Count your Blessings!

I started a group a year ago called "Turning Pain into Praise" at my church. That group is now called "Hannah's Friends". It is a group for women that are experiencing infertility and loss. I am so grateful that God prompted me to do such a thing. Cal and I had only been trying to get pregnant for 8 months at the time and I was scared, embarrassed, and humiliated to try to start such a group. It had only been 8 months, were we really infertile? Are people going to think I am crazy? Are there really any other women that would seek comfort in a group like this? I couldn't stop thinking about it though...I knew that God was leading me to do this. Although, we had been trying for what seems now like such a short time- the pain was still the same. The longing was still there, and surely other people had that same longing. I struggle with the group now, because it seems that some people are afraid to come. When people do come it is only about 4 to 5 of us. But- I am starting to see through numerous new emails from ladies that are developing the courage to join us and the friendship and bond that has formed now between the ladies that have been coming for a while that this is something that God truly had his hand on. He gave us this group. I am leaving in about 4 months, and I am hoping and praying that someone will want to take over and continue this group at our church. I think it will be so important.
That said...I was thinking about the 1st title that God brought to my heart "Turning Pain into Praise". Isn't that all that He really wants from us...just our praise? It seems that everything in my devotional time with Cal and my devotion time by myself is pointing to this fact: Praise first...then prayers will be answers...everything else will fall into place when Praise is put first. Cal and I sat the other night counting our blessings. It was surely an uplifting feeling- we put everything aside and just started thanking God for things in our life.

Count your Blessings...count them one by one. Count your Blessings...see what God has done!

*a wonderful relationship with Christ
*an amazing husband
*wonderful family- a mom and dad that would do anything for me and I for them
*cutest and sweetest Yorkie in the world
*amazing friends! A girl simply could not ask for more when it comes to my friends
*a roof over my head
*food to eat
*an amazing job
*wonderful co-workers
*fabulous principals
*nice cars to drive
*both of us employed
*great job in KY for Cal to look forward to next year
*an opportunity to not frantically look for a job next year
*a beautiful home and backyard- our little swing overlooking Shannon Valley
*a cozy bed
*warm water
*closet FULL of clothes and shoes....that C would LOVE to see me empty (ha...he can keep dreaming- my mom can attest to that )
*opportunity to relax this week and not have to work while still being paid.
*support system for infertility
*support system for being a resident's wife.
*an AWESOME supper club (we sure will miss them in KY)
*opportunities for "girl's nights" weekly
*a great education
*the ability to read all of these wonderful books that are just waiting on me to read them.
*a healthy body
*last but not least- lots of accessories!!! Accessorize Excessively! LOL
(To clarify....this list could keep going on for ages)

Perfect...

Perfect song for all of my single girlfriends out there. Please know that I KNOW that it is hard to wait...although we are waiting for different things. I pray for you daily. I love you so much


...and you know, this is a perfect song for me and Cal too! :)

random thoughts...

So...this is how little Caroline (now a 2nd grader) does her work in the morning. Her 2nd grade teacher was walking around the room and looked over to see THIS sitting on Caroline's desk. Ahhhh the little things that make you smile. Our school has a silent auction every year and the teachers do things like: "Lunch with Mrs. Laney", "Pancakes with the Pattons", "Dine with Mrs. Dempster"... and so on. The parents then bid on the item that their child wants the most. Well, this little girl, whom I taught when she was in Kindergarten, stood post by my auction item, which was obviously "Lunch with Mrs. Laney", and made sure that NO ONE else out bid her. Her poor parents were then forced to pay the fee in order to have their dear daughter be able to have lunch with me! ha! Along with the bid item that she won- she was also given the photo that accompanied the auction item on the table. She obviously loves the picture and keeps it on her desk while she does her work. Maybe she hears me saying, "Do your best! You are the best!"...I hope so at least! ha

I haven't posted in a while- January has been a crazy blur! You can see some of the projects that I have been working on HERE. Also, we put our house on the market and are slowly packing and getting ready for the big move to LEX! I have been finishing up my final projects as a provisional in Junior League, we hosted supper club at our house, hosted bunco at our house, went to Jackson and went to 3 showers, had some crazy Memphis girls come visit me and had an Open House last Sunday. Like I said, our month has been SUPER crazy! :)

I know that I already "put it all out there"...but now I am going back into the proverbial "closet". Yes, yes, I am aware that when you come "out of the closet" you can't ever really go back in the "closet"...but I can keep things private again. You all now know where Cal are in our journey to become parents, and all that I would ever want from you would be for you to pray that God does His will in our situation. That is all that I want...just His will. I want His will done more than I want anything else~ so that is where we are. Any procedure that is done from this point on will be private- between Cal and I- like it should be!

We truly appreciate all of your prayers and support! God knows the specifics and He will handle them in His time! What a great, peaceful feeling...to truly know that! :)

I can't believe that I don't have more pictures to post- obviously a lot has gone on that should have been photographed. Friends- if any of you that were at these said events took any pictures- please email them to me ASAP!

Have a great week!

A Great Surprise!

I had the sweetest surprise this weekend. I was sitting in the middle of my pitty party after Cal left for the duck camp yesterday when I hear a lot of giggling outside my door. I hear a light knock and then a doorbell. I opened the door to see 3 of my very dear friends standing on the porch (with wine bottles in tow, of course). :) I think that I screamed so loud that all of Birmingham heard me. I do want to share a song that they brought me on a CD....this is one of the sweetest things that anyone has ever done for me.

Lots of pictures to comeand Lord I lift MY friends to you! I am so thankful for such AMAZING friends. What more could I ask for?

An Award!

A sweet sorority sister gave me this blog award! Thanks so much Natalie! Natalie is really the neatest person. I didn't have the chance to get close to Natalie in college, but feel like I know her so very well now. I have followed her family on facebook for so long and watched her children grow on her blog over the past year. Go check out her blog at The Stickes Family {the blog}. Natalie also made my Christmas cards this year. She is so talented. Thank you Natalie! :)

Here are the rules for the Award:

Here are the rules:
-Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
-Copy the award & place it on your blog.
-Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
-Tell us 7 interesting things about yourself.
-Nominate 7 bloggers.
-Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.

7 Interesting things about me!

1. I can fly an airplane (sort of)

2. I can drive a boat.

3. I LOVE avacados and asparagus.

4. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to have my hair brushed.

5. I used to be a blonde (some of you already know that) hehe

6. My husband is 6'6" (I think he is still growing) ha

7. I cry everytime a students reads or writes for the first time.

7 beautiful bloggers that I would like to nominate:

1. Jill @ Beginnings

2. Ale' @ The Sproule Family

3. Nicole @ The Hayman Family

4. Caroline @ Blog Ballentine

5. Ashley @ Welcome to the Neighborhood

6. Ashley @ The Pollan Family

7. Bethany @ The Hembrees

A Decade in Review...

• I started my second semester as a freshman at Ole Miss.
• I met this cute boy in a psychology 101 class.


• I pledged AOPi at Ole Miss
• I met the women that were in my wedding and are still the best friends that a girl could ask for. (some were in my sorority- some were not)

• I was majoring in Child Psychology
• I changed my major to marketing
• My god-daughter, Madyson, was born
• I moved in with my big sister in my sorority to help her after she broke her neck in a car accident
• My grandpa Edward went to Heaven.
• My parents purchased my first home my junior year of college.
• I changed my major to Elementary Education (maybe this one with stick) ha
• I got a black cat named "Tasia"- she was CRAZY
• I lost my black cat named "Tasia"
• I learned a lot of life lessons through dating a few serious boyfriends.
• Re-connected with Cal our senior year at our last swap.
• Started dating Cal.
• He told me that he was going to marry me on our 3rd date
• I got scared and ran away. (hey- i was ONLY 21) ha
• My nephew,Collier, was born.
• I called Cal after not being able to get him off of my mind. :)
• We immediately became inseperable.
• My parents sold my chidhood home and moved to Oxford. lots of tears
• Cal started medical school
• I student taught 1st grade
• I got my Masters in Education- Curriculum and Instruction.
• Cal and I travelled in Europe for a month.
• Cal and I got engaged!!! April 25, 2005!!!
• I bought my first home in Madison, MS!
• I taught Kindergarten and 1st grade in Jackson, MS
• Cal and I got married!!! (June 17, 2006) Best day yet!!!
• We got our little fur bundle of joy, Ava. She is the best dog in the world! :)
• Cal matched at UAB for a residency in Internal Medicine.
• We moved to Birmingham, AL
• My nephew, Cadyn, was born.
• We bought our first home together
• I got a job teaching K in Hoover!
• We met a lot of people that will be our friends for the rest of our lives.
• We decided to expand our family.
• On our 3rd anniversary, we found out that Cal got a cardiology fellowship at UK in Lexington, KY.
• Started fertility treatments.
• bought our 1st new car together.
• I started my new hobby of monogramming!
• I am learning to sew.
• Cal enjoyed his last few times to be within driving distance of the duck camp- Fighting Bayou.
• We are learning the true meaning of God's sovereignty and the importance of trusting the plan that He has for our lives as opposed to our own plans.

Happy new decade!!! I can't wat to see what this next decade has in store for us! I would love to see your decades in review! It is neat to see how much happens within the course of 10 years.

Free

It is 2010...HOLY MOLY...I am going to turn 30 this year....we won't talk about that yet! ha

Cal's mom gave us this little figurine upon moving to Birmingham. We didn't know at the time how apropos it would be for our time in Bham at the time. "Holding onto Hope"!

I am so happy that I am now free to write about my feelings on my blog... I really wanted to start of this New Year with a heartfelt THANK YOU!!!! I cannot put into words how grateful we are for the outpouring of love and acts of service done by our friends and family during this trying time. We have had sweet friends bring over food for us during the time of my bed-rest after transfer. We have recieved multiple phone calls and even flowers from friends letting us know that they are thinking of us. I was also humbled by the friends that took time to write us sweet letters, comments and emails of encouragement. My mom and Cal's mom have supplied us with enough food that will last us for the next month...ha! We thank you SO much! All of this is really opening my eyes even more to the amount of love that people can show. It makes me want to be a better friend and a better person. Everything that is going on is making Cal and I grow so much as Christians and it makes us want to reach out more to others. Kind actions truly do have a ripple affect. All I can say is that I hope with all of my heart that I can be as good of a friend to you as you have all been to me. Humbling.....that is all I can say.

Cal has been such an amazing support system and I wanted to add some of his words to the blog. He sent me this email yesterday. What a strong man he is!

I LOVE YOU SOOOO MUCH, AND I WATCHED A DEVOTION THIS MORNING, and all it was talking about was faith, and that if we continue to do good and do God's will, he will bless us beyond all belief in his time, and she made a good point that we should not question while some prayers are answered in weeks and others are answered in years, but it is not our job to figure it out, follow his rules/commandments (including tithing) and we will be blessed !!! I AM SO PROUD OF YOU !!

(I think I'll keep him..ha)

A sweet friend sent me this poem today (thank you Anne) and I want to add it to the blog to have as a "scrapbook" item. I know that God has our little angels in His arms and I know that one day when we get to Heaven- we will see their sweet faces.
Jesus is he with you?

I wonder every day

I sit and wonder why he's gone

And why he could not stay.
Every part of me is empty

I feel I can't go on

But then I look to heaven

I hear this beautiful song:
"Mommy I am with Him

He holds me in His arms

When ever I am with Him

He keeps me safe and warm.
He says you shouldn't worry

I am safe and loved right here.

With all the other baby angels

that passed within the years.
We have a special place up here

He thought that you should know.

Where the Blessed Mother takes

your place for now until you show."
When I hear this precious little voice

From the heavens above

I know that all the angels

are showering him with love
For everyone that wants to hear

their babies voice so innocent and sweet

Just close your eyes and begin to pray

and embrace them in your sleep.