16 weeks and counting!

I can't believe it's been nearly two months since my last blog, but we've been super busy. It now being December, you can imagine all the bustle. Christmas shopping, decorating, and preparing for our bundle of joy coming next year. We find out in two weeks what Baby Pryor is and we couldn't be more ecstatic! Last night we ordered the nursery furniture and it should be here next week. That in and of itself makes things seem more real. Here's a picture of the crib. We also ordered the matching 5 drawer dresser and changing table.

I am 16 weeks and time is flying. All of the nausea has subsided and I'm really just enjoying the whole process now. I pray a lot for this little one..for safety, that they're growing the way they should be, and for them to come to know the Lord someday. It seems there's quite a baby boom going on and a couple of those other pregnancies are right around me. With Victoria due in March with her second baby girl, Natalee Grace, she's been super helpful and encouraging. Also, some of our very best friends Matt and Ashley are expecting their first baby together so I'm looking forward to spending some time together doing all of the fun mommy-to-be things that you do, with her. Victoria is due in March, I'm due in May, and Ashley is due at the end of July so we'll have 3 babies all 2 months apart..how exciting! 

Adam and I finally nailed down the names after a very grueling, exhaustive process. I mean, this is a huge deal. Naming someone for the rest of their life is something we didn't take lightly and I thought we would never agree on anything, but by the mercies of God, we did. So drumroll please....If it's a girl, her name will be Callie Jane and if it's a boy, Jonah Anthony. We love them =)

I cry at the drop of a hat and I think it's a mixture of things. Yes, my hormones are jacked, but I think it's more than that. The joy of the baby coming has made me a ball of mush. On top of that, this time of year really makes you miss those who aren't here. With Thanksgiving already passed and Christmas right around the corner, I can't help but long for Grandma and my dad. This will be the first Christmas without Grandma and I know it's going to be hard for my mom, as was Thanksgiving. But she was there with us then and I know she'll be present with us Christmas morning. She would have been so excited to have 2 great grandbabies on the way and my dad would have been beside himself. My mom keeps telling me she hopes I have a boy, since she's sure he'll look just like my dad did when he was a kid. And he was adorable. So maybe that's why I have it stuck in my head that we're gonna have a Jonah, but we will be just as excited if it's a Callie. We keep telling our friends and family that no one will know what  the baby is til Christmas, but we'll see! It's gonna be so hard to keep it in once we know..

Baby on the Brain

So while we are anxiously waiting to go to the doctor for the first time next week, this whole being pregnant thing has completely consumed me. My thoughts, my worries, my fears, my excitement. So many new emotions have risen to the surface, all while loving every minute. If I had to peg one symptom for the past couple of weeks it would be nausea, with being tired out of my mind coming in second. I wondered when the "Is this really happening?" would turn to "Ok this is really happening." And this past week, I think it has done just that. I get mixed reviews from people about their experiences in the first trimester, as far as being sick and what not. I have been lucky not to puke, but as soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning, I feel like I just stepped off a boat. Other than that, it's been so neat to read how big the baby is getting and what it's developing. I think I'm about 9 weeks, which makes BP the size of a medium olive and it's starting to move a little. It's eyelids are almost covering the eyes and I can feel my uterus getting hard. It's incredible. 

We bought him/her a little UL onesie and I ordered some maternity clothes and some little owl booties, since I love owls, and so will BP. Among our battling over names, Adam and I did find some common ground on the bedding. Honestly, I don't think he'd care either way what bedding I choose, but the fact that he went crazy over this one just won me over. So if BP is a boy, here is his bedding:

Arrrgggg....I love it!

If BP is a girl, here's the bedding I know she'll love...

Seriously, every time I look at it, I fall in love with it all over again. And for the record, her name will not be Haley.

Adam's sister Erin is going to be gracious enough to give us her daughter's crib and dressers and they're a maple color and really cute. I know we don't find out for awhile, but I already can't wait to find out if there's a little prince or princess in there. I will update after our doctor's appointment Monday!

Baby Pryor is a brewin'

I am so happy to post that Adam and I are expecting our first baby! I cannot believe what I am even typing, saying, shouting..it's the most surreal thing I have ever experienced. We had been trying for 3 /12 months or so and honestly can't believe the Lord blessed us so soon. I took two tests Thursday morning and actually had Adam on the phone when I had the dollar store test stuck in the cup of pee and immediately two lines popped up. So much to my surprise, I quickly got off the phone, called one of my very best friends, Crystal, who lives in WA and is a medical assistant, and had a mini freak out. She assured me that if the test came up positive that fast, then it was in fact, positive. Regardless, I insisted on taking a digital test, thinking in some way that would make me feel better. So I gulped down a few swigs of water and watched the test pop up "Pregnant". So here I am sharing this with the world.

This weekend has been a whirlwind of emotions and nerves. I kept quiet for longer than I ever thought was possible with such a giant secret. To make things even more exciting, my best friend of 13 years delivered her second baby girl Friday evening and little Emily Ann is such a beauty =) So between going to the hospital and working a full day Saturday with a dinner theater Saturday night, Adam and I decided we would dedicate today to telling all of our family and close friends.

Overall today was wonderful. The encouragement and excitement from the people we hold closest to our hearts made everything so much more real. Like, ok I am really going to be a mommy. Wow. Something I've prayed about for so and wanted more than anything. I am just speechless to think that this little angel is starting to make itself at home in my belly. Adam is ecstatic as well and we have really enjoyed just basking in this unexplainable joy the past few days. We've already laughed and cried so much and we know there is such a crazy road in front of us.

As far as symptoms are concerned, not too many at all. Just feel a wee bit more tired than normal and  have had some lower abdominal cramping. My mind has almost been arguing with me, telling me that we're telling people a lie because I don't feel any different. But I have been told numerous times that things will quickly change. I am very much looking forward to the upcoming months, no matter what they may hold.

To answer the questions of how far along I am and when I'm due...well, haven't been to the doctor yet, but a good estimate would be 4-6 weeks and due between mid and the end of May. We don't have many May birthdays in my family, so that will be exciting. This baby will be my mom's 7th grandbaby so she is super pumped. My younger sister, Victoria, is expecting her second baby and he/she will be two months older than his/her cousin- how exciting! I am blessed to be surrounded with friends and family who have just gone through pregnancy or are presently going through it with me. I know that Adam and I have tons of support and feel so uplifted right now. We will continue to pray for the healthy growth and development of our baby and I will do all that I can to help give this baby a healthy home to live in. 

God is so good and I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity be a mother. I still find myself shaking my head in disbelief, but I think in the coming weeks, everything will become much more real. Here are some pics of the tests that I took and the sticker message that we spelled out in my mother-in-law's photo album that we got her...

Welp that is all for now. I am off to bed to try and calm my brain from freaking out so much. I will post with updates!

Costumes and a new tat!

I know it has been forever since I've posted anything and this one won't be as long as most of my entries. I just HAD to show off these costumes I found at Pottery Barn Kids today..so wish I had a baby to dress them up in these! But since I don't, I called up my good friend Ashley, and told her she must buy this adorable Owl costume for her precious daughter, Emma. I love all things owl and just couldn't stop starring at it...

Cutest costume ever right???

After I called Ashley, I quickly called my sister Victoria to tell her about the cupcake costume that stole my heart the second time. She doesn't know it, but Aunt Fe Fe (that's what her daughter calls me), will be buying this little outfit and the matching basket for little Miss Raylen =)

                           

                                 

One more thing- I got my third tattoo last night, as a tribute to my wonderful husband Adam, of a year and a half. I freaking love it. It's an "A" and an "F" with the bible verse that he game me on our wedding day...

                        

You might have to turn the computer a little to see it- I couldn't figure out how to turn the picture. That's all for now!

Over it..Excited for it..Planning it

So in a nutshell, I am over traveling (for awhile anyway), totally excited that my sister is due with her second baby, and completely up to my ears in planning showers and parties. I thought  in the beginning of summer that I would love the traveling that Adam and I had planned, but is it ever exhausting, on the body and the wallet. After my trip to Gatlinburg with the girls and Adam's getaway wedding weekend to Atlanta, we are calling it quits on the trips for a few months. Well of course until my birthday weekend- we are planning to visit Cincinnati for a couple days so I can finally go to IKEA and there's also supposed to be a concert we're going to- but that's not til November so we have some time to chill.
But I haven't shared my most recent fabulous news with the blogger world, my baby sister is pregnant with baby #2!! Yay! I am overjoyed to say the least and had been keeping it a secret so she could surprise the pants off my mom when we picked Victoria up for our trip. Needless to say, Mom still kept her pants on, but she did scream and run around the van. It was very sweet what they did for Mom- see for yourself:

Victoria is due March 19 but they plan to take her the 12th since she had a c-section with Raylen. Which brings me to my next thing I've been consumed with- shower planning. We have very good friends of ours (Derrick and Melinda) who are adopting their first baby and I am collaborating with some of Melinda's family to throw her the most awesome shower ever. Melinda and Derrick are so special to us for so many reasons. Mainly because, more than anything, they are loyal and true and very dependable. Through the years, Melinda and I had remained dear to each other but had never had the opportunity to have a friendship. After the Lord brought us back to our church home, Melinda and I became inseparable almost immediately. She is now one of my very best friends and I don't know what I'd do without her.  Adam also looks to Derrick like a brother and it was a no brainer that I wanted a part in this shower. They are going to be incredible parents and we are all so excited to see what Boo Boo Jeffries is gonna be. Until then, we must invite, decorate, eat, play, and shower her with love and gifts at the end of October. Here's the decor that we're going with for her shower: 

                                      

I know, it's adorable right? I have tons of great ideas for favors and centerpieces and can't wait to rack my brain for games and prizes. I keep telling people I was born to do hair and party plan. I know that she'll love anything that we put together, but we are gonna rock the house with this shower. But before I get busy with birdies and trees, we are gonna have some fun with Mickey Mouse for my niece, Kotey's, 2nd birthday party. We decided to host the bash this year and we are stoked. I had a somewhat obsession with this adorable mouse most of my middle school years, so the love came rushing back when I was given the green light to start planning. Even though she'll only be 2, the adults must be entertained too! A day of Mickey galore, cake, cornhole, pinata swinging, and an astro jump will surely not disappoint. Check out these decorations and tell me if you don't resort to a little kid again:

Ok I"ll show you one more set of decorations that I'm looking at for Victoria's baby shower (which probably won't be til January but early bird gets the worm, right?). She's only about 10 weeks so we obviously don't know the sex of the baby, but I fell in love with this adorable jungle theme:

I will have a bridal shower to plan for one of my very dear friends, Autumn, but that won't be til February so haven't went that far yet. She's getting married in April and I have the honor of being her matron. So I have been a very busy bee indeed. I know that I'll be seeing streamers and balloons for months, but it's so worth it to make those days special for the wonderful people in my life. Will try to update this thing more often!

The Seattle Blog

So, as promised, here is the very much awaited Seattle/Tacoma blog. And as everyone can see, I did indeed survive the flights, something that I was terrified of. And why is it that flying is scarier than driving? I mean there isn't any traffic and the chances of the plane crashing aren't very high (I don't really know what the chances are technically but I think it's low). Now granted, I wouldn't recommend watching a special on September 11th pre flight or pulling out Final Destination. That'll mess with you forever and then all of a sudden you think you're having these visions of everyone dying and it's just crazy...wasn't Devon Sawa in that movie? Where the heck has he been?? Casper was his best movie by far. Anyway, with my fears alive and well and my IBS medicine at work, I boarded the first plane with Adam to head to Seattle. I also said a prayer every time I went to the bathroom, which was a lot, since, well, I have a stomach disorder and all. This plane was a smaller one- two seats on each side and I opted for the window since Adam has tree branches for legs. I think he wanted to trade soon after, after the Amish couple sitting across the aisle from us started to read a book out loud. Correction, the girl was reading the book out loud to her husband, boyfriend, whatever. I don't know if he couldn't read or if she just wanted to be super annoying but she succeeded nonetheless. Overall, though, that flight and the one after was pleasant and I actually found myself enjoying being above the clouds, so far away from everything that made me feel comfortable and protected. I could have done without the pee smell on the second plane and the girl who looked like Barbie sitting next to my husband with blue jean underwear, er shorts, on barely covering her womanhood but I could have been mistaken. Oh yeah, then we had Johnny-lean-his-seat-back breaking my knee cap off when he jumped up from behind me to occupy the vacant seat in front of me. But overall a nice flight, and hey, it could have been worse.
Landing is the best feeling in the world... for those who fly, I think you'll agree with me. I hear that taking off and landing are the worst, but I love landing. When I hear the pilot say "We have begun our descent", I get oh so excited. I don't care if we smoothly roll onto the pavement or hit it hard enough to make me bite my tongue...the feeling of being on the ground in so satisfying.  And this landing was especially wonderful, because I knew, a hop, skip, and jump away was my dear friend waiting for me. I remember going up the escalator and seeing Crystal, Aaron (her hubby), and Maverick in her arms. I was overwhelmed with emotion. Crystal and I have been the best of friends since I was a freshman in high school-let's do the math- nearly 10 years. She is so special to me and we have the most unique friendship. We go very long periods of time without seeing each other, the most being 2 1/2 years, when she came in to be a bridesmaid in my wedding last March. She and I share such a connection. even through the miles between us, it's just overwhelming to see each other and hug each other and know that there is a person behind the hour long phone calls. She moved to Texas soon after she graduated, then married Aaron and they were stationed in Hawaii for awhile. After Aaron was discharged from the service, they moved to Washington to be with his family. It had been a little over a year this time and I was more than ready to see her and meet her precious baby boy, who is only 9 months old.
In preparation for this trip, Crystal was trying to come up with things to fill our agenda while we were there. I told her I was perfectly happy with hanging out with her everyday and kissing all over Maverick's face, and I did a lot =) And let me add here that he is probably one of the most well behaved babies I have EVER been around and he shot my baby fever through the roof =) Anyway, the 5 nights and 6 days we were there was a blast. It was just the right mix of sight seeing and lounging around. Our first night at their house consisted of Aaron grilling chicken wings and playing catch phrase. It was so nice to just be lazy together. However, the rest of our weekend was filled with shopping, double date night to a yummy bar-b-que place and my first experience at a casino, fun days in Seattle and Tacoma, and a church service Sunday morning at Mars Hill Church. Went went to a cute little farmer's market that was in town and bought a bag of yummy cherries to munch on. She also introduced me to the most adorable baby boutique called Sugar Babies that I plan to keep an eye on for the future Pryor children ;) I think my most favorite times, though, were those spent with her laughing, talking, catching up and just seeing her as a mommy. She's such a wonderful mom, as I knew she would be, and Maverick is such the little miracle baby. I couldn't help but be overwhelmed with joy for her for this little angel that God has blessed her with. Leaving Crystal was difficult and goodbyes will always be hard when someone has such a piece of your heart. But I am so thankful for our friendship and the many memories we made in Seattle and Tacoma. Here are some pics of our trip.....

Maverick the first night..he was drooly face from teething

Bath time!

Mav in his stellar headphone shirt I brought him =)

Yes, he is beautiful!

We just woke up here haha

This pizza place was awesome

Look how cute =)

Us all dolled up for date night

Bad waitress but great food

Mark Driscoll's church- it was awesome!

The famous fish market in Seattle (yes where they throw the fish)

The Space Needle 

Adam in front of the EMP (experience music project). He loved it.

Takin a break at Starbucks (they were everywhere)

Crystal and I our last day

Graduations, Weddings, Vacations, Oh my!

Well it seems, my friends, that summer is among us. After making it through Prom season at work, there are weddings galore. We only went to one graduation this year because of all of the wedding festivities, but it seems our weekends are booked solid for the next two months. And with weddings come showers, bachelor/bachelorette parties, rehearsal dinners (for those of us who are a part of those weddings), and of course the big day. I was honored to be a part of my one of my best friends wedding a couple weeks ago. Ashley and Matt had a beautiful wedding and Adam and I were so thrilled to be standing by their side. Having our newlywed friends home from Cancun has been so wonderful =) (although I'm sure it was torture for them boarding the plane to come home). Right after that wedding, one of my coworkers Jessica got married and they returned home from the Bahamas just this week in fact. This Saturday, Adam is the best man in another wedding of our good friends Jeremy and Sara. Summer is a time that we all look forward to, whether we're in school or not. It's like a 3 month long celebration of something. Here are some pics of the weddings we went to and the Graduate we were so proud of...

Matt and Ashley saying a prayer..so sweet <3

One of my favorites, because Ash was soo excited!

Me and my Ash swayin to the music =)

                                         Beautiful Briana- now a graduate from Bullitt East

                                                                             


However, one of my most favorite parts of summer is traveling. Adam and I plan to travel the world one day, but this year, we are headed to Seattle, Sandusky, OH, and Gatlinburg. We fly out to Seattle next Thursday and I am oh so excited. One of my most dear friends live there with her little baby Maverick (that I have yet to meet) and her hubby, Aaron. They are going to be so kind to let us crash at their place and show us around the city. They live in Tacoma but I am excited to visit Seattle and to see a new part of the country. The last time that I saw Crystal was my wedding, a year and three months ago, so I am beyond excited to say the least. I am terrified to fly, though. I keep convincing myself that people fly everyday and it's not a big deal, but I am still tempted to look up that guy that landed that plane on the Hudson River- he could totally be my pilot any day! I think Aaron and Crystal plan to show us around and I am pumped about that, but most of my time will be spent kissing all over Maverick's face and catching up with a best friend.

Aren't they like the most beautiful family? This is my bff Crystal and her hubby and baby

Meet Maverick! Well, I haven't officially met him yet but can't wait to!

When we get home from there, we'll be jumping in the HHR (my new ride, btw), headed to Sandusky, OH. What is there, you ask? Well, Cedar Point of course! We went a couple years ago and loved it. Adam got me four tickets for Valentine's Day (he knows the way to my heart) and we are taking the McCulloughs with us so it will be much fun! It's a 7 hour drive or so to our destination, but road trips are so much fun, with the right people of course. I know Matt and Ashley were a good choice =)

Yay!! 

                                                            Yes, you should be jealous!


Once we are home from good 'ol Cedar Pointe, we'll be going on a girls' trip a couple weeks later to Gatlinburg. My mom, suffering from empty nest (not really...she cleaned out my room not even a week after I moved out haha), declared an annual girls' getaway weekend exclusive to her, me, Victoria (younger sister), Tonya (older sister), and this year Mikayla and Alexis (Tonya's daughters). We went to Nashville and Memphis last year and had a ball. It is so necessary to get away and bond with the women in your family I am convinced. I love my husband, but we all agree that this is a trip that everyone is looking forward to. Although we will be one lady short, we don't plan to let that ruin anything. My mom deserves to have the time of her life, after the year she's had with taking care of my grandmother and losing her to cancer. Victoria and I plan to drag her all around Gatlinburg, visiting the Titanic museum, maybe Dollywood, and stopping at some shops along the way. She is an amazing mother and friend and I am so excited to get to hang out with her and my sister and nieces for that weekend. 
So, as you can see, the Pryors are very busy this summer. But it wouldn't be summer if we weren't. We feel extremely blessed that we are financially able to go places and see things. And I hear after children come, it all changes, so we must get away while we can. (no bun in the oven, though, so don't go assuming things.) I will post a blog and some pics when we get back from Seattle!

Things are a changin'

Wow..it has been way too long since I've update this blog of mine. Almost a month, I'd say. My last entry was very difficult to write. In fact, the past few months have been quite the rocky trail indeed. It seemed I was completely caught off guard with this uncomfortable ride, forgetting to put my helmet on and losing my safety gear along the way. A caution sign of some sort would have been nice. And, who knows, maybe all the signs were there, but I was too distracted to see them, leading me to my own danger. I know this may sound like spanish to most, but to me, it's the resounding gong of how my life has played out lately. So, with many tears, heartache, and convictions, I feel like God is wanting to take Adam and I in a different direction. Not to a new location or church or even jobs. We are very happy with where we live and with our church. Our jobs are very stable and Adam is moving along nicely through school. It's more of a "priority list" change, one that will effect our social circle and our ministries that we're involved in at church. A change that will hopefully draw us closer to each other and the Lord, while looking forward to the future.
Losing Grandma a month ago has completely turned my world upside down. I drive and cry. I think about her and cry. I go out to eat with Adam and cry. She is everywhere and in everything. Our memories together are all I have to cling to and they are making themselves very present. I don't talk about my loss very much with any of my friends, because it seems too depressing and it's not their loss. I mostly confide in Adam and my sister, Victoria when I can't seem to contain my heartbreak. I know that she wants me to be happy and to move on, but the wound is still so fresh and the bandaid I keep trying to put on it won't stay. So sometimes I have to let the wound bleed and hurt and burn so it can begin to heal. Those times are most difficult and I thank God that He has given me a husband who will do anything to see me happy. He has gotten me through those really rough patches.
My eyes have also been opened to some things that I don't like about myself. I have built up so much animosity towards some people and I don't want those feelings steering me so I am trying to bury them fast. I don't want to be angry and bitter because I know it's only Satan's ways of pulling me down and making me break. So, that is where the social change is taking place. Adam and I are trying to surround ourselves with some different people, and different places. We want to be encouraging to each other and other people and the way things were going, it seemed everyone wanted to hurt everyone else. So far, this change has proved beneficial. I have started a bible study with my mom on Wednesday nights and Adam and I went to a new class this past Sunday that we both enjoyed a lot. The study is great for Mom and I to do together, especially still grieving. 
Although, we aren't moving anywhere, change is still alive and molding us. We are trying earnestly to make the Lord our first priority and to make each the very next priority. The biggest thing we've learned is we can't fix everyone else's problems. It seems everytime we get pulled into something going on in someone else's life, it backfires. Yes, I've stepped on toes and I've made people feel uncomfortable. I have talked when I shouldn't have and blown up when I should have bitten my tongue.  Being kicked while you're down is one thing but I feel we've been beaten to a pulp. So, as you can see, something had to change. Without pain, there is no growth and no healing. I am looking forward to how the Lord is going to use us in the future and who He is going to bring our way =)

A somewhat eulogy to Grandma Wanda

Friday night at 11:35 p.m., my only grandmother went home to be with the Lord, with my mom, two sisters, my step-dad, my husband, and one of my nieces by her side. I still cannot fully wrap my mind around what I witnessed Friday evening- something so intense, it's hard to put into words. It's just Sunday and we have yet to have the visitation and funeral- they are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday because of Mother's Day being today and my cousin's birthday on Tuesday. So I have been trying to keep myself busy so I don't have to feel the pain, so I don't have to wonder what I am going to do without her phone calls and crazy stories, so I don't have to face the reality that she isn't here anymore. So far I have done pretty well. I have dove into scrapbooking like never before- I have made two collages in her memory to display at the funeral home and I intend on making one more poster of all of Grandma's favorite things. I feel if I keep my mind occupied with something else, it will hurt less, but it still resurfaces no matter how much I try to push it to the back of my head.

For anyone who knew my grandmother, knows what kind of woman I am speaking about. She was the epitome of a sacrificial mother and grandmother and the best kind of friend. After losing my dad to cancer when I was 16, my grandmother quickly took the role of helping my mom raise us. From then on out she has become a second mother to me and she had lived with us off and on since I was in the sixth grade. This is not your typical grandparent-grandchild relationship I am describing. Most of my friends only see their grandparents on the holidays or birthdays and rarely have to time to visit with having their own families. My grandmother was part of our immediate family. She was there for everything- the big occasions and the small. The ups and the down. The mountains and the vallies. She was nothing short of perfection and she taught me a lifetime of lessons that I plan to carry with me forever.

Something Grandma and I could always chat about was work. She was a retired hairdresser and had owned 2 shops in her time here on earth. She would come to see me at my salon and would get so excited- like a kid in a candy store. I insisted on coming to the house to cut her hair, but I think she loved the feeling of stepping foot into a salon. It was such a huge part of her for so long that it was almost a nice breeze from the past when she would visit- a time for her to reminise and gossip with me, just like we were co workers. For the last almost three years that I've been a hairdresser, it felt like we were business partners. But the connection we shared went so much further than our commonalities of the salon life.

Grandma was hilarious. Her stories would get anyone within 5 feet of her sitting around her to listen to what she would have to say next. She spoke her mind on numerous occasions and would have us laughing to tears without even realizing how funny she was being. Her countless adventures with her best friend pranking cars and bar hoping were some of my favorite ones to listen to. She had sad stories too...stories of abuse and anger from her previous marriage. She had to get through hair school to find a way out of a marriage that was hell for her. She knew she had to have a steady income to raise two kids on her own. And she did it. The strength she displayed then and more recently during her sickness is something I admired most about her.

She was diagnosed with lung cancer in April '08. Soon after, she decided against any kind of treatment, seeing as how she was a heart patient and diabetic. She wanted quality of life and felt chemo and radiation treatments would do nothing but hold her down and keep her from living. So she began the battle with nothing but pain medication and pure determination to fight it, as long as the Lord would allow her to. At first, there wasn't an immediate difference in her, but the last year, she became weaker and eventually it got to the point where my mom had to start working from home to take care of her. I am off Mondays and Tuesdays so it was a no brainer for me to step up and help mom out as much as possible with taking her to the doctor and to run errands for her. Little did I know, in all these times I thought I was helping her, she would be helping me. Shaping me and teaching me and sculpting me in our times together. Showing me how to love and how to live in a God-honoring way. Always telling me she was on my side and my biggest supporter. We would laugh and talk on our many dates. Our adventures led us to many places- Chilli's, Culver's, Penn Station, the movies, Graeters, the grocery, the nail salon, Cracker Barrel...wherever we would go and whatever we had to do, we had so much fun. Those times with her are times I will never forget and will always be grateful for.

As I try to prepare myself for the visitation and funeral, I know that it will be extremely difficult to deal with. I have spent so much time with her in the last year, that it's hard to picture my life without her. The reality of it is that she's with the Lord and she is out of pain- knowing that brings peace in this storm. She struggled and fought for so long and I know that it was her time to go home, but selfishly, I wanted her to stay. She's the only grandmother I had and I feel such a big chunk of my heart is missing. Seeing our friends and loved ones will be overwhelming- answering all the questions I don't want to and trying to be strong for my mom when I don't know if I can, but the I will find my strength in the Lord and I will rest in the fact that she is walking the streets of gold with our Jesus.

Grandma, I will always miss you and will always be grateful to you for all the things you did when you didn't have to. You made life sweeter and my memories with you are something I will hang onto forever. I will tell your stories and I will think of you when I order a scoop of ice cream from Graeter's. I will never forget how selfless you were in selling me your car and I still have the angel hanging from the mirror that was there before. I know you are with me and I know you are watching over me. Happy first Mother's Day in heaven and many more to come. I love you so much.

Grandma and I dancing at my March '09 wedding

body wraps and teeth whitening

In the little over a year that Adam and I have been married, we have been pretty comfortable around each other...well I'll say a lot comfortable. Even while we were dating, we never had a probably being ourselves or letting things fly out of our mouths and other areas..ahem. Last night was a perfect example. I had bought a body wrap from a girl who goes to my church and have been hanging on to it for a few weeks now. A little skeptical about it, I threw it in my bathroom and swore I would try it eventually. If you haven't heard of these things, they are suppose to help you loose inches immediately...in the waist, arms, thighs..they even have one for double chins ha! You can read all about the testimonials and product here:
www.itworks.net
Anywho, I decided yesterday that I would finally put this thing on and give it a try, since well I am in a wedding in less than a month and hey if it really worked, great! Around the same time I bought my wrap, Adam went to the dentist and got a teeth whitening kit, something he was also putting off. So here we were in our bed, me lying on my back trying not to move with this smelly minty gross feeling thing on my stomach and Adam in all his glory, reverting back to his inner 12 year old with a retainer. We were quite the pair indeed! I find it so humorous the things we will try to be skinnier, prettier, sexier, smarter..it's a never ending cycle. Oh and I have noticed a slight difference in my waist, but it take 3 days to see the full effect so I'll post something on Friday.
In other news, we finally bought bikes yesterday woo hoo! I was so excited and thought this would be the perfect activity for us to do together in our cute little neighborhood. I actually had a thought that bike riding wouldn't burn as many calories as us walking the dogs- boy was I wrong! I had to stop twice to adjust myself because the seat felt like it was melding to my woman parts and after 30 minutes I threw in the towel and we headed to Sonic for a slushe...better luck next time I guess!

My new beauty!

a newbie to blogging

Our Happily Ever After



well, kind of on a whim, i decided to start a blog. i have a very good friend, jenn, who just moved to florida recently and started hers and that mixed with my late night thoughts keeping me awake, led me to this decision. i must say, deciding on a title for my blog posed to be challenging. i googled suggestions and facebooked people for their input but ultimately, i chose this one because my husband, adam, said it sounded the best. i am a cosmetologist and work at a salon in a little city called shepherdsville- "the boondocks", "hickville", "where rednecks are born". all of my friends who come to see me always complain about the drive (well those who are from louisville) but they'll keep coming to see me so i'm not worried =) i also have a deep, deep love for pickles, so with the two combined, my blog title was born!

here's a little about myself to kick off this blog- my name is felicia and i have been married to my high school sweetheart for a year, 1 month, and 12 days. we had a beautiful wedding and i am just now enjoying our wedding pictures, since it took almost 10 months for us to get our album or any prints. needless to say, wedding pics are one of the main decor in our home right now (i included a few to show off). we have been together for 8 years and just bought our first home this past january. we are still furnishing our house but it's been really fun to decorate and make everything ours. we have a 2 1/2 year old chihuahua, stanley, and a long haired dachshund, baxter, who adam refers to as "my dog", especially when he poops and pees in the house. he's learning though, but at 8 months old, he's still just a pup. we are pretty involved at our church and love helping out with the high school group. i love our little life that we've started and am looking forward to sharing little pieces of it with those who care to read this.