25 Things About Me

I was tagged by my friend Heather to answer a "note" on FaceBook today. I was supposed to type out 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about myself...

I thought I'd share my answers on the blog too :)

If you read this post, maybe you'd like to do the same on your blog...Enjoy!

Love,
Amanda

1. When Chris and I talked about having kids, I said I wanted to have 3. I guess I got my wish :) I have 2 on earth and one in heaven.
2. I pray everyday when I wake up to be a better wife and a better mom than the day before.
3. I work with the Treasurer of my company. We are the only two in my group and he is the best boss ever! We deal with million dollar transactions, international business, the banking relationships, debt, investments and corporate insurance. (oh, and whatever else is thrown our way!) LOL
4. We own our home but would LOVE to move out of it! It’s just too small for our family of 4 humans, one cat and one dog.
5. My favorite food of all time is SUSHI!
6. I have been to Germany 4 times. On those trips, we visited and vacationed in Greece, Spain, Switzerland, France and The Netherlands.
7. My husband is 13 years older than me, but it is not an issue for me. I love him so much!!
8. I was an only child until I gained a step-brother when I was 8, a half brother when I was 13 and a half sister when I was 15!
9. I love to listen to Christian radio / worship songs.
10. We have been vacationing as a family in Galveston since Caitlin was 2 years old. We rent a beach house and have a fun week together as a family (which includes my mother in law and brother in law).
11. I am a very loyal person.
12. Whenever I can, I try to “Pay it Forward.” For example, I give all of our children’s clothes to friends who have children younger than ours. We were blessed by having the clothes in the first place and I want others to be blessed by a “free” wardrobe when kids’ clothes are expensive enough!
13. I have a maroon Toyota FJ Cruiser that I love. People always laugh at the 3 windshield wipers :) LOL
14. My husband and I used to have an Abyssinian cat. Maggie was a great cat and we miss her a lot. She passed away a few years after Chris and I were married. We would love to get another Abyssinian someday. They are cuddly and love kids!
15. I would watch a lot of TV if I had more free time.
16. After my miscarriage in 2008, I feel like the Lord called me to pray more. Now I pray more for others and try to spread the word that prayer works - and have been blessed in doing so.
17. When I was younger, I wanted to be an Interior Decorator.
18. I have a very nice camera (Canon Rebel), but just don’t have the time to pursue any more photography endeavors than taking pictures of my family. I would like to, in the future, learn how to use my camera to its fullest extent though.
19. If we win the lottery, I would love to own a ranch that has a log cabin and horses on it.
20. I have a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Houston (main campus).
21. It took me 5 ½ years to complete my degree because I changed majors changed majors twice and got married during college.
22. My parents divorced when I was 6.
23. My firstborn (Caitlin) did not like to cuddle as a baby. My baby (Madison) likes to cuddle A LOT!!!
24. I love to blog, but recently have just not had the time…I wonder why!??!? (see number 23). :) LOL
25. Both Caitlin and Madison are miracle babies. Caitlin was surrounded by an amniotic band during her time in my womb and we had to be monitored frequently by a perinatologist. Madison’s pregnancy was unstable and I had health conditions during pregnancy. We are so thankful that we were chosen to be our kids’ parents!

Abiding Hope Collages (July 19, 2010)

Franchesca is an amazing mom to an angel in Heaven from Texas. She has been changed since May 5, 2009 when her firstborn, Jenna Belle, entered her life. Franchesca and her husband were honored to be her earthly parents for 13 days. After losing Jenna Belle, Franchesca decided to give back in memory of her sweet daughter, to other families enduring loss - whether it be by miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death. She makes beautiful collages through her site Abiding Hope Collages.

When I came across her site and read her story, I was touched by her generosity through her grief. I decided to ask her to make a collage in memory of our tiny angel baby...Thank you, Franchesca. It is just beautiful.

http://www.hopecollage.org/2010/07/noah-joel.html

July 21, 2010 - It's been 9 years...

It’s been 9 years since our kids lost their grandpa. The one they never got to even meet.

Chris’s dad was diagnosed with lung cancer in June of 2000. By the grace of God he was able to participate (and was even Chris’s best man) in our wedding on October 7, 2000. By July of 2001, H.B. Hoyt did not look like the man we knew before. His body had been taken by cancer and we all would never be the same again. Watching H.B. battle his disease and then seeing him go through the end stages of life was one of the hardest things Chris and I have ever been through together. He loved his dad and wanted to continue his relationship with him - and to give him grandchildren.

Sometimes we talk about H.B. looking down on our family and loving us from afar. We know he would have been an awesome grandpa and so wish he could have held our babies in the flesh.

Caitlin knows who her Grandpa H.B. is and will let her sissy know as she gets older who he is also.

We will always remember you, H.B.

~In loving memory of Harold Boyd Hoyt~

January 9, 1939 to July 21, 2001

Still Life 365 (July 11, 2010)

I stumbled upon this website recently called http://stilllife365.blogspot.com/ and was facsinated and thankful for the site that editor Angie has put together for families who are grieving the loss of their babies (whether thru miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death). It is a place where art can be posted (every day) as family members "explore their grief through creativity." As Angie says on the blog, "each piece is an expression of grief, survival, sadness, love and hope. still life 365 is intended to be a safe space for creative expression. still life 365 is open to anyone affected by pregnancy loss not simply parents."

The editor of still life 365, Angie, created the blog after her second daughter (Lucia Paz) was stillborn at 38 weeks on winter solstice 2008. Angie says, "still life 365 is a project conceived out of the sincere desire to create a safe creative space for grieving parents and family members to explore the different aspects of life after loss. my hope is to post a piece of art or writing every day this year. sharing my art and creations with other babylost mamas, and conversely seeing their art, helped to explore the different elements of my grief and journey."

Upon viewing the blog for the first time, my heart wandered, remembering Noah (as I do each and everyday)...and I immediately remembered the painting that Caitlin did for me on Noah's EDD (estimated due date) - October 24, 2008. I decided to send it to Angie and she posted it here on July 11, 2010.

I have a few other pieces that I might decide to have her post but for now, I am going each day to check on and visit other's pieces. Sometimes, if time, I click over to their blogs and see how they are doing...there are so many hurting out there...so many who have lost babies...

My heart aches for those who are in this club we were never initiated for and never wanted an invitation for. We arrived and are here to stay. I thank the good Lord for the hope He gives each one of us as each new day brings great things that only He can give.

Lamentations 3:22-24 (New International Version)

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

Love you all,
Amanda

Happy 4th!

I'm so proud to be an American! Are you? Happy Independence Day!



My heart hurts 4 those whose loved ones are off serving overseas. They are all sacrificing 4 our freedom. God bless all military families. I have two friends whose husbands were just sent overseas. Melanie & Janine, the lump in my throat comes often as I think of the times you will spend alone with your families during the next year without your husbands. May the Lord bless you and keep you during Ralph's & Mel's deployment.

Friends, if you haven't done so, take a moment today to thank the Lord for our freedom. As we know, it doesn't come free.

Hope you are all doing well.

Love,
Amanda & Family