Joy Leanne

As many of you know Josh and I had been hoping for the chance to try a VBAC this time around. However, since our doctor will not let us go past August first, and since I can’t be induced the chances of that happening are getting smaller by the day. We have until the morning of August 1st. Other wise, I will go in for a scheduled c-section at 3:00 pm on the 1st. SO as we go in to the last week this is what we are praying and are asking others to pray with us…. 1. That, if God sees fit, we will still go into labor naturaly and get to attempt a VBAC. 2. If a VBAC is NOT an option that we would still go into labor naturally as this reduces the risk of complications both for baby and myself. 3. Peace for me, especially during IV and Epidural as those were the most painful aspect of my last c-section. 4. A great anesthesiologist and the needle being successfully interested the first time (last time it took three attempts) 5. Peace for me in the days before as that’s when I get most...

Photo Credit Sincerely Liz I used to participate in a weekly blog link up that offered a prompt every Wednesday.   One week we had a prompt inspired by a series of books, Six Word Memoirs . The idea is that you share your story in six words.   It’s not as easy as it may sound. How on earth do you sum up your entire life in six little words? Surprised: by love, by motherhood, by happiness. That is my story.   I was 21 when I met my husband. I had no desire to be married. In fact, my entire relationship goals for my senior year consisted of wanting to go on a date, just one date, which I didn’t regret the next day.   I had shared this goal with my best buddy before we parted ways the summer of 2005. He rather sarcastically pointed out I might have more positive dates if I actually, you know, said yes to a date once in a while. So, it was with my friends snarky comment ringing in my ears that I agreed to let some guy I had just met buy me dinner after our first shift t...

I have no idea how it happened, but SOME HOW I never managed to post my maternity photos. I'm not a big fan of photos of myself, but I knew that some day I would look back and wish I had at least a few photos of me pregnant. I realize that couple maternity photos are more common with a first than a third, but Josh and I hadn't have photos taken of just us since the wedding so we wanted something a little more romantic. We will do all the cute family shots once baby is already here. When we decided to do the pictures I knew there was only one person I trusted to make me look amazing even as pregnant as I was. My good friend Liz is the talent behind Sincerely Liz Inc and beyond that is just a beautiful person. She did our photos last fall (which I just realized I never shared either!) and I LOVED them. My favorite thing about Liz's work is that she really captures the moment. It doesn't feel stiff or canned to me. She is so natural and comfortable that it...

We've had a pretty mild summer, I really can't complain. But I am going to complain any ways. This week has been miserable. Super hot and even more humid. It rains every couple days but that only makes it worse and more humid and I sort of feel like I"m living in a jungle. I was not cut out for tropical weather. So, if we were to have coffee today it would probably be a VERY large very COLD frozen Mocha, because the heat is making it even harder to sleep than before. If were were going to have coffee I would probably tell you how much time we have spent inside lately due to the heat. Especially after we thought I was in labor on Monday. That was interesting. I went out to lunch with friends and the contractions got so intense I couldn't drive myself to my mother-in-laws so my friends had to drive me. Turns out it was a false alarm, but since then I have been staying out of the heat and I'm afraid to go any where alone! I've also been increasing my...

My beautiful little Goose turned four at the start of the month. I know I am horribly late on this but I thought I would share a few pictures from the day. Hubby's brother works for a local rental company so we were able to get the bounce house and tents for free. YAY!!!!! We did it at my in-law's for space reasons and my Mother-in-law did an amazing job decorating. The cutest lanterns and bunting and all from the dollar store! We were so blessed to have so many friends and family there to celebrate with us. My sister and her husband surprised us and drove four hours to be at the party. I love being close enough to family to see them so often. And of course love having his family, and my brother living close enough to see weekly, or even daily. I love watching these two girls together. I didn't have a sister close in age so it's so special to see their bond and friendship. Your sisters are your first best friends. Goose helped make her own birthday tr...