Blessings after storms

May 12, 1980, my husband was born, three months to the day after me.  We have known each other since Kindergarten but our love didn't blossom until we were planning our 10 year class reunion from Todd County Central High School.

Since our wedding on April 2, 2010, we have been blessed with two awesome daughters, Lola, 4, and Shelton, 3.  The past few months, since September 2015, Matthew and I have lost a grandfather each and I lost my grandmother.  The months have been filled with lots of sorrow, times of explaining to our daughters what death was, an Earthly separation from our loved ones and a Heavenly reunion one day.  The last loss was the hardest on me, my sweet grandmother, Nanny.  She meant a lot to me and was the first person I would call when I needed to tell something to.  She cheered me on, when others didn't seem to care, she would drop anything to be there for me.  She was awesome.  So, when she died, a huge part of me died with her.  What made it harder was the first loss was my grandfather, her husband of over 60 years.  Their marriage was not perfect, but they were perfect for each other.

When my grandmother died, I knew a secret I could not tell anyone, Matthew knew, but no one else did.  I knew that I was expecting our 3rd child, 6 months of trying for this blessing, 6 months of heartbreak of losing grandparents.  I was so excited but, I couldn't tell anyone.  I didn't want to get my hopes up and have them fall again by another heartbreak.

My grandmother died on Palm Sunday, ironically she was born on Thanksgiving, and got married on Christmas.  She had a way of being special with all she did.

On April 2, 2016, I returned home from a quick trip to the beach with my girls, mom and sister.  I finally got brave enough to take a pregnancy test.  It was positive, what a way to start our Anniversary.  Because it was so early, we didn't want to tell anyone.  We didn't even tell the girls, because, Little Ears have Big Mouths.  So now, when do we tell others?!!?  We must make it special, after all, we are getting a blessing after a big storm.

MORNING SICKNESS

I have always been one that said I would avoid being sick and would not have the normal pregnancy symptoms.  Well, I am normal and have the same things as other women.

This morning I got up at 5:30 to go on my walk with Katherine.  We went even a quarter of a mile from the house when I told her I felt terrible.  But in true nature of me, I pressed on and did the 1.6 miles, came back home, grabbed 4 crackers, 1 oz of milk, laid down in bed until 7, when awaken by a sweet 14 month old.

I went to take a shower and before I got in there I knew it wasn't going to be great.  I got sick in the shower, at least the shower, then I could just clean up and go on.

I hurried in the kitchen to get myself some food before the other kiddios arrived.  Matthew came up beside me wanting to kiss me, I pushed him away from the smell, which I picked out for him, but can't handle right now.

I chugged down a glass of milk with Carnation Breakfast, my go to food when I feel the need to have a comfort breakfast.  I paired it with a Bagel Thin with butter, the butter did way to much for it, next time nix it.

I feel so much better, I even snuck in a nap for a few minutes.

6 weeks and doing great

6 weeks pregnant and doing great!!  I have energy, have not had morning sickness yet, but dogone it, I have gained weight.  The weight gain started the day I got pregnant with Lola I do believe.  I remember going to the Dr and weighing and being 10 lbs heavier than I was when I got pregnant.  FLUID, FLUID, FLUID is my problem.  I had an extreme high FLUID level my whole pregnancy with her and I do believe I will with this baby as well.  

I can look at food and gain weight, think about it and gain weight, dream about it and gain weight.  I seriously remember not eating when I was pregnant so I would not gain weight.  

But in the end, I ended up with a perfect baby, beautiful baby, and super healthy baby.  

Still, I am trying to be super good about what I eat and don't eat.  Apple a day keeps the doctor away they say, well in this case let's hope for only 1 time a month visit for a while.  

I have had a surge of energy and yet to have morning sickness.  This past weekend my Uncle got married to the most awesome woman ever.  God doesn't make them like this anymore.  Lola was a flower girl and the cutest one ever.  I had a great amount of energy, stayed up late with the family each night, got up early and got the family ready each morning and felt awesome, other than feeling like a blimp.  

Baby #2

Last night Matthew and I went to Clarksville to pick up some groceries for our busy weekend of family reunion, me finding a dress for my uncles wedding next weekend, and our Sunday School Class coming to our house for a Chili Cook-Off on Sunday.  

We had been talking since Wednesday night there could be a possiblilty of me being pregnant, not in our timing, but the Lords timing as always.  Matthew had sent me a few text during the day asking how I was feeling and if I wanted him to pick a test on the way home, I said yes please and that I felt great.  

We proceeded to Clarksville that evening to get what we needed and head home.  While at Kroger we talked about buying a test but they are in boxes that have to be unlocked, I didn't want to ask for them to unlock me a test.  I told Matthew there was a DG down the road so we could head there and I would buy one for $1 and I would get a couple.  They may be cheap but they still work and that is what I used when I was PG with Lola.  I searched that store over from top to bottom and could not find a test anywhere.  I did see Ricco in there that had just returned home from, "You know where he has been"  "He has gotten big"  No, I don't know Ricco, but this was the conversation I heard while in the store and the talk of many customers there, so I jetted out of the store without my $1 test.  

With failing to find my $1 test at the DG, Walgreens was across the street so we went there.  Well, the cheapest 2 pack was $14.99.  CRAZY!!!  I could not pay that much for a test that I knew I could get across the street for $1.  So I left there as well without a test.  

As we were heading back in the direction of home Matthew ask if I wanted to go to Target, who passes up a trip to Target, even if the primary reason is to buy a pregnancy test.  So in we pulled.  

Target is not very busy on a Thursday night at 7:15, just for the record.  I walked directly to the area where the test are sold, along with the condoms, fertility test, and anything else you need in that area.  Two, I repeat 2 sales clerks were standing on the aisle fixing the products and they both turned to ask if I needed any help.  I always find it a little embarrassing to be standing in the aisle with condoms and pregnancy test.  I know I am married and I have every right to have sex with my husband have children as I wish, but still, a little embarrassing to be on the aisle, it is like people are looking at you thinking, "They are going to get down tonight!!!  Or They have been getting busy with it and now they have to test the fruits of their labors!"   So, yes I did buy a test there and it was $6.06 for a 2 pack, not bad but not as cheap as $1 a test.  

We came home after a quick run through of Chick-fil-A for dinner, gave Lola a quick ride on her new toy Matthew's hair dresser gave her.  She loved it and it was cute.  Upon walking in the house with Matthew and Lola, I took the test and there it was "+".  A + that we were getting and addition to our family of 3.  A + that we had done a job well and were getting rewarded.  Or however you want to look at the +, but I like to think in positive terms.  

So after looking at Kroger and not wanting to get a test unlocked, DG and learning of Ricco, his where about for I don't know how long, searching the store high and low, and turning up ending handed, Walgreens being sky high, Target having over zealous clerks, we came home to find out we were getting a + to the Davenport family.  

The prayers of a mother

When I found out I was having a baby my life changed in so many ways, not all at once but a huge gradual change occurred.  I thought the biggest life change in my adult life I had ever had was getting married.  Well, all can change with a little stick followed by a visit to a doctor with a small image on a screen.

From the time I found out Lola was coming I prayed for a baby that God wanted me to have, no matter what.  I wasn't concerned about having the healthiest baby ever but just what the Lord wanted to bless us with.

As time progressed I prayed the Lord would bless us with a good baby, one that slept well, happy, laughed often, played well, and had a positive attitude.  From the day Lola was born we could tell our prayers had been answered.  We praised the Lord for our blessing.

When Lola was a few months old (3-4 maybe) we wanted her to start sleeping on a schedule where we could tell what was going on in our day as well as hers.  I prayed and prayed, spending many nights, nap times, and various other times during the day praying for her sleep schedule.  One day, maybe two after I started praying, all clicked with all 3 of us.

Just this week Lola started going through the changing of appetite, decrease in what she wanted to eat and when she wanted to eat.  In our house we try to eat breakfast together as a family, and I fix lunch for Lola and the kids I babysit (so she needs to eat then), we also eat dinner together as a family each evening.  My trouble began when Lola decided she didn't want to eat what was given to her at lunch time.  Since I said I was not going to be one of the mothers that made different meals per kid or member of house she is stuck eating what I fix or get nothing at all.

She has adjusted well and started eating what is presented.  Again the prayers of mother is the most powerful tool available.  No matter how BIG or little your concern, God is always there to listen and give you wisdom to overcome the problem.

Lola's 1 year pictures

Lola will be 1 year old on July 27!  WOW!!!  Really, I have a 1 year old!  I am so thankful the Lord has blessed us with her, she is a joy to have in our lives and makes each day much, much, much brighter.  


We had her 1 year pictures taken a week after she turn 11 months old so we could have them for her party invitations and so I could give them to family at her party.  


Here are a few pictures.  

I love this picture of Lola, my grandmother made the dress for her.  

Every little girls needs frills and the perfect pair of shoes to match.  

Showing off he cute panties and tutu

Every girl needs red shoes and the perfect purse. 

Check out that cute smile, melts my heart

I am so in love with this picture

Lola sitting in her area for her smash cake

Lola trying out the smash cake. 

Smiling after mommy playing in the cake with her. 

 Hosing her off after the smash cake session.  She loved it the most.  

Stay at home and working mommy

Life as a stay at home mommy and working mommy all in one is busy.
My husband and I knew that me staying at home with our sweet Lola was the best choice we could ever make for our family.  We also knew it would be a struggle for us making the ends meet each month.  For us to make this happen we prayed and prayed the Lord would bless us with a way for me to make money while staying at home.  I received an email one day from my sisters best friend asking me if I would babysit her little girl when she moved back to town.  The door opened and hasn't shut yet.  When you put your faith in the Lord the flood gates open bigger than imaginable.

I have more to do during the day than one can imagine.  I try to keep myself on a weekly schedule so I can stay on top on the chores around the house.  I always do laundry on Mondays and try to allow the rest fall into place each day.
I recently took on doing our bills or managing them so I knew how much money was in the house and how much we had to spend.  I got tired of hearing "we don't have any money." We put ourselves on the enevlope/cash program.  We are not allowed to spend ANY money unless we have cash in hand.  It was and is still hard to manage on the little cash we have each week.  The first week we managed on $40 for groceries.  It was amazing how we still ate well and ate fresh foods on that little amount.  This week I had $80 for groceries since my husband had a birthday and used his birthday money to pay for his gas for the week.

Life is a struggle for everyone but the moral of my rambling today is to take what the Lord gives and make the best of it!  The Lord blesses when you give Him his due amount and ask for His help.