Ice Ice Baby

Another winter storm blew in on thursday. It brought with it ice and snow. We were all concerned about losing power but we weathered the storm without losing it. Thank you Lord! So now we are left with a glistening layer of ice with a powder covering of snow blanketing everything on top of that. It really is quite beautiful... dangerous but gorgeous at the same time.

This is a picture taken from my backyard looking out onto the golf course. It's so beautiful out there after this last snow/ice storm that it takes my breath away.

Frosty

snow bush

In other news Baby C is getting his first tooth! Good times here at our house. More on this and other things soon!

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

I was just watching White Christmas, one of my all time favorite Christmas movies, while actually experiencing a white Christmas Eve. So it's a blizzard here. Literally. We have a blizzard warning. I don't think I've ever experienced that in all my 29 years and if I have I was too young to remember. So this delicious, white wonderland outside is pretty remarkable because we hardly get much snow here. Let a lone on Christmas. Maybe if we're lucky a few flakes swirl in the air sometime during the winter months. But they usually don't stick much or for very long. Ice and sleet and freezing rain happen more frequently and wreak havoc on the city. Not so today. It is really coming down out there.

"Snowin' and blowin and bushels of fun... now the jingle rock has begun."

The family is here now. There is something nice about being warm and cozy with your family for Christmas. I suppose that is only true though if you get along with your family. Luckily we do! So we're hunkering down and staying warm. Watching the snow pile up outside. We have GREAT windows everywhere in our new house to gaze at the scenery. I plan on watching my favorite Christmas movies (like ELF, Christmas Vacation and the Red Rider BB Gun movie- even though I don't really care for it- it depresses me, but the fam likes it so...), the weather (because I like to watch weather-I'm kinda a fanatic) and I'm sure for The Hubbs and his Dad there will be football and basketball on at various points throughout the day.

This is so much fun with Baby! He's already opened like 4 presents. The Grandparents just can't wait! Baby is seeing his first snow and first blizzard as well as his first White Christmas. What a First Christmas to have with him. As I'm typing this he's snuggled up beside me napping. LOVE IT!

My Christmas Baby

Perfect People

So I'll admit it I'm a bit of a perfectionist. What? You're surprised? You act like I haven't mentioned this before. I know, I know you say, "Cassie just chill out, everything doesn't have to be perfect all the time or even some of the time." And I get that. I do. But I must say with Baby's First Christmas just days away I can't help but feel the pressure. The pressure to make it PUR-FECT. For everyone. Not just Baby or the Hubbs; no this is a holiday that spans and includes the whole family. My parents, his parents, sister, aunts, uncles, great grandparents. And you know what friends- I just CAN'T DO IT! I can't make everyone happy all the time even though I apparently think it's my job concerning family gatherings. I put the pressure on myself. Hubbs is all chill and laid back (envious- I am). So glad I have him though because he sooo mellows me out.

I have been forced to let go of my quest for what I'll call "Holiday HAPPINESS Perfection." Because that's where I get hung up. I'm ok with a slightly messy house (though I would feel better if all was in it's place.) I'm ok with some dirty dishes, take out meals and toys underfoot. What I feel the foolish need to control is something that I absolutely know rests with the individual- Their Happiness. I find myself always concerned about others comfort and joy; which is considerate up unto the point that it becomes a serious detriment to mine. Anyhooo friends, my body decided rebel against me and my best intentions. My back went out on Sunday. Like TOTALLY OUT. No fooling around. My back was all:

"You think you are going to try to stand- WRONG. Oh you want to walk like a normal 29 year old- NOPE more like an 89 year old! Sitting... ha FAT CHANCE!"

And in response I'm like:

"Dude, this is such a bad time, don't you know I have 45,000 things to do before Christmas! Wrapping, cleaning, baking, oh ya and that thing called TAKING CARE OF AN 8 MONTH OLD! AHHHHH"

To no avail though. So I've been out of commission since Sunday with The Hubbs and Mo (my Mom if you have forgotten) taking the reigns. Now instead of going to visit family, family is coming here to us. Which will ultimately be a much better plan for us but the getting to the new plan sucked.

So much for Perfect... It's overrated anyway and not just because it's completely unrealistic.

This year I'm hopping for a Great time together, Good food and company, Joy in the midst of what some might consider christmas chaos, Calm following the flurry of excitement! Have a very Merry Christmas!

This is a song I love because it reminds us all that there is no such thing as perfect people but there is a perfect God!

"Perfect People" Artist: Natalie Grant
Never let 'em see you when you're breaking
Never let 'em see you when you fall
That's how we live and that's how we try
Tell the world you've got it all together
Never let them see what's underneath
Cover it up with a crooked smile
But it only lasts for a little while

[CHORUS:]
There's no such thing as perfect people
There's no such thing as a perfect life
So come as you are, broken and scared
Lift up your heart and be amazed
And be changed by a perfect God

Suddenly it's like a weight is lifted
When you hear the words that you are loved
He knows where you are and where you've been
And you never have to go there again

[CHORUS]

Who lived and died to give new life
To heal our imperfections
So look up and see out let grace be enough

[CHORUS]

By a perfect God [5x]

Be changed by a perfect God
Be changed

Alive and Kicking!

So I'm still pregnant. We are now 24 and a half weeks in on this journey. And we are both doing well- Alive and Kicking (LITERALLY)! It certainly has been interesting. I'm doing really well. Feeling pretty good. So thankful to not be sick anymore. That part was brutal. But I suppose 6 weeks for feeling utterly awful is a small price to pay for our precious little boy.

He is moving around so much these days. It's crazy. Definitely, in my opinion, the BEST part of pregnancy. I love it!

We got more photos from the ultrasound than I thought we would. Here is a slightly fuzzy picture of our boy. I have to say- he's already pretty adorable!

I'm PREGNANT!!!!!

Yes my friends it is true! I know I can hardly believe it. I took a the pregnancy test on Sunday morning and it turned both lines dark pink instantly. I couldn't believe it. I just sat on the toilet staring at it saying "Oh my goodness!" Hubby was in the main part of the bathroom brushing his teeth and immediately wanted to know what was wrong. I just told him, "There's two line, there's two lines." And I handed it out to him. It was a shock. I took another test on Monday morning with the same results and called the Dr. W's office to get in for blood work. My nurse, nurse T, called me back and assumed that I had gotten my period and needed to come in for that blood work. When I told her I hadn't but that I had gotten two positive pregnancy tests she was instantly ecstatic! It was so sweet.

I went in for my labwork on Tuesday and this afternoon I talked to nurse T to find out the results. She said I was definitely pregnant and that everything looked great. She said all my numbers and levels were good and that my progesterone looked really good! Praise the Lord!!!! I am about 6 weeks along right now. I have my first official prenatal appointment with Dr. W on Friday morning.

So excited.

And freaked out.

But thrilled.

What a blessing! I will be on my knees in prayer for my little biscuit (even though it isn't as big as a biscuit that is what my best friend and I have taken to calling our little embryo!) everyday, throughout the day praying for safety and that it's healthy!

That's my big news tonight! I just wanted to share it with you.

With much love to you all.