splash park

The girls and I met Lauren this morning at Splash Park by the pier for some fun in the sun! We had a great time...thanks Lauren for getting us out of the house, all your help and even taking a few pictures! Arden's been talking about all the fun we had at "splish splash park" all afternoon!
Esther working on her balancing act...




check out the expression, not to mention the belly!


Arden spent most of her time in the sand. Here she is borrowing a little boy's bubbles...


Esther says, "oh the drama" (and probably one of the only times you'll see me in a bathing suit this summer!)


saying goodbye to the park...headed to Chick-fil-a...

while i was cleaning...

On Friday I decided to clean out the girls' closet...sorting, organizing, etc. Both girls were in the room with me playing and "helping" me go through all the clothes. At one point I realized Esther was being really quiet...she was only a few feet away from me and she was coloring her body with a red marker...so no, that's not blood in the picture. I thought I was paying enough attention, but apparently not! This may be something that happens a lot with children, but i think it's the first for us. I don't remember Arden ever doing this. Also throughout the cleaning out process Arden tried on MANY different articles of clothing and modeled them for us, putting together her own outfits. So here's a pic of each of them, although the one of Esther doesn't really do her coloring justice.




Other news...we went to Babies R Us in Jax on Saturday and got a new crib! Arden's crib was recalled in the fall and so we had a voucher for a new crib that was going to expire in a week or two. It was really fun to go in and pick out a new crib and not have to pay anything for it! :) It's not set up yet, so I don't have a picture, but it's completely different from our other two cribs we've had/have. It's got a modern feel/look to it and has a dark walnut finish...Woody REALLY likes it! :) The girls also really like the "new baby's crib!"

grocery savings

This won't be nearly as exciting to some of you as seeing pics of the girls, but I've been wanting to put the whole coupon savings thing into practice, but haven't been able to for obvious reasons. Anyway, yesterday I prepared a grocery list and decided to work on getting some coupons together and printed out. Woody went to Publix today for me with list and coupons in hand...the results, surprising! We spent $68.58 with a total savings of $84.26!!! We were excited to say the least, especially since this was the first real attempt at things! So I won't normally be putting our savings online, I just decided to share this first experience...we're hooked!

earth day picnic

The girls and I joined Allison and Brittany and their kids for a picnic at the mission (aka cross park). It was a beautiful day to enjoy God's creation and marvel at our God, the Creator. We all had a great time and can I say again, it's so nice to be feeling well and out doing things again and spending time with friends?! The girls had a ball and loved playing follow the leader with Gabby and also being pulled around in our wagon by Gabby and Matthew (what great helpers!). Here are some pics from our day...







Here are all the kiddos minus Gabe...sad I missed getting him...he headed for the water every chance he got-too cute! :)

feeling better and family

We're all finally feeling better and getting back into a normal routine of life-it feels really good! We still didn't get to spend much time with Woody's family while they were here, so that was sad, but the little we did see them was really great! Hannah, Michael and Kai got to spend an extra day with us due to a photo shoot Michael did in Jax (check out his website on the side bar to see the new photography business he's starting in B'ham). It was really fun to be out of the house once again and of course to spend some time with them-Kai is changing and growing so fast...and the girls really love being around their cousin! Arden tended to take the mommy role and wanted to help him or hold him and Esther just seemed fascinated to watch him and follow him around saying his name! We look forward to our time with them again, which hopefully won't be so long now since I'm able to travel again. :)
Since we were pretty much sick the entire time everyone was here, I only took a few pics and they're pretty much all of Kai, so thought I'd show off our cutie of a nephew!

SHE's a fighter!

This may come as a shock to some of you, but...we're having a GIRL!!

3 girls...wow! We're really excited about having a third girl and I think even just having a third child is now beginning to sink in! We got a great report yesterday. She's healthy and growing well. The doctor that I've been seeing through all of this used the words "amazing improvement" when he saw pictures and measurements from the ultrasound. He was visibly pleased with how things have turned out and we're very grateful for his help and wisdom through everything. Praise the Lord! He even said I can return to a "normal life," including being able to travel (yay!).

Thank you all for your prayers, love and support over these last few months...it's meant so much to our family.

We're thrilled to be welcoming a sweet baby girl into our lives in September. Now if we can just pick out a name...

will it ever end?

On Monday night, Woody and the girls got a stomach bug and I don't mean the 24 hour kind. Somehow I had supernatural strength and energy to take care of them through the night and on Tuesday, wash every crib sheet we own at least twice in that time, clean/disinfect and wash my hands every 5 minutes to make sure I stayed well. Unfortunately, I came down with it Wednesday night...thought I was going to die, really...I've been pretty sick before, but I've never been as sick as I was that night. Not long after Woody had talked with the OB nurse on call around 11 or midnight, I finally was given some peace and able to rest for a little while. Thankfully Woody was feeling better and able to take care of me and so far, he's the only who seems to be somewhat normal again. Now he's the one doing all the washing, cleaning, and taking care of us. It's Saturday...I'm still not feeling great and the girls are STILL sick. We've thought Thurs. and Fri. that they were getting better, but they just end up getting sick again. Will this ever end?? Please pray for our family...this has really been a trying week! To top it off, Woody's family has been down here since Thursday to visit. We thought surely we'd be better by then. So far, we've spent a little time with them on our deck and talking through the windows...very sad!

and the winner is...

for the poll, that is...that the baby is going to be a boy! Thanks for all who commented. It was fun hearing your thoughts on things. There were a few weeks there where I was really convinced this baby's a boy and the Lord has given Woody and I an excitement for a boy with this pregnancy that we haven't had in the past. Nothing against boys, we just love our girls! So we would be thrilled with a boy. With that said though, I decided I was so convinced on a boy that we must be going to have a girl! I guess because I have just sisters, I always thought I'd have all girls...so we would be thrilled with a girl. With all that said, really though at this point, I have no strong feeling one way or the other. We know the Lord has chosen this little fighter specifically for our family, and we're so thankful he has chosen to bless us with another gift!

boy or girl?

We find out on Monday what we're having...so I thought it would be fun to take a poll and hear from all of you what you think the baby's going to be! Woody and I have gone back and forth and have our thoughts...really though as long as the baby is safe and well, we're great either way! So just for fun, leave a comment and let us know...I've even changed the comment settings, so all of you faithful readers who are nongooglers can use the anonymous identity. Just sign your name on the comment though so we know who you are! :) Let the polling begin!

Jesus is risen, happy Easter

These were Arden's favorite words yesterday! On Good Friday, her words were, "Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem." A little out of order, yes... :) Though we know she doesn't fully understand what this means by any means, we're thankful the Lord is using our conversations with her to begin to write it on her heart! She's really enjoyed opening the Resurrection eggs and the Easter books and stories I've been reading to her, as well as singing songs about Jesus' last week and resurrection. She's also really been intrigued by the cross...we had a Good Friday reflection service at the gazebo downtown and being the historic city that we live in, there are crosses everywhere...on statues, cathedrals, etc. Every time Arden saw a cross, she acknowledged it and then announced to all within ear shot that "Jesus died on the cross!"
Yesterday we had a good Easter, celebrating at church and then enjoying brunch with our church family. We didn't get any family pics this year...we were all too wiped out by the time we got home! Thankfully, I took a few pics of the girls before they and I went and met Woody at church. Here's the only one where they're both looking at the camera and smiling!


We hope you all had a blessed Easter as well!

sprouts

Here's a peek at our sunflowers sprouting...

Easter celebration

The girls and I were able to go to a "mothers, daughters, sisters, friends" Easter celebration this last Saturday at Judith's. Last year Arden and I had a wonderful time and this year, Esther got to join us for all the fun! The girls got to decorate cookies, bags for hunting eggs, a picture frame, and make tissue flowers...all with a little help from Miss Judith, mommy and other sweet ladies from church! :) We even had a mother/daughter picture made for the frame! (I didn't get one with my camera, so you'll only get to see our attempt at one after getting home!) The girls had a blast and got a lot of help with hunting Easter eggs, which were filled with all sorts of fun surprises! Arden is still talking about the "party" and ready to go back to Miss Judith's house! Below are a few pics...and yes, there's one of Arden in a not so very lady-like position, but I couldn't resist! :)

time to fill you in...

Praise the Lord...we're expecting!!

Okay, now that I've told you, I have to admit I feel like I've been leading this double life on the blog, like everything's been "normal" around here, when it hasn't, so I apologize. We've just been very guarded because of our history of pregnancies and the circumstances of this pregnancy, which you'll read about below. So hopefully you'll forgive me for not saying anything earlier, and with that said, I'll proceed with the wonderful work the Lord is doing! (and if you know me, you know I'm detailed, so I'll try to keep it concise, but I'm not promising anything!)

We're a little over 16 weeks along and though the road here has not been an easy one, the Lord has been so gracious and faithful to carry us through! Since I was about 6 weeks along, there have been complications and therefore we've been going to the doctor pretty much every week for an ultrasound to check on things. So yes, I've had 8 (and counting) ultrasounds! It's been so amazing to see the progression of our little one over these last 9 weeks and wonder at God's miraculous creation! Along with the doctor visits, I've been instructed to stay off my feet, not lift anything, etc. One dr., in an attempt to lighten the mood I think, asked if I'd been coughing or sneezing and then said I should probably cut that out...and while I was at it, I might want to cut out breathing as well! So, you might think how in the world do you stay off your feet when you have a 3 year old and a 19 month old? The answer is take progesterone twice a day to knock you out! I really had no choice, the medicine they put me on completely wiped me out, along with all the other fun symptoms that come with the first trimester! :)

We thank the Lord for His provision of help over these last couple of months! Remember G.G.'s visit? That was the first week I was told to stay off my feet and since then, our church family has become just that, family. Almost every day of the week, someone has been coming over to take care of me and the girls, others have brought us meals and yet others have cleaned the house and even the yards! We've been so humbled and encouraged by the outpouring of love and service of the Body. Thank you Coquina and also Allison for coordinating everyone!!

Since my last appt. at 15 weeks, I've been taken off the medication (Praise indeed!) and the doctor said I could become a little more active. It's been SO incredible to actually be awake and alert and have more energy. I've even ventured out of the house to exciting places like...church and Target (both only 5 minutes away, but hey, it's a start!) And although the complications have not healed completely, the doctor believes things to be less a concern now and is very positive. This is huge, considering the first doctor we saw was not optimistic at all!

I really feel as though I've been fighting for this life and this little one is definitely a fighter! The Lord has taught us much through all of this and I'm sure He has much more in store for our family. May He receive all the glory!