Busy week past and forward

Well, I guess I already failed at posting everyday! Oh Well! Of course I am a busy wife, mom of a two year old and a business woman. Last week recap, of what I recall (I've slept several times :) : Last week was so very full of just life. You know how busy things in general get and before you know it you are into the weekend. We are looking to sell our home and buy a bigger place, so if you are looking for a cute 3bed/2bath let me know! So I spent some of last week looking at some places and found one I really like, only downside is the yard is not really big, of course it's bigger than the postcard size that seems so popular right now. My dad make a wonderful observation though, "You only need enough room for a playset and room for kids to run." Wisdom! Yet, as much as I love the closeness of the city I still want the breathing room of the country. I can have both! God has a great place for us, we just have to find it and be patient that the right person or family is coming for our current house.

Church. It is a wonderful place. The last three weeks our pastor has been teaching on the principles of an abundant life. My toes have been stepped on, my soul searched and heart renewed. Praise God for a man who will stand up and teach the Word of God as it is. Sometimes it hurts but then comes healing. For me I have had some realizations that have been hard but life changing. Did you know that you can give the tithe but you are in sin if you wished you still had it to use for your own use? WOW. Malachi 3:8 'Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.  “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’  “In tithes and offerings.' You see I have always given the tithe, no doubt. But I will admit here lately when things are tight and I can't see the top from the bottom I have really wished I could just take that money and do whatever I needed or wanted. And then I got upset because I didn't understand that no matter how much I gave or kept there wasn't enough. Then Pastor Pat started this series. I had been robbing God. I never would have thought that but it was true. To want what is holy is wrong and my life was showing it. That was just week one! Yet you know God is so good. I asked why things were turning so crappy when I was following Him and He began to show me. That's what I love about Him. Week one was the Key of Self Value. I haven't had much of that in a while. And God showed me that He loves me so much and I see the magnificent creature He created. I'm getting there. Randy Draper said something very profound, "Failure is an event not a person." I've been reminding myself of that a lot lately when I don't feel like I've succeeded.
Week two was about finding your identity in Christ and yesterday, week three was the principle of desire. To have dreams and desires is okay. I had started to forget that. I have had somethings really beat the crap out of me and didn't want to dream anymore. Dream of a healthy body, awesome house, more children, a successful business. Here God goes and says it's okay, go ahead and keep dreaming and desiring those things. I'm so glad to have a Father that cares that much about me, do you?

Well this week is going to be great. I get to spend the next three days with my wonderful mom at a finance seminar by James Smith. Looking forward to learning some things to turn my family's life around. I will be meeting with some lovely ladies to gather info on a trunk show we will be having on Oct. 6 (more info to come) and on Saturday I get to have a jewelry show with a very dear friend. I love giving jewelry away! I hope you lean on God and see yourself this week as the magnificent creature He made you.

Get Motivated

On Tues I went to the Get Motivated conference at Verizon Arena. Overall I enjoyed it. The speakers were entertaining, captivating and some where motivational. I have learned that you can listen to almost anyone and get something from them. Whether it's your pastor, a speaker, a coach, a teacher, your friend or even your enemy. What you learn may be good or bad and how you perceive and put into action is a choice for you to make. I have recently learned that the only thing I can control are the actions I make, the results I want may not follow. Sometimes that's okay, you have to learn to just move on if you want to succeed. Being in Premier has taught me some will, some won't, so what, who's next? This is great advice for many places in life. Terry Bradshaw's overall theme on Tuesday was simply, Be Happy. I like that because he said, "happy people are productive people." You know he's right. Have you ever been really productive looking at life thinking it all sucks? I doubt it.  Add to that what I got from Laura Bush, be who you are and don't let your circumstances dictate you. Now you got an awesome thing going for you: Be happy and be yourself no matter what. How many days are we really us? Very often we aren't us but we become who our bosses want or who our spouses want or who our children want. It can be so tiresome. I think that if we just let ourselves come on out and be us that God meant for us to be then all the people around us will be better off too.  Hope you have a great day, you get to choose!

Restarting

Hello everyone! It has been so long since I have posted anything and I thought I'd get back to it. My new goal is to try and post something each day. Hopefully it will inspire, make you laugh, challenge you and help you get through the day. I love people and helping them along so as I write I hope you will join me on the road of life.

I'm a wife of 13years, mama of 2yrs (my son is currently 26months), Premier Designs Jewelry Lady for almost 3years and many other hats are worn too. It's getting on into the day so hopefully later on today or this evening I can tell a story or two and let you know the current going-ons of the house.

Be bless, happy and productive!

1st Christmas

Our first Christmas as a family was so wonderful. Joseph opened his own presents (when his cousin Ethan and friend Gavin let him:) ). And here he got to meet Santa. He was so mesmerized by everyone and all the lights I don't think he noticed Santa at all. Thanks to the wonderful people who put on the Celebration of Lights, so pretty and memorable.

Sleeping and Teething

Well, the teething stage has begun. I discovered last night the signs of a tooth coming in on Joseph's bottom gum. Explains why he was running a fever this weekend. What a relief! Because he was snotty and coughing (which is hard to tell when he is just doing his fake cough or not). I was really getting worried thinking he was getting a cold. So after three nights of sleeping with him to make sure he was okay this little poke was seen. And except for not wanting to sleep alone he wasn't too fussy.



This was so cute. He has done this before where he would be eating and than he is just asleep. I love my little boy. Solids are doing well. He just loves his different applesauce flavors. He got a high chair for Christmas and it is so needed. We have to strap him in because when he sees the food he lurches for it. Big warning here: we found that the disney brand of meats (I use loosely) is really gross. It all smells and tastes like tuna, so don't use it. The fruits and veggies are fine but we are using the Gerber brand for the meat stuff. It actually smells good and not so disgusting. Joseph will eat the whole 4oz jar most times. I can't believe that he is so close to the toddler stage. He is standing with help and with help walks. He can't seem to figure out the crawling thing and gets really upset after a while of trying. I just love watching him grow.

Happy New Year!

Wow, 2009 is gone and we begin 2010. I am so looking forward to this year. Joseph is growing and my Premier Jewelry business is too. Things are beginning to get a pattern and flow for our new family. We wish you all the best year possible!

Write us and tell us a special memory of the past year. Can be one you shared with us or just one of your family. Can't wait to hear the best of 2009.

Time Flys when you're having fun!

I have not posted in a while! Well, Joseph came earlier than expected and it has been a flurry of activity ever since. He is now 3 1/2 months old! I love seeing his little personality come out. He loves to sit or stand and you will see in the video loves music. It is about 3mins but funny to watch him. He was getting tired but would stop crying to watch the frog dance. Debbie, my mil, has a bunny in a plane that moves and he loves watching it too. He is also starting to tell us things. You may not believe me but he is trying so hard to say 'love you'. Of course it comes out mumbly but that is baby talk for you. I'll try and be more diligent on posting. Let me know you are out there looking so I'll post more. Comments are loved!

I just love how his little hands and feet are moving to the music. Yes, the boy has rhythm already! Later he wanted to stand and dance, but I wasn't able to get that :( There will be a next time, I'm sure.

Two weeks to go?????

So, as many of you may know I was wrong about two weeks to go. Joseph was born on june 18. Things have been progressing well and I will try and post some pictures soon. You can see some by facebook and also by Amber's blog at thepowellfamilylife.blogspot.com. Love you all! thanks for your prayers, my son is wonderful!

2 weeks to go!

Wow, where has the time gone? I'm in shock still that I'm even pregnant. I get so teary eyed when I think of what an awesome blessing God has given us. I am so nervous about taking care of him, but excited too. I can't wait to hold him.

It has been a busy month. I was so blessed to have 3 baby showers and JW had one too! A man shower :). As you'll see from the photos it was fun, and really funny.

Thanks to Amber and Brenda for a really Tiggerific Shower!

My CenterPoint Church Family was so wonderful. What a huge turnout.

JW's work, at NCTR, gave a really nice shower. It was sweet of them. They are good people. Thank God for a wonderful job.

Our friends Don Martin and Martin Jackson were nice enough to head up the daddy shower. JW said he had a great time. It was really awesome to see Brandon again. (His friend from college, we miss him a lot! He lives in Fayetteville, so we don't get to see him very often.) Our friend Angie Griffin made the cake, it even had a baby in the treasure chest. So cute (sorry guys, I know that cute isn't manly but it is so cute!)

We've been seeing the doctor regularly and now a specialist to make sure Joseph is growing normally. We see the doc tomorrow so we are looking forward to another good report. I know you'll probably think no way she's 8months by my pics but I promise I am! Joseph was 4lbs and 8oz two weeks ago, I'm expecting bigger tomorrow b/c he feels like he is growing a lot. I'll try to report again tomorrow. Keep the prayers for a healthy baby coming, they're working.

The picture on the left is in our nursery. I'll post pictures of all the drawings I've done once the crib is up. Hopefully that will be tonight! Well, I'm off to work on the nursery. It's almost done!

The Rocky Mountains

Okay, so I had not seen real mountains before and our hostess, Teal Elliott, took us to Rocky Mountain Park by way of Estes Park on Wednesday. Thanks Teal! It was so beautiful. Above are pictures of Estes Park. You could only drive about 35mph because it was so curvy and you never knew if you turned a corner if wildlife would be on or near the road. The far right pic is a stone top. It was just cool looking.

When we entered the park I was in awe. God has really created so much beauty. I got to see elk for the first time. They are huge! The mountains still had some snow on them. If you haven't been there, go. It is so pretty. I also saw these little animals called pikas. They are bigger than a chipmunk, but not by much. I couldn't get a picture b/c they were so fast. They are cute though. The mountains are so impressive.

Road Trip!

Monday, April 27, Debbie (my mother-in-law) and I left for Denver. We arrived Tuesday afternoon. What a trip. We drove to Salina, KS on Monday and than to Denver (Aurora) on Tuesday. Such an interesting trip. I have never been further than Kansas City, I think. I have an uncle who lived in KS at one time, but I don't remember where. I tell you what, I haven't seen such stretches of land with nothing practically on them. It was really cool at one point we turned this corner and here were all these wind turbines. Amazing!

We both really need this trip. Who knows the next time I'll get to take a long trip and Debbie has been helping Granny recover from her fall. So far it has been great. Two things we found really funny was the tolls you have to pay and one had a sign that said "Exact change, coins only, no pennies." Since when are pennies not coins? The other thing was that winds were really high, like 20+ mph. When we came toward the end of the windy area there was an electronic sign that read, 'High Wind Advisory.' We were like, really? Duh! We've only been driving in it for the last 3 hours!!!! Some things are just dumb.

7 months and counting

We had our 7th month appointment on April 22. Things are looking good. I was a little surprised to find I had gained 9lbs this month! So overall I have gained 21lbs. I sure don't look like it, thank God Almighty :) Dr. Breniman is so good and makes me laugh. He measured my belly for the first and said, "Yep, you're pregnant." It was funny. BIG NEWS: we set the birthday! So mark your calendars: June 29 Joseph Martin Higginbotham will be arriving at 7:30am. OMG! I can't wait and am nervous all together. It is only two months away and it is barely real. However, setting that date made it very real. He is a healthy little boy who likes food already. He seems to move as soon as I eat to say, Yeah food.
To me, Ethan, my nephew has had the most memorable things to say. He is so smart, and only 3, and he remembers I'm having a baby. Every time he sees me he asks, "You have a baby in your belly, don't you?" And I tell him yes. A Couple of weeks ago I got to go to gymnastics, eat lunch and go to the park with Amber, Randy and Ethan. It was so much fun. At lunch Ethan asked his question than said he wanted a baby in his belly and daddy's belly too. Amber and I told him only girls could have babies and he gave us a look like, 'that's not fair.' We laughed and he broke out in a smile. Last week my visit produced a very special moment. He asked his question and than just said, "He's a good baby." And we talked about babies crawling and pooping (poop is always a big topic :) ). I always enjoy my visits with them, thanks Amber for letting just drop in. LOVE YOU! Praise God for little boys.

Entering the 7th month

Wow, the time has went by so fast! Over the past few months we have been steadily getting ready for Joseph's arrival. Last month we discovered that Joseph is set to be about 7lbs. We are getting the house ready by flooring the attic and cleaning out his room. We are talking about what to do with all our swords, we are huge collectors with about 27 swords I think! And looking at everything in the house that needs to be moved, packed, given away. Speaking of which, we have decided to find a new home for our boys, two male cockatiels. We love them, most of the time :), but they require so much more than we can give. It makes me sad because we have had them almost 10 years! God will help us find them a great home, it is the best for them and us. Other changes: We had our last night being youth leaders on March 29 and April 12 was our last offical day in the coffee shop at church. We are hoping that this new time we have will be filled with family. We miss them and they miss us, hopefully. :) My Premier business is growing and doing well. I love giving away jewelry!

As far as the pregnancy goes, things are wonderul. Joseph is moving more and more. I love it when he moves, except when he presses hard on my bladder (that really hurts!). My weight is great, only 12pounds so far. I still get tired and from time to time food doesn't agree with me. My off list currently is broccoli, carrots and beans. I love them but they cause the worst gas! I am happy that my biggest problem is gas, pretty funny huh?

We have been registery for baby stuff. Baby R Us and Target so far with Walmart to go still. there is sooooo much a kid needs! It's going to be so fun, even if it is a lot of work. I can't wait to meet my son!

I'll post a picture soon of me. The last one I took the shirt was too busy to tell anything.

IT'S A BOY!

After the all the waiting and antipation we found out today we are having a boy. Joseph Martin Higginbotham. He's already cute! He's also ahead of schudule. I am at 20 weeks and 5 days and he is at 21 weeks and 2 days. He weighs about 14oz. The doctor said everything is in order and he looks great. I too am doing well. I have gained another 2 pounds, a total of 8. Very thankful for that. He is making sucking motions already, we got to see it. He has my nose :) and long legs. As you can see they are almost as long as his little body. His femur was very visible. His little heart beating at a healthy 167 bpm. We are so excited and JW can't keep from smiling. I'm so glad for him, having a son is a great thing for a guy. He's going to be a wonderful dad. How awesome is God?!

It's My Birthday!

So, the day was a good one. After lunch I went home and worked on my computer for a while. JW came home a bit earlier (love you dear!), and we went to TaMolly's for supper. We had a great time, as you can tell:

After dinner JW and I went to see 'He's not that into you.' It was about a 7 out of 10, a few areas I didn't appreciate. I did get a gaint pickle! JW beat me up in Galaga before the movie, I think that is a first!

It was a great birthday, thanks everyone for the great gifts. I love you all!

The ups and downs of pregnancy

So I'm in my fifth month now, the pic is from a couple of weeks ago. Things are going good. I still have tiredness and nausea issues, but I'm assured these will pass. It is still so hard to believe that there is life growing inside me. I'm looking forward to feeling the baby move. We had our last Doc appointment about 2 weeks ago and the heartbeat is good and strong (still 150bpm).

A couple of nights ago I had the worst gas EVER!!!!!!!!! Because of certain medical issues I can only really burp and the other night my stomache starting expanding. At first it hurt so bad I thought I was having a flare up! Finally I called the doctor to see what I could take. It hurt so much I couldn't eat dinner. He told me I could take some Gas-X, which I did, to almost no avail. It started at 4:30pm and lasted until like 1:30am. My gosh it hurt so bad. That was not fun AT ALL!

After our doc appointment a couple of weeks ago we went to Burlingtons to look around and well, I could'nt resist this outfit: How adorable is that? That evening we stopped by my brother's house to see everyone. I was talking with my nephew, Ethan (who is 3 tomorrow!) about the baby and he was so sweet. He told me to open it up because he wanted to see it. Than he said to open it up so he could give it his toys. He is ready for his cousin to get here so they can play. It is going to be so interesting to watch them grow together.

Today is my birthday, a big 33! I started Physical Therapy this week to help stregthen my body while baby is aboard, and come to find out a lot of my neck and hip issues are getting resolved. I was there this morning and they wore me out! After I got to have lunch with my dad and Jim. It was a great time. Thanks for lunch, Jim! it was soooo good. BTW, I did go home and take a nap :)

We are supposed to try and find out if we are having a girl or boy on Feb 23. I am so excited, I can't for that day to arrive.

New Day, New blog!

So, my first 'new' blog wouldn't accept comments, so I hope this one works. Today is so pretty, but cold. There was a huge cardinal in my back yard just a while ago, but I couldn't get my camera quick enough. So, I thought I would finally put out the bird suet I have had for months now. In the front there are several little birds and a few blue jays. They compete with the neighborhood cats for our yard. Most of the time that is okay with me, unless the cats dig in my garden. Anyway, that is my current ramble of the moment!

Posting Again

So, I finally thought I would get back to blogging. JW and I are excited to be at 14 weeks pregnant. I had a rough emotional day but my wonderful husband brought me flowers. I'm thankful for him. We go the doctor in 2 weeks. I can't wait to see the baby again!

A Busy time of year

Easter is almost here. Spring is offically here. I've been really busy. I've planted two new gardens, I should have pics soon. I've also been working extremely hard on our Easter Program. Everyone is invited. I bet you've never seen one like this (unless, of course you've been to JR before.) Come out to CenterPoint Church. April 1st at 10am and 6pm to see Jesus Revolution. You won't want to miss it.

Is anyone out there?

Just wondering if anyone is reading this blog? If not I will stop writing in it.