OKC and Girl's Nite Out!

Lucy Jane, Donna, Harper, and I headed out to OKC to visit Haley and Josh!  We had a good time visiting, shopping, eating, and visiting the Zoo! Harper was such a good play-buddy for Lucy Jane on this trip!  She kept her entertained in the car and loved playing with her at Haley's.  Here are a few pictures from the trip!

Thank you Haley and Josh for having us come visit!



 Last night I had a much needed dinner with the girls!  A few girls that I have taught with got together for dinner!  We had many laughs and lots of fun!  So glad I was able to go and enjoy their company!

TERRIFIC Tuesday!

What a fun Tuesday, and not anything we had planned for at all!  My plan for today was to clean, relax at home, and pack for our trip to Oklahoma City.  We are leaving tomorrow to go visit Haley and Josh for a couple days. 

Rich got home last night and it was almost bedtime.....and  hewas out the door at 7:00 this morning.  I got up when he did and went ahead and got ready for the day.  I woke LJ up at 8:30 and got her ready and we headed up the hill to spend the day at the office with Rich!  It was such a spontaneous move on my part....and ended up being a fun day! 

(A little personal here)....I am officially married to a 'workaholic'.  I'm not saying that is good or bad...it is what it is.  I HATE that he is gone so much, morning until night, I HATE that he misses so many sweet little giggles, smiles, and messes from our little monkey.  I HATE that there are days when our conversations are quick and seem meaningless.  I HATE that he can't be sitting at home with me all day playing in the mess with Lucy Jane. 

HOWEVER.....God has really changed my heart lately on how I have been looking at this situation.  I should LOVE that I have such a hardworking husband.  and LOVE that he desires to provide for Lucy Jane and me.  and LOVE that he makes the most of the time he is home with us.  and LOVE that he tells us everyday that we are his world!  and LOVE that he has made it where I am able to stay at home with Lucy Jane during these fragile, most important years of her life. and LOVE that now my schedule is flexibile where we can be with him anytime that we want.   Instead of dwelling on my poor pathetic feelings I have to count my blessings and be thankful that I have a husband who does provide instead of  having a lazy bum! 

Sooo....I said all that to say...this morning I kept having this thought 'do your devotion, Hilary' over and over.  To be really honest, I didn't want to do my devotion.  I wanted to feel sorry for myself that Rich was leaving for the day to go to work and I wouldn't see him much. 

I gave in and did my devotion....not with a very good attitude though!  (just being real)  How funny.....God had something just for me!  (Imagine that) 
"Thank me for the very things that are troubling you.  You are tempted to indulge in just a little complaning about my trestment of you.  It is impossible to thank me and curse me at the same time.  Thanking me for trials will feel awkward and contrived at first.  But if you persist, your thankful words, prayed in faith, will eventually make a difference in your heart.  Thankfulness awakens you to My Presence, which overshadows all your problems.   "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. " Phil 4:4-6
"Those who abandon ship the first time it enters a storm miss the calm beyond.  And the rougher the storms weathered together, the deeper and stronger real love grows."  Ruth Bell Graham 
"The greater part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions, and not on our circumstances."  Martha Washington

So.....all that said to say God told me to change my attitude...be a wife that encourages, loves, prays for, and expresses thankfullness to my husband.  I can honestly say that I have been very negative and almost resentful for him working so hard for us.  (I know hard to believe) :) ha 

Once we got home, it was play time for Lucy Jane...here are just a few pictures. 

Lucy Jane and Daddy at the office!

I tried to tell her "1" necklace would do, but as you can see she didn't listen!

FUNday Monday!

My little Lucy Jane sure is a mess!  I love every second with her, but she definetely keeps me on my toes! :)  Today we met up with some girls and went swimming!  Lucy Jane loves the water.....but doesn't stay in very long at a time.  She has found the friendly stairs!  Not only has she found the stairs...but she knows how to go up them and get out of the pool and come back down into the pool.  My blood pressure immediately rises when we are around water!  I forgot my camera, but my friend Tracy caught a few pictures of the kiddos that I will share! 

Lucy Jane missed her morning nap because of our play date......so we came home and she napped and I started cleaning out the pantry!  I am trying to do one project a day during her nap.  (cleaning out drawers, closets,.....etc.)  I wasn't finished when she woke up for her nap, so she decided she would play in the kitchen. 

She is always into something! I love her spunky personality!

Lucy Jane sleeps with a humidifier in her room.  She has figured out how to take it apart!  I walked in the living room and found this.....she was sitting in her rocking chair with the top of her humidifier!

We had to go pick up a few groceries, and Lucy Jane is the perfect shopping buddy.  She waved and blew kisses to everyone we passed in each aisle!  She is so funny! 







I love being Mommy to this fun little girl!  Summertime has never been so fun!







Decisions, Decisions!

After many months of praying and praying and praying, I can finally say that I am going to be a stay-at-home mom!  I am so excited!  Here is the journey of coming to this decision. 

I am HORRIBLE at making decisions!  I had much rather someone just tell me what to do then have to make a choice on my own and risk regret.  From a VERY early age, I have known that God has called ME to be a teacher.  I can remember walking around in my front yard blowing my whistle and yelling at imaginary kids to line up!  I had all the 'real teacher' goodies passed down from my teacher aunts that I used to 'teach' Haley (my sister) for hours in our garage. I had a full size chalkboard hanging that I would use to teach countless lessons!  Yes, I was a little bossy!  I am thankful that I never had to ponder what I would be when I was growing up. 

I graduated from college in December of 2007, and I started teaching that Janurary.  God totally provided a job immediately.  I was so thankful.  I fell in love teaching 5th graders.  After having Lucy Jane, I experienced the anxiety that every new mom feels as she goes back to work and leaves her sweet little baby.  I am so thankful I had a wonderful sitter, but I still knew my heart was with my baby girl all day. 

Rich and I had discussed staying home, but we never made a for sure decision about anything.  I began praying that if it was God's will for me to stay home the Lord would have Rich ask me to be a stay-at-home mom.  I know that sounds crazy, but that is really the prayer that I prayed for several months.  The night before Mother's Day this year Rich and I went out on a dinner date.  While we were eating, he asked if I would like to be home with Lucy Jane.  He told me he would like me to be able to be with her.  I played it cool and told him I would think about it!  The reality of quitting my job FREAKED ME OUT...(total anxiety...how will I tell my boss, what if I get bored, will I feel lonely with Rich working so much, will I have patience for Lucy Jane ALL day by myself)  ...but the idea of staying home was so huge in my head. 
"Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." 1 Peter 5:7

I found out I was going to be able to teach 1st grade with a group of great girls and was super excited.  I was back on the teaching bandwagon!  How could I quit my job?  New grade.....new challenges professionally.....sweet group of ladies......I told God that he was really going to have to make it clear to me before I could decide to give all that up.  (Silly, I know) 

The end of the year is here and I am having major anxiety about signing my contract or not signing my contract.  I called several girls in my Sunday School class and asked them to please be praying.  I wanted God to like drop me a note saying, "Hilary, please stay home with your child", or " Hilary, continue teaching".  ha!  I know this blog is getting too long.....so LONG STORY SHORT.....several "little things" began happening that I knew were signs straight from God to me.  I woke up the Monday after Summer break had started with this overwhelming peace that I am supposed to quit my job and focus on Lucy Jane and Rich.  
"Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."  Phil 4:7

 I immediately started thinking of service opportunities that I would be available to participate in, a bible study that I could join, silly songs that I could teach Lucy Jane.....(Yes, I'm a nerd)  I wrote my letter of resignation during Lucy Jane's morning nap, called my prinicipal.....and immediately felt like that 'huge weight' everyone talks about had been lifted off my shoulders! 
I have learned lately that God hears and answers your prayers when you go to HIM.  Instead of seeking advice from others around you that can audibly answer.....go to the Lord.  He already knows that plans that he has for you and your life....and he is waiting to share them with you! 
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.  Matthew 7:8

Although this seems like just yesterday.......

It wasn't.....my baby is changing and growing everyday!  I don't want to miss a minute!

 "I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation." Psalm 118:21

Here Come's the Bride.........

Haley and Josh had a beautiful wedding!  She looked gorgeous and was glowing in her pretty dress!  I can tell that she is truly happy and that makes me happy.  I think it really hit me right before it was time for dad to walk her down the aisle, that not only is my sister about to get married......but she is moving 3 hours away.  :(  Don't get me wrong, I am super happy for her.....but it did make me sad to think about how we will have to schedule our visits now. 

We all met to get our hair done at 8:00 a.m.  Haley's hair was beautiful! 

Haley and her one of her goofy bridesmaids....Kristen!

Lucy Jane was super lovey on Auntie today....I think she knew something was changing!

There are many more pictures on my facebook page.  I am so excited for Haley and Josh as they start their new life together!  I wish them much happiness in the years to come!  AND I wish a cousin for sweet Lucy Jane whenever! haha :)

Memorial Day

Okay, so I'm a little behind on blogging! 

Over Memorial Day weekend, Rich ,Lucy Jane, and I took a trip to Branson.  I hadn't been since I was a little girl and he couldn't remember going so we hit the road!  Rich reserved a cabin and we stayed 3 nights!  We had lots of good food, shopping, and rest!  Here are a few pictures of our trip!

We ended the weekend at some friends house hanging out!  The kiddos all played and were filthy by the time the night was over!  Lucy Jane loved eating watermelon, and I even let her get all dirty!