Update

Thank you all for your prayers. Both Mr. Busbin and my Gran passed away last night.

My mom stayed with Gran at the hospital last night and she called me a little before midnight to tell me that Gran had taken her last breath. It was her time to go and now she is pain free. I laid down and did my best to go back to sleep and all that I could think is that she is dancing with God. This is what my mom always says when someone passes that they get to dance with God in perfect peace and love. But, what is great about Gran is that she was a dancer. That is how she and my grandfather (Gramper) met. He was in the military and she taught ball room dancing and he came in for a lesson and they danced! They were amazing dancers. I always knew that at any event where there was music that they would dance. She now has a perfect body that will not hold her back from dancing. She was Grandmother to 8 of us and Great Grandmother to 14 kids (plus one on the way). She lived a great life and she will be greatly missed.

Thank you for all of your prayers.

Prayers

I have so much to catch up on, but I'll have time for all of that later. I wanted to ask for your prayers right now. My grandmother (Gran - Mom's Mom) isn't doing good. She has been in and out of the hospital but suddenly this week she took a turn for the worst. It has broken my heart and most of all I want her to be pain free. Hospice has explained that it will only be a matter of days. All of her children have been with her since Saturday and although she is not awake and aware - I pray that she feels their presence and their love. I wish that I was closer to be there as well. I know that all of our days are numbered and that God's perfect timing will be done and I pray for this.

Another request is my Step FIL's father is also not doing well. He has been in the hosptial for almost 2 weeks. I think that he is in the same condition as my grandmother and it is only a matter of time. I just pray that he is not in pain.

Both of these grandparents have lived a great life and I lift up to Our Heavenly Father the families who are there for them in their final days. I ask that there is no suffering and that they will feel the peace of God as they enter into our Almight Father's wonderious kingdom. I appreciate your prayers for them and our families.

I hope that your weekend was full of love. Mine has been and I'll do my best to share more with you later.

Butt Off 2009

Well, as before mentioned Sunday was the 5th annual Butt Off. The Butt Off started when Justin and Poe (Kevin 'Possum' Poe) wanted to know who could cook the best Boston butt. So, for the super bowl one year they both cooked and we (my parents and cousins) voted Poe had the best butt. Well from that point on it grew and grew. Justin and Poe are 'The Rules Committee'. They meet as often as possible and rules are discussed throughout the year. This year we had 8 cooks and about 20 or so judges - if you are not cooking you are a judge. The Patton's were kind enough to host this event at their house this year and it is always a day that is full of smack talk'n, lots of food eat'n and of course football watch'n. As you can tell from the pictures this has been taken seriously. T-shirts are printed, there is a winners trophy and a losers trophy (both decided by the judges). This year Jen kindly added official voting ballots, but in the past we've just torn off a piece of paper. The cooking started this year around 5:30am and butts were cut at halftime for the judging to take place.

It is so much fun, but I tell you that they bragging does now take place for the rest of the year. Congratulations to Poe for winning for the 3rd consecutive year - but I must brag and tell you that Justin's butt was awesome this year. It really was the best I have ever tasted and I'm not sure how he didn't win! He deserved it and it isn't because I'm his wife. As judges you really don't have a clue who's butt is who's you just vote and it was hands down for me that Justin's #7 was the best and certainly the best that he has ever cooked. All of the butts were yummy and they were very different tasting.

Our Children

I have willingly confessed that we are not the best about being in church every Sunday. We certainly try and go when we are in town, but today is one of those Sundays that we did not make it. We have an annual event on Super Bowl Sunday called the Butt Off - it is a cook off (I'll post more on this later) but this requires that Justin start cooking/smoking his Boston butt at an early hour. This left me here this morning alone. I spend the morning in a quiet and peaceful house. I had my quiet time in prayer and then decided to listen to a sermon from my podcast. One of my favorite podcast is Francis Chan of Cornerstone Church in CA. He is amazing. He is real and speaks the truth of Gods word. He encourages and lights a fire in me to be a better and strong child of God. If you have not ever heard him, I encourage you to either join his podcast(through itunes) or just click here (click media and then sermons) and listen to any and all of his sermons.

The series that I am currently listening to is Living a Life that Matters. The one I listened to this morning was "Stop Talking". It was certainly focusing on our Children and the generation of our children. He prayed a prayer that knocked me to my knees. As a mother to be, for the first time, it set a fire in me to not only be praying for my child (which I do daily) but that I am called to pray for your children as well. I love to read all of your blogs and see what sweet mothers that all of you are - I also like to read about the reality of being a mother, joyful and hard as it may be. One thing that Francis emphasized in this sermon is the importance of praying for each others kids. I would love to pray for your children. I know most of their names (for the ones who I stalk your blog) but maybe some of you don't have blogs and just stalk read them. If you will leave the name of your child or children in the comments section I will be praying for them and their needs(you don't have to have an account).

Here is the prayer that Francis prayed. I think that it is a prayer that all of our children need:

' Father...I thank you that you love our kids more than we do.

God, right now I pray that our kids would fear you more than they fear us, more than they fear the police, more than they fear rejection from their friends.

God I pray that our kids would love you more than they love us more than they love their popularity, their giftedness, their boyfriends/girlfriends.

God may you be the greatest fear in their lives and the greatest love of their lives.

In Jesus Name we pray!'

I deeply want my son to be a follower of Christ. A child who will make an impact for the Kingdom of God. I pray that there isn't a day in his life that he won't know the love of God. I pray that when he has hard times that he will know that no matter what God understand and is with him through it all. I will be praying all of this for your children to.

After hearing all of this I sat on the sofa and baby Hicks went to kicking and I just sat and giggled with joy at being able to feel him moving around. I also have started talking to him (which I have to admit takes some getting used to). I told him about Doc and Brinkley who are going to be his greatest brother/sister pals when he arrives home. Fun stuff.

Now I'm headed to the Butt-off with Bacon Swiss Dip, Chips, Bread, Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls and a gallon of Ice Cream for our Peach Cobbler. I'll have plenty of pictures and details to post after the day is over! I also hope that Justin will be bringing home the coveted trophy for bragging rights for the year!

His Rest

This week in my CBS biblestudy we studies Chapter 4 of Hebrews. Wow,did a ligth bulb go off in my head. I have always considered Sundays to be day of rest and a day set apart for God. Not that I am the best at being in church EVERY sunday, I have always viewed it as a day to regroup, having time with God (usually do my biblestudy lesson) and prepare for the week ahead. In this weeks lesson, I have a new perspective of Rest in God. In the sense of being complete in Him - allowing Him to complete His work in my life and therefore I must surrender to Him so that He can work through me. God rested on the 7th day because everything was complete and perfect in His creation. The lesson states 'In this active rest,we wait for Him to finish the process that begins at our salvation and is completed at our glorification in eternity' There is peace and honesty in this place with God that gives me the strong desire to remain close to Him. And this rest is not a rest just for Sundays, but for every minute of everyday. I hope that you will find Rest in Christ today - the rest that we have and can fall into through our faith and trust in Christ our Lord. I am not deserving of such a place but I am thankful that He gives it to us. Which leads me to Matthew11:28-30 ' Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light' Praise the Lord!

On a complete change of subject, I wanted to share the bedding that I've ordered and received this week. For some reason, since we found out we were having a boy I have been stuck on the thought of wanting something very boyish (is that a word?). Well, this is the only thing that I have found that I really like and since I've received it I really do like it - plus it was on sale. Rough and tuff like little boys :). I always thought that I would want something soft and sweet for a baby nursery, but all of those sorts of bedding and fabrics I really do like, but just didn't seem to be fitting in my head. Funny how things and ideas change. Is it the hormones?

Weekend Update

We had a great and relaxing weekend. Friday night I made pizza and Justin marinated his butt (that is a Pork Butt) that he smoked all day on Saturday. As you can tell my kitchen was quite the mess between spices for the butt and the makings of the pizza crust. YUMMY! Needless to say we ate good this weekend. Because I also made blueberry muffins - box mix but replaced the canned blueberries with fresh (that Justin picked and we saved in the freezer). It was really cold most of the weekend and Justin built an amazing fire Friday night and all day Saturday - I love me a good fire and Justin has that down to a science. The Dogs enjoyed it as much as we did. I call them my fire dogs!

Saturday I also went to Babies R Us for a quick run through of what I plan to register for. A little over whelming, but I am just praying that God will guide and calm me through all of that. There are a few items that I have found that are online only at Target - is this ok or is it not such a good idea? Do I go with a bouncy and a swing or just one or the other? What are the other essentials that I should be registering for. I do have a list from a sweet friend who was kind enough to share, and that has been big help. But if you would like to share your favorite or most recommended baby item I am all about advise and suggestions from all you experienced mommies.

As promised, here are a few pictures of my belly. We are growing fast (all over!)

I had an amazing bible study lesson tonight, and I would like to share that with you one night this week but right now I'm headed to bed. Sleep tight and stay warm. Tomorrow in Bham the high is 35 degrees.

What's to come

I just can't stand it any longer. These are mostly clothes that we received from our family for Christmas. These are just a FEW of the things that we've received and wanted to share them with you. I'm eagerly seeking and searching for nursery bedding and colors. I hope to not have to paint. But before we can get to any of that we still have to clear out the guest bedroom so that we can move in nursery furniture. Right now there isn't an inch to spare for anything baby. This requires also situating Justin's work office, in order for it to accept some of the guest bedroom stuff. We'll get there though. My goal is to have the rooms situated and ready to move in the furniture in February. Until then here are some of the cute clothes that you'll eventually see baby Hicks sporting.

I'll post some pictures of me soon. I've received a few request wanting to see my belly...some to come.

Movement

Well, I just have to share with you that we have official movement. Last Friday Justin and I went to see Marley and Me and I felt the first official kick. I had felt bubble sensation once or twice before in the middle of the night but it was several weeks ago. The feeling of an actual kick is so neat. Since Friday I have felt lots more kicking, well at least once a day. I've been trying to feel to see if I can feel on the outside. I have been dying for Justin to be able to feel him moving and kicking. Well tonight, as I veg on the sofa little man is busy kicking and I told Justin to put his hand on my tummy and YEAH he felt him. Very cool! It is the best and coolest feeling to have and feel him moving in my tummy. It was awesome to also feel Justin's hand as he could feel the movement. Amazing! Actually it is a true miracle. God is so good!

I go back to the doctor on Thursday, so I'll be sure to update after that visit.

Christmas Pix

Here are my Christmas pictures at last! Enjoy.

Happy New Year

I hope that you and your family had a safe new years eve. Ours was low key - we went to the Patton's house (Jen and Michael) for a yummilous dinner and several rounds of wii (bowling, boxing, tennis and the guys played a round of golf. It was great fun - thanks to the Patton's for having us over.

It is hard to believe that it is 2009 - yet so exciting because I know what 2009 is going to bring. For us it is adding a very special baby boy to our family and that thrills me. I know that he will also bring lots of change and all for the best. We have so much to look forward to as well as be thankful for. I know God's plans are perfect and I can't wait to see how He unfolds His beautiful plan.

We're headed to Poe's house today for a day filled with food and football. I hope that you have a relaxing New Years Day.

I still want to post Christmas pictures and I will eventually get all of the Christmas backgrounds off my page....I did at least change the music!