You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise: you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely…For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made…Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:1-3,13,16

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

saving $$$$

I have been into couponing for a couple years… thanks to my cousin who taught me all about it. But recently I have gotten into a lot of other ways to save as well, especially with a baby on the way.  Between looking online at sale sites, blogs, groupons, and other saving sites and garage sales with my sister-in-law, the queen of garage sale-ing, I am a save-aholic!  Two weekends ago I got to find some great deals at a once-a-year early morning sale at Ladies in Waiting, then to a great birthday party for my birthday buddy, Olivia Mitchell (it was her first b-day!), and then I got to take advantage of some garage sale shopping for Eli and some super couponing/sales at some local pharmacy stores.

$25 for all this and with $3 ECB to spend on my next trip!

Got all of this and some precious clothes for about $25

I didn't take pics of the specialty outfits (mostly john-johns) that I got for Eli.  Next post I will show my work-shower--so sweet of everyone there to show their love for our sweet boy!

Just Beachy...

Well I am big and pregnant and I couldn't think of a better way to spend the weekend than with our friends at the beach! We got invited to go to Perdido Key with our friends, the Carrolls, and stay in their uncle's cabin-for FREE! It was so fabulous…and a great 2 1/2 days on the beach. Here are some pictures of our trip…




































We ate some awesome food.  I even ordered (and loved) crab cakes! The seafood was so fresh and we really enjoyed the atmosphere and our friends.  It was tough to return!…but back to work and reality today!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Birthday weekend

First, an official update I have 9 weeks…that's only 63 days left until due date!!!! I can't believe it! except that I feel enormous! or E-nor-moose-like it says on the game at cracker barrel! HaHa..It has been super hot here--heat index around 114-119 the last couple days, which is making me retain a little water so I am trying to slow down a little at work and put my feet up and make sure I drink plenty of water. Pregnancy is so cool--I am feeling Eli a lot more as he moves and kicks my ribs and stretches in the tiny space that is his home right now.  I am so ready to see his precious little face and hold him, I can hardly wait!  Next week at  my doctor appointment we will get to have our last ultrasound and a sneak peek at his little face and how he is positioned!

This weekend we had a really fun experience for my birthday. We took a trip to Memphis for a special babymoon (another one!), but really so we could celebrate our god-son's birthday with our special friends, the Shumates! It was a blast to spend some special time with good friends.  Friday was a tough day at work so I was really tired (and so was Neil) by the time we made it to Memphis.  There was a lot going on in Memphis--so much that we could barely find a place to park to give the car over to the valet. Neil let me out by the door so I could go and check in and he waited with the car.  I am not sure if I just looked really tired or super pregnant or both and the person checking me in was so nice.  I asked what all was happening in the hotel and at the Fed-Ex Forum and as we talked the man said, "Well don't worry, you won't hear any of this commotion. I am going to put you on the top floor in our Presidential Suite." Of course I said thank you so much and we made some small talk about my pregnancy and his little boy and he showed me some pictures on his phone of his little cutie.  When Neil came in he jokingly asked if I had gotten an upgrade because we had talked about me just wanting to take a jacuzzi bath when we arrived, and I said, "yep, we are in the Presidential Suite." of course he didn't believe me until we got to the room…the most amazing hotel "room" I have ever stayed in.  Seriously, picture the suite that the movie star or rock stars stay in on tv.  It had a large living and dining room with a dining room table.  In the living room there was a flat screen with surround sound and a DVD player and a bathroom in the hallway. There are windows that are floor to ceiling in both the living/dining room and in the bedroom.  The bedroom is large with a king bed and a sitting area, a desk and flat screen tv. THEN the bathroom! oh the bathroom! There was a walk-in closet, a double vanity, a HUGE jacuzzi tub with candles around the edge, a GIANT walk-in shower--with a bench you could lay on and several shower heads and a second bathroom toilet area.  That suite was as large as some homes!---The views from our room were of Bealle street and the Fed-Ex Forum, million dollar views,  and we are pretty sure that that suite would have cost somewhere between $500-$1000 dollars depending on the night.  I am sure that it isn't open on a night the Grizzlies are in town playing.  We got super lucky and what a special treat on my birthday.  Neil had actually booked our original room using points we had accrued on previous stays and so after we rented a move, charged a couple of power-aides and cokes to the room, and valeted the car---the weekend stay cost $53…can you imagine!  God really blessed us with a special and memorable time and a romantic weekend before our baby is born!

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Fireman Dad by Betsy St. Amant

I was fortunate enough to have the chance to read an advance copy of a book by a Christian writer that I happen to know from childhood…It was AWESOME! I can't believe I know this girl--she's fabulous. I  really enjoy reading Christian books and one of my favorite authors is Karen Kingsbury. I happen to think that Betsy St. Amant is every bit as good of a writer and able to paint an incredible story with her words.  I can't wait to read more of her work! Here is my review/summary that I posted on Barnes and Noble's website.  I hope you get a chance to read it too.
Betsy St. Amant paints the story of love-hungry, conflicted, and hurting Marissa Hawthorne. Marissa is a mother of a young son, widow of a fire-fighting husband, and daughter of the Fire Chief.  She has plenty of experience with the difficulties and hardship involved in a life revolving around fighting fires and she has promised herself that she will not allow her young son to experience any more of that type of pain. Unfortunately for Marissa, her plan becomes more difficult when handsome Jacob Greene offers to help change her flat tire.  When Marissa discovers that Jacob is a fire-fighter, she gives him the cold shoulder. Jacob doesn't want to take no for an answer, until he finds out that Marissa's father is his boss, and the last guy who talked about her in the firehouse got transferred out of state.  The attraction they feel toward each other is undeniable, but will Jacob risk it all to try and win Marissa's affection?  Will Marissa allow Jacob to get close to her with her young, impressionable son in the mix? The writing makes you feel the conflict of each character, and the desperation of wanting the love story to have a happy ending. I appreciated a story of love that didn't have any raunchy love scenes, but instead showed characters with good values and learning lessons about the definition of real love. I read this book in two days, couldn't put it down.  I look forward to reading more by St. Amant and would recommend this book, as well as her others, to adults and teens without fear.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Let them eat cake!!

Thanks to all for the prayers…I passed the glucose test and I can eat as I please…Everything was great including my iron and hemoglobin levels so that means I have actually been doing pretty well with my diet. Weight gain is good still and I am feeling good. The sole exception is a terrible bout of heartburn/indigestion and an internal beating from Eli's kicking last night after eating an especially rich meal at a restaurant. But I am good again this morning!

I noticed something this week---(I love being pregnant) People are really nice to pregnant women.  They open doors, say HI to you, offer to help you carry things, smile and ask about your baby and how you feel.  It's nice---I really want to meet and hold Eli but I love being pregnant-I love this tummy and I actually and starting to feel less bloated and more cute in my little preggo clothes.  I got some new stuff to wear to work and I am really enjoying myself.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Third Trimester

I am so happy and relieved to say that I have made it to the BIG 3….third trimester. It feels good. We are in the double digits of days left until due date!  I suddenly feel huge and baby Eli is kicking up a storm now.
Last week I had another doctor's appointment and my stomach is measuring just right, my weight gain is right on ( I was pretty close with my guess-a total of 14 lbs.) and that little heart is beating away. He kicked the doppler probe several times while she tried to check it…just really swimming around in there! One piece of bad news is that I failed my initial glucose screening so I have to go back this week for round 2--the three hour tour (set to Gilligan's Island theme song tune).  It is not going to be a fun time but I just plan on going and relaxing, reading, and making the most of it.  I really don't want to find out that I have it because it will mean I am high risk and might have to deliver early, not to mention diet restrictions and what it means for me later in life (a higher chance of having type II DM) and what goes along with that.  If you think about it say a little prayer for us on Friday, that's when I think I will be able to retake it, and our results.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

And another thing...

I forgot to add to my list of pregnancy woes…Boogers.  We have a descriptive form of the word at my house (can you tell I am going to be a mother of a boy---it fits right?)... boogery.  Yes I can use it in a sentence. My nose has been so boogery since I have been pregnant.  I have read in pregnancy books that it is very common to have all types of increased secretions, including nasal secretions due to the increase in blood flow and bodily fluid retentions.  I am thankful that I do not have to blow my nose constantly but picking it is just as bad I'm afraid! It's totally worth it for you, ELI!--Boogers away.

I already got some comments but anyone who wants to add some of their own PLEASE tell your worst or most annoying pregnancy change!