Some pics of my babies

I think most people think that because I'm a photographer, that I must have TONS of great pics of my kids. Well, I do try to take pictures of important events and just our lives everyday. But getting my kids dressed up and making a special trip to do a photo shoot isn't as common as you might think. Finally, I decided I MUST get some because it had been too long for me.

So here are my blessings (except for the one still growing in my tummy)

L, age 4 1/2

loves all sports that involve any type of ball

is in 2nd year preschool

still takes naps most days

favorite place to eat is Chick-fil-a

asks me all the time when he can have a motorcycle, skateboard and how he do that and many more things when he grows up!!!

E *her real name is N, but we have given her a nickname. age 2

loves her purse, babies and stuffed animals

cries almost everyday when bro goes to school because she wants to go too

isn't anywhere close to potty training, but we still bought Minnie Mouse panties today

favorite place to eat is McDonald's

says "No, thank you Mama" all day long when I try to help her do things...like fastening her car seat, putting on clothes, brushing teeth and about a million other things!

Can we say, Miss Independent?

Though they for sure wear me out, they are the joy and fulfillment of my days. I'm so glad to be their mommy. Please be praying for our adoption...we have several things that need to line up in the next few months to make it possible. We also can't wait to find out in three weeks who will be joining them: baby brother or baby sister!

Doesn't take much...

You make me feel...

You make me feel...

You make me feel like a natural woman.

About a month ago, I had literally ran out of all my toiletries at once!

That doesn't happen very often at the same time, but I NEEDED to go shopping.

So as you see above, my choices are not super sheek or anything.

But it was amazing how it made me feel like a new woman to shower with my new goods.

So I thought I'd see what was in your shower?

What are your favorite products?

Here is what is in my shower:

*Dove - cherry blossom and almond....smells so good I could eat it! : )

*Skinitimate - Dry Skin - my legs are the worse!!!

*an almost empty, VS's Lost In Fantasy - but I keep saving the last few tablespoons because it smells so good!

*Noxzema - 4 blade razors - seriously best razors and super cheap!!!

*Suave Coconut Shampoo & Conditioner - only this shampoo makes me feel like I'm on the beach

*Clean and Clear Face Wash - This & my Crest toothpaste w/scope has saved me a few mornings of sickness during this pregnancy. I guess cause it WAKES me up quick!

Anyways, there is my shower line up. What's yours?

Making Lemonade

* My boy has started back to preschool. It's crazy that I have three hours with just one child. It's crazier how QUICKLY it goes by. I always have soo many aspirations for that time and get disappointed when we don't do everything on the list. But he on the other hand is sooo busy during those three hours, he actually asks for a nap when I pick him up sometimes. : )

* This baby I'm growing in my belly is now the size of a lemon. I can't believe I'm 3 1/2 months pregnant. It really has gone by quickly soo far. Now that I'm in my second trimester and hopefully start to feel better, I'm sure it will go quicker. Praying for no more days of me laying across the couch praying away the hours until Scott gets home. I do think I'm already doing better. I had strep throat and so did Little Man this past week. Because of that making me extra sick, it was hard to tell if I was still having "morning" sickness as bad. We shall see this week! Can you believe something so tiny can now squint, frown, grimace, pee and even suck his/her thumb. God is AMAZING!

* My Daddy decided that the grand kids needed a basketball court to play on near the house. So between their house and my brothers they built a half-court one. It is soo nice and we've only been out there to play once after it's been finished, but we LOVE it already. Can you tell we are all spoiled? I think Daddy has some hopeful motives....maybe hoping to see one of his grandsons play for UK one day?!?!?! : )

*I've actually done a few little art projects I've been wanting to for the last month or so. They are easy and quick projects which helps since my attention for anything these days is very small. But I can't wait to show you guys the finished project as these go with a previous one I showed.
* While Little Man is in school, we like to hang out with Nana. We shop, eat and hang out. It's a hard life only having one little at home.... but that won't last long. I'm so thankful for my Moma. She is such a blessing, friend and a lifesaver in sooo many ways! Thank you, Moma! I love you!
* Trying to find ways to curb my Dr. Pepper (caffeine) addiction. My sister gave me a tip of a nearby city (where the Man works) that has Caffeine free Dr. Pepper at it's Kroger.... What! What! I ask the Man to stock me up often and to help throw in something different I've been making decaf sweet tea!
* We've been playing with Cousin Fynn a lot lately too! I don't mind going home to see all the cousins, but it's fun when they come to our house. They play so good together and really makes my job easier because they entertain each other. He's gotten soo big and is such a fun little guy. Can't wait to meet my niece/his sister in only 3 months!!!

* I know this is petty, but at night when my children go to sleep and my husband works on school stuff...I watch t.v. And I'm SOOO excited for fall t.v. Of course, I have returning favs....Parenthood, Dancing With the Stars, The Office, but I'm looking forward to a few new ones too.

The previews for this one cracks me up. Even Scott has laughed at it a few times so maybe he'll watch it with me. We are soo getting ready to go through this and have never experienced newborn days/no sleep nights!

I love Zoey Deschanel. She cracks me up! Hopefully, this one will be as good as I think it will be. I love to laugh!!!

*I can't believe it's been ten years since 9/11! I remember just waking up and turning on the Today show and being confused on what they were showing. It became even more confusing as I saw the 2nd plane hit. I've been weepy today and praying for all those who lost loved ones that day or since in the fight for peace! I'm thankful we have a God we can trust in the light of scary trials in this life.

I remember attending a prayer vigil that evening of September 11th and Thomas Weakly our Cru campus director read Psalm 46. I've never felt that fear nor that peace from the Word of God in the same day! May it bring you peace and draw you close to our Savior.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
a very present^b help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
Selah

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
6 The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the LORD,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
10 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
11 The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress

finally some TWO birthday pics

Here are some pictures finally from my big girl's actual birthday.

We celebrated at home and had a party over the weekend.

I'll post those pics sometime soon!

So thankful for my sweet girl and all the joy/fun she brings to our lives!

Here is my birthday girl in all her TWO year old glory! I cannot believe she is two and acts/talks like she is FIVE. : )

blowing out her candles...she got one down and one to go!

My big girl eating cake

This is her birthday cake..."semi-homemade" strawberry cake.

tradition is we eat birthday cake for breakfast. The kids love this!

This two year old has made

Hope in the wake of loss

Lately, I've felt overwhelmed with my prayer list. There seems to be soo many people hurting and dealing with scary things. Thankfully, God is BIGGER than the length of my list and the amount of pain being felt by everyone on it.

Life can seem daunting and lonely for a lot of people. I know families burdened and waiting for their adopted children to be home, single mamas trying their best to make it on their own, college kids afraid of the big decisions they are making, adults/children fighting illnesses and as of recently a family whose precious almost two year old went home with the Lord. I understand how people can get lost in their circumstances and feel like their is no way out. But let me give you some hope in face of such tragedies. We have a GOD who IS all powerful, mighty to save and WILL NOT leave His people in a time of need. Find hope in what is yet to come because of what already has been done.....

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

“O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

This verse is such a source of comfort and hope. Please know that "Thanks be to God" we have to fear nothing because our victory over this world, it's trials and death has been accomplished through Jesus. This to me is where living out our faith truly comes to pass. It's during these difficult moments and big life questions where we can choose to trust all that Christ did through his life, death and resurrection or be swallowed up in despair. Believe me when I say, I cannot imagine the pain this precious family is feeling and will not cheapen it. I do believe however, that they are feeling "death where is your sting?" because of their belief that their child is now with Jesus worshiping Him forever with no more cancer staining her sweet body. The loss must be unbearable, and that is where the family of Jesus Christ will serve them and love them. But no matter our fears, sorrow and struggles we cannot loose sight of what has already taken place to set us FREE! My friends, please wait no longer. If you have not trusted your entire life to our savior and king, Jesus Christ....do it NOW! We are not promised tomorrow and this life is much sweeter living in the blessed peace of our Lord.

I want to leave you with this song that I cannot listen to without being so thankful for my salvation and hope in Jesus!

Come ye sinners, poor and needy
Weak and wounded, sick and sore
Jesus ready stands to save you
Full of pity, love, and power

Come ye thirsty, come and welcome
God's free bounty glorify
True belief and true repentance
Every grace that brings you nigh

I will arise and go to Jesus
He will embrace me in His arms
In the arms of my dear Savior
Oh, there are ten thousand charms

Come ye weary, heavy-laden
Lost and ruined by the fall
If you tarry until you're better
You will never come at all

Just a little honesty...

I wanna post.

Believe me.

This is such a creative outlet for me and it helps record our family's life.

But this pregnancy is kicking my booty. (as of last two days this sinus stuff has put my "all day sickness" on overdrive!!!)

I'm soo thankful for this child that is sucking the life out of me and for the other two that have been trying their best to take the rest.

I know I'm not the only woman to feel drained and sick during pregnancy. Nor am I the only woman to do this while raising two other little ones.

Nor would I ever change a thing.

There just has to be a little re-arranging.

I'm learning to be ok with a dirty house (let's be honest, I was mostly ok with this before). Not having time/energy to blog/edit/or do anything creative with my children. End a much anticipated date night early with my husband because I get sick at the restaurant. Learning to be fine with saying no to play dates, moving appts. and other things when I just can't get me and them out the door. Cooking looking more like something frozen, take out or more importantly whatever doesn't make me sick looking at it. Some days none of this is a problem. Most days it is.

So I'm learning how to be a mamma in this season.

Please understand if I return phone calls late, don't email back promptly, don't post a blog all week, have no cute pics of my adorable kids as of late (of course I have a billion to post from several weeks ago that I'm too tired to edit) and may not be my chipper self.

It's hard to be honest about feeling this way with not feeling like I'm complaining or being ungrateful. Please hear me when I say I love my life and when I feel a little more like myself again, I plan on enjoying it full steam!!! Until then, thank you to my friends, family, 2 sweet children and my HERO of a husband for putting up with me!

While, I have no energy to actually be inspirational myself. I have found some inspiration on pinterest for the thing I'm looking most forward to lately.

FALL!!!

(source for all four pics: on my pinterest)

It could be that by the time fall is here my hormones should all nicely be straightened out and I hopefully will have a cute little (that's the hopeful part) baby bump! plus it's just my favorite.

Can't wait for cool afternoons, dressing the kids up in costumes, JEANS, football games, and all the delish food that awaits the season!

Lately.....

i have been soo tired

i have felt like crap

i have worried what was wrong with me

i have fallen asleep with children playing around me

i have stopped cooking, blogging, cleaning and doing other normal things

i have taken a test

i have been COMPLETELY shocked, overjoyed and thankful

thank you $1 Dollar Store test for giving us some really great news

Thompson Babe #3 due to hit the Bluff Home March 2012