Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah

Anyone else love that song like I do?  No?  I'm sure if Baby Clower is ever at Camp Granada his/her grandparents will be happy to save him/her! 

Andrew and I were so excited to tell both of our parents about the new bundle of joy. I had done a little lot of research on how to share the news, so I was armed and ready with plenty of ideas! 

My parents were on a cruise the week we found out, which actually turned out for the best, because I would have called my mom right away, but I'm so glad that I got to see her face instead!  Since my parents were coming back on a Saturday, we decided to wait until then to tell both of our parents. 

Andrew's parents, Gigi and Grandpaw, were surprised with this frame as house warming gift. 

My parents, Mimi and P-Paw, were given this book to unwrap together.  

By: Jean Reagan

Plenty of hugs ensued from both sets of thrilled grandparents! 

Big Sister is less than enthused since cousin Gracie has already told her what to expect...a lot less ball throwing.  Womp. Womp.  

Psalm 108:4

For great is Your love, higher than the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 

Jeremiah 29:11

I've been dying to write this post. Well, mostly I've been dying of morning all-the-time sickness, but also I've been chomping at the bit to share our news.  We've waited so long for this moment, and I was worried it would never come, but...

I am currently 10 weeks, and the baby's estimated date of arrival is January 31, 2014.  We're going to have a little New Year's baby! 

The Lord has just blessed my little family in so many ways, and I am so excited to share His blessings throughout this pregnancy.  I have to share this short story that only solidifies His existence for me.

Hubby and I have been trying for over a year for this sweet baby, and I found myself losing hope several times throughout this journey. I have wonderfully, amazing, supportive friends and family, and I just couldn't BE more grateful for that. (Chandler Bing anyone?) Throughout my months of negative tests, I always turned to the comfort of Jeremiah 29:11.

I found out I was pregnant on May 20, 2013 at only 4 weeks. While I was beyond excited,  I was also a constant nervous wreck that I was going to miscarry. On the weekend of May 31st at 5 weeks, I attended our yearly Beth Moore Conference with my mom and our sweet friends, Penny and Mandy.  At the door, the attendants were handing out greeting cards as a "special gift". I have been to several Beth Moore conferences and this is the first time they have ever done that. We got to out seats and I opened my card. Y'all are not going to believe this...look what it said on the inside!

Seriously, I cried.  The Lord is more amazing than we can ever know or imagine. Thank goodness He loves my sweet, growing family. 

"Children are a gift from the Lord. They are a reward from Him." Psalm 127:3

Letter to My 21 Year Old Self

                                                  

Dear 21 Year Old Elyse,

Just because you're legally able to drink now does not mean that you need to order an adult beverage at every restaurant. Seriously. You're wasting a lot of money.  Also, I know you think those thin cigarettes in the pink case make you look awesome. They don't.  Trust me. 

You are never going to be the cute girl with the pixie haircut. You are not Sienna Miller. Please stop cutting your hair.  

The boy you think you're about to marry. You won't.  Stop trying to change yourself for him.  You will eventually fall back in love realize you're still in love with your high school sweetheart. You will stalk him. He will resist...at first.  Don't give up.  True love is meant to be yours. The $700 phone bill in Mexico is totally worth it.  

You're about to venture out in apartment living.  You will live off student loans, rack up a ton of debt trying to be rich, and eventually move back in with your parents.  It's cool.  I'm not going to stop you on that one. Live and learn, Lize. 

In a short time, you'll be admitted to the Early Childhood Education program at Georgia State University. The first call you make will be to your dad about how you need to buy "teacher clothes" now.  You'll graduate Cum Laude, despite the mistakes above. 

You'll lose loved ones. And it will rock your world.  But, you make it. You gain some life-long friends along the way, too. And, girl, your life is better than you ever imagined it would be. 

Love,
28 Year Old Elyse 

Life Lessons From My Mother

Never underestimate yourself.  You can do far more than you ever imagined if you put your mind to it.  

 2 pairs of nice jeans are better than 5 pairs of cheap ones. 

Vacuuming the floor makes the whole house look cleaner.

Take your shoes off before you enter the house.  Unless you're a guest...then you get to keep your shoes on.

Dogs talk.  They hear what you say and, if you listen closely, they will respond. 

Pretty is as pretty does. 

Never underestimate the power of your words.  

Bedtime stories make all the difference.

Thanksgiving should be a time for family and food and togetherness. All holidays, really. 

Speaking of holidays...church is not just for holidays. 

Love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and soul.  Lift those hands up, sister, no one is watching you anyway. 

Be grateful. Enough said. 

Moms make great friends. Seriously, I call her twice a day.

Don't scream, "I hate you!" in a fight. You don't really, and you can never take it back. 

Don't lie. You will always get caught.

When the one your meant to be with comes along, your mama knows. 

Moms are always usually right. And they like to hear you say it.

A mother's love is unconditional. 

Who can find a virtuous woman? She is far more precious than jewels...

Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: Many woman are capable, but you surpass them all! Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised. 

Proverbs 31:10, 25-30

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Always, Sometimes, Never

I always:

• check my alarm seven times before bed. 
• say, "I love you" before hanging up the phone with my husband...or mom...or dad...or brother....
• wash my hair first in the shower, so I can leave my conditioner on the longest. 
• drink real Coke. 
• mean to call people back when I say I will.

I always find something to buy at Target, like these mirrors! 

I always steal as many smooches as possible from this ladybug!

I sometimes:

• actually remember to call people back
• text them instead because I don't feel like actually talking.
• rewash a load more than once because I forgot to dry it. 
• act like I know people because I read their blogs.
• cry at commercials.
• eat a bite of my meal before I remember to pray.
• pretend that I'm a singer, and then sing really loudly to no one but myself.

I sometimes force my husband to take selfies in the car before date night.

I never:

• touch raw ground beef.  Ever. Seriously.
• eat spinach leaves. Gross.
• forget to kiss my husband good-bye in the mornings. 
• turn down ice cream. 

I never get tired of this man...

...or this view.

Check out Total Tippins Takeover to see Amy's list! 

Current Randoms

I love getting a glimpse into the lives of other people, so when one of my favorite blogs, www.totaltippinstakeover.com, shared this post I decided to link up.   Run over to Amy's blog and check out her post, too.  She has a new baby on the way and two of the cutest girls already! 

What I'm Loving:

• The warmer days.  It's not too hot and not too cold. Perfect recess weather.
• Award shows.  Yes, it's a guilty pleasure.  
• Hanging out with my sweet niece.  Could you just die?!

What I'm Reading:

• Bloom by Kelle Hampton
• Unglued by Lysa Turkeurst

What I'm Waiting For:

• The beach! We're gearing up for a Spring Break trip to Gulf Shores. 
• Beth Moore.
• Summer Break. Period.

What I'm Excited About:

• Putting the house on the market.  Just a few more things to get ready...
• Eating crab legs at the beach.
• The clean house I'm sitting in.  Hey, I worked hard for it to be this way. 

What I'm Working On:

• Grading papers on time. 
• Working out on a daily basis. 
• Baby- making.  

What I'm Enjoying:

• Grilling out with the hubs on these warmer nights.
• My new fave: Avocado and cottage cheese with my lunch. Delish.

What I'm Wearing:

• Old Navy jeans, a Georgia Bulldawgs pullover, and tennis shoes.  

What I'm Singing:

• "I'll wear your granddad's clothes.  I look incredible."  You're welcome. 

What I'm Needing:

• Some devotional time.  That's why I'm looking forward to Beth Moore in May.  She always knows how speak God's word directly to my heart. 

What I'm Learning:

• That working out makes me feel good which puts me in a better mood which leads to a happier life.  It's a ripple effect. 
• God's timing is perfect.  

What I'm Doing:

• A little of this and that.  I don't think we've had a free weekend in forever! 

What I'm Dreaming Of:

• A new house
• A new baby 

My Attempt at DIY

When hubby and I got married - almost two years ago! Holla! - we incorporated a "Wishing Tree" at our reception.  I scoured Etsy looking for the perfect tags and my dad put together an amazing "tree" for them to be displayed on once our guests had written on them.  The idea was that the guests would write well-wishes for us, the new couple, and we would read them throughout the years with tears of joy and fond remembrance of that magical night. *cough, cough*

Reality---the day after my wedding the tree was placed in my spare bedroom and there is has remained. Untouched. Unread. Unloved. *tear*

Now, enter my DIY project.  I have to give credit to my lovely friend, Emily, who first did this for her wish tags and inspired me to be a DIYer myself. Two years later. 

My hubby was extra glad that this project was not expensive. I will use this to my advantage in the future...but I digress.

Step 1: 
Find a branch in your backyard that is beautiful. Preferably one that has already snapped from the tree. 

Step 2:
Buy the spray paint color of your choice.  Used this stuff from Walmart.  It was gray. It was cheap.  It said "indoor/outdoor". 

Step 3:
Cover the grass (another point scored for me) and begin to spray paint your branch.  I only did two coats because I wanted the original color to come through a little.  In other words: do a shotty job of spray painting and you end up with your own distressed branch. 

Step 4:
Freak out because your husband can't find the tools he needs to hang the new project and then proceeds to get distracted by every other item in the garage. 

Step 5:
Pick out your favorite wish tags and hang them on the branch.  Read them with tears of joy and fond remembrance of that magical night. 

This post would not be complete without a special thank-you to my hubby for willingly nailing a tree branch to the wall.  I heart you.