Nursery Pictures

It's truly hard to believe that the room at the top of the stairs that has been empty for 3 years is now Addison's room. Sometimes I sit in my comfy rocker and have to pinch myself to realize this isn't a dream...it's real. Although I probably didn't want to admit how much I have wanted to decorate a baby's room, I've had a vision for quite some time and thanks to my awesome husband and generous gifts I can now share it with you.

View from the hallway

Crib~ planning to create a picture collage above crib,

once we have newborn pictures taken

comfy chair & changing table/dresser

shelf above...

the side table was my first purchase

at an antique market

A picture made by friends for Addie!

I guess now all we need is a baby...20 days to go...or more...or less??

Not sleeping so I thought I'd write

So I woke up for about the 4th time to use the potty and just could not fall back a sleep so "I thought why not blog?" Weird...I know but it has been a while. As of today, I am 35 weeks and 4 days pregnant. It's hard to believe that her due date is almost 4 weeks away. I often find myself laying awake at night contemplating how my life is going to change forever. On March 12th, Adam and I celebrated our 5th wedding anniversary. In many ways I can't believe it's already been 5 years and in other ways it feels like it's been much longer. I am so thankful for these years for us to just be a family of two ~ (I mean 3...how could I forget Bentley aka "MrB"~ who has a b-day May 28th). As I think back over these 5 years we have been so fortunate to have experienced many adventures together. Adam truly is my best friend and I still wake up each day and think "wow Lord you know how to give your children amazing gifts that we do not deserve." As we prepare to meet Addison, the daughter chosen by God, to be a part of our family my heart is full and grateful yet at the same time terrified. We went and saw the movie Letters to God tonight. I definitely think you should go see it. Of course there is a bit of Christian cheese in some parts but overall it was a great film. For me it also served as a reminder that we are not in control. This little boy Tyler is fighting cancer and God used his life to echo through eternity. But as I was sitting there, my eyes would often fill with tears as this mom (who had also lost her husband) was so helpless to save her son. All she could do was trust the God she knew to come through for them and what if He chose not to? Helplessness is not a comfortable place to be in but it's the best place to meet/connect with Jesus as a Savior. I often times feel helpless when it comes to bringing Addison into this world. I cannot control when that will happen, how that will happen, and anything else that I wish I could already protect her from. The past fews weeks I have spent 'wasted time' worrying and fretting; forgetting once again the God who answered my prayers 9 months ago is the same God who has Addie's life in the palm of His hands. I can already tell I will have many moments for the rest of my life that are going to be used in my sanctification (a big word that simply means to become set apart as holy~for God) I'm sure raising children is going to show how much more I need a Savior. Though our prayers have been answered as far as having children 'who knows' what's ahead? My Savior does. I'm so grateful I can rest in His ~ good, pleasing and perfect will. Whom am I Lord that you would love me so deeply? Whom am I that you would recognize my name? Lord, who am I that you would die for me? Lord, who am I?

Colossians 3:12-14 "So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it." (The Message)

The NIV version states "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved..."

Oh how I love that we are loved by the Father. I'm not really sure who reads my blogs anymore. BUT for those of you that do~ I pray you know that you are LOVED by the LORD of all creation! No matter your circumstances~ HE is CRAZY about you. I remember not too long ago really struggling to believe this BUT He is faithful and if He has said He would do it~ He will.

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

Maternity Pictures

A couple of weeks ago Adam and I had some maternity pictures taken and our photographer has posted some of them on her blog. If you'd like to take a look visit her website at SNS Photography! Counting down...32 weeks tomorrow! Only 8 more weeks, if she's on time. It is crazy to believe she'll be here so soon. We've also been working on the nursery so as soon as I have pictures I'll post them.

29 weeks

29 weeks and counting... I have been the worst at photographing this journey but I know that will change once Addison arrives. I'd rather have more pictures of her anyway!!! It is hard to believe that we only have about 11 weeks left (if she arrives on time). We went to a birthing class all day Saturday and I learned so much. I left feeling very empowered as a woman and excited about bringing this baby into the world. Of course I'm saying this never have felt a childbearing pain!! I guess I just keep focusing on the incredible gift that awaits at the end! :-)

The next month is sure to be a busy one but very fun! I leave Thursday to go to Birmingham to visit my college girlfriends. We are celebrating turning 30 buy pampering ourselves at the spa. I cannot wait for a massage. My back is killing me!! When I get back the weekends are filled with showers and getting our nursery put together. Right now it's still a very empty room but Adam will be putting up bead-board while I'm away this weekend to begin the process! It is so fun decorating for a little girl! I LOVE it!!

Glory Baby

So I haven't been the best blogger these days. The holidays came and went and now it's the end of January. So a quick update: holidays-fun & busy (might do a christmas tribute sometime when I get my pics uploaded); on the 26th of December we flew up to montana with adam's family for a week in the mountains~ a great trip~ tried sewing and actually liked it (i'll post pics of my creations one of these days); a few days into the trip Adam actually tore his MCL which was such a downer. he's knee is getting better but still not the same as before; we were home for a week and then traveled to PA for a family wedding (12 adults + 8 kids under the age of 5 = 20 people in one house) ~ great time with family~

Since being home we've celebrated the birth of 2 of our friends babies on the same day but have also shared in the sadness of the loss of 2 of our friends babies. So many familiar verses come to mind..."He gives and takes away"; "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep." My heart was heavy today for my friends who are experiencing loss. As I was walking around the lake in my neighborhood a song came on my ipod "Glory Baby"...here are the lyrics...

Glory Baby, you slipped away as fast as we could say baby...baby...

You were growing, what happened dear?

You disappeared on us baby...baby...

Heaven will hold you before we do

Heaven will keep you safe until we're home with you...

Until we're home with you...

We miss you everyday

We miss you in every way

But we know there's a day

When we will hold you

You'll kiss our tears away

When we're home to stay

Can't wait for the day when we will see you

We will see you

But baby let sweet Jesus hold you

'til mom and dad can hold you...

You'll just have heaven before we do

Sweet little babies, it's hard to understand it cause we're hurting...we're hurting

But there is healing

And we know we're stronger people through the growing

And in knowing~

That all things work together for our good

And God works His purposes just like He said He would...

Just like he said he would..

I can't imagine heaven's lullabies and what they must sound like

But I will rest in knowing, heaven is your home

And it's all you'll ever know...all you'll ever know.

It wasn't too long ago that I was asking for enough faith to believe that His promises are true and we can put all our hope in Him. He will heal us and He will make ALL things work together for our good. As I heard this song today, I remember the precious baby we have in heaven and now the precious baby growing in my womb. I am truly in awe of His goodness and mercy. That he provides the strength we need to get through the toughest times in our lives. Daily I'm lifting up those who are struggling with the loss of a child or the disappointment of waiting month after month for your own miracle. I don't know how He is going to redeem these losses for you, but He will come through for you. He will give you rest and He will always be faithful.

It is with a thankful heart that I am posting this picture. I am now 25 weeks and only 15 more until we get to meet our little girl...Addison Whitney!

To Him Be the Glory!

Progressive Dinner in PJs

To kick off the holidays, a few of us joined together and had our first annual progressive dinner. It was a great evening and I hope it can become a tradition. Here's the night in pictures...

6:30 Appetizers at the Moore's....

Dan making a delicious beverage that unfortunately I couldn't have!

Oh yea...forgot to mention that a requirement was to

come in Christmas PJs...thus the reason I'm dressed like this.

Each couple had to come up with a game for us to play...

a friendly round of corn hole started us off...Boys 1/Girls 0

We were all a bit cold since it was one of the two nights

it has actually been cold in Orlando!

7:30 departing in our sleigh...

matthew & ash did a great job sprucing up their truck...

we road through the neighborhood singing Christmas songs!

7:45~ Salads at our house

We played the game called big booty and unfortunately didn't

get to take any other pictures...bummer. Score: Boys 2/Girls 0

9:00~ over to the Downs for some lasagna

Zach read each of our names from the Big Book of Names.

We learned the origin and meanings of each of our names.

Amazing how they fit us all just right!

After dinner we all took the stage in 'American Idol'

Matthew got us started...

What a fun crowd! haha

Boys barely won: score Boys 3/Girls 0

10:30~ it was time for dessert at the Van Dykes...

a little family portrait time...

Kelly served delicious cupcakes and her speciality coffee/hot chocolate

To end the night we played 'holiday' pictionary...with the final score

Boys 3/Girls 1 (we finally won!!)

By this time it was around 12:30 and it was time to say goodnight...

Merry Christmas to all!

*A couple of new posts below-check them out*

Christmas Party

Thursday Adam and I had about 30 or so of our friends over to celebrate Christmas! It was such a fun time getting together before the rush of the Christmas holidays. As I look at these pictures, I'm reminded of how blessed we are because of the community of relationships that surround us! God has richly blessed us beyond all measure! As a very wise man said, "Relationships are the currency of life." Here are a few pictures of our night...

Avery with the girls!

Dear friends! (on left-is Jamie who blesses all of us

pregnant ladies with free sonograms-she's an ultra sound tech

and told us we were having a girl. )

Adam with our new friends Keith & Kristi

Some of the guys plus Adam's little brother William.

Me, Carey, Tiffany & Hayley

No party is complete without playing the 'white elephant' gift exchange...

Matthew opening a bag filled with ornaments...we were

going to make him unwrap everyone but it was a week night

Jim's excited about his new plant!

Avery LOVED carrying around this little puppy dog!

*new post below*