Growth

We've been trying to grow a lot of things at our new house and develop somewhat of a "green-thumb". It's safe to say that we have a long way to go, but have enjoyed spending the time planting a few flowers and some vegetables. Here are a few pictures of our latest projects:

We've got peppers!

And tomatoes!

There are potted flowers!

And even a few Azaleas! Our plan is to till up a section in our back-yard and create a TRUE garden. Keep in mind though,we've only been moved in for a little over a month, so for now, this is as good as it gets. Jaime has been spending a lot of time and energy on making the yard look nice. I think he's done a great job and we both hope that we see lots of growth and production out of the things we've planted!

BY THE WAY~

Our most recent and precious production is this:

Ah....two lines have never looked better!

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't equally as scared as I am excited. It's been a full year of trying for a second baby. And also a full year of losing two pregnancies. When that happens, it puts a fear in you that you never really knew before. Im only a little over 4 weeks along-very early-and am calculating this baby to be due sometime around December 25th or 26th. We decided to go ahead and make our news public that so people were aware and could be praying. Praying for GROWTH and development. Praying for peace versus anxiousness. Praying for a sweet and healthy bundle of joy, set to make his or her appearance at the msot perfect and special time...Christmas!

No Pictures, Just Words

Our sweet 2 year old is growing more and more, everyday. Here is an update on all the things she currently does:

-Everynight we have story time, and then a prayer, followed by Maddie going to sleep in her big girl bed. She holds our hands during the prayer and it is completely precious.

-She holds mini-conversations with us. It shocks me how she uses words and forms sentences together.

-She loves to sing. Her favorites are "Veggie Tales", "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" and "Rock-a-bye-baby". She also enjoys dancing and has a VERY GIRLIE side to her. She has also been known to holler out "shake your booty" to a complete and total stranger, too! We can thank Papaw for that one!

-She's a big helper and actually enjoys cleaning like mommy or "helping" daddy in the yard. I suppose I should probably take full-advantage of this while I can!

-She's not too picky of an eater though she doesn't like things that are mushy-like green beans. She loves raw carrots and will dip anything (and I do mean ANTHING) in ranch dressing!

-No matter what time it is in the day, her new favorite things to say is "Good Morning".

-Her favorite things are animals, babies and anything she can play with outside. She has amazing coordination and I think she is going to be both "girlie" and "sporty"! She screams GOAL after kicking a soccer ball and inevitably throws her bat across the backyard if she misses the ball after she swings. I blame Jaime for her temper!

There is so much more that she says and does that I couldn't even begin to document it all. I love her more and more everyday and am so grateful for my time with her!

As for other news, Jaime is beginning to wrap up the end of his school year and looks forward to his summer. We've taken up a new love with gardening. We are amateurs-to say the least-but are willing to learn and try things out. It's taken a great deal of time just to get our flower beds cleaned out-let alone plant anything. We have done a little though. I planted peppers in a pot and will probably plant tomatoes as well. I have planted a banana tree and some lillies, too. We aren't done yet and we are learning as we go. It's been to experiment and hope that, with time, we actually know what it is we are doing!

As soon as I get a camera battery, I will update more. And this time with pictures!

Spring is Here

We have started settling into our new home and absolutely love it! I was able to get un-packed, just enough, to celebrate Maddie's 2nd birthday-a week after we moved in. It was a simple party but fun and she had a blast! Here are a few pictures of what's been going on recently:

Moving Out

It's official!
This past Friday, Jaime and I closed on our first house. We are so excited about this new phase in our life and are really looking forward to spending these next few days moving! I'll post again, as soon as I can, and hopefully...with pictures!

Stay tuned....

A Week In Review

On Friday, I took time off from work to take Madison to the doctor. She had been having nose trouble all week. Other than getting tired in the evening, she was in a great mood and had no fever. Still I knew something was up and on Friday the doctor confirmed that she had a double ear infection. As an adult, I couldn't imagine what that must feel like. Poor girl. We got some good antibiotics though and I anticipate them clearing her right up.

It's hard for me to believe that it's time for Maddie's birthday. On March 13th, she will be 2 years old! Shocking! We should be in our new house by that point (we are set to close on February 19th) and will probably do something small with family and a few friends. I really want to spend the day grilling hamburgers and enjoying cake (cookie cake, I think). I will probably do something with a Minnie Mouse theme this year, since that's the most recent character she seems to love. That and Tinkerbell (still)!

Once we are in the new house, Im going to finally move Maddie out of her crib and into her big-girl bed. All I need to do is go to Babies R Us and purchase a side railing and she will be set. She has a really pretty day-bed with spring colored sheets and blanket that I found at Target several months ago. I also picked up some decorations while I was there, and I am anxious to see how it looks all put together in the new house. I'm sure I will paint her room too, probably a light pink color, and Im really excited about it.

Speaking of the new house, we are less than 2 weeks away! My current house is competely demolished at this point. I suppose that's all part of the moving process, but it really stresses me out some. Im trying to relax about it and just go with flow. But Im the type of person that likes things clean and in their place! I went to Ashley's Furniture yesterday and found alot of stuff I like. Nothing I necessarily HAVE to have, but certainly things I loved! We'll see how that goes...

Work is going well. I have been a probation officer for over a year now. I don't love it, because most days it can be extremely stressful, but it is a good job and I like it enough that I can stay there as long as I need to. I do like, though it's few and far between, seeing those people that truly change their life. That is rewarding no matter what! Long term, if I still need to work, I would enjoy going back to school and finishing what I started-nursing. I don't have time for that right now, but maybe someday after all my babies are grown, I'll go back. I always, always wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse.

I suppose that's all for now. I stayed home from church today since Maddie is sick, and should probably use this time to pack some more. I'll try to take pictures of the new house and post them soon! Keep praying for us over these next few weeks...for a number of different reasons! God is really doing a lot of things these days...