9/11/06 - what was I doing? I was working in a small pediatric surgery clinic sitting next to a girl I had only met once in an interview a few days earlier. A girl, who in the interview (with a growling stomach), amazed me...there are no other words. Something about her just hit me and I had to hire her. Best decision I've ever made! She was a God-send to say the least. That girl is now my very dear friend Elizabeth.
It was around this time in my life that Ben and I were trying to get pregnant. We were doing testing and meeting with doctors left and right. Elizabeth was a great listener and I always felt comfortable sharing with her. Months would pass and on a very cold ski trip to Colorado I would find out I was pregnant with Kevin. Some staffing changes took place in the office and it was during this transition that Elizabeth and I talked more, worked together more and realized how much we had in common. Both were married, no kids and our dogs were our kids!
Like the scene from Forrest Gump when he says "You know it's funny what a young man recollects? 'Cause I don't remember bein' born. I don't recall what I got for my first Christmas and I don't know when I went on my first outdoor picnic. But I do remember the first time I heard the sweetest voice in the wide world."
I don't recall the moment we became inseparable....I don't recall our first lunch....or our first laugh so hard we could pee our pants moment - I feel like we've been friends forever. We often would joke "man, if we went to school together we would have gotten in so much trouble".
FYI: it's not only the husbands that gain weight when you're pregnant, your bestie gains weight too! Elizabeth and I ate like there was no tomorrow. Pasta was our favorite. God bless Cook Children's for having an ICEE machine in the cafeteria - we drank the heck out of those suckers all summer! LIFE WAS GOOD!
I remember leaving the office the Friday before Kevin was born and I was so sad that I wouldn't get to see Elizabeth for 8 long weeks. How would we survive without our daily talks and laughs? Elizabeth visited me in the hospital when Kevin was born and I was so happy to see her! I returned to work the Monday after New Years' to find out she was pregnant! What an awesome day!!!!!!!!! I loved her being pregnant and experiencing all the things I had just experienced.
When I found out I was pregnant with Eli I couldn't wait to get to work to tell Elizabeth. I walked right in, looked at her and said "come here" (I'm bossy like that)! She has always been the person I wanted to share my exciting moments with.
She's also the person I want to cry and laugh with! We've had our share of both over the years. I was on the receiving end of the phone when Elizabeth found out the precious baby she was pregnant with was in heaven. We weren't together for me to hug her and tell her how sorry I was. I had no words for my dear friend. She is one of the strongest people I know.
Elizabeth has had more "I told you so" moments in our 6 1/2 year friendship than I can count. She knew both times I was pregnant with boys, she knew I was pregnant with Eli when I didn't and she knew I was in labor with Eli when I didn't too! I'm sure there are many more that I can't recall right now!
We've had the pull out your hair moments with work situations and times when we literally felt we were the only 2 people who had a clue what was going on! We vowed to always work together unless we both left and the only reason for that was to open a snow cone stand/daycare.
So here we are - April 2013 - I'm in a new office and Elizabeth is leaving to pursue a career near her house. I'm here with all the memories of our 6+ years together at Cook. It's pure torture I tell ya! I'm remembering Cook picnics, Jingle Mingles, ALL the many lunches we've shared together, Starbucks on a sleepy day (or any day for that matter!), lunches outside on a nice day - have you noticed all my memories include food? Yeah, that's how we roll!
Elizabeth: Thank you. Thank you for being such an amazing friend. God put us together for a reason and looking back I am now more aware of those reasons. I couldn't have survived this time in my life without you. You've been a great listener, a shoulder to cry on, an excellent eating partner and someone that I am free to be myself around. People don't get us - we know that - but we're 2 pretty amazing girls if I must say so myself. I'll never look at Christmas decorations the same this year and YES I promise to touch something in the Atrium this year - just for you : ) I know this isn't goodbye forever... just a sad goodbye that I won't get to see you every day. Good luck in your job, it was made for you and I know you'll do amazing!! I love you sister!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Busy few months in the Sasser house
So much has happened since my last post in February -
First big and exciting news - Ben's work schedule has changed. He is working deep nights (not so great) but is off Friday and Saturday (yay!!!) and can go to church with us on Sundays now! We are super excited about that and it's been a nice change.
Next big and exciting news - I have a new job!! I started as the Practice Manger in the ENT clinic at Cook on 3/25. I am loving it. Aside from learning the clinic terminology - it's been a very easy transition. I have a wonderful doctor that I work for now - he is very calm (most days) and very very nice. Such a drastic change from working for general surgery.
And lastly - we FINALLY joined Harvest after 9 months of visiting. So nice to have a church we can call home and be a part of its ministry.
I'll end this with some updated pics of the boys who are growing like crazy. Kevin is about 6 weeks away from finishing up the Kindergarten program at Kids' Place and will be starting at Saginaw Elementary in the Fall. My baby is going to be in big school *sigh*. Eli is talking like crazy! Like full sentences talking. His favorite things to say "mama what you doing?", "what?", "wook more trucks, mama wook, more trucks" (God bless all the construction on our way home!), "he hit me", "he pushed me", "i need a cup of juice", "where's my blanket?", "where daddy go?", "where kevin go?" and my favorite still "mommy i hold you".
First big and exciting news - Ben's work schedule has changed. He is working deep nights (not so great) but is off Friday and Saturday (yay!!!) and can go to church with us on Sundays now! We are super excited about that and it's been a nice change.
Next big and exciting news - I have a new job!! I started as the Practice Manger in the ENT clinic at Cook on 3/25. I am loving it. Aside from learning the clinic terminology - it's been a very easy transition. I have a wonderful doctor that I work for now - he is very calm (most days) and very very nice. Such a drastic change from working for general surgery.
And lastly - we FINALLY joined Harvest after 9 months of visiting. So nice to have a church we can call home and be a part of its ministry.
I'll end this with some updated pics of the boys who are growing like crazy. Kevin is about 6 weeks away from finishing up the Kindergarten program at Kids' Place and will be starting at Saginaw Elementary in the Fall. My baby is going to be in big school *sigh*. Eli is talking like crazy! Like full sentences talking. His favorite things to say "mama what you doing?", "what?", "wook more trucks, mama wook, more trucks" (God bless all the construction on our way home!), "he hit me", "he pushed me", "i need a cup of juice", "where's my blanket?", "where daddy go?", "where kevin go?" and my favorite still "mommy i hold you".
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| Ranger's opening home game 4/5/13 |
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| My handsome little man |
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| Easter Egg Hunt at Harvest |
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| "Wook" my all my eggs! |
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| A rare mama and Eli picture! |
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| Being silly! Eli trying to act just like his brother |
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo 2013
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| Brothers! |
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| Go the stockshow and find a Ranger's booth - Kevin was thrilled! |
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| Our left handed thrower! |
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| Brothers annoying each other |
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| Eli loved riding the horse |
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| He looks so big on the horse this year! |
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| "let me know if he's about to eat me, mom!" |
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| "whatcha doing?" |
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| This child could live on a farm! |
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| Took him 15 mins but he made it to the end |
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| Yay Eli! |
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| Super fast slide - Kevin's favorite |
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| "not too sure about this...." |
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| Woo hoo - go Kevin! |
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Family Zoo Day
We spent the morning at the zoo today. It was nice when we got there but quickly started raining and was pretty cold when we left. We still had fun and the rain didn't bother the boys at all!
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| Smiling with the Flamingos |
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| Silly Eli had to be just like brother |
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| Riding the "out of order" horse |
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| Amazed by all the fish |
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| Oops, you caught me...what cookies? |
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| I have no words for these pictures.... I sure love these sweet boys! |
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| Touching the cool Milk Snake |
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| Even very cautious Eli touched it |
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| Hello in there! |
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| The awesome white tiger |
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| Eli loved saying "roar" at the glass |
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| Kevin wasn't too sure about the bears |
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| Saying "hi" to the bear |
Friday, January 11, 2013
What a week!
We've had quite the week. Kevin started feeling yucky on Sunday, I got strep on Tuesday, Eli started feeling bad Tuesday night...and Ben has been the only one that has been well! I was able to go back to work today but still feeling kind of blah... The boys are feeling better - both were started on an antibiotic with me. Now I get to clean my house tonight and try to get rid of all the germs! This day has a strange meaning to me...and when I say strange, I mean strange. First: I remember when I got pregnant with Eli I wanted him to be born on 1/11/11, just thought that would be a cool birthday!
But that's not why I remember this day.
A few weeks after Eli was born we went to Wal-Mart for some baby items. While I was shopping on the baby isle I turned around and saw a woman with a basket full of formula. She had probably 20 cans of formula in her basket. I commented to her "it's nice to stock up, huh?" She laughed and said "yes!" I asked how old her baby was and she replied that "they" were born on 1/11... I replied that mine was born on 1/7 so they were close in age.
As our conversation continued I noticed she started to get emotional talking about her babies.
And right there in the middle of the baby isle at Wal-Mart...she broke down. Her babies were 3 weeks old however only one of the twins was alive. She had just lost one of the babies the week prior to SIDS.
My heart broke for her. I was in tears with her as she talked about her loss.
So today when I woke up and thought about the date 1/11 - I am thinking about this stranger at Wal-Mart who is celebrating her baby's 2nd birthday and longing to see her baby in heaven again. I never got her name but today I pray for this lady and her family.
But that's not why I remember this day.
A few weeks after Eli was born we went to Wal-Mart for some baby items. While I was shopping on the baby isle I turned around and saw a woman with a basket full of formula. She had probably 20 cans of formula in her basket. I commented to her "it's nice to stock up, huh?" She laughed and said "yes!" I asked how old her baby was and she replied that "they" were born on 1/11... I replied that mine was born on 1/7 so they were close in age.
As our conversation continued I noticed she started to get emotional talking about her babies.
And right there in the middle of the baby isle at Wal-Mart...she broke down. Her babies were 3 weeks old however only one of the twins was alive. She had just lost one of the babies the week prior to SIDS.
My heart broke for her. I was in tears with her as she talked about her loss.
So today when I woke up and thought about the date 1/11 - I am thinking about this stranger at Wal-Mart who is celebrating her baby's 2nd birthday and longing to see her baby in heaven again. I never got her name but today I pray for this lady and her family.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Happy Birthday, Eli
My big boy is 2 years old today! I sure love this little monkey - he brings such joy to our lives and never a dull moment in our house.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Sorry little brother....we need sleep
Dear Eli -
Not that it was a hard decision at 5am after being up for 2 1/2 hours with you but you have to go back in your crib tonight. Strange thing is your brother was a terrible baby and did this middle of the night no sleep thing but the older he got he grew out of it. You on the other hand were a great sleeper as a baby, slept all night and didn't give us any trouble. WHY NOW???? Why at 2 did you decide you needed us in the room to fall asleep? Ugh!
I had lots of thinking time while sitting in the rocking chair for an hour this morning (praying you were falling asleep.....). I couldn't help but think about the time preparing for your arrival.
Well back up before your arrival...I think about the times when we thought about getting pregnant again. We didn't think it was even possible for us to have another baby after waiting 3 years for Kevin. But early early on June 1st - all our impossible thinking revealed what I can only describe as a miracle and TOTAL SHOCK - a positive pregnancy test. We were flying out for our trip to Jamaica in 8 days so I did what any normal person would do - called my doctor in a panic that I needed an ultrasound ASAP before I got on a plane. Luckily my doctor was very understanding and saw me that afternoon. He didn't detect a heartbeat at that appointment but so graciously said he would see us back on Monday before we left on our trip. That appointment we saw you and your little heartbeat and were told you would arrive on January 30th.
My pregnancy was awesome with you. Never sick and no problems at all. I started feeling very pregnant late December and actually people started commenting that I wouldn't make it another 4 weeks. I started with pain in my lower back on Sunday 1/2. That pain didn't go away all week. On Friday morning 1/7 I woke up feeling just different. Couldn't describe it really just different. I went to work and started seeing spots when I blinked. Called my doctor and he saw me that morning. Said I made little progress and to go home and rest. Go home??? Yeah right! I wasn't sick I was just fat and pregnant and uncomfortable. So back to work I went - this was around 10:30 that morning.
By 11:30 I was in so much pain I couldn't talk. I thought (like any normal pregnant mommy) that eating would cure that. Well it did sort of. When I stood up to leave my water broke - little boy you were coming...ready or not. And "not" described it. I had nothing packed for you or the hospital. I called daddy and he threw some stuff together and met me at the hospital. I was in a room and situated around 1:00. Dr Maxwell came to see me and said if you were born before 5pm he would be there otherwise another dr would deliver you. Well that was a challenge! Your heart rate dropped during contractions and it concerned everyone. I decided you had the cord wrapped around your neck. I just knew it. The nurses and doctors didn't agree.
After a very easy labor - you arrived at 4:56pm with the cord wrapped around your neck twice!!! You weighed 6lbs 3oz and had a head full of blond hair. You were so tiny I didn't know how to hold you. But even though you were 4 weeks early you were healthy. Your lungs were good and you spent no time in the NICU.
The Sunday we came home it snowed like crazy. It was beautiful and I spent the day watching the snow and feeding you and just enjoying you. Our house looked like a tornado hit it as we were trying to wash your clothes and get things ready. We only had 1 pack of diapers when you came home!!!!
Oh Eli - you are such a blessing to our family. You still surprise us even 2 years later. So regardless of these rough sleepy nights and your stubborn personality I wouldn't trade these moments for anything! I will try to cherish this time and remember that not all households are blessed to have kids. I remember a time when I would have given my right arm for a sleepless night rocking a baby - and now I have 2.
With all that said though - you're still going back to your crib tonight. Sorry little brother but we need to sleep :-)
Not that it was a hard decision at 5am after being up for 2 1/2 hours with you but you have to go back in your crib tonight. Strange thing is your brother was a terrible baby and did this middle of the night no sleep thing but the older he got he grew out of it. You on the other hand were a great sleeper as a baby, slept all night and didn't give us any trouble. WHY NOW???? Why at 2 did you decide you needed us in the room to fall asleep? Ugh!
I had lots of thinking time while sitting in the rocking chair for an hour this morning (praying you were falling asleep.....). I couldn't help but think about the time preparing for your arrival.
Well back up before your arrival...I think about the times when we thought about getting pregnant again. We didn't think it was even possible for us to have another baby after waiting 3 years for Kevin. But early early on June 1st - all our impossible thinking revealed what I can only describe as a miracle and TOTAL SHOCK - a positive pregnancy test. We were flying out for our trip to Jamaica in 8 days so I did what any normal person would do - called my doctor in a panic that I needed an ultrasound ASAP before I got on a plane. Luckily my doctor was very understanding and saw me that afternoon. He didn't detect a heartbeat at that appointment but so graciously said he would see us back on Monday before we left on our trip. That appointment we saw you and your little heartbeat and were told you would arrive on January 30th.
My pregnancy was awesome with you. Never sick and no problems at all. I started feeling very pregnant late December and actually people started commenting that I wouldn't make it another 4 weeks. I started with pain in my lower back on Sunday 1/2. That pain didn't go away all week. On Friday morning 1/7 I woke up feeling just different. Couldn't describe it really just different. I went to work and started seeing spots when I blinked. Called my doctor and he saw me that morning. Said I made little progress and to go home and rest. Go home??? Yeah right! I wasn't sick I was just fat and pregnant and uncomfortable. So back to work I went - this was around 10:30 that morning.
By 11:30 I was in so much pain I couldn't talk. I thought (like any normal pregnant mommy) that eating would cure that. Well it did sort of. When I stood up to leave my water broke - little boy you were coming...ready or not. And "not" described it. I had nothing packed for you or the hospital. I called daddy and he threw some stuff together and met me at the hospital. I was in a room and situated around 1:00. Dr Maxwell came to see me and said if you were born before 5pm he would be there otherwise another dr would deliver you. Well that was a challenge! Your heart rate dropped during contractions and it concerned everyone. I decided you had the cord wrapped around your neck. I just knew it. The nurses and doctors didn't agree.
After a very easy labor - you arrived at 4:56pm with the cord wrapped around your neck twice!!! You weighed 6lbs 3oz and had a head full of blond hair. You were so tiny I didn't know how to hold you. But even though you were 4 weeks early you were healthy. Your lungs were good and you spent no time in the NICU.
The Sunday we came home it snowed like crazy. It was beautiful and I spent the day watching the snow and feeding you and just enjoying you. Our house looked like a tornado hit it as we were trying to wash your clothes and get things ready. We only had 1 pack of diapers when you came home!!!!
Oh Eli - you are such a blessing to our family. You still surprise us even 2 years later. So regardless of these rough sleepy nights and your stubborn personality I wouldn't trade these moments for anything! I will try to cherish this time and remember that not all households are blessed to have kids. I remember a time when I would have given my right arm for a sleepless night rocking a baby - and now I have 2.
With all that said though - you're still going back to your crib tonight. Sorry little brother but we need to sleep :-)
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