FoUr MoNThS and Counting...

Just a quick little update on our life!  Spring break is here.  The week that I would long for not too long ago... Now, its just another week!  Makes me miss those good old college days (not enough to go back but miss it none the less).  For those who don't know, I am working for my dad right now.  This week is gonna be a little slow because my babysitter (my mom aka mimi) is in New York.  Uncle Aaron has been amazing and watches her when I need him- he is such a good uncle!  My dad has been gracious to give me a day off!  It was wonderful.  Me and Payton slept in (partly because Payton wanted to stay up till 1am).  I got to play with my girl most of the day and catch up on a few household chores today.  I am proud to say that every sheet, towel, and piece of clothing are clean and put away!!  Feels good to have a clean home and sheets.  Payton is now four months- I can't believe it.  She had her 4 month check up and shots on Friday.  She did great as always.  She weighs 13lbs and 8oz and is 24 inches long!  She is in the 50 percentile in weight and height.  Shes perfect :)  She's had a little bit of a cold but it is mostly cleared up now.  She is growing up so fast.  Sitting up almost on her own, reaching for toys, rolling over (almost), talks a ton, smiling, grabbing, and loves watching people move.  And we have now started giving her cereal- she has loved it but takes awhile to get it all in her mouth (messy eater)!!  Here are some recent pics:      

Oh and Happy Birthday to my mom and Donna!!  Yall are the best grandmothers ever!  Love you guys!  Here is a video of her trying cereal for the first time (please ignore my annoying voice lol):

Remember to continue to pray for Japan and all those who were effected by the earthquake and Tsunami's.  Such a terrible tragedy.  Pray for Gods glory, name, and healing to be known!

(noypistuff.blogspot.com)

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

                (lazacode.com)

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  Isaiah 41:10

Rest.

SO I HAVE been feeling very tired/overwhelmed/weary lately.  I am working for my dad right now.  Its been nice because I only have to go to the office at most 3 days a week and the rest I can work from home.  My mom or brother watch Payton while I go into the office (which I am so very grateful for) and she stays home with me when I work from home.  I LOVE being with Payton and getting to be at home with her most days but being a full time mommy and working full time is tough!  Praise the Lord Payton sleeps through the night because I don't think I would be able to function with any less sleep lol.  With all the wifely duties, work, and motherly responsibilities its hard to find moments to be still.  God has been tugging on heart a lot and convicting me of this.  Because without being still before our God and spending time with Him- I would fall apart.  He is the one who gives rest for the weary, strength to the tired, and peace to the overwhelmed.  So I am trying to be still.  To wake up earlier and spend quality time with my Jesus.  To let go of things I can't control.  And not worry about finances (which is pretty constant for us) and earthly things.  I have been dwelling on these few verses and clinging to the promises found in them:


"But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."  Isaiah 43:1-2


"Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Exodus 14:13-14


He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10




On a lighter note...  Payton is 3 months!!  She is laughing, grabbing, smiling and becoming such a talker!  I can't explain how much I love my baby girl and how she fills my heart/life with joy!  She is almost rolling over too!  She is growing right before our eyes- changing daily.

This weekend went by so fast... I can't believe its already Monday!  Friday, my sister, brother, and sister's fiance stayed at our house (because my parents were a host home for Dnow so they had 10 boys staying at their house).  Me and Maddie stayed in our guest room on the pull out couch- we watched movies all night long.  It was fun to spend time with her- watching chick flicks and having some girl talk (don't get much of that living with a boy).  Saturday, I spent the morning cleaning our house from top to bottom.  I even cleaned the deck out back.  Then, at 2 I went with Maddie, Zach, and my mom to taste some food for their wedding.  That night I made chicken and dumplings and my whole family came over.  Nathan, Jenny, and Donovan also came.  We had 11 people in our little house- it was crazy but tons of fun.  Everyone left around 10 and my house was a complete wreck lol.  It was worth it though.  Today, we went to church and then got some stuff done around the house.    

Here are some recent photos:

New Pictures

Pictures of us in the snow:

"The prayer of a Righteous man is powerful and effective"

TWO posts in one day!  Crazy, I know.  This will be a short one.  I have been following this blog for sometime- I am sure most of you have heard of it (or maybe you haven't, who knows?).  The blog is about a little girl named Kate McRae.  She was diagnosed with a brain tumor a year and a half ago.  They just found a new spot the other day.  Please join them and many others in prayer!  Please read her blog and intercede on her behalf.  But have a box of tissues next to you because I cry my eyes out everytime I read a blog entry.  Their pain breaks my heart.  Their stories and strong faith in the Lord, touches me!  Lord, please heal precious Kate!   http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate

SNOW DAY

So it's freeeezzzing here in Arlington.  Yesterday, we had a snow day.  The roads were really icy and nasty so most everything was shut down.  Jonny even got to stay home from work.  We spent the day snuggling and being lazy.  We watched like 4 movies and barely left the couch.  Just me, Jonny, and our baby girl.  It was great.  Today, was another snow day for me but sadly Jonny had to work :(  Power has been going in and out here in Arlington- they are trying to control it by doing 15 minute intervals of power outages.  But my parents have been without power for hours- so I don't know how well it is working.  Our house hasn't lost it yet.  So Aaron, my mom, and the dogs are here for the day- so much for cleaning and organizing the house today.  We are watching movies again :)

 
So I am doing the +365 project (taking a picture a day for a year).  I have done great for the first month.  We will see if I can make it the whole year- I am thinking if I can even make it a few months- ill be happy.  It's a lot harder to take a picture a day than it seems.  Here is the link if you wanna see January.  You can click on each picture to get a description of them!!  http://shuttercal.com/calendar/lvanhoy/2011/1/

Have a great day!  Stay warm and be safe!

Catch Up!

Been awhile since I lasted posted something so I thought I should write a little something!  Payton is already 2 months!  Some days I feel like its been 2 years and some days I feel like it was just yesterday that we were bringing her home from the hospital.  Being a mom is awesome and I am loving every minute of it.  She is developing a personality and it is so fun to watch!  She loves to smile at her momma :)  I have even heard a giggle or two.  She is such a joy.  And she is getting so good at lifting her head up.  We have started a bedtime routine- my favorite part of the day.  I feed her, give her a bath, read Good Night Moon, sing a few songs and then its off to bed!  LOVE IT!!  Her last doctors appointment, she was 11 pounds and 22 1/2 inches long!  Healthy and growing!!  Shes in the 50 percentile in weight and height!  I haven't started nannying again but I am working for my dad until I do.   

 Today, my mom came over and we worked on our 3rd bedroom.  It is FINALLY coming together.  We got our fold out couch and entertainment shelves put up.  Today, we put things on the wall and moved the rug from our bedroom into the room.  All that is left is putting a desk in the room (which is coming from the house in College Station).  I am so glad its finally coming together- its been in the making since we moved in a year ago. 

Our Couch that folds out for our guests :)

A desk will replace the side table and the chair will go underneath it

We still have to adjust the doors and hook up the tv.  Oh and put hardware on the doors!

 

 

 

This was the room when we moved in!

 

2011 Here we come!

Goals for 2011:

1.  Start working out again.  Before I got pregnant I was a running fool.  I even ran a half marathon.  So I am going to start using my LA fitness membership again since I have been paying for it every month :)  But no more half marathons for me lol.

2.  Be a better spender.  I am going manage my money a lot better and start using coupons and such!  We are pretty tight financially so I am gonna start cutting back on things, cook more at home, and find ways to save more!  I think Jonny will appreciate this :)

3.  Drink more water.  I did so good while I was pregnant and breastfeeding but now that I am neither- I have taken back my addiction to Dr. Pepper.  I am not planning to give it it up entirely (never could do that) but just cut back and drink more water.

4.  Volunteer more.  I feel like even though my days are extremely busy, I still have a lot of down time.  I want to be better with how I spend my time.  I don't just want to simply exist and live my life doing daily mundane things.  I want to make a difference.  I want to serve those around me.  I want to share the Lord through my actions.  So I am going to make an effort to volunteer a whole saturday at least once every month (hopefully more- but I don't wanna make a commitment I don't keep). 

5.  Go on a mission trip.  Last year me and Jonny went to China with our church.  I would LOVE to go on another one this year.  I am praying and gonna let the Lord lead me :)

That's about all I have for now... Goodbye 2010!!  Here's to a great 2011!!