Home Sweet Home

There's no place like home, There's no place like home, There's no place like home.

I think this could be my life's motto. My hubby and I just got back from

a trip to Chicago.. The Windy City! (really... it was so windy) Our 5th Anniversary is on Saturday, so we thought it would be nice to take a trip!

We did all the tourist things.... pictures entering the city, WALKED to Navy Pier (which we found out later there is a FREE trolly that runs.. and stops like 2 blocks from our hotel) , went to Field's Museum, rented a tandam bike, rode all around Lakeshore Drive, took more pictures, went to the top of the John Hancock Center and ATE.

  

8 weeks prego with our 2nd baby! (mostly belly fat)

The city was very cool, but wow. It is NOT a place for a pregn

ant woman with MY NOSE! Horrible smells... all the time! We were right by the hospital, so we could hear sirens all the time. We had to ask the hotel for a fan so I could sleep! Crazy! Every person that we passed, (yes, I know half were probably tourists too) I thought, how do you live here?

I was amazed, once again, at how God's plan is the best plan. I missed the corn fields. I missed the crickets and the locusts. I missed the little farms. I missed my quiet town. I missed my bed. And most of all, I missed my BABY GIRL! I've never been away from her for this long, and it was hard.

Through it all, I had a wonderful time with my hubby! It was the first time we got away since our honeymoon... Hawaii is amazing!

 HOW OLD WERE WE?!?!?

He could totally live in the city. He loved it. I liked the visit. I loved coming home. I'm so thankful for my family. I love my family. I love Floyd County. I love being right here. My friends are amazing. My life is so blessed!!!!

Our wedding day!! 5 years ago tomorrow!!! I AM SO BLESSED!!!

Hold on tight!

My life is just FLYING BY it feels like. Today I looked at my daughter and

thought, "When did you learn all these things?!" She was singing to Elmo, "la la la la", saying DELIBERATE "NO'S!" and just walking everywhere!

When did she learn to walk?! Did I blink?!

Eliza is 15 months old today. Pretty soon it will be 18 months.. then 24 months... then you don't keep track by months anymore! Oh heavens!

We are currently looking for a new home for our doggy, Lexi, and it seems like JUST yesterday we were driving to Des Moines, Picking up BEKA FOX'S engagement ring, and then driving 30 miles EAST to pick up our tiny puppy. Our lives as a "family" were just beginning. Where has the time gone?! Now I feel sad because she doesn't get the attention she deserves. She needs a new good home!

Cute... right?!

So I have a feeling my crazy life is going to start flying by even faster! We will hopefully be pregnant again soon.. and then does it move double time?? Triple??? Thank goodness GOD IS IN CONTROL!! I'm really excited for the next "Season" of my life. I feel like one is just ending, and one will be beginning soon. I can't explain it, but I feel like something is coming to an end. Maybe my JOB AT HY-VEE!

That would be THE BOMB!

But until then, God is in control of my life, and I will just take it one day at a time, and love my family with everything in me! I am SO blessed!!!

The end.

Tuesday..

Today is Tuesday. I don't like Tuesday's... well... up until 1 pm, that is. On Tuesday's, I work at 4am.. so that means I'm up at 3:30!!! Yes, I get up at the last possible minute, or like today, the last possible SECOND! Tuesday's make me very tired.. Tuesdays.........

It seems that I AWLAYS have a reason to complain about working. Someone to be annoyed with or something to be angry at. I started working at Hy-Vee when I was 16. Yes... it's been 8 years. It DOES NOT feel like 8 years. More like 20000.. :) I often ask God if He's done with me there yet. I think His silence is the answer. I know this is where I'm called for this "season" of my life. (Isn't a season only like 3-4 months???) God has a plan, and even though I can't see it yet, I know it's there. There is nothing I would LOVE more then to be AT HOME with my baby girl. My heart is calling me to be a stay-at-home mommy. Someday.. someday.. someday. I KNOW it will happen and God knows my heart. I am called to faithfulness. So faithful I shall be, with as little complaining as possible.

But just in case you wanted to know WHY I wanna be a stay at home mommy... here's my baby girl....

Beauty and personality all rolled into one!!!!!

My baby Girl

I have today off from work. I've spent the whole morning cleaning and doing laundry (which is normal for me on my days off). I got some Subway for my hubby and me and took it to him at work. I ordered some checks online. Any other time this is a totally normal day for me. Today was a little different than days in the past though. Every time I sit down this miracle inside of me Kicks and moves in all different directions. Its a feeling I've grown very fond of. God in His Glorious Splendor thought of a way to start the bonding process early between mom and baby. I feel bad for my hubby sometimes b/c he will never experience this. God has once again overwhelmed me by His Love. It's amazing.

Well I only have 10 weeks left, roughly, of being pregnant. I can't believe it. In many ways I feel I'm not ready for this, and in many ways I feel that I am. I am totally ready to give birth, but not getting sleep I need... I don't know about this. It will be a brand new chapter that I AM ready to start in on. God has great plans for this baby girl and I can't wait to see what they are!!

Today I'm thankful for my Freedom. Freedom to worship, to own my own home, to marry whomever I choose and to keep my precious baby.

Freedom to Serve the God I choose to serve. Freedom to pick my own friends. Freedom to choose.

I'm so thankful for everything this country offers me. I'm happy God chose to put me here in this town, with these people, to meet my husband, and raise a family. God is so amazing.

Claiming Confidence

It's funny how life can change in an instant. Even when you are hoping you will hear the answer you want to hear, and you do! God is so faithful. All of my life, all I have ever wanted was to be a mother and a wife. To stay at home, do all the "home-maker" things.. somehow God has led me in a different direction for the time being. I sometimes think that I have it all figured out, and I can just go ahead and quit my job any time now, but God is reminding me that maybe He's not through with me yet at my job. I believe I was called there for a reason. Wether it was to meet

the man of my dreams :) or bring someone else to Christ. I would SO love to quit, but I keep thinking of one person that maybe God wants me to try harder to witness to them.

All the worship songs I love to listen to say things like, "With Everything" , and I just sing it out, get all emotional, but am I really living it? I know God is calling me to something Greater than I already am. That's just a given in my mind. He always wants more. But why is it so hard?

God is preparing me for Motherhood. I want to be a Rock, a safe place, an example

in my child's life. Surrender is a key thought in my mind right now. God can't use me if I won't let Him. I want my baby to see God first in my life. No hang-ups. No insecurities. My husband is so wonderful in talking with me about this. He always tells me that however I am, that is what the baby will see, and probably eventually be like. I want to be Confident, Loving and Caring. NO hang-ups! NO insecurities!

It's funny how life can change in an instant. God is preparing me. I'm ready.