Wonders of His Love

This has been the hardest secret to keep, but the scariest one to tell too soon. We waited and tried and prayed for so long to finally get here, and now we are ready to share our news with you all.

That's right! Our little miracle will be joining us in July of 2017. We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift. I want to send a huge Thank You to everyone who prayed for us and supported us through all of the obstacles we faced getting here. And my heart goes out to those still on their journey to parenthood. You'll be in my prayers, always. 

Here's the story of the day we found out.

Even though I was experiencing some of the classic pregnancy symptoms, I was still very hesitant to take a test. I've been down this road so many times before to only get negative tests. But that day (11-11-16), I spontaneously decided to test. I had pushed the stick far away from me and slightly hidden behind the shower curtain for the duration of the wait time. I peaked only once and saw only one line from far away, and I steeled myself for the negative result. After 3 mins I tentatively slid the test closer. One dark line, and wait! Another lighter line!! Is this real?!?!

So I pulled out the ClearBlue Digital test and dipped it in the cup. I watched the blinking symbol for what seemed like hours until the result popped up. PREGNANT! A few mins later the weeks estimator indicated 2-3 weeks from conception. I couldn't believe it and burst into tears just thanking God for this miracle. 

It was only 11 am and I knew Philip would be home for lunch soon, so I texted him to make sure, when he informed me he'd be done for the day at 11:45. I had a more put together way of telling him planned in my head, but I didn't have the time to get it arranged in time, plus I had my nephew that day. So I pulled out all the little things we had purchased for this miracle child over the past year or so, and laid them out on the kitchen table with the tests and very impatiently waited. 

Grayson woke from a nap to eat just before Philip walked in. He walked into the kitchen as we made small talk and didn't even glance at the table. So I sent him back and told him to look around again. Then he saw it, said awww and then looked closer. "Are these yours?" I nodded. "Really?" I said really and started crying. He walked over to me and I saw his eyes getting misty. He kissed me and just couldn't stop smiling.

Merry Christmas!

Thankful Heart

Thanksgiving is already here and we have so much to be thankful (and grateful) for, despite all the hurdles we've had to jump and storms we've had to endure. In some ways I'm glad the year is over, so we can take a break and enjoy our families over the holidays, then make a fresh start in the New Year. This year has gone by faster than any other year of my life, it feels like that anyway, so lets pause a moment and take stock in the good.

:: If you follow me on Instagram, you'll know that we welcomed our nephew, Grayson, into the world in October. And we'll be welcoming our second nephew, Zane, in March. Our families are expanding, and all at once, it seems.

:: Little Grayson has opened up doors for a better relationship with my sister-in-law. Both for me, and for her and Hubs to repair some of the damage done in their childhoods and over the past several years.

:: We were able to purchase a more family sized vehicle. The first real thing we've bought for our future child.

:: After seven months, our bathroom is basically done! Just needs some small cosmetic things now.

:: School is going well, and I'm am very close to having enough credits to graduate!

:: My sweet cousin got married this year, and we were fortunate enough to be able to attend.

:: We got to visit the Biltmore estate on that trip to see my cousin get married. So I can cross that off my bucket list.

:: I got to visit my mom this summer, and while I was there, I got see my Llama for the first time in almost 2 years.

:: Hubs got transferred to day shift back in March and our schedule has been so much more "normal" since then.

:: So many of my blog friends got their prayers answered in the baby department (I'm looking at you Emily and Kathy!)

:: Hubs let me start putting up the Christmas decorations earlier than normal!


What are you thankful (and grateful) for this year?

Currently November

I feel like I should explain my absence from this space, but I can't. It doesn't boil down to just one or two reasons, it's a culmination of a lot of things that I have going on in my life. And when I start feeling overwhelmed I have to focus on the more important things and set aside things that can wait. I love my blog, but I will not sacrifice my mental and emotional wellbeing or my schoolwork to keep up a posting schedule. With that said, lets catch up!



Loving: My nephew! He's such a blessing to our family and I can't imagine our lives without him now.


Reading: Textbooks. UGH. I generally am not able to read recreationally when classes are going on, especially psychology classes.


Feeling: Joy. Anxiety. Excitement. Compassion. Fear. Confident. Sadness. Lots of conflicting feelings going on right now. I'm hoping I can get them sorted out within the next few weeks.


Watching: Christmas movies on Hallmark Channel. This year I am even more eager for the Christmas season and all that goes with it. I think it's because I know that we will not be able to make the trip down to Georgia to see my parents.


Writing: Notes and papers. So fun right?


Listening: Christmas Music. Don't judge me. But in my defense, Pentatonix has TWO amazing Christmas Albums. 

Wanting: The turkey I bought for Thanksgiving to magically cook itself. I've never done one from "scratch" before. We've always bought the pre-cooked and seasoned ones. Should I put it in the refrigerator now to thaw before next week? How long does that normally take?


Needing: To finish putting up the Christmas Decor. It's a big job and this year I have help from my sister-in-law!


Hoping: The weather stays cooler now. It's finally starting to feel like fall every day now and I really, really, really, really, want it to stay that way.


Avoiding: The dishes. And putting away laundry.


Wishing: I could decide where I want all my Christmas decorations to go already. Some things go in the same places each year, but other things can be moved around as things change and furniture moves. Like I said, it's big job.


Trying: To make my mom a decent Christmas gift list for myself and Hubs. A lot of the things we want and need are out of our hands or really expensive haha!


Hating: That we are STILL having some plumbing issues that originate with the city lines even though they claim it's not them.


Missing: My mom. This time of year is our favorite and this year even more so with another nephew on the way (my brother's girlfriend is due in March).


Praying: For our country. The past few weeks have been so stressful and it saddens me that the election has inspired a lot of the hate being spread around from both sides.


Thinking: About how I can get away with wearing leggings all winter as well as the fall. Seriously. I don't think I've put on a real pair of pants in months, and I'm totally ok with that.


Considering: Doing something new with my hair, but I don't know what to do. Suggestions?

What have you been up to? Did you miss me? If I haven't answered your burning questions about my absence and what's been going on, feel free to ask!