God works in mysterious ways...

Sometimes in life you feel like God has punished you. That your life really sucks. That when it rains it pours. You feel like there will be no brighter tomorrow. I have felt that way. More than once. I always heard the expression and never thought much of it. Until there comes a time in your life when that saying proves true, I don't think you can really appreciate it.

For me, it was when we lost our baby boy, Trenton. I was angry, upset, hurt, crushed, all the emotions imaginable. I was angry at God for so long. Why did he do this to us? Why did he choose ME? What had I done to deserve such a harsh punishment?

It was a very emotional journey that Travis and I had to endure. Trenton was delivered prematurely at 21 weeks. No chance of survival. He was big enough that we got to hold him, kiss him and say our good-byes. I remember that when the nurse asked us if we wanted to see him, we both initially said no. That it would be too painful. We changed our minds and got to hold our beautiful son and pray to God to hold him tight in his arms. I am glad that we changed our minds, it was the most emotional thing that we have ever had to face. It is also one of the most special and tender moments that I have had with Travis. Only us knew what it felt like, only us knew how our hearts physically hurt.

It took a while for me to get life back on track, I had a special little boy that needed my attention. Andrew was old enough to know what was going on, although I am sure he comprehended it like only a child would. He knew that his baby brother was in Heaven. I answered questions as they came up, not trying to give too much information at once.

I knew we would try again, that we would be praising God when we had a new baby, and that our family was still not complete. This was a bump in the road. There would be a brighter tomorrow.

Addison was born March 29, 2005. I knew then that yes, everything does happen for a reason and God DOES work in mysterious ways. Looking at our beautiful daughter, it all became so clear to me. Without Trenton, we would be without Addison.

Our family is complete. The Lord knew what he was doing.


Trenton Philip Garrett 12-29-03

My First Baby Sister...

Andrew is learning descriptive writing in school. He was asked to write about a special time in his life. This is his story, as he wrote it. I have not changed anything. Enjoy....

MY FIRST BABY SISTER

The most fantastic suprise I've ever had was when I got a baby sister. First, my mom named her Addison. Addison was crying for about 2 hours. Then she was sleeping afterwards and she was buetifuly adorabull.

Also when I got to hold her, she was so tiny. When I touched her stomach, it was smooth and shiny. So I asked my dad to hold her for a couple more minutes. When he said, "yes, sure", I felt awesome. So I looked in to her eyes and I fell emoshinal and suprised because she kicked my arm. Right then I knew I had my first baby sister.

When I got my first ever baby sister, it was the best thing that ever happened to me!

Andrew Garrett

Winter is here!

Winter is here, not sure if that is a good thing or not. I love the holidays but could do without the cold weather.

Andrew is doing great in school. He brought home straight A's. We are so proud of him. He showed me his report card and said, "See mom, I can watch TV and study at the same time..."

We just got back from Atlanta. We went to visit my dad and step-mother. It was a great "mini-vacation". Sylvia and I took Addison to the Cabbage Patch Nursery. She got to pick out her own Cabbage Patch Doll and name her. We all had so much fun.

Andrew, Travis and my dad just hung out relaxed and watched football. It is always great to visit with them.


Christmas is fast approaching. I am very excited about it. If someone would have told me how special and magical Christmas morning could be with two children, I never would have believed them. The look of excitment on their faces is like no other.

On a side note: Some Garrett-isms...

...."You are the best mommy I ever had"....Addison to Mommy

...."Andrew, leave me ALONE--I have an 'ear efrection'.." Addison

...."I really don't like that man, (Obama), I voted for McCain..." Andrew

Summer.Is.Over.

Summer. Is. Over.

Shrimp Boils, beach, lakes, boating, swimming....some of the many enjoyments that we have had this summer. We went to Nags Head for a week. It was very relaxing. This was the first time that Addison had seen the beach. We had a very special time just being with each other and having nothing to do.

We are trying to get back into our fall/winter routine. Andrew is playing fall ball and Addison has started gymnastics, or as she calls it, "smastics"......Andrew is enjoying being a 5th grader while Addison is enjoying her last year at Leahs. We are having an issue with her sleeping in her bed, she claims she is afraid she will dream of monsters. She has told me that she knows they are not real, she just doesn't want to dream of them. She told me one night that a monster had come into her room and grabbed her leg then chased her into the bathroom. How Scary!!!! We are taking this one night at a time. I hate hearing her cry and I don't think it is necessary to let her cry. I want her to know that we are there, so Travis and I are up and down all night. Hopefully this will end soon :(


Some funny moments from the past few months:

"Mommy, I know how you get a baby in your tummy! You have to go to college!"....Addison

"I told my coach that maybe he needed to put some better hitters behind me in the line-up, but I said it nicely."......Andrew

"Tomorrow I won't be here today".......Addison


Till next time.......

Summer, summertime...

Oh where do I begin.....So much has been happening around the Garrett household the last couple of weeks. Travis' job is starting to pick up a little, this is such a relief considering last month we weren't sure we would be able to cash his paycheck. He went to the bay last weekend but unfortunately did not catch anything. I guess that is what he gets when he doesn't take me. Whenever he leaves us for a couple days, I truly understand what it is like to be a single parent. Damn, it is so hard! The kids miss him dearly. Geez, he was only gone 2 days.

Andrew is playing baseball twice a week. Andrew got hit in the back with a pitch last week. He was the 4th kid that had gotten hit that game by the same pitcher. So I wanted the pitcher out of the game. Andrew went down FAST. After he got up and went to first, he stole 2nd, stole 3rd. Then his coach told him to go ahead and steal home. When he did, he slid into homebase and his cleat got caught in the pitchers leg, and down goes the pitcher. One way to get him out of the game! He was safe and got the winning run in. That move got Andrew the game ball.....He never complained about the huge bruise on his back, he just kept looking at the game ball!

Andrew is a very sweet child but sometimes he lets his mouth get the best of him. I guess that is your typical 9 year old though. I could never ask for a better son then him though. He was mad at Travis and I last week and he went to school and told the teacher that we get mad at him and beat him. That couldn't be farther from the truth. We do not beat our children. I was so upset and hurt with Andrew, but how is a 9 year old supposed to understand the consequences of his actions? How is he to know that lying like that could have gotten him taken away from us? I laid in bed Friday night in tears thinking of how I could make things better, I know kids will be kids but what can I do so this won't happen again?

Addison, she is a different story. She has kept us in stitches since she has been able to talk. She loves to sing. Her favorite song now goes like this:

my heart starts pumpin, shake-a-shake a booty, thats what my baby says......

I have no idea where she heard it but when she sings it, her attitude is in full force.

This is the best time of our lives, I am trying to enjoy every minute with the kids. I am so afraid that when I wake up, they will be grown. I look forward to the weekends. Summertime is the best.

Till next time,

Spring 2009

Spring is such a busy time in our household. I was making our monthly calendar to hang on the fridge last night, something to do almost every day. I enjoy it though. I enjoy watching Andrew play ball. He enjoys it. This year Andrew is playing on the minor league team. Which means kids will be pitching to each other and 4 times as many games. He actually had to "try out". There were 51 kids that tried out for 25 openings. He did a great job. They had 5 balls thrown to them and he hit every one of them!!!!! He also had to catch ground balls. One of the balls went past him, so Andrew stops it with his cleat.... I guess the point is to stop the ball, whatever works, right? They were going to call us within the week to let us know if he made the team.

We got the call on Monday! 2 days after tryouts! He was picked up in the first round. #6 out of 51!!!!! WOW! Travis and I were ecstatic, as any parent would be. We called Andrew downstairs to tell him the good news. His reaction: "OK, I knew I would make it......"! Not the reaction I thought he would have!! Although I admire the confidence that he has.

A little about me.......

1. My real name is Evelyn Jeanette, I just go by Jenne. I used to not like it, but I have come to appreciate it over the years. I am named after both my grandmothers.

2. I have been married 10 ½ years to my high school sweetheart. I only tried on one wedding dress. I knew it was the right one.

3. I used to collect Cherished Teddies. I have about 250 of them. I stopped collecting because I ran out of room for them.

4. I don’t like my food touching, even spaghetti and noodles.

5. I lost touch with some old friends, and even though we talk periodically, I know it will never be the same.

6. I miss my papa terribly.

7. I love to fish. I don't mind touching fish or taking them off the hook. I love fishing at the bay. I think reeling in a fish for over an hour is exhilarating. Yes, I do have my own fishing rod and it is purple. I can also drive the trailer with the boat on it.

8. I have made some stupid decisions in my life, but think I turned out OK.

9. I have become addicted to the gym.

10. I am afraid of dying and leaving my family. I am also afraid of Travis dying and leaving me.

11. I can tie a knot in a cherry stem with my tongue.

12. I think my kids are the most beautiful kids in the world.

13. I know that God works in mysterious ways. I have found that hearts really can break. I also know that Heaven needs babies too.

14. I am very tight with money, and hate to charge things, but find myself doing it periodically.

15. I am scared that when my kids grow up I won’t be able to shield them from bad things.

16. I am proud I am a mom that volunteers at my kids school, (sometimes I would call it more work than volunteering, but love it none the less)!!

17. I always say what is on my mind. Sometimes I regret it later.

18. I worry about the health of my parents and can’t imagine life without them in it.

19. I talk to my animals as if they were human.

20. I love Disney World and all the magic that comes along with it. I wish I could go there every year. I turn into a child and giggle all day. I also cry at the fireworks.

21. Mickey Mouse and I have the same birthday. Really!

22. I was born at Homestead Air Force Base.

23. I think everyone should “Pay It Forward”.

24. I think my grandma is the most beautiful person inside and out!

25. I am proud of my life and who I have become. I am proud of the way I am raising my kids. I am proud of the relationship that my husband and I have. Becoming a wife and mother has made me a better person.