Had to Share

You know when you go into Wal-Mart for a can of soup & walk out with other things.....that happened today! Sometimes I just like to walk around & see what they have. I know that is always a bad idea. Anyways I was in the kitchen section, looking at the canning stuff. When I get back home my mom is going to show me how to can (makes jams & such things). She already has something planned for us to make for Christmas. So I was just checking stuff out. Well I saw these things & I thought they were the cutest things!

They are actually jam caddies. But I figured you could put anything in them really. Drinks, condiments, & such. I bought the 4 carrier.

I also got the two carrier. They are Better Homes & Gardens. You could always put little flower pots with flowers in them too. I have so many ideas now for using them.

Bring on the Rain

It is raining, thundering & lighting here and I love it! Growing up in Florida I think makes you have an appreciation for storms. I love to sit on my parents front porch while it storms. There is just something so peaceful. We woke up to a storm this morning & it will most likely storm all day. Someone in the house who does not like it is this little girl.

Allie does not like any loud sounds. So when it storms or the bombing range is going off like crazy she either hides here (Powder Bathroom) or upstairs in our room.

Matt & I went to Barnes & Noble yesterday. I still had money on my gift card he gave me for Christmas. I was back in the kids section & saw this book. It is a picture book that goes over different things that happen at a ranch. Plus, it will be a cute decoration in his room. I love to read & I really  hope I can pass that on to my kids.

On our way home we stopped by my favorite primitive store. I saw this napkin holder/salt &pepper holder & had to get it! The S&P shakers are little Mason jars, too cute! Now I just have to go buy napkins.

I`m still sick, but I`m feeling a lot better. I`m just hoping it is gone by the time we leave. 3 days till Florida!

Living in This Moment.....

This is a picture of my morning at 5:30am. The dogs woke me up because it was time for them to eat AND my Benadryl had just wore off. I have a stuffy nose, ugh. While you are pregnant you can take certain medicines but not all. And I did not have one congestion medicine in my cabinet that was on the "approved" list. So I made myself a little "sauna". I boiled some water, then put a towel over my head, & breathed it in! I sat there for about 10min & it really did help. I`m going to the store later to get medicine but that did the trick for now.



If I haven`t said it before, I`m saying it again.....GO CHECK OUT THIS BOOK, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl." I finished it this morning & I was actually sad. I think I`m going to go back through & highlight somethings I can to work into my daily life.

The last section today really hit me. I had talked about in a recent post about Matt & I being frustrated because we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are pretty much at 2 months till we move home. We are so ready to get our lives started, getting jobs, a house, & being with family. Our "plan" is move into the ranch house, Matt work for my Dad while he searches for jobs. Once he gets a job, we will buy a house, have the baby & then I will get a job too. This is all we talk/think about right now. I even found a house in my hometown we both LOVE and the price dropped recently. Well, this morning I read this verse in my book, "Many are the plans in a man's {woman's} heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails," Proverbs 19:21. Well Hello God, are you talking to me??? Then Lysa goes on to say,

God promises many times in the Bible that He has a plan for our lives. Since our lives are lived moment by moment, that must mean that He has a purpose for right now. I stopped looking for God in this moment. I stopped lingering with Him and considering His activity right in front of me. I stopped remaining and abiding closely with Him.

I started viewing this moment as something I just had to get through so I could move on to better things in the future, my great plans. I wrongly discerned that only meeting my future goals would bring satisfaction, significance, and self-worth.

The second paragraph is what really hit me. I`m looking at these next two months as something to just "get through". I`m ignoring the present and am caught up in the future that "I" not God have planned out. I should be looking for God & what He wants from me in these next two months. My husband is carrying this load on his shoulders, he is the head of the household. Maybe God wants me to encourage my husband, instead of leaning on him so much. Whatever the plan is it is not mine to make, it is God's. Easy to say, harder to actually think. Do you also plan, plan, plan for the future & ignore this moment now? I`ll admit that is exactly what I have been doing. I just love it when you read something & it hits you that God was talking right to YOU!

Give-Away

Click here for a give-away from Bellamia, a children's shop. It is for a BlaBla doll/stuffed animal. Here is a photo of one.

Here is their website

I could see my little man liking this, I think it is pretty boyish. But I guess his Daddy would have to approve : )

Sew, Sew, Sew

My husband as you know, if you actually read my blog, is in the Army. Sometimes they have to go to the "field" to, I guess, kind of practice? haha I`m not too sure, but that is what I get from it. They shoot & things like that, Army stuff. But when he goes in the field, he stays the night out there. Which leaves me alone for 3 or so days. So I have a lot of time on my hands, more then normal. So between Golden Girls, Reba, Gilmore Girls & NCIS, I have been sewing like crazy. I am rarely in the mood to sew my own things, since I sew for others. I think someone told me this saying & I totally believe, "Hair dresses rarely do their hair because they are too tired from doing everyone else's". Now I don`t know if that is true, but that is how I feel about sewing. Don`t get me wrong, I`m am very thankful for my customers. It is my job & I love it. But by the time I`m done doing orders, I don`t feel like working on my own things. Anywho, I finally had time/energy to!

Here is the link for the camera cozy and here is the link for the tote bag. I found the website from my favorite  blog. There are many things I want to make from the website. But here are a couple I popped out today.

Here is the camera cozy. There is suppose to be a button on it, but I have to go buy some.

This is what it will look like closed. Again missing the button.

Here is another cozy.

You can fit your digital camera in it. But I couldn`t take a photo of it holding my camera haha

Here is my tote I made.

Here is a closer view. The tote is called a "summer tote". I`m ready for the summer so I can use it. Maybe it will make a beach trip?!

A Trip Home & Mr. Parker

My time back home went by way too fast! I flew in Thursday afternoon & back out on Sunday morning. I wish I could have stayed longer & that Matt could have came too! It was a much needed trip. It was the first time I have seen my family since I have been pregnant with a belly. Much of my trip was spent helping my mom get ready for Ambrey's (my 3rd sister) baby shower. We were go, go, go from 5:30am to 11pm but I enjoyed every second of it. I did get to lay out, I needed the sun bad! 

This is my niece, Miss Finley. She is my oldest sister's daughter. She is sooo stinking cute! I moved when she was only 8 months old, now she is 18 months.

She doesn`t really remember me right now, but I know once we move back for good that will change. Little stinker wouldn`t stay still for a photo!

This is a shirt I made for her.

The best view of the lake I would say! I stayed at my parents house while I was home. I love sitting out there & reading my devotion. Sigh, I`m ready to move back to Florida!

This is 3rd sister's daughters room. Ambrey is having a girl, she is due April 4th. So I guess I can live out my need for pink through her & Finley!

These were the cupcakes my 2nd sister made for my 3rd sister's baby shower. Some were strawberry, some were vanilla cupcakes, with butter cream icing, topped with a frosted pound cake heart. Can we say good?! Her cupcake blog is here, check it out!

Ambrey is 8 months pregnant & I am 5 1/2 months. I wish I was home so we could experience it together. When Matt & I move home her daughter will be 1 month old.

I held back my tears for when I got back from the airport. I miss home & my family very much. Just sitting around my parents table laughing & talking is the best to me. Plus the weather!!! It was in the 80's while I was there, today the high here is in the 30's. It was so nice to go walking outside, I love my town. But we are going back down in a little over a week. Matt is in our friends wedding & then his mother is getting married the next day. It will be another short trip, but once we get back it will be a little under 2 months till we move home! We both can see the light at the end of the tunnel & it is hard not to get frustrated. We both are ready to be back for good! I know poor Matt worse then me since I was there while he was deployed. He really hasn`t been home since he joined the Army 3 years ago. 

On to Mr. Parker! 

Can we say cutest baby ever?! haha We went for the Fetal Echo yesterday & everything is great! His heart is perfect they said & so is everything else! He weighs 1 lb 3 oz, which puts him in the 50%. We actually got to see him twice because after the fetal echo, we had our normal ultrasound. So needless to say, we have tons of photos now! They said he is right on track for June 25. Now he has been kicking like crazy. And the past week or so I have been feeling kicks up by my ribs, but I knew that my uterus should only be right above my belly button. Also while I was home everyone said I looked like I was carrying high. Sure enough when she felt my uterus it is up to my ribs. Which she said is totally fine, but since I have such a short torso I just don`t have much room. So I guess soon enough I`m going to start growing straight out!

I just wanted to close with this photo. I love it so much, he has his little toes together.

Pregnancy Survey

My sister Ambrey is 8 months pregnant with a girl. I am 5 1/2 months pregnant with a boy. This was taken after her baby shower.

How far along?: 22 weeks & 4 days 
Total weight gain: 8lbs from pre-pregnancy weight
How much does baby weigh?: He weighs 1 lb 3 oz!! They said he was in the 50% (average)
Maternity clothes?: I still wear normal shirts, just my jeans are maternity. I did get some maternity dresses from my sisters. They are nice to wear around the house.
Stretch marks?: Still none....yet
Sleep?: I`m sleeping a lot better but still waking up to use the restroom
Best moment this week?: Getting to see our little guy yesterday! And now we have tons of photos!
Movement?: All the time! But he really doesn`t move at night.
Gender? a boy, it was still there haha We have some for sure photos now that he is a boy!
Food cravings?: Ice cream.....but I have been trying to ignore it!
Labor signs?: I pray that won`t happen until June!
Belly button in or out?: In
What I miss: Being comfortable! The Dr. said my uterus is all the way up to my ribs now! It is suppose to be just above my belly button! She said it is cause my torso is so short.
What I'm looking forward to: Really now that I saw that cute little profile of him I`m ready to see it in real life!!! But for now I`m looking forward to his furniture coming in.
Milestone: That he is over a pound!

LoVe

Well I hope yall had an enjoyable Valentine's Day. I just wanted a box of chocolates, which my husband bought me Friday night when we ran into CVS haha oh married life. But I was quite happy with it : ) His gift from me was a box of Mike & Ike's & a card. We like to celebrate but we don`t really do too much for it. But I did want to cook a Valentine's Day dinner because this will be our last one before the baby comes.

A friend of mine posted a link about the below cookies (Here is her blog). I was already planning on making Red Velvet cake, but I thought my husband would like this better. He is more of a cookie person then a cake person. The recipe is from Mommy's Kitchen, & I have fallen in love with ALL her recipes! My husband is VERY picky with food. So I always have a harder time finding things that he will eat. She makes things right up his ally!

You need a box of red velvet cake mix, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil & 2 eggs. I didn`t make the frosting she also makes I just used store bought Cream Cheese frosting. Preheat oven to 350.

Mix together the cake mix, oil & eggs.

Roll dough into quarter sized balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Place in oven for 8 to 10 mins.

Once you remove them from the oven let them cool off till they are warm & transfer them to a cooling rack. Once completely cooled, match up cookie sizes. Then place icing on the back side of a cookie & top it with it's match. Like an Oreo.

They taste great & were a hit with Matt. Thanks for posting the link Shelly! They were the center piece for our Valentine's Day dinner. I also made the Low Country Smothered Pork Chops that is on Mommy's Kitchen, I think it is Paula Deen's recipe. I usually don`t care for Pork Chops because they are always dry tasting to me but these were sooooo tender! I left out the pepper & onion though cause Matt wouldn`t have touched it haha.

Just wanted to add this photo of our strange dog Bama.

I finally got to monogram some of Parker's clothes! They all turned out really cute! I went with "B" for Brown because if we have another boy I want him to be able to wear the hand me downs!

Tomorrow morning I fly to Florida to go home for the weekend! Please say a prayer for me because I don`t care for flying, plus flying alone! But I`m so excited to see my family!

Link for Cookies

Link for Pork Chops

Parker's Nursery Furniture

We ordered Parker's nursery furniture yesterday! It is so exciting to be checking things off the long list. There is a children's store here in town that sales children & baby furniture. We had went three times looking at the room sets trying to deiced. They had room sets at their store they already bought that you could get great deals on. We first were looking at those. The brand we liked the most was Westwood Design. All the cribs & dressers were very sturdy & well made. I went home & looked up the brand & reviews on it. No one had anything bad to say & there were no recalls. They can even register your crib online so if they do have a recall they will contact you. So when we were talking to the owner she pulled out her book with all the room set that Westwood makes. The one we ended up buying was not in their store actually. Matt saw it first & showed me. The collection is Jonesport, the finish is Tuscan.

The crib is convertible, we also purchased the rails to do so (crib to toddler to full size). The slits on the headboard are so you can tie your bumper to it.

The dresser combo, we will use as the changing table.

What I love about the two top drawers are they don`t pull out. They open like doors, so instead of you having to reach over the drawers while changing the baby you can stand right up against the dresser and have your supplies next to you.

The 5 drawers chest.  We bought this piece more for future use. This bedroom set will turn into one of the kids rooms.

Here is a picture of the collection in a room setting. We were looking at buying the hutch. It even came with lights in the top. But it was more of a want then a need.

The room set will be used for all our babies. I know it is more boyish looking but Matt & I both like that kind of look with wood, I call  it rustic. And if the next baby we have is a girl, trust me I can "pink" that room up & it will not look boyish haha. We both really love it & I can`t wait for it to get here to see it.

http://www.westwoodbaby.com/index.html

Westwood Design is both CPSC & JPMA certified.

Thanksgiving

No, not the holiday where we eat turkey, stuffing & rolls. I`m talking about the act of thanksgiving. This has been a very hard thing for me to handle lately. I have not been thankful to God for all He does for me & my husband. First, is Kentucky.....I very strongly dislike it. I`m a true Florida girl, I love to be outside in the sunshine. Well this was okay during the summer but now the winter is here. Snow & cold, ugh. Second, is missing my family & friends. We are only here a year (2 & a half months left!) so I didn`t really get out there & meet anyone. I knew I would be leaving so what was the point. Plus, I`m not outgoing, it's okay, I know I`m not : ) So I have been lonely for my "girl" time & "family" time. I miss talks & dinner with my friends , Starbucks on Fridays with my sisters & Mom, Sunday dinner at my parents, the list could go on & on. Matt & I are ready to get back & be able to hang out with everyone again! Third, is being pregnant, I know that sounds weird. I`m very happy I AM  pregnant! But it is the BEING pregnant I complain a lot about. It is always, "I feel sick" or "my back hurts" or "I feel fat" and so on.

I had mentioned earlier that I am doing a new devotional book called, "Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl" by Lysa Terkeurst. A good friend of mine had recommended it to me & I`m glad she did. It is great! I was in Chapter 11 yesterday, "How Jesus Helps Me Get My Groove Back". Lysa talked about a mission trip she went on to Ecuador, where she met a women of 5 kids, who lived in a cave as there home. She asked the women, "What can I pray for you?" Thinking the women would say, "A change of our circumstance", the women replied, "Pray for my husband to come to know Jesus and for him to have work. And pray for me to continue to have the strength I need to serve my family." She didn`t want to change the way her life was, she just wanted God's help to strengthen her in her circumstance. At the end of the chapter Lysa says,

Whether we are a women in Ecuador guiding a donkey up a mountain or a women in America driving carpools and running errands, may the fixed routine of our life be praise, thanksgiving and overflowing evidence of the presence of Jesus. Is this easy? No ma'am. Will we be challenged to slip back into letting the fixed routine of our life be grumbling and complaining? Possibly. So, let's make sure we intentionally verbalize our thanksgiving to God every day. Remember, thankfulness breeds thankfulness. The more we practice it, the more we'll live thanksgiving out loud. And the more we live it out loud, the more thanksgiving will become the natural groove our hearts.



Why is it so hard for us just to be happy in the right now. Why do we always have to find something to complain about? I know I do, ask my husband haha. So after I read this chapter I sat there & prayed to God. To help me to be happy in my circumstances, not to change them. First, Kentucky, I should be happy my husband has a job and it that means something. A job that puts a roof over our heads & feeds us. As much as I do not like the snow, it can be pretty. I mean God created snow so it can`t be THAT bad, right?! Kentucky will always hold a place in my heart because this is where Matt & I first lived together as a married couple. As much as I miss home, this is part of God's plan & I have to remember that. Which leads into my second thing, missing my family & friends. We really do not have that much time left here in Kentucky. Also I am going home 2 times before we go back. This is something I am VERY thankful for! It was a surprise, but I`m (just me no Matt, he can`t take off work anymore) flying out Thursday to surprise my sister for her baby shower next weekend. My mother set it all up, but accidentally spilled the beans last night to her. So now I can actually talk about it! Then we fly out on March 3 for a wedding Matt is in AND for his own Mother's wedding. I think this will quench my thirst for being back home : ) Third, me being pregnant. I know once I see my little man I will know that all the aches, pains & weight gains were SOOOOO worth it. Becoming a mother is a beautiful thing God intended & I should remember that.

So be honest with yourself, what do you complain about? Think about those things & pray to God to give you the strength. God put us in my lives for a reason, & we got to try to remember that. It will be hard, but like Lysa says, "Thanksgiving breeds thanksgiving". The more we make an effort the easier it will be.

Shopping : )

When we found out we were having a boy, I was thrown off a little. I just pictured me having girls, not boys. I was such a tomboy growing up (bowl cut, boy clothes, even had my family call me Joe). So the thought of having a little girl to make girly was so fun to me. I wanted a little princess to dress up & make a cheerleader. But God always has a different plan then what we think. Don`t get me wrong, I`m super excited for my little man. To have a little mini Matt will be fun & he will be very handsome. Now that we know it is a boy I have been looking for clothes for him. I thought I would be more picky with a girl but I guess I`m wrong. I`m very picky on his clothes! Boy clothes are always "characters" & I don`t care for that kind of stuff. Plus boy sections at stores are so tiny! Where we live here in Kentucky there is a consignment store called "Everything for Kids". I figured we go look cause 1.Kids grow fast 2. Boys are messy. We will have nice stuff sometimes, but we all know how little boy can be: mud, bugs, & just messy!

"Been Farmin Long?" Matt found these & we had to get them!

All the tops we got from NB to 12m. Matt wants him to have a lot of bottom downs so he can wear with his Wranglers or Cinch Jeans. I love the dinosaur footed PJ cause the toes are dinosaur claws haha.

Now these Matt's Aunt & Uncle bought while we were in Bonifay. They are Parker's first pair of boots & too cute! I love them!

We spent a total of $16 & got 8 tops & 2 pair of overalls. I have always liked consignment stores. I know some people are turned off by the thought someone else has worn it. And if you don`t like to dig, it isn`t for you. My mother passed it down to me. And I now have Matt on the bandwagon. But I figured it wouldn`t be hard....anything with saving money haha. Don`t be surprised though when you see some of those tops with his monogram on them : )

Pregnancy Survey

Sorry I look so rough, we just got done walking

How far along?: 20 weeks & 2 days (half way!!)
Total weight gain: 6 lbs from pre-pregnancy weight
How much does baby weigh?: 10 1/2 ounces (babycenter.com)
Maternity clothes?: I still wear normal shirts, just my jeans are maternity.
Stretch marks?: Still none....yet
Sleep?: I`m sleeping a lot better but still waking up to use the restroom
Best moment this week?: Felt his real first kick
Movement?: Yes much more, mostly in the morning & afternoon
Gender? a boy
Food cravings?: Everything sounds good haha
Labor signs?: I pray that won`t happen until June!
Belly button in or out?: In
What I miss: running, I have finally stopped for good & I miss it!
What I'm looking forward to: Our next appointment on the 22nd, we get to see him again
Milestone: Half way through pregnancy! I can`t believe it!

Craving to Cook

Well really this recipe has no cooking.....but I have been in the mood to make stuff again! I`m finally starting to get less sick now, I think I have gone a whole week with out getting sick! So everything food wise is starting to look good to me. I know I`m suppose to gain weight but I don`t want to go crazy. So I was looking for "desserts" with a more healthy twist. I found this recipe from Paula Deen.....I know Paula & healthy don`t seem to go together : )

You will need 3 tablespoons of honey, 3/4 cup Orange Juice, 3 (6oz) Yogurt any flavor, 9 (3oz) cups, & 9 wooden sticks.

*Please excuse me for not having Florida Naturals....I`m a little embarrassed. I`m a bad Lake Walesian (sp?)

Mix together 1 tablespoon of honey, 1/4 of OJ & 1 yogurt carton. Pour into 3 of the cups.

Repeat this step two more times. Now that I think about it you could really mix it all together at once. I just did what Paula told me to do!

I used toothpicks because I have a ton of them. If you have little ones, might not be a good idea. I stuck the toothpicks into the cups & then stuck them in the freezer. Paula did this different, she let them freeze a little then stuck in her sticks. I let them sit in the freezer for about 5 hours.

Here is the finished product! I took a picture of the bottom cause I thought it was funny it said solo on the bottom. I calculated & they are around 85 calories for each Yogurt pop. I usually have one at night for my "dessert" after dinner. They taste great! They will be great when we are back in Florida on a hot summer afternoon! I have attached the link for the recipe below.

http://www.pauladeen.com/recipes/recipe_view/yogurt_pops/

Enter Today!

http://swinteriordesign.blogspot.com/2011/02/love-giveaway.html

Click on this link & enter for a giveaway! Shelly Windham is an interior designer I have worked with and for since 2007. She is a great interior designer & has taught me so much!