New Blog Design!

So, for my first Mother's Day, my good friends Lavender Lily and Modern Eve got me a gift certificate to have my blog redesigned! It was a very thoughtful gift! So, I finally cashed in on my new blog design courtesy of Penny Lane Designs. I told her I wanted an Old Hollywood feel to the blog, with my favorite color scheme...black, red, and white. I know I am not super original, but I love how it turned out...very classy! Thanks friends!

Cruisin'!

Raylee cruisin' along our fireplace!

A little preachin'

Today is my four year wedding anniversary! Yay! So in light, I thought I would preach just a little to whoever may be reading...

In my four years of marriage I figure I may just have picked up a few bits of wisdom and truth. Now, I am no expert, but I firmly believe that your philosophy on marriage is the second biggest determining factor in life (second only to who God is). The covenant I made with God and my husband is binding for life. When you really take the view that marriage is permanent, it changes the way you view the fights, the struggles, and the challenges. Knowing that this is my one shot at marriage encourages me to make it the best it can be. Marriage isn't always easy, in fact, it can be downright hard sometimes. The only way this marriage will work is if we first submit ourselves to Christ, and then to each other. I believe that everyday I must fight my selfish desires to put my husband first. I'm sure you have heard the old adage, "love is a verb." You must literally choose to love everyday...even when the feelings wane. Don't get me wrong, I love (with feeling) my husband so much...but even days when I don't feel love, I try to love (with action). My younger childhood was filled with love and Christ, but my adolescent years were also filled with divorce, infidelity, deception and heartache. I know that the best foundation I can shape for Raylee starts with a strong marriage between Michael and me. Thankfully, Michael believes that marriage is forever as well, and he serves as a great example of selflessness.

Here is a pic from four years ago!

Bad Blogger, Good Christmas!

So I have realized that I am a much better reader than I am writer...I just don't really love blogging, but I think it is worth the time, so I am going to try to be better (please ignore my wordy, runon sentence).

We had a great Christmas season, with lots of celebrating. We had multiple Christmas' with a wedding thrown in as a bonus. Raylee was a flower girl at my sister's wedding, and since she can't actually walk, or throw flowers for that matter, she rode in a sleigh. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen!

Enjoy the pictures!

Amy Columbus Photography

Thanksgiving!

We spent Thanksgiving with the Toney family this year, plus my sister-in-law's sweet family. It was so fun with all the kiddos and lots of fabulous food. I made stuffing and it was a huge hit (which is pretty incredible since I am a virgin stuffing maker and I don't even like stuffing!) We watched a lot of football and ate a lot of food. Here is the famous pic!

Update: Cliff's Notes Version

Our lives have changed a ton since my last posting...so here is the very short list of updates.

• new house (actually old house, new remodel)
• moved twice (from old house, to Kaufman, to new house)
• never ending house projects
• Raylee: four teeth, crawling, eating finger foods, walking with support
• visited Missouri for Rachel's shower and bachelorette party.

Here are a couple of new pictures of Raylee

Mourning growing up...

It has been a very long time since I last posted. We are still living in Kaufman while our house is being remodeled, so no pictures. We are hoping to move in November 1st! PRAY!!!! My b-day is November 3rd, and that is all I want.

Anyways, I have been a little sad lately, mourning the inevitable process of my daughter growing up. I know God gives us children to slowly enable them to become independent of their parents and dependent on God, but it stinks. So, a week and a half ago, Raylee began biting me while breastfeeding. As I thought I was getting it under control, my body decided to come down with mastitis (an infection) and stop producing enough milk. I am a huge believer in breast feeding, and I wanted to make it to a year. However, Raylee just hasn't been getting enough, so we have had to start supplementing with formula. I know it isn't the end of the world, and I can keep nursing in the mornings and before bed, but I am a little forlorn thinking of her growing up and not needing me anymore. This feeling of sadness and neediness is probably confounded by the fact that I am a little bored and dissatisfied with living in limbo (without a home...although I am grateful for my in-laws hospitality!) However, I know there will be many instances where I have to give Raylee her independence. I am dreading the first day of Kindergarten...AH!!! So I guess I thought I would slough off my sadness with this post, and try to cherish everyday I have with her. I truly do love each new stage...but you can't help but look back and miss the newborn stages as well.

Proverbs 22: 6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."