Big Sister's Hospital Gift Bag

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The time of our little boy's arrival is drawing closer and I have a fun filled day ahead concerning him. We'll begin with maternity pictures done by my dear and talented friend from Shay White Photography. She captured our maternity pictures with G and it only seemed fitting that she do these as well.

Just a couple of my favorites...





2013

 

2013

Afterwards I'll head to my OB for this week's appointment. I'm still having occasional contractions and he's setting very low. We're all getting super excited about his arrival...

This is going to be a big change for our two year old daughter and I want to make it as positive of an experience as possible. We've been trying to prepare her and we have most of the details taken care of for when it's head to the hospital to deliver.

We want her time at the hospital with us to be just as special. Meeting her brother for the first time will be a big deal, at least for me. I want her to know that she is still loved and thought of despite all the newness. With that in mind, I put together a Big Sister bag for her for when she visits us at the hospital.

Here are the items that she'll discover upon opening her bag...

-Bubbles
-That's When I Knew by Claire Alexander
-A coloring book
-Crayons
-This Big Sister shirt
-Dessert Flavored Skittles
-A puzzle

I picked up the cute bag from the Dollar Tree of all places!

I had fun piecing the gift together and I look forward to her opening it. I also stuck a picture of all of us and a note inside her bedtime book that she'll take with her to spend the night at her sitter's house. I don't know who this will be harder on, me or her...but either way, we're all in good hands.



 

Linking up for Thoughts for Thursday

Oh Hey Friday! Christmas in July

 

Oh Hey Friday (and hello August!) has come again! Join myself, Karli and others for this week's edition. This week I was inspired by all of the Christmas in July sales around town. For all of you who ask me what I want (and for those of you who don't) I thought I'd help you out. I'm never good at making a Christmas list because I forget the things I've fallen for over the year. I was determined to change that this year (my mom will be so happy). I created My Gift Wish List on Pinterest. Since most of the folks who buy for me (and thank you in advance) are on Pinterest, it just seemed like a no brainer. On my list you'll find practical items as well as dream pieces.

 

Here are a few things from my list...

OHF 1


Interrupted

7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

   Books by Jen Hatmaker

 

I'm currently working through her devotional, Out of the Spin Cycle, and love it! There are several of her books on my list and I'm looking forward to eventually reading each one.

 

 

 

OHF 2

Bath and Body Works Stress Relief Eucalyptus Spearmint Body Lotion

I think the reasoning behind this is pretty self explanatory.

 

 

OHF 3

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I have been googley eyed over this Spectrum necklace by Premier Designs for quite some time. I do have a couple family members who sell this line of jewelry ::cough cough:: Just saying.

 

 

OHF 4

Better Homes and Gardens Tufted Comforter Set in Grey

We're making plans to revamp our bedroom and this comforter would be perfect for our grey and navy palate.

 

 

OHF 5

The Pioneer Woman Cooks : A Year of Holidays Cookbook

I have her other two cookbooks and LOVE them! It's only natural that I should add this to my cooking collection.

 

 

What's on your Christmas list?









Five on Friday!

It seems that life has been going at warp speed these last couple of weeks so I'm glad to finally be able to sit down and reflect on our summer so far. We've had some ups and downs and we continue to make plans for the near and distant future. I'm joining with Darci and others for this week's Five on Friday. I hope you'll join in!





[one]

I bought this material back in April (I think) with the intention of sewing G a couple summer dresses. I finally made good on my intentions this week. I found these adorable prints at JoAnn Fabrics.

[two]

While on our trip last week, we made a pit-stop in Tennessee. One of my favorite places to visit is the Christmas Place. We picked up a few personalized ornaments for family, as well as our family ornament for this year. We have a tradition of buying an ornament on each of our vacations. It's nice to have them as reminders from year to year of the good times we've shared. Also while at the Christmas Place we discovered this adorable canvas print on clearance. We got it for less than half of it's original price and it will go perfectly in G's play room (which I realized I have not blogged about since completing most of the room).

[three]
Over the last few weeks I've gotten a lot of use out of our old clothesline. There is just something about laundry that smells like sunshine...

[four]

Our precious miracle turned 14 months old on Thursday. I can't believe how much she has grown! She has a few words: "nana" (for all things food), "mouw-mouw" (the cats), "woof-woof" (the dogs), "Belwa" (Bella, her moose and best buddy), "this" (for most things she points at or wants), "uh oh" and "no". She is really testing the limits (maybe this means two will be a breeze?) and is becoming even more brave in her endeavors. She is almost at the point of walking. She holds on to the wall and furniture throughout the house but has yet to let go. She loves: giving and blowing kisses, playing in her pool, music, bananas and grapes, macaroni and cheese, Bella, her blankie, and animals. She is learning: to walk, how to color, and new words.

[five]

Last week we took a 9+ hour trip to visit my mom and sister in Georgia. I miss them dearly and while our time flew too quickly, I treasured every memory made. Feel free to catch up on our eventful Road Trip.

Three generations

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An Egg-stra Special Easter

Easter is always a very special holiday for us and this year will be no exception. This will be G's first Easter...you may be thinking, "but she'll be one and hasn't celebrated her first Easter?" Last year she was born after Easter and this year she will be turning one the day before. We have a full and fun weekend ahead. To get things started, I'm joining Darci from The Good Life and Sarah from Our Journey for their Easter Basket Blog Hop! Feel free to join in!



 

 

With everything we have going on this week in preparation for G's first birthday, I wanted to make sure that I had her basket complete. I've tried not to place too much pressure on myself. While this will be her first Easter and thus, her first Easter basket, I know that she will not likely remember it other than what she sees in pictures. I did however, enjoy putting it together. As she grows we want her to enjoy the holiday but we want the real focus to be on Christ's death and resurrection. Soon I'll be posting some of the traditions that we'll be incorporating into her childhood for Easter.

 

::via::

 

I hope you enjoy taking a peek into her Easter basket.

 

I don't know what I love more...her initial tag that I purchased at Michael's or her Easter basket that I scored at the Dollar Tree.

Growing up, mom always made or bought us a new Easter dress. I plan to keep this tradition for G, but I also like the idea of getting her a new Spring outfit. My hubby actually picked this one out and I think he did a great job! So cute!

 



 

I try to instill the love of reading into our daughter any chance I get...so of course, that means a book for Easter! I love this little story and I can see it easily becoming a family favorite. I also have a weakness when it comes to hair bows. While G doesn't always want to keep them in her hair these days, I enjoy putting one in her hair every chance I get, thus a few made their way into her basket.

 





I found this funny chicken at a local card store. He was on clearance and his silly dancing and clucking made me laugh out loud in the store. I know G will love it! The egg is an egg shaker that I bought a few weeks ago when my friend and I visited a specialty toy store. I bought two, giving her one early just to see her response. I know she'll love it. While she may be a little young for crayons, we discovered that she enjoys making scribbles at one of our favorite restaurants the other day. They have the brown paper on the tables and upon putting a crayon in her hand and showing her what to do, she had a ball!

When you put it all together...what do you have? An adorable Easter basket for our precious little girl.

Isn't that little bunny face to die for?!





Counting Candles

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:16

29 and holding...at least for the next year...Today was filled with bittersweet memories and wonderful things. We began celebrating last night (only because my husband had to work today). I came home from work to a very clean house, one of my favorite dinners on the table, and my all time favorite ice cream cake! What a wonderful man I've married!

G enjoyed her first ice cream cake experience

After not sleeping well I wasn't sure I wanted to begin a new age. I was just getting a grasp of living life as a 28 year old. I made it to work and was greeted by some "happy birthday" sentiments. A few of my co-workers threw me a wonderful birthday breakfast. Once the school bell rang my students came in with lots of well wishes, cards and a gift or two. By the end of the day my door was covered in precious handwritten birthday wishes.

The music teacher even taught the students a sweet version of Happy Birthday with movement! I wish I could show you but the file doesn't want to cooperate.

Also, a couple of my friends got together and sent me a beautiful mini rose bush.

My adoring husband sent me some beautiful flowers from both he and my daughter.

I've been kind of in a slump lately and it was so nice to be surrounded by so much love today. Not to mention my best friend sent me a lovely new purse.

As the sun sets on this day, I've been doing a lot of reflecting. This past year I've learned and re-learned a lot of important things. I still have things I'm facing that I'd hoped to leave behind me, but alas, I remain a work in progress.

There are a few core truths I've been reminded of over the past year...
-Apologize no matter how much it hurts or what it may cost
-Savor every second with those you love
-Comparison kills joy
-No battle can be won on my own
-Hearts mend
-True friends walk through the storms of life with you
-Change can't occur if I remain stagnant

While there are so many other things that have come to light over this past year, I know there is still much for me to do and learn.

I've managed to accomplish many things this year, but the greatest of my achievements is the birth of my daughter. My life has been so much fuller thanks to that redheaded, little blue-eyed girl. When I think back to Psalm 139:16, I'm in awe of how God knows what my days will hold. He knew when I would become a wife, a mother, a teacher and so on. He knows me better than I know myself and while not every moment of my life has been rosy, it has been purposeful. He knew I'd make mistakes and He knew I would achieve great things and I believe He still has wonderful things prepared for me. I have precious silent prayers in my heart...hope for things unseen.

While it hasn't always been easy to trust Him (which admitting that out loud makes me realize just how ridiculous it is...but I'm human) I know He has my best interests at heart.

I've made some progress on my 30 by 30 list and I hope to accomplish all of these things...granted I won't be too hard on myself if that doesn't happen. Either way, I plan to have a good time trying. I want to thank everyone who has helped to make this day wonderful and I send up a praise of true thanks to the One who saw fit to bring me into this world. God has a purpose for this life and while I don't know where this road will take me, I hope to make the best of the ride.

 

Raising Royalty

From an early age I was taught that I was a "princess". Not in the "wear a crown and have your own way" sense, but in the Princess of the King sense.

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ..."

Romans 8:16-17a

 

It didn't sink in until I was older what that meant. It means that I am cherished and beautiful and priceless in the eyes of my Savior. He made me with purpose. He desires that I glorify Him in all that I do and that I love others into the Kingdom. Just as any princess, I have a great task before me, none of which I go about alone. Just as the King reigns His Kingdom, so does He reign my heart.

 

"Hanki Doll"

These truths have been at the forefront of my mind since last week. I received a pretty package in the mail (I do love brown paper packages tied up with strings...or in this case, a pink bow.) I opened the box to reveal its contents. Inside I found an adorable little hat, a beautiful gift for G and a card that still brings tears to my eyes.

 

G wearing her new hat

These precious gifts were sent to us by our dear friend, Kelly. Our friendship began the summer of 2004. I answered God's call to work at a Christian camp tucked in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. At the time, Kelly and her husband were part of the management staff of the camp. I adored Kelly's up beat personality and her love for the Lord was contagious. She shared many God given gifts and talents with me over that summer, but the most important one that she shared was that of her daughter, Sarah Ann. Talk about a beautiful little girl. She had "God's Masterpiece" written all over her. To look at her sparsely toothed grin and her glittery eyes, you'd think she was just like any other little one. Unfortunately, Sarah Ann was battling cancer. At just 10 months old she was diagnosed and spent the next year battling the earthly fight. I watched through pictures as she grew bigger and more beautiful, but weaker as the months went by.

 

In January 2005, I received the call saying that Sarah Ann had gone Home. A beautiful princess went to be with her King. I remember answering the phone, but could not tell you who called. I remember sitting in the living room chair and crying, grateful that her fight had ended but devastated over her family's loss. The tears were, and still are bittersweet. I remain in awe at how such a little life could touch the world in so many ways. Her legacy lives on through her family as they continue to use their testimonies that were furthered by her life.

 

She also left her mark on us. C and I knew she was the one we wanted to be our flower girl, and when the time to nail down details for the wedding came to pass, we knew that there was not a one that we would rather have in her place. We decided not to have a flower girl, but instead honor her memory on our wedding day. That picture still remains framed and sits prominently on our bookshelf next to one of our favorite pictures of G.

 

 

I write all of this because, as I've reflected on the  amount of love and commitment that her family poured into her in just a short time here, I, too, long to provide the same for my daughter. On February 19th, G turned 10 months old. What would I do if I received that kind of news at her tender age?  I've learned, among many things, that one of the most powerful things about the love we have for our children is the part of that love that allows us to let them go. I'm reminded that our children are entrusted to us, not for keeps, but to grow them up as fruitful, loving, passionate victors for Christ.

G loves playing with her "hanki doll"

 

As G grows, it is my #1 goal to raise her to love the Lord. I want her to want to know Him. I want her to rest in His presence and live undoubtedly loved. As Kelly and her husband continue to raise their two boys, I remain in awe of their courage, faith and dedication to His service.

 

It's hard to believe that Sarah Ann has been dancing on the streets of gold for 9 years now. How amazing that must be. I imagine her painting pictures and hanging them up for all to see. I imagine her singing the songs of praise taught to her by her parents. I know that she is in good hands and those same hands are the ones that continue to guide us here. Those are the same hands that cradle and protect our daughter as she grows in this sin laden world. For that I rejoice. For Sarah Ann's life and her home with Jesus, I rejoice.

 

The other day, Kelly posted this verse:

 

 

May we never forget to live in this way. I pray that you will hold your little ones a little longer and seek to raise them in a way that will honor the Lord. Teach them to love the Lord, love others, and love themselves...we are in fact raising royalty.
 

 

To learn more about the life of Sarah Ann and her family's testimony, please visit their Family Web Page. God is good and His love is a priceless gift that we can pass down to our children. It is the greatest gift we can give.