God's Little Surprise

10 weeks.

And if I hear one more person comment on the size of my belly by saying, " Man, looks like there are two in there," I am gonna scream or cry or BOTH! Considering one pregnancy is 10 months long, I'd say it's pretty normal to pop out this early by the third baby. Other than some people's lovely remarks, I'm feeling great. Absolutely wonderful! I'm not tired (I guess it's because I stay so busy with the kids that I don't have time to be). I have only a few round ligament pains, strong aversions to fish, chicken, and cottage cheese. Can't get enough of bread and butter pickles (I ate half a jar the other day), italian dressing and tomatoes! My biggest complaint is nausea but hopefully that will pass soon. 

Since this is most likely my last pregnancy, I've decided to do something different. I'm gonna cherish every moment-including the nausea! I want to cherish all the coming moments too; like feeling the baby kick and listening to their heartbeat and getting bigger. 

Pregnancy is such a special time for me. It's when I feel absolutely beautiful and so amazed that life is growing inside of me. I look at my two beautiful kids already and I'd do it all over again for them. They each have a big piece of my heart. And I still have more of my heart to give.

Something I'm always thanking God for is giving me children- even if my first go around was by using fertility medication. Thank you God for my Baby Girl-my precious one and thank you God for my Baby Boy-my brave little son. And thank you God for this tiny blessing that you decided to surprise The Hubs and I with. What a fabulous surprise and unexpected blessing! So with

that said, you've probably figured out what Baby #3's blog name will be..."Tiny Blessing."

                    Sweet Baby Girl

                   Brave Baby Boy

                      Tiny Blessing

A Disappointing New Trend in Moms

Recently, I went to a park with one of my great mom friends. We sat on a bench and talked about weekend plans while the kids ate a snack. It was an easy conversation...that's what friendships should be like. When she had to leave, I decided to stay awhile longer and strolled over to the sandbox. I didn't know any of the moms but we gave each other the usual, "I'm not a mean mom" smile and watched our kids play together. A mother of two children came over and we started talking about the similarities between our one year old sons. We really started to hit it off and I thought,"She seems like a truly authentic person...maybe I've found another friend." The conversation came to a close and I noticed she had gotten out her phone-the usual sign that we would trade contact info and go on a play date in a few weeks. But then she hit me with THE question.

"Would you like to get together for coffee ...and talk about my Mary Kay business?"

My heart literally sunk to the pit of my stomach. Why? Because I felt like the entire conversation had been fake. She wasn't interested in finding a friend. She was interested in finding another potential customer. 

I think she could see the light behind my eyes had left and disappointment set in,"...or just coffee?" 

Graciously, I said with as much tact as possible. "Maybe just coffee. I don't think I could handle a Mary Kay business and be pregnant."

She politely agreed, taking my info and walked away towards her other friends. I told the kids it was time to go home and walked to the car alone. 

Please don't read this wrong. I will and have monetarily supported all my friends in their businesses. I think it's important to support all my women friends willing to take on a business and a family. I just don't think it's for me. And it literally breaks my heart when the only reason somebody wants to talk to me is to ask me to buy something from them. Why can't we be friends too? Why is it that I have to be "hunted" at the park?  Why is it that the only time I see them is for a business opportunity?

I'm not saying we have to be best friends because honestly only about 1% of people actually have a best friend. Just friends sharing in each other's journeys. Friends who authentically support each other and who want to be there for friendship's sake. Is that too much to ask for?

The Furniture Town

"Kim, what do you want for Mother's Day?" Dale asked one evening. 

"Nothing," I said quickly adding "I want to get away."

Knowing I had some convincing to do, I told him we could combine it with our 7 Year Anniversary. And that's all it took to set up our overnight getaway to Furniture Town (aka Farmville, Va).  We were so excited to just browse through the furniture and not actually buy anything. If you didn't already know, Farmville is home to Green Front Furniture- the entire town is building after building of furniture! 

Just walk down the street and look at building after building of high end luxury furniture at discount prices.

Just taking a break on one of the hundreds of couches...

Now this is nice.

Lunch at The Fishin Pig where the motto is to drink like a fish and eat like a pig. It was soooooo good. Fried Green Tomatoes, Pork Barbeque and Fried Shrimp in Bang Bang sauce...A-MAZ-ING!

We stayed at The Inn on the Avenues, a Bed and Breakfast in Farmville. Best experience ever with a B&B. Here's some pictures of the room.

The Garden Room was beautifully decorated and the bed was so comfortable. The whole house was so clean. It was so nice to sleep in such a clean house when mine looks like a disaster half the time.

I had never bathed in a claw foot tub before...I told The Hubs I was putting in an order for one at our house ;) It was exactly what this tired momma needed.

For dinner we ventured out to Charley's Waterfront Cafe and asked if we could sit on the deck overlooking the Appomattox River. The weather was beautiful and again the food was fabulous. The Hubs ordered Prime Rib and I ordered Red Pepper and Crab Soup and Paradise Salad. No complaints at all. So peaceful.

We sipped decaf coffee after dinner and I thought about how blessed I was to still be in love with this man after 14 years of a friendship and romance. Marriage is tough and my Womens Bible Study has taught me that when we are in the thick of things it's not how committed you are to each other or God. It's how committed you are to the MARRIAGE.

The next morning, Janie and Ann, hosts of The Inn on the Avenues made us the biggest breakfast ever: egg casserole, hashbrown casserole, bacon, cinammon coffee cake, yogurt parfait, grapes and peach mango juice. It was huge and soooo good. We enjoyed talking to them and sharing some laughs. They certainly have happy easy going spirits.

We sat in silence on the way home-but it was a confortable silence. I guess when you've got your best friend by your side, words don't really matter. Your together and that's most important of all.

Summer 2000- dang!!!!

May 2014- Seven years of marriage and two kids later- dang again!!!

And oh yeah, we just found out. Here comes our third beautiful blessing. Triple Dang!!!!  Literally:) 

Dandelions for Papow

It was the week before Easter and we were in Kentucky. I had told The Hubs that I had a strong desire to see my family. He very graciously agreed to drive the 8 hours to get there. What a fine husband I have.

We had seen my dad's side of the family on Saturday and were now driving to my mom's side of the family on Sunday.

"Would you like to stop by your papaw's grave, Kim?"

His question surprised me. Mostly because he had remembered me saying how much I wanted to introduce the kids to Papow.

"Yes," I said slowly. "I would love to drive up there.

He made the turn up the holler and the car began climbing the hill to the top. "Wow," I thought. "So many more graves since last time."

But the hill was so pretty with it's shades of green and yellow. And it reminded me of the dream I talked about with you all at Christmas. Baby Boy was sleeping soundly in the back, but Baby Girl was wide awake.

"Where are we mommy," her little voice questioned?

"We are here to see Papow Homer's grave."

"But I don't see him mommy."

Her question brought me to the realization that her tiny mind might not fully understand what I was about to say.

We walked closer to his grave and I stood with her and said, "He's here, in the ground."

"Why is he in the ground?" Baby Girl could not understand it.

"Sometimes, God calls us home."

He says,"Your job is done and now it's time to live with me in Heaven."

"That's where Papow Homer is-in Heaven with God."

Baby Girl was so quiet and deep in thought. "But I don't want to go to Heaven."

"Aw honey, you're not going to Heaven now," I said as I placed my hand on my heart. "You will stay here with me. But when you are older, your heart might stop beating and you will get to go to Heaven with God. Heaven is such a happy place. Nobody cries in Heaven, Baby Girl. But for now, you get to stay with daddy and I."

The Hubs chimed in. "And see these are his brothers beside him. Why don't you put a flower on Papow Homer's grave."

My little girl gently bent down and picked up a bright yellow dandelion. Her tiny hands gently placed the dandelion on top of the gravestone. It was the sweetest act of pure respect and love.

The Hubs noticed that I had tears in my eyes.

"Time to go, Baby Girl," he said. They both started walking to the car.

"Bye Papow," I whispered.

"I miss you. I know your proud of Baby Girl. I'll bring Baby Boy back next year. I love you."

It's always hard to walk back to the car when it's time to say goodbye...almost feels as if your leaving them forever. As we drove away, I saw the dandelion on top of the gray gravestone. It reminded me that in a world of hurting, one day we will be on the other bright side. We will walk in fields of beautiful flowers, dance on clouds, sit at our Heavenly Father's feet and breathe in happiness, relaxation, joy and everlasting LIFE.

But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decrees before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had they would not have crucified The Lord of glory. But, as it is written,

"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him."

1 Corinthians 2:7-9

Spring Time Milestones

Spring Time is in the air. Trees are budding, flowers are blooming, ants are on the move and the ticks seem to be flying ;)  We all love this warm weather. Some evenings we eat outside and enjoy the frogs singing in the evening. It's a beautiful time of year...

Baby Girl can buckle herself now and loves singing. She's very proficient in "The Pledge of Allegiance" and when counting gets stuck after twelve and says, "Beleventeen." She's very independent and won't let you do anything for her. Love my tough as nails princess. Yes, unfortunately she thinks she's Elsa from Frozen. And the other day she asked when she could marry the prince. Good Lord, we need to enroll her in Karate-fast;) I'm so blessed to have my precious Baby Girl in my life. Almost once a week, I tell her the story about how badly I wanted her, how much I prayed for her and how much love I felt for her when she was born. Love that girl like no other.

Baby Boy has every bit of my heart. He has certainly turned into a toddler over night. He's pushing me away when I try to rock him to sleep at night. Atleast I can get him to sit long enough for a

book. He has learned to shake his head, "No," wave at me, make clicking sounds, say Da-Da and his favorite word of all is, "Wow!" Sometimes, especially when meeting new people he smiles at them, then looks to me to see if it's ok. Then he "acts" like he's shy and buries his head in my neck. We all know he's just flirting. He's everything I thought a boy would be like...into everything, fearless, beyond brave and easy going :) I sure do love him.

Spending the morning at a great park with a picnic lunch.  The kids each have a play date friend...including their Momma's :)

Two sweet smiling princesses...