Five on Friday

There are so many wonderful things about this Friday...here I go!

1. Good Friday

As a Christian, Good Friday is a monumental event in history. My Savior was crucified to pay the debt that my sin renders. He took the burdens of this world to the cross so that I may freely live and someday enter the Kingdom. I praise God for the sacrifice and yet mourn the tourcherous events that had to occur to make this possible. Without His sacrifice there would be no reason to hope.

Good Friday is arguably the saddest day in the life of Christ, but hold on, Sunday is coming! 

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2. Momma is coming to town...to stay!

For several years I have been certain that my mom was meant to move near us. The Lord has honored my requests and I'm thrilled to say that she will be here today! My hubby and his friend have been in GA since Wednesday getting her ready to go. By this time tonight, she'll be here to stay! No more 500 mile road trips. No more goodbyes with months in between them.

3. Easter

I love this time of year. It's filled with so many wonderful things. We celebrate oodles of birthdays and of course, Easter. We focus our energies primarily on recognizing the death and resurrection of our Savior, but we do enjoy other festivities. The kids will have an egg hunt and we'll have Easter lunch as a family. It will be N's first Easter...I hope it's warm enough to put him in his cute outfit.

4. Low Carb

I'm finishing up my third week of low carb eating. I'm not super strict but I've found a way to make it work for me. I can't wait to share my monthly update!

This is one of my favorite low carb meals to date!

5. SPRING BREAK!

Praise the Lord! The time has come for me to be able to enjoy my family, forget about grading papers, get rehydrated and use the bathroom whenever I want!

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Happy Friday everyone!

Linking up for Oh Hey Friday and Five on Friday 

Friday Five

It has been a while since I put together a Five on Friday post. Life has been a bit crazy and I've been savoring my extra "free" time with my soon to be changing family. As for my Five this week...here we go!

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[Photo Books]

I've been slowly putting together a photo book of G's last year, eagerly waiting for one of my favorite photo book publishers to send a special promo my way. Well...it arrived this week and her book has been finished. I can't wait to get that pretty orange box in the mail. I've begun my maternity photo book for our sweet boy. I loved making the photo pregnancy journal for G's pregnancy and I can't wait to reflect over the past 9 months as this book comes together.


[Maternity Sub Plans]

I began putting together my maternity sub plans this week. I hope to have them at least typed before Little Man arrives. They are so time consuming when you have to add beginning of the year routine and set-up. Thankfully I have an amazing sub and I know she will handle it flawlessly.

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[Baby Update]

We had our 37 week checkup on Wednesday. I've been having what I thought might be contractions on and off over the last week but nothing major. I must add that with my daughter, I had no idea I was having contractions and I was dilated pretty far before I began feeling anything...so I've not been too certain this time around either. My blood pressure has been a bit high lately and we're kind of biding our time. They went ahead and checked me since induction is a possibility. I was almost 3cm and 50% effaced! Who knew?! At least we're heading in the right direction. We also had an ultrasound and got to see his beautiful face again.

Courtesy of Shay White Photography

[Summer Fun]

We've been on baby overload around here in trying to prep the house and ourselves for our new little one. We've been finishing up some final cleaning tasks and I've managed to send a ton of stuff off to Good Will. I have multiple freezer meals prepped and we've managed to put away ALL of the laundry. For us that is a huge accomplishment, especially since this included going through donation items, sorting seasonal clothing and putting everything we're not wearing in tubs. With all that being said, we decided to spend an evening of family fun at a local carnival. G loved it this year!

Funnel Cake!

[Friends and a Wedding]

I've been trying to catch up with friends I have not had time to hang out with in a while. Today is especially great because I'll get to visit with one of my dearest friends who is passing through on her way to Alabama (she is relocating from Boston). On Saturday I plan to attend a very special wedding and enjoy and evening of food and fun with some friends. I smile as I type this simply because who knows what may happen. My doctor does not believe I'll make my due date and basically told us it could literally happen any day. So...these plans are tentative but exciting nonetheless.



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Playing Catch-Up

Last week was filled with some wonderful family time. This week will be just as busy as I prepare for my mom to come in on Thursday, a bridal shower, a consignment sale and our daughter's 2nd birthday tomorrow. I thought I'd play a little catch up and fill you in on some of the great things from last week.

[Easter and an Egg Hunt]

We had a lovely Easter. We enjoyed an egg hunt with our church family and then celebrated our Risen Savior on Sunday.

 

 

[Spring Break]

Last week was Spring Break...enough said.


[Vacation and Relaxation]

We decided to take a little vacation to the beautiful Smokey Mountains. We enjoyed some wonderful relaxation and some quality family time.

View from our cabin

 

[The Zoo]

Our sweet girl loves animals and we enjoy taking her the zoos and aquariums if they are in the area. We visited the Knoxville Zoo and had a blast.

 

 

[The Aquarium]

Not only did we enjoy the zoo, but we had a great time at the Tennessee Aquarium.

 

[Birthday Goodies]

I had a blast celebrating my 30th birthday with my sweet hubby and beautiful babe. It was a day filled with love and blessings.

Birthday Cupcakes



Linking up for Five on Friday and Oh Hey Friday!

New to Me Friday Favorites

It's April...and it's Friday...hoorah!

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[1]

By this point two years ago, I was just days away from delivering our daughter. I did not need to worry about having a maternity wardrobe for summer. It is not so this time around. With our sweet boy due in July (and me detesting heat), I’ll need to make sure I’ve got some things to wear as the weather heats up. I found this adorable (non-maternity) Jersey Maxi Tank dress at Old Navy. The fabric is so light and it is something I can wear post-baby.

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[2]

Since Old Navy was having a sale the day I went shopping, I also purchased this Eyelet-Panel dress. It is maternity but will also be comfy the months following baby’s arrival as I try to get back into my old clothes.

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[3]

This pregnancy has done some crazy things to me that I did not experience with my first. The most prominent issue has been my teeth. A few weeks ago I unexpectedly had to have a wisdom tooth pulled, and then on Tuesday of this week, I returned to my dentist because of some discomfort I was having with another tooth. He was able to do a quick fix that will tide me over until the baby arrives. At that point he can break out the big guns and take care of everything permanently. While I feel that I have great dental hygiene, I feel like I need to find things to get me through this next little bit. I bought this new tooth paste by Colgate*. I’ve always used their toothpaste but with this product claiming to add calcium and other minerals back into my teeth/enamel, I had to give it ago. I’m hoping this will help restore some of what the baby has been depleting up to this point.

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*I was not compensated in any way to mention this product.

[4]

Spring Break will officially begin at 4:00pm today and I am ready. For a lot of reasons I’m glad to have this little break. One of which brings me to #5!

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[5]

We will be taking a family vacation and I am so excited! This will be our last trip for a bit and I could not be happier to spend this extra time with my sweet little family. It’s hard to believe that this will be our last big trip as a family of 3. While I’m not looking forward to the drive, I do look forward to enjoying some of the things that Tennessee has to offer.

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Linking up with Oh Hey Friday! and Five on Friday

This Week's 5

With the kind of week it has been, I thought it would just be easier to go day by day.

[Monday]
We enjoyed another snow day at home thanks to more snow on the ground.

[Tuesday]
We had a 2 hour delay to ensure safety. I went to work for a couple of hours and then headed to my dentist appointment.  I've been having an achy teeth problem and I wanted to see what was going on. Everything was fine a few months ago at my last cleaning.  Too my surprise,  a wisdom tooth was almost completely filled with a cavity. After many attempts to numb me up and get the tooth out, he decided sending me to the surgeon would be the best decision.

Tuesday was also my hubby's birthday. It was not spent the way we'd hoped. I'm making it up to him on Saturday with a tasty meal at a local brewery.

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Tuesday was also filled with sadness as we grieved the loss of my cousin's husband who lost his battle with cancer.

[Wednesday]
We actually had a full day of school! Now to play major catch up...

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[Thursday]
I officially became a surgical patient. I didn't feel a thing, which was amazing. 3 stitches later I was sent home with a  mouth full of gauze and a headache. As the numbing agent wore off the reality of the pain hit. The safest thing for me to take is regular Tylenol,  which doesn't do much.

[Friday]
G is off to the sitter so that I can have a little healing time. The pain is pretty bad and sleep was difficult. I'm glad I can be at home today to mend.

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Happy Friday!

Linking up for Oh Hey Friday!  and Five on Friday

It's All Good

This week has been wonderful!!!

[Gender Reveal]

I am so excited to share the news! You can read the full reveal here.

[Snow Days]
I have been praying for snow (and I'm not kidding) for a while now. It's winter time for crying out loud and not a single good snow...until now. Beginning Monday morning, the snow began to fall and it left our little corner of the world cloaked in white. Of course, it's only proper to enjoy it while it's here.

Last year G was too small to play in the snow...not this year!

[Naps]

Snow days mean no school for me. This means I get to stay home and spend some extra time with my sweet girl. This also means naps. She takes one good nap a day and I took the opportunities to enjoy them with her. Growing a tiny human is tiring and every nap is greatly appreciated.

[22]

Our sweet girl turned 22 months old this week! I can't believe her birthday is just two months away! I've got some plans in the works and I'm really excited to celebrate our little beauty.

[New Toys]

I have been longing for a new sewing machine for quite some time. My old machine has stitched its last and it was time to let it go. My new machine came in the mail last Friday and thanks to the snow, I was able to get it out of the box...now to find time to use it.

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Here Comes Valentine's Day!

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow!!! We’ve opted to spend a low key evening at home with each other. We’re really working on reigning in our budget (even though I think we’re doing pretty good) to better adapt to the coming of our second child. July will be here before we know it! I thought I’d share a few things that Valentine’s Day 2015 will hold.

[Good Food]

I adore my husband. I love seeing a smile on his face and often times this comes from my cooking. There really is something to the old adage, "the way to a man's heart is through is stomach." Once again this year I have a tasty menu planned. We will enjoy a rare treat of savory cooked rib eye steaks, a special potato casserole, green beans and homemade brownie sundaes. We found an excellent deal on the steaks and even with that splurge, we’ll still be spending so much less than if we went out to eat.

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[Goodies for G]

Last year I had a snow day on Valentine’s Day and got to spend G’s first V-day with her at home. It does not appear that I’ll have the same luxery this year. Regardless, she still gets a few goodies. I opted to get her a couple of books (shocker, I know) that go along with the holiday theme.

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[Sweet Attire]

I’m quickly growing my way out of my standard wardrobe. I’ll be doing good to find something red or pink in my closet to wear that fits. I do have some pretty cute heart socks that I’ll sport. G is in a much better position to wear cute Valentine attire. I picked up this cute shirt at Crazy 8 on sale…



Crazy 8 Sparkle Stripe Heart Tee

[Homemade Goodies]

I made some yummy red velvet cookies and cute Kool-aid Valentine treats for my students. I’ll send a few of the cookies to my awesome babysitter as well. I also made these cute applesauce Valentines for my daughter’s daycare.

 

[Above All Else]

Of course, while I savor the memories and treasure the sweet moments with my friends and family, I also remember that the ultimate gift of love has been given by Jesus Christ. He is our example of how to love unselfishly and unconditionally.

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I hope you have a sweet Valentine’s Day!

Linking up with Oh Hey Friday! and Five on Friday

5 Reasons I Love...

Our Little Girl

There are so many things that I absolutely adore about our little gal. I thought I’d take this month of love to hone in on a few specific things that I love about some of the people in my life. I thought it only appropriate to start with the one thing that has changed me in ways I never expected, has made me a better person, and captivates me every day.  She is my heart’s song.

[Miracles Happen]

One of the most special things that I love about our daughter is the fact that she is such a special miracle for our family. In the midst of battling infertility, God granted us victory with the conception and birth of our beautiful babe. I count myself blessed daily to be her mother.

Family pictures
May 2013

[Baby Blues]

When I first learned that I was pregnant, I began dreaming about what our child would look like. When I learned that we were having a girl my imagination really began to roam. I secretly wished for the following: my red hair, my blue eyes, her daddy’s eyelashes and her daddy’s dimples. Don’t get me wrong, my prayer was constantly for a healthy and whole baby. But alas, the Lord far exceeded our expectations. It was as if she was custom designed based on my secret requests.

[Handy Helper]

I can already see so much kindness and the presence of a servant’s heart developing in our little one. While we will all battle the egocentric personalities of our toddlers from time to time, I adore the wonderful things I am seeing. She willingly wants to help pick up her toys and help with laundry. We’ve been told by her sitter and nursery workers that she is such a big helper. She loves to give the babies their pacifiers and toys. She wants to make sure everyone has what they need. She is also developing some great manners. She asks for things by saying “please” and ends with “thank you”. She is beginning to learn how to pray and to hear her sweet little mouth say the name of Jesus and amen always melts my heart. I hope we can help her develop these beautiful character traits and habits as she grows.

[Sweet Snuggles]

Those moments of snuggle time are my favorite. I love it when she asks for Bella, Mo-Mo and her blanket. It’s at those moments that I know she’s ready to refuel her little love tank. We sit in the chair and rock or cuddle on the couch. I’ll never get enough...and neither will daddy.

[X’s and O’s]

While I’m sure most mothers feel this way, I truly believe that my little girl gives the best hugs and kisses. Her hugs are firm and so warm. I love the feeling of her tiny little hands around my neck…and her kisses! Oh her kisses! Sometimes she’ll take our faces into her tiny little hands and just plant one. She’ll give sweet kisses before bed and loves to get plenty from mommy and daddy throughout the day. She keeps us laughing and on our toes and we wouldn't have it any other way.

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