It's a dogs life

life is hard sometimes....

The bigger the Excitment

The bigger I seem to get! We are getting closer to the due date....9 more weeks to go until 40 weeks, but I know that this little babe can arrive anytime after 37 weeks. Allen wants the baby to come before Christmas. I would like the baby to come after Christmas, selfishly just so husband and I can have one more Christmas just us. I would preferably not have the baby on Christmas Eve (allen is working 6 services at the church) or Christmas Day, but OF COURSE I will be totally thrilled anytime Jr./Jrette makes the grand appearance!

I keep trying to picture everything. I can picture us holding the baby, counting it is fingers and toes, being at home with the baby, nursing, putting it's tiny clothes on it etc. I however cannot picture delievering the baby. Putting the baby in the carseat and driving away from the hospital. Walking in our house with a newborn. What a surreal experience that will be.
Baby M's nursery is almost 100% complete. My "nesting" instinct hasn't kicked in because our basement would be organized, laundry would be done, dogs would be groomed etc. Lets' hope it kicks in!!

In other news what is up with this fake fall weather? I woke up to 75 degrees outside and humid. Hello? October? Where did you go? I enjoyed you briefly for about 5 days and then you became moody and can't make up your mind. Please talk to November and let her know she has to be cold. I do not want to eat turkey and stuffing in 75 degrees weather. That is just not cool. No pun intended...

Miracle of Miracles

Yesterday husband was outstandingly sweet and came over to the couch to rub my feet. He pulled of my socks and said in complete shock " Your feet! They are not swollen!" I looked on in disbelief....he was right. My feet were cute! They were tiny! They were normal!!

I don't know what act of Science or Love made that happen but it was an awesome sight to behold....

Pregnancy Cravings....or lack there of

The following foods I do not want to eat either at all or I have barely eaten during this fun season of pregnancy:

- fish

- beef (as in cheeseburger, steak, etc)

- strawberries (used to be absolute favorite fruit)

- granola bars

- Chinese food

-Mexican food


The following foods I have loved to eat anytime....
- olives

-chips ( i have outgrown that phase, but it lasted at least a month)

- fried shrimp

- apples

- pasta

- taco bell ( i know its bad)

- Orange juice

-apple juice

- red chewy candies (like sour patches)

It has been a food adventure to see what I can't get enough of and what totally turns my stomach. Allen took me to a beautiful romantic dinner in the mountains recently and I ordered something that sounded so amazing. Lavender crusted Atlantic salmon, garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus. More than half my meal went home in a doggie bag never to be touched again. I took one bite of the fish and my stomach turned. I ate most of my mashed potatoes because it was the only thing that I could handle. Silly me for forgetting I have maybe eaten one piece of fish so far during my pregnancy.

Then take this morning for example. I think I finished a carton of orange juice all by myself. I stood in front of the fridge and drank out of the carton I was so thristy. I NEVER do that. I got to work 45 minutes later and was asking a co-worker if she knew anyone that had orange juice they would share....crazy.

I have always enjoyed food but this has been interesting. More often than not, I can only think of things that I do not want instead of things that I just have to have. However, tonight, I have to have some fried shrimp.

The early bird gets the worm

Up early enough this morning to watch the sky turn from black to dark blue to grey blue to pinkish blue

Up early enough this morning to get to Starbucks before all the good tiny treats were purchased

Up early enough this morning to get a treat and fill my car up with gas before arriving to school

Up early enough this morning to to know that by 2:30 pm I will feel like it is 4:30 pm.


I walked into my school building this morning and there was hardly anyone around. A few people were putting up bulletin boards, a few people were unlocking their classroom doors and I felt this feeling. The feeling of loving being a teacher. Of coming to work every day in a classroom with pencil sharpeners and white boards and construction paper bulletin boards. It was a good feeling.

I am so happy that it is Thursday. One day closer to this weekend. The weekends are always filled with such hope and promise. Time to spend with just Allen. Time to sleep in. Time to do things that I don't have time to enjoy during the week, like going to the park, being creative in the kitchen or being lazy with my husband. JOY.

Happy Thursday!

In the eyes of a child.....

A former 6th grader, now 7th grader just informed me of something. The conversation went something like this...

kid: You look chubby

me: I am chubby.

oh to see the world through the eyes of a child....oh wait, I already do!

Photos from the past.....

Happy days with Happy people on one Happy Island
An amazing even to be invited to. A guest at the UN to honor a man who actually wasn't there because of a scandal in the news....gotta love drama

Key West. A wonderful Spring break, maybe my absolute favorite.

Proud Mama

I can't wait to meet our little one!!

A day of Blessing

What a beautiful day. I was overwhelemed with the love of my family and friends from near and far. More than anything, I am so grateful for people in my life that care about this baby. That fills my heart with more pure joy than anything else.

More info and pictures to come later.

Words to get me through today

" I LOVE YOU with an everlasting love. The human mind cannot comprehend My constancy. Your emotions flicker and falter in the face of varying circumstances, and you tend to project your fickle feelings onto Me. Thus, you do not benefit fully from My unfailing love.

You need to look beyond the flux of circumstances and discover Me gazing lovingly back at you. This awareness of My Presence strengthens you, as you receive and respond to My love. I am the same yesterday, today and forever! Let My love flow into you continually. Your need for Me is as constant as the outflow of My loved to you.

Jeremiah 31:3
Exodus 15:13

From the devotional "Jesus Calling"

Back to the drawing board

Baby Names....

So we have a boy name picked out. For sure. Is a definate. If I knew we were having a little boy I could go get a monagramed pillow today.

The girl is a different story. I used to have a zillion girls names. But now, names that I used to like like Audrey are no longer interesting to me. I think it is a pretty name but I don't want to use it.

I am also having trouble with a middle name for the girl. We wanted to use Lovell (family name) or Howell (family name) but I am finding that with some names that we like it just doesn't work or it is a mouthful when you put Morrison behind it.

I need some help. Any good girl names out there?

its a slow burn

Will the heartburn ever go away? I am beginning to think not.

Weekend Favs Part II

So more favorite things. We found a pub off of Peachtree that had a HUGE menu and some wonderful food. Allen opted for the brunch selection and I enjoyed my grilled chicken sandwich and garlic fries. OH and with an ice cold coke! So fun! We enjoyed the fresh air and the busy streets with people all around.
Sunday allen decided to hop on the roof and cut some tree limbs down and sweep off the roof. Here is what part of it looked like when he was done.

I love this picture. Allen was hard at work but I made him stop and smile. Too bad you can't see the smile but its an awesome picture all the same.

Ta Da!! The finished porch once cleaned and leaves gone :)

Here is Eli, trying to fill my shoes. He is such a cute puppy. Like to jump too much and always gets in trouble with Maggie (he steals her rawhide, and she steals it right back) but so sweet and loving.

We ended with a dinner out at our local pizza parlor. Such good food and company. I love the twinkle lights and the outdoor atmosphere.

Such a FUN blessed weekend with my love!

Weekend Favs Part I

Here are some weekend favs in no order (of favorite to least) but in order from Sunday to Friday. Sunday was a huge day of productivity. Go figure!! I got lots done and so did Allen. One of the biggest accomplishments was laundry. Lots of it. Cleaned, dried and folded!! Now to just put it away :) That always seems to be the hardest part.
Saturday we walked around downtown, found a new restaurant that we loved, enjoyed a coffee (A) and a small hot chocolate (me) and took in the fresh fall weather with the beautiful fall flowers.

Friday I spent some time with a good friend after work. We sat outside and watched her son play in the back yard while her other child took a nap. We talked about husbands, belly's, in-laws, babies etc. It was sooo good to see her. Patrick, her son offered me some addictive chez-its which I had to say yes to. Look at that face!

7 months!

7 months!!
We have made it to 7 months!! So far I am feeling great even though if I sit too long then standing up is sort of an effort.

This weekend was super fun, will post about it later!

Happy Weekend!

Happy weekend from Eli and Maggie....Eli's got one eye on you!