NYE

I love New Year's Eve! Ever since I have been married, my husband and I usually do something fun for New Year's. Last year we went with some friends of ours to Muscle Shoals, AL to this cute little golf resort and partied away with the old people. We definitely made the party!

This year we are going a little more classy...to our favorite date night restaurant, Walnut Circle Grill. We invited another couple to go with us; it's always more fun with friends! While we were out Christmas shopping, Jeffry helped me choose my dress which is adorable and totally not my usual color. I did NOT want to wear black. I get tired of black dresses. Jeffry actually picked this dress himself. You'll have to wait to see pictures!! I also got some snazzy shoes...love Antonio Melani. They always fit perfectly and have the cutest styles for a great price.

I'm off to Poplarville for lunch with my BFF then going to get pretty for tonight!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Work EOY

Yuck, I'm stuck at work doing End of Year. For those of you who don't know, my husband and I own a building supply/ hardware store, and I do all of our accounting and bookwork. Since I have been out with the baby and also with Brayden being out of school over the holidays, I'm a little behind. And I'm trying to get everything posted by the end of work today. UGH! Not to mention the fact that I have this little thing called sleep deprivation (aka a newborn baby!) these days...

Christmas celebrations, part 1

Wow, I have been MIA for a while. It seems like I've barely posted anything besides pictures since Trace was born. My brain seems unable to form complete sentences these days, haha. So Christmas was wonderful...a little frenzied at times, but wonderful nonetheless. Jeffry and I opened our gifts to each other on Christmas Eve eve. I had already given him a big surprise of a new tool box for his truck, but that night he opened a sweet wall photo frame for our bedroom, a new jacket, toiletry bag, new Luckys, a vest, and some BluRay DVDs. Little did he know, there would be more in store the next day!


He got me lots of new PJ's and things from Victoria's Secret, a fancy diamond bracelet that I adore!, some North Face clothes, a Message Bible that's purple and white, and a new North Face jacket with my 4 karat diamond hoops hiding in the pocket!! He's so good! He totally picked the earrings out himself; I love my sweet hubby!



Christmas Eve morning we woke up and had breakfast with the boys. Then we got ready and headed to Lucedale to celebrate at his parents with his brother and his girlfriend, grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. Lunch was yummy; we did a seafood fest this year! We had fried shrimp and oysters, crab au gratin, and delicious gumbo. With his extended family we draw names, and Danielle (his brother's girlfriend) got me this awesome painting I wanted for our bedroom at the new house! I was so excited. I actually drew her name too, ha. Jeffry got a new fireplace tool set for the new house, and also a sling for his gun. The boys racked up with way too many toys! After the cousins left, we opened gifts with Jeffry's parents. I got new Chanel makeup (YAY!), a new wallet, a USM frame with family photo inside, and a fancy edition of Scrabble. His parents gave us some awesome black rockers for the new house, and a Wii!! So now we are addicted and playing every night...and I want a Wii Fit!






To be continued!

Christmas card photo shoot

Close-ups!

Caleb took this picture of Trace and me...



and then I took this one of him with Trace.

A few more pictures

Words can't express how thankful I am for these precious boys and my wonderful husband!

He's finally here!

Trace David Peters made his debut on November 21, 2008 at 10:29am. He weighed 8 pounds 6 ounces and was 20 inches long. It was a quick and relatively easy delivery! We are so blessed to have this precious little boy in our lives. Brayden and Caleb love him already; they enjoy holding him. We are especially thankful this year as we celebrate this new life. Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!



Caleb loves babies so much! He finally has his own!!


Brayden meeting Trace for the first time!


My sweet baby! It's amazing how you can love them so much from the very beginning.


He's a miracle!

Reading Fair

Brayden had to do a board for the reading fair at school and also for a class grade. We worked on it for several days; he did 98% of the work. He ended up winning 1st place for Kindergarten at his school, which is out of about 80 students! His board went on to the Regional reading fair, where he placed 2nd for Kindergarten out of 5 other schools. I cannot tell you how proud I was! Monday night we went to Hattiesburg to attend the Forrest County school board meeting where he and other winners were awarded with their ribbons and certificates. I think activities like this are so important in shaping a child's view of school. It CAN be fun and rewarding! I pray that this jumpstarts Brayden's excitement about school!


Brayden with his principal, Mr. Lewis.


So proud of his 2nd place ribbon!!


Receiving his 2nd place ribbon for the regional reading fair from Forrest Co. school board members.


Brayden's board.


I was so proud of him!

Awesome Video

This Psalm speaks about restlessness in life. It's what our Bible study was on this week, and it really spoke to me. If you can relate to this, be sure to watch the video at the end!

Psalm 42
For the choir director: A psalm[a] of the descendants of Korah.

1 As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?
3 Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”
4 My heart is breaking
as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
amid the sound of a great celebration!

5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and 6 my God!

Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.
7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.
8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.

9 “O God my rock,” I cry,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?”
10 Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”

11 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!


I saw this video last night. I had heard about it, but I never sat down and watched it until now. It really speaks about God's love...gives me chills and tears every time I watch it!

Ok, for some reason the link is not working but go to www.godtube.com and click on the "Lifehouse Everything Drama".

Fall Favorites

Christmas with Southern Living makes me giddy! Not sure if you've noticed, but Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I love when this book comes in the mail! I get lots of ideas, inspiration, and new recipes to try!


Southern Miss football at the Rock. Although, I'm somewhat of a fair weather fan (literally)...I pretty much only enjoy the night games when it's cooler than 85 degrees. Haha...


Candles that remind me it's fall somewhere, even if it doesn't feel like it in Mississippi. I live in the wrong climate. These Montag candles are fabulous, and I love the Harvest Pumpkin smell!


Fall foliage! I love all the colors of the leaves; I really love Gatlinburg this time of year. And Missouri. :)


Boots. Nothing says fall to me like a new pair of cute boots. I think these quilted ones are adorable!

Grandaddy's 80th Birthday Party

We recently celebrated my grandfather's 80th birthday at AJ's in Madison. Several of his close friends and family attended the party; it was really sweet! I think he was really happy to see a lot of them that he hasn't seen in a while. The food was wonderful!! I got the steak with asparagus...yum! Jeffry didn't get to come because he had to work at the store, but the boys were with me. Below are a few of the photos from that day!


Grandaddy with his scrumptious birthday cake!


Grandaddy and his sister, Aunt Mable. Don't they look great for their age?!


All of the grandkids with Mom and Grandaddy.


My other grandmother, parents, Evan, and the boys.


My aunt, Jone, Mama, Mom and Grandaddy.

Soccer Photos

A few pictures from one of Brayden's soccer games:

Drumroll, please...

I think we officially have a baby name! Jeffry and I have agreed on:

Trace David Peters

It's a very strong name! I kept feeling in my spirit that part of his name should be David. Every time I would read or hear someone preach about David in the Bible, it's like the Holy Spirit would just be affirming that this baby is a David! So I had that in my heart, and Jeffry and I were just throwing names back and forth trying to figure out a first name. One day I suggested Trace...I looked up the meaning which is "fierce or warlike". Which may seem odd for a little boy, but when you pair it with David- who was a mighty warrior of God- I think this baby boy has a strong name to live up to! It really excites me because I know that God has great plans for this child!

Psalm 139

13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

Nursery Decor

I have been working on finding the perfect nursery decor for the baby's room. I was a little uncertain if I would actually buy new bedding this time, but I feel like it's unfair for Bray and Caleb to have had new bedding and not the new baby. Therefore, I only started looking a few weeks ago! I wanted something kind of vintage looking; I love a lot of things that Warm Biscuit puts out. So here's what I found:




This one is called "Little Cowboys". I love the vintage look of the cowboy print! It's so cute.




This one is "Western Pony". I think it's too much together, but I'm going to pick and choose pieces to incorporate with the cowboys pieces. If you have suggestions and would like to weigh in, please do so!

Catching Up!

Things have been seriously busy around our house! It seems like I say that every week, but it's true. This past week, we had Jim Hockaday speak Sunday through Wednesday at our church. He is incredible! If you've never heard him speak, I urge you to check our his website. He ministered with Kenneth Hagin for many years and was the Dean of Hagin's school of healing. Awesome ministry. So each of those nights, I had to be at the church an hour before the service to soundcheck with the worship team. Which is WONDERFUL, but crazy when you have to get home from school, do homework, get the boys cleaned up, and drive 30 minutes to the Gulfport church. Jeffry and the boys would go eat dinner while I was having soundcheck, and I usually didn't eat until after the service each night. I learned SO much over those few nights, that the sacrifice of our time was small.

Along with church every night, each member of my family went to the doctor this week! Sunday afternoon Brayden was complaining of his ears hurting and running a low fever, so Monday he missed school and we went to the doctor. Sure enough he had a double ear infection which the pediatrician said was "pretty bad". See, Brayden never tells me anything hurts until its REALLY bad...therefore, I'm sure the doctor thinks I'm a horrible parent for waiting until he's SO sick before I bring him in. Blah. Then on Tuesday, Jeffry went because his allergies were really bad. He actually had a sinus infection with allergies on top of that so he was kinda pitiful. Also, I took Caleb to the dentist for the very first time on Tuesday! He did so great! The dentist let him do everything, x-rays, flouride...my kids are superstars at the dentist! I have always loved going to the dentist...I get to go this week! :)

Wednesday I had my doctor's checkup for the baby. He said things are looking great, although my iron was a little low. That explains why I've been so tired lately! I have been having contractions already, which concerned me a little because I've never had them this early. I'm 30 weeks! My dr said as long as I could make them stop it was ok for now. I have them pretty much whenever I stand up and walk around so I'm sitting a LOT more lately! My next appointment is on the 30th so I will update you then!

I also took Caleb to the doctor on Friday for allergies. He was starting to get an ear infection too, so I'm glad I didn't wait. Motherly instincts! :) Anyway, we are all doing much better now and getting ready for the coming week. Brayden's first soccer game was Saturday, and I took a lot of pics so I will post them later!!

Baby Registries!

So I haven't updated recently, but I've been so excited to register for the baby at a few places over the past week!! I had to update you.

I guess with the third baby, the pregnancy goes by soooo much quicker! It seems like it took Brayden forever to get here, and Caleb definitely wasn't fast either. But I only have 11 weeks left! And I have hardly done anything! I'm almost positive we had everything ready for Brayden's arrival by this point. I need to get Jeffry to get in the attic and get out the carseat, bottles, and clothes that have been packed away for the past few years. I have to start washing everything!

However, I had given away a LOT of the boys' clothes to some people who had nothing for their baby, and I'm pretty sure I gave away our swing too. So I have some replacing to do, which is exciting because who doesn't want to buy new things for their baby? So I have registered at Pottery Barn Kids, Walmart, and Target. I'm blessed to have my church give me a baby shower which was completely unexpected. I mean, this is my third baby after all. But I'm excited that he will get new things just like Brayden and Caleb did. I'm searching for a car seat cover, so if anyone knows of a good place to get a cute one, please let me know!

At my last doctor's visit, he told me I was measuring about a week and a half big. Which is good and bad. He told me that with Brayden and that he thought it was just extra fluid, but Brayden came out weighing almost 10 lbs. the day before his due date. SOOO, I'm slightly freaked out, and insisting that this child CANNOT be anywhere close to that weight. (Caleb was 8lb 2oz, and a much easier delivery!) So I'm praying for easy delivery and a little baby, haha.

I can't believe that the time is approaching so quickly for the baby's arrival! Oh and yes, we are still thinking of a name....

Lions and Tigers and...

No, they didn't have bears. But the lions and tigers were awesome! We went to the circus Saturday night at the coast coliseum. Our friends Steven and Amy brought their little boy, Smith, who is Caleb's age. We all rode together and ate dinner at The Dock beforehand. The first couple of pics are from dinner, and the rest are from the circus. We had a lot of fun, and the boys seemed to really enjoy it!


All the men looking out over the water. I thought this was so cute!

Caleb and Smith. Aren't they sweet?

My precious Brayden.

All three of the boys at the circus. Amy got a better pic than this one; I may have to steal hers, haha!

First Day of School/ Rodeo

Here's my cute little Kindergartener standing by my car on his first day of school!

That night we took the boys to a rodeo at the fairgrounds. Brayden participated in the calf scramble. Basically, all of the kids can enter the arena, and they have to chase a calf that has a ribbon tied to his tail. Whoever gets the ribbon, gets a prize! Brayden didn't win, but he had a lot of fun. He did really well for it being his first time!