My Love

I have found the one whom my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4


Although I rarely give "shout outs" to Richard, I feel like it is probably long overdue and
I can't think of a better day to do it than today. I don't know if its all the hormones that are going through me or just the fact that I realize now more than ever how much he does for me and loves me.

It's crazy to think back when we got married almost 5 years ago and how young we were. I thought then that I couldn't love him more than I did that day but I look at him today and I think that I didn't love him very much compared to today. I hope that it's always like this and I will always love him more tomorrow than today. It's so neat to look back and see how the Lord has planned every step that we have taken together and how much we have learned, how much we changed, how many mistakes we have made, and how very blessed we are.

Richard is everything that I ever pictured my husband would be and he makes me such a better person. He has been absolutely wonderful throughout my entire pregnancy and even loves to go out for late night cravings with me- you can't get any better than that!! I can't wait to see him as a father. I know that he will be wonderful.... he already is. He talks to Finley every morning and occasionally I will get him to bust out in song for her(he'll kill me for sharing that!). He loves to feel her moving and kicking and says the sweetest prayers for her. We know that our lives are about to drastically change and we are ready (sorta), but I am so thankful for the past 4 1/2 years we have grown together just as a couple.

Happy V-day Richie... I love you!!

32 Weeks and Counting....

As the days are decreasing, that darn number on the scale keeps increasing.... I can't seem to figure it out. This week I went to the Dr. (gained 4 more pounds in 2 weeks) and she scheduled an induction date of March 19th. Wow... hearing that date makes it all that more real to both Richard and I. I requested a date so that our families could be here and luckily she was fine with it so 7 Weeks from tonight I will be in the hospital getting ready to explode, I'm sure, in more ways than 1.

I've been saying for months now that I am so ready for her to get here just so I can meet her and touch her (and also to be more comfortable) but really there are so many things about being pregnant that I have really loved. I love feeling her move around. I feel so connected to her and I just love feeling her respond to my laughter and movement. There are so many things that I find myself wondering about.... Does she like the sounds of our voices? Does she like it when we sing to her? Does she think we're weirdos? So much to think about and worry about in the days to come so please continue to pray for us as we prepare for this new chapter in our lives. We are so excited but very overwhelmed at the same time.

We got a 3-D ultrasound a few weeks ago and here are a couple of the images we got... I think she's gonna be a cutie (and very active)!!

Nursery

The beginning of the nursery transformation has officially begun. We finished painting the bubblegum pink room last week and I have a couple checked off the list. I'm a little stressed because the bed and glider are not supposed to be in till the week she is born so keep your fingers crossed that they will get here on time. We have much more that has to be done to make sure that the princesses room is perfect so I'll be posting as we complete each task.

"Before you were conceived I wanted you. Before you were born I loved you. Before you
were here an hour I would die for you. This is the miracle of love." - Maureen Hawkins

Bring on the PINK!!

Over Christmas I was given 2 showers for Finley. They were both wonderful and we got so much girly stuff. Richard and I are so amazed at how much she is already loved by so many people. We feel so blessed!! My fear now is that they didn't read the ultrasound correct and we are having a boy who will have a major identity crisis. I love all the pink though... I find myself just sitting in her room going through all the frilly stuff and imagining what she will look like in them. I'm getting more and more excited as each day passes and can't wait to finally meet her!! Here are some pics from my shower given by my besties up in NWA!! I love those girls!

Oldies but Goodies

"We must ever be friends; and of all who offer you friendship let me be the first, the
truest, the nearest and dearest." - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


Nothing is more fun for me than catching up with my dear friends from high school. At least once a year Amy, Martha, Lee and I make it a point to get together for a night of food and good gossip. This year after Christmas we met at PF Chang's then had a gift exchange at Lee's for our annual night. I must say that there is something about old friends that we can not talk for weeks or months, but when we get together it's just like old times and we just catch up where we left off. I love these girls and they will always have a special place in my heart. Things are changing in all of our lives as Amy just got married in October, Martha is due in June, and Lee just got engaged on New Year's Eve, but I hope no matter where the road leads us we can always make time to reunite the "box".

Christmas in Arkansas

We had such a wonderful time back at home for Christmas!! I got to fly in on the 19th and Richard drove in on the 22nd. I drove back with Richard on the 30th and it was the hardest good-bye so far. Not just because of the 16 hour drive ahead of us, but with Finley coming Mid-March I'm not sure when the next time I'll get to go back will be. I've always looked forward to coming back to DC, but this time was different and I'm not sure I like it. Although it seems like a long time we still didn't get to spend enough time catching up with everyone. We are so blessed with great families and friends and here are some pics from the break.

Christmas Morning at Mom and Dad's

Christmas at Mamaw's

a Christmas tradition... all my little cousins come over and we make cookies/ gingerbread houses

New York @ Christmas

We got to go again to NYC during Christmas time this year. I love just walking around and taking in all the sights and Christmas decor. It's one of my favorite places to be at my most favorite time of year. We met up with Clay and Cara Conly who were visiting from Northwest Arkansas and went and ate at Serendipity 3 and went to the Top of the Rock and I conquered my fear of heights... well, kinda. We also got to see the Rockettes and shop a lot!! Here are some pics from the weekend.

New Niece

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving Emily Catherine Mays was born in Little Rock. We got to spend some time with her over Thanksgiving and she is the sweetest, most perfect little baby ever. It made me even more ready to meet Finley!! I am so glad that both Brooke and I are having girls so close together so they can be best buds. Brooke and Tom are such a great parents and it's so nice to have someone that has just gone through what you are going and are about to go through for both Richard and I.

Christmas Decor

Since I've had my Christmas decorations up for a good month now I thought I would take some photos to share. I love decorating for Christmas and my hubby is so good about helping out. Last year we didn't get to put up a tree due to lack of room in our little apartment, so this year I went all out and put up all that would fit in our townhouse.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas, Christmas, Christmas! Can you believe that it's already almost here?? It's always been my most favorite time of year. I love to see kids get excited and I can't wait till next year when Finley will be here. They say that as you get older the excitement of Christmas tapers off but I don't think so. It's more than just the presents and decorations now... I love the way it makes you feel and just being together with the ones that you love.

Here are a few of my favorite Christmas things:

• Christmas Eve afternoon at Mamaw's and that night at Memaw's
  
• My dad reading the Christmas Story from Luke every Christmas morning.
  
• Christmas Eve candlelighting service at Church
• My family. All of them. The Hays' and the Vanhook's are the best people to spend holidays with.
• My little cousins anticipating Santa
  
• Martina McBride's "White Christmas"... the best Christmas CD ever, although last year Clay Aiken gave her a good run for her money
• Driving around and looking at Christmas lights
• Seeing a bunch of cars outside of a house because you know a family is celebrating
• Driving past Wal-mart on the way back from my Grandma's house and hearing my dad say, "Look now kids, you won't see that parking lot empty again till next year!!" (<--it's a tradition)
• Big fat colored lights
• Gaggers!
  
• Richard always having at least one surprise up his sleeve.
  
• Nativity Scenes
• Smells of Christmas... cinnamon, pine, apple cider, christmas cookies, etc.
• Jesus...

I know that it is so cliche to say that Jesus is the reason for the season- but it's true. I hope that during all the hustle and bustle of this time that we all remember why we celebrate. I hope everyone has wonderful holiday season!!!

Turkey Outreach

Richard and I along with our small group had the opportunity to help out with a Thanksgiving outreach with our church. We helped box up over 250 dry food boxes and delivered those with Turkey dinner boxes to families in inner city DC. It was really an amazing experience and we are so glad we had this opportunity to share Christ with others. We always say how blessed we are but never really realize it until you are put in a situation like that. All morning as we walked around and handed them out I thought to myself, "why am I so lucky ?" and "why isn't this me that someone is delivering to?" I don't know all the answers to the hard questions but I am so thankful for what I have and whose I am.

O Give thanks unto the Lord;
for he is good:
because his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalms 118:1

Farewell Good Friend!!




Oliver made is final flight last Tuesday to go and stay permanently with with his Grammy and Pops in Arkansas. Richard and I made this tough decision when we started thinking about Finley coming home and we decided that it wouldn't be fair for Oliver. My parents graciously opened their home so we will still get to see him when go home but it was still harder than we thought!! He will always be our first "child" and we love him, but we know it was the right decision. (Many of you probably think it's a good thing after see how he gets dressed up!!)

Williamsburg

Richard and I spent the weekend before Thanksgiving in Williamsburg, VA. It was fun just getting away from the city and Williamsburg is a really pretty old town. We went to Yorktown on Sunday but the weather was not cooperating so we cut it short. I am not really that in to all the history stuff but my hubby loves it so I go along and nod and pretend to know what he's talking about. We all know he puts up with me without complaining so it's really the least I could do.
Here are some pics from the weekend-

I finally popped!!

Halloween is over let's Hear it for Santa!

Halloween is over let's Hear it for Santa!

Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends
Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends! Enjoy!! Everyone has time for a few moments of fun! Don't be a scrooge!!!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wraps
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White lights
4. Do you hang mistletoe? kissing ball
5. When do you put your decorations up? I have already started!
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Sweet Potato Casserole with lots of brown sugar and butter!!
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: Santa bringing Princess, the most beautiful dog in the world, in 2nd Grade
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Very young.... that's what happens when you have a ruthless older brother
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Only at Mamaw's and Memaw's house
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With red and apple green whimiscal ornaments!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? Love snow- not ice (especially with snow days!!)
12. Can you ice skate? No- I would break a limb
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Can't remember 1 specific one
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with all my family and continuing our traditions
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Hello Dollies
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Christmas Eve candlelighting service at church and big breakfasts on Christmas morning
17. What tops your tree? gold star
18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving? The older I get the more I like giving than recieving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? O Holy Night and Holly Jolly Christmas and I'll be home for Christmas and..... can you really pick a favorite??
20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? yum- (if it's the only thing sweet you got!)