I always feared my first sick day as a momma and I was worried that having a fall/winter baby would make things a little trickier. I really try and wash my hands as much as possible to keep the germs away and keep us healthy, but I didn't stand a chance with the constant change in temperature around here. One of the most annoying parts of a southern winter. Some days it feels like spring, some days it feels like winter. With Peter traveling for work I didn't even try and manage at home alone all weekend. Instead, I packed our bags and we went to stay with Gigi for Friday and Saturday night, so we both could be taken care of. 

The mug definitely fits, but it should say BEST MOM EVER. on the flip side! I have memories of being sick as a kid and in all of them, I remember my mom making me comfy on the couch with all I needed right by my side. It was kind of the same as an adult but she just did the diaper changes and late night walking with my little man. It was so nice to know that I could pass him over and let him be spoiled a little. It was definitely spoiling me! And on top of all the help, a delicious breakfast is always appreciated when you are sick!!

bacon, cheese grits, napping babies and hot coffee. 

What else could a sick momma ask for?!?

All you can do is wash your hands constantly, feed your baby as much as possible and pray that all those good antibodies are being passed to him so he won't get sick. I've noticed a slight runny nose and some crusties around his nose but since I'm feeling better already, I'm hoping he won't get sick. Like I said, not much I can do when he constantly wants to be held and loved on. But, I am so thankful for my mom and all the love she was able to give him while I was sick!

Look at that drool...... HA!

Sweet Bella loved the company also, she was just constantly confused at why she couldn't play with her new dog toys Solomon's toys!

We love you so much, Gigi!! thank you for taking care of us!

Taking Stock 008

Happy almost Thanksgiving people!!!

I thought it would be fun to share a Taking Stock post before the holiday season is in full swing because they are fun and I enjoy looking back at these!

Things are busy around here and we are gearing up for Turkey Day tomorrow & all the fun filled days that follow until New Years, so... here's how things are going lately.

Making // time to clean.... always cleaning
Cooking // mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving this year
Drinking // coffee, hubby makes the best coffee
Reading // my Christmas shopping list for the day after Thanksgiving
Wanting // to soak in every moment of this holiday season with our first baby
Looking // forward to meeting my latest nephew tomorrow
Wasting // groceries, fresh produce always goes bad before I can finish them
Wishing // i could sit and watch the parade tomorrow morning but we will be on the road
Enjoying // the voice a lot this season, so many amazing singers
Liking // the cold weather 
Wondering // which stretchy pants I will wear for tomorrows feast
Loving //  our family Christmas card this year
Hoping // for safe travels for this years thanksgiving
Marveling // about God becoming man for my sins, this season is so special
Needing //  to find the perfect stocking for Solomon, I think this one wins
Smelling // yummy fall candles
Wearing // comfy pjs and fuzzy slippers
Following // a schedule is not so easy these days
Noticing // how wrong I was with my motherhood plans, it's honestly pretty funny
Knowing // the days seem long but the weeks are short, so bittersweet
Thinking // that we will want to host Thanksgiving one year soon
Bookmarking // the crate & barrel catalog for Christmas decorating inspiration
Opening // the attic for Christmas decorations sooooo soon
Giggling // at the way Solomon talks back to Peter, it is so obvious he loves him so much
Feeling // thankful

Have a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend!!! 

these days.

Well, I'm officially a stay at home mom. My biggest dream is coming true, I honestly can't believe it sometimes. I am so thankful for the opportunity. Thankful for this blessing from God, and thankful for a husband that supports my decision, and thankful for the flexibility to be able to stay at home at all. Just a lot of thankfulness all around right now. 

I was 98% sure that I would love being at home and I'm happy to find that I was right. It definitely has its perks like Kelly and Michael making my mornings wonderful. But let's be honest, the constant snuggles and quiet times while Solomon is eating and we are learning each other, take the cake. 

Motherhood is a crazy thing. 

Crazy in how much my heart hurts when he cries or how big my heart can feel when he smiles at me. The crazy moments of victory and the super crazy low moments, because there are definitely low moments, trust me. So many friends told me that they couldn't stay at home because it was lonely and they had to get back to work for some time away. I understand that now... I never thought I would. I love every second of being at home with my baby but when the day turns to night and your husband is traveling for work and you are still alone, that is when I feel those feelings. 

I am thankful for visitors though. My mom coming over to give a hand and hold a baby, even when I call past midnight for help. Friends dropping off food and checking on us. Long hours of FaceTime with my sister in law as we both feed our baby boys. All those things are life savers and I'm so thankful for them. I am also thankful for a husband that works so hard, even when that means he has to work away from home. I know it isn't easy on either of us, but he does it with a happy heart.

In the hard moments like we had last night, I can't help but hear the sweetest lyrics in my head. The same lyrics that helped me push through labor. The same lyrics that I held Solomon in his nursery rocking in our chair, crying tears of joy during our first days at home, because he is mine. The lyrics that help me see the truth and feel God's arms holding me with love.

As I'm typing this I hear the truth in these lyrics. I hear the swing rocking my loud snoring child. I smell the fresh brewed coffee from this morning. The light is shining from the front of the house on this beautiful 70 degree, fall morning. I have all the feels today. The happy ones, the thankful ones, the tired ones (Lord, yes.) and the hopeful ones. Hopeful in the fact that this is a new day and we will conquer the unknown together. My baby and me.

on that cross of calvary

every burden has been defeated

every wretched heart redeemed

You drown our sins in seas of crimson

a sick baby and thankfulness.

As most of you have heard, we've been in the hospital for a little while with our baby boy. We are so thankful for all the love and concern and prayers that you have sent our way. I'm so happy that our happy and chill little man is back. 

I'm starting to realize that the "mother's intuition" is a real thing. I knew something was wrong on Sunday morning when he didn't want to swing while we ate our breakfast. That has become a part of our routine after he eats his breakfast and has his morning diaper change so it took me by surprise when I couldn't finish eating with Peter. The rest of the day was full of a fussy baby which is very uncommon. I wasn't sure if maybe his true personality was coming through or if something was wrong. I'm happy to say that our Solomon is back with us now and he is content again.

We still are unsure about what exactly happened. We decided to go to the hospital at midnight, early Monday Morning, because his fever reached 102. I was slightly freaking out and trying to stay calm but I knew something was wrong. When we got to the hospital they told us that they needed to do several tests because of his young age and the fact that his immune system was not strong yet. The next couple of hours was full of baby cries and some momma cries also. It was rough, but we got through it together as a family of three. 

This has been our first family crisis but I'm very thankful that it was short lived. Our best guess is a viral infection made him sick. All the tests (including the viral test) are coming back negative but there's no way to test every strain around. His fever is finally subsiding without the Tylenol and we are hopeful that it stays low during the night ahead.

During this hard couple of days I've learned a few things.... Solomon loves his daddy's voice and instantly feels settled when he is talking to him. The nurses and doctors here at the hospital are wonderful and yes, I think it is very ironic that we ended up in the hospital after all, even after the wonderful birthing center experience. This baby loves to be naked and really enjoys being wrapped up in a cozy blanket and nothing else. The amount of support that we have received from family, friends and even some strangers is the most comforting feeling I've ever felt. We are thankful for these things. God is good and we are so blessed with this little life he has given us.

the strange and the good.

One thing about pregnancy that I knew I would experience, but wasn't quite sure how it would go down, is the emotional side of everything. I tend to be an emotional person with most things already so I was wondering how that would change. Little things always get to me but now they REALLY get to me. I feel more passionate about certain things and while having discussions with Peter about them, I've always kept my cool. One of the many things that I've always been thankful for with our relationship is how we've always been able to TALK OUT anything. Just in the past few months I've been turning on the waterworks while talking so easily. Some big things, some little things (like what to eat for dinner or Peter correcting my driving skills – seriously!), so I'm never sure how things will go.

Here's a little story for ya…. just recently I had an overwhelming sense of thankfulness for that man of mine and I reached for my phone to send him a little "I love you, thank you for loving me, and thanks for being the father to our growing baby" kind of text, just because I felt I needed to. The night before, I had asked Peter to grab my vitamins and some OJ before we started The Walking Dead since he was in the kitchen and I was already on the couch. While he was getting all the vitamins together he mentioned that my prenatal vitamins were getting low and asked if we needed to get some more. I reminded him that we had them set up on auto ship from Amazon to save money and he said he'd check tomorrow and see when we should get them. Fast forward to the next morning, as I said, I was sitting at my desk and thought I'd send him that mushy, I'm an emotional pregnant women text, and when I grabbed my phone from my purse I saw I already had a text from Peter. He was just letting me know when we should receive the next bottle of prenatal vitamins and asked if we should move it up? Tears, guys… I had tears. In my head I was thinking, he remembered to check on my vitamins! I didn't even remember about my vitamins!!! He is so thoughtful! How did I find him, I am so blessed!!!

Oh man, some of the emotional side effects of this growing baby can be tough. I can sit on my bed and cry about my shoes all around my room instead of in my closet. Those things happen, but then the moments happen when I feel so thankful and grateful for this life that I get to live and the little life that we are creating. In awe of a God that created women to bring life into this world for His Kingdom and the privilege and honor that I feel that He has given me that task. It is good. it is strange and crazy at times but it is also sweet and so, so good.

Thankful.



God's grace

It honestly amazes me. I am so unworthy of His never ending love but he is constantly giving it to me. I feel that the Lord has been absent from my writing a lot lately and I hate that. I want His love and life to be in everything I share and say here. He is my heart and I want that to show with this blog. I want the happiness to be shining through Him and for the struggles to be secured by Him. I want everything I do to be connected to His love and His grace. I am so fortunate to know this overwhemling and peaceful type of love that our Father can only give. I'm so thankful for that every single day.

Peter

That man. He is a good one and I am constantly amazed at his goodness. No, he isn't perfect… there are flaws, but those aren't meant to be shared here. I am a firm believer that those negative things should stay within your home behind closed doors. Something for a husband and wife to work out together, alone. I'm not broadcasting our negative attributes as spouses here, but I do love to share the wonderful things about him because he deserves to be doted on.

He is easy. Easy to love, easy to like, and easy to be around. I recently had a conversation with one of Peter's friends that has known him for a VERY long time and he said some things that made me feel like a proud wife. He complimented him in ways only a true friend could. Said things that I know are true because I live with him. He is a GOOD person. Easy to love, easy to like, and easy to be around. I'm so thankful to have a husband that makes life easy in the best way possible, but not by giving me what I want, or telling me what I want to hear. He pushes me, he asks the hard questions, but he also makes it so easy to give everything I can back to him. That man. He is a good one and I am so thankful that he's mine.

the unknown

Life as a type A planner can be hard sometimes. I like to have everything neat and organized in my planner but I know that my plans only mean so much. I know that HIS plans are in control. My whole future has already been written, which is comforting. I truly am thankful for the unknown ahead of me. The questions aren't scary because I know who answers them. I know that I can only plan so much, so the unknown ahead is exciting.

family

Not only am I thankful for the family of two that we have created in this past year as husband and wife, but I am thankful for the combination of our families. I have loved gaining a second mother. I love having sisters now, and more brothers. It is so amazing to have over 30 something cousins now, when I only had two before I said I Do. Family is such a beautiful thing and the way that we can grow with two families becoming one is a true gift from the Lord.

my mom

And speaking of family… I honestly don't know what I would do without my Mom. I'm thankful that I never went through that normal phase in life when it was cool to hate my mom. She has always been my best friend. The one person who I could tell anything to. She loves me like no one else ever could, or ever will. It is a deeper kind of love that only a mother can know. I look forward to knowing that kind of love because she did it so well. With every year that I live, I am reminded that she will always be there. On my side, by my side and always there for me.
I'm also extremely thankful for the amount of love that she has for Peter. She loves him like a true son. She supports us and I know that she would do anything for him. That is such a wonderful blessing.

girlfriends

I was told that my friends will cut in half after becoming a wife but I am so happy that this has not proven to be true. I love the girlfriends that the Lord has blessed me with. I love that we share the same heart beat for His Kingdom and we can be transparent with each other. We can vent, share our dreams, share our fears, and openly share anything else because we know it is a safe place. I love doing life with the core set of women in my life.

Grace Church

Oh, our church and how we love it. We are always learning new things to apply in our life from the biblically orriented teaching. The community that we have created there in the past two years has been so wonderful and I miss the weeks that we don't meet for our bible study. And the sweet kids, the precious (and sometimes roudy) three year olds that we teach every other Sunday have blessed my heart so much. I went into the teaching with Peter thinking that it would help cure some of the baby fever but it has done the exact opposite. I can't wait to have babies and see how their hearts will grow because of the teaching our church gives. It is a beautiful thing!

my job

I've started to say this little quote when I talk about work... "I don't hate Monday mornings, but I really love Fridays", and I think that is a beautiful place to be. I spend more time at work than I do at home, so I'm glad I love it. I'm thankful for the impact that I make during the day and the people I have around me. I know that is a true gift!

this space

Over the past several years this blog has evolved. It has changed into some things I thought I wanted, and I've realized just recently that I don't have to try so hard. This place shouldn't feel like a second job. It is a safe place for me to share myself and if that means not posting 5 days in a row or even taking two weeks off, that is okay. I'm so thankful for a husband that keeps me in check when it comes to my blog, also. He reminds me that I shouldn't care about how many clicks I have in a day - but focus on showing His love, grace and His story within our life here. Everything is for His glory, and I'm so happy that He gave me Peter to help me remember that.

Happy Thanksgiving, loves!

Hope you are surrounded by loved ones and filled with His love today!!

...and need stretchy pants for all that food, of course ;)

{Photo above is property of Living on Cloud Nine blog, 

& artistic property of Red Apple Tree Photography}

Birthday Littles.

Since I took an unexpected hiatus from the blog world last week with all of the Birthday filled nights I thought I would jump back into things with some little moments that made turning 27 happy! I've always loved Birthdays and I really have loved each one even more than the last and that is something to be thankful for. Here are a few of the things that I loved about this one... 

a trip to Atlanta for the incredible Kings of Leon show. Enough said  // my mom's super yummy coconut cake that she somehow surprised me with again // ending the week with a little date night thanks to my sweet hubby // splurging on a LOT of food and thanking the pounds lost during that nasty flu // Having this handsome man be the first person to say Happy Birthday to me and then follow that up with a good morning kiss. Best gift ever. 

Turning 27.

You know how a lot of people like to ask you that question, where do you see yourself in ten years? I've never been a fan of that question to be honest. If someone would have asked me that ten years ago I'm sure my answer would be something like.... married with one or two kids. Funny how things worked out.

During the past ten years a lot has happened. I've learned that I need God more than anything else in this world. I met the three wonderful women that I call my best friends. I met the most amazing man I know and I even got to marry him! I found a church that teaches and equips my heart for Jesus and His kingdom. I became Auntie Cassie. I live in a house with my husband... and I have to clean it. Crazy things have happened the past ten years and they have turned out better than I could have imagined. Happiness is a word that I would use to describe my world and all of the things I mentioned above is the cause for this happy heart I have.

I'm so thankful for the past 27 years and I can't wait to see what the Lord has planned for this new year ahead of me. Regardless of the outcome I know that He is in control and has given me a man that will hold my hand and lead our life towards His will and that is the best gift I could ever receive.

**and thanks to my sweet brother-in-law and sister-in-law for the surprise cake yesterday!

Holiday Littles.

With the hustle and bustle of November and December I find myself with an urgency for the little things. I try and notice them more and take them in. Really appreciate them for what they are. How they can make me smile, laugh and feel so thankful it hurts sometimes. We are so blessed and I don't want to overlook the blessings we have. Here are a few of the moments that made me very happy during the end of 2013.

watching Peter and my brother wrestle with the kids in the family after Thanksgiving dinner at my Mom's house // sending out cute Christmas Thank You Notes to the guests that brought me a hostess gift at the Ornament Exchange Party this year // the confused look on Peter's face when he heard Santa coming into my Grandma's house // opening gifts with my mom and Peter at her house on Christmas night while sipping on wine by the fireplace, so cozy and perfect // having a girls card game on New Year Eve with my sisters and feeling so thankful to have three of them now! 

something great.

{picture taken by one of my "new" cousins //

edit by me using Over & A Beautiful Mess app}

During the end of the wedding planning process I would get this exciting, crazy feeling of anticipation in the pit of my stomach at a meeting or while completing something that needed to be done for the wedding day. I couldn't help it. I never worried about it because it wasn't a bad feeling... it was just a feeling of excitement that I couldn't contain. It was like my heart was so full of love and happiness that it couldn't contain the emotions so it would just flood over into other areas. Butterflies in my stomach, shaking hands, feeling the urge to jump up and down {like that time during our ceremony when Peter was about to kiss me... yes, i jumped up and down in my weding dress in front of everyone, I couldn't help it} or trying to conceal the smile across my face and looking like a complete weirdo... all of those things happened quite frequently and I welcomed them. I knew they were good. I knew those feelings were right. A good anticipation for something you've always wanted is a wonderful thing. 

As I woke up the morning of the wedding I had all those feelings. Heck, as I was trying to fall asleep the night before I had all those feelings. Knowing that when I fell asleep on my wedding night I would be with my husband made me want to run up and down the hall screaming "Woooooo-Hoooooooooooo!!!!". It's so exciting to start this new season of life enjoying new adventures and experiences with such an amazing person. Sitting here thinking about how all my future days will begin and end with him makes me beyond thankful. It makes my eyes well up with tears and my heart pound so loud I can almost hear it in my ears.

As I sit here & really think about it I can't help but pray. Pray to try my best to live out that quote every day. When I wake up I want to anticipate something great. Not something big every day but something great. I pray that our life together will be a happy one. Not perfect but that it will be filled with goodness. I pray to always strive to become a better wife for Peter and never grow tired of loving him and that he will lead our home toward God's will. I pray that our marriage will be working for the Kingdom and not for our selfish, worldly needs so that when people look at our relationship they will see Christ at the center of it. I pray that He will place people in our lives that will pour His goodness into our marriage and our life. I pray for our future family and that their hearts will grow to know the greatest love imaginable. And I pray for our safety in this life ahead and that all of the great blessings we receive will always be accepted and acknowledged as a gift from our great Lord above because He is the greatest blessing of all.

So that is my little "jump back into the blog world" kind of post as a wife. It's been a pretty sweet life of wifey-hood so far and you can bet I have some little posts ahead about our time in California. It really was amazing and I'm so happy I married my best friend. It does make this wife thing a lot more fun, that's for sure! And I'll stop saying wife now... sorry, I'm excited about it. ;-)

Some quality time with the lady I call Mom.

We have always enjoyed our Mom/Daughter date nights and thanks to a Living Social that was almost expired we gladly enjoyed a little Mom/Daughter time a few nights ago. Salad bar, baked potato, sharing a HUGE pork tenderloin and a carraf of wine while talking about the next couple of weeks. Talking about the excitement, the changes, the unknown... the wedding day, the honeymoon, my first Christmas as a wife. All of those things are so exciting and I'm so thankful that my mom is excited for me too!

She's kind of amazing. I will miss our nightly talks on the couch and our relaxing weekend mornings and riding to church together on Sundays. I'll even miss her yelling "You better get up! Have a good day, I love you" every morning as she leaves for work. The last 26 years of my life have been happy and a lot of that is because of her. She loves hard and that is a wonderful thing! It's been a good run, Mom. ;) I love you!

Bachelorette Weekend // Part Two

I had every intention on finishing the posts from my fun weekend in Beaufort last week but that just did not work out. Life definitely got in the way... the normal wedding, house and work business with a little car trouble thrown in for a twist but all is good now. Yes, I am exhausted and very ready for October but I'm trying to soak in every moment. 

On to the the Bach fun... after the fun nights in the house on Thursday and Friday we decided to venture out to the little downtown Beaufort area. I had been dreaming of cute little antique shops and all my dreams came true thanks to all the adorable stores on Bay Street. I got some amazing deals on a few awesome pieces for the future home and I can't wait to use them and remember my fun weekend. After all the shopping we all dressed up for the night out. It was such a blast! From the delicious dinner to the tasty drinks everything was absolutely perfect. 

^^^ of course we started the day right with cinnamon rolls!  

^^^ this place was so adorable and the owner was precious! 

^^^ love them so much!

^^^ super sassy and beautiful friends!!! 

^^^ the MOH made the most beautiful sash and the crown is very special to us since Katie and Jocie wore it before me! 

^^^ a toast to a great night!! 

^^^ My bridesmaids and best friends!! 

^^^ she's gorgeous. and I love her. 

^^^ a little margarita thanks to Katie!

^^^ lemon drops. Mmmmm! 

^^^ in honor of my future husband, the "Peter Dance." 

Mainly when you move your body back and forth with your hands out in front of you. 

I seriously can't believe how blessed I am for all of these women! They are so fun and loving and I know that my bachelorette weekend wouldn't have been the same if any of them were missing. It is very rare to put a group of 15 ladies in one house for a whole weekend and not have any drama but I guess it can happen when you surround yourself with awesome people so what I'm trying to say is, you all are awesome and I love you so stinkin' much!!!!!