Emotions.

Something about being 100 months pregnant makes you super emotional. I am pretty sure I have experienced every emotion in the last 24 hours. Every. Single. One.

Just knowing that in 2 days I will have a new baby, sends me into a complete emotional tailspin. I go crazy cleaning and getting ready one minute, and then the next, I am a ball of tears on the floor, holding Saylor and stroking her hair.  One minute I am daydreaming about seeing his sweet face, and the next, I am scared to death that something could go wrong and pouring out prayers to our sweet Jesus.

I was driving home from Target this morning, and heard a song on the radio, and in that moment, lifted my hands to thank our Lord for the gift of a beautiful blessing growing inside of me. I then looked in my rear view mirror at my sweet first born, and fell completely apart. Emotions are gripping me at every turn.

And in the midst of writing this post, a dear friend called, and brought me back to reality. She reminded me all of this was normal. That it's okay to feel deep and cry hard. That our heart holds an amazing power to expand, to grow, to love one more just as deep and hard. That moments may be tough, but the reward is great. That these are indeed the best days of our lives. To cherish these small moments. To soak them in deep. To savor the smiles and laughter. (Thank you, friend, you are so dear to me.)


Back to cleaning, packing and organizing. Back to playing outside in the sunshine with Saylor. Back to everyday moments and smiling at the in between.

"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." - John 1:16

Faith.

Faith is meant to do some good.

Tuesday randoms...

1 - We have been working on the finishing touches in Baker's nursery, where we currently have atleast 5 different shades of paint on the wall. And have we made a decision on the color? Not yet. But I think we are getting close. Finding the "lightest-shade-of-blue-in-the-world-that-almost-looks-white," not as easy as I thought. It is still a work in progress!

2 - The weather has been so nasty and rainy this week and hasn't helped with the extremely long days. Saylor and I do much better (and are much happier) when we can get outside, even if only for a little while. We've resorted to pulling every riding toy we own into the house, as well as pulling out anything I can think of to keep her entertained. 

3 - I started Beth Moore's new Bible study last week on the book of James, and I am loving it! The book of James has only 5 books, but man, it is packed full of goodness. I am soaking it all in and really enjoying it. 

4 - This past Friday night, we took Chloe and her buddy from school to the circus for her birthday. Talk about 2 little girls having a great time! They enjoyed pizza at Mellow Mushroom, cotton candy, snow cones and lots of laughter. 

5 - I am quite certain Baby Baker is a ninja baby. Sean and I laugh often as I get kicked and punched from the little fella. I went to the doctor last week for a checkup and am currently measuring 2 weeks ahead. Everything is looking great and seems to be right on track! I can't wait to meet him! 

Happy Tuesday, sweet friends. Hope your week is filled with laughter and extra hugs. xoxo

Counting down to Christmas

"The joy of Christmas, stays here inside us. Fills each and every heart with love..."
-Faith Hill, Where Are You Christmas

This Christmas season has been so busy, yet so joyous. We have spent the past few weekends on the road visiting friends and family and celebrating this Christmas season.

We headed to Charlotte this past Friday night for the Stutts Christmas party, and as always, had such a wonderful time.

Saturday, we were at my parent's house, and my mom and dad kept the girls for the afternoon while Sean and I finished up some Christmas shopping, sans kids. We really had a great day. We had a lunch date, shopped, had a coffee date at our old favorite spot, and really enjoyed the day. Thanks mom and dad!

Saturday night was my oldest and dearest friend's 30th birthday! Happy Happy Birthday, Carrie! We gathered at her parent's house then headed out on a party bus to celebrate. It was quite entertaining and we had such a good time. Carrie and I have been friends almost 25 years and she is such a special part of my life. Most of my memories include her!

Some of the girls at the party...

Sunday, we headed to Winston-Salem to celebrate Christmas with Sean's side of the family. We enjoyed a really nice brunch and the kids had a great time playing together. Three 5 year olds, a 2 year old and a one year old. It was busy, to say the least.

The girls pre-brunch...

We hit the road back to Columbia that afternoon, and both girls slept all 3 hours home. To say that they were pooped is an understatement. 

Sunday night, Sean and I put the girls down early and snuggled in to finish watching Family Man (which by the way, is a really great Christmas movie).

We have spent this week wrapping gifts, watching Christmas movies, and getting ready to hit the road again to celebrate the holidays.

Watching the girls excitement for Christmas this year, I am reminded of our Lord and Saviour, God's only son, who was born on this day. "Behold, the Lamb of God has come." May we believe in the magic of Christmas and not forget our Lord's birthday and the real meaning of this joyous season.

Christ is come, let all creation sing

God's own Son, oh hail the newborn King

The word made flesh, now dwells among us

Christ is come

-Big Daddy Weave, Christ Is Come 

Dedication service, con't...

I posted earlier this week about the girl's dedication service at church this past Sunday. It was really a wonderful service and we are so blessed to be surrounded by friends, family and a wonderful church. The girls did great, even with Saylor fighting a serious cold and ear infection. Thank you to our family for sharing this day with us!

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth."

-Deuteronomy 11:18-21

Parent Child Dedication recap

We had a wonderful weekend full of family and now I am completely exhausted. We had the girl's dedication at church this past weekend, so family arrived to town Saturday afternoon. We spent the day hanging outside and then took all 11 of us to Mellow Mushroom for dinner.

Sunday we hosted a brunch at our house then headed to church for the service. The service was very sweet and it was a very special time for our family. We committed ourselves to raise our children in a Christian home, promising to raise our children with Christ in the center of our lives. I pray our girls will grow into godly women, trusting and turning to God, loving Jesus, and building their lives around His promises. It was a wonderful afternoon and my heart swelled as we stood on the stage, committing our family to grow in our understanding and trust of our Lord Jesus.

"that I may walk before God in the light of life." - psalm 56:13

Pictures to come :)!

15 weeks and a few other things

Today,  I am 15 weeks pregnant with Baby B, and this pregnancy is completely flying by! I am starting to show a little bit and am getting excited about finding out what we are having sometime within the next month.

Sean and I went to Bald Head Island this past weekend for a few days and enjoyed some down time. It was so nice to be able to relax, sleep late and nap! I felt like my body was re-charged when we got back. We should do that more often :)!

Some special people are really on my heart this week. I am lifting you up in prayer. Also, my wedding photographer, and a sweet friend of mine, Kellie Kano (www.kelliekanophotography.com), is back in the hospital this week. Please keep her in your prayers. She has two darling little fellas awaiting their mommy's return home.

We started a new Mom's Bible Study at church yesterday. I was refreshed at the promises, we as young moms, have. No one... not God, our husbands or our children expect us to be perfect moms. We are challenged to rely on God and his mighty power to guide us as we raise these little beings to walk in His way.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 

- 2 Peter 1:3

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along:  15 weeks

Total Weight Gain/Loss:  not sure, will be at the doctor next week

Maternity Clothes:  No maternity clothes yet.

Best Moment this week:  I am feeling the baby move every now and then. So much earlier this time than with Saylor!

Gender: Don't know yet

Movement: Flutters here and there

Food Craving:  crushed ice, cinnamon toast

What I miss: Sleeping on my belly

Sleep:  I am beat most days, so sleep has been okay

What I am looking forward to:  Watching my belly grow, finding out the sex, getting nursery ideas!

Belly Button:  In

Stretch Marks: None yet. 

Symptoms:  Some nausea here and there, killer headaches

I will never forget.

I was one of the few people that didn't know right away. I didn't watch the first or second plane hit live. I had no idea until almost 3 hours later.

I was a sophomore at Appalachian State and had a world history exam that day. I headed to the library very early that morning and found a quiet, back corner to study. I stayed in that corner until my exam at 11am, thus completely unaware of the morning's events. As I headed into class, I heard the buzzing of other students, tears, and the unknowns. Our professor came in and cancelled our class and sent us all on our way.

I remember so vividly being confused. I walked across campus back to where I lived with my sorority, and walked in to a lobby full of very scared girls. And there we sat. All day. Long into the evening. Staring at the images. Scared, unsure, praying, and making phone calls to everyone we loved.

It is a day burned deep into my memory. And today, the emotions I felt were raw. They were real. They stirred inside me and churned at my core. At first I couldn't pin point what it was that brought the emotions back so fierce and then it hit me. I am a mom. 10 years ago, I wasn't, and although it affected me deeply, it affected me even deeper today. I sat in church this morning, surrounded by local service men and women in uniforms, singing Amazing Grace, and watching the images on the screen, and my heart broke in two. It's not just about me anymore. I have littles to protect. Littles who will grow up in this same world that I did. How do we protect them? How do we teach them about this world? The good, the bad, and even the evil.

I was reminded of our mighty Lord. He was there in 2001. He was in the towers that morning. At the pentagon. On United 93. He was with all of us, as we watched the images and held on a little tighter to those around us. He was there. And today, He was there. Wrapping His arms around each of us as we prayed and sang of his grace and mercy.

And that's what we teach our littles. About life. About love. About holding on to those we love a little tighter. About the way our nation joined together and became more united that day. About the brave men and women who gave their life for people like us. And about a God who never leaves us, despite it all.

I am proud to be an American.

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbear to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine
You are forever mine

- Amazing Grace (my chains are gone) 

Wordless Wednesday: Beth Moore Edition. HOLD FAST!

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful." 

- Hebrews 10:23

How Great Thou Art!

Beautiful, just beautiful... How Great Thou Art! 

He is Risen!

"My God's not dead, He's surely alive, and He's living on the inside, roaring like a lion..." -DCB

Happy Easter, friends. He is risen!

We had a wonderful Easter with family at the beach. It was Saylor's first Easter and we had such a great time. 

Both my parents and Sean's parents were together to celebrate... It was so nice.  

Here is Saylor's first Easter bunny (thank you ShuShu!).

We spent our days enjoying laughter and smiles with family, soaking up the salt air and the ocean waves....

And we found out quickly that this little girl is a beach bum (making her momma proud!)

We dyed Easter eggs, made cupcakes, enjoyed the beach and Sean and I even snuck in a date night while we were there (and had grandparents around to babysit!). 

It was a great first Easter for Saylor!

From one beach bum to another, Happy Easter!

Hope you had a great Easter and celebrated our sweet Jesus... For He is Risen!

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. - John 11: 25-26

Vegi Fail and Teeth.

Saylor tried vegi's for the first time yesterday, and she was just not interested. As you can see in the photos, it was all over her face and not in her mouth. We have given up on rice cereal for the time being and thought we'd give her a go on sweet potatoes. Not so much. Do we have a picky eater in our future? :)

In other not so fun news, sweet girl is having a time with teething. I noticed a little white speck trying to make its way through and it has made for one upset little girl. Bless her heart. Last night, she was up almost every hour, and finally at 4am, fell asleep for a few hours. She has been tired today (so has momma!) and seems to have a cold again. Poor thing, can't catch a break! 

Any teething tips? Thanks friends!

We start our new Bible study tonight by Priscilla Shirer - Jonah: Navigating a Life Interrupted and I am really excited about it. Happy Wednesday!

Day 6: Beth Moore

Day 6 of the things I love: Beth Moore and her Bible Studies
I love Beth Moore. Seriously. Her words are so powerful. She speaks to my heart. She makes me laugh. She makes me cry. She helps me understand the word and encourages me to dig deeper in my faith. She has a serious gift for speaking and I am so thankful to be able to study the word with Beth Moore as my teacher.
To date, I have done the following Beth Moore Bible Studies:
Jesus The One and Only

Daniel

Esther - It's Tough Being A Woman

Currently doing - David - Seeking A Heart Like His

I love these studies and am so thankful to be part of a large and amazing group of women gathering together to study the word. If your church or area offers one of her studies, I seriously encourage you to jump on board. You won't be disappointed. 

Visit her blog here... http://blog.lproof.org/