Home Sweet Home!

This a picture of what will soon be our new home! WE ARE SO EXCITED! I'm telling you, all the pouting and fretting I did over the other house not working out was for nothing, because this house is perfect for us, even more so than the other one was. I should have never doubted God had something bigger and better in store for us. We are working through a builder in the church who has turned out to be one of the kindest and most generous people we have met. He heard about the deal on the other house falling through and told Jason he was in the process of building a new home that we were welcomed to look at to see if it would meet our needs. No obligations - he simply wanted to help out if he could. The house turned out to be everything we were looking for! It is in the neighborhood we originally were hoping to live in, it has 4 bedrooms which gives us extra space for a guest room/playroom, and we are able to pick countertops and cabinets for our kitchen, which was a big deal for us. We're keeping our fingers crossed that we'll be in by mid-November to early-December. Everyone is welcomed to come visit!

Bringing Up Girls

I am so excited, because I was looking around on the Focus on the Family website today and saw a link for for "parenting girls." Since I need all the help I can get in that area, I clicked on it and saw that Dr. Dobson is planning a 2009 release of his book Bringing Up Girls! Can I just tell you how long I have been waiting for this book and wondering when it would finally be released? I remember sitting at my friend, Beth's house when her first son William was born and reading her copy of Bringing Up Boys almost in one sitting (I think Beth was still at work and the guys were playing Playstation, so I needed something to keep me entertained). At the time I thought, "Where is a book about girls? I need that!" That was about 2 years before I was even pregnant, but I just always knew I'd have a girl! I think, at the time, Dr. Dobson believed a book about boys was more important, as parents faced a more difficult task raising boys. However, he noted in the article I read this morning:

"At the time, I was convinced that the challenges facing boys in the 21st century were of greater concern and significance than those facing girls. Now, having researched the issue extensively, it is clear that girls are in as much trouble as boys. Their parents face the overwhelming task of trying to help them navigate through the cultural wasteland."

Amen, Dr. Dobson! I cannot wait for this book to come out. I will be one of the first people standing in line for it!

"Prayed 4 u this morning"

That is the text message from one of my sweet friends that came across my phone at 6:46 am. Can I just tell you what that did for my day as I'm standing in my kitchen, still in my pjs with morning breath and bedhead? How awesome to know that someone who loves me is lifting me and everything I have going on up in prayer. I feel so incredibly lucky to have some beautiful, Godly ladies in my life that God has chosen to bless and encourage me through.

Our Busy Weekend

We had a BUSY but FUN weekend! We took our first trip back to Anderson which we have been looking forward to for over a month! It was a whirlwind weekend trying to make it around to see everyone, but it was well worth it. We spent Friday evening at the Hammetts' house swimming and eating pizza. We stayed at the Edwards' house and woke up Saturday morning to a huge breakfast Sarah Ellen made for us. It was better than being at a B&B! After some shopping for the girls and golf for the guys on Saturday morning, we headed over to Allen & Kelli's to meet sweet baby Eli. I could have held him for days! He is precious! On the way back home, we made a quick trip to visit Beth and see Jay who is growing up way too fast!

Sunday morning, Jason had to preach in both services. Our pastor is on a 4 week sabbatical, and Jason was the first person to fill in. He spoke on worship and did a GREAT job! I was so proud of him. Tonight we had a worship service at Andrew Jackson State Park (or steak park as Camryn calls it). We had an inflatable, a hot dog supper, singing, and a comedian. It was a lot of fun, but we are glad now to be sitting at home just relaxing after our busy weekend! So, on with the pictures . . .

Pool time at the Hammetts'

Jason & Jeff doing their version of interpretive movement

Meeting baby Eli

The Alyssa & Camryn show

Birthday loot from my awesome friends

AJ Park

Funny Camryn Stuff

Camryn is growing up way too fast on us! The other night, Jason and I overheard her saying, "We're going to play Simon Says." We looked at each other and just laughed because we had no idea how she knew about Simon Says. So, I peeked down the hall and found her playing school. She had all of her babydolls and stuffed animals lined up on the stairs and was leading them in a game of Simon Says. I mean, good grief - she is only 2 1/2! Is she already old enough to be playing school? Here is a picture of her classroom:

When I came home from work on Wednesday, Jason was standing in the kitchen waiting on me. He told Camryn to come in there and show me what she brought home from school. She came around the corner with the biggest grin on her face carrying this huge crazy pink pig. What in the world! Turns out "Piggers," as Camryn so affectionately calls him, is the reward for a classroom behavior system they have going on in the 2 year old class. Camryn apparently had good behavior for the past week and was allowed to bring Piggers home for a visit. Really, we are so proud of her for having good behavior and have told her how proud we are about a million times now. However, the raging germaphobe inside of me is just imagining all of the other kids loving on Piggers and the different houses Piggers is going in and out of, and I just cringe at all of the germs we must be trading back and forth. Nevertheless, we are happy to have Piggers as a house guest for the weekend and hope he'll enjoy his stay with us.

29 Things I Know About Myself At 29

I saw this on another blog about a year ago and have been waiting the whole year to steal the idea. So, here it is - on my 29th birthday, here are 29 things I know about myself:



1. There is nothing more I want in this life than to be a great wife and mother. I love my husband and my baby with all my heart. My husband is awesome and deserves to have the best wife, and the greatest legacy I will leave after I'm gone is my child. These "jobs" can be hard and frustrating at times, but I know they are well worth the work I put into them.

2. I am a child of God. I'm in awe when I look back over my life and see the many ways God has blessed me and how I have grown in my walk with Him.

3. I have some wonderful friends who mean the world to me, and my life would not be as full and happy without them. Friendships are some of the most important relationships I have.

4. I prefer Coke over Pepsi, hands down.

5. If pizza and cheesecake were the only two foods I ate for the rest of my life, I would be a happy girl.

6. I am one of the most indecisive people you will ever meet. I require multiple opinions and points of view before I can make a decision on the most simple of things.

7. I have a hard time asking for help.

8. I have a need for speed ... and the speeding tickets to prove it. I am much more careful when I have my daughter in the car but there is just something in me that likes to push the speed limit. I think maybe the "something" is impatience, because I want to just get where I'm going.

9. I have a really hard time being satisfied with myself and my looks. I've spent my life comparing myself to other people and very few times feel completely at ease with the way I look. Maybe just a girl thing, maybe just a me thing, but, I know, not a good thing nevertheless.

10. I detest being lied to.

11. I look at everything with a psychologist's mind. I analyze and overanalyze everything.

12. I am a good cook and love to cook/bake for other people and play hostess. It makes me happy when other people enjoy the things I have made or want to make them for themselves.

13. I am a writer. In high school, I loved English and disliked math. I think that's why this blog is such an addiction for me. It's a great outlet for the writer inside of me.

14. I love music and have to have it in my life.

15. I am a crier. I cry when something sappy comes on TV, I cry when Camryn does something cute, I cry when someone does something nice for me. I used to not be like this!

16. I am stubborn.

17. I'm old enough to be considered uncool now. I don't know all of the Jonas brothers' names, I probably couldn't name one song they currently play on Top 40 stations, current clothing styles are beyond me (and my body type!), and I have no idea how to text with T9. Don't worry, though ... I'm OK with it.

18. I want to have another child one day (No, this is not an announcement - just something I know. Sorry, Jason, I know that makes you break out in a cold sweat!)

19. I appreciate orderliness and lack of clutter. Of course, there are days when my house is just a mess, but if I let it stay like that too long, it drives me crazy.

20. I am a germaphobe. Don't worry, I'm OK with that, too. :)

21. I know nothing about gardening or sewing.

22. I am not a very open person. I have lots of people who I consider friends but very few who know the true details of my life. I'm not very forthcoming with information about my feelings, my family, personal information, etc., unless I really trust you and feel like you're pretty invested in me.

23. I have learned to take things as they come. I think I have learned to realize that sometimes life is just going to be life and you will have a flat tire, you'll have to pay the doctor bill, one of your major appliances will break down, etc. I've come to realize that things have a way of taking care of themselves (i.e., God has a way of taking care of us!). This wasn't always my personality, so the fact that I've learned this surprises even me!


24. I am a pretty strong girl. I've had a lot of things come my way over the last few years. As I was thinking of everything the other day, I realized I've handled them pretty well.


25. I am not good with small talk. My brain just shuts off when I meet new people and have to make conversation. I usually can't even think of anything witty to say about the weather.


26. Vacations with my family make me happy.


27. I am a planner. I'm not a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of girl.


28. Shopping is one of my favorite hobbies.


29. I am NOT looking forward to making next year's list! 30 ... ouch!

Birthday Week Has Begun!

Birthday week is officially in full swing! Birthday week is a tradition we picked up from our friend, Beth, and try to honor to some extent each year. Last night birthday week started with a dinner at the Cheesecake Factory with my sister and brother-in-law. I just don't know a better start to a birthday week than Godiva chocolate cheesecake! Today Jason took Camryn to Wal-Mart to let her pick out a surprise for me. After steering her away from all the things she was convinced I would want (a babydoll, a toy baby bottle and bed, a Wonder Pets playset), she finally settled on Gamecock earrings and a Gamecock cell phone case. She was so cute walking into the house carrying her Wal-Mart bag and saying, "Mommy, we bought you a surprise for your birthday!" Of course, she can't keep a secret so I got early birthday presents along with cupcakes. My birthday present from Jason (my new camera!) will be in later this week. Tomorrow (my actual birthday) we have church, so there probably won't be any real celebrating on that day. But, later this week comes my best present of all which is our trip back to Anderson! We're so excited because this will be the first time we've been back since moving, and we just can't wait to see all of our friends who we have missed so much!

A list of five Camryn-isms

1) Camryn cannot say "hand sanitizer." It either comes out as "hanitizer" or "hanna-sanna-tizer." I giggle every time she attempts to say it.

2) Last week, Camryn went tearing through the den and then looked back at me and said, "I run fast! Just like the little girls on the Olympics!"

3) While reading one of our alphabet books, we got to the letter "T" that had a picture of a toucan to go with it. I said, "T for toucan!" She pointed at the one bird on the page and said, "No! One can!"

4) At breakfast the other morning, she was sitting beside me while I spread some peanut butter on my toast. The knife scraping against the toast was making a noise. Camryn said, "Mommy, is that peanut butter?" I told her yes, and she said, "Peanut butter is loud!"

5) Our dog, Gracie, is staying with my sister until we find a house. Lindsay and Justin went to the beach for Labor Day weekend, so we took Gracie to a kennel for boarding. While driving there, Camryn said, "Mommy, where's Gracie going?" I said, "She's going for boarding, honey." Camryn was quiet for a minute and then said, "Gracie's going skateboarding?"

Where is all this energy coming from?

It is 9:45 pm and my child is still talking/singing to herself as she lays in bed. Maybe it has something to do with the huge chocolate chip cookie she had during supper at church tonight ... and then the ice cream she got in the nursery ... plus the goldfish she most likely got on top of that. Who knows? She has really just amazed me lately with her energy. She goes to a full day of school, yet comes home and is WIDE open. Then, even when she gets in bed late - say, around 9:30 pm, she is still rarin' to go. She has already summoned me to her crib twice since I put her down - once to cover her and once to "get this" as she held her hand up in the dark. I said, "What's that?" and she said, "Something from my nose." Precious.