What A Sweet Gift!

Good Morning Beloved's!!

I found a link this morning of a sweet group of photographers that get together to help out families who have gotten a prenatal diagnosis that their children will not make it much after birth and they photograph those sweet moments with the babies and parents!!

I was so encouraged by this!! What a blessing it is for those parents to have sweet pictures to look back on.

The Foundation is called Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep!

Their mission statement is:

This is God's grace of his gift of "Giving" from others! I am praying for these parents as they grieve the loss of there Little ones BUT, I am praising the Lord that all these sweet babies are totally renewed and in Heaven with Our sweet Savior!

Check out this site!

http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/about_us/

Please pray for these families!!

Our Smiley Miracle

Hunter was literally CRACKING himself up during playtime today! It was the sweetest, Most precious thing to hear!!!

When I look at Him all I see is this Perfect baby that Christ created and placed so PERFECTLY in my womb! Praise God!!

Our Smiley Boy!!

Hunter has been such a precious little Miracle to our lives and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be his Momma. The Lord was very sweet to have blessed my womb and given me this precious baby! I am so undeserving. I was never promised a child but the Lord graciously gave me one. I, Often look at Hunter and think "wow, your really mine", "your daddy and I REALLY made you", "the Lord really grew you in my belly".. I can't fathom it at times. All I can do is just whisper "THANK YOU, Jesus. you are far sweeter than I deserve." I sometimes can't fight my tears of my gratitude.(Yes I am sometimes that girl that will just burst into tears when her baby just smiles at her!) I look at Hunter and all I can see is God's love for me and His perfect creative hand . Every inch of Hunter is PERFECTLY created in the image of Christ!

I pray that Jarrod and I live out a Godly example for Hunter. I pray and can't wait for the day that Hunter is sharing his UNDYING love for Christ with everyone he mets!! I want my son to be strong in the Lord. I don't want him to be afraid to share the truth and Love of Christ!

my short comings.....

I daily think about how I don't share my Savior enough. I fall short and It makes my heart ache that while I have the TRUE word of God and I don't share it, in fear of rejection! But, then there are people who have false doctrine that are out there sharing with people and They are so "Loud and Proud" about it. My heart aches that there are sooo many people being led astray because I am FEARFUL of being rejected. I am opening myself up to you and being vulnerable in hopes that I will have friends who will daily keep me accountable of this. My heart desires more than anything to PROCLAIM, Jesus' name!!

I didn't plan on this being a "heart on my sleeve" moment but I'm thankful it was! Please keep Praying that I can be a voice for Christ!!

Speechless Saturday!

Roll Polly!!

Hunter rolled over from Back to front for the first time on Yesterday (February 18th!!) I am sooo stinking proud of him!

We had our evaluation with Hope Haven (which we loved so much) this past monday and they gave us some really neat things to incorporate into our playtime and one of them was to show him how to roll from back to front. We did it about 3 times in the 2 days following and they yesterday Hunter DID IT! He is really catching on so fast to new things...

We also had our 2nd RSV shot today, He did pretty good but poor baby did cry quite a bit! My heart just aches when we have to give a shot! We also found out that Hunter weighs 15lbs 2 oz. since our last visit which was only 28 days ago (yes, I counted since we have to get the RSV shot every 28 days until winter is officially over) So, that means that he gained 2 lbs 3 oz in that short little window!! I am so excited to know that momma's milk is helping him so GREAT!

I am so stinking proud of my SMART HANDSOME KID! What an awesome blessing we have been given!!

PRAISE GOD!

My Valentine

Yes, this is a little late but late better than never! =D

Sweet Pictures From Valentine's Day!!

Me and My Hubby about to go to dinner!

The Red rose

* he bought me 3 roses that symbolized the 3 Valentine's we've been together*

Sweet kisses

I found the man my soul loves

Our Precious Boy's FIRST Valentine's day!!!

card from Nana.

Marvelous Monday

Just another day of fun photography with Hunter! =D

My Precious Boy

Proverbs 16:9

"A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps."

Always pondering something! =D

I hope that you all have had a blessed monday!!

Easter outfit....

We have a sweet "classic" Easter outfit for our sweet boy!!

The Sweet Outfit!!

The outfit on the left is Jarrod's first easter outfit and Hunter's is on the right

Daddy and Me Outfits

How sweet does he look?!

Nana and her Grandson in her baby boys first outfit!

I really wanted to get a "classic" outfit for Hunter. I didn't want anything that would be Trendy so to speak... Not that there is anything wrong with that at all. I just really thought it would be so much sweeter if Hunter were to wear something classic. I knew that I wanted a Romper and I liked the pleats in the outfit but I didn't really know where to look.

We went out to MIL's house this past weekend, for a basketball game for my little brother in law! (which they rocked) After the game we went back to the house until it was time to go to a birthday party later that evening.. My MIL said that she got Hunter something that she "hoped mommy would like" and a valentine's gift for our sweet boy. Well, of course I was so excited to see this "surprise" that I asked to see it. =D

She came back out with this GORGEOUS little outfit! a Sweet Romper -Pale blue with pleats in the front. I then realized that it was the same style as what Jarrod wore for his VERY FIRST Easter!! I was grinning from ear to ear! What a sweet sentimental way to remember Hunter's first easter! I always said that I wanted Hunter to look like his daddy!!

In sight on that: We strive to look like our heavenly father and were indeed created in his image and I knew that I wanted my son not only to look like his Savior but to also to look like his daddy. A handsome and godly man!

I am ever so thankful for my amazing family that the Lord has provided!!!

Scripture for today!

Be encouraged dear sweet friends, we serve a mighty RISEN Savior!!

1 Peter 1:13-21

" Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you, is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God."

Attempting... Success

This was just before his "attempted" nap.

My Sweet and Handsome Boy!!

Well, I am attempting to put Hunter in his Crib for the first time for a nap today! ( day nap time, I haven't even come close to being comfortable with putting Hunter in his bed for bedtime! && I'm not sure when I will be)If you know me well, you will know that this is HUGE for me. I like to have my baby near me or am holding him constantly! I haven't really given him a "structured" napping schedule. I just let him nap when he gets tired and so far, its been great! He can sleep in just about any place! What a blessing!

This is what I found when I came into his room the first time

see that little smirk because he knows momma is back...

Anyway back to my "attempting".

I rocked Hunter for a little bit, && for the longest time he kept looking up at me with this precious little smirk and would titter totter back and forth from being asleep and fighting sleep. All the while he was still in this awesome mood! Just smiling and oh so content. I almost walked out of his room and brought him with me... but I didn't!!! He finally nodded off to sleep, I continued to rock him for a few more minutes to make sure that he was really asleep. I then got up and laid him into his bed and guess what happened??!! His little eyes POPPED open! ha ha.. He is so aware at knowing when mommy puts him down. I then turned his mobile on and prayed he'd go back to sleep.

About 15 or 20 minutes into the "nap" I could hear Hunter over the monitor ( it's funny I even use one for him, he's only about 15 or 20 steps away) just talking away and sounding like he is having a good ole time in his crib.... So I peaked in to check on him and found him staring around and talking... (picture above to show my findings) I continued on my "napping" adventure and made sure he was okay and then came back into the living room to put a few dishes into the dishwasher and then come back to report what I found...

Fast forward about 15 minutes...

Lightly asleep

I started to hear less and less talking in Hunter's room, so I went in and checked on him and he was lightly asleep. He was still sucking his thumb and moving his legs a little but nonetheless fading into a NAP!

Sleeping so sweetly!

woohoo... I can't believe it! I actually did It, I didn't go running in there to pick him up and cuddle him and hold him while he slept. I feel very accomplished for this tiny step!! =D Praise The Lord!

Wordless Wednesday

SOOO Excited!!

Yesterday afternoon, Hunter and I went into Hope haven for our parent conference with Our WONDERFUL case manager Laura! She is just wonderful! She explained there center and all that they provide! I was so excited and could just imagine all the wonderful experiences that Hunter will get to have! They are a proactive group of therapist's that strive to help our kiddos reach there FULL potential!! What a blessing!! I am so thankful that The Lord has filled there hearts with so much love and compassion to help others!!

Laura and one of her associates (I am drawing a blank on her name) said that Hunter is so advanced and has so many strengths! I was so thrilled to hear how awesome he is doing!! She said "wow, you must really be working with him at home". I can honestly say that I do spend time with him and do what I think is helpful. But the true compliment should go to The Lord! He is the one working on Hunter!! God Is GOOD!!!!

We get to go in for our Full evaluation on Monday the 15th! I am sooo excited! I got to do a tour yesterday of the facility! Wow, is all I can say! They have an awesome Therapy room for each age! It really looks like a playground, which I loved! So not only will Hunter be able to get all the necessary therapy he needs but he will think its just playtime!! They have a cool basketball court, lending library, tons of different computer plug in's to help teach him, nice therapists... and so much more! I am over the top excited!

The Lord has truly blessed us!!

(sorry this is so scattered I am just thinking a million miles a minute)

Trying It Out...

My Big boy in his High Chair for the 1st time!!

Not so bad, Mom

Okay I want to get out

Okay, I'm letting loose! I told you I wanted out!!

Well We tried out Hunter's high chair for the first time today... Not having solids for another month, but I wanted to see what he thought of his high chair!! At first he was great! Just sat there and looked around then came tears and crying that he just wanted momma to hold him....

HAPPY 5 MONTH BIRTHDAY, HUNTER!!!

Our 5 Month Old.

Our Boy Is 5 months Old!! (well, not for another hour here... but close enough)

Daddy & Son- I love how Hunter is smiling at his daddy while he kisses him!!

The Best kisses

Grabbing daddy's lips

Smiling for mommy!!

I just think this is BEAUTIFUL!

So Smily

He is just the cutest

My mommy made my cool dinosaur shirt!

This melts my heart!!

always the Thumb!!

It's crazy to think that this time 5 months ago, I was in labor (at this point I'd been in labor for 4 hours) and we would get to meet our SWEET baby boy in just 4 more hours!!! Thinking back on my labor and delivery, All I can do is SMILE so big... I had the BEST labor ever!! (yes, I'm one of those weirdo's who enjoyed that time) Jarrod and I got to spend one on one alone time with one another before becoming a family of 3!! That time was filled with silly laughter, sudoku, & us imagining meeting our son shortly.

I feel so blessed to have had such an amazing pregnancy, labor & delivery(Hunter didn't go to NICU until he was 4 hours old, we had no idea his little heart was working hard.) && YES, I will rejoice in the NICU stay as well! I am thankful that The Lord guided there hands and gave them knowledge during that time!!

Hunter is just so full of life && boy oh boy does he ALREADY know exactly what he does and doesn't like! He is not quiet about the things he doesn't care for! I am so thankful to see him thriving and doing so well since his surgery! It is such a blessing!

Hunter babbles all the time, blows raspberries, squeals, can hold his head up well when sitting assisted, When he is having tummy time he does this whole "turtle" thing (or so I call it) where he pulls with his arms and kicks his legs as if he were trying to crawl or scoot! its so cute! It's a step in the crawling direction!! (yesterday I noticed him actually putting his knees under himself!!) He is doing something new just about everyday....

Thank you sweet Savior for our Blessings! This road we are traveling is such a blessing and we are SO OVERJOYED to be given this opportunity to live it, share it and encourage others!!