20 weeks

We are halfway there! Today he is 20 weeks along and growing bigger and bigger! I was so excited that JR finally felt him move for the first time last night and we also could see my belly jump. Just more proof that he is getting big and VERY active :) This picture was taken in Cades Cove on our anniversary trip. Still feeling great and very blessed for a wonderful pregnancy!

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

12 years ago today....

I became JR's "girlfriend"

It seems like yesterday at times but at others more like a lifetime ago

so thankful for our last 12 years :)

4th anniversary getaway!

We wanted to have a little getaway for our anniversary as a family so we packed up and headed to Asheville Thursday morning. We got there shortly after lunch and decided to walk around downtown Black Mountain. It was a quaint little town and had lots of fun shops. We had lunch and then headed to downtown Asheville to see what it had to offer. Not really our cup of tea so we got back on the road and drove down the Blue Ridge Parkway. One of the main reasons we headed to western NC was for the mountains! Griffin had never seen them before and just oooed and ahhhed :)

We had our anniversary dinner at PF Changs. It was a beautiful night so we sat outside and literally stuffed ourselves! It was perfect.

Friday morning we got up and headed to the outlet malls of Pigeon Forge. We shopped mainly for the boys and Griffin enjoyed picking out things for Carter :)

We tried to convince him to get a new hat but he just cant stand to keep them on his head these days!

After an early yet amazing dinner at Longhorn, we drove to Cades Cove. This is one of JR and I's favorite places and we used to frequent there back in high school while dating. It is simply beautiful! We stopped and let Griffin see the horses first....

he was not scared!

We went to a spot we had enjoyed before and put a blanket out to soak up the scenery and watch the sunset.

We took full advantage of the beautiful background and had a mini photo shoot!

Mommy had the giggles

dancing with Mommy

silliness with Daddy

pointing to baby Carter

Griffin spotted a deer! We also saw a baby bear run across the road!!!

sunset

Saturday morning we got up bright and early to head to Knoxville for Griffin's first game! Here he is prepping for the game by reading his UT book. Dont you love the T on his face :)

The Torch

Vol Walk

Granny and Papaw took our extra tickets and joined us for the parade.

cheering for the band

the most adorable fan soaking it all in

We were so blessed to receive FREE SKYBOX tickets!!! Man we felt like kings.. it was an awesome treat! Here is G enjoying the food.

checking out whats going on on the field

spoiled with cheesecake and leather cushioned seats!

our family of 3

running through the T!

Griffin's favorites

quick 3rd quarter nap

TOUCHDOWN!!!

After double overtime we pulled out a 6 point win! Whew that was close... and sadly only UAB.

BUT we did get a WIN for Griffin's first game!!!

4th year in a book!

Continuing our tradition of making a digital scrapbook for each year we are married, here is our book for our 4th year... for your viewing pleasure :)

Happy 4 Year Anniversary to US!

Happy 4 year anniversary my love! It is always so fun to look back at our wedding day pictures and realize how little we knew then ha! Marriage has become so much more than "happiness" over the years and I am just so grateful that God continues to teach us the real purpose of it- to glorify Him. I know there have been more times that I have disappointed you than we both would hope, but I thank you for loving me despite that. Learning forgiveness and seeing how God uses every situation to bring us closer together is such a beautiful picture. My love for you has taken on so much more depth than when we first got married and above everything I am thankful that in all things you point me to Jesus. I would say that this year proved to be the most venturous thus far as we both tried to figure out what it meant to be parents. Griffin added so much joy to our lives and it has allowed us to slow down and focus on the simple things, now viewing the world through our child's eyes. Soon we will be welcoming our 2nd- more joy yet different challenges! Have I told you that I am so happy to be sharing my life with you? You have far exceeded my expectations and I am so thankful you are the "Daddy" to our kids. To see the way Griffin looks at you as his hero makes me fall more and more in love with you! Not only becoming parents, but also stepping into the roles of "pastor" and "pastor's wife." What a journey God has brought us on these last 4 years- I would have never guessed we would be where we are now, but I can honestly say I couldn't be happier. Knowing that we are exactly where God wants us to be gives so much peace and contentment that I wouldn't change a thing.

I love you so much and am truly blessed, Your Bride

Just Thankful...

As I was going through my google reader this morning, I came to my fellow Southeastern lady and blogging friend's blog, Stephanie. She inspired me to also share my heart of how thankful I am right now. It is definitely a God thing because I just got back from a refreshing walk to the campus where there was a slight breeze and perfect weather to make a beautiful day. And walked down that same historic district that Stephanie was speaking and couldnt help but talk to God along the way about how thankful I am.

Thankful that He calls me His.
Thankful that I can talk to Him anytime I want.
Simply thankful for the gospel and how it has changed my life.
Thankful for the opportunity to stay home with my boys.
Thankful for days when I have no real plans and can just enjoy God's creation outside with Griffin.
Thankful for a husband that works so hard to provide for our family.
Thankful to be surrounded by friends both here in Wake Forest and in Tennessee.
Thankful for the laughter Griffin brings to me when he wants to wave at every single person we pass.
Thankful to be celebrating 4 wonderful years of marriage tomorrow.
Thankful to get away with my family for a chance to relax and spend quality time together.
Thankful for a group of girls I am doing a book study with on "Sacred Marriage" and the awesome time we had together last night.
Thankful that Griffin loves to just crawl into my lap and give me kisses- melting my heart every time!
Thankful that my son loves to take naps.
Thankful for cheese dip and the satisfaction it gives to the ongoing pregnancy craving I have.
Thankful for a husband who loves me and is overjoyed right now to get to spend an entire weekend with me.
Thankful for this sweet baby boy growing inside of me.
Thankful that God chose me to be Griffin and Carter's Mommy.
Thankful for the peace and contentment my relationship with Jesus brings me.
Really just so THANKFUL right now and feeling as if I cant say it enough!

Andrew's wedding

We had the chance to have a night to ourselves last Friday for JR's friend Andrew's rehearsal dinner. Thanks to Jacob, Stacey, Meredith and Jordan for watching Griffin!


JR was a groomsman in the wedding and it was a blessing to see how God brought Andrew and his lovely bride together. Congrats Parrishs!

fascinated by Daddy's shiny shoes :)

G found a playmate at the reception. Little Lucy was 2 months younger and they were dressed alike!

kisses for Carter

Sacred Marriage

Want to learn more about why God designed marriage? Would you ever guess that maybe He did so not to make us "happy" but instead more holy? Gracious this book is rocking my world right now... and I am reading it for the 3rd time! I will admit that I had a VERY scewed view of marriage even when I first said, "I do." Then a great friend of mine at the seminary suggested that I read this book- WOW! Totally changed my view on marriage and no doubt the best book I have read thus far on marriage. I am encouraging ANYONE who is married or ever plans to get married to read this book. We are currently doing a Bible study on it with our college and career girls and I am loving that time.

I could go on and on and on about this book... just please trust me. And READ IT!! :)