12 years ago....

12 years ago today, a boy asked me to be his girlfriend. In the last 12 years we have: learned how to drive, gone to prom, graduated high school, completed college, got married, bought a house, finished a law degree and a masters degree, and now we have an adorable little boy and a precious little girl is on her way. My life has been filled with so much love and happiness since that day, and I have him to thank for that. I am living the life I dreamed of as a little girl and it would not be possible without the love of this man. Here is to many many more dozens of years filled with love and laughter!!!

Things I Do Not Want To Forget....

I have always wanted to be a mom, I knew this at the tender age of 2 when Courtney was born and I followed my mom around the house with my baby (Calli the Cabbage Patch doll).  Even though I am living the life I always wanted, I am surprised by the contentment that has filled my heart.  I can honestly say I have never been this happy.  I don't care about keeping up with the latest fashion trends, a bigger house, a nicer car, or even starting my career.  Right now, my husband and babies are what make my heart feel like it is going to explode with happiness.

Life with a toddler is always busy. Sometimes an exhausted busy (I partly blame being 9 months pregnant), but mostly a laugh-so-hard-my-sides-hurt-busy. Every month I note what Harrison is up to, but there is no way I could share with you every awesome detail of this little boy's life (although I try :). I feel more than blessed to be his mommy and I still can not believe all of the joy that he brings to my life. I have started noting little things he does, just because I do not want to forget them.

Here are some things about Harrison (at 20 months) that I do not want to forget:

• He sometimes laughs in his sleep
• He loves to sing along to songs.  Even though he can not say the words, he babbles right along with the tune
• He mimics everything I do.  From cleaning, to dancing, to scolding the dogs, to putting on make up, to reading books, to cooking...he tries to do it all
• Every morning he talks to his daddy in the bathroom as he gets ready for work
• When people leave our house, he loves to waive bye at the window
• When Matt leaves for work, instead of waiving, he gives pretty sloppy kisses to his daddy through the window
• He LOVES to be read to.  He will bring us books, make us sit on the ground and then climb into our lap for story time.  I must read 10-20 books a day to him
• Matt and I go in his room every night and watch him sleep.  As precious as he is awake, he is so peaceful while he sleeps
• How happy he is in the mornings
• He blows on his food with me when I tell him it is hot
• He says "Brrrrr" when he is cold
• He lifts up my shirt to kiss the baby
• He does not like it when my hair falls in my face.  He will brush my hair away from my face
• He walks around to pictures during the day and says "Dadda" as he points to Matt
• He loves animals as much as I do
• He loves to cuddle under blankets
• When he says "Oh No" he grabs his chubby cheeks
• He says "cheese" when he sees lightning
• He gives the best hugs in the whole world
• He asks for help when he can't do something on his own
• He has discovered the art of climbing onto the kitchen counters :(

After his third haircut....is he not adorable :)

Happy Mother's Day (just a few days late)

I have been really bad about blogging lately and I blame it on Harper :) Any downtime I have, I am laying on the couch soaking in the relaxation, and that my friends is no exaggeration. Lucky for me, I have one super cuddly little boy who thinks I am laying on the couch just to get cozy with him (and no one tell him otherwise). I had taken a two week break in blogging due to this laziness and now I am trying to catch up. Even though Mother's Day was Sunday, I think it is important enough to revisit! So here it is.....

Proverbs 31: 28-31

"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

I have been blessed with a mother that not only loved me and nurtured me, but also one who taught me what is means to be a Godly woman, wife, and mother and for this I am forever grateful. I have always loved my mother, but now that I am learning what it means to be a mother myself, my respect and appreciation for her has grown by leaps and bounds. Being a loving wife and a patient mother is not always as easy as it should be and I am so thankful to have the wisdom of my mother at my disposal. When I start to doubt myself, I call my mom. When I have questions about my child's health, I call my mom. When I want to cook a delicious meal, I call my mom. When I just want to talk about my day, I call my mom. I know that every one thinks their mom is amazing....but mine really is :) I am so thankful to have this precious woman in my life. Even though I am 27 with a family and home of my own, she is still willing to take the time to teach and love me as if I were 4 all over again.

I will never be able to repay her for what she has done for me, but I think it would make her pretty proud if I can provide my children with the same love and support that she did.  Those are some pretty big shoes to fill, but I will give it my best!!!

20 days!!!!

Normally I try to be one happy pregnant lady, but I need to be real with y'all.  I am huge and uncomfortable.  I have reached the stage where, let's face it, nothing is easy.  Bending over leaves me out of breath, holding Harrison leaves me nauseous, and daily activities leave me feeling like I have been hit by a Mack truck at night.  Sleeping is not comfortable, much less enjoyable.  Throw in a couple pretty sore ribs and I am not the most pleasant person to be living with.  I have not been taking it as easy as I should.  It is so hard to "prop your feet up" when nesting happens to be at the same exact time spring cleaning usually hits me.  I have been keeping myself (and my husband) very VERY busy with a to do list a mile long.  I am happy to say that more than half of my list has been crossed off since the sun decided to finally come out.  My goal is to finish all remaining to-dos by the end of this weekend so I really can take it easy for my remaining two weeks.

As uncomfortable as I have been, there are some awesome things that come with being this super pregnant.  I love feeling her respond to our voices and loud noises.  Last week, Matt and I saw my stomach transform into a really odd cone shape and watched a foot raise up right under my ribs.  I love rubbing her bottom and feel her move in response.  She also gets the hiccups several times a day and I love watching and feeling my belly bounce with each hiccup.  It really is an amazing experience, I just can not wait to finally meet her!!

Gone are the days....

Gone are the days of midnight dance parties, or sharing clothes with every girl on my floor, or putting on makeup just to go eat breakfast.  I love where I am in at this very moment in life, but I would be lying if I said I never looked back on my college days with a bit of nostalgia.  It was a wonderful time in my life that helped define who I am today.  There were several people I met my freshman year that are proving to be life long friends.  These are friends I can go 6 months to a year with out seeing, but when we get together to catch up, it is like we were never separated.  Last week, Harrison and I took a quick trip to Lexington to visit two of my closest college girlfriends.  It was a perfect visit, and it made me wish we all lived closer.  I miss being able to walk across the hall to make a smore and sit and talk about my day, but I am so thankful to still have these lovely souls in my life. 

Brittney, Stephanie, Me and Harrison enjoying a lovely afternoon at Stephanie's beautiful home!

Stephanie and I HAD to get a belly shot.  Her little bundle of joy, Houston, will make his debut in August!!

So thankful for wonderful friendships!!

Last time vs. This time

This is a picture taken of my poor feet at 35 weeks with Harrison.  My feet (and legs, and hands, and face, and....everything else) were so swollen that they felt like they were on fire.  Matt would take dish towels and tie bags of frozen peas to my feet so I could have some relief while I slept.

This time around has been a little easier!!  Here is a picture of my feet at almost 35 weeks with Harper.

Happy Earth Day

To celebrate Earth Day today, we went to visit our friends at the recycling center.  In our small town, we do not have our recycling picked up.  If you would like to recycle, you have to sort it, pack it up, and drop it off.  I will admit, it kept me from recycling for a few years.  But after a trip to Disney World and listening to Timon and Pumbaa (The Circle of Life ride at Epcot), I knew I had to start recycling :)  Harrison and I pack up our recyclables every week and go visit Val.  He is one of the happiest people I know and he is always so excited to see Harrison.