28 weeks with Lawson!

Well it's been a little while since my last post. Whoops....a little thing called LIFE happened! :) I am now 28 weeks with baby Lawson (will be 29 weeks on Sunday)

 and man this pregnancy is FLYING by!

How far along? 28 weeks....Hello third trimester, you came quickly!

Maternity clothes? For sure!! I have a few "regular" dresses that are a medium that I can still wear. I live in dresses these days...or my hubby's boxers lol. It's all about comfort right now.

Stretch marks?  Not any that I can see. I lather in cocoa butter daily.

Sleep: I have been sleeping like poo. I can't get comfortable, I feel like i have a giant watermelon attached to me that keeps me from being able to move from one position to another smoothly, and insomnia has kicked in badly. My second trimester energy is GONE! I guess I should go ahead and get used to this no sleep thing :)

Best moment this week: Going on our family beach trip and having a little RNR time! It was much needed. Also having the nursery all done. It's an adorable woodland/Aztec theme. It's super special also because my grandmother made the crib bedding and curtains!

{Michael helped me paint the arrows. He's such a sweet big brother already}

{up close of the fabric for the curtains and bed skirt}

Have you told family and friends: of course! I think i'll delete this question on my next update because its duhhhhh obvious! I have had a few strangers ask me with a stutter if I was prego. I think they were just being polite lol because its totally out there.

Movement: Lawson is a little bit more lazy than Michael was, but he is still a mover. He likes to stretch out more than anything, which gets pretty painful at times. I am hoping Lawson will be my "laid back" kid, because Lord knows if he's anything near as active as Michael is my hands will for sure be FULL!

Food cravings: I have been eating these baby kale & spinach salads with grilled chicken, cheese, olives, and a yogurt Cesar dressing and OH MY GOODNESS it is delicious. I don't think I will ever get tired of them. I have also been craving chocolate Shakeology. SO yummy and SO good for you.

Anything making you queasy or sick: No.

Have you started to show yet: I look like I am smuggling a watermelon...or a torpedo.

{Please excuse the tooth brush and non-brushed hair}

Gender prediction:  Baby "brudder" Lawson

Belly Button in or out? Totally out.

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody most of the time: tired, moody, happy, stressed... lol its a roller coaster right now. Poor hubby...

Looking forward to: Hopefully getting a 4D ultrasound soon. There's a place here in TN that does elective ultrasounds so I think I may try it out. Also somewhat looking forward to my oldest baby turning 3 in a few weeks. It's totally bittersweet! 

Need to do:
* pack our hospital bags (will do around 32-34 weeks)
* Wash coming home outfit
* install car seat ( 32-34 weeks maybe)
* get "big brother goodie bag" together (from Lawson to Michael)
* Stock up on diapers and wipes
* breathe and try to relax

Baby Lawson is 19 weeks!

How far along? 19 weeks! Almost half way done....man this is going by way too fast!

Maternity clothes? YES! I forgot how comfy maternity clothes are. I am blessed to have friends who just had babies and passed down maternity clothes to me, :)

Stretch marks? No. Please stay that way

Sleep: Really good as long as the dog doesn't start barking in the middle of the night and wake me up.

Best moment this week: witnessed a sweet moment of Michael wanting to "buy his baby brudder sumping " ( only because it has dirt bikes on it (;). It was such a sweet gesture though and only $2.00 so baby brother got it! SO SWEET!

Have you told family and friends: Yes! it pretty obvious at this point to anyone I come in contact with lol

Movement: Yes! We have a wiggle worm. My hubby can't feel it from the outside just yet.

Food cravings: Lemonade! Give me all the lemonade. Also strawberries, cantaloupe, honey dew, and pineapple. Any cold fruit is just delicious right now.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope

Have you started to show yet:  Yes! My belly is growing by the day. I just don't have a picture of it this week.
Gender prediction:  It's a precious baby boy!

Belly Button in or out? Totally out.

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Content! Thank you God

Looking forward to: My ultrasound appt. this Wednesday to see baby Lawson again. Also moving so my family can finally be back together! Oh and a beach trip....the ocean is calling my name!

Encouraging scripture:  Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

- Psalms 143:8

Baby Perry #2 is 14 weeks

I interrupt this blog to bring Baby Perry #2 updates! This is mostly for my keepsake purposes, but you are more than welcome to fallow along! :)

How far along? 14 weeks! We have finally reached the 2nd trimester :)
weight with Michael so that makes me feel a little better. I gained 50lbs with Michael so I am trying not to do that again! We shall see. I have been staying active and eating healthy (most of the time), so that should help.

Maternity clothes? A few. Mostly because they are so comfortable and I don't like things clinging to me right now. Dresses are my go to right now!

Stretch marks? No. Praying I can avoid this again. I have been drinking water like a horse to help.

Sleep: Sleep is good...SO good I wish I could have more, but 2 Year olds don't like sleeping in ;). 

Best moment this week: Making it to the 2nd Trimester

Have you told family and friends: Yes! It was really hard keeping it a secret for a little while though!

Movement: I think I may have felt a few "flutters" this week. Could just be gas, but doc said with your second baby you may feel it earlier. I was 16 weeks when I felt Michael's first movements.

Food cravings: Hummus, hummus, and more HUMMUS! Any flavor, with pita chips. I may or may not have eaten 3 tubs of hummus last week :) Also boiled eggs, peanut butter, and oikos greek yogurt crunch (all flavors, but especially coconut!) .......oh and turtle tracks ice cream. Gotta have a balance right?! :)

Anything making you queasy or sick: The first trimester everything made me nauseous...foods, smells, or just the thought of certain things. Thankfully that has subsided and I do not feel queasy at all.

Have you started to show yet:  Yes! I am showing a lot earlier this go around, but its at that awkward " is she prego or just eating too many donuts" stage. It is growing weekly though!

Gender prediction:  We did the MaterniT21 blood test at the doctors at 12 weeks (you can do it as early as 10 weeks) to test DNA in the fetal blood. It's 99% accurate and I liked those odds so this impatient mama did it and......another precious baby BOY! Lawson Stokes Perry will be his name. We decided on the name Lawson because Law was my grandmothers maiden name. And Stokes is my hubby's grand father's last name.

Belly Button in or out? Already out! But it never went back to normal after my gallbladder surgery in August, so I think that's the culprit!

Wedding rings on or off? On and loose as always. I have to wear a ring guard even with my 4.5 size finger! I know this will change though.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)

Looking forward to: My hubby coming home next month!! And starting our new adventure together in Tennessee at Fort Campbell in May....even though I am going to miss my family and church family terribly it will be a great experience. Also becoming a stay at home mom on April 22nd! I have been praying so hard about this because I have been very passionate about wanting to stay home and raise my boys! God is SOOO good and faithful!

The War Between Guilt & Grace

As a christian there is a constant battle raging before us. Guilt (the devil & our flesh) far too often tries to come in and erase the GRACE (God's awesomeness) that has been given to us. The devil will do anything to try and steal our joy, but the good news.....Grace WINS EVERY TIME! Next time words of doubt and guilt come creeping in remember this!

I cannot remember where I found these amazing words, but I have them posted by my computer so I can read them daily. I hope they can be an encouragement to you like they are to me!

Enjoy! :

"In the slow steady rhythm of life, the Spirit moves in and through, and all around to give me peace, hope, and joy. When I am close to God I am loved so deeply and intimately, that He and I are one and my soul is full.

In the fast, rushing rhythm of busy, my flesh moves in and controls, demands, manipulates all around to give me anxiety, fear, and frustration. When I am far from God I am lonely and isolated and my soul is empty.

Why would I ever choose to move at the pace of SELF versus the PACE of GRACE! The ace of grace is a place where I REPLACE all that is not HIM with all that IS HIM and I trace the joy and release the sad.

The pace of grace is a place where I can live, aide, and grow, where I am seen, known, and loved through the eyes of a HOLY GOD because of the blood of a PRECIOUS SAVIOR. In Him I can live in a pace of grace.

The pace of grace turns away from offenses and turns towards forgiveness. The FACE of GRACE is one of gentle, loving-kindness where nail-scarred hands hold tight and keep still the desire to rush and move towards the NOTHING that makes me think I am SOMETHING.

GRACE is all I have, all  I NEED, and all I must GIVE. I want to pour out grace like a waterfall, never ending, powerful, and strong. Grace is STRONG. Strong enough to beat down all sin, all pain, all shame. Grace ERASES and I am made CLEAN over and over and over again.

I want my words to ooze out grace with every syllable. phrase, and sentence. For wounded souls to find out that there is a God who's GRACE IS SUFFICIENT and whose POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS.

Accepting grace means I am what I am and I will be what HE makes of me as I completely surrender to HIS EMBRACE.

THE EMBRACE OF GRACE IS THE PLACE OF SALVATION, REDEMPTION, AND ABUNDANT LIFE. "

Rest is that my friends! We serve a MIGHTY GOD!

God Bless, 

-Haleigh

God's Work Lately

Do you ever get lost in all of the distractions of the world that you loose focus on God's calling in your life? I am totally guilty over here! I have been praying for wisdom a lot lately because I have felt that fog (remember?) creeping in. Well God decided to use today to be an "eye opener" for me.

My day started as usual...bible, prayer, coffee, scramble to get me & my child ready and out of the door. We always have our morning prayer time on the way to daycare, and recently, now that Micheal is older, I have been asking him what he would like to pray for. Well this morning it was the sky, our house, green grass, and balls (of coarse, typical boy!). We started thanking God for the sky, the sun that brings light, and the beautiful reminders of God's glory. We fallowed by thanking Him for the green grass that feeds animals so we can have good meat and veggies to eat. And we thanked him for our home, and asked for protection to cover our home, and love, contentment and joy to flood the inside. The entire time we were praying for these few request from a toddler I was so quickly reminded of how MUCH I take things for granite every.single.day. I get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life that I forget to really "stop and smell the roses". God has given us a beautiful creation to enjoy. We don't need all of the new latest and greatest things in life, all we NEED is God. When we truly seek Him out and rest in His presence we have ALL we could ever need.

But God wasn't done there. My very first patient of the day has been suffering from cancer. You wouldn't dare know it though because her and her husband always come in with a great attitude and a smile. We were getting ready to schedule her next appointment and she wanted first thing in the morning. She said " We will be up already anyways", so i casually asked if they were early birds. They both informed me that they wake up at 4:30 every morning to pray to God together and thank Him for all he does. They said it is the ONLY way to start your day. WOW. I was so amazed and inspired all at the same time. That good attitude and smile that they always have is God's awesome strength shining clearly through them. I love some good encouragement like that.

A little while after they left I was helping the receptionist check a patient out. It was a very sweet lady with a walker. As she smiled I could see joy shining through her eyes...It was almost as if they told a story of struggle that had overcome. I checked her out and told her that I hoped she had a good day. She quickly informed me that she learned a long time ago that every day is a good day. And she is so right! With God every day is a good day, because we can rest in Him and his glory (He's got this!).

God answered my prayer for wisdom in more than one way. I love days like today when I can go to bed feeling God's hand at work in my life. I am so thankful for the perspective change he gave me today and I pray that it continues to mold the way I look at things. I pray that I can slow down my pace in life and fully enjoy every blessing God has given me. I do not want to miss out on the beauty and joy God has given us because I am too wrapped up in the things of this world. I want to find the innocence of life again the way my child sees it. I want to find the glory of God through the trials and storms. I want to REALLY know that no matter what EVERY day is a good day, because Jesus is good. Always has been and always will be.

Will you join me? Lets put down our cell phones and pick up the bible instead. Lets go for a nice walk and grasp the awesomeness of God's creation. Lets slow down, spend more time in prayer, and thank God for all he has done. Lets experience life...TRUE LIFE that can only be found with God!

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

God Bless!

-Haleigh

To My Son on your Birthday

Side note: I try to make post more God centered than personal things, but on certain occasions like this I may post something special so one day my son can read this. :)

Well, sweet boy, today is your birthday. Two years ago today God gave me the most special birthday present I could ever ask for. That's right, we share a birthday! TWO...I can't believe its already been two sweet, crazy, messy, and beautiful years since you entered this world. It feels like just yesterday I was picking out nursery decor and hanging up tiny baby clothes. Now you are running rampant and showing your unique personality more every day.

You have a sweet & stubborn heart. Strong willed is a bit of an understatement (wonder where you get that from (;). You love giving kisses (especially eskimo kisses!) and telling us " I luff you". It melts my heart every time! You have a smile that can brighten anyone's day.

Dirt and anything with wheels is your all time favorite. You have a play room full of toys, but you would rather be outside making "pow pows" out of sticks and loading rocks in your "big ole truck". Dirt bikes...you caught a love for dirt bikes from the very first time you saw your "uncle Braddy" ride his. You can always find you with a dirt bike in hand. You ask us all the time to "watch dirt bike TV". Its the only time you actually sit still. You have a heart for animals of all kinds and you are a water baby FOR SURE. 

I would have to say your best buds are your monkey that you sleep with every night, our dog Achillies, and your cousin Rowan (Row-Row). You ask me just about everyday to see Row-Row...yall are about 6 months apart in age, and I can already tell yall are going to be a handful as yall get older!

You hardly ever meet a stranger, which can be good and bad. You have recently learned how to "wink" and it is so stinkin' adorable. Your big blue puppy dog eyes make me give in a lot, and we recently traded in your curly locks for a temporary mohawk...you still look adorable.

Your favorite songs are "Jesus Loves Me", "This little light of Mine", " My God is so Big", and "ABC song". You amaze me everyday with how smart you are. You recently told me that " Jesus is my fwend"...my heart melted. You love to count, say your colors & shapes, and TALK. You can be a little chatter box...It was super cute at first, and then you started giving your opinion lol. Typical toddler.

You can hammer down on some grub. You basically survive off of yogurt...you would eat a gallon a day if I let you. Your totally a meat guy like your daddy. I gave you  meal without meat the other day and you asked me " where did the chicken go". "Sketti" is still your favorite meal and you love your water and milk.

You are such a big helper. You love helping daddy and I do things. You especially love helping daddy...if daddy is doing it Michael is too (Your still a momma's boy though!)

You are mommy's heart and daddy's pride and joy. You have your grandparents and great-grands wrapped around your finger. You love your family and we spend A LOT of time with them. Our family is very important to us.

I love watching you grow into the boy that God has created you to be. I know that God has something totally awesome & special planned for your life because he has already used you for His glory in so many ways. I pray Proverbs 4:20-27 over you daily. My desire for your life is for you to give your heart to God at an early age, and stand firm in the faith. I pray that God surrounds you with Godly influences, and guides you to be a strong man for His glory. I am so thankful for your life and the joy it has brought. It's crazy how a little person can teach a momma so much. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH BUDDY, HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY!

" Every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." -James 1:17

Separating God's Truths from Our Emotions

Emotions. We all have them. I sometimes feel like my emotions are a nasty tornado spiraling up and down, and I am the eye of it all....stuck right in the middle.

You see emotions are a very good thing. They allow us to feel love, joy, peace, and happiness. It's only when we let those emotions of worry, stress, anxiety, sadness, loneliness ect. creep in and bog us down that our emotions can become less of a blessing and more of a curse.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where your crazy emotions seem overwhelming and your not sure how to deal? Well if your married or a mom I can almost assure that you have. Whats the cure? Separating God's TRUTHS from our crazy emotions.

This is totally something that God has been teaching me over the past few weeks. If you are going through a storm season in life don't let that tornado of emotions take you down...instead attack that tornado with the word of God. We do not have to be trapped by our emotions. Just like we should take every thought captive and make it obedient to God, we also should take every emotion we are having and make it obedient to God. God doesn't want you to worry and stress. 

Do you have anxiety? He wants us to cast it on HIM  (1 Peter 5:7) because He cares for us.

Feeling scared or lonely? Deuteronomy 31:6 Tells us not to fear because God goes with us and NEVER leaves us. Sad? God will deliver you from that sadness (Psalms 34:18-19). He will sustain you (Psalms 55:22). Feeling helpless? He hears your cries (Psalms 34:17).  Maybe your just worn out. God will recover your life and give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30). Angry? God tells us to get rid of it (Ephesians 4:26-31).

God has given us emotions as a blessing. Do not let the devil creep in and whisper lies to you....that's the seed of those bad emotions. Fight those ugly feelings with the word of God. I encourage you to write these scriptures out and post them somewhere that you look often. When you feel that tornado stirring up stop it with God's truths. Pray for God's peace and ask him to cover your thoughts and emotions with the blood of Jesus Christ!

A sweet co-worker of mine texted me a prayer one morning. Little did she know how much I needed it that day. I was bogged down, stressed, and sad. After praying this prayer I felt God's total peace cover me ad sustain me throughout the rest of the day. Please pray this prayer when your emotions are trying to get the best of you and let God's peace that surpassing all understanding flow through.

Dear God, there is so much on my mind that I don't know what to do or where to even start. I need your help. Give me peace Lord. Help me to have wisdom to separate your truth from my emotions. Show me how to deal with these situations and comfort me. Help me to trust that you have a future planned for me...something even better than before. Heal my heart, and help me not let my emotions get the best of me.Your will be done. In Jesus name, AMEN.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  -Philippians 4:6-7

God Bless,

Haleigh