Coming soon!

Our little buddy will be coming any day now! The contractions haven't stopped, and I am still surprised he is still in the belly. I will be induced this Saturday, if I don't go into labor before then. I did find the mystery battery charger and wanted to post some pictures. Our sweet friends threw us a baby shower in honor of Elijah Ray, so...baby boy...here is your mommy pregnant and celebrating your arrival! Love you little buddy.

Adventures in our new home

We are settling into our new home! We made some updates, and it is beautiful, cozy and cool. I will post pictures soon!

We have had a very eventful two weeks trying to get furniture moved in, updates completed, and pictures hung, but we also have been having some fun! Cliff took this week off to help get everything ready, and the three of us had a ball. We took some video of Grace enjoying her new home, and wanted to share it with you! Enjoy!

Contractions, House Remodel, and little Grace

So, I am frustrated that I can't find my camera battery charger among many things in boxes these days. I would like to take pictures of my very pregnant belly, so I can show our little Elijah what mommy looked like. I would like to take before and afters of the new house because the new floors are coming into today and Cliff and his brother have done so many updates and worked so hard! I would like to take more and more pictures of Grace, well because she is just adorable and growing so fast. Oh, if I could only find that silly camera battery charger in one of many mystery boxes.

I am in a hotel room in Brenham, while our new floors are being put in, and Grace is peacefully sleeping in the hotel crib. My mind has a few moments to reflect, and I find myself a little unsettled, extremely grateful, excited, anxious, tired and uncomfortable. How could I be feeling this range of emotions? Most of our furniture and belongings are in our garage, we have been traveling from Marble Falls to Austin to Brenham to hotels in the midst of contractions, our poor dog still hasn't stayed in our new home, my husband has way too much going on, and Grace doesn't know what to think. But sitting here in the this moment I am actually amazed that I am calm. Maybe it is because the room is quiet or maybe it is because God has me right where he wants me. Where my daily plans are always changing, where I have no control over tomorrow, where I could birth this baby any day now, where I get to see my husband glow as he preaches the Word, where I am desperate for God's guidance with Grace, where I get to sit in AC, and where He is providing for our every need. My to do list seems to get longer every day and seldom do I get to cross anything off. I am way late on birthday, father's day, and baby shower gifts. I feel naked without being able to use my camera. I am way inconsistent with potty training...well given up on it right now. I feel hopeless as I look at boxes and projects that I can't do anything about because I am pregnant. But maybe my plans, my to dos, my agenda isn't always what is on God's heart? Why can't I remember that late at night when anxiety kicks in? Each day, I watch Him put things into place and I watch His plans prevail. He has given my body plenty of rest. He has brought family and friends to come help at the most unexpected times. He has given me such sweet and quality time with Grace. He has given me precious time in His Word. He has given me time with my husband in the midst of his busy schedule that I have cherished so deeply. Thank you Lord for taking care of me.

Swim Lessons

Grace began toddler swim lessons this week!! I have been looking forward to this for a while, and was excited to get started! Grace had not been to an adult pool since last summer, so it was a like new experience for her.

The main goal of the week was getting her used to the water. They had them get the back of their heads wet, blow bubbles, cruise on their stomachs and kick their feet, and try to float on their backs (with the help of mama). It was funny to see Grace react. She squealed, "wee" as I pulled her around on her stomach. She blew a few bubbles but mainly drank some water. She continually wanted out of the pool, so she could throw more pool toys in the water. And she fought, with the other toddlers, for a popular basketball pool toy. Overall, I would say it was a successful week! :)

My dad helped take pictures yesterday to help show her first swim lesson adventure. Enjoy!

Chasing after another ball in the water. This was her favorite thing to do!

Giving Dad a quick look. She also loved this little Elmo pool toy.

Practicing floating on the back. Grace didn't like this position at all as you can tell.

The infamous basketball that all toddlers were fighting over.

Grace riding on my back. She thought this was fun for a little while.

New Car - Provisions, provisions!

We received a new car! Yes, paid for, clean, safe, low mileage, and reliant! I am hesitant to share the whole story behind the car because I will have to be somewhat vulnerable to our actions, prayer life and needs. I have some pride, so please bear with me.

Two years ago God laid it on our hearts to give a way our Mistsubushi Eclipse to a couple in need of a car. Please know it wasn't easy, especially for me. My family bought me that car, and I didn't even feel like I had the right to give it away. I also didn't think we had the money to give away a car like that. I struggled for a few months, but finally let it go when I realized that everything I had was God's and it belonged to him.  It was a blessing to give in that way...it really blessed us to know we were able to help our friends. We didn't have any expectations in return.

Last week we received a phone call from a family member offering to buy us a used Mitsubushi Galant. It was definitely out of the blue as we never asked for a car or money or any help in this area. Our current car, the Mazda, has had several issues. It has been in and out of the shop this last Spring and we have put a thousand or two into it just to keep it running. It has very high mileage, so you can expect it to break down as it has been. Since January, Cliff and I have been praying for a new car. Yes, we pray for all of our needs as a family. We have also begun to save, research and review different game plans on how we can buy a used car. With the purchase of our new home, we have had to wait to really seriously consider this purchase. We have been patient but have continued to pray.

Our new Mitsubushi is a family size vehicle. It is the same pearl white color as our Eclipse, but newer, in better shape and very roomy. It was like God had upgraded the Eclipse we gave away. God had provided the same brand and color car just to remind us that He was behind the gift. We were extremely overwhelmed by his goodness. He knows my heart, my prayers, our needs, and my struggle with holding onto what I think is mine. Despite all of those things, he still takes care of me and all of my needs. I hope you read this and know that God is faithful, he does provide, and he will always take care of us. It also is a reminder that all of our possessions belong to God, and it is useless to hold on too tightly to any of them. And for those who purchased the car for us...I know God will richly bless you for this gift!

"And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:19.

Crazy days and thankful

To say the least, the last few days have been very busy, eventful, and unpredictable. Our closing date was pushed back again, so we moved our entire home into our new garage on Tuesday and have been staying in a temporary attic apartment. The week before, Grace, Cliff and I (yes! Grace helped too!) worked on getting the house organized to move and finalizing Cliff's last week of school "to dos". We were very exhausted but motivated to move into a new home, so we were focused. Cliff's mom and brother came in to help us finish and Tuesday my dad, 8 people from our church, and some free trailers moved all of our belongings and hauled it out to the new home. I was a zombie at that point (well still am?) but was amazed with the help we received. I mean, we moved in less than 3 hours! That includes packing up and unloading into our new garage. We did have some bumps along the way. One of the trailer blankets caught on fire shredding pieces of fabric all across the highway. Fire trucks and ambulances quickly showed up, but THANKFULLY no one was hurt and all of our belongings were safe. Later I found out that two gas tanks were recently removed from that trailer...it could have been a lot worse. My dad also was stopped by a cop about a block from our home...luckily leaving with only a warning. Tuesday night after the move was complete, Cliff Grace and I returned to our temporary home...an attic apartment in our realtor's office. Yes, we have a fantastic realtor who offered a free place to stay. And we walked in welcomed by a goodie package with food for the week. I was overwhelmed. Yes overwhelmingly tired but so thankful. Between our family, friends and realtor we were totally taken care of. It is amazing how God provides in the details to remind me that he is always capable to take care of us. Well, I am sitting in our temporary home still waiting on the closing date, listening to Grace sleep, setting up painters and flooring and wondering, how in the world did we get here? Brenham, attic apartment and all I am so thankful to be here. Thank you Lord for always providing even in the midst of some crazy days.