UPDATES//mostly for family&friends out of state

It's hard keeping everyone updated on our life... Especially when we continue to be busier and busier by the day, it seems like. I wanted to post a blog with all of our updates that our family & friends out of state (and some of our instate who make not know all these things yet, because we have, in fact, been so busy) can read and be filled in. Enjoy!!

Savannah:

Savannah had her first soccer practice this week! She should have already had several practices plus a game, but because of the weather, they were just now able to have one. She was a little shy, but loved it! She just so happened to know two of her teammates from her school too! Her team is an established team that has been together for a couple seasons. She and one other little girl are the newbies.

She is still loving school and amazing me with the things she is learning. Her school is very advanced and high tech and frankly, I'm very impressed with the things they are teaching even the kindergarteners. Savannah asked me 2 weeks ago at lunch, why there was a QR code on the Dickey's BBQ cup. I was so taken aback that she even knew what a QR code was. Those who know me, know that I rarely let my kids see my iPad and can almost safely say that I never let them see my phone. They have also never used our computers. I tell you this only to reiterate how shocked I was to hear the words QR code come out of her mouth! Nonetheless, after asking her how she knew what a QR code was, she nonchalantly told me because they use the iPads at school to scan the QR codes on their books.

We went to her open house at her school last night and got to see all her work, her journals, her book cubby, etc. Back to the topic of QR codes... We were given a handout with a list of all the things Savannah would show us. One of the things said, "scan the QR code on your book so your parents can hear you read your book." She went over to her table, grabbed the iPad, opened it, pulled open some app, scanned the QR code on her book and alas, a website came up with a recording of her reading this book that she illustrated and wrote all by herself! Can I just say, I was very impressed with the whole deal! She also showed us all around the school, where she goes for all her special classes, the library and computer lab, etc. In the computer lab, again, I was very impressed watching her control+alt+delete to log on, then enter her username and password, then navigate the computer. I just kept saying, "Zach, can you believe she knows all of this??" LOL
Savannah is currently getting over a double ear infection! Her allergies got the best of her and after a high fever and complaints of both ears hurting, I took her up to the urgent care and it was confirmed. She is on antibiotics now and feeling much better, thankfully!
She is in Awana's and doing very well! In addition to memorizing quite a few verses, she has also memorized the books of the New Testament. She has gotten four jewels so far on her vest. I am so proud of her!

Mason:

Mason is still just as hilarious as ever. He is seriously getting funnier by the day. His new thing is calling everyone, "sugar". He tells me, "Mother, you will always be my sugar!" daily and makes me melt. It sounds more like, "Mudder. You. Weel. Always. Be. My. Sugger." I tell you, I can't get enough of him!
He is still loving school and still complaining that he cannot go every day. (That's a good sign that he is going to be studious like his Mommy, right? ;) ) He is in Awana's and loving it also. He has memorized a ton of verses already and has gotten 6 patches so far! I am SO pleased that he loves Awana's!
He, for the past several months, has been on a monster kick... As in, he thinks there is monsters everywhere!! I am ready for this to pass, but it is kind of cute!
Oh, this is a big one! Beginning about two weeks after we moved here, Mason asked me if he could sleep in his underwear, not pull ups. He has been potty trained for over a year now (since a month after he turned 2), but has still been sleeping in pull ups. He had been waking up dry in the mornings, out of no where, for about two weeks before he asked me this. He was so cute; he said, "Mommy, I no need pull ups anymore! I no pee pee anymore!" I sat there taken off guard, running it over in my head, and said, "well, you really don't pee pee your pull ups anymore, so I guess you can sleep in your underwear now!" He immediately started clapping and saying, "yay!!" The rest is history! I was pleasantly surprised about this as I had assumed with him being a boy, that he would be a little bit older before mastering nighttime. Nonetheless, I'll take it and am thankful! Now I have all the pull-ups that I had stocked up on stashed away for when Gavin gets day potty trained and needs them to sleep in! 



Gavin:

Gavin started walking at exactly 13.5 months, a few days before Zach got here. The rest is history! He now runs and does a pretty good job keeping up with his siblings, loves playing outside, and so much more. He is still the sweetest baby ever! He points to things and says, "this!", gives lots of big open mouth kisses (the best kinds), and is overall very sweet, affectionate, and sensitive. He is irresistible to his Momma and has his Daddy wrapped around his finger too. And let us not forget about Papa... He has Papa wrapped around his finger!! Gavin is getting increasingly more independent and just started feeding himself with a spoon/fork last week.
His little curls are getting more curly, yet frizzy when he first awakens or has been in the car seat.
He is also getting great at following directions like, "take this to Daddy" or "throw this away" or "go get your ball". I just love it!



Zach:

Zach is working his tail off and making lots of great contacts and connections. He is getting involved with the band at our church. I am sure there is more to update on Zach, but I am drawing a blank right now :) Oh, he loves all the food choices here in Texas and particularly loves Bahama Bucks (shaved ice). His cravings may or may not be a little out of control :)

Britt:

The most exciting thing I have to share as of right now is that last week, I got the amazing privilege of being able to assist my dear cousin, Katy, in labor with her sweet baby, Jack. I served as her doula and I was truly honored to do so! It was by far a very special time for me watching her bring precious life into this world. Baby Jack is just adorable and loved by Auntie Britt so much!! **Side note, this was the longest that Gavin had ever been away from me and he was a champ! He and Daddy had so much fun! I didn't get home that night until 1:15am, so technically the next day, and they were both sound asleep! That was the first time Gavin had ever gone to sleep without nursing. Needless to say, Mommy woke him up immediately to nurse!! (That was the longest I had ever gone without nursing him, ha!) The big kids spent two nights with their Aunt Heather and Grandpa Chuck and had a blast!! Seriously, they were on cloud 9 when they came home! I am so thankful for them taking care of them for those two days and providing them with some fun on their Spring Break!

I am officially all TX now! Yesterday, I went and got my car inspected, registered in Texas, got Texas license plates, and got my Texas driver's license. This was a relief to get this all knocked out in a day and I must say, my sweet little Gavin was a trooper! I was so thankful to get it all done in time to pick up Mason by 2pm too!
I took Savannah to see Cinderella the night it came out for some Mommy/Daughter time. It was truly an excellent movie and we had a fabulous time! She said her favorite part of the movie was when they got married! (Awwww, Mommy's too!!) 
My Papa and I made a trip with the boys (Savannah was in school) to Kaufman, TX two days ago to see my cousin and Papa's oldest brother (he is one of 12) who is also my great uncle, and pick up the shirts that my sweet cousin embroidered for Zach with his business logo on them. They look fantastic and I have to again, tell any of my local readers, if you ever need embroidery... check out her Facebook page! GoBoothe Embroidery, LLC https://www.facebook.com/goboothembroidery



Bella:

Bella, our dog, is having puppies! This was unplanned of course and she will be getting fixed after she delivers!! However, nonetheless, next week, we will have puppies!! ***Local friends, contact me if interested in a puppy!! Stay tuned to Facebook for photos!!

Phase 1 of Move // The Start

I'm sure most of you know we made it to Texas! We arrived in 2 vehicles last weekend with Mason's bedroom furniture, Savannah's dressers, and all my clothes; after much unloading and unpacking, we made it to bed in Texas after midnight Saturday night/Sunday morning. Zach had to drive back to NC on Monday and took my stepdad's 18 ft trailer that he let us borrow. Zach is coming back down this coming weekend with the trailer loaded down with the rest of our furniture and I'll be meeting him at a storage unit to unload it all in. He'll be driving back up to NC one last final time Monday, will work 2 additional weeks up there and continue to tie up any still loose ends before moving down here for good on February 11th.

I got Savannah enrolled in her new school Tuesday and she started that same day as well. I was very impressed with the school and all they offer. I know she'll do great. She said she had a great first day and she loves her young, sweet, fresh, and energetic teacher. 

I got a call that Mason can start at his preschool next week. This was great news as we weren't sure if we could get him in or not. All though it wouldn't be a huge deal if he didn't get to finish the spring semester in preschool and he could always start back in the fall, it would be a big deal to Mason! He absolutely loves school and would go every day if he could! The preschool here had a family move away over the beginning of the New Year, thus creating an opening for Mason! We tour it today and assuming we love it (which I anticipate we will), we'll enroll him today and he'll begin next week and go twice a week.

Yesterday, I also signed Savannah up for spring soccer, which she is SO excited about! She'll be playing for Allen Sports Association, which again I'm very impressed with so far. She starts practicing in February and her first game is in March. The season goes through May and I told her hopefully after that, we can get her back in gymnastics here. She's been doing gymnastics in NC for nearly 4 years and absolutely loves it. I also have loved watching her progress and excel. I think a nice break to play soccer will be most welcomed and beneficial; I do after all, want her to be well rounded. However, nonetheless, I want to get her back in too, to ensure she doesn't lose her skills and can keep progressing. 

Mason is SO sad he's not old enough to play soccer this Spring. He'll be old enough to play in the fall, so I told him just to hold on a few more months! :) I just love my sweet boy!

Gavin could not be happier, as usual. He's such an easy going, content, and happy baby. Seriously, I am so blessed to be his mother. He has kept Papa laughing and has entertained all the congregation at church last night and Sunday, as well as any family that has stopped by. He's just so sweet.

Savannah and Mason also both started AWANA's at church this past Sunday. They absolutely love it and I cannot wait for them to get more involved and more into it as the year progresses. I was in AWANA's growing up and it was such an impressionable time on me. I'm so anxious to see them progress in Scripture memory, especially.

Savannah's school has lots of exciting things coming up and I'm looking forward to Savannah being able to participate in some of them. I got a flyer last night of a parents night out coming up, they are doing for the girls at her school where they get to hang out with the high school cheerleaders and learn cheers and help them at the upcoming pep rally! How cool is that? I plan on taking Savannah because I know she would have an absolute amazing time! She also a 100th day of school celebration coming up where she has to decorate and wear to school that day, a shirt with 100 of anything! After much brainstorming, I've decided that we are going to do... RHINESTONES! After all, Savannah loves her some bling! ;) 

We are settling into a routine quite nicely here, I must say. When I pick Savannah up from school, I go ahead and make her lunch from the next day and make coffee to go off automatically the next morning then, as well as go ahead and lay her clothes, shoes, and hairbow out for the next day. After dinner, it's straight into the bath and teeth brushing time for the kids and then they can watch a movie before bed. Savannah is realizing that these early mornings come, well, EARLY! This morning, she said to me, "Mommy, it's not time to get up, it's still night time!" It was right at 7:00am. I told her that it was morning, just early in the morning. She reluctantly got up and got her clothes on, I fixed her hair, she ate breakfast and then brushed her teeth. At that point, she was very ready and excited to go! She hardly told me bye as she hopped out of the car in the carpool line at school, she was in such a hurry to get out and get in there. It thrills my heart that she loves school so much! 

Although everything is going so well down here, I cannot WAIT, until my sweet devoted husband gets here too and joins us! We miss him dearly and love him even more!

I thank God the Father, that He is the God of new beginnings and for this new beginning He has so graciously given to our family!

Stay tuned for an upcoming second update after phase 2 of our move!

If you missed my last blog about LOVE, you can click her to be redirected to its post to read it: http://thegreatestremains.blogspot.com/2015/01/love-our-greatest-commandment.html

Happy Birthday to Gavin// Reflecting back One Year to the Birth of MyChristmas Blessing

Wow, it hardly seems that one year has passed by and my sweet sweet Gavin is one now. Reflecting back to roughly a year ago brings so many memories to my mind.

Most everyone by now, I'm sure, knows that my Mam-ma, who by far was my closest earthly relationship, passed away last August 2013 of a deadly, ruthless lung disease called focal pulmonary fibrosis. When she died, I felt like my entire world was turned upside down. I had lost the most important person to me and I was so lonely. It was after her death that I first encountered the presence of The Holy Spirit and began a real and beautiful relationship with Him.

When I was pregnant with Gavin, I was in serious risk of preterm labor. I was already dilated to a 2 at 25 weeks and 50% effaced. At 30 weeks 3 days, and 30 weeks 4 days, I received two steroid shots to help speed up the development of his lungs, because that's how risky things were. I am so thankful for a group of good doctors who were on top of things, but ultimately thankful to The Great Physician whose hand was constantly covering Gavin in the womb.

I did indeed end up delivering Gavin prematurely at 35 weeks, on Christmas Day. That Thanksgiving was very hard for me not having my Mam-ma and I knew Christmas was going to be even harder. Couple that with fearing for my unborn child's life, it was a less than ideal time for me. However, God's grace is ever so abundant. I gave birth to Gavin that Christmas Day and despite being 5 weeks early, he was perfectly healthy and never saw the inside of the NICU.

I had prayed a few days before Christmas that God would not let Gavin be born until he could be born safely, but that I was longing to meet him and how my arms ached to hold this new life and this new love. 1 Samuel 1:27, "For this child I have prayed and The Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him."

I believe God gave me Gavin on Christmas Day to further show His promises to me. Job's words rang so true in my heart that day, "naked I came into this world and naked shall I return thither. The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of The Lord!" Job 1:21

I lost my Mam-ma, but was given a sweet, innocent baby on Christmas Day, Jesus' birthday- what a beautiful testament to God's unfailing love and grace.

Psalms 62:1, "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Now I look at my sweet, happy one year old baby boy and can't believe a year has gone by since that beautiful day. This year has truly been wonderful and Gavin is such a blessing to our family. He is so full of love, sweetness, and everything good. He is so cuddly and makes me smile all the time. He is so good and such a beautiful gift. I am so thankful for him and even more so, I am thankful to my Lord and Savior who always knows our needs better than we know them ourselves. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith The Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." -Isaiah 55:8-9

Happy Birthday my sweet Gavin Michael! It's been an enormous blessing to be your Mommy. This first year of your life has been so sweet and beautiful. I'm excited to see what God has in store for year two! 

Gavin on his birthday!

Gavin early December 2014 after his shower!

Gavin at 11 months, helping Daddy fix a broken cabinet.

Gavin at just a few days old.

To read my blog post from a year ago when Gavin was first born, click the link below:

http://thegreatestremains.blogspot.com/2014/01/welcome-baby-gavin-michael-my-christmas.html

Welcome Baby Gavin Michael, My Christmas Blessing!

This Christmas Day was by far the most special Christmas Day to date for me and my family... It is the day we welcomed Baby Gavin, our third child, into the world!

Gavin Michael born at 3:43pm 12/25/13 5 lbs 7 oz 19.5 inches long

Born at 35 weeks 3 days gestation... very healthy, no NICU needed! Praise The Lord!

I woke up Christmas morning and just knew I was going to have Gavin that day. I had been feeling a lot of additional pressure than I had the prior weeks/days and knowing how to check myself, I decided I would go see if I was any additional dilated. While I only felt like I was roughly between a 4-5, my amniotic sac was hanging out of my cervix like a water balloon.

Even though my due date was January 26th, I had been dilated since 25 weeks and given steroids to help mature his lungs at 30.5 weeks. At my doctor appointment on Friday, December 20th, I was dilated to a 3 1/2 and 95% effaced. My doctor said he would likely come over the weekend, but if not, he gave me a week tops! Although I was a little nervous about not being full term yet, I just prayed that God would not let him come until he could come out safely with no NICU required. I guess Christmas Day was that day! This was very special to me as it truly symbolized God's love and grace to me- Gavin being born on Jesus' birthday and being perfectly healthy, despite being preterm. I am so thankful.

 This is me literally just two hours before I gave birth. We woke up Christmas morning and did "Santa" with our two children. After getting toys put away and everything cleaned up, we got ready and headed over to my in law's house for brunch with them and then gifts with them as well. It was funny because after we finished gifts, one of my sister in law's jokingly said, "okay, Gavin, thanks for letting us get through presents! You can come anytime now!" Within 20 minutes I began having contractions.

We got to the hospital at 2:15pm and I was already dilated to a 7 and the nurses confirmed my amniotic sac was indeed bulging! When I walked in and said I was in labor, they all looked at me funny like they didn't believe me... I assured them I was in labor and I have very fast labors, but I guess because I wasn't crying or very dramatic, they just didn't take me seriously! After checking me and realizing that I was indeed in labor and very far along, one nurse yelled out to the others in the hallway, "Call the doctor! She really is in labor and her bag of waters is bulging!" My husband and I got a little chuckle out of this. (This is the second time my labor has been doubted. With my 2 year old son, it was a very similar scenario. I had him at 36 1/2 weeks and was already an 8 when I got there, but no one believed I was in labor until they finally checked me.)

They quickly moved me into a room where I waited with my husband on the doctor. I was not able to get any pain medicine because I was already so far along (this was also the second time that has happened to me). The doctor walked in and checked me and said, "Well, I am going to break your water and we are going to have a baby! You are a 10 and 100% effaced! This picture was taken seconds after she said that by my husband. I was very nervous, despite how calm I look in the picture!

Gavin was born just an hour and a half after arriving at the hospital.

This is my husband with Gavin that night.

This was Gavin that night after getting a bath.

Big Sister holding Gavin the next morning! She is such a great big sister!

This is me with all three of my babies the next day! Gavin was nursing. (He nurses like a champ!)

This is Gavin 3 days old.

Gavin 4 days old!

Thank you to everyone that prayed for Gavin throughout my pregnancy! I am seriously ever so thankful that he is here and healthy. He is another reminder to me of God's grace and faithfulness. After a hard end of the year dealing with the loss of my Mam-ma, he was the ever so sweet reminder that God is faithful throughout everything in this life if we put our faith and trust in Him. 

Job 1:21 says, "And said, naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave and The Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of The Lord."

1 Samuel 1:27 says, "For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him."

Baby (diaper) Shower for Gavin

This Saturday we had a wonderful diaper shower for Baby Gavin, thrown by my mother-in-law. We got lots of diapers, particularly size 1 (I am pretty sure I literally will not need to buy ANY size 1's!), and we literally will not have to buy wipes ever again until our NEXT child. Seriously. I can honestly and confidently say that! Even with my almost two year old, Mason, still being in diapers, we will have enough wipes to last until he is potty trained AND to last until Gavin is potty trained. It was such a good feeling having a hard time finding a place to put it all when we got home!

I ended up organizing the diapers fairly well, but had to put two huge boxes of wipe refills in the attic to use whenever the time comes. (Yes, we still had more boxes of wipes that I did find a place for in their room/closet!) I finally feel like everything is ready for Gavin and not much else needs to be done!

I am 33 weeks and 1 day and at my doctor appointment last Thursday (32 weeks and 4 days), I was still dilated to a 2, but was now 70% effaced (the last appointment I was 50% effaced). I am so thankful that they decided to give me the steroid shots at 30 1/2 weeks. Now at least I can rest easily knowing that if he comes a little bit earlier than Mason did (Mason came at 36 weeks 5 days), that it all should be okay and he should not need to go to the NICU. That is such a relieving feeling!

I go again to the doctor on Friday, December 20th, and I will then be 34 weeks and 5 days. I have a feeling that will be my last doctor appointment or second to last one before delivering. (My next appointment would be the next week, as I would be moving to weekly appointments, and it would be the day or two days after Christmas!)

I am excited for Gavin to be here, but do want him to stay in until at least 35 weeks! We will see what he decides to do though :)

Here are some pictures from our shower!

Cupcakes from a wonderful little bakery... Maxie B's!

My sweet little Mason playing with the stick horse that was one of the decorations :)

My sweet husband and I

Diaper cake! (The shower was cowboy themed)

My sweet girl Savannah was running around downstairs playing with a friend of her's that was there throughout most of the shower, and I just realized there were no pictures of her!! :(

Here is a picture my husband captured two days before the shower of me with both of my sweet babies...

Savannah, Mommy, and Mason!

We all can't wait for Gavin to join the mix and the fun :)

Heading back to resume "normal" life/December: the start of something new

We left my Papa's house this morning about 3 am to head back to North Carolina. It was very bittersweet for so many reasons... Although it is always nice to get back home and sleep in your own bed along with getting back to your normal routine, Texas is my home and that is where all my family is. I love being anywhere in Texas, but I especially love being there at my Mam-ma and Papa's house. No place feels more like home. Now with Mam-ma being gone also, I really am glad I can be there for Papa and help fill some of the loneliness that he is obviously feeling. Although he is doing very well all things considered, I still (understandably) watched him get pretty emotional several times throughout the week, particularly the last couple days before we left. I just hated leaving him and so wish I did not have to.

Here is a picture of Papa spoon feeding Mason (my sweet almost 2 year old (he'll be 2 in just 13 days)) some coffee... It was just so sweet.

When we left, he asked me when we would be back. I told him sometime after Baby Gavin was born (I'm 32 weeks today), we would be back for everyone to meet him. He said, "well you let me know as soon as you know when y'all are coming and I will have everything ready for y'all!" It just made me so sad and homesick for my home there already, and I hadn't even gotten in the car yet. I just love my Papa.

This trip was very weird without Mam-ma there, but I know she was in Heaven smiling down on us all. Zach and I were talking about just last night while lying in bed about how it's so different with her as opposed to anyone else in either one of our lives who has passed away before, because there really is no doubt in anyone's minds where she is. Every single one of us knows she's in Heaven and therefore it almost feels like she's not even gone, because we know we'll get to see her again. It doesn't make missing her any less prominent though. I miss her everyday.

Savannah (my sweet 4 1/2 year old) got to go to her cousin Ryleigh's birthday party yesterday. I am so glad they planned the party for while we were still in town! It was at Sweet & Sassy and all of the girls truly had a blast! Savannah just was on cloud 9 the entire time! It was so fun to watch her get pampered and dress up like a princess!

Here are some pictures from the party...

I just love my little girl! She is so much fun and is a huge blessing!

I know when we get back home, we will settle back into our routine just fine... My daughter will resume preschool tomorrow morning and my son will resume Mother's Day Out. I will resume housework and my husband will resume work. I have a doctor's appointment on Thursday that I am looking forward to as I am already currently dilated to a 2 and over 50% effaced with my baby being completely dropped. I am so very thankful for the time we had together away from the normal chaos of life though. I will miss the uninterrupted time we all had together while seemingly being in another world for the week.

Here is one last picture of my husband and daughter while we were out to breakfast with my Papa yesterday....

As Christians, we should be thankful every day, not just Thanksgiving or the month of November. That is something Brother Jim loudly pointed out at church Wednesday night. I for one and am going to make a conscious effort to be thankful for all of these blessings in my life and for The Lord who blessed me with them, most importantly. This is the kind of life my Mam-ma led and it's the kind of life we all should be striving to lead as well.

May December mark a new beginning for us all... A time to be renewed and find a newfound purpose!