Grateful.

Happy Memorial Day!  Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend full of friends, family, and relaxation.  I pray you took the time to remember, thank, and pray for our troops!

For those of you who don't know my mom was in the hospital the whole weekend due to blockage in her intestine.  She went in Friday around 2am because of some severe pain in her abdomen.  They had to do a lot of not fun stuff and she was in a lot of pain.  Thankfully she got to come home today and is mostly pain free (still a little sore).  They determined it was some kind of bacterial infection that caused her intestine to swell and cause blockage.  It was a rough weekend and I am pretty much emotionally spent.  It was so hard to see my mom suffer like she was.  She was in such intense pain and I could hardly take it.  The Lord definitely was my sustainer and comfort.  Even though I pretty much got no sleep- the Lord provided me strength and peace through it all.  I am grateful that the Lord healed my momma and that she is home tonight and not in that hospital anymore!

On a much lighter note....Payton is 6 months!!  I can't believe she is already 1/2 a year old.  I took this pic awhile ago but I am just now getting around to posting it!!

Current Favorites:  Chicken dinner baby food, rolling over from back to front and then back over again, her walker, jumper thing, drinking from a cup, standing, jumping up and down, being outside, walks, swings, and bath time! 

Current Dislikes:  Laying down (unless sleeping), naps, bouncer, peas or green beans, bows, and her car seat.  

Milestones this month:  Payton is starting to move by rolling and pushing backwards!  I can feel she is going to start crawling any day now!!  She has also mastered sitting up on her own and rolling over both ways!!!

Today was another first for Payton.  First swimming adventure!!  She HATED it but she sure did look cute :)  The water was still a little too cold and she had not napped all day- so she was exhausted.  She loves baths so I think it was just an off day!  We will try again soon!  

Thats all for now!  Gonna try and get some much needed sleep.  God bless our troops!

 

Free Greeting Cards

So... I recently have become addicted to Tinyprints.com!  I LOVE all their cute cards and invitations...  Right now, you can chose 5 greeting cards and use the promo OKL5CARDSFREE and you will get them FREE!!!!  And if you have them delivered to your house- its also free!  I am not sure how long this deal lasts... I just finished ordering mine!  Click the link above and get yours today!


Happy Shopping :)

Some new photos of Payton....

Class of 2011

Aaron graduated high school!!  My parents are officially empty nesters!
                               

Graduating Class of 2011!

Our little graduate!!

Program...

                                

Auntie Jo Jo watched Pay Pay!!

So proud of him!

Growing Up Fast.

I am feeling pretty sentimental tonight so be warned this post reflects such feelings!  Earlier, I went through Payton's closet and took out all the stuff that no longer fits her.  It was a lot sadder than I thought it would be.  I even started to tear up a little bit- haha (I can only imagine what I will be like in the future- poor Jonny).  I put all of Payton's newborn (which were super tiny- I forgot just how small she was) and 3 month clothing in a box.  I even had to put away some 6 month stuff that no longer fits her.  We even put the swing and the bouncy seat in the garage!  It's crazy how fast 6 months has gone by.  I can barely recall the day she came into this world (of course I was pretty drugged up).  And those first two weeks (which were pretty rough) seem like another lifetime ago!  She has turned our world upside down.

  I had a lot of fears when I found out I was pregnant and pretty much struggled with them until she made her debut!  But God has been so good.  He has blessed us immensely and shows it to me everyday through my baby girl.  He gives me energy and strength everyday (even if I barely slept the night before).  He has given me the BEST husband to live life with. * I love that I can see Jonny every time I look into Payton's eyes. * He reminds me just how blessed I am when I often get caught up in my own mess.  He provides for our family without fail.  And He has given me wonderful family and friends for support and accountability!  Looking through all her stuff and reminiscing about the last 6 months- I am in awe of my God- He is GOOD!      

Ok I will get off my soap box now...  Have a great night :)    

Summa Time....

Well the last few weeks have been pretty busy and it's not going to slow down one bit.  This summer, we have many exciting things happening!!  To start it all off both Maddie (A&M) and Aaron (Grace Prep) have/are graduating!!  Then, we are heading to SC to spend a week with Jonny's extended family!  After that trip, we will make our way to Mexico to witness and celebrate our good friends wedding!  A week later, we have a wedding reception.  And to end it all Maddie gets married July 8th!!!  In between all those big events, we have showers, bachelorette/bachelor parties, and family things!!  I am getting tired just typing it all out.  Even though our calendar is FULL- it's all really fun stuff!!  And I CAN"T wait- I know its gonna fly by us.  So here is a glimpse of the last few weeks:

Stephanie's Shower (April 30th)

My First Mothers Day and Payton's Dedication (May 8th)

Payton Turned 6 months (May 11th)

She is just shy of 16 pounds and 26 inches long!  She is sitting up, 

transferring toys from one hand to the other, eating veggies, and 

rolling over both ways!  She is healthy and such a joy!!!!!!!!!!!

Maddie's Graduation from A&M (May 14th)

And that's been our weekends so far!!  This weekend Aaron graduates, I have a bridal shower, and a graduation party!!  Can't wait for all the fun :)

Being a Mom

I don't know who actually reads my blog (I am convinced that only my sister does) but none the less, I will continue writing!  Things About Being a mommy (its a long list- and it could go on forever):

1.  I have learned that I am GREAT at multitasking.  The other day, I was folding laundry, making dinner, and feeding Payton at the same time.  I have found that I can do so much with one hand!  

2.  There is nothing better than my sweet baby girl falling asleep on me.  Definitely took that for granted when she was a newborn because now she only does it on rare occasions.

3.  Spit up has become somewhat of a fashion sense for me.  I seem to wear it almost everyday.

4.  I still HATE the mornings but waking up to Payton talking is the best alarm ever!!  

5.  I am a lot stronger than I ever thought- I can carry a car seat, my purse, a diaper bag, and some groceries all at the same time.  Carrying that car seat has given me some good arm muscles (too bad you can't tell from the outside).  

6.  When Payton accomplishes something (like sitting up by herself for the first time)- its the best thing ever.  Pride wells up inside me!!    

7.  I think washing bottles out is the worse thing EVER.  I would rather change a million diapers.  

8.  God reveals Himself daily through Jonny and my little girl.  They are constant reminders of His love, grace, and faithfulness.

9.  Payton is a talker- she is constantly babbling- sign of what is to come??

10.  I think they should make toys that have a million different songs/sayings.  Because I memorized every single one within 2 minutes.  And can never get them out of my head.

11.  Orajel is a life saver!

12.  Bath time is one of my favorite parts of the day (and hers).

13.  I have learned to really enjoy and take in times when its quiet.  Getting to spend time studying Gods word, or blogging, or reading, or even taking a bath have become much treasured moments!  

 14.  Laundry never seems to end- and I have lost almost everyone of Payton's socks!  They seriously just disappear in the washer or dryer!

15.  Girls clothes are so stinking cute.  I can't go into any store that sells little girls clothes cause I will buy everything!  

16.  A late night for me is 12.... A late night for Jonny is 10:30!!

17.  A fancy date for me and Jonny is going to the movies and we love it!  Recent movie we have seen:  Thor (great movie)!  Thankful for Donna and Scott who watched Pay Pay!

18.  Formula is expensive- how can powder be so much??

19.  I have had to learn to let my house be messy- which is hard.  I am a very organized and clean freak (to probably an extreme extent)- God is breaking me of that!

20.  I have learned to function on very little sleep- its amazing really (especially since I LOVE my sleep).

21.   Even though its not always easy, its WORTH it.  God is stretching me and molding me into who He wants me to be everyday.  I am blessed to get to be a mom!  I am thankful for His mercies for they are new each morning!  

November 11, 2010- Our lives changed forever!  

           

To Our Moms

Today was a special day!  Not only was it my first Mothers day but we got to dedicate our sweet baby girl to the Lord at church today.  I feel so blessed and proud to be Payton's mamma!  


"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."  Deuteronomy 11:18-20

I would not be the mother, wife, friend, sister, and women I am today if it not for my mom!  I owe everything I am to her.  Thank-you momma for teaching me to love the Lord and showing me what a personal relationship with the Lord is suppose to look like!  Love you!!

And thank-you Jesus for giving me a WONDERFUL mother-in-law!  Donna, you raised such a good man.  Thank-you for teaching him how to serve, love, and lead!  I love your family so much and so thankful to call you family!  Love you!!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY TO ALL YOU MOMS OUT THERE!!

God is Good.

May 1, 2001 President Obama announced to the world that Bin Laden was dead.  My twitter and facebook blew up with post about this mans death.  Still not really sure what to think or say about it.  I do know God is Good, Just, and Righteous!  Found this article by John Piper and thought it was interesting/enlightening:  CLICK HERE.  May we lift up those who are serving our country and not forgot the lives we have lost (9/11 and fighting overseas)!  Shout out to my cousin, Bryan, who is about to be deployed- praying for you man!!