summer fun!

We have been to both the beach and the pool this week to try and beat the heat!  We are also trying to soak up as much Charleston summer as we can because our move date is beginning to stare us right in the face!  From my estimation (and nothing is set in stone yet because we haven't scheduled the movers) we have 4 weeks left until our life is completely uprooted for a bit.  I know that time will fly by, so we are hanging with friends and 'living the good life' here in Charleston as much as we can!

On Tuesday we went to the beach with our neighbors.  That morning Andy was around for a bit after breakfast because he was flying that day and didn't have to be there until 9:30.  That in itself was a treat because we don't usually see Daddy before he leaves for work in the morning (we are early risers, but not that early!).  Anyways, Andy was getting his flight suit on while we were getting packed for the beach and Olivia kept telling him over and over "Daddy airplane. Mommy, Aiya beach".   He would then reply "yes, you and Mommy get to go to the beach while I go work" and then give me a grin/look.  It got to the point that I wanted to blurt out "okay, okay, I will go get a job!!"   haha.  Talk about feeling guilty!  However, all worked out as Daddy told us to enjoy our day and didn't seem to upset that we were going to frolic on the beach while he worked hard flying his airplane. 

Olivia, Sarah, and Emily.

There were 3 other families that met us there, too, and Olivia loved
having so many children to play with.  By the way, this picture was
not posed....they were doing this all on their own and I jumped up
to capture the moment!

Emily was a trooper and let the girls give her legs a mud bath!

Mason dug a big hole for the little ones to play in!  Olivia loved it
(despite the scowl on her face!  I blame the sun)

Today I hosted my MOPS table group for a pool party.  It was a great way to spend the morning.  Those ladies have been such a source of comfort (and fun) for me this past year. I know God intertwined our lives for good reason.  I will definitely miss them, and their sweet little ones, when we go.

Jacob, Olivia, & Scotty. 
Again, Olivia was having fun despite her
scowl....I'm convinced the sun makes her forget to smile! ha

Rachel brought cupcakes because it was Kelly and Kim's birthday (you following me ;)  The kids thought they were great!  Olivia kept shouting "yummy" after each lick!

Oh, summertime, how we love you!!

p.s. I want to say THANK YOU to all of you have been praying for my friend Amy.  So far they have kept from having to deliver the baby; however, they've had some close calls this week.  Please keep praying for more time for their baby girl to develop! 

wordless Wednesday.

prayers

I believe in the power of prayer so I am asking for yours.

My friend went into pre-term labor and is currently at MUSC trying to keep her baby in long enough that the baby will have a chance at survival.  She is 24 weeks pregnant and randomly began labor on Thursday.  She has made it through the weekend, but in her words "feels like a ticking time bomb".  Also, she has a 23 month old daughter who is used to having mommy home with her all the time as well, so that is another area of stress for my friend.  (they were set to move across the country in 3 weeks, too, so this family has a LOT on their plate right now!)

I ask that you pray for Amy.  Pray that God protects her baby girl by keeping delivery at bay for at least several weeks.  Also, pray for her daughter (Prestyn) and that she is able to cope with her new schedule and not seeing Mommy.  They need God's healing power in the most desperate way. 

Thank you.

" Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be make known to God." Phillipians 4:6

happy Friday!

Stay in your pajamas all morning (or at least a portion of them ;)....

stand in your kitchen while eating peanut butter right off the spoon....

then do a little Hokey Pokey dance just for good measure!

Life is really all about the little things - enjoy your day!

wordless Wednesday.

25 weeks and celebrating a best friend.

Last month I vowed to be better at documenting this pregnancy.  However, I have failed miserably thus far.  As child number three, I guess I can finally forgive my mother for the smaller number of baby pictures when compared to my sisters, and "forgetting" to get me baptized as a child!   I totally get it now, Mom ;) 

Speaking of my mother, much to her pleasure I will share my latest belly photo!  To someone who doesn't know that I deliver babies that weigh as much as a normal 3 month old, my stomach may seem large.  Now, don't get me wrong....it is BIG; however, I am okay with that knowing that it is more likely due to the large baby boy growing in there, rather than too many bowls of ice cream!

Due to some terrible lighting (and needing to take the picture right then to ensure it actually got done), I edited the pictures to black and white.  I kind of like it though.  Sort of artsy! ha.

For the record books.....
-I have been feeling great the past few weeks, only really having pains or hurting if I've had a hard day with a certain 23 month old!
-the only major symptom I have is acid reflux, which I battled with Olivia as well - nothing a nightly Zantac can't help (totally doctor recommended and my lifesaver)
-I have gained 20 pounds thus far......gulp!  I am a few pounds ahead of where I was with my previous pregnancy, so keeping under 35 this time may be a challenge.  Lucky for me, I don't get worked up over weight gain.  I eat what I want, exercise when I want, and know that it will all come off post-baby. 
-Baby Boy moves a lot and seems to be pretty low, thus keeping any rib pain at bay so far.
-we haven't named him yet, so you can quit asking ;) 

Olivia's best friend Sarah turned 2 in early May and she had her party a few weeks back. I had to share a few photos because besides me and Andy, Sarah (and her mom Ms. Emily) are the most favorite people in her life.  I'm serious..  She LOVES this family and constantly talks about them; I think she would move in if we would let her!

We have had to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Sarah every night before bed since the party.  Silly girl!  It makes my heart sad to think about how much she is going to miss this sweet family when we move.  They have been an amazing blessing to us to have as neighbors and friends. 

Olivia insisted on sitting on Emily's lap while Sarah opened presents.
Thankfully Emily (and Sarah) were okay with it!

I hope you are all enjoying your Memorial Day weekend !!  What was going to be a glorious four-day family weekend for us turned into me and Olivia hanging alone because Andy got put on a trip.  Such is the life of a military family, right?!  However, for the record, we are still having a great time! 

an early birthday gift!

Grandma and Grandpa Allen are on the ball!  Olivia's birthday gift was already delivered to the house and we couldn't wait to get it together and test it out!

Baby Girl and Daddy worked hard getting it all put together

the "I'm tired of waiting for a ride" face...

taking the Cadillac of all wagons on a test drive!

Thank you so much for the great birthday gift!  Olivia loves it and we have used it every single day since getting it put together.  She even sits in it in the house! ha. Its too big to fit into our garage (well, it would fit, but one of us would have to sacrifice and park outside and neither of us will give in....there is just a bit of stubbornness in this household;) 

It is perfect to take when we go to the pool.....


Baby Girl has to have her accessories even when we are heading to swim....
We may have our hands full in a few years!