the time, to toddlers, who we are chasing all the time.  We've enjoyed lots of first this year.  Alison and Nick's wedding, our first trip to the beach with the babies, Emma & Evan learning to crawl and then to walk, Emma & Evan's 1st birthday...the list goes on and on.  They have grown into busy little people who are into everything.  Everything in our house has been moved up a couple feet for the time being, so it is out of their reach!  Tonight we will be celebrating the passing of 2012 and the ringing in of 2013 at the Fortner's house.  We love spending time with friends.  2013 is already filling up quickly! Alison's birthday is the 4th, which is this week. Hopefully momma's arm is healing well, so our baby sitter will be back soon! She will find out on the 7th...which is also when I have my appointment with Dr. Tarasidis.  Hoping and praying that all goes well.  Daddy's knee surgery is on the 14th. So, we are going to be busy the next few weeks.   Also, hopefully 2013 will bring good news for Katie & Matt!!  With their adoption process well under way...we are anxiously awaiting for their addition to our family.  Things at work are about to get interesting with me taking on a few new roles.  I am super excited and can't wait to get started.  Justin is still learning his new job and so far...it is going good.  We know that 2013 is going to be an exciting year with Emma & Evan, so we are ready to get it started!!  Happy New Year!!!

40 years and counting...

This isn't my normal post centered around Emma & Evan and what all is going on in their lives. Today marks my parents 40th wedding anniversary.  In this day and time with the divorce rate as high as it is and as many single parents as there are...40 years of being married is something to celebrate.  As I think back over my life and the example my parents have set for me...I just hope and pray that Justin and I set that same example for Emma & Evan.  Times haven't always been perfect and there have been many arguments but divorce was never an option.  They same was true for my grandparents.  They were married almost 60 years before my grandma died.  True love isn't finding the perfect person...it is finding some one who you can love regardless of their flaws!! In the almost 13 years, yes 13 years, that Justin and I have been together...we have grown and learned a lot about each other.  We went from dating and football games, to college, to being married, and to now having two precious babies of our own.  Life wasn't always easy when it was just us two...when we threw Emma & Evan into the picture...life really got fun! I wouldn't trade a minute of our life together though.  It has helped shape us into the people we have become and will only help us to grow closer in the future.  I look forward to spend many more years with Justin and just hope we can make it to 40 years ourself!!  Happy Anniversary to the best Mom & Dad ever...I love you both!!

PaPa and Emma!

Family photo!!

MaMa and Evan!

Amazed by the cook!

Family trip to Miyabi's!!