Friday, February 22, 2013

New Website!

Hi there!

I've been working on a new site for a few months now and it is FINALLY ready to go! I a super, super super excited so come on over and check it out:


I'm looking forward to sharing new recipes, fun finds, photography and my continued accounts of being a wife and becoming a mommy!

Stop on by!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Bump Update: 30 Weeks!

It's been a while since I've last updated on here but good grief... time is flying by!

I was trying on some dresses yesterday and took my bump pic in the dressing room... so professional, haha!


How Far Along? 30 Weeks... what?!?!

Weight Gain? I'm pushing the 20 pound mark... yikes! 

Maternity Clothes? Nope!

Size of Baby? Baby Boy H is about 16-17 inches long and is around 3 pounds

Gender? BOY!!!!

Movement? All day, everyday! He loves to get going at night just as I'm settling in for the night. 

Sleep? Sleep has been hit or miss... some nights are better than others. 

Food Cravings? Chick Fil A Spicy Chicken Sandwiches and lots of sweets... so healthy, right? 

What I Miss? Ummm.... Jimmy John's Turkey Sandwiches!

Symptoms? A little more emotional then usual... I can cry at the drop of the dime and I am not a big cryer! I will cry at the silliest things and then cry while I'm laughing at myself for crying at something for so silly. 

Best Moments?  Hearing his sweet little heartbeat earlier today... always a treat! And learning that I passed my glucose test on the first try. Such a relief and huge, huge blessing... that was not fun. 

Looking Forward To? Hopefully getting a 3D ultrasound soon and seeing Baby Boy H's precious face... we are so excited to meet him!

Sunday, December 16, 2012

A Sweet Read

This is for all you moms out there!

I came across this post earlier today and as I prepare myself for motherhood, I found this to be so sweet and genuine. 

Head on over to "The Better Mom" for this honest and hopeful read!

Happy Sunday
xoxo

Saturday, December 15, 2012

A Little Saturday Inspiration...

I was reading the following devotion yesterday, from Girlfriends in God, and it immediately took me back to a few different times in my life when I just wasn't sure where God was leading me. Last year was one of those times as my hubby went through interview after interview, searching for a job, and then playing the waiting game. We had moved to Connecticut for a short time, for his final year of training and the job search began almost immediately. Several months were spent researching jobs and locations, making phone calls, sending countless emails, and constantly updating the resume. It was an exciting yet frustrating time... we watched some of his co-workers sign contracts and celebrate their new positions... when would this happen for us? We had it all planned out where we wanted to be... but where did God want us to be?

These times are so special... it pulled B and I closer together and when he accepted his offer here in Florida, the moment was so sweet and so joyful! We chose to let go and let God, and it paid off. 

I'm sitting here at our kitchen table... B just left for work. I look out the window to my left and I see the sunshine and palm trees. I feel my sweet baby kick and move inside of me and I am reminded of God's plan for us... it is far bigger and far better than anything that we could ever plan or ever imagine. The year is coming to a close and I look at how much our lives have changed in just one short year and I am forever grateful for all the challenges, the road blocks, and the blessings that He has sent our way. I can't help but sit here and smile and feel overwhelmed with contentment. 

Our life is far from perfect but it's a wonderful life and we truly owe everything to God!


Girlfriends in God Devotion:

Holding Fast to the Faithful One

gwen
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
Friend to Friend
My husband and I were in a waiting period. His company had gone through a merger and was collapsing positions and territories, which left his employment in jeopardy. For months we didn’t know if Brad would keep his job or if he would need to look for another one. During that time, God bid us to trust Him.
Choosing to trust God is so daily, isn’t it? When I only looked at the “what-ifs” of Brad’s job situation – the possible unemployment, the grueling process of job-hunting, the financial strain unemployment would bring, and the uncertainty of the economy – my faith and God-confidence shook and waned. Fear and doubt knocked on my heart, suitcases in hand, wanting to move in and take up residence. On the other hand, when I fixed my eyes on God, looked at His character and at the ways He had brought us through hard times in the past, my faith was strengthened. Courage, confidence and joy knocked on my heart! They are much better residents!
The Old Testament book of Ruth features the heart-warming story of Ruth and Naomi: two women who faced difficult circumstances and an uncertain future. Following the death of her husband and sons, Naomi decided to move back to her homeland of Israel. Though she freed her daughters-in-law to stay in their home country of Moab and re-marry, Ruth refused to leave Naomi’s side.
Determined and loyal, Ruth held tightly to the mother-in-law she loved deeply and to the God of Israel whom she now called her own. Though our natural tendency in hard times is often to try to go it alone, I’ve learned from Ruth, and from my own experience, that in turbulent times it’s vital that we hold fast to our faithful God and to the ones we love.
“Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her” (vv. 15-18).
God breathed hope into the souls of Naomi and Ruth through their kinsman-redeemer, Boaz. The book of Ruth goes on to tell a fascinating account of how God lovingly cared for and blessed Naomi as He used the faithful friendship and kindness of Ruth to “renew her life and sustain her” (4:15). She traveled back to Bethlehem as a broken, depressed and hopeless widow but was comforted and restored by the loving hand of God.
Like Naomi, when I experience difficult times – like the one Brad and I were facing a few years ago – I have to choose to trust God. Some days I choose well. Some days I don’t. Choosing to trust is essential.
How can we choose to trust God? I’ve found that my courage to trust is bolstered by playing praise music, meditating on God’s goodness, reading Scripture, and praying. Those things collectively renew my mind and strengthen my faith.
No matter what challenges you face today, take comfort that God knows every issue on your heart and is able to shoulder your burdens. Hold fast to the faithful One. Your challenges do not fall outside the scope of God’s ability to intervene. God is mysterious, He’s powerful, and He’s able! When you lift your eyes from your situation and fix them on your Savior – when you choose to trust Him – you will find peace in the pain and strength in the struggle.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, You know exactly where I am right now and You know the circumstance of my life. Please give me the courage to be gracious in my relationships, and help me to trust You today. In Jesus’s name, amen.







Saturday, December 1, 2012

December... Already?!?!

I can't believe December has arrived! Where in the world has this year gone?!?! I'm not complaining though... this is by far my favorite time of year! 




















{via}

Our trees are up, garland is hung, hot chocolate is in stock, and Christmas music is on repeat throughout the house! This truly is the most wonderful time of the year!

Happy Saturday

Monday, November 26, 2012

25 Week Bump Update!

Oh my goodness... I'm already 25 weeks along! Time is flying by- this baby will be here before we know it!


How Far Along? 25 weeks- almost finished with my 2nd trimester!

Weight Gain? 15 lbs. 

Maternity Clothes? Heck no! Still rocking the leggings and maxi dresses.

Size of Baby? Baby Boy is measuring right around 13 inches and weighs a full 1.5 lbs. 

Gender? BOY!!

Movement? Baby Boy H is on the move every single day! His movements are no longer flutters and B and I love laying around at night feeling and watching him move. It is such an incredible (and weird!) feeling. Very cool!

Sleep? Sleep has been better the past couple of weeks and for that I am thankful!

Food Cravings? Lots of sweets but that's the norm preggers or not, haha

What I Miss? Can I have my Jimmy John's Turkey Sandwich yet?!?!

Symptoms? Nothing new to report here- feeling pretty good these days. 

Best Moments? Being able to not only feel but to see Baby Boy H move around in here is so neat! B and I have also completed furnishing the nursery. All the big stuff has been delivered and now we just have the finishing touches and decorations to take care of. It has somehow made everything real. 

Also... Baby Boy H has officially been named! We've been looking at his sonograms and his sweet, little profile and we just know who he is! As soon as we saw him and found out he was in fact a he, we both said the name we had been thinking and we've never turned back! However... We're keeping this our little secret for a little while longer ;)

Looking Forward To? We have another doc appointment in less than two weeks and we always love hearing his heartbeat. Definitely looking forward to that!

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Being A Biblical Wife in a Modern World

Staying Joyful!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." 
~Romans 15:13~

Fact: Life can be overwhelming. 

There are things that happen in our lives that we do not always understand and we try and try and try to wrap our minds around a particular event but it is not until we truly let go and trust God that we find pure joy, pure hope, and pure peace. 

The holiday season has seemed to sneak up on us. Honestly... where did this year go?!?! Our day to day lives have probably started to get a little more hectic and if your "to do" list is anything like mine, it is constantly growing. On top of our daily stresses we are now opening our doors for guests during the holidays, creating gift lists for family and friends, and trying to squeeze in good fellowship time with our family, friends, and co-workers. 

While reading a devotion earlier today, it directed me to Romans 15:13 and it was just what I needed to read. Life can be stressful and while everyday is always an appropriate time to reflect on His wonderful and many blessings, the holidays seem like a special time. There is joy in every situation. There is hope in every situation. And we can always find hope in Him.