Standing Strong

Monday, July 9, 2012

A Get Away

Brian and I were lucky enough to get away for the weekend, just the two of us! My aunt and uncle were kind enough to keep Jackson. (We had a resort booked in Dallas, but due to the fact I couldn't go swimming we cancelled and decided to go to Austin.)

We headed out Friday afternoon.

Once we arrived in Austin, we stopped by our hotel to check in. We stayed at The Westin and this time I did a good job booking a hotel. We would definitely stay there again!

After reading different reviews online and a friend's recommendation we headed downtown to Guero's Taco Bar for dinner. Their chicken fajitas were some of the best I ever had! We both were happy we ended up eating there. Did I mention the chicken fajitas were some of the best I ever had?:)

We were going to try and watch the bats fly out from Congress bridge at sunset, so we had some time to kill after dinner. We walked up and down Congress street people watching and going into some unique stores. My favorite was Big Top Candy Store!

Over 1.5 million bats live under Congress bridge and supposedly the bats all emerge at the same time around sunset. We found a seat on the grass and joined the others waiting to see the bats.

The "bat" guy convinced us to wait on top of the bridge for better viewing. The bats didn't come out at sunset. We waited along with all the others until 9:30. We were able to see a bunch of bats fly out from the bridge and go back under. They never all emerged at the same time and flew down the river like we heard they do. We did hear from a bat conservationist that the bats are well fed from all the rain, which means they don't have to work so hard for food each night. Oh well, we had a good time sweating, seeing the sun set on the city, and meeting some other people.

Saturday morning, we hiked around the Botanical Garden at Zilker Park.

We enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and the time walking together.

There were many different gardens to walk through and paths to take.

We left the Botanical Garden and went to check out the nature center. Botanical garden was 10 times better! From the nature center, we walked around Lady Bird Lake.

Next up, we checked out the capitol building. There was some kind of Veteran's ceremony going on that we caught the end of.

From where we parked we could see the Longhorn stadium, where Jackson will play one day:)

We drove over to the UT Campus and walked around a bit. The campus is so much bigger than Evangel's!

By this point we were hot, sweaty, and hungry, so we headed back to the hotel. Our hotel was located right at a really nice outdoor shopping center. We walked over, had lunch, and enjoyed shopping without Jackson. We found some really good deals for Brian. I wish we would have had more time to shop.

We showered and got dressed to go out for an early anniversary dinner.

We drove about 20 minutes to The Oasis located right on Lake Travis. We heard from several people it was a great restaurant with an amazing view.

I guess you could say they were right. We didn't want to wait 2 hours for dinner, so we went before sunset but it was just as pretty.

I opted for the expensive mahi mahi while Brian went with a burger! Both were very yummy.

Beautiful views in all directions at the restaurant. There were actually several different restaurants and shops here as well.

One more picture!

We were going to go have dessert at Austin's Cake ball Bar, but we were both still stuffed at 10 o'clock.

Sunday morning, we headed back to Zilker Park to kayak.

We rented a kayak for a hour and headed towards the city on Lady Bird Lake. I guess I should mention, Brian did all the rowing!

Beautiful sights surrounded us in both directions.

And...

that was the end of a wonderful weekend away spent with the one I love most, but we couldn't wait to get home and love on our little guy!

Friday, July 6, 2012

Happy 4th of July!

What a fun filled day we had! We had my Aunt, Uncle, cousin Kim, her husband Jonathan, and their son Aaron over. We swam and cooked out (no pictures of that), but mostly the boys had fun with fireworks!

We started with a confetti bomb. Jackson freaked out when the confetti flew out until he realized it was just paper.

Who doesn't love snappers?!?

Aaron ran through the smoke from the smoke bombs, so Jackson had to try it too. It took him a few tries to be brave enough.

Watching the snakes grow.

Jackson and Aaron were buds all day. Jackson loves having a playmate besides mom and dad.

After the fireworks, it was pie time! Brian made the pie special for me and it was delicious.

My firecracker and me!

Jackson was beyond excited to light off the fireworks he picked out with Brian that morning. This was his first time doing fireworks at our house. He was jumping up and down for about an hour before dark. We went out a little early and let him do his sparklers.

I didn't watch the fireworks Brian was setting off because Jackson's faces were priceless. He would jump up and down the whole time Brian was lighting them.

I guess a few were a little loud!

The neighbors came down to join the fun too and brought their rockets.

I wonder what they are all looking at?

You could see a lot of big fireworks from our house, especially from the pool. So, Brian and Jackson enjoyed a late night swim and some more fireworks.

At one point during the day, Jackson told Brian that this was a fun party. Then, a little later he told me I forgot the decorations for the party. (I guess he was expecting me to decorate like I did for his birthday.) I told him the fireworks on the table and the flag plates were our decorations. I guess I better get working on decorations for next year:)

And, I enjoyed one more slice of yumminess after a wonderful day!

So thankful to live in this great country!

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Pump It Up

Yesterday, we were able to spend the better part of the day with some friends. Cindy picked up, and we headed out to Pump it Up. Jackson has been talking about playing with Bailey and Garrison for a week! He loves having a friend or two to play with.

Jackson jumped and ran after them non-stop the whole time we were there. I loved watching him having so much fun!

Three sweaty kids after jumping for almost 2 hours.

We went and got lunch at McDonald's and played some more. On the way to the car, I got the call I had been dreading. So thankful Cindy was driving and to have a friend who cares right there in time of need. God does care!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

What A Difference A Week Makes

Last week I was beyond ecstatic and today I have mostly cried. Life is hard sometimes and not fair. But Jesus did tell us that right? "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!" John 16:33
I don't know why God won't allow me to stay pregnant, but I don't doubt He is able. Today I am holding on knowing that my help and strength come from the maker of Heaven and earth. I am even more thankful (not that I wasn't) for Jackson's precious life. I will honor the 2 babies I have lost by being the best mommy I can be to Jackson!
"Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me." Psalm 54:4

*The following is a timeline of events I was keeping to go with this pregnancy. I am going to post for myself, since this is my journal and I turn them into a book.*

Friday, June 22nd- Before I went to bed felt something I never did before. I felt like I was filled with the Holy Spirit and was completely surrounded by God. That night I had a dream I was pregnant after going to a fertility doctor.

Saturday, June 23rd- Woke up, took a test, laid back in bed, and waited for Brian to break the news to me. "Slap it high!" That's what he said to me when he came out of the bathroom. I said "Are you joking me?"

No joke, here is the proof!

Brian played some worship songs and we thanked our God!

I emailed my doctor and just was part of her response. Love her!

We celebrated by going out to Chuy's!

Remember this picture?

Sunday, June 24th- Took another test just to make sure:) Yup, I am!

Sweet note Brian left for Jackson and me before he went to work:)

Monday, June 25th- Went to my doctor's office to have blood drawn to check my progesterone levels.

Jackson and I got to have lunch with Daddy again!

Tuesday, June 26th- Dr. Miller called to let me know pregnancy hormone and progesterone numbers came back great! Praise God!

Wednesday, June 27th- During my quiet time, I read my devotional for the day. Its main focus was that God never wastes our pain and the scripture they referenced was 2 Corinthians 12. Especially 12:9, "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

Which is the exact verse Brian texted me the day I found out I did have a miscarriage and would need a D&C. The Lord has brought us full circle and used this verse to help me time and time again.

We will never know why it took us over a year to get pregnant, but I do know that God is stronger and able to more than we can imagine. I got pregnant exactly 4 years after Jackson without needing fertility drugs. I will forever boast about my weaknesses and His great name!

Sunday, July 1st- Started spotting. Praying for God's protection on this precious little one's life and peace for me.

Monday, July 2nd- Went for a repeat of blood work- not feeling good about all the spotting. Praying for a miracle once again.

Tuesday, July 3rd- Found out all my numbers dropped big time, another miscarriage. I am devastated and sad beyond words. Jackson was so excited for a baby brother or sister and well, me too! Everything seemed perfect. No spotting at all the first week and strong numbers after my first blood work. I know God loves me and His ways are best, but believe me this is tough even if it was still early and my 2nd one in a year. I know it is not true, but I feel like I am doing something wrong. Jackson is a great source of encouragement; rubbing my back, telling me he loves me, giving me kisses, asking if I need a Kleenex.