The Top Ten.

Yep. She's 10 months old. I just can't believe it. It's gone too fast. The Top Ten for Ady this month:

1. Teeth. She has 3 bottom teeth. Most babies cut 2 at the bottom, then 2 at the top. Well...she is a girl of fashion. Of course she can beat to her own drum and cut teeth however she wishes, right? :)

2. Food. Well sayonara baby food. it's been nice knowing you. She is officially a toddler. Eating noodles, chicken nuggets, french fries (I know, I'm such health conscience mom, aren't I??), she'll eat "big girl" carrots, sweet potatoes, LOVES rolls, cinnamon rolls, Cheerios, animal crackers, vanilla wafer, etc, etc, etc.

The only problem. She hates baby food. I stopped trying to force it to her. And currently this week (this post is a little late, so sorry!), she will only eat Cheerios and Puffs. Oh, well! I love watching her explore new foods.
She ate her first happy meal a few weekends ago when we were on the way to Nashville The next day, she had Wendy's. She ate 4 chicken nuggets. We've gone out to several restaurants and even ordered her her very own meal one night. You may think I'm crazy because she's only 10 months, but I'm telling you...the girl can flat eat. I'm feeding a toddler, not a baby. Makes me sad and happy all at once. It does make going out much easier. She can eat off my plate too. She absolutely loves a place that serves rolls. She is her mommy's girl :)

3. Walking. She will walk from one thing to another, down the couch, around the coffee table, etc, etc. If you hold her she crawls all over you and stands up. She is a busy, busy girl. She was walking with her baby doll stroller a few weeks ago.

She stood for just a few seconds by herself and we were able to capture it :)

4. Sleep. She went through about a week of no naps. I'd get 20-3o minute ones here and there. For about 2-3 weeks her nights have been horrible. She'll wake up every 30 minutes-an hour screaming out. I think tooth #4 is soon to come up. She's slept in our bed many, many nights. But, she does have nights when she sleeps just fine.

5. Talking. She loves to talk. She is definitely a social bug. When we are out in public people always laugh at her. She loves to smile at them and make all kinds of noises.

6. Personality. She is definitely a funny girl. She is going to be the class clown, just like her daddy. She is so happy. People always ask me if she's always as happy as she seems. The answer, yes. When she's not feeling well from her teeth or overly tired, she'll go through cranky spurts. But, she is a very happy well rounded little girl :)

7. Clothes. She can still wear 6 month onesies. How, I don't know. A few weeks ago I went on a shopping spree and "restocked" her wardrobe. The onesies fit her, but whenever I dress her, I notice that they are a little snug around her arms. So, I decided it was the perfect excuse for a shopping trip. They are so cute on her. But, really. She could wear a paper sack and look cute. :)

8. Development. She loves to clap when we do, put her hands in the air when she's happy, wave bye bye, and wave to people. We're working on blowing kisses. I can't wait until she learns this! She has mastered the art of fast crawling, and it appears each day she adds more speed.

9. Emotionally. She has been very anxious to be without me lately. While we were in Nashville she would only go to my mom and I. Anyone else made her cry. It made me so sad, but I think she's starting to become more aware of her surroundings and that sometimes I leave her (although it's rare).

10. Perfect. But, you already knew that :) Here are some photos from the 10 month photo shoot. It was quite entertaining. She is very difficult to photograph now. Too busy. But, still so cute :)

We had a great 4th. I LOVED Ady's dress :)

We stayed in Lexington and my parents came up with Caden. We had a great time. We're so blessed to have such a healthy and precious baby girl.

Thanks for sharing this journey with us. We love our precious little Adyline! :)

Unanswered Prayers.

"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers, just because He may not answer, doesn't mean He doesn't care" A popular 90's country song that captivated the hearts of America. One that has, for the past 3 years, been on my heart. You see, Lexington, for me did not stir up happy moments. Joseph and I began our marriage 3 years ago on very, very rocky soil. We had a lot that we experienced that many will never understand (or even know the details of). On top of that within 2 months we had: graduated college, gotten married, moved to a new town, and started brand new jobs.

I can remember sobbing often as I came home from my first teaching job. It just wasn't what I had expected based on my experiences in student teaching. I came home so unhappy and Joseph was such an encouragement to me. I had no friends. I had just graduated college and was used to being around dozens of my sorority sisters. I moved away, got married, and all of a sudden the world felt very dark. Within a matter of weeks, the sole reason we moved, Joseph lost his job. I can vividly remember going out back and raising my hands up to the Lord. My heart, was aching. To say I was miserable was to put it mildly. I wanted a way out. I resented the town so much, I wanted to go home. Joseph searched the country high and low for a job, and with the economy's first strike down a downward spiral, he was miraculously offered a job within a month. The only problem.....it was in Lexington.

The next few months were devastating. I began having excruciating pains doctors couldn't identify, all the while aching for friendships. I wondered why God had me here. Months and months passed, in fact, over a year. Then, I began to have an answer to prayers. In September of 2009 I met the best friend I have ever had, Heather. We instantly became friends. Through the past 2 years we have been through many things together and although I haven't known her that long, she has become a part of my family. I feel like I've known her my whole life. I may have found a friend, but I still wanted a way out. But, God did not answer me.

You know the Ady story, all the doctors, the fingerprints of God that worked everything together...After she was born I couldn't imagine going back to teach; I could never have imagined all that I would feel once they placed her in my arms. I met with my principal 2 weeks after Ady was born, after praying fervently about what was best for our family, and told her I wouldn't be returning. Everything went great, she was so kind to me. And 4 weeks later, I received an email from someone kind enough to tell me that my belongings had all been placed outside by the dumpster. To this day, the principal has yet to speak to me or apologize. I went through so many emotions. I was angry, confused, so very hurt. And to top it off, almost every "friend" I made there turned out not to be one. I have no idea what "rumors" were told. It seemed strange to me that I was literally hated and mocked just because I chose to be a stay at home mom. Only God knows the truth. And He is the One who will judge. I spent months in tears questioning my character and decision. Here I was a new mom, with a screaming reflux baby, no family to help, and then my belongings go to the dumpster and I lost the closest thing to "family" (my work family) that I had here. It felt like the world was falling apart. I wanted to run, but God said no.

Joseph began immediately applying for jobs in Louisville to get me away from this town I so desperately wanted out of. But God still said no. Months and months passed, and finally Memorial Day weekend I decided that although I was beyond hurt at what some people in Lexington had done, God had me here for a purpose. I knew I couldn't let someone else's actions take away my happiness. I felt that I had released my plans to the Lord. Then, Joseph got a call.

We didn't want to get our hopes up, but it was a dream job for him in Louisville. I knew I'd have to immediately find a teaching job and in this economy it's not easy. I had been applying in Fayette County, even applied to do dozens of things outside of teaching. It is not my desire to work outside the home, but something has to change. Joseph and I started off our marriage in some financial trouble and this past year has been beyond difficult for us. We need to find another source of income. Unfortunately, with Joseph's student loans (I am SO thankful to my parents for paying for my school for me!), soon to be 2 car payments, medical bills, still paying off our honeymoon and other expenses from the beginning, have taken over our small bank account. Every. Single. Door was closing here in Lexington. So we felt it was God opening a door.

We prayed for wisdom and 2 weeks later Joseph set up an interview with the place in Louisville. The night before he went, I received a call from the principal where I student taught in Louisville, telling me she had a position for me. I took that as an open door. He went to his interview and fell in love. We spent the weekend praying and asking those around us to be praying for wisdom and for God to open and close doors for us. For it to be very clear what His plan was. And I received what I thought was the peace that passes understanding. Sunday of that same weekend, the principal where I student taught told me she had a 2nd grade opening and really would like me to be there. It seemed things were going so well. But then, God said no.

Less than 7 days ago, I was being the OCD planner that I am. I had already met with a realtor to put our house on the market, it was supposed to be up today, actually. I found a realtor in Louisville I had been contacting that was starting to look at homes in our price range, I was....well....just being me; planning. And then, God took me out of the driver's seat, as He has been doing to me my entire life. I need it, I do. But, it aches at times. You see, I thought I had released my plans, but I didn't. I still had my fingers on the plans, grasping on for dear life.

Tuesday evening Joseph received an email from the place that had basically offered him a job 4 days prior that said based on their financial situation they didn't think "personnel wise" they could hire him and offer him the salary that he desires and deserves. I was in Nashville when I found out. It was about 1:00 in the morning. I had just gotten in from a concert. I balled, and balled, and balled. I was with my family and I didn't want them to know. I prayed they wouldn't ask any questions about Joseph because I didn't know I could hold back the tears. I made it back to Lexington Wednesday evening and cried harder than I can remember doing so before. I thought God was opening doors. It seemed to be unfolding so perfectly. I have resented this town so much and wanted a way out. It has represented so much heartache to me for far too long. We started our marriage; our first night in our home in this town with so much heartache before anything else even started to fall apart. But, my prayer was for Him to open and close doors for us. And He did. He closed one, a big one in fact, just not the one I wanted.

I was all cried out; I cried for days. So much, in fact, that my eyes were burning from being so swollen. I didn't understand. But, I'm sharing this because there is a purpose. One morning this past week I read that God is not the author of confusion. You see, I thought I had a peace last weekend in Louisville, but the peace was that God would take care of me. He did not unfold the story as I would, but I have placed my trust in Him, even though I don't understand. I poured out my heart, and a lot of tears, and asked Him why I was here? Why am I in this town where I've been so hurt, where I've never wanted to be? Why can't I just go somewhere else, what is my purpose here? And I've never had this happen to me before, but I saw a visual image in my mind of a lion. It was more vivid than anything I can even put into words. It was so shocking to me that I opened my eyes because I thought I might be crazy. I closed them again, and there it was. I can't even describe it, but I immediately thought about Daniel in the lion's den. He didn't want to be there. He prayed to God, and He was thrown into the lion's den. But, what you need to know is that Daniel went to his knees and prayed as he always had before. You see, God doesn't want us to go to Him when we're in the battle. He wants us to go to Him before the battle. I have studied Daniel before and remembered a quote Beth Moore used during it:

"Satan never wastes a fiery dart on an area covered in armor".

Satan wants me to be unhappy. He wants me to doubt God. He wants me to be angry. But today, although I'm unsure, although I can't make sense of it, I choose to trust in the One who has always been faithful. He rescued Daniel and He will rescue me. I must "put on the armor" and let the enemy know that I will not fear. God is not concerned with my happiness. He is concerned with my holiness. And He can choose to do with my life whatever He wishes to do. I have the faith that He knows what is best. And, then, it hit me. I fell flat on my face, sobbing, as I was slapped with the truth of how He has already worked to make what I always saw so terrible into something that was best for our lives.

You see, had He answered my prayer during our first year of marriage to move me back, the way I wanted it to go, our marriage wouldn't be as strong today. Joseph and I were both in the bottom of the deepest pit. Both swallowing in bitterness, failed expectations, and enormous amounts of hurt. We experienced what I wouldn't ever wish on a newly married couple, it's truly a miracle we have survived. But, He used it to bring us closer to Him. Had He not moved me to Lexington, I wouldn't have met the 8 doctors and ended up meeting Dr. Bain, my second surgeon who I believe did everything in her power to rid my body of the mess going on. So, if I hadn't moved, there might be no Ady here today. Would I give the world to go back to that time and move to where I wanted to go then? Of course not. He gave me Ady here. He gave me my miracle here. If I hadn't taught in a school where I was treated beyond unfairly, I wouldn't have learned the importance of forgiveness. As much as I hurt, I have had to learn to pray for those who've hurt me. I was hurt so deeply. Some I took off my Facebook, others I kept. At times I've felt used when they'd message me only to get a question answered, yet I knew they talked about me behind my back. Or they just wanted information to use to gossip about later. But, you know what that taught me? To be like Jesus; to care for people who will use me, who I know will betray me. Afterall, haven't I done that to Him?


If I didn't move to Lexington, I wouldn't have met Heather. She has been here through it all. When my work treated me so terrible and I was a new mom pouring out buckets of tears from not having the slightest clue what to do, she was there to listen. She makes me want to be a better friend to others. If I hadn't moved here, I wouldn't have had the joy of knowing Elizabeth and Hannah as every Monday night we meet in my home to "do life together". I wouldn't have met Erica when she really needed a friend and God planned our lives to cross to encourage one another. I wouldn't have met my sweet neighbor Amy. I wouldn't have met Stella, who has done more for me this past year than I'll ever be able to repay. There are dozens of more people who have influenced and impacted my life, that I would never have known if I had done things my way.

This town that I have so resented, really hasn't been that bad when I look at my blessings, not my losses. I came to this town not knowing the first clue of how to be a wife.

And in all these experiences I have learned to be one, the kind of wife the Bible teaches. I learned to pray for Joseph, to pray Satan away as he tried to destroy what God put together. I learned to be a teacher. I learned how to be a mother.


If I had been in Louisville with family there at my beckon call, I wouldn't have learned how to do it by myself. I came to this town as a little girl, without the slightest clue of all that would happen. I learned to forgive people when they didn't deserve it, I learned how to love, I learned how to be a better follower of Jesus Christ; afterall some "seasons", He was the only thing I had. This town that I never wanted to be in to begin with has truly become my home without me ever realizing it.

Through lots of tears, I see that my plans for my life may not have turned out as I would have written them, but how grateful am I that I'm not the author. How thankful am I that He once again put me back in the passenger side where I belong. If He chooses to never reconnect me back to Louisville, how can I complain? What right do I have? I have been blessed beyond measure here. And I will use it, this season, this testimony, to bring Him glory. I can look back over the past 3 years and see the fingerprints of God; how He has worked things together for good. And I know, that my heart may want to be home in Louisville, but my Father knows what is best. And I have complete confidence that in the next 3 years, I'll look back and have a pretty big story to share. "If God had moved me back in 2011, I wouldn't have......" I can't wait to see the plan He has for us.


I am so thankful God didn't answer my prayer when I asked Him to. :)

Movie Night

I have SO many videos of Ady. Pretty much everything this sweet little princess of mine does is captured. I'm so thankful for technology. We have her babbles, her first food tries, her taking steps, her laughing, and the list goes on and on.

I thought I would share with you, my readers, some great movies that follow little Ady. Grab a bag of popcorn, cozy on up, and watch our one little miracle...

Just seconds after she was born. Through tears last night I watched this and as I heard my mom talking in the background I was thinking of everything that was going through my mind. I delivered her in record time, I was so overwhelmed, I couldn't believe she was real. My cup was truly overflowing:



I do not even remember this one being taken. As you can see, all I wanted to do was just rock my sweet little girl:



She loved her first hair wash. A true girl :)



She liked to take matters into her own hands when it came to cereal time:



She loved her monster voice. After she found it, it was all I heard for weeks:



But, she really just loves to talk anytime she can (and has for a long time). It's never quiet in our home and I love it:



Her 6 month check up was so much fun. She was getting ready to learn to crawl:



Exercising with Mickey Mouse:




One of my favorite videos. EVER:



A doctor visit to check on her eye turned into a very long wait in the room. We wouldn't have survived it without Baby Alive and the doctor's paper:



She loves her new big girl food:



Staying up way past bedtime to be silly with mommy and daddy:



Taking steps. And breaking off a little piece of mommy's heart one at a time:



What a joy it is to watch these and remember. What a precious gift we have been given. I hope Ady never spends one second of her life feeling unloved. She was our greatest prayer, desire, and hope. Praise God for blessing us and giving us the honor to raise her. :)

Running Shoes.

Forgive me for being way behind on a blog post. I've had my running shoes on (in more ways than one!) We had a very busy week last week. Monday was spent (literally) on the phone/email all day coordinating with 3 craigslist sellers. Our refrigerator has had problems for quite sometime, and it got really bad over last weekend. We found a GREAT deal on a really nice fridge. That was one purchase. The other 2 were for Ady. I found this slide and climber set:

She absolutely loves it. Look at these sweet pictures of her in it:
My sweet mom picked it up and brought it to Lexington Tuesday. Then...she went to LaGrange after Ady's pictures in New Castle (are you with me here, people? A lot of traveling!) and picked up a pink princess playhouse. It's so huge it can't fit in my car. Ady will have it soon to play with and I'll post pictures.

On top of all the phone calls/emails, Ady was very fussy. Not herself at all. I only got her to drink 5 oz of milk. (She normally gets around 20 and eats every bite of food). She didn't want her food either. She was vomiting and I noticed her diapers weren't as wet. She was supposed to have her 9 month pictures Tuesday afternoon, but when she woke up Tuesday vomiting and not eating again, I called the doctor. Her 9 month check up was scheduled for Wednesday, but they said they could switch it. I brought her in Tuesday and it seemed she just had some type of bug. Thank goodness it was nothing more!

She is in the 82%ile for weight. But, if you think she looks small, she is! This is based on where she started from at birth. She started putting on weight around 5 months when she was pretty much on all solids like a 9-12 month old. She weighs 20.13 lbs. However, she is in the 22%ile for height. She's a little short :) But...she is still wearing 6 month clothes. I shouldn't be surprised. She wore newborn clothes until she was 4 months old. "They" say kids aren't in clothes long, but she sure was. She got the go ahead to eat anything she wants from the table (and believe me she is L-O-V-I-N-G it!) with the exception of eggs, peanuts (including peanut butter), and shellfish until she is 2. Check out some pictures of her with her latest favorites.

We're trying ham and chicken this week. She's so happy when we feed her out at a restaurant or when we're at the table. You can tell she thinks she's big stuff :)

Back to our week....We moved her photo session to Wednesday since she wasn't feeling well. Oh. My. Gosh. She was SO happy and perfect. Click on this link below that sums up the session. She was perfect. I loved them all :)

http://animoto.com/play/14LZPHNGgO7ReIhsHfxbzw

We were supposed to get together with friends Thursday, but after our week, I gave Ady a day to rest and get back on schedule. Friday morning I painted her toes. :)

I sent my sister in law, Frankee, (who does nails) a picture because I knew she'd be so proud. She said, "A princess never leaves the house with unprepared nails." I surely couldn't have said it better myself :)

I left Friday at noon to go to Louisville. Before I left, I exerienced what moms mean when they say "put on your running shoes." I walked out of the room, came back in to find Ady had crawled halfway across the floor and pulled herself completely up to be standing holding onto couch. She was just beaming and proud as punch :) She is very, very busy now! And, taking more steps. She walked with her baby doll stroller as she pushed it last night.

My mom and I went to the Lifeway Women's conference in Louisville Friday-Saturday. Her brother (my uncle), writes a lot for Priscilla Shirer. He has written almost all of her books. They are very close friends. She gave my mom and I tickets. We were so close.


At the end of the third session on Saturday, she puled us out with her as she was walking to get to talk with her backstage. What a neat lady.


I also got to meet Beth Moore, whom my uncle also writes for from time to time.

I LOVE doing her studies. Every morning, she gets me. She finds some way to convict me and change my direction using the Bible. She was so sweet and very complimentary of my uncle. How blessed am I to be related to a man whom I can only compare what Jesus must be like to! It was a great, very convicting conference I won't soon forget. Joseph held down the fort while I was gone. I spent my first night ever away from Ady. I missed her, but since we slept about 5 hours Friday before heading out full force to hear more all day Saturday, I didn't have time to dwell on it. I left with a greater sense of who God is and how so many people claim to be children of God, yet they are not. Our lives should look completely different from thos who are not children of God. Everything from the way we dress to how we talk. It was very convicting as I saw these women who are so passionate for Christ and who truly have His Spirit living in them. There is nothing more important that spending time with God. When was the last time you sat and read your Bible? I encourage you to get one of Beth or Priscilla's books and study the Bible with them. Sit each day, at the feet of Jesus and allow His love and power to overwhelm you. You will see a difference.

Thank you for allowing me to share with you our crazy, busy week :) One of things Beth used in her session was, "Each generation is one step closer to that day when He splits the sky in two and returns to bring us home." May that give you hope as you go through this week. He is coming. What direction are you running?

Nine.

Where did 9 months go? Way too fast, that's for sure. Time is passing so quickly. But, I am enjoying each second of it. I marvel at how Ady grows. She never ceases to amaze me. She has the most precious personality in the world and makes the sweetest little sound. Listen to this video of her laughing with daddy. There isn't anything sweeter.....

At 9 months, Ady is:

• Development. Crawling to things, although she doesn't really enjoy it. I blame that on the reflux. I couldn't put her on her tummy a lot so she just doesn't prefer it. She'll crawl to get something, but she'd really prefer standing up and pulling up on things. She's taken her hands off of what she is holding and has been able to hold herself for a couple seconds. I can leave the room with her standing up on a table or the couch and she will usually balance herself and stay up. I say by the 10 month post she will be walking.

• Talking....a lot. I have no idea where she has become so social :) She loves to say "mamama, daddada, babababa". Words that just melt my heart.

• Food. She is still getting bottles at 8, 12, 4, and 8. I'm not sure if it'll stay this way? She gets fruits and veggies with her meal. This week I started adding Puffs to her "diet". Tuesday night she ate pizza with us for dinner. (Our meal times are impossible unless we let her have what we're having!). She LOVED it. But, she really loved daddy's Mountain Dew. Don't worry, just a sip...

• I gave her some Mandarin Oranges today and she loves them. She was trying so hard to pick them up but they were sticky. Too cute.

Look at this video. We sent it to Gramme:

• I'm going to give her some mashed potatoes and bananas for lunch tomorrow. It's so much fun to watch her explore with new foods. She has finally figured out the sippy cup and LOVES it! I'm going to start giving her milk in a sippy soon. Mommy isn't quite ready to pack up the bottles just yet :)

• Naps....She will usually take an hour nap in the morning. MOST days. Today, was different. I thinks she's cutting her next tooth so she didn't sleep long and she was a little cranky. She wanted me to hold her and she'd cry out like she was in pain. She will go down around 1 or 2 for about 30 minutes, and then again around 5-6 for about 30 minutes. She falls asleep at night between 8-9. But, I'm convinced she could stay up later if she wanted. She is a night owl :)
  

• Teeth. Well...we have one! And it's starting to poke on through. You can't tell it in a picture quite yet, but if you see her you can. She has her 9 month pictures next Tuesday. I'm hoping it'll be visible in the pictures. Too cute. But, what is not cute on her?
  

• Reflux. We're still on 2 15 mg Prevacid doses a day. That's 30 mg ( an adult dose). I am eager to see what happens when we go to the doctor. I don't think she'll be able to have regular milk at 12 months. We'll probably have to get her Lactose free. Time will tell though!
  

• Personality. Funny. She makes us laugh everyday. She is a happy, happy baby. She loves to laugh and is a "great big bundle of potentiality".

• Perfect. Really, she is. But, you already knew that:)

Check out the 9 month photo shoot (Of course the ones next week will be much more professional...). She wasn't too happy when I took the hanger away. So....she was having fun waving it around and chewing on the sign :)


We go to the doctor next Wednesday for her check up and shots. I can't believe that she's already 9 months. I remember the restless nights, the feeling that she'd never sleep through the night, or be satisfied anywhere but with me holding her. Now, she's moving and talking and sleeping at night, and all grown up. Sometimes, I look at her and she truly takes my breath away. How did I get so lucky? I don't know. But, I know I want to spend the rest of my life being her mommy. There has never been anything that has brought me greater joy. I could not ask for more.