Differences. Heaven. Teaching Moments.

We ended up at O'Charleys last night for dinner.  This was a treat, being that it's the end of the month and the spreadsheet is shot- AGAIN.  However, after a failed attempt at Salmon Patty Burgers on the grill by me and a frustrated husband working for an hour to get the gas line hooked up on the range only to be unsuccessful, and a toddler that had eaten his fair share of pretzel sticks, dinner had to be had. 

We sat down, ordered our food, noticed it was Free Pie Wednesday (THANK YOU JESUS FOR CARAMEL PIE!!) and we ate our dinner.  I don't know if it was out of starvation, or just ease of sitting down to eat a prepared meal that I didn't have to prepare or clean up, but it was divine. 

About halfway through our meal a man and lady came in to have dinner.  The man was in a motorized wheel chair.  It was the type that was leaned back, he had a joystick type thing to operate it.  His legs were thin.  He wore a blue Goodwill Apron.  It appeared to be his mother with him.  Easton of course noticed the mans differences right away.

Always quick to ask questions, he started asking us about this man and why he was in that chair.  We tried to explain to him that his legs didn't work like ours worked and that his chair was what helped him get around.  He wanted to know what happened.  And why.  And how.  And all of the questions a tender 3 year old heart could think of.  He let it all soak in a minute, then the questions started again. 

We eventually convinced him that we could talk about it later because we would not want to hurt this mans feelings if he felt like we were talking about him.  That worked.  We finished our dinner and enjoyed our pie.

Finally back at home, way later than the normal bedtime, we sat down for prayers in his rocker.  I was about to start and he said 'we didn't talk about that man that's legs didn't work'.

And the questions began again.

I explained as best I could once again, that God makes us all a bit different.  Some with blonde hair, some with brown.  Some tall, some short.  Some with legs that work and some that need a wheelchair to help get them around.  I explained that even though he was different from us, he was ok and that he was still having a good time at dinner with his mother.  That he was still a happy person. 

Easton kept asking why this man wasn't in Heaven.  I tried my best to explain to him that we are all alive and it's not our time to go to Heaven; that man was alive just like me and him were and it's just not our time.  I explained that when we die we go to Heaven, but when we get there we are alive again.  I told him we will all die one day and we will go to Heaven.  He quickly said 'not me, just old people die.'

His wheels were turning.  His heart showing through those twinkling brown eyes.  So tenderly taking everything in asking the questions he wasn't sure about and stopping me where he needed more clarification.

He must have accepted my answers because I was able to finish our prayers and lay him down with our normal 'good nights', 'sleep goods' and 'I love you's'.  But I know his little mind was still racing.  He thinks things through.  He's so tender.  He's so gentle with other peoples feelings.  He's just about perfect, if I do say so myself. 

But now I wonder.  How do you explain Heaven? How do I explain that Jesus is in Heaven, but he also lives in our hearts.  That He's what allows us to do the right things, to make the right choices, to love others.  How do you explain death and Heaven with a smile on your face, yet not wanting him to feel like he's missing out on that now. Often times he'll say 'I wanna go to Heaven mommy' and the tears form in my eyes. Heaven is a wonderful place, one we all want to go to, I just don't want him to go now. But how do I boldly, yet clearly explain that to him? Is there a book on how to teach a 3 year old about Heaven? Even about differences? Because for whatever reason, he felt that this man needed to be in Heaven. Have I told him to much? To little? To many details? 

This is such a precious age.  A trying age at times, but such a teachable age.  I want to make sure I'm doing this right.    I want him to KNOW Jesus, and Heaven, and accept others differences without even seeing them as different and to always have a heart for others.  I cannot believe this child is mine.  What a gift.  Lord, help me make the most of this gift- and to never take my position as his mother fore granted. 

Father's Day: AdventureWorks: Kingston Springs, TN: Zip Lining

This year for Father's Day we had decided on painting pottery and lunch.

While that's a great idea, and one we all enjoy doing, I kept thinking of doing something different.

I heard a commercial on the radio for a zip lining place and went on the hunt for the BEST one in Middle Tennessee. 

After a little poll on Facebook I decided upon AdventureWorks in Kingston Springs, TN.

 

We kept it a surprise from my dad. Mailing him a little cheesy poem that basically said wear outdoor clothes and we'll pick you up at 11:30 on Sunday, that was the only information we gave him.

We picked him up and headed to grab a bite of lunch before our day of adventure.

We let him take a few guesses as to what he thought our day of adventure would be.

First guess- Fishing. 

Second guess- GoKarts

Third Guess- ZipLining!

 

Come to find out he'd typed up a Bucket List on his phone and pulled it out to show us.

#1 on his list was 'zip lining a canopy with my girls'

I never knew it! 

Ali had gone right along with my idea saying he'd love to do that but I never dreamed it was on his bucket list...

especially not #1.

Score for us!

 

We ate our lunch and traveled about 30 miles west, enjoying the sunshine and each others company along the way.

Once off the interstate, you wind down long beautiful scenic highways.

It follows the Harpeth River all the way up, passing several different canoe rentals and campground sites.

 

Now, being that I was 16 weeks pregnant, I could not zip.

However, I still had so much fun! 

And I'm thankful for the opportunity to follow along so closely with them!

 

Michael was our "Zip Captain".

Think- Robin Williams here folks.

Full of energy.  Full of encouragement.  Full of life.  Love for people and his job.

If you go to AdventureWorks, ask for Michael!

He gave us the rundown on the equipment and safety and we were off on our tour.

 

I was able to follow along for Zips #1-3 and I joined back with them at #6-9.

#4 & 5 were only accessable for those on a zip line.

 

My dad is somewhat fearful of heights so I wasn't sure how this would go over.

But he did every zip as did a 6 year old boy who was in our group.

I'm certain the encouragement and entertainment from Michael is what sent them both down the zips.

If there were others in our group that were fearful, you never knew it.

I felt so encouraged by Michael and I wasn't even on the course.

However, he looked after me just as much he did the ones that were zip lining.

It was a hot day and he told us all numerous times to get water,

 making special mention to me 'momma' to get some water.

He was truly such a light to be around!

There were zips of varying heights and lengths, up to 450 feet long and 85 feet high. 

Even a tandem zip, as pictured above.

 

I am so thankful that we did this for my dad. 

We had a great time!

This would be a great activity for families, work groups, youth groups, etc.

Like I said the youngest in our group was 6 years old and he did every zip that the adults did.

 

We call these pictures above the Our Father who art in Heaven Series...

I'm pretty sure he was quoting the Lords Prayer or maybe even saying a few choice words to me for booking this.  Joking! 

They make me laugh every time I look at them!

Such fun memories of this Father's Day!

 

 

If you have the opportunity to go to AdventureWorks I highly recommend you doing so!
You will not be disappointed!

I cannot speak highly enough of Micheal and his positive attitude.

I want to be THAT kind of person.

I want people to be around me and the happiness be infectious.

That's how he was.  On fire for life!  Amazing!

 

SO, AdventureWorks, you did good!

We thank you for a wonderful Father's Day memory!

I look forward to going back after I have this baby and doing some zipping myself!

Maybe even take Easton this next time! 

 

Happy Father's Day Papa! 

I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

 

Here's a few links for AdventureWorks in case you missed them:

Facebook

Email: info@adventureworks.com

Phone: (615) 297-2250

Physical Address:
1300 Narrows Rd. Kingston Springs, TN 37082

 

 

 

 

 

First movement:: 16 weeks

Last night I was laying in the bath I felt what felt like a knee or elbow slide across my belly right under my belly button.  I thought surely it was nothing and kept scrolling through my IG feed, as I lay there.  Suddenly I felt it again.

I forgot what those first little movements feel like.  It felt like a hip or a knee or maybe even an elbow stretching from one side to the other.  Just a little bit of a tight feeling but not a fast kick like I remember Easton.  As I lay in bed last night I continued to feel those movements the next few minutes.  Such a treasure to have this little one growing inside of me. 

The time is already going by so quickly.  As I try to savor these last months just the 3 of us, it seems to go even faster than before, if that's at all possible.  Life is so busy.  There are so many things that require our attention in the afternoons.  The days all run together. 

But I pray that these next 24 weeks will go by very slow and that we can savor this time together just the 3 of us before this new little one joins our family. 

Nothing quite like a dad!

 

Happy Father's Day to all the Daddy's out there!

 

This one in particular is pretty spectacular.  He makes life fun!  He's a wonderful father and this little boy admires his every footstep.  If daddy duck hunts, Easton duck hunts.  If daddy plays baseball, Easton plays baseball.  If daddy eats donuts, you bet your bottom dollar, Easton does too.  To see them laugh and snuggle and be silly together, just absolutely enamors me. I'm so thankful this one is ours.   

 

Sure, mom is great, but daddy is DADDY! 

 

And this weekend, that's exactly who we're going to celebrate!

 

Dads! Hats off to you!

Life wouldn't be near as much fun without you! 

 

My friend Katie wrote a great post about dads today...go check it out! 

 It's perfect! 

 

Happy Father's Day Dads! 

 

 

 

Old Wives Tales: Blue or Pink

I had my 15 week check up Tuesday.  Everything looks (sounds) good.  I've gained 1 lb since my 11 week check up so I feel pretty good about that.  My blood pressure was 111/70 and baby's heart rate was in the 150's. 

I'm feeling good.  No nausea.  The first trimester had a tiny bit but once I got my prenatals on schedule (take them at night) and made sure to eat something with protien before I left for work in the morning I was good to go.

I tried to prod the Doctor to tell me whether he thought it was a girl or boy and he said he had a 50/50 shot.  So I paid him a few bucks to tell me it was a boy.  Something to hang on to until the Ultrasound scheduled for July 9.

Of course, I really want a boy but I (we) will love a little girl as well.  I go back and forth on what I think it is.  I think in my heart I feel like it's a girl, but my symptoms are all so similar with Easton that leads me back to a boy.  I like being the only girl in the house.  I like doing boy things with my boys.  I'm not a girly girl so I have a hard time picturing bows and ruffles in our mix.  Because there is NONE of that in our house now.  BUT, oh the things I could sew up for a little girl.  That box of ribbon could make some super sweet little bows.  All that scrap fabric could make some super cute patch work bloomers.  BUT...boys. Fishing.  Balls.  Dirt.  Baseball.  Matchbox cars. I love all that so much too.  Either way, a new baby will be a blessing.  Pink or blue will be loved beyond belief. 

So, I thought it would be fun to compile a list of the old wives tales about gender prediction.  Here's what I came up with based on my pregnancy:

Carrying High or Low: Low: Boy

HR <140 boy="" is="">140 girl: HR 150s: Girl (Easton's was always 150-165)

Chinese Gender Predictor: Girl

Even & Odd: Legend has it that the Mayans determined a baby's sex by looking at the mother's age at conception (30) and the year of conception (2013). If both are even or odd, it's a girl. If one's even and one's odd, it's a boy: Boy

Even & Odd {version 2} The age of the mother in the time of conceive (30) Month of conceiving (March): 30+3=33: Odd: Boy

Break Outs: The belief goes that girls steal their mother's beauty, hence, those annoying zits: Girl

Morning Sickness (minimal): Boy

Cravings: Juice, Fruit & Sweets (and COLD): Girl

Change in hair (thin & dull): Girl

Dry Skin: Girl


Girl (6) Boy (4)

July 9 at 8:30 we should know if it's a boy or a girl!  I'm excited to start planning a nursery and transforming Easton's room now to his big boy room! 

Also, I'll save you a belly picture this week because it's one I sent to my mom asking if a 2 piece at this stage in pregnancy is ok or not.  She said go for it...so I did.  And I wasn't near the biggest (pregnant or not) nor was I the only pregnant gal in a 2 piece.  So tan belly it was and may be the remainder of the summer! 

So, lets take a little poll, leave a comment and tell me if you think it's a boy or girl!

Hair Product Review:: Redken Wool Shake & Powder Grip

It should be known, that I'm a hair product hoarder.

First step is admitting it right.

I've tried lots of products, cheap and Salon quality.

 

Right now, I'm currently loving Redken Powder Grip and Redken Wool Shake.

Actually, I've loved Powder Grip for a while, but Wool Shake is a new MUST HAVE in my arsenal.

 

You see, I've been growing out this hair for quite some time, only for it to fall flat and not hold any curl the longer it gets.  So.  What's a girl to do?  CUT IT of course.  I'm really more of a short hair gal anyways.  As much as I'd love to have some long flowy locks or a full top knot, it's just not in the cards for this head of hair.

 

With growing it out, I also went ombre and my hair is the healthiest its been in a long time.
But the truth is, I love me some bleached, damaged hair.  It gives texture; although the unhealthy way.  So, my healthy unbleached hair falls flat and lifeless.  Unless its about 4 days dirty.  So, product must create that texture. 

 

Here's how my Stylist used the Wool Shake on my hair::

Wash & Dry your hair as normal.

Around your part, pick up a section of hair,starting at your part working your way down.

Do this for 2-3 rows.

Spray 2-3 squirts on the underside of each row.

Do this to the left and right of the part and at the crown.

Then with your fingers 'break up' the area where you've sprayed while blow drying by rubbing your fingers at your roots.
It can get crunchy if you don't break it up some.

Once it's dry, finish with Powder Grip or leave as is.

Instant texture and style!

 

 

 

 

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   Go get yourself some Powder Grip and Wool Shake.

It's good stuff!

 

 

 

{{I was in no way compensated for this post.  Just simply sharing my opinion on a product I love.  However, if Redken wants to send some goodies my way, I'll gladly accept!}}