It was such a big year for us.  And yes, I speak in years in terms of school years.  Jonathan is a principal so even before Georgia was in school we were perpetually on a school year calendar.

Anyway, on August 22nd, Milam was born and we went from a family of three to four.  Not only was Milam born but it was also Georgia's first day of kindergarten, AND Jonathan's first day as Associate Principal. (There is one Principal, one associate principal, and four assistant principals.  So, he's second in command.)  Milam was born just as my alarm was going off to go wake Georgia up for her first day of school...needless to say, I didn't make it to her school that morning and Jonathan not only missed his first day of work but the entire first week.

The first week was great and super easy.  Jonathan was home with us and Georgia was at school.  I literally had to do nothing.  The second week, reality hit, because Jonathan went back to work.  I was so sad for him to leave and getting Georgia up in the morning was so hard when I had been up in the night several times with a certain cute little boy.  God blessed us with a sweet natured little boy very much unlike his older sister. (She wasn't just a "fussy" baby. She full on hated her first 7 weeks of life. Do you know what it's like to listen to crying from 7pm-11pm every night...solid. Like, no breaks. Wouldn't eat, didn't care if she was held or not...just cried and cried and cried). All in all having two kids was fairly simple. The hardest part was having to get up with G in the morning after  long night with Milam. I disagree hugely with people who say the jump from one kid to two is the hardest. The jump from no kids to one was by far the hardest for me.

The only big bump in the road that we had was thrush week which was super disappointing to say the least because I had to stop nursing much sooner than I had expected. Nursing was going so smoothly with him so I was really shocked. I had it with Georgia as well but it wasn't as bad and she handled it better...surprisingly.  I'm so glad I had all of Georgia's old blog posts to look back on. 

Eventually we settled into a routine and I've been so proud of all that Georgia has accomplished this year, all of Jonathan's professional growth, and how adding another member to the family has made me a much more patient and rational person.  I'm not sure Milam could have picked a worse day to be born but after 2.5 years of trying and having two miscarriages I really wouldn't expect anything less because the reoccurring theme of my life, that God wants to drill into my head is, you're not in charge.  Going back and looking through all my pictures from the past 9.5 months though, my heart just swells.  As hard as newborns are, and even though nothing went as I had planned, and other moms make me feel super inadequate, I do remember Milam's newborn days fondly and just can't believe these two miracles are mine all mine!

In a perfect world I would have picked a different birth month for him and not have certain medical conditions and illnesses but again, I'm not in charge here.  I would like to think I'm becoming more and more of the person God wants me to be. I'm learning to let go a little bit more and trust a whole lot more. Let go of what the world says I need to do as a mom and just do me the best that I can.

We have finally made it to summer.  Jonathan does actually work all summer but has off all Fridays which we are very excited about.  He leaves the house around 6 am which is way before I get up and gets home at nearly 6 so we will enjoy having him home those extra fridays!

I'm so so proud of Georgia and all she was able to learn this year and how flexible she was those first few months.  She went from being a home schooled only child to a public schooled big sister. Can't believe how big she's gotten and how much she's grown.  I love her so much.

At this moment in time I just could not ask for more!

Thankful Monday

So behind with no excuse other than my house rules my life right now.  Especially since we hosted our family's Thanksgiving yesterday.  And, I'm a photographer and it's Christmas card season.  Enough said.

7.  So, while it keeps me busy I am so thankful my husband and I have the ability and opportunity to remodel our home.  

8.  And again, while it keeps me busy I am so glad it is Christmas card season.  I've seen my client base blossom and it's nothing short of a blessing.

9.  Unanswered prayers and the assurance that they will be.  Hope is an amazing thing.

10.  So happy and thankful that Jonathan has an entire week off!  So exciting!

11.  This is a smaller thing but my allergies have been killing me BUT they've subsided for the time being.  Praise the Lord.

12.  Georgia is like an emotional roller coaster most days but her good manners are coming out more and more and I'm so glad.

13.  Newer A/C and a metal roof.  Our house was built in 1965 so normally you would think high eclectic bill.  But, not ours.  Thank you previous home owner ;)

14.  Some peace I've come into on deciding Georgia's school future.

15.  A warm, safe, and dry place to spend my days when it's cold and raining.

16.  Having had the oppurtunity to host our family Thanksgiving this year.

17.  I'm done shopping for Georgia for Christmas.  It's silly but I'm glad I'm done with her at least!  I'm usually more on top of things but this year has just gotten away from me.

18.  Living very close to family is a huge blessing and help.

19.  Etsy orders.  I get a just a few every month but it's still fun.

20.  Our new Costco opened and we bought two weeks worth of groceries for our one week budgeted amount.  Score!  I'm not a die hard Costco fan though...I LOVE my HEB!
21.  Georgia's room is nearly 100% done.  I am so thankful for all the time and energy that Jonathan and others have put into it.  It's beautiful and turning into exactly what I imagined it could be!
22.  It's a small thing but I'm so thankful for baths!  I hate taking showers and when we were living at my mom's house the room we slept in only had a shower.  So glad to have a tub in my life and in my master bath.
23.  I don't really enjoy working out but I am so thankful for my health as well as my family's.  I'm thankful I have the ability to get up and run and keep my body healthy.
24.  I've said I'm thankful for Jonathan but I am so thankful that he loves me so well.  He's an amazing person.  I wish there were more guys just like him on this earth.

Thankful Thursdays

We are six days into November so here are six things I am thankful for this week.  These are the more obvious ones but it doesn't mean I am any less thankful.

1.

Grace

2.

My husband

3.

My daughter

4.

My home

5.

Photography

6.

Friends and Family

This week has been filled up with renovations, paint, Home Depot runs, tantrums, a messy house, accidents, laundry all over the floor, on and on.  But, it's passing and the six things above keep me going.  God forgives me and sustains me.  My husband tries as hard as he can to keep our reno moving forward even though he's working longer hours than he has in the past while serving on church committees.  Georgia, although some days makes me want to slam my head into the wall, is such a brilliant little delight.  I have a hard time blaming her for things she revived in her DNA form me.  My home looks like a hot mess but it won't always be like this.  It keeps me warm and dry and is already collecting so many memories.  Photography has been such a huge blessing...and to think I did it on a whim.  My photography is fueling our renovations making me doubly busy.  Without my family and friends I would be no where.  Instant babysitters.  Help building walls.  Trucks to haul things.  Laughs.  Birthday dinners.  I am blessed in so many ways.

Lots of Talking (Writing?)

The Part Where I Talk About Blogging:

I feel like blogging is taking a downward spiral.  I don't have nearly as many blogs to read these days and I hardly get any comments so I'm guessing that most of us are just too busy to sit down and type.  But, I'm pressing on...I've been here too long ;)

The Part Where I Talk About Being Busy:

We are busy these days too.  So busy.  Just this week I had four photo shoots and five Etsy orders.  For so long I have wanted some sort of creative outlet for myself and if it earned so money on the side, well that would just be dumb luck a blessing.  I've had so many encouragers the past few months and I feel so SO blessed to stay at home with Georgia but to also have some fun of my own.

The Part Where I Talk About Being Blessed:

I am blessed beyond measure.  A safe home.  A wonderful husband.  A brilliant daughter.  New and old friends.  More than enough.  Abundance.

The Part Where I Talk About Our Future Home:

We also put a contract in to build a DR Horton home (which we've had issues with before).  I'm somewhat excited but there are A LOT of emotions to sort through here.  This is the 5th offer we've put in on a home.  Out of the first 4 I felt really, REALLY good about two of them.  The other two were back ups but I still liked them.  AND, although I felt really good about two, as in, could have been our forever home, it didn't work out.  Clearly my "gut" feeling can't be trusted.  So, #1 I am NOT getting attached to the new build and #2 I wanted an old house so I honestly feel a little iffy about a new one.  So, why am I swayed towards a new build.  #1 The school district for this area is awesome.  The elementary Georgia would go to is just amazing.  It will open in the fall and I just love it and the zoning.  Which, for me, is HUGE. #2 While we had a free lease on the previous house we were trying to buy we had to pay the bills on it.  The electricity bill for that house (2200 sq ft - one story) was $355 in the WINTER and the gas bill was $125!  What the?!  My highest electricity bill in the middle of a Texas summer was $150 and my highest gas bill was previously 50 ish dollars.  So older homes a lot of the times equal HIGH energy bills.  Which I knew, but not THAT high!  Goodness.  And in NO way would I feel ungrateful for living in a new house.  I don't want to come off as needy or pretentious or anything like that.  I've just always "seen" us living in a certain place so I'm trying to change my vision.  (And, I picked a 2 story?! Who am I?!)  And the picture of our choices is super orange-ish.  Not true life color.

The Part Where I Talk About Over Sharing:

Why even mention the housing info above?  Well, because I shared all our housing issues HERE and I shared all our fertility issues HERE so I figured why the heck not.  It's honestly where I am right now so I'm embracing it.

That's my life in a nut shell right now.

Anniversary Week

Our five year anniversary is this Friday so in honor of that I'm doing an anniversary week theme to my posts this week!  Some have already been posted so if you've been a follower for awhile then you've probably already read them.  Enjoy!

{Here is a condensed version of our nearly 8 years of dating and 5 years of marriage!  This coming October will be our 13 year marker!}

Summer of 1998 I moved to Crosby and met Jonathan at church before we started our 7th grade year. Let's just say sparks DID NOT fly. We were not really fans of each other.  I thought he was very rude and I'm pretty sure I left no impression on him at all.

The end of 8th grade was when we became friends...so that was 2000.  And, by friends I mean we could tolerate to be around each other.

(Our 1st picture taken together at the 8th grade social.  Can't belive I ever posted this picture.)

                                

By August of 9th grade (2000) we were pretty much BFF.  We ate lunch together everyday and we did our entire freshman orientation together.  Jonathan says that orientation is really when she started to "like" me.

October 25th, 2000 he said, "will you go out with me?" and I said, "yeah!" He walked me to class (English with Mrs. Hunter), handed me a note, hugged me and left. So romantic, I know. To add to the romantic atmosphere when he actually "asked me out" we were standing next to the girls bathroom...lovely!

(2 days after we started dating at my birthday dinner.  Horrible picture.  Again.)

                               

Our 4 years of high school were very uneventful and we dated all the way through.

(Our senior prom.  We were posed here.  We didn't just naturally stand this way.)

                                                  

Then, we headed off to college and were 4 hours apart.  We only lasted about a month.  He broke up with me September 24th 2004.  One month before our 4 year anniversary.

Jonathan broke up with me OVER THE PHONE (he went to HBU and I went to Baylor) while I was standing outside in a parking lot. Ugh, the nerve! We were broken up for 6 months. We spoke on the phone every Sunday, saw each other only 2 times (Christmas break and Spring break), and wrote emails EVERYDAY. So, yes we were broken up (I dated someone else...gasp!) but we were never over each other.

I think the shock of being so far apart was just really hard on him.

March 24th 2005 Jonathan and I got back together (over the phone via text...ha!) while I was in my new boyfriend's apartment. I know, I know...awkward.  Just small details now.

(End of our freshman year of college)

The rest of college was pretty much the same as high school was for us...uneventful.

Friday the 13th (April 2007) He asked me to marry him and of course I said yes and we were married on July 19th 2008!

(Engagement pictures)

(wedding pictures)

Two months in we got our first dog.

Nine months in we bought our first house.

And, 2 months shy of our 3 year anniversary Georgia was born!

So it's been a great 5 years (and 8 before that)!

Thankful

Break {Part I}

Monday marked the start of our Thanksgiving break.  Jonathan has off the entire week and it's so nice having him home 24/7.  When he's home I forget to blog.

Of course though, in our usual fashion, we hit the ground running and haven't really slowed down since our break began.

Friday:
We went all the way to the mall to get yogurt and the place was closed.  As in, out of business :(  So, we got Cinnabon and a cookie instead!

Saturday:
We headed to Conroe to hang out with my brother and my dad.  We shopped.  We ate a lot.  And, we finally found some yogurt!  It was a fun day.

Sunday:
We taught Sunday School (3 year old class) for the first time and had a blast.  Then, we did Thanksgiving with my mom's side of the family.  Too bad my mom didn't even come because she was sick!

Monday:
We FINALLY had our carpets cleaned.  I made a tone of baby food and Jonathan had to feed Georgia in her room because of the carpet guy.  The picture below is what happened.  She looks like she wants to punch him! We also made a HUGE grocery run and did G's 6 month pictures.  (Not ONE smile the whole sessions!  NOT.  ONE.)

Tuesday:
I had yet ANOTHER Dr's appointment for my stupid thyroid.  Good news:  I DID NOT pass out when they took my blood!  YAY me!  Then, we went to my brother's house for movie night.  My brother's little girl, Molly Kathryn LOVES Georgia.  She pushed her around in the walker for about 20 minutes saying, "BeBe!"

Georgia:
Cut 2 teeth (while she had RSV and started crawling)
crawling like crazy
switched car seats
waves bye bye
trying to talk

Thankfulness:
16.  The opportunity to work at a Christian school.  I love being able to talk about Christianity openly with my students and being able to do religious art work (mainly Christmas) with them.  It's so nice.
17.  Georgia's sweet smile.
18.  Jonathan got a bonus at work for his students making certain scores on the Texas standardized tests to the tune of $,$$$!  Woo to the hoo!
19.  Fun family days and being productive.
20.  The opportunity to be involved at our church teaching the 3's.
21.  Perry was almost sick but it turns out that he's ok.  Thank goodness!
22.  Jonathan and I got new phones.  We're pretty excited about it and even though it's a little thing we're still thankful!
23.  A lot of family time this week!

I have A LOT of other things to post but I'll have to find some more time...BUT with Thanksgiving at our house this year I'm not sure when I'll be finding the time.

Blah Tuesday

- Today I am -

- Thankful -

- For -

{Day 14}

a cozy house on a dreary day

{Day 15}

Georgia starting to feel better

(Even though J and I are NOT!)

Full of Thanks

{Day 13}

Today I am thankful for:

All the prayers and kind comments about Georgia being sick

for the first time

And, just because she's cute :)

Day 12

Thankful

*The other day I posted I was thankful for a baby who had never been sick in her nearly six months.  Now she has RSV.  Clearly, I spoke too soon.*

Today I am thankful that although my sweet baby has RSV she is still acting like herself (pretty much).

Also, she started crawling today.  She only does two little "crawls" before laying down and continuing to army crawl but it's a start.

(We think she is on day 3 or 4 of what could be 14 days of sickness.  The dr. said days 4-6 are usually the hardest.  Yesterday was when I really noticed she was sick because she developed a wet cough on top of her already runny nose.  I expected last night to be pretty rough but she still slept from 7:30 - 6:50 which is pretty typical and she has still been napping ok.  The only time she gets fussy from being sick is when she gets tired and she's been a bit more clingy than usual but overall she is handling it pretty well so far.  No fever, ear infection, or decreased appetite.  Please keep her in your prayers because it could still get worse and much more serious.  She most likely picked it up from the church nursery because that is the only public place she really gets out and about.  When we run errands she still typically stays in her car seat, stroller, Bjorn, or our arms.  The dr. said she got it by coming in contact with the snot or spit of another child who had it.  Also, the dr. said it has been going around A LOT so tomorrow when you drop your babies off at the church nursery be on the look out for a runny nose or wet cough because it could be something more serious!  RSV in anyone over the age of two is just called "a cold".)

Project 52 {15}

- Fall -

"I'm fallin' for you daddy!"

Georgia's newest trick?  Giving kisses!  It's precious :)

Day 11 - I am thakful for being married to such a hard working and selfless guy.  I don't know how I got so lucky.

Thankful Catch Up

Since I was gone over the weekend I didn't get to keep up with my full month of THANKFULNESS!

Day 4 -  That Georgia gets to grow up so closely with her sweet cousins.  I love that they get to spend so much time together!

Day 5 -  That my mom and step dad paid for me to go to a wonderful school - Baylor University.  The only school I even applied to.  I just loved the time I spent there and am so thankful for never having to feel the stress of paying for my own tuition, groceries, or gas.

Day 6 -  My baby girl who was so sweet the entire time we were out of town and was just so laid back.  It was really nice.

Day 7 -  Jonathan and I got our flu shots for free at his school.  It was nice to not have to pay this year!

Day 8 -  FOOTBALL SEASON IS OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, now I'm all caught up.  Well, caught up in the sense of this blog post but not at all caught up from our weekend away from home.  We'll get there...I hope.

Giving Thanks!

- Day 2 -

Today I am thankful because:

a.  Georgia slept more than her usual time last night.  Praise God!  (Now, we just need to learn how to deal with daylight savings when that comes around this weekend.....ugh!)

G this morning in her thermals.  So stinkin' cute!

b.  The hubs doesn't have practice today!  That means he is coming home at 3:30.  YAY!  YAY!  YAY!

c.  Wednesdays are my Fridays :)

November Thankfulness!

Day 1

I am thankful for Hebrews 13:6

So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper;  I will not be afraid."

My day started out as "one of those days".  G woke up at 5 (no clue why) but I just left her alone and she fell back asleep until 6...still too early.  Blah.  It's like she teases me with a few days of sleeping over 11 hours and then decides, "Nope!  Let's get up early mom!"

Then, I got spit up on about 100,000 times.  All over me, then all over the tile, then on the carpet, and on every outfit I changed Georgia into to the sum of about two loads of laundry when you add in burp cloths, towels, and bibs.  I also had about THREE times today when I would change Georgie's diaper after she was done eating only for her to POOP in the diaper I had just changed about 1 minute prior.  Annoying.

I know I sound like I'm complaining but I just wasn't up for the puke and poop on top of the slight lack of sleep.

So yes, I am thankful for a God who will hear me and help me.