The Life of the Georges

January 17, 2012 - Thomas 1 month old

2012-02-01T00:14:00.001-05:00

This is sooo late. I find that it is a luxury to get on the computer these days (Thankfully I have FB and Pinterest on my phone). At night I am usually so tired that I don't want to get on the computer to post! Goodness! =) haha! I LOVE being a Mom it is wonderful!!! Here is his 1 month picture:

This was about the last time I could fit him into newborn clothes. He has made such progress in his alertness, his growth, and sleeping. He usually gives me a couple hours at night. This is progress from NO sleep at night. Thanks to a few friends I have learned how to work him into a schedule. It has worked so well. We have a few videos of his crying. He gives it all he has when he is mad and he always wants us to know it. Another big milestone is that he will now cry himself to sleep (this probably happened right after his 1 month mark). He cries for less than 10min and then he is out cold. We have not been to the pediatrician since he was 2 weeks old so I will update his stats at 2 months. He has grown so much even since this picture here. I cant believe he is really almost 2 months now. I really need to finish the birth story before I forget!

Thank you loyal readers. Maybe when he starts sleeping longer hours I can get on here to post more often.

Thomas' Birth Story - Part 1

2012-01-16T00:47:00.002-05:00

Now that the family is gone I have been able to sit and think about the blog for a little while. So here is the 1st part of Thomas' birth story!

It was 4am on Saturday morning when I felt a small gush,knowing I didn’t pee on myself I wondered what it was and then anothergush. Once the 2^nd gushhappened I knew exactly what it was. Isat up and told Derek, “I think my water just broke!” He shot up too and gotand said, “Are you serious?!?” I said,“Yes, call my mom.” He looked at me afew seconds later and said, “Well, we’re having a baby today!” It is hard to wrap your mind around that whenyou are 2 weeks early. My mom went latewith me and all my siblings so I never dreamed I would be on time much lessEARLY!!! Holy cow! I was totally ready for the baby to arrive home but I wasnot ready to be in the hospital. I hadnot packed my bag, I had not pre-registered at the hospital. I was NOT ready, but Thomas was ready to behere.

I was told by friends to get something to eat on your way tothe hospital since you can’t eat anything once you get there. So we drove through McDonald’s and I got aplain biscuit and was only able to eat about ½ of it because I was nervousabout what the day would hold. I calledmy mom and asked her to stop at the store and get me some sour suckers of somesort so that I could eat those while in labor.

I was not having any contractions so it was a nice drive tothe hospital, other than being soaking wet. I was drenched when we went into the hospital and I was really glad Iwould not see anyone in the waiting room ever again. It was quite embarrassing. They send me to the maternity triage waitingroom and the nurse comes in and looks at me and says, “What happen to you?” Isaid, “Well, my water broke.” She saidare you sure it is not just pee? I said,“Ma’am if this is pee that is really impressive.” (I guess my filter doesn’twork at that time of the morning.) She said, I believe you no need to go totriage lets take you straight to a labor and delivery room and get thisstarted.

Soon after getting in the room my parents got there and weall were just hanging out my contractions were so small I could not even feelthem. We would walk and walk and walk. They gave me the smallest amount of Pitocin and my contractions wereslowly getting stronger and stronger. Iwaited as long and I could and then could not take it any longer and got anepidural. It was WONDERFUL!!! It was literally pain free. I could not believe it. Labor lasted from about 5:30am when we got tothe hospital until 7:00pm and I was 9cm dilated.

Unfortunately 7pm was shift change so I had to wait a whilebefore I could start pushing. Once theychanged shifts I started pushing. Theydecided they thought he was sunny side up meaning his face was facing up and thatmakes it very difficult to have vaginally. Unfortunately they tried to turn himand he was facing the side and then when we tried to get him to move he movedsunny side up. I pushed for 3 hours andthen told them I could not do it any longer. I had a fever after about hour 2and so did Thomas. After pushing for anhour with a fever I was beyond exhausted. It was time to give in.

I will finish with part 2 soon!! =)

Thomas Hunter George has Arrived

2011-12-19T09:38:00.001-05:00

Many of you already know that our little man, Thomas Hunter George arrived on Saturday night (exactly 38 weeks). My water broke on Saturday morning at 4 am and he was delivered by emergency c-section that night at 10:40pm. I was able to meet him at 1am on Sunday morning. It was a very long day to say the least. I will leave you today with a picture I snagged of him while he slept within his 1st 24 hours of life out of the womb. :-)

35 Week Survey!

2011-11-27T22:16:00.001-05:00

How Far Along: 35 Weeks (I missed 34).

Size of baby: A Honeydew Melon:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes, and we definitely have a "squirmer" more than a kicker now! =)

What I Miss: Not really anything!

Sleep: Still sleeping fine!

Cravings: Just fruit! All fruit has been sounding good this week.

Best Moment This Week: The realization that December starts this week and December is the month that Baby George is due! I can't wait to be in December!! =)

What We Are Looking Forward To: Only 2 more weeks and Baby George will be full-term!! I can't wait!!!

Every 2 week picture didn't work! So here is 35 weeks! Huge difference from 30 weeks!

35 Weeks!!

33 Week Survey

2011-11-14T23:09:00.001-05:00

How Far Along: 33 weeks (I missed 32)!

Size of baby: A Pineapple:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes, all the time!! I love it!

What I Miss: I don't know how to answer this, this week. I don't think anything really this week.

Sleep: Still sleeping fine!

Cravings: Not many lately!

Best Moment This Week: Another baby shower!! This one was a small one on SEBTS campus and I was able to invite some special ladies! It was small quaint and fun!! :)

What We Are Looking Forward To: This baby getting here!! I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of this little one! I cannot wait.

I was planning on taking pictures every 2 weeks but then I forgot...maybe next week! :)

Church Baby Shower

2011-11-06T22:33:00.002-05:00

Our sweet church hosted a baby shower for me! I posted a pictures of the girls that hosted in the last post. :-)

It was such a fun shower and we were blessed beyond our dreams!!! Thanks to the sweet members of Stony Hill Baptist Church.

Here are some pictures:

The super cute set-up!!!

Super cute cupcakes thanks for Sophie!!!

3 generations with another one growing!!

One of the favorite little bath items for Baby George

This was just 1 of 2 full tables of items for Baby George!!!

A fun game that Tara made for the party!! She is so creative!

Thanks Ladies!!! It was a wonderful shower!

31 Week Survey

2011-11-03T22:18:00.001-04:00

How Far Along: 31 weeks

Size of baby: 4 Navel Oranges:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes, all the time!! I love it!

What I Miss: Normal Clothes. So many people ask me don't you just love maternity clothes but I have to admit...I don't. I love clothes so much that I miss my wardrobe! I miss finding screaming deals on super cute clothes. Oh well, I am loving being pregnant and it is worth wearing the same 2 pairs of pants everyday! :-)

Sleep: Still sleeping fine!

Cravings: Not many lately!

Best Moment This Week: 2 things that are best moments this week!! 1. My Baby Shower!!! It was so wonderful and these ladies were so wonderful planning it and making it happen!! :-) I am so thankful for all of them!! 2. I was told that I can work a part of my job from home so I can still stay employed part-time at SEBTS while I am at home!! I am so excited about this. I will feel better being able to chip in a little on the income! :-)

What We Are Looking Forward To: This baby getting here!! Having all these items from my baby shower it makes me ready to cuddle the baby in my arms!! I can't wait!

I think I am going to start taking pictures every 2 weeks now instead of 4 since I will grow so much in the next 8-9 weeks!! Yay!! The time is coming so fast. Can't wait to meet Baby George. :-)

NC State Fair 2011

2011-10-28T08:50:00.002-04:00

Derek and I LOVE the NC State Fair! We don't ride the rides we just go, eat (and we eat a LOT), we look at the animal exhibits and watch other people risk their lives on the crazy fair rides. =) The last 2 years we have gone by ourselves and then met up with people after we got there. This year we met up for a few minutes with my extended family that lives in VA. I have not seen them since we had found out that I was pregnant so of course they were very excited to see me and my 30 week belly. We chatted with them for a while and then continued on our date together just the two of us!!

This year, Derek and I mastered the idea of sharing everything we eat because then we can eat a bigger variety of things. So, the first place we stopped was Al's French Fries stand. They were as good as ever!!

After visiting with my family, I was hungry again! Imagine that a pregnant lady hungry?!? So we went off to get a bloomin onion. This was the 1st year we got a bloomin onion and can I just say, this WILL become an NC State Fair tradition for the Georges. It was amazing. At the stand we went to they cut the onion, battered it and fried it right there while you were waiting for it!! It was better than any one you could get at a restaurant. After getting the onion I found a seat.

Once we finished eating the onion we walked around a bit more deciding on what we wanted next when some other friends called and said they were just walking in. We met up with them and we got some "dinner". Derek and I got Butcher Boys steak sandwich. Again this was a tremendously good sandwich. I forgot to take a picture.

We also went by the to see one of our youth's rabbits that won a Best in Show prize for the 2nd year in a row!! Way to Bugs and Monica!! We are proud of you!!

What a fun year at the NC State Fair!! =) To see our past years at the fair check out 2009 and 2010!!

We mentioned that last year at this time we had no intention of me being almost 30 weeks pregnant but guess what?!? haha! We are definitely very excited about this little one. We said to each other, who would have thought last year that I would be this pregnant this year! Wonder what we will be saying next year when the fair comes around?!? Hopefully, Derek will be almost graduating with his MDiv. That is our goal!! Woohoo! Plus, next year we will have a 10month old! Wow! We are so blessed!

30 Week Survey and Picture

2011-10-27T08:20:00.000-04:00

How Far Along: 30 weeks

Size of baby: Head of Cabbage:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes, all the time. - This week I felt a limb poke at the top of my belly and I could literally feel it it was like a knee or heel or something. It was so tiny but I could put my hand on either side of it. Crazy! Makes me ready for little baby George to arrive!!! =)

What I Miss: Not too much this week. Just enjoying being pregnant!

Sleep: Still sleeping fine! Praise the Lord!

Cravings: Not many lately!

Best Moment This Week: I have my 1st baby shower, and the girls at work surprised me and took me out to eat for lunch and then made cupcakes for everyone in the office!!

What We Are Looking Forward To: My baby shower on Oct. 29!!!

30 Week Picture!! =)

28/29 Week Survey

2011-10-18T16:53:00.001-04:00

How Far Along: 29 weeks - Officially in my 3rd trimester!!

Size of baby: Butternut Squash (appropriate for the time of year).

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

Wanna take a look inside??

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes, all the time.

What I Miss: Oh man...it is getting harder. So far pregnancy has been pretty good to me but I am starting to feel it now. With packed weeks and hardly a night to rest my belly will feel heavy and I will feel sick much easier. So, I miss normalicy. But I am defninitely going to enjoy pregnancy!!

Sleep: Still sleeping fine! Praise the Lord!

Cravings: Not many lately!

Best Moment This Week: Hmm...my last big event at work is done! That is exciting. A milestone for me. So glad that the rest of my pregnancy will be regular desk work. They are trying to get a replacement in for me to train by November 28. That is coming so soon! That would mean less than 6 weeks with just me at my desk. Yikes!

What We Are Looking Forward To: Showers!!! They are nice and spread out I have one October 29, November 9, and November 19!! yay!! Thank you to everyone who is having a shower for me! I feel so blessed.

I will have a picture next post!! I will be 30 weeks!! Crazy how time flies.

We have iPhones!!!

2011-10-10T20:14:00.000-04:00

We have caved to the trend of iPhones. Actually, to be honest we didn't "cave" until we realized that no phone company sells good phones that you dont have to have a data plan with. Seriously?!? We dont really have a need to have data on our phone and quite honestly I would rather save that $30-month than spend it on something I dont need. But I digress, we decided to switch phone providors because of a better plan that was offered. So, off we go to get our messaging phones (can someone tell me how I somehow gave in to paying $30-for text messaging but I cant pay $30 for data?) I guess it is just putting those two together and knowing I am spending $60 on messages and data. Anywho, we went into the cell phone store and told the sales lady we wanted to best possible messaging phone without data. We bought 1 that she said was good but she had had a few come back but she referred to the iPhone and said that it was the #1 returned phone then they fixed the problems and now it is the #1 phone to buy. With that being said, we got the ones she suggested. Within 36 hours the phone turned off (on its own) and would not turn on until I took the battery out and then the screen froze up 2x and wouldn't come back on until I took out the battery and the phone restarted iteself and told me there was an error and it needed to reboot. Seriously?!?! All this in less than 36 hours of owning the phone (This was a Sunday evening). So Monday Derek took them back to the store and the man told him that that was the best phone they have to offer that is non-data. So Derek calls me to tell me his froze on the way to the mall and he thinks we should maybe upgrad to a smartphone. Well, to me, there is no smartphone other than the iPhone. None compare. Not to mention Derek and I have a thing for Apple products, the iPhone was about the only Apple product we didnt own (this is a sad, sick, expensive obsession). At least they have good products right?!? So, here we are now, with iPhones. I must admit, I was nervous since we are having a baby and we are not sure what our income will look like come about February. But we decided we couldn't deal with stinky phones and it was the best decision to make. I cannot even tell you how happy I am with having the iPhone. It is so helpful to be able to send emails wherever I am and respond if I am out of the office and across campus. I am amazed at how often I have thought, I really like this phone after owning it just 1 week. We decided there are other ways we can cut the budget to make the data plan work! :-) Love. the. iPhone.

27 Weeks

2011-10-04T12:02:00.005-04:00

How Far Along: 27 weeks (Last week of the 2nd Trimester!!) yay! Come on 3rd trimester!!

Size of baby: Head of Cauliflower

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes, all the time.

What I Miss: Lifting things without people saying (Dont lift that!!) even if the thing is 5lbs. I swear I my arms have gotten weaker since I have been pregnant but that will have to change when I am carrying around a newborn in a carseat. :-)

Sleep: Good! Just every few nights I get up to Pee but other than that sleep is great!

Cravings: Coffee

Best Moment This Week: Yard sale!! We sold so much at the yard sale, it made me so happy!! We have cleaned and purged. Now to organize for baby that is the next step. :-)

What We Are Looking Forward To: My Shower this month and then I will have 2 in November!! yay!! So exciting!!

27 Weeks

26 Week Survey

2011-09-28T14:45:00.003-04:00

How Far Along: 26 weeks

Size of Baby: About the size of an English Hot House Cucumber.

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes, all the time. This week I watch my belly pop lots of times. It pops mostly at the top and the sides. I have read in some places that the baby starts to turn head down around the 3rd trimester. I wonder if my little one has already done that. It sure does seem like those feel are popping at the top of my belly. I sure can't wait to meet this baby that is growing inside me!!! =)

What I Miss: Nothing really...

Sleep: Good! I have not had any other cramps in my legs either. So, I am glad about that. My calf was sore for days after it cramped.

Cravings: Coffee - good coffee too, not just any ole coffee will do. :)

Best Moment This Week: Watching my baby move more. Also, when I lay on my side I can feel a limb start poking into the side I am laying on. It is great! I love it.

What We Are Looking Forward To: I am looking forward to October because that is the month I will have my 1st shower!!! yay!! =) I completed registering at Target and Babies-R-Us. It was loads of fun! Derek and I took a date night and went to dinner, Babies- R- Us and then we got Starbucks coffee and a slice of Red Velvet Cake from Twisted Fork (My Favorite!!!). That evening was like a little piece of heaven on earth for me! We are so busy that we rarely take a night and just do stuff that we want to do!

Also, SEBTS is having a yard sale this weekend and we are definitely getting in on that and setting up some things to sell. We are praying they sell so that we can have more room for baby! Definitely looking forward to that!

25 Week Survey

2011-09-20T11:24:00.000-04:00

How Far Along: 25 weeks
Size of Baby: About the size of rutabaga.
Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. Her weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga (Whatever that is...?!?), but she's beginning to exchange her long, lean look for some baby fat. As she does, her wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and she'll start to look more and more like a newborn. She's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture. *Information from http://www.babycenter.com/.

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes, all the time and I am LOVING IT!!! =)

What I Miss: Not much.

Sleep: Good! I wake up to Pee every night but only once a night right now. (Around 3am every morning). This was the first week I had a leg cramp. I even had to wake Derek up and tell him to help me. haha. Poor guy...I probably scared him to death. He was sweet and rubbed it for me then went right back to sleep. (What a great hubs!!)

Cravings: Coffee, Soda and Candy still... (Sometimes popcorn if I need a snack in the evenings)

Best Moment This Week: I had an emotional breakdown (not the best moment) becase I have so much going on at work and other activities we have going on and trying to keep the house in order and being tired all the time I sleep as much as I can. So the house is what gets the shaft...well, my sweet husband told me to go to bed and he would take care of the house the next day. So, the best moment of the week is realizing (again) I have the best husband in the world. He cares about me and my sanity. :)

Another funny thing that happened this week - Let me preface you with some info: Since I have been pregnant vegetables in general have sounded aweful to me. I can eat 2 vegetables (Lettuce and Green Beans) that is it. All the rest I buy with good intentions and then can't bring myself to cook them or eat them. So, I just stopped buying them. We were on our way home from church and Derek was asking what sides we were having with our meat that was in the crockpot. So I told him mashed potatoes and green beans. He says very sweetly, "Umm...do you think it would be possible for us to eat another vegetable with our meal sometime soon." I looked at him and said, "Nope. I dont think so. The thought of eating any other vegetable just makes me sick." He said, "Okay, green beans are GREAT!" haha. Sweet husband award AGAIN, eating green beans AGAIN! haha. :) Thank Derek for being so understanding and eating green beans for I can't remember how many meals in a row so I feel like I am getting my greens in!!

What We Are Looking Forward To: NC State Football!!!!! I am such a huge NC State Football fan! I love it! Even when we lose, I enjoy yelling at the TV and telling them I could play better than that. They play Cincinatti this week and I'm really looking forward to watching it!!

Gender Prediction...

2011-09-13T16:32:00.000-04:00

So, my good friend Tara suggested that I give some answers to the gender predictions and then put a poll on my blog. So....here they are!! I can't wait to see what everyone thinks we are having. =)

Here we go!!!

Cravings: Meat (especially at the beginning, but I can still tell if Idon't eat it for a day or two I NEED it.) Potatoes, this is still a craving of mine, I eat potatoes with everything. Aversions: Desserts. Yuck. They still sound bad to me. I usually love desserts but I have not wanted them throughout the entire pregnancy. I will still eat candy as you have seen on my surveys, I still crave candies like Spree, sweet tarts and those sorts of sweets. I think this means BOY!

Heart rate: It has varied between 140's-160's since 12 weeks. When we went in for our 20 week ultrasound the tech said that it was 142 and that was not helpful for us to know the gender. lol. For the most part it has been higher than that. I think this one means GIRL!

Shape of Belly: Watermelon or Basketball? I am not sure?!? I have not gained weight anywhere else but the belly so that usually means boy. I think this ones means BOY!

Hair on Legs: More hairy = boy and same or less = girl. I would say mine has stayed about the same. I think this one means GIRL!

"Prettiness": So I have also heard that if you "glow" you are having a boy if you feel like your acne is worse and your hair is aweful and you just don't seem to feel as pretty or as put together as before you were pregnany then it is a girl. They say this is because the girl takes away from the mother's beauty. So for this one I think it means GIRL! My acne was worse my hair is completely out of control and overall trying to feel like i am put together and "feel pretty" has been more difficult since being pregnant. Hence why I have not taken many pictures throughout the pregnancy. =)

Morning Sickness: Practically None! And I feel super blessed for feeling so great during the first trimester of my pregnancy. I think this one means BOY!

Chinese Gender Predictor: BOY!

Mother intuition: Well, I have leaned towards boy from the very beginning but have not let myself "think" it is a boy, just in case my initial intuition is wrong. I also think it is because there have been a lot of girls born lately at our church and for goodness sake we need a boy! =) haha! So, all that to say if I had to give an intuition I would say BOY!

BOY = 5
GIRL = 3

Please take the poll and let me know what you think! I can't wait to hear every ones opinion on this!! =) So exciting! We will know in 15.5 weeks!! It seems like a long time but then there are times when I feel like that day will be here REALLY soon!!! =)

24 Week Survey

2011-09-13T13:22:00.002-04:00

How Far Along: 24 weeks

Size of Baby: About the size of an ear of corn.

Your baby's growing steadily, having gained about 4 ounces since last week. That puts him at just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), he cuts a pretty lean figure at this point, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon start to plump up. His brain is also growing quickly now, and his taste buds are continuing to develop. His lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" as well as cells that produce surfactant, a substance that will help his air sacs inflate once he hits the outside world. His skin is still thin and translucent, but that will start to change soon. *Information from www.babycenter.com.

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes, all the time and I am LOVING IT!!! =)
What I Miss: Not being able to do things on my own. Such as lifting things or climbing a ladder to get things from a top shelf in the office. Little things like that, that I took for granted before. But considering the risk, I will just let other people do it for me, as hard as that is for an independent stubborn woman that I can be. =) Oh well, people tell me I should just enjoy not being able to do those things. I shall try!

Sleep: Good! I wake up to Pee every night but only once a night right now. (Around 3am every morning)

Cravings: Coffee, Soda and Spree. - again...these are my things right now!

Best Moment This Week: Realizing how much I had grown since 19 weeks the last time I had taken a picture! Craziness!!! I knew my body was changing but I had no idea how much little George had grown! It is absolutely amazing!

What We Are Looking Forward To: Seeing the changes in growth of my belly and our baby! =) My belly growing means baby is growing!! yay!!

24 week picture:

I did not feel great this day and you can tell it in my hair and face. haha! Oh well, I knew we needed an updated picture! =)

22/23 Week Survey

2011-09-06T10:20:00.000-04:00

How Far Along: 23 weeks ( I am combining again...because I forgot last week!!) I am going to try to add pictures when I remember too because that way Alaska relatives can see and also Aunt Lucy in SC wants to see belly updates too!! So, I vow to try! :)

Size of Baby:

Baby's little face is fully formed...minus the baby fat, of course

*Photo and info is from www.thebump.com

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: It's a surprise!!

Movement: Yes. Derek has finally been able to feel them. I even talked my little brother (who is 17) into sitting beside me with his hand on my belly to feel them. His eyes got really big when the baby kicked. haha! He has never been around anyone that has been pregnant. He thinks the whole idea is really wierd and to watch my belly grow his comments are really funny.

What I Miss: Eating normal size meals without feeling bad. Especially at restaurants. I dread going to restaurants with people because I almost always start feeling sick. If it is just Derek and I we can peace out if I start feeling bad. When there are other people is it is not so easy.
Sleep: Good! I wake up to Pee every night but only once a night right now.

Cravings: Coffee, Soda and Spree.

Best Moment This Week: Seeing my brother's reaction to feeling the baby kick! haha! priceless. Thanks Pat for the interesting moment.

What We Are Looking Forward To: Getting closer and closer to meeting our little baby!! :)

Thankful Thursday!

2011-08-25T07:55:00.000-04:00

My heart breaks when I hear of people going in for ultraounds and there being a very serious problem with the baby they are carrying in the womb. I have prayed for our child since the day we knew he/she was concieved, as I know many others have as well. As I pray for these people that get the bad news about their children, it also makes me so Thankful for a healthy child thus far. It makes me pray harder and more often that the Lord would keep our baby healthy. I am so thankful for the baby that is in my womb, I cannot wait to meet you little one!! :)

21 Week Survey

2011-08-22T08:30:00.003-04:00

How Far Along: 21 weeks

Size of Baby: 10.5" and 12oz.

*Photo is from www.thebump.com

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: We have a picture of the gender stapled up in an envelope. Still holding strong to not finding out! I just found out that a friend of mine is not finding out either and she is due January 24. So that will help me I think.

Movement: Yes. They are getting stronger and stronger. There are a few times I that I am sure they could have been felt outside. Of course, Derek was not in the room for those times. Anytime he puts his hand on my belly to feel them that baby does not move at all.

What I Miss: Not much really. I found a good pair of maternity blue jeans...that helps my missing normal clothes.

Sleep: Just fine!

Cravings: Not too many!

Best Moment This Week: Feeling the baby start moving and kicking more and stronger. It is so neat. I absolutely love it!

What We Are Looking Forward To: Just the progression of baby and seeing how the next few months go!

20 Week Ultrasound

2011-08-18T09:39:00.006-04:00

On Monday this week Derek and I went in for the 20 week ultrasound to see our little one and to make sure everything was still growing correctly! It would be the time that you find out the gender but we are still holding strong to not finding out. :) We did have the ultrasound tech take a picture of the gender but she printed it and put it in an envelope and stapled it before we saw it. She was an awesome tech and even switched us to 4D for a while and took a few pictures for us. We had decided ahead of time that going in for a special 3D/4D ultrasound was not something we wanted to spend money on. I was thrilled she switched it for us. It is funny because as soon as she switched it, it was on baby's face and we saw his/her nose. Oh my word...it was definitely my nose. lol. I know a lot can change in the next 20 weeks but if the nose stays the same it is definitely from the Goetze side.

A few of the things that the ultrasound tech noticed is:

A big head! She was measuring the head and..."Oh my, thats a big noggin." She said it is still within the correct range just on the bigger side. Oh my...that should be fun come delivery time. :)

She also said that baby is measuring 6 days ahead of schedule so that would put him or her coming on Christmas Day. I hope that baby will hold off until at least December 26th but in the long run it doesn't really matter. Just a healthy baby is all that matters to me!

And it wouldn't be a blog post without some pictures...so have fun looking at our alien looking child. :)

On the right foot you can see the little toes!

Pursing the lips! So cute (at least to a mother these pictures are cute! haha).

There were also a few pictures of the baby's belly (non 4D) and my mom was like your baby is already chubby look at that belly. haha! Oh well...chubby baby coming soon!!

20 Week Survey - Half Way Done!!! Yay!!

2011-08-13T17:33:00.003-04:00

So aweful, I missed another survey. So this is 19/20 week survey. =)

How Far Along: 20 weeks

The baby now has taste buds. I have been told that I must think about what I want my baby to eat when I eat because the baby can now taste a little more of what I eat. =) (I think our baby will like chick-fil-a...)

Size of Baby: 6.5" from head to rump and 10" head to feet. The measurement will be from head to feet now that the baby's legs are more stretched out.

*Photo is from www.thebump.com

Total Weight Gain/Loss: According to my doctor about 10lbs. but I think it is a little more. I am not really going to worry about it too much. =)

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: We could find out on Monday but we are choosing to not find out until the baby is born.

Movement: Starting to feel little movements and 1 time recently I was drifting in and out of sleep and the baby kicked and I woke up. That one must have been a little stronger. It is definitely fun being able to feel the baby move now.

What I Miss: Normal clothes. Maternity clothes have not been my favorite.

Sleep: Sleep is good. More comfortable if I get up in the middle of the night and use the bathroom but I am usually too sleepy to get up. So I keep sleeping and deal with it.

Cravings: I don't have severe cravings anymore but occasionally I will want certain things.

Best Moment This Week: Well, last week we went on a babymoon/anniversary trip. We left on a Friday night and came home on Tuesday night. We went to the beach and it was A-mazing!!

What We Are Looking Forward To: the fall starting cooler weather and it means baby will be here sooner!!! yay!!! =) I am so excited.

Notes: I have been having more vivid dreams. I even dreamed of the exact date that baby was born and it was a boy. haha. I didn't even remember labor at all. Now that would be nice wouldn't it. ha. I went to sleep one night and woke up the next day and the baby was here and born. lol. Really weird.

3 Years Ago....Yesterday (a little slow on the posting)

2011-08-03T09:46:00.010-04:00

I married Derek George. Marriage has been even better than I ever thought it would be. We have had our disagreements but that is not often. It is great to live everyday life with my best friend. Truely amazing the way God made us to be married forever! I am so grateful for Derek George and the godliness he shows each and every day! I love him even more now that I did when we got married (I didn't know that was possible)!

I have been amazed at how fast these three years have flown by. I would have never thought last year when our goal was to get our house more organized that I would be almost 5 months pregnant this year. I mean...I knew that we had talked about maybe trying after our 3 year anniversary but, the Lord has better plans and we just have to trust that. I will post tomorrow about our anniversary and how we celebrated it. But for now, I will leave you with a few pictures!

December 2005 - When this picture was taken we had been dating almost 1 year.

Our wedding day in 2008.

About 1 week after we found out I was pregnant. - 2011 :)

We are doing pretty good at this every 3 year thing. 3 1/2 years after started dating we were married then it will be almost 3 1/2 years after we were married we will have our 1st child.

17/18 Week Survey

2011-07-28T22:48:00.005-04:00

I am posting this one a little early since I am combining,

How Far Along: 18 Weeks (almost - Saturday will be 18)

Baby's become amazingly mobile (compared to you, at least), passing the hours yawning, hiccupping, rolling, twisting, kicking, punching, sucking, and swallowing. And baby is finally big enough that you'll soon be able to feel her movements.

*Information from www.thebump.com

Size of Baby: 5.6 inches/6.7oz

*Photo is from www.thebump.com

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Not sure...I forgot to weigh the past couple of weeks.

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: We don't know yet. We will not find out until the baby is born.

Movement: Nothing more yet! I cannot WAIT to start feeling the munchin move around. :)

What I Miss: Not really anything...

Sleep: Sleep is good...I need more than I get but I sometimes wake up it depends on the week or the day as to wether I get up at night.

Cravings: Healthier meals now not just meat and potatoes. Craving more vegetables and healthy snacks.

Best moment this week: It was not this week but week 16 (one of the two I have missed) and I got to hear the heartbeat again. If the old wives tale holds true we might be having a girl. The first time we heard the heartbeat it was 153 and the second time was 165. I think the wives tale is over 139bpm and it is a girl under 139bpm it is a boy. We shall see. Anyone know if this held true with their kids???

What We Are Looking Forward To: Life slowing down a little when the summer is over and school starts back. Derek will be busy with school and work but summer has been insane!!

World Changers

2011-07-18T10:27:00.002-04:00

We have been at World Changers in Chicago for the past week. Which is why I have not posted at all. We got in last night and brought our stuff into the house and left it all in the living went straight to bed we were both soo tired. There are quite a few posts that I need to do including 16 week survey, one last back post about before we told everyone we were pregnant, Some belly shots and at least 1 post from World Changers. Have a wonderful day everyone! =)

15 Week Survey

2011-07-09T10:52:00.001-04:00

How Far Along: 15 Weeks

*Continuing the march toward normal proportions, baby's legs now out-measure his arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably can't feel the movements just yet.- Information from www.thebump.com

Size of Baby: 4.0inches 2.5oz. *Naval Orange

*Photo is from www.thebump.com

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 0lbs this week (Still up 7lbs)

Maternity Clothes: yes! :)

Gender: We don't know yet. We will not find out until the baby is born.

Movement: Have not felt it again. I think I felt the baby once but now that I have not felt it again I am not so sure...we will see.

What I Miss: Not really anything...

Sleep: I have been waking up every night this week at 2am to use the bathroom. Other than that been sleeping great!

Cravings: Meat mostly.

Best Moment This Week: Nothing spectacular happened this week. Just a normal week for us. :)

What We Are Looking Forward To: World Changers mission trip this coming week with our awesome youth! I am so excited about this trip. It is going to be awesome! I am so happy I can still go even with baby tagging along! =)

Telling the Parents…

2011-07-06T07:51:00.002-04:00

Going Back to April 22, 2011....

_______________________

Amanda text her Mom the night they found out (Thursday). Well, Friday, was Good Friday so Amanda was off work. This was also really good because we are not sure how much work would have gotten done on that Friday if Amanda did have to work. ☺ Anyway…Amanda text her Mom about meeting for lunch that Friday since we were both off. They texted back and forth and it was not until the day of that we realized everyone was going to be there. And by everyone, we mean like Kenny, Debra, Jacob, Patrick and Kenneth. The whole family!! We were not planning on telling my brothers but because they were coming and we wanted to tell my parents so bad, we decided to tell the news to everyone. (Kenneth ended up not coming so he was a little late on the news…but he found out eventually). We bought bibs at Target that said “I love Grandma” and “I love Grandpa” we put them in an amazon box so they were not wondering why we were giving them a wrapped present for no apparent reason. We are sneaky ones aren’t we? My Dad is typing on his Blackberry and Amanda said, “Hey Mom and Dad, we have you guys a little gift that we found for you.” Dad kept typing and Mom took the box. As soon as she opened it she started saying, “I knew it! I knew it! I knew it…” over and over and over…haha! Dad just started looking around wondering what was going on…Amanda said, “Mom show Dad the gift…” Dad’s jaw dropped. He was so shocked he didn’t know what to say. Dad did speak he said, “well I DIDN’T know it!” ha. Silly Dad, he was just in shock for the rest of the lunch. The two other things Dad said at lunch was, “That baby better come before December 31, so you get your tax deduction and it will be 2015 when I will coach T-Ball again.” Haha! None of the other family knew at this point other than my brothers who were totally excited as well. Jacob just looked up and said, “Really?!?!...Are you serious?!?!” He was excited too. I missed Pat’s reaction because I was watching Mom and Dad. Jacob came in later so we gave him the box too. =) What a fun day it was telling my parents and family about our little Baby George that will make an appearance before we know it!

We tried and tried to get Derek’s parents on Skype at the same time. We REALLY wanted to see their reactions when they found out. Since they still have active children that aren’t all driving yet it is hard to pin them both down at the same time. So Derek called his Mom on Tuesday, April 26. He came home talking with her, he told her to hold on a minute pulled the phone down looked at me and said, they cant skype until Sunday, should we tell her now?!? Amanda gave in and said yes! We just couldn’t wait any longer to tell them. So Derek got back on the phone (put his mom on speaker) and said, we have something to tell you…her first response, please don’t tell me bad news, I really can’t take that right now. Derek said well, we hope this is not bad news…You are going to be a Grandma!!!! She repeated, “I am going to be a GRANDMA!?!?” haha! Yes, yes you are! It was so much fun! It was hard for Carrie to not tell anyone but we told her she had to keep it a secret from the rest of the family (other than Brian) at least until we went in for an Ultrasound (May 24). ☺ This would be almost 1 month for her to keep a secret! ☺ Once we got off the phone with Carrie, we called Brian, Derek’s Step Dad. Derek said, I am going to put you on speaker, we have something to tell you. Before Derek could even put him on speaker he said, “You are going to be saying ‘DaDa’ soon aren’t you…” HOW DID HE KNOW!!!!! Oh goodness…Brian and Amanda’s Mom…they knew it! Lol! What a fun time it was telling the parents. Too bad we had to tell Derek’s parents over the phone, that is definitely a bummer with living so far away! I know it will be hard for Carrie and Brian to be so far away from their grandchild but maybe they will come down south now since they have really good reason! We love them and love their visits!! =)

Derek's Birthday Celebration!

2011-07-05T07:53:00.002-04:00

Derek turns 26 TODAY. :-) Since we are so busy this week we had to celebrate it early! Derek's favorite pizza place is Stromboli's so that is where he wanted to go. It was sooo good! Here are some picture from our time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEREK!! You are such and awesome husband and I know you will be the same kind of father to our little one. I love you!! =)

We made sure to mention that next year this time we would have a 6month old coming with us! How exciting and crazy is that!

14 Week Survey

2011-07-02T09:37:00.000-04:00

How Far Along: 14 Weeks

*Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine, and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys, and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over her body for warmth. - Information from www.thebump.com

Size of Baby: Lemon (3.4in. 1.5oz)

*Photo is from www.thebump.com

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 7lbs total so far. (I think this is because I was not sick at all so I ate what I was craving. Sometimes seriously my cravings were so bad NOTHING else could satisfy!)

Maternity Clothes: yes! I have been in them for a few weeks now. There are a few pieces of my everyday clothing that I can still wear but not a lot.

Gender: We don't know yet. We will not find out until the baby is born. Eeek! I think this will be fun but hard to wait!!

Movement: Believe it or not but I think I felt the baby move earlier this week when I woke up. I felt a flutter in my tummy like a muscle spasm almost. It was really wierd and I felt it twice. I have not felt it again though. So we will see!

What I Miss: Being able to lift things over 20-25lbs. I didn't realize how often I did this until I got pregnant. I also didn't realize it would be a big deal to me but sometimes I just feel so helpless not being able to lift things.

Sleep: Most every night I sleep through the night and then have to pee REALLY bad when I wake up in the morning. It take a LOT to wake me up from a good sleep. haha!

Cravings: Meat and potatoes-this could be baked potatoes, french fries, potatoe chips etc. (Derek loves this)

*At one point I told Derek I had to have potatoe chips, we went to the store and I bought Pringles and Lays Salt and Vinegar I got home and laid down and ate chips and it was SO good! :)

Best Moment This Week: If it was my baby moving, that was by far the best. I guess I will know whenever I feel it again.

What We Are Looking Forward To: I think I at least am most looking forward to when our baby can hear us. That is so cool and we can talk to Baby and he or she can hear us! And feeling the baby move regularly! I have wanted that to happen, well, about since I got pregnant. :)

Thankful!

2011-07-01T11:23:00.003-04:00

So, I am have been very blessed by my neighbor who has loaned me maternity clothes. I knew Derek and I could not buy very much anyway but it was such a blessing for her to give me so much. She is due with her 2nd child in just a few weeks. So she brought trash bags full of clothes that she can no longer wear. And, she said she will have more for me after the baby comes! What a blessing!!!! I have bought 1 pair of dress pants (she did not have to have any) and a few winter dresses since that I what I am going to need most in a few months. :) I am so excited to have maternity clothes and not have to buy them!! Such sweet friends and sweet blessings!! I hope I can be a blessing to someone like she has been to me!

April 21, 2011

2011-06-22T22:13:00.002-04:00

*These were my thoughts just a few days after....I laughed at my wordiness and how giddy I must have been. haha!...enjoy!*
..................

This is the date we found out we were pregnant. How did it happen…Well, I was going on 3 days late with minimal period symptoms. I also had minimal pregnancy symptoms also. We were not necessarily “trying” to get pregnant we totally just left if in the Lords hands and apparently He wanted us pregnant the first month. Haha! ☺ Amanda took the test on a lunch break from work. Thankfully it was a later lunch break so she did not have a whole lot left to accomplish in the office that day. We were so excited that we went that night to get Amanda’s Mom and Dad a gift to tell them the news. Unfortunately with Derek’s parents living so far away it is a little different breaking the news to them. We could not wait very long to tell either set of parents. We did not tell anyone but parents at this point because we wanted to wait until we were 12 weeks along before letting out the big news. Our neighbors were the only close friends we told. We were really glad we told them for a couple of reasons. The first is that they are leaving the last week of May and we will not see them again until October or possibly even December (a few weeks before Amanda is due to have little Baby George). So, we wanted them to know and we wanted to tell them in person. It was funny because Shawna had told us that she wanted us to get pregnant before they left and that she had something for us. Their boys are like little nephews to us they love us like we are family and we love them like they could be our own. So, Shawna had pulled out a few of the boys clothes that they could not wear any more and set them out for us. So, she was so excited to give those to us. We were equally excited that our little one will wear clothes that Kephas and Malachi wore. ☺ How special!! So, we are telling Amanda’s parents hopefully on the 22nd and we are telling Derek’s parents as soon as possible. ☺ Yay for pregnancy!!!

Guess What?!?!...We're Pregnant!!

2011-06-21T07:00:00.004-04:00

Thats right, I said it! The George's are having a baby. I am 12 weeks along, we decided to wait until this point to make it public just to make sure we were past the scary miscarriage stage. It is such a relief to be this far along. I am sure now that everyone knows the time is going to fly by. I have written some thoughts down over the past 12 weeks so I can have it recorded. It is such an exciting time for all our families. It is the 1st grandchild on both sides of the family. And for a lot of the family it is the 1st great-grandchild. No doubt this child will the SPOILED rotten! haha! We heard the heartbeat today and it was the most amazing thing in the world. We are praying for our little one even now. I will do a belly series too. We have weekly pictures from week 4-12. We are missing a few just because we forgot to take them. =)

*Photo courtesy of Wake Forest Portrait Shoppe

My Best friend got married about a week and a half after we found out and I was about 5 or 6 weeks along at this point. We had her photographer take this picture as a way to tell her that I am expecting.

I will back post about the beginning of my pregnancy so you all will feel included on what has been going on.

Slumber Party at Grandma's House

2011-05-03T20:18:00.004-04:00

My grandmother has 6 grandchildren. My cousin put together a night where we would all come over and spend the night with my grandma. We had only done this 1 other time and my grandparents swore they would never do it again. I think 6 of us was a little much. haha! So, anyway, it is just my grandma now and we decided to surprise her. haha! and boy was she surprise when we all came waltzing in with our bags and said, how about a slumber party?!? I think her only thought was...Oh no...we have tried this before! haha. the girls (there are 3 of us) bought items to cook dinner and dessert. It was so much fun. We reminded my grandma that we were old enough to take care of ourselves and we could even take care of her. lol. We did all the cooking and had a blast. It was the night that all the tornadoes came through the Raleigh area. So we had to cook on propane stove and play cards by candle light. We could not have asked for a more fun and entertaining night. Once the electricity came back on we played "just Dance" on the Wii...lets just say the next family gathering we had a not of laughs. haha! My cousin videoed a lot of the dances. haha. Here are some pictures of our fun-filled night!! :-)

Bachelorette Party

2011-04-28T22:24:00.002-04:00

My Best Friend that I posted pictures with her Bachelorette Party Invitations...well, here is her quaint small little party. There was just three of us but we had the best time. We went out to dinner (sorry no pics) and then back to my house for desserts and just chatting about marriage. I was the only one of the three already married but it was good to be able to talk with Ashleigh through a few little details! She is so ready! I love her and will miss her since she is moving to Fayetteville after she gets married (which is this weekend...What?!? Where has the time gone?!?!)

Awana Video

2011-04-23T21:23:00.003-04:00

This is Derek and I love the Awana ministry. We are very blessed to have Awana at Stony Hill and I love the impact it is having on our little ones and adults. They let me make the video for our closing ceremonies this year. I had so much fun putting it together. I wanted to share it with everyone. ( Its my first vid and I have to say. Its worth buying a MAC just to be able to make vids... But i digress. ) If you are looking for a great ministry to get your kids plugged into I would highly recommend Awana to any and everyone. Not only for kids but I really feel like it is a great way to get adults into ministry. The focus is on the gospel and scripture. It's great stuff! :) Please watch the video! :)

Bridal Shower

2011-04-01T22:53:00.008-04:00

My Best Friend is getting married at the end of the this month. I was helping a lot with her Bridal Shower but I was able to get few pictures while I was there.

The Bride-to-be!! (She didn't want her picture taken...haha)

Yummy Food...

This picture is actually for her Bachelorette Party that I am planning for her. I made these invitations! =)

Wow...It's Been A While!

2011-03-29T21:58:00.004-04:00

So, sorry all my blogging friends! When life gets busy at the George House the blogging is the first thing to go!

What we have been up to...

My best friend is getting married on April 30, I am so excited for her! I can hardly stand it. I cannot wait to be there for her as her Matron of Honor. =) It's an amazing thing and I love her and I know as time goes on I will love her Hubby-to-be too just like she loves my hubs! Needless to say, that has been keeping me busy! Planning a party for her attending her Bridal Shower. I LOVE it!!!

Church has been awesome! We have had a Youth Spring Retreat this month that went extremely well. My husband rocks! I love working beside him in ministry! It just fits and I love it. I have learned so much from him, our church and my God and Savior! It's pretty amazing!

My other greatest friend in the whole world, Amber, for many years she was my cohort (until I married Derek, I really had to break it to her that he was just more handsome than her...!!) haha! She is home from Italy!!! I love her to death! I have missed her so much! Our schedules have clashed so, I have not seen her as much as I would like but at least she is here until August. Man, I will miss her when she returns to Italy with no return date in mind. It makes me sad just thinking about it! =-/ I guess that is life in the real world folks!

So, on the other hand, Derek has been hard at work studying for classes and such. It has been good but busy! One day this school thing, will be done. It will be a bitter-sweet moment. Sometimes it seems like it will be more sweet than bitter...but ya know!

Well, this is the Life of the George's these days! Church, work, school and friends! We love this crazy ride we call LIFE!!! =)

March 2...

2011-03-02T06:14:00.007-05:00

It was 3 years ago today that Derek asked me to marry him! It was 6 years ago that we started dating! Crazy how time flies. Who knew 6 years ago we would be where we are today!

I love my husband more now than I ever have!

Chattanooga and Chattanooga Cupcakes

2011-02-28T21:59:00.004-05:00

When Derek and I were in Chattanooga over Christmas break we splurged and went to a cupcake shop! I dont have a picture of the cupcakes because, well, we ate them before we were able to take a picture but here is a picture of the box! haha! They were amazing! I think it would be the most awesome thing to own a cupcake shop. It was just cheery and cute inside and I LOVE cupcakes. Enjoy! If you are ever in Chattanooga you should get some cupcakes from here.

Enjoy a few other pictures from Chattanooga while I am writing about it! We had such a blast! :)

Our 1st 3d Movie together

2011-02-23T08:47:00.006-05:00

This was going to be my wordless Wednesday but I didn't get a chance to post it yesterday, so here it is today! Derek and I went to see The Green Hornet in 3D. That was the 1st time I had seen a 3D movie, basically because I refuse to pay the extra $3 when regular movies has served me well for the past 24years but whatever, I gave in because we wanted to see it and it was only offered in 3D. So here we are with our goofy glasses. Everytime I would look at Derek in the movie theater I would just laugh a little inside cause they are so darn funny looking. haha!!

Valentine's Day Tradition

2011-02-16T09:15:00.004-05:00

So, back in 2006 I had no clue what to get Derek for Valentines Day. I didnt have much money to spend and seriously, what do you get a guy for Valentines Day?!? They can get a girl chocolate and flowers and be good. If you are not college students then maybe you can get your significant other a nice piece of jewelry. I digress, I had a delima, so I was scanning the picture frames at Target (I do this often by the way) I have this obession with picture frames. Wierd, I know, but again, I digress. I found one that day that you could write on. The light bulb came on, I can get a picture of us and write "Happy Valentines Day 2006" What a clever idea! I grabbed that $2 picture frame printed that $0.19 picture and TaDa! Inexpensive, sweet, heartfelt Valentines Day gift. haha! :) So, I knew I was taking a risk, we have only been dating a few years, what if he doesn't like it... well, he loved it and next year, he asked for the same thing. He has gotten one every years since. ;) Except this year, his frame is late, bad wife, I know. :) He will get it eventually!

Terrible picture but you get the point. :)

Birthday Date!

2011-02-14T08:00:00.002-05:00

Derek and I were finally able to go on a Birthday Date! My Birthday was last week and we were so busy it took almost 2 weeks for us to be able to go!

We went to Shuckers! We had only been there once and it was very good. We got a gift card for Christmas and it as just as good the second time! =)

I have a desk again...

2011-02-12T22:23:00.003-05:00

When Derek started as youth pastor at Stony Hill we stored our 2 desks and got a bigger one for him. He would have more space to study. I started taking classes again and realized not have a "place" to study was not working for me. We brought my desk back out of storage and now, I have a place to study. My place! I love it already! =)

Guess What I Got!!!!

2011-02-11T16:49:00.003-05:00

Lightroom!! As an full-time employee at an institution, I get 80% off of Adobe Products! I tried the 30 day trial version of Lightroom and loved it, so I decided it was worth the money, especially at 80% off!

Also, the laptop in the background is also new! Derek and I realized that with us both taking classes and going to the library, a new laptop was needed. We were blessed with some extra money at Christmas that we were not expecting, so, we decided the best was to spend it was a new laptop! I love it and Derek can use it in almost all his classes!

Thankful Thursday!!

2011-02-03T19:15:00.003-05:00

I found out a few weeks ago that my old college roommate (who is also one of my closest friends in all the world) was coming back to the US for about 8 months! I was beyond excited! So, this weekend, she is coming to stay with me and D for a night and I cannot wait!!! I have a feeling there will be lots of talking and laughter! =) Love you Ber~Ber! So thankful you are back for a while! I have missed you dearly!! =)

Thankful Thursday!

2011-01-27T09:01:00.002-05:00

This is the first time I have done a thankful Thursday post...so I figured I should start with the 1 thing I am most thankful for in my life. That would be my hubby! He is so wonderful to me. I normally have dinner ready for me when I get home from work. He drops me off and picks me up at work almost everyday! Many times I come home and he has the dishes done or the living room clean. He is such a wonderful man....

Picture is courtesy of my Mother-in-Law! Isn't she super talented! =)

Christmas

2011-01-04T19:24:00.009-05:00

To all my blog followers...I am so sorry it has taken me forever to blog again. Our December was jammed packed! It was a total blast but I had little to no time on the computer. :) So, I don't have all my pictures on this computer but I will post what I have. A few things have inspired this post. the first is that as Derek and I were decorating our tree for Christmas I noticed that we had obtained so many more ornaments that I ever remembered us having. This was our 3rd Christmas married and it made me realize that we really are starting to gather ornaments from different people. Also, Leah (www.leahandkyleg.blogspot.com) did a post on ornaments they have collected. So, I was inspired to write a little post on the ones that we received this year.

This ornament we received from the Browns. I love it. =) Our music pastor and his wife are so sweet.

We were given these two ornaments above from a sweet family at our church! :)

My Best Friend from my childhood gave us this ornament!

This ornament is one that I took from my office at SEBTS. We use to give them out as gifts and we had about 5 left and we hadn't given them out in about 3 years, and Derek saw one that my parents had and he wanted one. Binkley is the chapel where Derek and I got married. Many, many memories at SEBTS. :)

The whole tree:

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

2010-12-03T12:50:00.000-05:00

Derek and I have decided to order our Christmas cards from Shutterfly this year. They have such cute layouts for cards. We have previously used Target’s Christmas cards but we have so many to buy this year we decided to go with Shutterfly. I have bought quite a few other things from Shutterfly before and been super happy with their products.

One day when we have children it will be fun to have cards that shows multiple places for pictures like this:

But for now since it is just the two of us we like:

This card was so cute to me! So festive with the cute Christmas Tree and I like to get ones that say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays."

We liked this one as well. We thought it looked very elegant. :)

Oh decisions, decisions! With so many cards to buy this year I was very glad for all the options that shutterfly has to offer. I think that I looked through almost every single card on their website this year. I have decided on one. I will not tell which, so it will be a surpise to all my blog readers. :)

Here are a few links for their products:

Christmas Photo Cards:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-photo-cards

Birthday Cards:
http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/birthday-cards-stationery

Photo Calendars:
http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars

**If you would like 50 free Christmas Cards from Shutterfly you can blog about it too!!**

Just visit http://blog.shutterfly.com/5358/holiday2010-blog-submission-form/

A Family Tradition...

2010-11-29T08:56:00.006-05:00

It is a Goetze family tradition to take keep last years Christmas tree, spray it with artificial snow, and then add some red ribbons and place it on the front porch. I had to hop on that tradition this year since I have a front porch. :) This is such an inexpensive Christmas decoration and you get to reuse your old tree. I think it makes the money you spend even more worth it when you get to use it again. Here are some before, during, and after pictures from mine this year. :)

The Before. I know our neighbors were wondering why I had a dead tree on my front porch. haha. :)

The Finished Product! :)

**A few people have asked me where I keep my tree all year. I actually keep it in the woods behind my parents house. Maybe one day I will have a good backyard to leave it in!**

Our week in pictures...

2010-11-27T21:42:00.004-05:00

Beautiful fires...

Pretty skies...

Fall Decorations...

Wet dogs...

Relaxation... (We were actually watching Mickey Mouse Club House, but what can you do when you are watching TV with a 5 year old. haha...my man is a champ).

The Cabin...

Beautiful Sunsets...
Family Portraits...

Celebrating Championships with my brother...

It was a great relaxing week and now I ready to get back to work and back into a routine! =)

Fun Month...

2010-11-02T20:42:00.001-04:00

November to me is a start of the Holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and then...my Birthday! All those holidays means lots of family time. I am so excited to work at a place that gives so much time off for these holidays. =)

We have a lot going on in November:

1. My work has a golf tournament on November 8th. This is a big deal for our office and it is a day that I look forward to, it is definitely a fun day out of the office and the normal day to day.
2. I am helping host a Baby Shower for Hannah Sharick. I am very excited about this. I have never hosted one before and I have a lot of sweet ladies to help me with it. :)
3. Derek and I are going to VA for a Student Development Trip. I have a friend that lives in the same area so, we are going to stay with them. What a fun time.
4. Thanksgiving Break - We are going to my parents family farm in VA for a whole week. I am so excited to get to spend this much time up there. It has been years...maybe even before college that I was able to spend that much time there. :)

I think we will also a few youth events throughout November as well. What a fun month! I cant wait!! =)

Happy November Everyone!!!

November...Already!?!?!

2010-11-01T15:45:00.006-04:00

It seriously feels like it was just yesterday that I was writing my October goals! Where in the world has October gone! I was just telling Derek the other night that when I was in middle and high school I wished that time would fly by and it seemed sooo slow and now that I am married and working in the "real world" I wish that time would slow down and it doesnt. Oh well, I guess sometimes the grass is always greener on the other side right?!?

well, accomplishments for October. I must admit, not many of them got accomplished. I was just so darn busy...and sick. :(

-Sit on my couch and read with the windows open and a pumpkin candle burning
-Read a book that is thought provoking-(Started but didnt Finish)
-Pray about what I want to pursue for my Masters Degreee (Make a decision and stick
to it-I tend to change my mind every week).
-Think about what I need for Christmas decorations
-Start Christmas shopping

All the items in Red, I have done, all the ones on black, I still need to work on!

A few of my new goals will include:
- making it a point to wake earlier in the mornings
- Christmas decorations.(On it already. Derek and I have been to the store and n new light strands. :) yay!)
- only 3 more Christmas presents to buy. Maybe I should put that on my list for this month and have it done with. :)
- pray for my husband on a daily basis. :)

Wow...bring on November!

The NC State Fair 2010

2010-10-25T16:24:00.004-04:00

Derek and I went to the Fair by ourselves this year. While we were there, we found some other friends that were there by themselves too! We met up and made a double date out of it. Hannah and I sat and talked and so did Derek and Adam. We met them at about 7:00pm and it was 8:00pm that we found an empty bench and sat. We knew the fireworks were not until 9:45 so we figured we would be long gone before then. Well, much to our surprise, we were still sitting on the bench at 9:30pm. We decided to part ways before the fireworks and watch them closer to our cars. It was one of the best times at the Fair we have had. We had a date night and a double date all in one! :) Here are some picture to show our fun time!

Adam and Hannah rode the Ferris Wheel.

Derek and I stay on firm ground and watched. :)

A little Ferris Wheel history for you!

A yummy place for Steak Sandwiches!!

Derek and Amanda

From L to R: Adam, Hannah and Amanda

Derek had to take the picture.

I dont trust strangers with my camera.

Derek had to get a Fried Snickers Bar.

The Fireworks were GREAT! :)

What a fun time we had a the NC State Fair in 2010!!

Here We Go Again...

2010-10-15T12:34:00.004-04:00

It has been 11 days since I last blogged. Can't believe how time just slips away!!

Wow! October has been a very interesting and busy month. It is always busy for me as at work this month. :) It is good! I would rather be busy than slow. That is what I tell myself every time I feel like I cannot get everything done. :) Be happy it is not slow.

A few October/November Happenings for the Georges:

1. I hosted a 31 Party for one of my friends. She is starting it as a side business. I looked at her magazine and fell in love with all the awesome items in it. I just knew I needed to host a party so, I could sell enought to get a free purse. :) Well my party did really well and I got 2 new purses, a new wallet, and a large tote with a "G" on it. Along with this i was able to get some Chrsitmas presents for really cheap! I was stoked! :) Derek and I were not sure how we were going to do Christmas this year and this really helped. If you are interested in 31 items or want to host a party feel free to contact Jade her website is: mythirtyone.com/jade I am sure she would love to hear from you.

2. I am playing on a flag football team. Yes, my family has been cracking up about this. They are all coming out to see me play on Saturday. They said they are tailgating but, I have threatened them. Hopefully they will not do that.

3. The State Fair! This is always a highlight for us. We will go and eat! That is our favorite thing to do at the Fair. We try to eat better through the beginning of the month so we can totally slurge at the Fair!! I cannot wait to go!! :)

4. We have a few Youth Events coming up at church. We are having a Fall Retreat October 29-30. I am so excited about this for me and for the the youth. I think it will be a great time of growth and encouragement. I am so excited to see how this goes! Please be in prayer for the leaders and the youth that will be coming. Please pray the the youth will bring friends that might not be saved. Hopefully this will be a great outreach opportunity. :)

The youth will also have a Fall Clean-up at the beginning of November. We will go and help some of our homebound members by cleaning their yards.

5. I am hosting a Baby Shower for a dear friend. I am doing this as a youth event as well. This lady and her husband do so much for our youth, they are amazing and we love them dearly! :) I am looking forward to that coming up.

So, this is a few of the many activities that will be happening with us! I will try to update with pictures as much as possible. :)

Happy Fall!! By the way...LOVING this cooler weather. Bring on the sweaters!! =)

October = Fall

2010-10-04T10:03:00.006-04:00

Wow, I cannot believe it has been over a month since I last blogged. Sorry to all my followers. I had a crazy month last month and it is only getting crazier. I am trying to not let my blogging lag behind. I like to blog. Okay, so lets start out this month with goals. :) I did not post any goals for September so I feel like I have a clean slate. :)

October:

-Sit on my couch and read with the windows open and a pumpkin candle burning
-Read a book that is thought provoking
-Spend solitary time in prayer and reading my Bible daily. (I struggle with this but
more and more I am realizing how important it is).
-Pray about what I want to pursue for my Masters Degreee (Make a decision and stick
to it-I tend to change my mind every week).
-Think about what I need for Christmas decorations
-Start Christmas shopping

I have not made a lot of goals because I want to be able to accomplish all of them. :) I will hopefully be blogging more this month as well. :)

Day 7 - A Picture That Makes Me Happy

2010-09-01T07:36:00.004-04:00

Derek and I both love boats and water. I think if we could do this everyday we would be set! :) We also both love fishing in Alaska and that is just what we were about to do for a few days in this picture! :)

Day 6 - Whatever Tickles Your Fancy...

2010-08-31T14:46:00.007-04:00

How about a blast from our past! :)

(Man we look young...oh wait...we were!! ha!)

Favorite Quote - Day 5

2010-08-29T11:00:00.000-04:00

Amanda and Derek: Dwight Schrute: "Fact...."

We joke about this one all the time. We will say "FACT..."

Day 4 - Favorite Book

2010-08-28T10:51:00.000-04:00

Amanda: "The Princess" by Lori Wick. It is a Christian novel and I have always been a sucker for those. And so is my mom, I guess I come by it honest. :) This also means she has everyone under the sun, so I have a whole Christian novel library at her house. :)

Derek:"Brave New World" D's last History of Ideas book and also one of his favorite books. :)

Day 3 - Favorite TV Show

2010-08-27T22:42:00.002-04:00

Okay...Desperately sorry for being MIA for a while.

Moving on with this 30 Day deal... :)

This one is a common one with the both of us:

LOST hands down. Derek bought season 1 because the store did not have the one he was looking for and then we were hooked. We buy every season when they come out on DVD!

So, this means you Lost people out there...we have NOT watched the final season...so no spoilers on the comments. :)

:)

Day 2: Favorite Movie

2010-08-16T23:34:00.003-04:00

Favorite Movie:

Amanda: Anne of Green Gables - This is a classic. If you have not seen it and like movies that are set in an early 1900's time period (I think this is right, correct me if I am wrong...) you should totally watch this movie. I had them on VHS and basically wore those out and about a year after Derek and I got married he bought them for me on DVD. Occasionally, he will graciously watch them with me. :)

Derek: Gladiator - all around good movie. the soundtrack is great. I also like the story and the character development. (Amanda has never seen this movie...)

I have quickly realized...I am not a daily blogger...sorry to buildup the everyday thing and then let you down. :(

I have also realized how much I do not want to be at my computer when I come home from looking at a computer for 8hrs a day. :) I will update as much as I can. It might not be every day though!!

30 Days of Us...

2010-08-13T12:49:00.004-04:00

So, here I go! I am shooting for an everyday challenge. Instead of 30 days of me, I am doing 30 Days of Us! So that our blog readers can get to know both of us and not just me, AG, who writes on our blog most of the time. So...here goes for day 1!! :)

Day 1: Your favorite song:

Amanda: My favorite song is probably: "Center" it is a Christian music song and the entire song is about Christ being the center of your life. And the is my desire all the time, is that Christ will be the center of my life and my husbands life. A friend of mine sang this song at our wedding while we lit the unity candle. It was pretty amazing!! :)

Derek: "I'm Alive" by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews. It is pretty cool that they are very different artists yet they are friends outside of the music scene. It is also cool that even though they are very different, they were able to write a song together and sing it together.

Do it with me if you would like! I got the idea from a friend at: http://becomingvanderburg.blogspot.com/

Day 2: Your favorite movie
Day 3: Your favorite television program
Day 4: Your favorite book
Day 5: Your favorite quote
Day 6: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 7: A photo that makes you happy
Day 8: A photo that makes you angry/sad
Day 9: A photo you took
Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently
Day 12: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 13: A fictional book
Day 14: A non-fictional book
Day 15: A fanfic
Day 16: A song that makes you cry (or nearly)
Day 17: An art piece (painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.)
Day 18: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 19: A talent of yours
Day 20: A hobby of yours
Day 21: A recipe
Day 22: A website
Day 23: A YouTube video
Day 24: Whatever tickles your fancy
Day 25: Your day, in great detail
Day 26: Your week, in great detail
Day 27: This month, in great detail
Day 28: This year, in great detail
Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days
Day 30: Whatever tickles your fancy

Qutoe of the Day...Maybe even the Month...

2010-08-12T15:40:00.002-04:00

I had a doctor appointment today and as Derek and I are sitting in the waiting room a new patient walked in. She was talking to the receptionist and she got all her paperwork and sat back down. It was only a few minutes later when they called the patients name to come back and see the doctor. The look on the patients face, to the receptionist must have said, "I am not done with all the paper work yet." Beacuse the recptionist says loud and clear so everyone can hear...

"Don't worry if you are not finished, you will have plenty of time where you're going."
*Extra emphasis on the italicized words.

Derek started chuckling then I did, I even had to nudge him to stop laughing because I was getting the giggles and that is not good because the receptionist was still sitting right there near us. Funny moment in the George Life!

August Goals - July Accomplishments

2010-08-11T09:38:00.003-04:00

Okay...Life at the Georges has been B.U.S.Y. We love it but it has not left much time for blogging. :) I get home from work and I usually have a few minutes to change before we head out to meet people or I am cooking to host. This is what I have been wanting to do for a long time though. Below I will write out my August goals and then below I will write what I accomplished in July and what I didnt. :)

August Goals -

1. Read another book from start to finish. :)
2. Continue to lose weight(3lbs-goal)
3. Do a devotional everyday
4. Date my husband once a week
5. Organize our bathroom.
6. Enter reciepts for our budget every 2 weeks.

(At the beginning of August when we had our anniversary we decided one of the things we wanted to do was to get organized. My husband is awesome and immidiately started wtih his office. It is almost totally done! What a man he is).

What did I accomplish:

1. Do my Bible Study every day (not double up). - This one still needs a little work...It is a constant battle for me to get up early enough. It does not get done at night because we get so darn busy in the evening.

2. Maintain my weight (if I lose great). - I gained a little bit, but not much for being on vacation.

3. Do Dishes every night and clean one area of my house each night that we are in town. - This did not happen... :(

4. Read another book cover to cover. (this should not be hard seeing we have HOURS on planes this month). - DONE!!

5. Continue to date my husband on a weekly basis. - Mostly done...when we were both in town...

6. Keep up with budget once a week (except when I am in AK on Vacation...that would be difficult)...this did not happen. Our budget in July got all messed up. But thats ok it all worked out. :)

Here they are a little late and a little crazy but thats okay. That's life. I figure if I am not flexible, life would be very disappointing!! =)

Sorry, for not posting in a while, stay tuned because I think I am going to try to do an everyday challenge!!

2 year Anniversary Photoshoot

2010-08-03T09:56:00.003-04:00

My Mother-in-law did a photoshoot for us in Alaska. I just love these pictures!! =)

2 Year Anniversary

2010-08-02T08:36:00.003-04:00

Exactly 2 years ago today, I married my best friend! I love him so much more now than I did 2 years ago! It is a wonderful thing to married to a someone whom you love and cannot live with out.

Our week is so busy we decided to go on an anniversary date early. We went on Saturday, July, 31. We had a blast, Derek took me on a nice date, to a fancy restaurant in the Raleigh area. Then we went to see the movie, Dispicable Me. Very cute movie!! =) We talked over dinner about the greatest thing that has happened in our lives over the past year and we also decided on a few goals each of us had for the next year.

We decided for both of us, the most exciting thing to happen was Derek being hired at Stony Hill Baptist Church. This church is so wonderful and has been such a blessing to us in the few months we have been there. We love the congregation and the youth. It was truly the highlight of our year.

My goal was for Derek and I to take a vacation just the 2 of us for longer than a weekend. We have not done this since our honeymoon, 2 years ago. We are saving and hoping to be able to go sometime this December while I am off work for Christmas vacation. Another goal we set was to get our house totally organized. When we finished dinner we had about an hour and a half before the movie so we decided to go ahead to Target and shop for some organizational items. We got some photo boxes to keep things such as medicines, manicure/pedicure items from the bathroom, and extra toothpaste, shampoo, body wash etc. We got three boxes and started with these things and putting them in our linen closet right outside the bathroom. These items, the medicines especially end up all over the house, and when we need pain killers for one reason or another we are looking everywhere for it. This really bugs me. So, now, if it is not in our medicine box, we do not have it. =) We have talked about a few other things to implement to help us be a little more organized. What a good things it is to have goals.

Having been married for 2 years we get a lot of comments about having children. Well, our plan (which is not always God's plan) is to wait until Derek finishes school. Our parents advised us to wait until we finished college to get married and we were very glad that we waited. We decided it was best for us to wait until Derek finishes his MDiv before we have children. Many times I have been glad that my parents advised us in waiting and I think in the same way, we will be glad we waited to have children. It is not always easy but it seems to be the right thing to do.

Hershey Bar Cake

2010-07-10T15:40:00.003-04:00

I decided to make the Hershey Bar Cake, that I made for Derek few months ago, for Standing in the Gap for E. Baker Event. So here is the recipe. :)

Cake:

1 Chocolate Cake Mix

1 small box of instant vanilla pudding

1 1/2 c. of milk

3/4 c. of oil

3 eggs

Mix together and put into three 9" round pans. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 mins.

Frosting:

8oz. Cream Cheese

1 c. sugar

1 c. powdered sugar

12oz whip cream

2-3 Hershey Bars (finely chopped or grated with a cheese grater).

Mix together and ice the layers.

Very yummy!!! =)

Long hair and ponytails

2010-07-09T23:22:00.003-04:00

My hair is FINALLY long enough for a ponytail. I have LOVED my hair short but I knew going to Alaska in the summer time were going to be spending a lot of time at the river and I do not want to have to worry with my hair. I have been letting it grow out for a few months and it is now ponytail length. YAY!!

My Favorite Lunch EVER!

2010-07-07T10:24:00.002-04:00

I am a salad girl! Even in elementary school Mom would pack my lunch and I would tell her to please pack me a salad I would NOT eat sandwiches. I HATED Subway and sandwiches. Now, I am pretty fond of them but salads are still the BEST on my list! With all that said, Here is a little recipe (recipe meaning a little of this and a little of that- I dont have exact measurements for anything) for my favorite one of all time!

~Romaine Heart chopped (Super easy to chop up-this is why I spend more for them)
~Dried cranberries (I like buying them in the individual 100 calorie packs because I only use half a pack and they stay fresher longer)
~Walnuts - Just crush a few and sprinkle them on top (basically until it looks pretty)
~Feta Cheese - just a little sprinkle to add a little something to the salad.
~Rasperry Walnut Vinagrette Dressing (I think it is Ken's Brand)

Amazing salad and it is under about 300-400 calories and it keeps me full until dinner! :)

I am sure I am not the first the think of this salad but it is seriously SUPER good! I wish I had a picture but, I am sorry, I do not! =)

Enjoy!!!

This Week

2010-07-06T09:34:00.004-04:00

This week I am staying with Tara Dew and helping her with the twins while Derek and Jamie are at camp! So far we have gone to the 4th of July Childrens Parade, The Nats made 4th of July cupcakes and we have had lots of good food with the Reid's and the Bakers! We had the College Girls Bible Study at Tara's house this week and tonight Lauren Faison will stay over for dinner and a movie tonight!! Woohoo!! So much fun!! =) Can't wait for the rest of the week, hanging out with such a sweet family!

Here is a picture with me and The Sam's with their 4th of July outfits on! The Nat's were swimming in the little pool on the porch! =)

July Goals - June Accomplishments...

2010-07-01T08:02:00.005-04:00

It amazes me at how time flies!!! Wow!! It is already July. In exactly 15 days I leave for vacation with my Hubs!! Woohoo!! We will be gone for 11 days, visiting with family. And I am so excited I can hardly stand it! On to my June Goals and what I accomplished and what I didn't... :)

June Goals:
1. Lose 8lbs. - I did not lose 8 but I did lose 3.5lbs. I am ok with that it is close to 1lb a week. I knew it would be extremely difficult to lose 2lbs a week...and that includes Amber coming in to town and eating some AMAZING Italian food. I just knew I was going to blow my weight loss that week. =)
2. Cook dinner every night except 1 when we go out on a date. -I think we did this. I can only thing of one week that went out to dinner twice (Lock-In Week-I justified that).
3. Do the dished every night before bed. - There were a few nights I missed this escpecialy during VBS. We cooked dinner in the house every night that week and got home late and this equalled lots of dishes and a very tired Derek and Amanda (I let this one slide - there can be exceptions, right??)
4. Take 1 night each week to clean the house - By the way...I learned this was NOT enough!!! There is way too much to do to only clean the house 1 night a week. I think I was probably already doing this!! =)
5. Take care of budgets and receipts once a week - try once every 2 weeks... :-/ Ooops...this should really be done once a week. I will make this another goal next month!
6. Go on a date with my husband every week! - We managed this...even VBS week we went out once!
7. Get up every morning for a few minutes in prayer and Bible Study - I was not so good at this. Sleep is very hard for me to give up! I have to have a really good reason to get up earlier then I absolutely have to and reading my Bible is a very good reason but I still struggle with this. (More on this for next month).
8. Read a book from beginning to end - DONE! It was SOOO good! I read The Princess by Lori Wick. Amazing book! I would suggest it to anyone! I did not start reading it until like June 14 or so, I thought there is no way I am going to get through a 300page book in about 2 weeks. (For those that dont know...I am a very SLOW reader) I had the book done a few days ago! =)

July Goals - (These will be a little different because I will be spending 1 week with Tara Dew our Pastors wife because Jamie and Derek will be on a mission trip with our Youth! It will also be a little different because Derek and I will be on vacation for about 11 days.)

1. Do my Bible Study every day (not double up).

2. Maintain my weight (if I lose great). - Also, since I have been trying to lose weight there has hardly been a day when I have not weighed myself. I think it will be good for me to take a month and not even step on a scale! I hardly ever weighed myself in high school or college. This weight loss thing is totally new to me.

3. Do Dishes every night and clean one area of my house each night that we are in town (except Saturday-I am resting with my husband). I think I am going to make a spreadsheet and give myself a task for each day. This will make me more productive with my time! (I will post about it later). - I will give myself the occasional exception - ex. a late baseball game or a late movie on night or something.

4. Read another book cover to cover. (this should not be hard seeing we have HOURS on planes this month).

5. Continue to date my husband on a weekly basis.

6. Keep up with budget once a week (except when I am in AK on Vacation...that would be difficult).

Okay, these are my July goals! I should be able to meet them, I will let you know at the beginning of August!! =)

Italian Night with Amber

2010-06-24T13:50:00.004-04:00

Amber was home for just 5 days! We did a lot in those 5 days and one of the things was an "Open House/Italian Night" at her parents place!! It was a lot of fun to learn how to make some good pasta dishes!! Here are a few pitures to show the scrumptious food and the wonderful friends that came by to see her!! I did not capture all the people that came because I was busy talking and cooking!! :) I snagged a few shots though!!

Wordless Wednesday ~ The Old Roomie is in Town!!!!!!

2010-06-16T07:00:00.000-04:00

2009

2010

Giveaway!!!

2010-06-04T09:15:00.002-04:00

This post is a giveaway for an apron that I think is absolutely adorable!!! =) I would love to win it!! If you would like a chance to win hop on over to http://http//amysfinerthings.com/flirty-apron-giveaway and leave a comment. =)

Date Night!!!

2010-06-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

We went to Chick-fil-a for our date night this week and we got our FREE spicy Chicken sandwich. I only ate half...not my favorite. You dont change a good thing. But, Derek said he could eat chick-fil-a more now that they have a spicy sandwich. I am ok with that!! haha!!

We followed up Chick-fil-a with a walk around campus and a little Goodberries icecream and a some competition on the Nintendo Wii!! He beat me in Tennis and I beat him in bowling!!!

Oh yea...it was a blast!!!! =)

June - Goals

2010-06-01T10:41:00.004-04:00

So, I have decided to set goals for myself each month and blog about them so that I am telling more people than myself and maybe I will be more diligent to accomplish it. :)

Goals for June:
1. Lose 8lbs. Yes, I know that is about 2lbs a week but that is my goal!!!
2. Cook every dinner at home except for 1 night each week where we go out on a date (the only exception will be dinner with my grandma and great aunt - which we do occasionally).
3. Do the dishes everynight before I go to bed (no dishwasher and I normally really dislike doing the dishes - Derek does them more than me =) yay for sweet hubbies).
4. Take 1 night each week and clean the house.
5. Take care of our budget and receipts at least once a week.
6. Go on a date with my husband every week. (goes along with #2)
7. Get up every morning in time to have a few minutes in prayer and reading my Bible.
8. Read a book from beginning to end.

These are my goals. I will update at the beginning of July to let you know how I have done with each of them!!!

~Amanda

Just Shake it...

2010-05-23T17:43:00.002-04:00

Baking...

2010-05-14T08:08:00.002-04:00

I love to bake! I dont have much time to bake these days because of a little thing called life! I Have a job waiting for me every week day with 40+ hours of work. This does not leave much energy for baking. When my husband quit his retail job to take a ministry position he said he wanted to celebrate. He wanted a Hershey Bar Cake. So, off to the store I went to make him his Hershey Bar Cake. =) He also had alluded to the fact that he wanted to buy the movie Avatar. He saw it in theatres and I have not seen it yet. So, I bought that as a "I am proud of you" gift. So, here are some pictures (of course) to show you my evening of baking.

What a wonderful Husband I have!!!

Derek's Surprise when he got home from work...(Coca Cola is not in the recipes just something my hubby wanted.) =D

The Finished Project

A Smiling Husband. After his last day at his old retail job...

now on to teaching teenagers!!! Woohoo!! =)

A Unique Design

2010-04-30T14:02:00.000-04:00

My Aunt is super talented!! She sells handmade Jewelry and it is beautiful! She makes it all herself and I have quite a few pieces from her. I get pieces from her on Birthdays and Christmas and then occasionally when I see one that I absolutely cant live without. Her website is: http://www.auniquedesign.etsy.com/

Here is her quote from facebook, "At A Unique Design we sell artisan created jewelry pieces. All jewelry is designed by me, Jackie Haley."

Hope you all enjoy looking at her beautiful jewelry!!

Giveaway!!!

2010-04-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

There is a give away here! I am trying to win these shoes for Shannon's little boy!! There is pink on the blog but there are so many different colors!! :) Hopefully I can win some blue ones for you, Shannon. :)

Photo courtesy of my Mother-in-law.

We Got the Job!!!

2010-04-27T08:53:00.000-04:00

Derek and I are connected with Stony Hill Baptist Church in many ways. One of those ways is through Lauren, my brothers girlfriend. She has grown up in that church. So, Derek and I found out that their youth pastor was leaving through Lauren and Derek jumped on the opportunity. Derek LOVES to teach and we both have heart to see young men and women get saved and walk with the Lord, be strong enough that they can go to college and stay strong in their Faith in the Lord and not waiver when they are on their own. So, Lauren mention somthing to Jamie about Derek being interested and Jamie was very excited. :) From then on Derek met with Jamie and then the Youth Committee and we went through a few other meeting with youth, families, Deacons, etc. On April 25, 2010, Stony Hill Baptist Church voted on Derek to be the new Youth Pastor!! The vote was a 95% yes!!!! How awesome!! Derek and I met with the Youth Council that night and went over all the events that we had coming up! Very exciting!! :) I snagged some pictures from Stony Hill's website to post with this! Thank you friends and family for your Prayers through this process. Derek and I feel 100% that this is where God wants us! :)

BEACH!!! :D

2010-04-08T23:13:00.000-04:00

Atlantic Beach!!! Woohoo!! :)

My Sweetie on the beach!!

We got dressed up for a date night and so...of course I had to do a photo shoot with us!!

Date Night!!!

2010-03-27T17:28:00.000-04:00

Derek and I went on a date night for the first time in a while with his new department at Lowes his schedule was even a little different and we founds ourselves a little more busy. But, We went to see Alice in Wonderland. I have not seen the animated one, so I really liked it. We had to go to North Hills to see the one not in 3D. Movies are so expensive and even more when you see them in 3D. Great movie and I highly recommend this as a family movie!!! :D

Biopsy Update

2010-03-22T14:52:00.000-04:00

The dermatologist at Duke called me just a few days ago. She said that one of the biopsies were to test the "T" cells (that is what it sounded like she said anyway). She said those cells were all in order and that was the most important thing. The other biopsy was to test to see what that spots might be. She said once again that they were not conclusive results. It is such a pain to go to the doctor and then hear back that they dont know what it wrong with me!! Aaaahhh!!! Frustrating!!! I am sooo tired of hearing they dont know what is wrong.

I had to go to the doctor not too long ago about a totally different matter and it was so nice to hear that they knew what was wrong with me. As wierd as it may sound, it was so great to hear those words from the doctors mouth. ha!!

So..anyway...off the rabbit trail. The dermatologist did say that she would continue to look into it before she tells me what to do to treat it. That was encouraging. So far there is not treatment. No treatment right not kid of stinks because the spots leave a dark area on my skin and it is not very becoming. I am hoping that they can figure out what is going on and I can get something to treat this mess!! =D

Also, we are praising the Lord that Derek's blood test results came back clear. and that he has not had anymore "episodes" or anything faintly unusual. So many doctor appointment for us both and so many tests!! What is going on with our family!!! We are so thankful for friends and family that are faithful to pray for us!!

Biopsy and Stitches

2010-03-06T21:43:00.000-05:00

Just for a WARNING!!! I have posted a picture of my stitches. :) For those that are not faint of heart and want to continue to the end of the post. Feel free. I still have these spots coming up on my legs. I went to Duke University and they decided to take another biopsy. This time a Bigger one!!! They had to take two biopsies and put in two stitches. As much horseback riding I did and as many times as I fell off. I have never once sprained anything, I have never broken a bone and I have never had stitches. Until now... Well...I guess having my first stitches at 23 years of age is not so bad. Ok...for those that are as curious as I am...here are my very first stitches EVER!!!

Scroll down for picture!! :D

Week 9 "Hilarious Outtakes" Photo Challenge

2010-03-02T21:30:00.000-05:00

Here is my Hilarious Outtake. I did a photo shoot with a wonderful friends and her family. She has twin girls and one has a cute little "attitude" and I was able to catch her showing this attitude towards her brother and sister.

See other great photos at:

Week 8 Photo Challenge "Hands-on-Fun" - I Heart Faces

2010-02-23T09:09:00.000-05:00

"Daddy-Daughter"

The I Heart Faces Challenge

Check out more photos by other photographers:

iHeart Faces - "We Heart Kisses" Photo Challenge

2010-02-08T16:16:00.004-05:00

This is my picture for the iHeart Faces Challenge, "We Heart Kisses". I think this picture is really cute. Such a sweet family to photograph as well!!

January 2010

2010-01-30T11:55:00.004-05:00

I LOVE the snow!! :) I have to admit though...with Derek working it makes me miss my big family. We always had siblings and neighbors to enjoy the snow with. Now...I did enjoy my nice peaceful walk this morning! It was nice, cold, snowy and some may think I am crazy but it was a beautiful walk! It has been a while since I have had to have my driveway plowed!! I like it! :)

My MNL Has A Blog

2010-01-26T07:16:00.001-05:00

My Mother-in-law is a wonderful photographer. Everything I know...I know from her!! She has started a blog and is posting some of her photography. You should check it out!! www.cgclose.blogspot.com

Christmas Through the Years...

2009-12-21T10:44:00.008-05:00

So, my co-worker decided to put up pictures of them at Christmas through the years they have been together. I decided to do the same!! :) It seemed like such a great idea!! So...here we go!!

Year 1 - 2005 - My first trip to Alaska! We were in Kenai, AK that year. It was a wonderful trip to meet the future in-laws. I stayed with them for almost 2 weeks. :)

Year 2-2006- Derek was in Alaska and I was NC for the whole Christmas season. Therefore we do not really have a "Christmas" picture for this year. That Christmas was not so fun! We never did that again!! :)

Year 3 - 2007 - I went to AK with his family just after Christmas Day!! So good to be there with him!! :)

Year 4 - 2008 - We are married and we have our 1st Christmas and Christmas Tree. :)

Year 5 - 2009 - And 2nd Christmas married!!

What a good 5 years!! I love you my sweet husband soo very much and look forward to many, many, many more Christmas' to come!! :)

Christmas Decorating!! :)

2009-12-06T15:32:00.004-05:00

We continued out tradition and started out the day at Bojangles! :D It was so good! Then we went to Lowes and got our tree. We went to two different stores looking for just the right wreath for the door! It was so much fun! Patrick joined us towards the end and helped put up the icicle lights. I was not looking forward to doing that so the boys did it and it looks GREAT!!! :) Here are a few pictures of the process!! :)We are ready for Christmas in Fletcher 267! :)

Another Reid Shot

2009-12-03T23:32:00.003-05:00

So...I know my last post was on the Reid Family but this picture is so cute I had to post it!! :) Those kids are so great to photograph!! :)

Sneak Peak of the Reid Family!!! :)

2009-11-22T08:14:00.002-05:00

Chili Cook Off @ SEBTS

2009-11-17T22:11:00.002-05:00

SEBTS had a Chili Cook Off and I decided to enter. We made Alaskan Moose Chili and we had to think of a creative name. Derek came up with Bullwinkle Surprise. :)

We won Best Appearance...I think that means that it looked the yummiest!!! :) Yay! First time entering and I won a certificate and a coupon for free chips and salsa at Chili's.

Stuckey Family Photos

2009-11-15T22:33:00.001-05:00

Ruth and the Gospel

2009-11-04T16:09:00.002-05:00

So I am sitting here working on a Paper for class and came across a verse in Ruth that really jumped out. It is Ruth 1:16 and it is a beautiful Old Testament picture of the Gospel. It reads,
"Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God."
Not only is this beautifully poetic but it is a literal turning to God. And I wish I new Hebrew because I have read and been told that this in Hebrew is very beautiful to read. But the important thing to look at is what Ruth is doing. Ruth is literally turning her self (repenting) and putting her faith in God for all her needs (Salvation). She was leaving her pagan god's and pagan people to follow the one True God. Oh how rich the Old Testament is. The more I study the Bible the more I see how we have forgotten the Old Testament. We must realize that the Bible is one book that needs to be studied as one. Stay tuned I may have to write a sermon on this one...
Serving the Servant
Derek

Cooking for 2!!!

2009-10-27T21:55:00.006-04:00

Growing up in a family of six it IS HARD to shop for 2. We always have leftovers that tend to go bad in our refrigerator and it feels like such a waste. Well, many of you know my husbands all time favorite dessert are brownies. I like brownies but we make a huge dish of them and they are staring at me every time I walk by them. Sooo, I found these at the grocery store last time I went!!!

Mini Brownies!!!! :)

Derek liked eating the left over icing!! haha!! :) I might have had a finger dip...or 3.... :)

My Latest Photo shoot.

2009-10-24T10:31:00.003-04:00

Amy Holderby recommended me to a builder for taking photographs. Here is a little preview of my photo shoot!! :)

NC State Fair

2009-10-20T07:12:00.003-04:00

Here are a few pictures from the fair. I forgot my camera so I stole them from Ashleigh's facebook!! haha!! :)

Contest Pictures

2009-10-05T22:35:00.003-04:00

I entered a contest for a photographers blog I follow. We had to send her pictures of something significant in our life. I posted the Bible that Derek gave me when we got engaged. We had to send 3 pictures. Here are the ones I sent!! :)
What makes this Bible special is: 1) Derek gave it to me when he proposed and 2) Ladies that were influential throughout my life wrote me letters in the front!! Amazing!!! :) I love it!!