21 weeks and Happy 2009!

Wow 21 weeks along on the first day of 2009...what a neat thing. I don't have alot to add about be 21 weeks along-I feel surprisingly well and it's almost scary. The sleep issue I'm experiencing is bad *read as horrible and unimaginable as you can think of* but I will take no sleep because I am blessed a thousand times over expecting another child.

Anyway, 2008 has been a great year for us...

In January, Owen began walking at just 14 months of age!



In March, we celebrated our 10 year anniversary:



Then, we excitedly earned and took a cruise to the Bahamas with TJ in the spring.



When the summer came we really enjoyed the time outdoors with the boys and working in the yard.




TJ even got to do a skateboard camp (no photo;-( and Jake did a dino camp

AND played his first year of t-ball


In June we celebrated Father's Day at Holiday World:





Owen progressed and excelled beyond my wildest dreams and is really enjoying "school". He speaks in sentences and runs and keeps up with his big bothers.








We also enjoyed a great trip to WI in August to visit the WI fam and I was able to shoot this, my fav all-time pics of my 3 boys;-)


We were blessed by Tim having the opportunity to open another Walgreens, this one only minutes from our home.




And I was blessed by the wonderful opportunity to help open the L&D floor at this new great hospital working with wonderful women (note the pic of me and just one gal is Jessi who I helped orient as a new nurse and she is a ROCK STAR-love ya dude!).




TJ started 3rd grade at FCS:



Jake started PreK4:



Owen began infant care aka "school":



This fall we also took a second cruise of the year with my Sis Amanda and her hub Jason. We took TJ and Jake along and were floored when they upgraded our room to a fabulous suite (it was SWEET!).







Of course, coming home from that cruise provided the biggest blessing of the year-learning the news of expecting our fourth child.

Then just days before Christmas learning the baby appears to be a very well-growing healthy BOY!




Wow-5 Valiant boys and not just 4 anymore:-)




What a year it's been-thank you Lord for ALL the blessings AND trials in our lives. Thank you for friends and family and for the free gift of salvation through your son Jesus.



I pray you all enjoy a blessed and marvelous 2009 and also pray that the Valiant Family is blessed in 2009 with a healthy 4th child (who will hopefully have a name soon) and that we all stay healthy and able to keep sharing what about what is most important in life-Glorifying God and loving others as Christ loved us.

Merry Christmas...20 weeks!!!

Well, it's actually Merry Christmas Eve...but I can practically taste Christmas. I am so excited for the boys. Tim has told me about a gazillion times that he is so excited about what he got for me-I wonder what it could be;-)

I am just so excited for Christmas morning...ok, I'll spill it-I got Owen ELMO LIVE!!! I couldn't see spending $60 on a silly doll but man is this guy cute AND the best part is bargain shopper me found him new, online, with free shipping, on sale for $50 and 20% off plus 15% more off...so yes, I spent $34 ish but I really think he will love it as we go to "see" Elmo every time we go in ANY store that sells him;-)

The boys have their Wii and will be ecstatic about Mario cart along with the 2,000 gifts from Grama Becca that they are sparkling with anticipation to open. Talk about spoilage!

Have I mentioned I am excited about Christmas? I will also be tired as I work all night delivering those Christmas babies:-) There was a little baby boy tonight that I got to snuggle on and he was SOOOO cute...still in name limbo. My rules are really causing me issues;-)

So, I am also 20 weeks Christmas Day! The pregnancy websites say Baby V is the size of a banana. I haven't felt him as much as I would like but soon I hope to feel him rockin' and rollin'...sweet baby boy;-) Did I mention that the US tech said she was so sure about his gender that she'd bet her car on it (and she said she really loves her car;-). He also measured all above 19 weeks and I was 19 weeks exactly that day so that was very reassuring after the Owen pregnancy saga;-). Another website says that you are probably feeling wonderful about your regained energy...my question-what if you have no energy to regain?;-) I was caught waddling down the hall at work last night *nice*. Fat and sassy. Oh and my doctor has given me to my appointment just after New Year's to figure out what we shall do with my pathetic self (waddling and all;-). I'm not worried-I'm so glad to've made it through Christmas and this schedule at work...thank you Lord! And thanks for praying for us too...the prayers are getting us through days and weeks.

Well, Merry Christmas to everyone! I'd say I'll post lots of pics from Christmas but our camera is dead...maybe that's what Tim got me-love ya honey;-)

As Elmo would say "mmm hmmm...Kiss Kiss".

It's a........

I'll let the picture speak for itself:






Oh what a plan God must have for me;-) Here's to praying for four lovely, caring DIL's.

PS The name debate is looking to be a good one...Valiant vs Valiant so you all might as well chime in too...remember to follow my rule that the name must be able to be cutesie-fied (ie TJ is Timothy Jr and was Timmy as a baby, Jacob is Jakey, Owen is Owey)...you get the idea-the rule may not stick though, we'll see-wa-ha ha ha ha < evil cackle >.

Christmas Cheer-tag! You're it!!!

Okay, here's what you're supposed to do, and try not to be a SCROOGE!!!
Just copy this entire post and paste into a new post/e-mail that you can send with the changes in answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a whole bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person that sent it to you......Tis the Season to be NICE!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? ok, strangely enough, I prefer to wrap presents but I love gift bags and have a million of them.

2. Real tree or Artificial? No question here...FAKE FAKE FAKE! Who can deal with the expense and mess of a real one? Ugh!


3. When do you put up the tree? Usually after TJ's birthday, which is November 9th. I love putting up the tree early enough to enjoy it;-)

4. When do you take the tree down? anytime I have time after Christmas but preferably before New Year's and this question should read "When does Tim take the tree down?;-)"

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes...I have an easy and yummy NA recipe for it too...but I must confess, I had a McD's egg nog shake tonight that made me feel sick;-P


6. Favorite gift received as a child? Oh where do I begin? My mom always tried so hard to give us a great Christmas even when funds when ziltcho. My fav memory is probably getting a Cabbage Patch Kid doll named Gallagher which I shamefully made my mom feel bad about since I didn't want one with dark brownish red hair and certainly not a boy one. Now I feel guilty about this selfishness and realize how hard the silly doll was to come by.

7. Hardest person to buy for? There are so many...BIL Jason, I'd say (sorry Jay)

8. Easiest person to buy for? Owen b/c he has no clue...no seriously my kids are very easy to buy for and so far they are very grateful

9. Do you have a nativity scene? yes, many but my fav is my little people one;-)


10.Do you send cards or email cards? if you are lucky you get one in the mail but otherwise, I try to post it here;-)


11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have no idea-stumped.

12. Favorite Holiday Movie? Definitely Christmas vacation followed by A Christmas Story

13. When do you start shopping for Holidays? if not before on the day after Thanksgiving;-)

14. Ever recycled a Holiday present? of course, who hasn't?

15. Favorite thing to eat at Holiday? My cookie pressed sugar cookies with buttercream frosting and sugar sprinkles-yum yum!

16. Lights on the tree? yes...um, mine are those led colored lights from Sams club since my husband thinks he's being energy efficient;-)

17. Favorite Holiday song?

18. Travel at Holidays or stay home? stay at home-hubby in retail...sadly haven't been to mom's house in 9 years;-(


19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? I had 7 and was ostracized here at work for originally typing them here:-) one I spelled wrong-oh well.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A star right now but I don't care for it.


21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? EARLY Christmas morning;-)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Traffic, lines and snow (cold weather too)

23. Favorite ornament? The new one I get each year with the year and each member of our family listed. This year mine says Renay and baby-awww...;-) My close 2nd is a tie for the Christmas Pickle and the Stake that really reminds me of what Christmas is about.

24. Favorite for Holiday dinner? Cookies...seriously? I guess ham or turkey but I have no idea how that will make it on my table this year since I work;-(


25. What do you want for Christmas this year? How hard is this? I want my boys to be happy and healthy and to know that amongst the presents and food, the real reason we celebrate Christmas is to rejoice in the birth of our Savior. I pray you all rejoice in this free gift also.

Merry Christmas!!!

18 weeks and our Christmas letter;-)

I am so blessed to be writing that I have made it to 18 weeks and am up and about enjoying the "Holidays" so far...I snuck another peek at the baby last night (no sex hints) and he's getting so big...it's amazing how big he's gotten from the last look-wow! You can see fully formed arms and fingers and it's AMAZING!

Anyway, I'll keep this one short as I have included our family Christmas letter and pics of the boys...here's to a great report in a week!

Oh and PS Thank you to the many who are commenting and praying for us;-) To answer a few q's...we have not settled on names-in fact Tim hasn't even wanted to discuss names until we knew the sex...I have a girl's name chosen...so we have our work cut out for us. I think we will share the name when we decide;-) I'll certainly announce the sex;-)






~Valiant Family Christmas Letter 2008~

It’s back…we’re back…I’m back…

Okay, so I’m still a little crazy and a lot busy. Let’s get this update started:

The Lafayette Area Valiant Family has been very blesses over 2008…

Let’s start with Tim: He has opened yet another Walgreens this summer! It was a grand opening and he is enjoying his new store and new challenges. He competed in Faith Christian School’s 5K and came in first for his age group! He also has been keeping very busy counseling via his financial counseling ministry and is enjoying our newest activity at our church, the College Ministry…what a fun and dedicated group of young men and women we can minister to. As always, Tim is enjoying our 3 boys-playing with them, reading to them and he even coached Jake’s T-ball team this past Spring.

Renay has been very busy also…what a change for our family as we have phased out our Pampered Chef business and Renay took a position here in Lafayette as a full-time Labor and Delivery nurse, helping to open the unit at the new Clarian Arnett Hospital just minutes from our home. As if working full-time hasn’t been enough this fall, we are also excited and blessed to announce we have another little Valiant on the way! The little fella (just a good guess) is due in May and Renay is doing well, enjoying her second trimester. The official ultrasound won’t be for a few more weeks, so if you want to know before next Christmas what we are having/had, log onto our family website anytime for updates: www.valiantfamilyupdates.blogspot.com.

TJ is a bustling 9 year old Third grader. He has finally lost his first tooth just weeks ago and is working on a couple more…he may be singing to the tune of “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth…” He is an active boy and loves playing with our wonderful neighbor kids and his friends from school.

Jacob is an inquisitive 5 year old Pre-K4 at Faith Christian Preschool. He’s developing right on track and his teachers at school all have wonderful things to say about him. He also loves playing with our neighbor kids. He enjoyed his first season of T-ball this past summer and looks forward to playing again this coming year.

Lastly, Owen is our full of energy 2 year old! He is also in school…we enrolled him in Faith’s infant care when Renay began working again this fall. He has began talking up a storm and even says sentences and is always making us laugh with his crazy antics. He is catching up, though still small-we were ecstatic when he reached the twenty pound mark at his 2 year check up. His school is even working on potty training him!

We pray this Christmas season is full of joy and fun for you. Remember the true reason for the season and spend more time with those you care about this year! We also pray 2009 finds you healthy and happy!

Merry Christmas! Love, The Valiant Family
Tim, Renay, TJ, Jacob, Owen, and one on the way

Case won...

In the case of Valiant vs Sinnott, MD, the defendant has sentence overturned and she wins her battle to not be put on house arrest.

Yes, it's better news! I am happy to report (and even a bit dorky as shown by 1st sentence) that Dr. Sinnott spoke a different tune with me today at my appointment. He has decided to not take me off work quite yet but with a firm warning that my appeal can be disputed by him any day. I told him I really just hoped to make it through Christmas but he was actually hopeful for me and said he did not think I would have to go on bedrest this time at all...I laughed at him and told him I truly believe in my heart it's just a matter of time...he was encouraged by my realistic attitude. I really WILL do anything he wants me to do for mine and the baby's health;-) I believe I even made him feel guilty so I got myself an earlier ultrasound...next Thursday will be this lil' ones chance at getting a name..come on baby, work with me here;-)

Thanks everyone for praying-I do believe it made a difference. Please keep praying that me and the baby remain healthy...bedrest won't be the end of the world...I'd just prefer to not have to start it quite yet;-)

So, I'll be back with hopefully nothing more than a boring 18 week update Thursday or Friday and then a HUGE announcement (which will probably be no surprise) in a week and a half;-)

Warm hugs to all!

17 weeks & happiness to despair...

I am 17 weeks. The little fella is the size of a small pomegranate (or a large apple if you compare sites;-)...He is finally porking up, gaining baby fat and his bones are hardening. We are weeks away from viability but I feel his precious movements usually daily. Still no sure signs for the sex...but it really doesn't matter.

I was finally feeling less emotional, having a better appetite, and had come to terms with my insulin dependent GDM.

Yesterday was a day full of happiness...I Christmas shopped for nieces and nephews and stocking stuffers galore for our precious boys. I was really into the Christmas spirit and even loaded up for my secret Santa at work. It was such a nice day. It ended with Jacob having his Christmas program...but sadly, though I remembered the camera, the battery was dead;-(. He was so cute though and you really could hear him over other kids singing in his precious voice. I got to watch my favorite Thursday night shows and got almost all the Christmas letters ready to mail.

Then the despair hit...sounds a bit dramatic but I haven't come to terms with it yet...in fact, I in serious denial. I didn't sleep well. I was up by 4am and finally gave up and got out of bed at 7:30am. I did my usual and weighed myself...up 4 pounds in 1 day-uh, oh. My rings are tight and won't come off...red flag. To the dreaded blood pressure machine...146/90 something...ugh. Oh no...

So I waited until 8am to call my MD...who unfortunately was not on. Luckily, his nurse who knows my history answered the phone and communicated my concerns to him via phone. He asked for me to come in and have labs drawn...oh, and call off the weekend. Ha, ha...yea right, I work the next 4...no way.

So, I waited and wondered and worried. I called no one and told no one. I had no intention of calling off. I'm not done working yet...I'm just not. And for that matter, how could I possibly lay around all weekend? Loads of laundry, dishes, fighting kids....work is way less stressful-seriously.

Anyway, I headed to work and thought it was weird that my MD's nurse never called me with my lab results but I knew everything looked ok otherwise so I went to work hoping to take it easy and not see my MD.

Busted...no not by him, but as I was done with report at 6:15pm they said I had a call. It was the good ole nurse. She said my labs were fine but that the doctor really does want me off work. I explained my case to her and frankly at only 17 weeks, I may go crazy if I am put on house arrest-until I get orders for strict bedrest and am told to go on short term disability I am not doing it. So she agreed and told me to see my MD early next week. Which is when he will be mad at me for not listening to him.

In the meantime I am mentally preparing for a long, sad winter. I truly know in my head that if my B/P stinks (which it's been much better here at work and I can get my rings off again;-) bedrest and no more work is the best thing for me and the baby but in my heart I am dead set against it. I'm just not ready yet...I am praying the Lord heals me and gets me through the Holidays...please just the Holidays...

So, then Tim called and inquires what the nurse wanted...oops, busted again. So, I spill my guts to him and he was his usual sweet understanding self and asked what he can do. He actually agreed with my sick rationale about staying at work and we're hoping the MD lets me try some meds before slapping me with the bedrest sentence.

Above all...I still haven't has my official Ultrasound yet and am nervous about what they will find...I'm praying to be blessed with a healthy baby. The sad realization though is if I have to start bedrest soon, I will likely deliver preterm again...I really don't want that for my baby just because my body isn't the best incubator...it stinks. Enough pouring out my whiny heart for now.

Please pray for us all;-)

Remembering Lydia Grace...

My heart is very heavy today as I remember my dear friends Amy and Mike and the year's anniversary of the birth and passing of their precious daughter Lydia Grace.

Words fail me...

I love you Focosi Family!

Read about Lydia's legacy here.



Please send some prayers up for the Focosi's today...