tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44099925185481321592024-03-05T03:37:47.859-08:00Lauren At HomeLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.comBlogger219125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-44893931882249152372012-11-16T08:43:00.001-08:002012-11-16T08:43:07.425-08:00The Exercise Ball that Saved Everything <p><span style="text-align: justify; ">Near the end of my pregnancy I bought an exercise ball. It looked something like this:</span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7cd_74L_jHdSXSus40Rebadm4mO0nDytgOoDgJoSP5QUvNROZLlMCu883mMGfo6I9Yc0hPPiXgv3GmAX9z5xFRqWCbVmTku0Ha1jRT3nwowAFoPMuD9Rvv5xXwzCAhfQvLoIfAHRevk/s765/Photo%252520Nov%25252015%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252011%25253A08%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF7cd_74L_jHdSXSus40Rebadm4mO0nDytgOoDgJoSP5QUvNROZLlMCu883mMGfo6I9Yc0hPPiXgv3GmAX9z5xFRqWCbVmTku0Ha1jRT3nwowAFoPMuD9Rvv5xXwzCAhfQvLoIfAHRevk/s500/Photo%252520Nov%25252015%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252011%25253A08%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1353084187417.2585" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="621" alt=""></a></div>
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</div><p> </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ok, so by "near the end of my pregnancy" I probably mean "way sooner than was necessary." Just like packing my hospital bag 3 months before I actually needed to head to the hospital, there is no such thing as "overprepared" in the mind of a first time mom. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">My reasons for buying it: 1.) Use in labor at home and 2.) Get some abs after baby comes. Have I used it for either of those things? Nope! Yay intentions! I will say that I got a lot of use out of the one at the hospital though. And that I did do a set of crunches on it. Once, I think. Still, I found that even without my intended usage of it, the exercise ball is probably one of the best baby items I ever bought.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">We never got any kind of rocker or glider before Charlotte was born. And I have no idea how we figured this out, but bouncing with Charlotte on the ball was so comforting to her. I can't even tell you how much time we spent on it in those first few weeks and months. Even now, when she rarely ever needs (or wants) comfort in the form of rocking, ect., I will still occasionally get back on that ball with her sitting in my lap and just bounce. And it usually calms her down. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It's funny because we thought it was such a random thing we did with Charlotte, but you wouldn't believe how many people I've heard of doing the same thing. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">So pregnant women! People looking for baby gift ideas! Here is one of my top suggestions! It's such a simple thing, yet so versatile. You can use it in the end of your pregnancy (it helped when my back hurt), you can use it in labor, you can use it to rock your baby to sleep, and you can use it to get that pre-baby body back (or so I hear)! And bonus: it's a fun toy! it can be employed as a makeshift baby gate (being a parent makes you creative)! you can even use it to make a <a href="http://inspireramera.se/?cat=100" target="_self" title="">giant chandelier</a>! Oh the possibilities. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">So there it is: my secret to parenting. Hah not really, my secret to parenting is MUCH deeper then that. But it really was a life saver for us and I just felt like that giant green ball needed to be publically recognized for its service. It will never look good in your living room, but it just might help you get through the tough times. </p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A definite staple on my recommended buys list!</p>
<br/><br/>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-1147877530090103252012-10-19T21:01:00.001-07:002012-10-19T21:07:21.189-07:00Driving Away<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; ">Today I got a new car. This is super exciting for me, of course it is. But despite my excitement, I'm a little sad. My old car holds a lot of memories for me. Trey says that you still have the memories without the object, and while that's true, I can't help but mourn the loss of my first car a little. </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; "> </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; ">I mean, it WAS my first car. Well, unless you count the old van I had for a month before it broke down. Which I don't. For many people, their first car is their first taste of real freedom. That car took me to my graduation. It drove me across the country (crying) with my dad when I moved to Alabama for the internship I did after high school. It drove me to Utah, a place I'd never lived and didn't think of as home despite my parents having moved there, when I was done with that internship. And it carried me back to Alabama once more, this time with my mom and all my belongings, when I decided to marry a southern boy. </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; "> </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; ">That car took us on our honeymoon, to my first trip to Disney World and to North Carolina and back again when we made a move that taught us a heap of hard lessons. And it carried us on our last drive as "two" to the hospital, and our first drive home as a family of three. </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; "> </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; ">It has absorbed countless meltdowns, both as a teenager and a young adult, when my car was the only place I felt I could cry. It has barely contained my energy on chilly nights when I would roll down the windows and sing at the top of my lungs. It has astounded my senses by somehow fitting more than seemed possible of my STUFF on several moves. </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; "> </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; ">It has exasperated me when I had to work my butt off to pay for it, when it always seemed to get flat tires when I was alone with no one to help, and in the end when it seemed to throw problem after problem at me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; "> </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; ">I didn't fully realize what it meant to me until I started typing this. And it may seem silly to feel so many emotions about a car. But sometimes, when I was lost, that car was the only thing that felt like home. And sometimes I think we need to acknowledge our feelings and be sentimental. </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; "> </div>
<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; ">So hopefully I, and my family, will create such special memories and moments in this next car. And hopefully I can wave goodbye to those old memories and take another step down the highway of my life. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>
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<br/><br/>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-74976887607915373512012-10-18T19:55:00.001-07:002012-10-18T19:55:21.579-07:00Little Germ Monkey <br/><br/><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO87hz4gnpAxP76utnVMWuJxW-Q-cYQSyZa6LEKIRjelyfJEC-qH-3DKlOgPZBnuQRRvkqgMkkj5SXMT0qur4dMpKFLx3kfxLewdQUA7hjQCKF3AedkdacOYZD7trQAHGhG4ba5KrD7tw/s484/Photo%252520Oct%25252018%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525209%25253A42%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO87hz4gnpAxP76utnVMWuJxW-Q-cYQSyZa6LEKIRjelyfJEC-qH-3DKlOgPZBnuQRRvkqgMkkj5SXMT0qur4dMpKFLx3kfxLewdQUA7hjQCKF3AedkdacOYZD7trQAHGhG4ba5KrD7tw/s484/Photo%252520Oct%25252018%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525209%25253A42%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1350615322260.5662" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="864" alt=""></a></div>
Over the last 3 months I have been sick more times than in the last 3 years. I can only assume the thanks for this belongs to my sweet angel baby. I really can't think of another explanation! The child doesn't even go to daycare (where I hear all germs are born)! The bonus to this situation is that I get much, MUCH sicker than she ever seems to get. Not that I want her to be sicker (or sick at all), I just want to not be sicker (or sick at all!) <br/><br/>The sore throat I'm currently nursing (going on its second week and persisting despite antibiotics!) is the reason I'm giving for this doodle and post in place of the thoughtful post I tried to write. Man I'm getting off to a good re-start on this blog!<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-37758957361777015422012-10-12T19:52:00.001-07:002012-10-12T19:52:08.719-07:00Circus<div class="separator" style="text-align: justify;clear: both; ">Just a little late-night doodle. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2glRgyKvQbu7f5GSM1ixNuMhyphenhyphenv2VBqLqj7Z25Vz-gVuGjL77ajRFLowU0FRX9YeepqXTPZ1PzwB5SGfoTCkjlL95nNRUAPs3Y8Ux8cYodnR1OU136ql_ifk_RwgeAvGaRYkG4yN1NO1A/s750/Photo%252520Oct%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525209%25253A50%252520PM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2glRgyKvQbu7f5GSM1ixNuMhyphenhyphenv2VBqLqj7Z25Vz-gVuGjL77ajRFLowU0FRX9YeepqXTPZ1PzwB5SGfoTCkjlL95nNRUAPs3Y8Ux8cYodnR1OU136ql_ifk_RwgeAvGaRYkG4yN1NO1A/s500/Photo%252520Oct%25252012%25252C%2525202012%25252C%2525209%25253A50%252520PM.jpg" id="blogsy-1350096728503.067" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="815" alt=""></a></div>
<br/><br/>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-32884542812161852692012-10-11T10:56:00.003-07:002012-10-11T21:04:15.780-07:00Comeback<p style="text-align: justify;"><strike>Not much has changed since I last wrote on this blog. </strike> Nearly EVERYTHING has changed since I last wrote on this blog! In my last post I wrote that I had one more month left in my pregnancy. Little did I know that "one month" would turn into 6 weeks, and carry me into the next year! In the interest of time conservation and for the sake of my typing fingers, I have made timeline to catch you up on the past, oh, nearly 11 months of my life: </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGmP40LT9xIGYjRMzymvfBRn5Ua0QoMEt13E7BhWnaqsf_Ndcoe2x5nxmPoyAxTW4C6VC1jrNPuR0jenzWz9PBBpXpS_m4bmIEXJsGF6hAy_Kucv0dR1lrlqgRV6vrsR69cbKd9RgM_I/s750/Photo%252520Oct%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252011%25253A32%252520AM.jpg" target="_blank" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGmP40LT9xIGYjRMzymvfBRn5Ua0QoMEt13E7BhWnaqsf_Ndcoe2x5nxmPoyAxTW4C6VC1jrNPuR0jenzWz9PBBpXpS_m4bmIEXJsGF6hAy_Kucv0dR1lrlqgRV6vrsR69cbKd9RgM_I/s650/Photo%252520Oct%25252011%25252C%2525202012%25252C%25252011%25253A32%252520AM.jpg" id="blogsy-1350014655027.8171" class="aligncenter" width="650" height="815" alt=""></a></div>
Yep, that about covers it!<br/><br/>So I went from being a pregnant girl who'd barely held a baby to a full-time, stay-at-home mommy who does nothing but hold a baby all day long. Well, maybe not ALL day, but you get the picture. Speaking of babies, I think I hear mine on the monitor right now. Yes, my life involves things like "monitors" and "pacies" now. Ok, see you in 11 months!<br/><br/>Haha just kidding I <em>should </em>be back before then;)<br/><br/> <br/><br/>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-36597111569292275832011-11-28T12:38:00.000-08:002011-11-28T12:38:24.131-08:00One More MonthDear Charlotte,<br />
You are due to arrive one month from today. In fact, last night I was filling in our December calendar and YOU WERE ON IT! That thought floors me. And, of course, you could always come a little early. So in a month or less, you will be out here in the world. I have a lot of conflicting emotions about this. Of course, I am very excited to meet you. But I'm a little terrified too. The ways in which my life is about to change probably haven't even all occured to me yet. It scares me to know that I will be responsible for you when I barely know anything about babies, it scares me to think about the ways my relationship with your daddy will change, and, I'll go ahead and admit it, it scares me to think about the pain I'm about to experience to bring you from the inside to the outside.<br />
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But, dear Charlotte, you are the product of all our dreaming and hoping and love. I know that whatever I am about to go through in the next few weeks, as well as the rest of your life, is all going to be worth it. I have to warn you, I've never done this before. Please be patient with me, little Charlotte. I'm going to have no idea what I'm doing. Sure, I've done a lot to prepare, and I know I wont be alone but I'm sure there is a lot I'm going to have to leave up to God. I'll do my best, though and we'll figure this out together. <br />
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Please come soon, Charlotte. Not TOO soon, but soon. Your daddy and I will be here waiting for you, whenever you're ready.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
MamaLaurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-23702804603667186342011-11-01T14:20:00.000-07:002011-11-01T14:20:41.930-07:002 months to go!For the most part I have loved being pregnant. Sure there are some things about it that aren't fun, but what they say about it is true: you kind of forget the bad parts when you look back. I was thinking the other day about when I was so sick in the beginning. I remember that it happened, and I remember feeling like I was never going to feel good again, but I also don't REMEMBER. I tell myself it wasn't that bad.<br />
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But really, it's been great. I know I've been lucky in a lot of ways. There are women out there who have HORRIBLE pregnancies. Especially those who have high risk pregnancies. So every time I have something uncomfortable come up, I just remind myself how good I really have it.<br />
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One benefit I've really been enjoying is how much I love this body. It's weird, body image is something that I (like most girls/women) have struggled with. You wouldn't think that an additional 20 lbs or so would make me feel so good about myself haha! But it does, even as I get bigger and bigger. I am now approaching numbers that I have never seen on the scale before (of course, it scares me a little that I've seen some of these numbers before while NOT pregnant!) and I am thinking, "How can my belly possibly get bigger than this?!" Well, I've still got 2 months to go so it is definitely going to get a LOT bigger.<br />
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As much as I've loved all this, though, I finally had the, "I'm ready to not be pregnant anymore" feeling for the first time last week. The countdown has commenced. I know looking back it will have gone really fast, but right now the last two months look like a long road. With stairs. Still, next month I'll have a BABY! That blows my mind.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-59283778351470942492011-10-19T09:08:00.000-07:002011-11-01T14:21:29.658-07:0030 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVrk2GAlurstB7lBF8nEIYS1nX0wKOvbX0pfMIxcx6Tbi6g7Dv4nXKXT-sojvuIfSFbfo_A-ES0KlaGmJsDRcvE1PDFUdA_fMJQ7RgfP7RZRMD9UBg9c9POfzQRttLDezZlQKba7sYBs/s1600/30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VZmgPPBrdGNo5s1_5mVMxw70kcwl2YvKKNtJ1biGsdxa2S7AaWTMWlA-mirEXlEXSTUfhH0mUEmhtTiy2pTel_8WWLKcFH-i55ATvdbUkwgQqWlVhHYMB6h61QXk50MnQscuzNVTFCU/s1600/30.9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VZmgPPBrdGNo5s1_5mVMxw70kcwl2YvKKNtJ1biGsdxa2S7AaWTMWlA-mirEXlEXSTUfhH0mUEmhtTiy2pTel_8WWLKcFH-i55ATvdbUkwgQqWlVhHYMB6h61QXk50MnQscuzNVTFCU/s640/30.9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I was looking back at some of the pictures I have taken during this pregnancy and remembering how I thought I had a belly/was getting so big/ect. HA! I still have at least 2 months left and I have grown so much over the last several months. Just makes me think about how naive I was about this pregnancy. Like how I said to myself (and possibly others), "I'm not going to buy any maternity clothes! I'm just going to use the rubber band trick and wear my regular shirts because they are so stretchy." Ha. Hahaha. Little did I know how much my body would change.<br />
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It makes me wonder what else I've been naive about.<br />
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Our good friends Ron and Jenny had their little girl yesterday:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMl3ouUgEwQpVI8TKveUZ9T7S_aY29ITGVSUhlLnYDzwaZMYQdRq38zKvi27blSYq4WUsyTUSavn3YXJbzbxgTXICZpXgqrt8lO5xFX5sG_VsYHFxSPCM0SJWpWIpXHCeTXC7z7JPe68/s1600/addyson+faith+first+pic%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwMl3ouUgEwQpVI8TKveUZ9T7S_aY29ITGVSUhlLnYDzwaZMYQdRq38zKvi27blSYq4WUsyTUSavn3YXJbzbxgTXICZpXgqrt8lO5xFX5sG_VsYHFxSPCM0SJWpWIpXHCeTXC7z7JPe68/s1600/addyson+faith+first+pic%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIxuuZbSBcEAfjIfgvxlfpv_txfaq2w3ZSeNLLr0WsAVgIUdsXL4J_Vpp1fsq_s5l6-KX_SFmTqB6_U7HmQAxRtU6-xv_reKHZJLgm51pYYPM8Zkj78q7DFDv_zbBGeevWihKqglZmMY/s1600/addyson+faith+first+pic%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZIxuuZbSBcEAfjIfgvxlfpv_txfaq2w3ZSeNLLr0WsAVgIUdsXL4J_Vpp1fsq_s5l6-KX_SFmTqB6_U7HmQAxRtU6-xv_reKHZJLgm51pYYPM8Zkj78q7DFDv_zbBGeevWihKqglZmMY/s640/addyson+faith+first+pic%2521.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Isn't she cute?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I was so excited for them but it also made me a little sad. Jenny has been pregnant with me this whole time and now she has her baby. Makes me ready to have MY little girl in MY arms. But I know that these last two months of pregnancy are important and there is so much I need to do before Charlotte gets here!<br />
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I feel like I'm ready to be a mother but I also know that giving birth and being a mom are going to be just like this pregnancy: I wont know what to expect until I'm in the middle of it. I'm excited and scared, just like every new mom before me. And I know, just like the maternity pants, I'll have to change my views on some things and just accept that I can only do the best that I can do and be as prepared as I can be.<br />
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I mean, God knew just what he was doing when he gave us 9 whole months, right?<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVrk2GAlurstB7lBF8nEIYS1nX0wKOvbX0pfMIxcx6Tbi6g7Dv4nXKXT-sojvuIfSFbfo_A-ES0KlaGmJsDRcvE1PDFUdA_fMJQ7RgfP7RZRMD9UBg9c9POfzQRttLDezZlQKba7sYBs/s1600/30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-75524190913265070962011-09-28T11:52:00.000-07:002011-09-28T12:12:54.435-07:00A Comparison<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcXs6N9_964gwP-BYuiT2GtxY9RxONe4q195p28T5uk19B7J9Fb-YJwBpj9odgtYVD18Mq7Tmtw8uaiF_3Lg6HBLFjoUhLT63xpQojI3I7KDxO1izJHIfTV_VD1kIIFJZjUYEQmomsbE/s1600/Compare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcXs6N9_964gwP-BYuiT2GtxY9RxONe4q195p28T5uk19B7J9Fb-YJwBpj9odgtYVD18Mq7Tmtw8uaiF_3Lg6HBLFjoUhLT63xpQojI3I7KDxO1izJHIfTV_VD1kIIFJZjUYEQmomsbE/s400/Compare.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">End of 1st trimester and end of 2nd trimester</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Some differences:</div><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">12 weeks: So sick all the time, 27 weeks: not sick at all!</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">12 weeks: 2 lbs down from pre-pregnancy weight, 27 weeks: have gained about 14-15 lbs</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">12 weeks: Still in old clothes, 27 weeks: had to go shopping for more maternity clothes!</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">12 weeks: just telling people we are having a baby, 27 weeks: strangers are staring at my belly</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">12 weeks: no movement, 27 weeks: movement ALL THE TIME!</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">12 weeks: no symptoms except the lovely nausea, 27 weeks: some reflux at night, occasional back pain, waking up a lot at night to change positions, bloddy noses! but still feeling pretty great ;)</div></li>
<li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">12 weeks: thoughts revolve around when I will feel better and pretty much nothing else, 27 weeks: thought revolve around getting stuff ready for baby</div></li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'm really excited about getting into my third trimester next week. Tomorrow is my next appointment which means the dreaded glucose test. Definitely not looking forward to that. I also have to get a shot because of my negative blood type. Fun stuff! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I feel really blessed to feel so great still. I have been able to pick back up going to the gym which has been a plus, although I'm definitely going less because my body gets so tired haha.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The next few months are super busy for us. There is just so much going on but I'm kind of happy about it because I know it will make the time go by faster. And I'm really excited about a vacation coming up as well as some baby showers! I know I will feel so much better when we actually have some "baby gear" (I'm not kidding, right now we have a carseat and a few clothes and that is IT) and I can really start to get things ready for Charlotte.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">All for now! Happy Wednesday!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"></div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-86041668437388723632011-09-21T16:47:00.000-07:002011-09-21T16:47:39.816-07:00Never MindSo after that last post I've kind of changed my mind. I'm not ready to talk about this stuff. At least not in this forum. Not exactly sure what I want to do with this blog right now. Time to turn over some new leaves in this new adventure in my life!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-42525973070442426002011-09-14T13:25:00.000-07:002011-09-14T13:25:44.650-07:00I May Be a Hippie...Yes, it's true. I know that a lot of the decisions I am making and wanting to make about the birth and raising of our child can come across as "crunchy" or hippie-esque. Although I have wanted to, I haven't talked much about my plans here or elsewhere because I know that they can be touchy subjects that everyone has an opinion about. But here is the thing: I LOVE reading about these subjects on other people's blogs and sites. It really helps me to learn and to make informed decisions when I can get as much information as possible. And hearing peoples' personal stories helps me gain perspective and feel like I'm not alone out there. Plus I better start getting used to the controversy cuz it's only going to crop up more when Charlotte arrives!<br />
<br />
So...all that to say that I would like to start talking about my parenting decisions here. You may not agree, that's fine. I'm definitely not here to tell anyone what THEY should do, I'm just here to tell you what I'D like to do. Hopefully this will be a good resource for me to look back on in the future as well as a place for me to flesh out some of my thoughts. I feel like I'm bursting with all this information and no one to talk to it about except Trey (who I'm sure is sick of hearing the same things rehashed over and over again!)<br />
<br />
Here are some things I will probably be talking about:<br />
<ul><li>Breastfeeding</li>
<li>Babywearing</li>
<li>Bonding</li>
<li>Attachment Parenting (and oh, there is so much under this subject alone!)</li>
<li>Cloth diapering</li>
<li>Natural Childbirth</li>
<li>Birth plans </li>
</ul>If nothing else I need somewhere to process these thoughts. Of course I will be sure to update about how all of these things go if and when we finally get to do them! Here's to morphing into a mommy blogger!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-50331539734566335142011-09-12T07:39:00.000-07:002011-09-12T07:40:07.044-07:00<h3><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Loved this devotion with the one year Bible today. So I thought I'd share it:</span></h3><h3> </h3><h3>Daily Devotional</h3><span class="detail">Written by Larry Stockstill</span><br />
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Like the six branches of the lampstand in the tabernacle, there are six facets of the Holy Spirit's character. First, He is the Spirit of wisdom, revealing to us His future purposes both for ourselves and for His kingdom. Second, He is the Spirit of understanding, giving us revelation about our present situation and how best to be fruitful in it. Third, He is the Spirit of counsel, instructing us in solving hard problems by discerning the root causes. Fourth, He is the Spirit of might, strengthening us with power in our inner man and anointing us with His spiritual gifts. Fifth, He is the Spirit of knowledge, revealing to us the various attributes of Jesus in the Word of God. Finally, He is the Spirit of the fear of the Lord, showing us areas of our lives where sin has a foothold and then changing us into the image of Christ. <br />
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Jesus, the "stump of David's family" (Isaiah 11:1), perfectly portrayed all these characteristics. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you today with these six attributes, and you will walk like Jesus walked!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-6497773123581222612011-08-15T08:00:00.000-07:002011-08-15T08:00:53.045-07:00Charlotte's Nursery<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AiLsvO33JE4uWxWnfMCG5Un2EFQzN75QH8dEYWI_XjKPYVYLMpT-kU-ICqB-_FtqygeIQ-myoh75Im_-6oYhQq5qGAh_taasvuY1ZRdVn8nPb0LLcADoj3uhuVFBw915wEO4zRES04U/s1600/color+pallet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AiLsvO33JE4uWxWnfMCG5Un2EFQzN75QH8dEYWI_XjKPYVYLMpT-kU-ICqB-_FtqygeIQ-myoh75Im_-6oYhQq5qGAh_taasvuY1ZRdVn8nPb0LLcADoj3uhuVFBw915wEO4zRES04U/s640/color+pallet.jpg" width="489" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="color: black; text-align: center;">Color pallet. (Gray, light pink and white/off-white) I'd also like to make this elephant. And I want to use that same fabric (in pink or gray) to make sheets for the crib using this tutorial:</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH811IkoPHIdJBawhRzMWiGFK18bdqUcWSy1Ly2Yrdqy8vdknyWlbx0bJLRlf7VZTymt-hw37HuMFhTjcR2Ss3bLyoyeeSmEHAOKzs04-Xw0bRC4OXL_tIpcWmL4B0XDycZryNevji4s/s1600/101374722_U2jhzfx4_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioH811IkoPHIdJBawhRzMWiGFK18bdqUcWSy1Ly2Yrdqy8vdknyWlbx0bJLRlf7VZTymt-hw37HuMFhTjcR2Ss3bLyoyeeSmEHAOKzs04-Xw0bRC4OXL_tIpcWmL4B0XDycZryNevji4s/s640/101374722_U2jhzfx4_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDjeNegAl4K7G6UV7vFpb6z2KIkP_tPM57bl56zcRbK5MOsYAX74KyB2gGrXkHXK8rg6VwHbeXm0uL8i-e_yvzfs9fStIk5YpKZWdTwS_p7wJx4Abs428iLwyqQ6g_rvCJ3egubx7TQM/s1600/art.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDjeNegAl4K7G6UV7vFpb6z2KIkP_tPM57bl56zcRbK5MOsYAX74KyB2gGrXkHXK8rg6VwHbeXm0uL8i-e_yvzfs9fStIk5YpKZWdTwS_p7wJx4Abs428iLwyqQ6g_rvCJ3egubx7TQM/s640/art.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Would love to make some artwork like this, in my color pallet of course.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXKL0A1nVpHiPrO0_Cws5tz_vYcQ6QjY8ZNhZ_cBje2k_MMrXNeJPPRxl7aMmDc1QkSKy_IpesvLGSBXWWnF-hLeSVwxjE500J4w93_ZBnemxMY-Oy6APH8GBcI6WAyRgeaoyYRY8kiI/s1600/art2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkXKL0A1nVpHiPrO0_Cws5tz_vYcQ6QjY8ZNhZ_cBje2k_MMrXNeJPPRxl7aMmDc1QkSKy_IpesvLGSBXWWnF-hLeSVwxjE500J4w93_ZBnemxMY-Oy6APH8GBcI6WAyRgeaoyYRY8kiI/s640/art2.jpg" width="503" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">And something like this. I love working with buttons. I'm thinking a pink "C" on a gray background?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLRgCEiQ9NZhp85h-iyyzg2uqGSikU8nIm1KS7isoxxLJx70IFUdicObhHiIwLFnotBauYEuaG8vw2jogbR_WVQ5RDXqTOG0wfY5Ni53KOJ-qG15ldmzzAJAWBhmC7Kiqoi6Bc_1f_cw/s1600/crib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyLRgCEiQ9NZhp85h-iyyzg2uqGSikU8nIm1KS7isoxxLJx70IFUdicObhHiIwLFnotBauYEuaG8vw2jogbR_WVQ5RDXqTOG0wfY5Ni53KOJ-qG15ldmzzAJAWBhmC7Kiqoi6Bc_1f_cw/s640/crib.jpg" width="522" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">I'm leaning towards a more vintage looking crib like this one. Painted white probably.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vpFRVFGxwl3TqyP5KiGyjfkrbwuQSkVNfNby5XpN6bv39r52DcG8yueJ-Gs8qylyR9b8d3hXfsCJVZ9292MguzaWRuhoPAm2gJmm-pl2-IUaCoA1MnLlRFpbA-LUmKC7arshXTVmuYY/s1600/curtain+rod.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vpFRVFGxwl3TqyP5KiGyjfkrbwuQSkVNfNby5XpN6bv39r52DcG8yueJ-Gs8qylyR9b8d3hXfsCJVZ9292MguzaWRuhoPAm2gJmm-pl2-IUaCoA1MnLlRFpbA-LUmKC7arshXTVmuYY/s640/curtain+rod.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Would love to do curtains like this. Either a white branch with gray curtains or vice versa.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3XgtGgivdS3wqMH_6Bw9QSWTENACUFNeLoQMpu8pPDPpYT52aN06Cr3IbYjJrUpt7SSc5Sc2QXE5xXwUMJcQNrSByi61psiYGr7o_96yTl2oAkdlb05FoFLdkeEcs6D_otBG3KCYoC4/s1600/dresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL3XgtGgivdS3wqMH_6Bw9QSWTENACUFNeLoQMpu8pPDPpYT52aN06Cr3IbYjJrUpt7SSc5Sc2QXE5xXwUMJcQNrSByi61psiYGr7o_96yTl2oAkdlb05FoFLdkeEcs6D_otBG3KCYoC4/s640/dresser.jpg" width="423" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Love the way the drawers of this dresser are painted in different shades of blue. Thinking of possibly doing something like that in different shades of pink or gray. Or just doing a plain white dresser with pink crystal knobs.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujcpOGOAbzi0Vd-0BTKzEHiuQaWnAcdZ7tq2l9VMJbu7A-KmDFmGBF1JAPSaLX7QPvPGx2SByO1TRdFa5PeAM63dwLHnQNm-wqwHLhlxutmA6W6tFWziLanlQUsgmUF5KhzrJmqzLPFw/s1600/lotte+art5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhujcpOGOAbzi0Vd-0BTKzEHiuQaWnAcdZ7tq2l9VMJbu7A-KmDFmGBF1JAPSaLX7QPvPGx2SByO1TRdFa5PeAM63dwLHnQNm-wqwHLhlxutmA6W6tFWziLanlQUsgmUF5KhzrJmqzLPFw/s640/lotte+art5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">I made this using a quote from Phantom of the Opera which is where I first heard the name "Lotte" (we plan on using it as a nickname for Charlotte)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp4ADkRCVEivnXOcshbsl-zfC4wmPlJLTrmLv22E9svPiSMzrOqZ05jVQb7Td1xAmjxuB-CZMgVwmXPYpa9XTawdXyZDGVznbqxLyqEYLeeWiSRUufGbV4DTny0B-9y2wtDoAyxxVoCQ/s1600/mobile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp4ADkRCVEivnXOcshbsl-zfC4wmPlJLTrmLv22E9svPiSMzrOqZ05jVQb7Td1xAmjxuB-CZMgVwmXPYpa9XTawdXyZDGVznbqxLyqEYLeeWiSRUufGbV4DTny0B-9y2wtDoAyxxVoCQ/s640/mobile.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">Would love a natural looking mobile to be something like this (using my colors again of course). The branches would also tie in with the curtain rod.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO5-iKMEMoU5wxEHRowb6A2pTBOpZuxREHN5hEDFrq2NA4VDp50WD82JIdLOu6EGioknDzju4nQFs_Rx7IY5GUFF_HZOKyy2w2sumoZFSBAGcLlXrlfbWu4gZBl4HNOP7EJPh0poJiGs/s1600/storage+bins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYO5-iKMEMoU5wxEHRowb6A2pTBOpZuxREHN5hEDFrq2NA4VDp50WD82JIdLOu6EGioknDzju4nQFs_Rx7IY5GUFF_HZOKyy2w2sumoZFSBAGcLlXrlfbWu4gZBl4HNOP7EJPh0poJiGs/s640/storage+bins.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="color: black; text-align: center;">Love this idea. I would paint the baskets gray or white depending on the wall color and fill with stuffed animals or toys. Not books though, I really want to do a bookshelf. Maybe something like this...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5osPDbACjrXBO6I0BJLh1VLKUiTksirqIaryUpVZ-XeovuacYjR3QFCkVMPcgNazlTwg1A7P-nfKiWYK4A0xzOs8l7pbU2zoTrbhBawJg6JaAfPH7qLzQeTimJ1up9-uEjg_5vIbH3B0/s1600/bookshelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5osPDbACjrXBO6I0BJLh1VLKUiTksirqIaryUpVZ-XeovuacYjR3QFCkVMPcgNazlTwg1A7P-nfKiWYK4A0xzOs8l7pbU2zoTrbhBawJg6JaAfPH7qLzQeTimJ1up9-uEjg_5vIbH3B0/s640/bookshelf.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;">...with pink in the back. I could even do something with a pattern (possibly like the pattern of the the elephants ear above?)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table> So these are all things I'm leaning towards right now. Of course, also as of right now I don't know how much of a nursery she is going to have so we will just see how this all pans out. :)<br />
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All links to original pictures/posts can be found in my <a href="http://pinterest.com/laurenthomason3/nursery/">pinterest</a>.<br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-11952217202973435382011-08-06T07:56:00.000-07:002011-08-09T11:31:12.254-07:00It's a girl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7t6QmvJlfN5ShcrUakTFog3vSeLSW_1I0ZEOlEdF5frOQsOVJ9QeZdzV63rB4ZK_79WZdxGIInsfZGSrkpyARm2l4Chp1pFBkjWWIFXM2hsJpW8CM55FE1MBz5wVNFzCNRNlCyIDvng/s1600/girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7t6QmvJlfN5ShcrUakTFog3vSeLSW_1I0ZEOlEdF5frOQsOVJ9QeZdzV63rB4ZK_79WZdxGIInsfZGSrkpyARm2l4Chp1pFBkjWWIFXM2hsJpW8CM55FE1MBz5wVNFzCNRNlCyIDvng/s640/girl.jpg" width="284" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuD1Dzk8dcT7DKcI259JnoaTXQi6GzxLUht7E2YEW4wSV1DqtTMpljKvXxor3DVfawdKbL6GgY1ACcc3kZFn2VSYpFVr9E0P_IqmpjRwcLLYGBA5qJNIsPp7s7Xn25a4LZE0sUsv4Wj0/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuD1Dzk8dcT7DKcI259JnoaTXQi6GzxLUht7E2YEW4wSV1DqtTMpljKvXxor3DVfawdKbL6GgY1ACcc3kZFn2VSYpFVr9E0P_IqmpjRwcLLYGBA5qJNIsPp7s7Xn25a4LZE0sUsv4Wj0/s640/photo.JPG" width="284" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
That's right! This past week we found out that we are having a girl! Her name will be Charlotte Lane Thomason and we couldn't be more excited (I freaked out at the ultrasound haha!). Can't wait to meet her this December (hopefully)! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-7612895205507038382011-07-28T09:34:00.000-07:002011-08-09T11:31:51.448-07:0018 weeksLast night I felt the baby kick me in the hand, twice. I've felt him or her moving around in there for about a week now (every now and then) but last night the little thumper was just moving around like crazy and I laid with my hand on my stomach just feeling them move around. Amazing.<br />
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I just feel like this is something I'm going to want to remember:)<br />
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Next maybe Trey will be able to feel a little kick!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CEIgYEmNs01A52ZGmh6AhupMdY2oQ5IR7kKfoJbSSP8ncu63dpQtkn4ojqwQibul9_wzVJZgA349OQUpyIic1bMsWAesGf_MG6szLppwtTp6d-d0tyCghO9dexdtVF9Sl_dKkdtnU5U/s1600/197637_10150269614622010_507472009_7414604_6169154_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CEIgYEmNs01A52ZGmh6AhupMdY2oQ5IR7kKfoJbSSP8ncu63dpQtkn4ojqwQibul9_wzVJZgA349OQUpyIic1bMsWAesGf_MG6szLppwtTp6d-d0tyCghO9dexdtVF9Sl_dKkdtnU5U/s640/197637_10150269614622010_507472009_7414604_6169154_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">17 weeks 5 days</td></tr>
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</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-3283143725580175472011-07-18T10:53:00.000-07:002011-08-09T11:32:25.494-07:00Trimester 2I know I am the most horrible blogger. Especially now that I have something to blog about! I love reading pregnancy blogs but for some reason I have been having the hardest time blogging during this pregnancy!<br />
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I am now 16 (17 in two days) weeks along. So far the the second trimester has been a huge, HUGE improvement on the first. While I wouldn't say that my nausea has <i>completely</i> gone away, it is now at a minimum and I couldn't be happier. I stopped taking my nausea medicine as well which makes me so happy as I am not a big medicine taker.<br />
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I did have an incident (on the very first day of my second trimester no less) with an atypical migraine that put me in the hospital. THAT was not fun especially when you consider that I've never had a migraine or been hospitalized before. I also had a CAT scan, an MRI and an MRA. All new experiences here in La La land!<br />
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Since then, though, things have been going really well. I'm even starting to get my energy back! Things are going so well, in fact, that I have decided to go back to school in the fall and try and finish my Associates before the baby comes. O and we are entering house-buying phase. Ya, I don't like to do things the easy way (apparently).<br />
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Other than that, there is really not much to tell. I have gained 2 pounds so far, don't seem to have any cravings (although I do eat a lot of cheezit's)(and feel like I'm constantly thirsty), and I seem to get headaches more frequently than usual (but no more migraines so far, thank God!) We ARE planning on finding out the sex of the baby, but for now we are not announcing when we will be finding out. I want to reserve the right to keep that between me and Trey for a few days if I feel like it ;)<br />
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All for now, I will try and post more often as things are finally starting to get exciting :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX6aDDroiaIFuLtc24yMqFyJYRsChsSxTc59IMqnzzJMVvvDXkaP67ogEhmug_FJ1i7Bhuc2MdMtuR9iRqcoIcfykmutlejizdalnGXB05Pz7OjWsF7Jeo1VleYxTFnmUXIxCIz6n_5U/s1600/268447_10150256689947010_507472009_7294929_652402_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpX6aDDroiaIFuLtc24yMqFyJYRsChsSxTc59IMqnzzJMVvvDXkaP67ogEhmug_FJ1i7Bhuc2MdMtuR9iRqcoIcfykmutlejizdalnGXB05Pz7OjWsF7Jeo1VleYxTFnmUXIxCIz6n_5U/s640/268447_10150256689947010_507472009_7294929_652402_n.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: black;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 weeks-belly pop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-61117131616597146722011-06-14T11:55:00.000-07:002011-06-16T16:56:52.986-07:00Yes, I'm Pregnant<div style="text-align: justify;">I know, I know...I've been gone. For a long, loooooonngg time. I'll tell ya why: all things that were once important to me fell by the wayside with the onset of THE ALL DAY PREGNANCY SICKNESS.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">That's right, I'm with child. I've got a bun in the oven. I've got a twinkle in my eye. I've got my head over the toilet. O wait, that last one is probably not something you want to hear, huh? Sorry, it's just that, well, that image has basically defined this pregnancy for me. Sure, I thought I might get a little nauseas. But I had no idea that I would spend six weeks (so far) being so constantly, unabatingly sick. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Even before I got pregnant I had it in my mind that I didn't want to announce until 12 weeks. I know a lot of people do it that way, and I also know that a lot of people end up giving in. But I am stubborn, just ask the grandparents (yes, we told them earlier than 12 weeks. Family and a few people got to be in the know). But I sure am glad I made that decision. Because it just wouldn't have been fun to have people being excited about it when I was feeling so bad. Plus, I knew that if I announced it on the interwebs it would have given me an excuse to complain about being sick all the time via facebook and twitter. And I didn't want to be complaining all the time over something that was supposed to be so exciting. And I AM excited, but the temptation to complain would have been too much so I'm glad I waited. I mean, not to say that I'm feeling totally better, but I am feeling better than I was and I've gotten my appetite back (for a few weeks all I could eat was saltines and popsicles. Glad THAT'S over!).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So now you know, internet. And for those who care, here is a few quick facts:</div><ul><li><div style="text-align: justify;">Due date= December 28 (Christmas baby!)(I'm praying for an early delivery:) )</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Weight gain so far: negative 2 lbs</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Belly: nonexistant </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">Symptoms: morning (read: all day) sickness (have I mentioned that?), aversion to chicken (getting better), some headaches and some tiredness </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">2 prenatal checkups with 2 ultrasounds. The first one looked like a cheeto, the second looked like an actual baby and it was moving around like CRAZY.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">1 time getting blood drawn (I was terrified but I did better than I thought)</div></li>
</ul>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-31734507970203249452011-04-22T00:00:00.000-07:002011-04-22T00:00:00.349-07:00Look Whoooo's Turning 1 {A Party}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2OwZiShdqhrgAWKHDB7qjbhPQhpFGc5h6F05q2E7ceOtVfiZVHFmfsx0RsSzbUgRd9M2PoLP9Z0HhAjkcrv1g2P7qHNmnwupzDWhiCiLAmcerfpeMWs8VJnrd5vU5rhw6mNdY3QRyuIY/s1600/party+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2OwZiShdqhrgAWKHDB7qjbhPQhpFGc5h6F05q2E7ceOtVfiZVHFmfsx0RsSzbUgRd9M2PoLP9Z0HhAjkcrv1g2P7qHNmnwupzDWhiCiLAmcerfpeMWs8VJnrd5vU5rhw6mNdY3QRyuIY/s576/party+love.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In March my little niece turned one. I can't believe it's been a year since we met her! My sister-in-law pulled off a great (and adorable!) first birthday party for her with an owl theme. It was too cute not to share. Enjoy!</div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8w054GCWJGkI3OvARlH2yj8dgLEsjZHn8jDF69U8E_4oLX-htXZ3RcrBxb730-L3RokwJETiS6WbzPTAP1zurE7Px1dJOlxjNSC2ML8XuhSq87ThPaE9-Dw2PPIzEhbrFNF_VPVYdZ4y/s1600/198163_10150113406477001_503587000_6976907_2674701_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8w054GCWJGkI3OvARlH2yj8dgLEsjZHn8jDF69U8E_4oLX-htXZ3RcrBxb730-L3RokwJETiS6WbzPTAP1zurE7Px1dJOlxjNSC2ML8XuhSq87ThPaE9-Dw2PPIzEhbrFNF_VPVYdZ4y/s576/198163_10150113406477001_503587000_6976907_2674701_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Birthday Girl!</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiQQm59j6sac3ehVWEeIb4GJ1gX3WNFx0qIKj7NsWW5RQZheaR1sA_e2U7bFKn-pPd_3gYfb9gvl3N99UKwNiI-7i_rPX0se7jeP14IJUnvxLMp56C6a72XOpW9_reQtpjsxNm6671A1c/s1600/184227_10150113406352001_503587000_6976904_8339643_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZiQQm59j6sac3ehVWEeIb4GJ1gX3WNFx0qIKj7NsWW5RQZheaR1sA_e2U7bFKn-pPd_3gYfb9gvl3N99UKwNiI-7i_rPX0se7jeP14IJUnvxLMp56C6a72XOpW9_reQtpjsxNm6671A1c/s576/184227_10150113406352001_503587000_6976904_8339643_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Owl cupcake toppers (handmade!)</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavUQNdZT28enjag8Osl_QooubRfnN1zsMqlsPEq2QTyPKDgRsx7S9AHddxuW0ITIovgJXsnq18csbi3PxVTFJIl-J3EITlHGxrtVgh-7Abqawt9Q5aIcRMJgDcWCgu8Cd10XaTEZhAjsJ/s1600/033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavUQNdZT28enjag8Osl_QooubRfnN1zsMqlsPEq2QTyPKDgRsx7S9AHddxuW0ITIovgJXsnq18csbi3PxVTFJIl-J3EITlHGxrtVgh-7Abqawt9Q5aIcRMJgDcWCgu8Cd10XaTEZhAjsJ/s576/033.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also good as little lapel pins!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuitX-YPSqiq5TNloUkK10TpPuxxUdPSL0HiyiUxq7Dfw5i3-Io6pjPopfq-z0b1jvqvAV5KPZ0_rSRzgSLifv9brNQw-PN4Hd5Mnrm6DzWUlIAW2UO5JgWC0z8jAWRwRFFKFJj8ygRDAm/s1600/184762_10150113407142001_503587000_6976925_1154488_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuitX-YPSqiq5TNloUkK10TpPuxxUdPSL0HiyiUxq7Dfw5i3-Io6pjPopfq-z0b1jvqvAV5KPZ0_rSRzgSLifv9brNQw-PN4Hd5Mnrm6DzWUlIAW2UO5JgWC0z8jAWRwRFFKFJj8ygRDAm/s1600/184762_10150113407142001_503587000_6976925_1154488_n.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-oyieGWovar7Qmv1zsqJL7YDzQu20nAAvKOCeo1-28qib4LhA-MPLdoaCDNvECvfH74dbTpvacLg-3lQdWXq297i9w2FREN9_1BOsBlCs23v61riWdJlCiLh5eRGkRlNCBUzN_CYSPJa/s1600/190742_10150113406312001_503587000_6976902_2893194_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-oyieGWovar7Qmv1zsqJL7YDzQu20nAAvKOCeo1-28qib4LhA-MPLdoaCDNvECvfH74dbTpvacLg-3lQdWXq297i9w2FREN9_1BOsBlCs23v61riWdJlCiLh5eRGkRlNCBUzN_CYSPJa/s1600/190742_10150113406312001_503587000_6976902_2893194_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some table details</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisskBbnf0fnFdF4flPbZWWiRqGYPetl5C4qWAiSwyssP7EID1gT5qU1p01isjffNLbA1rUVfM1MFLFaam9lHhLsHMzp3lFX2iRA2zJ77x4_JP37Mif-Np1TxaDnmIP2WtYewWTOKz8_Md-/s1600/196612_10150113406842001_503587000_6976917_1815037_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisskBbnf0fnFdF4flPbZWWiRqGYPetl5C4qWAiSwyssP7EID1gT5qU1p01isjffNLbA1rUVfM1MFLFaam9lHhLsHMzp3lFX2iRA2zJ77x4_JP37Mif-Np1TxaDnmIP2WtYewWTOKz8_Md-/s576/196612_10150113406842001_503587000_6976917_1815037_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some owl goodies</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYp8sKDs2is5o5RE_VoWl9p3h-ba6l5X-Jt9Q5wd-eIoZMhQHCyPiCTlpsz8JiwNz04lY5KMTpUYEBeEJetqdqTx8OAoo-tBvNMNqwfnAzC_5nPadTYQ9Bl4CGXn_yXm94EZ0RHARJxVng/s1600/185734_10150113406177001_503587000_6976899_5328767_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYp8sKDs2is5o5RE_VoWl9p3h-ba6l5X-Jt9Q5wd-eIoZMhQHCyPiCTlpsz8JiwNz04lY5KMTpUYEBeEJetqdqTx8OAoo-tBvNMNqwfnAzC_5nPadTYQ9Bl4CGXn_yXm94EZ0RHARJxVng/s576/185734_10150113406177001_503587000_6976899_5328767_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The to-die-for smash cake (which I ended up eating some of ;) )</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxoEcSC9kvXo9qW1LGPgE8E89KoainKnzpvzI9FwXfo2Yl67EHWhxjy03S6algxJjWdyprrMbCFQzY-FDdJqKslePH02ZEPNHAYeeDHVcfkB-PJtzIUKjj55ulmp0kFm6lPbIrwV6l742/s1600/190561_10150113420792001_503587000_6977092_4068342_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLxoEcSC9kvXo9qW1LGPgE8E89KoainKnzpvzI9FwXfo2Yl67EHWhxjy03S6algxJjWdyprrMbCFQzY-FDdJqKslePH02ZEPNHAYeeDHVcfkB-PJtzIUKjj55ulmp0kFm6lPbIrwV6l742/s576/190561_10150113420792001_503587000_6977092_4068342_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's her party, and she'll cry if she wants to!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX7SJWPeq5mRWckG-RKXF4yzOEjCy-aZRPIp7ges4m6A7BwC5ktiXwI723iQJezn822EuPlGOBg7EEMhrkK6uPmlywPVwly4ounHV6MXyU7fuQtAT1X5ZY7rPm1d9roL3N3QEPOQsMJaA/s1600/190191_10150113406387001_503587000_6976905_7179704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX7SJWPeq5mRWckG-RKXF4yzOEjCy-aZRPIp7ges4m6A7BwC5ktiXwI723iQJezn822EuPlGOBg7EEMhrkK6uPmlywPVwly4ounHV6MXyU7fuQtAT1X5ZY7rPm1d9roL3N3QEPOQsMJaA/s576/190191_10150113406387001_503587000_6976905_7179704_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green and pink baloons</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6OwaB9VrLtrxYOwez-S-LLuDKu21EBuvME4bHYeC-fcmE3m8kAm-zcPXePQej-sR5TV-Vb9p_XUZoER9FrieBcRSPiE6l5vaPryB_LRUpP6aNU1ABvEnST3KcjTdAEzAjm5_dZ5MwtLN/s1600/197739_10150113406107001_503587000_6976898_2411426_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6OwaB9VrLtrxYOwez-S-LLuDKu21EBuvME4bHYeC-fcmE3m8kAm-zcPXePQej-sR5TV-Vb9p_XUZoER9FrieBcRSPiE6l5vaPryB_LRUpP6aNU1ABvEnST3KcjTdAEzAjm5_dZ5MwtLN/s576/197739_10150113406107001_503587000_6976898_2411426_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goody bags</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hBiEWHbBw3qqoSGsMBSCCZWCl75XceTA-JQSzp9-XB2RNi5EV0wqeNLWdnzPziywmSibvqQawkhUegcccSFzh3eI9ABQWpldR4-qztSqscmYBUPvuDPCpA5aDw820GusvRI-JKQcsUWN/s1600/199236_10150113406692001_503587000_6976912_5971580_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hBiEWHbBw3qqoSGsMBSCCZWCl75XceTA-JQSzp9-XB2RNi5EV0wqeNLWdnzPziywmSibvqQawkhUegcccSFzh3eI9ABQWpldR4-qztSqscmYBUPvuDPCpA5aDw820GusvRI-JKQcsUWN/s576/199236_10150113406692001_503587000_6976912_5971580_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outfit (tutu, onsie, hair clip) made by her mommy. So talented!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BlC0LXc8Q6pHVv-qnrYDME4QLpqAP9TQhWAw5c_4lktY9np8vh6riyggZGY4DuOrLl8SFksU8B-d_wGZDANjso8wL4HHysVS9yaQPfDejFqQHpe5rhY75xSyv9aKaNovA3i5wcAk1gaw/s1600/190195_10150113415007001_503587000_6977029_4260605_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BlC0LXc8Q6pHVv-qnrYDME4QLpqAP9TQhWAw5c_4lktY9np8vh6riyggZGY4DuOrLl8SFksU8B-d_wGZDANjso8wL4HHysVS9yaQPfDejFqQHpe5rhY75xSyv9aKaNovA3i5wcAk1gaw/s576/190195_10150113415007001_503587000_6977029_4260605_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With mommy and daddy</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ3Y6qCkZMJxH3__pvKb6ssI_Z88vard92xWvTjtR9AD9cXku6X7qGKrgOnlJeI79Mc_OTe1JOklE8skf8HqbOznL3GBCgu4L7pOeZfvx01yD4BV9c5lHWlRevodtVPG4ZHGbLfXy1P5x/s1600/190758_10150113414507001_503587000_6977018_6061766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPJ3Y6qCkZMJxH3__pvKb6ssI_Z88vard92xWvTjtR9AD9cXku6X7qGKrgOnlJeI79Mc_OTe1JOklE8skf8HqbOznL3GBCgu4L7pOeZfvx01yD4BV9c5lHWlRevodtVPG4ZHGbLfXy1P5x/s576/190758_10150113414507001_503587000_6977018_6061766_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved the photobooth idea. Will definitely be remembering that one.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3u986Z4mRFktyyqOUmw1mEEzoUQacEWg8Ia_R1RHGZPt3yYnC9-77dyA7eNJ58xkW9P35WnD_1bv3JSCf5YB6Wv9IaYlBx5UiSt0jq3JgVYWk5wOaD_h9A5hiGyXFag5_imd1hox9k-f/s1600/185715_10150113406962001_503587000_6976920_4692863_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje3u986Z4mRFktyyqOUmw1mEEzoUQacEWg8Ia_R1RHGZPt3yYnC9-77dyA7eNJ58xkW9P35WnD_1bv3JSCf5YB6Wv9IaYlBx5UiSt0jq3JgVYWk5wOaD_h9A5hiGyXFag5_imd1hox9k-f/s576/185715_10150113406962001_503587000_6976920_4692863_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happy 1st Birthday, Princess!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">All pictures via my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kassie.rivers">sister-in-law's Facebook</a> except for the one of the "lapel pin." That one was taken with my cell phone;)</span>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-33277411235330195632011-04-21T00:00:00.000-07:002011-04-21T18:19:45.006-07:00Thankful ThursdayThis Thursday I'm <i><span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: large;">thankful</span></i> for family in <span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Atlanta</span>. <br />
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<br />
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Because sometimes it's fun to get away, even if "away" isn't very far.<br />
<div style="color: white;">.</div><div style="color: white;">.</div><div style="color: white;">.</div><div style="color: white;">.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-26949540561137992342011-04-18T00:00:00.000-07:002011-04-18T00:00:02.990-07:00In This Marriage<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfVh7c0o4JHbCEgNWoMXSlf5ovGfGit2vvLsf0l4iYotWq9x6jq2NyShjwJxfT25n0pmvic8AUY51JPqUCPsEfroCLkQSGpTpOQ0qM8eaBlnmQqm4ko9cJf_G9nyHXcJxC2YKhz-AwvZU/s1600/guy+love.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfVh7c0o4JHbCEgNWoMXSlf5ovGfGit2vvLsf0l4iYotWq9x6jq2NyShjwJxfT25n0pmvic8AUY51JPqUCPsEfroCLkQSGpTpOQ0qM8eaBlnmQqm4ko9cJf_G9nyHXcJxC2YKhz-AwvZU/s576/guy+love.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />It's my anniversary this month! It will be two years since me and hubs tied the knot. There is no possible way that I can believe that it has been two years already. Anyhow, is it bragging to say that I have an awesome marriage? If it is, then this is me bragging. Here are a few things that I've learned on the go that I thought would be fun to share.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">My top 10 secrets to an awesome marriage:</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>1. Marry someone you have fun with</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do I have to explain this? Do you want to spend the rest of your life with someone who bores you to death? Think of your best friend. I'm guessing you have fun with this person. Your hubby is your new best friend. Have fun with him.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2. Never take yourself too seriously.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is really an overall life rule for me. Let's face it: when you are with someone so much, weird things are going to come up, weird things are going to happen. Learn how to laugh at yourself. Honestly, it just makes life more fun.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>3. Let things go.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Don't hold on to past grievances. Deal with issues as they arise, and then leave them where they belong: in the past. Everyone makes mistakes, you wouldn't want the husband pulling out your fault list every time you made one, so don't do it to him either.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>4. Pick your battles</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some things are worth going to battle over. Some things are not. If you don't want to be fighting all the time, then choose to only "discuss" the things that are major issues. You've heard the phrase "making a mountain out of a mole hill," if everything is a mountain then you will never be able to cross them all and you will never move forward. So knock over those mole hills without causing an incident and move on.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">5. Prioritize</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm just going to say it: your marriage is a big deal. Your spouse is a big deal. Look, your husband is your partner in life. You need to invest in him. And you need to make time for each other. Date night is not something that should fall by the wayside once you get married. In fact, it is even more important. There are so many little things that demand our attention everyday, make sure you remember to shut them all out once in a while and focus on each other.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">6. Don't keep secrets</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is no place for secrets in a marriage. I'm telling you: either they WILL come out, or they will eat you alive. Why did you marry this guy if you don't want to share your life with him? I'm not saying you have to share every unimportant detail with each other. I honestly don't want to hear what my husband did every second of every day (and I'm nosy!). If it's an issue/important/dangerous to you or your marriage, spill the beans. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">7. Try new things</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There are no two people who are exactly alike. We are all unique and we all have different interests, including your spouse! Maybe you hate museums but he loves them, hit up a local one some weekend. Maybe the thought of sushi freaks you out but he has been craving it since you got married, (barring allergies) try it out! Not only will this allow you to experience new things (and maybe surprise you), it will also get you out of a dating rut (not that YOU ever get in one) and, most importantly, it will show your man that you care about him and the things that he cares about. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">8. Make time for yourself</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I know you love your husband. And if you're a newly wed, you probably want to spend all your time together. That's great! But make sure you also make time for you. Read a book, go for a walk. Don't get into the vortex of "us" so much that you forget about "me."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">9. Speak up</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Something bothering you but you're too afraid to say anything? Is there something you've always wanted to try? Bring it up (in a loving and open minded way). What's the worse that could happen, really? I said it before and I'll say it again: you want to spend the rest of your life with this person. Might as well get things out on the table now rather than holding on to them for the next 20 years. Your husband can't read your mind (or so I've been told).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>10. Get dirty, a lot</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">And have fun with it. You know what I'm talkin' about. That's all I'm gonna say. </div><br /><ol></ol><ul></ul>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-72363373034072519602011-04-13T11:04:00.000-07:002011-04-13T11:04:43.514-07:00I'm Positive<div style="text-align: justify;">If you haven't been able to pick up on this so far, I am a very introspective type of person. One of the things I've been <i>introspecting</i> about lately is negativity. Earlier this year I started to notice that I had a bad attitude about a lot of things. And, more recently, I've noticed that I've let my bad attitude spill over into my online life. I really don't need to be tweeting, updating facebook and blogging negatively. Sure, I could argue that these are my personal outlets and I should be able to vent. I could also bring up the argument that neglecting to post negative things (i.e. when I'm upset/frustrated/sad ect.) leaves out the whole picture of my life and makes me fake. And I DO think there is a place for being honest about how you feel. STILL, I don't think that gives me a free-for-all pass to be spewing negative things about the internets. So if you've been noticing, that's why I've been gone lately. I've been taking some self inventory and really trying to decide how to curb this bad habit of mine. I don't want to be fake (and God knows I'm not a perky, happy-all-the time person), but I DO want to be a positive and uplifting person. I don't want to let my emotions control my life and what I present to others. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And this doesn't just apply to my online life. I really desire to be a more positive person in all areas. I want to smile more, and have lighthearted interactions with people more. I want to be (and feel!) happy (yes I think they can be different things).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, that's what's going on in these parts. Cross your fingers for more posting soon:)</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">P.S. I know I've made a few changes to the blog again, including the name. Not sure that's what I'm going to go with yet, but we'll see. I just really enjoy changing small things and I can't, for the life of me, seem to land on a name I want to stick with yet. Sorry if that's confusing and/or annoying. Le sigh.</div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-10661861180502958002011-04-05T11:22:00.000-07:002011-04-05T11:22:37.394-07:00Eat, Pray, LoveI meantioned a little while ago that I really wanted to re-ignite my love of reading. I was a little afraid that this would be a hard task. And there have been times when it has been, especially when I can't seem to find anything I want to read. But lately things have been going really well and I have been devouring books in a way reminisant of my childhood. I even added a link to my sidebar in order to keep reading at the forefront of my mind. On it I listed many books I would like to read, as well as a list of books I have read so far this year. It's over there if you want to take a look. -----><br />
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Anyway, the last book I read was Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Eat-Pray-Love-Everything-Indonesia/dp/0143038419/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1302027409&sr=1-1#_"><img border="0" height="400" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWydatZgInBAuzXPT-1PyrMMGyqyCikGiM6FpqbsinmZlpY_kK3tqdjSwF0QEnUshB35GxotwQHvBiJgxqR67DLpYUDFS5_rLe3VvlCsqDTxYNuBPZ9nwzZpysHawEhJ5u9Qruwpmp7Dk/s400/41cXDviw65L__BO2%252C204%252C203%252C200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click%252CTopRight%252C35%252C-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
For a long time I was hesitant to read this book (or see the movie!) because I knew it contained beliefs that I don't share or endorse. However, after reading The Happiness Project, I was really interested in the whole "taking a year to find yourself" concept as well as interested in reading another memoir-type book. I'm so glad I did. I loooovvveeedd this book. Yes, the parts I don't agree with were still in there, but I was able to look into them and see truths that the author probably didn't even realize she was writing. And I was able to pick out the things that I don't believe and put them to the side. My faith is solid and will not be shaken by a book.<br />
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Anyway, for anyone who doesn't know, this book is about a women who, after a rough divorce and a patch of depression, decides to take a year and travel to Italy, India and Indonesia to pursue pleasure, devotion and balance and find out who she is. The book is fascinating and I found myself wondering how someone could really have a life like this: one that sounded so much like a story. I was able to pull a lot from it and enjoyed it (pretty much) the whole way through. Probably what I liked the most was her writing style. Elizabeth Gilbert is (apparently) amazing at creating word pictures. This is my favorite quote from the book:<br />
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<blockquote><em>"We sit on the beach and watch the dangerous waves, watch the lean brown and white Indonesian and Western surf-cats slice across the water like zippers ripping open the backs of the ocean's blue party dress."</em></blockquote><br />
Looking forward to seeing the movie now!Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-39658832748965019962011-04-01T10:00:00.000-07:002011-04-01T10:03:22.235-07:00Ignite Recap<i>***Every time I go on a retreat at my church I keep the little notebook for a while and then I end up throwing it away. I really want to keep the notes but I hate having stuff around my house that I have no idea what to do with. The other day I realized that I could post the notes on my blog! That way I always have them AND other people can possibly benefit from them too! These are from the marriage conference that we went to in February.***</i><br />
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<blockquote>"When two of you are just alike, one of you is not needed." -Joe McGee</blockquote><i> </i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Jimmy Evans-Session 1-God's Indestructible Plan for Marriage</b></span><br />
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Ephesians 5:21-33-Standard for marriage.<br />
-This is God's plan, there is no plan B<br />
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1. The roles in Eph. 5 make us attractive to our spouse<br />
<ul><li>you're not the boss, Jesus is</li>
<li>1 Peter 3- chaste & respectful behavior</li>
<li>Honor is the key to a man's heart</li>
<li>You're either your spouses dream-maker or dream-breaker </li>
</ul>2. The roles in Eph. 5 release our potential<br />
<ul><li>1 Corinthians 11:7</li>
<li>Men are the glory of God, women are the glory of their husbands</li>
<li>Proverbs 31- she turned a non-elder into an elder. Treat him like he is one before he is.</li>
<li>A husband is a greenhouse, a wife is a good cheerleader</li>
<ul><li>celebrate everything he does right</li>
<li>say negative things in a positive way</li>
</ul></ul>3. The roles in Eph. 5 disable our sin nature<br />
<ul><li>Eve's sin was not talking to Adam and not waiting on God</li>
<li>Women's sin nature is independence</li>
<li>Men's is irresponsibility</li>
<ul><li>(Adam was standing right there and didn't say anything)</li>
</ul><li>The way Jesus treats the church is the standard</li>
</ul>4. The roles in Ephesians 5 make us sensitive to each other's needs<br />
<ul><li>Men:</li>
<ul><li>Honor (where you want him to be, not where he is)</li>
<li>Sex</li>
<li>Be buddies and have fun</li>
<li>Supportive home</li>
</ul><li>Women:</li>
<ul><li>Security</li>
<li>Soft, non-sensual affection</li>
<li>Open and honest communication</li>
<li>Leadership</li>
</ul></ul><blockquote><i>"Without sex and fun, your marriage is a business, and a bad one." </i></blockquote><blockquote><i>"In a good marriage you just understand how much we need each other."</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>"The atmosphere women need for sex is the same as men need for opening up."</i> </blockquote><blockquote><i>"You're at your best when you're having fun."</i> </blockquote><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Jimmy Evans-Session 2-Disarming Destructive Fear-4 Features of Marriage in the Garden</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">1. Intimacy with God-</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Identity, Security, Purpose</span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">People love you based on what they don't know, God loves you knowing everything</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">When you set your spouse up to be Jesus, you curse your marriage</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Equal Partnership</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Common Purpose-Genesis 1:27-28 <b>"them"</b></span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">God wont give you different purposes</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>"</b>Why did God put us together?"</span></span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Total nakedness without fear or shame- Genesis 2:25, 2 Timothy 1:7</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 Curses of Fear</span></span></li>
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It makes us selfish-1 John 4:18</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It makes us sinful</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It makes us say negative and damaging words- Proverbs 18:21</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">It makes us stupid</span></span></li>
<ul><li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fear dance: hurt, want, fear, react</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fear is a prophet spirit from hell</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fear is a Godless future</span></span></li>
</ul></ul></ul><ul><li>Sources of Fear</li>
<ul><li>Desires-greatest fear matches greatest need</li>
<li>Design-priority of marriage (jealousy)</li>
<li>Damage from past</li>
<li>Demonic spirits</li>
</ul></ul><ul><li>Disarm destructive fear:</li>
<ul><li>Take off your fig leaves (be honest about your fear)</li>
<li>Take responsibility for your behavior</li>
<li>Put faith in God</li>
<li>Treat fear as an enemy and don't let it control you (expect fear and then inspect fear, and then reject it)</li>
</ul></ul><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jimmy Evans-Session 3-Striking Your Sexual Match </span></b><br />
<br />
Sex is for:<br />
1. Reproduction<br />
2. Comfort<br />
3. Pleasure<br />
4. <i>Didn't get this one...</i><br />
5. Confidence<br />
6. Intamacy<br />
7. Protection from outward temptation<br />
<br />
<blockquote>Genesis 2:24-The key to sexual fulfillment is serving each other</blockquote>3 Steps to Striking Your Sexual Match<br />
<ul><li>Strike your <u>Spiritual</u> Match</li>
<ul><li>Matthew 19:6- Marriage is spiritual and sacred</li>
</ul><li>Strike your <u>Emotional</u> Match</li>
<ul><li>Care about your spouses feelings</li>
<ul><li>work, money, children, sex</li>
<li>"Just because I'm saying it doesn't make it right, it just makes it real."</li>
<li>Allow each other to complain without shaming</li>
</ul></ul></ul>How to create Sexual Intamacy:<br />
<ul><li>Commit to meeting your spouses needs faithfully and energetically</li>
<ul><li>1 Corinthians 7:7-license of use</li>
</ul><li>Understand and respect your spouses different needs and desires:</li>
<ul><li>Men:</li>
<ul><li>Mutual satisfaction</li>
<li>Connection</li>
<li>Responsiveness of wives</li>
<li>Initiation of wife</li>
<li>Affirmation</li>
</ul><li>Women:</li>
<ul><li>Affirmation</li>
<li>Connection</li>
<li>Non-sexual touch</li>
<li>Spiritual intimacy </li>
<li>Romance ("I'm thinking about you when I don't have to.")</li>
</ul></ul></ul><blockquote><i>"If one person only initiates sex, the other is suffering self esteem"</i></blockquote><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Joe McGee-Session 4</span></b><br />
<blockquote><i>"A spouse is anointed by God to point out character flaws in your life."</i></blockquote><blockquote><i>"Marriage is nothing but two doofuses growing up together."</i></blockquote><ul><li>3 Jobs for a Man:</li>
<ul><li> Ephesians 5:25-<b>Lover</b></li>
<li>1 Corinthians 11:3-<b>Leader</b></li>
<li>1 Timothy 4:8-<b>Provider</b></li>
</ul><li>3 Jobs for a Woman:</li>
<ul><li>Genesis 2:18-<b>Helper</b></li>
<li>1 Timothy 5:14-<b>Home Manager</b></li>
</ul></ul><ul><li>Proverbs 29:18-Not knowing where you're going frustrates you</li>
<li>Habakkuk 2:2</li>
<li>If I don't move, God can't move. It's not legal.</li>
<li>Psalm 139:15</li>
</ul><ul><li>Who are you?</li>
<li>What are you doing here?</li>
<li>Where are you going?</li>
</ul><ul><li>Proverbs 15:2-Just because a thought hits your brain does not mean it's from God.</li>
<li>Be careful when you judge someone else, because it takes one to know one.</li>
<li>The devil doesn't steal junk, he steals stuff that's good.</li>
<li>You can't steer a boat that's not moving. Start moving.</li>
</ul><ol><li>Learn how to talk</li>
<li>Whatever you talk about is gonna need money</li>
<ol><li>You're blessed or broke for your attitude</li>
<li>You're supposed to leave money behind</li>
<li>You are what you think</li>
<li>Order precedes increase</li>
</ol></ol>How to be a great lover:<br />
<ol><li>Have the right motive</li>
<li><i>Didn't get this one again... (he talks fast!)</i></li>
<li>Avoid societies expectations</li>
<li>Eliminate routeins</li>
<li>Practice tenderness</li>
<li>Set perimaters</li>
<li>Comfort zones</li>
<li>Never criticize response</li>
<li>Practice hygene</li>
<li>It's ok to laugh</li>
</ol><ul><li> Boys like things, girls like people.</li>
<li>Women know when you're lying.</li>
<li>God is not moved by pity, He's moved by faith. <u>He's not human</u>.</li>
</ul><br />
<i>***That's it. Sorry it's so long. :)*** </i>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-74907409566264369142011-04-01T07:24:00.000-07:002011-04-01T07:24:45.416-07:00Psalm 73I've been reading the One Year Bible and I have a confession: I haven't really been enjoying the Psalms. Doesn't that sound horrible? I know that sometimes different parts of the Bible speak to you in different times and in different ways, but this has really been bothering me. Today, however, was Psalm 73 and it really spoke to me. I especially like it in the NLT version, so I thought I would post it here:<br />
<br />
<h5 style="font-family: inherit;">A psalm of Asaph.</h5><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-14997" style="font-family: inherit;">1</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Truly God is good to Israel,</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to those whose hearts are pure.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-14998" style="font-family: inherit;">2</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> But as for me, I almost lost my footing.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-14999" style="font-family: inherit;">3</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> For I envied the proud</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15000" style="font-family: inherit;">4</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> They seem to live such painless lives;</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> their bodies are so healthy and strong.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15001" style="font-family: inherit;">5</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> They don’t have troubles like other people;</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15002" style="font-family: inherit;">6</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> They wear pride like a jeweled necklace</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and clothe themselves with cruelty.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15003" style="font-family: inherit;">7</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> These fat cats have everything</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> their hearts could ever wish for!</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15004" style="font-family: inherit;">8</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> They scoff and speak only evil;</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> in their pride they seek to crush others.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15005" style="font-family: inherit;">9</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> They boast against the very heavens,</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> and their words strut throughout the earth.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15006" style="font-family: inherit;">10</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> And so the people are dismayed and confused,</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> drinking in all their words.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15007" style="font-family: inherit;">11</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> “What does God know?” they ask.</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15008" style="font-family: inherit;">12</sup><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Look at these wicked people—</span><br style="font-family: inherit;" /><span style="font-family: inherit;"> enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.</span><div style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15009">13</sup> Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?<br />
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15010">14</sup> I get nothing but trouble all day long;<br />
every morning brings me pain.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15011">15</sup> If I had really spoken this way to others,<br />
I would have been a traitor to your people.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15012">16</sup> So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.<br />
But what a difficult task it is!<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15013">17</sup> Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,<br />
and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15014">18</sup> Truly, you put them on a slippery path<br />
and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15015">19</sup> In an instant they are destroyed,<br />
completely swept away by terrors.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15016">20</sup> When you arise, O Lord,<br />
you will laugh at their silly ideas<br />
as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15017">21</sup> Then I realized that my heart was bitter,<br />
and I was all torn up inside.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15018">22</sup> I was so foolish and ignorant—<br />
I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15019">23</sup> Yet I still belong to you;<br />
you hold my right hand.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15020">24</sup> You guide me with your counsel,<br />
leading me to a glorious destiny.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15021">25</sup> Whom have I in heaven but you?<br />
I desire you more than anything on earth.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15022">26</sup> My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,<br />
but God remains the strength of my heart;<br />
he is mine forever.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15023">27</sup> Those who desert him will perish,<br />
for you destroy those who abandon you.<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NLT-15024">28</sup> But as for me, how good it is to be near God!<br />
I have made the Sovereign L<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">ord</span> my shelter,<br />
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.</div><div style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: inherit;">Hope you have a happy weekend! </div>Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4409992518548132159.post-88872687909216699612011-03-30T00:00:00.000-07:002011-03-30T00:00:06.364-07:00Springfield Castle {A Vacation}<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrX7IAM0bLh-p1KuLmqY_p3MHdN5M0FJ3M82QmT-MtH80ns65x4gZZbM0m3M_BS-8bYV3c9bPs3CjiKrkjHC8hD45_9IEPqycAybAyC0W_rfUuEN0UtdtPhKMh-tDO4nwArLBz_oJrT0t/s1600/vacation+love.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573740642926392130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrX7IAM0bLh-p1KuLmqY_p3MHdN5M0FJ3M82QmT-MtH80ns65x4gZZbM0m3M_BS-8bYV3c9bPs3CjiKrkjHC8hD45_9IEPqycAybAyC0W_rfUuEN0UtdtPhKMh-tDO4nwArLBz_oJrT0t/s576/vacation+love.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />Did you know you can rent an Irish castle?! Let's daydream for a minute, shall we?<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CPres_yMeuqjWTBuOnehSZCIeSSMI-4SZ3VJCKOeuAnA3eFIHVNj-7rH6CrJHZFhD9cxxWlU8cChm-bCOEvgHPkD4hiOJ_4MpSA3KIp1-kTisLT_VJ03tLLP9ZXQ7abx71FCo4mQ4S8n/s1600/castle2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575246532967868530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CPres_yMeuqjWTBuOnehSZCIeSSMI-4SZ3VJCKOeuAnA3eFIHVNj-7rH6CrJHZFhD9cxxWlU8cChm-bCOEvgHPkD4hiOJ_4MpSA3KIp1-kTisLT_VJ03tLLP9ZXQ7abx71FCo4mQ4S8n/s576/castle2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>Let's go here.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqU6P4lOMpfvvQTe_SzbgyLXukJt-wYjL-Fsy7AuvovSaYp2mg4JVZhJjFoFKWSYUkwhI6lUvnHNUJ52Z6708CzoxbIGAtnFrO6R-BUABm1ofOjol3oXd136cY6v20AxlyZejxIUeLS1q3/s1600/castle5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575246367007439186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqU6P4lOMpfvvQTe_SzbgyLXukJt-wYjL-Fsy7AuvovSaYp2mg4JVZhJjFoFKWSYUkwhI6lUvnHNUJ52Z6708CzoxbIGAtnFrO6R-BUABm1ofOjol3oXd136cY6v20AxlyZejxIUeLS1q3/s576/castle5.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>I think I'll start my day with some quite, alone time in this meadow.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKeiQOLypvAumhtxjCwbTHXsAZZwmWVllNKQSGxHmB-u5pfQwvVrbBKbtZahtidMqDoGKD3C19ZxQaleMg-SbkjFmJtLVX9oqgbxU7T0-3cd7hl1VfW8ofVSN4XDql1q5QMhMp9hZ2Hbz/s1600/castle4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575246358568304562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWKeiQOLypvAumhtxjCwbTHXsAZZwmWVllNKQSGxHmB-u5pfQwvVrbBKbtZahtidMqDoGKD3C19ZxQaleMg-SbkjFmJtLVX9oqgbxU7T0-3cd7hl1VfW8ofVSN4XDql1q5QMhMp9hZ2Hbz/s576/castle4.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />Then I'll enjoy some breakfast at this stately table with the morning light coming in.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5PDvJ6FuCNmlP1EnvJUuIFsEKISCSEhg6dixDVd4byO7GHTAtL_XpLWB_eBVZ89A7SbhZL9jbstUlsbeQzyElms9cp8DzBpjp8gBti5UiHv7h43pgsn_z-aUdNCd6T_avU-ysWKUgBSc/s1600/castle6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575246531198542530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5PDvJ6FuCNmlP1EnvJUuIFsEKISCSEhg6dixDVd4byO7GHTAtL_XpLWB_eBVZ89A7SbhZL9jbstUlsbeQzyElms9cp8DzBpjp8gBti5UiHv7h43pgsn_z-aUdNCd6T_avU-ysWKUgBSc/s576/castle6.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>In the afternoon I think I'll take a leisurely stroll with my husband down this lovely lane.</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgTeCXL0VYAitMhothZLLqGj5tblkYMojEiNtw8J7trlOYa52UplnqhgKKv8jl4ybgGzY0JwRt2EM-w_I0P3S_JTzmhcxzkhOFHGigH_J9uSeuU4fqkq4DHSLpq0cVNydleoFYcHajNeS/s1600/castle3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575246186911646450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIgTeCXL0VYAitMhothZLLqGj5tblkYMojEiNtw8J7trlOYa52UplnqhgKKv8jl4ybgGzY0JwRt2EM-w_I0P3S_JTzmhcxzkhOFHGigH_J9uSeuU4fqkq4DHSLpq0cVNydleoFYcHajNeS/s576/castle3.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>After we have gone out on the town and hit a local pub (just for the food and the company, of course), I'd love to grab a book and snuggle up to read in front of this fire.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy07_HX3DzXen5UzdGoQNmMZQS44A6qyH63r91g69gbU2HdWsUyvHJZojm9OylxfTLttZ1VfZK2CQ-mGUBlbXe1nxZRiNxZfWbhx6KxZEhmNb4OwpkSjvoOCj_clUai1Mh2TeZ1tKl-5C/s1600/castle.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575246177362911698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdy07_HX3DzXen5UzdGoQNmMZQS44A6qyH63r91g69gbU2HdWsUyvHJZojm9OylxfTLttZ1VfZK2CQ-mGUBlbXe1nxZRiNxZfWbhx6KxZEhmNb4OwpkSjvoOCj_clUai1Mh2TeZ1tKl-5C/s576/castle.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />And at the end of my perfectly relaxing day, I'll crash on this beautiful bed. Don't worry, there are many more rooms. I just thought I'd indulge in a bit of pink since I don't get to decorate with it at home. <span style="color: #ffcc33; font-weight: bold;">:)</span></div><br /><br />This is the Springfield Castle. To find out more information, and for all photo credits go <a href="http://www.springfieldcastle.com/?gclid=CMGZnf-pk6cCFQ687QodEznDdQ">here</a>.Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07833744173551028650noreply@blogger.com1