From Death, to New Life.

   It's been a while since I've updated my blog. Oops! In my defense, there have been lots of happenings in our little Pearson Pod! 

   In my last post, I left you on sort of at a cliff hanger.  I managed to get a flight to Ft. Myers, thanks to my daddy. Unfortunately, I wasn't in time to say my final goodbyes to my grandmother. I realize that I can't beat myself up about this. She went very quickly, and very peacefully surrounded by her two sons. Her visitation and funeral service were absolutely beautiful. I like to picture my grandma and grandpa up in heaven, finally dancing together after seven years.  I think that's how I'll always remember them... dancing. Somehow, I take great comfort in that thought. 

It was so great to see my family, although, I must say, I wish it were under far better circumstances. I got to spend some quality time with my uncle and my daddy before the rest of the family arrived. It was great to goof around with my dad again. I missed my mother and my sister so much. I almost cried when I gave my mom that first hug. It was also really good to reconnect with my sister. She's always been my best friend and I'm so glad we're still close after all we've been through. I got to officially meet my niece for the first time, and let me tell you, I am head over heels in love with that girl! She is such a sweet baby girl. I also saw my aunt and cousin, I can't even remember the last time I saw them! 

  

   These past 6-12 months have really taught me the importance of my family. I don't know where I'd be with out them, and I've never felt so close to them.  I'm so glad to see how accepted my husband is in my family. Andrew has even mentioned how he loves that my parents treat him and love him as if he is their own. He and my Uncle Dennis hit it off right off the bat! He even talks about trying to get stationed somewhere near my Uncle Dennis and Aunt Sally! It really is cute. :)  I'm so blessed to have such a loving and supportive family that's always there for me. No matter what.

  My parents have been excellent role models for me, the best, actually! I'm so blessed that God placed me in their lives. I'm so very pleased and proud to tell you all that God has decided to bless Andrew and I with our first baby!! :) That's right! The Pearson family is expanding to 3! (...Unless you count our kitty, then that's 4.)

  It's funny how Andrew was the one picked up on the fact that something wasn't quite right, and suggested taking a pregnancy test! See, usually he makes me laugh with everything he does. Every corny joke, every silly noise, every playful pun. One day last week, everything he did irked me. That was his first clue, poor thing. (Sorry, Love!) When he suggested I might be pregnant, I thought he was reaching a bit, so I took a pregnancy test, half hoping to prove him wrong and say "told you so!" Turns out I was the one that was wrong! The look on his face when he saw the word "pregnant" on that test!

  As of today, I am 6 weeks along. Andrew and I couldn't be more excited! We have affectionately nicknamed our baby "Baby Pea." We are due on November 4th. Yes, that's right, yet ANOTHER November baby in the family! I cannot tell you how grateful I am that God has blessed us with this opportunity to grow as a couple and as a family. I have my first ultrasound on April 2nd and of COURSE I'll be sharing those pictures with y'all! We are both SO very excited to hear our little angel's heartbeat. However, I am not looking forawrd to the tons of blood work I have on Monday. Yikes! I loathe needles! Oh, well. It's all for Baby Pea. :) 

 I'd like to thank my darling husband for putting up with me for the past week or so. I'm so very sorry that I've been so tired and we haven't spent much time together because I've been sleeping! I love you!! 

Until next time!! 

All our love, 

Andrew, Ana, and Baby Pea.

Heartache.

I'm hoping this blogging this will help take my mind off of how stressed out I am, I'm just going to write what comes to mind.
This morning I received word that my grandmother was only expected to live a few more days.  I cannot tell you my heartache. When Andrew and I were in the states, I wanted to go visit my grandmother, but we just didn't have the time. I should have MADE time. I feel so guilty, I may not get the chance to say goodbye to her. I'm hoping her Italian stubbornness will shine through and she'll hold on just long enough for me to say goodbye. She always got what she wanted, so I'm hoping she really wants to say goodbye to me.
Trying to buy tickets home is a nightmare. I don't want to get there too late, as to inconvenience anyone who may had to pick me up. I don't know whether to buy one ticket or two because Andrew doesn't know if he'll be able to get emergency leave or not. It's honestly one of the most frustrating situations I've ever dealt with. I feel like the White Rabbit in Alice and Wonderland. I'm running around frantically like a chicken with it's head cut off screaming "I'm late! I'm late! For a very important date!' I'm surely glad I did the laundry a few days ago.
I hope and pray that God will allow me to say goodbye to her, and I hope Andrew can get emergency leave to come with me. I really need my husband.

Good Heavens, It's 2011!

Hello Loved Ones,

  I'm sorry it took so long to make a New Years blog.  New Years Eve was pretty low key for us, but fun, nonetheless. We had a few friends over for a barbecue and watched the London version of The Dick Clark New Years Eve Special, or whatever it's called. I found it sort of amusing that when they started doing the fireworks, which went on FOREVER, they played We Will Rock You, by Queen.

 After all of that, I kicked off 2011 with one of the greatest things in the world, Florida State Football! Of course, Florida State won, which I think is a great sign that 2011 will be great!

It's only 6 days into 2011, and already it looks pretty promising! As I told you all in a previous blog, I've started the search for my biological mother. Well, I got an e-mail from the adoption agency I was adopted through, and they said they've started "investigating my case." I thought the wording sounded pretty cool, pretty 007. I'm excited, nervous, and pretty darn anxious. Whenever I tell people about it, the question always comes up "How do your parents feel about that... I mean your adoptive parents."

First of all, I've always thought that it was odd to say my "adoptive parents." They're my parents. The only set I've got, the only set I'll ever have.  They changed my diapers, rocked me to sleep, dealt with my millions of ear infections, dealt with my difficult teenage ways, they were there for my wedding, the list goes on and on! Even though my biological mother gave me life in the technical aspect, my parents gave me life in the true sense of the meaning. They taught me how to live life with no fears, how to be confident, how to believe in myself, how to have Faith, and taught me to be a daughter of God, etc. Yes, I may be meeting my bioligical mother in the near future, but John Francis & MarySue Occhiuzzo will always be my parents.

Also, I've become the admin/moderator, whatever you'd like to call it, for two different pages online that are kind of like support groups for military wives. One is specifically for Air Force wifes, the other is for anyone affiliated with all branches, but it's mostly wives, mothers, and sisters. I've loved every minute of it so far. It makes me feel so awesome every time one of them comes looking for advice or an unbiased opinion. I love being able to help! These sites are so much fun. I feel a connection to every single one of them, it's almost as if they're a part of me already. Andrew has suggested that I go back to school and become a counselor. I guess he sees how happy it makes me. We'll see.

2011 is also our last full year stationed in England. I'm so excited to see where we'll end up next. I'm a a bit stressed out at the moment though. Command sponsorship is taking FOREVER, and I'm scared that I'll just sit on someone's desk and we'll have to PCS in April to Mountain Home. Well, such is the life of a military wife. Speaking of which, I live with my husband, but it seems like I never see him! Last night he got home at 5am! It can't be safe for them to work 12 hours then drive home when there's no one on the road. I guess I shouldn't be complaining, it wasn't that long ago that I went months with out seeing him and was constantly worried about his safety. Before that, I'd gone 8 month with out seeing him. I should be perfectly content just being able to sleep in his arms. I also should mention we've put in for leave April 22-29th. Cross your fingers that we get to be stateside for a week!!

I wish you all happiness, health, and blessings in the new year! I love you all bunches.

All our love,

The Pearsons