I have NOT fallen off

I know that its been a couple of weeks since the last baby update, so I decided to do another one just to ease everyone's fears of another miscarriage... We have NOT miscarried :) I am officially 3 months pregnant! 

Today starts my official 3rd month. The baby is no longer considered an embryo, but a fetus!

I have some pictures of my tummy this week, but I don't think I've "grown" any
since my last post so I am not going to put pictures up.

We go back to the doctor Oct 5. I will be 14 weeks along. 

I was going to wait until then to update, but that meant 

6 weeks without a baby update.

Last time we went to the doctor, the U/S tech had already left for the day

so I put the guilt trip on my doctor. Needless to say, he fired up

the machine so we could see the baby. 

He was not the best at operating the machine.. hehe

We didn't get to hear the heartbeat, but we did see it

We also saw little arms and legs starting to form.

Wes took a video of the appointment, but for some reason, it won't let me upload it

I was able to upload it to my facebook account, but not this one :(

As of today, the baby weighs a full ounce and is about the size of a plum.

Symptoms: Dry nose, insomnia at night/exhaustion during the day,

extreme hunger, cravings for salty food, leg hair growing more,

headaches and cramping everyday, sometimes almost all day

I've heard the leg hair and cravings are a sign of the

 testosterone surging

 through your body from a little boy,

 but of course they are old wives tales. 

I don't really care to the know the gender of the baby,

I would love for it to be a complete surprise,

but Wes is dying for a boy.

So of course, I am going to let him have his day 

and we are going to get an ultrasound when the time comes.

We have names picked out for both a boy

and a girl, but please don't ask. We want to keep that 

private and special until the new arrival gets here. 

I know I still have not made an update about our photo shoot,

but all in good time... all in good time ♥

I would like to end this post asking for prayers

for my dear grand daddy, Gendy.

They put him into the hospital Saturday, Sept 18

and did not release him until today, Sept 23

They do not know what happened, he just had a weak spell

he basically passed out.

I was not there to see witness it, but from what I've heard

it was a pretty scary moment

He is now at home resting

They have taken him off certain medications,

and have adjusted others,

but please continue to pray for his continued health

God is not through with him, yet.

Snow Days

ok so I know I said my next post would be about our photo shoot with Brittany Willis, but I just had to put this out there for you guys to read...

On the sixth day, God created men and women. On the

seventh day, He rested. Not so much to recuperate, but

rather prepare Himself for the work He was going 

to do on the next day. For it was on that day - the eighth 

day - that God created the first teacher.

This Teacher, though taken from among men and

women, had several significant modifications.

In general, God made the Teacher more durable than

other men and women. He made the Teacher tough... but

gentle, too. Into the Teacher God poured a 

generous amount of patience. He gave the Teacher

a heart slightly bigger than the average human heart.

And He gave the Teacher an abundant supply of hope.

When God finished creating the Teacher, He stepped

back and admired the work of His hands. And

God saw that the Teacher was good. Very good!

And God smiled, for when He looked at the Teacher, 

He saw into the future. He was placing the 

future in the hands of the Teacher. 

And because God loves Teachers so much, on the

ninth day God created "snow days"

During my internship I've had some pretty difficult days... this definitely makes up for it. Blessed are those who walk with the Lord




Also, Auburn plays Mississippi State tonight in about 10 minutes! so excited! WaRR EEagle!! Let's Go Cam Newton!!!

You are the Best Thing that has ever been Mine

so this week I am 8 weeks pregnant! boy was it a shock! Both Wes and I thought it would take longer after the miscarriage to get pregnant again, but it didn't take long at all. About two months! we are so excited!

this was my belly the day we found out :)

and here I am just 4 short weeks later =)

Even with all that change, our little cutie pie is only about the size of a butta bean


no symptoms thus far.. but I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch!


Due date: April 6, 2011 !!
I want to personally thank everyone that prayed for us during the miscarriage! He and good and His timing is perfect! With Hannah loving school, internship going so well and now this, life is joyfully overwhelming!


Next post will be about the photoshoot by Mrs. Brittany Willis !!!

Grown ups

This post is going to be about my profession and the assignment I've been given:


Internship training starts in two weeks, Aug 11 to be exact and I'm very anxious to see how stressful this is going to get. I've heard that its one of the most stressful and confusing times of your (college) life, but I know it cannot be as stressful as being a brand new teacher with a brand new classroom with brand new students that are solely your responsibility. We had Hannah in Collegedale Christian last year for K3 and she learned so much! Those teachers truly were amazing. We've got her in Hooper this year, and I really hope I am not disappointed. I hope God can use those teachers to make an impact on not only her, but allow me to see things from a different perspective as well.

I read friend's status on FB that really spoke to me. It read, and I quote "We need to STOP telling our kids they can be whatever they wanna be. We know they can't -Im teaching mine to have REALISTIC ASPIRATIONS & not to chase fairytales" 

she's right. we shouldn't allow our children to think they can be whatever they want to be. We should teach them that GOD can do all things through them (and not they can do all things through God. God works in us). God is the source of goodness, love, and fairness in this world.   The godless might not always be kind, loving, or fair to us, but that is because they are godless and bad trees cannot bear good fruit (Matthew 7:18). Our purpose is to ALWAYS glorify God in everything we do. Whether that means teaching, helping, worshiping, feeding, donating, and especially being patient. You teach through example, you help through doing, you worship by praising your Lord. A person is being patient by listening, encouraging, and loving. All things are God. Just because you don't believe in God doesn't mean that he is not working in your life. He uses nonbelievers all the time for His glory. (Habakkuk 1:6) He uses them to challenge us to keep our faith. Now I'm getting off the subject. 

I hate the saying "Those who can, do - Those who can't teach" The person that first said this was obviously not a follower, because both God and Jesus are my teachers. They convict me everyday. They show me everyday how much of a sinner I am without them and how holy I can be with them (Leviticus 20:26) I have learned more from my God than any other person of this world. 

What I am saying, is that I have always felt a calling to be a teacher. Since kindergarten I have wanted to be in the classroom, and I am not going to allow something as silly as a stressful internship keep me from an assignment God has appointed me to. My daddy knew what He was doing before I even saw a need.  I remember a sermon I heard a long time ago - can't remember the verse associated with it, but I'll give it my best shot. Try and picture a man leading a donkey. Donkies are stubborn, especially when someone (mainly their master, in human case, God) tells them to do something they don't want to do. They question and challenge. They fight with all their might. They want to do what they want to do and they are going to do everything on their power to fight you if that's what they choose. With kindness, love, fairness, and training you can teach a donkey to follow you. To lead. God knows when that training should take place and how long it should take. By the time I graduate, I will have been in college five years. In order for me to teach children, and succeed at the appointment given I have to complete my internship. In order for ministers to teach the Bible accurately, they have to complete their seminary. Anything in life worth doing is worth doing right, and heeds training. Complete training. 

My assignment is to form citizens, scholars, presidents, mothers, fathers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, care takers, voters, and businesspersons. I will physically touch every person in my classroom and hopefully will give them something to think about when they leave. Something to challenge them to do good with their life, something moral. 

I have the best jobs in the world.

I am a follower of His Word

I am a wife 

I am a mother

I am a teacher 

and I would not trade these assignments for anything. I am proud of the things God has accomplished through me and the blessings set forth in my life.  I teach because I can do - and also because I can teach your children to do.

 If you can read this, Thank a teacher. 

Thankful

Hannah had a rash this passed week so we took her to the doc to see if everything was ok. All her tests and cultures came back fine. They thought maybe the area was just irritated. They told us to put diaper ointment on it to calm it down. That's something I haven't had to do in a while.


Had my D&C check up today. I wasn't really nervous because nothing felt wrong.. I just didn't want him to say that we had to wait three months or so to try again! we got some good news, tho! everything looked really good and my numbers were down so he said we could start trying again when we felt ready.. we got the go ahead! w00t w00t! as a friend of mine would say.


Today is Monday so that means Wes works a full 24 hour shift today which really stinks. the guy he's working for called him yesterday to let him know that he might not be needed, so we made plans to go out to dinner if he doesn't have to work.


We had a great day yesterday as well.. After church Hannah had a swimming play date with a family friend, Ella.  I didn't take a whole lot of pictures because I was too busy having fun, but this was my favorite picture of the day

Big girl Ella and scaredy cat Hannah sticking safely to the float!

Jesus Loves Me

I don't have anything in particular to talk about this morning just thought I might catch y'all up on some thoughts I was having. 


God has already spoken volumes to me this morning! How UH-MAZING is He!?!?  Wes and I had talked yesterday about going to visit my dad's parents. Reason #1 - I needed to go to Troy to buy a very special baby shower gift for a friend. Reason #2 - Wes wanted to take the kayaks and go for a ride! Reason #3 - my dad wanted us to come down and see the new house! how many reasons does He need to give me to go to South Montgomery County? I just need to stop being so stubborn and be obedient to my Father. I don't really want to go, but if I can't follow this small request, I will have hardened my heart, and maybe next time I won't be as opened to hear His plans for me. (Sorry if none of that makes sense -- apparently I don't know how to clearly explain myself)


Apparently, He thinks I'm getting a little too big for my panties! My, how I'm humbled. Since the miscarriage I've gotten tons of emails. I've received email after email saying " You'll get through this, you're strong/ a strong Christian family". This gave me hope because I knew I could get through it. As horrible as this sounds, I've already gotten over it! I've accepted it, and I own it! He convicted me this morning. Do you remember the story of Whitney Cerak? She and some friends were coming home from either a Bible Camp or a mission trip when their bus was hit by an 18-wheeler. She and her friend, Laura Van Ryn, were seriously injured. One fatally, one critically. Anyways, to make a long story short it was a case of mistaken identity. Remember? Their families were on the Today Show this morning updating everyone on their progress. Matt Lauer asked them about their faith (can't remember the exact question - I think it was something like -- were you ever angry with or question God?) One of the dads said "we are not strong, we are weak, He is strong."  God started to speak to me in that moment and moved me to tears. I started to think about Hannah's favorite Sunday school song - Jesus Loves Me. Here are the lyrics

Jesus Loves me this I know

For the Bible tells me so

Little Ones to Him Belong

We are weak, but He is strong!

That's not all the lyrics, but those are the ones that everyone knows.  I never really thought about the meaning of the lyrics until this point. How could I avoid it? It was SCREAMING at me! I am weak, I am a sinner, I've gone astray, I'm the prodigal son! He is the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He and His Word are perfect! He is strong, because without Him nothing is possible. There are several verses which state that. 

• Luke 1:37 -  For nothing is impossible with God
• Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength
• John 15:5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing
• John 15:16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

There are SEVERAL more throughout the entire Bible, but these are the only ones I remember specifically enough to post. I wanted to share one from Matthew, but now I can't seem to find it.. I guess it's not where I thought it was.

Tomorrow, Thursday and Monday are going to be busy days for us because we have dentist appt's and Monday I have to go back to my OB for my check up. In this check up we will find out the sex of our angel, find out "what went wrong" and where to go from here and how long we have to wait to start trying again. It's pretty amazing to me that they can find out EXACTLY what went wrong. We did not elect to undergo genetic testing because this is just my first miscarriage. If it had been my third of fourth, then I know my doctor would deem it almost mandatory. There is a girl on YouTube that I've discovered who went through three miscarriages and she had one of them tested to see what was wrong with it. They found there was something wrong with the baby's 22 chromosome. They also found that her progesterone levels weren't strong enough to sustain a baby after 6 weeks. Which also happened to a friend of mine. My friend is now pregnant with a sweet baby boy and is due in September! This girl now has a beautiful baby boy and he's GORGEOUS! i stayed up til about 3 this morning watching her videos. So intriguing. 

Can't wait to start trying for another! SOooo excited!!

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

The title of my blog for today doesn't have anything to do with the subject, but my minister used this is his sermon this passed week and it sang to me :)


Since we were given the news about our miscarriage, I've been pretty shaky. One minute I'm up, and one minute I'm down. But that's typical. A lot has also happened since then.
We found out Monday
Tuesday we spent the day at the house by ourselves while Little Miss Hannah spent the day at her great grandparents
Wednesday we visited with them and went fishing
Thursday was my D&C
Friday Wes and I went to see Iron Man 2 and a little Mother's Day shopping
Saturday we got our sweet angel back and cooked out with some friends
Sunday Wes went back to work and I spent the day with my Mommy!

My favorite picture from our fishing trip, Wednesday

I was told Thursday that I would not have an appetite after the surgery. Boy were they wrong! Right after I woke up I was ready to eat. Breakfast = bacon egg and cheese along with hashbrowns lunch = fried chicken, sweet potatoes, butter beans, and cornbread from Martins.. I can't remember what I had for dinner that night but I'm sure it was great! Just another affirmation that my God will get me through this!


Friends and family have gotten us through a very difficult time. I've never really done well by myself. I enjoy company so it's really warmed my heart to have everyone offer their condolences and well wishes. My mother, daddy, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law have made more trips down here in the passed week than they have in a year ;)


Everything happens for a reason. That's definitely something I have always believed. Yes, we lost a baby, but what we have gained has been so much more amazing. I've seen God's Hand in my life more this passed week than ever before (either He has, or I'm just looking for it more). I've had friends from JR HIGH SCHOOL email me and share their experiences with me. I might have lost a baby, but I've gained sisterhood.
I'm speechless to know that these women care so much :)


Mother's Day was really difficult for me. Wes had to go back to work and I was supposed to work in the bed babies room during our second service. As much as I love those youngins it wasn't healthy for me to keep them that week. Physically or emotionally. There was a couple sitting adjacent to us with a BRAND NEW BABY and she was cutest thing in the whole sanctuary! Which of course got me crying. Then our music director welcomed everyone and said "I want to wish all the mom's out there a Happy Mother's Day, whether they have lost their mom, or whether they've lost a child" THAT DID IT! I couldn't hold it together any longer. I was crying partly because I was still in mourning for our baby, and partly because my God knows I need Him right now. He knows about me, and loves me, and He's there for me. I can always count of my Daddy to take care of me. I'm in this church for a reason. These people work in this church for a reason. He's using these people to speak to me, and what a GREAT job He is doing, too!


One more thing... May 17, 2010 will be the 1 year anniversary of my baptism! In that year I have gone from being a believer to being a follower (There is a difference). In that year we have stressed our marriage and He has fixed it (and made us better than ever). In that year, He has given us life and has taken it away from us. I can't thank my God enough for the blessings He has bestowed on me.


He knows I want to be a mother more than anything in the world (and if you talk to me long enough I'm sure you'll figure it out too). I have an UH-MAZING husband that loves me unconditionally and a daughter that is the apple of my eye. We might not have conceived Hannah God's way, but we are raising her God's way and I could not be more proud of my sweet, ALREADY God-fearing little girl. Wes has been there for me like none other this week and I owe my sanity partly to him. He is my earthly rock and I don't know where I would be without him. I didn't know exactly how I wanted to explain to Hannah about our loss, but I talked to our pastor and he advised that all we tell her is that God wants us to wait a little longer in order to have another baby in the house and that the baby went to live in Heaven with Jesus. Her Response? She wanted to take an airplane to Heaven to visit with Jesus and the baby. Tell me that's not the cutest thing ever?


My priority lies with my God, husband and child for the moment. My time will come.