A Great Man

A little over a week ago, my family lost a great man. This man's name was Jim Flint, Sr. He was my grandfather on my Dad's side. He was soon to be 86 years old, married to the same woman for 64 years, & my grandfather for 29 years. I dearly loved both of my grandfathers, but my "Dadaddy" as all of the grandkids called him, was so very special to me. From the time my mom went back to work from being home with me for the first year, I stayed with my grandparents during the day, until the age when my brother & I could stay at home by ourselves. So, needless to say we have gotten to spend lots of time with my Dad's parents.
Dadaddy was always there for us when we needed a ride to or from school, or when we needed a forgotten homework assignment, or heck, just to be checked out of school (even after Mom said "no"!!!) Yea, that last one got me in trouble a time or two! ;)
Some of my latest & fondest memories of Dadaddy was learning more about his experience in the South Pacific during World War II as a sailor. Yes, he may have told us the same stories over & over (he had alzheimer's), but they were stories he hadn't shared with his family until the last few years of his life. He also talked about his brother who was an Air Force pilot shot down over Germany & was a POW for several years. He liked to talk about his nurse he had while a patient in a hospital overseas. She would bring him coffee & cake every night she was on duty.
Other conversations with Dadaddy were about his twin babies that were born prematurely in 1946. He always said they had a head fully of black, curly hair. That one always brought tears to his eyes. He always would ask me how many kids I was going to have: " 5 or 6? My grandmother had 13." I would always respond, " Oh goodness no! Maybe one more after this." We always went through these stories at LEAST twice every visit! I didn't mind at all though, because I knew one day he wasn't going to be here to share them anymore. WOW, do I wish I could hear them ALL one more time!

Dadaddy & Memaw visiting "newborn" Andie

You know though, my heart only gets sad for a moment, because I know he is in a place at this very moment where he much happier, and much more concerned with things like, oh, SEEING THE FACE OF HIS SAVIOR!!!!! I am so comforted by the fact that he is in the presence of Jesus, and he suffers no more physically or mentally. I am so glad he got to meet Andie & spend time with her! My grandmother told me the day before his stroke he was asking about Andie & the new baby, "she's having a boy this time, isn't she?". I think he was excited about my Dad getting to have a grandson, like he had 4. I want to leave this post with a picture of my Dadaddy. He was awesome, and he leaves a legacy most men would envy. I will miss him every day the rest of my life!

            top pic: Dadaddy & Andie snoozing together when she was about 6 weeks old
                    Bottom pic: Dadaddy & Andie on her 1st Birthday

Christmas is A' Coming!

                                  Christmas 2009

Christmas is one of my FAVE times of the year! I'm always so sad to see it leave. I'm the type that searches the radio stations on search of THE one that plays Christmas music round the clock, starting the day after Thanksgiving, or sometimes they start before. One thing that I really love about the Christmas season, now that I have a child is sending out Christmas cards. We always get our cards (for ANY occasion) & invitations from Shutterfly, and we have never been disappointed! The quality is superb & they have fabulous prices! This year they are offering 50 free cards to bloggers, which is FANTASTIC! This year we are going with a "Merry & Bright" theme.  Click on the links below to check out the cool Christmas cards you can order this year!  Click here to check out the beautiful photo cards they offer. Or, if you aren't interested in photo cards, click here. If you have a big Christmas bash, & you want the cutest invites, click here. Needless to say, I am very excited about receiving my Christmas cards this year, I know I won't be disappointed!
I still have a lot to do between now & then: Christmas presents to buy, exams to give, school to finish, get togethers to attend...I just love this time of year, even though it's very hectic. This year is Andie's 2nd Christmas, but I feel like it's her first. This year she is old enough to recognize the tree, her gifts, etc. She has really done well with the tree so far! I'm very proud! She walks up to it & says "bowl" (that's ball for you all without kids) ;) Next year will be even better!

Catch up-AGAIN! Sorry!

I haven't been very good at blogging. I am going to partially catch people up on what's gone on since Andie's "10 month birthday". We had a busy summer, including a "First Birthday" Party in the HOT HOT MS summer! Ugh! We will be indoors next year!

I have been sick, Andie has been sick, we've been on vacation, I began running (which I need to start over!), had a birthday party (as mentioned above), started school again, & a BIGGIE: started at a babysitter( last week)!!!!!!

I have done more sewing in the past week than I did all summer, but I was lazy, I must say! I have renewed my excitement over my hobby though! I will try to post some pics of my handy-work, & if you like what you see- contact me! I would love to sew for you! Facebook me, text me, whatever!

The new babysitter was hard for all involved, but it is for the best. We love Nonnie, but right now she has her hands full. We love Ms. Lane- she has been fantastic, & Andie has really enjoyed the other kids- they keep her entertained. Saying that though, it doesn't compare to her "Uhmma" everyday!! She loves her some "Uhmma"! We have tried & tried for her to say Nonnie, but it just WON'T happen! :)

Okay, so here are some pictures from the past few months-look at how much Andie has changed! It makes me sad- my little baby is growing up! :(

10 months ago...

I became a mommy. On Sunday, how appropriate, Andie turned 10 months old. I can't believe she's almost 1 year! I don't like the thought of that for some reason. I love my baby. I am terribly excited about the summer coming up. I will get to spend some much needed time with her, and some much needed time by the pool. I hope she's a good pool baby! Of course I won't get to spend hours out by the pool like I once did. Now it will be interrupted by naps and lunch, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

School is almost out, Lord help me! One more week after this! It's a crazy time up there for everyone & I hope we can all get through this without going insane! :) I'll leave off with a couple of pics from the past month or so!

Oh yea, baby dedication is next Thursday for us. I am very excited! A chance for us to publicly declare that we will dedicate ourselves to raise Andie in the Truth. How awesome! We will do our best, with the Lord's help!

The next day is our 5 year anniversary! Five years ago, on the 21st, we said our vows in Mexico Beach, FL. I can't believe it's been 5 years, and my, how our lives have changed since then! I still love him! He's an awesome provider for our family, and has a heart of gold. Some aren't that lucky! But I am!

P.S.- Happy birthday to my wonderful husband who is 28 today! Love you Andrew!

We're Back Y'all!

Ok,

I have been HORRIBLE at this blog thing, which I was afraid of, BUT I have an update for the past few months. I have put together an I-movie to somewhat re-cap life at the Bailey house since Christmas.

As for the past few weeks, we have been busy, busy, busy. Spring Break was great, I got to go on a girls' trip and then wrapped it up by spending time with my baby girl. Easter was fabulous too. The Easter bunny came to see Andie: she got her first Bible, a Bible story book, and a book about the Easter story. I do have a picture of her loot I will post. The Easter Bunny may have gone over-board this year, but it WAS her first!

Ok, so I will attempt to load the "movie" instead of boring you with the details of the past few months!

Ok, sorry the video abruptly ends, I need to work on fine-tuning it, but hey, it was my first time!

We'll be back soon!

Love,

Andrew and Jinny

A Few New Pics & Catch-Up Time

Merry Christmas Family photo- not our Christmas card, however
The flash startles her- any suggestions on how to get a better shot?
I love this girl!
Just in time to catch the drool dropping
Wish it wasn't blurry!
Okay,

So the past week(s) has been crazy. We were off last week for TG holidays, Andrew has to work the WHOLE time :(, and to end things off right- all 3 of us have gotten sick. I had strep, missed the first 2 days back to school, Andie has an upper respiratory infection, which in turn led to a double ear infection, and Andrew has the same as Andie. We have just spread the germs ALL around- fun, fun! NOT!

Anyway, Andie's first TG was good, although her Daddy didn't get to spend it with us on the Flint side. He was there for the Bailey TG the Saturday before. She wasn't totally sick at that point, so it was nice! We ate too much, as normal for a holiday, I guess. I spent most of my time out at my mom's house, which was nice! We got the tree put up over the break too, & we took a couple of pictures in front of it tonight. I also am going to add some pictures of Andie I took while me & her were hanging out together (before we got sick). I can't wait for the summer when we will be able to spend MORE time together during the day! Just nights isn't too much fun, b/c that mostly consists of her eating & going to bed. :(

I haven't been doing too good of a job posting every week, & I'm not even sure if more than my 4 followers read my blog, but that's okay. It feels good to type out my thoughts sometimes! P.S.- I don't know why it puts my pics at the top of the post?! I put them after my post! ArGH!!!