Easter 2010

Happy Easter!

The Easter bunny came and visited our house this morning. He brought some bubbles, a little stuffed chick, a dump truck for Bryson to play with during our trip to the beach, and a book.
Bryson didn't seem all that interested in his basket, but this was his first Easter and even though I know he doesn't understand, I still wanted him to have a little something.

Our Church service was packed this morning...it was the 3rd of 4 services. Bryson sat with us (our church doesn't offer nursery/children's church on Easter Sunday...they encourage and want families to be able to sit and worship together on such a special day)...so it was nice having our little family together in the service. Pastor Kevin preached a great sermon on Victory over the Empty Tomb and our choir rocked it out again this year just like every other year. They truly bless my heart each Sunday. I can always feel God's presence in that Sanctuary every time we sing. I think I could worship all day long!

After church we went and had lunch with Clay's mom's family. The food was delicious. We had the traditional Easter lunch...ham, veg-all casserole, green beans, butter beans, potato salad, rolls...I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it. ha!

Bryson with his MiMi

Bryson had a little too much banana pudding...ha!

We left Clay's grandmother's and headed out to see my mom. We just missed the Easter egg hunt they were having with my nieces...who by the way are 12, 13, and 17! I think I hunted eggs up until I was in my early twenties! ha!!! My mom got some great pictures of all of them I will have to share later.Bryson, Grandma, and PawPaw Anthony Bryson, Uncle Tommy, and Aunt Michele

After visiting with my family we made our last stop at Clay's dad's house... just a side note: I had been up for over 24 hours so our family pictures we had done probably don't look as good as I hoped they would :( I'm so thankful for our family of 3! Don't y'all just love the color coordination? I found my top at the last minute at Old Navy...it was the last one on the rack and exactly my size...guess it was meant to be mine. ha! We had a little photo session with Bryson out in my in-laws back yard! I wish you could have seen all of us trying to get him to look up at the camera...hilarious! We looked like a swarm of Paparazzi!!!! This was why we were having such a hard time getting Bryson to look up at us...he was so busy trying to pick this little purple flower from the grass. But it was really sweet to watch! I cannot WAIT until next year when Bryson is old enough to hunt Easter eggs...carrying his basket!
Bryson and his PawPaw! Nana had already changed out of her Sunday clothes so we will have to have a photo session with Nana soon!
Aunt Jessica, Bryson, and Uncle Charlie. I can hardly wait for little Owen to make his arrival. He will be here later this summer and I couldn't be more excited. Next year is going to be so much for with another little one around!!!Aunt Erica, Bryson, and future Uncle Seth. This was the last picture of the day. Bryson had been up since 7:30 and not had a good nap all day. Poor baby was exhausted!

I hope y'all had a wonderful, blessed Easter!

Today Show Infertility Segment

I LOVE the Today Show!

It's always on in the morning while I'm up doing chores around the house and getting Bryson's breakfast ready. Kathy Lee and Hoda are my fav! They are just too funny!!! I love it when they have guest hosts on the show (did y'all see the one's with the Real Housewives...hilarious!!!)

I don't get to watch it that much on my work week since I'm usually getting ready for bed at that time...but I did get the chance to catch this segment today on infertility.

Those of you that read my blog know that this is a subject close to my heart. It took my husband and I a little over two years to conceive our son Bryson. During that time the Lord tested me in many ways... and I learned alot about myself. I struggled alot with jealousy, patience, trust, faithfulness (you get the picture)... and when we finally conceived I was still burdened for the hundreds of other women out there struggling with their desire to have a child (many women that I have connected with through the blogging world) and questioning God why our prayers were answered... why did he choose to bless us when there are so many other couples who also deserve their prayers to be answered and to be blessed with their little miracle.

Infertility is something that I wished no couple had to endure. It takes a toll on your marriage, relationships with family and friends, and it tests your faith in the Lord.

My prayer is for there to be a better awareness of infertility. If it wasn't for treatments being available I don't believe Bryson would be here today.

If you are a woman going through infertility... please know that I pray for you everyday. I have walked the journey of infertility and I believe that each woman that has been through or is going through infertility all have a bond with one another. I pray that the Lord gives you strength each day and that He blesses you with the miracle you so desire!

Palm Sunday

Such a beautiful day here in the South! The weekend has been truly wonderful. Has me getting really excited for the summer!

Church was awesome today as usual!!! Bryson was in the nursery for the second time. He's doing great so far. But I'm sure there will be some meltdowns to come in the future. ha! All the ladies love him and tell me what a sweet baby he is! I sure do hope that continues as he gets older.

I know ya'll will think I'm crazy, but I find myself worrying alot about what Bryson will become when he grows up. Will he be polite..will he attend church...will he love the Lord...will he follow God's will for his life? Most of these questions I know are mine and Clay's responsibility to teach him, but that doesn't mean I'm not scared to death knowing it's in my hands.

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

That is my constant prayer for Clay and I as parents. My mother was right when she told me that I had no idea how much she loved me until I had a child of my own. Boy was she right! The love I have for my son is unconditional...very much like Christ's love for us! He paid the ultimate price for us. I know this Easter I will have a whole new perspective on the Lord's sacrifice for me and you!

I wanted to share with ya'll the trailer to the upcoming movie, Letters To God. Our pastor showed it today in church and it looks like it's going to be a great movie! It's in theaters April 9th.

Doesn't it look good? I'm afraid it could be a tear jerker too!

Well this week as a SAHM is coming to an end. Time to get ready for a new work week.

So Long to the Party in the Back

Before

After

Ya'll my baby had his first little haircut (trim) today and did such a good job! I can't believe how BIG he's getting. As you can tell from the first picture the mullet had to go. ha! It was getting a little out of hand. And you know this momma wasn't about to let her baby boy get his Easter pictures made with a party in the back. lol!

I really don't consider this his first real hair cut since he just had the back and some hair around his ears cut, but I still thought it was a big deal. So ya'll know that means LOTS of pictures were taken. Here are just a few...

This was right after we sat him up in the chair. I was so excited that my cousin Heather was able to give him his first little cut :)

There was a mirror right in front of the chair, so that's where I stood. I would tell him "look at that big boy sitting in the chair. Bryson is such a big boy getting his hair cut." And of course I teared up when she made the first cut. It was like he wasn't a baby anymore...he's becoming a little man!

He was so content the entire time. I was so proud of him.

Bryson...you are the most handsome little boy I've ever seen. I love you very much!!!

First Week Back

Well I made it through my first week back to work on night shift! Overall I think it's going to work out very well. My wallet however, might have a different story. ha! I've have to admit to ya'll that I probably spent a little too much money this past week.

I bought this cute onesie from InitiallyYoursDesigns.com. They have some really cute monogrammed shirts, onesies, and rompers for boys. These days it's hard for me to find cute outfits for Bryson. I've been on Etsy alot these days!

I can't wait for these to come in. I've been going back and forth on whether or not to buy these sweaters. But when I checked my e-mail early on Monday morning, I'd received and e-mail from The Children's Place that stated "15% off your next online purchase." Well you know what that meant? Bryson was destined to have these. ha! I was really only interested in the purple, white, and green vest, but then I found the red, white, and navy blue and thought this would be perfect for him on 4th of July!

I didn't do so well on my diet this past week when Mary brought back these AMAZING, DELICIOUS cupcakes from GiGi's!

Sin in a box!

The one's with the red sprinkles were the red velvet and ya'll know one of those belonged to me! The icing on these cupcakes were so tall. And if ya'll are wondering if I finished mine well...

I have nothing let to say about that!

Some of the other girls and I from work have always wanted to get together a bookclub. I think the concept is so fun and I really do enjoy reading when I have the time. I'm still working on Twlight that I started before Bryson was born. ha! The book we picked out is "A Reliable Wife"

I'm so excited. Hoping to get the book while I'm out tomorrow. Mary has recruited several other girls and I can't wait to get started!

Well I get to spend the next week as a SAHM! I love my job!!!

Eight Months

Happy Eight Months Bryson!

Let's see what you are up to these days...

• You wear size 6 -9 months clothes and 12 month in pajama's

• You just started wearing size 4 diapers today


• You are obsessed with tags. Anything with a tag on it goes directly in your mouth. No need for anymore toys. ha!


• You are quite the eater! Normally you have Gerber Yogurt Blends or oatmeal for breakfast, a bottle for lunch, and 2-3 containers of baby food for dinner. Then right before bedtime you'll take another bottle.


• Your naps are nothing like they used to be. Some days you nap better than others. I've tried many times to wean you from a morning nap since you only sleep about 30 minutes...but I've failed miserably every time.


• You can sit up so good now. I think you are still trying to figure out the whole crawling thing. You are trying so hard. You'll get there soon!

(this is how our picture taking has gone the last few months. He's only interested in the paper and it takes awhile to try and get a smile out of him. Looks like photobucket will be my new friend!)

• You love to sit in the floor and play with your toys rather than sit in your exersauser or your jumper.


• You say "dad-da, dad-da, dad-da" alot. You love to babble and make lots of noises and you are SO loud. You have tried to say "ma-ma" a few times. I believe you are going to be my little social butterfly!!!


• You have been in the church nursery for the last month. You seem to enjoy it and all the women say you are the sweetest little boy and are very low-key.

• You have started sitting up in the bath tub without the whale tub. You'll sit and splash around in the water with your squeaky turtle in your mouth. It's the funniest thing!


• You hair is growing back so dark and thick. People often mistaken you for a girl which upsets me because I usually keep you in something blue. Oh well! Your eyes are what people will complement the most on. They are so big and bright blue.


• You are one of the happiest babies I've ever been around. You are smiling 75% of the time. I'm constantly kissing and hugging all over you.

This first year of your life is flying by. I'm already having to start planning your birthday party. I find myself thinking about when we first brought you home and how little you were. Wondering what your personality would be like and what a handsome man you would grow up to be. I love you more than anything in this world and I'm can't tell you how blessed I am to be your mother.

First Day of Spring

Spring is finally here. YEAH!!! All I can say is it's about time. If I can't get Bryson and I out of this house soon I'm gonna go crazy!

So goodbye Winter...see ya in about 7 months :)

Oh! Just a side note: wished I would have seen this outfit for St. Patrick's Day. I went through his entire closet and drawers and couldn't find anything green and then today I pull this out. Guess that mean this boy has way to many clothes. ha!

In His Timing

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Psalm 37:7

Not too long ago I asked if ya'll would pray for a new shift to come available at my job. By me swapping shifts I would be able to spend ALOT more time with Clay and Bryson and not miss out on family functions!

I am happy to tell ya'll that I am writing this post at 1:00am and I'm at WORK!!!! I started my new shift Monday night and I'm very excited. I couldn't believe that I would start the position this soon. This morning when I got home I was able to get Bryson up and give him his breakfast and just have some mommy and son time. And tonight before I left for work I was able to put him to bed and I can't explain to ya'll how excited and thrilled I was to have this opportunity to be at home during this time. Clay and I were also able to have some quality time with one another and I've cooked dinner for the second night in a row...ha!

So I just want to say a BIG "Thank You!!!" to ya'll that prayed for this opportunity for me. I don't know what I would do without the prayers of my friends and family. God has richly blessed me over the last year! His timing is perfect even if we have a hard time understanding His reasons for the plans He has for our lives. I've struggled so many times with trying to understand and question God's plan for my life...I just have to remember He knows what is best!!!