spring snow

I've never lived in a place where we get snow at the end of March. Last Thursday, March 21~ the first day of spring~ we got LOTS of it. It started snowing an hour or so before I left work. It was beautiful! It was just wet enough and the ground was just warm enough nothing really stuck. The ground was just wet. I was very thankful for this as I drove home in rush hour traffic. I was still cautious~ you can never be too cautious in snow~ that's my motto.

I heard of people taking an hour to get home that night. I am extremely thankful we live close to my work. It's been a hug blessing.

Here's our neighborhood from my front porch.

 

I just love snow~ even if it is unseasonably late. We got snow off and on the whole weekend and early the next week. Today is the first day it hasn't snowed at least a little.

 

 

I went inside and cuddled in my favorite blanket to enjoy this view~ So pretty! It was so relaxing and peaceful just to sit and enjoy.

It won't be long and it will be too hot out. I am enjoying our extended winter weather. We'll have plenty of warm weather to soak in~ flip flops and tank tops aren't far away now. =)

In other news.. I found a way to enjoy sewing the baby's quilt~ sewing to worship music. There is nothing quite like it. I had the house to myself while Jason was at Easter play practice so I turned up my tunes and made some progress on the baby's quilt. (one more row to go!!) It didn't take long that I was crying and worshipping. It was such a swet time in God's prescence. I love it~ he meets us right where we are..

Here are some other sights around our house these days... Jason's family had a baby shower for us a couple of weeks ago. We were so blessed by everyone's generosity. I definately breathe a sigh of relief when we recieve just one more thing that baby Annalise will need. It was such a fun time with the ladies of the Waln and Marshall family. It's rare for just the ladies to get together and the time was sweet. =)

I don't have any more pictures because I've misplaced the connecter cord that allows me to load them to the computer. Pray I find it!It's a big deal that it's missing.

Here I am at 26 weeks. Baby girl is growing! I am feeling (and seeing on occasion) her moving all the time these days. Jason even been able to feel her moving and kicking. ~LOVE~

I can't wait to take tons of pictures of her and share them here with you. =) For now, the bump will do. ;)

words of wisdom

My lovely friend Jennifer who is amazing in every way shared this encouraging blog post yesterday. I had made a comment on Facebook about how frustrating pregnancy brain can be and how my day was effected negatively by it. I'm not a fan of feeling this way, but I have ejoyed this pregnancy so very much. Jennifer has encouraged me several times along the way to enjoy every moment of pregnancy.. it's fleeting... it's a gift from God... a miracle. I know that Jason and I have been chosen to be parents to this precious baby girl that he has given us and I want to be the best mom I can be.. full of love and support and and to reflect Jesus and  his love to Annalise Grace. I want to post the words from the blog post entitled "99 Tips for New Moms" so I can see them every single day. I want the words to resonate in my mind and stick with me. I don't want to be stressed all the time or to overthink every little thing that goes on with my child. I don't want to be consumed with what other people tell me to do or beat myself up because i'm not doing things the way others day I should.   I want to enjoy her in every stage of life. After all, she's a gift from God, a blessing, and a miracle.. life is fleeting..I know that I can do all these things through Christ who strengthens me. I know that the more I look to him for wisdom and guidance, the more I will remember these things and be the kind of mom God created me to be.  I strongly encourage you to check out "99 Tips for New Moms"  (even if you aren't a new mome) and then have a wonderful Thursday! xoxoxox!!

life lately..

 I've been a little slow in posting these days.. I don't want to miss a moment of this wonderful transition that we're in. Here are some highlights from February until now.

My valentine and I had so many things we wanted to do for Valentine's day, we split them up into two nights. Funny story.. Jason ordered those beautiful tulips (pictured above) to arrive at my work on Valentines day.. Well.. abbout 5 min. after I got home that day, Jason was like.. "so you didn't get your flowers today.." Nope! Another 5 min. passes.. he got a call from the florist saying they were behind and wanted to know what time my workplace closed.. oops!! Too late buddy. Needless to say.. I eneded up getting my flowers the day after Valentine's day. He felt so bad! There was absolutely nothinghe could do about it. That  night we had dinner at Jason's favorite steakhouse- Re Rico Brazilian Steakhouse. It's one of those places they keep bringing meat~ total man joint!

After dinner we  took a stroll through the mall~ it was way too cold for a walk outside. Jason pulled out a beautiful ring with a sapphire stone.. It looks a lot like Kate Middleton's engagement ring~ LOVE IT~ love her! Once we were home, Jason got his gift. I couldn't resist getting him something special related to the baby. He's all about having his daddy's girl, so the red "I love Daddy" onesie seemed to be the perfect fit. He loved it! I also framed a prego pic of me with "We love You" written across the bottom. I figured he could change out the pic as Annalise grows and always have a pic of his girls in there. ;)

 That Saturday night we extended our Valentine's celebration and ate at our favorite restaurant in Branson~ "The Worman House" The first time we ate there was on our Honeymoon. It will definately always be a favorite.. not only for the food, but for the sentiment as well.

 We both got a snow day so we used the bonus day off to work on getting Annalise's room ready for her arrival. Jason did a second coat of paint and I worked on giving the antique dresser we bought  a facelift.

Ta Daa!! Doesn't it look much better? So girly! I'm in love with the glass knobs. They look like roses~ makes me happy.

Week 22. She's grown so much! I am finally feeling her move around and her kicks are getting stronger and stronger. It's such an amazing feeling. I have heard that I will miss feeling her in there once she's born~ I totally believe it.

I've been working on a baby quilt for Annalise's room. I'm loving how it's turning out, but it's been one of the most frustrating/ trying craft projects i've ever done. Jason stepped in with his mad measuring skills to get me over a large hurdle~ I love him so.

I've been having a blast buying little girl clothes and I'm very proud of myself.. it's mostly been consignment. I will definately have to hold myself accountible.. I have a weakness..

I found these today.. got a great deal~ non consignment. Too sweet!

I saw this quote today and it made me think of just how special/important/ valuable it is to be a parent and to do it God's way. I want to be a parent with purpose and be a godly example to my daughter. Jason and I have a book of prayers and blessings that we read every morning. It's geared toward praying God's word over your child. We are loving it. There is so much power in prayer. I have absolute faith that God is working in Annalise.. even now.