the broadus bunch

11 things

2012-02-01T12:36:00.000-06:00

To help you get threw your hump day. My eleven things.

11 Random Things About Myself

1. I secretly want to have a blog alias so I can write about BIG things: politics, laws, etc.

2. I am working on going totally vegan. This is a slow process. Right now I am cutting cokes out of my diet. 1 a day is my allowance. This is a choice I have to make for myself.

3. My biggest regret in life is NOT going to culinary school. Stupid nursing school.....

4. I am the worst speller, grammar user EVER.

5. I teach first grade Sunday School and adore it. My kids are the most remarkable learners.

6. I sit at work jamming out to Glee soundtracks (in my headphones of course)

7. As stated in the previous post, I hate socks. It has to be below 20 for me to wear them.

8. My reading has been blah lately. I am having a hard choice deciding what to read.

9. I haven't watched home improvement shows on diy since the kitchen remodel. Still recovering.

10. However, I love me some nate berkus.

11. I am planning a junking trip to alabama soon.

11 Questions to Answer:

1. What is your guilty pleasure TV show?
Tori & Dean Home Sweet Hollywood.

2. Name one song that you like to jam out to that is totally embarrassing.
probably vanilla ice, Ice Ice Baby...I rapped it, on stage, at a club once, in front of people.

3. Where do you want to send your kids to school? Public/private/homeschool?
For now, its public schools. We have an amazing district with awesome teachers. We are the random family that lets our kids pick. Madyson adores going to school and her friends. But if a situation ever arose that she asked to be homeschooled, we are prepared for that as well.

4. One food you will never grow tired of?
Quesadillas. I love them and eat them everywhere.

5. What is your favorite Pinterest search?
I love repurposing pins. Finding new use for old things.

6. Did you order Girl Scout cookies? If so what kind?
Yes! Since madyson is a girl scout we ordered alot. a few of each. We love them all.

7. What color do you decorate with most?
Blue & Green

8. Which store is a total guilty pleasure?
Target

9. What are your favorite baby names?
we have alot. but i am not sharing :)

10. What is your dream home vision?
country chic.

11. Is your current job your dream job?
I love what I do. I wouldn't say it is my dream job, because that would be being a wedding planner for Disney. But I do enjoy what I do. I love the people I work with and the atmosphere.

Feel free to participate!

Strong Willed and Spirited

2012-01-31T11:50:00.000-06:00

If you follow me on twitter you know that I tweet a lot about the strong willed child that lives at my house. At times she is the most precious, loving creature and others I wonder how she belongs with us. Todd, my adoring husband, is always quick to humble me and remind me that she is MY daughter.

The past few days, her "spirit" has been making me question what I am doing wrong. As I was ready to throw in my towel, Kelly posted this post by Lisa TerKeurst and bam it hit me.

Growing up, my strong-willed self made my mother insane. She didn't understand why I couldn't do it the way she wanted it done. Why I had to make everything a production, even the simple things like wearing socks.

I believe her best parenting advice story stems from when I was around Aubrie Kate's age. Every morning my mom would get me ready for daycare and I would fight her because the seam in the socks hurt and I didn't wont to wear socks (random fact#1 still hate socks) she was at her whits end when finally my daycare teacher said, "well, why does she need to wear socks?" At that moment, I believe my mom learned its okay to pick and choose battles. Why did I need to wear socks? My shoes fit, they didn't hurt, it wasn't cold. Why fight everyday over socks?

She allowed me to go to school, without socks and guess what? I turned out just fine.

Over the following years my mom had to face the "sock battle" on more than one occasion. She wanted me to be a cheerleader, I did it, despised it, quit it. It killed her, but why did I need to be a cheerleader?

She wanted me to be a nurse, I studied, I tried, I hated it, and it hated me. My lack of compassion confirmed I would be committing my life to a career where I had no freedom to be myself. I will always remember the conversation I had with my parents when I told them I was going to study "Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations" They were baffled by that idea. My dad's exact words were "So someone is going to pay you to communicate? In public?"

The biggest one was when she found out Todd and I were getting married/already married. She didn't see what I saw. I had spent my life in relationship with people (and yes, serious relationships) that pleased my parents. Socially acceptable young men, who had promising futures and could one day provide a better life for me than imagined. I, chose the guy who worked with me at a restaurant, who had dropped out of college, who had long dyed hair, and earrings. It was totally "un-OK" with her that I was making such a huge decision based on something as simple as Love.

My mother begged for prayer from her friends. All which are wonderful Godly women. She needed them at that time and they prayed her through it all.

Fast Forward a few years and now I sit as the mother of the strong willed child. I find myself wondering, "what am I going to do with her?" I call on my friends to pray for me as I go about parenting a child with such a big personality. I find myself having the "sock battle" all over again but with roles reversed.

After reading Lisa's article I am planning on taking a different approach. Do not pray for Aubrie Kate to understand me and my goals for her. Pray for me to raise a child that grows into a God-honoring Adult. If you can do that for me, I promise to do that for you. Just comment below, and I will add you to my list. At least you know if we run into each other in the mall, and our children are naked, dancing in the fountain, I wont judge you but hug your neck and say, "one day, they will make a huge impact on the world. Hopefully with clothes on :)"

A little publication

2012-01-31T08:21:00.003-06:00

We were featured in a little publication this month. Southern Child Magazine is a magazine with the theme of adoption! See page 20 for our little feature!

weekend in pictures...

2012-01-30T11:48:00.000-06:00

This weekend was a wedding weekend for me! I had the privilege of coordinating the ceremony of my friends Ken & Bridget. We went to high school together, then life took them different paths, then FINALLY they figured it out and got "hitched" :) So Friday Night I had their rehearsal and All day Saturday was wedding stuff. But luckily, Miss Madyson knows how to document the weekend.

Here are some camera photos she took.

Well, this is an aubrie photo. Madyson in her new glasses. She has 6 more months of wearing glasses til we can say she is healed from surgery! she picked out some new fushia frames. (notice the mess in the background...thats just a little bit. apparently when mommy is away, all the junk/toys comes out. Our house is a disaster right now)

This is our Mudroom! We have this tiny little space between the garage and the kitchen. It use to house the extra fridge (where the chair is) and all the cabinets were dark brown. Well we removed the doors, added shelves, paint, and some accessories and here is our new mudroom. Total Cost $0. we had everything we needed. the green isn't that intense...i think its just the camera.

On Sunday, after church we had some errands to run. We stopped by Grandmommas bc she bought Ken a new outfit. (we only have one ken and he is old school and all his clothes are gross) well. We put on the outfit and those are some SKINNY cords. Apparently New Ken is alot slimmer than the 90's version. Madyson and I BOTH agreed no man, plastic or real, should have pants that tight.

We went by TJ MAXX so I could pick up my Rachel Ray pot.

Then we came home and worked more. Todd is out finishing the pallet wood for the pallet wood wall treatment.

Busy weekend. But fun! Next weekend Madyson has a girl scout outing, Todd has to work, and Aubrie is spending time with Grandmomma!

Fun Friday: "Ninjy Chop"

2012-01-27T10:08:00.000-06:00

Being from the South I can always enjoy redneck humor. This video was shown to me yesterday by a fellow coworker.

You got your Judy Chop, Your Kungfu Chop, and Your Ninjy Chop.....

A pintrest project

2012-01-26T10:33:00.003-06:00

We go through headbands at our house like we do toilet paper. Both girls adore headbands but take them off and throw them down bc they had no wear to store them. (the bin labeled "headbands" under the sink wasn't cute enough) So I searched Pintrest for a headband organizer and found this:

Source: organizingmadefun.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

It is an Oatmeal Container with Modge Podge Scrapbook paper on top. simple. free. easy.

So I asked Madyson to pick out a piece of scrapbook paper out of the craft box and she came to me with 3. "I want them all..." well okay, its your headband holder. I did the Modge Podge (which if you haven't ever used it is a fancy glue) and she "designed" what she wanted it to look like. we let it dry over night and the next morning....WhaLa!

the greatest thing? You can store hair elastics, brushes, clippies, etc. inside. So a free project...a recycled project...an organized project!

To see what else we are pinning!!!

How Does She Do It?

2012-01-25T12:47:00.001-06:00

Last night Todd and I watched "I don't know how she does it" with Sarah Jessica Parker. I thought it would be a relaxing film that I could watch before bed and maybe have a few laughs. What it turned into was a big case of Mommy Guilt.

I have been suffering Mommy Guilt since we returned home from California. I LOVED being home everyday. Even though here there isn't snow covered mountains to play on...I still adored waking up everyday and doing whatever. (And for those who have read this blog since the beginning...you know thats NOT me!)

I adore my job(s), I love working, I love meeting goals, planning events, being a go getter, a people pleaser, a hard working, "working mom". I adore it all. But lately, it hasn't been my heart. Being home, with my kids...has been my heart.

So in the movie (if you haven't seen it) SJP works for a big bank doing fancy financial things...she has to jet set across the country multiple times a week all while trying to maintain life at home. Her and her husband have 2 kids and at one point in the movie they both get big projects at the same time. When she is being "mom" she has to do the mom things...bake sales, birthday parties....all while trying to make sure the "super" mommies don't realize...she bought that pie...

At times I feel like this. Well all the time. I have this image of myself, in my head, that I have it all together. I work M-F 8am-2pm. at 2 i leave to go get the kids from school then we have afternoon activities like ballet, choir, girl scouts, and now...T-Ball, then we come home..I cook dinner. Todd gets home at 6:45 we eat, do homework, take a bath, get everything ready for the next day, go to bed by 9:45 then start the whole day over again....Same Routine. On weekends I have been trying not to plan things for us to do, but I do have 2 other part-time jobs that play apart of our lives 1x every 3-6 months...

So what does this mean for our family? Well nothing really. Not unless someone has a work at home job that pays what I get paid at the church. 2 incomes are a must. #Bought.old.house.must.fix.it.up
But I have been sharing life on this blog for years, and I want to continue doing so. Who knows, God put working at this church for a reason. I am still trying to figure out what reason. But I know He has plans. Plans that will surprise me, delight me, and make me go...OOOHHHHH. Just thankful for the opportunity to work in a place that understands what "family" means.

Fun Friday: The "Bark" Side

2012-01-20T10:01:00.001-06:00

A sneak peek at an upcoming Super Bowl commercial. Since the Saints and my future son-in-law Tim Tebow isn't playing...the commercials are the only thing worth watching...

just cruising by

2012-01-19T13:16:00.002-06:00

Life is just life right now, which I guess is a good thing. This past weekend I spent time clearing out clutter so we can finally get our life on track again. Todd and the girls hung out, went to the movies, had some great D&D Time. This week has been one thing after another...dance, lifegroup, choir, girl scouts (cookies go on sale saturday)...We are just cruising by.

We did have a bit of excitement last week in the form of an email. But all I can tell you right now is just to pray, that God's Will, will be done. I haven't heard anything else so I am just sitting and waiting, patiently Lord.

Other than than...Life is just life. I wish I had more to report. I promise though, tomorrows Fun Friday is a good one :)

Fun Fridays! #1Shake what your momma gave you

2012-01-13T12:24:00.001-06:00

Fun Fridays! 2012 Fridays will be dedicated to something fun I have found via the web! Today's pick is Brian's surprise Dance for his Bride! I am sure they will live happily ever after, and have tons of fun throughout marriage!

California (part 3): The Family

2012-01-12T10:00:00.001-06:00

Alot of people have asked if we have family in California. And yes we do! ALOT of them!
Like I said before, this trip was a gift (A VERY WONDERFUL GIFT) from Todd's Stepdad and his mom. His Stepdad's (but we just call him Grandaddy) sister and her husband and son live in June Lake. We stayed with them on this trip. But also my biological dad, his wife, my two brothers and my sister and her girls all live in California as well!

I was so excited when I found out BioBob and Paula and my WONDERFUL little brothers were coming up from SouthernCali to visit before Christmas. They were there 3 days and It was wonderful to see them.

me and my oldest little brother, Tristen :)

Me and Bob! the morning they were leaving

Me and Paula! I love Paula, she is the sweetest person in the world

Also on this trip, I had the chance to meet my sister Renea for the first time! Renea and I are a year apart (shes older...but I am taller :) She and I have the same Mom. It was so great getting to meet her and my nieces! One thing you don't realize as an adopted child is what its like to look like someone. Renea and I look the most alike out of all my sibilings (there are 6 of them! 3 older and 3 younger). Same Eyes, Same Chin, Same mole...just in a different spot. Both little, high voices.

This is Renea with the girls. We went to eat dinner the night she arrived and this was "dessert"

Aubrie Kate and Kenna. They are a few months apart.

Me and Renea. I look rough, we had been to the Ghost Town earlier that day (more on that tomorrow)

The big sisters McKenzie and Madyson

2 sisters with their 2 girls.

Family is such an important part of my life. I am truly blessed to be an adopted child, who had an wonderful family growing up, and now as a grown up I have the opportunity to have my biological family in the mix as well. Best of Both worlds!

California Girls (and Todd) Christmas in California

2012-01-11T13:47:00.002-06:00

Christmas Morning the girls were all snug in the bed! Until Momma came in and flashed the camera :)

Then it was up to see what Santa delivered! And to open presents with the family!

The girls got lots of fun stuff!

Aubrie's favorite was this dollie and ....

Her rapunzel dress....

and all her lalaloopsy stuff! This was a fun Christmas with her

We all sang Jingle Bells as we opened gifts!

After all the gifts were open, we headed into Yosemite National Park for a day of play!

Then after our hike, we cleaned up and had an amazing Christmas Dinner!

California Girls! (and Todd) part 1

2012-01-10T12:35:00.003-06:00

We left on a jet plane for California on Dec. 17th! This was Aubrie's first trip on a plane and she loved the entire thing! Our plans for the trip were to Have fun, Rest, get back to normal, and make snow angels. We succeeded at all of these.

We (the girls and I) attempted to snowboard. Daddy Broadus is an expert, and he loves it. His little mini-me (madyson) took after him. She had a great time going up and down the mountain with her trainer.

after her first run down the mountain!

Aubrie Kate....Well, lets just say within the first 2 hours she had pitched 2 of the biggest fits because she didn't like the helmet and hated the boots. They didn't match. She was removed from ski school and spent the rest of the vacation doing all sorts of things...

Aubrie loved playing in the igloo

madyson...waiting. Aubrie Kate having a break down over non matching accessories.

being a speed bump for all who were skiing down the mountain.

And Momma? well momma tried to snowboard. It was entertaining for all. I could do it really good, but I couldn't stop. And that is a BIG part of it.

So after breaking my tailbone(not really, but it felt like it) I opted to spend my ski lift money on something that will last me a lifetime...

=) It was on sale, like a good sale! and I love it! We ate a ton of good food, and we all show from it.
The girls and I were awed with the scenery

God does some amazing work!

Tomorrow...Christmas in California. Santa even came to visit :)

Well...Crumbles

2012-01-09T10:46:00.004-06:00

Source: kristanlynn.com via Sweet on Pinterest

Keep Calm. I have tried for 2 weeks to post our California blog. But it will not post. I have purchased more memory space, I have deleted pictures...I have tried it all and nothing. I will continue to work and you might get a christmas update in february!

Right now, I wanted to share a little bit of married life with you.

During the recovery of "the miscarriage" Todd and I did not talk. I couldn't talk without crying and he didn't understand why. Communication is a strong part of our relationship but for weeks it was like living with a stranger (for him) It wasn't until a few days before we left for vacation did I finally spill my emotions.

During vacation Todd went into total caregiver mode. He works alot when we are home (80+ hours a week...Thanks Enterprise RAC) and he doesn't get to always be the husband I know he wants to be. But on vacation he really stepped up and took care of me, letting me rest and heal and took care of the girls. He did laundry the whole 12 days we were there. He was always hands on with the girls, it was wonderful. Since we've been back he has done his best to continue this.

Last night, we dropped the girls off at their Mission Friends Meeting at church and we headed to the grocery store. While we were there we were talking about dinner and came up with something that sounded really good =) so we went home, and we cooked together , like we use to when we were dating. It was a simple yet deep experience. It took me back to when we met (we worked in a restaurant) and the feelings that I had when we were "hanging out" I had forgotten those feelings and was excited that they returned!

So I began to think, I wonder what yall use to do before marriage, that you don't anymore....who knows, maybe your feeling will return if you try to do it now!

working out blog issues....

2012-01-04T12:36:00.003-06:00

I promise i have not deserted you. I have having blog issues (storage...design...etc) and hope to have them all fixed soon!

In the mean time, take a chance to read some of our stuff from 2011!

On vacation

2011-12-23T23:06:00.001-06:00

We are on day 6 of our 12 day vacation! It is amazing here! I will post more when I get home! But here is a few pics of what weve been doing

in the midst of the crazy world...there is still alittle pain.

2011-12-13T13:47:00.001-06:00

I try really hard to be strong. (but if you are my friend on facebook you know that word just makes you feel better when you #fail) REALLY hard. but sometimes (like today) I suffer from Covet 2.0

God has a plan for me. He has his timing and I need to set my impatient booty down and let him run the show.

Since the "miscarriage" (still hate that word) I have had 15 (literally) friends announce their pregnancies or adoptions. I have to keep repeating to myself...Its not my time. Its not my time. God knows my time and its a perfect time.

But in all rawness and reality. It hurts. Staying strong, staying positive is what I have to do to stay sane. Because I am blessed, I am very blessed. I have two amazingly beautiful daughters and an awesome husband who is stepping up like no ones business to make sure I heal physically and emotionally.

I am blessed. and I praise God for those blessings.

Christmas Card Outtakes

2011-12-09T11:15:00.001-06:00

I honestly didn't think we would get a Christmas Card out this year! The weekend I began the miscarriage I had scheduled for us to get family photos done. I, ofcourse, cancelled that. So as the days went ticking by I decided to whip out the camera and take some shots of the girls...I mean Todd and I aren't that important anymore!

So here are some of the "outtakes..."

Aubrie brushed her hair over...and wouldn't sit down.....

At this point she was belly roll laughing at herself and her swept over hair

Told her to smile.....this is what I got.

Cheese eater.....switched over the hair bow

Open your eyes Madyson......


finally...a decent one!

Can't wait to show you what we actually used! (Todd picked this years card!)

The new outlook on Laundry

2011-12-08T08:30:00.001-06:00

For 3 years I have written about my love hate relationship with Laundry. It consumes my life, it always needs to be done. Just when I think I am caught up, I get another load....

It is something that has to be done, but is so annoying.

The other night I was serving at our church's clothes closet. This is a monthly thing for me that I enjoy doing. I always leave there with a life lesson but this past night was a huge exception.

A young mother walked in with her 4 children ranging from around 7 to newborn. She began looking through the racks when I over heard her say, "The temperature dropped so fast, and we don't have the money for winter clothes right now." She was standing in a short sleeve shirt, all of her kids were in short sleeve shirts and it was around 30 degrees.

I stopped and at that moment felt God thump me on the back of the head. No winter clothes? I thought to myself.. Here I am, a spoiled person. I don't spend alot of money on clothes. Most of the kids clothes are consignment unless mine or Todd's mom bought them for them as a gift. Mine are target/walmart/tj maxx, or burkes...Todd has the most expensive wardrobe because he has to be dressed for work everyday...but we have 5 closets full of clothes. Winter, summer, spring....fall....We get to change out our clothes as the seasons change....I get to have 15 baskets full of laundry to do at the end of the week. And that is a blessing. A HUGE blessing.

What if ....I didn't have clothes for my children?

What if....when the weather dropped they still had to wear shorts because thats all they had?

God blessed me that night by showing this family to me. What I feel like is a chore, would be a huge blessing to them.

Come to the Well....

2011-12-05T10:09:00.001-06:00

This past weekend was one of those weekends that I looked at and said, what....have....I....done.

I served as "president" of our Dace studios Christmas Parade float this year. Which really, wasn't a big deal bc I had to co-vps that were amazing. They did all the work, I just helped put it together the day of.

This is our float! The theme of the parade was "Get your Jingle On" so we went with "Jingle in the Jungle" and did a christmasy jungle theme. It wasn't traditional, which is what I wanted...the unexpected. But it turned out AMAZING. so proud of our team! We took Grand Champion of the parade.

So a 12 hour work day Saturday was worth it. But sunday...a different story.

God blessed me a few months with an opportunity to work as a Local Coordinator for a large production company. It is a very special/stressful job but its once every few months and I love it. This assignment was the final performance of the "come to the well tour" with Casting Crowns, Sanctus Real, The Afters, and Lindsay McCaul. Saturday night I sat on the couch and lifted my hands to God. I prayed for Him to take the glory of Sunday. I knew going into this that my body was exhausted...its been a long week. I knew that I would be dealing with volunteers....which aren't always reliable. I knew things would come up that would take more strength than I had. And I gave it all to Him. I just simply asked for Him to step in and to give me strength to help promote an event that glorified Him.

Sunday, I had to report to work at 8am. My girls had spent the night with Todd's parents so I hadn't seen Madyson in over 24 hours and had only spent 2 hours with Aubrie on the float. I was exhausted and already ready to go home. I met with the tour manager and my boss of the day and we set out the guidelines of what was expected. I had 4 runners there that had to work 8am-12am....running errands for the bands. Thankfully they were great sports and amazing support. When I started the morning I had 27 volunteers lined up for the rest of the day. I only needed 20....By 9:30 I was down to around 10....I sat in my office and made calls after calls. I exhausted every resource I had.

After hours of emailing, texting, calling. I stopped and said GOD, I need you. By 4:30 I had 20 volunteers sitting in my office :) The concert was amazing. Worshiping the Lord in 1 building with around 5,000 people is powerful.

Here are a few cell phone pics from that night

This is during The Afters, Light Up the Sky performance. Everyone in the place was holding their cell phones up.

Backstage shot of watching casting crowns. During "I praise you in this storm" almost everyone was on their feet, with their hands above their heads, praising the Lord. It was powerful.

This is my little pass that I wore all day. It actually stayed on!

and this is me after hour 14 of work....super tired and ready for bed!

Oh and big news! after all this was over, I decided to jump into the plan and do the red hair for the holidays!

I need to touch up a few of the tips that didn't take, but for the most part, I like it! Its fun, different and festive!

after the doctors appointment

2011-11-30T08:00:00.000-06:00

I promise not to do a weekly blog about having a miscarriage, but in case someone wants to know...Here ya go.

My appointment Tuesday went like this:

Blood pressure and weight. 2 weeks ago my BP was 140/92 today it was 118/78. I weighted 122.4 2 weeks ago, today I weighed 125.3...so I am an emotional eater....that's okay.

At our Dr.'s office you have to fill out this pink sheet everytime you go. It ask questions like allergies, medical conditions, # of pregnancies, # to term, # premature, # of miscarriages. It took all I had to fill this out and not cry. My goal today was to hold it together.

Next I had another ultrasound (yes, the embarrassing kind) All was going "on course" except my lining was still a little thick.

The doctor saw me next, and hugged me and really wanted to have a moment. But when I get upset I shut emotions off...so we just got down to business and she helped the lining begin to breakdown more. (if you want details, email me...)

Then she wrote me a prescription for pain meds and antibiotics. And gave the directions to "not try to get pregnant until 2 full cycles"

She told me to take it easy, and come back in January.

So that was the extent of my visit. Not to painful. And I only broke down once I was back in the safety of my own car and listening to KLove. When Natalie Grant came on....

"All the weak find their strength at the sound of Your Great Name".

Yes, yes we do.

The adventures of Fluffy Ice!

2011-11-29T11:51:00.000-06:00

For years I have wanted an Elf on the Shelf. But I was torn. I really want the girls to behave and do the right thing because thats what Jesus would want, not because of an elf who would tattle to Santa.

So, after my weekend of disappointments, I decided we needed some Christmas Magic in our house. So off to the "Elf Store" I went.

I opened our little Elf and began what I hope is years of fun and tradition in our house. The girls woke up to a Northpole breakfast! And the initial meeting of our elf. The girls decided to name him "Fluffy Ice".

He is here for the weeks leading up to Christmas to spread Christmas Cheer. He does silly things, and brings little gifts and only goes home at night to sleep.

We went to visit Santa on Sunday to give him our Christmas List. When we returned Fluffy Ice had moved to his "perch" for the day!

Can you see him? We went to sleep that night and woke up to him in the morning, having a snowball fight with the snowmen!

He is a very silly elf! I look forward to seeing what all he gets into this year! Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? What's its name? How long has he/she been in your family?

Giving Thanks in All Circumstances

2011-11-28T10:21:00.000-06:00

The past few weeks have been a huge whirlwind of emotions. If you follow me on Twitter you know I have been back and forth to the doctor with good news/bad news.

Well, it started out like this.

To say we were super excited is a huge understatement. We did not believe we were going to be able to have biological children again after the bad pregnancies/deliveries of Madyson and Aubrie Kate.
3 years of no sign of conception, then a huge surprise.

We went to the doctor and had an ultrasound and saw a precious 5week3 day baby sac. I did blood work, and all was wonderful! I had to go back in 48 hours for more test.

48 hours later, more blood work was done and this time, the news wasn't as happy. The numbers went up, but didn't double. I don't know what all that means but I knew it wasn't good.

I began to loose it and called on all my Christian women friends to pray for me. My heart rate wouldn't settle and I was having a very hard time. My precious doctor wanted me to come back the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. I prayed and prayed. She had told me if there wasn't a heartbeat we would do a DNC. I can not begin to discuss with you my thoughts on medical intervention on life and death. My emotions are to raw right now. But after much prayer, I called and asked if I could have an extra week.

Throughout the time frame, I prayed to the Lord that if this wasn't going to develop into a healthy pregnancy for Him to have it end naturally.

The days went on and my pregnancy symptoms grew. Morning sickness, cravings, tiredness.....all I thought were great signs. Until yesterday.

Yesterday, I started to miscarry. A word that I can not stand to say. I spent the majority of the day asleep on the couch, to keep myself from loosing it. Then last night as I was watching Christmas Movies, the pampers commercial with babies and silent night came on and that was it.

I sprawled out in the bathroom and just lost it. I am not angry, and I have no right to ask why. I praise God for answering my prayer of it happening naturally. I long for a baby, and I know he has his plans for our precious #3. But right now, my emotions are crazy, probably do to the amount of hormones in my system....tomorrow I go to the doctor to confirm that "nature took its course".

To my sweet prayer warriors that have prayed for us through this, thank you so much. You have no clue how much they helped. My nerves were calm for a whole week and I know its from the comfort I felt through prayer.

Pin of the Week!

2011-11-18T13:14:00.001-06:00

Gobble Gobble!!!! I am so excited that Thanksgiving is less than a week away!!!

Source: livinglocurto.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

Do you cook thanksgiving dinner? I do! I love a big feast! This year ill try to remember to take pictures! I am usually too busy eating.

Traveling with kids!

2011-11-16T11:44:00.001-06:00

So i am busy preparing for our LONGGGGG Christmas Vacation and one of the biggest ideas pressing on my brain is the girls "travel bags"

We have traveled ALOT with the girls and I know the greatest thing is their Travel Bags.

What is a travel bag?

Well its starts with a cute backpack (or tote if its a car trip)

Then it has stuff like their vreader and leapster and snacks

But i love to put new little gifts in there. so far all I have purchased is new mini American girls for trip.

So do you have any ideas of a few more little gifts i could do?