Perfect Peace

A couple days ago I realized that if Katherine is born five days early like Elizabeth was then she will be here in 13 days! Wow, my mind has been racing with millions of thoughts and great feelings of being overwhelmed! The to do list just doesn’t seem to be shrinking and as a matter of fact I think it is only getting bigger. Brandon was so sweet to take initiative to set up some weekly babysitting days with our moms for Elizabeth. This is going to be a big help and hopefully allow me some time to get those petty little things that are bothering me done. Maybe I will even get a bit of rest. Last night I almost felt panicked about all the undone things. Crazy as this may be one of the things bothering me most was the sinks. I have really just been itching to take a toothbrush and some toothpicks to my sinks and drains. So after I put Elizabeth to bed I started scrubbing; all the while still thinking of the million other things to do. The Lord brought Isaiah 26:3 to mind and I just keep repeating it over and over to myself. “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.” Thank you Lord!

Matthew 6:34
34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Luke 12:6-7
6Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?7But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

I love this blurb from Beth Moore's bible study Stepping it Up.
"God never dozes off, even when for a time the air is smooth and the way is clear. He doesn't jolt awake when the earth rumbles beneath your feet. He is in perfect attendance to your every step. Our God is the Lord maker of heaven and earth!" AMEN

So, rather things are done or undone, if Katherine comes today or thanksgiving day, I will simply focus on keeping my mind stayed on Him who will keep me in perfect peace, who knows the number of hairs on my head, and who orders my steps. Great is your faithfulness oh God!

"He leadeth me beside still waters, He restoreth my soul..."

Day at the Maze

We took Elizabeth to the pumkin patch / corn maze in Newcastle. It was a very beautiful day outside and we had a lot of fun! Enjoy the video!

Baby Shower Blessings!

Oh, what a blessing generous friends are to have!!!! The baby shower was great! I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the many people who gave their time to come bless us. There were so many wonderful gifts and we even received some money to be able to purchase a double stroller!!! God is so good! Here are a few pictures of the great event. Yes, we planned on being twinkies.

This little onesie from Aunt Lauren was one of my favorites. The saying on it is just so true!

There were so many cute clothes!

This was such a great gift from the Ruckels. It is matching outfits for the girls for next summer. Brandon wants for the girls to have lots of matching outfits. They will be so cute together next spring when they can wear these!

This is three of the five women friends that are due in November. So much fun!

Elizabeth stayed with Nana and Grandaddy Friday night so Brandon and I could go out and celebrate his birthday. Nana loves hot tea and is a great tea party hostess. Notice how she even puts her nice white table cloth down for the occasion. Mom, you’re the best!


It is always fun to play with Grandaddy. Looks like he has a whole new generation to wrestle with! That used to be one of my favorite things to do with daddy!



Hope you all have a great week!

I am soooo excited about the baby shower tonight! It is extra fun to be able to do a double shower with my dear friend Lindsay. This picture was at one of Elizabeth's baby showers.

Yesterday I was feeling quite emotional and somewhat stressed about the baby coming. I just feel so far from ready and I really mentally need some time to prepare. You know, we are officially at “the baby could come anytime” stage and although I don’t partiulalry think she is coming tomorrow or anything I sometimes wonder. Even strangers comment about how low I am carrying and probably not going to make it to my due date. Although I read last night that you only drop with your first baby. The quite regular Braxton Hicks contractions don’t help either. They say “you will know when it’s the real thing.” Of course eventually you will know but as I recall with Elizabeth, I excused Braxton Hicks contractions all day and didn’t realize I was in labor until my grandma started timing them! So regular Braxton Hicks aren’t very comforting to me either.
Anyways, emotionally I am feeling better today and I obviously can’t exactly plan on when this baby is coming so in the mean time I will do what I can to prepare, focus on one day at a time, and deal with labor when it gets here. (Here I am thinking I’ll be early and all. Watch, I’ll still be prego at Thanksgiving. Ten days past my due date. Ha Ha)

P.S. I just talked with one of my five friends who is expecting in November. She was out walking because she is having contractions!!! She isn’t due until the 4th but this could be it. She said her contractions are 10 minutes apart and have been for a couple of days so it could still be awhile. Say a little prayer for her if you think about her.

Blessings my friends!!!

Katherine’s weekly countdown now fits on one hand! Only five weeks to go!!! In most ways I am excited but my preference would be that she waits to make her appearance until between November 9th and November 17th. What? Am I being too specific in my expectations? My reasoning for this is quite rational. Our calendar is so packed full in October there is no time for me to rest and finish preparing. In November life for me goes on hold except for a small one evening children’s program we were asked to do for a wedding reception on November 7th. I would rather be resting the day after the children’s program not laboring. By the 9th I should be recovered and the house should be in order. After the 17th is just too close to my birthday and thanksgiving. I would like to have at least a week to recover and get into a groove before the holiday. Don’t worry, I completely understand that Katherine will come when it is her time not necessarily when I am wishing.

Today I got to take some maternity pictures with my sister Amy. We had fun playing around and I was actually happy with some of the shots we got. I was hoping for a few more with Elizabeth and my tummy but she wasn’t really cooperating. Oh well, maybe another day.Here are a few of the ones I liked the most. I have played around editing them some but I still want to do some work on them. Brandon is really better at that than I am so I am hoping to sweet talk him into helping me a little. :) Thanks, Amy for your help today!





Since I didn't have enough letters to spell Katherine and we aren't choosing a nickname I did a little of each.



I love Elizabeth's expession in this picture! (Click to enlarge..trust me it is worth it!):) Mine is pretty funny too. I imagine me saying "I am going to have two of these!" lol

This picture isn't really maternity but I kind of liked it.

"I'll obey mommy, but I don't like it and I'm not going to have a good attitude." This one was just too cute I had to include it!

Feel free to come up to the hospital when Katherine is born. We would love to have anyone there. The decision has been made however that in the delivery room this time is only going to be immediate grandparents and sisters. Sorry ladies. But again anyone is more than welcome to be at the hospital for Katherine “greeting committee” and can come in the room, if there are no complications, quickly after she is born. If you are someone who may not particularly get a call when I am in labor but want to be on the “labor call list” just let me know and I will try my best to get you there.

This coming Tuesday is my baby shower! I can hardly believe it but am sooooo excited. I get to have a double shower with my dear friend Lindsay. She is due just a week after me but I think it would be fun to go into labor on the same day.

Also we are now excepting due date and baby weight guesses. Please leave a comment with your guess. Winner gets best guess bragging rights.

I do believe that is enough baby talk for today. Hope you all enjoyed this absolutely beautiful day that the Lord made!

Fall is in the air! I love the fall weather although yesterdays winds gave my mind a bitter thought to ponder. No, the idea of toting around these two little ones in the winter wind does not thrill me at all! I am reassured however at the thought that woman all over the world do it every day and I am confident we will survive.
This past weekend my fantastic husband allowed me to go on a retreat, with my mom and several of the women family members, while he babysat. It was fabulous and stress free. First of all I took my time and hit a bunch of garage sales on my way there. It was great to find a few little treasures. I even got Elizabeth a slide which she LOVES! The whole weekend was relaxing and fun. For years I have put off learning the game hand and foot canasta because I thought it looked difficult and long. However this weekend I actually gave in and learned how to play and lo and behold I won! He He. It was a really fun game and I will enjoy playing again.

As previously mentioned Elizabeth LOVES her new slide! She does it over and over and over again. The only problem with it so far is the fact that we have had to experience some discipline due to the fact that she loves it so much she doesn’t ever want to leave it. Last night it was windy and a little cold but she didn’t mind one bit!



My cleaning frenzy has slowed down somewhat but there are still a million things I plan to thoroughly clean before little Katherine arrives. Here is a sample of my organization. I have spent far more money than I ever expected on organizational shelves! They are expensive but I suppose worth it.


Have a great day!