2013 A Year In Review: Lessons Learned.

What an amazing year it has been. I can't thank God enough  for the blessings he has given David and I.
Not only has he given Easton to us to be his parents, but he also gave us another chance with a little girl. I am beyond excited and nervous. Two kids under the age of two.

One thing God has taught me this year, Easton and Lynlee are his children. He is giving us the chance to raise them. That we are their parents, but at anytime we have to be prepared to give them back to him. With this Christmas season I did a lot of thinking of how I wanted to raise these babies. The more I feel that I am growing in my walk with God, the answer becomes clear. I want my kids to see their parents madly in love with God, so they too grow up madly in love with him.

Another thing I have learned this year from God, is timing is everything. And not my timing, his timing. With putting our house on the market earlier in the year and it being unsuccessful in selling, I feel that I jumped the gun. As David and I prepare to put it back on the market at the beginning of 2014, I think we are doing it right this time.

Lastly, it sort of coincides with the second. But his plan is so much better than mine. 2013 has proven that. I can only hope 2014 will be the same.

My prayers for 2014 is that

1. We give birth to a healthy, beautiful baby girl.
2. That David and I, individually and as a couple that we continue to grow in our relationship with God.
3. That our relationship with each other continues to grow as well.
4. Even with two babies I pray that I don't lose focus on God.

Everyone be safe tonight! Happy New Year!

Normal Mom

Life around our house has been a little hectic. From finding out number two is on the way to one of our dogs passing away this week. I have gone back to work and I love it. And I believe that Easton is enjoying it as well. Since I was told he was kissing on another baby today. He's definitely working his flirting skills.
We have started on eating purees, my plan was to start making his food. Well I have stopped only for a moment... Just till I get a better blender or food processor...(HINT David) since Christmas is just around the corner....CHRISTMAS is right around the corner. 2013 has flown by. And it couldn't be a better year.

Working in a preschool I get to see A LOT of momma's. I can say that all of them are good momma's. But I catch myself  looking at them and thinking I want to be that kind of mom. Or that kind of mom. I know I am the perfect mom for Easton. Not only does God tell me that, but I have women that I look up to with respect and love telling me I am. And they tell me when I really need to hear it. Because I have my moments of me over worrying and calling my mom asking if this is right or not. Also, that David is looking at me with an eye roll, shaking of his head and laughing. Telling me to stop worrying and that Easton is fine. Of course I nod, take a breath and know everything is alright. But when they tell me I am great momma I know its God telling me.

So today when I walked out of my room to grab Easton's diaper bag and a drink to head off to work I heard this Clunk noise followed by a cry. Of  course I knew what had happened. Easton had scooted or rolled off  the bed. I was terrified. I let out a terrified chuckle as I picked him up. And I calmed him down in time to put him in the car so we could get to work. I thought I was fine. Until I saw two women I respect and the tears just flooded. Of course I was embarrassed that I was crying.  I am totally blaming the pregnancy hormones. It was in that time they told me they had done the same thing. It was normal. Which I knew it was, but by golly I wasn't going to let my kid fall of the bed and get hurt.

So as I look back on these 6 months with Easton, and they have been so great. They've happened so fast. So even if I look at all the wonderful mommas that walk through the doors at the preschool, I know that even they look like the perfect mom. Hair fixed, make up, everything looking in order. I know that they too make the mistakes I make at some point in their life.  And no matter what, I am the perfect mom for Easton. Because if I wasn't I don't think I'd get to be his mom.

Flying by...

WOW! This summer is flying. I can't believe that August will be here on Thursday! That only means 17 days till my Birthday!

Easton and I got back from Alabama on Saturday. We had a great time! It was his first time on the beach, we were sad that Daddy couldn't be there with us. But I plan to go back with David and Easton. I love the area down there. I would recommend Gulf Shores/Orange Beach/Fort Morgan to anyone looking for a good beach.  We were sad to leave but happy to get home to David! Although in a week and half Easton and I will be traveling again. We will be headed to New York! I am super excited, we will get to meet Caleb for the first time....And see my favorites...Jessica and Hayden.  Its been waaay to long!

I am a little nervous to be flying by myself with Easton. I am sure we will be fine. In the midst of all the latest airplane chaos, it has me on edge. And the fact of dealing with a stroller, car seat and base is a bit terrifying for me since I've never done any of this. David is usually the calm one and keeps me calm or tells me to calm down. LOL. I am learning though

I am thinking of trying a new lifestyle too. This whole plant based lifestyle has me intrigued. People I've talked to who has done it, has said they haven't felt this great ever. Doing this though would be a challenge. David is to much of a meat eater to do it. I don't know how much it would effect our budget. I don't even know where to start.  If anyone is intrigued  Forks Over Knives is the documentary that got me thinking about this. Even if you think its crazy you should still watch it. Its so good!


Easton is 4 months old! Time has flown by with him. He's such a blessing to David and I. He's the best baby! He's rolled over twice, and I've been trying to get him to do it more. He's stubborn though. He's grabbing things and working on his hand and eye coordination. He takes out is pacifier on his own and tries to put it back in. I can't wait  to see what else he will learn.

Until next time....

Easton Duke

Life has been a whirlwind this year, and I can't believe were already in July.

Back in March we had our baby boy! Easton Duke  was born on March 27th, 2013. The day before he was due. We went in to be induced, and after 14 hours of labor I had to have a c-section. Something I was not planning for. I am pretty sure I cried for an hour straight waiting to go back. I finally needed to close out the world and put earplugs in and started to play my playlist I had made for the occasion. (Which I didn't listen to much because I pretty much watched Supernatural and Greys Anatomy all day to keep my mind from the pain.) Anyways, the first song to play was Promises by Sanctus Real. WOW! God knew how to calm me down in my time of need. Shortly after I listened to that song we went back to have him.

I am not sure if my thoughts going through my head were normal or the drugs thinking for me. But you can totally feel the pressure of what their doing. So here I was laying there thinking "She's totally cutting me with a scalpel right now." Which is probably why they that sheet up so you can't see. Because I found  it cool that it was happening but seeing it probably would of been a total different experience. When I heard Easton's cry for the first time, I can't even explain the feeling I had. My I think I even cried out as well. 

We all joked about David passing out while having Easton! He didn't! But he came super close! He got a little light headed and made him sit down and have some juice. They brought Easton over so I could look at him, and he was the most beautiful thing I laid my eyes on. After that they took both my boys back to my room as they finished me up. I wasn't expecting the next words to be said..Because we had already been through a lot in my opinion. 

"Mrs Nottingham, we having to take the baby down to the NICU." I don't know if it was the drugs or just remembering the song that played earlier. But I knew he would be alright and was safe. 

I got back to the room, and it was empty except for my parents. Once I saw them I started to cry again. I kept thinking this is my fault I shouldn't of decided to be induced, I should of just waited. But my dad comforted me and so did my mom. (I have the best parents!) 

Let me tell you the first 12 hours of his life were the longest 12 hours of my life! Even though I laid my eyes on him in the operating room for like 2 seconds it felt like. Instead of getting to hold him that night I got to watch him on a TV screen.

The days in the hospital were kinda a blur. Alot of things I had planned didn't go the way I wanted. But isn't that most of the time? God had a plan for me. But it was a learning experience. 

David and I have been blessed with a great baby. He makes me smile everyday with his smiles and the sounds he makes. Almost everytime I say I love him, he coos back at me. We are truly blessed.

2013 has been a year of challenges and God teaching me. I plan to get into this and share what has been going on. Because I feel that good things are still to come.