a picture post

Because we all like pictures...



This is the lovely diaper cake that Miss April made for us! It's so beautiful, and she's incredibly talented! You should check her site out and check out her new business decobrations.



Look at all the loot we scored at our baby shower! Diapers have never been so exciting!

I've been scrapbooking a bit. Here are a few shots of some pages:








On the choo choo at Uncle Dave Macon Days

Check, check, check

God works hard in my life! I should be more patient.
We found a car that we could afford. It's a super nice 2003 Honda Pilot. It has 75,500 miles on it (that's why it was cheaper!yay!), leather interior, and a dvd player. Which, actually, isn't as awesome as I thought it would be. Kind of hard to hide it from a two year old who wants to watch her Melmo (elmo) on it.



We have also checked a few things off of our big to do list before the baby gets here. We approximately have 10 more weeks until our due date. How exciting!
Adeline is officially sleeping in her big girl bed & in her big girl room. It is painted and semi decorated. I still have a few things to change out (the closets & dressers), but other than that - things are going more smoothly than I thought.
I need to wash & put away all the 0-3 months clothes. And wash all the crib bedding (bumper pads & things), then the nursery will be all ready for Miss Pasquali.

James' big project he's been working on for the past two years is finally coming to an end. They will be testing in Eglin Airforce Base this coming August & September. We are so blessed to be able to go and stay with him and enjoy some time on the beach in Destin, Florida. How awesome to have a wonderful (free!) vacation on the beach as a family of three. This will be our second and final vacation of the three of us.
Of course, Adeline & I wont be staying the entire time. So many prayers for safe travels driving alone for 8 hours with an almost two year old are welcome!

There are just so many fun and exciting things going on in our life right now. God is good and it's just so awesome to His work. He's giving us lots to think and pray about.
We have friends who have had a job offer out of state. While this is completely heartbreaking, I know it's exciting to see what God is doing in their life. They still haven't accepted or declined the position and are still praying about where God wants them.

This post is all over the place. A picture post coming soon.

frazzled female... that's me!

We (the Monday night Bible study group) finished a bible study called The Frazzled Female (by Cindi Wood). It's all about finding God's Peace in our daily lives. Boy, do I need a refresher course of this entire study today!

I am completely overwhelmed, the kind that brings you to your knees in tears and then in prayers. I know it's mostly my overactive hormones, but there's other things there too.
-Frustrations with my husband (because of his lack of enthusiasm to finish projects before Pasquali gets here).
-Frustrations with all things State Farm and their inability to close out a claim to a wreck that happened on the 6th of JUNE.
-Frustrations with the husband again for not being enthusiastic on finding a car to replace the rental that we are paying for (apparently we have all sorts of cash that I don't know about...)
-And my frustrations with myself for not being able to lay it all down before God and let him carry it for me.

In fact, I can't even start to think about it without the tears falling down. And I'm frustrated with myself for not asking for help. But only assuming that my husband knows I need it.

Of course, then there's the guilt that comes with being so abundantly blessed and crying over such silly things. God's given me so much. A great husband (see, I can even admit he's great when I'm irritated with him), two great children (one who is completely easy to take care of), an awesome house that I'm able to get annoyed at, the ability to drive, the ability to buy a new (for me) car. So much to be thankful for. And yet... I'm still annoyed.

Maybe it's okay to be annoyed? Maybe it's okay to be frustrated to tears. Maybe God gives me these little trials to open my eyes, bow before Him and thank Him for these frustrations.
It's really all about praising Him in the storm. No matter if it's a sprinkle or a downpour. God wants me to realize that He's blessing me at all times.

28 weeks and counting

Today I had my 28 week checkup for little Ms Pasquali. She is measuring right at 28 weeks. Heart rate was 156/minute. I'm up 2lbs (yay for Pasquali, boo for mommy), my blood pressure was great too. My only complaint the oh so exciting Rhogham shot I had to have in my left hip.

Adeline made a new bestfriend in the doctor's office. It amazes me at how quickly little kids can just bond and be friends. A little girl, Jadin,3, and Adeline played with the blocks, carried buckets around, and looked at the fishies. When we were in line to check out, Jadin came around the corner and yelled, "There she is, Mommy!" and rushed towards Adeline. After we made our next appointment Adeline turned the Jadin and told her "Bye!" and blew kisses. (Things that make a mother so proud!)

We start having appointments every two weeks now. This means I need a babysitter. I'll start having exams everytime soon, and I can only imagine what a big helper Adeline will want to be!
12 weeks left until our due date. I cannot believe it's gone so quickly!
While I'm so excited about this new little family member, I'm scared to death as to how I'm going to be a mommy of two. Will Adeline do well with her baby sister? Will I do well with this baby sister? Will Adeline feel neglected? Or will she just take to being a big sister easily?
This is where prayers get me through. I just have to remember to lift it all up to God and he'll take care of the rest.
I am so thankful that I don't have to do this alone. I always have His help with all things that I do.

Baby names

One of the most difficult parts of being pregnant, for me, is finding that perfect name for my unborn child. There is so much that goes into this decision. Does it flow well with the last name? Does is fit together with subsequent children's names? Is it too difficult or too popular or just plain too weird?

We have a very short list compiled of names so far. At least with naming Adeline, we had a middle name to work with. This time, we're completely clueless.

Camille - I love this name for many reasons. I think it's sweet and classic, which goes well with the big sister's name. Also, my great aunt, whom was very special to me, had Camilla as a middle name. I would love to name a daughter after my Aunt Sylvia.

Audrey - Another name I adore because it's classic and sweet. I always think of Audry Hepburn. And how much lovelier can a girl be?

Lorelei - Because I am a die hard Gilmore Girls fan, I love this name. But, truthfully, I love this name because it's also an older name and isn't very popular. This name would, however have to be paired with a one syllable middle name, and I think we would go with Jane as that's my mother-in-law's name.

Lilly/Lilith/Lillian - James loves Lilly. I love Lilly when I was pregnant with Adeline. Now, I just like it. It's a bit too popular for my tastes. But, it's still a very pretty name.

And that's about it. There are tons of names that I don't want to name our daughter. But there's hardly anything fantastic that I want to name her.

Any suggestions?

the 4th of July - toddler beds

Yesterday was so much fun! My sweet, dear husband let me sleep in until...get this... 10:00 in the morning! How good is he!
Adeline was fed and semi-clean, which truly is more than I could have asked for.
When I woke up, we all hung out together, we watched some tv, played games, and just watched in wonder as Adeline did what Adeline does (which is pretty much everything & anything).
It's so awesome to be apart of her life. I know every mother thinks their children are the smartest and most amazing creatures on the earth - and it's true. To see your child not be able to do something one day, then the next master it and move on... it's just an amazing responsibility.

Anyways.



We met up with our KeyGroup friends from church. Who are not just 'church friends', but who are true awesome friends. We went to MTSU's campus to watch the fireworks.

This is Element 26's third annual 4th of July get together. Our family's second year attending.





James wore himself out, running the kids around in the wagon. This is him after he conked out for a bit on the blanket before the fireworks began.
He's a pretty good sport for allowing me to post pictures like this. You can see that Adeline made her daddy pretty and put her bow in his hair.






Adeline made best friends with April, who so kindly shared her Ritter's Frozen Custard with her.
April & her husband, Brandon, are in the process of being approved for adoption right now. And I for one cannot wait until they have their own children. It's awesome to watch them with Adeline & all the other kiddies.

The show started at 9pm, and we all just sat in awe of the fireworks. Adeline really enjoyed them this year, which is great, since I was worried she'd be scared of the noise.

In other news...

Adeline is asleep in her big girl bed right now. I think this may be an easy transition for her. We shall see.
We painted one and one half walls yesterday during nap time. Another reason why my husband rocks. I started painting, and realized that I'm not very good at it. Trim work- I'm great at. Regular old painting, not so much.

Hopefully by the weekend, we'll have her bedroom finished painting and I can start working on moving her things in.

Our Sunday school class is throwing us a baby shower on Saturday. I cannot wait to see what Ms. April has made for the baby!
Lots of pictures & more fun things to come.

because sleep is over rated

I think if I were to actually lay my head down, I would drift off. But, with all that's swirling around, it's just not a possibility.

So, a little list to help get it out & to probably raise my already high anxiety levels:

1. Paint Adeline's big girl room and move some toys in.
2. Move things out of Adeline's BGR's closet and find new homes for them.
3. Move all things out of the nursery's closet and into Adeline's BGR's closet.
4. Remove all nursery bedding, wash, dry, and replace on crib & wall.
5. Set up nursery from being toddler-style to newborn-style.
6. Have Adeline start sleeping in her big girl bed.
7. Have a living room again minus a million toys (atleast for a short period of time).
8. Name this kiddo. Pasquali just isn't going to do it.
9. Find a car that we can afford and that isn't a big lemon.
10. Find & Purchase a dresser for Adeline's BGR.

Oh, I know there's so much more...

Girl's night out

First, I have to say that God is just amazing to me. He is always faithful and always better than anything I could imagine!

I've truly been blessed to have some of the most awesome people in my life. True, God ordained, friendships are few and far between, and God has just showered my family with a terrific group of people. God is good!

We had a girl's night out, last night. Eight of us girls got together to have pedicures and dinner. Afterwards, some of us went out for coffee and more chit chatting. We all had such a great time! It's so good to get out and pamper yourself sometimes! It's a must, especially when your's always so busy with every day life.

Some pictures from lastnight:


From right to left : Heather, Myself, Tiffany, April, Shannon, Julie, Kimbo, and Charity.


After all that hard work, we had some very attractive toes. Awesome flip-flop tan lines and all!


Needless to say, thought I have, we had a great time!