Prayer Request and Picture Update

Being about three weeks away from my delivery date (C-section is scheduled for May 4th), I have not been able to keep up well with blogging these last few weeks. I am so ready to not be pregnant anymore, but also don't feel ready at all to be a mom that cares for two little ones! I am praying for much grace those first few months.

Over the past few weeks Steve and I have been spending a lot more time with the sweet little girl below Elizabeth. Her parents are good friends of ours and we've been in the same bible study group since last summer. Her dad is away a good amount of time being in the Navy, so we love to help Becky (her mom) whenever we can.

Last Tuesday her dad was in a serious accident overseas- and he was flown from the Middle East to Virginia last weekend where he is under medical treatment. His wife Becky flew out there this past weekend as he is undergoing a few surgeries, and thankfully he is doing remarkable well and is on his way to recovery.

Their two daughters who are 2 1/2 and 9 months are still here and being taken care of by family and friends. Would love to ask for prayer for Tom's recovery, for his wife Becky, and for these two little girls who are away from both of their parents right now.

It has been neat to spend more time with Elizabeth and seeing the differences between her and Jack. She is really laid back and loves to stop whenever possible to pick flowers (her favorite past time). Jack is usually way ahead of her running and trying to climb onto something. And although they mostly parallel play, they play with each other about 30% of the time and always crack me up. I know Jack likes being around her because he will ask for her specifically, and does get upset when they're not on the same class at church- which I think it's so sweet!

Last Saturday, we took Elizabeth and Jack to a yummy breakfast with Peter Rabbit in Fishhawk. We had a wonderful time and I was able to get a few good pictures of them together. I think they make a pretty good couple!

Although it looks like they are holding hands here...
Elizabeth is trying to take Jack's egg away from him! :)

It was in the low 60's and poor Elizabeth was freezing.
Jack was smiling as he was hoping to eat some pancakes with syrup later that morning..;)

March Update

Just wanted to share a brief update of a few things that have been going on in our home these last few weeks. I am bigger and more tired by the day (I will spare y'all the belly picture), but despite the tiredness it has been a joyful and blessed last few weeks.

Jack is talking more and more each day and here is a video before leaving for Disney two weeks ago. He was VERY excited to meet Mickey and it was such a joy to take him!! We invited all of our family to come with us but only grandpa and aunt Jessi were able to make it.

To share in the most precious moment I had with Jack this week- yesterday as I was helping Jack put together his train tracks... he came up to me and without any prompting said for the first time "I love you mommy" (Usually I'm begging him to say I love you, which he has reluctantly said at times before). He followed up with a sincere "Mommy... you're the best!". Ah what an incredible moment with him :))

Here is a picture of Steve and Jack before bedtime from last week

On another note- I loved making this tag blanket and onesie for Jack's cousin Grayson Fields. His parents (Steve's cousin and his wife) are big UF fans so I thought a little gator would be appropiate.

Grayson's grandmother (Steve's aunt Lindy who I wrote about here on how much she's impacted me) was hospitalized last week for being unresponsive and periodic seizures. She had a fall and injury to the brain back in December which the doctors think are causing the seizures. Please pray for this incredible family during this very trying time.

A week in the life...

... of staying at home. I thought I'd share a little bit more about our lives and some things I'm able to do by staying at home.

In being genuinely honest, there are some days when I'm not joyful or grateful to be at home. There are days when my patience runs low, when the routine of cooking and cleaning is boring and mundane, when I question if I'm doing a decent job as a mother, and wonder if I'm making an impact on anything or anyone else other than Steve and Jack... and the first months of being pregnant were specially rough as the tiredness and nausea did not help.

These last few weeks I've been praying for a changed perspective. I know it's just about to get more difficult when I have two little ones to care for in two months! I really want to cherish this time with my little ones and fully enjoy this season.

Anyways here are some blessings of being at home during this time... (Besides the obvious and most important one which is taking care of this little guy)

- It is wonderful to be able to go on playdates. I try to limit playdates to once a week (so I can also take care of the house, groceries, running errands, etc). This is a picture from a Valentine's day playdate in South Tampa last week. I really, really enjoyed the time with these ladies... and enjoyed the beautiful weather that day too!

- On Wednesday mornings Jack and I head over to Beallshoals church for Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). It is a Christian non-denominational bible study and women from different churches attend. We are going through the book of Acts this year and it has been wonderful. The first hour we meet with our small group (about 10-15 women) and the second hour we hear an incredible speaker expand on what we just learned.

Here is a picture with my small group leader Carolyn (middle) and Kelly who is also in our group. Carolyn is a wonderful leader, she calls every week to ask how I'm doing and how she can pray for me.

On a funny side note- Jack has found himself a cute little girlfriend in his class and talks about her all the time! He also gets to learn about the bible, quiet time, and has a lesson for the day.

- On Thursday nights Steve and I started hosting a small group bible study at our house. We are going over 'Crown' which is a study of what the bible says about money, working, and other topics. There are three couples from our church, and one of our neighbors joined us. We've really been enjoying this study, although it is a lot of work.

We all laughed bc Steve look gigantic in this picture. For some reason he
looks a foot taller than everyone else :) 

(Now although the small group is at night, I am glad to have the time to be at home to get the house and dinner ready on those nights)

 - And although I don't have a picture, every other Tuesday Jack and I head over to Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS). The children are watched in the nursery, while the moms get together for breakfast and then a speaker for the day. I am praying about next year and whether to be in leadership at MOPS or continue BSF, as I don't think I'll be able to do both. Hopefully I'll get some direction soon!

So these are the things I'm most grateful for today. Wanted to write them down as a reminder for myself of really how much I've been given. And partly to share what is going on in our lives as I've been pretty private about it overall.

Wishing everyone a blessed week!

All the Ways I Love my Husband

With today being Valentine's day, I wanted to share a few of the reasons why my husband is such a blessing to me. Not to come across as if we have the perfect marriage or he the perfect husband (We've certainly had our struggles these past 6 years of marriage), but there are some nights when I look at him and wonder how I have gotten so lucky to have married him.

This is the earliest picture I could find of us- at our rehearsal dinner on June 2005

Here are a few things that come to mind today...

I love that no matter how tired or what kind of rough day he's had at the office... he is never too tired to help out when he gets home in the evening.

I love that he gives Jack a bath almost every night.

I love that on the days when I fall short (our house is a mess, dinner is not ready, I'm still in my pajamas from the morning, etc) he is not critical. Instead he is encouraging, loving, and knows just the right thing to say.

I love that he has come to every single doctor appointment with me with all three of my pregnancies. He does not care if he's the only man in the ob-gyn's office (which he often is).

I love the respect he shows his parents.

I love that he can make a crowd laugh in ways that I can't.

I love that he is taking guitar lessons and will hopefully be able to serenade me soon!

I love the he works hard at his job and provides for our family.

I am so thankful for him. I know he will fail at times and that I can't idolize him and expect him to meet my every need. I've learned through some tough lessons only God can do that, and when I put Him first everything else falls into place. But tonight I am truly thankful for the many ways God does use my husband to love and encourage me!