WORDLESS WEDNESDAY (22 weeks)

Our baby boy is growing!!!

Happy 5 1/2 months BABY BOY!!!

Warmest,

Do You Believe In Miracles?

Do you believe in miracles? I sure do!

My cousin, Deanna and her husband, Russ, have always wanted children and found out after 10 years of waiting that they are expecting their first child!!! Isn't God so amazing?!?! There were no fertility doctors involved...just a miracle from God that our Grandmother has been praying for...for a long time! She prayed for Deanna and I to both be pregnant and we were able to tell her on the same day because we are 5 days apart. Wait...it gets even crazier!!! Deanna and I are both having BOYS!!!

Congrats Deanna and Russ!!! I know you both will make awesome parents!!! Our little boys will be best buds and sure to keep us on our toes!!!

Deanna and Russ

Warmest,

"Mommy to Be" Day

Mother's Day 2010
(21 weeks)

I know...I know...I said in my last post that I would post something the next day. Honestly, I haven't been able to find the time to sit down and blog. If it wasn't for Facebook being on my iPhone, I probably wouldn't have found the time to be on there either!

Before I get started on the rest of my post, I just wanted to take the time to say that you should also "follow" my cousin Kim's blog...she has two kids and they are a hoot! Scroll down to "Blogs I Love" and click on Watkins Family...they are pretty entertaining!

It was so exciting to finally get to celebrate Mother's Day as a "mommy to be." Last year was extremely hard because I had just lost a baby several months before. It still amazes me to look back on that time and remember all the times that God spoke softly to me "Be still.." I even played Kari Jobe's song "Be Still" so much that I can't even listen to it now. Don't get me wrong, it is a great song that helped me through a rough time...but...really...how many times can you listen to one song?

When thinking about Mother's Day and preparing myself to finally be a mom...I think about how I want to raise our son. One of my desires for him, with God's help, is to teach him to "Be still" and learn to listen to God. I know from experience it is not easy to do...especially in the fast-pace world that we live in today. I remember that in my quite prayer time that sometimes all I could do was "be still". I had cried and prayed so much that I didn't know what else to do. That's when I began to just listen, and allow God to speak to me. I know for some...that may sound silly, but the way that I've been taught to believe is that God does speak to His people. He speaks to those who will listen. I needed God like no other time in my life and I needed to hear from Him. No one could say anything that could ease my pain or give me peace...only He could. I heard a preacher say once that sometimes God allows us to be broken so that He can put us back together the way He wants. I'm so humbled to say that God is still putting me back together...and I'm okay with that. This year on Mother's Day, He did remind me of the brokenness that I felt, but thankfully, He also allowed me to celebrate the "new life" He has given me. If it be God's will...I will be holding our son next year :)

I was blessed this year to be pregnant with our son...and also two other very special gifts that I will cherish always. Even though Jeff was very sick last week...he managed to somehow sneak out and buy me a Mother's Day gift. It is precious! My mother also bought me a beautiful Willow Tree Angel called "Cherish". I am so thankful for my own Mother and all that she means to me. Aside from Jeff, there is no one that knows me better. Sometimes it's scary how much we are alike! I don't think I'd be the same person without her. I remember several years ago when she had emergency open-heart surgery. I have never been so scared in my life! She was very serious and I was devastated. I remember when she was on a ventilator that all I could think about was that I couldn't talk to her. I realized then that my Mother meant more to me than I could ever imagine. She is better now, and we are closer than we've ever been...we work together and live 10 minutes from each other. There is no one like her...she is selfless, understanding, forgiving, loving, caring, my very best friend and above all a Godly mother...who prays for me. I am thankful that my son will call her "grandma."

My beautiful Mother's Day gift from my Mom...I've been waiting a long time for this!

The precious gift from my husband...
I can't wait to put a picture of our son in it when he gets here!

A pretty card from my father-in-law and Jeff's step-mother

This is the sweetest card from my niece, Avery...the picture below is of her artwork inside the card...so sweet! Thanks Avery...and Jimmy!

If you are a mother...I hope that you had a blessed Mother's Day. If you are not yet a mother...I pray that God will give you your heart's desire.

Warmest,

A Little Bit of Everything

Warning: This post may be a little random!

Today I realized that it has been over a week since my last post...bad girl! And since my last post, a lot has gone on. For starters, Jeff and I have decided on a name for our sweet son, in which I will blog about tomorrow:) And finally, I have reached the halfway point of pregnancy and that means shots too! Also, throughout the last two weeks, Jeff and I have received packages, gifts and cards from some very thoughtful people. Baby S is already loved so much!

One of my best friends growing up, who also happens to be my cousin, Kim, sent me these two cute outfits in the mail this week...I love getting packages especially when they are unexpected and for Baby S! I know his Daddy likes the first one a lot...and Poppy will definitely like the second one! Thank you Kim! I love you guys and can't wait for our kids to grow up together like we did!

This little baseball outfit is from Jeff's dad, "Papa Six" and step-mom. He got this for us when we first found out we were pregnant. Personally, I like it because it says "Mommy's All Star." Thanks Papa Six and Nana Jessica!

Grandma Cathy and Papa Allen (Jeff's mom and step-dad) sent us this card last week after we told them we were having a boy! Thanks guys...I know you all are just as excited as we are!

The card on the left is from Jeff's grandmother, Lillian! She also sent this card last week when she found out we were expecting a little man! Thank you Lil!

And the beautiful card on the right is from my best friend Jamirae...we've been friends since 6th grade and needless to say, we've been through a lot together! I love you Jamirae...and thank you for the precious card! It's my first Mother's Day card!

The card and gift above are from friends who happen to also be our neighbors. Mark and Alice...I can't wait to make Baby S's hand-print! Thank you for thinking of us!

This last picture is of the shots I have taken since I found out I was pregnant...165 to be exact! Thankfully, I am half-way finished with them!
Only 138 more to go plus 6 weeks worth after Baby S is born! It's worth it though!

HAPPY BELATED 20 WEEKS TO ME AND BABY S!!!
BTW...he's been moving like crazy! I love it!

Warmest,