Turkey Day

We had a great Thanksgiving! Henderson had a wonderful time playing with Jack and Mary Beth. Frank was away visiting some of Katrina's side of the family and we sure did miss him!
My dad once again got some adorable pictures, including the one above. He took so many cute ones when we were playing on the swing set one day. They are among some of my all time favorites. I think he will probably put them on his Picasa web before long so everyone can have the pleasure of viewing them. Some of you might be getting one or two as gifts this Christmas, so maybe I should wait?! Humm, I hate to deny anyone the cuteness!

Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving. I can't believe it is almost December. I am already 20 weeks along in my pregnancy (half way through...scary!) I can no longer button any of my pants so I have officially switched to maternity wear. My next doctors appointment is next week and I actually get to have another ultrasound. The baby was in a weird position last visit so they couldn't get a good view of one of the kidneys. This means I get to see him again! So excited since last time I was in a daze. We probably wont tell his name until he is born, but don't think you are missing out on anything since we still have no idea what his name is going to be. We have gotten nowhere on the name decision! It's a good thing that we still have some time.

Thankful...

We are looking forward to a great Thanksgiving holiday in West Point! I can't wait to spend time with my family. There are so many things to be thankful for and I don't even know where to start.

One thing I can start with is my little Henderson Howard. Please check out the cuteness in the above picture. I mean, how blessed am I that I get to look at that sweet face everyday!? This is one of the pictures my dad took for a potential Christmas card. This isn't the one we ended up using, but it is adorable none the less. You'll just have to wait and see what comes in the mail to see the final shot!

I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I Love Daycare!

Hahahahaha! Every time I look at this picture, I just crack up. This was the proof that was sent to us and I scanned it in because it was too good not to share. Um, don't think I will be ordering any of these, but this is classic.

Great Weekend

This weekend, the family headed to West Point. We had originally planned this trip to West Point many months ago in anticipation of the Georgia/Auburn game. (West Point is only 30 minutes from Auburn for those who didn't know). We had tickets lined up which ended up falling through the week before, but Stephen was kind enough to agree to go and tailgate anyway!

I am so glad because I had been looking forward to seeing my dear friends Anna Cate, Lauren, and Julie who I feel like I never get to see! Lauren and Mark even stopped in West Point to meet up with us on their way from Atlanta. This was the first time Lauren had ever gotten to meet Henderson (which still seems weird to me since I have seen her a number of times since he was born!) Lauren is expecting her first bundle of joy in January. We don't know if it is boy or a girl and I will be anxiously awaiting to find out on the big day.

We didn't get as much time together as I would have liked (traffic on 85 was horrible!) but any time with these girls is well worth it! I also wish we could have pulled off the win, but oh well.

We also had a great time with my family. Mom and Dad had a little birthday dinner me (actual b-day is on Thursday) with all of my favorites and a cake! They also were kind enough to keep Henderson for us while we went to the tailgate. Thank you!!!
We attempted to get a Christmas card picture of Henderson today. Whewww, things really change when the child is completely mobile. Yikes. It may take a few more tries...
We are looking forward to a great week. Elizabeth, Thomas, and Emmett are in town for the week and I can't wait to get together with them. Also my mom and Aunt Sue are coming in town on Thursday to help me out while we have the Jr. Service League's Merry Marketplace.
Hope everyone has a good week!

Sweet Baby Boy!

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails - Proverbs 20:21

Today, Stephen and I went for the ultrasound to determine what we are having. As, you see by the title (and many of you received calls, texts, and of course a Facebook status update) we are having another little boy.


I decided to write about this very honestly, because I have come to understand that there is nothing weird or wrong with my inital reaction to this news. In my mind, I had a little feeling that it could be another boy. I love my little Henderson (or my Bundle as many of you know I call him) more than I could ever begin to express in words. I simply couldn't imagine loving another little boy the same way. So began my thoughts on having a little girl.

I have an extremely close relationship with my mom and I pictured sharing that kind of connection with my own little girl. I thought of how Stephen and Henderson will share many bonds through fun activities for them such as fishing and hunting (although I would be just fine with Henderson staying home with me!) I pictured while they were off doing "their thing," I would spend time with my little girl. Stay with me here people, this is just where my mind went.

Also, let's just face it - girls' clothes are way cuter than boys. I was excited about the possibility of stocking up on some pink. I planned it all out in my head... one boy, one girl...Lincoln family complete. Um except for one thing, today at my appointment, the ultrasound girl says "looks like a boy!" For the remainder of the ultrasound, I felt nothing. When we found out with Henderson, I was so excited that I cried. I wanted to run out of there and call everyone and tell them the news. Today as I sat there, I felt nothing. Then I felt MAJOR guilt about feeling nothing. I felt so guilty about feeling nothing that it ruiend the rest of the appointment for me. Stephen asked me as he had to leave (he went back to work and I had lab work and drs visit) "Are you so excited?!" I looked at him and said "not really." THAT was how I reacted this this wonderful news. What? What kind of mother am I?

I shared the news with family and friends without feeling the sheer excitement that I felt I should be feeling. When I got home from the appointment, I took a little time to myself (Kathy was kind enough to pick up Henderson from daycare) before I had to go to work. I got the best message from my sister that I think I will keep and replay for many years. She knows me well and had said some really perfect things. I also talked to my mom who was equally as reassuring. I spent some time with the Lord, who gave me such clarity and helped guide me to the above verse. He gently reminded me that this was HIS plan, that many people often struggle to become parents, that this child was growing strong and healthy... SO many things to be thankful for. SO MANY blessings!

I want my sweet baby boy to understand that I will love him with all of my heart and I am NOT in any way disappointed by having another boy. He is already teaching me so much about being a parent and a better person (and he isn't even here yet!)

At first, I didn't want anyone to know how awful I had reacted when I found out. I felt like a failure as a mom and I was disappointed in myself. I am still working on not feeling guilty about my initial reaction. I wanted to share this because I wanted to be honest about how I initially felt. I wanted anyone else out there that might have gone through this (or might in the future) to know that you aren't alone. We are human after all... and we have to trust in the Lord.

I am already getting excited about Henderson having a brother and best friend. I am excited about Stephen having two little boys to take hunting (while mommy goes on a spa trip:) Most of all I am excited that God picked us to give this precious gift to. Thank you Lord for giving us this sweet baby boy!

The Brown Family Comes To Valdosta

Jenna, Carter, Jack, and Mary Beth came to Valdosta this weekend for a visit. It was so great to have them here and we were all very sad when they left. Henderson is mesmerized by his cousins and they constantly entertain him. I am upset that I only took one picture while they were here. Henderson watched Elmo with Mary Beth and she was kind enough to literally feed him his snack. Seriously, he would open his mouth while watching and she would pop in some Kix. How is that for service? He was in heaven. He has been SO BORED since they left!

I threw this picture in because it is an angle I see quite a bit! He wants me to pick him up and with that cute face, how can I resist?!?

This is Henderson carrying around Jack and Mary Beth's school pictures after they left. So sweet!

A Recent Change

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you - I Peter 5:7

This verse is one I have found myself saying, reading, and referring back to over the past few months, as I have felt extremely stressed and worried. I haven't really been able to talk about it, but I have very recently changed jobs. I will be doing the exact same thing, speech therapy in a private clinic, but I have decided to move over to a new company. I will also continue to work part-time just like before. There are a number of reasons that Stephen and I felt like this was an opportunity I shouldn't turn down, but I am not posting this on my blog to get into that.

I felt compelled to mention this because the Lord is good and has provided me with so many blessings.

I often have a lot of trouble handing things over to God. I pray, I ask Him to take them, and I feel good...for about a day and then doubt and worry creep back in. I realize that I am not alone in this, as I have talked to a number of friends that have the same problem, but this is truly a weakness of mine. I knew going into this job change that I would have to turn this one over and not take it back. When I did feel anxious, I turned to the above verse (along with a few others) and I instantly felt better. Thank you to my family for your help and support (especially my dear husband who has to deal with my pregnancy hormones). Thank you to my heavenly Father for giving me this opportunity!

Now, if anyone has a child that needs speech therapy in the Valdosta area...give me a call!