Ramblings Upon Ramblings

 Skip not knowing mommy was taking his picture.

Sometimes I feel like my brain needs to just dump and here we are with a new blog post. My content is top notch friends. Top notch. (Also I just had to look up how to spell notch. World's worst/non confident speller ever.)

A post in the form of a list, HOORAY! You guys know I live for those lists.

1. Rusty did it. He became the old person who makes those recipes you see on Facebook BUT in his defense he made something new. The thing about my husband is he could eat the same thing every day and rejoice i.e. grilled chicken, roasted sweet potato and green beans. While I love those things I am all about new recipes or throw some new seasonings in or add more butter or where's the chocolate? I am totally picking at him about actually making something from Facebook but the joke is on me because IT WAS DELICIOUS! And we have leftovers. This gal is all about enough leftovers for lunch the next day.

2. All my pregnancy clothes are reaching that dangerous point where my belly is almost showing and really I shouldn't be wearing them out in public but here I am. Big belly and all. It is a lovely sight.

3. Speaking of that big belly, Clara is constantly moving and not just like a kick or punch. Her whole body moves and it is the weirdest feeling/sensation. She is so busy all the time which is just like Skip was in utero. <- That words makes me laugh when I say it. Yep, 13 years old.

About two weeks ago I was photographing an event for the college here in town. They needed a pregnant belly to show/discuss the career of radiology. I gladly hopped on the table. Our insurance pays for one mid-way through pregnancy ultrasound so a free one is like gold. Also I knew they told me Clara was a girl but what if Clara was really a Clarence? I always do weird mind games like that with myself.

The tech did a 4d ultrasound to show the on-lookers. The Farrins don't pay for those either (with either pregnancy). We have seen more that we are like that is a face??? and you paid $300 for that than ones where you are like AH! I know what your kid looks like before they get here. Clara looked right at us and I saw her face so clearly. She had pouty lips and fat cheeks and was an angel baby. I need a squish.

Skip knowing mommy was taking a picture and doing this face. Goof. I don't know why but this picture makes me laugh every time.

4. We are toying with the idea of listing our home. Is that crazy considering all we have done? I know. I clean the entire house and shout the whole time LIST THIS THING. IT IS TOOOOO BIG. But the reality of someone actually living it versus us makes me sad. You know I am all about smaller living, less stuff type but I do love our home. We have made it a home and I do love all the projects. Anyone interested?

5. I haven't talked about it much but I will be home 100% of the time with Clara and Skip as in leaving my part time gig. We tried this with Skip but with the ppd part time work was a healthy solution plus it all fell into place. I am excited to be with my babies. Honestly, it does scare me a bit but I am ready for a new normal.

6. The Bachelorette starts tonight and it is 100% my guilty pleasure. I always declare I WILL NEVER WATCH THIS SHOW AGAIN after the final episode but this time I didn't because I adore JoJo! She is down to earth (well my perception from the realness of reality tv ;)). Rusty always rolls his eyes at this franchise because some people (clears throat...Rusty) thinks real love and engagement can't happen in six weeks of meeting someone that you spend all your time with on extravagant dates and helicopter rides and on the beach. He is ridiculous. That totally mirrors our love story.

7. Send me some good and healthy freezer meals to prep before baby. I bought extra stuff for homemade granola bars. With Skip my milk supply was so low constantly that granola every morning or oats of some kind were a necessity. In case you want to try your hand at these oat cookies or these granola bars, go for it. I have been making those granola bars for years and typically gift them to new mommies. Thank you Summer for sending that recipe 5 years ago!

8. I mentioned to my sweet friend Rach that I wanted to schedule something after baby and saw that the Lumineers were traveling to Rogers. I text that it would be awesome to go and she texts back GOT US TICKETS! Am I was like I love you forever! She is seriously so fun and spontaneous with me (well when I try to be...who are we kidding?) I cannot wait to go and dance and drink a beer and not be pregnant.

9. I am working on June goals and while Clara is not due until July 6th I want to write as the only goal... HAVE A BABY. Oh and pack a bow for the hospital. I have nothing ready but the idea of her being born in June just like her great grandmother June (who got the name for being born in June) is sweet to me. I am all for babies cooking until the due date but a week early is when Skip came. I birth big children. She will be a big ball of chubby cheeks.

10. Tired of my ramblings yet? Yeah me too. Brain dump over. Bye!

Easter in Pictures

This was Skip's second Easter but the first that he was able to participate. I have a secret. I am not a mom full of traditions. Dying eggs? Eh. A basket full of goodies? I guess. Matching outfits? Nope. I don't know why I am that way because I love seeing others traditions plus my mom and grandmothers are both really into traditions. My mom stays up all hours of the night Christmas Eve to wrap gifts with the perfect paper, set out goodies, eat the Santa cookies and so on. This is for every holiday really. Even my mother-in-law is really, really good at it but I just can't get into it. Maybe when Skip is older and really excited for Easter and other holidays.

Since I knew I wasn't into the whole get eggs, fill them, put together a basket thing I started preparing early. I made R go with me to the store to get stuff a few weekends ago and the second we got home I stuffed the eggs because I knew I wouldn't do it if I didn't right then. Yesterday morning I was happy to get his basket out though so that is a good step. We put in cars, rice krispie treats, bubbles and sidewalk chalk. And before you go all crazy like what do you mean holiday spirit and shout things like Katie, he has a monogrammed basket. That is more than me! What Easter/holiday spirit? My mom bought it. See what I mean? ;)

This Easter we decided to go spend the day with my grandfather in Magnolia. We made plans to attend his church, go see my grandmother in the Alzheimer's wing, make + eat lunch plus celebrate my grandfather's birthday. He is turning 88 this Tuesday! AND he will be doing taxes as a volunteer for fun on his birthday. The man is a saint. Really, ask anyone.

It was a great day! My little family is the best and slowly but surely we are making new traditions.

Skip was not into finding and collecting his eggs. He really didn't get into the hunt until that first egg that had a Reese cup in it. Then we couldn't stop him. He would run to a new egg, crack it open, if filled then he asked to eat it, if empty it was quickly tossed. We couldn't stop laughing.

Also the picture below shows you how much creativity goes into hiding eggs at the Farrin house.

Skip's outfit is the same one he wore last year. That just shows you how much my baby was a chunky chunk and now is thinning out. He is such a big boy!

And look! Mommy got in a picture :)

How was your Easter weekend? What are some of your favorite traditions?

Also to me it goes without saying what this holiday means. Truly, I get so emotional (partial pregnancy symptoms) over a father who would go to battle for me. Not only on Easter or the day he rose but every day. See what I mean? Weepy and grateful and blessed.

Wishing you all a perfect start to your week. And perfect by your standards. That matters most.

6 Things You Don't Know About Me

That picture up above is from this past summer and I see that squish baby and wonder where he went. We are down to just ankle rolls. Thank goodness another baby is coming with the potential promise of rolls and tan lines.

I am not really sure how this post idea came to be but I have started and stopped it about 10 times. Do people really care? How personal do I get here? Are there 6 things people don't know about me? And so I write on.

Pizza // If I had to pick one meal that I ate for the rest of my life it would be pizza. I have seriously considered this friends. I like to celebrate with pizza for any life occasion. New business? Pizza. Kid sleeps through the night? Pizza. You got to work on time? Pizza. Give me any good pizza with toppings and that perfect box it comes in and I am happy. Also pizza is better on paper plates. But alas, one meal forever would be pizza. No doubts.

On being a creative soul // This point has been a struggle for me my whole life until recently and even then I still struggle with a creative spirit. The thing about a creative person is they have lots of ideas, lots of passions. While this is really, really cool it is also a negative. At times I feel I have so many ideas or passions that I never get great at one thing. I try different business ideas. I start too many hobbies. I can't focus. For the longest this has bothered me, at least others perception of me. What will they think of me if I try something else new? How can I convince them it isn't just another thing versus a passion?

But here lately I am learning to embrace that part of who I am and not worry what others say. It is a heavy burden to carry and I don't want to anymore. I am learning that if I try something new at least I am brave enough to try it. I am seeing the positive in being a creative body. I am learning that if I want others to believe in me and my work that the passion and effort behind it will say it all. Being a creative person isn't a terrible thing but a blessing of who I am. I never want to change that.

Music & my mood // Music can 100% turn my mood around. I can be in the worst mood or feeling unproductive but the right song comes on and instant mood changer. Music has always done that for me. Even since I was little I have felt these emotions. For example, driving down the road with warm weather and the windows down is fantastic (!!!) but add Your All I Need to Get By with Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell and you have pure, pure magic. And since you need proof finishing while reading this post, click this link below and hit play. :)

Lunch plans //  If I could have lunch with anyone it would be my grandmother before she developed alzheimer's. I am incredibly blessed to still have her around but her mind is gone. I pray the memories are not. We would have chicken salad on fluffy croissants with her beautiful floral dishes and fresh flowers on the table. We would indulge in dessert (chocolate of course...her favorite) and talk life, faith and aging. I miss her spunk so much but she is still as sassy as ever (even with the alzheimer's). And the best part is her knowing I am naming my sweet girl after her.

Terrible at focusing on one task // Throughout typing this post I have checked email, wrote down a task list, looked at domain things, reviewed images for a project. I have a bad tendency of not completing one task before my mind jumps to something else. I truly need help with it and you can leave your suggestions + tricks in the comments below. :) I do try to focus and check one thing off my list at a time but it never happens that way. Getting my list completed isn't a problem but staying on one task at a time totally is.

Deja vu //  I have moments of deja vu constantly. Just typing this post I was brought to a memory of this moment even though I was creating it at that moment. I am a visual person and a lot of times I will visual things I want/picture for my future. It can be in career, family, finances, anything. Sometimes I think that contributes to the deja vu but I will have the exact same vision months or sometimes years later. Isn't that a weird trait to have? How does deja vu truly work? I should probably find out. Is it even real? Also when I do have those moments I announce them to everyone in the room.

6 things that you all now know! This post sort of feels vulnerable but fun. Thank you all for reading and for that I am sending you the best vibes for your day. Hugs!

This Pregnancy versus the Last

In case you hadn't heard especially with the gender reveal video I posted last week, we are pregnant again! Here is the thing in that it wasn't something we were expecting and yes I do know how babies are made. I wanted to answer some questions (more or less once and for all) + discuss the differences between these pregnancies in a space that is safe and that would fill others in.

We are really, really getting excited about this baby! She will be making her arrival early July and is loving called baby firecracker (official due date July 6). She is healthy and breached which I believe because the kicks to my bladder are fierce. Skip is fascinated with my growing belly even though he doesn't quite get it all. We talk about sissy all the time and he points to my belly when I ask where the baby is. He likes lifting my shirt and looking at my belly which is really cute but he is starting to do it to other people. Ha!

Regardless, let's dig in to the difference between Skip and baby girl Farrin!

Time: Time is absolutely flying by with this pregnancy! When we were pregnant with Skip we kept saying things like, "hurry up!" and "we are so ready to meet you!" but with this baby we keep asking time to slow down. We are in a different stage in life but no matter what we are truly trying to cherish the time we have with Skip as our only baby. We have a trip coming up this May that we are so excited about! R and I were talking about it last night and how grateful we are to we have one more trip with bubs before another baby.

Gender: Obviously the gender is different this time. We are welcoming a little girl! When I got pregnant with Skip a boy wasn't even on my radar but I absolutely love being a boy mom. Skip is truly the sweetest little boy. When he says "mawwwwwmmmmmma" I melt. I will say that I was hoping for a little girl. I am ready for headbands and painting nails.

Health: I have made a 100% effort to be healthier in this pregnancy for various reasons. I was on bed rest for 6 weeks towards the end of my pregnancy with Skip and had to do two rounds of preeclampsia testing. I have tried to eat better plus exercise 4 times a week. It really helps to have Skip around. He doesn't give me much of a chance to lay around or not be moving which I secretly l-o-v-e even on those days I am stumbling tired.

Complications: I absolutely H-A-T-E using the word infertility in my case because I have dear friends who really know the struggle of infertility. I like to go with complications. We knew we would need help getting pregnant with Skip before we decided to give it a try. We had one round of chlomid when trying to get pregnant with Skip and it worked the first time! I showed all the same signs again: rare periods, months without them, no signs of ovulation thus we thought we would need help again. We were not planning on another baby now and possibly at all so God did what he wanted. I joke this is probably the only way we would have another baby is by surprise.

Name: Another time where the two are different. We kept Skip's name a secret until after he was born. We had our reasons to many monogrammed things, others giving their opinion... With this baby girl we are sharing it soon (we have with close family and friends). The biggest reason for me is early bonding with the baby. With Skip we worked so hard to not slip up with his name. My depression after Skip was born was so severe that I asked Rusty if this time we could say the name out loud now. I feel it will help me bond with the baby. He happily agreed. And with a girl bring on the monograms!

Motherhood: Last night I was talking with a girlfriend over dinner and I laughed so hard at my stance on motherhood before Skip. I had to have a natural birth. I had to breastfeed. I had to be home with him 24/7. I had to protect his little body from germs. And I did all those things for a while. This is the ONLY benefit I see to my postpartum depression is that it made my tightly wound thoughts of motherhood disperse almost immediately. Now I am all for what keeps mommy and baby both healthy and that looks different for every person and each season of life. My friend is exactly the same when it comes to doing what is mentally healthy for mom and bebe. Girl power friends or should I say mommy supporting mommy power.

Birth Plan: Birth plan 100% out the window not because we don't want one but this time I am open for whatever. I don't want an expectation or a have to with this birth. Going with the flow. I do hope that labor will begin naturally versus being induced due to health complications.

Body: This category is completely different too! With Skip I gained so much weight in the beginning and it just kept coming especially with excess fluid all over. This time I have put on about 12 lbs. by week 20 with baby girl. My body looks the same to me though. My bump looks the same and overall shape appears the same. My skin is so dry though! It is crazy. Between winter and being pregnant with a girl, my skin itches and my face is peeling like a summer tan. I just ordered honest beauty hydrating face cream and hoping this twice a day will help. Also it is anti-aging cream. Who am I?

Mentally/Depression: This pregnancy has me reflecting heavily on my pregnancy with Skipper. The signs of depression were evident way before Skip arrived (at least to me). I was talking to R about how staying home for three months before I had him wasn't healthy for me. I sat still, slept a lot and did little to nothing to motivate my soul, mind or body. I remember at 20ish weeks of pregnancy with Skip I was sobbing to Rusty on Memorial Day weekend about how much I hated being pregnant and mentally I couldn't handle it anymore. I can confidently say that at 20 weeks now I feel so far from that. I feel happy, healthy and nourished in many areas of life. Having Skip helps.

When it comes to postpartum depression I cannot say it won't happen again because I cannot control that although I + my family know the signs this time. I also know that showering regularly, resting more and laughter are great medicine. I am fully aware this time versus feeling so lonely last time. It is such a dark place that I hope to never visit again. I am just thankful to feel better altogether at this stage of the pregnancy. God is good!

Hopefully this isn't my last pregnancy post but in case you want to revisit some posts from when I was pregnant with Skip you can here, here, here and here.

All images via BLC Photography

Monterey Again and Again

A new friend today and I were chatting. She said, "You should totally blog." I laughed and said well I do, well did.

There is a whole list of reasons why I don't as much or ever really but instead I would rather focus on life and get a few words in when I can.

This past fall Rusty came home exclaiming he was going to the SUPER BOWL! Isn't that the coolest? We started throwing around the idea of me going with him to California for a few days before his work trip/SB50. We were all excited about it but the more we looked into it we thought financially it wouldn't be a good idea.

Of course, I cried. The selfish gal in me wanted to see California so bad. It has been on my list of must visit places for a while now especially the coast.

We let the idea go and we continued to get excited about R's trip. I mean, hello (!!!). The Super Bowl is a once in a lifetime deal!

About a week after Christmas Rusty walked in at lunch time. He tossed an envelope down on our kitchen island. I asked what it was and he instructed me to open it. Inside was a plane ticket to Cali! I squealed and of course hugged Rusty. Rusty did a lot of searching to find the best flight for us. We had to drive to Dallas the night before we left but it saved us $300 on my round trip flight plus no stops.

Rusty's business trip started on a Thursday evening so we headed out Tuesday. His accommodations for his trip began on Thursday so I booked the loveliest Airbnb for Tuesday and Wednesday. I plan to share much more about our trip like our rental, where we ate, how we saved and what sights we saw but all that will come in later posts (I promise!).

I did want to share our video that we made of our time in California. It is beautiful and I could make every shot of the ocean. California, you are a beauty.

For My Day

I can remember nights that I spent at my grandparents house (now our home). My grandparents had a little tv in my room, a closet full of toys and they were just plain fun.

I truly enjoyed the days and nights spent here with them.

In the mornings at 5:30 my grandmother was up working out, drinking coffee then sitting in her den to read her bible and pray. She was one woman who when she said that she would pray for you, you trusted her on that. She kept a list of her prayer requests and amazingly herself nor her worries made the list much. She prayed fervently for others.

With no exaggeration I remember watching my grandmother do this when I was 7 and when I was 17. It was her morning routine.

One thing I am realizing more and more (especially hearing it from my family) is that I act a lot like June Rose. I totally take that compliment. I love her dearly even embracing the nickname June Junior or lovingly, JJ.

With becoming a mother time is sacred. You might have even of laughed reading that statement. I get it now. I mean time using the potty ALONE is a ritual of serenity that I will take any day. Recently I have been working on my dreams and goals for this year. While we have some monumental things happening this year (eeeeep!), I have come to realize that I need two things in my life, every day.

These two things make me a better mom, neighbor, wife, Christian, friend. All of it. And while I would love to claim it happens before anyone is up that isn't the truth. I am learning to accept that too. If I can't accomplish both of these things before sun up that is okay. I just need to get to them at some point. Nap time is usually the spot.

While you may be surprised (especially if you know me) that coffee didn't make the list, here are the two things that make my day:

1. A workout. It doesn't matter if I workout 12 minutes, 30 minutes or two hours (ha!) as long as I get my heart pumping and a good sweat I feel like a million bucks. It makes doing laundry not so bad. It makes me smile. It makes me love better. It is also selfish in that all together I feel great. Lately I have been doing Shaun T's T-25. I hate it but I love it. You get what I am saying? :)

And don't worry. We have the WHOLE set of multiple DVD's of T-25. Why? Because when Rusty use to have to be on call on the weekends he got suckered into watching the T-25 infomercial for 7 hours straight. He came home and proudly proclaimed he had spent $100+ on these workout DVD's. I almost lost my mind. But now I thank you Rusty because 25 minutes is the perfect balance. Rusty, you won this round.

2. God's word. I am still searching for the perfect devotional for me but right now I am working through proverbs 31 daily devos. Any suggestions for a devotion? Send them my way.

My prayer lately has been to yearn for studying his word. As long as I have been a Christian, I haven't retained the bible well. I have a hard time recalling scriptures (even ones I try to memorize). I am learning that I need to study, to go deeper with this word versus reading a bit and praying. I want to study his word. His true word that he breathed into existence. To turn the tv off, put on praise and worship music, sing to him then read his word. Also being quiet and still and receptive to his response. I was telling one of my dear friends today that our house is starting to get sickly. Rusty is struggling with sinus and congestion. I was talking with God on my drive to a friends home and I thought I don't want Rusty sick. God said, "Have you even prayed for him yet?" Got it. My prayers are changing in that they are becoming more specific. I could go on and on about how God is moving but that is for another post. Thank goodness for his word for us.

When these two things happen everything else seems to fall into place. Not every day but mostly. I am more patient with Skip, we played harder, the house gets picked up, I have more grace for myself and others, making dinner excites me, I shower... all of it. What are your two things or do you have more? Other people's rituals excite me. I know, odd. :)

Image via

30 Things I am Thankful For in October

Two years+ ago I wrote a post similar to this one. Counting all the things I am thankful for some may seem like a task but once I start typing the blessings/gratefulness just flows. I highly recommend it. Happy or down, making a list of things you are thankful for is a must. Day maker in fact.

While I love the month of October I didn't want it to be numbers 1-30 (although it could be). These next three months I feel always go by in a big blur. And then when I bring in the new year I am sad that I cannot always remember the feelings on Thanksgiving or Christmas. So reminiscing posts like these help me reflect and remember.

30 Things I am Thankful for in October

1. Jane the Virgin on Netflix. Obsessed.

2. Completing one of my post baby goals of completing a half marathon. Still a bit sore... two weeks later.

3. The month of October all together. See, told you.

4. The massive amounts of leaves in the yard.

5. Snuggling a little longer under the covers in the morning.

6. This article on My Domaine. Women who encourage you through their careers; I always love those articles.

7. Traveling each weekend this month visiting friends and family.

8. Skip developing quite the personality. He stopped playing and came to hug me. It was one of those moments.

9. Coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Especially granitas.

10. Laying on the couch with Rusty watching football every night of the week. Almost.

11. Pinning, pinning, pinning.

12. This blog.

13. Family dinners around the table.

14. Quiet moments throughout the day.

15. Rest. Learning that rest for me isn't always sleep but also those quiet moments mentioned above.

16. Dreaming of cold weather and oversized scarves.

17. Easy tips for indesign.

18. Planning a fall baby shower. Pumpkins and magnolia leaves accepted.

19. Editing photos of Skip dressed in a pumpkin costume that Rusty wore when he was a baby.

20. Decorating my front porch.

21. Our sweet neighbor that comes over to play with Skip. She has the kindest heart.

22. Listening to my Frank Sinatra record while making dinner.

23. Thrifting pumpkins to decorate our home with.

24. Evenings outside with Skip. He loves playing outside (begs for it actually). I try to prep dinner then go outside until Daddy gets home. He gets to play and see Daddy drive up.

25. Morning quiet time with hot lemon water and the bible.

26. Possibly the end of nursing. Skip is starting to show signs of being done with nursing (13+ months later). I am not like most nursing moms in that I am ready for it and not emotional about it at all. The only thing that gets me is seeing him show less interest aka making his own decision. That gets to me.

27. Baking pumpkin bread that was absolutely divine. Three ingredients and recipe here.

28. Downtown El Dorado and how quirky, refreshing and eclectic it is.

29. Thrifting our Halloween costumes.

30. The fall apple candle that burns constantly in my house.

Okay, now it is your turn! Happy October friends. And may we be so present in each moment. :)

Welcome to Camp Skip!

Well Skipper is one.

A whole year of that kid and I still cannot get enough. I seriously wonder how many times a day I smoother those cheeks with kisses. He is the best.

Planning his party was so fun and really inexpensive. We had a lot of things on hand plus my goal was to make it all about Skip versus stress.

We spent the morning surrounded by family and friends and it really was a perfect day. I want to do it all over again, keep the details the same and laugh as hard as I did when Skip stared at us like we were crazy for singing to him. It was hysterical!

I purchased a few things from Etsy like the one balloon, wooden utensils and straws, grabbed some plates and napkins from Target, pulled together what I could from our home to make the camping theme come together and baked a little cake for Skip. I got up early to bake three quiches (via the pioneer woman) and they were a hit. We had just a few bites leftover. Add in some flavored sodas, mimosas, donuts and perfect weather and you can see why I want to celebrate again.

I really am so proud of my child but the biggest thing I am learning is that I want him proud of me. It has shaped so many of my decisions and prayers lately and for that I am thankful.

When a Sweet Lady Flirts with Your Husband

It is no secret that I think my husband is a stud but I learned recently I am not alone in that fact.

Back in 2005 my grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. At the time it was little things that pointed to the disease. She would forget where she parked, lost her wallet a few times, misplaced things around her home, forgot an ingredient in a recipe, things like that.

She lived at home with my grandfather for many years after her diagnosis but had a caregiver come a few times during the day just to help out. Once she got worse my grandfather moved her into a faculty that had a specialized space for Alzheimer's patients. The nurse and the patients are always a joy to be around. Most of them have reverted to being child like. And while I could talk more about the disease and how hard it is to watch, this post is a happy one.

A few Fridays ago Rusty and I wanted to go see June Rose. We made the quick drive over to Magnolia and entered Grandma's wing of the nursing home. (My grandfather goes and feeds her twice a day and sits in her room with her. She doesn't know him but at the same time she does. Their love is truly magical). June Bug was sitting at the table in the main living area so I sat right next to her. We held hands and I told her Katie Irene was there. She replied,  "Well come on. Let's go." It makes me smile because it is such a God thing that she knew who I was. We are very blessed to get those moments. My grandmother loved to run around doing errands, planning parties, organizing bridge events, going and going. It made me happy to hear her say that.

We brought Skipper in with us and R was holding him. Seeing a baby makes gets the patients so excited and they all want to reach for him. We don't let them hold him but allow them to touch him and hold his hand. They were going on and on about how adorable Skip was and how much they loved him. Then from the corner of the room a little, tiny gray haired lady shouts (in a room of about 20), "You all keeping talking about that baby but have you seen his Daddy? He is the good looking one."

Rusty was red faced, no words kind of embarrassed. We (the nurses and I) laughed so hard. I am still laughing about it as to this blog post. Hahahaha!

So that was the day that I saw my husband embarrassed for the first time ever. It was a good day.

Staying Put & Answered Prayers

A few weeks ago I wrote this post on moving to Bentonville. Rusty happily accepted a job with a new company meaning we needed to relocate. I was more than willing to go wherever R went. BUT I really, really wanted to stay put.

With each move we have had with R's job it has been exciting. I have been eager and willing and packing before we even get the offer but this time I wasn't. It was the first time that I really felt like I am in my home (among other things). A home I love. A home I have worked hard on. A home that is one-of-a-kind. I love my church. I love our friends here. I love my job. I didn't want to go but I kept quiet.

R accepted the job and we began looking into a new life in Bentonville. We started looking at houses and learning the area. We were happy but I was so hesitant. It took all I had to push publish on my blog post announcing our move and normally that never happens. Normally I am screaming things like this from the mountain tops but I wasn't. Really for us we couldn't lose with either scenario (moving or staying).

I began praying that the right door be clear and marked with flashing lights. I wanted us to walk through the right door. I wanted us to be where God needs us.

With less than 24 hours before his last day at the company he was currently at we got an email. It was a counter offer from his current company that triumphed the new company we were going to. It was all together better.

Rusty and I stayed up way to late talking about everything. We talked about Skip's future, our home, selling our home, finishing things with our home, long term goals, family, friends, everything. Ultimately, R decided he wanted to stay put.

My heart was so happy.

I called my mom to tell her the news at 11 p.m. She screamed she was so excited. I was so thrilled and still am.

R said that the move just never felt right. He said the second he accepted it just didn't feel ideal. Yes, it was a great location and a great company but for us staying put for a while longer was key. We have been in each city we have lived in for around two years but we are beating that mark here in El Dorado. (Which I never thought would happen).

I never wanted to move back to my childhood hometown but now I never want to leave. Thank you God for your plans and for answering my prayers. This was a true answered prayer.

I've seen many searching for answers far and wide but I know we're all searching for answers only you can provide because you know just what we need before we say a word. You're a good, good father. It's who you are. It's who you are.

How We Told Our Friends We Were Pregnant

This post has been a long time coming. Like 1.5 years coming.

When Rusty and I found out we were pregnant with Skipper we knew we wanted to tell all of our friends at once versus a phone call here and a phone call there. But life is so crazy these days and we are blessed to have friends all over so getting everyone together in one room seemed nearly impossible.

Secretly I had been planning R's surprise 30th birthday party starting around the same time we got pregnant. A bunch of our friends were coming in to town to surprise Rusty with a weekend get together. Being Rusty he decided to make plans for that same weekend. I begged for him to cancel them and gave him 1.2 million reasons why he didn't need to make plans that weekend other than spilling the beans. When that didn't work, I had to tell him what I had planned. (Don't worry our friends are still giving him a hard time about that.)

Once we knew everyone would be together and in the same town for one weekend we thought it would be the right time to tell them we were pregnant even with it being early on (about 6 weeks).

We were so excited that we didn't wait long to tell our friends. Friday night we went to our favorite pizza place for dinner. We conspired to get my mom in on the plan. We told everyone we wanted a group photo to remember the weekend. We got everyone lined up on the stairs (trapping some workers..sorry!). Rusty said, "Everyone look at the camera and smile." We all obliged. Then Rusty said, "1, 2, 3...Katie is pregnant!!!" This was my mom's cue to take pictures like crazy to capture their reactions. The funny part? Everyone thought Rusty was joking to which he explained he wasn't kidding. The photos get really funny after that! Pure shock! :)

It was so fun and the perfect way for us to share our good news plus celebrate Rusty turning 30. Lots of hugging, laughing, tears, more hugging and a perfect weekend to top it off.

I will truly treasure these photos forever. And those heart stamped Lauren Conrad jeans. ;)