Guess what?!?!?!?!?!

Hey blogger world! It's been quite awhile since I updated and I have a good reason...we're pregnant!!!! We found out back in October and the nausea hit right at 5 weeks and has been going strong ever since!! Baby #2, Peanut, is due the day before Kenley's birthday! I had my second appt today and everything looks great so far. He/she was just a kicking and waving! The heartbeat was perfect coming in at 153.

Here's a little picture of our newest miracle

I could not be more thankful for this gift from God. He is too good to us to bless us with another precious baby. I can't wait for June to get here so we can meet him/her!!!!

Kenley's Baby Book

I'm starting the overwhelming task of creating Kenley's baby book...scrapbook style.  I'm a creative person...but NOT a decisive person.  Why I've decided to do this...I'm not sure.  I fear I will lose my mind in this process but I'm excited to create a custom and special book that she'll cherish.

So blog world...I NEED your help!!  There are too many options out there so you get to help me choose the fabric that I'll use for the cover.  Here are the first 4 designs I've worked up:

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

I'm still looking at fabrics, so there may some more options coming soon!

Some of God's greates gifts...

...are unanswered prayers. That has to be one of my favorite songs (Garth Brooks) because it's so true. It's so easy to sit here and pray for the things we want and the things we think we need. It's so easy to think things need to happen on our timeline and it's so easy to get upset when they don't.

Recently, my husband had an amazing job opportunity. It would have been a big jump in salary which would have been such a blessing...but it would have meant a good bit of travel. He didn't get the job and I'll admit, I was pretty upset with God about it. I didn't understand why He didn't allow my husband to get that job. (Talk about the wrong attitude. Who am I to question God's plan and His will???)

Over the past few weeks (I guess it's been longer than that...maybe almost 2 months) I've kinda gotten over it and just accepted it. I wasn't really 'at peace' with it but wasn't upset anymore. These past few days my husband has been sick...leaving me to care for Kenley, our 3 boys (the dogs) and him. May not sound like a lot...but it's been a tall order. It's been rainy so that means the boys get hyper and antsy...and with them ranging from 55lbs to over 100lbs...that's a lot of energy in a house with a toddler.

It finally hit me today...how in the world would I have handled him being gone 2-4 days a week??? How would I have done that with a second baby? (we're not pregnant...just thinking down the road) I'm sure I would have adjusted...but what a strain it could have put on our marriage and my relationship with Kenley. I felt so ashamed for questioning God and even worse for being angry with Him. He so knew that Jonathan didn't need to be traveling. He knew I needed him here.

So...even though I've known some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers, He showed me yet again how He is right and His timing is perfect. May not fit in with what I want...but it's what I need. I'm so glad He is so patient with me...it can't be an easy thing to do! Haha

Bittersweet night

Our church is rather large and so is our Sunday School class. So we break down into 'supper clubs.' About this time last year, our friend Ellen invited us to join the supper club group she was in. We were ecstatic b/c we weren't in a supper club group anymore.

So we started going and loved everyone instantly. We all decide to meet on Sunday evenings and that's how we've spent the past year. We've loved every minute and every couple. We're really blessed to have such a great group of Godly friends.

During the year we found out that our friends Ellen and Jeff were going to be moving to California for school. We all knew this was coming but it's one of those things that just doesn't seem real. Well tonight was our last supper club with them b/c they're heading to CA tomorrow.

Like I said, it just doesn't seem real. They welcomed their first baby (girl) back in the spring and I remember when I first heard that Ellen was pregnant, I was so excited that our kids would grow up together. Then when we found out she was having a girl I was really excited. It's hard to believe their little one will be 4 when they come back and Kenley will be in kindergarten.

They are such a great couple and we're going to miss them terribly. God has big plans for them, I know it. I just hope those plans are for them to come back and not stay away. :o)

So tonight was so much fun hanging out with everyone. There are 6 kids/babies in our group...all girls. When we all get together it's a little crazy but I love it! When it came time for Jeff & Ellen to head out, I really had to fight back the tears. I've had so many friends move away in the past 5 years...and I was so sad to say goodbye. So while tonight was great to fellowship with everyone...it was really hard giving those goodbye hugs.

If you don't mind, please keep Jeff and & Ellen in your prayers. Pray for Jeff and school. Pray for Ellen, I can't imagine what she's feeling moving across country away from friends and family with a new baby. Pray that they will be surrounded by friends in no time and God will just bless them and their time in CA. Also, selfishly...pray that they'll move back in 4 years!!

Ellen's invitation was such an answer to prayer and I don't know if she'll ever know just how much we appreciate it. We're going to miss them so much.

Anniversary recap!!

Oh my goodness we had a wonderful Anniversary...and for the first time ever, it was disaster free!!! WOO HOO!!!!

The day was just wonderful. We got up and made a delicious breakfast casserole...it's one of our FAVORITE dishes!!! Then Jonathan arranged for me to have a massage, it was a gift from my MIL from over a year ago and it was such a wonderful treat to FINALLY get my massage!!! He even arranged for Kenley to go to the drop in nursery at church! When we got home he told me to have Kenley packed and ready that afternoon and to pack for OVERNIGHT!!!!!! (Thank you Nana and Poppy!!!!)

So when it was time for our date night, he revealed the plan. Dinner at Zaxby's then dessert at the Melting Pot! Now I know some of you might be thinking "Zaxby's? Really? For your Anniversary dinner?" Yep. That's where we went and it was awesome. We love us some Zax's (plus it's really close to the Melthing Pot)!!!!

At the Melting Pot we ordered the dark chocolate dessert for 2 and oh my goodness it was wonderful!!!!! I told Jonathan that we need to start making chocolate fondue in between our trips b/c we sure do love it!!

Then we came home and watched a movie. It was such a great evening b/c we got to spend time together. We had so much fun!!

Here are a few pictures from the evening!


On our way to dinner & dessert! (don't worry, we were at a red light)


At the Melting Pot




4 years and counting!!!!!


Awwwwww ;p

It's our Anniversary!!!!!

Four years ago today I married the love of my life. I cannot believe it's been 4 years already. Time really does fly.

I'm so blessed that God brought my husband into my life. He is my best friend. He is truly an amazing husband and I could not imagine anyone else as the father of my child(ren).

We've been tested in our 4 years and like every marriage, have had to work hard at times. But isn't it so worth it?? Anything in life that is worth having, is worth working hard for. It's worth it b/c the good times so out way any bad that may come our way!!!

So much has happened in the past four years, we bought a house, adopted 3 dogs, traveled, started a business, had a baby...and so much more!! These past four years have been absolutely wonderful!!! A little crazy at times, but wonderful!!!

Here's a little wedding recap!!


Ok this one needs a caption...It is one of my favorite pictures ever. For some odd reason I thought I could steam my dress with my iron the day of the wedding. Obviously that won't work...so here I am ironing wrinkles out of my dress before the ceremony!











I do have a funny Anniversary story for ya. Every year on our Anniversary, something BAD happens.

Our 1st Anniversary - I had just lost my job

Our 2nd Anniversary - our AC went out the night before our Anniversary. We all (us and our 4 dogs) slept in the living room. We had EVERY fan that we owned going and it was still 95*. It was miserable. We ending up spening our Anniversary night at my inlaw's house.

Our 3rd Anniversary - our AC completely died, resulting in $6000 for a new AC and damages it did to the house. We had gone out to a very nice dinner at the Melting Pot...Kenley was with my inlaws and when we all got home, there was water on the upstairs baby gate. I immediately blamed the dogs but then logic set in and I noticed the water dripping from our soaked ceiling. It was an awful end to what had been a wonderful evening.

Our 4th Anniversary - so far so good! We still have AC which is more than I can say for the past 2 years!!

You know, even though our Anniversaries have had disaster strike...they all are great stories to tell and they still mark another year of our marriage. When we're 90 we can sit around and laugh about those first 3 years and how God got us through it!

We hope to celebrate our 5th Anniversary with a second honeymoon, heading back to one of the Sandals resorts in the Caribbean...maybe Jamaica?? We met a dear couple on our honeymoon that we still keep in touch with and we've always said we would all do our 5 year Anniversary together. I can't wait!!!! Although I am a little scared to travel if our Anniversary curse doesn't break this year! haha

Here are a few pictures from our past Anniversaries!!


1st Anniversary at Village Tavern


2nd Anniversary in front of the Bellagio - we got to go to Vegas for Photoshop World that year and it was about a month after our actual Anniversary...so for all you Friends fans out there...it was our AnniVEGASry!!!!!


3rd Anniversary - on our way to the Melting Pot! I could eat their chocolate fondue EVERYDAY!!!! (this is obviously before the AC died)


Here's Kenley on our 3rd Anniversary...this is after the AC went out and she looks absolutely thrilled!

My heart is hurting

My sweet Bailey has been gone now for a little more than 3 months. I still miss him so terribly much. There's really not much to say...just missing him lately.

Such is the life of a parent

For about a week and a half or so Kenley has decided to start waking up at 5:45 am. On the dot. Every morning. I'm so exhausted. By the time she takes her morning nap I either can't go back to sleep, or there's just too much to try and do while she's sleeping.

I know this comes with the territory of being a parent, so I can't really complain...but I'm so tired. I wish she'd go back to waking up at 7.

We're at the beach!!!!!

I'm sitting here typing this in Destin, FL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woo Hoo!!!!!!!!! I'll do a longer beach post but I just had to share this video from yesterday. It was Kenley's FIRST time to walk in the sand. She wasn't to sure about it at first but by the end of the day...she loved it!!!

Here she is later in the day playing in the sand!!

Wishlist Wednesday

So one of the blogs I follow has a "Wishlist Wednesday" and I thought I'd play along. If I had a genie or endless amounts of money...these are some things I'd love to get:




I so desperately want to build an arbor over our patio. I would love to hang twinkle lights from it and have a few potted plants to decorate. We would love to work on our backyard b/c it's a disaster (thanks dogs) and this would be so beautiful back there.




I really need some storage/organization in my office and I'd love to get something like this.





This is such a silly wish but I LOVE this place setting. I've been drooling over it for a couple of years now and I still adore it. Maybe Santa will bring it to me :o)




I LOVE this patio set. I'd love to get this for the backyard and sit and watch Kenley play.




This is the ultimate wish. I would LOVE to have this for Kenley (and future little Southerns) to play on. Maybe one day...


What are 5 things that are on your wishlist??

Wanna-be Chicken Pesto Pasta

So in my group of friends & Sunday School, there is a recipe that we all LOVE - chicken pesto pasta. Whenever someone has a baby, our friend A makes her chicken pesto pasta and it's FAMOUS!!! It's possibly one of the best things I've ever eaten...the problem is it's her secret recipe.

In our efforts to be able to recreate the chicken pesto pasta, a few of us have been trying out different recipes we've found online. I've found one that's really good...not quite as good as A's, but it'll do until we have baby #2!!

So here it is...the REALLY GOOD 'wanna-be CPP'

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Photo courtesy of http://www.thedeliciouslife.com/2005/06/pesto-control-grilled-chicken-pesto/

Ingredients

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 3 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (I don't add this to mine)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups heavy cream (we usually just use half & half)
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons basil pesto
• shredded parmesan cheese (to garnish)

Directions

1. Cook pasta according to package. Drain and set aside.
2. In large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter and the olive oil over medium heat.
3. Brown chicken breasts on both sides until nicely golden and cooked through, about 8-9 minutes each side. Remove from pan and cut into 1/2 pieces.
4. Pour out drippings from pan but don't wipe the pan out. In the same pan, melt 1/4 cup butter on medium heat. Add the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and dash of white pepper. Cook 5-6 minutes, stirring frequently. Slowly stir in the Parmesan cheese into a creamy mixture, stirring constantly. Stir in the pesto sauce and cook for about 5 minutes, until thickened. Stir in the chicken pieces for about 3 minutes.
5. Serve chicken and sauce over the hot noodles.
6. Garnish with parmesan cheese and fresh ground black pepper (optional).

Recipe courtesy of http://www.recipezaar.com/Creamy-Chicken-Pesto-Pasta-157610

Monday Memories

"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." Clairee Belcher, Steel Magnolias







Girl's Best Friend:

Fixin for Less - Pillow Project

Ok so just because we're in a recession does not mean you can't redecorate and make changes around you house...you just have to be smart and thrifty!!!

I'm hoping to do several of these "Fixing for less" as I try to do some updating around the house.

First start...the sofa throw pillows. We were given this sofa by some friends who were getting married and had a newer, better sofa. We gladly accepted their generous offer!!! The sofa came with 4 throw pillows and at the time, they were great.

After a couple of years and washes...they were faded and misshaped. I've been looking for MONTHS for new pillows and haven't found anything I A) love or B) want to spend the money on. The few that I have seen that are great prices are dry clean only. Um hello...I have a kid and 3 dogs. These is a washing machine house!

At a shopping trip to Hancock's recently I found a fabric remnant that I thought might work. Today I made the 2 pillows and stuffed them with the fluff from the old ones. This project cost me a whopping $4!!! You can't beat that!!!

The trick to fixin for less is reusing what you already have and shopping smart. I could have bought pillow inserts but I would have spent at least $35 just on the inserts. The old fluff worked just fine. I want to do some more and plan to look at yard sales for old pillows...the fabric may be old and ugly but the fluff is still good!!

Here's a couple of pictures of the pillow project:

Before...see how the corners are all bent and the fabric is faded. Plus My colors are changing from reds to blues. It was time for something new.


Here is it!!! I just LOVE this fabric!! The blue in the flowers matches the blue drapes perfectly!! I'm just so happy with how these turned out!!

Kenley's First Birthday Party (some pictures!!!!)

Kenley's birthday party was on June 13th. I'm a little late posting pictures b/c I'm still working on editing all the pictures...there are a lot and they're all so good!!! :o)

Some dear friends of ours took the pictures for us. They are professional photographers here in town and have captured every special moment in our lives since Jonathan and I got engaged. I cried the first time I started looking through the pictures because they did such an amazing job. They caught so many precious moments that I will remember and cherish forever...and Kenley will too!!! Also...just 2 days after Kenley's party...they welcomed their own precious angel to the world!!! Such a fun time!

So here are some of the pictures, I won't try to upload all of them...there's over 400!!! These are mostly just details of the lady bug theme. We call her our Doodle Bug so the ladybugs were fitting!


Here is her precious invitation! I bought the lady bug graphic on istockphoto and based the whole theme for the party around that. I LOOOOVE those lady bugs!!!


Family shot! Notice her ladybug dress!!


Like her bows?? I made those for her and I love how they turned outl!!


Playing on her new chair!!!


She's such a big girl!!


Her colors were pink and green


Her smash cake that I made...didn't turn out quite like I planned...there was drama getting the cakes done involving power outages and humidity and a time crunch...but they turned out beautifully!


I went to Party City to get a few balloons and saw this...I LOVED it and she get really excited when she saw it :o)


Her birthday banner that I made...notice the ladybugs on the ends :O)


I made several of these to decorate the room with


Party favors for the kids


pink and green plates and bowls


I designed and made these stickers for the grown up favors. I think they turned out so cute!!! The original plan was to make sugar cookies and decorate ladybugs on them but b/c of the cake fiasco mentioned earlier...we didn't have time. Family was stuffing these bags as guests were walking in!


Here is a picture of the sticker :o)


The fondant "Doodle Bugs" on top of her cake!! I think these guys turned out so cute!! It was my first time to work with fondant and it was so fun!!!


A fun shot of her amazing cake!!! I had to decorate with the fondant in quite a hurry. My mom and sister were rolling the balls while I was mixing colors and cutting stripes and circles!


Another shot of the cakes