Our Saturday Funday!

We started out our Saturday by going to some yard sales…like FIVE yard sales…!  I LOVE doing this kind of stuff…Matt tolerates it for me :)  He actually HATES going to yard sales.  However, the rest of the day was spent doing what Matt considers.."much more fun than a yard sale" :)

We played TENNIS again!!!  

We used to play all the time when we were dating…but we just haven't made time since we've been married…until yesterday.  SO MUCH FUN!  And SOOO exhausting!  It really is a great aerobic workout.  We said we are definitely playing more - AND I beat Matt…FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER!!!  I have won games against Matt, but never the MATCH!  And I beat him 6-3!!!  Whoo-hoo!!! Of course, I know this will NEVER happen again…he'll get back up to speed and whip me all over the court.  But that's okay - as long as we're together having fun…I'll take it!

Then!  

We went the the annual 2014 Hope for Autumn Crawfish Boil at Ross Bridge!  

IT WAS FANTASTIC!!  

We ate SO MUCH crawfish, and just chilled, listened to two different bands play, and watched TONS of kids play all afternoon.  There were so many families there, with face painting, balloon animal making, etc.  We even ran into some old friends I haven't seen in a long time!  

Great day. 

Go Big or Go Home…I'm just saying.

Below is Rollin' In The Hay.  

I first saw this band at a frat-party while at TSU.  The only thing missing was a bunch of college students holding a beer in one hand in the air while they "moved" back and forth…ohhhhh….the frat parties…I think the scene has changed just a bit :)

Then today:

I think we must need this nourishing rain.  I love the rain, and am so thankful when God blesses us with it.  There is something so calming and peaceful about listening to and watching the rain.  AND!  It provides a great opportunity to make chili for lunch (which is what we're having!)!!

Also….just an update on our infertility process..

I will be starting medicine injections again on Tuesday or Wednesday this week…and will actually have TWO injectable medications this time…not just one.  Boo.  We are VERY thankful, however, that we will get to try again this month/cycle before heading out to SPAIN!!!  Have I mentioned that yet…YEP!  Two weeks, and we'll be sitting in a Tapas bar in Madrid...Lord willing, of course.  

Time to brush up on my spanish….Adios!!

I Will Seek You When I Rise.

Our puppies wake us up naturally every morning by 5:30-6:00am.  There really is no need for us to set an alarm clock.  They are our alarm clock :)  However, this gives me time to spend with Matt before work,  for us to pray together, to have a good cup of coffee, and for me to meet with my Lord.  

This morning as I was reading God's Word and journaling, the sun rays peered through my window and landed on my face.  I felt its warmth, and thanked God for His Word, and for the Holy Spirit.  It was such a serene moment - just me and the Lord.

As I was typing this, the sun shone back through again…so I captured it for you. Of course, the picture does it no justice…

I also woke up this morning singing the following song - 

"Acres of Hope" - Shane and Shane

Hope you enjoy :)

The News.

I can't say it's easy to type this.  Yesterday, I felt like I would never stop crying.  We found out we're not pregnant.  There's no rhyme or reason.  It just wasn't the right time, I guess.  Everything that can be tweaked has been tweaked, and still no positive results.  All we can do is wait.

I got the call around 3:30pm.  The doctor's office called, and when I answered, she just said, "Shana, I'm afraid I don't have good news."  Well, I made it through that phone call, and then proceeded to cry for the next…well forever…it seemed.  I was signed up to take a couple in our sunday school class dinner yesterday who had just had a baby.  So, I went downstairs, cried, cooked, re-applied makeup…cried on the way there…re-applied makeup…dropped off the food, made small talk…cried on the way home, cried going to Bible study…re-applied makeup…cried during prayer request time in our small group…then cried on the way home from Bible study.  River, anyone??  Well, I guess I just needed to get it all out :)

God's mercies renew in the morning.  Today has been a better day.  I teared up when I first got to work today, but I asked the Lord for strength, and for faith that trusts in Him alone.  The rest of my day has been much better.  I feel like I'm back in working mode. I talked with the fertility clinic again today, as well as my OB/GYN - together we're all trying to figure out our next step.  Please pray for wisdom for my doctors and for continued peace and guidance for Matt and me.

The hardest part in all of this for me is the fact that I can't give Matt a child…his own child, who has his face and his dark brown doe-shaped eyes….that I may never see my own reflection in a child staring back up at me.  We have so many sweet names picked out for our children.  It is fun to dream with Matt.  I am so thankful for him.  God gave me a man who is sensitive and strong, and can listen and love with a ferocity.  I could never go through this heartache month after month without the Lord, and without Matt.

Tonight, a tight knit group of friends came over for dinner since Matt is out of town.  We were only missing one girl who couldn't make it.  We five friends have been meeting for dinner for years.  I love these women.  They are such a blessing in my life, and I am so grateful for their friendships.  We laughed and talked for over three hours before it was time to get home.  Thank you, Lord, for the friendships of women.

A Few Randoms to Keep Myself Busy.

 So, have I mentioned that Matt has to go to a continuing medical education trip every year in Las Vegas at this time??  It's not my favorite place for him to go…especially because they don't allow spouses.  However, this does make me laugh.  Each year there is one "entertainment night" and it's usually an older, well known band like Styx, or something akin.  THIS year…a COSTUME party.  HA!  So, each participating group had to decide what character they would dress up as….Baptist chose      Pirates.  

(Matt was not in on this decision)

So!  We pieced this outfit together for Matt last minute :)  Fierce Head scarf with skulls…$1. Pirate Eye Patch with gold earring…$2.99.  Blow up sword…$0.99.  Red sash…my very own scarf.  It's Pirate enough, don't you say?!?!  and all for under $5 bucks!

Of course, he won't be wearing a plaid shirt and khakis…what mean bad pirate would ever be seen in khakis???  How could you take him seriously?  So Baptist had shirts made that say, "Baptist Pirate".  And he'll don that with jeans…:) Muuuuuuch better.

Isn't he cute, though??  Love him.

I made my mom's homemade spaghetti the other night…but instead of adding just normal ground beef…I made homemade spicy meatballs.  The recipe called it:

Meatball Nirvana. 

I think it lived up to its name…and I had one happy customer.

We took a day trip to see Matt's grandparents and parents who were here for Easter. 

It was a wonderful trip.  We are so glad we got to spend some time with them while they were in town! 

The Dogs.  Performing an Irish Jig.

What I came home to on Easter Eve.  God has blessed me with such a wonderful and thoughtful husband...

who also sends me texts like this….and makes me laugh out loud :)

You're Welcome.

Easter at Sunrise.

Today we celebrate our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ.   

Because He lives, we have everything.  

On the third day, He rose again, and conquered evil.  

It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, the foundation of our beliefs.  

I am able to have a restored relationship with God because of Jesus, through Jesus.  

How thankful I am for my Savior!

Thankful for forgiveness, and patience, and a love I do not deserve. 

Thankful for refining trials that bring me closer to Him.

Praise Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Amen!

Easter Lunch!  

I got this meal idea from Southern Living :)  Delicious!!

Also!!  Just peek at our new table with it's CHAIRS newly SLIPCOVERED!!!!  We LOVE it.  So thankful!

**Slipcovers need to be pressed…but we'll get to that later**

What I Am Thankful For Today

1.  Elevated Progesterone Levels

One of my problems in infertility has been my progesterone levels.  It took an oral medication over three months of steadily increasing its dose previously to obtain levels high enough to maintain pregnancy.  So, needless to say, this has been on my mind a lot this go 'round!  My first progesterone level checked was 0.3….YIKES!!  Of course, this was before ovulation, but that's still SCARY low.  It has to be at least 10 or above after ovulation to maintain pregnancy.  The doctor's have me on a different type of progesterone medication now, and after just FOUR days of using this medication - my progesterone level yesterday was 16.4!!!  Now, they actually would still like to have it above 20…so I'm upping the dose..but HALLELUJAH!!  It's not "0".  Matt and I prayed specifically that the Lord would raise my levels…He made this body…He can heal it.  Praise Jesus for answered prayers!

2. Catching up with a dear friend over lunch

April and I have been friends now for nearly 10 years.  I was a bridesmaid in her wedding, and she is my old running buddy (when I used to run, and first started running!)  So thankful for her steady friendship.  We can pick up right where we left off like there's been no time missed.  Love her. 

3. For smiling, giggling babies

This is April's daughter, Lily Cate.  She just turned 2 years old in February.  It is just pure joy to watch her and to hear her say "hi".  She waves her little hand, too.  OH SO PRECIOUS!!  Every baby is a miracle from our sweet and sovereign Lord… Praise the Lord for sweet Lily Cate.  We laughed as much over her at lunch as we did anything else.  

4. Strawberries

I had a few as a snack today.  I mean, just sweet and delicious.  Thank you, God, for creating such a delectable treat for your children to eat!  They are heavy with pigment, filled with sweet juices, and a gift to my tastebuds.  

5.  My Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Today is Maundy Thursday.  Because of Jesus, I have Life.  Apart from Him, I am nothing.  I am humbled by this Truth.  Thank you, Lord, for going to the Cross of Calvary with me on your mind.  How people can go through life with suffering and pain without knowing Him, I will never understand. I would become a heap of ashes if not upheld by His righteous right hand.  All that I am is because of Him.  

Thank you, Jesus. 

Home Upgrades.

Lately, Matt and I have been in the mood to start fixing up our home, little by little, as we are able.  I think what spurred this movement on is the large hole that was chewed into the middle of our carpet in the hallway by our precious crazy little Baylor.  However, we can now thank her for "encouraging" us to make it better :)  

The start of this first upgrade took the expertise of my stepdad and the willing participation to do whatever was needed and learn by my husband.  Matt has turned into quite the handyman, himself…such a prize for a woman to have at her side!  It was a full two day project with glowing results! 

The Hallway.

Next…Our dining room table.  

I've had a pub height table with eight chairs (two on each side) for the last 10 years.  It has been a wonderful addition to my home while hosting many dinner parties with friends, holidays with family, and a place to pack food on top of for other get togethers.  It has served me well.  

However, I'm in the mood for a "normal" table now with elegant chairs around…a new place for gathering with a little more style :)  I found the below dining table for sale for $65.  Perfect!  (the middle leaf is laying somewhere on the floor beside it)

Then, Matt and I decided on a paint color that we wanted, and I learned how to make homemade chalk paint (though, let me say, if I had to do it all over again, I would've just bought Annie Sloane Chalk paint…way too many coats needed with homemade, and a lot more work!) Matt really wanted to go lighter in our dining room since all of our other furniture is so dark.  So we chose a light cream color. 

The Parson Chairs that I found to use with the table, I also got for a steal!  

SIX Parson chairs for $150.  They are not pictured yet because they are currently having slip covers made that look just like the ones on Pottery Barn's website…that will be a future post :)

Our Front Door.

Although I have loved having a red front door, this was another project that I was ready to have improved upon.  I found our new front door on a trading website here in Birmingham for only $100. Matt graciously took off our old door and put the new one on…(after moving two of the hinges and rebuilding a part of the door frame, and and molding the goes around the door…ahem.)  "Just a little project", I told him…

The Old Door:

The New Door!!!:

(the molding had not yet been replaced when I took this picture)

Our Back Deck.

This actually took a little more mula that what we wanted to spend…however, I think in the end, it was worth it.  I had forgotten how expensive paint is!  Then, when you choose the wrong color initially…ahem…it gets even more expensive.  

The old deck…in need of much TLC. 

You can see that Matt had to replace some rotten boards (as my stepdad did previously in the above right picture). 

Then choosing what color we would restore this precious little haven to…

First up:  "California Rustic"

In the store, this "California Rustic" is what we thought we wanted…I really wanted a paint that would make our wood look similar to redwood or cedar.  This came across more like Texas burnt orange (per Matt!)…and just wasn't doing it for us.  $40.00

Back to Lowes…

We then decided on "Mahogany".  It looked super rich and dark…we just thought it would be beautiful.

We didn't think it would be PURPLE.  :)   

We ended up singing the Barney song while we painted…(this was now another $100…not going back!)

…and Matt recited a quote from one of his favorite movies..

"My home is filled with leather bound books, and smells of rich mahogany."  

I'll let you figure out where that came from...

So we kept on…ever so happily...

And we are now pleased with our end results!! It dried darker than it looked wet, so a win win for us!

(it's raining outside today when this picture was taken)

That's it for now!!! I have an amazing husband and family…always willing to help out!

Thank you Matt and Gary and mom!