16 years and counting

I promised last week to share more pictures of the War Between the States reenactment that my family participates in each year, but I was so busy, I didn't have time to post them.

As many of you know, my Dad is a pastor. He also loves southern heritage! So, for the last 16 years he has taken part in The Battle of Decatur reenactment on Labor Day weekend in our town. He dresses up in old-timey (wool) clothes and plays the part of a chaplain in the Confederate army. He sets up a tent and gives out hundreds of Gospel tracts each year. On Sunday morning there is an 1860s church service where Daddy preaches and we sing hymns from back then. It's such a huge ministry opportunity that God has truly blessed over the years.

Our whole family has gotten out each year (except when we were working or away at college) and participated too. It's a lot of fun! Oh, and my Mom made most of the clothes that my family has worn over the years! She's amazing!!

A Confederate officer's tent

Officer's desk...love the guns & swords

Plenty of Hardtack to share

Daddy under his tent enjoying great conversation

Daddy's tract table

Getting ready to honor a fallen Confederate soldier. My little brother is the flag bearer. He didn't want to stand close to the Yankee, so he was all squished up against the Confederate guy. ha!

Bringing out the cannon for battle

In the thick of the battle. Jacob is on the far left in the white shirt.

Advancing towards the enemy. Jacob and my bro-in-law are in the white shirts.

Sadly they all "died"

Jacob and Daddy after the battle

Mom and my precious nephew on Sunday morning.

Me & Jacob on Sunday morning. That skirt & hoop was about to cut me in half! ha.

My wonderful parents and sweet nephew.

Space Shot

Before we got married, Jacob conducted a youth orchestra concert at the US Space & Rocket Center.

He talked me into riding Space Shot (it does exactly what the name implies)...yes, I was in a dress and pearls.

Ready for liftoff! I will never do it again! ha.

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Buggy Buddy Giveaway!

Myra at Happy Housewife Living Life is hosting an awesome giveaway: a handmade Buggy Buddy!!! They are made of super chic fabrics so your baby (or grandbaby) will be ridin' in style at the grocery store. The Buggy Buddy comes with some awesome features, including a hidden pocket to put your keys, wallet, or phone in!

There are nine ways you can enter this giveaway, but you've got to hurry over because today is the last day to enter! Go here to enter!

Pregnancy Update: 23 weeks & 24 weeks

I know it seems like I've disappeared off the face of the earth, but the last 4 days have been so busy! Jacob had a symphony concert on Saturday night (with rehearsals every night last week) and I went to school with him one day and I kept K unexpectedly one day, and many other things.

Anyway, hopefully I'm back full swing this week!

I decided to post my pregnancy pictures from weeks 23 & 24 at the same time because I'm actually 25 weeks this week. I got a little behind somehow.

23 weeks - Lily Grace weighs about as much as a sweet potato

24 weeks - She is as long as an ear of corn (it was supposed to be a super long ear, but that's all I could find at the store)

I'm still feeling very well, which is such a blessing! The baby has been kicking so much. She even woke me up in the middle of the night last night because she was kicking really hard. We went over to my parents for supper after church last night, and Mom, Myra, and my little brother, Joshua got to feel her moving/kicking! It made me so happy that they could feel her!!

Jacob likes to hook up his ipod and put the headphones on my tummy so Lily can start loving classical music like her daddy. She seems to like it, well, she always moves around a lot, so I think she likes it. ha! At the concert on Saturday night, she was very active especially when the percussion was playing.

One other bit of news I have to share: Roo had puppies last week! She only had two (boys), which I think is kind of weird, but maybe it's because this was her first litter. The little guys are growing so fast. They love to eat, that's for sure! lol!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Are We There Yet?

This is K, a precious little girl I take care of every week.

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Busy Labor Day Weekend

We had a very busy but super fun weekend!

Friday night: we went out with my sister, bro-in-law, and their baby, and another young couple. This other couple has just bought a house, so we went to see it. It was pretty moldy smelling, so I played with my nephew outside.

He loves water bottles!

After we looked around their new house, we went to Panera for supper. It was a really fun time of fellowship with friends!

Saturday: we participated in the annual War Between the States reenactment in our town. I will post lots more pictures of it later this week.

My little bro is the Confederate flag bearer, Jacob and his bro, Judah are in the first row, and my bro-in-law is the guy in the white shirt in the back row.

Me & Ridley

Sunday: we went to church, took a nice long afternoon nap and went to my parent's house for supper after Sunday night church.

Monday (Labor Day): we ate breakfast with Jacob's family. I made delicious pumpkin pancakes to go along with eggs, sausage, biscuits, and coffee. It was nice to visit with Jacob's grandparents and one of his aunts that we don't see very often.

We headed up to Tennessee for a "Painless Labor Day Party" hosted by our midwife. ha! There was really good food (pulled pork, ribs, and all the fixin's) and we got to meet lots of other families who had successfully made it through natural childbirth. It was very encouraging!

We even got our picture made with the stork! LOL.

After the party Jacob and I went to Target and registered for baby stuff. It's so fun to pick stuff out! I love all the cute little girl stuff!

A couple from church invited us and my sis & bro-in-law over for supper. We had a yummy dinner of steak, potatoes, salad, and fruit. After dinner we played Bible Challenge (each couple was a team) and just enjoyed really good fellowship.

It was a fabulous weekend, but I'm completely worn out from all the running around! I am so thankful that God has given us wonderful family and Christian friends that we can get together with often. We are incredibly blessed!

What We're Created To Be

I just read this amazing post on Transparent Mama's blog. It really spoke to my heart because I've been struggling some lately with comparing myself to others. I was humbled and challenged as I read this post to not try to make myself look like, or act like, or be like other people. My focus needs to be on what God has made me to be and how I can bring the most glory to Him through my life.

I encourage you to go and read this post. It will be a blessing to you!

II Corinthians 10:12

For we dare not make ourselves of the number,

or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves:

but they measuring themselves by themselves,

and comparing themselves among themselves,

are not wise.

May we all be the woman God created us to be, no more, and no less!