A Bunch of Hocus Pocus

Happy Halloween! I thought I would share a few "throwback Thursday" pics in honor of today's holiday. I probably have shared these before, but oh well.

 Here I am on Halloween night 1994. I was Miss America.

 October 2005. Russell and Mer's 1st Halloween together! We started carving pumpkins together and did it every year together since then!

 This is also from 2005. We were on a hay ride and it was freezing outside. We were all bundled up. Fun night!

Fast forward to this Fall...

The other night we carved pumpkins and had a yummy dinner of what else? Jack-o-lantern pizza from Papa Murphy's!

 A pumpkin for baby!

I usually write or draw on the pumpkin what I want it to say and then carve over the markings. Russell likes to use carving kits with patterns and we really love it!

 Our pumpkins!

 Baby Price due May 2014!

I am almost 13 weeks so that means 1st trimester is almost over! Yay!

I hope y'all have a fun Halloween either trick-or-treating with your kiddos, or just watching Hocus Pocus with your sweetie. Just make it fun!

 

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1

Happy Birthday, Logan!

Y'all know how much I love, love, love my nephew, Logan and niece, Lauren. Today Logan turns....the big 14!!! He for sure is growing up absolutely positively WAY too fast. :)

I was 14 years old when Logan was born. As a teenager, I was tickled all throughout my sister, Kelly's pregnancy. We did not know whether it was going to be a boy or a girl, but we were still VERY excited. After Kelly's original due date, I don't think I got much sleep because I kept waiting on Eric to call us in the middle of the night. Sure enough, he called us early on Friday, October 29th! Mama, Daddy and I rushed out of the house. We were so anxiously excited not only for ourselves, but for my sister and brother-in-law. The first time parents. So special.

 This is the very first time I held Logan. I remember it seemed like forever waiting to hold him, but it was definitely worth the wait!

 Logan wearing his Polo shirt, of course!

 We loved passing you around during your first Christmas. We were all so proud, and we still are.

 Logan loved his wagon at JJ and KK's house! Look at that smile!

 What a wonderful big brother he is! Here is Logan and JJ meeting Lauren.

 Sister and Brother catching snowflakes. AWW!

 Logan always loved driving the golf cart around the neighborhood.

 Fast forward to recent years. Wow, those 14 years sure did fly by. Both Logan and Russell are so handsome! :)

 Logan has such a bright future ahead of him. He is so smart and successful already.

Here he is with the box we sent him this weekend. He will open it tomorrow on his birthday. Wonder what it is? ;)

 

Logan,

I cannot. Absolutely cannot believe you are officially 14 years old today! I hope you know that as your Aunt Mer, I am always here for you! You are such an incredible blessing in my life, and in everyone's life! Your whole family and all your friends love you so so much. I hope you know that. I can't wait for you to meet your new cousin in May. They will love you so much. You can teach them how to play soccer someday, too.

I hope you have a wonderful day, sweet Logan. Love you more than I can say!

Love, Aunt Mer

 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

Five on Friday-Random Everything!

It's my first time to participate with "5 on Friday," so here it goes. It is basically five facts you can share about your week! Simple and random. I'm jumping on this bandwagon! :)

 1. I have been LOVING this base coat/topcoat plus nail strengthener for your nails! An employee at Ulta told me about it and recommended using extra coats of polish. It lasts like a gel manicure would. It's my new favorite. That's for sure!

 2. How can I not post about Fall? I have been enjoying our Leaves candle, which I firmly believe it is THE scent of Fall. Go get it. You'll thank me. Also, I enjoyed a little hot cider while snuggling up in my Fall blanket. Sigh. Love it all.

 3. It may as well be confession Friday, too. I have not had a whole lot of cravings. I have not had any morning sickness, which is great. I have had an appetite for comfort foods. Last night was the first time I just HAD to have a grilled cheese. Russell made it for me and it was divine!

 4. I don't have a picture for this one, but I had to share. This morning, I got my hair colored at the salon. While I was under the dryer, my hair stylist cut a little girl's hair. I was on my phone, checking social media, when all the sudden I glanced at the sweet little girl. She was STARING at me big time. To tell you the truth, I really did not know why at first, then it dawned on me. I had ALL these foils in my hair! She thought I was from outer space or something. I just smiled and asked her if she thought it was funny. She just gave me a big grin. Too cute!

 

5. Last but certainly not least, I am beyond thrilled for my cousin, Mary Catherine and her fiancée, John Michael! They got engaged this Spring. Her coffee is tomorrow and I cannot wait to see her, and give her a big hug. I am SO happy for her.

What a gorgeous couple! Love you, MC!

 

So that's my random five on Friday! Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend!

 

But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16

DNOW Vine 2013

A few weeks ago, Russell and I hosted a group of 7th grade girls for DNOW at our house. It was the first year we helped out as a host home, but we absolutely loved it.

 This year's theme was DNOW Vine 2013. You may have heard of the iPhone app, Vine. You can upload a six second video clip and share it on the app. I have one, but I mainly just put cooking videos or something about Belle on there. :) The youth and leaders were encouraged to upload DNOW "vines" throughout the weekend. They were great!

The main reason for the theme was from the Bible verse, John 15:5. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches.

 We got to know these fabulous girls very quickly and I was excited that two of my Sunday school girls from last year could stay with us!

Abby, Mary Claire, Kenedi, Kennedi, Natalie, and Annabelle were oh so fun!

We were ready to tailgate before the Bentonville Tigers football game!

YAY! I love these girls so much too! We bonded so so much last year in Sunday school.

Anna, Madison, Avery, and Gracie!

What better food to eat than cheeseburgers, chips, and coke? Perfect football food! :)

 A group of us actually sat on the visitor's side at the game because the regular seating was crazy packed! I was glad to get this picture of the traditional baby powder students throw up in the air every kick off.

 

Side note: When we signed up to be a host home, it was before we found out about the pregnancy, but I really prayed that I would be a great "host mom" that weekend so I could be available and able to make it to each DNOW event. I was starting the eighth week of the pregnancy that weekend and I admit, I was definitely tired, and had no energy, but the Lord definitely gave me strength for sure! I wanted to really be there for those sweet girls and I am so glad it worked out. I was a little nauseous Sunday morning, but that's it! Thank goodness! And Russell was incredible help. I couldn't have made it without my sweet husband. Always better together!

Anyway....

 Friday after the game, I made "kissy cookies," which are peanut butter cookies with a Hershey's kiss on top. Annabelle and Mary Claire had a tiff over the peanut butter leftovers! HA!

 All the girls slept on the floor, so we made a huge pallet for them for that Friday and Saturday night.

Belle really liked the blankets a lot!

 Saturday morning I made breakfast casserole and cinni-minis for breakfast.

 Sweet girls having breakfast.

We had awesome college leaders stay at our house, too. Mary and Natalie were just so fun!

 Ready for session one at church!

 Yes, I mentioned lack of energy. Terrible pic of me.

But this is Demi and me! This year was her first year as a college leader and I know she really enjoyed it. Demi is one of the sweetest girls I know!

 We learned so much the whole weekend. Also, we sang the best worship songs. The praise band did awesome. We really enjoyed it.

 Clint and Kylie graciously helped pass out lunch on Saturday. What's better than Chick-fil-A? Not much in my book! :) Clint and Kylie were also our support home and helped us tremendously the whole weekend with transportation, made breakfast on Sunday, and so much more. They are the sweetest and we are so glad we could get to know them better!

 After lunch, the girls worked on a photo challenge that DNOW put together. Our group worked SO hard on the pictures. This one is one of my favorites. All six of the girls were in the phone booth!

 The girls also helped out with the food drive. It started POURING down rain, so I was nervous that it would slow the girls down. I was wrong. They probably had more fun because of the rain! Ha! Kennedi and Annabelle are just great girls!

 Kylie and I.

 Our whole group on Saturday night! This just makes me smile!

 Who doesn't love midnight snacks? I made a fruit pizza for the girls to enjoy while we watched The Little Mermaid!

Carly and me before the service on Sunday.

She is so precious to me! Love her lots.

 

It was amazing to be able to help out for DNOW. It was just an incredible blessing.

 

I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me, and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

Baby Shoes

Aren't baby shoes the cutest? What am I saying? Most baby clothes in general are the cutest!

I admit. I have been on Pinterest quite often lately and have found such adorable baby ideas and clothes. It's just fun. I admit it.

 Can we say, "Aww" together?

 I love these for a baby boy. Classic.

 

 Monogrammed dresses or rompers are just divine, I think.

 Does this look familiar? It's the Father of the Bride nursery. I like the look of this so much. Of course it probably won't be THIS grand, but I just like the idea.

Look at the tiny foot prints in someone's Bible? This is a great idea for someone who has used a specific passage to pray over their future child. I also thought of using a prayer journal.

 

So there you have it. Just a little peek in my Pinterest world. :) Hope y'all are enjoying this time of year and maybe snuggling up in a cozy sweatshirt with hot apple cider in hand...while pinning, of course!

 

So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead. 1 Peter 1:6

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Happy Birthday to Mama! Today is her special day.

 Baby Kathy with her mama. We called her Nanny. So beautiful!

 Bathing Beauty!

 Mama and me circa 1985.

Kelly, me and Mama playing putt-putt golf together this summer.

 

Mama, I hope you have had a wonderful day. Love you bunches!!

 

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. James 3:13