30 Days of Thankfulness Day **9**

DAY 9 - Saturdays 

Is it bad that I work for the weekend?  I feel terrible saying this but I enjoy my time away from the babies during the week. But, I enjoy that I get to play with them and listen to the crazy things that come out of Oliver's mouth lately. I am still so fascinated by the phrases and sentences he has picked up on over the past few weeks. It feels like his language has exploded and I laugh all the time when I'm not beating my head against the wall. 

Today we went to cheer on the runners at the marathon in town. We saw The General. I decided that it was a good idea to clean out their old cloths. I have been Christmas shopping since September and it's embarrassing what they're getting for their birthdays and the holidays.

Please do not judge

We are taking the kids to the Children's Book Festival this Saturday and I cannot wait!!  Yes, I did buy them tshirts to wear.  Judge me if you must!

Here's a photo dump from our day.  Hope everyone had an amazing weekend!!

Cinnabon....CeCe approved!

Along with leaves

Cutest little lamb

That would be his jacket he's chewing on

 

30 Days of Thankfulness **Day 11**

DAY 11 - FAMILY

Sorry to go MIA over the weekend.  We were busy attempting to clean out dressers, the attic, etc. and the time just got away from me.  Honestly, I realized I needed to blog on Saturday night about 10:15 but I was just too tired to do it.  Forgive me?

Right now, more than ever, I am thankful for my family. I am wrestling with a lot of demons lately and my family is the only thing keeping me sane.  I really do not know if I would be able to put one foot in front of the other if I didn't have my family right now.  

I also want to salute The General for his service and all that he does as a Veteran.  I know that he struggles with the things he saw in Vietnam so I am grateful for his service to our country.  I feel like sometimes people post on Facebook and it's lip service about their gratitude about the military.  But that's a post for a whole 'nother time.

Here's to my crazy family...

CeCe's new face

Playing with The General

Daddy took Ollie to play golf

The sun rises and sets on these babies

Boompa about to have dinner with Ollie

30 Days of Thankfulness **Day 8**

DAY 8 - ??

 Is it okay to not really know what to be thankful for? I will be perfectly honest, and I do hope I don't sound like a broken record.  I am really struggling.  Incredibly struggling.  Like, this is the lowest low my life has ever been.  My dad is on a radiation table right now, on Day 3 of his treatment.  I know the end result of this.  It will not end the way I want it to.  So, how to I come to terms with this?  I could really use some help today.  

I was not prepared to be down one parent in the near future.  Then again, I guess no one ever really is.  I should just be thankful that I have been given this blessing of being able to say goodbye.  

So, today, I guess I am thankful for being prepared and saying goodbye.  To knowing I said and did everything I needed to in order to have the best life possible with me and my dad.

I won't even begin to say anything about how terrible I look

Hugs to The General

30 Days of Thankfulness **Day 7**

DAY 7 - CECE

Little Ms. CeCe girl is a spitfire.  There is honestly no other way to describe her.  Crazy.   All over the place.  Touching every single thing.  But, she is also the sweetest little punkin that ever lived.  She's a cuddler.  And funny.  My dad had his first day of chemo and radiation yesterday so I stopped by daycare on the way back to work because, honestly, I needed something happy.* 

*Treatment went just fine.  It's just difficult for me to cope with what is happening to my dad.

CeCe's teacher told me that she hopes CeCe never walks because she wants her in her class until she graduates from high school.  I would be lying if I said it didn't bring me joy to know that someone besides my family loves my child.  

Baby girl had her 9 month appointment last Friday and she's 30.5 inches long (+97%) and 24 pounds (+97%).  

On this day of thankfulness, I remember my sweet little one.  The one who I was scared of before she was born.  The one I constantly worry about protecting.  Or screwing up.  My sweet Caroline Cooper.  

Baby girl loves the beach

One of my favorite pictures of her

She's been a Sox fan since birth

Groucho?

 

30 Days of Thankfulness **Day 6**

DAY 6 - OLIVER

Even though this crazy little guy of mine is part hyena, mixed with a dash of narcissist and a sprinkle of sociopath, I still look at him when he's asleep (creepy) and wonder at the marvel that is my first child.  

I never imagined when I got that positive test on Friday, April 15, 2011, that life as I knew it would be forever different.  I don't think I will ever forget that moment when your whole brain shifts and you officially aren't about yourself anymore.  

This almost 2 year old is spunky, feisty and everything in between.  He's not much of a cuddler or snuggler, just like his mommy.  He may be all daddy on the outside but he is 100% all mommy on the inside.  I got the chance to take him to see The General last night (thankfully my dad was having a great night) and I realized why Oliver has been bitten at daycare 5 times.  Boy DOES NOT give up when he wants something.  He and my dad were playing with The General's cane and Oliver would.not.let.go.  I nearly wet myself from laughter.  What can I say?  He knows what he wants when he wants it.

So, on Day 6, as much as he makes me completely crazy and I fluctuate between eating my feelings away and wanting to drink myself into a coma, I am so thankful I have Oliver in my life.  Every day is a new day and it is truly amazing to watch him grow and learn.

He has just discovered how much fun puddles can be

Ralphie replacement?

This just melts my cold, cold heart

Pretty much my children to a t

 

30 Days of Thankfulness **Day 5**

DAY 5 - WAKING UP

I'm in a mood today.  A bad one.  I have lots of things I know I should be thankful for but, honestly, I'm struggling.  Dare I say I'm really pissed off??  I need to focus on the fact that I woke up and started a new day. I know these days for my dad, in particular, are coming to an end sometime soon.  

What's on my mind?  First of all, Josh took a job that puts him past Atlanta (4+ hours away) so I basically have no car and NO help...again...for at least three weeks.  No consulting me.  No discussion.  Nothing.  Just poof I'm taking a new job.  Not even better pay.  Who the hell does that with a family?!?! 

So there's that.  Coupled with the phase an almost 2 year old hits.  Natalie has mentioned it about her first son going through them early and they have definitely hit the Branham household with a vengeance.  I think I hear "no" 462,893 times per day.  And "mine?"  That's fun.  

My daughter has discovered her voice.  Or, I guess I should say her shreak.  And shrill.  And scream.  All fun stuff.

I guess I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  I did still wake up and I need to be thankful for that.  I must remember that. 

30 Days of Thankfulness **Day 4**

DAY 4 - MY BLOGGY FAMILY

I am not normally a very mushy person so I will keep this short and sweet.  It's so incredibly nice to make and cultivate friendships with so many different women, most of whom I have never met in person.  I keep taking breaks from blogging and, each time, I get so many welcome back comments, emails, etc.  Y'all sure do know how to make a girl feel special, huh?  

Thank you.  These past few months have been nothing short of shittastic.  I spend MANY nights just staring at my phone, checking in on each of y'all.  I should probably say thank you more often and for that I am sorry.  Just please know that I'm a total blog creeper and I consider you guys a definite part of my life.  In a non-crazy way, of course!

p.s....Sherry, I need a Widget for CeCe!!!!!

30 Days of Thankfulness **Day 3**

DAY 3 - THE BEACH

The absolute biggest draw to living in Savannah is our proximity to the beach.  We probably spent the entire summer at Tybee for some reason or another.  We may have gone for the afternoon or just to walk on the beach.  But, we still went.  And it was wonderful.  CeCe developed a love for the water from the moment we took her.  Oliver?  Not so much.  He would rather be in the sand playing with toys or riding his truck all around.  

Savannah really is a beautiful place and Tybee is honestly my version of heaven, if there is one.  I know that the ocean really is my only medication.

Doing what he does best

This was maybe three weeks ago.  Be jealous

Sand...with a side of sunscreen

30 Days of Thankfulness **Day 2**

DAY 2 - GAMEDAY

Before the 1st game of the season

Baby girl enjoys the off the shoulder look

It should be no secret that we love ourselves some South Carolina football.  I got my love for the team, hands down, from my dad.  He is constantly asking when the game is on again and how we are doing this season.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the thought of watching the games without my dad makes me a little sad.  So, for now, we celebrate our Gamecocks and I will always be able to have that love because of my dad.

Then your face will surely show it!

Be sure to cheer on our boys to victory during Homecoming today against Mississippi State at 12:21. 

30 Days of Thankfulness **Day 1**

I know, I know.  I won't even make excuses for myself.  I have none.  Life is really crappy right now, to say the least.

I'll make it short and sweet...my dad had what we thought was a massive stroke on March 12th.  Ha, joke's on us.  Turns out he has a Grade IV Glioblastoma.  Yes, it really is that bad.   It is hands down the worst possible diagnosis we could have received.  Right now I have no clue how much time my dad has left with us so I must continue to be thankful that, for whatever reason, this happened and we are where we are supposed to be.

That being said, I'm going to see if I can do a month of things I am thankful for.  Right now, these are the only things I have to hold on to.

DAY 1 - SMILES

Just after her 9 month shots

Right now, these smiles and the joyful shreaking she does on a constant basis make my otherwise dismal days that much more bearable.