A Life of Gratitude

 This afternoon we took our little Pig in a Blanket and Superman to visit their grandparents and great-grandparents. We had a lot of fun and I believe all the grandparents enjoyed having these little visitors. Today I am thankful that we live close to so many of our family members. I am glad that we are able to visit them all in an afternoon. Family is so precious!  Dylan and Evan with Nana Shaw   Evan with Grandmaw Davis   Evan with Papaw Davis 

This afternoon we took the kids to Festival 31 at church. They had a Trunk-or-Treat, bouncy houses, cotton candy, hot chocolate, popcorn, and an outdoor movie. We went with some of our good friends, The Williams Family. Dylan had so much fun with Corrine and Ethan!  Dylan with his buddies, Corrine and Ethan   Our Pig in a Blanket =)  Today I am thankful for Green Street Baptist Church and the awesome events they host for the community. Festival 31 is a great alternative to the normal Halloween acitivities. I am so thankful to be a part of a church that reaches out to the community and provides fun yet Christ centered activities for families.

This afternoon while leaving my brother's house, I missed a small step outside of the front door and fell down. It was so embarrassing but thankfully only Dylan saw me fall! I hurt my knee and of course the fall jarred my back which caused extra pain. I am thankful that I didn't get hurt badly but mostly I am thankful that I wasn't carrying baby Evan when I fell. Just minutes before I fell I was carrying Evan to the car, I only went back inside to get Dylan's jacket. If I had been holding him it could have been really bad. God is watching over us at all times. Today I am thankful that He has His eyes on me and my sweet family.

This afternoon I was washing dishes in the kitchen when my sweet husband came in, turned me around, and slow danced with me. It felt so wonderful to let the world around me fade away while he embraced me. I couldn't help but think about how lucky I am to have such an amazing husband. I am so glad that I get to spend each day of my life with this man, to experience life's ups and downs with him, and to share my dreams with him. When I look at my life, our marriage, our family...I am ovewhelmed with joy. Today I am thankful for my husband and the life that God has given us. What a blessing it is to spend each day with the love of my life; to be married to the best friend a woman could ever have.

This evening Dylan and I laid in the bed and watched "Charlie Brown and The Great Pumpkin." It was really fun spending a few moments alone with my big boy, Dylan. He has been a little jealous since his baby brother requires a lot of my time so I am thankful that I was able to spend some time, just the two of us, this evening. At one point he laid his head on my shoulder and said "Mommy, you are so sweet and pretty." That just made my day! I love that little boy!

Today I am thankful for home videos. We watched Dylan and Evan's birth videos today. It was so sweet to watch the movies we've made of the first moments of our children's lives. Dylan enjoyed seeing himself as a baby and I was amazed to see how much Evan looks and acts like his big brother! These videos are so precious to me. My boys are my biggest blessings and their births have been two of the greatest experiences of my life. I am so glad that we were able to get these moments on video so that we can enjoy them for years to come!

Bryan, Dylan, Evan, and I have been able to spend a lot of quality time together the past few days. Since Bryan gets 6 weeks off of work because of Baby Evan's birth, we get to spend all day, every day together. It is such a blessing to spend this special time together. Today I am thankful for this quality time and for Bryan's ability to be off work with us. I love spending time with my family! Playing together! Going for a walk =) Evan loves to ride in his stroller!  Warm and cozy 

Today I am thankful for the life-changing event that happened to our family a week ago. The birth of Evan has been such a blessing. Evan is one week old today and is fiiting into our family perfectly. Dylan is starting to get used to being a big brother and we are learning to be the parents of 2 little boys. God has been so good to us!   

This afternoon Bryan and I took our boys to the park. It was such a beautiful afternoon! Evan and I hung out on the bench while Dylan and his Daddy had fun swinging, sliding, and climbing. It was really fun to watch them play together. There was also another dad there that was sliding and climbing with his son. It was hilarious watching these "Big Kids" play with their children.  I couldn't help but think about how lucky these children are to have dads that take time to invest in their lives. Today I am thankful that my sweet little boys have such a wonderful father. Bryan takes time each and every day to love on our children. He is a great role model, is loving and kind, and most importantly, he desires to lead his sons to Christ. I couldn't ask for a better husband or Daddy for my boys.  I love you Bryan!

Today I am thankful for the ability to feed my sweet Baby Evan. Its really amazing that a mother is able to produce the food that her baby needs. I am so grateful that I am able to provide the food he requires to help him grow strong and healthy. Yesterday, at Evan's first doctor's appointment, we learned that he is already gaining weight! I am so glad that my baby boy is getting the nutrients he needs!  Baby Evan with milk all over his face! He enjoys eating!   

Psalm 34:8 - Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. For the past month or so, my employer has been trying to end my worker's compensation wages even though my doctor does not believe I am able to do my job because of my back pain. Bryan and I have been praying over this issue for weeks and we decided together that we would not worry about it. We decided that we would take refuge in our Lord and trust that He knows what is best for our family. Today we recieved news from my attorney that the appeal we made was successful and we will continue to recieve benefits! God is so good! Psalm 34:8 is a wonderful promise to us as believers. If we trust in the Lord, put our refuge in Him, believe that He is capable....we will see, taste, hear, and feel that He Is Good! Today I am thankful for so many reminders lately that God is good. He is soveriegn and able! I am so grateful to have such an awesome God to put my hope in! 

Today I am thankful that Dylan is such a good sleeper! Evan has been waking up a lot a night (typical) and crying loudly. I am so glad that Dylan sleeps so soundly and hasn't been woken by his baby brother. Although it isn't easy being up with a baby through out the night, its much better than being up with a baby and a 3 year during the night. Besides, I love taking care of my baby, even in the middle of the night.

We were able to bring sweet Evan home from the hospital today. It was so wonderful to see Evan and Dylan together. Although I can tell that Dylan is a little jealous of all the attention Evan is receiving, it seems as though Dylan and Evan are going to be great buddies. Today I am thankful to be home with my little family. I feel so blessed to have a terrific husband and precious little boys! Going Home Outfit  So teeny tiny in his car seat. 

Bryan and I have had a wonderful day with Baby Evan. We have spent the day getting to know our second son. Its so surreal! He is absolutely precious! I am learning the things he likes and dislikes, getting to know his personality and I'm falling in love with him over and over again. Today I am thankful for the opportunity to get to know our sweet baby boy. Although I've enjoyed this day, I am so excited to take Baby Evan home tomorrow! I can't wait to experience having Dylan and Evan together. God has truly blessed us!

Today I am thankful for our sweet little bundle of joy, Evan. Having two healthy, happy little boys and an amazing husband is more than I could have ever asked for. My cup runneth over! I am overwhelmed with joy. God has blessed me and my family beyond measure! On a side note, I am also thankful for an easy delivery. Although it took 18 hours, everything went so smoothly! I am thankful for epidurals too! I truly enjoyed giving birth to my sweet little guy.

Today I am thankful that my water broke! After 2 weeks of having contractions, timing them, and filling frustrated, I am so glad my water broke. There was no question of when to go to the hosptial! It happened while walking into the church service today. Thankfully it wasn't a huge gush, just a trickle. We went out of the sanctuary and picked up Dylan from his Sunday School class. He was so excited. He said "My baby Evan is coming out today." I'm writing this blog from the delivery room at Women's Hospital (in between contractions). In a few hours we will get to meet our precious little boy! I cannot wait to see his little face and to watch Dylan meet his baby brother. This is such an extraordinary blessing! Thank you Heavenly Father for this special day. Thank you that we are awaiting the birth of our second son! You have been so good to us! Please protect Baby Evan and me as he is born. May YOU recieve all the glory. Amen!

This evening Dylan, Bryan, and I played Hi Ho Cherry-O together. We had such a great time together. It was a lot of fun watching Dylan learn to play the game and then get so excited about counting his cherries! He really has great sportsmanship too! He must have enjoyed himself because during his night time prayers, he thanked God for Hi Ho Cherry-O! Today I am thankful for quality family time together. I truly enjoy spending time with my sweet little family!

This evening on the way home from dinner, Dylan saw a fire truck rushing towards an accident. Of course, he got very excited because he loves fire trucks but instead of talking about the fire truck's lights or siren, he wanted to pray for the fire fighters and the man they were helping. So, in his sweet little three year old voice, he said an adorable prayer for the fire fighters and the accident victim. Today I am thankful that my sweet little boy is learning to pray for the people around him. Without even being prompted, he lifted up others in prayer! I hope that he always feels the desire to talk to his Heavenly Father and lift his fellow man up in prayer.

Today while at the OB doctor, I overheard a horrible telephone conversation between a nurse and a patient. The nurse was telling the patient that she had been trying to get in touch with her for days because there is something terribly wrong with her pregnancy. She told her that she needed to come in immediately for blood work. The results of the blood work and an ultrasound would either confirm or rule out an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an embryo implants outside of the uterus. Most of the time this occurs in a fallopian tube but it can also implant in the cervix or abdomen. When this occurs it is a medical emergency because of the possibility of internal hemorrhaging. It can even lead to death. As I listened to this phone call, my heart begin to break for the mother on the phone. I can't imagine getting that phone call. I know I probably shouldn't have been listening as the nurse talked but I'm sort of glad I did. Over hearing this news made me so...

I've been taking a lot of walks these days, trying to get Baby Evan to make his move! Today Dylan and I went for a walk around the neighborhood once the storm blew over. It was so sweet to walk hand in hand with my sweet little boy. We talked and talked! He is such a blessing to me. Today I am thankful for these precious walks with Dylan. I'm also grateful for the weather that has made these walks so enjoyable.

I heard the following story this morning in Bible Study... A little girl about 6 or 7 years old asked Jesus into her heart. A few days later she asked her mother, "Mom, how tall is Jesus?" The mother wasn't sure how to respond but said "Well, Jewish men in those days probably weren't too tall so he was probably about 5 foot 7 inches." The little girl said, "Well, how tall am I?" So the mom replied, "You are 4 foot 3 inches." The little girl thought about this for a few minutes and then asked her mother, "Well, since I asked him into my heart and he is so much taller than me, shouldn't he be sticking out all over the place?" Wow!! She's got it!! Jesus should be sticking out all over the place in each of our lives!  Today I am thankful for the wisdom of children. Jesus said in Matthew 18:3 "Truly I say to you, unless You turn around and become as young children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of the hea...

I've been having a rough couple days due to all the contractions and back pain I've been having. I've also been feeling really frustrated. Today while sitting at home listening to Christian radio and playing with Dylan, I heard a song that I've heard a hundred times before but today it felt as though God was speaking to me through it! I love it when He does that! The song is "The arms that hold the universe" by 33 Miles. One of my favorite parts says, "And the arms that hold the universe are holding you tonight. You can rest inside, its gonna be alright. And the voice that calmed the raging sea is calling you His child so be still and know that He is in control. He will never let you go." Today I am thankful for the reminder that the arms that hold universe are holding me . I am grateful that the voice that calmed the raging sea calls me His child. I can rest in Him and He will never let me go! WOW! I need to be still and remember that He is God! ...

The Gospel is THE GOOD NEWS! The news of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. To me, its the best news I've ever heard. Without this good news there is no hope, no eternal life, no living life abundantly. Without Jesus' death on the cross, we are all destined for hell because we are ALL sinners. Because of his resurrection, those who believe are given a new life, forgiveness, hope for the future, and eternal life. What a magnificent gift! The Gospel is taken for granted by believers and non-believers alike. We either don't realize or forget how desperate we are for a Savior. If we truly cherish the Gospel, it will be evident in our lives. There are a many people who know all about the Gospel but do not center their lives around it. Its sad to me that this GREAT news is so easily "swept under the rug" and forgotten. Today I am thankful for the Gospel. I am alive in Christ!  He lives! My sins are forgiven! I can spend eternity with Him! Its really good new...

Today I am thankful for my wonderful husband, Bryan. I have been having contractions ALL day. We've been timing them and they've been sporatic at times and rhythmic at times. They just don't seem to be intensifying at all. I have been emotional all day and I'm sure I haven't been too easy be around. Bryan has taken such good care of me. He has been such a good coach! He has been walking around the neighborhood with me, timing all of my contractions, making me laugh, holding my hand and giving me support. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for such an amazing husband. I am so blessed to spend my life and experience all of my life changing moments with such a wonderful man. Thank you Bryan. I love you!

We had a really fun evening playing Pit and Rook with friends. We also had yummy food! I was in quite a bit of pain due to lots of contractions but I still had a great time. Today I am thankful for good friends and the distraction that gave me tonight. We were timing contractions while playing card games (thats much better than timing them while sitting alone on the couch!) My sweet girlfriends Torria and Shanna even walked around the neighborhood with me trying get things going. Baby Evan wasn't ready tonight...the contractions stopped but at least my body is practicing. Thank God for good friends!

I've started reading "The Resolution for Women" by Priscilla Shirer as a part of Green Street's fall Bible Study. This book goes along with the movie "Courageous" and is a companion to "The Resolution for Men." I've just started this book but I love it already. One of the chapters is called Purposely Feminine. Its a reminder that it is good to be a girl! So many women today have spent so much time focusing on how to be "equal" with men and trying to prove themselves in some way that they've forgotten that God created us in His image as well. If you are a woman, God wanted you to be a woman (not a man!) and thats a good thing! "You, God's woman, are designed both strong and vunerable. Powerful yet tender. More than able yet willing to yeild. You are smart, wise, capable, equal in worth, and secure in yourself as you relate to others yet content in your God-given role. You are a paradox- a potent mixture that surprises wi...

Well, I am offically 9 months pregnant and I have an enormous belly to prove it! According to TheBump.com, Evan's circulatory and immune systems are completely developed. His liver and kidneys are in working order and his lungs are almost ready too. His skin is getting smooth and soft and he is gaining a 1/2 pound per week. He is almost ready to enter the world! Today I am thankful that I'm going to meet my second bundle of joy soon. Aside from all the morning sickness and back pain, this has been a very pleasant pregnancy. Although I've enjoyed the past 9 months, I'm looking forward to the next big milestone in my life!

I had my 36 week OBGYN appointment today. Evan's heart beat sounds great and he is measuring nicely! I have also started dialating! I'm so excited to meet this little guy so today I am thankful that my body is making progress! Who knows, we may have a baby in the next week or two!

With 4 weeks and 2 days to go, Evan's room is ready! I figured we better be ready early since Dylan made his entrance into the world at 37 weeks. So, the Monkey Mania nursery is ready for an occupant! Today I am thankful for all the gifts and the items we saved that helped me get the room ready. I am also especially grateful for my husband who did all the manual labor (getting everything out of the attic, unpacking, painting, and hanging things). I'm super excited about our sweet baby's room!

Yesterday one of my friends posted "Excited about church in the am" on Facebook. He told us this afternoon that one of his family members sent him a text  to say that she was so inspired by his post that she decided to go to church today and was truly blessed by attending. That was such a simple post but God used it to encourage someone to seek Him out by attending church today. How awesome is that?  My friend had no idea that his post would impact someone else. I wonder how often God uses us in ways that we don't even know about.  Today I am thankful that God uses US.  This is just a reminder that others truly are watching and listening. I hope my actions, words, and attitudes are always usable by God!

Today was significantly cooler than its been in a while. It felt like Fall! YAY! Fall is one of my favorite times of year. I love to feel the crisp air and see the colorful leaves falling to the ground. I'm also super excited about this Fall because our second son will be born soon! I am thankful for today's beautiful weather. This VERY pregnant lady welcomes the cool temperatures!