Cashin' in Christmas Gifts

For ChRIsTmAs, Graham and I got a bunch of gift cards.  We thought we had better hang on to them until we moved to a more permanent place.  But...it is beginning to look like we are going to stay right where we are now. 

Just have to add this real quick...We are still praying that our house sells soon.  At the end of May it will have been on the market a year--a very. long. year.  But let me tell ya, even though that is a long time and my finite mind is struggling to understand, I have never doubted that God is at work and His will is perfect.

Since we think we are staying put out here in the country, I took my gift cards from Christmas and picked up some things for the house.  I thought I'd show the family how I spent our cards :). . .

 Ava (and Edy's) new room

We think we might have the girls share a room one day (regardless if we have more children).  Although Edy isn't ready to move into Ava's "big girl" room, she will be soon.  And...after a few minor changes, this will be a perfect room for two sisters.  Don't ya think?

Paint color:  click HERE (used a Lowe's gift card)
Blinds: partial gift card purchase
Bed:  bought this from a friend (not a gift card purchase--but a good deal)
Bedding: Pottery Barn Kids (not a good deal, but I'm hoping certain it will last a while)
Accessories: I used all of our existing assessories, but I did spray paint a lot of them.

This is one of our dining chairs--I sanded it, painted it, sanded it again, and recovered it (fabric: Hobby Lobby).  I'm getting to why it is AG's room and not in the kitchen.

Bird pillow:  Target (gift card purchase)
Roll pillow:  Yeah, I made that--no biggie! *sarcasm* Luckily, my sewing machine was already threaded and ready to go.  I made it (on a whim) with the left over chair fabric.

One of the reasons I love this bunk bed...

 Oh yeah!  The trundle is the perfect place for RoRo when she's ready!

The girls LOVE their bed!

 pretending to be asleep (oh...if only this were for real!)

 I organized AG's closet thanks to some Walmart gift cards!

I like our kitchen table, but the chairs...not so much.  I do like the chairs, but I don't like all six of them together in one space.  I got these two end chairs with gift cards and I think they are great.  Next up...recover the old chair cushions.  I have my eye on some fabric at Hobby Lobby, but that'll have to wait.

bar stools: Target gift cards

 floral pillow: Target gift cards

We have enjoyed cashin' in our Christmas gift cards.  It was a lot of fun and we like the new flare in our home.

Another Update...

There's no easy way to say this...

Yesterday, we lost our little one.  We are sad, but we know that God has a PERFECT plan.  I rest in the fact that God is in control and His plans are far greater than my own.

I have a peace--a peace that passes all understanding.  This only comes from God and through the prayers of His people.

Please continue to pray for us.  We will go back to the doctor later this week.

A post of {Easter} pictures

More pictures from a wonderful day. . .

By the way, Uncle Corey came and spent Easter Sunday with us.  He brought the girls some cool toys--hopscotch and a bubble maker.

My Redeemer Lives!

We serve a RISEN SAVIOR and that is something to celebrate every. single. day!

Jesus died a horrible death--the sin of every man was placed upon Him so that the wrath of God would be satisfied.  And, Glory be to God, the story doesn't end here==>Up from the grave He arose!!!! Hallelujah, my Redeemer lives.

Here's a look at what we've been up to over here in East Texas. . . . .

We started by dYeInG eggs.

 My little weirdo girl sporting her toboggan.

  Ahem, I don't think she got the memo that it's almost 90 out there.

 love those bright colors

My sweet hubby surprised me with these lovely flowers--they made me smile.

~~~~~~goodies for the girls~~~~~~

 Okay, c'mon!  It just doesn't get much cuter than that!

We had the most incredible church service today.  I think it was the best Easter service I have ever attended.

My heart is overflowing with joy. I praise God for saving a sinner like me.  One day I will join Him in glory and worship Him for all eternity!

I'll end with these incredible lyrics:

 "Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher

Let no one caught in sin remain 

Inside the lie of inward shame

 We fix our eyes upon the cross

 And run to Him who showed great love

 And bled for us

 Freely You've bled for us

 Christ is risen from the dead

 Trampling over death by death

 Come awake, come awake

 Come and rise up from the grave

 Christ is risen from the dead

 We are one with Him again

 Come awake, come awake

 Come and rise up from the grave

 Beneath the weight of all our sin

 You bowed to none but Heaven's will

 No scheme of Hell, no scoffer's crown

 No burden great can hold You down

 In strength You reign

 Forever let Your church proclaim

 Christ is risen from the dead

 Trampling over death by death

 Come awake, come awake

 Come and rise up from the grave

 Christ is risen from the dead

 We are one with Him again

 Come awake, come awake

 Come and rise up from the grave

 O death, where is your sting?

 O hell, where is your victory?

 O church, come stand in the light

 The glory of God has defeated the night

 Sing it, o death, where is your sting?

 O hell, where is your victory?

 O church, come stand in the light

 Our God is not dead,

 He's alive, He's alive

Huntin' Eggs

With everything that has been going on with me, I didn't get to go to the church Easter egg hunt.  Gaga (my mom) took a lot of pics for me.  Thanks, Mom.  It looks like the girls had a lot of fun.

 One of Ro's many funny faces 

 And...she's off!

 Check out that loot!

  My precious family

One raggedy ole' Easter bunny--check!  One happy little girl--check!

I hate that I missed this fun family event, but I am so glad that my girls enjoyed it!

A Great Visit

Last week, Gran and Papaw made the drive from Alabama to visit us.  It has been over a year since we have been together and we were thrilled to have them here with us.

 Tat (my dad) also made the trip.  He brought the girls these cute Easter baskets.

 "Here comes Peter Cottontail. . ."

Seriously, I've sung this song one too many times over the last couple of days.  It can be shelved until next  year.

 Love my bunnies!

 AG and Tat

 AG teaching Tat and Gran how to use the Ipad.  *It's Tat's Ipad! :)*

 We celebrated Gran's birthday while she was here.  She got an Easter basket of her own.

 What can I say, my girls love them some milk!

 Ha!  Look at Ro peeking into the picture.

 My girls have got to get better at taking pictures.

What a wonderful visit!  We can't wait to see Gran and Papaw again. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

Update

Although my bleeding has increased, we did see our little one's heartbeat this morning.  The coming days are so uncertain--please continue to pray for us.

Ava's Drawing...

Ava Grace is getting so good better at drawing people.  Over a month ago, I asked her to draw our family on a card.  This is what I got...

[front of card]

Do we look happy?  Do we?

 [inside of the card]

Who's this little one, you ask?

\........................................../

\......................................./

\...................................../

\................................./

\............................../

\.........................../

\......................../

\....................../

\.................../

\................/

\............./

\.........../

\........./

\......./

\...../

\.../

\./

\/

 We ARE happy!

I had AG make this card so I could give it to Graham.  He loved the front of the card and stared at it for what seemed like a lifetime.  Finally, he opened it.  I will never forget his face--true joy!

***I wrote this  post last week  so I could  publish it when we were ready to tell the world our news.  But we have had a really rough week and we are asking for prayers right now. . .

I started to spot on Tuesday.  By Saturday, I was positive that we had lost the baby.  But today, we went to the doctor and my hcg levels were great and when he did the ultrasound the baby's little heart was just-a poundin'.  What a great thing; however, there is still a chance that we could lose the baby if I continue to bleed.  Please join us in praying for our little gift.  He/She is set to arrive on Graham's bday (Dec. 4).

NO MATTER WHAT--WE GIVE ALL THE GLORY TO GOD!

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." Psalm 137:3