Saturday Family Date

Ever since summer started I've been wanting to go to the Botanical Gardens here in Huntsville, to see the butterflies. They have one of those giant, net covered green houses full of flowers and butterflies. Fact: I LOVE butterflies. It's nothing close to my owl obsession, so please, don't go out and start buying me everything butterfly.

Anyhoo, my sweet hubby knew I was getting a small case of cabin fever, cooped up in the house all week so he took me to see the butterflies this morning. :) It wasn't quite what I expected. I had romantic notions of swarms of brilliantly colored butterflies landing on my nose and hands, and having to watch where you walk because there are so many of them....yes, I watch too many movies. It wasn't like that. However, there were still a lot of butterflies and it was still really fun. They were beautiful and I even got one to land on my finger. Sadly, Ben couldn't get the camera out fast enough to get a picture of it.

William hung out in his stroller the whole time, more interested in his own feet than the colorful flying things. I defintely want to go back when he is older. They have all kinds of cool stuff for kids that I wanted to do but couldn't justify doing without a child, otherwise all the other parents would be staring at me like I was a crazy person. We did, however, go through one of the water misters they have around the gardens to cool off. He didn't like that very much. It was also past nap time.

After the butterfly house, we walked on some of the paths looking at some of the plants and trees and just enjoying the beautiful weather. Little Man soon began to protest the hot weather/sweaty car seat combination, so we promptly headed home. I snapped a few pictures while we were there for your enjoyment.

Thanks, Hubby, for the family date!  And thank you, William for falling asleep as soon as we got home.

-JRae

                                                                 I have wings! :D

                                                          Trying out the hammocks...

                                    Baby in a hammock...don't panic I was right there beside him.

                         Daddy in a hammock...had a hard time getting him out of the hammock.

                                                                   GIANT chair!

                                                                   Ben is giant chair. :)

Stupid Good Quote

Earlier this week I ran across this quote while browsing Pinterest, "Don't let a bad day make you feel like you have a bad life". I know I don't have a bad life, but how many times during a tough week do I act like it? Like, take this week, for example. William has decided nap time is not for him anymore, so this week has been mostly devoted to changing his mind. I'm tired. I'm cranky. I'm pretty sure my hubby secretly wants to move to the rooftops. :P But good grief, Jessie Rae, it's just one week. One bad week out of countless good weeks. And in the grand scheme of things..is it reeeeaaaally that bad? No. It's not. Here's why: (excuse me while I preach to myself)

- I have a loving, patient Savior who had the ultimate "bad day" so I didn't have to.
- Despite his horrible napping, William has been the same cheerful, smiley, bouncy boy
- My husband. My hero. Even though he has plenty on his plate, he keeps asking me over and over again, what he can do to help, all the while making corny jokes to try to make me smile. :)
- a roof over my head
- Food. Yummy, healthy (sometimes not healthy), filling, plenty food
- Telephones. I have the ability to call friends and family anytime I want. Which is the biggest blessing ever when I need advice from my mom. Or when I need to chat with my Sister and just laugh for a few minutes. Or when I need to hear my husband's voice in the middle of a long day.
- At the end of a long day, there is a super comfy bed and a fluffy body pillow I can collapse on
- The invention of this thing called, coffee. I mean, really.

I could go on and on. God has richly blessed me and I have every reason to be thankful and joyful, despite what kind of week I am having. What I don't have, in any excuse to complain.

If you're reading this post, thanks for reading. I'm mostly just talking to myself and decided to type in out just in case, someone else out there was having a rough week and needed reminded of how good they really have it.

-JRae

P.S. What I Learned in August blog post coming soon

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Yesterday was a crappy day. It was one of those days where I didn't even try to be thankful. I didn't try to preach the Gospel to myself. I didn't try to find joy in the midst of hard things. My "give a flip" was busted. I wallowed in self-pity and turned to ice cream, Pinterest, and sleep for comfort, instead of looking to Christ. But, thankfully, God created days to end and new ones to begin. He has given me a new batch of grace for today.
My Little Man woke me up at 6 this morning. While I was feeding and rocking him, I began to pray and ask God for a heart full of thankfulness. Once again, I was overwhelmed at His blessings to this sinner who is so very undeserving. I wanted to share them with you in hopes that it points you to our loving Savior.

Thanking God today for:
-the morning after a bad day
-this verse: "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.' The Lord is my portion', says my soul, therefore I will hope in Him." -Lamentations 3:22-24
- my husband, my partner, the love of my life, my 10,000 reasons to smile
- the way he loves me with a selfless love that never ceases to astound and convict me
- the way he bends over backwards to cheer me up when I've had a bad day
- a happy, healthy, smiley, bouncy baby boy :)
- watching that baby boy learn new things like rolling over and trying to eat his toes
- music that encourages me to look to Christ
- electricity that allows me to plug in my coffee pot and make the blessed beverage
- hearing my moms voice on the phone yesterday
- God's financial provision
- the bouncy seat I bought for super cheap at a yard sale that has proved to be the best invention ever
- poopy diapers (yes, you read right, poopy diapers = happy baby)
- hearing William talking and playing in his crib as I write this
- amazon.com: I mean really. What did we ever do without it?
- that time of evening when William is asleep for the night and it's just Ben and I hanging out together
- so much closet space
- things to look forward to, like coffee with a friend, a weekend in Nashville, my brother coming to visit in a couple weeks
- all the women I know who are expecting babies
- William laughing in his sleep
- the sense of accomplishment from working hard to save money on the grocery bill and actually succeeding
- fresh cantaloupe
- baby pictures of Ben that look like William
- inside jokes with Sister
- another day

-JRae

Thankful For...

Praise God from whom all blessings flow...

-random I love you's
-safe trip to Nashville
-that moment when you walk into your family's house and everyone is excited to see you
-eating a popsicle like a little kid
- William sleeping the whole way home from Nashville
- a relaxing Monday
- the first 3 boxes packed for the big move
- patience to make it through days that didn't go as planned 
- dinner out with Grandma Sommers and cousin Tyler
- a loving husband who knows me so well and knows exactly how to take care of me
- the way William lights up when I sing to him
- friends who let me hang out at their house when my apartment building is being invaded by drilling and hammering.
- one more day to live this life and serve Christ
- Jesus paid it all
- grocery shopping without a 3 month old
- a husband who continues to show me what selflessness looks like
- games and dinner with our friends Ben, Karen, and Elise
- a chance to sleep in
- a lazy day in the midst of a crazy week
- a good book that is hard to put down
- getting to see a sweet couple celebrate 50 years of marriage
- my Dad and all the love he has shown me and my siblings over the years
- William in overalls
- a weekend with Ben's side of the family
- a clean kitchen
- bare feet on a clean floor
- the God gives me the desires of my heart when I don't deserve any of it

Thankful For...

This list is late, but better late than never. Just a few of God's blessings on my life the past several days:

-it working out for me to spend a few days in Nashville with my Mom
-lunch breaks with the hubby
- owl city playlist
- trying new recipes
- getting a lot accomplished in a short amount of time
- unexpected baby gift in the mail
- the way William grins from ear to ear when I kiss his chubby cheeks
-a great visit with Mom making cards, talking, laughing, staring at William, and chillin on the back porch
- getting to be at RBC prayer meeting
- Memorial weekend with Granny Sommers, Dad-in-law, and Brother-in-law
- Getting to watch Dad-in-law cross the finish line at the Cotton Row Run
- Going geo-caching with the Hubby and Dad-in-law and finding 2 of them!
- my chiropractor
- my Hubby being a HUGE help while my neck what out
- reasons to be thankful despite a really crappy week last week
- a lazy Saturday to do nothing
- the beginning of a new week
- William taking a nap at church
- God's never failing love and grace despite my repeating the same mistakes over and over again
- meals thrown together from random pantry items that turns out to be super yummy
- Ben being on Daddy Duty so I could go grocery shopping by myself
- William's first real giggle :)
- joy in my role as a wife and mother
- phone conversations with Mom, Dad, and Ross
- pajama days

Thankful for...

- a hubby who does dishes :)
- lists
- recovery from a cold that made me feel like I'd been hit by a truck
- my son not catching whatever it was I had
- chicken and rice soup
- pajama pants
- the blessing of getting to be a stay-at-home mom
- hot tea
- little smiles brought on by chanting patty cake, patty cake over and over again :)
- going down memory lane, remembering how Ben and I became friends
- an extra hour of sleep
- kleenex with lotion
- sappy love songs
- finding wedding day pictures that I forgot I had
- not having to share my husband with homework!
- chalkboards
-naps
- lazy Saturdays
- playing cards games with the hubby
- laughing together
- dinner with friends at our favorite pizza joint
- encouraging e-mails
- I can believe that God is working ALL things together for my good.
- not having to buy diapers for a while thanks to last weekend's baby shower
- a year of marriage to my best friend
- the many ways God has provided for us in that year
- the many things God has taught us through marriage
- having a fun anniversary despite the change in plans
- silly photo booth pictures
- getting turned lose in a cooking gadget store and my husband saying "Here's your budget, go get what you want"

Dizzy with gratitude,
JRae

P.s. I just read through this list again, and I always seem to be really thankful for food and sleep. Hmmmm...

My favorite Day

On the morning of May 19, 2012, I woke up in my own bed in my parents house. I sat up, stretched and looked out the window to see a beautiful sunny day. I smiled, because I knew that everywhere else in Nashville was expecting rain. But I had ordered sunshine for that day. I jumped out of bed, shoved my feet into some ratty slippers, and shuffled to the bathroom where my mom was already up and getting ready.It was a typical morning routine for me to hug her good morning on my way to the coffee pot. This was an extra special hug. This hug was full of emotions that are hard to put into words. I said good morning and told her I loved her and she said the same back. Fighting back happy tears, I went to the kitchen for my coffee. It was gonna be a busy day and I would need every drop of caffeine. It was my wedding day.

I'll never forget how surreal that morning felt. After 4 months of planning, the day had FINALLY arrived and I couldn't believe it. I loved every second of it. There was so much to do before leaving, I wasn't quite sure what to do first. Of course, that was cured right away. My mother was never far away with her trusty lists and timelines that we had set up for the day and I was soon busy getting myself ready and helping her put together last minute stuff like the awesome chalkboard welcome sign. Also on my to do list was "eat food". I was determined to not be that bride that goes through the entire day with no time to eat. My Dad and brother had their own to do lists that Mom had given them. They weren't even home when I got up, because she had sent them to pressure wash bird poop off the floor of the park pavilion where our reception was going to be. I'm tellin' ya, this woman thought of everything.

My cosmetology school graduate bridesmaid, Hannah, arrived around 10 a.m. to do my hair and the rest of the bridesmaids, including my Sister, were there by 11 a.m. so we could all eat lunch together. There was much giggling and exclamations of "Omg, you are getting married today!!" My face hurt from smiling already and we hadn't even started pictures yet.

After lunch, it was time for the grand event of getting my dress on. I'd been staring at the silly thing hanging up in my room for the last four months and was dying to put it on! My mom helped me get my veil and yellow converse shoes on and after a quick peek in the mirror, I was ready to go. After a few pictures, our limo arrived, and me, my little brother, and my parents climbed in. My mom looked amazing. Her navy upscale sundress fit her perfectly and my Dad couldn't stop staring at her. His hadsome-ness matched her beauty and they looked so cute sitting there next to each other in the limo. Ross, also, looked pretty spiffy in his wedding get up. I wasn't going to be a single girl much longer and I was doing my best to soak up every last minute of that precious time I had with my family.

When we got to the park, the pavilion was already an ant hill of activity, thanks to our dear friend, Janet who was helping my mom coordinate the whole affair. Pictures started right away with me and my bridesmaids and then I was hidden away in a white tent to make sure Ben and I wouldn't see each other when he arrived. It was so hot in that tent.

Up to this point I wasn't nervous. Obviously I was excited and bubbly, but I was also calm....that is until I heard someone say that Ben and his family had arrived. Then the butterflies kicked in high gear and didn't settle down till "you may now kiss the bride". There were scheduling conflicts with the limo and by the time the groom and his family got there, it was almost time to start and they had to push back their picture time to after the ceremony.

My mom had given strict orders that the bridesmaids and groomsmen be in their spots my 3:50, and they were. My Dad made his way to the tent around that time and my mom went to her seat after stopping by the tent for a hug and a hair check in the mirror. Then the music started.

I'll never ever ever forget standing there with my Dad, just inside the tent, waiting for our cue to walk down the isle. It seemed like it took FOREVER. I noticed that my Dad still had his sunglasses on. "Dad, take your sunglasses off!", I whispered. "Oh!", he said, and quickly put them in his jacket pocket. Then it was time to walk down the isle and see my beloved for the first time that day. I wasn't sure how he would react. I kept seeing two scenarios in my head. One of him smiling from ear to ear and one of him bawling like a baby. I wish I could describe to you the look I saw on his face as I looked down the isle. He was fighting back tears like crazy while at the same time looking so happy to see me and giving me that adoring look I'd seen so many times before. It was heart-wrenching in a good way. I was soon crying as my Dad and I made our way down the isle.

The whole ceremony is kind of a blur. I don't remember a whole lot of what Stephen preached about and it was over before I knew it. I do remember staring at Ben the whole time and the look in his face as he read his vows to me. I also remember trying to read my vows and failing because I couldn't see through the tears. But somehow I got through it and I heard Stephen say, "you may now kiss your bride." And kiss we did. :)

After the ceremony, began the funnest party ever! We danced, goofed off in the photo booth, made our rounds talking to all of our guests, took more pictures, ate some amazing BBQ, and danced some more. I wish I could go back and relive every moment. Before we knew it, the night was ending and it was time for the send off. We had these giant 3 foot sparklers for our guests and they created a tunnel for us to walk through. When we reached the end of the tunnel we gave hugs to our immediate family, I handed the bouquet to my mom, and we turned to get in the car.....a balloon stuffed, saran wrapped, window paint covered Mazda. Thank you, Ben's college buddies. :)

I popped my head through the sunroof and waved goodbye as we drove off. (I've always wanted to do that!) I couldn't believe it. After a year of dating and 4 months of engagement, we were finally married :)

Today, we've been married a year and it's been the best year of my life. Not to say it didn't have it's challenging moments, but each challenging moment brought us closer together. I can't wait to spend another year and many, many more with my best friend. I love you, Ben :)

Hopeless Romantic,
JRae