No. 5 - Graduate From College

On December 15th, I submitted the final assignment of my undergraduate career. :) Last week, I received an email confirming that I have met all of the requirements and will be receiving my diploma shortly. I have earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice. :D

It took me six long years, but I finally finished my undergraduate journey at Regent University. During this time, I became engaged, got married, was pregnant, had a baby, am pregnant, and moved six times. I've grown so much over these years and my life is drastically different from 2007.

 March 2007 - Feels like a lifetime ago!

I have so many mixed emotions about completing my undergraduate studies. Of course, I'm so very excited to wrap everything up and to finally have a college degree. More than anything, I am thankful that I found what it is I am passionate about and the field that I am called to be in. But at the same time I am truly sad. I loved taking classes, and these past two years allowed me to dive into my criminal justice curriculum. I miss the challenges, the papers, the interaction with my professors and classmates, but most of all I just miss learning.

With my sweet son turning one in a month and a half, and my precious daughter arriving in this world in June, I am definitely in a different season of learning. And I love it. While I miss school, I know that my educational journey is not over. Until then, I'm embracing this time with my amazing husband and son, and awaiting Arabella's arrival.

In May, my family and I are heading to Virginia Beach so that I can participate in Regent's commencement ceremony. I will finally get to wear that cap and gown, meet fellow classmates and professors, and have a very surreal moment that I have been waiting for since 2007. :)

Baby #2 is a...

On Saturday, Keith and I headed to a local ultrasound facility with the hopes of finding out the gender of baby #2. I made it to 16 weeks on Thursday (1/10) and I was beyond anxious to find out. On Saturday morning, I woke up at 4:30am and just layed in bed wondering if we would be able to find out. Would it be a another sweet boy? Would it be a precious girl? Oh my gracious, I was dying to know! 

In my heart, I felt that this baby was a girl. Before I was pregnant, I had actually purchased a few items for the "way, way future" when "one day we'd hopefully have a girl. Keith actually had no idea what the baby would be, he was just hoping for an answer on Saturday! I never imagined I'd be pregnant again only 8 months after giving birth to the love of my life, Gavin. But, God absolutely, without a doubt knows what he's doing. :)

Without further ado, here's our gender reveal video. 

I am simply over the moon.

The first thing that we saw when the ultrasound tech began our session was #2's legs open and a perfect shot of their privates.

The tech said "Alright, there's her little legs."

My heart stopped. 

What did she say?! HER?

I cannot explain the joy I felt at that moment, but it was filled with laughs, tears, and pure happiness. Our sweet baby girl looks wonderful, and she's scheduled to make her appearance on June 27th.

Oh, and her name? 

Arabella Therese. 

:D

86 and 27

Source: Uploaded by user via Hilary on Pinterest

On Saturday, my sweet grandmother (Maw-Maw) turned 86 years old. Today, I turn 27. Our birthdays are two days apart, and each year I feel like we take a small leap together. She's inching closer to 90, while I'm inching closer to 30. While you'd think that my view of Maw would one of an old lady, it's definitely not. If anything, she's as young as they come. She lives by herself, does all of her housework, cooks, and functions fine. Not to mention, she still walks and talks with ease. Don't get me wrong, she struggles with arthritis and has many aches and pains, but my Maw is a hoss. :)

I spoke with her on her birthday, and she asked me if I was ready for mine. I told her that I was just exhausted from Christmas and New Years and was really not that excited. Plus, I'm inching my way to the end of my twenties...and I told her that I don't know why it's so bothersome. I honestly think that turning 33 will be easier than turning 27, 28, 29, and 30. And as ridiculous as I think my whining sounded, she agreed with me. She said she can remember these days and says it will get easier.

It's silly, small things like this that make me love this woman so much. She could have easily told me to zip it, but she didn't. :) On this 27th birthday, I feel very undeserving of the life that I'm living. I'm beyond blessed and abundantly thankful. Lord, thank you for my life.

 Maw and me, Thanksgiving 2012

A New, Exciting Year

Last night, Keith, Gavin, and I rang in the new year with some of our absolute favorite people. We spent the night eating delicious gumbo and potato salad (made by my sweet sis), playing Battle of the Sexes, watching the LSU/Clemson game, and ending the night playing a name-that-actor/movie game. All in all it was the perfect way to end 2012.

As we enjoy the first day of 2013, I can't help but think about what I'd like to accomplish this year. I don't like to make resolutions, because I know that they likely won't happen. Come March, they'll be forgotten and that will be that. However, I do like to make goals, put them in writing, and stick them on my vanity so that I can see them everyday. So, here's what I'm thinking for 2013.

1. Grow in my relationship with Jesus. Soak up His word and let Him lead the way.

That is all.

The way I figure, if I do this one thing, then everything else will fall into place. Becoming a better mom and wife, living a healthier lifestyle, tackling my 30 Before 30, following the cry of my heart...all of those things will happen. Why's that? Well, because when my spirit is fed, I thrive. When I study His word, my heart soars. And when I stop trying to control everything (which is extremely hard for me to do) all my worries fade and things just work out. :)

I pray that you guys are enjoying today, and that this year will be filled with love!