Up "late" and learning something from the Lord....

I got in bed fairly early tonight, but I was unable to sleep... coming upon the realization that I am having some serious commitment issues in my life....
There are days when I make plans for my life, like dieting, or exercising, or getting up early, or finding ways to save money, or being the "best wife ever",and it seems as if my "COMMITMENT" to all these things never comes to fruition!
I am ashamed to say that all of these failures are small in comparison to the failure that I have made in regards to the most important One in my life. At the age of 5, I commited my life to Jesus Christ, but it seems as if that commitment waxes and wanes with the status of my life. This commitment should not be partial but it should be a full-blown, life-long, never failing commitment to serve Him, grow in Him, and live a life that is pleasing to Him ALL the days of my life!
So, tonight my heart has been crushed with the realization that I may have commited my life to the Lord at a very young age, but there are times when no one would even know that I am a Christian.
I totally understand why many unbelievers say that Christians are hypocrites.... because I know that I am... I say that I want to "live my life for Christ", but DO I?  I am FINALLY beginning to understand that it is impossible live a life of commitment without Jesus Christ being your "driver".
You know that kids song "I'm in the Lord's Army"? I was thinking about the fact that we, as Christians, are in the Lord's army... but that does NOT mean that we run things! In the army (of the Lord), we must follow what our Leader tells us to do, and we are to trust that He will lead us through battle (life) without relying or straying from His commands... or else we are a hopeless little soldier lost in the battlefield (of life) without anyone to save us but ourselves... and that is just a hopeless case!
I hope that tonight my realization stays fresh in my heart and in my head so that I never give up on my commitments to Jesus, to my husband, or even to myself....

It's A New Day

Started my day at 5:55am, along with my handsome husband... Baby-Girl slept 6 solid hours, and for the first time, I woke up before she did!
Got in my car at 7am and drove to my friend's house to baby sit her little girls (a one year old and a four year old) along with my own baby... Up until the past few days, I didn't know how people have more than one kid, but I had a blast today, and I cannot wait to see what the Lord has for the future (more kids??? I hope!!!!).
Anyways, my day was wonderful, the weather is beautiful, and I am headed to my in-laws to enjoy some yummy food, hard work, and great fellowship! :)
In love with my family,
Em

I am enjoying my day with my girl, and then I realize that it has been almost four weeks since I have blogged. WOAH! Time goes by so so fast! So, I will catch you up on my life... my baby-girl is now almost 4 weeks old (on Friday)... I left out on the last post that she was born on the 9th of September... THANKS BABY.  :)
Right now, my baby and I are staying at home and accustomizing (not really a word) to our new life!
Aside from an occassional trip to Walmart or church, we are glued to our house. :)
Although I enjoy spending time with my little punkin', we plan on getting out a little more often... like going to see daddy at work, and makin' visits to grandma and grandpa's house, and definitely going shopping! Gotta teach this girl how to shop! Don't worry daddy, we shop on a tight budget!
Well, gotta get moving.... puppy chow is on the menu for tonight.... :)
Love you all!
Em

Baby Girl Calton

Sorry folks...
It's been a while since I have been on here.... I went into labor Wednesday night (the 7th), and just got back from the hospital on Sunday (the 11th)... IT HAS BEEN CRAZY.
But here is the story in a nutshell (I will write a bit more on this later)... was in labor for a full 36 hours... for the last 2 and 1/2 I was pushing (my baby girl got stuck for a while). Finally at 8:33a.m. our "little peanut" popped into this world. She weighed 6 pounds 14 oz. and was 20.5 inches long (now being 20 inches long because she lost her bump on her head). She is beautiful... has blue/grey eyes, and tri-colored hair (red/brown/blonde). She looks an awful lot like her daddy and I cannot take my eyes off of her. :)
Love her sooo soo much. Missing my husband being here though... he is at work. 
Happy Mama,
Em

It's An Early Morning

Started my day off with a cup o' coffee, and blanket, and flannel pj's.... fall is almost here, and it is definitely the most wonderful time of the year! :) When fall is here, I get in the mood to bake and drink hot cocoa, and dress cute! :) I love me some summer, but unfortunately I missed out on a "normal" summer this time around... so I am going to skip onto fall and just be happy about it! :D

I'm looking forward to having this baby and getting back in shape, then I can wear my normal people, non-mommy, no-spandex jeans!!!! (maybe)... I think that maybe a shopping trip is in order when I get back to a "regular/no-belly figure".... ;0)

Today I am planning on being a bit on the lazy side... enjoying the weather with the doors and windows wide open. :) I can't wait to see my husband when he gets home. :)

Have a wonderful and Fall-ish day,
EM

Labor Day

What a gorgeous day! I missed a post yesterday because we were gone all day.
I thought for sure that I would at least go into labor yesterday... but I guess I'm still waiting on my little cupcake to finish baking... :)

My day (yesterday) "in a nutshell":
We went to church, came home and grilled out in the gorgeous weather (steak and a delicious new corn on the cob recipe), watched Planet Earth: Caves, went back to church, and then.... my husband took me out on a date to Carraba's, then we went for a walk in the park (in the dark), and watched Madea's Family to finish off our day. :)

Then there was today...

It was GORGEOUS outside (hence the long sleeves and pants.... :) I love this kind of weather! <3

We spent the day sleeping in, going shopping (for last minute items), cleaning the house, watching American Pickers, and then spending the early afternoon to late evening at our friend's house. :)

I am thoroughly content and ready to go to bed now. :) So, goodnight all! Happy Labor Day!

From Your Friendly Laborless Friend,

Em

Ohhhh, the Waiting!

Supposedly, the doctor's say that TOMORROW is "THE DAY!" I have this funny feeling that it will not happen though... it seems as if my little "Punkin" seems to have her own time schedule! :) We are definitely going to have to work on that once she gets here though. ;-)

40 weeks and ready to POP!

Looking forward to introducing the little munchkin to you once she gets here and telling you my story of how she came into the world! :)
A sincerely impatient mama,
Em



My Good Morning (Slap in the Face)

Woke up this morning, at 5am, pouring sweat and tears. There is something about a dream when you are pregnant that seems so drastically real...
I woke up thinking that I had given birth to my precious little girl and something was seriously wrong: she wasn't breathing and her little body was unrecognizable.

I will say this: I have never been in such a sullen mood... this dream must have been in the Lord's plan, because it definitely put me to thinking... The Lord has complete control over the things that happen in life and I must accept them and trust Him for the outcome.
I do not know if my little sweet girl will be born healthy, but even if she is, I do not know that she will reach her first birthday.

We do not have a "lock" on life and we do not know what will happen tomorrow, or even a week from now....

so why not live today as if it is our last.

I found this video on Facebook, and it shows a family that is completely reliant on the fact that the Lord is TRULY in control! If you have ten minutes of time, watch this little clip for Ephraim...

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150413082140968

Praying for Ephraim,
Em

Deliciousness: It's What's for Dinner!

YES... I MADE THIS FOR DINNER!!!!!

You can find the recipe at http://zoomyummy.com/2010/09/02/crepes-with-cream-cheese-filling/(of course mine weren't as pretty as this one right here, but this what I made Caleb for dinner).
Of course, I added Nutella (which is pretty much a life staple) instead of chocolate and a touch of powdered confectioner's sugar on top. :) It made for a HUGE mess but a lovely tasting dinner!

There was a ton left over, so if you would like to try them, come on over and enjoy one! I put the crepes in the fridge and we will thoroughly enjoy them for breakfast tomorrow! :)

Licking my fingers and wishing for more,

Em

*Morning*

Woke up this morning to the inviting sound of my husband's siren alarm clock... poor guy has to wake up to that every single morning. *bleh*

So, I got up and made him some breaky and sent him off to work in the car that does not have air conditioning. Man... I would hate the morning if I was him! Anyways, he is now off to work, and I have so far enjoyed a silent morning with Jesus, a cup of coffee, and my Bible. The days events are starting to unfold, and yet it is only 7:30 in the am...

My day holds many events that I am both looking forward to but also dreading. My doctor's appointment is scheduled for 10:40am... I am so nervous! I really want to go in and they tell me that I am having this baby today (which is totally a dream that won't happen), but at the same time, I am positive that they are going to say that there is NO sign of labor and send me home! :(
OH, am I ready to have this baby!

Well, I shall stop complaining and wait till later on today or tomorrow to tell you what happened!
Love you guys!
Emily

Anticipation

Yes... I know that I have already posted today... but can posting twice be a bad thing?

My day consisted of many a thing from the serious scrubbing down of my house to the watching of the show "Bringing Baby Home" on the TLC channel...
http://tlc.discovery.com/guides/family/tlc-baby-block/bringing-home-baby/bringing-home-baby.html
Every time that I watch that show, I turn into a major bucket of tears and pretty much have to take my makeup off and start over (or else I look as if I am wearing a Batman mask)... maybe I should invest in some reallly good waterproof mascara. :)
Today, the show featured a mama who did it "all natural"... which has been my plan from before I ever conceived this precious baby girl... but it totally freaked me out to watch her scream her head off because she was in so much pain!! I know that labor "for sure" is going to hurt like the dickens, but hopefully (Lord willing) I won't be screaming my head off at my hubby...

OH, but I am so looking forward to meeting my precious baby girl! They tell me September 4th is "The Day" and that is only 3 short (but also seemingly endless) days away. I cannot wait to hold her in my arms, kiss her little nose, and whisper "I love you's" in her little ears! :) Most of all, I look forward to seeing the look on my husband's face when he holds his/my... our.... baby in his strong arms!
I don't have a clue what it feels like when your child is actually here, but I am amazed at the vast love that I have for this little tiny person that I have never met/seen in my life. I can't imagine what it is going to be like when I get to put a face and a name to this person that I love so much! <3

Thanks for letting me jabber on... I just needed something to do before I head off to Wednesday night church.

Love yall!
Em

OHHH BABY!

It's been like a year since I have decided to start writing in my blog again, but unfortunately life is a vapor and is very slippery-like... and it has slipped by too too fast.

Today is "The Last Day of August"... what a fast summer! I feel as if I have just gotten to put my shorts on yesterday, and now we are pulling out the jeans again. :/

Anyways, not only is today the last day of August, but it is also (supposedly) 3 days until I meet my little one! :) Pregnancy was definitely not the easiest thing I have ever gone through, but I will tell you that this "waiting-thing" is the HARDEST thing I have ever had to do. Everyday is a possibility, but when you get to the end of the day and there is no baby, then it feels much like a failure. The thing I have to tell myself most often is this: "God knows EVERYTHING and is in control of EVERYTHING.... so Emily, you need to just TRUST HIM!" So, that's what I am trying to do.... sitting here on my couch trusting that God will bring this baby to fruition someday. :)

Thanks for letting me rant and rave.... :) I needed to write my thoughts down... even if nobody in the world will ever read them! This is my first year without going back to school and I am missing scholarly work... so this is my scholarliness coming out. ;)

God Bless!

Em