January 2016.  Life is wonderful.  I have two beautiful children, a gorgeous granddaughter, a supportive husband and great friends and family.  I am blessed.  Thank you, God, for allowing me to enjoy such joy. 

End of 2015~

The last day of 2015.  This has been QUITE the year.  Haley got married, Ira started kindergarten, Jeremy began new job at a school district where Ira goes so he is literally next door to him and we are preparing our house to sale so we can move closer to Jeremy's new job.  I count several blessings there. 

I pray every night for my family to be whole again.  I hope this happens very early in 2016.

Haley and Ira - a baby brother?

It seems that 2014 is going to be an exciting year for us. 

Thank you, God, for being a presence in the middle of the night when sadness creeps in.  I have always known it was not for me to know everything or understand it all.  There is solace in knowing that I just have to have faith and believe in You. 

Thank you for never giving up on me.  Thank you for blessing me 20 times over with a wonderful family and friends who are my support system.  Thank you for hearing my prayers from my heart many times when I can't even pray the words.

I love You. 
~ Angela

Brenna, I miss you in our lives

Ira's first winter - love him in Janie & Jack

Cootie PaTootie!

Brenna, it has been over a year now since our "tiff" and via blocked Facebook friends and you moving, you have deleted me from your life. 

I don't even care anymore to hash back and forth the reasons why.....They seem ridiculous now and I would hope they do to you as well. 

We've always been there for each other and I've looked to you for wisdom and comfort many times.  I know you kept me alive the night Mom died. 

I miss you.  I miss talking to you.  I miss seeing what kind of handbag you were buying next and what watch or tennis shoes Will would be buying next. 

My kiddos are growing up.  I know you talk a little to Haley.  She is such a good mommy.  And looking at Aubriana is like looking at Haley almost 20 years ago. 

Ira is THE most handsome little guy I've ever seen.  He is such a good boy.  And smart as a whip!  He has been a God send in all sense of the word. 

I miss not knowing what is going on in your life.  I think about your daily.  I love you~

Your Twin~



Aubriana's arrival and Ira's 2nd Birthday!

Brother and sister "bumping fists"

BEST FRIEND in the world!

Ira enjoyed his 2nd birthday by having an indoor carnival (fighting over 100 degree heat, the "indoor" part was important). :)  He loved his cake topped by a hot air balloon (his favorite), cupcakes in a ferris wheel and just for Ira, Rice Crispies.  He was a little overwhelmed by all the family and friends but some extra time outside with De helped him alot. 

Mommy must learn to time his parties better with his naps.  LOL

July brought a wonderful addition to the family.  Aubriana Pearl was born July 10th and has stolen the hearts of all of us.  At 6 weeks now, she is just over 9 pounds, in the 90th percentile of length, 50th percentile of weight and is so beautiful.  It is like looking at Haley almost 20 years ago. 


Little Maggie (going on 4 years old, she is not that little anymore!) posing for her pic in the Muscle Man/Glamour Girl cut out :)

Handsome Gabriel!  We will be celebrating his 1st birthday in October. 

Kale and Alynn - the bestest of friends. 

Ira and his hero, Claire, opening up a present from my dad; his first fishing pole!!!

Spring has Sprung

It has been a very busy past 4 weeks.  Wow!  On Valentine's evening, I accepted an offer for a consulting job.  I've been working there ever since and have now been offered the perm position.  It's in HR, I am very excited and feel this is the right move for me (professionally).  I've been slammed, have a lot to learn but believe I'm heading down the right path right now. 

So where does that leave my little man?  Top Gun is going to a local daycare (just down the street from my work) and after a couple of weeks where he broke my heart every day, things are much better.  This morning he left me without any prodding and walked over to join a classmate playing on a little horse that jumps up/down.  awesome....

Baby girl and HER baby girl are doing great.  She is working, going to school and sleeping...a lot.  I hope this is a sign to come that little baby girl will sleep a lot at night. :)

My groom is working very hard for the state and as hard for the Guard in the JAG Corps.  He's also training for his annual physical like I've never seen him train before.  He looks awesome!

Other than that, I'm helping plan Haley's baby shower and Ira's 2nd birthday party.  Our thinking was that we would take Ira to Sea World at San Diego, SD Zoo and Legoland for his birthday.  However, with my new job, we may have to put that off to the end of the summer when I have leave.  Awww - the joy of starting fresh with a company including NO leave....:(

Hope your Spring is starting off with a bang and not horrible weather like we have.  Stay safe and dry everyone!!

Oops!

Oh, our bath time started out just like every other bath time this morning.  Just the two of us, getting the bath water *just* right, letting it start to fill up (I have a jacuzzi bath tub so it takes a while) and deciding it was more than time to trip Ira's nails and his weekly hair clipping.  I trimmed his nails, got the bath ring and placed it on the bathroom counter to clipper his hair. 

He was acting silly and so was I when I took the clipper out of the packaging.  As the guard on the clipper has NEVER been off (since I bought it), I didn't even think to check as I started down the middle of his hair - front to back.  But there was no guard.

WHAT JUST HAPPENED?  WHERE IS MY SON'S HAIR?  then....Jeremy is going to kill me. 

I had to do the best job I could, wiping away the tears at my mistake, while Ira was trying to rub his head.  Bless his heart.....okay, where is the horizon in this?

Well, after thinking about it all day, I have thought that since his baby hairline still showed and his baby/baby hair had not caught up with the rest, this COULD be a good time to let that all grow out together. 

Okay, it's kinda weak - but it is all I have. 

Thank goodness he is an adorable baby so he is handsome looking like Michael Jordan or Denzel Washington.  Thank goodness Jeremy took it basically in stride (after an initial reaction). 
Thank goodness we don't have any family pictures scheduled.  Thank goodness his hair seems to grow very fast.  And most of all, thank goodness my baby boy is having a blast rubbing his head!  That makes my shame and embarrassment a little easier. 

Will I cut his hair again?  No..........Oh, I'm sure I will.  As fast as it grows, I'm sure I'll have to. 
Will I ALWAYS make sure the guard is on?  You can bet you HAIR on it.

Angie's birthday (celebrated in Destin, FL)

Can you imagine a cuter Valentine?  We had a great time in Alabama and then Destin, Florida (which coincided with Mommy's 42nd birthday!).  While Daddy was in a conference in Alabama, Ira and Mommy shopped, went to a great zoo and played at every park we could find.  Of course, once we hit Destin it was all about the BEACH!  When we got home, a few days later we found out that Haley is having a little girl!!!!  The house is SO excited.  The next six months are going to fun, busy and rewarding.  God continues to bless us.  We hope you are being blessed as well.

All our love,  the Lasiter Pack

What a precious site for a parent :)

Seeing my two "babies" curled up on the couch with Ira hugging onto Haley is awesome.  Thank you God for blessing me with Haley in 1992 and then with Ira in 2010!!  Only YOU could have created two amazing children like this!

Two days until Christmas!  Our second Christmas with Ira and he loves the tree :)

This year we will know that next Christmas we will be sharing it again with a new baby!  Haley will have a bundle of joy, peace and love this summer so Christmas 2012 will be brand new baby time all over again!  Ira will be an uncle at the spry age of 2!  Love it!!

Christmas is full of going here, going there, baking, remembering where all the presents are, making sure (via spreadsheet, of course) that everyone is getting something and it is at the right house.  So, before it gets too crazy, I want to pause and remember what I am thankful for this year.

1.  I am thankful every day that I am a child of God and of our relationship.  He has blessed Jeremy and me so much with our two babies and each other. 

2.  I am thankful that Jeremy and I will be married 10 years this summer and he still makes my heart flutter. 

3.  For Haley and Ira, you are the cherry on my ice cream sundae (well, okay, frozen yogurt).  I love you both.

4.  I am so thankful that Grandma and Grandpa are such a huge part of our lives.  We love you to the moon and back!

5.  Every day I am thankful for Phyllis, her hubby and kiddos.  Every great memory I have had in the last 10 years has you all in it.  I love you dearly.

6.  I am thankful this year that I have rekindled a relationship with my father and his wife, De.  True joy!

7.  I am thankful to be surrounded by Jeremy's family and their dynamic personalities. 

8.  I am so, so, so thankful that baby Gabriel is healthy and sharing Christmas day with us this year!

9.  Heifer South Africa - it is such an honor to work with you and be a part of your story.  I love you all.  I am also thankful to Mike Grober for sharing his dream with me, Your Mission Matters, and trusting me to help me make it a reality. 

10.  I, along with every other Christian, am thankful for Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for me....little ol' me.  Wow - it's almost too much to even fathom. 

I hope you have a beautiful time with your family.  I wish for all of us that we do not get caught up in opening gifts, lunches, dishes and full bellies that we don't pause and just enjoy each other's company and remember why we have this time together. 

Merry Christmas,

Love,

Angie

Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas is right around the corner and it's a "hustle and a bustle" everywhere I look.  We have our own around here!  :) 

We just learned that in July, we will be blessed with a child!  (grandchild, that is).  Haley is about 8 weeks pregnant.  She's still working at Potter's Clay (still such a blessing!) and is starting to school at Pulaski Tech in January.  A lot of work ahead of us, but God will lead the way on this and it will be wonderful. 

Ira and I are still hanging out together everyday together.  His vocabulary is improving and eating habits are better.  (not great, but better - LOL). 

Jeremy is busy with a new trial and depositions so he's always going, going, ....you get the idea. 

I came home a few days ago to find my house exterior decorated for Christmas by Grandma!!  She is such an incredible blessing to us all.  I love you, Grandma!!

As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Savior this month, I also pray for peace, tranquility and answered prayers for our family and many others. 

Love to all~
Angela

These photos were taken Halloween weekend. The top one is Jeremy and Ira at Burns Park and the other two are of Ira doing some early trick or treating at Nanna Phyllis' house :)

What a day this has been! Grandma, Ira and I went to my new nephew's Meet and Greet (after a couple of weeks of him being at ACH in the NICU). Ira had SO much fun playing outside on cousin Maggie's playhouse and swing set. I MUST get him some of these things. He loves them so much!!!!

Our plans were to:

1. come home afterward and feed him a late lunch and down for a nap

2. go to Phyllis' big Fall Event in Bryant with Ira and Haley

Did that happen? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Ira was SO overtired he would not lay down and was walking around like he was dizzy (so sleepy). He ended up slipping on the floor and face planting on our wood floor so then I HAD to keep him up for a while to make sure there wasn't any concussion or bad things going on. So, I walked outside while Jeremy had Ira and an ice bag, called Phyllis, had a meltdown about how much I was sorry we couldn't come and once Ira was able to go to sleep, I crashed like I had been up for 24 hours straight.

Highlight of the day was that while the Razorbacks were playing and Jeremy was listening for Ira, my baby girl and I got to go eat some yogurt at Three Flamingos and just "talk" - so, so, nice. In fact, I loved it. It made the day so much better. I missed out on Phyllis' amazing food and fun, but I did get some quality time with my girl and that was worth it.

On a personal note, I'm reacquainting myself with someone who hasn't been in my life in a long time. Taking it day by day - but am happy about it.

Platform time: Why do Stay at home Moms NOT get a W-2 at the end of the year??? This is hard and SUCH important work. Attention Michelle Obama!! Love what you are doing in other areas............how about this? I'm not a creative person at all, a hermit at heart and so it is a challenge.

Little news for folks: Jeremy and I are slowly starting a nonprofit. It is "Veterans United Against Hunger". I've registered us a Facebook and Twitter account already, working on a URL and a logo. Then I can file for IRS 501c3 status and trademark protection. This will be a slow start as we are really busy right now but we are finally moving on some thoughts we have had for a long time. Stay posted.

Getting ready for Haley's 19th Birthday ON Thanksgiving this year - will fly back in from South Africa just in time. (doing a little shopping already....yes, Haley, if you are reading this...)

Haley is doing so well at her job. One of the parents call her the "baby whisperer" at CAC's Potter's Clay Daycare. This is such a God thing for her to be there. In some many ways.......

All who reads this: please pray for me for my South Africa trip. Some new and exciting things going on and I need to be on top of my game. (and not sick from plane food - :( ).

Love to all~

Blessings,

Angela

Trip to Florida - 2011 and end of summer

Our trip to Navarre Beach was a trip! Literally! Jeremy, Angela, Ira, Grandma and Grandpa loaded up in Uncle Larry's great suburban (thank goodness - had a DVD player!) and headed out. Great trip down there and first day was awesome.....then came the rain. Well, rather Tropical Storm and tornadoes. We didn't have a lot of time on the beach but great time together. We went to the Naval Air Museum (they have a kid play area and Ira LOVED it!!) and the smiles on Ira and Grandpa's face made the trip for me. Grandma and I hit the mall for as long as my "boot would walk" and the water would not blow us over. Lots of great Grandma cooking and Barney!!!

Times with these two special people can never be replaced. So happy to hear stories from Grandma and Grandpa that we may never have had heard.

A few weeks later - even better news!!! HALEY CAME HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She is working her TRUE first job at Potter's Clay Daycare in Sherwood and loves it. She is a natural. I'm so proud of her. Back to school in January - probably Pulaski Tech for a year or so, then UALR.

Ira is doing great. He's adding a few (well, couple) of food items to his menu. I love spending time with him and also letting him have play time a couple days a week with his friends at CDC (so I can catch up on laundry, mopping, vacuuming and having a long breakfast with Haley if possible at Panera Bread).

Jeremy is busy, busy, busy. We are throwing around ideas about starting the process to launch a small nonprofit engaging veterans to fight hunger in America. Long process, but so needed. It will have to be a 3rd job for him and lots of work from us, but we are looking at it. Prayers are guiding us.

Halloween is Monday. The little man will be SUPER Man this year :) (Daddy's year to choose).

My adorable nephew was born on October 11th. He had some issues and has been at ACH but will hopefully be discharged tomorrow. He is so beautiful. Gabriel Michael Vincent is a gorgeous baby and can't wait to hold him.

Keep our family in your prayers for healthy babies, kids, new ideas and safe travel to South Africa on 11/15.

Blessings,

Angela

Chapter Two Begins

I guess I am referring to this as "Chapter Two" as it seems like we (our family) has moved from one phase of our life to another.

The photo shown here is from this last weekend at The Wonder Place where Ira and I played with Grandma. Ira is at the "vet clinic" with his little stethascope doing a checkup on a cocker spaniel. Too cute!

Change - wow - and to think I used to fight it kicking and screaming...:) We are for sure going through changes. The biggest and most "felt" is Haley has moved to El Dorado and is going to school there. She is living this year with her father and his family and going to a Community College. Her plans right now are to transfer next year to a 4 year school in Magnolia and live on campus. She started classes yesterday and begins her FIRST job next week as a hostess at a local restaurant. I won't go into the details but this was not an easy transition for anyone but I know there will be a lesson in this for all of us.

Second - September 12th will be my last day at Room to Read. It is time to do something different starting with spending a lot of 1:1 time with Ira. I'm not sure what I will be doing a year from now - that used to would have been freaking me out; it's kinda fun now.

Third - I'm sporting a big, black boot on my left foot. Yes, the ever-so-graceful Angie did a fantastic turn of the ankle taking out the trash in the rain and spent the evening in the ER. Fun stuff - especially since we are leaving for Florida on September 1!! I'm still trying to figure out a way to parasail.....We are taking Grandma and Grandpa and staying a week in a beautiful condo (the same place we go every year) in Navarre (an island off of Pensacola). Larry is generously letting us use his suburban to go in so we'll all have room to stretch out and Ira will have a drop down screen to let him watch a little Barney when things start getting tense with him in the car seat. :)

We also have a new member of the family on his way. Jessica and JP's little baby boy is expected in October sometime. We are hosting a shower for Jessica on the 18th of September that should be fun. It's funny though - Jeremy has been saying for about 7 months or so we need to start planning on getting another little boy. Last night we watched this show called "Nanny 911" and after it was over, Jeremy took that back...he said "perhaps we have enough". I laughed so hard!!!

I think he will get to periodically have another little boy around some. Our neighbor's husband, a pilot in the Air Force, deployed yesterday for a YEAR!!! So, I imagine one of their little boys will be here from time to time.

I'm planning my trip to South Africa for the Heifer South Africa Annual General Meeting in November (the week and weekend before Thanksgiving). I can't wait to go back. I wish it was not such a long flight so Ira could go.

Ira is doing fantastic. He is 14.5 months old and full of it!!! If he had his way, he would have someone pulling him around the neighborhood in his wagon all day long....:) He is beginning to eat a little food with texture (not a lot, but a little). One day at a time.......

He is such a joy - and keeps us on our toes!!

Hopefully I will start writing again. I must keep up with all these milestones so when I get around to doing his baby book, I have something to go back to for dates! ha!!!

Love to all,

Angela

"Gotcha Day"

Today is our "Gotcha Day". In the adoption community, it is the day you received your baby or child. Lots of families celebrate it or acknowledge it; some do not. I don't think we really have an opinion on it other than knowing today, one year ago, we met our son. By this point, we were already in the car on our way........making bets on how much hair he would have, how long he would be, chubby or lean, etc. And, of course, the big question...........the middle name. It's funny how he was Ira Benjamin until a few days after he was born and we had to put it on paper and it turned into Ira Christopher (Jeremy's middle name). Glad we didn't go that far with monogramming. :)

So, Ira, Happy Gotcha Day! We sure are happy we did!!!

love,
Mommy and Daddy

Birthday - HUGE success

Yesterday was Ira's first birthday and it was a celebration from morning to bedtime. :)
He started his day off with a bottle and some scrambled eggs and fruit. He's doing pretty well with the scrambled eggs. He opened his presents from us (toys, 3 new pair of shoes and a pool). We tried to keep him "napped up" (is that a word?) so he would be feeling good for his party.

The party was at The Wonder Place in Little Rock. First of all, the cake made by Cakes by Sam was...........amazing. Awesome. Incredible. It looked just like the photo I gave them and it tasted wonderful too. Also, you know the old saying that you only count on about 33% of those you invite showing up...well, that was NOT the case. Only a few invited didn't attend. It was so heartwarming to see all our friends and family walking in with donations of canned food items to the Arkansas Rice Depot. Grandma and I had this silly idea we would just wheel the food out in the Radio Flyer Buggy they bought him....HA! It will take tubs and more tubs!! Which is wonderful for the Rice Depot and for the children in Central Arkansas!!! I can't wait for Ira and I to make the trip this week and deliver it all.

I got to meet new family members, see friends I hadn't seen in a while, family I wish I saw more and the best friends in the world. Lots of kids got to play without being trampled on by others because we had the whole place to ourselves. It was a blast!

I thank you, God, Jesus and Mary, for all the blessings you have given this family. We have what we need and a lot of what we want. We give YOU all the glory.

love,
Angela, Jeremy, Haley and Ira

Ira's Birthday Eve

Tomorrow is the little Prince's first birthday! Just 4 more hours and he will be one year old! I can't believe it. A year ago - our lives - what was going on - only to get that call on a Sunday morning while getting ready for church that changed our lives forever. Unforgettable.

Big day tomorrow. Ira will eat scrambled eggs so I think that will be his birthday breakfast. We bought him a little pool with a shade over it so I think an early dip for the first time in his pool after his morning nap will be in order. We did get him a few presents to open so we will find time during the day to see what he does with wrapping paper...and of course, it is RED! :)

His Barney Singing and Light Up Doll has not even shipped yet :(. That will be a surprise for next week, I guess. His cake was delivered today (Dr. Seuss - made by Cakes by Sam) is AMAZING....they took the photo I sent them and did it.....they actually did it and it is so cool. I can't wait for everyone to see it. I know Ira won't eat the cake; he may not even play with it, but that's fine. As long as he gets to play around and we can work the party around his nap, it will be a success!

I'm honoring his birthmother tonight as a year ago she was in labor. A young girl, in a foreign country, giving birth while knowing her plan. I'm honoring her in my heart and mind today so tomorrow will just be about Ira. I hope she gets the letters and the photos. I hope her heart knows he is doing wonderfully and her decision was the right one. I pray she is achieving her dreams.

As Grandma says, God gives us the desires of our heart. I believe that and it makes me feel better for her.

love,
Angela

Graduation Party!

Well, the celebrating of Haley's graduation has come to a close. Her party with her closest loved ones was last night at Grandma's house. Her colors for the party were pink and black to match the cake she picked out (made by Cakes by Sam). Food was divine (thank you, Grandma Betty, Georgetown Cupcakes and Community Bakery). Beside our gift to Europe, I mad a movie for her that went from the beginning of her life, showing highlights through the way to her senior photos and receiving her diploma. I got 3 (three!) private hugs and thank-you's from her so I think she was really appreciative of the work by Grandma and me, for Sara helping in cleaning up and for ALL the friends and family that came and joined her in this celebration. I know she will never, ever forget this night. Thank you for being a part of it. We both love you!