Sarah is TWO!!!

Today is Sarah Beth's birthday. She is two years old today!

We went to our favorite local Mexican restaurant and had them sing Happy Birthday to her in Spanish. She loved it, sombrero and all!

She is really into Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go, so she got a little talking Dora doll today, and has another item or two for her birthday party on Saturday.

We will be celebrating with a family and friends party on Saturday and I will post pictures as soon as I can.

Enjoying our baby's first birthday at home!
Lori

Holiday Gift Cards - Useful Information

Hi Everyone:

I am passing along information I recieved on one of the homeschool boards. While I certainly understand and agree with the writer's concerns, keep in mind that unless you need to go into the store to make your purchase, gift cards are usable at online sites. Watch however for stores that are listed as closing all stores.

I read in yesterday's Birmingham News that the Circuit City that was supposed to be coming to the Brookhighland Plaza (in place of the movie theatre they tore down) is not going to finish its build out because of stores closing.

Happy Holidays, they are approaching fast!!
Lori

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"I wanted to give everyone a heads up that if you tend to give gift cards around the holidays, you need to be careful that the cards will be honored after the holidays. Stores that are planning to close after Christmas are still selling the cards through the holidays even though the cards will be worthless January 1.

There is no lawpreventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as 'Bankrupcy Planning"). Below is a partial list of stores that you need to be cautious about. Circuit City (filed Chapter 11)

Ann Taylor- 117 stores nationwide closing
Lane Bryant,
Fashion Bug ,and Catherine's to close 150 storesnationwide
Eddie Bauer to close stores 27 stores and more after January
Cache will close all stores
Talbots closing down specialty stores
J. Jill closing all stores (owned by Talbots)
Pacific Sunwear (also owned by Talbots)
GAP closing 85 stores
Footlocker closing 140 stores mo re to close after January
Wickes Furniture closing down
Levitz closing down remaining stores
Bombay closing remaining stores
Zales closing down 82 stores and 105 after January
Whitehall closing all stores
Piercing Pagoda closing all stores
Disney closing 98 stores and will close more after January.
Home Depot closing 15 stores 1 in NJ ( New Brunswick )
Macys to close 9 stores after January
Linens and Things closing all stores
Movie Galley Closing all stores
Pep Boys Closing 33 stores
Sprint/Nextel closing 133 stores
JC Penney closing a number of stores after January
Ethan Allen closing down 12 stores.
Wilson Leather closing down all stores
Sharper Image closing down all stores
K B Toys closing 356 stores
Loews to close down some stores *note from Lori, perhaps this is a typo and supposed to be Lowe's?? I'm not sure. *
Dillard's to close some stores

On the mend....

This post is for those of you who aren't on my normal email list, but look here for updates about what is going on with us...

Hi, and I am so glad that you are here!

Quick update for all of you who've been praying for me and my family.

I saw the doctor today, three weeks since my surgery (anterior discectomy with a bone bank fusion). I am doing well, and have been feeling much better over the course of the last three days. Yippee!! Praise the Lord!!

The doctor has told me to begin working my arms (where I've lost most of my strength since I fell). He told me to be careful not to strain or stretch my neck at all. He also told me that I could pick up my precious little Sarah B again, after 3 weeks of no lifting!! And, the best part is that I'm beginning to feel good again, after 7 months of continuous pain.

I rocked my precious little one tonight and gave her her milk. She nuzzled up to my neck and sighed a sleepy sigh, and then licked my face. Ah, my sweet little - strange - Sarah Beth! It made me laugh. What a privilege to have that precious one back in my arms to rock again.

So, I go back to the doctor again in 5 weeks for x-rays and another follow-up, to see if the bones are fusing as they should.

Two weeks and 3 days ago, I wasn't so sure having this surgery had been a good decision, but today, I'm feeling really good about it.

Thanks so much for all of your prayers, and help while I've been down.
Lori

Getting better every day!!

Hi Everyone:

I have been feeling much improved for the last two days, so I am in hopes that I am on the mend.

I have a check up appointment with my doc tomorrow. Tomorrow is three weeks since the surgery.

I am needing minimal pain meds now, and am beginning to have a little more energy, though I do still seem to tire quickly.

Thanks to all of you who've been keeping up and praying, even when you don't post here.

Better every day!
Lori

Keep praying

Hi everyone:

Well, apparently I tried to "get back at it" too soon. Yesterday, I had to do all of our corporate work - payroll, billing, reconcilling, etc.... Four hours later, I tried to catch up on my homeschooling paperwork - all of the recording keeping that helps me keep up with Anna's school "attendance" (the days we do school) and transferring all of her work from her lesson sheets to my permenant records.

Needless to say, I seriously over did it. I've been in huge amounts of pain today, and still so tonight.

Please continue to pray for me, and my family. I won't be on the blog for a bit....

Talk to you all again soon,
Lori