Chick-fil-a and Consignment sales

I'm excited to have the opportunity to serve our church on the women's council and we had a meeting this morning. Our new Bible Studies start soon and I can't wait. I love women's ministry - I think it's such a key element in a church. We need each other! :-)

A few of my good friends are on council so we decided after the meeting to head to lunch at chick-fil-a so our kids could play and eat!

I was so tickled because the older lady who we all love who works in the nursery, Mrs. Gail, told me she loved keeping our group of kids because they all play together so well and they are at church all the time so they are used to each other and church. That makes me so happy that Harper is one of those kids that lives at church. ha!

This is a little boy I adore! He kept talking to "Harper" and it was just making me so happy!

I like this little girl a lot too! ha! Mrs Gail also told me she thought I was having another girl and she asked me what we would name her (which I'll announce if we are having a girl later) - and when I told her she said "Absolutely not." She has a crazy aunt with that name and she said she couldn't bear to keep a child with the same name. She told me I needed to pick a new name and I told her she would just have to call her something different (if it's a girl). ha! That cracked me up!

It's always a little crazy with 4 moms and 7 kids but I wouldn't have it any other way! A sweet lady in our church who was also eating there came by and was saying "Enjoy the chaos - before you know it they will be 23 (like her daughter) and you will miss this". I teared up when she said that because I know it's true.

Tonight I went to a big consignment sale in our area. I only found two things for Harper but I thought they were both really cute. I have been looking for a fall smocked dress and I love the red outfit. I think I'll probably get an H monogrammed on it. I was thinking of maybe putting "Go Hogs" on it but I'm not sure. We already have a lot of razorback outfits. I'll probably just stick with an "H" or her full monogram.

Every Heartbeat Bears your name!

I had my 11 week appointment today and we were able to hear the heartbeat! Always an amazing moment!!! It was a good and fast heartbeat - 175! With Harper - they couldn't get the heartbeat at that appointment so we ended up having an ultrasound so it was a relief when my doctor found the heartbeat right away!
Scott was going to keep Harper today but then decided he wanted to hear the heartbeat so we braved taking her with us. I was so stressed because waiting at the doctor's office is not the ideal place for a very active toddler but she was semi good. We love our doctor and nurse and they were so sweet with her!
We have been pointing at my belly every day and having Harper say "baby" and so when she saw a few VERY pregnant girls in the waiting room - she pointed and hollered "BABY!" We were so embarrassed but laughing at the same time!

Here are a few pictures of Harper before church yesterday morning in her little pony smocked dress!

SO thankful for BOTH my miracle babies today!

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you..............." Jeremiah 1:5

Bathroom Makeover

This is our guest bathroom. When we moved into this house around 5 years ago - I decorated with kind of a jungle theme because it's what I had. I've never loved it but I just never put any thought into changing it. It connects between Harper's room and the guest room. But the guest room is about to become Nursery #2 so I decided this bathroom needed to have more kid colors.
I found this cute shower curtain at Target the other day that is both pink and blue and found towels to match. I need some cute decorations for the sink - maybe a cute lamp and/or picture frames. Or I'm not sure what yet. I also decided I was going to make a painting to hang above the towel rod. I am NOT an artist. I have NO artistic ability but I just got in my head that I could do it and headed to Hobby Lobby before I could convince myself otherwise.


I spent a lot of today working on this but here is what I made. It's not perfect. It's not even all that good - but it's my favorite verse and I think it will be sort of cute. I have so many talented friends who could have made something REALLY cute but it was kind of fun to pretend to be creative today and make something for my babies! :-) And I just pray this verse over them that they will know the God who holds them in His hands and sings to them!

Friday Fun

Harper went back to MDO today. She really wasn't super excited about having her picture made this morning. This is the best we could do. She cried when I dropped her off and just clung to me but I left and then came back 3 minutes later to peek in her room and she was playing and happy so I'm not too worried. I think she had another good day and she was in a great mood this afternoon. I'm amazed that she took a two hour nap there. She's a horrible sleeper so I'm glad they could get her to sleep out of her comfort zone!
While she was at school - I went over to Jennifer's house to take her a baby gift since I had to miss her shower. She and Brody are two of my favorite people. (I totally stole this picture off her blog since I didn't take a picture today). I love to be around her because she's just a fun person but Brody and Harper are both very "active" toddlers so we always have a lot to discuss and now we both have second babies on the way so it was nice to have someone to say "how are we going to do this" to! ha!
Then I was off to Mellow Mushroom to meet a blogger, Whitney, for lunch. She is a really sweet girl and we had a fun lunch and some yum pizza!!! After lunch it was time to pick Harper up. I just couldn't wait to get her and see how her day was. I missed her so much!

I have to share something funny (mostly for my memory). Harper has said "momma" for a while but never really in correlation to me. Just said the word. The past week or so she has finally connected the word to me and it is music to my ears. She will come running into the room saying "Momma, Momma?" She will say "momma" when she sees pictures of me. It is just the sweetest sound to hear the child you longed for forever call you "momma" in the sweetest voice.

Well - last night we were all 3 sitting on the couch. We had been watching the news and it had gone on to entertainment tonight. Harper was drinking her milk before bed and she suddenly pointed at the TV and said "momma!". We looked up and it was a picture of ............

Anna Nicole Smith.

It was kind of funny until they flashed another picture and she said it again. I told Scott I wanted to see if she would do it again and sure enough - here comes another picture of her and Harper pointed "MOMMA!" Lovely. Not exactly the look I'm going for or who I want my baby to think I look like. Maybe it's time to tone down the blond for fall. ha! But I DID have to laugh!

Dancing Queen

Today was my first practice with my dance partner for Dancing with the Stars (NW AR)! I was sooooooo nervous. We had an instructor who helped us. They both asked if I had any dance experience and I was like " Um, high school cheerleading?". Or I could have added Tiger tunes (all you OBU people understand!) So needless to say - their work is cut out.

Yes - I'm going to be 5 months pregnant when I do this (it's in November). I told them that at the very start when they first called me. But I'm doing just a classic waltz - no sliding around on the floor, no lifts. I think it will be really good. It was a lot of fun actually and I'm pretty excited about it. I got so tickled trying to picture myself doing this. I think my friends and the people who know me in real life (and maybe most of ya'll) would die laughing if they could see me in action.

I won't be wearing any kind of crazy outfit like on the TV show. Definitely no bare midriffs! ha! Some kind of ball gown instead with a lot of stretch for a big belly! It won't be on TV but if I can post any video afterwards - I will for sure! I want you to get a good laugh!

It's for a great cause - a Christian organization who goes into the schools and they lost their federal funding this year. I hope to really make a difference. YOU can vote for me if you want anytime from now until November 6th. It's $1 a vote but that $1 would make such a difference! I would love it if you would vote! Not just so I can win - but so a worthy cause would be helped!

Go to http://www.realitycheckinc.org/ and vote!!!! Thank you so much! And I'll keep you updated on my progress! And if you live in the area - you can buy tickets and you should totally come!!!

First Day of Mother's Day Out

We were up and at them early today to get to our first day of MDO. I was glad my mom was here to help out! We wanted to take a few pictures before we left!
Harper is so proud of her backpack and insists on carrying it even though it's heavy! I thought she looked so cute this morning. I kept thinking in May I will take a picture of her last day and I bet she will look SO much older.
Harper no longer wants to be carried into church. When we get to the ramp or steps - she wants to walk herself in. Such a big girl! (Please do not look at the wide load walking her in! ha! )
We ran into Laurie and her girls going in to MDO! They looked so cute in matching outfits!

Harper did cry when I dropped her off. She was having kind of an off morning. But Laurie checked for me and she had quit crying before I even got out of the parking lot. My mom and I went and had Panera for breakfast and then did a little shopping. I wish we could have done more but I wasn't feeling good so we came home and rested before picking Harper up. I couldn't WAIT to go get her! I love having a break but I missed her so much!

She was happy when we picked her up and had a note that said she ate pretty good, took an hour nap and most loved playing outside. ha! By the time we got home - she had switched into meltdown mode so I just put her down for a short nap.

All in all - I would say our first day of "school" was a success!

We are Family

Harper's Nonny came for a visit today! We are so excited! She is spending the night with us. My dad is in India right now training pastors. He will be home soon but you can remember my family in your prayers - he is traveling alone and where he is is under high terror threats and his mom (my grandma) had a heart attack yesterday and is in the hospital. We are worried about her. We'll be glad when my dad is home safe and my grandmother is doing better.

My mom bought Harper an Elmo doll that kisses and makes the same sound she does when she kisses. She LOVES it!

She loves to give kisses more than Elmo does!

We've just been watching her play - she loves stacking blocks.

Harper has her first day of Mother's Day Out tomorrow so I've been busy packing her stuff! I'm so excited for both of us! She is so social and active - it's going to be so good for her to be around other kids and have a change of scenery and it's going to give me a chance to rest when I'm sick or clean house, run errands and go to doctor appointments when I'm feeling better! I can't wait to see how she does!

Monday Miscellaneous

I was so proud today because Harper got out her favorite puzzle and actually put all the pieces where they belonged! It was the first time she did it by herself!
I drug this ball toy out of the closet this weekend for the first time in a long time and it has brought hours of entertainment to both Harper and Dawson. She loves this!

• A lot of you have been asking me if I'll be doing weekly belly shots and updates like I did with Harper. The answer is YES! I am so thankful to have those memories for Harper and I want to for sure have them for this baby too! And unfortunately my belly is already bigger at 10 weeks than it was at 18 weeks with Harper. ha! I started week 12 with her so I'll do the same for this baby!

• I wanted to give an update on Show us Your Single Boys Friday! (I'm hoping more of you have updates you just haven't shared) but I've heard from three people who have either met or have been dating because of that little fun day!!! I'm serious about being invited to any or all weddings!

• I posted my Roast Recipe on my RECIPE BLOG!

Comfortable Weekend

We had a quiet weekend at home. We didn't really have anything on the agenda and I spent most of the time in my PJ's. It was nice. The county fair is going on in our town and Laurie and Steve called us Saturday morning to talk us into going but I knew it would be Silver Dollar city all over again - 100 degrees, morning sickness, and rides we were too small to ride - so we passed. ha! We ended up going over for dinner to their house that night.
Every time we go to any house that has a play kitchen - Harper spends the entire time playing with it. (Don't tell her but I think Santa might be bringing her one for Christmas!)
After dinner - we all gathered around and watched "The Wizard of Oz". It was the girls' pick. ha!

I just have to add for my own memory that the Lord's favor has shone down on me because Harper has slept through the night the last 3 nights in a row and took a 3.5 hr nap yesterday and a 4 hr nap today. I can't tell you how much better we both feel! :-)

Today was promotion Sunday at church. Harper stayed in the same room because she moved up early but I can't believe in another year she will be in a "big girl" room with the kids she will go through school with. It's going by so fast. I also started back leading preschool choir tonight which is fun but busy! We had an amazing service today. We've been gone the last two weeks and I just sat there today thinking about how much I love my church. It's just full of so many people who genuinely love Jesus with everything they have. I can't think of anything I'd rather be apart of! I'm so thankful!
I cooked one of my favorite meals in the crockpot for lunch -roast, carrots and potatos. Scott is not a big fan. He told me he didn't like the name "roast". It's like "casserole" to him. I couldn't stop laughing about that. It's such a comfort food to me! What is your favorite comfort food?

19 months

Harper Brown - you are 19 months old! I'm a few days late getting this post up!

What are you up to these days?

You are a VERY active girl. I don't think you sit still for more than 30 seconds all day. You are constantly moving, running, getting into things. You are just BUSY!

You are talking more and more and more. You say new words all the time. Just yesterday you said "bubbles". I knew eventually you would talk and I was right. You always have a lot to say. You are not quiet or shy! ha!

You LOVE animals - especially cats. You can't get enough of cats. (OH DEAR). You want to love every animal you see.

You have become aware of what is "yours" and are starting to show those normal selfish tendencies of not wanting to share. I'm sure you will grow out of that. Other than that - you are a very sweet little girl. You love to make people laugh.

Your sleeping is getting better. Just last night you slept the ENTIRE night! I got up at 3 to make sure you were still breathing. But you have decided your new wake-up time is 5:30. I'm not so excited about that. ha!

You have started to be very picky about food and just refuse to eat most things. I'm sure it's a stage because you have always loved food.

You recently got your molars in which hasn't been fun. I think you have 12 teeth now. Maybe a couple more. You won't ever let me look long enough to count!
You are SO smart and so head strong. We are working on discipline and it's a little easier now that I know you understand. You love to test me and your daddy on every little thing and see just how much you can get away with. The thing you must know is I'm just as strong willed as you are! :-)

I get SO tickled because every time I'm getting on to you - you will smile, wave, pat my back and rub my chest. It's EXTREMELY hard to be mad at you and not to laugh when you are being loving while I'm trying to discipline you.
This time last year you had your first trip to the beach. I can't believe how much you have grown in a year. I thought you were so big then! ;-) I can't begin to imagine what you will be like a year from now. We love you so much! You are our first baby and are very special! There aren't words to describe the love I have for you!

I have to share this video:
Yesterday I kept my neighbor's baby Grayson for about an hour and Harper was so excited at first. Saying "baby" over and over. After this video the full meltdown began. I held him and gave him a bottle and you would have thought I was chopping off her toes one by one for all the screaming and crying Harper did. She was so jealous. I may have my hands full next spring. :-)

Catch Up

We have been out of town for almost two full weeks and I am SO glad to be home. We have spent time with both our families and that is nice but there is something good about being in your own bed!
We spent the last almost 6 days with Scott's family. We had a nice relaxing time and I have no idea why but we managed to take almost no pictures. Scott took this of Scott's mom and Harper. We enjoyed being there but Harper enjoyed it the most. She had a great time with her grandparents. She is VERY spoiled. And of course we got to share our good news and they were SO excited.
Scott's dad and some guys have recently formed a Southern Gospel Quartet and Sunday night they did a concert at a little church in a nearby town. They were really good! Scott's dad is on the right. He's the bass. I think he has found his calling. He just has enjoyed singing so much! I get tickled at him and how into it he is. They call themselves the "New Life Quartet" and we tease him that they are going to have to buy a bus and go on world tour.

I have had very limited internet access over the last two weeks and I have received so many wonderful emails and facebook messages and tweets and comments and I want to reply to all of them but I apologize that I'm very behind. That combined with a VERY active toddler and all day sickness are making it hard for me to catch up. I just want you to know how much I appreciate anything and everything you write me and I hope I can respond to you soon!

Now.............................I have to go tackle a mountain of laundry! Have a good night!

Details

This is a picture of how Harper and I both feel about the new baby! ha ha ha ha ha ha! :-)

First of all - oh my goodness - thank you SOOOO much for all the sweet comments. To say I'm overwhelmed is a HUGE understatement! Ya'll are SO sweet! And I cracked up at all of you who said "I knew it" or "you were expecting it".

I thought I would give you some details about this baby!

First of all - this baby was an enormous surprise! After trying so hard for Harper - we were blessed to easily get pregnant this time. I was not expecting that with our history and my age. I had even told Scott about a week before we found out that " I thought we should wait until Harper was 2 to start trying". Funny how over and over in my life - I make plans and God laughs and changes them. He loves to remind me that HE is in control - not me. And I love that about Him! It helps me to trust Him in all the details of my life. When I found out I ran in and told Scott immediately and we just sat and smiled. Complete shock! We could not be any more excited!!!!

We told our parents in person using the "big sister" dress. I ordered it off etsy the night I found out. We took video so I'll try to post it sometime soon so you can see how excited the grandparents were!

I am due 3/21. I'm only 9 weeks. We are telling a little early because we've had an ultrasound and my doctor said things looked great and it would be fine to tell and we just couldn't keep a secret. They will be watching this baby carefully and we'll take some extra precautions to hopefully have a safe and healthy delivery and baby this time.

We will find out the sex around the end of October. I'm pretty sure everyone in my life including all my family and even our doctor are rooting for a boy! Scott and I would love to have our Hudson. I have a strange feeling it's another girl. Scott looks like he might pass out every time I say that. I think he's scared to death to be trapped in a house full of estrogen. ha! But maybe we'll end up with "blue" after all! We honestly don't care AT ALL! We are just hoping for a healthy baby.

I have been really sick. Actually I feel the same as I did with Harper. I was sick with her for 20 weeks straight. That makes me nervous. I have some medicine to help this time. It's a lot harder being sick and taking care of a toddler. But I also know sickness is a good sign so I'm not complaining.


And last-
We are SO thankful for this baby and I am so happy to be able to share it. But it's a bittersweet feeling because my heart hurts for all the girls reading this who are still waiting for their child. I know how it feels to think it will never happen and the sinking feeling when yet another friend announces a pregnancy. I hate that my news might add to anyone's sadness. I just want you to know I'm thinking of all of you out there who are still waiting. Some of you have been waiting since before I got pregnant with Harper and that just seems so unfair. I've had to realize that this is the family and the timing God has given us and God is still writing your story! His timing and His plan in your life is for a reason and for His glory! I pray that you will all experience the joy of a child and that you will know God had a purpose in the journey. And know that I and so many others are praying for you as you wait. I love that in the Bible when it says "With God - all things are possible" - it was in reference to infertility (Elizabeth). Isn't that neat??? I know God meant it in every aspect but it was directly linked to a story of a barren woman! God has not forgotten you!

Message from Harper

My mom and dad told me we have something fun to share today!

And I'm excited to SAY:

In March our family of 3 will become a family of FOUR!

And we just couldn't keep it a secret any more!


He has done great things for us and we are filled with joy! Psalm 126:3

Game Day

It's that time of year again - football season! Scott LOVES football. He will watch every college and pro game from tonight (because there are two on tonight) until the Super Bowl. EVERY game. Now I love football more than most but it starts to get old when there is a game on pretty much every night of the week.

I don't care too much for the NFL but I LOVE me some college football! Especially the SEC! Ya'll know I'm a huge razorback fan. So as September gets closer I'm thinking of football Saturdays and two very important questions (besides what will be our record because I'm saying 10-2 for this year) - What will we eat when we watch the game (if we aren't there) and what will we wear on game day! :-) Because in the south - the game day outfit can be as important as the game itself, am I right SEC girls?

There is an AR blogger who wanted a cute shirt to wear on game days and she has made this cutie! I thought it looked especially cute with the turquoise necklace. Now y'all know I love to dress up for game days but you could dress this up or wear it on the days you are at home watching it on TV in air conditioning! ha! If you are a HOG fan and interested in this shirt (or if you live in a different state and just want to pretend you love the hogs - order HERE!) (I think it will say you have to order by 8/10 but you can still order!)
Last year I found this cute site called Tru Colors. This girl wanted cute outfits in SEC colors and she has created all kinds of cute dresses and tops in school colors. (Non SEC schools - you can probably find your colors here too!!!)
She sent me a sneak peek of a few outfits - I think the website won't be running until 8/30 but you can check back. I know she added Clemson, Tennessee and South Carolina colors in this year. Most dresses and shirts come in a lot of color combos. Just thought you game day girls might want to start looking in advance for cute outfits in your school colors!

Of course the big question at our house will what will this cute little fan be wearing for game days??? :-)

I think it's time for a roll call - what is your school? It doesn't matter the conference or if you are an NFL girl instead - you can give out your team spirit here too! I've had a lot of people on twitter ask me about the HOG CALL!!! We do it at all games and it's a big tradition in Arkansas. This is a fuzzy video at a game of the fans calling the hogs! Whoooooooo Pig sooie!!!!

Also - my friend Flint has started a website dedicated to SEC and BIG 12 football! He will be exploring everything from football news to where to eat and shop in college towns. It should be a fun site to check out this fall! Take a peek : http://www.holyturf.com/

Visits from Friends

Harper and I got a few visits today from friends! This little sweetie, Grayson, came to visit while his momma had a meeting. I kept him for about an hour and he was so sweet. I've forgotten how small little babies are! Harper was supposed to be napping while he was here but she wasn't so I took him into see her and she was SO excited. She kissed him (from afar) and pet his feet and just loved him! It was sweet!
Later in the day Emily and Sarah Kate came to visit. I had just been to Wal-Mart and bought Harper a little shopping cart. I've been looking for one. I knew she would like it. Unfortunately it caused a lot of drama because someone did not want to share. This was the first time friends have been to our house where she was possessive of her toys. She didn't want Emily or Sarah Kate touching anything. There was non stop fighting and crying. I told Laurie maybe when she and SK were 4 they could finally be friends.

Sweet Sarah Kate

Emily is so cute and grown up. She is so sweet to Harper. I'm hoping Harper will grow up and be as sweet as her when she is 4.
Emily loves this horse and every time she comes over she gets the horse out and puts bows in her hair. She wanted to pose with the horse. It made me laugh.

Also - I guest blogged today for At Home In Arkansas magazine's blog! I wrote about children's fashion on a budget. Thought you might like to check it out! http://blog.athomearkansas.com/

Vacation Getaway

Scott and I decided we wanted to do something fun with Harper so we thought we would take a little mini trip to Branson, MO after leaving my parents and spend the night. We thought it would be fun to take Harper to Silver Dollar city (an amusement park).
We are GENIUSES! We went there on a day with a heat index of 105 and 99% of the rides - you have to be 36 inches to ride. We missed it by 1.5 inches. It was probably the worst idea we have ever had. I have never been so hot or miserable in my life.
(I just looked at this picture and laughed - only in AR/MO or (TX/MS/LA/GA/AL) would I be riding around with my sweet little bow-headed 18 month old - and she's holding a gun. ha!)

We only rode one ride - the flooded mine. We managed to ride it twice. We walked around the park and ate lunch and then after about two hours couldn't take it any longer. So we paid a fortune to be hot and worn out. Oh well.

At least I got to spend time with the two people I love most!

And one of the things I love most about SDC is the funnel cakes - but it was so hot I couldn't imagine eating one. But we did get frozen lemonade that hit the spot.
After we left there - we tried to find the hotel we had booked and we got so lost. It wouldn't show up on our GPS and the address we were given was wrong. After an hour - we finally found it.
The hotel had a big pool and splash park so we took Harper and she had a BLAST!! So that was totally worth it. She ran around and around and just had the most fun. And she wore herself out because even though usually hotels are a BAD experience with us - she slept 10 straight hours which is a miracle! :-)
We ate breakfast this morning and then visited the outlet malls but it was too hot to even shop so we came home. I'm worn out from our little four day trip. I need a day at home to rest! And I need for it to cool off!!! This weather is doing me in!

On a sad note - I had tweeted and FB'd about a little girl, Leightyn, who was found unconscious on Friday morning and sadly she passed away on Saturday of an agressive brain tumor. I can't stop thinking about her. And then today I found out a little boy, Walker Rainey, who is just a little younger than Harper and who has been battling cancer for a year passed away this morning. I have been following his story and praying for him. It's SO hard to imagine parents losing their child. I can't fathom how that feels. Please pray for these families and all those who have lost children. And hug your kids a little tighter tonight.