Hey all! I apologize for my absence. Life has been a little busy. Andy and I drove to Knoxville, TN last weekend to get our new car. It was a long trip filled with excitement. We got a great deal on our new car which was very exciting. It only had 5 miles on it when we bought it. Then we drove home in a crazy snow storm. There was one point when we were driving on a five lane interstate covered in at least five inches of snow. There was not way to distinguise the lanes from one another, so it was like a free for all. Crazy! But we got home safe and sound.
Expect to see some images of the new car very soon.
A while ago I announced on the blog that Andy and I are having a baby. I just wanted to take some time out to talk about this exciting step with all of you. We are so blessed to be expecting our first child in July. Wow! July will be here so soon. I am still surprised sometimes by the fact that we are pregnant. It doesn’t even feel real. Well, the morning sickness helps with that reality on some level. But on other levels it has not even sunk in yet. I haven’t even bought anything for the baby or the nursery. That is mostly because I don’t even know where to start.
I know that this journey will be one with lots of expectations and lots of questions. Be prepared to see more things on the blog about babies since this is now apart of my life. I really hope to learn from people like you. I truly believe that sometimes wisdom comes from experience and I know that I will need the wisdom and counsel from men and women who have done this parenting thing before. So don’t be afraid to share anything and everything about pregnancy and parenting. I am open for it all.
With that said, I also want to share things I find with you. The first of those things is the book entitled “Pure Joy.”
I believe that the most important job as a parent is to teach your child about God and His great love from them. My heart’s desire is that my child will know God and be in relationship with Jesus even at a young age. So I am investing in this baby’s spiritual growth even now. That is where “Pure Joy” comes in. It is basically a daily devotion with scripture that you read over your womb if you are pregnant or over your young children. Andy and I read it together over our baby and then pray about that day’s topic. It is amazing how much this book blesses me when I read it. I highly suggest it for any pregnant couple or parents of young children. It lays down spiritual foundations at an early age which I believe is crucial. Let me show you what I mean.
Here is a sample pray from the book so you can get a sense of what it is all about.
“Child, I call your spirit to attention in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Listen as I read the Word of God to you.
Jeremiah 33:33 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
My child I bless you with experiencing the joy God felt when He created you. I say, in agreement with God, that you are beautiful and you are beloved. God has blessed you with His love. Even though He planned your birth before the foundation of the world, there was fresh joy in His heart when His plans came together. He nurtured you and watched over you in the womb. He is looking forward to the fulfillment of the chapters of your life that He has already written. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I bless you. Amen.”
Isn’t that amazing? Not only does it speak truth to my baby, it speaks life to me. God planned MY birth before the foundation of the world and is looking forward to the fulfillment of the chapters of my life that He has written. Same is true for you and your life!
I highly recommend this book. It may seem odd to pray over a baby that is not here yet or young children that don’t really understand. But when you do this you are laying down foundations that will be with your child forever. So why not start blessing them now!
Click here to buy this book. You may also find it on Amazon.
Thanks to everyone who participated in my most recent contest. Everyone had some great ideas for photo shoots. Since I did not have any juniors or seniors enter the contest I have decided to give away 2 target gift cards to my favorite ideas!
And the winners are…
Britany Sloan & Valerie Millard
I loved Britany’s idea because she had an entire concept behind her photo shoot which I thought was super creative. And I loved Valerie’s idea of shooting a couple on a tandem bike with balloons. Super vintage, which I love.
Thanks again to everyone who participated. You guys rock!
To my winners: Your gift card is coming!
Superbowl XLIV here we come!
Need I say more?
I must say that I feel quite accomplished after completing last week’s Motivate Monday challenge. The goal was to clean something out. It could be any area of your home, office, or car. I picked several. I cleaned out my nightstand and my dresser drawers full of clothes. I got rid of lots of old books and random things from my nightstand. I also threw out clothes that I didn’t even wear any more. Then I went another step further and cleaned out the guest room that will be our nursery. That job is not 100% complete, but I am confident that it will be very soon. I am liking this Motivated Monday more and more. There is just something about writing a goal down and sharing it with the world that helps me be accountable. So thank you for doing that for me.
Please let me know if you had a successful week of cleaning something out. I would love to hear from you!
Motivated Monday: Week 3
Get Flexible.
As I get older I find that things I used to do effortlessly are just not as easy as they once were. This is true with simple actions such as bending over and touching my toes to kicking my leg higher than my shoulders. Being a dancer for 10 years made this stuff seem so easy when I was younger. NOT ANY MORE. So this week I want to work on my flexibility. I think it just makes me feel better when I take some time to stretch. And when I do this I am more inclined to do other physical activities such as run or do a workout video. I also like to put some worship music on and just spend time with Jesus while I am taking care of my temple. And the awesome thing about stretching is you can see results no matter how old you are.
So here is your challenge: Commit to stretching or even doing Yoga if you are a fan for at least 10 minutes everyday this week. You will feel better and increase your flexibility.
So get flexible. Let me know how it goes. Oh and remember to warm your muscles up a bit before you start by walking or doing some jumping jacks. Never stretch cold muscles.
Happy stretching!
How would you like to win a free senior portrait session? Maybe a gift card to Target?
Enter this contest and you could win just that!
Here is how it works: I am holding two separate competitions; one for high school seniors and juniors and one for everyone else. So see below for details that fit you.
High School Juniors and Seniors
1. If you are a junior or senior in the Abilene/Wiley area then you can enter the contest.
2. To enter just submit a comment to this post suggesting a cool idea for a photo shoot. Maybe you want to shoot inside a laundry mat, or perhaps you would like to do a black light photo session. Maybe you want to hold 99 red balloons in the middle of a field? Your cool idea can include crazy props, fun locations, cool color themes, and so much more. Be creative, be unique, be you. Include the name of your high school in your comment.
3. The person with the most unique and creative idea will win a free photo session that will include:
1 hour photo shoot
2 outfit changes
48 wallets
Everyone Else
1. To enter just submit a comment to this post suggesting a cool idea for a photo shoot. It can be ANY kind of photo shoot. Pictures taken in the rain? Vintage session in a bowling alley perhaps? Your cool idea can include crazy props, fun locations, cool color themes, and so much more. Be creative, be unique, be you.
2. One winner from this group of people will win a $10 gift card to Target!
So start scoping out hip magazines and online sites to help you come up with a great idea for a photo session. All entries must be submitted by Monday the 25th @ noon. Winner will be announced on the 26th at noon. Good luck~
Here are this year’s portrait session prices.
by Renee
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