August 3rd Flashback

August 3, 2007 33 1/2 weeks

August 3, 2010 33 1/2 weeks

The further into the pregnancy I get, the more noticeable it is that I'm carrying this one much lower! Won't be long now.

June 3rd Flashback - 25 weeks

My, my, my how much can change in one short month. No denying I'm pregnant and no turning back:) I had no issues with being pregnant in the summer the first go around. We had lots of rain and it was a relatively nice summer. I worked indoors Monday - Thursday and enjoyed doing yard work up to the very weekend before Lincoln was born. However, I have a feeling things will be much different this time. I'm already panting just walking in the parking lot, my back is much more tender from toting Lincoln around and my feet are looking more and more like little sausages each day...but alas, it's totally worth it to have a September baby!!! I can't believe I'm already in my 7th month. 104 days to go.

June 3, 2007 (25 weeks)

June 3, 2010 (25 weeks)

Just Ryan and Marcy This Time!

Ryan and I decided to have some professional pictures taken since we hadn't had anything done since our Wedding five years ago. We used Holly's wedding photographer Allison Davis. She is young and super creative. We just did a quick, mini session. Here are some of our favorites. You can also check out Allison's blog for more of her favorites from our session. I would highly recommend Allison for you and your family!

Our Favorite

Do we look old? Just lie if you have too:)

10 Years ago....

Five years ago...

On a side note, Allison submitted Holly and Brian's wedding photos to on online blog and it was featured there and they just found out their wedding will be featured in the spring issue of The Knot magazine. So exciting for them.

Birthday photos

Here are a few shots of my birthday week and weekend. The celebration is over, now it's back to the real world!

Dinner at Buca di Beppo

My delicious birthday cake...thanks Angi!

30

Tuesday was my 30th birthday. It's funny how having a child makes your birthday feel like another day. Lincoln didn't care that I was crossing over into adulthood. That I was leaving my youth and becoming a woman. HA! I still had diapers to change, hands to wipe and milk to pour. But what a wonderful way to spend the day, loving on Lincoln. Ryan came home with flowers, a card and a 30th balloon. My parents took us out to Buca di Beppo for dinner and Holly joined us. I got some makeup and a cute top from Holly, a gorgeous round mirror to put on the wall over our bed, and a super cute Baby G watch from Ryan. At home, Ryan had key lime pie and we watched American Idol. All in all, it was a wonderful day.

I remember my Mom saying that no matter what age she technically is, she still feels like the same person. She didn't feel 30, or 40, or 50. I totally agree. Sometime I have to catch myself from saying or thinking I am 22. I just can't believe I've been alive 30 years. How wonderful to think about all the fun things I've done the last 30 years, and how joyful I feel in daydreaming about the next thirty years.

Things that come to mind from the last 30...

Playing in Gran's sand pile and MJ's playhouse
Hanging out with Holly and all my cousins and creating "shows"
Mom washing my hair in the sink
Going to 1/2 price night at Wet n Wild with my fam and the Millers
Going to the lake and our boat not starting
Hanging out with the Garms family
Watching Murder She Wrote as a family after church on Sunday nights
Being "Mickey", the lead in the church musical
Being baptized at 10
My dad packing my school lunches
6th grade with Mrs. McGhee
Yearly family vacations--these really stand out
Middle school choir with Mrs. Kornegay
FBC Allen
Church mission trips
Primping for Prom
Being roommates with Shannon at A&M
Meeting Ryan, falling in love
Being an Aggie and going A&M football games as a student
Going to A&M games and tailgating as Alumni
Walking the stage to get my Masters Degree
My Engagement Night
My Wedding Day
Driving to Corpus for the first time as a married couple
Our Vegas Vacation
The day I found out I was going to be a Mom
Lincoln's birth
And every single day since...

Here's to the next 30 years!

Joy

As a counselor, I'm constantly aware of what people say, how they say, what they mean by it and the underlying message. Sometimes it's a blessing, other times, not so much. Our internal dialogue plays a MAJOR role in how we feel, and as a result, in our actions. Regularly complaining, whining, venting, griping, groaning, and generally focusing on what isn't working, the negative side, or adopting a "glass half empty" attitude is detrimental to our physical, spiritual and emotional health. Don't misunderstand me, everyone hits bumps in the road, has bad days, and genuine reasons to feel down, even me. But, by focusing on what is working, the blessings you have, the positive aspects of your day, and keeping a hopeful attitude, you will be surprised to see what a profound impact these small step will have in your life. Enough of the negativity!

Here are some JOYFUL verses I love. Be encouraged today.

I have the highest confidence in you, and I take great pride in you. You have greatly encouraged me and made me happy despite all our troubles.

2 Corinthians 7:4

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy!

Psalm 30:11

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!

Psalm 126:3

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy!

James 1:2

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Romans 12:12

And if these aren't obvious enough....

Be joyful always.

1Thessalonians 5:16

Finally, don't take my word that changing your thoughts is for your own good. Romans 12:2 tells us the same thing. This is my favorite verse and I love the promise.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Five Year Anniversary

Today, Ryan and I celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. At times, it seems like a million years ago, other times, it seems like yesterday. Here are a few pictures from the vault.

Ryan and I when we were dating in 2000

At the rehearsal dinner, the night before our wedding

Just Married!

Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Blake

One of my favorite shots of the day.

Marrying Ryan is the best thing I've done. He is a fantastic husband. I love knowing that no matter what happens, good or bad, I have a forever partner in life! I keep a box of cards, letter, and other mementos from Ryan and I came across something I wrote for him in August 2003, about four months before we got engaged. Here is a little part.

I remember the boy who melted me.

He was charming, engaging and handsome.

He gave me a smile with a future in it.

This boy was honest, romantic and kind-hearted.

He did not endeavor to be,

He just was.

As I thought about the path my life would take,

I saw his face, I felt his hand,

I heard his voice.

He knew what to say to reach me,

And he always reached me.

He had hopes, plans and dreams.

I was part of them. He was my dream.

As I think of the boy who melted me,

I smile because I love him.

For his character inspires me,

He presence comforts me,

And his love sustains me.

I remember the boy who melted me,

For I was never the same.

Shopping for boys

This is consignment sale season people. I hit three big sales this year: Divine Consign, Sweet Repeats and Just Between Friends. Divine Consign is by far the best, but I have a "you never know what you might find" attitude and try to hit them all.

But, if I see one more cartoon screen tee, or a Disney Cars tee, one more embroidered puppy or firetruck, or one more shirt that says "Lil Slugger", I think I am going to barf. Shopping for boys is a completely different experience from shopping for little girls...Can I get an "Amen" from the Mom's of boys? For girls, run in ANYWHERE...Target, Gymboree, even Carters and you can find something cute. Try those and other places for a boy, and you run the risk of a playground smackdown!

At these consignment sales this year, I only bought a few things. A red Gap polo shirt, a short-sleeved Ralph Lauren Polo dress shirt, a navy Ralph Lauren Polo and a red/white striped Ralph Lauren Polo shirt with matching red Polo shorts, and a pair of plaid slip on shoes. You'd think out of the thousands, and I mean thousands of clothing items, I could find more than this. I wish the manufacturers would be as creative with boys clothing as they are with the girls. But...I also think Mom's of boys need to step it up a bit and think outside of the "muscle shirt and knit shorts" box. Little boys deserve to looks as cute and stylish as their girl counterparts.

And yeah, yeah, yeah...I know it doesn't matter what is on the outside, and that what is important is the kind of person you are...but come one...it doesn't hurt for Lincoln to look cute while obeying and being kind and considerate, right?

Numero Quatro

I got this in an email and thought it was fun, so I adapted it to my blog.
Four places I go regularly

• Wal Mart
• CVS
• Sonic
• Mom and Dad's house

Four places I love to eat

• III Forks
• JC's Burger House
• Chick Fil A
• Cinco de Mayo (in Hunstville)

Four people I talk to the most

• Ryan
• Shannon
• Megan B
• Holly

Four movies I could watch over and over

• Father of the Bride
• Office Space
• Footloose
• Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Four things I do EVERYDAY

• Change a diaper
• Drink Milk
• Use Burt's Bee's chapstick
• Read Money Saving Mom blog

Four TV shows I never miss

• The Office
• Grey's Anatomy
• Desperate Housewives
• American Idol

Four things people may not know about me

• I've been a passenger in 3 car accidents
• I taught aerobics at the Rec Center at A&M for 2.5 years
• I attended "Charm School"--whether it worked is debateable
• I am imobilizingly scared of other people throwing up

It's your turn. Copy this on your blog and send me the link!