God Thing!

Today I did a little running around to wrap up (no pun intended) my last little bit of Christmas shopping that I needed to do...and it feels great to be done and not have to think any more about running here or there! Part of my day included taking Brinkley to get a bath and I decided to leave Collier with Mom and Dad while I did that. During the cold months I take her to a pet store that has a self-serve bathing center. Its great because all of the mess is left there and I can go in and out and bath her myself and not have to pay an arm and a leg to have a clean pup! The pet store is right next to a publix and I had made a grocery list for the week before I left home. Brinkley clean...check.headed to the grocery....check....BUT..... NO LIST. I couldn't find it anywhere and I am on a time frame because I need to get back to get Collier so mom and dad could leave to go to a Christmas party (oh and btw Justin is of course out of town) . I decided to take a gamble with my brain!!!!!Here we go...as I'm walking into the grocery with no list and I just ask God..."please give me the memory and the knowledge to remember what I need for this week, I need you Lord to help me. I can not do this with out you" Off I went and it all started coming to me. Guess what, got home and the grocery list was on the coffee table and I only forgot ONE thing! Praise the Lord for He is good. Believe me, my memory is awful I can hardly remember what day it is or what I'm supposed to do next with out a list and so to remember my grocery list was an absolute miracle and its just a God thing! I know it is all so silly and you would think that I was about to do brain surgery....but just getting through my tasks for the day (which grocery shopping was) is hard work. More praises to God, I received a job offer this week and I am so excited. I'm going to be working for a company called Jackson-Key Practice Solutions, they are a reseller for AllScripts My Way (which is a Electronic Medical Records/Practice Management software for Physicians). I start after the 1st of January and I am thrilled. God guided me through this entire situation, the interview process - which is so troubling at time. He have me a peace each step of the way and he faithfully opened and closed all of the right doors. I'm so very thankful and can't wait to get started. I am a little nervous but still excited. These past several weeks that I've been home have been so sweet to have this precious time with Collier and I couldn't have been happier. I am thankful for the time and so it will be hard to not be with him all day starting in January, but I know that I'll adjust back with God's help!

I am looking forward to enjoying this wonderful week of Christmas and just being with my family! I am so grateful for our families! Baby Jesus arrived in such a simple stable and it is a simple reminder that it doesn't have to be much but instead who you are blessed to be with! I wish for you and your family a sweet and simple time spent over this Christmas time.

Ho Ho Ho

It is funny how you have a situation in your head and then when it actually occurs it is completely different! Well, yesterday we went to visit Santa. I love Santa and think that he is magical! Collier had just gotten up from his nap and he had a full belly so what better time to go and see Santa than when you're well rested with a full belly! I imagined that Collier would feel the same way and that he would coo at Santa and play with Santa's beard or with the fur on his coat. UMMM, not so much! We sat him in Santa's lap and he didn't even respond. No smile, no expression, no magical excitement! He didn't cry but didn't act excited either! Mom and I, of course, were cracking up at his blank look of boredom! Oh well, not what I had pictured in my silly head, but we did capture the moment and have it for our memory book.

Collier is trying so hard to crawl but has not yet been successful! We don't have any carpet/rugs in our den and therefore he doesn't have anything to get traction on. He'll get to his knee's and then his legs slide out from under him. He wants to move so bad, but hasn't put it all together quite yet. Which is fine with me by the way. I love this stage. He is so sweet and I love to hear him "talking" or jabbering it is such a sweet sound. He is so sweet and is back to sleeping normal and through the night. I am really thankful for that too!

It amazes me how fast time is passing by. It makes me sad that this season is going by so fast, I am still not finished with my shopping and preparing, although I am close! We're looking forward to celebrating Christ birth with Collier for the first time! Merry Christmas!

Birthday and More

Happy Birthday to my Hubby! Today is Justin's birthday and we love birthday's around here. Justin is such a great husband and a fabulous dad. It is so sweet to watch him with Collier and how they interact, it really is priceless and brings a sweet joy to my heart. He is a great provider for us and takes such good care of us. He is full of laughter and humor - enough to make my stomach hurt from laughing so hard. He is also very tender hearted and loving. I couldn't ask for anything more. I am thankful to have him. I had my heart set on him from a very early age and thankfully God's plan unfolded just right to make my dreams and wishes come true. Happy Birthday Just! I love you more than you know!

I wanted to also share a few pictures of our Christmas decorations. Justin and I both really love this time of year. We love the beautiful lights that line the street and all of the fun decorations. I know that Justin really loves having Christmas village up and his favorite is to sit with just the Christmas lights on and enjoy the glow that they give. Our other favorite is to watch Christmas movies and most specifically is Christmas Vacation....we watched it 4 nights in a row over the weekend. I finally said that I needed a break for a few days from Christmas Vacation. I'm sure we'll watch it again soon. I think that Justin can quote the entire movie. I love the Grinch and have enjoyed Elf in the past few years. We also don't miss the clay-mation of Rudolph and Frosty!

Oh Christmas Fun

I got all of my Christmas village up and displayed (which is always a great big task) and almost have my mantel like I like it. The mantel is a topic of controversy this year! If you were around last year, you would have learned that I am married to a Christmas Elf and he likes Christmas village on the mantel! So, when I put my Nativity scene on the mantel this year he wasn't exactly thrilled..... BUT I love it!! We'll see if he accepts this change!!

We got our tree yesterday and I was so excited! But according to my Christmas Elf we must wait one day before lighting and decorating so that the tree will "fall". So, lighting and decorating in front of a roaring and beautiful fire is our plans for the night. Justin is building the fire right now and I'm boiling water for my yummy hot chocolate. Collier is just waking up from an afternoon nap! We have a fun night in store. I'll be sure to share pictures soon! Hope that your night is Merry and Bright!

Reflections

Looking back at a wonderful and fun Thanksgiving week. We spent some time at the lake and some time in Dothan. We were able to visit and stuff our faces with our families and it couldn't have been better. I love family, and enjoy gathering as a family and picking up where we left off with those that we don't get to see as often as we would like.

I'm spending tomorrow decorating for Christmas. I love this season! I love decorating for Christmas! I love picking out a Christmas tree and lighting it with my precious husband! I love all of the beautiful lights that sparkle up and down the streets! I love Christmas sugar cookies! I love receiving Christmas cards! I love that Collier will get to experience this Christmas! I love that God sent His Son to give us eternal life!

Mountain Trip

Some of our sweet friends in Nashville invited Justin, Collier and me to join them at their cabin in the mountains. We of course could not turn down such a fun and gracious invite. We haven't seen these friends in a few years and it was wonderful to reconnect and visit with them and their beautiful children. The cabin is in the Sunday School Assembly at Monteagle, TN. It is such a neat little community and looks like it would be loads of fun for the kids in the summer time. It was a beautiful day on Saturday and we couldn't have asked for a better time with such wonderful and loving friends!

Now, we prepare for our week of Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be thankful for, we are showered with blessings and our cup is certainly over flowing! I think about God and how thankful that I am for the relationship that He allows us to have with Him - that He sent His Son for our sake to this earth to live a perfect life and then to the cross for our sins! I am thankful
that He is always present and faithful, even when I have gone astray. I am thankful that He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I love that He goes ahead and behind us! How He is my strength and that I can do all things through Him. I am thankful, I am unworthy, I am sinful and yet I am redeemed! Praise be to God for all that I have and for all that I am!

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.-Galatians 2:20

This is a cross on a point over looking the mountains at Sewanee

I'm looking forward to seeing our family and having the time to relax and visit! I wish you and your family a wonderful, fun and safe Thanksgiving!

Last Wednesday I woke up and started packing....I then jumped in the shower and it was a little cold but I was in a rush - Collier was in his bumbo watching Jack's Music show so I had to hurry. Well the water actually got colder instead of hot so it was an even quicker shower than planned. Justin was out of town (of course) and our hot water heater had rusted out the bottom! I called our handy man and he came to confirm all of that. This of course pushed my packed up ever so slightly..but 2 hours later Mom, Collier and me were on the road. Where was I headed...you may ask......

to

this

beautiful

peaceful

quite

perfect

relaxing

glimpse of heaven

Justin was working in the panhandle and was going to spend a few nights at the lake and we decided to join him! Well not working, but at least we got him at night. Yep, we left on Wednesday and stayed through Sunday! Perfect, did I mention it was quite and relaxing too! I couldn't have asked for more. The tree's have mostly turned to orange and when the sun sets in the evenings it really will take your breath away! The sun rises are pretty stink'n awesome too - but I would rather be in the bed at that time. Although I think two mornings I was up with one little stinker who has decided that waking up a few times at night/morning is fun.

Now, to that subject. I created the monster. Collier started not sleeping through the night about a month ago and it was because he had a little cold. Well, I decided I would feed him to see if that made him feel better. It usually did and he would go right back to sleep (fall asleep while eating). That's great that he goes right back to sleep, right? not when he gets up twice - usually around 12am or 1am and again around 4am. He is not starving, I've just created a bad habit. So now we're fixing that and he is crying it out! Not an easy task as a mom who wants to make her sweet baby happy. Last night he woke up around 1:30 and started kicking and chooing, which turned into crying and screaming around 1:50 and he finally gave in at 2:35. One hour, not to bad but in the middle of the moment it isn't fun or easy. I kept wanting to get up and just let him eat so that he would settle down and go back to sleep. I resisted and thought about how good it feels to sleep all night and I stayed my butt in the bed and prayed over and over that God would gently whisper and calm him down. I am prying that each night this week will be easier and easier.

Tomorrow I have a second interview with a company and I'm very excited about this opportunity. I would appreciate your prayers for very clear direction and if this is where I'm supposed to be to have the right words during the interview.

Here are a few more pictures from our fun lake weekend:

I've been meaning to post for the past several days and every time I sat down, I couldn't quite figure out what I was going to type...so I just didn't.

Justin was out of town all of last week - Annual Sales Meeting in Orlando. His sweet mom came to stay with me to keep me company see Collier. It is really so great to have a wonderful MIL. I can be honest with her and she loves that little boy to pieces (who wouldn't?). She is willing to leave her sweet husband to come and spend days with us, she moves around dentist appointment, hair appointments and travel arrangements to be here for us. I couldn't ask for more and I am so thankful that she was here this week with us! Thanks Mela for being here and for all of your help!

Wednesday we went Collier's 6 month check up. He is 16LB 14OZ and 27" Long. I really expected him to weight much more. Everything checked out perfectly and we're increasing our meals to three per day of solids instead of two. His newest foods have been carrots and pears last week. The doctor even told me he could have yogurt, so we're going to try this this week. He has been doing better but is still waking up during the night. Only one time the past several nights, which isn't too bad. But I really am ready for him to get back to sleeping through the nights. I do think that he is teething and I feel bad that he isn't feeling good...I just hate it for him. This morning when I was holding him at 5am....I was just looking at him and how sweet and peaceful he was laying in my arms fast asleep! My heart feels so complete with love over flowing in a way that I have never felt before. It brought a funny thought to mind. When I was in middle or high school (I can't remember exactly) I decided that I wanted a bird. We had two dogs and I wanted a pet that was all to myself and I knew that another dog would be out of the question. So, I decided on a bird. Mom said that I could get one and I remember her asking my why I wanted a bird and all I could think was because I wanted something that was mine to love wholly. That was one crazy bird and I did love it but I wanted it to give a complete love to me and it just isn't possible that a bird could do that (at the time I never would have understood that). I know that the whole and complete love comes from God himself. He is the only one that can fill up and over flow my love and joy. But looking at Collier in my arms this morning I felt that completeness and total satisfaction - I felt God's love and boy it is abundant!! I just love Collier to pieces and it is so satisfying to be able to care for him and provide for him. Gosh what a blessing!

Which sort of brings me to my next topic. My job. I've been home for the past 2 weeks and I am so thankful for this time that I've had with Collier. I love every minute of it and really God's timing couldn't have been more perfect (of course). With Collier not sleeping through the night and me not having to be at work, it hasn't been so bad at all. I am job searching! I have a few possibles but nothing concrete yet. Several times a day I think about it and will start to panic about what am I going to do and oh I need a job and how will a new job affect my time with Collier and will it be an environment that is pumping friendly. Then I have to hand it over to God and trust that He is in control. He already has a place specifically for me. I am trusting that He will provide for me and for our family through all of this. It is so easy to want to take control myself, but I don't want to (even though naturally I try to continuously) I really want to be where God wants me to be.

I can't believe that it is already November and before we know it Thanksgiving will have come and gone! I am trying to take in every minute of being home and especially as we approach the Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have so much to be thankful!

Our Halloween Weekend

Was so much fun. We started off Friday night with dinner with Mom and Dad. We cooked Butternut Squash Bisque. I've been thinking about Squash soup since summer time (we had it at a friends rehearsal dinner....about 5 years ago...recently!)and for some reason it popped into my head. I don't eat soups in the summer so I've been thrilled now that its gotten cooler and I've been searching for the right recipe. It was perfectly served with pork tenderloin and bread. Just right! Saturday we went to Mom and Dad's to watch football and carve our pumpkins....very late to do that this year, but we were glad to get them done. Justin always wants to do scary faces and I always want happy faces! We really liked how they turned out! Justin and Dad boiled a HUGE pot of peanuts and built a fire in the outside fire pit. Collier really enjoyed watching the flames in the fire - he would stare at them as they moved and popped around. Collier the puppy arrived after dinner and was so stink'n cute (if I can say so myself). I think I took a million pictures but I'll spare you and just show a few of my favorites!

Today, we have tried to be lazy, but the weather was beautiful and it was calling us to come outside! After little man got in a good nap we enjoyed lunch on the front porch - Brink was thrilled that Collier was eating on her level. She decided she would try and help with clean up! Then we decided to go to the park and it was just perfect. He really liked the swing, it took him a few minutes to figure out his balance but once he did he really liked it. He was all cozy and situated and could have probably fallen asleep!

It was a fabulous and fun and busy weekend.

Collier is still waking up during the night...last night we were up 4 times again! YIKES. I am praying that tonight will be a little better. Justin's mom is coming to spend a few days with us and we're very excited about her visit with us this week!

I'll continue to ask for prayer for God's clear guidance with my job. And of course that sweet baby Collier would feel better soon. I would really appreciate it. Happy 1st of November!

6 MONTHS

and growing way too fast! Sweet Baby Collier is 6 months today and I am beside myself. He is such a sweet baby. We go to the doctor next week so I'll have official stats to post then. But he is basically sitting up on his own, only with a few tumbles from time to time. He could careless about rolling over but reaches for everything. If he can see it he will stretch and reach for it as hard as he can - which means throwing all of his weight in that direction. He giggles and talks a lot....talking (cooing) more and more in the past week.

Although the past few days have been tough. He hasn't been sleeping through the night...Wednesday night he was up 4 times! And he has been a bit stuffy/runny nose which has resulted in him being slight more fussy. Plus the drooling has started and I assume that this is the beginning of our teething process. Poor little booger! I can only pray that he will be able to handle the pain and all that comes with it. I'm asking for God's help through all of this.

I'm so excited that tomorrow is Halloween! I'll be back soon with some precious pictures of our sweet little man and here is a little sneak peak!

You didn't know we had a new little puppy did you?

Thankful Thursday

I really have so much to be thankful for. My blessings are many and I am so grateful and very undeserving!


I'm thankful for the men in my life: my husband and sweet baby Collier.
I'm extra thankful for the days and that I've had with Collier in the past week (as I am job searching)

I'm thankful for precious and loving friends.

I'm thankful that my God is a just and merciful God who continues to love and provide even when I'm not 100% reliant on Him. Even when I think that I am in control, that He is still steady walking with me and that He is willing to take the drivers seat to get me back on course even after I've completely gotten lost!

I'm very thankful for the beautiful sunshine that is shinning bright right now!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture!
Psalm 100:1-4

Beautiful

I know that I've complained a bit about all of the rain lately...and we've had a ton of it! So this week has been amazing, beautiful, cooler, sunny, perfect and did I mention beautiful? Today has been the best of all. The sun is shining bright but there is a wonderful cool breeze and I am loving every minute of it. I have all of my doors and windows open enjoying the fresh air flow through our house! My sweet little man is sleeping and the house it totally quite. Its so peaceful and relaxing.

I have sweet potatoes in the oven, boiling pea's and steaming apples....all for Collier. He is going to try pea's for the first time this weekend! He is doing really well with eating. He loves apple sauce every morning. And so far likes sweet potatoes and squash the best. He tolerates green beans but doesn't like them quite as much. I'm sure he'll be thrilled to know that we ran out last night. Moving on to pea's now.

I started this post at around noon today and am just now getting back in front of the computer to actually post. Collier and I are so glad to have Justin/Daddy back home - he was out two nights this week and we missed him a ton! Looking forward to more beautiful weather this weekend (except tomorrow its supposed to pour...yes MORE rain and I'll be all soggy again and will be thrilled when I can see the sun again on Saturday)

Here are a few pictures from the past few days. I put Collier back in his Baptism outfit to take some pictures of him - we didn't get a chance to do that since there was so much going on that weekend. These are from the past few days...enjoy! He is starting to sit up on his own!!! AND he is getting good at putting passey
back in all by himself! Mommy and really glad about that. Not 100% yet
but getting good at it.

snuggling with Brinkley

Baby Music

This is music to my ears. Daddy is obviously very funny....

Who knew?

I think that I've mentioned before that I am making Collier's food. It has been fun and it is a bit time consuming, but I do enjoy it and it is very easy. Cook, process, freeze...

So far he has enjoyed apple sauce and sweet potatoes. Yummy! This week I decided we would try green beans. So, last night I got home and went straight to the kitchen to get our dinner ready as well as Collier's dinner ready (he was just having sweet potatoes, but I did want to go ahead and get the green beans done). So, I put together spinach lasagna for Justin, mom and me and put it in the oven. I then cleaned, cut and steamed the green beans. My plan was to process the beans after we were done eating and after Collier had gone to sleep for the night.

Turned out that Collier was very tired and fighting it all at the same time, which resulted in about a 30 minute crying screaming fest. In the middle of all of that the lasagna was ready and I hated for it to get cold, so mom and Justin went ahead and fixed their salads and then Justin and I switched Collier so that I could eat my salad. Of course, Justin's shoulder seemed to do the trick and he finally settled down and was out cold. I was finishing my salad and Justin and mom came in with their dinner plates. Justin's plate piled high with Lasagna and green beans! I just chuckled.... Poor man, loves beans and I am not a bean person. The only beans that I do eat are green beans and Justin just loves every kind of bean/pea but since I don't eat them we normally do have them. He was so excited to be getting some beans that he didn't find it the least bit strange that I was serving green beans with lasagna. Who does that? Mom on the other hand thought it was strange, but just decided that we must be really increasing our vegetable servings...spinach lasagna, green beans, salad....she of course was to polite to ask until I told them they were for Collier. Justin just wondered why I didn't season them!

All of that to say, that I usually boil my green beans - I've even done them in the oven with Italian dressing. But never have I steamed them and it turns out they are pretty good steamed and of course seasoned with a little salt and pepper. So, tonight it was chicken and steamed green beans for us! I did finally get Collier's beans made and he will be tasting them for the first time this weekend. If his taste buds are anything like his dad's....he'll love them! And now, we have a new cooking method for our green beans.

I have finally had a free moment to sit and get these pictures on the computer! Enjoy!

Slow Down...

This sweet little man is now 5 months...can we please slow down time?

Collier's Baptism

This past weekend we celebrated with our family the Baptism of Collier. It was so wonderful to have all of our family and friends together and to have such special people surround us for this special time. As most of you know, we’ve had A LOT of rain, so we prayed all last week that the weather would clear and that we would have nice and cool weather for Sunday. God faithfully answered our prayer. Saturday was still a little muggy and rainy but it was fine and even cleared up later in the evening but Sunday was beautiful. Everyone arrived on Saturday afternoon and we watched football and cooked hamburgers as everyone arrived and visited. Mom and Dad were kind enough to open their home to us for everything. Our little house wouldn’t hold everyone (we had about 20 friends/family). Collier did a lot of sleeping on Saturday, I think that the rainy day made him want to stay in the bed. When he was awake he was passed from one person to the next getting all of the love that he could hope for!

Collier has very special godparents. Eddie, Justin’s dear friend from Dothan is Collier’s godfather. He is very special to us for so many reasons – he will be a great influence in Collier’s life. Eddie and Jennifer have a little girl, Elizabeth, who is just 45 days older than Collier. We know that they will be good buddies as they get older. Stephanie, my cousin is Collier’s godmother. Steph is just one of those people that when I am with her I am totally myself….she is like a sister to me (and I always wanted a sister). Stephanie and Toby have 4 kids that I love and adore! I do wish that we saw more of both Eddie and Stephanie. We love yall and thank you for being such a special person in Collier’s life.

Our church has specific Sundays that they do baptisms. We were originally scheduled for 2 weeks ago, but 6 people were scheduled for that Sunday and they asked if anyone would be willing to change. I took them up on the offer and as a result we were the only family for baptism this Sunday. It made it extra special to us! Collier woke up on Sunday and we figured out the ideal feeding schedule and we were off to church. He did great and slept through the beginning of service. He woke as I passed him to Rich (our preacher) for the Baptism and he was such a little angel. He didn’t make a peep! After the babies are baptized one of the preachers walk the babies to the back of the church so that the older ladies in our church (who usually sit at the back because its such a long walk to the front of the church – we have the longest center isle in Birmingham) can see the babies. Rich was making announcements when Rebecca finally brought him back to us and he even joked that the she did have to give him back. She was so happy holding him and showing him off! He was really sweet! Rich is also who married Justin and I, so it made it a little extra special that he also baptized Collier.

After church we went back to mom and dad’s for a wonderful lunch. Did I mention that the weather was perfect. The sun was out and the temperatures were cool and very pleasant – Thank you Lord! Everyone pitched in to help get lunch ready to be served. We had ham and turkey sandwiches, salad, kibbie, fruit and vegetable trays and yummy desserts. Everything was easy and it really was a perfect day. Collier was great and we are truly blessed to have him in our lives. Justin and I pray that he will always know God’s pure unconditional love and His grace and mercy! I am thankful each and every day for him.

My sweet friend Lindsey was so very kind to come to the church and take pictures for us. I will post pictures soon of the wonderful weekend. She did an amazing job and spent a lot of time with us. I love her dearly…Thanks Linz!

One more thanks to my parents for all that they did. They worked hard to have their house ready for company. Mom was up late Saturday night prepping food and setting the tables. Love yall

We also want to thank everyone for making a long trip and for taking the time out of your weekend to celebrate with us. We are so greatful for you and that you're in our lives. Thank you!

Rain, Rain Go Away...

Are you about to float away? I am! It has rained here for almost a week solid. I am ready for some pretty sunny sky’s and looking at the forcaste it looks like it may be next week before I get my wish! Rain, Rain, go away come again another day! Or week!

I had a wonderful weekend and it was one I had been looking forward to for quite some time. A friend of mine and I went to Callaway Gardens to attend a photography class. It was so much fun. We left Friday night and stayed in Auburn and we tried so hard to eat at Amsterdams and after about a 2 hour wait and a computer system crash (which would have kept us there yet another hour) we decided we would get to-go……Turkey Wraps and went to the hotel to enjoy our yummy dinner. We got up early on Saturday and drove to Callaway to attend our class and learn all about our camera’s “beyond auto mode” and boy did we learn some stuff. All about exposure, ISO, aperture and shutter speed settings. It was very helpful and informative. The only bad part was that it was raining the entire time and that kept our shooting practice to a minimum…it was as dark outside as it was inside and didn’t provide ideal setting for taking fun pictures. We did have a great time and certainly learned a lot. Now, if the weather will clear up so that I can practice what I learned that would be awesome. I have practiced a little inside, but shooting in the exact same light over and over doesn’t give much for practicing the different settings! It was awesome to have the “girl” time with Lindsey….she is simply the best!

On top of my fun get-a-way adventure Justin had his annual ‘guys golfing’ weekend. Which meant that Collier was parent-less for Friday night and all day Saturday. Thankfully Grammy and Pop’s were there to rescue him. He had his first spend the night party at their house. He was a perfect angel (at least that is what they said and if he wasn’t they probably wouldn’t say otherwise). I decided to just stay with them on Saturday night to have dinner and watch football, so that was fun to have that time with them. My dad refuses to change diapers and I love to tease him when Collier has a dirty diaper to give him to dad. Ha. It hasn’t worked yet. He loves to hold him and play with him and even feed him but when it comes to the diapers he is out! Too funny!

Have I mentioned how good Collier is sleeping? You know, I prayed long and hard for a good sleeping baby. It did take us a little while to get to this point but he has done so well. For the past month or two. He goes to sleep between 8 and 9pm and he usually sleeps until around 6:30 or 7am. How great is that? I love when he does sleep until 7am as it allows me time to get up and get dressed before he gets up and I get out the door on time. Plus on the weekends, if he sleeps to 7am that means I get to sleep until 7am and I love it. He has even slept as late as 8am and I really loved that – but that has only happened once. God has greatly answered my prayers and I am so thankful that He did! Last night he went down around 8 and Justin and I were in the bed by 8:30…how great is that!!!! I was loving it! Of course it was raining this morning and it made it hard to get out of the bed. Collier is also doing great with eating. He is currently enjoying apple sauce, banana’s and rice or oatmeal. He is going to try sweet potatoes this week – maybe he will like them more than Justin and I.

We are preparing for Collier's Baptism that is this weekend. We have lots of family and friends joining us and we really would like some pretty weather. Would you please pray that it is nice at least on Sunday? I'm really excited about having everyone together and celebrating this special day for Collier.

Tonight

I'm very excited about tonight...we finally get started back with bible study. If you are in Birmingham (or really anywhere for that matter) and would like to join an incredible bible study let me know. I attend Community Bible Study (CBS), which is a non-denominational bible study that studies only God's word. Each year we study a different book of the bible and it is quite in depth. The one I attend is women only and it is such a wonderful time of fellowship and growing in God's word. There are about 200 ladies of all ages - fresh out of college all the way up to great grandmothers and it is such a wonderful study to be part of. This year we are studying the minor prophets and I have to be honest that I don't even know who all the minor prophets are but I look forward to learning who they are and how God used them. We're starting off with 1 & 2 Kings.

I was reading through the introduction and it mentions the importance of spiritual health. In our world we are usually measured by our worldly things and that really all of that is nothing unless our hearts are set to serve God intentionally. It says "Time management experts always advise putting the most important things first on our daily schedules. How would you live differently if you truly believed that your spiritual health was the most important aspect of your life. How would you prioritize your life if you really understood that nothing but your walk with God really mattered?" That really caught my attention because I don't always stop to check and consider how my walk with God is each and every day. It needs to be the first thing I do before I put my feet on the floor to check in with God for His guidance of my day so that I am sure that I am serving Him.

Check out CBS's website and see if there is a class near you. I promise that you will love it. It does help that we have an incredible leader who gives lecture each week who is simply and utterly amazing! CBS is a great resource and avenue to keep you steady and true in God's word.

Everywhere

This is a warning that this post is going to be all over the place....just to give you a glimpse inside my crazy head that never seems to stop running.

First, I am sad that Melanie Oudin didn't win tonight. For those of you who don't have a clue who she is...she is a 17 year old tennis chick who shocked many as she made it to the semi-finals of the US open. Impressive and she is from Marietta, GA just outside of Atlanta (where my BIL and SIL live) and we have some good friends whose son went to middle school with her. Pretty impressive little chick. I wanted her to win tonight. But I know that we'll be seeing a lot more of her in the tennis world! I can't say that I'm a big tennis fan, but I do love a good Cinderella story!

Last weekend we were actually in Marietta visiting with my BIL and SIL. Justin went to the bama game and Collier and I hung out with Aunt Eve and Uncle Ryan. We really enjoyed the visit and had a blast with them. Justin joined us on Sunday and then we came home on Monday. Aunt Eve was feeding Collier on Sunday and he go to giggling and we all couldn't stop laughing at him laughing. It was the longest and hardest laughing that I've heard him do so far, apparently Aunt Eve is really funny and has some sort of giggling magic! Brinkley has company this week....Tucker has come to visit us while her parents are at the beach. Brink loves a play mate and she and Tucker are the best of bud's. Isn't she just so sweet?

Yesterday was my Dad's birthday!!! He is the greatest man ever! If you don't know my dad you are really missing out. He is a man who is sincere and loving - when you meet him he really does want to know about you. He is here to help us whenever and however we need help, and with a willing and happy attitude. I love that he loves Collier so very much and will light up every time that he see's him. He is one special man and deserves a special celebration! Happy Birthday Dad! We love you lots and lots!

In honor of the fabulous speech our president gave tonight (that I didn't watch since I was watching Melanie)....I wanted to share this. Maybe you've received it in your inbox already but if not it is a great point of view. The email states it was written (spoken) by a pastor in Virginia. I couldn't find the true source but honestly who said it really doesn't matter but the words are spoken very true.

RECENT VIRGINIA CHURCH SERVICE -STIMULUS SERMON
Gen 47:13-27
Good morning, brothers and sisters; it's always a delight to see the pews crowded on Sunday morning, and so eager to get into God's Word. Turn with me in your Bibles, if you will to the 47th chapter of Genesis, we'll begin our reading at verse 13, and go through verse 27.
Brother Ray, would you stand and read that great passage for us?
....(reading)...
Thank you for that fine reading, Brother Ray.....
So we see that economic hard times fell upon Egypt , and the people turned to the government of Pharaoh to deal with this for them. And Pharaoh nationalized the grain harvest, and placed the grain in great storehouses that he had built. So the people brought their money to haraoh, like a great tax increase, and gave it all to him willingly in return for grain. And this went on until their money ran out, and they were hungry again. So when they went to Pharaoh after that, they brought their livestock -their cattle, their horses, their sheep, and their donkey - to barter for grain, and verse 17 says that only took them through the end of that year.. But the famine wasn't over, was it?

So the next year, the people came before Pharaoh and admitted they had nothing left, except their land and their own lives. "There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our land. Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for food, and we with our land will be servants to Pharaoh." So they surrendered their homes, their land, and their real estate to Pharaoh's government, and then sold themselves into slavery to him, in return for grain. What can we learn from this, brothers and sisters? That turning to the government instead of to God to be our provider in hard times only leads to slavery? Yes. That the only reason government wants to be our provider is to also become our master? Yes... But look how that passage ends, brothers and sisters! Thus Israel settled in the land of Egypt , in the land of Goshen . And they gained possessions in it, and were fruitful and multiplied greatly." God provided for His people, just as always has! They didn't end up giving all their possessions to government, no, it says they gained possessions!

But I also tell you a great truth today, and an ominous one. We see the same thing happening today - the government today wants to "share the wealth "once again, to take it from us and redistribute it back to us. It wants to take control of healthcare, just as it has taken control of education, and ration it back to us, and when government rations it, then government decides who gets it, and how much, and what kind. And if we go along with it, and do it
willingly, then we will wind up no differently than the people of Egypt did four thousand years ago - as slaves to the government, and as slaves to our leaders. What Mr. Obama's government is doing now is no different from what Pharaoh's government did then, and it will end the same. And a lot of people like to call Mr. Obama a "Messiah," don't they? Is he a Messiah? A savior? Didn't the Egyptians say, after Pharaoh made them his slaves, "You have saved our lives; may it please my lord, we will be servants to Pharaoh"?
Well, I tell you this - I know the Messiah; the Messiah is a friend of mine; and Mr. Obama is no Messiah! No, brothers and sisters, if Mr. Obama is a character from the Bible, then he is Pharaoh. Bow with me in prayer, if you will.

Lord, You alone are worthy to be served, and we rely on You, and You alone. We confess that the government is not our deliverer, and never rightly will be. We read in the eighth chapter of 1 Samuel, when Samuel warned the people of what a ruler would do, where it says "And in that day you will cry out because of your king, whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the LORD will not answer you in that day." And Lord, we acknowledge that day has come.
We cry out to you because of the ruler that we have chosen for ourselves as a nation. Lord, we pray for this nation. We pray for revival, and we pray for deliverance from those who would be our masters. Give us hearts to seek You and hands to serve You, and protect Your people from the atrocities of Pharaoh's government.
In God We Trust...

I sincerely pray that God will not allow for this healthcare reform crap to pass. I pray that America's voice will be heard that this is NOT the direction that we need for our healthcare. I am asking for God's Blessing on this country.

Which brings me to my final thought of the night.....9/11 is Friday. It is a day that our Country should always remember EVERYDAY. After the tragedy of that day in 2001 I was both scared and proud. Scared of what this meant for our country and our safety as Americans and yet so proud to be an American to live in a country who will fight for my freedom. I do love America and I will continue to pray for our safety. I am thankful for our military troops who sacrifice so much for this freedom that we have. They are fighting and risking and giving their lives so that I am able to be free and live in this wonderful country.

peace out!

Solids

We had our 4 month appointment today and everything checked out perfect! Collier now weighs 15LB 7OZ and is 25.5" long. He got 5 shots and screaming levels were much lower than the first time, thankfully. The doctor told us to start him on solids, with rice cereal and a little applesauce. These need no further explanation.

Since the time that I went to register for our wedding registry at Williams-Sonoma and saw the Beaba Cookbook, I have always wanted to try and make my own baby food. So, I am going to try and make his food. I've read all about it and have done a ton of research (if you're interested wholesomebabyfood.com is awesome and full of info). I really want to do it because I think it will be fun plus it will save some money and a little added bonus is that it will be way better for him. I am not going to buy any special equipment, just my food processor and steamer which I already have. I did make his applesauce tonight and it was fun and really easy. More to come as we start with other fruits and vegi's. I can't wait!

TOTAL CHANGE OF SUBJECT: PRAYER REQUEST.
I am in need of prayer, I don't want to go into detail but would appreciate your prayers in regards to my job. Sorry for being vague but I need the prayers and details are few at this point. I have total faith that God is working his perfect plan for my life and am fully trusting in him. Getting from point A to point B sometimes is the hard part. I appreciate your prayers.

And now we gear up as we are only 3 days away from College Football kickoff!!!! Let the fun begin.

As promised here are two really yummy meals that I have made in the past week and you should make them soon for your family. I got both from an awesome blog called Annie’s Eats – she is so talented and reading her recipes makes my mouth water.

I made this first, Thai Chicken with Cashews. Make your mouth melt and it was easy! And an extra bonus is that it is mostly good for you. I did use brown rice instead of white rice and it was yummy or as I like to say Yumilicious

Then on Sunday I made these Chicken and Spinach Quesadillas. I don’t have a grill pan but that is ok because they turned out delicious. The marinade for the chicken is so good. I think that I’m going to try it next and just grill the chicken instead of cooking it on the stove. The lime favor was good and yet again such an easy recipe. I hope that yall enjoy her site and recipes as much as I have. Thanks to Lindsey for sharing her site with me!

Now a change of subject.

A few weeks ago at church we were given a message that to me was a great reminder. We are called to be different, to be set apart from the world. I know the message, I’ve heard it many many times yet this is just one that continues to strike my interest. We are to live in the world NOT of the world. But what exactly does it mean to be different. In a world that we all strive NOT to stand out and we all want to fit in so bad and be accepted and then we’re told by Christ that we are supposed to be different. Sometimes I can have a self confidence problem and become insecure about who I am and what others will think of me. When I truly think about what we’re called to do in Christ it does give me confidence that I am created by God and that my purpose is to be pleasing and true to Him not others (family, friends, co workers, etc).

John 17:15-17 (NIV) Jesus prays “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”

As I was sitting in church thinking about how I am going to apply this to my everyday life it was actually difficult for me to think of how exactly I am set apart for the sake of Christ. What can I do different in my life that will set me apart for Christ to be pleasing to him. We then sang Let Us Be Bread, I don’t think that I have ever heard it before, or maybe I have and just never listened closely to the words. The chorus caught my attention and started to shed some light on my question. “Let us be bread, blessed by the Lord, broken and shared, life for the world. Let us be wine, love freely poured. Let us be one in the Lord”. Oh that is so sweet. I think particularly the “love freely poured” is especially what caught my attention. That is how I can be different. Not judging and being opinionated about others but to just love them freely for who they are – to be one in the Lord as He created us! To feel free to love others and not be worried what others think of me for loving that person.

I really liked this version of Romans from The Message.

Romans 12:1-2 (The Message)So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

I just love that! It certainly does remind me of sharing my love with others as God loves us and how we can give every part of our day to God as we seek to be pleasing to Him.

Giggles

Collier giggled out loud for the first time tonight. He has been on the verge for a few days, he opens his mouth wide and will smile so big and wiggle and squirm well, it finally busted out tonight and it was tooo cute! I hope to get a video of it soon. But I was so excited. That is by far the best sound ever...a giggling baby or child. I just love it.

We had a nice weekend. Justin was out of town so we took it easy and spent some time at mom and dad's which was great. I was really glad to have Justin home on Sunday. I am thankful to have a sweet husband who is helpful and involved with Collier. When he is out of town, it just isn't the same and it is definitely harder to get ready for work and out the door without the extra help. It does really make me appreciate him while he is here for sure!

I've made two yummy meals in the past week that are worthy of posting about....hopefully one day this week! Stay tuned.

No use in crying over spilled milk

Is that how the saying goes? probably not, but that is all that has been in my head since Friday morning. Thursday Justin went and picked up Collier from mom's and I went to run a few errands and then to the grocery to pick up something for dinner. I came right in and nursed Collier and then started dinner. Oh and it was pouring rain when I came in too! Justin had been gone for a few nights and it was nice to finally have him back home. We had a great evening.

Friday morning as I was in the shower it occured to me that I may not have taken my pumped goods out of my little cooler and put it in the frig the night before. My blood pressure spiked I'm sure as I rushed to get done with the shower to see if I had done it or not. After all, this was Collier's feedings for Friday. Run, dripping wet, with only a towel wrapped around me to look into that cooler and see 15oz sitting there. With a glimpse of hope, but knowing it was no good I rush to the computer to look up Madela's rules on how long breast milk is good in a cooker (it did at least have an ice pack in it) tears begin to run down my face and I don't know if I was really sad, angry or disappointed. Actually I was all of those things. Nope. I had to poor all of that out and I just can not tell you how badly it upset me. I cried the whole time I was emptying the bottles and then I just got mad and started stomping around. Justin really tried to make it better and tell me it wasn't that bad and that I was not the first or last mother to do this....It didn't make me feel any better... I took a deep breath, wiped away my tears, unclenched my teeth and asked God to reveal to me what I was supposed to learn from this situation. I chilled out and tried to enjoy the rest of my morning before I had to go to work. So back to the saying.....I did cry over spilled milk and hope to not have to do it again!

I am very hard on myself about these sorts of things. It is stupid and dumb that I didn't even consider putting that away yet the cheese and eggs seemed to make it to the refrigerator just perfectly. How dumb. I'm still waiting to understand and know the exact reason. Maybe to lighten up a little. Probably though that I am NOT in total control and to let go and let Him!

Korey Family

Yet another memorable Compass Lake weekend. We spent this weekend with my Dad's brother's (minus one) and their families. It was wonderful and relaxing. I'm including the below picture just for Uncle Ken who thought that Collier was the perfect child until Saturday rolled around and he wouldn't stop crying! Uncle Ken insisted that we have a picture of Collier crying....this one is just for you!!!

It was a really fun time to spend with family. Don't you just love when you have fun family and you make special memories with them. Collier sat in a floatie for the first time and LOVED it! My little water baby!

Today mom put Collier in the exercauser for the first time and he enjoyed himself to the fullest. He loved all of the activities and stuff that he could play with. I love to see him growing but am also sad. I look back at old pictures and realize how fast he is growing. Gosh and he isn't even one yet..much less in college. What am I going to do? Well for now, go to bed!

sweet dreams!!!!

Short and Sweet

I'm smiling and cooing

I found my hands and do my best to stuff them in my mouth

I'm getting so strong and holding my head up so good!

I did it...

I spent my first night away from Collier this weekend. Justin’s mom is in town to keep Collier for Justin and I to go to Lake Martin with friends for the night. I felt like I did good, well better than I thought that I would. I think knowing that he was in such good hands helped and when I did call to check in, he was being really good and sweet. I felt like it was a big hurdle to get over and I am proud of myself of doing it. I tried to prepare explain to Justin the anxious feelings that I may feel about being away from Collier for the night…not that I am worried about him being taken care of but more of my separation and being away from him overnight for the first time. I felt that he would need me and I wouldn’t be there for him. He didn’t of course and I am thankful.

We went to Lake Martin to go to AquaPalooza (concert series that Alan Jackson does at lakes around the country)– it was a blast! They set the stage up at kowaliga and you pulled your boat up to watch the concert. There must have been 5000 boats there. It was unbelievable and like nothing I have ever seen before. Boats just connected with each other and you could walk from boat to boat they were tied so close together. We anchored back a little further (couldn’t even see the stage) but thankfully they had huge screens that we could watch from. There were several other acts that played before Alan Jackson, so it was a full day of music. The weather was great and we stayed in the water a good bit to keep cool. After such a busy day I crashed around 11pm and slept so good – no nursing at 4am….although I did wake up at 6 about to bust and so I had to pump….but I went right back to sleep and slept another 3 hours. It was very nice but I did miss that sweet little man. I was very glad to make it home on Sunday and hold him.

Justin and I have always said we would willingly allowing grandparents to take our children for weekends and nights. I feel that it is very important to have time for each other as husband and wife. It was harder than I really thought that it was going to be. But then again to have some fun time with Justin was well worth it. One of the couples that was with us had a wave runner that they took and as we needed we could go back to the house to potty pump. I knew being on the boat for 10 hours would be a challenge for a nursing mom!!! So, Justin took me back to the house and it was so much fun. I felt like I was in high school again….It has been forever since I’ve ridden a wave runner and it is silly and hard to explain, but being on the back of the wave runner and jumping waves and driving fast and crazy just was so fun. Just the two of us with no other worries but to just be together. I am sure that my words are not making clear my feelings. But I felt so content with just being with my sweet husband. I am thankful for the time that we had and I am thankful that we were able to leave Collier and not have to worry about him. I don’t want to seem that we don’t have sweet time because Collier is here but it is different when a baby enters the family. I wouldn’t want to be any other way and I certainly couldn't be away from Collier very often but every now and then it is just needed. I love the new family that we have and I love Collier so much but to have all my energy to devote to Justin felt really good. Ok. Enough rambling, I hope you understand what I mean!