The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Aren't most weekends in the Fall crazy-busy? Last weekend was for us. I'm telling you, I just love the time from October through December. Wouldn't it be nice if some of the fun was shared with dreary February? Secretly, I am ready to put up our tree! Practicality has won out so far, though, and I have to work several 12 hour days before Thanksgiving, so next Sunday will probably be the day for the tree! I'm so excited to decorate our new house. We've never had a mantel to decorate before. Don't you just love a good Christmasey mantel?? Anyway, back to our weekend...

I love these girls! Our friends Rachel and Keith were married Friday night. It was a beautiful, personal ceremony. May God bless their marriage!

A few weeks ago we agreed to leave right after the wedding and drive up to Frozen Head State Park for a weekend of camping. I love camping and I was so excited, but something told me that Chris and I should just commit to one night instead of two. Well, that was a good decision. Don't get me wrong, we had a blast. However, 29 weeks pregnant + the coldest night of this season = potential for disaster. I just have to say that at 4 am on Saturday morning when a.) I was wrapped up like a mummy b.) I was still frozen even though I was a mummy c.) I had to pee d.) I had leg cramps, wrapped up like a mummy, in a tight sleeping bag---I almost bailed! Haha! If my sweet husband hadn't helped me get out of (roll out of) the tent to get to the potty, helped me get (roll) back in, and helped me get warm after that, a meltdown may have occurred. Nuclear. 

Aside from the whole nighttime/sleeping thing, we had a great time. A beautiful site by the creek, great friends, ladderball, and yummy food--I really do love camping. I was fine with leaving the 2nd night to everyone else, though.:)

On Sunday was our baby shower at church. I feel so overwhelmed and blessed by all the people who came and showed their love and support for us. Jackson is going to have an amazing church family to grow up with and we are more than thankful for that.

 Noah's Ark!

 Have you ever seen such an adorable diaper cake? Just look at that baby elephant.

Future Mommy and Grandmommies. :)

I finally took a photo of the crepe myrtle in our backyard. If you remember the "burning bush" from Friday's post, this is his sister. Sadly, the burning bush lost his leaves this week so I had to settle for the slightly less brilliant, less full, sister. She's not so bad herself, though. Too bad the photo doesn't do her justice!

Thank you God for this beautiful time of year and all its blessings!

A Perfect Fall Day

Chris and I had a great weekend, but it was sure topped off by a wonderful Sunday with each other and with friends. Update: we went to Vandy on Friday for a check-up for Chris and the Dr. says that he is progressing and looks to be improving! Such a blessing and answer to prayers. Back to Sunday...after an encouraging and challenging church service and a fun lunch with friends, we came back to church for trunk or treat. So fun to see all those kids and families from the community!

When we got home, Chris built a fire in the fireplace so we could warm up after a chilly afternoon outside. We were going to carve both our big pumpkins, but stopped after one, our "J" pumpkin for our little punkin' on the way. Can't wait for next Halloween!

Then we roasted pumpkin seeds, something we have never attempted.

We flavored them 2 different ways, each very characteristic of us. Chris made the garlicky, salty ones and mine the sweet, sticky ones.

Just a fun night with church family, friends, and my best buddy. Too bad Fall goes so fast. I could use a couple more weeks!

It's Really Here!

Much of the time Fall technically arrives in Tennessee but Summer weather is still holding on. Not this year! It actually feels and smells like Fall around here! This is definitely one of my favorite times of the year but with all the activities it seems to go so fast! Does it seem that way to you? 

Anyway, I've been cleaning today and my vacuum cleaner actually died on me. It may have overheated because it started right back up again in about 20 minutes. However, my cleaning concentration was broken and I haven't gotten quite back into my groove yet. Please tell me this happens to you sometimes.

Newsworthy...If you haven't heard, Baby H now officially has a name! This is the ONLY name Chris and I even remotely agreed upon and we had a solid agreement on this one...Coming in January, 2012-Jackson Wade Hughes! I love it and I think it is a good, strong name. He has celebrated his name by starting to move around and "kick" in the form of little pokes to my belly. I have definitely been waiting for this to happen and I will be so excited when Chris gets to feel it too!

Houseworthy...My mom was here this weekend and actually helped me with some motivation on starting to get the nursery in order. This had to begin with an excavation of the actual room from the mound of boxes which were being stored there. These were boxes of things that actually did not have a "place" to go in our house. I am not very talented at organization and often boxes like this perplex me so that they don't actually move anywhere for a while. Sometimes a long while. Anyway, those boxes are finally in the unpacking, organization, and moving stage and I'm feeling quite a bit better about the nursery. I mean, it's not like we have a deadline or anything. ;) We have the crib, we have picked out the bedding, and I think we have a paint color. I can't wait to see this room take shape and will certainly post some photos!

Meanwhile, here is the project that I mentioned I was working on a few weeks (months?) ago-our collage wall. I love how it turned out and I'm not really even bothered by the empty frames (they had to get out of our floor!). I'm sure they will be filled by someone special here in the next few months! Also included are some updated progress photos of the living room that some of you have been asking for.

 Our collage wall! Much more difficult to hang than I imagined, but it's done! The room you see in the distance is the dining room (red and gold paint). Our plan for that is a farmhouse table and Georgian Green (Benjamin Moore) for the wall color. (Paint color stolen from my sister's house!)

We've still got a lot to go but I'm already loving the feel of this room. Quite a change from the reds and golds that I usually gravitate toward. Imagine with me, if you will, hardwood floors, soft, flowing curtains at the windows, and possibly a re-tiled fireplace. Am I dreaming? Yes. Those are the projects we want to accomplish when we have the time. And oh yes, the money.:) Maybe my fairy-godmother will pay us a visit. Until then, I am so happy with our home and excited more about the new things to come!

Autumn Dreamin'

 

I don't know if it's the weather or what, but I've been wishing for some Fall around here lately, perhaps brought on by the cooler weather a couple of nights this week? I guess around these parts it's still a far way off, but I'm ready! Fall always makes me feel more energized and productive, especially after our long hot summers. I'm so ready for cooler weather, crunchy leaves, bright blue skies with colorful leaves, and Tennessee Football! 

Also this Fall, we'll have something else to think about...nursery colors and baby names. How fun! Of course I have been scouring Pinterest for some awesome nursery ideas. These are my favorites so far...

Those paper dolls are adorable!

Today way a good day. I am 17 weeks today. I had a doctor's appointment and was able to hear the heartbeat today. I love being reminded that there is someone still in there!:) Everything is going well, praise God, and we will find out boy/girl Sept. 8!

I haven't forgotten or given up on my gallery wall project, it's just taking longer than expected. I have all my frames matted and painted and I love them, though! What I'm working on now is finding the perfect photos/getting them enlarged/re-sized, and well, getting those frames hung. I think it will be great, though, and I can't wait to show you!

Hope your week has been good and that you have great plans for the weekend. If you can, please take the time to check out the blog for the 3-year-old little girl of two college friends. She was hit by a car last weekend and has shown, only by the grace of God, wonderful progress and improvement this week. Please join the thousands praying for her continued healing: www.prayingforabygail.wordpress.com

Lovin' It!

It's been a pretty good week around here.  Last weekend we had an awesome camping trip!  We went to Frozen Head State Park.  Friday night we pretty much froze.  It was one of those times that I thought, "I'll never be warm again!"  Have you ever felt like that?  Saturday night was much more comfortable, ending up with Sunday worship and volleyball!  It was a great weekend.  On Monday morning it was storming.  Normally, I'm not crazy about days that start off rainy, but that was a pretty cool storm.  The weather has been gorgeous other than that and I am certainly enjoying this time of year.  I had to get a picture of this tree before the leaves were gone.  They look almost neon!!

I also had to take pictures of the sunset on the way to church tonight.  Beautiful!  In the Spring I say that it is my favorite time of year.  However, in the Fall, I say the same thing.  Fall has got to be the winner, though.

 I put lots of camping pictures on my Facebook page, but I wanted to leave you with this one:

 These girls are fabulous!  So blessed!

 

A Little Preview

I know that Fall is coming when I can't walk in the backyard barefoot because of all these sharp little boogers all over the ground.  This is a sure sign of the coming season!  Oh yes, it's still hot, especially walking around the hospital today in my lab coat with my 40 lb bag to carry.  I know Summer is not ready to let go yet.  However, there is a teeny bit less humidity in the air today and I can feel the promise of clear blue skies and cool days.  Oh yes, Fall is coming.  What is your favorite thing about Fall?

A Farewell to Summer

This is it, my last day of summer.  I have worked but I always had extra-long 4 day weekends that felt like freedom!  I will miss the days at the pool, lazy days spent with Chris, and nice little beach trips.  I am sad to see it end.  

However, I have a little confession to make.  While I am sad to see my thirtieth summer pass by, I have to admit that I am a lover of the excitement of the school season.  Who doesn't love school supplies, new school outfits, and the knowledge that Fall is just around the corner? 

So, yes, I am ready.  I have my binders, labeled and ready for each new syllabus.  There are packages of blue pens and highlighters, and even the little four-colored one that I thought I couldn't live without-you know, the white and blue one that has four color choices.:)  My textbooks are aired out and my little study niche is uncluttered and ready for some serious studying (er...the school supplies are nice but we'll see about the actual studying part).  

So here it is, my farewell to summer.  Farewell to staying up late and sleeping in.  Farewell to a summer crammed with books of pleasure and afternoons of nothing but blog-reading.  It's been fun but I've got lovely things to look forward to.