Long Distance Friends

These two have been friends in the making since us mamma's were pregnant together, we were ten weeks apart both experiencing our first pregnancy's together. I loved having someone to share that experience with. When you don't have many friends at home with kids it's nice to have someone who knows what you're going through.

The kicker is....they live in Alexandria, VA :( So whenever they make it home for even just a small time a visit is in order. It is so fun to watch them go from the sweet picture above when Lydia was only a few days old to this.....

It's so fun to watch our girls grow up and to experience not only pregnancy but the adventure of motherhood together. Long distance is not always the most ideal especially when you are the first two to have babies but it sure makes us appreciate our time together.

We appreciate you Kenz and Em and we sure miss you when you are away! Love you both.

Click

Some days do you get the feeling that everything just clicks. It's like you are moving seamlessly through your day, things are getting done but it doesn't feel overwhelming, you play in the midst of completing "chores" your kid doesn't throw a tantrum at every response and you just seem to float a few inches above the ground.

I love days like that, I love days where in the midst of everything I find time to open my Bible and read God's word (working on making this a priority, it's still hard but it's a necessity) I love when Lydia and I are just on the same page we give and take and move through our day with smiles and hugs. I LOVE her hugs and she has been a great hugger these days.

I think the key to having things click is letting things happen, take care of things as they arise even if you have to turn off the vacuum in the middle of the house, it will still be there when you return. Even if it's packing everyone up and heading to the park for a couple hours because you can feel that stress creeping in, take care of it before it takes over.

But most importantly read his Word, talk to HIM daily because he wants to be a part of your day, he wants to help make things click, he wants to watch you enjoy the blessings that he has put in your life. Let him help you and then don't forget to thank him when everything just CLICKS!

Linking up over at We Encourage today!

20 Week Bumpdate

 

20 weeks

With a scheduled C section in my future that means I'm a little over half way there!!

I'm feeling great these days, my energy is back (as much as it can be while growing a child and chasing a toddler). My desire to eat 24 hours out of the day has started to slow down too, which I am happy about because I was on track to probably gain double what I did with Lydia if I kept eating whenever I felt hungry. Lydia loves poking my belly and saying hi to the baby. I'm feeling more movement and can't wait until they become a little stronger, that is my favorite part, nothing like the dance parties that happen in there. My stretch marks are back but I knew to expect them and I am not even going to worry about them this time around. I am a little worried about how hot this summer is going to be, my feet already swelled up after getting burnt in Florida so I'm a tad terrified at how fat my feet will be ALL summer long. 

Overall things are going great and I am loving pregnancy again! Nothing like this miracle in all of the world, God is good and this baby is so loved already.

InstaFriday

The beautiful beach of St. Pete where I spent the weekend with my girls

Before I left for my weekend away I got to spend the day with my girl, playing at the park in our unseasonably warm weather

Got to see our sweet baby this week, 20 weeks and going strong, we love you!!

Cato liked to spend the mornings out by the pool with me while I read

Now share with us your moments captured through the lens of your cell phone.

Nursery Inspiration

So here goes a little bit of my nursery inspiration, I will obviously make a final reveal when the time comes but here is what has my creative juices flowing. We do have the room painted and the bedding purchased. We already have a lamp and book case that we are keeping in the room. Just adding paint or some other special touches to make them really fit.

found here

found here

found here

Already purchased this bedding

going the jenny lind crib route, picture found here

Where's Mommy?

Mommy spent the last weekend here, with my good girlfriends from high school. It was so refreshing and a much needed break. Pictures and stories to come. I am blessed by those who I have been "doing life" with since I was in middle school, so thankful for them!

Toddlers

Parenting a toddler is CRAZY people. A lot of you mamma's that I read daily have kids who are also in this stage, it is one of ups and downs and roller coasters daily.

One minute my kiddo is dancing and singing in the backyard, making everyone laugh and smile right along with her. The next minute she is whining in the car because her glasses keep falling off her face. (oh the problems of a toddler)

There is the envelope and button pushing. Hmmm how many times can I scream, hit, and throw myself on the floor before mommy goes bananas and her head spins off her body?? 

Then, ten minutes later she is reading me her bath time book, splashing and laughing the crazy fun giggle that warms my heart. 

One day she hates everything I try to feed her except cookies. But the next she surprises me by finishing off her sweet potatoes and eating almost a whole pear on her own.

She gives me kisses and hugs, she whispers back night night mommy sweet dreams and my heart is so full I swear I could have a houseful just like her running around. 

This is definitely an adventure and I thought 2 years ago I wasn't prepared to have a newborn, so thankful for how far we have come and for where we are today.

Sharing some Lillypie love today

My beautiful mommy friend Laura has done it again, her talent and creativity amaze me! Her products are beautiful and so well made, Lydia sports lillypie clips in her hair often and I even splurged on necklace for myself and get compliments everywhere I go.

If you are looking for a little pick me up once a month, this program is for you! Check it out:

Click on the adorable picture above to go to Laura's post that tells ALL about the new Adorable Spring program. You won't regret it.

Pigtails and Bananas

Lydia loves her bananas, she's recently asked to "hold it" and eat it like a big girl, she now loves them even more.

One Girl, Big Heart

I haven't talked much about Voices 4 the Voiceless lately and mostly because we are in a big stage of planning, brain storming, praying and growing our team. I'm personally working on an event for Indianapolis this fall and Brantley is headed to Uganda TODAY as in 3a.m. tonight/tomorrow morning.

We have big plans for when she returns but what great news to send her off with.

Ansley first came to us back in November and wanted to make bracelets to raise money for orphan care and Voices 4 the Voiceless. She joined Brantley for a T.V. interview in December to talk about V4V and the orphan crisis.

Her goal was to raise $500 for V4V through her bracelets, well she blew that number out of the water and was able to raise and donate ......

$1,046

This is just one 12 year olds heart and courage to step out in faith and in what she felt she was called to do.

Ansley we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for the difference you are making in this world :)

Prayers please for Brantley and her husband Richard as they head out to Uganda early tomorrow morning. 

Boy or Girl?

So I've been getting the question a lot lately from friends and family. When do you get to find out the sex?



via


My answer: We aren't... SURPRISE!

We are going to let this sweet little bundle be a surprise and we are so excited about this decision. It seems to be driving everyone around us crazy but we are really excited about the moment that our Dr. delivers our baby and lets us in on the secret. Not to mention I saw her yesterday for my monthly visit and after making sure I was sure about our decision she got really excited to deliver our little one as well, she loves the surprise deliveries!

We do have names picked out but I think I'll share those only in person, so you have to meet me in order to find out names or just wait til the first week of August when our sweet one is delivered.

We do have our big ultrasound in a couple weeks so I will be asking the tech to keep it above the umbilical cord and to let us know when she has to venture elsewhere, no sneak peaks here!