Maybe they're related?

More than I've heard about Belle looking like either Derek or me, I've heard people say, "Wow, she looks like Jackson!" I have to agree. Same nose, same chin, same eye color. The eye shape is a little different and Belle definitely has more hair. 

One thing is for sure-- We make good lookin' babies!

Monkeying around

I'm always looking for places for Jackson to burn some energy during icky weather season! After seeing the pictures of Chacey playing at Little Monkey Bizness last month, I just knew that I had to take Jackson! Elizabeth had the day off work yesterday, so we made plans to take the kids! Jackson was happy to see Chacey and he ran around for three hours without loosing steam. It was the best $7.50 I've spent in awhile! Look at how much fun we had!

Belle just hung out in my Moby wrap most of the time! She's so cute and cuddly, I just had to include a picture!

Now quick-- someone open a franchise closer by so we don't have to drive 35 minutes to get there!

Loose Ends

I've had intentions of blogging for the past several days with pictures and updates, but my desire to sleep during my free time has trumped getting on my computer. Here's a little bit of what's been going on:

Gram-Gram

Since sweet baby Belle was born, I have had a ton of people helping around the clock- my mom, mother-in-law, other family members, friends from church, friends from college... my front door has basically become a revolving door (which is totally okay by me!). This past week, my grandma (Jackson refers to her as Gram-Gram) was on "helper duty". She drove down on Monday and stayed until Friday. It was so, so nice to have her here!! She cooked her coveted noodles, baked oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, folded laundry, washed dishes. She went to my MOPS group with me and to church on Wednesday night. It was so nice having her as part of our everyday life for a whole week!

The weather was nice so we headed out for a walk on a nearby trail. See her trying to keep up with Jackson?

Another nice day, we headed to the park and she took Belle for a walk while I stayed with Jackson at the playground.

I think this was her favorite-- snuggling Belle and reading books to Jackson.

I hardly ever make it up to Trenton these days, so it was just so wonderful to get to spend a whole week with her! Plus, I got to take a few extra naps!

Derek's Graduation
In just 10 days, Belle and I will be flying to Georgia for Derek's graduation from AIT. I am so, so excited! I have been wanting to go all along, but Derek kept brushing it off as something he didn't really care about and didn't want to spend the money for me to go out there. I was doing my best to respect his wishes, but when he finally mentioned that he would like for us to be there, I practically jumped out of my seat!

My mother-in-law and I were going to fly out together, but the cost of the airline tickets more than doubled over-night and so now it's only me (and Belle). Seriously, on Thursday night- $250 a person covered flight, hotel, and car rental. On Friday morning, I paid $475 for flight, hotel, and car-- and that was using Priceline's feature of not selecting my flight times and just taking what they give me. It would have been $680 otherwise. Is that not unbelievable?!?!

But even that can't take away my excitement to go see him! I am so, so, so proud of him. And I'm pretty sure he's excited to show Belle off to some of his Army buddies too. Belle will be 3 1/2 weeks when I fly with her. Hopefully she'll still be the easiest baby ever and make it a super easy trip!

Chick-fil-a
I totally heart Chick-fil-a. The people there are always so kind and I may have a waffle-fry addiction. Plus, I'm a fan of styrofoam cups and Coke- so it's the perfect place! Yesterday on Gram-Gram's way out of town, we met up with my mom for lunch at the Chick-fil-a in Liberty. Let me share with you how awesome the people were yesterday.

First. When I was walking in I was carrying Jackson in one arm and the baby carrier in the other. One of the employees must have seen me from inside because she came outside to open the doors for us. She totally didn't have to do that.

Second. As people were oohing and aahing over Belle (because it happens everywhere we go!) another one of the workers stopped and gushed as well. She also pointed out that there we had four generations all together at our table- how cool! Mom mentioned how she would have liked to have gotten a picture the other day when we were together and I had my camera. Well, awesome Chick-fil-a girl comes back with the owner (I think) with camera in hand. He takes a picture with his camera and emails it right away! She (and he) totally didn't have to do that!

Third. Getting ready to leave, I packed up the kiddos and headed for the door. I had my Coke and the carrier in one hand and was holding Jackson's hand with the other. I was prepping myself for the mad dash that was about to take place as it was raining like crazy. Mr. Owner guy comes out behind the counter to open the door for us-- how nice! But, then he told us to wait... he went and got an umbrella and walked us out to the car! He stood there with the umbrella while I got both kids buckled in and I got in the driver's seat. He totally didn't have to do that!

Are you seeing the trend here?? No other fast food place would ever offer out service like that!! Granted, I would love to see a dollar menu pop up soon, but with service like that-- they can charge whatever they want for a chicken sandwich and we will go back!!

Let's Be Honest

Today I went to my MOPS Bible Study group. Of course they ooh-ed and ahh-ed all over Belle. I mean, look at this face... how could you not?

The compliments also kept coming in about how I even have energy to come to a meeting already, that I managed to get two kids out the door and to church, that I am doing so well handling the new baby without my husband around. I, of course, accepted each compliment with a smile and a thank-you. I mean, it was really encouraging!

But really, I wanted to say... Oh, if you only knew the mess I've been!!

I had an awful panic attack the night we came home from the hospital. I had several nights that I had to take a benedryl just to fall asleep and I could hardly eat. I cried practically non-stop the day Derek left and continued to cry every single day that week, including an episode of sobbing while cuddled on my Mom's lap. Each day continues to be a battle in keeping my head up and each day it gets a little bit easier and easier.

I have found myself self-treating myself as if I were a patient using techniques from my classes and I do have some meds that I know are contributing to my mental health. However, I am fully convinced that my strength has come from the Lord. I know that there are so many people praying for me. I have received comments, facebook messages, emails, and text messages that have really lifted me up. I have found myself in almost constant prayer throughout the day-- sometimes practically begging the Lord to hold me up from falling into the dark places. I have read Philippians 4 about bazillion times:

The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I chuckled to myself as the speaker at our MOPS meeting today spoke about this scripture. She talked about the times that we should have every reason to be anxious about a situation, but yet we find ourselves at peace- that is having a peace that passes understanding. I wanted to stand up and say, "that's what I have!" I have a peace that passes all human understanding. I know that God is in control of our situation. He has proven to me over and over that he will provide and take care of us. I really am okay!

I am enjoying Belle and this stage of mommyhood much more than I had the chance to enjoy Jackson as I dealt with some postpartum anxiety for several weeks. I have my glass-is-half-full perspective back and I am truthfully happy and doing well.

So, for all of those people who have been praying for me-- please know that your prayers are being answered. I am being well taken care of by friends and family as I anxiously await Derek's return. God is definitely good.

It's March!!

It's March 1st, ya'll. Derek is coming home *this* month. If you haven't jumped up from your seat and shouted, "WOO HOO!" yet then maybe you didn't hear me correctly.

DEREK IS COMING HOME IN 17 DAYS!!

(per the tentative plan, we still don't have a confirmed date, 

but whatever day it may be-- it's close!)

And let me tell you that it won't be a day too soon! I miss that man so incredibly much! If I didn't have two children at home, I'd consider packing my things and just camping out at the airport.

In effort to make light of my missing Derek in the beginning of our separation, I made a list of things that I wouldn't miss so much about him being gone. I have definitely enjoyed the freedom to wear his clothes and always being able to pick my movie of choice (when it's not the Backyardigans or Thomas the Train)... and of course, the lack of conversations involving topics of farting and bowel movements has been nice.

But I'm really ready for him to come home and I'm more than willing to let go of some of those perks if it means that he's home! (Though, if he's going to fart in bed and trap it under the covers, he may as well just stay in Georgia.) I have a new list of things that I am looking forward to for when he comes home...aside from the super obvious, mushy I-just-can't-wait-to-have-my-best-friend-home reasons.

1. Having someone to warm my cold feet in bed.
2. Man smell of the cologne, deodorant, and shampoo variety.
3. Not having to drive absolutely everywhere we go (I never noticed until he came home at Christmas and I got a driving break. It was nice!)
4. Light bulb replacer. I will never hassle him about his obsessive need to have a bazillion light bulbs on hand.
5. Going to the movies together--like that will be easy with two kids, but it's our favorite thing to do together.
6. Sitting next to him at church.
7. Watching him play with Jackson and Belle- nothing is cuter than a man when he plays with kids!
8. Laughing with him at our lame inside jokes.
9. Being kept up to date about the latest technology/gadget news and silly websites that can waste hours of your time. 
10. So I can kiss him anytime I want. (Sweet Home Alabama style)

I have to quit re-reading my list because I'm just getting to giddy! Here's hoping the next couple weeks just fly by!