More Important Pics..

I was going through Adam's phone and realized he had some great pics of memories that have been made over the last few months...

 This top picture is the presentation of Grace's certificate to her at the end of the year 4 yr Pre-K completion.

 

Above is at the end of the year Team Kid Award's Night... Grace received the GOLD MEDAL for all her hard work!! :)

 Theses two pics are of the visit in early June with Aunt Carey and Vann (above) and Granny (below). It was an Orange Leaf kind of night! :)

MAJOR Blessing!!

Well, we have had a unexpected HUGE blessing.  Adam has been offered and accepted the call and full time position as Children's Pastor of our beloved church here in Hot Springs.. Crossgate Church!!

This has been in the 'works' for months.  We did Experiencing God Together back about 4 or 5 months ago.  It was an awesome experience and during and soon after that, Adam and I talked about having a future back in ministry on a full-time basis.  We both felt led for Adam to be back in a position of leadership with in the church and knew that was what we were suppose to do.  As you know, Adam went into management with Lifeway back in September and since then have been serving voluntarily in the Children's Ministry at our local church, Crossgate.  We loved that and had no intention or thought of a position coming open at our church, but just wasn't sure what God had in mind for us.  Adam was thinking about approaching our Pastor and getting some council from him about ministry and before this could even happen... one Wednesday night back in the beginning of April, the Pastor approached us and informed us that our Children's Director was resigning to fill a position at the school our church had opened back up on our campus.  He stated he wanted to talk to us about 'ideas' with this ministry. After multiple talks with the Pastor and interviews and much prayer from every one involved, and months and weeks that went by... the church asked Adam to be the Children's Pastor!

Adam started his first week this week at the church office.  Adam is working his LAST shift at Lifeway today!  It is just absolutely AMAZING how the Lord has worked this all out.  We had NO IDEA when we came to Crossgate that this is what the Lord had in mind.  As a matter of fact, we had no idea moving here this would occur.  We look back and see every step, every opportunity, every friendship that has been made, etc. that has led us to this place. We are beyond thankful to our Father and give Him praise.  It is a big undertaking and we know it and when doubt sets in... Adam and I always remember one thing that was told to us over 'Experiencing God Together' weekend that is..... "If God calls you to it, HE will prepare you for it!"

THAT'S an awesome God!!  We appreciate your prayers!

Pregnant and starting to feel it!

So far every thing has went well with my pregnancy.  I am just about 16 weeks now. I have had 3 OB appointment.  My appointment last month we got to hear the heart beat by doppler for the first time. Grace was present and thought this was really neat as well. She especially liked that baby kicked the doppler and we could hear it! I went back again this past Thursday and heart rate by doppler was great at 147 and baby was kicking again.  I also asked my doctor if we could do my ultrasound a week earlier that first discussed so I could find out the gender of baby because I found out the big kid's consignment sale is coming to Hot Springs Aug. 5th-10th and the following week we leave for AL.  She stated she would do a "sneak peek" ultrasound in just 2 WEEKS from this last Thursday!! She is not even going to charge us for it! Stated she still wanted to do the full anatomy ultrasound at 20 weeks so this is why she is doing this! Isn't that awesome!? I thought I was going to have to wait 4.5 weeks from this past Thursday!

Had only a little nausea during the first trimester but overall good.  I am finally starting to show just a little bit especially if I am in maternity clothes or other certain clothes.

This is my 15 week picture..

Special Visitors...

At the end of May and beginning of June we first had Granny, Aunt Carey, and Cousin Vann and Amanda who came for a visit.  Unfortunately, it rained half of the time they were here but thankfully, they were staying in a hotel close by our house that had an indoor pool.  So we went and swam in that pool one day and had a great time! 

 Splashing!

 Dance party in the living room with Uncle Adam!! :)

After they left, Mom and Gary came for a visit. We even got to celebrate Nana's Birthday while they were here!!

 We took them to Magic Springs! :)

 Fun at the park while Momma worked...

 Showing Nana and Paw Paw she can ride her bike!!

 More fun at our favorite place!!

Catching Up!

Here are some pictures of just some of what our family has been up to since May.  Everything to fun outside and fun with friends...

 Mother's Day 2013

 Grace's End of Year Gymnastic Program St. Luke's

 Graduated 4 year Pre-K!

We've spent lots of days at Magic Springs!! This girl loves the water park and Momma does too!

 Daddy's girl!! 

 Grace and some of her best buddies Kendall and Arden

 Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf as a family!! :) Special times!

 Fun at the Park

 Such a fun and nice night watching Fireworks at Magic Springs for 4th of July!

Another sweet friend over for play.. Windsor!

We've also helped with and been a part of Vacation Bible School in one of the local parks this year with our church.  Grace has had fun on her new bike. I will share pictures on my next post.  Also, we had lots of fun with water guns and the sprinkler right here in our own yard! Sweet memories!

HUGE News and Change of Plans

Well... I sit down to write this and my heart starts pounding. We want to tell you by the grace of God ONLY, I am PREGNANT! 

This is news that we found out about a little over 3 weeks ago, when we were totally SHOCKED!  I honestly had felt like I would NEVER be pregnant again and honestly I was okay with that. I had dealt with it.  As you all know, we were 4 months into an adoption process and actually just got approved by our agency after the home study and interviews.  We were officially in the wait to be chosen by a birth mom.

So what now??  As soon as I found out, we called our agency totally thinking we would just have to update our home study and carry on as usual.  We found out that our agency requires our adoption to be put on hold for 1 YEAR from the babies' birth of the one I am carrying now.  At first, that was a little disappointing because we were ready to adopt.  But, we quickly realized GOD'S timing is PERFECT and He knew exactly what was going to happen and that we know this is how it is meant to be.  So we WILL adopt, just later!!

So, after 2.5 years of trying to have a baby, totally enthralled in adoption, here we stand. Totally in AWE of God.  I don't understand His grace and mercy on us.  All I can say is we are SO VERY grateful for this gift and we praise God!

Today is the day that we decided to share because I went to the doctor for my first OB appointment. As I sat on that OB table after seeing the doctor and the doctor said "you are definitely pregnant!!"  It was REAL! The tears started to flow and I sat there thanking my heavenly Father!!

We found out I am 7 and a half weeks pregnant after doing a ultrasound and heard our babies' heartbeat... at 154 beats per minute.  Due date will be Jan. 6th as of now! :)

Grace is beyond thrilled as you can imagine!

Daddy Fun

Just one reason why I love this man and why Grace is CRAZY about her Daddy :)

In other news, I also took Grace to Lakeside to register her for Kindergarten!!  It became all too real that day that Momma's baby is growing up. She had to take a test on a computer that took over 30 minutes, by herself! I am amazed at how things have changed in the world of education and the expectations.  I am appreciative of all she has been taught at preschool to get her ready for this!

April Birthdays!!

This year was a great year celebrating mine and Grace's birthday.  Nana and Grandma came for a visit this year to be here to celebrate our birthdays.  It was the first time Grandma had been to our house here in AR too.  I had to work on my birthday of course, but it was a late day at work too so I told them I would just meet them at Olive Garden after work for a birthday dinner. So you can see I look tired and am in my work colors. :) Supper was wonderful though and we went home to cupcakes and ice cream.  Below is Daddy and Grace enjoying theirs....

  

We had a lot of wonderful time together that week and we also went to Benton one day while Adam was working and visited some of my more distant relatives that live around the Little Rock area.  We ate at Western Sizzlin and Grace felt like she was getting her picture made with Si from Duck Dynasty.. (really my Dad's cousin)   :) We also stopped in at Target and Kohls too while in Benton. 

 For Grace's actual birthday Nana bought her a cookie cake to take to school to share with her friends.  She wore this Happy Birthday crown to school that day too. :)

 

That night she got to decide where we were going to eat and of course she picked her favorite place, ChickfilA!! :)

Saturday was her Birthday party.  Grace turned 5!!! It's hard to believe our baby is 5 now!!  This pic of Grace and Grandma before the party.  Below is the Doc Mcstuffins costume from cousin Vann and Amanda.  

 Grace had a GREAT party.  We had it at our church in the indoor playground.  It was perfect. A really good turnout and she was a happy little girl!! Here are some pics of all the fun, family, and friends!