Christmas Morning

Our Christmas was fairly quiet this year. We spent New Years Eve with Kyle's Dad and Leah, then we went to Glenwood on Christmas Day. Kyle and the kids played Wii all day! Then we had his mom and grandparents over on Friday for lunch.
We know next year will be totally different with Boston!
Here are some pics of the boys with their gifts from Santa Paws!

2008: What a Great Year!

Handsome boys

Sweet Murphy after bathtime

Melissa's wedding

Wedding portraits by Heather Owens

The girls at Jeanettes baby shower

Hot Springs CC Golf Tournament

Our wedding day! September 13, 2008

The girls at our wedding shower

The girls at Meredith's wedding

Natalie's b-day dinner

The night we got engaged! March 29, 2008

I just wanted to post some photos from this year. With 2008 came a lot of changes and excitement for us! We settled into our new house, got engaged, found out we were pregnant, and got married! It was a very busy year and we have been so incredibly blessed! I have to say 2008 has been one of the best years ever! I am sure 2009 will be even better with the arrival of Boston! We hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!

Joy for the New Year

Don’t Settle for Happiness; Aim for Joy
by Rick Warren

“Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy …” Philippians 3:1 (NLT)
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A man once told me that he’d broken up with his fiancé because she didn’t make him happy enough. Mind you, he was happy with her; she just didn’t make him as happy as he felt a future wife should.
What this man told me gives memorable insight into how some people view happiness: They believe happiness is dependent upon the people, the things, and the circumstances that surrounded them.

Yet, the Bible says don’t settle for happiness; aim for joy.
Joy comes from within; joy is not dependent upon the people in your life, or the possessions you accumulate, or what’s happening at this point in your life.
God says you’ll find joy, when you trust that he’s in control and working to use the good – and the bad – of your life for a greater purpose.
The apostle Paul understood this, writing about joy while in prison, chained to a guard, alone in a foreign city: “Whatever happens, dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord give you joy …” (Philippians 3:1 NLT).

He suggested there are two keys to transforming mere happiness into a deeply-felt, ever-present joy:

First, live each day by grace. Grace means you don’t have to earn God’s love or his approval. And here’s some joyful news: If you don’t have to earn God’s love, then you don’t have to earn anyone else’s love.

God offers his love unconditionally, and you can joyfully live in that grace everyday, all day long. Understanding this drains the tension from your life: you can make mistakes and know that you’re still loved by God, who desires a relationship with you over any rules or rituals.
The man who broke up with his fiancé appears to have had difficulty in understanding grace. His love came with conditions – “As long as you make me happy, I’ll love you” – and that means he probably assumes the love he receives from others is conditional too. How can anyone experience joy when they live each day thinking they have to earn love?

Second, stay focused on what’s really important. There are a lot of little things that can steal your joy – but only if you let them. Jesus taught this: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV).

Happiness is overrated. On the other hand, joy is often forgotten. Yet, joy will stabilize your life as you embrace grace and focus on the things that are truly important, moving a bad hair day down the list and relationships up to the top. No matter what happens, may God give you joy.

Nursery Progress II

It's almost done! We still have to order the chair and I hope it comes in in time! We are putting it where the pack-n-play is and moving it to our bedroom. His room is already jam packed! All I have left to hang are some shelves on the wall and it will be set~ I have almost everything washed and put up too~! There are still a few odds and ends we need. Just 56 more days! IF I make it that long....

Paintings

I finally finished the canvases for Boston's room. My favorite is the giraffe! I think it turned out the best. The gator was really hard to do but I promised Kyle I would do one. Let me know what you think!

Worry and God's Peace

This is something that I struggle with here lately, especially with Boston on the way and some family stuff that is going on. I think I get it from my Mom, she worries constantly about everything. This devotional came at exactly the right time. God's timing is perfect!
I need to start praying more and experience God's peace, worrying doesn't do anyone any good.

Christmas Brings the Peace of God
by Rick Warren
You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
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Once you make peace with God, that’s spiritual peace, then you get the peace of God in your heart and that’s emotional peace.
This is the one you really need for daily living. The peace of God happens in your heart when you’ve made peace with God. All of a sudden, the stress in your life goes down. You’re not as angry as you used to be. Things don’t bother you as much. You’re a lot more patient. You’re filled with a lot more love and peace.
Why? Because once you have peace with God, you have the peace of God in your heart.
The Bible says, “Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything” (Philippians 4:6 NLT). You have two choices in life: You can pray or panic, worship or worry. Those are your choices. Worry has never solved a single one of your problems. If you prayed as much as you worry, you would have a lot less to worry about! Prayer can change things. That’s why the Bible says, “Don’t worry. Pray!”
“Pray about everything. Tell God what you need. Thank him for all that he’s done. [And if you do this] You will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).

Busy and Exhausted!

Times seem to have gotten more busy lately. I have also been sick for the last week which doesn't help the matter! Sorry no pictures on this post, I want to get Bostons nursery more complete before I post any more pictures of it. I have been working diligently on his canvas paintings and I must say I am proud of myself as I have never painted animals before, but I think they are turning out good!
Work has gotten much busier, or people are just becoming more impatient, I can't figure out which one yet, but I think its the latter... I guess it is a good thing I will be working through Christmas since I am just now finding out about stuff that needs to be done at the beginning of the year! I think people are forgetting that I am about to have a baby and will be out for two months! I have never worked through Christmas during my professional career and I'm very bummed about it. I am even working on Christmas Eve :(
Kyle finally made it home yesterday after being gone all week to Northwest Ar. However, he goes back again on Monday. We have breastfeeding class tonight and I'm not very excited about it. I have a feeling it will scare me to death! Then on Saturday we have an ALL DAY childbirth class! I'm not sure if I will make it through the whole thing! That was the only one still available before my due date, so we had to take it. Then on Sunday we are going to Georgia Grace's 1st birthday! I can't believe she is already a year old!

On another note, i have been getting really good devotional emails lately so I thought I would share this one too:

Christmas: Saved for a Purposeby Rick Warren
He saved us and he called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:9 (TEV)
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The Bible also teaches that Jesus came to save you for something. God has a purpose and a plan for your life; he created you for a specific mission.
The Bible says: “He saved us and he called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose and grace” (2 Timothy 1:9 TEV). You can live life at one of three levels: survival, success, or the highest level – significance.
Most of the world lives at the survival level. Half of the world’s six billion people live on less than $2 a day. That’s survival. If you’re an American, even if you are the poorest of the poor in the United States, you live at the success level. Most of the world would love to have your problems. But you say, “If I’m so successful, why don’t I feel fulfilled?”
You don’t feel fulfilled because you were made for more than success. The ultimate goal of life is significance, not success. You were made for significance – and significance comes from knowing God, knowing his purpose for your life, and then doing it. Then you realize, “This is what I was made for! This is my niche! It’s me! Now I know why I’m here on the planet.”
All the success in the world can’t give you that.
That’s why the very first sentence of The Purpose Driven Life is a very counter-cultural statement: “It’s not about you.” That’s the exact opposite of what our culture says. Our entire culture says, “It’s all about you.”
You’ll never find satisfaction and significance by living for yourself because God didn’t wire you that way. You were made for God. There will always be a hole in your heart because you need something greater than yourself. You need God’s purpose. You’ve tried everything else. Why not try God?
So Jesus said, “I want to save you from your past. I want to save you for a purpose. And I want to save you by something.”

Iced in! By myself...

Well I just tried to venture out to work because I have two deadlines tomorrow. I couldn't even make it past the high school! There were 3 trucks stuck in the middle of the highway and i was afraid to stop, afraid that I would get stuck too. So I turned around and came back home! It is so frustrating! I was told to leave early yesterday too, so I haven't gotten anything done at work. I have to take these days as vacation which i am trying to save up for Boston's arrival. Ugh!
Kyle has been in northwest Arkansas since Sunday and I'm not sure he will be able to make it home tonight. It sucks being iced in alone! Murphy and Maverick are driving me nuts wanting to go outside all the time. It's too freakin' cold! Anyway, this was my devotional today. It was really good! Guess i will spend the day painting canvases for Boston's room...

Christmas: God Changes Us
by Rick Warren

I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? Romans 7:24 (MSG)

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Have you figured out yet that a lot of times you are your own worst enemy? It’s your own reactions, your own fears, your own inadequacies that cause you to act in foolish ways. I know that’s true for me.

I need to be saved from myself because there are things I don’t like about me – things I wish I had done differently, things I’d like to change. But I can’t change them, not on my own power. I need an outside power source.

You may be saying, “I can change.” I hate to say this, but you can’t. In January, you’re going to make a list of New Year’s resolutions. And, by the end of January, that list will be in the dumpster. Why? Because you can’t change on your own; you need God’s power. You need a Savior, someone who can make the changes you can’t make yourself.

Let me make an important point here: God never wastes energy. He doesn’t waste effort on things that are unnecessary. In other words, if you didn’t need a Savior, he wouldn’t have sent one. The very fact that God sent a Savior means you need one.

The truth is, if you are honest about it, sometimes you feel like your life is out of control. That’s a pretty common feeling. Welcome to the human race!

The apostle Paul felt that way 2,000 years ago. Paul says this in the Bible: “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does” (Romans 7:24-25 MSG). That’s the answer!

Let me be honest with you. You may be looking for salvation in the wrong places, that’s why you’re frustrated. You’re looking for that one thing that’s going to give you fulfillment and meaning and peace in life.

Some of us think that if we could just get married, or if we could just get a certain job, or a promotion, or attain a certain level of wealth, or have a baby – or if our babies would grow up and graduate! – things would be great.

You’re looking in the wrong places.

A lot of people are looking for salvation in a self-help book. Or they’re looking for it in therapy or in a fad or diet. Or they’re looking for it in a vacation, “If I could just escape to Tahiti, everything would be great.” The problem is that if you go to Tahiti, you’re taking you with you!

The answer is not in a place. It’s not in a program or a pill. The answer is a person: Jesus Christ. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life is never going to make sense.

60 Year Anniversary

We celebrated Kyle's Nanny and Papa's 60th wedding anniversary this weekend! That is such a milestone! And I thought 50 was a long time! We had a gathering of family and friends at their church with food, cake, the whole bit. We are so blessed to have them in our lives and they are so excited about Baby Boston's arrival. It is such a blessing to see their love for each other and their family. They have set a great example for Kyle and I to strive for!

Pregnancy update 30 weeks! Only 8-10 weeks left!!!

We had another Dr appt this morning. Everything is great. Boston had a growth spurt though. I gained 6 pounds in the last 2 weeks! Ugh! I keep telling myself at least he is growing and healthy! It is hard to believe i am starting week 30! My Dr didn't seem too concerned about the 4D results and him looking large, or the fact that the tech said he was really low and measuring two weeks ahead. She said when it gets closer to the end if he seems to be looking bigger, we will have another ultrasound. I am still measuring small according to her measurements.

More Shower Photos

Boston's Shower

Natalie and Amanda threw us a shower yesterday. We got some really great things! I am surprised at how many people came all the way out to our house! I have the best friends and family ever!!! Needless to say I am exhausted from getting the house ready and all the weekend festivities. I have a lot to put up and organize. YAY! Thanks to all of you who came by, helped, and sent gifts! We love and appreciate all of you!

4D Ultrasound

Well we had the 4D ultrasound today and I'm not so sure it was worth it. I am grateful to know that he is still a "he" and everything looks normal (organs, etc). But these photos kind of look like every other 4D I have seen before. Kyle was so proud to see his little tee tee! But he was being a little stinker! OR should I say a BIG stinker? My belly measurement last week was only at 26.5cm which made me think, maybe i will get lucky and have a small baby. Boy was I wrong. The lady just kept saying how big he was and how low he already was in position! However I don't look like i am carrying him low at all, in fact I can feel him in my ribs quite a bit. I guess thats the beauty of not having a long torso... He measured out to be 3.5lbs and 15 inches long already!!! She said the reason my belly measured smaller is because he stays balled up. Which leads to the reason why we didn't get great pictures of him. His head was so far down in the pelvic region and his face smooshed against the placenta, that we only could see one side of his face. We tried and tried to get him to move around, but no luck. He's already stubborn! She predicted with the measurements that my due date move up to February 4th! At the rate he is growing I'm sure to have at least an 8-9 pounder! I am not complaining by any means, I am grateful that he is growing and healthy. He even already had some fat rolls on his neck! So that being said, will he be able to wear newborn clothes at all? We have mostly 0-3 months so far, but I want to be prepared....If there is such a thing.

My "AHA" Moment

I'm beginning to wonder when my "Aha" moment (as Oprah calls it) will come. I am well into my 7th month of pregnancy, I can feel him move all the time, we are buying things for him and having baby showers, but it still seems so surreal! In a matter of 2 months I will have a baby! I cannot seem to wrap my mind around the fact that there is a growing little person inside me! I feel like there is so much stuff we still need or do we really need it? (diaper genie, a plethora of different bottles, pacifiers, high chair, bouncers, etc) Everyone is telling me different and I hate to have a bunch of stuff that we won't use!
I keep wondering what he will look like, who he will act like, how our dogs will adapt, etc. Am I capable of being a full time working mother with 2 dogs and a husband that travels a lot? Will I be the overprotective mom or be the easy going mom? It is all very overwhelming, not to mention the comments that keep coming from people about "how life is about to change". Really? Like we didn't realize that before? This is something we have both wanted for so long. Maybe we aren't quite as prepared as we should be, but who really is? I honestly don't see how my mother did it all by herself. I know if she can do it by herself then surely we can do it with the help of our family and friends. But as it comes down to the wire, the time is passing so fast and i don' t want to look back and regret that i didn't take time to realize the miracle that is happening in our lives...

More Christmas Decor

Finally I think I have finished the Christmas decor! Here are the completed photos.

So Thankful!

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I just wanted to take time and think about what I am thankful for. I am so thankful for my wonderful husband and I am so glad I get to be with him the rest of my life! I am so thankful for my family and friends, whom without I wouldn't know what to do. I am thankful for my dogs Murphy, Maverick, Mollie and Andre, they make life so much fun! I am so thankful for the little life growing inside me, I can't wait to see his face! I am thankful for our health, home, and our jobs. And last but not least I am so thankful to God for giving me these blessings, without Him I am nothing...

28 Weeks

My Dr. appt. went well yesterday. The heart rate was 160 and everything looked normal. However I am measuring at only 26 weeks, which she said was ok. I wonder if he will end up being small... Our family is already taking a poll on how big he will be. I'm afraid we may have a 9 pounder! I have gained 12lbs but feel like I have gained more! I had my gestational diabetes test, but haven't gotten the results back yet. He is moving all the time now and seemingly getting stronger. I have been feeling pretty good except for the last couple of days. I think I had the stomach virus on Monday. I'm still not 100%, hopefully I will be by Thanksgiving so I can actually enjoy it! I just haven't had the energy or motivation to do much. It is increasingly getting harder to bend over and move around without getting out of breath. I feel so out of shape, but by the time I leave work it is already dark, so not walking for me unless I find time on the weekend. I have become a compulsive list maker, making at least 2-3 lists a day of things that need to be done or just random lists.
I think the nesting is starting to kick in! We are having everyone over to our house for Thanksgiving so I have been busy trying to get the house ready for that and the shower. I can't believe it is next weekend! Time has gone by so fast! Our 4D ultrasound is next Tuesday! I'm so excited!

So COLD!

It has been so cold lately that Kyle and I decided to get the pups some sweaters. Here are a few pics of them. Murphy has somehow figured out how to get out of his so they only wear them when its really cold! I am not normally a fan of people dressing up their dogs, but Maverick has been shivering ever since it he has gotten his haircut and it's turned cold.
I'm off to start and finish (hopefully) the Christmas decorations on the exterior of the house. I will post some pics soon!