God gave me you!

Happy 4 months sweetie!  I can't believe it's been 4 months! She's getting so big you guys!  By the way, in the pic above, her bibs sometimes don't stay in place and end up looking like a cape sometimes.  We call her Super Baby when that happens.

 What is she up to these days?

• Harper loves to stand!  I think she thinks she can walk.
• She's sleeping through the night!  Well tecnnically!  She gets up at 3, is back down by 4, and sleeps until 10.  My kinda girl!!
• She was napping like a champ, but lately she's back to the 10 minute power nap. 
• She freakin' loves her dad.  Stops crying when he walks in, smiles whenever she sees him.  Out of control.
• She's a tummy time queen! She's raising herself up and turning her head.
• She's teething now, which is awesome!  Crankiness, extra drool, screaming at me when she eats.  Love it!
• She went for her first swim with her dad this past Sunday

She so much fun and seems to literally do new thngs each day. We love watching her grow.  This one's for you baby girl.

My Granddaddy is gone

It's taken awhile for me to write this post.  I guess by actually writing it, it becomes more real.  I don't want it to be real.  He's been gone a little over a month.  Everyone felt like their relationship with him was special, as if they were his favorite.  My relationship with Granddaddy WAS special.  He was like a 2nd dad!  I grew up four houses down from my grandparents.  We were over there almost everyday!  Anytime something happened in our lives, we went down the street to share!  If it was a great thing, like an A on a report card it was twice the congradulations.  If it were not so great, then it was twice the you know what.

My mom's relationship with Granddaddy was truly special.  Even as an adult, she would come over and get in the bed with her parents.  I didn't know any different, so I'd climb right on in and find a spot too!  So on any given day, you'd find us in the bed talking, laughing or sleeping!  I'm going to miss that. I'm going to miss our talks and the countless lectures advice he gave..  At his funeral, it was said we all have a piece of him.  I want all of him!  This is so hard!

On the day I left for college, I received another tid bit of advice.  He said, "Make good choices, Sheriss".  That statement has followed me every day of my life since then.  He wanted so much for his family.  I'm going to do my best to honor him by continuing to do my best to make good choices for my self and my growning family.

I miss you Granddaddy!

Bringing the Word Wednesday

Though, that should really read, Bring ME the Word Wednesday!!

When I was younger, our youth choir at church used to sing a song with these lyrics:

We need to hear from You;

We need a word from You;

If we don't hear from You, what will we do?

Wanting You more each day to show us Your perfect way;

There is no other way that we can live

We've had so much going on lately! I feel like I've needed to hear a Word (In regards to my career, should we move back to Florida, among other things). But of course I know the answer is to pray. But how do I hear the answers I need to hear? I'll be praying and listening in the meantime.

Wedded Wednesday

Wedded Wednesday is a collaboration

of married bloggers sharing their inspirations,

anecdotes, struggles and thoughts regarding

the amazing union of two separate people, as one.

 

 

 

J and I participate in a married couples group through our church.  As a group, we are reading The Five Love Languages.  Each week we read a chapter and discuss.  We love our group!  We leave each Wednesday evening feeling all warm and fuzzy.

More next week on exactly what those languages are.

Bringing the Word Wednesday!

Love God! Love People! Prove it!

That our church motto. So we were able to put it to the test this past Sunday. We held a rally at one of the shelters for the victims and volunteers of the flood. We served breakfast and provided carnival-like activities for the children staying there. And of course our Pastor shared a word as well.

What a great day!


Http://www.hopeatl.com

Bringing the Word Wednesday!

Fear is overcome by faith...



At our church, we are continuing our Fearless series. This past Sunday, we had the opportunity to hear from Scott Rigsby, a double amputee who completed the Hawaii Iron Man. So amazing to meet him and hear his story, from the accident that took his legs to his incredible physical accomplishments. One thing he told us that really stood out for me is 'Today's unthinkable are tomorrow's realities'. He was able to push past fear in order to achieve his goals. As we were watching his video in the service, watching his legs tap the pavement as he ran, I kept thinking "Why is he all alone? Didn't he have a friend or someone to swim, bike and run along with him?" Then it dawned on me.... Scott wasn't alone.

Bringing the Word Wednesday!

Our church is going through a 5 week series call "Fearless: Staring Down Your Inner Wimp". In this series, our pastor is showing us how to Fear Less & Trust God More in every area of our life. He says the truth is that all of us have an unhealthy amount of fear inside of us that we need to stare down and overcome if we are going to fully walk into the purpose and plans of Our God! On the first Sunday of the series, we were to write down a big fear and pin it to the cross as we took communion. Yes, they'd constructed a cross and we used thumb tacks to nail them down. They can do creative things up there sometimes!

We were given a few verses to marinate on, but here's my favorite!

2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of self-control.

And a few more for good measure:

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

Isaiah 41:10
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.

Psalm 56:11
In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do to me.

Matthew 10:28
Don't be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who can destroy both body and soul in hell.


What are you afraid of? Let it go!

This is what I know...

Our pastor says that all the time when he's getting ready to spit the knowledge. On a side note, very happy we've finally found a church home in Atlanta.

But, here's what I know thus far

• Our ultrasound is coming up in a few weeks. Exciting! However, we won't be finding out the sex of the baby at that time. I know for all of you shoppers out there, this is devasting news. You'll have plenty of time for that. We like the idea of waiting until the day Baby Ray Ray makes his/her entrance into the world to say "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl!"

• We will be breastfeeding Ray Ray. Or I'm going to try very hard towards that end. No decision on whether or not Ray Ray will be a vegetarian, but for now, the breast is best!

• We'll be a cloth diapering family! Cloth diapers have come along way over the years, and I'm excited to give the new versions a try!

• Our goal is to have an unassisted birth. No, that does not mean it will be just Johnny and I at home giving the whole labor thing a go. Well, not this time at least! But we'd like to achieve a birth without medical assistance (i.e. epidurals)... anything where a needle is involved. We do know that anything can happen, and will let our birthing team guide us.

About "Baby Ray Ray". Ever since he found out we were pregnant, our good friend Kenny has been calling the baby "Ray Ray". While I'm not a fan of double name nicknames (at all!), for some strange reason, this name is catchy. Oh, but please believe, our child will NOT be called Ray Ray when he/she gets here.