Catch Up Post

Sorry I have been MIA the past few days.  Everything is good with Grayson and I.  I have been busy this week and haven't had time to blog. 

I will start with the results of the half marathon Chad ran this past Saturday in NWA.  He did AWESOME and beat his personal goal.  It was VERY cold and raining off and on all morning.  But Grayson and I were there the entire time cheering him on.  Chad's goal was to finish in 1 hour in 45 minutes and he finished in 1 hour and 43 minutes.  He had a good friend running the race too and he did great for his first half marathon.  Here are a few pictures of the race day!  Next race will be late April and then I think he is done until Fall. 

This past Tuesday I had a lunch date with a new friend and her newborn baby who happens to be a Grayson too.  I can't wait until we do lunch again and our Grayson's can meet.  Kristi is such a sweet girl and I loved talking to her.  I look forward to our next lunch date.  Sorry I didn't get any pictures, but she did get my Grayson a cute outfit that I love because it says, I love Mommy!

Tuesday evening I went to the movies with some great girls.  We saw Remember Me and all I can say is that I first thought the movie was weird until the end and then I loved it.  I would recommend seeing this movie.  When it comes out on DVD I am going to get it so Chad and I can watch it.  I really think he would like it.  I love going to movies during the week and with this group of girls we are trying our best to get together at least once a month for lunch or a movie.  There are some great movies coming out over the next few months.  I want to spend as much time with friends and family before Grayson is here.  Then after we get in a routine and comfortable with things at home I want to continue to do things with my girlfriends.

I received a package this week from a sweet friend for Grayson and I just want to say THANK YOU Shannon for the sweet gift!  I love it!

I also received this onesie from a blog friend a few weeks ago and with everything that was going on over the past several weeks I forgot to show you.  It is so perfect for Grayson and she does great work.  You should check out her blog and all the cute things that she makes. 

Summer Suzette Couture

I also purchased this chair for Grayson and I think it will be perfect for pictures.  I got it at Pottery Barn Kids.  I ordered it on Monday and I received it yesterday.  I was impressed on how quickly they got this to me! 

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment and I feel like my belly has grown so much this week.  So I am looking forward to seeing what has changed. 

Happy Friday

Happy Friday to All! 

Thank you all for your sweet comments on Grayson's Nursery.  I loved reading them.  I am so in love with his nursery and working on getting some final details completed has been fun.  I can't wait until his other furniture arrives.  I had a few people ask me questions about Grayson's Nursery.  I did have an artist by the name of Jenny paint Grayson's name on the wall and do the polka dots.  The main painting was completed by Chad.  If you live in NWA and want Jenny's contact info let me know.  I got her name from a few great girls and they have beautiful rooms in there house too.  She can do anything.  You will not be disappointed. 

So what are our plans for the weekend? 

With only 10 weeks left remaining before Grayson arrives Chad and I are working on completing both our registries at Target and Babies R US this weekend.  Our baby shower is a little over a month away and I am so excited plus it will be great to check this off my list of things to do.  Chad is also running a half marathon tomorrow morning and I will be there cheering him on and waiting at the finish line.  Other than that we are going to enjoy the weekend with friends.  I hope all of you have a great weekend! 

Chad's Home and FIL Update

I am glad to have my husband home.  I missed him!  He arrived home last night and is doing okay.  Friday was a tough day for him as he said his goodbye to his dad.  This past Wednesday they put a trache in his throat to help him breathe as his tongue continues to swell due to the cancer.  His doctor cannot do much more for Chad's dad and it is in God's hands.  Chad told me last night that his dad is at peace and has talked to God and knows his time is almost up.  He just wants a few more moments with his family.  Chad is at peace (for the most part) that his dad won't live much longer, but he knows that he will be with God and in no pain.  Chad's dad was able to leave the hospital yesterday afternoon and is at home resting and is as comfortable as he can be.  He went home with the trache, a feeding tube, and pain medicine.  Hospice will be caring for him and I pray that he continues to be as comfortable as he can and that when the time comes he goes to heaven peacefully.  Before Chad left his dad told him that he saw Grayson at their pond when he was 2 years old and he has blonde hair and big blue eyes.  We are blessed that he shared this with us and hope that just maybe he can live until Grayson is born.  It is our hope, but it is in God's hands!

Today is my FIL's Birthday!  Happy Birthday Millard!  I hope he has a wonderful and blessed day. 

Thank you all for your prayers and checking on Chad over the past few days.  You are all a true blessing!

Happy Saturday!!!

What I should be doing...

It's Friday! I am so glad that this week is over! However I should be working on Data Sync for Walmart, but I would rather read blogs and write a blog post then work. So that is what I am doing. I have a lot on my mind and I thought that I would just let it out...so here I go!

The past week has been a tough week in the Stafford home. Chad is going through some transitions at work. It is tough on him and I am hoping and praying that over the next two weeks all will be resolved. We also received news yesterday that Chad's dad is not doing well and is in the hospital. Back in November 2009 Chad's dad was diagnosed with cancer in his tongue and went through radiation and they thought that they got all the cancer, however in early January 2010 they discovered that the cancer has grown to his throat. He decided to start chemotherapy to see if he can fight it. He has only been given a 30% survival rate, but he is hoping to beat the odds. Yesterday Chad's dad was admitted to the hospital because he was having trouble breathing and has pneumonia. As of today they are no longer doing chemo and the only option his dad has is to remove his tongue and voice box. It is going to be a tough few days for his family and we just hope and pray that he can continue to fight. Please keep Chad and his family in your prayers.

God is with us both and we know that it is in his control. God will take care of Chad and his dad too!

On a happy note... Grayson is doing wonderful! We had a wonderful appointment this morning and I will save the details for my Monday post.

Have a great weekend and if I can say one thing to all of you today is cherish every moment with your loved ones.

with love

Melissa

20 Years with Walmart

Not Only was it Shareholder's Week for Walmart it was also Chad's 20 Year Anniversary with Walmart. The celebrating started early on Saturday morning... early I mean 4:30AM. I had to get ready for the day and be ready to get pictures taken by 6AM at the monthly Saturday Morning Walmart Meeting. Before the meeting started at 7:30AM we enjoyed a breakfast with the Executive Team and other Service Award Associates. After taking pictures and hearing a few stories about Chad's time with Walmart we headed to the meeting. I was their to honor Chad for his accomplishments, but I was also excited to see Trace Adkins. He is a genuine and funny man! He sang two songs, All I Ask For Anymore and Marry for Money, which he said was his stimulus plan! Here are a few pictures of our morning.

After the meeting I spent the afternoon preparing for the 20 Year Celebration with our Friends. We had appetizers, cake, and drinks. I made Buffalo Chicken Cheese Dip, Meatballs, Spinach Dip, Hot Dogs in Croissant Roll, and a Fruit Tray. Beverages included Strawberry Limeades, Ice Tea, and Water. Everything seemed to be a HIT! We enjoyed the early evening sun and while the adults played cornhole the kids enjoyed playing with bubbles. I would have to say that the bubbles were a great babysitter and it allowed the parents to enjoy some Adult Time. Although I felt as if I was running around doing something the entire time... like take pictures. I guess that is what happens when you host a party. After enjoying time outside we came back inside briefly to enjoy cake from Rick's Bakery. It was Red Velvet and White Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Yummy! I have too much cake left... what am I going to do with it? I need someone to come and take it out of our house and eat it... During the cake eating process Chad shared stories of his time with Walmart with everyone. I love hearing stories of his past and the things they use to do at Walmart. My favorite stories are from our friend Mary Ramsey she has the best stories of Chad. We wish that Mary and Greg Ramsey could join us for this special event. We missed them! Chad received a wonderful print of the Walton 5 and 10, which I think was the 1st Walmart, from our friends Kim and Brad Fisher. They always seem to find the perfect gift. Here are a few pictures of our evening with our friends. A special thank you to our friends for coming and celebrating this special event for Chad. I am very proud of my husband's accomplishment, 20 years with the same company. I just hope one day that I am able to do the same. I admire my husband for his dedication and I hope that he continues to have success with Walmart. He is not retiring even though he tells me that he is... he can retire if he has a off shore account with millions in it... but he doesn't so it is back to work on Monday for Chad. Congratulations Chad on 20 Years!

Chad's 26 ABC's

A - Age: 36
B - Bed size: King
C - Chore you hate: Cleaning Toilets
D - Dog's name: Bella
E - Essential start your day item: Running
F - Favorite color: Blue

G - Gold or Silver: Silver

H - Height: 5'9"
I - Instruments you play: None
J - Job title: Divisional Fashion Merchandiser, Husband, Daddy to my dog Bella, Friend, Brother, and Son
K - Kid(s): None
L - Living arrangements: In Bentonville, Arkansas with my wife Melissa and our dog Bella
M - Mom's name: Darilene
N - Nicknames: Bugle Boy and Scabs
O - Overnight hospital stay: Yes when I had my kidney stone
P - Pet Peeve: Dirty House
Q - Quote from a movie: "Having more fun than a tornado in a Trailer Park" - Cars or "You had me at Hello" - Jerry McGuire

R - Right or left handed: Sorry I made an error earlier... Thanks Shania for the comment Chad is Right Handed!
S - Siblings: 3 brothers and 1 sister
T - Time you wake up: 5 AM
U - Underwear: Anything...not picky
V - Vegetable you dislike: I love Veggies
W - Ways/Reasons you run late: I am Never Late!
X - X-rays you've had: teeth and full body x-ray for my physical

Y - Yummy food you make: Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich and Cereal - it requires no turning on the stove.
Z - Zoo animals you like: Giraffes and Lions

Thanks for getting to know the Stafford Couple!