So Sorry Joseph...

It looks like 8 people need to say sorry to Joseph...and I'm not one of them. I finally gave in and gave him the benefit of the doubt that he would not leave that kind of mess, therefore to give him some credit I voted on my own blog in his favor...I was the only NO vote-haha! After much debate and investigations into the whole how the heck did all the water get on the floor and rug and not on entertainment stand we came to a few conclusions. One...there was water in the entertainment stand, in the drawer under the fish tank, you just needed to look for it, which I didn't. Two...our living room runs at a light angle, kinda in a downwards angle from the entertainment stand towards the rug area. Three...when a fish is stuck in the pipe apparently water shoots out the back-wanna know how we figured that one out?! We put a fish back up there-JUST KIDDING! Four...the little "tool" that comes with the filter to keep things from going up the pipe should be used at all times-lesson learned, that little piece is now in place. The fish are happily swimming in their fist tank up on the top shelf of the entertainment center away from the three cats. It has been a great move for all Hedgepeth Animals!

There isn't much else going on to report at the moment. To be completely honest with you, I'm actually in a training class, apparently not paying to much attention! I can't believe that I've been here since 9:00, have to be here until 4:00, and have 3 more days of this. The light at the end of the tunnel...after training on Thursday we are off to the beach again...YAY! Thanks for checking in on us and sharing in our journey, and as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

My Poor Fish...

***Update (and if you don't know the story about the fish, you might want to read it first, below) Joseph called me on his way home and he has come to the conclusion that if a fish was stuck in the pipe of the filter then water would spit out the back of the filter. I'm still not buying into that though because the water was ALL OVER the floor and rug and NONE on the entertainment stand. We'll see how his face looks when he gets home and I can look him in the eye... I should probably let it go, but I'm not known for letting things go...

So, I might have mentioned that I had to bring 3 fish home from school...here they are:


These poor little fish have been through some stuff. I had to bring them home from school because someone tried to kill them by dumping red paint into the fish tank. The water was tinted red for some time after that, but after many cleanings everything was fine, and thank goodness it was non-toxic paint. Now they have to put up with the 3 cats who are always trying to put their paws in the water and stuff. Anyway...there's a little background information, now to the story of what happen this morning.

I came downstairs and the fish tank was only about 1/3 full of water, the floor and rug were completely soaked and there was not very much water on the actual entertainment stand. I called Joseph and ask him if the cats had knocked over the tank, he says no, I don't believe him, but I let it go and set out to get the tank back in order (you know with the important things like water...) so I dump the fish into a bowl and count only 2 fish. I call Joseph and explain that the cats have apparently gotten a fish and he says they probably didn't eat it but played with it, which makes me nervous because now there is probably a dead goldfish somewhere in my house (I've yet to find my battery charger which is big, I can only imagine where they have put the fish). I'm feeling rather sad because even though they are stupid goldfish I'm an animal lover and hate that they have suffered some. I decide they are leaving my house-either down the toilet, to the lake, to PetSmart...I don't care where they go, but they need to leave. I go about cleaning out the tank...check the filter for the missing fish-you never know, and begin running water through the hose of the filter. Out pops the fish and down the garbage disposal he goes ALIVE...oh crap. I call Joseph again this time screaming the fish is in the garbage disposal what do I go, how can I get it out. Joe says I have to put my hand in, which I'm not excited about, but I look in and can see the fish and try to grab it. He's a slippery little sucker, but I finally grab him and put him in the bowl with his brothers (or sisters, I don't really know). All 3 fish are currently in their cleaned out tank up as high as I can get them on the entertainment center, hopefully out of range of all cats...here's a picture where they now live:


They use to be on the bottom, but I'm hoping the cats can't get to them now (I've never seen them get up on the top shelf, so hopefully my fish are safe). However, the fist sign of a cat up there and the fish have to find a new home, so, I might be giving them away in a later post. My big issue right now is with my husband. I have looked at the situation from many different angles and there is just no way the cats didn't knock over the tank. I think he's telling me a story because he didn't clean up the mess knowing I was getting up right behind him soon (which I actually didn't...the one day I kinda sleep in!). So...I decided to create a little poll, it's over on the right hand side. Did Joseph come downstairs to find the fish tank on the floor and just pick it up and leave the mess? Go ahead and vote...I'm only going to keep it up a couple of days, but I promise I'll let you know the outcome!


That's all for this time around, though it's a pretty long post. Hope you enjoyed my fish story...I promise you it is 100% true, and I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't lived it. Thanks for checking in, until next time, as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

4th of July Weekend

Joseph and I are so lucky to have such great family and friends to spend time with. This weekend we were on the go, and it was just the kind of weekend I needed. I've had a pretty rough time, understandable I know, and everyone always says to me you are so strong and I could never do what you have done...well, the truth is, I'm not that strong. I get through the tough times because what other choice do I have?! Yes, I could stay in bed all day, cry all day, not do anything, but lucky for me, I have a great husband who is with me every step of the way, the support of the most amazing family EVER, and a group of friends who may not know what to say or do for Joseph and I, but they are here and we know we could call them for anything! So...as America celebrated her birthday I celebrated being surrounded by great family and friends. Here are some pictures of our weekend...

Friday night we went to Red, White and Boom in Rock Hill with several of our friends. I will admit that I enjoyed some adult beverages, and well, it shows in the picture!





On Saturday we headed up to my parents and spent the day on the lake. Joseph did a lot of fishing and I did a lot of reading. It's funny how some things get sent your way during a certain time. In the book the main character has 5 miscarriages and gives up hope only to become pregnant. As I was watching Joe fish I came to the realization that we have a pretty great life, even if it is just the two of us right now. I have not given up on us having our family...but I had to step back and remind myself that I am so happy with my life and everyone in it right now and if God wants us to have a baby, well he's going to take care of it for us. Anyway...here are some pictures of the day up on the lake with my family.

Joseph's fish-



Me reading a great book...The Time Traveler's Wife (a movie is coming out soon!)



Some pictures of the men playing washer board.



My Dad and Uncle Tom are the North/South Carolina washer board champs. No one can take them down...here they are doing their victory dance, and my Dad kicking Joseph's butt, literally!





Later that night we took off on the boat to go watch fireworks. Dad and Joseph got us there after much debate...



Mom and I enjoying the ride...



Me with my Mom and Dad...



I want to end with my favorite two pictures of the day. I don't tell them nearly enough how much they mean to me and how lucky I am to have them in my life. They have been there for me every step of the way my entire life and I love them so much...here's two great pictures of my parents...I love you both so much!



But this is how they normally act, all the time. I guess I hope after 30 years of marriage Joseph and I love each other like you two do...



I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing holiday weekend. I just can not express enough to my family and friends how thankful I am to have you in my life. Thank you as always for sharing in our journey...you never know where it's going to take us, that's for sure. I love you all, and as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!



Like the new look?! It was time for something new! Enjoy...

Way, WAY down, but NOT OUT...

I've had several days to "sit" on what I'm about to blog on, not knowing if I would ever be able to really talk about it, let it out, and let some in. Joseph and I had decided we would work it out together and keep it private, but I'm a talker (is that a surprise?) and I deal with things by talking about them and letting others in, and he agreed that I could blog about it because it's what I need to do...

Monday morning we lost our baby. I was 14 weeks and 6 days pregnant. We kept the news very private (or tried to anyway) because there were a lot of things that needed to go right, and unfortunately they did not. There were several things that went wrong and we were aware of all the things, but we were still so shocked when we lost the baby. We had hoped and prayed that everything would turn around, but it didn't...and I'm just so sad, and lost, and hurt, and mad, and a complete mess. We have struggled for so long to get pregnant again, and then this happened. And now we are just lost and don't know where to go. I mean, we've been down every possible road, except adoption-which we aren't against by any means, but we really just want our own baby. Now we wait...they say I have to wait 3 months after losing the baby, and I don't even know if we can try to get pregnant again. This time was so stressful and so hard. We are just lost, and I guess I decided to blog about it not to get your sympathy...Joseph and I can get through this, just like we got through losing Jackson, but I blog to ask you for prayers to guide us...do we try again, pursue adoption, become crazy cat people, whatever it is we are suppose to do, we need prayers and guidance.

Thank you for always being part of our journey. I would have never imagined that I would experience losing a baby at 4 months, struggling to get pregnant for over 2 years and then losing a baby later in a pregnancy. And like I said in my title, right now we are way down but we are not out by any means. We are going to get through this and we are going to have our family...no matter how it comes about, we'll get it. Please just continue to lift us in prayer as we get through this bumpy patch. And as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

All my love,

Happy...

...30th Birthday to my wonderful husband!

...6th Anniversary to my still wonderful husband! (yes we got married on his birthday. He can NEVER forget our anniversary...jackpot for me!)

...Father's Day to my yes, wonderful husband. Even though we have no children here on Earth with us, you were the best Daddy to Jackson! And I know when we do have more kids you'll still be the best Daddy (and still wonderful husband)!

...75th Birthday to my Grandpa.

...Father's Day to my Dad...the best Daddy in the world, but stay out of the ER!

...Father's Day to Nelson and Tim, my father-in-laws!

...Birthday to one of my work BFF's Tammy! Have fun on vacation!

...First Day of Summer!

...Longest Day of the Year!

...Packing to us...we are off to the beach tomorrow afternoon for the rest of the week...YESSSSSSS!

...and not such a "happy" note, but good-bye to my Great Grandma who passed away this morning. She was 100 years old and lived a great life. She's at a pretty happy place though...say hi to your great, great grandson Jackson Cole!

I hope everyone has a great week, I know I will! I hope to post while on vacation pictures of Joseph's party last night and of us being beach bums. If not, when I get home. Thanks for checking in on us, and as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

Kids? Yes, I have Three!

NO, I'm not pregnant with triplets, but I do have three cats that double as children...or so it seems after today. Here are my sweet little ones...



Say it with me now...awwwww, they are SO cute! Not so much! Today on my list of things to do was clean out my closet. Well, with three children, I mean cats, they made it very hard. They were chasing each other, strings, straps, each other, and finally started climbing so I thought I was at peace. No such luck...a cat fell on my head, yes directly on my head, and scratched my forehead, left a bruise, and I still feel like I may have a slight concussion. And it was the skinny one, this one-



Thank goodness it wasn't chunky Rocky or I would have ended up in the hospital. Anyway, so after the cat attack of '09 I decided to try to distract the cats, with a sheet and empty shoe box found in the closet (told you it needed to be cleaned out). My thought was with kids, give 'em a toy, they'll be fine, so I tried it with the cats. I throw them out into the bedroom and the cats thankfully entertained themselves for about 30 minutes. The orange one, aka Tripp, was in attack mode today, first me then the shoe box...



I don't know if you can tell that he is biting the box, which is pretty much under the sheet. Anyway, it was wicked funny to me! Many have funny stories about their children, I have my three cats. I hope that I'm not turning into a crazy cat lady...we're trying, I promise, to have baby news, keep praying!

That's it for tonight, and probably for awhile. We have a busy weekend...Joseph's 30th Birthday-WOW! And Sunday is Father's Day of course and then on Monday afternoon we are off to the beach for the rest of the week...YES! There will be no promised post, but hopefully I'll get some pics up of Joseph's birthday and maybe of some beach bumming. Until next time, thanks for sharing in our journey and as always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!

Two Cute Little

Bottoms...



This is my view every morning when I'm getting ready and Joseph washes his hair. How cute is that?!

In other news...two of my favorite words ever-SUMMER VACATION! Tomorrow is my last day of work, but there are no kids which equals heaven. It has been a rough year, and I'm glad to see it end. I'm looking forward to next year and hopefully having a much better year!

And that's all I have time for this time around. I've got family in town from NY so we are busy hanging out with them and get ready for Sarah's graduation on Friday. Still can't really talk about that. Anyway...thanks for checking in, and we'll chat soon I'm sure! As always, please REMEMBER JACKSON!