It's been a while...

After a much trying week, I've got to share how I am sooo thankful for health insurance. It's not easy to have it, especially when you're paying for it on your own, but it's worth every penny when you have to go to the emergency room. I had a minor incident a few weeks ago and had to go, and let me tell you...the amount the hospital charges for you being there plus the physician's separate services fee(who knew!) on top of other things is CRAZY! However, thanks to Blue Cross and the kind gentleman that I spoke with today who explained how all this works, John and I will only end up paying the $150 copay for all of the emergency room/physician expenses. Incredible! The Lord is continuing to show us just how He is our provider; even when we doubt He is so faithful and loving to us. We're so thankful!

So, I just had to start off the post with that bit of good news.

Now...here are a few pics that I've had the best intentions to put up, but just never have.

A little bit of Christmas...

John's dad, Rick

Me "trying" out the new bow

My funny parents

Jere with his new pole

Meredith with her new Christmas sweater

Little Holly didn't get anything but a pretty bow on her head

And John with his favorite after Christmas purchase :)

Aunt J and Mama P while waiting to meet Camille(from Nov)

Carly and Matt are now proud parents of beautiful little Nora Conley!
(game was in October)

Grandma Dee

So, it has been a while since I last updated you all on our latest adventures. I was actually going to post a bunch of pictures and give a little update on some fun things that we had been up to over the holidays, however right before I finished the post, my dad called me to let me know that my beloved grandmother, Cynthia "Dee" Wells, had passed away.
She had gotten sick shortly after Christmas with pneumonia, and never recovered from it. Thankfully we had three weeks with her, and during that time she surrendered her life to Christ. It has been amazing to see how God's great mercy and grace extended to us through Christ even until our very last breath.

My grandmother's life was full of many hard and painful events, but also through that, I have seen the grace and mercy of Christ displayed immensely. My mother and her three siblings loved my grandmother and served her with a selflessness that was only found in Christ, and I saw displayed through them how to really honor your parents.

My grandmother was a very unique woman who loved her family immensely, who wasn't afraid to ever speak her mind, was fiesty, and who was smarter than I even knew. I wish that I had had more time with her while she was still healthy, but I am grateful for the memories that I do have and some of the fun and crazy times spent with her. I am also greatful for her sacfices that she made for my mother, and me and my siblings all of our lives. She loved us so much, even if sometimes she got tired of us ;-)

So, here are a few pictures of my Grandma Dee. Wish you could have known her.

Sweet baby Camille!

Welcome Baby Camille!

Sweet baby Camille Cox was born yesterday, November 17th, somewhere around 3pm. Even though she was a little early, both mom and baby are doing great and looking good!

She weighs 4lbs 14oz, and was 18+ inches long.

Congratulations, Laura and Nick!
Camille, you could not have been born to a happier family to have finally you here!
~~~~~~~

Since Camille will have to stay in the NICU for a little while, most of her fans aren't able to see her just yet. While that is a bummer, we all crowded in Laura's room and hung out for a while. Laura looks great, was still very much herself, and had a lot of patience in waiting to see her sweet daughter. Nick had taken some pictures of Camille, and was able to go visit her and give us updates. I may be a little biased, but in my opinion she's the prettiest newborn I've seen! John and I are so excited to get to officially meet our little neice. I have a feeling it'll be quite hard not to spoil this one ;-)

By the way, if you're gonna have a baby, REX is the place to go! The rooms are so large, clean, newly remodled and very modern, and they have flat screen tvs and dvd players(in case you have to stay a little while). They have taken such good care of Laura and Camille so far, and for that we are all grateful. Just a little tip in case you're looking!

Praise the Lord!

As a huge answer to prayer, I(Aya) got a job today with the Baptist State Convention! Thanks to my dear friend Carly, who also started there about a month ago, I found out about the available position and just found out today that I got it!

The Lord has been so faithful throughout this whole process, and I've been reminded the whole time that He is the ultimate Provider whether I had a job or not. I have definitely learned so much about truly trusting in God's plans rather than my own, and learning how to really surrender my worries and just pray for my heart's alignment with Christ's. Even though it's been a hard four weeks, it's also been a very sweet time growing in my relationship with Christ.

God has also blessed me with such a kind and loving husband, who has been such an encouragement and huge supporter during my job search. There were a lot of days for me filled with frustration and tears, but John was so encouraging and sweet, and never once made me feel that my joblessness was a burden or annoyance. God has been so gracious!

So, thank you, everyone who has encouraged us and prayed for us. We really appreciate it so much, and I couldn't wait to share the good news with you!

Job Search

Attention all friends, I, Aya McNeill, need a job.

If you know of any or have any tips, please pass them along!
It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
love, Aya

Wedding Pictures Are Up!

Finally...our photographer has uploaded some pictures of the wedding onto her website!

cknightphotography.com
click "enter"
then click on the "client proofs" tab
you'll see the "Haddock/McNeill" wedding tab
Click and enjoy!