Christmas Pictures

We had some great days this past week but we have also had a few rough days. In fact, today we are doing something that we were hoping we would not have to do. We are helping my brother and his boys pack up their house so they can put it on the market. They are going through a rough time right now and I would ask that you would pray for them. I will post more about our week later but I do not have time right now. Here are just a few of the pictures from our three Christmas'.

Christmas Pictures

Christmas Pictures

Goodbye To Maggie

Well yesterday was a very sad day for our family. Yesterday afternoon we had to make the decision to put down our beloved dog Maggie. I have been posting the past few months that we have been having several episodes with her and we were not sure what was going on. We were not super concerned because she would feel bad for a day and then be back to normal. I took her to the vet a month ago for that itching problem but there was not any other problems that we knew about. Well a few days ago she started acting sick again but this time she was a lot worse. She was vomiting and had blood in her urine. Her belly was swollen and she could barely walk or breath. Monday night she looked so back that I was sure that she would be dead when I woke up Tuesday morning. So I actually told her goodbye before I went to bed. Tuesday morning I got up and she was sitting up on her blanket wagging her tail when she saw me but I could tell that she was not any better. Jeremy took her to the vet because I knew that it was not going to be good. The vet looked at her and could tell that whatever was wrong with her was not going to be an easy fix. She wanted to run a bunch of tests but we did not want to spend the money when we knew it probably would only end in the same outcome. We did agree to have some blood work done on her. When the blood results came back it showed that her blood count was so low that she would need a blood transfusion if we had decided to treat her. The vet concluded that she either had cushings disease or a mass in her stomach. The vet believed that Maggie was probably bleeding internally. SO with a very heavy heart we decided to end her suffering. The vet assured us that she would have done the same thing. Jeremy was going to come back and get me but I could not go and see Maggie. I do not think I could bear to see her that way. So Jeremy came home yesterday afternoon without our sweet dog. I know she was a dog and I know some people think that I am taking this too serious, but she was more than a dog to me. I have lived with Maggie almost as long as I have lived with Jeremy. We got her a year after we were married. She has made every move with us. She was my baby when my chances to have a baby was taken from me. She was a bright spot in my life during all those months of cancer treatments and waiting on Sam. Every day for 8 years she has been a creature that I have taken care of and loved. Today has been very hard especially while I am in the kitchen. The past few years she has stayed in one of the rooms sleeping most of the day but when I was in the kitchen cooking she was right there at my feet waiting for something to fall. I have not picked up food off the floor in 8 years because I knew Maggie would be right there to clean it up. I know this will get easier but wow I had no idea it would hurt this much.

Well on a happier note, we had our Christmas this morning with the kids. I will try to post some pictures and more details tomorrow.

Pictures with Santa

OK so I have 3G coverage tonight so I thought I would go ahead and post the pictures with Santa. This man in our church plays Santa all the time at Christmas and he is pretty amazing. He almost makes me believe there is a Santa Claus:) Those of you that know Jeremy know that he is a pretty straight talker and that also applies to Samuel and the issue of Santa being real or not. Our take on the Santa issue is that we tell our kids that he is not a real person but it is OK to have fun and pretend that there is a Santa but I do not think Sam believes Jeremy when he tells him Santa is not real. So last night we left right behind "Santa" and Sam saw him going into the church. 'Santa" took off his hat and Sam said, "mom, why did Santa just take off his hat? I am starting to think that he is not really Santa or maybe Santa actually dresses up like a man." He then was convinced that he saw Santa's sleigh parked on the roof of the church. His imagination is amazing and whether people think the whole Santa thing is good or bad I love seeing the twinkle in my little boy's eyes.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Christmas is near and you can feel it at our house. The kids have been bouncing off the walls and every few hours we hear the question, "Can we open a present now?"Yesterday the kids wore their Christmas outfits to church and I am not sure they could get any more cuter. My mom found the girls' dresses and it came with a matching dress for their baby dolls. They thought it was the neatest thing and Chloe said "baby" about 500 times yesterday morning as she carried her doll around. Last night was our Christmas program at church and then we had a fellowship time at church. The kids had fun and loved that Santa made an appearance after we ate. Emma and Chloe were scared the last time they saw Santa, but they were not scared last night. I had to work today and I have to work tomorrow but then I am off until the first of the year. We are having our Christmas at the house either Wednesday night or Thursday morning and then we are going to Jeremy's parents house Thursday night and Christmas day. My parents and sister will come in Saturday night and then we will be having Christmas with my family. So as you can see we have a busy week ahead but I know we will have such a fun time.

Well before I get going I just wanted to say "Thank You" to everyone that has been praying for my family. Most of you that read my blog do not know all the details of the things that I have been posting concerning my family but I know many of you have been praying anyway. This past week something happened that tore my heart out and some of the people I love were hurting so bad that I could barley stand it. In a 24 hour period the Lord worked a miracle in someone's heart and forgiveness was asked and forgiveness was received. I am sorry that it seems very vague but it was a situation that I do not want to share all the details, but I could not end this post without sharing what the Lord did in our family and I am very thankful.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Can you believe that I am posting two days in a row?? Well I know that many of you have been praying for us and our decision about Sam's school so I wanted to share something that happened today. I went on my lunch break to the elementary school to register Sam at his new school. I was pretty anxious and was really seeking God's peace about this decision. I was at the counter filling out some papers when I heard someone come into the office and call my name. I turned around and there was a lady that I have known for many years standing there. She teaches music at the school and was so excited that Samuel would be going to their school and that she would have him in class. As we stood talking I felt the peace of God come over me and I knew that this was the right decision. It was nice to know someone that teaches at the school who will be looking out for Sam. I am sure once school starts I will realize that I know a lot of people that are connected with the school and I am excited about being more apart of our community. It is also wonderful to know that all three of my children will be close by me all day. I feel like I barely see Sam during the week since they get home so late and he is usually sound asleep when they do get home, so I am excited to be able to spend more time with him. I just see God's Hands and timing in the situations that have been taking place in our lives the past few weeks. It has been a rough year for my extended family and though I have not forgotten how good God is, the recent events have been a reminder of just how good He is to us. Well I have posted a few pictures. We got Sam's school pictures last week and he is such a handsome fella.

Sam's Kindergarten Picture

Christmas Program at church

Pigtails for Chloe

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Our week has been a little crazy all ready. Sunday night was the children's program at our church and my little guy Sam did so good. I was so proud of him. Yesterday was work and then I had a dentist appointment after work. I had a little piece of tooth that broke off because of a small cavity so I had to get that fixed. Work is finally starting to click a little bit better. After lunch I am going to some of the younger classes to fill in for those teachers who take their break. It is during nap time so it has not been too bad except for yesterday and today. They put me in the younger two room and it was like having 10 Chloe's running around. They were out of control! There was another person in the room with me but it was still a little unnerving. I think the person that usually comes in that room during that time has been out sick so I am hoping that she is back tomorrow. We also have a big change that is going to take place in the Riggs' household after Christmas that I am a little anxious about. We have decided to send Sam to our local elementary school instead of him going to school with Jeremy. We have been discussing this for a few weeks because it is really starting to take a toll on Sam. They leave at 6:45 in the morning and school does not get out until 3:45 so they do not get home until almost 5:00. We were going to try to hold out until next year but something happened yesterday that just sent me over the edge. Those of you that know me know that what I am about to say it not at all me trying to be ugly, so please do not take it that way. One of my fears about Sam going to school with Jeremy is that it is kind of a rough school. The kids are rough and the faculty (for the most part) have to be rough with the kids. I was very worried about Sam's tender heart and how he would respond to the people that worked at the school. Well yesterday at school Jeremy went to lunch and walked into the cafeteria to see Sam sitting at a table by himself just sobbing. He had not eaten any of his lunch and was so so upset he was making himself sick. Jeremy asked around to see what had happened and it turned out that one of the lunch people saw Sam with his foot on the seat next to him saving it for a friend and she jumped all over him and sent him to silent lunch. She did not ask him to move his foot because he would have moved it and then she gives him one of the highest punishments that can be given out by a teacher. Come to find out the lady was upset with Jeremy about something so I guess she took it out on my child. Some of you may be reading this and think that I am overreacting and maybe I am, but this just confirmed that we need to send him to school closer to home. The school that he will go to is actually right behind where I work. I can see the school from the back door and I could probably walk there in about 3 minutes. The place I work at also has a shuttle that picks up kids from his school for their after school program, so the days I work later he will be brought to me. I know this is a BIG decision so I ask that you will pray for us and Sam as we make this transition after Christmas.

Well I got a few pictures posted. We are LOVING our Wii and I am glad we opened it early. I also opened my Wii Fit that I got from my parents and I really like it too. Well the boys should be home soon so I better try to figure out what to make for supper.

Friday, December 11, 2009

I guess you can tell that I have not had a lot of time to post this week. I have tried several times to post a few pictures from this week but our connection is so slow and is having a hard time posting. I will try and give a recap of our week. My parents came in Sunday night and the kids were so excited. Monday was Chloe's court date to finalize her adoption so she is officially a Riggs now. Our court appearance was scheduled for 9:00 AM Monday but when we got to the courthouse we noticed that there were a bunch of people in the courtroom at about 8:50. It turned out they were picking jurors and it was going to take a while. At about 9:30 we were told that the jury selection was almost over and that they would open the court with the adoption procedures (there were two other families also finalizing). We got in the court room and the kids were already pretty tired from waiting in the hallway for almost an hour and then the judge called a lawyer up and they opened the court with a divorce situation that seemed to go on forever. So about 10:15 we were finally standing in front of the judge. Because of the judge's schedule we were not allowed to take pictures in the courtroom but did get some afterward in front of the courthouse. We then headed to Cracker Barrel for a late breakfast/early lunch. We then came home and rested and then mom and I (and the girls) went to a few stores Monday night. Tuesday morning I worked until noon. It was pouring down rain but after work I came home and mom and I headed back to Clarksville. I had to get fingerprinted for my new job so I went Tuesday to get that done. We went to Wal-Mart and then headed to Nashville to get Sam from school. Jeremy had a meeting after school so I went to get him. He was excited for my mom to see his school. We also let Sam open one of his Christmas presents from my parents while they were here. He opened his Wii and he LOVES it. We let him open it so he could go ahead and play it and so he would enjoy his other presents at Christmas. He wants to play every morning before he goes to school so he gets up and gets ready without any fight. Wednesday was my first full day at work and then I worked Thursday and today until 2:00. Things are going pretty good. I am finally getting in a routine and the girls seem to be enjoying themselves. Chloe is probably not doing as well as Emma is with this new adjustment. He has not been napping well at school so she is such a bear when we get home, so I hoping that gets better. Well I guess that is about it. I will try to post some more of the pictures sometime this weekend.

Sunday, December 06, 2009

WOW it has been a busy week. I have tried to post these pictures the past few days but they would not post. I will try to give a quick recap of the week. Wednesday morning the girls and I started our new adventure at my new job. The girls did pretty good going to their new class. Chloe was a little hesitant do I stayed with her for a few minutes while she got used to the room. They brought me to my classroom and it was a little overwhelming. The class was pretty much a big mess. All the bulletin boards needed to be switched and the room needed a good cleaning. So I spent most of the morning getting the class room together. It turns out that I only have two boys in the KIndergarten class. I only had them for about an hour on Wednesday. I stayed until about 2:00 finishing up the room. Thursday I taught at PVCS and had another great day. I loved teaching at that school but I needed something more consistent. Friday I went back to the new job and had the boys all morning. I think I am going to like working there but it is still a little overwhelming. I am hoping the girls continue to do well. Yesterday we took the kids to Chic-Fil-A for lunch and then we did a little Christmas shopping. This morning was church and I am about to take Sam to play practice. My parents are coming in tonight and staying for a few days so I am also getting ready for their arrival. Well here are a few pictures of the kids from last weekend.

Funny story: Last night it got REALLY cold here so I put our dog cage outside on the deck and put a bunch of old blankets and towels in the cage and on top of the cage to give the cats some shelter from the cold. This morning both cats were in the cage snuggling up with each other and Sam looks out the door and says, "Look at the cats mom. Are they trying to get some kittens?" He is so funny.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009