2010.

I sit here this morning, the last day of 2010, tucked in under my prayer quilt, my second cup of decaf with peppermint mocha creamer and a box of cheerios next to me--with a huge and grateful heart.

2010 was a year of the Lord doing more than we could ever think or imagine.  2009 was a hard year and as I sit here today I am overwhelmed by how good He is and how He is in the redeeming business.  He took what was hard and turned it into blessing.

If you'll allow me, I'd like to share how He's blessed us this year!

2010 started off with a bang.  Nine days into the new year Robert and I became an Aunt and Uncle together for the first time.  I was so grateful we got to experience this together.  Meeting this little one for the first time will forever be etched in my memory.

Robert then pressed through one more semester of undergrad to graduate in May.  I can not tell you how proud I was (and still am) of him!  Most of you know this has not been the easiest of adventures and there were times I know that he wanted to give up (like that moment Kennesaw didn't accept any of his UGA or AASU credits and he was told he had to repeat his last two years--yeah, I'm pretty sure I would have thrown in the towel).  But for the sake of his family, he pressed on and I was so, so proud of him.  We had a great day with Roberts parents, his brother, and my parents.  We were all so proud.

Come the end of May, Katie moved in with us.  She's been a joy to have in our home.  We're down to the last week of her being a live in part of the McLendon family as she is moving out on her own and becoming a wife in March.  It's been pure joy to celebrate her engagement with her and watch her and Jordan on the adventure towards becoming one.  We're grateful for this time we've had with her.

July.  Oh July.  I don't think I can put you into words.  On the 2nd day of this month Robert headed to Summer Camp and I headed to Richmond Hill to drop off the grandchildren (aka the cat and dog) at their grandparents house for their annual week long vacation.  Then on the 3rd I drove on up to camp and on the 4th we welcomed 400 of our closest friends back to Covington, GA.  Oh, what a week!  I had the privilege of teaching on the Secret Place with Jesus and loved every moment of it. I especially loved having my husband with me as he presented the "boy" version of the secret place.  I love when the Lord gives us opportunities to minister together.

(this is not our best "ministry" picture together, but it makes me laugh and it's from camp)

On the 9th we drove to Richmond Hill to pick up the "children".  On the 10th we drove home.  On the 11th, Sunday morning we celebrated Summer Camp and I got commissioned for Scotland all in one service.  Then it was onto a packing party for the Scotland team.  Four days later I was on a plane with 20 other friends, headed across the pond to Scotland.  This was a beautiful two weeks as we saw our prayers for months unfold.  I had the privilege of team teaching with my dear friend Liz and loved it!

(Liz and I.  There were several funny pictures of the two of us during the week--but I'll leave you with just this one!)

(The 2010 Scotland Team)

On the 27th of July we returned home and Robert had a present waiting for me.  We took the test and were finally able to know for sure what I had suspected for a few weeks.  We were going to be parents.  Jesus had healed my body just as we asked and we had our first miracle baby on the way.  I spent the last few days of July asleep on the couch. :)

(I'd been up for over 24 hours when this picture was taken---and I think Robert is in shock)

(Our first picture of our Little Hoot-6 weeks and 5 days!)

Fall of 2010 presented more teaching opportunities for me and more study opportunities for Robert.  I love my job and find it an honor that I get to do what I do everyday.  Robert is pressing on and instead of taking advantage of no longer being in school, has dived into huge books and online lectures, taking a Kaplan course to prepare for the LSAT.  Our plan is for him to start Law School in the fall.

Winter of 2010 was a beautiful dose of quality time together.   We just returned from our "BabyMoon" and celebrating our third anniversary together.  It's hard to believe it's already been three years, yet it seems like we've been best friends forever.

2010 led me into my 8th year of ministry meaning it was a year of traveling around the state to watch my grown up youth become husbands and wives....have I mentioned I love what the Lord allows me to do?

And it's always encouraging to see those that encouraged you to stay in the ministry...

And with 2010 we celebrated the man, as he retired, that gave me my first official job in the ministry (and not to mention introduced me to my husband) and I am forever grateful.

The "children" learned how to tolerate each other this year.  We even find them on occasion playing with one another.  I'm just hoping they can be best friends when Little Hoot gets here.... 

Kristin's Kreations was also born over the year.  I am grateful for the encouragement that comes from my man as he named my "company", drew me a logo and spoke life into me and my thoughts of being creative.  I've loved having Kristin's Kreations this year as it's made my brain think in a different way than it's use to.  Thank you hubby for this beautiful gift.

2010 was not all up's as cancer entered my personal bubble with this year.  I have had 3 close family members struggle with this ugly disease this year, but in the midst of it, I have been able to see with my own eyes "God is Truth-and He always answers the prayer of His children who earnestly seek His name."  E.M. Bounds.  Two of my family members are doing well today, still having some form of treatment, but yet the future looks good.  I would like to say that you would not waste a prayer on my family if you prayed for my Paw-Paw today.  He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer the week before Christmas.  I'm believing God for a miracle.

That's our 2010 wrap up.  We come to the end of this year with very thankful hearts and full of huge expectation for 2011.  We can not wait for the new ways we know and believe the Lord is going to reveal Himself to us.

Our Little Hoot Survey!

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28 weeks...

According to Baby Center:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

28 week highlights:

• Cravings-nothing specific, but I've had my fair share of sweet stuff this week!
• Belly Button-The Robert reports says there is an increase of 0.5% making the grand total to 96.5% outie.
• Sleep-did not sleep well at all during this week.  Maybe it was the anticipation of Christmas or missing the ocean outside my window...regardless, it was a rough week when it came to sleep.
• Symptoms-The word "uncomfortable" entered into my vocabulary during this week.  Started feeling some pain and pressure (that all the "books" say is "normal") that made me decide to make my upcoming week off a "staycation."  I didn't feel comfortable traveling by myself since Robert had to work.
• Movement-Little Hoot definitely has his/her routine down.  I can't wait to lay eyes on this little one and our family get into a routine together.
• Other 28 week highlights:
• Had our monthly doctors visit--Little Hoot's heartbeat is a steady 150.
• Our next visit is only 3 weeks away, then after that they move to every two weeks.  Time is flying!
• Found out we passed our Glucose Test (which we took during week 27).  Thanking Jesus for this one as I took it the morning after our youth Christmas parties and I wasn't convinced I'd pass.  So, so grateful I did.
• Best Moment of the week:  We had our last Christmas as a family of two...though Little Hoot was a huge part of this years Christmas!  We got our car seat (thanks McMom and McDad!)--so now we can legally bring Little Hoot home.  We got such sweet little clothes that I keep cuddling and my mom and dad gave us my Peter Rabbit tea set from when I was little.  This has been in my parents china cabinet and I had no idea they would pass this on to us.  Mom and I both cried when I unwrapped it. 

Little Hoot will be here so soon!!!

From Our Home to Yours

Christmas Cards!

I love checking the mail on a normal day. I especially love this time of year when all kinds of pretties show up in our mailbox. I especially love the way we decided to display them this year. We took our shutters that were already on the wall, ran some twine through them, then attached the cards with clothespins. Love how it turned out!

27 weeks...

Please excuse the no makeup/we're on vacation look!

Here we are at 27 weeks!!!  With this week we saw our second trimester come to a close!  Can you believe it?

Here's what BabyCenter has to say:

This week, your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14 1/2 inches long with her legs extended. She's sleeping and waking at regular intervals, opening and closing her eyes, and perhaps even sucking her fingers. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. While her lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with a lot of medical help — if she were to be born now. Chalk up any tiny rhythmic movements you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and they don't bother her, so just relax and enjoy the tickle.

27 week highlights:

• Cravings-still nothing specific--just able to clean my plate these days...and eat my fair share of Christmas goodies.  So not fair that I have to go to the doctor to get weighed every couple of weeks during this full of food season!
• Belly Button-The Robert report says holding steady at 96% outie
• Sleep-slept amazingly well during this week (could it have been the ocean that was right outside our window?)
• Symptoms-nothing new-energy level isn't the greatest and I've surrendered trying to be superwoman.  I know.  It was hard to let that one go.
• Movement-love my Little Hoot and this time we get together.  Robert actually got to see my stomach move during this week--such a sweet moment.
• Other 27 week highlights:
• Our 2nd trimester came to a close--on the final stretch now!
• Read an email that talked about symptoms you might be feeling due to the baby moving into its final position getting ready for labor---ALREADY?????
• Best Moment of the Week:  We spent most of the week at the beach celebrating our 3rd anniversary and our "Babymoon" (official last vacation of being a family of two).  I loved spending time out on the porch overlooking the ocean, reading the Word and feeling Little Hoot kick.  The quality time with the hubs was much needed, but we both agreed that we are so ready to be a family of three!

Starting to see a trend....

Fall 2010

Winter 2010

These pictures make me laugh...

Youth Ministry is good for the heart!

Three Years Ago Today...

I married my best friend.

I absolutely can not imagine my life with out him.

I am grateful to my Jesus for this perfect partner

to live life with.

There aren't words to describe the adventure

we've been on the past three years

other than they have been God ordained

and beautiful.

I love you my hubs.

Cheers to three marvelous years....

And great, great things to come in year number four!

I love you!

26 weeks...

According to Baby Center:

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel.


26 week highlights:

• Cravings:  Still nothing specific--haven't even had mexican food since the weekend of Thanksgiving!  
• Belly Button-The Robert report is 96% outie.  That last little part is just a holding out (or is it in?)
• Sleep-have had a couple of great nights of sleep--don't know if I'm just really, really tired or things have shifted, but I've had a few nights where I've slept 7 hours.  Praise Jesus.  
• Symptoms-energy level is starting to decrease--don't know if it's just a busy season and I just can't do what I use to be able to do--or I'm approaching the end of my 2nd trimester, regardless, I'm exhausted by the end of the night and just having to live with the reality that I just can't do everything.
• Movement-Love my Little Hoot and this special time we have together.  Love, love, love watching him/her move--which we can now do thanks to kicks and punches being visible!
• Other 26 week highlights:  
• Had my very first gray hair.  Can I blame this on the pregnancy?
• Little Hoot got to go to another wedding and be a part of a great evening of a very special couple.  I had the honor of praying for the couple after their first dance and as Robert prayed for me ahead of time he asked that Little Hoot would be directly affected by the prayers I prayed--asking the Lord for blessings over their marriage--oh, can you even imagine that Jesus already knows who Little Hoot will marry one day!!  
• Best Moment of the Week:  (other than being a part of the wedding mentioned above)...Dreaming about Little Hoot and wondering if he/she will be a well a he or a she...have hair....dark hair or light....Oh, I just can't wait!  The house is all decorated for Christmas and we can't stop talking about Little Hoot being a part of our lives for Christmas 2011. So looking forward to creating many family memories and having our own McLendon traditions!

And....so excited to read in our "Your Pregnancy Week by Week book" by Dr. Glade Curtis....  "Time is passing quickly.  You are approaching the end of the second trimester.  Two-thirds of the pregnancy is behind you; it won't be long until your baby is born."

Christmas Shop (and a coupon code!)

Hello friends!  I just added 3 more lovelies into the Christmas Shop ...

I love each and every one of these

So pretty...

and not just your average red and green...

Some are satin...

Some have quirky vintage buttons...

Some are perfect for those days of Christmas shopping...

Some are perfect for the office...

Some are perfect for the office Christmas Party...

And all are 10% off!

To get the discount, at checkout enter the coupon code:

BLOG10

And the best part is you can use this coupon code

on EVERYTHING IN THE SHOP

(not just Christmas items!)

All items are handmade--which means

each one is unique and no two are quite alike.

All items are ready to ship!

(And if you are in the Marietta/Kennesaw/Acworth area let me know--

and you can save on shipping!)