Christmastime is Here

Yes, it is early, but I am in panic mode with the baby coming. I told Mama that one would think I was preparing to die the way I am making final preparations and such. So funny. I love going home to my festive home each night. It helps me to relax and that is much needed in these last days.

This is our den. We did not put the tree in here last year but this year I modified everything because I knew with Henry here it would be a lot different for us.

This is the living room. This is where the tree was last year. Henry's Nana gave us her tree that looks just like the one in our den so I could have two. This year it was too big of an undertaking to put up two full trees. I hope to have that one in front of this window next year. We will cross our fingers with a one year old in the house. Maybe he can go to Nana's that day!

This is the other side of the living room. I have acquired a collection of alpine trees at yard sales and after Christmas sales. I created a little forest here. Randall says the snowflakes are a bit fake looking, but I told him to shut it up and be nice. It took a small forever for me to get down on the floor and back up again...they are staying where they are!

This is our dining room. I always hang ornaments from my light fixture but this year I refrained from standing on top of the table 35 weeks pregnant. I also have a small bush tree in the right hand corner in this room but the picture cut it off.

Henry's Ornaments

This is the rocking horse ornament that Marmie bought for Henry. I have some rotators on my tree and I put this ornament on one of them. It is so cute going around in a circle.

This is the festive, colorful ball ornament that Juju got Henry. I give the Fab Four an ornament each year and she seems to be carrying on the tradition with her nephew too. So cute.

This is the cradle ornament I got Henry. It has his name and birth year on it. It looks much better in person. My camera did not appreciate taking a picture of of it, so it seems.

This is our first family ornament. Randall and I collect ornaments on each of our travels, both together and when we go alone places on business and such. I thought it would be neat to have an ornament for our first Christmas as a family also. I bought it at Hobby Lobby and then took a Sharpie to it. Good ole Sharpie's.

I hope you enjoyed the early glimpse of Christmas at our house!

Abby

(the stockings on my mantle are the ones I use for "looks" each year. Mine is the zebra one, of course, and Randall's is the other. Santa does not fill these. The ones I posted about yesterday have always stayed at Mama's house.)

Stocking of Love

Henry's stocking made by his Marmie

Our family has a stocking tradition. My maternal great-grandmother "Granny" handmade all of our stockings with those felt stocking kits you buy at the craft stores. We all had one - kids, grand kids, great-grand kids, sons-in-law, grandsons-in-law and she even bought a store bought one for Jojo (our family dog). All of our mantles displayed Granny's love each Christmas.

Granny died when I was in the 8th grade. She was the head of our family and everyone of us miss her today just like we did the day she died. She was such a remarkable, loving woman. But all that is for another post....

Since the great-grand kids started having babies, our mother has carried on the tradition of making stockings. Samuel came first and then she had to make two in one year for David & Daniel. Grace came third ( Aunt Janet helped her with this one, of course) and then Anna came fourth. Molly came fifth (Aunt Janet helped her with this one also) and now Henry is the sixth one Mama has made. I know Granny must beam with pride from her seat in heaven when she sees those stockings hanging from the mantle each Christmas.

This year we will all hang our stocking from our own mantles instead of having them all at Mama's. It will be different for all of us. A bit bittersweet. We may be apart but our mantles will all be bonded in love. I have never had Christmas morning without my sister and the thought of it makes me choke a bit, but we will make it through this year and devise a new plan. No fear.

Julie needs to make Mister Brother Stephen a stocking....y'all root her on! I made Randall one 3 years ago and it made me respect Granny and Mama in a whole new way. Whew, what an undertaking! I can't wait to hang our three stockings of love in our den this year....and Mama's too. Santa will visit her at our house this year!

Abby

Henry's Room

First of all, how precious are those twin nephews of mine for praying for Henry like they do! My aunt heart swells with pride over those fabulous 4 kiddos. I can't imagine my mama heart if my aunt heart stays this full all the time. Wow!

His Nana did such a wonderful job on his bedding, pillows and curtains. His Daddy did a fine job on the cling above his bed and his Mama and "Aunt Z" (Lindsey) did an artistic job on his canvases.

The toy chest in front of the window is already filling up with fun toys and his drawers are filling up with cute things. The picture frames are waiting on photos of his sweet little face.

This is Henry's closet and book shelf. His Daddy still has doorknobs to put on his doors. We painted the letters on his wall and filled his bookshelf up with all kinds of fun gifts, family heirlooms and his Daddy's miniature tractors.

We are counting down the days until we get to see our little Henry Patton in this precious room of his. I can't wait too see his sweet little face and give it kisses!

Abby

Friends and a list

I have soo much to blog about that once again I will give you a list.

*** For many years I prayed for a friend. It seemed that God wasn't exactly listening to me. But now as I look back on that time I realize that He just needed me to concentrate on being a mother. I did that and now I have friends! Yay for me!

*** One of my friends and her family came to our town Sunday. Her husband spoke at church Sunday, so we were able to eat lunch and supper with them and spend the afternoon together. The boys had fun with their son and Anna could not get enough of their 12 year old daughter! Christmas open houses were Sunday afternoon so Marabeth and I left the kids with their dads and headed out. It was quick but fun.

*** Another one of my friends stood in line last night for over 3 hours to get me a copy of the pioneer womans cookbook. I can hardly stand the fact that Christy waited all that time and then not only got herself a copy signed but got me a signed copy of the cookbook! The absolute sweetest thing! And it isn't just signed, but it says Holy!Holy!Holy!Julie Missed you! Ree/PW.
I was at a Bible study last night and wasn't able to make the trip to see her in person, thus the holy, holy,holy.

*** And she also had Marlboro Man sign it. Can you stand it????!!!!!

*** I pray with my kids everynight before bed. You would think I never do by the way they act at night. When we announce bedtime, they each(all 4 of them) come up to me and say" don't forget to pray with us". I don't ever forget. Anyway. The twins say the sweetest prayers. Lately they have been praying for Stephen's mom and Henry. They pray that Henry will be "delivered safely", that he "won't have any illnesses in his life" and that "he will be saved and know you, God". How sweet is that?

*** Back to the subject of friends. We had some friends give us 4 football tickets last week. 2 of the kids had no interest in going to the game so 4 tickets was just what we needed! We had such a great time at the game! Thanks guys for letting us use your tickets!

***Because we were going to be so close to Ft Smith, we decided to spend a day there. And I got to spend a few hours with my friend Cindy. We have known each other for 24 years and still love each other to death. We went shopping, actually we went to a couple of stores, walked the perimeter of them while talking and that was all. She had just been at our house for the weekend a couple of weeks ago. So being able to see her twice in a month was almost more than my heart could take.

*** That's it guys! A list of whats up in my life! I know you're glad you stayed around to read it!

Scavenger Hunt Answers

I know this is more than just my blog. But today I am going to hijack it to play in a scavenger hunt with the preachers wife and her friends. I'm going to answer some questions and hope to win!!!!!!!

The Treasures

1. My name is Julie. I also go by Jules, Julia, Ju, and I will soon be called JuJu by Henry, my nephew to be!
2. I live in Arkansas and always have but have only lived in Lincoln county for three years.
3. My wonderful hubby is the Pastor of our church. How about that for a lofty title!
4. I have already answered this question in #2, but we have been at this church for three years (well, three years and 15 days!)
5. Yes, I have children. The lights of my life, the laughter in my soul, the stealers of my sanity are Samuel who is 12, David who is 8, Daniel who is 8, and Anna Kathryn who is 5.
6. We have been married for 16 years, and have lived in seven different houses. Not bad for being in the ministry! But have served at 2 churches for 5 years each!
7. I cook Sunday lunch most of the time, unless my in-laws come to town. When they come to visit, for some reason we always eat out. I used to think it wasn't my cooking, but now I'm pretty sure it IS my cooking!
8. I am usually on time for Sunday School and church. I get the kids ironed, fed and out the door and am there by the time my class starts. I never hardly make it to the older people's Sunday School class before they start though. When the bulletin says Sunday School starts at 9:45, those people read it, believe it, and act on it! My class? We start at around 10:00-10:15.
9. I love to watch The Duggers on TLC. Isn't that sad? I am just amazed at them. They love their family, they run around, they are loud and rambunctious, and they take care of each other.
10. I like to watch The West Wing in the mornings. It is on for two hours almost every morning. It goes against everything that I hold to be true, but I like it. I can't help it
11. My most annoying church related pet peeve? I'm sure I have many, but right now it is people dying! People dying during the holidays, while I'm on a romantic weekend get-away, or when I have tickets to a ballgame. Is that bad, sorry if seems insensitive. I don't mean it to. It is just the correct answer to the question!
12. The one thing I need to throw away is the fur coat I got from my dad when I was 12. I have no need for it, but can't bring myself to get rid of it.
13. I don't know if Coke is a food, but I can't live without it! I mean I. cannot. live. without. a. daily. can. of. Coke.
14. I currently live in a parsonage. It is the most wonderful house. If we ever move from here I would like to take it with us. It is beautiful on the outside, and roomy and wonderful inside. Can you move a brick home?
15. The question is :Freak when the doorbell rings or always ready for a visitor? I am mentally always ready for a visitor, but my house is NEVER ready for a visitor. Even when the visitor is expected. I can never get this place clean. ( That should explain why on number 14 I didn't say it was beautiful on the inside!)

So, there you go. I'm now entered in the scavenger hunt and you know more about me than you even thought to question.
Julie

The Workplace Shower

My friends and coworkers were kind enough to give us a shower this past week. They went way out of their way to celebrate Henry with us. It was a fun time to visit after work and open fun baby gifts. The shower was extra special because Jules and Anna came to town for it and spent the night with us. I was so proud she made it to one of my showers. It meant a lot to have Henry's Juju there with me....and Anna too! This was our final shower. We feel so blessed to have all we need to create a nice and fun environment for our baby boy.

The Shower Hosts - These are the great people I work with everyday in the marketing department.

The Cake - They knew I loved this saying and had the cake made to match it. It was as tasty as it was cute.

I had no idea how puffy and swollen I was in these pictures until today. Little did I know I would be in a hospital gown 24 hours later because of it. Mercy.

Henry's Aunt Juju and cousin Anna Kathryn.

We are still the only girls. Yay!

Anna getting a drink out of the duck tub with the help of Melissa. I loved how they used the tub for an ice chest. Anna loved it. She has always loved a rubber duck.

They all guessed the day Henry would be born, his weight, the time, hair color and length.

They winner gets a gift from the marketing department. Too cute.

Anna gave Henry a fork. This fork was from her little play tea set. She wrapped it herself in Christmas paper with lots of tape and a ribbon. She was so proud and I must say, it is one of my favorite gifts, ever.

Wow. What to tackle next?

My friend and coworker, Deania made this scrapbook for me. All I have to do is place pictures in it. I love the time and creativity she put into it.

My marketing coworkers got us the pack n play.

Anna loves that Henry will sleep in it at her house.

Books. Henry will be smart!

Who knew a Diaper Genie could provoke such a smile.

Henry's classic car.

A few of my coworkers and friends bought Henry this fun 3 in 1 activity seat.


Abby

I'm Alive

I am here. I am alive. I am going to make it. No fear.

I am now on modified bedrest. I can go back to work but have to take it extra easy. She will check my bp again next Thursday and see how things are ticking. I am so relieved to have some activity back again. I was about to pull my curls out lying in that bed watching daytime TV. How depressing that is. How do people do that all day? Whew. I would honestly break out in tears of boredom several times a day. I can see how people go crazy and call HSN & QVC all the time. Bless them.

As for my mouth...it is on the mend. I have had a week, I tell ya. I think I am ready to give birth after all the pain and chaos of these past few days. The dentist said he had to think that pulling a tooth with only local anesthetic had to be worse than birthing a baby. We shall just see about that in a few weeks.

Henry is perfect, moving like crazy and I do believe my belly is bigger this weekend. I cannot see my feet! My swelling is pretty much gone for now due to the bed rest. I have not seen my fingers this normal looking in a couple of months. My face is not as puffy and I can see the definition in my feet again. I actually lost 5 pounds yesterday from when I weighed on Tuesday afternoon. Craziness!

Abby

Bloggy Reading

I love to read.

Books, magazines, newspapers, blogs. It really doesn't matter what it is, I just like to read it.

I read 10 or so blogs a day. Some of people I know and some of people I don't know. I don't always comment on blogs. I just kind of stalk them!

I'm a blog stalker.

We also have a blog stalker. I'm thinking we have more than just one, but this is about one in particular! You know who you are!

She also reads blogs, many of the same ones I read. She is all about what is going on in their lives. She even wants to talk about them as if she is personal friends with them even though she isn't. When we see each other we talk about the blogs, but I have never felt like sharing any information about the blogs I read with other people until now!

Over the last few days I have read a couple of blogs and they had such exciting news on them I wanted to tell Stephen. I caught myself a number of times wanting to tell him of this news and of this even bigger news.

I have become a blog stalker! And one of the worst ones. One that links their blogs to mine. UUGGHH!!! What has happened to me?!!

Are you a blog stalker? Do you know too much information about people you don't know? Do you just love it???!!!

Bedrest.....yeah right!

As you know Abby was sent home on Tuesday for bedrest. It seems her blood pressure was high.

She went home Tuesday like a good girl and rested. And then Wednesday happened....

Her tooth hurt. BAD!!!! She has had tooth trouble for quite a while now and has made many visits to the dentists office.

Well, she had to go back to the dentist yesterday for some more dental work so that the tooth wouldn't give her any more pain. She did this all by herself, while she was supposed to be on bedrest. What a girl!

Then last night happened!

She woke up in great pain around 1:00am and called the dentist at home! The call woke him from a deep sleep and he was rude to her and hung up. He called right back, apologized for being rude saying that he had been in a deep sleep and that he would meet her at the office in 10 minutes. ( Don't you just know that his wife heard the phone conversation and let him have it??!! I bet she hit him with the pillow and shoved him out of the bed!) ( I hope she did anyway!!!)

So, the dentist numbed the tooth and told her to come back this morning. The numbing worked for about 3 hours but she was able to get some sleep.

She went back this morning, he sent her to an oral surgeon who PULLED HER TOOTH! Poor girl. They gave her a prescription for medicine but she couldn't take it because she is pregnant, they then prescribed something else but she was allergic to it. They finally found something she can take and sent her on her way.

Poor girl. I can hardly stand to be here when she is there in so much pain and agony. I know Randall will take great care of her though.

Keep her in your prayers!

A man I hardly knew

A man I hardly knew died 13 years ago.

At his own hand. He didn't consult me. He didn't consult anyone.

He had known me since my birth. I had known him since I was 12.

We spent 7 weeks together in the 14 years I new him.

I loved him. I love him. I miss him.

He was my biological father. Because of him I have freckles, bigger hips than I would like, and strange looking feet. Because of him I have a family that I love and desire to be with, I have an insatiable appetite for books and I know about unconditional love. Because of him I grew up in a home full of love. I was taught God's love and I shared the last name of everyone in my home.

He left me devastated. But not nearly as devastated as he left his wife and two other children. Those that saw him daily. Those that talked to him everyday and saw his smiling face.
Their lives were changed forever.

My life was changed forever too.

A part of me is missing and always will be. I know what his thoughts were, I know how he was feeling. I read of his desperation and his feeling of not wanting to go on.

I suffered post-partum depression after I had Anna. It was awful. I didn't want to smile, I didn't want to go anywhere, talk to anyone. I didn't want to be friendly. I didn't want to go on.

I understand feeling like there is no hope. It is a terrible feeling. And one that must be addressed. It cannot be allowed to continue. I HAD to tell Stephen how I was feeling. I didn't think he could help, but I knew deep down that I needed to let him know how I was feeling. And you know what? He did help. And helped a lot!

Another thing that helped so much was this verse: Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. Colossians 2:8

I can't tell you how that verse changed my life. Not only helping me fight through what was going on with me after I had Anna, but also helping me deal with Barry's death. God doesn't want us defeated. He wants us victorious!

I have lost two men that I loved to suicide. I know the hurt that it brings. I know the depth of pain that it leaves. But I also know that God doesn't want me to live in a cloud of despair and grief. His desire is for me to live victoriously through all life's circumstances. Good or bad.

If you are hurting today because of this kind of pain, please know that I am praying for you today and throughout the next week. My pain is so real today and will be this week. I will cry and I will want to just lay around and do nothing. But I am determined to go on! To live the best life this week!

Boys will be boys

It has been a busy and fast couple of days.

Monday morning Anna and I headed to Jonesboro. Abby's co-workers were hosting a shower in her honor and we wanted to be there.

It was great fun! She got lots of great gifts. Cute, cute, cute things.

The cake was so cute and tasty. Her friends and co-workers were so sweet and kind. There are many pictures to post.

Anna and I had a great time. We got to see Henry's room and it is so much more than the pictures allow. Abby is so good at decorating. I should really take notes!

Abby had a doctors appointment today and her blood pressure was high. HIGH! So they monitored it for a while and sent her home until Friday.

Henry is already causing problems.
Abby has to rest and stay down until Friday!

So, I'm asking that you pray. Pray for Henry that he is safe and healthy. Pray for Randall that he remains strong and has just the right comforting and loving words to say to Abby to calm her fears. And pray for Abby. That she remains healthy, and probably most importantly, that she stay DOWN! You know she is going to be wanting to get in Henry's room and put clothes in the right places, and play with all his toys.

My advice to Abby during this bedrest week is paint your nails!! I remember when I was on bedrest with Samuel. I painted my nails everyday. I figured I wouldn't get the chance to do it once the baby was born.
Do ya'll have any advice for Abby? Any ideas of what she can do while she lays or sits? She isn't a big tv watcher so be creative!!

Belly Painting

Randall painted Henry

Henry's first Halloween costume - ha!

Abby

3 Things That Make Me Smile....and Laugh

The search is over....we found them!

We are handing these out at the hospital. Do you know how rare this candy bar is these days? Well take my word, they are rare. We found 15 at the Country Mart grocery store today after an exhausting search. I wanted 30 but got 15. Some of you will have to share your bar with each other...there are actually 2 in each package...good deal!

I saw this man in the middle on my TV just now. Yes, our Daddy is a HUGE Rebel fan (a Houston fan) and there he was in this pull over, with his pretty silver hair and his sunglasses on my television. I screamed " There's my Daddy!" and Randall about wet himself thinking that something was bad wrong with me. I guess a 33 week pregnant lady should not scream unless it is time. Note to self. This is the second time I have seen my Daddy cheering on the Rebels on my television. It makes me laugh a bit to think of him cheering on the Rebels instead of the Razorbacks. What time can do to a man. Go Daddy!




This makes me pee my pants. My cousin Claire (Our cousin Hollye's daughter) thought this was my voice and tried to convince her mother that it was me. She remembered them telling her that I did radio spots and in her little head she had decided I must do Geico commercials too ( I wish! Bring on the money people). When I heard of this I looked up the commercial on You Tube. I ALMOST DIED. Thanks Claire for thinking I talk like a valley girl from the country. Randall played it about 10 times in a row laughing his head off. I think Hollye and Matthew may have done the same. It was funny...but really. How wrong!

I love my simple little life. It makes me smile and laugh a lot. Bliss.

Abby

8 Months

8 months

It is hard to believe I am already 8 months into my pregnancy. Some days it feels like a lifetime and other days it feels like it has been a short while. We are getting anxious to meet our baby boy and see what he looks like. We have ideas in our head on what he looks like, so we are ready to see if we are right or not. We do not have a desire to do a 4d ultrasound, so we will be surprised and I am glad about that. I think a little mystery is good. His room is ready for the most part. A few details are left to complete, but he could be born today and have a working room. That makes me happy. I have one more shower next week at work and my sister is coming into town to attend. I am super excited about Aunt Juju seeing Henry's room and helping me with all his fun stuff.

People tell me I will never make it to my due date because I am so large. My doctor laughs because she says people forget I am short and short waisted. There is no where for Henry to go but out. He may come early, but I doubt as early as some think. I actually had a lady at work tell me he would be here by Halloween. I told her I surely hoped not because I would more than likely have to be at Children's Hospital and that would not be fun for any of us. If you want to see how transparent people are....get pregnant. Everyday I am wowed by something someone says.

1 more monthly picture to go....this has been fun.

Abby

This week has been one busy week!

I may or may not have made fried apples.

I may or may not have burned the fried apples.

I may or may not have ruined my iron skillet because of that.

We have had soccer games, boy scout meetings, and as cubmaster of our local troop of cub scouts, have had to get all popcorn orders together and submitted, built two dressers, babysat two beautiful girls, and cleaned house because my bestest friend is coming with her two boys to stay with us this weekend! I'm so excited!! Stephen will be gone to be with his mother and dad as she has a procedure that we pray will end the pain she has felt for the last eight(8) years!

Stephen and Samuel backpacked 15 miles last weekend and Samuel will backpack another 15 miles this weekend. Samuel just came in and corrected me. It was 15.5 miles with an eighteen pound backpack. I'm pretty glad I'm working with cub scouts and not boy scouts! Cub scouts don't do hikes!

Hoping your week is as much fun as mine!!

Julie