Thursday, January 3, 2013

Books, rain,and a spa day!!!

Today is rainy and I love it! It is the perfect day to read. I'm excited about a little Passion date tonight...pajamas and french toast casserole for supper! This entire week has been great (besides wishing I was at Passion). We took down our Christmas..FINALLY..ate greens and black eyed peas on our back porch because the weather felt great on New Years Day, and have gotten organized.

Back to reading...I felt like kind of a nerd this Christmas because the main thing that I asked for was books. The book that made me cry when I received it was, Morning and Evening by Charles Spurgeon....can you say GEEK alert? It isn't as easy as a devotional to read as Jesus Calling (at least to me), but certain people that I greatly admire posted about and it and shared some passages from it...and I had to have it! I have been getting a lot out of it already...it is stretching the way that I think and I love how it is divided up into morning/evening.

I also got a new Jesus Calling devotional (I'm giving my first copy away) because the scripture is listed out under the passage. I like it being all on one page.

And Jesus Today by Sarah Young. All about HOPE!!


My doctor wanted me to read The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy...so I'm reading that as well. I am also reading What to Expect When You're Expecting, but Dr. McCollum didn't want me to dwell on the things in that book. She knows how my mind works!!

Next up...Belly Laughs.

Other than reading and catching a little more Passion this morning...I had an afternoon at the spa...JMarie Day Spa...LOVE IT! My hairdresser said before I walked in that she knew I was going to tell her that I was pregnant. I love that she thought that! Then when I was enjoying some rainy day pampering Christy Nockels was belting out one of my favorite songs over the speakers at the spa. I mean, that has to be some kind of sign! I just don't know what it means! LOL. Hang in there...only two more days of Passion 2013 and me posting lots of pictures from every session! :) I can't help it, I just love Worship music!!







17 Weeks and PASSION!

I was 17 weeks yesterday. I also had a super fun appointment. I say it every time, but my Dr is brilliant and so fun to visit with. She found the heart beat right away and it was 159. I had my cystic fibrosis and quad screenings done too. I was pretty happy that it only took 4 tries, 40 or so minutes, and 3 different nurses to get my blood. I am also thankful that it doesn't bother me at all. :) She set up my next two appointments for a little under 3 weeks. The gender ultrasound and my regular appointment. She was telling me how she's excited for me to know if I need to buy blue or pink. I mentioned that I hadn't shopped at all (surprisingly!) and she said, "Nicole, I have a feeling you will do some major damage!" What would ever make her think that?

Best moment this week: Being assured that our baby was still fine. :) Setting up the gender ultrasound (I sort of always thought I wanted to be surprised, but everyone has swayed my decision)!!!

Movement: I still haven't felt the baby move. That is the first thing Dr. McCollum asked me yesterday. She said she didn't feel her first baby move until 22 weeks. All the books say anywhere from 16-20 weeks so I haven't been too concerned about that yet.

Sleep: I've been sleeping fine. Thankfully! If anything I fall asleep immediately.

Cravings: Still fruit. Watermelon sounds really good right about now! Carrots and orange juice are staples in our fridge too.

Sickness: I've felt great so far. I haven't even had a cold...let alone the flu, which has been going around like crazy. I feel fortunate to have gotten through basically the first half of pregnancy without being sick. I'm a little nervous about going back to school in the winter months. Hopefully frequent hand washing, my vitamins, and having a good immune system will keep me from getting really sick. I'm praying to stay healthy.

Other symptoms: For a while I had horrible skin issues...hormones. But that has stopped for now.

Gender: I really don't have any idea. Matt thinks boy. My dad is 100% sure it's a girl. Our other family and friends votes are 50/50. However, after this appointment I sort of feel like I'm leaning towards boy...but I have no real idea why!!

Well, my Dr's appointment is what kept me from going to Passion this year. :( But, I've been watching the live feed every single time it's on. I used Matt's iPad to take some pictures of my favorites...Christy, Shelley, and Beth!! The music has been incredible and the speakers are just killing it! I am so thankful that I am able to watch online. Check it out...here!!! And the lyrics to Christy's new songs are amazing!!! I told Matt, she wrote them for me!!! :)


















Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2012 Year in Review!!

2012 was a sweet year in a lot of ways. I'm so thankful that our family all stayed safe in 2012. We learned tons and grew even more in our walk with the Lord. However, I'm super excited about 2013 and what the Lord has planned!

Janurary
I re-discovered my love for the Passion movement and watched every second of it on the live stream.

February
I chaired my first big JSL event - preview party.


We celebrated Matt's 30th birthday!!




March
Apalachicola Trip


Celebrated Billy and Miranda's engagement!


Found out we were pregnant...due in December.

Our sweet Ginger passed away this year. :( I grew up with her and she was such an amazing, loyal dog. Blakely loved her too. I miss her every day.


April
B's bachelorette weekend in Carillon Beach near Panama City.



May
Billy and Miranda graduated! We are all proud VSU graduates!


We got some bad news and I joked that instead of coming home with a baby I came home with new back porch furniture. We used this every single day in May and throughout the summer.


Had my first ever real surgery. A D & C. Thankful for my precious Dr and supportive family and friends.



I finished my gifted classes and obtained my endorsement! Yay!

Went to Passion City Church for the first time (how did it take me so long to go?) and found my dream church! :)


June
B's wedding in Jacksonville!!




6 year anniversary trip to Charleston!!! I could post millions of pics...Shem Creek, Isle of Palms, Wild Dunes, porch and breakfast dates, King Street. Perfection!


July
Got some good Atlanta family time! PCC again!! Beth Moore was there this time so that is always a treat.


August
Destin with Matt's family!



10 year dating anniversary! We celebrated by going on our exact same first date...same booth and all!


Friday Night Lights began! Our first year having season tickets!

September
Labor Day beach trip and fun at Seaside/Rosemary!



VSU football!

Seasons weekend!

October
Found out we were pregnant again!!! Due in June!

Best Christy Nockels concert ever!


B and M tied the knot!!


Our precious Blakely girl turned 6 years old!

November
Thanksgiving in Atlanta! PCC again! My favorite visit yet!

December
Christy Nockels /Shopping early birthday trip to Tampa!

Victorian Christmas /Birthday weekend with the seasons!!

Christmas in Dublin! It was so rainy, but we just relaxed and enjoyed family time. There was lots of skyping going on...since Billy was in Arizona!


New Years Eve with lots of neighborhood friends! We have been blessed with wonderful neighbors this year! Our entire neighborhood is really great!