Guess who's thinking about the beach a lot..

.me!

As usual, I get on my beach fantasy kick about 15 times a year

I just can't help it!

Ok..I think I am a little more focused now.

Have a wonderful Monday!

#1-1,000

I am forgoing FIBF today and am concentrating on something amazing.

Her

#1-1,000 of my thankfulness journal could be filled up with things about this little peach.

Seriously. It's said a lot by moms and future moms but it's true: 

"You never knew you could love someone so much until you became a mother.."

Yesterday we found out "it" is a SHE..a daughter!

What a blessed little person she already is, too.

We are blessed from 1 to 1,000 with her.

I am very thankful, indeed, that God chose to spoil me abundantly through this process, the process of pregnancy and motherhood. She is no ordinary baby (I know all parents say that but..).  She has been prayed for, hoped for and celebrated already more than I could have ever imagined. How could she not be extraordinary with all of the prayers and love she has received in her short little life already?!

He knew that this was the thing in life that was most dear to my heart, my greatest dream. He definitely has made it feel like a fairytale so far. That's just the way he works with our hearts desires, you know? Sometimes I think that I am the exception and that my dreams and desires will be just so-so. Maybe that my dreams aren't great enough to merit such divine favor. But He has proven me wrong, once again. With delight I am happy to concede that his ways are so much better and higher than mine. I am so glad (doesn't seem like great enough of a word!).  Everything has a season, a purpose under heaven..even the hurt, the waiting, the unfairness and the struggles of life Nothing is ever wasted.  No one is the exception to his awesomeness and his miracles. No one is ever excluded.  I am humbled and thankful for these things.

Now to Him who is able to do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]

Ephesians 3:20

   Click HERE for more on gifts and thankfulness!

She's not just a cat..

..she's an elegant lady of leisure.

 The smallest feline is a masterpiece. - Leonardo da Vinci

All things baby

I'm having a baby.

(artwork by the gifted Lillian Valentine House, "brrrrrrs" means I am cold)

That's still sinking in.

I have been forgetting a little bit until either I get nudged in my uterus :) or someone says, "look at your belly!".

Then, I remember. Oh yeah! I'm totally pregnant right now.

How could I forget?! I waited for like a million years it felt like and now that I am pregnant, I forget?! I think I am just enjoying it. Not obsessing about it one way or another. Resting finally.

It's a good thing.

BUT the forgetting is slowly becoming a thing of the past because we are all a-buzz 'round here making some minor improvements to the house, buying a new(to us) car that will be safer and roomier for our babe. I have found some sale items that I just couldn't pass up on the clearance rack and remembered that I have a child I can buy for now (how exciting and dangerous)! And most exciting of all, we find out in 2 days what we are having. OH. MAN. The suspense!!!!

ALSOOOOO, I am ever reminded that I am pregnant because my body has started doing really weird things. I will spare the details (you're welcome) but I will give you a couple of key words: inflamed armpits.

SO yes, we are all things baby here.

Here are a couple of highlights:

I am researching the diapers I want.

There are lots of options but thankfully I have a few friends who have used them. It's not brave of me to do it. It's weird that people say that. It's just more economically sensible to us at the moment and worth it to me for sure for other reasons. It's the best option for us!

Check the cute patterns that are available!

If anything, it's like baby's first accessory. 

And I LOVE accessorizing!

cute and modern..

fancy pants!

 I love those cherries and the space ones. I am secretly(not anymore) obsessed with space. Boy or a girl, this kid will have a space diaper!

My baby stash is growing. There are a few bags full of onesises, boy and girl clothes, blankets, diapers cloth and disposables, a nursing pillow called My Brest Friend. :),

some vintage girl clothes someone gave me just in case and that's about it.

I am waiting to buy until a.) I know who I am buying for and b.) I need something. 

I have a feeling this baby will want for little!

BUT we bought this little knight in not so shining armour on a sweet silky horsey. 

And this sweet little pea coat. It's a boy coat but either way, it can be jazzed up. It was $4. How could I pass it up!?

A little man hat with boots and a handsome sweater

OR

striped leggings, boots and a precious hat if it's a girl.

See? Either way it's a winner.

And last but not least-

The new ride.

It's older.

Needs some minor body work.

But my ever resourceful and sweet husband is wise and can get these things fixed super cheap.

Giving up a little mileage for the sake of safety and room is worth. it.

Also, if you saw the Mirage we used to have...well, no explanation needed. It was a great car, just not what I like to call "safe".

So, as you can see. We are becoming baby-minded around here and are enjoying every minute of it.

The financial details, eh, who cares. That will all work out.

God has always been faithful and our dreams are coming true His way in His time. 

That's the best part!

He provided John with an awesome new job that he starts this week. Score.

Oh, and look at this face..

Sweet, sweet baby.

Happy Friday!

1.   My most prized possession is      my wedding ring. The diamond was John's mom's (she passed away when he was 4). So it's a little piece of her that is precious to both of us and is irreplaceable.

2.  If I could be one age for the rest of my life, I would want to be    the age I am right now. Maybe even 30 years old. Some of my best work has been done lately. I find that I enjoy my life so much and even the weird, hard days. I am just now getting comfortable with ME. So far 29 1/2 years is pretty rad! 

3.  The best way to spend a weekend is    out in the sunshine, eating good food, doing some rummaging or shopping and lots of laughing with someone you love   .

4.  My outlook on life is     that it can be awesome or it can suck. It's what you choose to do with your time and relationships that determines the outcome. It's not my life anyway, it's God's, so it takes a lot of pressure off of me when I think of it like that.

5.  If you want to annoy me, just     be inconsistent consistently or act like you are 12 over a certain social networking site  .

6.  I am completely defenseless when it comes to      baby animals.  Don't even get me started.. .

7.  When dressing for the day one should      check the weather and dress in something that makes you comfortable and confident. Also, make sure it doesn't have any weird stains or awkwardly placed holes.    .

Go check out Lauren's blog to play along and read other people's fun answers!

Have a great weekend! I will be at a youth conference with our youth group. A pregnant lady with the possibility of little to no sleep= a potentially grumpy situation. Pray for me.

A word to the wise..

"Advice is like snow-the softer it falls, 

the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind"

Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Inspired for sure

I am looking up different pictures on Flickr to get ideas of what I want my maternity pictures to be like.

I have to say that there are some pretty interesting ideas out there on  "unique" ideas for a shoot.

Verrrry interesting to say the least.

But I think I have found my inspiration....

{davidschloss}