A word from my heart

I love Sunday's! I'm not perfect my any means, but I love the days I go to church and hear such a great word from God and leave feeling so refreshed. Its such a great feeling. If only we all could feel this way each day when we wake up! It's hard with the craziness of the real world, to make time for God each morning. Today I want to encourage everyone to read at least 10 minutes of God's word this week. I am going to do the same thing! I try to spend time with God daily, at least in prayer if not in the word, but God calls us to read His word daily and to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him. That is why we were put on this earth, to then die and be with the Lord who blessed us with this wonderful life. The least we can do to give back to the Lord is spend 10 minutes daily with Him and praise him for all of the great things in our lives: Family, friends, home, car, jobs, babies, great health etc.... God gave us all of this so give back to Him!

My parents shared with me a forward that was sent to them from my Uncle about a 12 year old boy that worked on a ranch in Nebraska. This boy listens to a Christian radio station in Houston Texas. He called in to tell a story about how his dad was roping a calf that was born from an old cow and how she didn't have the greatest milk, and ended up breaking her back. The boy continued to say that he had to put her to sleep. He was so sad and talked to God and asked, "Why God, she was so special to me". God told this little boy that HIS son was special and died for a purpose. He said it was the same thing, the calf was close to him, and God's son was close to him.
... The boy went on to say he wanted to share this with people that it's so important to remember when you lose a loved one, even a pet, to always remember that God gave HIS son too, and he understands how we feel, and that He will always understand if we just run to Him.

This was so touching. I thought about it last night as I went to bed and wanted to share this with my blogger friends today. If a young boy at 12 can realize this, so can you! God is good, just give him some Glory! May God be with all of my friends and family today! LOVE YOU!!!

Here is the link on youtube, pass it around to your friends too!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0r_FbARIn8

Registery Complete- Check!

My baby registry is finally complete!!!! Today my mom, sister in law Tiffany, & friend Allisha helped me to finish up my registry. We started off this morning at 10am at Target where we were already giggling walking in the door and trying to get the registry to work. Typing all of the information in can be a pill on those machines! After getting my name in the system, we indulged in a Starbucks. I had a decaf no worries... it was yummers. I haven't had a coffee from Starbucks in a LONG time, so I was over do that's for sure. It was the perfect day with the snow this morning although it caused me to be in the bathroom 2 times!!!! We began clicking away and had a ball. I am so thankful for my friend Allisha (and neighbor) who just had a baby in January. She has so many great words of advice and really helped me with what has been great for her with her daughter, Ryleigh Kate. I registered for a lot of my main stuff at target like the pack and play, swing, bouncer, boppy, carseat for Daddy's car etc... Of course I was starving before we made our way out, so we ate at Pizza Hut in Target. It was fabulous! And yes, I had the marinara sauce with it that I so OFTEN crave!
We then made our way to WMT and registered for all kinds of goodies. WMT had the best outfits for girls! So cute. The dresses were AMAZING! I think I registered for more outfits than anything! No really, they had some great stuff, so I registered for a ton of other odd and ends stuff that is much needed as well. I just love clicking the button!

After Wal-mart we were off to Belly Buttons, my new registry that I am nutso crazy about!When mom and Tiffany walked in they went crazy, just as I did. I am telling you, angels were singing to me, literally- and I think they did to them too. Their eyes were everywhere and off they went looking around! When Tiff was on her way in she spotted this amazing dress. Throughout the store we started talking about a "coming home" dress for Avery because I haven't found the perfect one yet. Then it just appeared, the dress Tiff saw.... it was the one! I started matching a bow to it and everything and new that I wanted to add this to the registry. Mom then said she wanted to get it for me right then, and purchased it! I was so excited. My daughters FIRST dress to leave the hospital in. It's just so angelic, perfect, sweet.... I am so happy. Thank you mom for making this very special purchase for me. It means the world to me! Girls, if you haven't been to Belly Buttons, it's time to go. I think I am going to be their newest crazy customer! The girl Tiffany that works there is great and very helpful!! On our way home we indulged in a Dairy Queen ice cream treat and laughed as we always do all the way home!

Tonight is Mom's Birthday celebration so I am about to head out for the fun with the family! Hope everyone enjoys this cold, snowy day and stays warm!!! XOXO

My TERRIFIC Thursday

Today has been more than a perfect day for me. Chad took off 2 days from work to spend them with me and work on stuff for Avery. We ventured out to Joplin to do our first baby registry at Babies R Us. We had so much fun on the way talking about careers, and life in general, anticipating the arrival of her first daughter. Once we arrived we filled out some paper work and got the "clicker". We went around every ounce of the store, starting at the front! I wanted to register at Babies R Us because they have such a variety of neat things! The main things we registered for here is our stroller/car-seat set, a "jogger" stroller, and the monitor system. I clicked several fun odd and end things as well like cloths, bibs, cute toys, blankets, etc. . . but I still have Target and Wal-mart to do so didn't want to register for all of that other fun odd and end stuff that you need like bottles, clippers, bath tubs etc... that comes this weekend! After registering for an hour we went to this adorable place called "Bella Peppers Italian Kitchen" and had a wonderful lunch date! I had a Fettuccine Alfredo dish (my fav) and he had a Penne Pasta. It was the most amazing place! I will drive back up there just to enjoy dinner again. Their salad and bread was amazing, to die for! Not to mention their service. It was great. Thank you Chad for a more than perfect date today, you have been the greatest husband in the world and so wonderful through my ENTIRE PREGNANCY!

Did I happen to mention that I picked up this adorable swimming suit for Avery while registering? I had to have it, I was scared it wouldn't be there!!

Okay okay, back to the day... on our way home we fell upon this ADORABLE, and I do mean ADORABLE store called "Belly Buttons" in Jane, MO. I walked in and literally heard the angels singing to me. My eyes were going 90 to nothing. The cutest baby stuff you have ever seen is what you will find in here... bows, glitz, glamour, diva, you name it- you will find it! I immediately wanted to change one of my registries, called my best friend and luckily she hadn't printed the invitations quit yet so I changed this to one of my fun cute registries. I immediately told the store clerk that I wanted to register and in 30 minutes time, boy I had that place picked over! I registered for my DREAM diaper bag. It's leopard and pink with a huge crown in crystals on the front! I registered for everything from little shoes, to bows, outfits, to crown bottles (yes, CROWN bottles), to some adorable polo shoes... I even managed to throw in a glitzy pacifier. I had the time of my life in this store. If I wouldn't have known better, I would have been in my favorite store, Forever 21! I had to keep reminding myself, "this is for Avery, this is for Avery..." After this final stop today I met up with the girls for Sushi. My friend Kim had invited a few of us girls for some dinner to catch up and we had so much fun! Kim is one of my good friends that I met through my sister in law Tiffany. She's a sweetie pea, and in love! I will have to blog about that another day, but I think someone is going to get married.... next year, but she's gonna get a ring very soon I think! She has found the most adorable Christian man, who treats her so well and fits in amazing with all of our friends and family. We are all so happy for her, she's on cloud 9! Oh so exciting!

After dinner Chad and I hung Avery's letters. They turned out perfect. Mom and I worked on them this week while she was off work and they just ended up being the perfect touch! We hung them above her closet. I just need the bed and we are golden. I call them weekly to see if it's there, haha like they won't call me when it is, I just can't wait because it will allow me to finally add the final touches to this nursery.

This weekend we have moms 52nd Birthday! It's actually the 30th but unfortunately she is having her Hernia surgery that day so we are celebrating at dinner on Saturday night. Tiff and I picked her out the cutest gift, but she reads the blog so I can't say! We're taking her to dinner and ordering her a yummy cake at Ricks Bakery, the best in town!

Okay I think I have blogged everyone's ear off! I had a lot to say. I'm going to soak these achy legs tonight and try to get some rest. God has been preparing me for this lovely girl, I have been waking up at 3 and 4am every morning and can't sleep, so I end up praying for everyone that I know, or watching TV until I get sleepy again. Lots of love and hugs and kisses!

The BIG 30- not years, "WEEKS"...

Oh my, I am 30 weeks! Time is flying by before my big ole eyes. I am just feeling amazing and can't believe I am pregnant, still. . . I am so ready, have I said that??? The bathroom breaks during the night are becoming all too frequent, and the pressure I feel is starting to become heavier. Counting down the weeks, that's for sure!

This week has been fabulous! I enjoyed the day yesterday to myself running some errands and taking a few things back to the some stores. Took a brief nap and cooked Taco Salad for my amazing husband! We took a drive last night and it was so nice and relaxing. We took Pickle too, he had fun! Today it rained, but I loved it. I woke up early and ended up napping at 9am while watching Regis and Kelly. I enjoy these naps so much and I take advantage of EVERY second I get to close these eyes. It's been so nice not having to work, God has truly blessed me during this special period of my life. Today I went over to my mom's for a bit to hang with her and we sat in the sun for awhile and talked. I actually got sun burnt today! After the rainy morning, it ended up being BEAUTIFUL so I soaked up a few rays. I need it, that's for sure! Then for dinner I made grilled chicken, roasted potatoes, (Sandra Lee recipe, my fav), and Zuccini- can you say YUMMO!? And HEALTHY!

The rest of the week is going to be chill. I get to have lunch with my mother in law tomorrow, (we cancelled because of the bad weather today), and then she is cooking for me and Chad tomorrow night. She always makes some GOOD meals!! Then this weekend my mom, Tiff, and my friend Allisha are going with me to register at WMT, Target, and Babies and Beyond. Chad and I are registering Thursday together in Joplin at Babies R US. We are going to do an online registry there because there is a car seat/stroller set we need and love! I can't wait to get registered for all the fun cute stuff that I desperately need!

PS- congrats to my friend Rachel Brown who found out today that she is having a little girl! BREE LEIGHTON BROWN!!!! Avery will have a BFF in school!!! So fun!

A poem I wrote for Avery..."My Daughter"

Avery Elizabeth,

I have longed for you my whole life, and finally you're in my tummy
I praise God daily, and even laugh because I find you so funny

Your kicks are so special, your rolls are so sweet
I can't wait for the day that I can tickle your tiny feet

God formed you so perfectly with his own might
I can tell you this sweet girl, for you I will always put up a fight

I cry tears of joy when I hear your little heart beat
I long for the day that I can place you in your car seat

He knows your features, your beautiful smile
You will be here, in just a short while

The Lord has blessed me in SO many ways
Oh how I sit and just count the days

Until then, hold on tight
You are in for the ride of your life

Thank you God for your many blessings and love
For this special gift that you formed and sent from above

I love you baby girl. . .

Some final touches

The painted frame in Avery's room, above her crib:


This weekend has been better than the last few, I am finally feeling 100% back to normal from this yucky cold I have had. It's all about the Benadryl baby! I took 2 the past few nights and woke up less stuffy, with more energy. I had to miss Kitchen Queens on Thursday night because I was so out of it from my medicine, and I hated it because I made the cutest mask for our Masquerade Party! I am definitely going to hold on to it for another upcoming event, it's way fun. Friday night some things came up with Gretchen's friends so we were unable to do dinner so we rescheduled for another weekend. Chad ended up taking me on a date and we enjoyed a nice dinner together. Saturday my painter Jennifer came over to do Avery's painted frame that is going to be above her crib. It turned out FABULOUS to say the least, I was SO amazed at her artistic abilities. I can't wait to get the crib in and add the final touches to this room. I am ready to start hanging everything and putting the little details in place, but want to wait to see how this bedding is going to look before getting too much around the room everywhere. The curtains, bedding, and chandelier in itself is a heavy statement, so I don't want to hang a lot of wall decor and junk it up. I want it to keeps its sassiness, yet classiness- ha!

I don't have too much going on next week besides my mom's birthday which is the 30th. She will be 52. She was supposed to have surgery on Monday for a Hernia, but they cancelled because her doctor got into an accident and is unable to work. So mom has spring break and we are going to just hang out together. I was going to watch her all week with my dad, but now that she doesn't have to have this surgery, I think we may fit some play time in! We have some things to finish up on Avery's room, so she is going to help me finish painting her letters and get those hung. Chad is taking off a day next week and we are going to Joplin to get registered at Babies R Us. I am so excited about it! Some of my friends, mom, and sister in law Tiff are going with me to register at the end of this month so I can get all the great opinions of my new mother friends, and of course everyone else! I already have a list of what I want and have got it all together online. My shower is going to be April 25th and I can hardly wait!!!! The girls have been putting a lot of time into it and have been making me wonder what they are doing. I can't wait to see this, it's going to be bright and fun, just like Avery's room! I finally have my shower list together and all of the addresses so the invitations will be going out around the 1st of April! I can't wait to see the invitations, they are even keeping that secret from me! Thanks to all my girls for putting together this very special day for me and Chad. It's a dream come true for me, this whole process of being pregnant! I truly appreciate all the love and support each of you have given me, it just means SO much!!!!!

Speaking of pregnant, baby is good and kicking like crazy! I am 30 weeks this next week. Can you believe it?? Literally if I am induced for some reason, it could be 7 to 8 weeks away! It's so hard to say that.... but friends, I AM READY! I love being pregnant but I am ready to see this girl and dress her up and hold her.

Enjoy your weekend and may God bless all of you!!! ;) XOXO!

Chandelier

Just had to post a pic of the new Chandelier. The painter comes Saturday so stay tuned for some fun wall designs:

29 weeks and loving SPRING

...29 weeks today! Can you believe it? It's hard to believe that literally in NO TIME she will be here. I am getting anxious. I want everything done now, so I can just sit and wait. It has been so fun being pregnant! My first months weren't easy because I was so sick in the beginning, but after 4 1/2 months, I was smooth sailing. I am so thankful to God that my pregnancy has been easy. Of course the changes of a growing belly isn't always the most comfortable thing in the world, following the massive eating habits, not to mention the thighs that have grown an inch... Oh yes, and the 8 bathroom breaks I take during the nights, BUT- it's all completely worth it. It's worth having a baby girl to hold in the next 10 or so weeks, and I would do it all over again any day. I thank God everyday for the fact that I am able to get up and do things and that I don't have any problems what so ever. I went to the doctor today to visit with Dr. Hannah and everything couldn't have been better. My blood sugar was perfect, (no gestational diabetes, yeah), my blood pressure was right on, my weight has been great, my legs aren't swollen, no veins have popped out, and I am well on my way. Avery now weighs 3 lbs and is 15 inches long. When measuring that on my belly, it's super weird to think she is THAT big already. Dr. Hannah said "You aren't done growing, just wait"... I smirked at him and thought, "Lord this belly already feels like it's going to pop!" I'm only 5'3 so there is nowhere for this massiveness to go. I have no torso so it's all going straight there, and out. But I love it. My next appt is April 8th and then shortly after we will be setting up weekly visits.

This week has been great so far. The weather has been fabulous so I have walked an hour everyday! I have drank all my water and been enjoying the outdoors. I love being able to ride with my windows down. I love spring, besides the nasty allergies that comes with it. BOO! Last night we enjoyed dinner at my in-laws. Jeannie made this wonderful Mexican lasagna meal and it was amazing! We all hung out outside for awhile and then watched American Idol. It was a great evening with our family! Tonight I have Bible Study, tomorrow night Kitchen Queens, and then Friday night my cousin Gretchen and I and a few or her friends have a date to PF Changs, my favorite! I am looking forward to catching up with her and getting out!

Renee- Sweet Pea Designs

Ladies,

I have had several of my friends e-mail me and call to ask who did my drapes and bedding for Avery's room. Her name is Renee. Please e-mail me at SUNSHNE7750@yahoo.com and I will give you her information.

Renee is amazing! She has a portfolio of all of the bedding she has done, and is reasonable. I had her make tons of things for Avery's room! You just have to purchase the fabric, and then she'll charge you for the "service". Allow her a month to complete everything, but she's pretty fast!

Some of you have asked about the amount of fabric to purchase. Baby bedding is very basic, so we went off all measurements she went off of for ones she had done in the past. I just had her make my dust ruffle longer so if could curl on the floor. As far as window treatments, I gave her all my measurements and pretty much decided how long I wanted everything and then went and bought the fabric myself. She will meet you at whatever fabric store you desire and help you with measurements- however I do strongly recommend the Fabric Gallery in Springdale, they WERE SO HELPFUL! Please let me know if you have any other questions and I would be glad to help, or even help you come up with a fun unique design!

We are hanging Avery's chandelier tomorrow once the electrician comes to add the converter, and then the painter comes next Saturday to add those special touches! I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve, she is a very talented painter that I have heard great things about! Thanks Rachel for the reco!

The weekend has been bland, I am still not feeling 100% after this bug. Im still sniffly and achy at times so continuing to just take it easy. We went to church today (which was awesome) and I managed to walk around Target for an hour with Chad afterwards, it was fun! We enjoy just looking at everything and strolling through the aisles. We eyed all the fun things are are going to register for- which by the way I am doing at the end of this month! I can't believe it's already time!!! My mother and father in law are coming over later to look at Avery's curtains and then we are just going to chill the rest of the evening. Next week we have dinner with them Tuesday, and I have that make-up doctor appt on Wednesday, Kitchen Queens Thursday, and then a date with my cousin Gretchen on Friday! So I am going to lay low during the days and chill, praying this cold will pass so I can enjoy my evening outings...

DRAPES DRAPES DRAPES!!!!

Alright friends, the drapes are finally hung in Avery's room, and they couldn't be MORE PERFECT. I am VERY pleased at how they turned out! If I could just put the rest of the room together, it would be great... but the bed comes in a few more weeks, so hold tight until April and you will see the nursery complete. I hope to be finished by April 21st, my Birthday. While hanging the drapes I tried to get some of her clothes hung! My mom has already gone a little crazy buying things here and there and started in 2007 buying her things slowly! She would pick up boy and girl stuff on sale while she was out and about! Between the stuff I have purchased, and the stuff she has purchased, this girl has a ton of newborn and 0-3 months clothes! How fun is this? I'm just eating it up!

Special thank you to my mom and dad for coming over and helping! Mom had the window treatment all figured out so I needed her help for sure. Chad and Dad worked hard for 2 hours getting everything exactly how I wanted it! The pillows on the little chair are going to be moved around, I am still waiting on more from Renee that are leopard, zebra, and green with her name monogrammed on them. She's also finishing up a leopard rug that matches my curtains, that will be under the chandelier. The wood blinds will be here tomorrow so that will add a touch too! I'm still playing with the zebra knobs, I like them funky tied up there all crazy, it adds a touch! My mom made all of the knobs herself- so kuddo's to her!!!!!! We came up with the whole design and have worked hard to make it very unique and fitting to my fun style! Hope you enjoy the drapes as much as I did, I am on cloud 9!