Preparing for Anthony and Missy's Big Day!!!

Got the pleasure of attending some of their showers!!!

The Bride and Groom to be!!

Them with Anthony's parents

Sasha and Honey with Lacey

Me and the Bride to be!!!

Missy with her Mom and Mother In Law to be!

Missy, her mom Vicki, Teresa (Honey), myself, and Lacey

Women of Joy Louisville

Well the time came for Mommy and Lacey to take a trip to Louisville with Sasha and Donna!! I had to work the day before and was a little stressed. Garrett had just began to feel better, I had packing to do and was just not feeling great. We were going to the WOMEN OF JOY conference. Garrett's dad --Papa-- works with the conference. We were going to hear speakers, including Sarah Palin...and concerts from Stephen Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith!! So my precious mom had pepped me up a bit and came and played with Lacey the day before we left!!

Here is Lacey and all her friends her and Sasha had found!!

AWWW she has grown so much since this picture!!

Lacey and our cousin Kendall, Donna's daughter swinging on our front porch!

Sarah Palin!!! I got to meet her and get a professional pic, so I can't post it....but her speaking was amazing. It was so touching to see God speak through her so naturally!!

Sasha, Lacey, and I

Donna, Sasha, and Lacey

Tired Baby!!!!

Donna and I with Michael W. Smith

Donna and I with Stephen Curtis Chapman

My cousin Donna and I, she is so special to me!!!!

Lacey getting ready for the ride home!!!

Daddy showed up in the middle of the conference. We were very excited and so thankful he felt up to it!! We don't seem to have many "Family" pics we need to work on that!!

Sasha and Donna getting ready the last day!! Kinda scary?

Family time!!

Just some random times that I am behind on....just to show ya'll how she has grown!

Uncle A and soon to be at the time Aunt Missy with Lacey!! Now it is official!!! Her shirt says "If you think I am cute you should see my uncle!" LOL!!

Papa, Honey, and Lacey on one of their weekend visits!

Honey and Lacey

Lacey with Honey and Papa

Lacey's First Easter

Well the Easter Bunny visited!!! (Lacey's Papa and Honey) It was supposed to be a Glorious day, celebrating the Resurrection!! I was very thankful for it, but couldn't get my mind off my sick husband. Garrett's parents were in for Easter and we all had plans to go to church; however, the night before Garrett became ill again....see a few posts back for the details (he is much better now). Sooooo since we did not get to go, we dressed Lacey up for her first Easter and played like we did!! I hope that as Christian parents we will have fun during this special holiday in the upcoming years, but really try to teach Lacey and focus on the reason we celebrate!!!

The Presents!!

Whew doesn't Mommy look all dressed up in her robe??

Lacey with Papa and Honey

Our pretty little bunny!!

Lacey with her bunny!!

Road Trip to Alabama for Daddy's Spring Break (Late March)

Gotta say "Roll Tide" when I am with my Daddy!!

Arrived to spend some time with Grandmother Shirley and GaGa

Using her travel swing for the first time!

In the car on the way to Daddy's ballgame!

Getting and giving some LOVE!!

Sleeping with some cousins!!

Lacey's first time to meet Grandmother Edith!! (Papa's Mother)

Grandmother Edith and Lacey

Some Visits from Grandparents Weeks Ago

Papa and Lacey

Honey and Lacey

TBonz and Lacey

Sasha and Lacey

GOD IS IN CONTROL!!!

Well all I can say is alot has occurred since my last post!! God has truly put our family through some trials to strengthen us, to help our faith grow, to be better servants, to not take life for granted, to love each other more, to cling to His word like never before, and many many more reasons I am sure. These trials have consisted of several things, the most difficult being Garrett's health. As I am typing this today he is feeling great, and God has done a major work in his life. Our marriage was not bad before at all; however, it has changed so much for the better in a way I never thought possible. There was a day when we felt so close and that day does not compare how great I feel about our relationship today! Garrett passed the test and allowed this trial to improve his spiritual leadership in our family, to improve his love for life, to be a better daddy and husband, to not sweat the small stuff, to have a total different perspective on daily living, and to build a stronger foundation for us to know to trust God always. Words can never express my appreciation to our family and friends for their prayers, help, support, and love during this difficult time. It amazes me that when God placed us in our particular family and friends circle years ago up until now, He knew what we would go through and who He would use to meet our needs. I was overwhelmed by the peace God provided for me when Garrett was weak and vice versa. "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young a devotional book that I have been given twice was such a refreshing read daily!! The two songs that spoke to me in a very special way were:

"The Words I Would Say" by Sidewalk Prophets

Be strong in the Lord and, never give up hope, Your gonna do great things, I already know, Gods got His hand on you so, Don't live life in fear, forgive and forget, But don't forget why your here, Take your time and pray, these are the words I would say.

"Before The Morning" by Josh Wilson

Would you dare, would you dare to believe, that you still have a reason to sing? 'Cause the pain that you've been feeling, It can't compare to the joy that's coming, So hold on you've gotta wait for the light, Press on and just fight the good fight, 'Cause the pain that you've been feeling, it's just the dark before the morning

Well at this moment I know that God is orchestrating something major in our life. The anxieties rise and I have to remind myself to walk the talk and rely on God. Knowing He is in control and He is giving us what we need for today is one thing, applying it is another. I want to try my hardest during our families daily life to let His light shine and others to see our dependence on Him. We know we were chosen to go through these specific difficulties for a reason and I hope we are able to learn from them and help others through similar things. We would be thankful for your continued prayers!!

Saying all this to say there is no way my brain can go all the way back to her 2 month. As bad as I wanted to have it all recapped and documented, I would be overwhelmed to go that far back. I will begin hopefully today to post some recent pics and happenings!!

Recap Happy 2 Month Birthday February 17th!!!

Happy 2 month birthday Lacey Ruth on February 17th!! Gosh my love for you is indescribable!!! I wish mommy had done better keeping up with things this month, but since I am still playing catch up on the blog I am writing this by recall. We have had another month that has made our life better. You have been a different baby since Mommy learned to lay you down awake and kinda follow a "Babywise" routine. Life has been much calmer. I started this at the 5 week mark, but the last month also brought many travels so kinda hard to stick to the "routine". We had our first trip to Birmingham to meet your Honey's family. We had our first trip back to Mommy and Daddy's home town to meet your Sasha and TBonz's family and other friends. You are such a good traveler.

--You have not had as many visitors at home this month, you have been going to see lots of them though!! You have also made your debut at Daddy's ballgames several times!!

--You love your carseat, we can put you in it and you will just grin! You travel great as long as you are not hungry! Sometimes when I am getting ready to go somewhere shortly I will just put the carseat on the bed with you in it and let you stare at the fan until you fall asleep. When I am ready we will all go to the car!

Lacey and her Aunt Missy to be!!

Lacey looking up grinning at her Uncle Anthony!

--By the end of month one you were balled except the hair line at the back bottom of your neck had quite a bit! You don't have any hair on your back any more and just a little on your ears. I can see how new hair is sprouting up top and it looks pretty dark!

--I am still so addicted to your smell!!! I just give me chills to think and imagine the smell if we are not together.

--You only take your passy when it is time to go down or when you get up and a little fussy and I am trying to postpone eating. Once you are asleep the passy gets spit out!

--One of my favorite things as I continue to have many favorites is after I feed you during night or say early early morning you want take your passy. I swaddle you and you seal your lips shut like you are playing a game and you make these precious little noises and then just smile so big!!! It never fails this has happened so many times!

--Now that you are becoming more alert you seem to like your bouncy seat and swing more. When mommy has to shower and it is "waketime" I just move the bouncy seat in the bathroom and let you play.

--You still sneeze often and get the hiccups so much!! I have tried Gripe Water for the hiccups, but it only works at times.

--Your finger nails still grow like weeds!!!

--You have definitely found your hands and suck on them often!!

--You are alot happier during diaper and clothes changes.

--My favorite times are the mornings when you have your random smiles. You are so alert at this time. Our morning usually starts for good around 7 or so.

--You are sleeping about 5-6 hours straight most nights. With a few nights only about 3-4. This may be the growth spurt days.

--You are eating every 3 hours still during the day. You nurse for 5 mins on each side and you are done and content for another 3 hours. Man you are a fast eater! I love this bonding experience too!! I could not imagine having to give this up right now and am pretty emotional about it. I thank God he has allowed breastfeeding to work for us.

-- You are still loving bath time, we have moved you from just the little foam cushion, to the baby bathtub with the cushion down in it. If I was not worried about you gettting chilled I would let you stay in there forever!!

--The fan and light still grab your attention alot. You will just stare and make all kinds of faces. When basketball is on the big TV it never fails to grab your attention. Your daddy loves that!! I guess it is all the colors and fast action, the news doesn't catch your attention like that.

-- You still have episodes of gas and we will give you the Mylicon often. However, since mommy figured out how to tell the difference between a cry for sleep, a cry for food, and a cry for pain or dirty diaper...I have used the Mylicon alot less! Sasha has taught me to play with your legs and push them gently towards your belly and hold to help you "poot". It is pretty comical.

-- Your nap is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Your average cry when I lay you down is from no cry to about 6-10min cry. Sometimes you are asleep in my arms before I can get you to your basket.

-- You love to be swaddled, arms and all!! It is a precious site. Mommy has learned that when waketime is up, swaddle you, pat your bottom, sing a little, and walk towards the basket.

-- You are still little and wearing newborn diapers and clothes...don't want to rush it, but can't wait for you to wear some of your cute outfits!!