Peace that Passes Understanding

Just wanted to post a quick blog as we're about to head out the door to the hospital! AAAGGGHHH!
I wanted to thank everyone again for their prayers. This morning I awoke with a "peace that passes understanding", which I've been praying so hard for. I love when I experience peace, when I know that humanly, I should be a basketcase. I feel great this morning. Besides a little bit of a nervous (and hungry) stomach, I am so ecxited about the day ahead.
Last night...not so much. I had a breakdown or two, but I think I needed it in order to feel better about today. Dennis laid in bed and talked to me forever and it made me feel so much better. He's so precious.
Keep us in your prayers today!

Final Weekend Update...for a while anyways.

I guess this will probably be my last weekend update for a little while. I'm not sure how much free time on Sunday nights that I'll have to come and sit at the computer. At least for a few weeks, I may have to take a sabbatical. We'll see...
I'm getting REAL excited about meeting this precious little angel. Most of my "fears" are fading, but they still loom in the back of my mind. Everytime they come to the front of my thoughts, I just pray and push them back. So, thank you all for all of your prayers. I have felt them tremendously, and it means so much to know that you have been praying for me.
Thursday, my mom and I went out and ran some errands, and she bought Sadie an Elmo Backpack. I took a few pictures, and I thought they were so cute! It freaked me out just for a moment, b/c it kind of reminded me of what she'll look like on her first day of school with her little backpack on. She thinks it's the coolest thing in the world though.


Friday night, we went to our normal Chili's for dinner and I had a yummy mushroom swiss burger. It doesn't get much better than that!
Saturday, Dennis and I got up and enjoyed our last Saturday of getting to just sit and drink coffee together while Sadie sleeps the morning away. We know that next Saturday will be completely different! We ran some more errands and came home to let Sadie nap. While Sadie was napping, Dennis cleaned out my car and switched Sadie's carseat to the other side, and put Sawyer's carrier in where Sadie used to sit. What a moment!!! It made my stomach turn about a thousand times when I saw it for the first time. I'm soon going to have a full house in my car! Crazy!!!! Then, we took Sadie to my mom's so that we could go to Stoney River for Dennis' birthday. It was delicious, but I have NO room left in my stomach for food, so it's hard to eat a big meal at all. I actually only had about 4 bites of my steak and I had to bring the rest home. But, it was probably our last time to go to a nice dinner together for a while, so we enjoyed the break. Thanks, mom!
Sunday, we got up and Dennis opened his presents from me, Sadie, and Sawyer. It was his 31st birthday today! Happy Birthday honey! We also brought down the swing that Sawyer will use and set it up in the den. Sadie has been "swinging" Elmo and Tigger all day. Pretty funny!!! I can only imagine how it'll be when she tries to "swing Sawyer"!!!!



Then, we headed to church. It was really good. Again, I sat there and realized it was my last Sunday at church for a while. I know it'll be a few weeks before we get the hang of everything and can get back into the church routine. Karilynn Phillips had Sadie in the nursery and she said that Sadie and Janey (her little girl) stood up in one of the cribs and danced together. I would've loved to have seen that!
We came home and I went to Walmart to get some last minute stuff that I'll need for the hospital, etc. I hoped Dennis could curl up and take a nap while I was gone and Sadie was asleep, but I came home to him telling me that our wonderful neighbors that we love so much (sarcasm) were putting up boards all around the bottom of their screened in porch with a hammer and nails. Last time I checked, you could use a drill and some screws, which would move along much quicker and be much quieter, but what do ya do?
When Sadie got up, we went to Grammy's (Dennis' mom) for Dennis' birthday dinner. Please check out Sadie's hair-do when we had to wake her up from her almost 3 hour nap. Hilarious!!!

Grandma and Grandad came too and it was nice to visit with everyone. Grammy just had their back porch re-done into a sunroom, and it was super nice. Sadie played and played while sitting in there. I think it kinda felt like she was outside.



Grammy and Dennis took Sadie out for a ride and they "visited" all of the donkeys. I stayed behind in the cool house. I can't stand the heat outside right now. Thank the Lord I only have 2 and 1/2 days left!!!
So, that was our last weekend as a threesome. Soon, we'll be a foursome and we can't wait. Although it's a little scary to think about the days/weeks ahead, we truly feel that our family will be complete when little Sawyer joins us.
Please keep us in your prayers!!!!
I'm going to try my best to get my hands on a laptop while we're in the hospital so that I can either post some pictures, or at least send out a quick blog to let everyone know how things are going. But, if not, I'll be sure to update my blog as soon as we get home on Saturday.

7 Years and Going Strong

I couldn't let the day go by without recognizing the fact that today is mine and Dennis' 7 year anniversary! It's been the greatest 7 years of my life thus far, and I know the next 7 will only be better. He is so precious to me and daily I feel like the luckiest girl in the whole world. So, Happy Anniversary to us, and although we won't be "raising any glasses" tonight (unless it's sweet tea, of course), it still feels like a celebration every day. I sure do love my man!

Random Thoughts and Request for Prayer

Friday, we got to see the little man on an ultrasound and it was amazing. He's gotten so big! We got to see some 3-D images of him and he really looks a lot like Sadie did, so I am so excited to see if he really looks like her in real life. He weighs approximately 6 and 1/2 pounds right now, so if he keeps growing at the same rate over the next 9 days, he'll weigh about the same that Sadie did when she was born. This is all becoming so real to me. Only 9 days left. It's getting down to the nitty gritty now. I lay awake just about every night with millions of thoughts running through my mind.
I have to humble myself to write this blog, because I am begging for prayers here. It's hard to ask others for prayer when you know that so many people are going through so many things that are far more serious than what you are going through, but I also believe so strongly in prayer, so I am asking that you join with me over the next 9 days and help to lift up these issues to the Lord in prayer.
First of all, if you know me at all, you know I'm freaking out about having to leave Sadie while I'm in the hospital having the baby. I know I'll get to see her while I'm there, and I know she's going to be in the best of care the whole entire time, but I'm just not looking forward to it. There's no other way to put it. I dread it, if you want to know the honest truth. So, I'm asking that you pray that God will lift the anxiety of leaving her from my thoughts, and that I will be able to have a peace in my heart when I leave her that Wednesday morning, knowing that she will be perfectly fine without me. I read something the other day that spoke of things like these, and it said specifically that we cannot be with our children all of the time, but God can. We cannot know everything but God certainly can. God loves our children so much more than we can ever imagine, and He wants them to be taken care of so much more than we do. So, why should we worry??? I guess in some ways, it's just human nature.
Second of all, I'm asking that you pray for me and for Sawyer as I have my c-section. It seems to be a little scarier the 2nd time around, because I know exactly what to expect. I know exactly when it's going to hurt, I know exactly when I threw up last time during the surgery, I know exactly when I all of a sudden felt like I couldn't breathe, and I know exactly how bad my horomones went nuts for the 1st few days after Sadie was born. I was a basketcase! So, please pray that God will be with us and help us to both be healthy through the whole procedure, and that my fears will be lifted. I am fully aware that Satan is going to try and steal every bit of Joy from me during this time, and I am determined to not allow that to happen! Also, please pray that I will have some good nurses this time. I had the worst experiences with almost every one of my nurses when I had Sadie, and I am praying so hard that God will bless me with better nurses this time. It makes a huge difference, so although it seems petty, I know my experience last time would've been a hundred times better had I had nurses that were even just a little bit friendly to me, instead of making me cry because they were so rude.
Thirdly, as all of you new parents know, the first few weeks/months with a new baby are rough. Since it's only been a short 16 months since Sadie was born, I haven't forgotten one moment of her first few months home. It was wonderful, but at the same time, I haven't soon forgot the SLEEPLESS nights for months and months and months. I know it's going to be even harder this time around as well, because I'll have 2 to take care of. I know it's not impossible, and I certainly know that I can do it, but I also know that I can't do it the right way without God intervening and giving me the strength each day to take care of the 2 of them like I should.
Lastly, Dennis and I just have a lot going on right now. Probably not everyone knows about every single thing, but we just have a lot going on. Period. It's just kind of one of those times in your life when you feel like everything is piling up on you at the same time, and without the Lord's help, you know you'd surely crumble. I know that God is in control of everything, but that doesn't mean that sometimes we don't question ourselves and the decisions we make. I don't want either of us to lose sight of the important things in life right now due to the other issues popping up around us. So, I'm asking that you pray for us to see clearly through every decision and that we can feel peace during these next few months.
My biggest vice is fear, worry, and anxiety. It plagues me. I will be honest. I hate it with a passion, but it's something I have to give to the Lord every single day. He is definitely helping me through my fears and I know He is with me all the way. He is the God of peace, and I know that He wants me to feel that peace that He is offering. So, thank you for your prayers. They mean so much, and I already know that I will feel them.

Playing w/ Greyson & Baby Sawyer Update

Today we went over to my friend Shelly's house so that Sadie and Greyson could have some playtime together. They had a ball. Greyson has some of the coolest toys in the world, and Sadie was definitely on excitement overload. I think it's so cute to see your child get so excited over playing with new toys. They played so well together. They are both such good kids. Shelly and I are extremely blessed. We had a little picnic in the floor of the bonus room and just let Sadie and Greyson run around like wild people. We had a great time. Thanks for the fun day, Shells! Shelly also gave me a birthday present, and on the card she reminded me that we have been friends for 19 years. Wow! 19 years! Now, I feel REALLY old!!!!



I went for my weekly check-up yesterday and all is well with Sawyer. There hasn't been any changes, thank goodness, so hopefully we're still set for the 30th. My doctor put me on some steroids to take for the next 2 days just in case though. Basically, it's a few pills that go straight to Sawyer's lungs and help his lungs develop quicker just in case he decides to come a little early. I'm so thankful that my doctor is so proactive. 2 weeks from today! Unbelievable!!!!!

30th Birthday Weekend Update

Well, I turned the big "3-0" today. Ouch! Actually, I haven't even really thought about the fact that I am now 30 years old. I think I just have too many other things on my mind these days. My birthday came and went very quickly.
Friday night, we went and ate a fabulous dinner at Zaxby's. ha ha
I wanted something quick where we didn't have to get waited on. I think Sadie is going through a phase where she doesn't prefer to be locked into a high chair for more than 20 minutes at a time. So, it's made going out to eat a little more challenging than it used to be. Then, while I ran into Walmart to grab a few things, Dennis snuck over to Maggie Moos and got me a yum yum Better Batter birthday cake with cookie dough and fudge swirls. Wow! That's all I have to say about that.
Saturday, I got up and came downstairs and Dennis had all of my bday presents set out on the table. He said he couldn't wait another day to give them to me. Plus, he knows how hectic Sunday mornings are at this house, so I think he was smart to do it a day early. He surprised me with the most beautiful diamond bracelet!!! I was shocked!!!!! I didn't even know what to say. It was totally unexpected. He is the greatest husband in the world, I swear. He always spoils me rotten, and he always wants to make sure that I feel extra special. He always goes above and beyond even when I know we do NOT have the money for him to do that. I think he gets that trait from his mom and his grandma because they are the exact same way. They always want to do and do and do for you no matter what. Sadie (and Sawyer) got me the cutest card that almost made me cry, and "they" got me new Rachael Ray pots and pans and some more of my fiesta dishes. After I opened my gifts and got ready, I went to get a wonderful hour and a half pedicure at Relache Spa at Opryland Hotel. Dennis had gotten me a gift certificate there for Christmas, and I figured I'd better use it before Sawyer arrives, b/c who knows when I'll have the opportunity to have a "me" day again!!! Plus, all of us girls want our toes to look good when we have to go to the hospital to have a baby, right??? It was wonderful though. Totally relaxing. So much so, that I almost fell asleep while driving home!
Saturday night, we went and had dinner at Avanti Gourmet, and it was yummy. They have the best cheeseburgers there. I've been on a major cheeseburger kick lately. I crave protein all the time. Whether it's a steak or burger, whatever I can get my hands on.
Sunday morning, we went to church. It was quite madness for some reason. We tried 4 different rooms to get Sadie into the nursery before one finally took her. There is a MAJOR shortage in nursery workers. I told Dennis that as soon as I have Sawyer, I am signing up to be a worker, because it's just pitiful. So many people have to bring their kids into church and it creates all kinds of madness. We were about to leave and come back home because I just don't think Sadie would last through that service. She may last fine, but I don't want her to be a distraction to someone who is trying to listen to the message. Anyways, after church, we grabbed a gourmet lunch from McDonalds and came home and layed around. We met my mom and stepdad at Anchor High for dinner. Sadie loved feeding the ducks.




Afterwards, we were on our way home and I was talking to my dad on my cell phone...we pulled in our driveway, and Dennis said that our garage door opener wasn't working, so he asked me to run in the front door and push the button in the garage to open the door, so that he could pull the car in. So, as I was talking to my dad, I jumped out and went through the front door, and this is what I saw!

It was so sweet. Dennis had asked his brother and his wife to come and decorate for me, so that it would be there when I got home. They jumped out and yelled "surprise". It was so thoughtful, and I appreciated it so much. They went WAY overboard with the decorations and it was so much fun! Sadie loved it!!


We let Sadie and McHaney go outside and release some of the balloons. After they left, we took Sadie back out on the back deck and let her release some more. It was too cute.




All in all, it was a pretty uneventful 30th birthday. But, my sweet hubby made it special as usual. I don't know what I'd do without him. Thank you honey!!!! I love you more than life itself!!!!
I'm going to go and eat some more Better Batter cake now!

My Own Little Ebay

We are looking to sell our entertainment center. It's fairly large, and doesn't seem to be fitting well into our new family room. We need something a little smaller, but it's such a nice piece of furniture that we didn't want to just get rid of it. We've only had it for 3 years, but it's literally eating up our whole den and barely leaves us enough room to walk between it and the couch, so it's become a nuisance. We thought someone out there may be looking for something like this, b/c we seem to know lots of people that are moving soon. So, I've attached a picture and if you are interested, let me know!!

4th of July Weekend Update

Warning!! This post may be very long because we had a jam packed weekend! And, I have posted tons of pictures to go along with it.
Starting on Thursday night, my sis arrived in town for the whole weekend. It was sooooo good to see her. We all went and ate dinner at Chilis and spent some time chatting and catching up. She seems to be doing so well. We all miss her so much. She only has about 2 and 1/2 months left. Maybe not even that long. But, it was so nice to get to spend the whole weekend with her, and I know she loved getting to be with the kids all weekend too.

Dennis was off work on Friday, and since Sadie doesn't wake up until about 10:30 in the morning these days, we got up and cooked a huge breakfast together on Friday morning. It consisted of waffles, scrambled eggs, fried eggs, bacon, and steak. I felt like I was going to puke shortly after. I'm definitely not used to eating a breakfast like that, but it was so yummy!!!! We stayed around the house all day long and just played and played. We haven't done that in so long, because we're usually on the go, but it was nice to be here all day together as a family just hanging out and enjoying each other.

Friday night, we went to Dennis' aunt & uncle's house for a little while and ate dinner with everyone.

They had a ton of people over to eat dinner and watch the fireworks from their back deck. Normally, we stay and watch the fireworks, but since my sis was in town, we decided to meet all of them at Long Hollow Baptist and watch their fireworks display this year. Plus, it's much closer to home, so we had an escape plan in case Sadie got scared! So, we arrived at Long Hollow around 7:00 or so, and they had the greatest set up for kids. TONS and TONS of blow up things, tons of water slides, tons of games, food, snowcones, fruit stands, horse rides, etc. It was definitely a kids wonderland. There were a million people there and everyone seemed to be having so much fun. We took Sadie out of her stroller and let her run around, and she literally went non-stop until the fireworks started around 9:25. I've never seen this child with so much energy, especially when it was WAY past her normal bedtime.
Sadie did AWESOME during the fireworks! She seemed to love them. She even "ooooh'd and aaaaah'd with us a few times". She wouldn't take her eyes off of them. It was so precious to watch. It's one of those things Dennis and I both said we've waited for for a long time. The amazement in kids' eyes as they watch fireworks. Such a precious thing. The pics below look so funny, because she's blinking over and over again as each firework goes off, so her eyes are half shut in all of the pics we tried to get. Check out her "humidity hair do" in the 2nd picture. LOVE the curls!!!
Saturday, Dennis went to his grandad's farm, so Sadie and I did some shopping w/ my dad and then we hung around the house and waited for DaDa to get home. We had dinner over at my mom's house that night with all of my family. It was great to be with all of them.

My dad came over and had hundreds of dollars worth of fireworks to shoot. It's a tradition he started with Chance 3 years ago, so we all headed to a school parking lot and they got set up. Check out the pics of Sadie below. She had climbed onto some of the boxes of fireworks, and she had a lighter in her hand thanks to DaDa! She was ready to light some of the fireworks all by herself! I don't think so, Miss Sadie Jane!!!

We all had a ball. My dad, Chance, and Dennis lit all of the fireworks and it was a great display. People were stopping on the side of the road to watch, and they got some applause after the "grand finale". Sadie enjoyed them once again, thank goodness. It was such a good time. I think my dad and Dennis wished they were 10 years old again. Too cute! Thank you Poppy for all of the fireworks. They were enjoyed by ALL!!! You are the best Poppy in the whole world!!
Sunday, after church, we just hung around the house. My mom brought Rachel and the kids by on Sunday night to tell us good-bye, because Rach has to head back to St. Louis first thing in the morning. I can't even begin to imagine how hard that will be for her. If I knew I had to get up in the morning and say good-bye to my kids again, I don't think I could bear it. It makes my heart hurt just to think about it. But, I know that God is just filling up her bucket of blessings for the sacrifices that she is making to get her life right. I have a strong faith that He will begin to pour out those blessings on her right when she is finished at Mercy, and hopefully while she is there. The kids all played for a little while and it was such a sweet time. We've missed aunt RaRa a lot and we can't wait for her to get home so that we can continue these memories with her and the kiddos.

Here's a short video of the kids going down the slide.

We had such a fun weekend. Just hanging out, spending time with family, making memories with Sadie and mentally preparing to add another one to this mix very, very soon.
Thanks to all of you who have been praying for my sister. Please pray that Mercy will let her come home when Sawyer is born, even if it's just for that day. She wants to be a part of it so bad, and I would hate for her to miss out on that.
I hope everyone had a great 4th as well!!!! I can't wait to read all of your blogs!

Bathtime Fun & Baby Update

Sadie started going nuts in the bathtub the other night, and we had to get it on video. We thought it was hilarious. Everytime we would say "Sadie - swimmy swim!!", she would start going crazy. If you have sound, be sure to turn it on because that's the best part.


I had my check-up this past week and all is well with Sawyer. Only 25 days left!!! Oh my goodness!!!! I literally cannot believe he'll be here so soon. We get to have one more ultrasound in a couple of weeks and I cannot wait to get a glimpse of his sweet little face.