1000 Words

CMA Awards - TONIGHT!

Tonight is the night I have been waiting for for YEARS!

For years, my mom, my aunt, my cousin, and I have thought what a great "Girls Trip" it would be for the four of us to attend the CMA Awards in Nashville, TN.  It has been one of those "someday" trips for a long time.

SOMEDAY has arrived.

Tonight, my cousin, my aunt, and I will be dressed to the nines, enjoying celebrity sightings on a red carpet, and enjoying great music, awesome performances, touching speeches, and funny jokes!  We will be at the only awards show worth watching these days, The CMA Awards.



YAY!

Treasuring the Present: Celebrating

 
I am headed out of town today... again... but THIS time, it is for only a few days, and it is for a celebration!!!

I am headed to NASHVILLE to meet my mom, my aunt, and my cousin to attend THE CMA MUSIC AWARDS!!!

This trip is a celebration I have been looking forward to for months.  This is a birthday present, last-hurrah-before-I'm-a-mom present, and Congratulations-I'm-done-with-my-O&M-classes from Hubby, my dad, and my brother.  Also, it is a a 60th birthday present for my mom.

I am taking three days off of work... and actually TAKING TIME OFF WORK!!!  I have had time away from work in August and October -- but I was working the whole time at my O&M degree.  These 3 days will be PURE VACATION!

I get to see my mom, my aunt, and my cousin.
I get to eat AMAZING Nashville Southern food.
I get to get all dressed up and dolled up for a red carpet event.
I get to ATTEND the CMA awards with three amazing women.
I get to have a getaway with my mom, aunt, and cousin before the next generation of our family enters the world.

This is a trip that my mom, aunt, cousin, and I have talked about for years.  What a great trip this would be -- just us girls, to have a few days in Nashville, and attend the CMA Awards.  And, now, in these next few days, the trip is finally actually happening.

There is a time for hard work.  There is a time for planning.  There is a time for anticipation.  And then, there is a time for celebrating, for cherishing good times together, and truly treasuring the present.

This trip will be such a celebration!

Preggers I: 27 Weeks

How far along?  27 weeks

How I am feeling?  Really well!  I am tired at the end of the day... sometimes in the morning, but I am feeling terrific.  I have minor aches and pains, but I am able to do EVERYTHING I need, and want to... I'm just bigger.  I really am feeling so well these days.

 

How big is baby?  The size of a rutabaga... 13.6-14.8 inches and 1.5-2.5 lbs

Sleep:  Wonderfully... and the extra hour this past weekend was heaven-sent!

 

Boy/Girl Prediction:  Interesting, I've really been on the fence about the sex this week.  When I picture Hubby and me with our little baby next summer, or a year from now, I think it's a boy.  When I feel the baby moving inside, and think about it traveling with me all day, every day, I think its a girl.  

The good news... it's certainly either one or the other.

 

Baby Nicknames:  Baby, Nugget, or Jitterbug

Best moment this week:  I saw several women this past week whom I hadn't seen in months... and my belly was touched more times this week than it has been in the entire pregnancy so far.  Pre-pregnancy, I've never really appreciated people touching my stomach... but I have to say, I felt very loved when these women touched it.  I know these women are so happy for Chris and me, and they love the baby already, and that's why they were touching the baby -- and it was really sweet.

Food cravings:  Food that is spicy... I cooked spaghetti sauce this week, and I made a few variations to my mom's recipe -- including 4 teaspoons of cayenne pepper -- Hubby is certain we're having a red-head given all the spicy food I've been eating.

 

Missing:   A beer.  College football, autumn weather, and spicy food go really well with a beer.  This weekend, one would have been nice.

Maternity Clothes:  Yes, and I'm headed to NASHVILLE tomorrow for a celebration with my mom, aunt, and cousin -- and we're attending the CMA Awards!!!  I found two semi-formal maternity dresses on sale a few weeks ago, and I am SOOOO excited to wear one to the awards show.  I can't wait to share pictures.

 

Movements:  Yes, and I'm loving them!!!!  Hubby still doesn't feel them as much as I do, or as much as I want him to... but they are the most awesome part of pregnancy!

Labor Signs:  No.  Thank goodness!

General Attitude:  A little nervous about the fact I have 3 months of growing left... but mostly feeling great, and really enjoying this stage of pregnancy.

What I am looking forward to this week:  In Nashville, I will get to see my mom, and my aunt, and cousin, and it will be so much fun to see them while pregnant.  I was BARELY showing the last time I saw my mom, and this is the only time in the pregnancy I will see my aunt or cousin, so this will be very special.  I also hope that they will be able to feel the baby move at some point during our time together.

Milestones:  I think I've definitely started "nesting."  On Saturday, my plan was to get up and make applesauce... but suddenly, I couldn't do ANYTHING until my kitchen was scrubbed top to bottom.  My plan was to make applesauce and the next thing I knew, I was on my hands and knees washing the inside of our oven drawer.  Ummmm... how did that happen?  Either way, I'm trying to take advantage of it, and make lots of organization plan for making room for Baby in the next two months.

 

My Saturday...

My Saturday...

Two apple pies, canned tomatoes, and canned applesauce

... plus homemade spaghetti sauce that didn't fit in the picture.

BEAT STATE!!!

Michigan plays Michigan State today... BEAT STATE!!!!

via

October Highlights

October was such a great month... I am sad to see it go because it really is the BEST month of the year!  Here were some of our October Highlights.

From top to bottom, and left to right...

• My best friend, Kelley and I had some great times in Austin while I was there.  In this picture, we're kissing a mannequin at a two-step dancing club.
• My hubby surprised me in Austin and we had an amazing 32 hours together... including time at Buy Buy Baby.
• Hubby surprised me at the two-step dance club with the help of Kelley.  It was unbelievable and so special!!!
• Hubby and I have been out shooting in the cool, fall weather.
• While Hubby was in Austin, we went to a Baylor football game with my friend, Obinna.  Baylor best West Virginia!
• Hubby and I have been out hunting a little this month.
• Lexie was SO excited to get me home from Austin.  I was also very excited to be home.
• Our little niece, Zivah, all dressed up for Halloween.
• Hubby organized a big school fundraiser, which was a huge success.  The night included him in the dunk-tank.  I was the first to successfully dunk him, which he found surprising, and his students found awesome!