Community Celebration

In a mere seven weeks, David and I will have a celebration of a lifetime. He will turn 35 and have just walked across the stage at Louisiana Tech with his Masters Degree in Professional Accountancy. Wow. I knew from the first day we moved into our little house on Locust Street that when the day came (because I KNEW it would) we were going to celebrate. And by celebrate, I didn't mean just a quiet dinner and a movie. :) 

If you have read a single post in the past four years, then you know that I came over here kicking and screaming. Through the last four years I have matured in ways I never thought possible. I am still Anna, but I would like to think a little better, with a greater perspective on life, and grip on reality. While it was NOT my heart's desire to live in this state, I have grown to really appreciate Louisiana, and adore my husband.

In January I really started to think about David's party. It was only 8 months away! For as much time and effort I have put into just thinking about his party, you would think I am getting married again. Thank God, I am not. (One wedding is enough, thank you). 

As I started to dream, I began to quickly get overwhelmed with all that there was to do and how much it was all going to cost to really pull this thing off right! All I could do was pray. While living in Arcadia was not my heart's desire, throwing a party to celebrate the accomplishments of my husband - ABSOLUTELY - was my heart's desire! So, I just clung to the scripture: "Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires." Psalms 37:4. 

My first dilemma was finding a venue. David wanted to have the party in Arcadia, and not only did we have limited venue options, but we were also on a budget. Alas, the doors opened to have his party at the Depot downtown. This location pretty much sums up the past, present & future of Arcadia. It couldn't be better.

Next on the list was a food menu, decorations, music, & invitations. Seriously, didn't I mention it seemed like we are planning a wedding - I wasn't kidding. 

This is the part that continues to just flabbergast me every time I think about it! EVERY time I came up with something else we needed to make David's party a success, someone in the community would just happen to offer their services for the exact thing. IT HAS BEEN UNBELIEVABLE. We have several people in north Louisiana helping us with food, decorations, music AND invitations!!!! Isn't it amazing how when you obey God's plan for your life He completely sees everything through?!?! We will not only have the party of a lifetime for David, but the party has become something of a community event, and above any expectations I originally had!

Two scriptures that come to mind are: "Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think." Ephesians 3:20 and "And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:19

If you are coming to this party, please know when you walk in that it took an entire community of people that have loved and supported David and me the past four years to make this event a success!!! And believe me, when God shows up too, it is FOR REAL!!!! We can't wait to celebrate and have an incredible time with those that we love the most in our life!  If you are not able to make it, please know we will miss you!

THANK YOU to every single person that is helping contribute. You have no idea what kind of impact that you have made on David and me. As much as I still don't like Arcadia, because of people like you, you have made this journey (dare I say) enjoyable and well worth the tedious steps to finish. Thank you again for everything. We absolutely love you and appreciate each one of you that have helped us make this party a complete success.  

Now, hurry up August 15!! We are all ready to party! :) 

Hugs, 
Anna 

  

Bill 58 to Law

This past week has been nothing short of randomly great! On Tuesday, Governor Jindal stopped by the Mission to say hey! 

Ok, ok, not exactly a random visit, but he was still there none-the-less. :) 

Why was he there? Oh, glad you asked. He came to sign bill 58, which is to make hunters donating their game legal. It was actually really cool to watch a bill be signed into law! I mean how many of you can say that you have actually watched a bill become a law!? I understand that this bill was really a 'no-brainer' and wasn't exactly controversial or anything like that, but still!! It was incredible to see the whole process and be a part of it.

The best part about Governor Jindal coming to the Mission, was that I got to meet him! Let me just say, his ENTIRE staff were SO nice, accommodating and simply wonderful! It was actually kind of shocking how 'regular'  his employees were. When I mean his entire staff, that includes his personal security, communications/PR staff, and even the state troopers! 

This experience made me even more thankful to be an American and live in a country where there is still a democracy! Such a great week. 

First Dream

Last night, I had my first 'official' (in my opinion) crazy pregnancy dream. 

It went something like this:

I am making Churros. This is a Spanish sweet snack consisting of a strip of fried dough dusted with sugar or cinnamon. *I have never made these or ever had any ambition to make them either.*

 None the less, I had just pulled the hot dough out of the fryer and filled the middle with cream cheese. Without even thinking to let the them cool down I give one to baby girl! She completely burns her entire mouth and her face resembles the below picture. 

Oh, it gets worse. 

Randomly, CPS is watching through the window and barges into the house the minute she starts screaming and spits out the flaming hot Churro! They try and take her away from me saying, "I am danger to my daughter" and "I am trying to starve her because now she wont be able to eat for weeks due to her burns in her mouth."

OMG!!

**********************************************

I woke up in a panic. Of course I do what any good pregnant mama would do. I wake up David and inform him of this horrible dream and then (in ALL seriousness) give HIM strict instructions to NEVER, EVER, EVER give our baby anything hot, because if he does he will burn her mouth! 

He just looks at me and smiles and says "you are the one that burned her mouth, not me". 

The end. 

 

It is June.

It is officially June and I am officially five months pregnant. Only four more months. Time is literally flying by. However, I will say the nights are the longest. I can't sleep. I think this child is already preparing me for the many sleepless nights ahead!

We have done some things to begin the process to prepare for baby girl. Well, when I say some, I mean we have registered. It was a fun process but a bit overwhelming to realize that we have absolutely NOTHING for baby girl. The most overwhelming part of it all is that every isle in Babies R Us makes you think you are going to be a bad parent if you don't get "X" product. Luckily, I have some incredible mommy friends and they gave me their top 'must haves' and 'have nots' for baby! Yes, I was walking around Babies R Us and Target with five pages of professional opinions from experienced moms that I trust and love. :) It made the process SO much more manageable!!! I will say my most favorite item to register for was bedding! I found the PERFECT bedding/nursery accessories from Pottery Barn Kids. OMG. I am in love. I hope baby girl gets just as excited as I do about all things pink, white and teal. LOL. Everything else we registered for, like strollers, car seats, etc we tried to go more 'gender neutral' so we could reuse them for the next baby. However, I just couldn't help myself with the bedding. :D Other than registering, we really haven't done much to prepare for baby. We have had school (and work) on the brain.

David finished his final spring quarter with flying colors. It was by far his hardest quarter ever - academically and at home. Not only did he have a FULL load of classes, he had a very hormonal first trimester pregnant wife. I think he scared all his young college buddies into never having children. LOL. :) It wasn't THAT bad, but still, these boys are scared to talk to girls [anyway] much less date/marry/have babies with them. Haha. I digress.

Right now it seems like hormones are finally starting to calm down. However, the cravings have picked up. I love the following:
-pickles (I know, I am serious).
-Strawberries.
-Milk (by far the strangest for me since pre-pregnancy I could hardly walk down the milk isle at the grocery store I hate milk so much).
-COLD drinks (primarily water, but Sonic Ice is a God send).
-Cheese (which I loved prior to pregnancy, so I am not sure if that counts).
-Chicken
-Starbursts
-ICEEs (preferably sugar free white cherry).
-Peanut butter & honey sandwiches.

As far as random pregnancy symptoms I have had:
-Heartburn (I will seriously be disappointed if we don't a curly red headed child at birth). ;)
-Wake up to leaves falling outside. Literally. I wake up to EVERYTHING.
-Can't sleep. I am reading all kinds of literature in the weeeeee hours of the morning.
-Did I mention heartburn? Totally a bummer.
-I have a scar on my ankle that was a slight pinkish tint that by the end of every day is purple.
-Hair is THICKER than any shampoo commercial out there!
-Nails look professionally done 24/7 - which I absolutely LOVE.
-Skin is sooooo soft. Can't complain about that!

Now that I am 'counting down' until we have baby girl, I can say that pregnancy hasn't been all bad. It has just been very, very, very different than any hollywood/fantasy that I had in my head! I am finally starting to adjust to the fact that I have a baby girl growing in my belly! She kicks all the time and is super lively. She is most active at night, which is why I can't sleep hardly. Everyone says her kicks will only get stronger! Since it took us so long to get pregnant, her kicking and moving and keeping me up at night is just constant reassurance to me that everything is fine and she is growing like a weed! After all, she is the length of a banana this week. Isn't that crazy?!

Last thing, I am including two links below. David's sister, Robin, is an incredible photographer and took so many amazing pictures at our gender reveal party! I previously blogged some of them, but I wanted to include the links to both the photo album she made us and the additional pictures of the party! You will have to notice the bride at the top of her website. Hint: It's Me. :) I am so grateful for these precious photos that captured such a wonderful evening. We sure are thankful for such a talented lady right in the family! :)

http://www.adorapro.com/PhotographybyRobinSherman/book/annadavid-gender-reveal/8gw8ned7j2

http://www.robinshermanphotography.com/Other/David/29711873_wz3Q5P#!i=2544415970&k=JSHDv7B

PS - I had several people ask me if I would upload my pictures to Pinterest. I have always 'repinned' and 'liked' everyone else's pictures...... Tonight I actually uploaded some of the pictures from the gender reveal party to Pinterest! Guess what?! People have already 'liked' them! How cool is that!?!? It is the small things in life that make me so very excited. ;)

Love y'all!