Always Look To the Eternal

     Well, hubby's job is offering overtime over the next two weeks so disability services can catch up on all the cases they have in their backlog. What this means for me? OVERTIME...and a ton of it! Well, he is working today 7am-noon and is off tomorrow for Mother's Day (YAAAAYYYY!!!!! only 1 day left)...then, he works 7am-7pm M-F of this upcoming week, Saturday and Sunday of next weekend and 7am-5:30pm the week after next. It's going to be really hard on me because there will be some days that I will only be able to see him for a couple of hours each day...and that just makes me sad! :-(  I know we will get through it and we'll have a ton of extra money (enough to go on an awesome vacation for our 2nd anniversary in July!!!! so I'm not going to complain too much, lol) but still...I love my hubby so much, I hate it when he's away. But anyways, that's my little complain moment for the day.
     Today is pretty much devoted to rushing to finish up Mother's Day stuff for our Moms. The picture at the top of my blog of Noah's feet is the one we're going to use for the project...we're putting this picture along with Noah's actual footprints (dipping his feet in paint and placing them on paper) and putting it in a frame beside the photograph of his tootsies. :-)  Then, we'll probably buy hanging baskets or something like that as well, since both of our Moms are obsessed with plants, lol...but yeah, it should be a nice Mother's Day. We're going to church with my parents in the morning and then heading to my Granny Jones' for a get together with my Mom's side of the family. Then, probably heading up to Caleb's parents afterwards...I LOVE spending time with family...and I know I probably sound really selfish when I say this, but I was really hoping for just a couple of hours to spend with just my family on Mother's Day...you know? Just me, Caleb and Noah...I've never been a Mom before and I kind of want to start traditions with my own family...time probably won't allow and it's really not a huge deal, but I'm so sentimental when it comes to stuff like traditions.....we'll see how it works out i guess! :-)
     I hope that each of you has a wonderful Mother's Day weekend...enjoy the precious moments with your own mothers or with your children. Time on this Earth is fleeting and as Steph said at the Mother/Daughter banquet last night, "we need to always look and focus on the eternal for there is a time to live and a time to die!"  Enjoy each moment to the fullest and never forget Phillipians 4;13..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"

Laughter is the Best Medicine

     I got to hear Noah really laugh for the first time last night. He has half laughed before..which was cute, but oh my goodness, last night was hysterical. I've had a rough week and this was just what I needed to get me on the path to making me feel better. Caleb kept tickling him and everytime he would do it...Noah would burst out laughing..and LOUD!  It was so precious..it brought tears to my eyes! *sighs*  God knows exactly the right moments when to bless us with such moments!  :-) 
     Heading over to Craig tonight for the Mother/Daughter banquet at Craig Valley Baptist..my Mom, Granny Jones, and Noah Bug will be there so it will be 4 generations of family..which will be so nice! :-)  I can't wait...and thanks for all my amazing friends out there who I know I can contact anytime day or night!  I love you!

God is ALWAYS Good

I'm so very thankful that I have such a loving, caring God. He gets me through the best of times and the worse of times...this life isn't an easy one, but at least when we're on the path of God...He can carry us instead of having to tread it alone!  :-)

Blessed but Definitely NOT Lucky :-)

     So, I have been trying to win the K92 secret sound for the past few days and hubby has been at it for the past couple of weeks. We both are like 99% sure we know it (which probably means we don't, lol) but you have to be caller 19 to even get a chance to answer. The closest I have gotten is caller 17 and I just can't seem to get any closer lol...BUT the winnings are up to almost $4000 which would be a HUGE help in paying on our bills....so we're going to keep trying. I am truly blessed but definitely NOT lucky!  :-)  This was random, but as I am a very random person...it works! *smile* Hope everyone is having a very BLESSED Wednesday...and maybe even a lucky one too!

Gotta Love the Milestones!

     Well, we've been slowly adding new foods to Noah's palette...so far we have tried two types of cereal; rice and oatmeal...and banannas and carrots! I was worried he was going to HATE the carrots, but surprisingly he has liked everything we have given him. What he really likes the most is when we mix the banannas in with the oatmeal and the carrots in with the rice and heat it up in the microwave for a bit...the one thing he DOESN'T like is cold cereal, lol. But, I can't really blame him for that, as I like my oatmeal and such to be warmed up too! 

   

       I really thought that Caleb would hate feeding Noah solid foods because of course, it's so messy...and one thing Caleb hates are messes. But, you know what??? HE LOVES IT! Infact, the other day, I had gotten Noah's cereal all ready to go....and was about ready to feed him, when Caleb grabbed the spoon and bowl and took over!  It just cracked me up...sitting there watching Noah and Caleb get covered in goo...Noah would laugh, then hubby would...and there was me, laughing right along with them. It was definitely an awesome moment for everyone! 

     Oh, and I've decided to post a picture on here of Noah's friend Henry, lol. We kept Henry the night his Mommy had baby Emilie...and when we got him up to get him ready the next morning baby Noah was still asleep, but Henry wanted to play with him...sooo, this is what we found him doing  *smiles*  peeking at Noah inside the crib...it was too sweet!  Children really are such an incredible blessing! :-)  







And finally....another milestone...but not a very happy one. Noah got his very first bug bite. We were at Longwood Park in Salem when a nasty mosquito bit him..bleh...but I took pictures of that too! :-) I'm obsessive about documenting everything lol. I guess I want to be THAT mom..you know, the one who when he brings home a girl can bring out the picture album and says "...and this was his favorite outfit....his first bugbite....his best friend....etc."  well, you get the point!

A Miracle is Born

     My best friend Becca gave birth to an adorable baby girl last night...Emilie Jane!!!  :-)  She weights 7lbs 2oz and is absolutely beautiful!  Caleb and I prayed through the night that Mommy and baby would be safe, happy and healthy...and PRAISE GOD...they all made it through perfectly! If visitors are allowed Caleb and I are going to go visit them this evening whenever Caleb gets off of work!  God is so very good and it's amazing to watch the miracles He performs each day! Please continue to pray for our dear friends that they will adjust to life with a 2 year old and a new born and that Mama will make it through postpartum without any issues!  :-)  It's going to be so much fun having a new little baby to play with...even my Noah Bug is getting so big...he's not really a new born anymore, lol!

Bring on the Rain Lord

     Recently I've been faced with so many problems that I don't have the answers to. My ONLY answer is to turn to God and ask Him to guide me...I have faith and trust that He will. I know that everything He places in my path is for a reason...every uplifting moment and each one that bring tears of sadness and hurt. Every moment here on Earth happens for a reason. And as the song says, "I know that there will be days that this life will bring me pain but if that's what it takes to praise you Jesus...BRING THE RAIN!!!!"

"Bring the Rain" by Mercy Me

I can count a million times


People asking me how I

Can praise You with all that

I've gone through

The question just amazes me

Can circumstances possibly

Change who I forever am in You



Maybe since my life was changed

Long before these rainy days

It's never really ever crossed my mind

To turn my back on you, oh Lord

My only shelter from the storm

But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray



Bring me joy, bring me peace

Bring the chance to be free

Bring me anything that brings

You glory And I know there'll

be days When this life brings me pain

But if that's what it takes to

praise You Jesus, bring the rain



I am yours regardless of the clouds that may

loom above because you are much greater than

my pain you who made a way for me suffering

your destiny so tell me whats a little rain



[1st Chorus]



Holy, holy, holy

Holy, holy, holy

is the lord God almighty

is the lord God almighty

I'm forever singing



[2nd Chorus 2x]



everybody singing

Holy holy holy

you are holy

you are holy



[2nd Chorus 2x]

Counting Down the Days 'Til Mother's Day!!!!!!!

     I am really looking forward to today. I get to start this beautiful day off by watching my best friends little boy...who is absolutely precious, lol. :-)  Then, when she gets done with stuff we're going to try to walk...if she is up to it, that is. She has like 9 days until her due date and we are all praying very hard that the Lord will bring this baby soon...LOL!  I just can't wait... anyways, 
     This is going to be such an amazing week for me...my very first official mother's day!  I've got so much planned...and OMG...I'm just THRILLED!  My Mom and I are going to the Mother Daughter Banquet at Craig Valley on Friday and I'll be  bringing along Noah, as well...so it will be awesome having my little one there with me too. It's just going to be SO weird getting gifts this year....I'm still trying to get used to the idea that I'm a Mom, lol! :-)  But SO thankful that God has blessed me in this way...I can't think of anything better in this world than that. Then, on Sunday, we're going to church with my parents and I'm happy because I get to be with my Mama on mother's day!  *smile*  She is like the best mom ever...she is the one I call at like 2 a.m. just to cry my eyes out to her when I'm having a bad day...she never complains, just sits there patiently while I cry my heart out to her...then tells me to calm down and gives me all the motherly advice that immediately makes me feel better! :-) Thanks so much for being the best Mom any girl could ever ask for...I only pray that I can be as good of a mom to Noah that you have been to me! :-) 
     And, I don't know what hubbz and little Noah are planning to do for me but it must be pretty special because they have been awful secretive about it, lol. Caleb has even been taking Noah into the bedroom and closing the door while they "discuss" it...LOL...too funny! :-)  I just love my family...they spoil me WAY too much!  I'm excited about the gifts of course but more than anything I'm just thankful God gave us Noah so that I have the privelage of being his Mom! When I think about that I just get so happy!  God is so truly good!
     Well, I'm going to go wake up my sweet precious baby so I can get ready before that adorable 2 year old gets here, lol!  I hope everyone has a blessed Monday!

Annoyed Beyond Belief

     I'm really surprised I still have a tongue left at all. *sighs*  Let me just say I am doing a marvelous job at biting my tongue when people continue to tell me how to raise my child. :-(  I have and will never get along with this certain person, but that's ok,I guess, I'm his Mommy and I know what's best for him. They actually had the nerve to tell me NOT to feed him cereal yet and that his pediatrician would yell at me if he found out...AHHHH, this is driving me nuts. Well...he LOVES his cereal and hasn't spit up once since eating it And obviously I wouldn't have given it to him if his doctor hadn't already ok-ed it.. This is also the person who told me that he has eczema when his pediatrician said he didn't...they pretend to be a doctor and they are far from it!  Anyways, I'm just thankful that God continues to provide me with patience...but eventually, I'm going to have to speak up and say..."Hey, sorry you think I'm a terrible parent, but that's the thing...I'M HIS PARENT...you aren't!  And every choice I make for him is out of love...I will always do everything in my power to look out for his best interest even if that means putting myself last to do it!!!"  But anyways, sorry about my little rant...but when it comes to my child, I get really defensive! :-)  I mean, he did live inside of me for 9 months so we have quite the connection! I just really wish people would keep their noses out of our business...we're not perfect parents but we are praying parents...and that's the best we can do!  Just pray for us that we will continue to have patience with certain individuals and these certain people will learn that Noah isn't their child to raise!
     On a happier note I am very much looking forward to next weekend...MY VERY FIRST MOTHER'S DAY...or as Emily pointed out, my second mother's day...only this time I won't have the morning sickness. In other words, I get to hug my baby boy instead of the toilet seat, lol! *smiles* Well, I have a cranky baby boy who is ready for bathtime, lol, so I guess I better get off of here and give him one!  :-)  Praying that everyone has a truly blessed week!

Heaven On Earth...

     Yes...that is exactly what today felt like. The day was absolutely gorgeous...the perfect temperature, a relaxing breeze, sunshine all around  *sighs* and getting to spend it with my wonderful husband and perfect little boy. It's on days like this that I can somewhat imagine what Heaven will be like...and the weird thing is, this is not even anywhere close, lol! :-)  Isn't that just one of the best feelings ever??? Our absolute best days spent here on Earth will in no way compare to our time in Heaven!  WOW....that thought is sometimes the only thing that keeps me going when I'm having a rough day/moment in my life!  :-)  God is so very good.
     But yes, we did have a wonderful time at the festival today. We started off the day by getting strawberry shortcakes at the strawberry festival and pairing it with a strawberry smoothie...YUMMY! :-) It was delicious. And then of course, we as parents have to make accomadations now when we go out...especially in this kind of heat...so we stopped frequently to rehydrate little Noah with water and give him a rest from the sunshine, as it was pretty warm today. One of my favorite moments is when we spread out our blanket at the park underneath the shade and just sat down and played with Noah...there we were...me, Caleb, and our precious little baby, the image I had always imagined when I thought about having kids, lol. And we just sat there and talked while we played with him and took turns feeding him and letting him have sips of our water! *sighs* God has truly blessed us in so many ways. He just giggled and giggled...just so happy to be there with us, enjoying the simple pleasures in life, like the warm breeze and having a mommy and daddy who love him. Since having him, I find myself noticing the smaller things I had really stopped noticing or paying much attention to since being a child myself...and I think that's one reason my perspective on life recently has been so much more positive and uplifting. Thank God for precious babies as they do make the world a much happier place, lol.
     Well, after we were done relaxing we headed over to the chili cookoff and tried like a ton of chilis. I ended up voting for News Channel 7's chili and Caleb voted for Red Hot Chili...but everything we tried was pretty much awesome....I did have trouble with a few of the more spicy ones, but that's just cuz I'm a weenie, lol! :-)  By this time we had been out in the heat for a few hours and Noah was looking a bit sweaty and hot so we decided to head home. But...even after a long, hot, exhausting day, our little guy didn't really cry once which we were both really thankful for!  We got home and watched Sherlock Holmes (which was awesome btw) and Caleb fed Noah cereal for the first time...which was precious, lol!  I don't know who had more on them at the end of it..Noah or hubby!  But Noah did much better this time...he actually managed to eat the majority of it, even though he still made quite the mess. It made us laugh so hard! :-)   I'm debating about which kind I'm going to buy at the grocery store this upcoming week...barley or something different, oh well, I will think about it!
     Anyways, not much else to write about tonight, just that I"m so very thankful to the Lord for all of my many blessings. And do please continue to pray for us that we will continue to be open to the Lord's will for us. Thank you!