Waiting, Patiently!

Well, I had every intention of writing a post last month. I actually even had one saved that I never published.... oh, well. Anyway, these past two months have flown by and I would love to be able to introduce my sweet baby boy, but unfortunately, he seems to be very comfortable right where he is. So, we wait... Can I tell you how HARD it has been to wait. I mean, I've been preparing for this little boy for nine months now and I'm completely ready to see his face and hold him in my arms. Should I also mention the years we've prayed for and never really thought this time would come. When the doc said I had made progress and she would like to wait until next Monday to see if he would just come on his own, I was thankful for her wisdom but at the same time my heart sank, "one more week?". As I have been learning to wait, God has reminded me of how my situation relates to the anticipation I should have for his return. Our bags are in the car, the cameras are charged, his room is completely ready, and we've even washed and cleaned out the car! We've done this knowing that any day he could come, so we've made preparations and are ready to go at any minute.  As we've prepared, we continue to do our daily tasks. All this preparation, anticipation that I've put into my son's arrival, do I do the same in my preparation for Christ's return. Am I living my life daily prepared  for His return, knowing that He may come at any minute. Am I filling myself with His word daily, and relying on Him, knowing that any second He may return. Am I preparing myself to be used by Him and allowing Him to guide me to share the gospel with those He puts in my path. It seems through this waiting period God has been speaking to my heart and I'm thankful. I'm thankful that God continues to help me, teach me, and guide me. I know that one day I'll look back and cherish this time God had me to wait. I'm so thankful God's ways are better than my ways. 

As I finished up with my students last week for my maternity leave, I must say I've enjoyed the time I've been able to have with my hubby these past few days. Last week, we celebrated his birthday and tomorrow we'll be celebrating mine. Yes, we're six days apart and I LOVE that! We usually celebrate all week together and this year we were hoping to include our little guy into the celebrations. It's crazy to think that our birthdays will all be in October. Trevor and I use to joke that if we ever did have children we would like their birthday to be in October and the same week as ours, that way we could just extend our celebration. When we found out we were pregnant and that our baby's due date was exactly in between our birthdays, I had to laugh and then be amazed at God's timing. So, who knows, I may get my birthday present tomorrow?! 

Well, I also have to play catch up of what else has happened over the past two months. Yes, I started back to school and I love my group of students this year. They were so sweet to me and made me cards and some even made cards for Caleb. Every morning when we would pray, the students would take turns praying and it was so sweet to hear them pray for me and Caleb. I'm SO thankful that I teach at a school where the students can learn about the power of prayer! Here is a picture of my classroom this year....

My co-workers gave me a surprise shower after work one day. I do believe I shed a few tears. So many of my co-workers have journeyed with us through our desire to have children and have seen how God has worked through the ups and downs. They went in together to buy us the swing we registered for and few other little goodies. They had even called Trevor to come, so I was completely shocked when I saw his cute face enter the room! It was a very special time. My church also gave us a shower. Again, it was lots of fun. I was trying to remember to take it all in and treasure every minute. Some people from the last church we were on staff at also came which made it that more special. Here are some pics from that day....

                                                                                                         

We also completely finished baby boy's room... well, almost. We have one more pic to put up that was made by my friend Anna Ruth, but we're waiting on his arrival so she can finish the date!! But, everything else is done. I LOVE his room. Some days I just go in and sit in the rocker and stare at everything and at night I pick out a book off of the shelf to read to him. I can't wait til he comes and we can actually start putting these sweet little items to use! So here's his room.....

                                     Ok, so I was going for a story book theme in
                                     his room. I framed some old golden books that I
                                     found at the Good Will. I think they turned out cute.
                                    The ABC book from Richard Scarey is one that Trevor
                                    had as a child.

                                     The Poky Little Puppy, which goes along with
                                     the wall hanging my mom put together!

                                 This is his cute, little, jammed packed closet!!!!

                                           And of course, we already have lots 
                                           of books! I'm praying he likes reading 
                                           and books just as much as his mommy does!!



Other random activities over the past few weeks......Trevor and I did make it to the apple orchard this year but we didn't pick apples. We just bought the apples already picked. I've enjoyed several craft shows, yard sales, and fun times with friends, especially our trip to the White Oak Tea Tavern!!! Love that place. 

I feel blessed beyond measure! Although everyday is not perfect and I have my struggles, God is in control and everyday I choose to see the blessings and live in the joy of the Lord!!

Have a blessed week!!

Apples and Pumpkins and Happy Birthday!

This past weekend, as a b-day present, Trevor took me to the Apple Barn to pick apples. When we got there, we found out it was the last wekend of the season and most of the apples that were left were higher up in the tree. No problem for us, we just grabbed one of the step ladders and picked the best apples we could reach.

We picked Rome, Winesap, and Golden Delicious and enjoyed eating a few along the way. We ended up picking 24lbs of apples.

From the Apple Barn, we went to Ikenberry's fall festival. We bought a pumpkin and mini hay bales and finished our time out by eating at the Three Little Pigs. Yumo!

When we came home, I decorated my front porch and began coming up with plans for cooking all those apples! I ended up baking two loaves of apple bread and an apple crumb pie.

I hope to make applesauce, fried apples, and applebutter. We shall see...
I'll share the recipes on my next post and let ya know how it goes. It was a GrEAt weekend!!

Fall Fun

In  case anyone missed it.... it's officially FALL!! As of last Friday, the fall season has begun and if you have read any of my other posts you'll know how much I LOVE fall. To celebrate the beginning of this fav season, this past weekend I traveled to my parent's house for a little visit. I left Friday right after work and came back Saturday evening. It was a short trip but loaded with fun.

My whole reason for this trip was to go to the Burke's Garden Festival with my mom (my dad tagged along this year too). This festival is small but encompasses many of my favorite things. We started off our day at a little Presbyterian church. They had baked goods, canned vegetables, and yard sale items.  From there we went to more yard sales that were located close to the house. Finally, we headed across the mountain into the "Garden" (as it's known). We were able to check out local produce, canned goods, baked goods, crafts, and more yard sale items. And of course lots of pumpkins and gourds.

We had so much fun. And to me, the day was perfect. 

Ok, so I didn't get any pics of the actual festival because the beautiful scenery was too distracting.

After the festivial, we went back to the house to make grape jelly. My parent's grape vine was full of grapes this year and so I wanted to learn how to make jelly. Mom and I had a great time together in the kitchen... as always.  As this was my first time, I realized I had the easy job. My mom had juiced the grapes before I came which made the rest of the job much easier.

We made seven and a half pints of grape jelly. Of course, I had to quickly try some leftovers on toasted bread.... and it is delicious!

So, as I traveled home Saturday evening (listening to the VaTech game) my heart was full and my car was full of all of the goodies I was brining home.  I'm so thankful for family and the fact that I was able to learn something new this weekend! I pray that God will continue to help me be content with the simple things in life.... because more than anything, all I need is Him!

Happy Fall!!

Enjoying God's Creation

As I have stated earlier, I love fall. It is my most favorite time of the year! Yesterday, Trevor and I were able to get to experience the beautiful mountains and the gorgeous colors of fall. We had been wanting to do this for awhile and I'm so glad we didn't let time pass by and miss it. Here in Virginia we are experiencing such a beautiful fall. Living near the Blue Ridge Parkway, we are just minutes away from some of the most gorgeous views in the country! So let me share a few of them with you.

                                           

                                             The tree across the street from our house.

                                                  On our way to the Parkway.

                                    Our view to the right as we first get on the Parkway.

                      As we were driving, a song that we sang in church on Sunday,
                      Indescribable by Chris Tomlin, came to mind.
                                  Here are some of the lyrics...

                                 From the highest of heights to depths of the sea
                                 
                                 Creation's revealing Your majesty
                            

                                From the colors Fall to the fragrance of Spring
 
                                Every creature unique in the song that it sings

                                     All exclaiming.....

Indescribable, uncontainable

You placed the stars in the  sky

and You know them by name

                                                  You are amazing, God

                                                  All powerful, untamable

                             Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim...


                                                 You are amazing, God!

                                       As you can tell, the sun was setting and it was starting to get dark on us.
                                     We went around 4:00, after I got home from work, but with the time change it gets
                                     dark now around 5:00pm.

                                                                                 

My favorite pic! Thank you Trevor for working so hard to get this

picture! It was starting to get cold and of course I told him before we went home

I had to have a picture of the two of us! With no one else around, he managed to turn the truck around,

fix the camera on the back and get this great shot! I have an amazing husband!! Eventhough my picture

taking gets on his nerves... he still is patient with me and works hard to get great pics!

Ok, now it's getting dark, last picture before we eat!

Well, we had a great time. I SO enjoyed the time to be alone with my baby and to capture the beauty of God's creation. I hope you'll find the time to slow down and and take time to be in awe of God's greatness and his beautiful creation.

Have a blessed week!