Calling all creative bloggers

So I've been admiring many of your blogs for quite sometime and I've been afraid to ask for a little help because of the amount of time it might take BUT I'm needing a blog maker over when it comes to all the cute headers I see out there. So how in the world do I make my header a bit more personalized? I'd love to change the font style, placement of words, pictures, etc...If you wouldn't mind sharing I'd be grateful~ I also don't know how to do a signature at the end of my posts and I'd like to do that as well. Baby steps...

Update

Thanks for all your prayers for my surgery yesterday. The doctor discovered some endometriosis and was able to remove it. On a scale of 1-4 (4 being the worst) I was a level 2. The place where he found a deep pocket of endometriosis was definitely preventing conception so it was good news that he was able to take care of that as well as the places on my bladder. We have a follow up appointment in a week to determine our next steps. For now I'm just recovering. I should be better by the weekend. I'm looking forward to meeting with my doctor again to talk about all our test, blood work, etc  I am hopeful for the next couple of months as we continue to surrender to His will and timing. I can't wait for the day when we are holding baby Mikkelson in our arms. 

Laparoscopy

Back in March when I was told that I could not schedule my laparoscopy until April 21st, I remember being caught of guard and wanting to raise my voice at the sweet nurse and say "What? Did I understand you correctly ? I can't have it done now...you mean I have to wait more? But don't you know I've been waiting and waiting and waiting. " Devastated I hung up the phone, wept and started the process of making sense out of things. Well, I can't say that I can make sense out of any of this but I can tell you I have grown in ways I never imagined I could. In the waiting I have found myself learning more about what it means to be a true worshiper/follower of Christ. One who's heart's affection and mind's attention is fixed on my perfect, heavenly Father who is crazy about me (and you). ~no matter the circumstances~

For me waiting is not something I enjoy (as I'm sure a lot of people can relate). Yet, it has been a place of growth. A scripture that God has given me recently is found in Deuteronomy 32:10 "In a desert place He found her, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded her and cared for her; He guarded her as the apple of His eye." As the Israelites waited for the promise land the Lord was working out His purposes for each of them. I think I have always viewed  'withholding' as a way for the Lord to teach me a lesson or that it meant I just wasn't ready or a consequence for something I've done but lately His sweet whisper to my heart has been that He is shielding me and caring for me and preparing my promise land. What this land will be is still unknown but I believe with all my heart it involves children. 

So with this being said, my laparoscopy is scheduled for Tuesday. I have been asked, "How are you feeling about all of this?" and I can honestly say 'I don't know what I'm feeling?' I want to believe that this is all it will take but I'm not certain as no one truly is when it comes to children. He is the author of life so of course it will be in His perfect time. So I guess although it will be helpful in identifying the problem the reality is that there still could be more waiting. 

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am hopeful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it is painful

But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident

Taking every step in obedience

While I'm waiting

I will serve You

While I'm waiting

I will worship

While I'm waiting

I will not faint

I'll be running the race

Even while I wait

I'm waiting

I'm waiting on You, Lord

And I am peaceful

I'm waiting on You, Lord

Though it's not easy

But faithfully, I will wait

Yes,  I will wait

(lyrics by John Waller "While I'm Waiting")

Please pray for us. 

"Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished."  Luke 1:45

Porch Sale

On May 9th my neighborhood is having a neighborhood porch sale and flea market. AKA: community garage sale. So today I spent a lot of time 'spring cleaning' in order to get ready for the event. Now I know I might be starting early but I'm a rookie and not quite sure what I'm doing. Yes, this is my first official garage/porch sale. I am looking forward to making a little money off of the things that collect dust, I mean valuable items that are indeed a must have! Speaking of price this is where I'm a little lost...what is consider a good price? I know there are some professional garage sale(rs) out there and I'd love feedback on how to reasonably price my junk, I mean precious commodity. AND NO I WILL NOT SELL MY STUFF FOR A DOLLAR!! 

just the beginning...

Sweet Relief

This morning was a wonderful morning because I finally finished my wedding album. It only took a little over 4 years and what a sweet relief! It was fun looking back on such an amazing day. I am so thankful to Melissa & Sue for helping me get so much done at the beach. I know in years to come I'll look back and be grateful for my efforts but now I'm just glad it's no longer on my list of to do's. Here's to 2009~ Goal #3 check!

proudly displayed on the coffee table for the time being

Happy Easter

Happy Easter. This year we spent the afternoon at the Nelsen's. It has been a tradition since Adam was a little kid to gather the families for a pot luck and an Easter Egg hunt. 

Becca & Liz home from Auburn! It was fun hanging out with the 'celebs'

Avery loved the little chicks. She wasn't afraid at all! 

All the kids ready for the hunt. 

When Avery found her eggs she opened each of them and 

put whatever it was in her mouth! 

Lake Day with Friends

Last weekend, to celebrate Adam's birthday with friends/family we had party on the lake. It was a beautiful day for a BBQ! My parents were in town and dad was the grill master!! We went jet skiing, wake boarding, wake surfing, swimming, and thanks to Matthew we even had a home made slip n slide. It was really fun being with all our friends!

Avery shows up in her jewels for the party! 

The birthday boy! 

Mom & Dad were in town. They had doggie duty and 

dad cooked all the meat! thanks dad! 

The kiddos love the little island pool. 

some of the girls hanging out

I'm sure this was Matthew's highlight! 

So fun! 

Our friend's Scott & Erica came to visit and we all got to meet

Benson Scott Bradley (only 3 weeks old). What a cutie!! 

Happy Birthday Adam!

March 21 was Adam's 26th b-day. We couldn't actually do something on his exact b-day (we were at a wedding)but the next night we went to dinner with his family. Adam chose a place called Roy's Hawaiian Cuisine (or something like that). It was nice to be with his family (everyone minus Becca-she was driving back to AU). We missed her!! 

Special menu insert!!

Mike order some kind of fish and this is how it was served. 

I don't think I could have eaten that but he wasn't intimated! 

Yummy dessert! 

Girls Trip 2009

This year we had our annual girls trip a little early because 3 of my friends from college are expecting little ones during the spring/summer. Kelly's parents offered their lake house for our little getaway. I decided to take full advantage of being in Birmingham and went a few days early. Here are a few pictures from the weekend. We definitely didn't take many pictures, mostly because we didn't do much but relax and be lazy. Although we did go on a of couple walks and did some horizontal training thanks to Becca! Christina, Dalgo, & Jamie were unable to make it this time which was sad but I'm thankful for these times to be together. It always amazes me how we can all just pick up right where we left off!! 

Visiting "Ashley Macs" kitchen! I am so amazed and proud of her business. 

If you live in Birmingham you need to check them out

http://ashleymacs.com

I finally met Hope. Stace and Kevin's little girl. She's adorable!!

The best dessert in Birmingham. Ashley Mac's strawberry cake!! 

The expecting moms! (Ashley, Cammie, Kristin)

We had a small shower for Cammie (center). She lives in New York 

so we wanted to be able to celebrate her while she was in town. 

The rest of us. Kelly, me, Stacey, & Becca

It rained all weekend until the last day. So on our way out we took

a few pictures to show we were actually at the lake!!