My Little Girl

You're beautiful baby from the outside in.

Chase your dreams but always know the road that will lead you home again.

Go on, take on this whole world.

But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl.

I convinced Craig to have a Gender Reveal party. We went to the doctor on Monday and waited until Saturday to have the party so some out of town friends/family could join us.  Betsy, one of my college roommates and dear friends, kept the secret for us and had the confetti put in the balloon. We waited to find out at the party with all of our guests, which was a lot of fun! Our guests came dressed in blue or pink and played games: predicted boy or girl, picked the baby's name from a list, and guessed the heart rate as well as the position. Craig and I both had a very strong feeling our little miracle was a girl from the beginning. Most of our guests thought we were having a boy.  My mom actually guessed the name right, Miriam Lynn, and had almost a perfect score card. We can't wait to meet our sweet little girl in December! 

Some of our decorations

The list of names

 Glad Luke made it. Eliana was just a week old.
Luke even had Adam & Cathy on FaceTime for the reveal.

Gentry couldn't wait to pop the balloon!
He's so excited about his little cousin.

 My college girls.
Sarah, Allison, Emily, Meaghan, & Betsy

 Our Memphis family.
Russ, Heather, Maddie, Elizabeth, Andrew, Brandon, Meaghan, & Madelyn

Our Life Group leaders and dear friends from Jackson

Mark & Melody

Now time for the big reveal...

Miriam, we have many prayers and wishes for you. May you grow to deeply love and protect those people in your life who are special. You are our miracle and blessing from above! We love you!

"His sister (Miriam) stood at a distance to see what would happen to him." Exodus 2:4

Summer Lovin

Summer lovin' had me a blast

Summer lovin' happened so fast

Well, once again, I have abandoned the blog and left you all hanging with the happenings of our lives. Please accept my apology, and please accept my apology in the near future as well. I have decided to do a quick recap of our summer. This will not include everything, but it will help me remember some of the big things we enjoyed.

 We bought a house in Brentwood. We lived with various family members for most of the summer while our new house had some renovations. We are thankful to finally be settled (for the most part)!

We found time (like it was that hard) to take two trips to Destin. I spent the majority of the time relaxing by the pool, when I felt like it. The weather was perfect!

Adam and Latham came to Nashville/Florence for a few days in June. We missed Cathy and Bethany, but it was nice to have most of the family together. This little cutie is growing too fast!

 Craig finished residency at the end of June and enjoyed having the whole month of July off before starting his new job in August. We are loving the new schedule!

We took Mom and Dad to Atlanta over the July 4th weekend. We spent time with Aunt Charlene and her family, went to a Braves game and a tour of the stadium, shopped at Ikea, and ate lots of good food.

 Craig went on a baseball trip with his dad and his brother. They went to Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Baltimore, and Cooperstown.

 Luke and Laura had a baby girl, Eliana Rose. We are enjoying living close to them and can't wait for Miriam and Eliana to be best friends!!

 We kept Gentry, and I think this picture says it all. He is beyond cute and has us wrapped around his little finger. We took him to the pool, Rainforest Cafe, and Build a Bear. It took us a few days to recover from all the fun!

 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1

All I Want for Christmas...

Can't believe you're here now

Tiny dream come true

The answer to a prayer now

I'm so in love with you

(Safe and Sound by Matthew West)

Every year my parents write something like this in my birthday card, "To our best Christmas present ever." Well, it looks like I may do the same thing for our precious little one. Craig and I are so excited to be expecting our first child on December 22. I always said I wouldn't get married in December, and on December 30 we will celebrate seven years. I also said I would never have a child in December, but our precious little miracle is expected to arrive 3 days before my 30th birthday. Well, I believe God has a funny sense of humor and likes to prove that my plans are not His plans. It's amazing how much better His ways are! Please continue to keep us as well as our little one in your prayers. 

"Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy." John 16:20

It's a Beautiful Day

Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!

Ole! Ole!

If you know anything about my family, you probably know we are HUGE soccer fans. Our love for this sport is something we all share. It is one of the few sports we all played, and we all enjoy watching on tv. We even wake up at crazy hours to watch the World Cup. Our passion for soccer was established during our years in Brazil. When I was little, soccer was not popular for girls. I played from the time I was five, but I had to play with the boys. My dad started a girls team at my high school when I was in 6th grade, so I practiced with the team and went to all of the games like a little assistant. Looking back, I am sure I was annoying. I was so thrilled to wear #10 for the Lady Panthers. Oh, what fun! 

Back to the post...sorry sometimes I get carried away. Last week (okay it's been longer now because I forgot to publish this post) the U.S. women's national team came to Nashville to play Scotland. Well, you know me, I can't pass up an opportunity to watch soccer. It was so much fun! It made me miss playing! It brought back wonderful memories of games, teammates, silly songs we wrote on bus trips, traditions, and lots of laughs. I was so glad Mom and Dad could meet us for the game. I only wish the rest of the family could have joined us. Oh well, we always have Canada in 2015 for the women's World Cup. 

It was my first professional soccer game to attend, and I can guarantee it won't be my last. I am so thankful soccer has become more popular in the U.S., especially for women. It was awesome to see Abby Wambach earn her 200th cap, but we were disappointed Alex Morgan didn't play. Can't wait for another game!

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health." Psalm 15:30

I'm so excited

We're so excited

And we just can't hide it

We're about to lose control

And we think you'll like it!

Well, the news can finally be shared...Luke and Laura are having a baby! The Copelands are thrilled to add another bundle of joy to the family in August. I am so excited to be an aunt for the third time. Gentry and Latham have already stolen my heart, and I have no doubt this little one will do the same. I love spending time with my nephews, spoiling them rotten, and then sending them back to their parents. Things won't be any different with this little one. I am very glad that we will be back in Nashville by the birth of this little one. Then, I will be living in the same city as two of my little loves. (Maybe this will convince Adam, Cathy, and Latham it is time to move closer.)

Luke and Laura, we are so happy for both of you! We can't wait to meet this precious miracle and love him/her to pieces! All three of you are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you!!

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb."
Psalm 139:13

Wrapped up in you

There's nothing like getting wrapped up in a good book. Well, my friends, I want to share two good books that have rocked my world lately. "Kisses From Katie" and "7: an experimental mutiny against excess." This quote from 7 sums up the two books, "Jesus, may there be less of me and my junk and more of You and Your kingdom." Wow, those are powerful words. Be prepared to have your thoughts and ways challenged as you read these books. Enjoy, but don't say I didn't warn you.

WARNING: If you don't want to feel uncomfortable or be challenged, these books are not for you.

Side Effects May Include: A strong desire to help those in need, A deep love for people you have never met, A change in lifestyle, A more intimate relationship with our Savior and Lord, A need to make the most of every opportunity, A willingness to make a difference in the lives of those around you, A hunger to do his will, An uneasy mind as you wrestle with the fact of statistics in the world, and the list goes on.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things." Philippians 4:8

Hello World

Hello World

How've you been?

Good to see you, my old friend

Well, I'm back. I really don't have a good excuse of why I've been gone so long, except life got crazy. 2012 was a tough year for us, accompanied by much sadness and disappointment. However, it's a new year, so I want to focus on the positive. I realize I am very blessed and my struggles are only small compared to so many others. So, I'm back! (I know you are jumping for joy over this news.)

This weekend Craig had to study, so I spent the whole weekend in Florence. On Friday night, I went to the Benefit Dinner at my high school with my parents, Luke, and Laura. It was fun to be with my family and see some special people. Josh Willingham spoke, and he did an amazing job. I was reminded what a wonderful place Mars Hill is and what an impact it had on my life. I made some of the best friends there, and we still keep in touch to this day. I was taught by teachers who cared about me and wanted what was best for me. It's a very special place! On Saturday, I had lunch with my Grandma, visited with one of my best friends, and went to a Mars Hill basketball game. Today I went to church with my parents before heading home. Over and over this weekend, the word blessed came to mind. I am so thankful for my high school friends and for the difference they made in my life. I am grateful for my Mars Hill family and the way they challenged me. I am blessed by numerous family members and family friends who love me and care so much for me. Thank you!

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." Hebrews 10:24