Thankfulness

Gracie Claire does not have a hernia! We are so thankful that she did not have to go through a surgery or anything more severe than what it really turned out to be! She has struggled with (get ready, this might be too much info.) bad constipation for probably a year now and her little body is/was really "full." But, we are so thankful that it is something that can be treated at home. Our doctor put her on a daily medication and I had to giver her (OK...more grossness coming) an enema today. That was traumatic enough. Watching her go through painful cramping about did me in. So, I look up to you all who have gone through so much worse. The enema worked well and we start the medication tomorrow. To top it all off, she had her first horrible day of seasonal allergies. My poor baby had a drippy nose, eyes, and bottom. (I know, that's so gross, but I try to find a little humor in everything that God fixes.) She had an exhausting day and fell asleep in my arms tonight (which never happens!) Thank you all for praying for our Gracie Claire. The power of prayer is amazing...even in the littlest of things!

Asking For Your Prayers

Gracie Claire woke up this morning saying, "My belly, my belly." Paul checked and there is a puffy area that looks something like a hernia in her lower abdomen. It's tender and she says it hurts when we touch it. We're going to the doctor in a couple of hours and are praying that this is nothing and that God would completely take care of it. Please pray for Gracie Claire and the doctor. We would really appreciate it. I will try to update as soon as I can.

Bible Study and the "Big Potty"

Sort of a weird title, I know. But, these are the two things that are on my mind this week!

The new semester of Ladies Bible Class started this week and I'm super excited! I'm taking Beth Moore's Daniel study and the first session was great! What she had to say in the very first video was so applicable to my life. It's so amazing how God puts you right where you need to be, isn't it?! I'm also excited about it because over the last couple of semesters, I've taken the mothering Bible studies, which have been great, but I was ready to dive into something new and different.

Other big news in our house is that Gracie Claire is potty trained!!!! (During the day...the night time is still a little too long to stay dry, but that's getting better too.) We've been working on it for the past couple of months, and she has finally realized exactly what she needs to do. She's doing great and it is such a big bonus for us. Every time she peeps in the potty, she yells, with the proudest voice, "YEAAAAAAA!" Yea for the "big potty and Elmo panties!"

Cuteness

100 Things

So, I've seen a couple of people do the list of 100 things about themselves (which was SO fun to read) and I was curious to see if I could come up with 100 things about me. Here goes:

1. I am left handed.
2. So are my mom and sister.
3. My sister and I cry a lot when we laugh.
4. I love to laugh until I cry.
5. You have to be really funny to make me laugh that hard.
6. I hate vacuuming.
7. I love to have clean floors.
8. I am very double jointed.
9. I can bring my arms over my head both ways while holding my hands together. (Does that even make sense?)
10. I am a silly person.
11. I have to know you really well and feel comfortable with you to show you my silly side.
12. I have a weird sense of humor.
13. I love the game Balderdash.
14. I have a weird fascination with words.
15. I love word finds.
16. When I look at a word, I usually say it backwards in my head.
17. I'm really good at spelling and saying words backward.
18. I love the computer.
19. I love taking pictures and editing them on the computer.
20. My favorite things to take pictures of are my girls.
21. I love being a mom.
22. It's the best job I've ever had.
23. I feel so blessed to stay at home with my girls.
24. I loved teaching.
25. I loved the students and the teachers I worked with.
26. I hope to go back to teaching one day.
27. One of my favorite foods is sushi.
28. Paul took me to eat sushi for the first time when we were dating.
29. We've been married for 6 years.
30. Paul is my best friend!
31. I love him more everyday!
32. I am a control freak.
33. It's hard for me to be a "helper" rather than a "leader." I'm working on this.
34. I've always loved TV.
35. The Cosby Show is my all-time favorite show.
36. I can still quote lines as I'm watching reruns.
37. My favorite movies are "Singin' In the Rain" and "The Princess Bride."
38. Paul and I have gotten to travel a lot.
39. We've been to lots of places outside of the US.
40. I like to fish.
41. I don't like worming the hook.
42. It makes me gag to see the worm guts squish out.
43. I love Vanilla Dr. Pepper from Sonic.
44. We don't buy soft drinks to keep at home.
45. I was born in Iowa in a town called Keokuk.
46. I lived there until I was in the 4th grade.
47. We moved to a town in Missouri called Moberly.
48. We lived there until I was in the 8th grade. We've lived here ever since.
49. I loved being pregnant.
50. I was so blessed to never get sick.
51. I love changing my hair.
52. I don't like getting ready in the morning.
53. I don't like wearing make-up.
54. I love shoes.
55. I've passed this love on to Gracie Claire.
56. Growing up, we had a pet ferret named Charlotte.
57. She was actually my brother's, but we all loved and cuddled her.
58. She is buried in my parent's backyard.
59. I am not a pet person.
60. Paul and I had a dog once.
61. She was a lab mix and her name was Lexi.
62. She moved to Abilene to live on a prisoner ranch.
63. I don't miss her.
64. I hate talking on the phone.
65. I'm not very good at returning phone calls in a timely manner.
66. Paul got me a new car for Christmas one year.
67. I didn't know anything about it.
68. Christmas is my favorite holiday.
69. Thanksgiving is my second favorite holiday.
70. I love to sing.
71. Worship is my favorite part of church.
72. We are searching for "our place" at church.
73. I crack my knuckles.
74. It's a habit that sometimes gets on my nerves.
75. I am horrible at making myself workout.
76. Once I start, I'm pretty good at being consistent.
77. I am in a workout slump right now.
78. I love the ocean.
79. I love to snorkel.
80. I'd rather be cold than hot.
81. I sweat a lot.
82. Even when I'm cold.
83. I've been diagnosed with hyperhydrosis. Seriously.
84. No anti-perspirant, not even prescription, can make me stop sweating.
85. I'm OK with that. It's pretty funny actually.
86. I've had surgery on my face.
87. I had to have a cyst, the size of a big marble, removed from my cheek.
88. The scar is in my smile line, so it's not really noticeable.
89. I would like to go hunting and shoot a big buck someday with Paul.
90. It would totally make his day.
91. I am the oldest.
92. I have a brother named Caleb and a sister named Gracie.
93. I will be 29 on November 8.
94. Paul and I will have been together for 9 years in March.
95. I am obsessed with my handwriting.
96. I used to rewrite all of my notes to make them neater when I was in highschool.
97. I've gotten a little less obsessive about it since then.
98. My Dad called me Manda Bether growing up.
99. My middle name is Beth.
100. I'm glad I'm done. I'm tired of typing. :o)

Faith

I don't know how people walk through life without knowing our Lord. I seriously could not make it without Him. There are things that happen in life that are whispers from the Father reminding us that He is in control, and no matter what the outcome, He will still be there. Things that build my faith. I need those nudges often. Reminders to remember that when we fall, our Lord will be right there to pick us up. What a completely precious gift that is! Thank you Lord for peace, patience, and compassion. Thank you for picking us up when we fall!

Family Pictures

We found a great photographer who is SO reasonable! Thought I'd share some of the pictures with you!