Waking Up

Have you ever gone through one of those seasons in your life where when it was ending you felt like you were waking up? That is where I am now. I don't know that this season has truly ended, that is one of the particular markers of it, but I do feel as if I am waking up. One of the indicators for me that I have been "asleep" is that I now feel as if I can look around me, see where God is at work, listen for him, ask others around me how I can serve them, etc.... This has truly been one of the most difficult seasons for me. Please hear me not as complaining. I'm not. I think a couple of weeks/days ago I would have been. However, I think for now I am past that. So, where I have been is in a place that it took me everything I had just to hang on and there wasn't much left for others. Whether that was family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, whoever. Waking up for me means that I am beginning to be able to look around me and see others needs or (shamefully enough) not duck when I become aware of another's needs. If you are one of those who I have ducked, please forgive me. I am waking up. Especially to Julie, thank you for serving me and loving me even through this. I know you have had your own hard season, yet you were stronger. I love you and am so grateful for you.--Brett

NUTS ABOUT NOTES

Well, unfortunately my business website is still not ready. I've decided to just post my products on our blog until it's finished (which means that you will not be able to check out with Paypal or pay with credit card yet....sorry).

If you see something below that you'd like to order, please send me an email at jspivey03@hotmail.com and I'll be in contact with you (make sure you include the best phone number to call you at....we can take care of most of the details over the phone, just to make things go faster). If you place your order by no later than Tuesday, December 16th I will be able to ship it by Friday, thus having it to you in time for Christmas hopefully.

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YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ENLARGE ALL THE IMAGES BELOW BY CLICKING ON THE PICTURE (then just click the back arrow).

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ACRYLIC BOX SETS
I have 16 different designs of the acrylic box sets. Each set includes 150 sheets, an acrylic memo holder with 1/8" thick walls and a thumb notch, and is tied together with a matching grosgrain ribbon. All acrylic box sets are $22.95 + shipping/handling (no tax for out of state orders).

NOTE CARD & ENVELOPE SETS
I have 5 different designs for the note card & envelope sets. A set includes 10 note cards & 10 envelopes. It is packaged in a clear, soft plastic box & tied with matching grosgrain ribbon. All note card & envelope sets are $11.95 + shipping.













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All stationery (acrylic box sets & note card with envelope sets) can be personalized in whatever way you wish...first name, first & last name, a scripture, favorite quote, etc. Font choices are below.

If you have any questions, please let me know. Hopefully my website will be finished soon, but thanks for bearing with me for now! :o) I'll probably send out an email announcing when it's finished.

Check it out soon...... www.nutsaboutnotes.com

Just a quick update....it's hard to type too terribly long with a little monkey on your back  :o)

We had a check-up last week (at 10 weeks), and we heard the heart beat!!!! :O)   I LOVE my new doctor!!  She reminds me so much of Dr. Micus who was my doctor in Waco and delivered Emma.  I'm soooooooooo glad we made the decision to change doctors!!   Anyway, the doctor found the heart beat right away, like within seconds!! (unlike at the other doctor's office where they kept rolling the doppler ALL around saying "we should be able to hear a heart beat by now..." NOT something you should say to someone who has miscarried, but anyway.....)  

I'll be 11 weeks on Wednesday.....glad to be past that point in which I miscarried last time!!!  When I was pregnant with Emma, I was sick all thru my first trimester (like nauseous ALL day....wishing I could throw up just so I'd feel better for a little while....never actually could though).  Anyway, it's been the same story this time around except I have a 2.5 year old and don't have the luxury of just resting whenever I feel yucky.  Most of the time, I just have to suck it up and keep on keeping on....  So, I'm hoping that this whole "morning sickness" thing will be over in another week!  :o)

Since the monkey that was on my back has now decided to play on the floor beside me, I thought I'd type a bit longer.  Random info for ya'.....There's definitely been some food cravings this time around....pickles, bread with nothing on it, lettuce, sugary cereals (cinnamon toast crunch, lucky charms, frosted flakes, trix, apple jacks, etc......I've only given in to a few of the sugary cereals though! :o)  I'm hoping with all this snacking that I've been doing lately to avoid an empty stomach, that I'm not starting off this pregnancy gaining too much weight (especially since I haven't felt much up for working out lately, UGH!!)  Hoping to start that back up ASAP!!! 

I'd like to know what are some of the cravings you've experienced.....please, do share!! :o)

Well, Emma says I've spent long enough on the computer....guess it's time to quit.  Next time I'll be sure to post some pics....

Here's a late Halloween pic. We went trick or treating around our neighborhood. Piglet was a hit! She had a blast!! (except for the fact that she was scared a couple times by older kids in scary costumes....she didn't realize that they were just kids beneath the costumes). We only stayed out for about 30 minutes or so, then we went back to the house and gave out candy. It was fun!!


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A few random pics...

Check out those curls...

and that cute face!!!

Notice the big girl panties....she's doing GREAT!! Can you tell that she's a bit proud of herself? :o)

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and a few blogworthy Emma stories...

1. She's talking SOOOOOO MUCH nowadays....here's a piece of a conversation her and I had a few mornings ago:
   Emma: mmm.....that's good yogurt!! (big smile and cute expression)
   Me: (having one of those "WOW-moments") whispered... "You're amazing Emma!"
   Emma: I'm a big girl. Yep, I'm a big girl! (very proud smile) Mommy, you are finished with your yogurt? I not finished with my yogurt too. Look! I stirring it round and round!"
   
   
2. Emma and her friend Holly were playing dress-up. Emma was in a Buzz Lightyear costume. I was standing off to the side just observing the two play and I heard Emma say: "It's okay Holly. Don't be scared. I am Buzz Lightyear"
   
   
3. Last night at dinner, Emma bumped her elbow on the table. Apparently she hit her funny bone or something because it bothered her for several minutes. Anybody wanna guess what she was trying to do??? Kiss her elbow!! (it's impossible, in case you didn't know that) She became quite frustrated that she could not kiss her elbow. Usually, it suffices for me to kiss her ouchies, but she was insistent on kissing her own ouchie this time. After trying and trying, she finally gave up and moved onto something else. It still makes me laugh just thinking about the whole thing! She's too cute!! :o)

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Pregnancy Update:
I think things are going well. I'm in the process of changing doctors, so the timing of that kinda stinks. We've just had one too many bad experiences with the one we had been going to. I have my next checkup on Wed. Nov. 12th with the new doctor. I'll be 10 weeks then, which is about the time that I miscarried this past time (at 10.5 weeks)....so we are really looking forward to getting to hear/see the heartbeat! :o) Please pray for us if the Lord brings us to mind!! Thanks!!

Love you all!

Just a quick post to tell you about our first Dr. appt. today....

We had a sonogram and everything looked good!!!! :o) We saw a very strong heart beat, the baby measured exactly as it was supposed to, etc. We were so relieved! It was still a bit too early to hear the heart beat....hopefully soon! Thanks so much for the many prayers and words of encouragement!

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Also, I wanted to share a fun Emma story:
Today we ran into the grocery store to get a few things, and as we were checking out she saw a poster with a picture of a baker. She points and shouts, "Look Mommy!! The muffin man!!!" It was hilarious! Definitely brought a smile to people's faces who were around. Then as we were walking out she asked, "Mommy, do the muffin man like donuts?" It's was super cute! Then our 3 or 4 minute drive home we sang "Do you know the muffin man?" like 100 times!

She is so much fun!!! I'm LOVING this age & the way she is able to communicate with us so much!!! :o)

5 YEARS AGO TODAY!!!

What a GREAT day!! It's been fun looking through the HUNDREDS of pictures we have from this special day....wish I could post them all, but I had to just pick some favorites.

It has truly been a wonderful 5 years!! I have the BEST husband in the world!! :o) Whom I love even more today than I did the day we got married! I feel really blessed!!

Thanks to all who shared in that special day with us 5 years ago! And to all who have loved and invested in us since that day! We love you all and are really grateful for you!

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We thought this might be a fun time to mention.....WE'RE PREGNANT AGAIN!! :o) We're super excited (and maybe still a bit nervous). I'm only about 6 weeks. My due date is June 12th...which "just happens" to be the day that we found out we were miscarrying this past pregnancy. We really like the idea of June 12th being turned into a happy memory and see that as a gift from the Lord (and NOT an accident). If the Lord brings us to mind, please be praying for this little one growing inside of me....that he/she will be healthy and strong, and that my pregnancy will go to full term. Thanks!

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Love you all!!

"Now I know my ABCs..." well, kinda!!

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We went camping with our friends, Rick & Amy at Cheney Lake a few weekends ago. Their daughter, Katelyn, is about 10 months older than Emma. The kids had a blast! (and so did we, of course!!!)



SO SWEET!!


Emma LOVED the tent!! Her and Katelyn kept putting their dolls to sleep, changing their diapers, etc. (playing house). They played together so well, & we had lots of time to hang out with our friends! It was great!


There's nothing like getting toted around on someone's back, eh? We opted for hiking with the backpack instead of having to carry her half way through if she got tired.


Just a quick reminiscing pic...here's Emma in the backpack at one year old during our trip to Boston. Amazing how much she has changed in a year and a half!! She actually has some hair now! :o)


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A couple other random pics...


PJs, piggy tails, and Pappa's boots! Nice!!


Playing dress up with her friend Holly.
(notice the goggles from my lasik!!) :o)


Helping mommy work!

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A few blog-worthy Emma stories:

1.) Everything for Emma nowadays is: "I can do it by myself" (not in a rude kind of way, but in a "I want to be a big girl" kind of way). The other day we were in a store and heading up some stairs. I asked her to hold my hand because the stairs were pretty steep. She said, "No mommy, I can hold hands by myself" (and so she walked up the stairs....holding her own hand; while Brett and I did all we could not to crack up laughing).

2.) So, apparently, Emma hasn't fully grasped the meaning of "sometimes" and "maybe" yet. We realized that we must be answering her in these ways fairly often because she started saying it a lot back to us....except she used them in phrases that don't really fit. It's really cute & funny!! For example, "Can we see our friends today, sometimes?" or "I like to go to the park, maybe?" Now, anytime she says it, whether it "fits"or not, we can't help but smile. :o)

3.) She's gotten really good about taking her dishes to the counter by the sink when she's finished. The other day, I left her at her little table eating a snack while I was running around the house finishing up a couple chores. I walked back into the kitchen to find her with the dishwasher open and putting her plate away!! No kidding! I was pretty impressed, but had to assure her that next time mommy needed to help her.

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Emma is headed to TX on Saturday to have some time with each of her grandparents! It's always so different (& hard) when she's not around!! I'm so used to my days revolving around her schedule, needs, etc. But we're glad she's getting some good time with Meme, Poppie, Aunt Carrie, Uncle Sloan, Nana, and Pappa. (And I'm hoping to make some significant progress with by business stuff while she's gone!! Hoping to design ALL the stationery the week she's gone, then get it printed the following week, put on the webiste, and then open for business by late October....HOPEFULLY!!!!)

Jesus is my friend!

Hey! Thanks to our friend, Matt Smith, we just found our new favorite band!



So, if you're into groovy music, bad theology, and icky christianity.....

You gotta admit (after you listen to it a few times) it is quite a catchy tune! :o)

What's your take on that beautiful ensemble?

Here's a picture of all the FOCUS staff kiddos. As Lesli put it..."All the dads are off staff retreating. The moms decided to combine the chaos for our "un-retreat"...it was lots of fun!! After playing at the park, we decided they all needed a quick bath (and, of course, a pic too!!)
Those are some cute kids, huh? The one on the right is Joshua (or as Emma says, "baby Jos-uh-da"). Rusty and Lesli just adopted him from China in July. He is precious!! You ought to check out their adoption journey and story! You will be blessed!
http://www.our-china-doll.blogspot.com/

The Mysterious Flying Leaf

This morning I looked out the kitchen window and saw a leaf hovering over the grass. I watched from the window for several minutes with great curiosity, then decided that I had to go outside to check it out. In the back of my mind, I was kinda wondering if (and hoping that) this might be some kind of cool "burning bush" experience that God was using to speak to me.....but it wasn't. :o) It was pretty cool though!! Emma and I sat and watched it for quite a long time. Even she was really amazed by it. Apparently, as the leaf was falling to the ground, it got caught up in a spider's web overhead and is now hangin' on for dear life.

Pretty cool, huh? :o) So maybe it wasn't a "burning bush" experience, but I certainly am glad it drew me outside this morning to enjoy His creation.
Just wanted to share....

FUN &/or FUNny Emma Moments:

• Such a thoughtful child..."Dis is for da fly" as she often puts food beside her plate to share with any poor fly in the area who might be brave enough to land on the table...
  
  
• "Stop moving"....I caught her trying to balance a Lego on her head one day, then telling HERSELF to stop moving whenever it would fall off.
  
  
• "Ta-Da"...not sure where she learned this, but she now says "ta-da" after she cleans up her toys and/or finishes her meal.
  
  
• "Don't do dat!"....this one is even scarier than the "stop moving"...Several times now, she appears to be having a "disagreement" between her left hand and her right hand. One hand tries to take something, and the other hand grabs it back and she tells herself "Don't do dat!" Hmmm.....all you psychology friends out there...should we be worried?!?! :o)
  
  
• Night-time procrastination...On nights when she apparently isn't quite ready to go to sleep yet, she entertains herself with all kinds of fun activities: Taking off her PJs and attempting to put them back on (usually either backwards, inside-out, or occasionally not at all); Taking her pillow case off (and trying to put it back on-usually unsuccessfully); Starting at one corner and rolling her area rug up, etc. On nights like these, she is very quiet....we almost always (naively) make a comment like "Wow, she hasn't made a peep tonight...must have been super tired!" Yea! Right!! It's only when we check on her before we head to bed that we discover just how busy she has been!!
  
  
• Nutritious? Nope!...Apparently, from a very young age, the only thing I ever wanted to eat were bean and cheese tacos. My parents eventually "gave in" b/c I simply wouldn't eat much else. So Emma's food of choice: pancakes and waffles. Really and truly, she would eat them breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day if we would let her. Of course, we're trying hard to "make her" branch out a bit, but sometimes unsuccessfully. Whenever I start to worry about the nutrition side of things, I just try to remind myself about all my bean and cheese tacos. SURELY the high sugar content in syrup and waffles is a little better for your body than all the lard in tortillas and beans, right?!?! UGH!!!
  
  
• Grammar 101: Emma is a little confused with her pronouns (fairly normal for her age). She used to say "you" for pretty much everything. (ie: "Mommy hold you?" for Can you hold me Mommy?) Now she seems to be saying "my" for lots of things (ie: "My fall down" instead of "I fell down"). It's quite embarassing when she gets the "he, she, him, her" thing confused. Several times now, she has said the wrong pronoun when talking to/about a stranger. (ie: "What is he doing?" talking about a woman or visa versa). I usually just repeat her question using the correct pronoun and then try to give a friendly smile as I tell Emma to wave to him/her. It's been a little embarrassing/akward at times.
  

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Mommy: "Emma, what is the little girl doing?"
(notice the Lego that the little girl is sitting in)
Emma: "Girl is going potty"

POTTY SUCCESS!! Nope, not much around. :o(

Those 3 weeks that we spent in TX earlier this Summer pretty much put a stop to all potty success around here. Emma spent most of those 3 weeks wearing pull-ups because we were doing so much driving around and busy seeing friends and family. (At her age, it's normal to wait until the last minute to tell you they need to go, so there better be a potty nearby....Thus, she wore pull-ups all the time b/c we never knew when we would be near a potty.) Anyway, before we left for TX, she was wearing "big girl panties" all day long on most days, except when she slept. Now, when you put a pull-up and "big girl panties" in front of her, 9 times out of 10, she chooses the pull-up. :o( I'm pretty disappointed, but I'm still trying not to push her too much. I have another "potty-plan" that I'm implementing very soon, so hopefully we'll be back on track before the Summer's end.

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In case you haven't heard....
Many of you know that I've been "brainstorming" ideas for years about something that I can do from home to earn a little extra income. I have finally come up with something that I am super excited about doing and it will enable me to continue staying at home with Emma, which I believe is so important. Hopefully my new, fun business will be up and running by October sometime. So here it is...

Nuts About Notes
Trendy, Personalized Paper

From scratch, I will be designing, printing, cutting, mailing, etc. personalized stationery (notes in acrylic boxes, cards & envelopes, notepads, luggage & diaper bag tags, invitations, announcements, etc). It will be primarily an online business, although at some point I may consider selling my products in local retail stores. I already own the domain name, but my website is not finished yet...it is currently being worked on and will be ready by October...just in time for Christmas, so be sure to check out my website soon for fun gift ideas!! :O)
www.nutsaboutnotes.com

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Not sure why, but I've been on a kick lately with the video camera. Out of 7 videos from the last month or so, I picked out my 3 favorites. Hope you enjoy!! :o)


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Emma loves to "dance"...if you can really call it that!! :o) When I watch this video (taken about a month or so ago), I'm amazed by how much her hair has grown in the last month!! It's still not "long" by any means, but she does have lots of curly hair in back and I usually have to keep her bangs swooped to the side b/c they've gotten so long.

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This kid LOVES to jump! You know that book, "Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed"? Well, that didn't help much! We decided she needed SOMETHING that was okay to jump on. (Mommy really enjoys jumping on it too!! She has always wanted a trampoline....this small one will have to do, I guess).
In the very beginning of the video, she is talking to her doggy: "Me hold you? You jump with me, Doggy?" Then she starts singing "Ring Around the Rosie."

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This last video was taken in the car (obviously) on our way home from TX this last trip. It started raining pretty hard at one point, and so Emma started singing/chanting...

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And one quick pic from the zoo this morning. On the left is my friend and small group leader, Pam. Next to her is my friend, Jade (also in my small group). Each of them have 3 kids of their own and then I had Hudson and Hannah with me...so there were 9 kiddos between the 3 of us. CRAZY!! The kids had so much fun though!! They ran around holding hands and screaming with excitement over all the different things to see. Emma tried keeping up for a while, but ended up staying in the stroller most of the time because it was HOT!!!

We just got back yesterday from TX, and I wanted to share some pics from our trip.
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We had such a great visit with each of our families!! We're so grateful for the time we had with them!

Here's Emma with my parents (on left) and Brett's parents (on right).

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While we were in TX, we also got to see nearly all of our friends from Brazos Meadows. We spent lots of time meeting different people for lunch, dinner, coffee, etc. It was so good to be able to catch up with everyone! Unfortunately, I didn't pull my camera out much during these times, but I did get some pretty cute pics of Emma and her friend Haley.

Are those not 2 of the cutest kids you've ever seen!?!?! :o)
Emma misses her friend, "baby Haley"... who is not a baby anymore, of course, but that's what Emma (lovingly) still calls her.


And we miss Haley's parents A BUNCH!!! These are our good friends, TJ & Laura. We sure do love you guys & really enjoyed hanging out with y'all....just like old times!! :o)

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This is the one and only family pic that I got during our time in TX. It's not the best, but I thought I'd go ahead and post it since I hardly ever have pics of Brett and I.

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Just a heads-up....
I have 3 videos that I am wanting to post. I will try to post them within the next 2 or 3 days. They're super cute!! (Of course, I AM quite bias) :o)

Hope you all are having a great summer!!