So this is love...

Great is Thy Faithfulness

2011-11-23T23:58:00.000-05:00

Usually on Thanksgiving Eve I post my thank you list. Well, this year is a bit different. Sure I could sit here and list out several things or people I'm thankful for this year (and if you're a facebook friend, you've seen my daily "Today I'm thankful for..." posts) but this year I'm basically thankful for one all-encompassing thing: God's faithfulness.

It was a little over a year ago when I started Beth Moore's study on Esther - and if you haven't done this study yet, PLEASE DO! It remains my all-time favorite of hers. Anyways, I remember watching Beth speak in one of her videos and feeling envious of how close she seems to God. Not that God is closer to some than he is others - the bible says he doesn't play favorites - but I believe Beth has asked God to be her everything, to walk so closely with her that without prayer, without the Word, her life would turn upside down. And I wanted that kind of relationship with God. I remember asking God to draw me so near to him that I could see him at work in my life, for real.

Let me tell you. He answered. Time and time again I've seen his hand at work. But it hasn't always been the way I thought he'd answer.

Its no secret that I'm a stay-at-home-mom. I love that I get to be home with our kids every day. But there are days I really wish I was the one getting up, going out into the world of adults with grown-up conversations and lunch dates and coming home to dinner and laundry done. (In Drew's defense, this totally happens on the semi-rare occasion I'm gone while he's home with the kids.) And I definitely wish I was getting a pay check when it comes time to review the good ol' budget. Finances have not been as great this year yet we continue to trust God with them by being faithful in our tithes and offerings. And time and time again God has met our every need. Not that checks have magically appeared in the mail (although that has happened before) He answered that prayer in other ways. When we were preparing for Anniston's arrival there was a "Mommy/Annie Wish List" posted on our fridge of items I just wanted to have before she was born. Things like some nursing tanks, a new breast pump, a moby wrap, new burp cloths, long-sleeve onesies, etc. God provided all of those things through random donations of many different people. A friend at church loaned me her pump, another friend loaned me some nursing tanks without even knowing I needed them, my sister-in-law was given a wrap she didn't plan on using and graciously gave it to me. My friends threw a surprise shower for me and had managed to sneak a peek at that list and got most of the items on it in addition to a huge diaper cake, some wipes and other necessities for our baby girl. Because of those donations we were able to still meet our needs financially - because we weren't spending money on those items - and I still got to have some wants too. "He will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches..."

As you all know Anniston's birth did not come as routinely as we expected. And while I was in the hospital being monitored for my blood pressure I kept praying that God would keep her healthy and that she would do well in the delivery. He did answer my prayer, but it wasn't an "As you wish my child". She didn't do so hot, to be honest. All the nurses kept referring to her as "really sick" - which I hated - but at the time she was the baby who needed the most help in the special care nursery. But that doesn't mean God wasn't faithful. HELLO?! He made sure the hospital I delivered in, the hospital on the south side that had NO previous nicu capabilities at all, got a ventilator a mere 6 days before our baby was born because He knew she would need it. He arranged for Christ-following doctors to be the ones on call to take care of her during those first critical hours of her life, who made the decision to give her the surfactant and played a huge role in turning her breathing around. He was with her. He was with me. I knew people were praying for her and I knew they were praying for me because quite frankly, I wasn't freaking out. "Everyday Bethany" would have been freaking out in that situation. True story. I'm a worrier, I get it honestly and while I pray against it daily... it happens. But I physically felt those prayers while Annie was in the hospital and I was sending out specific prayer requests and one by one those were answered. God's glory was all over that Special Care Nursery. He is faithful.

Right after Annie came home I struggled a lot with some baby blues. I was hormonal, thats a given, but I was also dealing with grief over not having the birth experience I was prepared for and struggling to adjust to life with 3 kids. I was praying against post-partum depression and had a few of my closest friends praying with me. And each day got better but in the midst of this was my first MOPS meeting since Annie had been born. I had every excuse already to go as to why I wasn't going. First of all, it starts at 9am. To most of you, thats not a problem but since my kids don't wake up till 9 and I was just up at 6 with Anniston I was determined just to go back to sleep. But something told me to get my silly butt up and go. The speaker that day spoke right to my heart. Right now I can't even tell you what it was she said specifically but I just felt God speaking to me. And to think I almost missed out on it because I wanted to sleep! He's done that several times over the last few months.

I could go on and on but the bottom line is this. God is near. He's so near that He knows your every thought, He sees your fear, your worry, your tears. He is faithful. And when I say that I don't mean "He is faithful to make everything turn out the way you want it." What I mean is that He is faithful to show you His glory in the midst of those trials and will bring you safely to the other side. There may be heartache - but He will heal that broken heart and make you whole. There may be suffering - but He will be your strength.

I'm so thankful that as I look back on the last year I see God's hand all over our lives. In the big things, in the teeny tiny little mundane details of my everyday life. He is there. And He is faithful.

Anniston's birth story, Part 1

2011-11-17T00:05:00.000-05:00

Last summer after hearing about some scary discoveries in a friend's delivery, another friend emailed me to let me know she would be praying for our baby and me through the duration of my pregnancy and that she hoped those stories hadn't frightened me. She assured me that God had already written our baby's birth story and it would be unique to her. Was she ever right...

On Thursday, September 15th I went to the doctor for my 35 week visit. Everything was fine...initially. My blood pressure was a bit high but the nurse thought it could be that she just didn't get the cuff tight enough or something so she was going to have the doctor take it himself. Long story short, not only had I started dilating but my blood pressure was slightly elevated and there was protein in my urine indicating possible pre-eclampsia. After some lab work on Friday, I saw the doctor the following Monday where he confirmed that I did have pre-eclampsia, put me on bed rest and moved our c-section up 3 weeks to the following Monday, September 26th. Drew and I were in a bit of shock! In our previous pregnancies we had never had any complications, Cash & Corrinne were both born full term: just one day shy of 40 weeks (Cash) and 39 weeks exactly (Corrinne).

Tuesday morning (the 16th) I woke up with constant lower back pain and dull cramping in my lower abdomen. After having a nagging feeling about it all morning I decided to call the nurse just to let her know since my doctor had encouraged me to call if anything changed at all. The nurse told me to go into the hospital to be checked since my doctor didn't want me to go into labor with the pre-eclampsia. Turns out I wasn't dilating, but my blood pressure was high enough that he wanted to keep me overnight to monitor it and do another 24 hour urine catch to check my protein levels. The next afternoon (Wed. 9/21), just as I was about to be discharged - on strict bedrest with a brand new c-section date of Sunday, September 25th, (instead of Monday) my nurse decided to check my blood pressure one more time. Sure enough, it had spiked and I wasn't feeling so great. So guess who wasn't going home?! Me.

I'm going to stop right here just to let you know how obvious it is to me that God was orchestrating this all along. So many opportunities for me to be sent home, or for me to have ignored some symptoms that could have drastically changed the outcome of our story. I'm so grateful to my doctor for having Godly wisdom (he loves the Lord -- woo hoo!) and to the Lord for being so sovereign even when I was desperately wanting to sleep in my own bed and may or may not have been a bit grouchy with my nurse when I was told I couldn't shower that second night because of my high blood pressure. ;)

Ok, back on track. Thursday I fully expected to be sent home. My blood pressure had been down all night and nothing was really happening... until about 1:00 pm. My doctor was set to do rounds at "lunch time" which apparently is anywhere between noon and 4:00 in OB time. Around 1:00 I randomly started contracting every 5-7 minutes for a good hour just before my doctor came in and sure enough, I had started dilating! Not only that but the protein levels in my urine had risen and while my blood pressure hadn't gone up, it hadn't really gone down either. So Dr. S. made the executive decision to go ahead and do the c-section, at 36 wks 4 days. (The goal all along had been to get the baby to 37 weeks).

I was a nervous wreck but everyone kept reassuring me that the baby would be fine, she hadn't shown any signs of distress throughout the whole hospital stay and was moving just as she should have been, etc. The only thing that didn't look good (and worried me to no end) was my placenta. The ultrasound tech had noticed some "old spots" that were probably linked to the pre-eclampsia. Knowing the placenta is the baby's source of nutrients, I didn't like that very much.

After about an hour, I found myself in the Operating Room, numb from the belly down and waiting to meet my second daughter. After 15 minutes the felt like an eternity, I saw this beauty:

Annie started out really well! Her apgars were 8 and 9 and she was screaming! Girl's got some lungs! But after a few minutes the respiratory therapists noticed she was grunting a lot and breathing really fast. Way too fast, actually. They suspected she had some fluid in her lungs - not uncommon for a c-section baby and especially one born "pre-term". They told Drew they would be taking her into the nursery to do some x-rays to get a better look at her lungs, which is apparently protocol for preemies.

Being naive (or hopeful) I didn't expect Annie to be gone long. I thought they'd take her in, do the xrays, get her breathing slowed down and bring her back to us in our room. Well. Thats not exactly how it happened. Anniston needed a lot of help. She was breathing incredibly fast and couldn't calm down enough to slow it down. About an hour after my surgery the pediatrician came in to tell us she would be put on a CPap machine to help her breathe so she could stop breathing so quickly. And the good news - everything else looked great! She just needed help breathing essentially.

A few hours later, Dr. K came back in and told us the CPap wasn't really working so well and she really felt like Anniston needed a break so she wanted to put her on the ventilator - the ventilator that wasn't even available at this hospital until just 6 days prior to Annie's birth. Thank you, God, for providing before we even knew we needed it. If she needed to stay on the vent longer than 24 hrs, she would have to be transferred to another hospital nearby that has a higher level NICU. She also wanted to give Annie a dose of Surfactant - a synthetic form of the enzyme already in our lungs to keep the tiny air sacs open. She really felt like this would allow her to slow her breathing down so she didn't tire out and just stop trying to breathe altogether. This was when I realized she wouldn't be wheeled into our room anytime soon...

I immediately sent an email out to our church's prayer list asking for specific prayer that she would slow her breathing and not need to ventilator longer than 24 hrs. I couldn't bear the thought of sending my baby to a hospital and being separated from her.

I finally got to see Anniston at 5:30 the next morning. She was just as gorgeous as I had suspected! The tubes and ventilator didn't seem to phase me at the time. I was just in love. Looking back at those pictures now is rough. But we're so thankful we're beyond that.

At noon, the director of the special care nursery came in to tell us Annie was a rock star and came off the ventilator. Her breathing had slowed down dramatically thanks to the surfactant and she was just on a nasal canula and she didn't expect her to be on that very long -- not even until the end of her shift that afternoon! Thank you, church family, for praying. It works!

This picture is from 5:30 that evening, right before I held her for the first time. Her vent had come out - she just had a nasal canula running a constant flow of room air. Girlfriend was breathing on her own less than 24 hours later! Thank you, Lord, for providing doctors that were quick to act according to what was in the best interest of our baby.

Even 24 hrs later, there is nothing like holding your baby for the first time. Instant love!

See that bald spot on the side of her head? Yep, she rubbed that off in my belly! She was constantly hitting my hip bone on the right side and when I asked the nurses about her bald spot they said she must have been born with it and explained that sometimes babies rub hair off in the womb! Crazy!!!

Annie got a few feedings from her feeding tube that day (Friday) but that evening we got to try nursing, she was awesome! The doctors just kept marveling at how great she was doing and how quickly she turned around. We gave God the glory and continue to do so!

Unfortunately Annie didn't get to come home with us. On Sunday evening, I had to say goodbye to her and cried the entire walk out of the hospital. It felt so weird to leave without my baby. While I hated not having her in my hospital room while we there, I was just down the hall. I could go see her anytime I wanted, and I did. How was I going to balance being with Cash & Corrinne, who hadn't had their mom home in 5 days, and being with my newborn who I desperately wanted to bond with and care for? HOW?! It is so true when they say God's grace is sufficient. He gives you the grace and strength specific to your need. I don't know how we made it through that week without Annie home with us, but we did. And my only answer is that God was getting us through it. I knew she was being cared for and loved on... not in the "best way" because thats only by Drew and me. ;) But I felt confident those nurses love their job and truly love those babies. And that was so encouraging to me.

Monday night, Drew and I got to give Anniston her first real bath. She was tube-free -- except for that darn feeding tube which she pulled out at least 5 times a day!

Tuesday morning she got rid of her feeding tube and was on bottles (of expressed breastmilk) and nursing as often as I could get up to the hospital for feedings. Thank you, Lord, for awesome friends and family who volunteered to watch Cash & Coco for us so we could be at the hospital several times a day.

Such a pretty girl. :)

Please Welcome...

2011-10-24T14:31:00.000-04:00

Anniston Kate

September 22, 2011 5:30 P.M.

6 pounds, 18 1/4 inches long

I am so embarassed that its taken me so long to post about Annie (I promise, Annie, it has no reflection on how loved you are by your mommy!), but life with 3 kids is pretty busy!!! I am working on a post about her birth story because it is a doozy!

In meantime just know that I'm still here - most likely nursing, changing a diaper, doing laundry (she's a spitter!), and/or cooking and cleaning up a meal - all the while loving on our sweet family and thanking God for His faithfulness and sovereignty.

Family Photos

2011-09-08T09:21:00.000-04:00

About a month ago, one of my good friends who happens to also be a fantastic photographer (along with full time nurse, wife, and mom. I know, she needs a cape.) came over one morning and took photos of our little family straight out of bed. Well... I may have put on a bit of bronzer and mascara.... and brushed my teeth and did my hair... but everyone else was fresh out of bed. ;) Sarah had the idea to do a lifestyle shoot - she just basically followed us around and took pictures of us being "us". It was one of the most relaxed photo sessions we've been a part of and the result was awesome! So awesome in fact that a big time photographer all the way out in Vegas noticed and featured the shoot on her blog, Evoking You.

I'm so thankful to have Sarah as my friend, for so many reasons that have nothing to do with photography or blogs, but especially for the gift she gave us in photographs that will be memories held dear to my heart for years to come. (Namely the photos of Cash snuggling his blankie, Corrinne's sleepy eyes with her paci, and the kids snuggling my growing belly.)

You can check out the photos along with some more of Sarah's work here.

Thank you, again, Sarah! We love you and are so proud of you!!!

PS. Be watching for Baby H's newborn photos here in about 6 weeks. AHHHH!!

Its POTTY time!

2011-08-12T14:59:00.000-04:00

Oh my Heavens.

Yes, that is a phrase that I've recently been using... several times a day, actually. And yes, I am really only 28 and not 78, as one would assume if they had just overheard that phrase come out of my mouth. Nonetheless, its become a favorite of mine for reasons even I am unaware of.

It beats some alternatives, I suppose.

Anyways, folks. We have survived! I know there have got to be some fellow moms out there that have laid down at night after an extra long day, or after returning home from a vacation with little children, or after a shopping trip alone with your kids, etc etc, and thought that exact phrase to themselves. Its really all about the little victories, if you ask me. And right now, I'm doing our victory dance because...

Cash is potty-trained!
(picture me raisin' the roof!)

I'm not kidding when I say that this is one area of parenting I've literally been dreading since the day we had Cash. For some reason it just seemed like a very intimidating, daunting task that not only comes with frustration but messes to clean up! And more laundry to do. I mean, how do you really teach someone not to pee or poop whenever they want when thats all they've been doing for the first 2-3 years of their life? This explains why we waited much longer than other parents we know to try to potty-train Cash.

I had heard that if you try to push your child before he or she is ready, you're just asking for frustration and months and months of accidents. So we waited. We talked about the potty, we even bought a potty chair. But he just wasn't interested. So we waited some more.

Finally when he turned 3 we bought him some big boy underwear. He was all about wearing them, just not interested in pottying in the potty chair. At all. At that point I realized that just 4 short weeks after his 3rd birthday we were going to be driving 14 hrs for vacation and the thought of having to stop all the time to let him potty, and having it all thrown off by a different routine, location, etc was less and less appealing than just buying diapers for a few more weeks. So we settled on the idea of hunkering down and potty-training hardcore once we were home.

I'm so proud to tell you this boy was potty-trained in a matter of one week. The first few days were not fun and thats mostly my fault. I will be the first to admit I didn't do a ton of research on the different 'methods' of PT'ing. So I sat that kid on the potty every 20 minutes one day and sat in the bathroom reading books and singing songs to him with little success. Pretty dang exciting! After the second day of that we were both over it so I decided to just lay low and let him be the one to do it. Day 3 he actually pee'ed on the potty and from then on it was cake! Each day got a little better and by Day 6, boyfriend was wearing underwear all day long and keepin' them dry. (We realized that when he had a pull-up on he would just go in it. Underwear he would keep dry. In case you're in the throws of potty-training. Give it a whirl!)

We made him a chart and 7 days later, after staying dry all day he got to go buy some brand new underwear! He chose Thomas the Train undies and has been mighty proud of those things ever since. He even dropped trou' in the middle of Coco's 2 year Well Baby Visit to show his pediatrician what a big boy he is. Ha!

I realize every kid is different and we still have at least 2 more to potty-train. But at least I know its an attainable goal now. ;)

Way to go, Cashers! Mommy & Daddy are so proud of you!!!

Happy Birthday, Corrinne!

2011-08-04T22:02:00.000-04:00

Corrinne & Mimi Ellen, the two August 4th birthday girls. :)

Dear Corrinne,

Today you are two years old! It doesn't seem possible that two years have passed since you came into our lives, yet we can't imagine life without you. You have grown so much over the last 12 months... most obviously is your hair! You should be so thankful that you no longer are sporting a mullet but usually have your hair in pigtails or a cute pony-tail (Daddy's favorite).

You are very spunky; always dancing, singing, joking around and giggling up a storm! My favorite phrases that you use all the time are: "No way!", "Look, Mom! Over dere!", "Dere's the hopsissal. Where babies are born...", "S'ok, Mom. I wuv you." , and "I want hamburger-burger".

You can usually find you with at least one purse on your arm, a pair of my shoes on, and a baby doll in your arms. You love "dip doss" (lip gloss) and love to sing! I'm pretty sure we're going to be attending a few show choir shows when you're in high school.

You have the sweetest heart and such determination, your daddy and I are praying you use that to bring others to Christ. One thing is for sure, God's got a plan for your life, sweet girl. And I'm loving getting a front row seat at watching that unfold.

Enjoy being two, my big girl! I love being your mommy!

You Wouldn't Cry For Me

2011-07-24T22:49:00.000-04:00

I've been thinking a lot about our baby in heaven the last few days. Tomorrow would have been my due date. Its crazy to think that so much time has already passed since we lost that baby, and yet I don't know that a day has gone by when I haven't thought of him or her.

Sometimes I wonder if its silly that I've mourned that loss so much. I wasn't very far along and know several women who have experienced a loss much greater than mine - have gotten farther along only to find out their baby had died. Mothers who have made it even to weeks within their due date to be told they would have to deliver a lifeless baby.

But in the very short amount of time that I knew about that baby, I had rearranged our lives to add him or her. I had figured out how old the baby would have been by Christmas, had started thinking about how old my kids would be when he or she was born. That baby was already a part of our lives, in my mind.

This evening I was reminded of a song Mandisa sang at Women of Faith last year. She told a story of a young woman at one of her concerts who was very pregnant with her first baby, a boy to be named Andrew, and when Mandisa met her she laid her hands on her belly and prayed a blessing over Andrew's life. A few weeks later she got a letter stating that Andrew didn't make it to his due date and instead of being welcomed into this world, he had been welcomed into heaven. Mandisa wrote a song for Andrew called You Wouldn't Cry and sang it for us last summer. Its beautiful and encouraging and heart-warming for anyone that has lost someone they love.

When I think of my baby in heaven, playing with other little babies, singing with the angels, and sitting on Jesus' lap. How in the world could I not be at peace? I grieve the loss of getting to know that baby, of getting to feel him or her kick and move inside me, getting to see it's face, kiss it's cheeks. But there will come a day when I get to spend eternity getting to know him or her. And thats the greatest reassurance anyone could ever have.

Beautiful For Me

2011-07-18T20:11:00.000-04:00

I remember the day we found out we were expecting Corrinne, as in the day we found out we were having a girl. I was thrilled! Over the moon, ecstatic. For a long time I had felt totally fine with the prospect of never having kids (I know, must have been in my weird independent late teen/early 20's years), then I went on to feel ok with never having a daughter. Only having sons.

After I had Cash I knew I did really want a daughter. Not because I didn't enjoy having a son. I love having a little boy. He is my sweetheart, my cuddler, my protector (already!), my little buddy, my mini-Drew. It was just this feeling that, "OK. I have my son. Now I want a girl."

Much to our surprise, we got one! Just a mere 15 months after having our son. The day of our ultrasound, I just felt confirmation of what I had already suspected - that we would be welcoming a little girl into our family. After the visions of hair bows, dresses, tights, and huge flowers on headbands dissipated I started remembering my "awkward phase", also known as Junior High. Then I remembered all those arguments with my mom where I vowed never to be like her and promised to move out the minute I turned 18. And then I got scared. I probably thought something along the lines of "Aw, crap".

I didn't want Corrinne to feel that way about me - that I had no clue what she was going through, that I am only out to keep her from having fun. And more importantly I didn't want her to struggle with the insecurities I dealt with, and still deal with from time to time.

Then came all the thoughts about boys and dating and keeping herself pure until she's married. Making sure she knows how precious the gift of her heart is, how treasured she is, how loved she is by Drew and me and mostly by her heavenly Father.

Of course, now I know my mom was only looking out for me, I do not hate her, I didn't move out until I was 21... but thats neither here nor there. The bottom line is, I have more anxiety over raising daughters than I do sons. Why? Probably because I know what its like to grow up as a girl. I know what its like to be teased for my glasses, or lack of a chest, or skinny legs. I know the pain of a broken heart and longing to fit in.

Corrinne received a Veggie Tales DVD last Christmas, SweetPea Beauty. Its a very cute story that highlights the importance of keeping your heart beautiful instead of focusing on your outward appearance and that God created us beautiful just the way we are. The kids watched it on our 14 hr. trip to North Carolina and back (among about 12 other movies) and are hooked. During the closing credits a Nichole Nordeman song plays called, "Beautiful For Me". I was folding laundry one morning as the song was playing watching Corrinne twirl and sing when the lyrics caught my attention:

"Has anybody told you you're beautiful?

You might agree if you could see what I see.

Everything about you is incredible,

you should have seen me smile the day that I made you

beautiful... for me"

Its basically a love note from God written to my precious little girl! I teared up listening to those words because even at 28 years old I needed to be reminded of those words as well. I've been praying for Corrinne's heart since she was born but lately I've made it a point to pray that she would always know how beautiful she is... inside and out. And that she would find her value in her relationship with Christ and know who she is as a daughter of the Most High God.

Subtle Reminders

2011-07-12T15:17:00.000-04:00

As I was sitting, indian-style, on the floor of our tiniest bathroom (the only one located on the first floor of our house, the half-bath) between two toddlers: the biggest on the toilet and the smallest on the potty chair for the 18th time yesterday, I began to wonder what my life had become.

Is this really it? Is this why God put me on this Earth?

When Cash was born I honestly felt like I had finally figured out what I was called to be in this life: a mom. I loved everything about motherhood. (Keep in mind this was in the very early stages of motherhood where all your baby does is eat, sleep, and poop.) I still love being a mom, maybe not every single aspect of it. But most of them.

I love that I'm the first person each of my kids wants when he or she gets hurt or scared. I love how Corrinne whispered, "I safe" when I picked her up once after the sound of our (incredibly loud) garage door startled her. I love when my kids randomly climb up onto my lap, just to be next to me, during the day. I love the way Cash says, "thank you, Mommy!" after I've cooked dinner for us. I love watching my kids learn, explore, laugh, and be silly together. I love seeing bits and pieces of my husband and me in our kids' appearance and personalities.

But as I sat there yesterday with dishes on the counter, laundry piling up in my room and kids whining for food every 30 minutes I thought, how boring. How lame! All I'm going to do today is clean up the kitchen 5 times, change a bajillion diapers, sit Cash on the potty every 20 minutes in hopes that he'll figure out potty training SOON, cook dinner, clean up dinner, do some laundry, fold the laundry, intend to put the laundry away (somehow that one always escapes me for a few days). And then get up and do it all over again tomorrow. seriously?

Thankfully with the new day came new perspective. Yes, I'm still doing laundry today and have cleaned up the kitchen twice already. I'm still in the throws of potty training my very stubborn 3 year old with minor success. I haven't showered, my bathrooms need cleaned, and my husband won't be home until long after the kiddies are in bed tonight.

HOWEVER...

I was able to help out a friend who needed someone to watch her little boys (who happen to be my kids' best friends) and hosted a play date with one of my other besties and her little girl. I laughed at Cash's made-up pee pee cheers and Corrinne's killer dance moves (that she obviously got from her momma!). I did brush my teeth and put some makeup on, so I'm not a total embarrassment to be seen with. I played dress up with Corrinne and spoke encouraging words into my son's heart ensuring him that even though things may seem too hard to do now, I know he can do it.

There will be a day when no one needs help with sippy cups or dress up clothes. I'm pretty much banking on the fact that Cash won't always wear diapers, so someday I won't be potty training anyone. I won't be changing diapers, and praise the LORD someday... my kids will be doing their OWN laundry and emptying the dishwasher!

But today is not that day. And for now, I'm more than ok with that...

Oh, Atlantic Beach! We're coming!!!

2011-06-20T16:02:00.000-04:00

This time next week, this will be my view. To say I'm excited would be the understatement of the century. I'm looking forward to spending a week with my entire family (minus a sister and her hubby), making memories with our littles and my love, and soaking in the sun....

How Sweet It Is

2011-05-31T14:44:00.001-04:00

I awoke yesterday morning to the sound of birds chirping outside my window, sunlight streaming in as the curtains billowed in the gentle breeze from our ceiling fan. I rolled over and watched my handsome husband breathe deeply as he slept, greeted by the tiny kicks from our littlest baby within. It was as if the angels were singing overhead...

...and without skipping a beat my 3 year old burst through our bedroom door, bouncing it off the wall behind him, and proudly exclaimed, "Mom! There's poop on my buns!"

There it is. Real life.

Almost halfway there...

2011-05-22T15:57:00.001-04:00

This is seriously a HORRIBLE picture of me. Just focus on the bump, ok?

How Far Along: 19 weeks

Size of baby: 10 inches long now, since the baby is now measured head to toe, instead of crown to rump. Also comparable to the size of a mango.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I am officially up one pound! Which means, if this pregnancy is anything like the last 2, I'll be packing on about 40 lbs here in the next 20 weeks...

Maternity Clothes: Some pants/capris. I can still get by with some non-maternity shirts and pants (using the rubber band trick) but since my sister loaned me some super cute, flattering GAP maternity jeans I've been utilizing them. :)

Gender: Its a SURPRISE! :) The ultrasound is scheduled for June 1st and while I'm tempted to find out, Drew is holding strong to his desire to be surprised. We'll see what happens on the 1st... ;)

Movement: YES! And I love it. :)

Sleep: Sleeping great! And even though my kids sleep consistently until 8, I am wide awake at 7 EVERY morning... can't figure it out.

What I miss: This is probably going to make some of you gasp, but I'd really love a nice chilled glass of Moscato right now. I'm not even a huge wine person and hardly ever drink but for some reason when I'm pregnant I crave wine and margaritas.... Crazy! Don't worry, I'm not giving in. ;)

Cravings: Nestle Crunch bars, turkey subs (thanks to some inspiration from my girl, Dena, we've been making some delicious homemade subs that can put any Subway sandwich to shame), mexican food even though I feel horrible for hours afterwards, and spicy foods -- jalepeno peppers, spicy brown mustard, banana peppers, etc.

Three

2011-05-11T21:31:00.000-04:00

Dear Cash,

Today you are three years old! You have been talking about your birthday and presents and being "fwee" for a long time now and you absolutely LOVED your birthday. It was so much fun to watch you lead us in the Happy Birthday song about 15 times today, especially at your birthday dinner tonight with Nana & Pops and Mimi & Papaw.

You have grown up so much over the last year. You've graduated from speech therapy, are so much more outgoing, and your imagination is through the roof! You are 100% boy, and I love it!! But you also have such a sweet, tender side especially when someone gets hurt or is upset. You are quick to hug them or ask them what's wrong. You inherited your daddy's sense of humor and ability to memorize movie lines (or entire scenes) after seeing a movie just a few times. You're curious about everything, but cautious enough that I can trust you not to wander outside our yard or too far out of my sight. (Mommy likes that.)

Cash, I know I tell you this every day....several times a day, even. But I love you. I love with a love that you probably won't understand until you have a child of your own someday. I've loved you this much since I met you and nothing and no one could ever change that. There is no one else in this world like you. God made you so special, so unique, so fantastic that He could never duplicate it.

And I'm so glad He gave you to us. You are the joy of my life. Enjoy being three, little man.

Love,
Mommy

The Story of Cash's Arrival

2011-05-10T22:57:00.000-04:00

Tonight I confessed to the facebook world that each year, on May 10th, I mentally relive my labor & delivery with Cash. I do it with Corrinne too, but since its Cash's birthday tomorrow, we'll let him have the limelight. Then it occurred to me that I never documented Cash's birth story since I didn't start this blog until he was about 6 months old. And since my memory is fading at a rapid rate these days I am going to take this opportunity to tell you a little tale about how Andrew Cash made his entrance into this world...

It was Saturday, May 10, 2008. I woke up completely disappointed that the contractions and spotting the previous night had led nowhere. I called my mom, cried hysterically when I told her I was still pregnant and then wished Drew a good day at work as he left later that morning. He would be working until late that night so I decided to just have a day to myself. I was scheduled to be induced the following Monday morning (my due date) so thinking that was probably my last Saturday to do whatever I wanted for awhile, I took advantage of it.

I visited with Drew's parents, who were in town for the arrival of our first baby, stopped by my parents' old house they were busy cleaning since they had just moved, and then hung out at my sister's house since she had our other sister's daughter for the weekend. I remember being in a very weird mood. I was very weepy and didn't want to be out in public but didn't want to be alone. I just felt off, emotionally.

Finally I decided to get dinner with a friend of mine. A friend who I had lived with previously so I knew she wouldn't be offended by my quietness. We chose Paradise Bakery and sat down to eat right at 8:00 PM. I remember this because that was when the first contraction came. So I sat my phone on the table and secretly timed each one during dinner. They were coming 5 minutes apart for the entire hour we were eating. I didn't tell Penny about the contractions until we were heading home and I was starting to get really uncomfortable. We stopped by Drew's work to see him and I didn't even tell Drew what was happening! Penny finally convinced me to call my doctor around 9:30 since I was starting to not be able to talk through my contractions. The doctor told me to head on in to the hospital so I started making the phone calls (first to Drew, then to our parents) and then got things together. Drew came home, showered and we were out the door by 10:30.

It took the nurses about 30 minutes to figure out I was in active labor and admit me. I was dilated to 3cm and contracting regularly, but I still felt like I was handling the contractions well. Our parents, along with 2 of my sisters showed up by midnight and we were all so excited!! Around 3:30 am the doctor on call (who happened to be the ONE doctor in the entire practice I DIDN'T want to deliver our baby) came in and broke my water, I was dilated to 5cm. Immediately after I was between 6-7cm. I was still feeling pretty good but the nurse thought the anesthesiologist would be unavailable for awhile so she encouraged me to go ahead and get my epidural. The last contraction I felt was super strong so I'm glad I listened to her!

The next 6 hours seemed to fly by as we waited.... and talked about who we thought we were meeting that day... and laughed... and as I watched everyone but me eat breakfast.

Finally around 9:30 the nurse said I just had a tiny rim of cervix left so she sent all my visitors out so I could rest before pushing. I had been up ALL night (dumb idea!) so I definitely needed it. I started pushing around 10:30 and after 45 minutes of pushing my hardest, not seeing any part of Cash's head and the doctor trying to physically turn Cash so he was facing down (worst pain of my LIFE. And I had an epidural!), the doctor told me my baby wasn't going to be born that way. He just wouldn't fit.

So off to the O.R. we went. And I was so excited!! We were finally going to meet our baby and find out whether it was Cash or Claire. At 12:07 P.M. I heard a faint little cry and then saw a bloody, purple, scrunched up little face over the curtain. It was the most beautiful baby I'd ever seen! Then I heard the doctor say, "Ok, Dad. What do we have?" and after a few moments that felt like eternity Drew said, "Boy. BOY! We have A BOY!!!!" Words can't even describe what that moment felt like.

They cleaned Cash and wrapped him up then had Drew lay him face to face with me. My absolute favorite part was that when I said his name and talked to him, he instantly quieted down and was just so calm and peaceful. It was like we had known each other forever. I was instantly head over heels in love with that little man.

And oh, how our lives have never been the same...

The new Sheriff in town (so he thinks)

2011-05-10T09:22:00.000-04:00

3 years ago today I woke up enormously pregnant and cried on the phone with my mom because I thought I was never going to have my baby. Later that evening we headed to the hospital...

This morning I woke up (pregnant, but not enormously) to my soon-to-be 3 year old with his blankie, pillow, and Sheriff Woody making their way into our bed. As soon as his little head hit the pillow next to mine he said, "Mommy. You need to close your eyes and go to sleep."

He's grown a bit bossy in his old age. ;)

Reflections of the way life used to be

2011-05-05T16:07:00.000-04:00

Hola! In honor of Cinco de Mayo I will write this post entirely in spanish...

yeah, right. ;)

Ahhh, the 5th of May. Every year when the weather starts turning warm, leaves appear on all the trees and flowers start sprouting, my thoughts turn back to that fateful May in 2008 when my world turned upside down, in a good way. The year I became a mom.

I actually remember exactly how I spent the 5th day of May that year. I was 39 weeks pregnant, wearing a white maternity shirt that probably looked like it didn't fit (because it most likely didn't) as I met my parents for lunch at El Rodeo - to celebrate the mexican holiday, of course. I had stopped working early because I was carrying a child that measured 2 weeks ahead consistently through my entire pregnancy and every doctor I saw told me I would never make it to my due date. So of course each day was spent wondering if I would meet my baby that day... and crying when I didn't.

Each year I get weepy and nostalgic thinking back to those long two weeks spent waiting and anticipating the day it would finally happen. As I've watched him transform into this blur of a boy running - "flying" in his mind - through our house complete with sound effects I've longed to snuggle the newborn Cash just one more time. Or squish the chubby cheeks of our 6 month old Cash. Sometimes I just stare at him while he's sleeping because you can still see a hint of his baby face left.

I just want my babies to stay young enough that they still want hugs and kisses heal their boo-boos.

They're BAAAAAAACK...

2011-04-28T14:40:00.000-04:00

Notes from the UnderBelly, Vol. 3

(Sorry for the lack of picture, look for one next time!)

How Far Along: 15 weeks 4 days

Size of baby: an orange! mmm!! (Is it weird that I said, "mmm"?)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I am down 5 lbs. I'm sure with the return of my appetite that will quickly change...

Maternity Clothes: Nope. But I do use the rubber-band trick to fasten most of my jeans these days.

Gender: Its a SURPRISE! :)

Movement: Feeling more and more flutters every day. And I LOVE IT!

Sleep: I am a HUGE fan of sleep. A few weeks ago I dealt with some very frustrating insomnia, but haven't had any trouble this week. Hoping to enjoy some good sleep between now and the 3rd trimester.

What I miss: Productivity in the bathroom, in all honesty. (Sorry if thats TMI.) And I have to say, I miss my love for chocolate. Just like Corrinne's pregnancy, this one has taken away my desire for the chocolately goodness I've always enjoyed. Hopefully it returns soon.

Cravings: Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers from Wendy's, water (thats definitely a new thing for this Mt. Dew lover), fruity candy, Cinnabon cinnamon rolls (also a new love).

Hard to believe we're doing this... again... but we couldn't be happier! We will get to see our baby again via ultrasound around the end of May when I will be half-way through this pregnancy. Crazy how quickly time is flyin. October will be here before we know it!

Lord, I'm Amazed by You

2011-03-11T18:33:00.002-05:00

I haven't been a fan of the word amazing or its variations for some time now. Maybe its not so much the word itself that makes me cringe, but the way its over-used in today's society. One of the reasons I'm enjoying this particular season of The Bachelor is because I haven't heard "OMG, he's so amaaaaazing." about 80 bajillion times. (Please don't let my Bachelor reference discredit the true content of this post. Please.) I just feel like it should be reserved for things that are truly amazing; things that are so rare, so uncommon that they truly leave you in awe.

Over the last few weeks a line from a Philips, Craig & Dean song has been playing over and over in my mind. It says, "Lord, I'm amazed by You. Lord, I'm amazed by You. Lord, I'm amazed by You and how You love me."

You see, about 3 weeks ago a friend of mine went in to see her OB for a regular check-up on Friday. She was about to be 33 weeks on Monday and when her doctor had a hard time finding their baby girl's heart beat they sent her in to the hospital in a frenzy. Realizing the baby's heart rate was dangerously low they decided to deliver sweet little Delaney 8 weeks early. In the delivery they discovered her cord had gotten wrapped around her neck twice, between her legs and then back up and around her head and her amniotic fluid was almost 100% depleted. Had my friend not gone in for her appointment, if she had had to cancel for some reason or hadn't scheduled for that day in the first place, little Delaney would be in heaven right now. Not only was the realization that she needed to be born and the perfect timing of it all such a miracle, but aside from her tiny size - born at just over 3 pounds - you wouldn't know she had been born so early. She started breathing on her own less than 24 hours after delivery and now, 3 weeks later is up to almost 5 pounds and nursing from her mommy! I just keep thinking God knew she needed to be strong because she was going to be born earlier than expected. He gave her the lungs to breathe on her own much earlier than any NICU nurse or doctor would have predicted. She's quite the feisty little lady and such a fighter!

And then there's a friend of my husband's whose marriage was on its way to divorce. Unimaginable damage had been done and papers had been served. I know just in finding out about the separation Drew and I had started praying for this couple and are certain their families and friends were too. Just about 10 days ago the husband made public that he had given his will over to God and wants to spend the rest of his life proving to his wife she's worth fighting for! I don't know the details of where the 2 stand now, but I know this: God has already worked a miracle in changing the heart of this man!

And last Wednesday as I sat in an ultrasound room and saw our newest addition on the screen (which looked a lot like a kidney bean) I was amazed by it's heart. Even at just a little over 7 weeks gestation I could clearly see the different chambers of the heart working. I was truly amazed at the handiwork of God. By the way, you all will get to meet that little "kidney bean" in October.

God is the author and protecter of life. He can restore your marriage, your faith, and your family, and most importantly He loves you. He's always at work on your behalf. It won't always be easy, but it'll always be worth it. Each of those stories I mentioned didn't come without some measure of fear, doubt and insecurity: Delaney's parents were terrified on the way to the hospital not sure of the outcome, our friends were heartbroken over the damaged relationship and marriage, and as you all know losing our baby last fall was devastating to Drew and I. But God's always working.

"God can do anything you know - far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!" Ephesians 3:20 (MSG)

Can't Sesame Street just teach my kids?

2011-02-17T14:59:00.000-05:00

Um is there a FAFSA somewhere for preschool students?

Maybe I'm just naive but I didn't realize preschool was going to be another big ticket item in the budget. Cash, time to get a job, buddy. ;)

Ice, Ice Baby

2011-02-01T19:15:00.001-05:00

Right now we're in the middle of what some meteorologists are calling a "catastrophic" storm of the century! And chances are if you're reading this, you are experiencing some part of it as well since its affecting something like 30 of these United States. Where I am, we're getting a lovely mixture of ice and snow - expected to be so much that the whole city could very well be without power for 5-7 days. You have no idea how hard I'm praying that doesn't happen! I can handle being snowed in, but without power - no thanks!
However, its just plain silly not to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Especially when I have little ones involved. So the dishes are all clean, laundry is all done and we've got bottled water, blankets, flash lights (with fresh batteries), and some food to eat that won't need much prep.
But most importantly, Drew is home; I've just showered and put on clean comfy jammies and plan on snuggling up with the fam to watch TV/movies. Unless the power goes and then I have very exciting plans involving giving myself a homemade mani/pedi, finishing "Heaven is For Real", and doing this week's Beth Moore homework.
I'll see you on the other side...

duh duh DUUUUUUUHHHHHH

K-I-S-S-I-N-G

2011-01-28T14:29:00.000-05:00

Cash just asked me to kiss him in his mouth while opening up as wide as he could.

I'm sure this sounds a little inappropriate to you, and I'm giggling as I type it out. But he's got a sore throat and just wants me to fix it the only way he knows how to get boo-boo's fixed - my kisses.

Sweet, and I did kiss his lips (because I figure I can still do that until he tells me to stop) but explained to him nicely that I was never going to kiss inside his mouth.

ahem.

As I pat myself on the back

2011-01-22T21:12:00.001-05:00

Usually by the time we hit Saturday, which in our world is known as Wednesday since Drew works every Saturday and has every Wednesday off, I'm pretty much out of ideas for fun things to do with the kids at home. So we go out. Chick-fil-a is a popular hot spot since it has the play place and my beloved, Sweet Tea. But today I humored my Burger King lovin' kids and let them get "chicken n fries, the blue tind", as Cash calls it (the roof on every Burger King is blue). As I was buckling them into their car seats after filling their tummies with delicious (and not so nutritious) chicken tenders and fries, I suggested we go to Target and see if we could find some good deals! Cash had an interesting suggestion on the way there, "Maybe we can get Avatar and give it to Daddy!" I was as surprised as you are. Even though he's only seen maybe 20 minutes of the movie, he supposedly loves it and always asks to watch it. Hilarious what this kid comes up with these days.

Anyways, I walked into Target with a list in my head of items needed: toilet paper. And as usual, I walked out with several other items that were added to the list while I was in the store. ;) I ended up with 2 winter coats (one for each kid for next winter), a fleece for Cash and of course, toilet paper. (If I hadn't been on a strict 30 minute time limit, I would've bought more!) My total was $18 and the most expensive item purchased was the 12 pack of toilet paper.

Oh, how I love Target's clearance!

My New Years "resolution"

2011-01-17T15:04:00.001-05:00

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I am a chicken. I blame my mother* mostly since she is the Queen of Worrying (along with Bargains, Pot Roast, and Home Decor). And after my mom, I blame my kids. You see before I added "mom" to my list of names, I had much less fear and worry in my life. Some could call it "ignorance" or "carelessness" but nonetheless, I wasn't nearly as fearful as I find myself these days.

(I should note that in order to get the full effect, you should use hand quotes anytime something is quoted in this post. ahem. thanks.)

Moving on, I don't like that I'm so fearful. For one, its a straight up commandment from God to "fear not"! (Ok, maybe don't use the hand quotes there. No disrespecting The Big Guy!) In Beth Moore's study on Esther she talked about how many times God commanded someone to "fear not!". I can't remember the exact number, but she just kept repeating those words, "Fear not! Fear not! FEAR NOT!". And secondly, its just annoying. I lose sleep because of it and can't enjoy nights away from the kids because I'm worried that something might happen to them and I'll spend the rest of my life feeling responsible for their deaths and blaming myself for being so selfish that I needed time away and look what it cost me. (Ok, seriously? This could be a direct quote from my mom. I really AM turning into her!)

I'm sure some of you are thinking, "get this girl some Lexapro!". I don't blame you.

But aside from fear, I find myself being so selfish and self-centered about things. And I'm done. I don't like those things about myself and when 12:01 am rolled around on January 1, 2011 I made a promise to myself to just LET GO.

I can't tell you how many times God has brought the scripture, "letting go of the sin that so easily entangles," to mind. And everything I've talked about this far is sin. I have nothing to fear for God is with me! I love Chris Tomlin's song, Our God, that asks, "and if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, than what could stand against?". Tell me, who? The victory is already won. Perfect love casts out fear. Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world.

I want to let go of the petty things that bother me and keep me from becoming the wife God wants me to be, the friend I need to be, and the woman I'm called to be. I want to stop focusing on dirty dishes and messy rooms and spend more time on the floor with my kids who seem to be growing at rapid speed. (For real, Cash no longer refers to me as Mommy. I'm now Mom and even got an eye roll at nap time today. SLOW DOWN!) I want to stop letting my insecurities and doubts get in the way of making new friendships and strengthening the ones I've had for years. I want to sing with true abandon... in front of people... and worship the way I do when no one is watching. I want to let go of situations I have absolutely no control over with complete trust that God has it all in control.

I just want to let go. I want to be freed from all of this "sin that so easily entangles" me so I can press on for the greater goal of my life: to bring glory and honor to the One who rescued me from an eternity of misery.

*Mom, I don't really blame you. I love you! :)

Please excuse my absence...

2011-01-11T00:03:00.000-05:00

I know it seems like I haven't been blogging much lately. Probably because I haven't. The truth is, I'm not one of those bloggers that can just blog about anything... its gotta be something I feel I need to share. Much like how I can't sing a song unless I feel a certain calling about it. I have to feel it to sing it. Or write it, in this case. I'm sure some of you are probably remembering posts about dragging my kids out in the cold to get a mountain dew or some silly link-party... or whatever its called... about "Top 2 Tuesdays". And yes, I felt convicted to share that information with you. ;)

I do have a post in the works (in my brain, not in word form yet) that will have some type of substance to it. But like the need for a "calling" I also have to be in the right mood... otherwise words get all jumbled and the whole thing just seems sort of awkward.

no wonder Cash is such a quirky kid. Check out his mom.

New Years Resolution #1

2011-01-04T14:57:00.000-05:00

At this point I'm pretty much banking on the hope that one day Cash will once again utilize nap time for its intended purpose instead of whining, playing with toys, and essentially disobeying me day after day.

Christmas 2010

2011-01-03T15:14:00.000-05:00

It should come as no surprise to you that I'm so behind on posting pictures of Christmas... or blogging for that matter! As usual, our holiday season was full of fun and went by way too quickly. Here are a few pictures...

Corrinne at our church's Candlelight Christmas Eve service - one of the highlights of the season!

"Woody & Buzz"! Cash's fave celebrities! ;)

Wearing her new pearls to take her babies for a stroll. Just like her Mommy! ;)

Our family, Christmas 2010

One of my favorites from the entire season!

Please stop growing up so quickly, sweet babies!

Someday

2010-12-02T15:31:00.000-05:00

I had lunch with one of my very best friends and her two little munchkins this afternoon. As we were sitting in Chick-fil-a doling out torn up chicken nuggets, blowing on french fries, and retrieving sippy cups over and over it was hard to remember the nights we would stay up till 1 am talking while the boys played xbox... or trying to learn the dance from Napoleon Dynamite. We've seen each other through failed relationships (mine), exciting job opportunities (hers), and bad haircuts (mine again). She stood by me on my wedding day, was one of the first to know I was pregnant for the first time and pretty much everything in between. I love that here we are, moms of 2, wives, nearing our 30's and yet we're still the same crazy, fun-loving girls we were 6 years ago when we first became friends.
She shared a story with me today that I will never forget and will always hold close to my heart. Her grandmother told her about a book she'd recently read while they were together over the holiday. It was about a christian family who had somehow lost their 4 year old son. Amazingly, he was revived. (Sorry I don't know all the details about how he died or why.) Throughout the course of several months after he came back he would start talking about things and eventually they realized he was talking about heaven. Unlike an adult, who would want to share every detail with you right away, this little boy would just randomly remember something about it and start talking about it as if his parents knew.
One day while he was playing this little boy told his mom, "Mommy, I saw my sister." His mom wasn't sure what he was talking about, "You don't have a sister, honey." "Yes, I do. She told me she died while she was in your belly." At some point in their marriage his parents had lost a baby, early enough they didn't realize it was girl.
As of November 20, Drew and I have a baby in heaven. A baby we weren't planning to have but desperately wanted. A baby that will always hold a special place in our hearts, and a baby that I can't wait to meet. But in the meantime, I like to think that he or she is running around with all the other babies waiting to meet their mommies & daddies. And laying in the lap of the King. Safe and sound.

Day 17

2010-11-19T23:41:00.000-05:00

Tonight I'm thankful for date nights and moments that allow me to just enjoy the company of my best friend and husband, Drewbie. :)

Day 16

2010-11-18T22:25:00.000-05:00

Tonight I am very thankful for my relationship with Jesus Christ.

At the beginning of this 10 week study on Esther I'm in, I would watch Beth Moore's enthusiasm and passion in awe of someone so in love with her Saviour. I started praying that I would know that kind of closeness with Him.

I'm so grateful for a God who loves me unconditionally - because there are moments... lots of 'em that I'm sure are disappointing to Him - and knows what is best for me, knew me before I had taken a single breath, and sees who I'll be 30 years from now. He knows each and every one of my children - those I've rocked and sang to, and those I've yet to meet. He knows who Cash & Corrinne will be as teenagers and is already preparing my heart for those tumultuous years of parenthood.

He saw my sin and yet died an excruciating death on a cross anyway, so I wouldn't have to.

That, my friends, is love.

Day 15

2010-11-17T23:54:00.000-05:00

Today I'm thankful I have a warm bed, clean pajamas to wear, a house with a working furnace and hot water for me to shower with in the morning.

I do believe winter has arrived!

Day 14 of 30 Days of Thanks

2010-11-15T21:42:00.000-05:00

Today is Monday which translates into the one day out of the week I don't plan any play dates, lunch dates, or doctors appointments (if at all possible). Its the day I stay in my pj's till nap time and start (key word: start) the laundry and cleaning projects for the week. I also have bible study on Monday nights so I try to plan a meal that is either a) a crock pot meal or b) incredibly easy. Now, there a ton of options that would fit into the "incredibly easy" category but NOT into the "mmm this is good and my belly is satisfied" category.

And so today I'm thankful for tasty yet simple recipes such as the delectable Chicken Parmesan we had this evening. This is a recipe from one of Drew's family's friend out in California. So, thank you, Nan for the delicious recipe! Hope you don't mind I'm sharing it...

Chicken Parmesan

Saute 2 cloves of garlic in 1 cup of butter (or 2 sticks - never said it was healthy!). Let chicken (I cut 4 boneless, skinless breasts in half) soak in the garlic butter while you mix up the following: 2 cups plain bread crumbs, 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, 1 tsp. salt, 1/2 tsp. pepper and 1/2 cup of fresh parsley (optional - I used dried tonight and it was good.) Coat the chicken pieces with the breading and place in 9x13 baking dish; pour the garlic butter on top of the chicken. Bake for 25 minutes at 400 degrees.

We choose to top ours with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese and serve with noodles. However, my mother-in-law recently made this sans italian flare and it was quite delish on its own! Who doesn't love a versatile dish?!

You're welcome. ;)

Day 12 (and 13. Shh!)

2010-11-14T21:31:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was like one giant "favorite" for me.
Hung out with some of my favorite people (my sisters and Mom), at my favorite store (Target...and then some), and ate lunch at one of my fave restaurants (Paradise Bakery & Cafe). It was awesome and definitely needs to happen more often!

And so today, I'm thankful for the girls I go to first for advice, a good laugh/cry, or a necessary vent session - my beautiful, talented, hilarious, lovely sisters.

My sisters are the best! They make me laugh the hardest, can totally finish my sentences - they "get me", and can make me feel better about any situation. There are very few people who can be painfully honest with me without hurting my feelings and Megan & Ashley are definitely on that list!

They are gorgeous women who are even prettier on the inside and I treasure our friendship so much! I hope one day Corrinne has a sister so she can know how much fun it is!

Oopsie! Days 10 & 11

2010-11-12T14:18:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a whirlwind of a day resulting in no post from me! Sorry 'bout that. And I had this great post about how I am so thankful to our country's veterans and current servicemen... especially the one I married. :) But that will have to wait for another time and place. Just know I'm thankful for all the sacrifices that have been made so I can live freely.

Today... I'm thankful for my job as a stay-at-home-mom. It is NOT easy, by any means. Hands down, the hardest job I've ever had but without a doubt, the most rewarding. I love my kids and do not take for granted this opportunity I have to invest in them, love them, teach them, and play with them.

Day 9

2010-11-10T21:13:00.000-05:00

Tonight I'm thankful for catching up on our DVRed episodes of Parenthood and Modern Family with my handsome man. And maybe some peanut butter cup ice cream too.

Being thankful - Day 8

2010-11-09T14:24:00.000-05:00

I remember when Drew and I were in premarital counseling, our friends Clint & Rachel gave us a pearl of wisdom that I had heard before - Love isn't always a feeling, sometimes its a choice. The butterflies don't last forever and there have been and will be times when loving Drew isn't easy (and most definitely vice versa). In those moments, we choose to love.

The same can be said for many things in life, one being gratitude. Being thankful when everything's going perfect and even when they aren't going at all how you had hoped. Trust me, my day hasn't been the worst day ever known to mankind. But it hasn't been my favorite either.

Drew's working ALL day long - he left at 7 this morning and probably won't be home until 10 tonight. That seems twice as long when you're hanging out with toddlers... alone. I'm jacked up on Dayquil Cold & Flu and my kids have whiney attitudes to match their runny noses. I've already thrown my pity party so this is the point where I'm choosing to be thankful.

I am thankful, especially in this economic climate, that Drew has a steady job that provides more than just what we need. I'm thankful that he has a great work ethic and is respected by his coworkers and peers. And I'm very thankful for his paycheck that will purchase the delicious peppermint mocha I will treat myself to when the kids wake up from their naps. ;)

Day 7

2010-11-08T21:39:00.000-05:00

I'm just a little over half-way through Beth Moore's study on Esther and LOVING it! It's by far my favorite B. Moore study to date. The book of Esther is quite interesting (and dramatic) but what I'm loving so much about it is how Beth is relating it to other areas of our lives.

Last week she was discussing Reversal of Destiny. She went on to say that God often authors someone's Reversal of Destiny - she used the example of how shy and embarrassed she was of her horribly buck teeth that she would hide behind people and hated speaking and NOW look at her! Reversal of Destiny.

Esther's story involves quite a reversal. She was an orphan. Lost both of her parents at a very young age and raised by her uncle, Mordecai. She was also a jew in the Persian empire. BUT... in a her Reversal of Destiny, she became Queen of Persia. "The least of these..." into a Queen. Its awesome! But what struck me the most about that particular week was the discussion on the fact that Esther didn't have a mom growing up. She didn't have anyone to ask about makeup, how to do her hair... what did she do when she started her period?? It broke my heart. I envisioned my life without my mom. The thought brought tears to my eyes.

My mom and I are very different. While I tend to have more outgoing tendencies like my dad, my mom hates being center of attention. I have a need to get out of my house if I'm home longer than 2 days while mom loves the comfort of home. My mom sees all the details that I overlook. She's awesome.

And so today, I'm so very thankful for my beautiful mom.

I appreciate my mom so much more now than I did growing up. When you're a child/teenager you don't see all the little things moms do. Even as a young adult you don't realize. I honestly don't know that I did until I became a mom. (Just going through pregnancy and childbirth added a whole new level of appreciation!)

Mom helped Dad support a family of 5 on a very tight budget when they had us older 3 kids and Dad was in seminary (and us kids always had food to eat/clothes on our backs). My mom knows how to stretch a dollar and is the QUEEN of Bargains! She makes everything so much more special. Holidays aren't the same if they're not at my parent's house. She's my best friend, the one I call every day - whether its to vent about something, laugh about something or just to chat. She makes the best pot roast with potatoes and carrots and her laugh is one of my favorite sounds.

I can't imagine going through life without my mom! She's my sounding board, my confidante, the standard I hold myself to, and she's taught me so much about being a woman after God's own heart, a supportive wife, and a good mom who doesn't give up on her kids (I also inherited her "worry gene" unfortunately. ;) ) I hope and pray that one day Corrinne can say the same about me... and that my house will someday be as clean and home-y as hers.

Love you, Mom! :)

30 Days of Thanks - Day 6

2010-11-07T22:20:00.000-05:00

Today was a looooong day. And not just because we got an extra hour, although that did play into why my day was particularly long. Long, annoying, frustrating story short - I had the kids all by myself all day, Corrinne napped all of 15 minutes, and Cash's whine fest continued as I chased Corrinne around my parents' house.

(Just to note, hanging out at my parents' between church and choir practice while Drew watched a football game with some buddies didn't sound all that bad when we planned it. Except that one major detail didn't work: Corrinne's nap.)

As a result, I had put on my grouchy face. I'm not proud of it, but it happens. I just needed a break. An hour of quiet where I could do whatever I wanted, which at the time was sitting on the couch and closing my eyes. So when I left my mom's house and Cash was talking non-stop in the back seat I was totally prepared to write my Day 6 post about how thankful I am for silence. Silence is so rare around here that I truly cherish it and bask in it when it happens.

Corrinne had fallen asleep (PTL!) but Cash was going full blast: "I yike dis song, mommy." "Whas at, mommy?" "We go a church, mommy? Noooo. We go a Target??" Just on and on. Finally, I said, "Cash, why don't we just sit and listen to the music. Lets just be quiet for a minute." He responded so matter-of-fact, "No. I wanna talk." I kind of smiled and said, "What do you want to talk about?". "I wanna talk a mommy." I was instantly reminded that there will soon come a day where he won't want to talk to me about all the little things that fill his mind. Some day he'll start giving me one-word answers and grunts in response to my questions and I'm sure I'll wish I could relive these days of sweet, funny little things he comes up with.

In fact, during my ahem, meltdown, this afternoon he climbed up on my lap, kissed me on the cheek and said, "Its ok, Bethany. Daddy be here soon.". He's got such a sweet spirit and kind heart. What I need to cherish are moments with my son when his heart is the purest and his words the most honest...

... And so today, I'm thankful for my beautifully handsome, charming, hilarious, sweetheart of a son, Cash.

Isn't he the most adorable 2 1/2 year old you've ever seen? ;)

Cinco de Gracias

2010-11-06T14:18:00.000-04:00

Apparently Whine Fest 2010 was today in our house. While I will enjoy a glass of wine every now and then, I'm not at all a fan of the w-H-i-n-e. Which means today I'm thankful for in-laws that love my kids so much they're keeping them overnight so the hubs and I can enjoy a night out with some friends.

and whats even better... tonight we change our clocks back an hour in honor of daylight savings! So even if my kids' internal clocks don't fall back an hour, I won't know. Because I'll be snug as a bug in my big, comfy bed while they're snuggled up tight at Nana & Pops' house.

mwahahahahaha! ;)

On the fourth day of Thanks...

2010-11-05T22:54:00.002-04:00

After some remarks made by family members regarding a lack of thanks with their name attached, I feel that its necessary to note that these items are listed in random order that does not reflect the amount of gratitude I have in my heart for that person/item.

That being said...

Honestly, all I can think about right now is snuggling in my bed under our down comforter. And so today, I'm thankful for a warm bed with clean sheets and a husband to warm my feet.

Nighty Night!

Thanks, God - Day 3

2010-11-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

This afternoon I did our bi-weekly grocery shopping. The usual... Aldi, then Target for what I couldn't find at Aldi (or prefer to buy elsewhere... more on that later). Last night I got a hand-out from Cash's teacher at church saying they're collecting items for the Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection. Since I don't plan to grocery shop again before the items were due, I decided to pick them up today.
As I was browsing Target's Dollar Spot I started tossing items into my cart: a slinky, silly putty, little books about colors, candy. The shopping trip started out with, "That'll work." and quickly turned into this exciting opportunity to make some little boy and little girl in a country far away from mine, whose life seems worlds different than my kids' Christmas seem magical. A slinky, silly putty and a toothbrush would seem magical to those kids. Would it to my own kids? Right now, yes. But I fear that's just because they're 2 1/2 and 15 months. As I gushed over the Disney Princess lip balm bracelet and polka dotted jump rope, envisioning a little dark-skinned girl wearing the sparkly headbands, I made a promise to teach my kid's the value of a gift. That it represents the love behind it, not the price tag; that there is joy in giving and in turn, receiving the blessing that comes. I don't ever want to them to join the rest of our society that somehow feels entitled to the most expensive, best thing on the market. I want them to be thankful for what they have and a desire to give to those who don't have.
And so today I'm thankful for projects like Operation Christmas Child for teaching me to be grateful.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 2

2010-11-03T15:28:00.000-04:00

Right now my dad is near Port Au Prince, Haiti serving for a week with an organization called Real Hope for Haiti. There's a cholera outbreak in the country that is expected to kill more people than the earthquake that happened last January. And this just in, there's a tropical storm, Tomas, expected to hit the shores of Haiti Friday morning. Not the best circumstances, yet Dad - along with 9 other people from my church - was ready to go help the people of Haiti no matter what.

And so today I am thankful for my dad.

The fact that he would leave his loved ones behind to give of himself for people he doesn't know in one of the most destitute countries in the world gives just a hint to the kind of man my dad is. He's a pastor, a teacher, a friend, a counselor, an excellent husband to my mom, and a father to eight kids. He's firm in his convictions, gentle in his guidance, and bold in his teachings. He taught me how to ride a bike, drive a stick shift, change the oil in my car, and how to find the back road everywhere I go. ;)

He's still the fastest, strongest, funniest, smartest dad who can fix anything. :) Love you, dad!

30 Days of Thanks

2010-11-02T17:20:00.000-04:00

Last year Facebook had "Thirty Days of Thankfulness" where you were supposed to list something you're thankful for every day in November as your status update. (The fact that sometimes I feel like Facebook is taking over my world is a post for another day...) Well, this year I've decided to do it again but I'm going to go a step further and will commit to blogging about one thing I'm thankful for each day this month. Because we simply do not express our gratitude enough... And because my current status is technically way too long to be considered a "status update". So if you're a facebook friend o'mine, I apologize for the redundancy of today's post.

Today I am thankful for a husband that lets me sleep in, cleans up the kitchen while I exercise my right to vote, and works so hard everyday so I can take our kids to play dates, enjoy Target's vast array of darling merchandise, and even splurge on a large coke from Mickie D's from time to time. ;)

When they said, "A good man is hard to find." they weren't lying. I know that I am so blessed to have a fantastic, sexy, hilarious, hard-working husband who wasn't afraid to jump right into changing diapers, cleaning up spit up, buying tampons, or wiping snotty noses. He makes me laugh, spoils me, keeps me grounded, and tells me I'm beautiful all the time.

But I do feel kind of bad for you, because lets face it - there's no one else like him on this earth. ;)

Drew, you've got it going ON! Love you!!

This post = our most effective form of birth control

2010-10-27T13:27:00.000-04:00

If you need me, I'm most likely either getting Cash up from Time Out or pulling Corrinne away from the trash can, cabinet under the kitchen sink, or top of the dining room table.

Its been one of those days.

Every Party has a Pooper

2010-10-16T23:23:00.000-04:00

We made two monumental purchases this weekend:

1. A potty chair

2. Pull Ups. But these aren't your grandma's Pull Ups (those are called Depends). These have Cash's newest obsessions, Woo-wy (Woody) and Buzz on them. And if he potties in it, they disappear! He picked them out himself.

Lord, help us all!

Global Warming?

2010-10-09T14:49:00.000-04:00

Can someone please notify Mother Nature that its no longer July, but in fact, October?? Enough with the 80 degree days...

Truett Cathy sure knows what he's doing

2010-09-21T14:50:00.000-04:00

It is no secret that I am fan of Chick-fil-a. How could you not be with the sweet tea, chick-fil-a sauce, and nuggets that are actually made of chicken? Well, today the people of CFA just strengthened that bond a little more...

Today was the beloved play date day, my favorite day of the week. It was my turn to pick up lunch for us so after stopping by the bank, I hit up the CFA drive-thru. Since I had told Cash we were going to Zeke's house before we left he wasn't too thrilled when I turned the opposite direction to go to the bank first. (Lesson learned: don't mention your final destination until you're on your way.) Which resulted in him whining and screaming in the back seat while I left my sister-in-law a voicemail (I'm sure she enjoyed my "excuse me, QUIET. anyways...."), thanked the drive-thru teller at the bank, and placed my order at CFA. Are you getting the picture? My blood pressure was rising and patience getting low. Since I was ordering for 2 adults and 4 kids our order was pretty big and the line even longer so I opted to not check the bag before the leaving the parking lot. I contemplated it and thought to myself, Chick-fil-a doesn't make mistakes. McDonald's, yes. But not Chick-fil-a. Besides, what am I going to do? Get the kids out and go inside to tell them? No. So I drove to Holly's and found out after unloading the kids, the diaper bag, drinks, and food that they had forgotten an order of fries. At first I was all, "oh its ok. I'll go without." Then remembering the total of our order I was annoyed. Holly mentioned calling them to let them know so I did... and do you know what she said to me? She sweetly said, "Would you like me to bring your third order of fries to you?" After picking my jaw up off the floor I told her that would be great. She got the address and my name and a few minutes later I had a bag of fresh waffle fries and THREE brownies she'd thrown in just for the fun of it!

Now THAT, my friends, is customer service!

Say, WHAT?

2010-09-14T22:59:00.001-04:00

Earlier this morning I took Cash to the dermatologist. He's got some really bad acne and I was thinking maybe we could get some Retin-A prescribed for him or something.

Just kidding!

He's got a mild case of molescum - similar to a wart but not as gross (in my opinion). They're little pimple-like bumps spread by a virus, much like the wart. He only has 6-8 and they're all on his face so our pediatrician recommended visiting a pediatric dermatologist to treat them. She gave me 2 options:

1. Freeze them off. In her words, "It does sting so we'd just need to hold him down and freeze 'em off really fast." Not happening.

2. A cream you apply once a night that gets into the immune system and fights off the virus therefore getting rid of the bumps. SOLD!

Cash gets a sucker AND a sticker and we're off to Target to fill his prescription. We browse the store before returning to the pharmacy to pick up the cream when the young pharmacy tech calls me over...

She quietly says to me, "This is the price of your medication." and points to her paper reading $703. In spite of her hushed tone I exclaim, "Are you SERIOUS?!" still using her library voice she goes on to tell me thats for the generic cream, after insurance, and that I should call our doctor and see if there's something else we can do. I thank her and walk away wondering why she was talking so quietly. Then it dawned on me... The dermatologist had mentioned that cream usually being prescribed for patients with genital warts.

awesome.

Needless to say, I'm going to be calling the Dr and asking for an appointment to freeze those suckers off. And just might call the Target pharmacy to let them know we won't be needing the $700 cream for my son's MOLESCUM. ahem.

More than Enough

2010-09-07T20:41:00.001-04:00

I've been searching my parenting and pregnancy books for the chapter on Mommy Guilt but can't seem to find it. I really felt like I had gotten "the advice that no one gives", you know? I was warned about the possibility and likelihood of pooping during delivery, the grossness of losing your mucous plug, and fully expected and was prepared for the separation anxiety stage. But no one ever told me about the overwhelming constant feeling of inadequacy. That stupid nagging feeling I have after letting Cash fill up on granola bars instead of forcing him to eat his applesauce. The voice inside that says, you should really sit down and build a tower with him or read a book to her instead of letting them be entertained by Elmo for the 3rd time today. The exact feeling I have as I'm writing this instead of emptying the dishwasher and folding the laundry. Bottom line - I'm not enough. Not enough for my kids, not enough for my husband, definitely not enough for my Saviour. Everyday I'm struggling to meet everyone's needs and have no clue how to fix it.

As I typed that last sentence I was reminded of Sandy Patty's discussion at Women of Faith. Being everything for everyone was a struggle for her and she talked about how God reminded her that she is more than enough for Him. For in our weakness, His strength is made perfect.

Oh, Lord. Take my weaknesses and use them to show Your greatness! Let me be a wife that Drew can be proud of; with a gentle spirit and kind heart. Lord, help me to see who it is you've called me to be. Thank you for this amazing journey you've set me on as a mom. Let me see it for the treasure it is and not waste another day drowning in my own self-pity of temper tantrums, strong-willed personalities, and spilled milk (for real). Help me be a mom that You would be proud of. One that points to You in all things, one that puts her family first, and is quick to listen and slow to anger. Thank you for loving me.

And Lord, please help Cash make better choices during nap time. Amen.

What a difference 3 years can make

2010-08-30T09:35:00.000-04:00

Three years ago today I took a pregnancy test and my whole world changed! I remember it like it was yesterday...

I was going to my friend's house to have her color my hair and was feeling really down. Drew and I had been "not preventing" (I was trying. Drew was having fun.) for a few months and I was getting discouraged. Even though I was 2 days late I was pretty certain I wasn't pregnant. Ironically that was the first thing I blurted out when I walked into Holly's house that night, "I'm 2 days late!", I said. She grabbed her purse and announced, "We're going to Walmart!". I kept refusing to take the test, but around 8:30 she finally convinced me since Drew was working late that night and I wanted to be home before him. Much to my surprise it was immediately positive! I yelled for Holly and she came bursting through the door, camera in hand, screaming and jumping up and down. I, however, just sat the test on the counter and stared at in disbelief. I kept thinking, oh my gosh! It works!

We determined when my due date would be (thanks to Baby Center's website) and tried to decide how to tell Drew he was going to be a daddy. When I got home I opened our Bible to Psalm 139 and highlighted the passage that says,

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous, how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the darkness of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. "

I placed the pregnancy test on the Bible with a note next to it that said, "We love you, Daddy!". It felt like an eternity had passed before Drew finally got home. I was sitting on the couch as I watched him walk into our room. I heard him say, "Whaaat?" Then he came out, test in hand, and said, "REALLY?" and the rest is history.

Here's that little second line today...

Women of Faith

2010-08-21T23:02:00.000-04:00

I spent last Friday and Saturday worshipping, laughing, crying, and dancing with 11,000 other women at the Women of Faith conference. To say it was awesome is an understatement. Leaving the kids with a sitter two days in a row was hard. And I struggled with Mom Guilt the whole weekend, but it was worth it. I got to spend time with some of my best girls, sing at the top of my lungs, worship with abandon, and quiet myself so I that could really hear from God. Why can't I do that on a regular basis, you ask? I asked myself the same thing and have decided to do just that from now on. To be intentional about my walk.

During lunch on Saturday my friend asked what my favorite part had been so far. At the time I couldn't answer - I was loving all of it. After digesting all of it I can tell you exactly what my favorite part was...

Sandy Patty was one of the singers and guest speakers. Now, typically I'm not really into the style of music she usually does. But I found myself enjoying her as a speaker and relating to what she was talking about. At the end of her talk she sang "We Shall Behold Him". I'm sure some of you just let out a huge "Ohhh" and know exactly which song I'm referring to. (Unfortunately this was the first time I had heard it.) The song is beautifully written and her voice is absolutely incredible! Something about that song brought tears to my eyes... But my favorite part was that she signed the entire song herself for the section of women who were deaf/hard of hearing. AND THEN...just as she was nearing the end (and her highest notes) the hearing impaired women stood up and signed along with her! It was awesome, the entire arena was filled with women worshipping our God... All I could think was, "this is what Heaven's going to be like!". Except its not! There won't be any denominational boundaries in Heaven, we'll all know each other's names in Heaven, we'll all have the best voices and Heavenly bodies (woo hoo!) and best of all... there won't be any disabilities. All those women who were signing with Sandy will be SINGING with Sandy someday.

If thats not amazing, I don't know what is.

Nothin' like a FIRST birthday party...or TWO!

2010-08-18T14:15:00.000-04:00

Here's our baby girl at exactly one year old - 6PM August 4, 2010.

Her stats: 21# 13.5 oz

28 1/2 inches long

The first of her birthday parties: The Polka Dot Party!

The girl loves her some chocolate cake!

The double party with her cousin, Carter, who will be one this Saturday!

(the theme for the cake was "Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails..." and "Sugar and spice and everything nice..." And it was DELICOUS!)

The birthday babies and their mommies.

Bringing up Boys

2010-08-12T23:46:00.001-04:00

Lately my favorite time of day has been just before I go to bed at night. For some reason I've forgotten how early my kids wake up and end up staying up way too late; usually climbing in bed sometime around midnight every night. But without fail, the last thing I do before hitting the pillow is check on the kids.

Corrinne is always so sweet and cherub-like and hardly ever stirs. But Cash on the other hand, he's always got something funny or sweet to say in his groggy, half-asleep state of mind. Tonight while I was tucking him in (a regular request of his) I was stroking his hair and telling him good-night as he repeated those words back to me. Then just as I was about to walk out he said, "Batman ni-night. Spiderman ni-night too, Momma."

Good to know, Cash. Good to know.

Farewell Jungle Wall Mural!

2010-08-10T15:13:00.000-04:00

Today was a big day for Cash! He got to eat lunch at his favorite place: Chi-la-la (Chick-fil-a) WITH his BFF, Zeke, and then we purchased his new bedding! We've been looking at bedding for his BBR (Big Boy Room) for awhile and settled on this collection a few months back - The Teen Spirit Quilt by Circo from Target.

Honestly, I don't think really cares at this point but Mommy & Daddy LOVE it! Now we just need to come up with something cool to do with the walls! We're open to suggestions... :)

On your FIRST birthday...

2010-08-04T00:11:00.000-04:00

Dear Corrinne,

You are one year old, sweet girl! You probably hear me say this a lot but I really can't believe how quickly you're growing up! It doesn't seem possible that its been 12 whole months since we were sitting in the hospital staring at you wondering who you would become...

You had me fooled, I'll tell you that right now! As a newborn you were the most serious, laid-back, easy-going baby I'd ever met. You didn't need rocked, you didn't cry, you didn't fuss. As long as you had some warm milk from mommy and a clean bootie you were good to go! I almost felt like you didn't need me! Even when you started becoming mobile you were pretty easy-going. Your cousin, Carter, would scoot circles around you. Literally! Papaw has a video of you sitting in the same spot while Carter does laps around you and you just stare at him as if you were thinking, "Can you just calm down, please?". :) You were cool, calm, and collected. And then BAM! You brought out the big guns!

Girlfriend you truly are sugar and spice and everything nice...and I love that about you! You have the sweetest smile, listening to you sing melts my heart, but you can tell your brother off like you've been doing it for years! Sometimes Daddy and I giggle a little bit because its so funny to see such a small little lady acting so grown up. You definitely have your mind made up and if we're not following your plan, you let us know. You already possess so many qualities I wish I had; you're adventurous, courageous, fearless, and confident. Baby girl, please don't ever let those go. I want you to grow up using those to serve the LORD.

Last night I went in to check on you before I went to bed and you were stirring a little bit so I took the opportunity to snuggle with you for a minute. You were all squishy, sleepy, and had some awesome bed-head going on! ;) I rocked you for a few minutes and told you it was your birthday and how thankful your daddy and I are that God chose us to be your parents. I also told you that He has so many awesome things planned for you life and to never ever lose sight of Him. He is your ticket through life, sweet girl. With Him, you can do anything your sweet little heart desires. Anything. I can't wait to see what that is.

Being your mommy is one of the greatest adventures I've been on. I love you more than I know how to explain.

Mommy :)

Turn the playlist off at the bottom of the screen before viewing the video.

One year ago tomorrow...

2010-08-03T10:29:00.000-04:00

Its the first Tuesday in August and the sky is dark, there's thunder in the distance and its raining.

A year ago, on the first Tuesday in August the weather was just like this. I was 39 weeks pregnant sitting in my OB's office waiting to find out if I had dilated any more since the day before... hours later I was holding precious little newborn Corrinne.

I wish so badly I could go back and relive that moment. There is nothing in this world like meeting your baby.

You can read more about that crazy day here.

God and the water slide

2010-07-30T21:42:00.001-04:00

This morning the kids and I met some friends from church at a local pool for a play date. This pool has an awesome kids area complete with a play set that doubles as a sprinkler/splash pad and slide. You climb up the steps while being splashed all around you and then go down an enclosed slide into the [very shallow] water. From the moment we got there Corrinne was dying to get up to that slide. Over and over she climbed the whole way through all the sprinklers and would get right up to the slide before mean ol' mom would take her back down to the water below as she was kicking and screaming. She was relentless! (I'm telling you - the girl knows what she wants!) After 50 trips up and down the steps with her I finally just gave in and let her go down!

Before you all choke on your coffee (or Mt. Dew, if you're like me) rest assured that I didn't just send her down this huge slide all alone into the water below. My friend, Dena, climbed up as far as she could into the bottom of it and I lowered her down as far as I could so she didn't slide the entire length of the slide. But 11 month old Corrinne went down a slide that kids 8 years older than her were waiting in line for!

At first she loved it! Dena said she her smile took up her whole face, but that smile quickly turned into a look of shock, doubt, and maybe a smidgen of fear. Then after Dena grabbed her at the bottom of the slide she let out the tiniest little whine and the biggest bottom lip. After that she was pretty content to sit on mommy's lap.

As I was telling mom about it she laughed and said, "Sometimes what we think we want so badly doesn't end up being as great as we think it is." True that, momma! How many times have I've been certain about God's will in any given area of my life only to find out what I thought was it, was most definitely not it? How often do we fight God for something? I look back on everything I was told "no" to before finally hearing a "yes" from God with so much gratitude. What God had planned is turning out to be so much better than I ever could've planned...

God knows what He's doing. Its hard to remember sometimes but just like I could've saved Corrinne the terror of flying down a slide way too big for her, God wants to protect us from enduring unnecessary fear and pain. And a face full of water.

Or that horrible wedgie you get from the serious water slides. ;)

Oh, Corrinne!

2010-07-29T14:30:00.001-04:00

It was like a scene out of Hannah Montana! I walked into her room this morning to find her standing in her crib with one arm at her side, the other on the crib railing. She was shaking her bootie and singing at the top of her lungs!

She's not even a year old, folks! What are we going to do when she's 13?!!

Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child

2010-07-27T21:47:00.000-04:00

This time last year I was great with child - 38 weeks pregnant, to be exact - and the recipient of many an unsolicited comment about how full my hands were about to be. 12 months later I'm realizing what those women meant.

Over the last few weeks Corrinne's personality has really come to the surface. While Cash is timid, cautious, and tender-hearted; Corrinne is adventurous, sneaky, and strong-willed. She knows what she wants when she wants it and has recently acquired a shriek that could be heard within a 20 mile radius. Thanks to having an older brother she is fully versed in how to handle the "No- No" situations. She simply yells back at us, "Nooooooo!" and shrieks. Even though she is not old enough to get the spanking her behavior sometimes deserves we are sticking with age-appropriate hand-smack. This evening I smacked her chubby little hand for telling me no and could not believe what happened next...

First she gave me a look of shock (score 1 for mom!), rubbed her hand I had smacked (Aw, man! Mommy guilt set in), then walked over and smacked my hand right back! (WHAT?!)

Clearly this calls for an emergency reading of James Dobson's, The Strong-Willed Child.

Big Mama's House

2010-07-23T15:47:00.000-04:00

Ever since the 12 hour car ride in Mamaw & Papaw's car on our way home from vacation Cash has been all about big things, thanks to my mom pointing out the semis. BIG cars, BIG trucks, BIG french fries...you get it. All was well until yesterday I heard him say, "BIG Mama!".

Excuse me?

Unfortunately my ears had not failed me. I am now grouped into the BIG category. Along with trucks, blocks, cows, horses, boats, etc. Awesome.

For all those times I said, "My kids will never..."

2010-07-19T14:47:00.001-04:00

Life has been a whirlwind since we got back from vacation oh, THREE WEEKS AGO! Yikes. To say its been hard to get back into the swing of things is a major understatement. We returned home from the beautiful and blissful Atlantic Beach in North Carolina just in time for Drew to start his new position at a new location two days later. New title, new commute, new schedule, new co-workers. We're all adjusting, but he's loving it and we're so proud of him so who's complaining, right? :)

Fast forward to 8:00 this morning when Corrinne is beckoning me via the monitor because apparently she still hasn't caught on to the fact that everyone else in the house likes to sleep till 9 am. I'm sure a few of you are thinking wish I could sleep in till 8 every day and I do realize how lucky I am HOWEVER this was a mere 8 hours after Drew and I got home from pretending we were kidless newlyweds while running around Kings Island all day! Momma was exhausted. That exhaustion turned into frustration when I went to get some milk out of the fridge for my cereal to realize we had none. NONE. Zero milk in the fridge of a woman whose 2 year old drinks it like its going out of style. Not good. We were pretty much out of everything (hence the "its been really hard getting back into the swing of things" intro to this post.). So I figured, the kids are getting older, Corrinne's almost 1 now; I'm sure I could make it through one grocery trip with both of them alone. No problem. Got everyone ready (including reinstalling car seats, taking 2 tubs of size 12-18 mos. girl clothes out of the back of the car -- thanks, Aunt Ashley, and putting the double stroller back in) and out the door feeling optimistic about my first trip to the grocery store with both kids alone. (Again, I know there are moms who do this all the time. But I'm not trying to be a hero or win any Super Mom awards. I like to go alone and will usually wait until Drew's home, grab something lovely to sip on while I shop and turn the mundane task of grocery shopping into "me time". Its great!) Well long story short -- my kids were the center of attention and not just because they're so darn cute. Cash was putting random items in the cart, Corrinne was trying to chew on the strap that should have been around her keeping her safely in the cart while both of them took turns screaming at me and each other. While I'm trying to gracefully discipline my kids and pay for my groceries the 19 year old cashier commented on Corrinne's dark complexion, "How did THAT happen??", how persistent she was in pushing the buttons on the credit card swipey thing, "She's determined, huh?" and then left me with this gem, "I don't know how you do it! Props to you!". Customer service at it's finest. Needless to say I will be grocery shopping alone from here on out.

In other news, my sweet little bronzed beauty learned a new word from her big brother...it begins with an N and ends with an O. Thats right. My not-quite-one-year-old told me no this morning. Not cool.

Jesus is my Homeboy

2010-07-01T15:00:00.000-04:00

Cash is going through a very typical possessive phase right now. Everything is his, apparently. Poor Corrinne can't even crawl in his direction without him grabbing all the toys and running away while he screams, "MINE!". It gets really old really fast. But there was one instance where it was cute...

I was getting ready to lay him down for the night when he grabbed my hand and said, "Deeesus" (Jesus). So we prayed for a good night's rest and that Daddy would make it home safe from work and said amen. I laid him in his bed and looked at me and quietly said, "My deesus. Mine." I kind of chuckled and said, "Yes, he's your Jesus." and silently prayed that one day he'll understands what that means.

Pass the Depends, please.

2010-06-01T09:16:00.000-04:00

You know, I pushed the I feel old feeling aside after going to my brother's high school graduation that was nothing like mine (even though we graduated from the same school); when I saw the teenage girls at the pool in their bikinis while I was sporting my tankini in the baby pool area; and even when I've found myself gravitating towards the "Misses" section at Target lately. But nothing made me feel more geriatric than last night at Walmart. There was a young man in front of me buying alcohol and the clerk asked for his ID. She read his birthday aloud as she was typing it in to the computer and imagine my shock when I heard her say 1989. 1989?! Someone born in 1989 is old enough to buy alcohol?

Man. I feel old.

I mean, really?!

2010-05-27T15:45:00.000-04:00

There's really no denying we have the most beautiful children in the world. ;)

(I love this picture because its so "real life".)

2010-05-27T15:39:00.000-04:00

If you like what you see check out the photographer's blog here.

Bargain! Bargain! Bargain for ME!

2010-05-22T16:03:00.001-04:00

Is it just me or does the word bargain look weird?!

This morning we strolled around our 'hood to check out the yard sales and came away with: an awesome overstuffed chair that will look great in our room after some T.L.C. and tons of cleaning, 4 shirts for Cash (all are from Gymboree), a shirt for Coco, a shirt and outfit for Noelle (couldn't pass it up!), some maternity clothes for me (that won't be worn for at least another year), a super cool vintage-looking necklace, bracelet, and earring set for moi, along with some Abercrombie sweats. All at the tune of $23!

The chair is going to be my project for the next few weeks. Its in need of some major lovin' but I just know once its clean, covered, and in our room (after a total re-do on the room) it's gonna be awesome. You will be so jealous I found it for just $3. Just wait. ;)

April Showers bring May....

2010-05-20T21:14:00.000-04:00

So far May has brought about some fabulously crazy things in our house...

1. Cash turned TWO! He got rid of his pacifier a week before turning the big t-w-o, but picked up an attitude to compensate. Major yikes on that one. Fits galore!

2. Remember all those posts after I had Corrinne about how this whole 2 kids under 2 thing was going better than expected for us. Yeah well that was because the girl didn't GO anywhere! Life with 2 MOBILE kids under 2 is scary. Pray for us. (Not only is she crawling - army style - but she's pulling herself up.)

3. Our best friends, Matt & Jill, welcomed their first baby this morning and Noelle is absolutely precious! There is nothing better in a friendship than watching your besties become parents. I'm kind of crazy when it comes to babies being born. For real.

4. Operation Grow Out My Hair 2010 came to a screeching halt on Monday! The hair is short once again. Lets all release that great big sigh of relief....SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGGGGGGHH!

I feel so much better now.

5. I'm 6 pounds closer to my pre-kids weight! A month ago I decided to start watching what I eat and running or walking 3 times a week. I committed to do that for 8 weeks (that was how long I had until I'm going to be on the beach with the WHOLE family). We are 4 wks in and I'm half-way to my goal - my pre-pregnancy weight. Its exciting and a smidge frightening at the same time because the week I realized I was back at my pre-pg weight after Cash was also the week I found out we were expecting Corrinne. Can you say abstinence?!! ;)

To my 2 year old son...

2010-05-10T22:09:00.000-04:00

Dear Cash,

Tonight I laid you down to go to sleep as a one year old for the last time. You were so sweet, holding my hand and asking to pray like we do every night at bedtime. You also told me "ni-night" that you love me ("ooo rah!") and then repeatedly asked to go "buh-bye" in the "car-car" when you wake up. :) You're such a social little man.You're growing up so fast and while I'm excited to see you learn and do new things, I wish...just for tonight...I could hold newborn-Cash again. I'd snuggle you, smell you, and kiss your newborn cheeks all night long! (And trust me, you had PLENTY of cheeks to kiss!)

You are the joy of my heart, Cash. My world would be such an empty place without you. I pray that you will grow up healthy and strong; smart and funny (which should be easy - you already have a great sense of humor); and most of all - that you would know how much Jesus loves you and live your life for Him. He loves you even more than your daddy and I do! He thought of you and created you to be YOU and we are so thankful he chose us to be your parents. Don't ever forget those things...

Now if we could work on increasing your daily menu to include more than just chicken nuggets, french fries, cereal, yogurt, fruit, and cheese that'd be great. And sharing really IS fun...

Don't worry, Daddy and I will help you along the way.

Love,

Mommy

Why I love Today

2010-04-30T16:34:00.000-04:00

Last night Drew and I were talking in bed before we fell asleep, since thats usually when we get most of our communicating done, and I mentioned Corrinne's 9 month well-baby appointment on Wednesday and then Cash's 2 year check-up the next week. I sat there for a minute as I let the information digest. In a matter of 3 months we will no longer have formula, bottles, baby food, or a baby carrier in our house. We will have zero infants in our house. Just two TODDLERS. That is not an easy thing for me...(don't even get me started on my ridiculous case of baby fever). I mean, which is worse, right? ;)

I was also reminded of how quickly our kids seem to move into the next "phase". Last night was the first time in months Corrinne let me rock her to sleep - thanks to a mean fever. So in honor of how quickly our time here is moving, I'm making a list of all the reasons I love "today":

Cash's nickname for Corrinne - Ninners - and his insistence on hugging her randomly throughout the day.
I love how he re-enacts accidents repeatedly to make sure everyone in the family is aware of the fact that he hit his head on the corner of the entertainment center, or that Corrinne fell off the couch (that one was actually funny because I was gone when it happened but thanks to Cash, I know exactly how it happened!), or that I knocked a container of yogurt off the shelf in the fridge and it spilled all over the rug. Nothing gets past you, Cash!
I love how Cash asks to watch Elmo's World and then Ellen. What can I say, he's got a great sense of humor. And a love for dancing. What more do you want?!
The sound of Corrinne saying "Mama" never gets old.
Her belly laugh over the funniest things -- last night it was me blowing my nose. She found it hilarious.
the hours from 2:30 - 4:30 every afternoon. Silence really is golden.
when Corrinne giggles at Cash while he's in time out. I know I shouldn't laugh but c'mon. You know its funny.
Cash's sweet little kisses and random hugs throughout the day. He must get that from his daddy. I'm not much of a "hugger".
Corrinne's little voice when she thinks she's talking to us. If only I knew what was going on in that mind of hers. Sometimes I'm pretty sure she's telling us off...
Bath time - lots of squealing, splashing, laughing, and bubbles! Plus they smell really good afterwards.
Cash's high-pitched voice he uses when talking to Corrinne. My favorite was a few days ago when poor little Coco had a bad diaper rash and was crying because I was cleaning her up. Cash got the tube of medicine, came over and knelt down and said, "wan some med, ninne? wan some med???"
The picture Cash handed me after class on Wednesday night - its "flowers" made of cut-outs of his sweet, chubby hands glued onto a paper with stems and flower pot colored by Cash. Its hanging on the fridge now, but it'll definitely go into a keepsake box.
Their sweet smiles and laughter.

Some days are not all rainbows and smiles and I admit sometimes I wish they were older for whatever reason. But I know all too soon they'll be too big to carry (Cash is almost there) or won't want to hold my hand anymore. So for now I'll cherish each moment - the pretty and the not-so-pretty...

Top 2 Tuesday! - Favorite Things About Summer

2010-04-27T14:45:00.000-04:00

#1 Laying by the Pool

Whats not to love about a lazy afternoon with the sun shining down on you as you lazily float around in a pool? Well, thats not exactly what my days at the pool will be like for the next several years. Kids don't like to lay out for some reason... ;) Nonetheless, we will be spending plenty of time in the sun this summer and I can't wait!

What a cute, chubby-cheeked little man! Hard to believe he'll be 2 in a couple weeks.

#2 Camping!

This may come as a surprise to some of you - especially my husband - but thanks to Drew I've become a big fan of camping. Its cheap, quiet, and very relaxing. And if we follow my rules -- there's always a pool. :)

I even camped at 7 months pregnant last summer!

Cash's favorite napping spot for the weekend.

I am so looking forward to this summer! Last summer was a blur as we looked at houses, bought a house, moved, and then had a baby. There wasn't a whole lot of time to just relax. So this summer we have major plans to redeem ourselves. There will be a huge family vacation in June, a guys camping trip in July, Baby Girl's 1st birthday in August and countless bbq's, fireworks, play dates at the pool, and trips to Ritters in between. Thank the LORD for summer.

Where's the Febreeze?

2010-04-21T13:54:00.000-04:00

Some days I feel like my house smells like a giant dirty diaper.

Today is one of them.

Guess what day it is...?!

2010-04-20T15:40:00.000-04:00

TUESDAY!

Thanks to Dave Ramsey's affect on our marriage and budget, today's topic comes quite easy for me - we're discussing our top 2 favorite items under $15!

1. Nail Polish

Buying a new shirt, some new shoes, or new bag isn't always in our budget (hello - living on one income here!). But every once in awhile I just want something new to excite things around here. Lately I've been buying nail polish - its a cheap way to feel like you've just splurged on yourself. My toes are sporting OPI's Koala Berry and at $4.99/bottle this is one of my Under $15 Faves!

2. The Son of a Sailor Salad

You all know I love food! One of my favorite meals recently was the Son of a Sailor Salad from Cheeseburger in Paradise. At first glance its just a salad, but with the asparagus, wonton strips, and balsamic vinaigrette its definitely one of my Under $15 favorites! Just thinking about it makes it feel like summer time outside...

What are your favorite items under $15? Obviously I have others but for here and now those are my faves. I'd love to hear about yours. C'mon! Join in!

La la la-la! La la la-la!

2010-04-14T23:12:00.000-04:00

I need you to sit down before you read the next sentence because when this thought crossed my mind the room started spinning and I got all light-headed... In about 3 weeks we will have a 2 year old. (Take a moment. Breathe. Breeeaaathe.) Insane, isn't it? There are so many thoughts that go through my mind when I consider that 2 whole YEARS have passed since I met my little Cashers. It seems like it all just happened. But maybe thats because I relive it every night when I go check on him before I go to bed, or when he flashes his ornery grin at me, and definitely when I get a precious little "Ooo rah!" before bedtime. (sigh)

Cash has just recently become interested in television. Thankfully his one and only favorite show is Sesame Street - one that I find completely tolerable and occasionally hilarious! (Paul Rudd was just on last week. Hysterical!) He LOVES when that furry little red monster comes on the screen and without fail, jumps on our ottoman to "play the piano" with Elmo during his closing number. Then he hands me the remote and says, "More Elmo!". (Children these days. Blessed with the technology to rewind live television.) I'm not even ashamed to say we watch 2 episodes of Sesame Street back to back every single morning.

I've always had an aversion to kids items with TV characters on them. I'm just not a huge fan. But when your kid loves something...you don't really care. And so birthday party #2 will be all things Elmo! I just placed my order for Elmo invites, and cone party hats. There will be a cake in the shape of Elmo's face, and Elmo party packs for the kiddies!

And so the countdown to ElmoPalooza begins!!! It'll be rockin'!

Top 2 Tuesday!

2010-04-13T15:40:00.000-04:00

Normally, this would be known as Taco Bell Tuesday. But since Lilly's hubby was off work today, we're post-poning our Tuesday play date to Thursday. And since we're all trying to lose some baby weight, we won't be eating Taco Bell. Boo! I know, I'm bummed too.

So anyways, my girl Laura has been participating in Top 2 Tuesdays for awhile now and I thought I'd join in on the fun!

This week's topic is Beauty Secrets! So here we go...

#1 Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturizer

I know this may seem like just plain old lotion, but after spending a small fortune on any and every body lotion on the market, this one quickly became my favorite. Other lotions I had tried made me feel greasy or sticky. This one absorbs quickly and keeps you feeling moisturized all day long! Also I appreciate that it doesn't have that stinky "I'm supposed to smell good but I don't" scent to it. It has a nice, fresh non-scent (if that makes sense). Well worth the $7 price tag!

#2 TRESemme 24 Hr Body Foaming Mousse

Apparently I missed out on the good hair genes and inherited some majorly fine hair. There's lots of it...but its super fine. So products like the above come in quite handy, especially when I'm growing these lifeless locks out to please the hubster. ;) I decided to pick up this mousse a week or ago and it has not let me down...literally! Most mousses give me volume when I style it and 20 min after being outside and its flat again. Not with this one! I feel like it looks good all day long! This just validates my love for its sister product, the Extra Hold Hairspray. TRESemme, you hold my heart. I mean hair.

Isn't She Lovely?

2010-04-10T11:21:00.000-04:00

Sometimes I feel bad for other people because their kids just aren't as cute as mine. Which, I can say that because I know every mom out there has had that exact same thought before. Its ok. We'll all believe our children are the smartest, brightest, funniest, and clearly most adorable. But really, mine are. Seriously. ;)

Score one for the Grandmas

2010-04-09T15:59:00.001-04:00

Apparently the fact that I gained almost 50 lbs, labored all night and pushed a whole hour before being wheeled into an operating room where my abs were forever changed by one swift slice, then sacrificed my once perky "twins" for breastmilk goodness means nothing to Cash. Because on Sunday, the only person he wanted to hold his hand, walk him to class, and pick him up from class was Nana. Don't get me wrong, my mother-in-law is a fantastic grandma. That has just never happened before. Then to add insult to injury, last night when I calmly reminded Cash that splashing water out of the tub was not allowed he exclaimed. "I want Mamaw." . Apparently my mom is Cash's saviour in times of discipline. (Or maybe she just lets him get away with way more than mommy!)

At least its the grandmas I'm losing to. I can remember spending the night with my grandma and getting homesick at bedtime. Grandma told me that it was all good because Grandma is the next best thing to Mommy. Plus she let us have all the Mt. Dew we wanted. Perhaps thats where my addiction started...

Hello, My Name is Bethany and...

2010-04-08T12:36:00.000-04:00

You know you're addicted when you bundle up your two babies and take them out on the coldest day of the week in your pajamas minus makeup, clean teeth and a bra...all for a delicious large Mt. Dew from Taco Bell.

Thank You for the Cross

2010-04-02T08:28:00.001-04:00

2010-03-21T22:35:00.001-04:00

What is it about a sleeping baby on your chest that makes you feel like all is right with the world?

I'm pretty sure thats what Heaven's like.

Move over, Rachel McAdams!

2010-03-16T16:07:00.000-04:00

Last night, I had an epiphany.

I was reading Laura's blog over at Lilly Loves about her two favorite celebrity styles. (She chose Rachel McAdams and Lauren Conrad, in case you're interested.) That got me thinking, who would I choose? I had no clue! I love clothes and up until that particular moment, thought of myself as a fashionable person. I mean, I'm not cutting edge or anything but I don't think I fall into the "still wearing the kind of clothes I wore in high school" category either. I shut the computer down and got into bed thinking of my friends who, like Laura, always have the cutest clothes, perfect accessories, and latest hair style. Am I living in cave? How do I miss these things? I watch cable TV, read dumb gossip mags, and am always browsing clothes online. How have I strayed so far out of the fashion loop?

I shared my concern over my closet's contents to Drew when I got in bed. Not surprisingly, he didn't get it. What he does get though is that he married a girl who likes to have cute clothes and gets REALLY excited over a sweater, fun necklace, or adorable sandals. We decided there were several culprits in this crime:

A. I've been pregnant, nursing, and or getting rid of a pregnant body for the last 2 years.

B. All of our money has gone towards diapers, formula, baby clothes, or other frivolous things such as food, gas, and a mortgage.

and C. Who wants to take a double stroller into the mall when places like Target and Walmart have carts?!

But I mean, honestly, can I trust the buyers for Walmart & Target to carry things that are truly "in style"? That is the real question. I'm just not sure. So I have promised myself to start branching out a bit, I'm gonna get a good double stroller and march myself into the mall and see if I can't update myself a bit. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying everything at Target & Walmart is outdated. Obviously my closet and bank account would show that I feel otherwise. I'm just thinking I could probably benefit from thinking outside the box a little...

Everything but the kitchen sink

2010-03-15T15:44:00.000-04:00

I think the Holy Spirit isn't the only thing manifesting itself in our church's members if you know what I mean! We've been through 2 boxes of the Dayquil/Nightquil combo pack, if that tells you anything. And I think I'm finally coming down from my cold medicine high long enough to catch you up to date.

Drew & I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary last week, as you saw in my previous post. We've crammed a lot into the first 3 yrs of our married life and I have to say, I'm looking forward to some down time. :) You all know that I live and breathe for our children and am so glad God planned it out the way He did, but this was the first anniversary Drew and I celebrated without a baby on the way. And we lived it up! We devoted a weekend to just the 2 of us. Here are some snap shots from our time together...

This was right before we had breakfast @ Sophia's House of Pancakes - our favorite breakfast place. Of course, it was noon by the time we got there but that didn't stop us! (Corrinne had started running a fever the night before we were supposed to leave, so I wanted to take her in to the after-hours clinic before we left to make sure it wasn't an ear infection. Which set us back about 2 1/2 hrs. Oh, motherhood.)

Next stop was the Oliver Winery in Bloomington, IN. If you haven't been there before, you need to go! Its so nice - they have complimentary tastings and tours and a cute little stone patio and picnic area around a lake for you to enjoy your cheese, bread, and wine. I'm not a huge wine drinker, but our favorite was definitely the Creekbend Traminette. If you get a chance - try it!
This was after we enjoyed dinner at Stone Creek and had just gotten back to our hotel room. It was fun to remember what it was like to date Drew. (Not that hotel rooms were ever included in "dating Drew".) Even though I can't stand it when his toenails touch me or when he leaves the kids' clothes laying on their changing table right next to their hampers, he's still my absolute best friend in the whole world and my favorite person to be around. As I wrote in his card, being married to Drew is the most fun I've ever had.
These two are so much fun to watch together! Since Corrinne is able to do a lot more Cash has really started including her in his life. He always gives her some toys when he gets some out of the toy basket, and is sure to be very gentle with her. He's tried to share his snacks with her, but we try to explain since she STILL has no teeth she can't have those just yet. And just yesterday morning - this is my favorite - I heard him calling for me from his room. He was saying, "Mom! Mama!....Ma? Dada? Dad!!.....DaaaaaaDa! (long silence) Ninne?" I had to giggle at the thought of Corrinne going in and getting Cash out of bed.
This is just my most recent favorite picture of Corrinne! She's 7 months old now and getting so big! She's almost 18 lbs and is rolling everywhere. She's pretty easy-going but has a definite opinion. She loves music and dances whenever she hears it. She think its funny when Cash cries (poor Cash) and loves bouncing in her exersaucer!

The best love story I've ever heard...

2010-03-09T23:10:00.000-05:00

Our wedding day, March 9, 2007.

Weekend Trip to Chicago, August 2007.

April, 2008

Becoming parents - May, 2008

Cash's 1st Birthday, May 2009

Meeting Corrinne, August 2009

December, 2009

Happy Anniversary, Drew! I love you more than you'll ever know...

A Bumper Sticker:

2010-02-27T20:23:00.000-05:00

"Honk if you love Jesus. Text while driving if you'd like to meet Him."

I wish I could take credit for that one, but I stole it from a friend of mine's facebook status. My mom will especially love it.

My first blog award...

2010-02-24T15:48:00.000-05:00

Awhile back, I was awarded the very prestigious blog award that you see below. Thank you, Thank you! This is so unexpected! I don't know what to say...thank you to my beautiful children for giving me material to blog about on a daily basis, my loving husband for not getting angry when I choose to blog instead of watch TV with him, and Laura over at Lilly Loves for nominating me! :)

Apparently this award comes with some requirements...

1. Thank and link the person who gave you this award. Check!

2. Pass this award onto 5 blogs that you think are fantastic. Check!

I nominate:

Annie - Life As We Know It

Dad - Just Thinking

Meagan - My Lipstick Diaries

Ashley - Sommer Family

Amanda - The Dunaway's

3. Contact blogs and let them know they've won. Check!

4. State seven interesting things about yourself that people may not know.

Let see if I can come up with 7 "interesting" things about myself...

1. My full name is longer than the alphabet.

2. Most girls try to grow long nails...not me. I hate the feeling of having long nails. I trim them frequently.

3. My favorite cosmetic item is mascara! It would definitely be my "stranded on a deserted island" item and I've been tempted to put it on my kids several times. Yes, even Cash. Have you seen their lashes?!

4. When I was younger I would tan so well that a black boy in the 1st grade was convinced I was bi-racial! No wonder people ask me if Corrinne is too. :)

5. I am totally hair styling-challenged. I blame it on how fine my hair is, but its the main reason I usually keep my hair short. Poor Corrinne...

6. When I was 22 a woman prophecied over me. She told me God made me to sing and I should stop holding back for fear of people thinking I was just showing off, etc. I hear those words every time I get up to sing in church.

7. When I try clothes on in a store, if I like the outfit I do a little dance in front of the mirror.

Oh Em Geeee!

2010-02-21T15:33:00.001-05:00

If there has ever been a time in my life where I truly, 100%, without a doubt, absolutely HATE my hair, it is now. (Including the "I'm growing out my cute pixie cut" phase.) I blame it all on Drew. He's the one that talked me into growing my hair out after we reminisced about our honeymoon while looking at pictures of me with a ridiculous tan, long hair, and a flat stomach. Considering the long hair is the only attainable feature at this point I committed to growing my hair out. I immediately regretted that decision. If only I were a "celebrity" like Kate Gosselin and had the luxury of time and money (even though I have 6 less children than she does...) to sit in a stylist's chair for 20 hours and have extensions put in.

In other news, I finally (FINALLY!) got sick and tired of the pudge thats taken up residency on my body and I'm taking the Special K challenge! Starting tomorrow I'll be enjoying a bowl of Special K cereal for breakfast, a protein shake for lunch and sensible dinners everyday for 2 weeks. I figure its only 2 weeks. Anyone can commit to something for 2 weeks, right? Special K promises you'll lose up to 6 lbs, or a dress size in that 2 weeks. I'll let you know how it works for me.

I'm also proud to announce that Crying it Out worked wonders for little miss Coco and we have not rocked her to sleep since! I'm telling you -- the first nights the hardest but its get much easier really fast! She's also become somewhat mobile and now rolls all over the place to get to wherever it is she wants to go...we have found her under Cash's table and chairs, getting toys out of the basket in the play room, and almost under our ottoman. Its exciting to see her grow and develop, but a little frightening to consider we'll have 2 mobile children soon! Lord, help us!

So long, 3am snuggles

2010-02-17T23:45:00.000-05:00

Operation Cry It Out 2010 commences this evening. Prayers are appreciated. As we learned when Cash was a baby, the first nights the hardest.

here goes nothin'....

Boys will be boys...

2010-02-12T13:14:00.000-05:00

I always knew this day would come, but wasn't sure how I would respond to it...

I was sitting on the couch drinking my lunch replacement protein shake (yeah right. replacement.). Corrinne was bouncing happily in her exersaucer, Cash was playing with his guitar. Next thing I know, Cash is climbing up on the couch with me. Knowing our rule is you have to keep your bottom on the couch, he immediately sat down next to me. I thought "how sweet" until moments later he's standing on the couch (with his shoes on!). Before I could get "sit down!" out of my mouth he leapt off the couch onto the floor!

This is the child that didn't start walking until he was 14 months old because he didn't want to fall down. The same child that can't even really jump yet.

All I could do was wait to make sure he was ok before cracking up. Then I told him that was a BIG no no.

Life with a son. And so it begins...

Silly Songs with Bethany

2010-02-10T22:50:00.001-05:00

This may or may not come as a surprise to you, but I happen to be the kind of mom that makes up silly songs for and about her kids. It could be about anything - chubby legs, poopy pants, yummy rice cereal - most things pertaining to life with an infant have inspired a song by yours truly. And usually there's a dance involved but thats neither here nor there.

Anyways, tonight I caught Drew singing one of my gems to Corrinne. It was one composed for our first born that always made him smile and kick his legs. It is entitled, "Kick your legs!". (No wonder he kicked. Natural-born genius, I tell you.) After Drew finished singing he told Corrinne that I used to sing that song to her brother when he was her age and how much he enjoyed it (turns out, Coco does too!). I was surprised he remembered that and I asked him if he remembered any of the others. And he did!

I know that most of you will probably think I'm the biggest dork, but this blog was meant to serve as a way to remember this crazy time in our lives because I'm not so great at scrap-booking (actually, I pretty much suck at it - I had one of my fellow MOPS moms create the kids' birthday books for me. Yeah. Horrible.) and have proven to be just as lame at filling in their baby books. So lucky for you - you get to read all about it! Tonight I thought I would write down a few of the kids' favorites so that when Cash & Corrinne are 16 and 15 I can sing them when some boy or girl comes over. MWahahahahah!

And without further ado...

Kick Your Legs

Kick, Kick, Kick YOUR legs!

(In my defense, this was the first song composed when Cash was just a few weeks old and I was probably very sleep deprived and still taking pain meds for my c-section recovery - hence its simplicity.)

Casher Boy

Casher Boy, Casher Boy, You're my little precious baby, Casher Boy.

(I would occasionally substitute Pumpkin Pie for the words Casher Boy. Versatility at it's finest, folks.)

C.O.H.

Corrinne Olivia Hollingsworth, she is a pretty girl! She has two dimples and big, brown eyes. Prettiest girl in the WORLD!

Coco, Corrinne

Coco, Corrinne! Coco, Corrinne! She's so cute! Coco, Corrinne!

Chubby Legs

Chubby legs, chubby legs! Our baby girl has got some chubby le-e-e-e-e-gs! Chubby legs, chubby legs! Our baby girl has got some chubby legs.

(This is to the tune of a Sunday School song - I think - but for the life of me I can't remember the title or words. Sorry!)

There are others that I can't take credit for but are favorites with the kids. I'll include those just for memory's sake...

Little Me

Little Me, little Me. Jesus loves little Me. My head, my feet, my smile so sweet. Jesus loves little Me.

(I sang this to Cash every night when I'd rock him to sleep. Even now he'll stop and listen intently if he hears me singing it to Corrinne.)

Silent Night

I won't include the lyrics because I'm sure you all know this one. I started singing this to Cash during his first Christmas season and for some reason it would always calm him down at bedtime. Still works like a charm...

They both love This Little Light of Mine, Away in a Manger, Zaccheus (thanks to Cash's awesome Wednesday night teachers!), and Deep and Wide. I can't wait to hear their little voices singing with me someday. :)

Dearest Mother Nature,

2010-02-09T16:01:00.000-05:00

Thank you for sending large amounts of snow our way enabling me to stay in my pajamas ALL day without feeling guilty about it! I look forward to tonight's Wintry Mix you have in store for us as I will lay my sweet chubby kids down to bed and indulge in some Teen Mom: Unseen Moments, a Mt. Dew, and the last row of Scotcheroos leftover from Sunday's Superbowl Party. I'm not sure a Tuesday night could get any better.

Sincerely,

bethany

2010-02-04T15:22:00.000-05:00

Cash was helping me fold laundry this past Sunday when he came across these beauties and it was love at first sight!

He wore them as he vacuumed...

...while he had his afternoon snack...

... and while he sang his alphabet song.

Its the little things in life, I tell ya!

this one just makes me smile.

Pray for the people of Haiti

2010-01-29T23:40:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine posted this prayer on her facebook page and I hope she doesn't mind me sharing it here.

Lord, I just want to say THANK YOU, because this morning I woke up and knew
where my children were. Because this morning my home was still standing, because
this morning I am not crying because my husband, my child, my brother or sister
needs to be pulled out from underneath a pile of concrete, because this morning
I was able to drink a glass of water, because this morning I was able to turn on
the light, because this morning I was able to take a shower, because this
morning I was not planning a funeral, but most of all I thank you this morning
because I still have life and a voice to cry out for the people of Haiti. Lord
I cry out to you, the one that makes the impossible, possible, the one that
turns darkness in to light, I cry out that you give those mothers strength, that
you give them peace that surpasses all understanding, that you may open the
streets so that help can come, that you may provide doctors, nurses, food,
water, and all that they need in a blink of an eye. For all those that have lost
family members, give them peace, give them hope, give them courage to continue
to go on! Protect the children and shield them with your power. I pray all this
in the name of Jesus.

I'm going through a Beth Moore study called Believing God right now and in this study Beth uses five statements of faith to remind us when we're faced with adversity or trials: God is who He says He is, He can do what He says He can do, I am who He says I am, I can do all things through Christ, and His Word is alive and active in me. After I read this prayer those five statements ran through my mind. I'm taking God at His word. He hears our prayers and answers us. Won't you please pray with me for the people in Haiti and actively, continuously believe that God will restore this nation as a nation under His holy name?

Hey, Coco! Slow your roll!

2010-01-28T16:34:00.001-05:00

A week from today Corrinne will officially be 6 months old. As if its not enough to know that we're already through the first half of her first year, she decided to start showing off and has conquered four milestones this week. As in, since Sunday...4 days ago. Smarty pants.

First milestone: Deciding she'd rather sleep on her stomach. We've known she could roll over for awhile but she hadn't done it in her sleep yet...until last Sunday morning. I went in to get her up and instead of being at 3:00 (if you're looking at clock) she was at high noon, on her belly, mostly swaddled (translation: with one arm tightly wrapped), face pressed up against the bumper. It was like an ad for SIDS awareness. We nipped that in the bud. (Nipped it in the bud? butt? I don't know - we nipped it.) Which leads me to our next milestone...

Second milestone: No more swaddle! Sunday night we removed the bumper (which according to my Parents magazine should be done by the time your child is 4 months old. Oops.) and went cold turkey on the swaddle. We rocked her to sleep, laid her down, prayed, tip-toed out of her room and prepared to be up most of the night listening to her yell at us through the monitor. At some point I woke up just enough to realize I hadn't heard anything from her, freaked out momentarily, went in to check on her and found her sound asleep. I tip-toed back out, went back to sleep and woke up to the sound of her talking, laughing, and singing around 7:30 am. Not only is this momentous because of the no swaddle, but also because...

Third milestone: Sleeping through the night! Corrinne had a bad habit of waking up several times in the night only to need her paci replaced, a quick squeeze and then she was good. But she's such a big girl now, she's good with just one good night squeeze when we lay her down. Which is fine with me! Last night was a little rough, but we were only up with her once and she was even able to soothe herself back to sleep (another first!). She's slept completely through the night every other since Sunday! Its so nice to be reminded of what its like to lay down, go to sleep, and wake up after the sun comes up.

and lastly,

Fourth milestone: Little miss isn't so little anymore so today before we left for play date, I took the newborn cushion and head support out of the car seat and moved her straps up. Unfortunately I think we're a few weeks behind in doing this, since she was looking pretty squished in there every time we buckled her in! She seems to like it considering she's STILL asleep in it even though we've been home from play date for almost 2 hours.

While I'm glad she's reaching milestones as she should, it's still hard to believe she's so big already. With Cash I was so eager for him to get to the next stage that I was often ready before he was so it felt like I was waiting on him to grow up. With Corrinne, I feel like she's running ahead of me and I'm trying to keep up...When I think of how quickly these last 6 months have gone, it makes me realize the next 6 will go by even faster. Pretty soon we'll be out on our deck on a beautiful August day singing Happy Birthday to a chubby-cheeked, brown-eyed, brunette with lots of icing on her face. And how glorious it will be....

2010-01-22T13:39:00.000-05:00

I've learned some interesting things since we last met...

1. No matter how many times a person walks up and down their stairs at home, you should never be too confident in your footing. I'm still walking gingerly and have a lovely bruised and slightly swollen ankle to prove it...

2. Do not ever give your toddler a Fiber One bar...unless you won't be the one to change the diaper that comes soon after. If you are the one that has to change it - wear protective masks and clothing.

3. Our next child (the one we're planning on having in 2012) will never be swaddled in hopes of avoiding the night-time drama we're currently having with Corrinne - slowly breaking her of the comfy, snug (especially when the baby is almost 16 lbs!) swaddling blanket. We've successfully gotten her used to only having ONE arm in the swaddle. I have a feeling we'll pay for it when we try to go all night with BOTH arms out. Please pray for us.

4. There are approximately 250 calories in a 2" square brownie. And if I decide to skip breakfast in order to save my calories so I can still be under "budget" at the end of the day, so be it!

5. Drew and I are currently learning Cashese - it seems Cash has his own language. (Look for ways you too can learn it on the next Rosetta Stone commercial.) The following encounter took place last night:

(Cash, driving his car, pulls up next to Bethany - aka "Mama" - on the couch.)

Cash: Bye, Bye, Mama!

Bethany: Bye, Cash! See you later!

Cash: OOOH Raah! ("Love You")

To the untrained ear, it would sound like he was a Marine. But a mommy's heart knows better.

I resolve to...

2010-01-04T16:27:00.000-05:00

... drink more water.

... paint my nails more often. I just feel girlier when they're freshly polished.

... enjoy my kids more and worry about my dirty house less.

... run three times a week.

... go to bed before midnight.

... eat Special K Chocolatey Delight as a late night snack instead of ice cream.

... keep our lives, kitchen, and closets organized and clutter-free!

... decorate our bedroom (paint, new bedding, and fresh decor).

... fully commit myself to the bible studies I'm involved in so that I can walk away feeling closer to God and more aware of His still, small voice.

... cook dinner for my family 3 nights out of the week.

... eat less Chick-fil-a. (darn it.)

... be better at maintaining 2 eyebrows instead of letting them grow back into one. (For some reason I'm really bad about this!)

... take my kids outside at least 3 times a week - more in the summer time- even if its just for a ride in the wagon.

2010: Don't fail me now...

2010-01-03T21:52:00.001-05:00

I've sort of been avoiding blogging lately because there have been so many random thoughts going through my mind. Thursday (New Years Eve) was spent mostly reminiscing on the last year. Oh boy...what a year! We started the year out dealing with morning sickness while taking care of an 8 month old. Not something I necessarily want to do again in my life. Ever. We celebrated Cash's first birthday and experienced the joys and financial strains throwing said birthday party brings... We searched for and bought the most perfect house for our family a mere 6 weeks before the birth of the most beautiful baby girl you will ever lay eyes on. We adjusted to life as a family of 4 and now here we are...

So naturally, while I played that video montage of the last year in my head all day Thursday (complete with sappy music that makes you wanna cry), I felt happy and sad at the same time. Shappy. Then Friday rolled along and I got over it. New day, new year, new attitude. Then I read an email from our worship leader. She was encouraging us to reflect on the last year and how God can use us in the coming year. But what struck me from her email was how we're not only entering a new year, but also a new decade. Drew mentioned this the other night and I didn't really give it a second thought. But in her email Dena was telling us how far God has brought her over the last ten years and it got me thinking...where was I ten years ago?

Well for starters, I was 17 and in my junior year of high school if that tells you anything! In the last ten years I've: cheered at football games, sang at my graduation ceremony, said goodbye to the best friends I'd known for 10 yrs, made new ones at college, kept a few of the old ones, realized I didn't really want to go to college, got my heart broken, watched friends get married, watched friends have babies, worked at a bank, a plumbing company, a law office, and the American Baptist Churches region office. I've tried out several different churches only to realize home is where I started out, lived with a friend, lived on my own, got a puppy, was in 15 weddings in a year, met Breanna, met Sophia, lost my grandma Dunaway, met Ava, met Gibson, went to Europe to visit a boy I was "dating" even though I really liked a guy back home, dated the guy back home, broke up with him, came to my senses and got engaged to him, planned the most beautiful wedding ever, laughed when everything went wrong during our wedding, did the Thriller dance at our reception, gave my purity ring away (woo hoo!), turned our first house into a home, became a mommy, sold our first house, moved at 8 months pregnant, realized you do love your 2nd baby just as much as the first one, gained and lost 40 pounds (twice!), danced till I couldn't stand up, laughed till my stomach hurt, sang my heart out (with and without audiences), realized my best friends have the same maiden name as me, cried more than I ever thought possible, rejoiced over first smiles, coos, giggles, steps, words, and fell in love with my husband a million times over.

To say God has done a lot in my heart is a complete and utter understatement. He pretty much went all Extreme Home Makeover on it -- bulldozing the old to build a brand spanking shiny new one. The last ten years have been awesome, crazy, heart-breaking, sad, incredible, joyous, and adventurous. I can't wait to see what the next ten hold...

Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.

2009-12-15T15:25:00.000-05:00

I have a confession to make, I've totally been coveting this girl's beautifully decorated home. I'm gonna have to get a bigger decorating budget.

Cheers, Tears, and Santa Claus

2009-12-13T23:07:00.000-05:00

Tonight was Cash's very first Christmas program! It probably wasn't the momentous occasion I felt it was to anyone else in the room (besides Drew...maybe) but thats ok. Since I've been told I have a "flair for the dramatic" I've always longed for the day I could go to one of those programs and be the mom standing in the side aisle snapping pictures and doing the motions along with the kids with a huge grin on her face. And you better believe thats exactly how it went tonight. His class sang "Away in a Manger" tonight and he did such a good job. He did the first motion - rocking the baby Jesus in his arms - the entire song BUT he didn't: a) cry incessantly with his hands in his mouth (a new trait of his), b) run off stage or explore the rest of the stage, or c) just stand there so I felt it was a huge success. And of course he looked adorable, as exhibited below.

There he is rocking that imaginary baby Jesus!

In front of the tree at church.

The kids got to meet Santa & Mrs. Claus. Coco seemed a little uncertain...

...and I think Cash may need counseling.

Ramblings.

2009-12-03T21:14:00.000-05:00

Well I'll just start off this post by letting you know that we have reached the "NO" stage with Cash. And I'm not talking about us telling him no - we've been there for awhile now. No, no...he's now telling us. What a delight. Moving on.

I ventured out of my shell, if you will, and went to the Community South Hospital Breastfeeding Support Group this morning. I went anticipating the La Leche League sitting around the table judging Corrinne's latch, my usage of the hooter hider (I could just hear them whispering, "Just let it hang out. Its the most natural thing in the world."), and finding out she's not getting hardly milk and hasn't gained an ounce in the last 2 months. Thankfully none of that happened. In fact, I didn't even use my hooter hider...turns out, in a room full of women doing the same exact thing I honestly didn't care at all to go au naturale. In a crowded mall is a completely different story. Anyways. I did find out that Corrinne weighs roughly 13 1/2 pounds and is getting around 3.5 ounces at every feeding. Good news! She has her 4 month visit on Tuesday so we'll see what her exact stats are...I know. FOUR MONTHS. So hard to believe. Girlfriend rolled over from back to belly on Wednesday and is now a rollin fool...

In other news, we found out Wednesday night that Cash will be starring in his first on-stage performance in a few weeks! Last fall he joined an elite singing group at church, The Joyful Noise choir. And by joined I mean he started going to the toddler class on Wednesday nights while Drew and I are in bible study. His teachers handed us a paper when we picked him up last night asking us to go over the songs with him in preparation for the kids' christmas program on the 13th. Ha! If only they knew what they were asking me to do...All of the potential stage mother instincts within kicked in and I made a mental promise to go over the songs every day with Cash. We started this evening and much to my surprise he knew all the motions to Away in a Manger! I could barely sing I was laughing so hard. I can't wait to see him on stage on the 13th! Don't worry - the video camera will be out!!!!

I also feel I should make one of my personal goals public as to keep myself accountable. Usually I ask Drew to hold me accountable with these type of things but its involving my weight and lets be honest - there's really no safe way for him to hold me accountable when it comes to losing weight/working out/spending money. Oops...did that last one slip out?! ;) Every year on our anniversary I put my wedding dress on. I know some of you are probably sitting there thinking to yourself, "hasn't she been pregnant every year on their anniversary so far?" and the answer to that question is yes. That didn't stop me. HOWEVER, this year not only will I not be pregnant, but I will be able to fit into my dress like I did on that fateful day almost 3 year ago! Which means, I need to lose about 20 pounds in the next 3 months or so. Yikes. I can do it!!! On that note, I need to go make my coffee cake I'm taking to MOPS in the morning. :) Nighty night...

Thanksgiving, 2009

2009-11-29T21:05:00.000-05:00

The day started out as it does every year - with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. Cash is officially a fan. That makes 2 out of the 4 Hollingsworths. :)

Corrinne was really excited for Thanksgiving. Or maybe she was excited about wearing those adorable pink boots!

This is the just the "grown up" table.

Here we have Cash wearing his favorite part of the meal: Megan's chocolate chip cookies.

And my favorite picture of last weekend - Carter & Corrinne. 3 1/2 and 4 month old cuteness!

aaaThank you!

2009-11-24T17:15:00.000-05:00

Last year around this time, I wrote a Thank You post containing several things/people I was thankful for at the time. To keep with tradition, I thought I'd give God another "shout-out" and list what I'm thankful for this year. Without any further ado...

Always on my list: My dear, sweet, adorable, sexy, loving, courageous, and hard-working husband, Drew. He is the funniest guy I know, incredible father to our children, and the champion of my heart. He will always be at the top of my "thankful" list.

Of course, I'm equally thankful for my two kids. The fact that they're healthy, growing, and smart is a miracle. Not everyone can say that. I'm often reminded of this. And as a bonus - they're hilarious, adorable, and downright beautiful. ;) I love them both equally, but I'm thankful for them for different reasons: I'm thankful for Cash because he introduced me to the wonderful world of motherhood. He has endured so many "test runs" as our first child and has somehow made it! ;) He has such a sweet, tender spirit, yet can test my limits in almost the same breath. He's an awesome sleeper and excellent big brother. Being his mom is a true joy.

I'm thankful for Corrinne because she taught me about trusting in God's timing before she was even born! At only 3 1/2 months old she is learning so much everyday. Because she's my second and I'm a little more relaxed, I enjoy watching her learn without worrying she's not doing what she should at this given stage, etc. Having her has forced me to be the organized person I always wanted to be, but never had the swift kick in the pants I needed to get me there. Her smile is a highlight of my day, and the reason I don't (always) cry when I am woken up in the middle of the night...I'm so incredibly thankful and glad we were blessed with her.

Almost daily I think to myself, "I love our new house." Its such a blessing to have so much space for our kids, visitors, our stuff, and the kids to come. (Yes, there will be more! But not anytime soon.) We've been able to entertain our friends and family without people having to sit on each other's laps. (I kid, that never happened.) We are so grateful God worked it out for us to be able to sell our house and purchase this one. It was truly His handiwork.

My family. I have a HUGE family and its always crazy when we're all together. But I think I'd probably cry if it were any other way. There's nothing quite like the bond you share with your siblings. My sisters are my very best friends and I know it'll always be that way. We understand each other better than anyone, know the other person's joke before they say it and laugh the loudest at it. We hurt when one is hurting and celebrate each other's accomplishments. I realize not everyone can say they're thankful for their family and that breaks my heart because I can't imagine a life without that support system. I have tremendous parents whom I've become friends with as an adult and appreciate their love and parenting even more as I've become a parent. I know I don't say it often enough, so in case you guys are reading this -- I love you! :)

Chick-fil-a Sauce. Ok, I don't know when Mr. Truett Cathy came up with this recipe but I'm pretty sure all of heaven rejoiced. I think I've become slightly obsessed with it and its become a staple at lunch on play date days - which happens once a week. And it occurred to me this afternoon, while eating my 2nd 8 pack nugget meal with a large sweet tea and extra C-F-A sauce this week, that this could be to blame for the 11 pounds of baby weight I constantly complain about. (Yes - I lost a pound last week! Baby steps, people. Baby steps.)

Mylicon. I'd like to thank the manufacturers of Mylicon for all the times you have had a hand in allowing me some extra sleep when my little one gets a bit gassy. You have created a miracle drug and I'm considering buying stock in your company...

DVR. Gone are the days of missing out on shows just because they're on after I go to bed, or having to miss something because I need to leave the room momentarily. Oh no! Not only can I "record" a show without using the VCR (do those even still exist?!) but I can record FOUR SHOWS AT ONCE! Glorious technology!

And lastly (just for this particular list) but far from the least...

My salvation. You know I couldn't do a list without stating the obvious. I'm forever grateful for the sacrifice Christ made for me and you and have committed my life to doing everything I can to glorify and honor Him.

Happy Thanksgiving from the Hollingsworths!

Life is like a box of chocolates. Mmmm, Chocolate!

2009-11-05T10:56:00.000-05:00

Truth be told, I hardly ever know what day it is. Blame it on (somewhat) sleepless nights, hormones, the sheer fact that I have 2 children under 2. Whatever. Its a fact. But yesterday I was caught off guard by just how quickly time is passing.

Yesterday Megan and I were discussing how glad we are not to be in high school anymore, but how it doesn't seem like it was that long ago that we were (in reality its been 8 and 5 years for us!). It feels like I just celebrated my 18th birthday a few years ago..."a few years ago" meaning almost 9. When I'm around women my age who have yet to join the ranks of motherhood, I admit I feel like life is passing me by. They're out living it up in the workplace with their abs still intact and exciting vacations planned while I'm at home wiping boogers and hineys all day long, trying to find something to wear that hides the 12 lbs of baby weight clinging for dear life.

This past Sunday I was convicted on our way to church. Drew had been off work all weekend and wasn't scheduled to go back until Tuesday morning. But there it was Sunday morning and I was mentally trying to prepare myself for this week's schedule and began asking him about his work-week, etc. I had (mentally) skipped over the last day of his "vacation" and was already geared up for him to go back to work. It was right then that I felt God tugging on my heart and saying, "Don't worry about tomorrow...enjoy today." I realized in that instance how often I do skip over today and move right on to preparing for tomorrow and the days to follow without even being guaranteed a tomorrow! Life isn't passing me by; I'm passing by life. Sometimes flying right past it!

This is my life - diapers, spit up, drool, boogers, galore! The kitchen has dirty dishes in the sink, and I have a ton of laundry to do. During the 30 minutes its taken me to write this, I've saved Corrinne from being trampled on by Cash approximately 15 times. And I'm sure I'll "save her life" about 300 times more today...But around 5:00 tonight the most handsome man ever will walk in my front door and greet me with a kiss. We'll enjoy a lovely dinner of stuffed peppers and help some friends celebrate their first baby girl's arrival into the world. Its not an extravagant vacation but we'll have time for those someday...in about 20 years. :) And as for those 12 lbs and saggy abs (and saggy other parts of the body we won't mention by name) - I wear them with pride (sometimes) because without them I wouldn't have my beautiful kids. And lets face it - its not natural to be that skinny and have 2 kids. ;)