9 Years of Marriage

On the 19th, my love and I celebrated 9 years of matrimony.

Because marriage takes work, I believe every year should be celebrated. You should be doggone proud when you make it to that first year, second year, etc.
It's a milestone and it's something to be grateful for and to enjoy.

Our anniversary landed in the middle of the week...so we did a simple celebration that night. We put the kids to bed first before we had dinner together in which we could talk to one another without being interrupted. Such a luxury these days. (However, I wouldn't trade the chaos and noise of young children any day.)

I had some yummy Frizante from Wegman's. It's a bubbly soda that they sell that's completely non-alcoholic so a real treat for a prego lady.

The kiddos ate the anniversary dinner before they went to bed-

 Then our quiet dinner-baked tilapia, roasted carrots, cornbread. I got the idea from Real Simple. Click here for the recipe. I did not blacken our tilapia.

The hubs came home with flowers and balloons that evening for me and we received some nice cards from my mom and E's side of the family. They really are so sweet about remembering milestones and sending cards. I so appreciate it!

We waited till the weekend to go out for our anniversary.
This year we decided to have an overnight date.
We needed it.
It had been 4 years.
Way too long.
So instead of waiting for someone to offer to watch our children overnight, we finally decided this year we would just ask our babysitter how much she would charge for an overnight babysitting job. (We have super good friends who often do overnight dates so they inspire us!)
Our babysitter's fee was very reasonable so we planned it.

On Saturday, our awesome babysitter, Megan, arrived at 10 in the morning and after finishing up packing and giving her instructions, we headed to Old Town Alexandria around 11.

My awesome husband ironed my dress for me in our hotel room...

 while I sat and watched HGTV...because how often do I actually sit down to watch a home renovation show?

We did some shopping and then some snacking at a local cafe. I had some quite delicious hot chocolate and a yummy muffin-

 After going and getting a mani and a pedi, we rushed home to change for our dinner that evening.

The crowning jewel of an anniversary date...the dinner out...in which I do not have to cook-

 Our favorite dessert-tiramisu

 I love the way they light up these trees in Old Town Alexandria-

 Trying to get a good pic of E while also snapping the trees and he gives me this funny sideway glance...his humor? That's part of the glue for us.

The next morning, we stopped in a cafe pre-brunch for coffee and a scone. Had to snap a pic of this...a Claritin ad on a coffee cup wrap.

 Outside our hotel...do I look a little like Gru from Despicable Me with the black coat that bulges out and dark long legs?

 Our brunch at this fabulous place-Columbia Firehouse which was built in 1883 as a firehouse,of course, and is now a restaurant.
Those things that look like burgers? Those are sausage patties. I have never had any of that size before.  The stuff on top of the Belgian waffle? Fruit compote. Needless to say, I didn't finish all of my breakfast but again I took a big sigh because I was not cooking for myself or preparing breakfast for anyone else. It was a luxury.

 A pic together-

These very cool stairs had to be captured-

 And just walking around downtown Alexandria...you can imagine the history...all of these buildings had these historical markers on them...you can see them in the bottom right corner of the white house in the photo.

 Perhaps you don't celebrate your anniversary anymore, if you don't, may I encourage you to do so? You don't need to do anything fancy if it doesn't fit in your budget. But cards and a nice meal can be enough.
If you have children, it's a great reminder to regroup and remember why you started this whole journey in the first place.
We came home feeling refreshed and renewed.

Happy Anniversary, E! I am so glad we started this journey together 9 years ago.

3/21 World Down Syndrome Day

Today is World Down Syndrome Day.
There are probably many great posts out there about it.
This is one in particular:
http://www.kellehampton.com/2014/03/321-world-down-syndrome-day.html

A few things I have read on other blogs have stuck out to me and I think they are great ways that bring awareness:

1)"Down syndrome occurs randomly, like flipping a coin, or winning the lottery."

Here are a few of my favorites: Dear Future Mom (a BEAUTIFUL video created by an Italian ad agency that went viral last week — get your tissues ready) - See more at: http://sippinglemonade.com/#sthash.NahRnd3Z.dpuf

2) Dear Future Mom
An Italian ad agency created this video above for future moms of a child with Trisomy 21.
You might want to grab a tissue. I did tear up at the end.

3)Other ways to celebrate can be found here: 
http://sippinglemonade.com/four-ways-to-celebrate-world-down-syndrome-day-even-if-you-dont-know-anyone-with-down-syndrome/


If nothing else, try to be around others who are different from you. Talk to them. Make them feel human. Don't be scared of differences.

If you have young children, check out books from the library and let them see other children who appear different. Let them watch the video above. Let them see pics of babies with DS.

People who appear different from us should be a normal thing...I don't want my children to stare or be frightened. I want them them to see others who look differently or act differently or walk differently as the most normal thing.

This is what you can do with awareness beyond just knowing.

Take time to mindfully teach your children about compassion -- and there are so many ways to do that. Expose your children to people who are different than them, talk to them about our differences while emphasizing what we have in common — and set an example by embracing those that others may be weary of. Also, compassion and kindness are examples set not just in how we treat people with “special needs” — but in how we treat everyone: the Target cashier who is going slow, the person who cuts us off in traffic, the coach who doesn’t play our child enough. - See more at: http://sippinglemonade.com/#sthash.NahRnd3Z.dpuf

Take time to mindfully teach your children about compassion -- and there are so many ways to do that. Expose your children to people who are different than them, talk to them about our differences while emphasizing what we have in common — and set an example by embracing those that others may be weary of. Also, compassion and kindness are examples set not just in how we treat people with “special needs” — but in how we treat everyone: the Target cashier who is going slow, the person who cuts us off in traffic, the coach who doesn’t play our child enough. - See more at: http://sippinglemonade.com/#sthash.NahRnd3Z.dpuf

Here are a few of my favorites: Dear Future Mom (a BEAUTIFUL video created by an Italian ad agency that went viral last week — get your tissues ready) - See more at: http://sippinglemonade.com/#sthash.NahRnd3Z.dpuf

Here are a few of my favorites: Dear Future Mom (a BEAUTIFUL video created by an Italian ad agency that went viral last week — get your tissues ready) - See more at: http://sippinglemonade.com/#sthash.NahRnd3Z.dpuf

Here are a few of my favorites: Dear Future Mom (a BEAUTIFUL video created by an Italian ad agency that went viral last week — get your tissues ready) - See more at: http://sippinglemonade.com/#sthash.NahRnd3Z.dpuf

St. Patty's Day

Our St. Patrick's Day was very snowy. It began snowing the evening before and we already knew Miss A's school day was cancelled.

So we started the day with pancakes with green sprinkles.
 
Later the "big kids" went outside to play in the fluffy stuff.


 
We made green smoothies before lunch. Recipe: kale, bananas, milk, and pineapple.

 

We then had lunch, naps, reading St. Patrick's Day books and TV time.
Then dinner was a ready-made meal from Wegman's prepared food section: corned beef, cabbage, red potatoes, and carrots. Put it in the oven for 3 hours and the kids even devoured the beef!
After dinner, dessert was also prepared by Wegman's-cupcakes with green icing.

 And a little green hat wearing time...because that's a must on St. Pat's day right?

E did not wear any green yesterday. He received no pinches. How lucky!
 It was a festive day for all.

Hello Third Trimester!

28 weeks yesterday and now in the 3rd trimester!

Our Little Slice of Mardi Gras

It involved King Cake from Wegman's (not nearly as fabulous as the one that Scarlett sent me but still yummy) and gumbo I made the day before. 

We actually began the day by making oatmeal pancakes in honor of Pancake day in the UK...and plus I needed to make breakfast. 

It was a nice day and simple. There are no Mardi Grad parades around here (that I know of) so this is how we celebrate. 

Don't Say You'll Pray For Me

I really enjoyed this post from Lysa TerKeurst recently and thought I would share it here:

March 6, 2014

Don't Say You'll Pray for Me
Lysa TerKeurst

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Proverbs 25:11 (NIV 1984)

I've been convicted about empty statements. These are words I say to make a conversation a little more comfortable in the moment. But do I really mean what I say?

Empty statements can also be little promises that give a needed lift to someone. Yet without a plan to actually keep that promise, do I really intend to keep it?

It's not that these statements are wrong, bad or ill-intentioned. But they are empty at best and potentially hurtful at worst. People in my life deserve better than that.

I want to be a woman who exemplifies God's Word by keeping my word.

The Bible is clear that our words matter; our words carry weight. Proverbs 25:11 says, "A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." Our words can be gifts.

But if we speak words with no follow-through, they can be hurtful. It's like holding out a gift but refusing to give it.

Here are three empty statements I want to stop saying if I don't have a plan for follow-through:

1. I'm praying for you.

Obviously, I do want to pray for people. And sometimes when I say this, I have great follow-through. But other times I forget.

A great intention doesn't make for a great prayer.

So, I need to pray for that person right then and there, or I need to keep a journal in my purse to write down prayer requests.

2. Let's get together sometime.

Either I need to pull out my calendar and schedule time with someone or be honest about my current time constraints. The people-pleaser in me struggles with this.

When people say this to me without any follow-through, it hurts. While I can't change what others say to me, I can make a heart policy to not do this to others.

3. I'm good, how are you?

Understandably, sometimes this is the right, polite statement to say when I'm quickly greeting someone. But I will also say this to others with whom I really should be more open and honest.

I'm reluctant sometimes to let even close friends know needs bubbling below my "I'm good" statements.

If I will be braver to open up, it will give my friends permission to do the same.

So, there they are. My three empty statements and my convictions to do a better job of saying what I mean and meaning what I say.

Let's commit to being women who keep our word. Right now. Today. Not only will it strengthen our friendships but it will make our relationship with the Lord more authentic as we live out His Word.

Dear Lord, thank You for convicting me about using empty statements. My words can be powerful tools and I want to use them for Your purposes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
Don't miss Lysa TerKeurst's blog post, "The 5 Best Things to Say to a Friend Today." Click here for this must-read article.

Receive encouragement from Lysa right in your e-mail inbox throughout the week! Subscribe to her blog by clicking here.

Reflect and Respond:
Which one of the three empty statements resonates with you the most?

Make it a point to put action into place when using that statement by keeping a prayer journal in your purse, scheduling a specific time to get together with someone, or opening up with how you're honestly feeling.

This week, make it a point to put action into place when using that statement.

Power Verses:
1 John 3:18a, "My dear children, let's not just talk about love; let's practice real love." (MSG)

James 1:23-25, "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it — not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it — they will be blessed in what they do." (NIV)

Wonderfully Answered Prayers

I have had so many wonderfully answered prayers lately.
I want to remember them.

-Recently my husband had some health problems that made him think his MS was returning.
He went in for an MRI sure it would show new activity.
But I prayed and others prayed.
His MRI came back clear.

-I prayed that Rosie would be potty trained by the time this little baby gets here.
Two weekends in a row, Rosie said she wanted to potty and sat down and did it. All on her own volition.
Last week, after a weekend of her showing interest and actually using the little potty, I went with potty training and she has been in undies now for a week.
She's got the peeing thing down. She asks to go potty or is willing to go when I say it's time.
She's still working on doing the other in the potty.
I'm still putting her in a diaper at night and during naps but a couple of times she has awakened dry!

-As you know-the wonderfully answered prayers for our baby boy.

-My BFF, Tiff, is pregnant with her 5th. Due 3/21. Her baby had the umbilical cord wrapped around the neck twice during an ultrasound. The next week, it was totally unwrapped.

A few weeks ago, the ultrasound and measurements of her belly showed her measuring ahead and having too much amniotic fluid. For the past two weeks, the excess amniotic fluid has reduced.

-I had been praying for my brother to get a new job. He got one. He and his family will be moving an hour away from their hometown in a few months. He has already started working there and it is such a blessing to their family.

-I am currently praying hard for my friend, Lindsley and her baby boy, Avett...
Her baby had to be born by emergency c-section last Thursday at 36 weeks when it was discovered her amniotic fluid was excessively high and there was fluid around her baby's lungs.
That hospital was not equipped to care for her baby boy, Avett, so they flew him to DC Children's Hospital.
He is on an ECMO machine there with two nurses assigned to him. The machine basically works for his heart and lungs and takes blood out while reoxygenating it. (If I understand this correctly.)
Lindsley has three other children at home and her parents are here from Nashville caring for her children while Lindsley and her husband take turns at the NICU.
They have a very long drive from their home to the hospital. She has had to recover from the c-section.
If you are on facebook, they have a page set up on there with updates about their baby.
I am praying for complete healing of Avett's heart and lungs and for strength for Lindsley and her husband and wisdom for the doctors and nurses.
The wonderfully answered prayers have been that he has had some procedures done recently that went successfully. 


I also have a prayer box on our desk and I frequently write prayers in there. It's great to go back and read all of the ones that I have seen recent, wonderful answers to after writing them down.

See this list encourages my heart and my mind. It's sooo good to look back at what blessings have occurred recently.

Those Hard Days

These have been some tough days recently. Not tough in the sense that I have had more testing done.
Tough in the sense of illness in our house.
FJ got a stomach virus last Wednesday that was gone by Thursday.
It traveled to me on Friday night...and I dealt with it all night long.
Saturday showed some improvement for me.
Sunday was even better.
Then yesterday...it returned. I didn't know stomach viruses would do that if you weren't overdoing it.
But alas, they can.
This morning was especially rough. 
I know military wives deal with this kind of day all the time and Lord bless 'em.
Bathroom visits, feeding children, being 27 weeks pregnant, children in need of something and doing it all by yourself is rough and discouraging and overwhelming.
There were plenty of tears shed this morning.
I'm thankful to a friend who is bringing extra Gatorade, bread, jello later and for two friends who listened to me cry this morning on the phone.
Thankful for prayers from my group of praying women at CBS and church.
Thankful for 10 minutes of sleep during nap time before FJ said he had pooped and needed to be wiped.
Thankful that Miss A is brought every day from school by a friend.
And today I am thankful that there's nice weather and a deck that my kids can play on while I cannot possibly go outside with them.
Thankful for a neighbor/friend who just took my two "big kids" to the neighborhood park with her three boys.
Oh and television...surely thankful for that today.

Spread the Word to End the Word

Today is a day of awareness for the "R-word".
I encourage you to take a pledge to completely drop this word from your vocabulary and encourage (nicely) others to do the same.
You can tweet about it if you tweet.
Here's the website to sign the pledge and spread the news:
http://r-word.org/