These Days...

I love these days. These days at home with two of my boys. These days on campus. These days of being home with Dan during his breaks from classes through out the day. These days being more involved in Zachary's school.

As the weeks get shorter and shorter until I return back to work, I am trying to soak in each of these days. At first, it was chaos and overwhelming, but now I don't want them to end. I do believe I could get used to being at home full time. (I think I'm already used to it!)

I love how we can walk around campus on beautiful fall - like days. Spend story book time in the library. Play on the playgrounds together. Attend chapel with Dan. Eat lunch in Kelly Hall, or have lunch ready at home when Dan is in between classes. I love how I'm able to pick Zachary up from school every day. I love how I can fellowship more with other mommy's on campus and sew together! I love visiting our dear friend Jan during the day in her office and eating all her candy out of the dish! Or sitting in the gazebo on cool days. I love our date nights consisting of the boys sleeping while we sit on the couch with some popcorn enjoying America's Got Talent! I love my naps with the boys during the day. Or watching a ridiculous amount of Power Rangers on Netflix through out the day!

These days are awesome and I will cherish them forever!

1st Bath!!

Several days ago, Bryson's cord finally came off! Therefore, Bryson got to enjoy his first real bath! He didn't do too bad, just fussed a little. He enjoyed last night's bath much better!

1 Month Old

Last Wednesday, Bryson turned 1 Month Old. I can't believe how big he is already!

Revival

"Lord, do anything you want to do through me, so that You may do everything You want to do through me...."

That was the message in last week's campus revival.

Can I be honest with you guys for a moment. I am not ready to say this prayer yet to the Lord. Dan and I are beginning to pray about life after Clear Creek. Dan only has 3 semesters left after the current semester. Time is flying by. He may have one offer to stay at our current church in Jonesville Virginia. We are building a new building to hold many community events and make more room for our growing church. Which of course is totally exciting! Dan has so many ideas for this new building and I think it's going to be a great thing for the community of Jonesville.

I'm afraid the Lord will call us to stay in Jonesville after Clear Creek. Why is this bad you may ask? Because it's not what I want!! I miss home. I miss Shelbyville. I miss Louisville. I miss those communities! I miss the culture of home. The culture in this area is weird. The people can be different. (Although Dan has pointed out to me that we're actually the different ones since we're not from this area.) And... Jonesville is smaller than Pineville! It's even more so in the middle of no where!

I guess I just thought that we would only be in this area for 4 years, then we would move on. That God would call us out of this area. Maybe to seminary. Or maybe back home.

None of this has been confirmed. But I know Dan wouldn't mind to stay at the church.

I will admit. I am a spoiled brat who wants to always have her way! My current relationship with the Lord reminds me of the relationship that I had with my dad as a young girl. Being the youngest child and the only girl, I often got what I wanted. I would bat my eyes and smile and dad would say "ok, Nikki". I do the same with Dan as well. I KNOW I AM SPOILED! This is bad, I know. But at least I'm not afraid to admit it! I'm used to getting my way, and I guess I am looking to Him batting my eyes, smiling and saying PLEASE and He should say, OK! There are times I feel, "ok, Lord. I left everything, we'll be here for 4 years, now it's my turn to choose!"

Who am I to feel that way?!?! It's so selfish and sinful. I know I shouldn't view Him in that way and I need to repent and let go and fully surrender to Him. But it is so hard sometimes. I am praying that He will soften my heart, because I really do want to be obedient and do the whatever He calls us to.

Just being real with you guys. No need in painting some perfect picture of myself. This is what I am currently struggling with. Please pray for me!

Good thing we still have a little less than 2 years before life after Clear Creek begins!

A Bit More Catching Up...

I wanted to include a post about Bryson's 1 Week Check Up, even though he is now 4 1/2 weeks old!

His 1 Week Check Up went well!

• He weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces! Growing like a weed!
• His skin color was good - no jaundice
• I had all my breastfeeding questions answered and received some good tips from the dr

That's all I can remember about his 1 Week Check Up. (Pathetic, I know!) But it was been several weeks in between. I'll try to post these things as they happen!

My Boys!

Taking A Bottle!!

When Bryson was 2 1/2 weeks old, we decided to introduce the bottle. We decided this for a few different reasons. Mainly, because in a few weeks, I will be returning to work and Bryson will have a sitter during the day and will need to be well established with a bottle by then.

We also decided in this because, at this point, I was completely exhausted from being the only one to feed him every 2 1/2 - 3 hours.

When I gave Bryson his first bottle, he took it like a pro!! I cried and thanked the Lord! I was so proud of him! Later that day, Daddy got to feed Bryson for the first time!

The help is very welcomed!!

Some Catching Up...

I have a lot to catch you guys up on... Everything from Bryson's 1 Week Check Up, Campus Revival and Labor Day... I have LOTS to catch you guys up on! I'll begin with Labor Day:

It was an amazing weekend! We were able to go home for the long weekend. It was so awesome. This new momma really needed the break from the Pineville area! (We've not been back home since the beginning of June when we had our Baby BBQ!) So visiting home was great!

'

We spent the day shopping in Louisville on Friday, then hung out at my mom's house that night.

Bryson's first time using the Pack - n - Play. He slept pretty well in it! I love how easy this thing is to use when traveling!

Some Tummy Time, he wasn't too fond of it at first...

But now he's better!

My boys!

Saturday, we visited my dad and step mom and all my siblings along with all the nieces and nephews! We spent the afternoon at the park where my sister brought her slip-n-slide! It was so fun!

Watermelon Time!

We all enjoyed some refreshing watermelon... all except Nicholas who had chocolate cake... notice him chowing down in the background of this picture!

Bryson with Aunt Billie and cousin Alyssa!

Saturday night Dad and Marquita watched all three boys for Dan and I! We were able to have our first date night since Bryson has been born!! THANKS GUYS SO MUCH! We needed this time together! Dan and I enjoyed dinner together and then spent a bit more time shopping.

Sunday, we were able to visit our home church! Every opportunity we have, we love visiting our home church. I miss it dearly.

After church it was off to our niece's 1'st birthday party!

Scarlett's 1'st B-Day!

Big Sister Maddison

Sunday night, I pumped before going to sleep and Dan and his mom tagged team with Bryson all night! I had a full 6 hours of peaceful sleep!! It was GREAT!!

All the boys did great traveling together! We bought an adapter (I think that's what it's called) that you plug into the cigarette lighter so I'm able to pump on the go! We just planned feedings around traveling time.

Bryson was a bit fussy at some of the families homes. Right now, he doesn't do too well with loud noises. Hopefully, he'll adjust to that.

It was a refreshing get away for us, me especially! Each time we go home, it really makes me homesick though. I wouldn't mind if the Lord called us back home one day... but it's not looking like it right now. At least we can visit anytime we want!