2011

Another year passes by, and the calendar pages don't slow down a bit!!  I'm very thankful for the year 2011, as I am every year.  No matter any heart ache or pain we had, we had more blessings.  God continues to be so good to Brett and I, and we have to give him all the glory, for all we have.  We are in great health, have awesome family, and amazing friends.  Here's a look at how this Paulk family of 2 spent 2011...

Brett coached basketball

Played Basketball

Brett enjoyed a guys only golfing trip in California

had an awesome beach trip with dear friends

 and acted like kids ourselves

had a weekend get-a-way in Atlanta

where Brett got Crossfit Certified 

enjoyed some baseball

cheered on the STATE CHAMPS!!

Family vacation with my family

white water rafted

Witnessed miracles and answered prayers

began to understand the meaning of family

sold our house

bought a piece of land

visited a friend that moved away, that I miss!kept a very hard secret

rejoiced in the excitement of becoming a family of 3

are amazed by God's amazing miracle and blessing growing inside of me

excersized

Cheered on our team

transformed into Ogres

tailgated with great friends

 and family

enjoyed the blessings of Christmas

 rung in the new year with some great teenagers

Wow, what a year.  I look back at these pictures and smile.  I thank God again for all he has given me.  As far as "resolutions" this year...  Right now, my goal is to live in this season.  Not wishing hours, days, and months away.  Being thankful for the day God has given me today and what He is wanting me to achieve in this day.  This year there will be many "I just can't wait for.." moments.  Beginning to build our house, having our sweet baby boy, moving into our house and getting out of this apartment, and so much more.  We are only promised today, so I will enjoy and be thankful for it.  I will make the most of what I can and thank God for all He gives me on a daily basis!!

Happy New Year!!!
Baby update.. Doctors appointment Friday, and nope... still no definite name!!

What's in a name...

OH SO MUCH PRESSURE!!!!!
Since we found out almost 3 weeks ago that baby Paulk was a boy, we've been really trying to give our sweet boy a name.. but so far, all we have is a narrowed down list :)  Growing up I always knew just what I was going to name my children (as well as where I was going to live, what I'd drive, my career, etc- and yeah, none of that is exactly what I thought, praise the Lord!).  I'll come up with some names and Brett isn't 100% on them, he'll come up with some and I'm not 100% on them.. we either know someone with that name that's too close to us, it reminds of something we'd rather not think of on a daily basis, or we just don't love what the name could be shortened to!  Yes, we know we are blessed to have this 'problem' of naming our first born, and yes our child is blessed to have parents taking the time to give him the perfect name!!  Maybe by my next post we'll have to perfect name our precious miracle!

Merry Christmas

Brett and I spent Christmas in Fort Deposit at Brett's parents house (where we have spent Christmas together the past 10 years!!! Well, he has his whole life of course!

Christmas Eve the boys got to play golf, while we girls did some last minute shopping, resting, and Mrs. Sharon baked.  Christmas day was a wonderful day spent with family.  Not a whole lot going on, just nice togetherness, complete with the traditional waffle breakfast (that was actually lunch after church :) ) Brett and I talked about how this would be the last Christmas of it just being the 2 of us, and how from now on we'd have a lot more excitement and Santa business to come!!  We are so excited!!  On Monday we had McCraney Christmas (Brett's moms side) for lunch and the Paulk Christmas for dinner.  It was yet another fun filled family day!  Although I missed seeing my family, it was a great weekend being close to those we care about and being so loved.  It's always great to be reminded of what the holiday season is all about, and reflecting on the real Christmas story.  Being reminded that we should always adore Him and he showers us with blessings year round.

So, how's baby P...

Size: at 20 weeks (last Friday) he was the size of a mango, and the length of a banana.. mmmm!!! About 10 1/2 ounces and 10 inches from head to toe.
Me: I feel great!!  Definitely enjoying my time off from work on Christmas break!  I have do now have a 'bump' and I think it's getting bigger by the day!!  Sleep is still good, minus those potty breaks, of which I feel like are all the time!!
Movement: I feel him very often now, and I love it!!  Christmas Eve I felt him a lot and called for Brett to come feel, because I could feel on the outside as well, but alas, by the time he got in the other room, baby P had stopped!  I know soon enough Brett will feel the little guy too!!
Cravings: Nothing new, nothing crazy.. just a little bit of everything- in moderation of course!!

We are over half way there now, and I know time is going to fly by!!  May 12 (or whenever he makes his grand appearance) will be here before we know it!!

 So, I really hope baby P looks just like him!!!!!

McCraney family Christmas 

fun times!!!

Happy Birthaversary...

I'm very thankful and blessed that 2 years ago my best friend shared his special day with me.  I always wanted a Christmas wedding... Christmas time brings me so much joy, and this would only add to it.  My grandparents got married on my Grandfather's birthday, he always said my Grandmother was the best birthday he ever got, I loved that!!  These grandparents definitely had the type of marriage that stood for everything important, so doing anything like they did was a plus!!!  After dating 7 years, Brett popped the question...  It was perfect!!  To be honest, I can't believe I didn't totally drive poor Brett crazy in my anticipation in this event happening!!  But he did such a great job in picking out the ring (all by himself) and coming up with the proposal plan!

Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!

My grandmother :)  Brett had her, and his family hiding in the stands, his sister took pictures :)  I was lured into the stadium by our great friends the Boykin's and Davis' saying they were taking Christmas card pictures and we were meeting the boys there (they had been there for a dinner)

A little over a year later... We were married.  It was a day taken straight out of a fairy tale.  I can't express how absolutely wonderful that day was.  All my dreams came true and everything was absolutely perfect!!!  I can't thank our parents and the Boykins enough for all they did to make everything so wonderful.  Every time I think about our wedding, I think about them and all they have done for us, did for us that day, and what they continue to do.  We are 2 years and counting in our marriage, and with a baby and new house coming this year, I can only imagine how exciting next year will be!!  We are so blessed.  I am so blessed by a husband that adores me, treats me with respect, cares what I think and my opinions, asks for my advice, seeks the Lord for council, is a hard worker, has compassion for all, strength, and the kindest heart.  I love you Brett!!!

The Wedding Party 

The Handsome Groom!! 

 yes, it was pretty cold!!

beautiful bridesmaids!! 

My family

Brett's family

The Hollidays!

Brett's Grandma 

the Boykins 

Trey and Amy 

Mary Helen 

Mary Helen singing, 'Angels Among Us' 

Clayton, the perfect ring barer- he took his job seriously! 

Thank you, Andy!! We couldn't have asked for anything more perfect!! 

 Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Brett Paulk

The Lamb family- they are AWESOME!!! if anyone ever gets a chance to hear them or have them at an event, jump on it!!!

Thank you Rayla-- the cakes were AMAZING!!! 

Oh Amy!!

And we're off to NYC!!!

It's a...

BOY!!!!!!!

The Lord called me before my birth; from within the womb he called me by name.

Isaiah 49:1

Yesterday was such an exciting day for us!!  I have to again say, I was a little nervous about this appointment, but then became just totally excited!!!  Thursday was like the day before my birthday, and I was just counting down until Friday morning!!!

My appointment was at 8:30 and we went right back!  When i first looked at the screen it was just so amazing to see how much our sweet baby has grown!!  From looking like a butter-bean to a sweet baby!!  Then we saw that heart just a beating, which always brings a smile to my face...  then, they continued scrolling down and ask to make sure we wanted to know the gender, of course I said YES before she could finish the sentence!!  She got to that area and asked if we could tell what it was, it just took a glance and it was very easy to tell that we indeed have a baby BOY in there!!  Even Brett could tell :)

The entire ultra sound was just so cool, Brett and I just kept asking questions about what was what and how he was positioned and how in the world ultra sounds really worked!!  We were very intrigued!  Our little guy is already acting like is his daddy in that he would.not.be.still.  We wiggled, squirmed, flapped, and kicked the whole time!  He was so funny!!!  A few times he actually looked liked he was waving to us!!  It was amazing to see this human being, our son, growing inside of me!

Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. 

                                                            Psalm 127:3 

I am now 18 weeks along, and at yesterdays appointment we were told everything is going perfectly!  We saw that his kidneys and stomach were all great, and that all 4 of the chambers of the heart were right in place!  He was right at 7oz. and progressing right along!!  We saw his little hands with his little fingers, and his sweet little feet that were nicely crossed his sweet toes just wiggling. 

Baby BOY P- is now the size of a Bell Pepper... and moving his little arms and legs!  I am starting to feel this more and more... Still mostly flutters but more and more defined.  It's a wonderful feeling!!

Name- Now comes the fun :)  We had a girl name in mind, but we just don't think we have found the perfect boy name yet.  We have a few ideas, but not 100% yet.  I can't wait to give him a name and start calling him by it!!  

Since we found out yesterday that it is a boy, I already feel more connected, and so many wonderful thoughts are already going through my head about this wonderful blessing.  Brett didn't have a huge fist pump reaction or let out a sigh of relief that it's a boy, he 100% didn't care and is only desiring a healthy baby (and mamma)!  Don't get me wrong, he had a huge smile on his face, and as the day went on he made more and more comments on how excited he is.  The first thing he said was when we went back tot he waiting room, he looked at me and said, "Looks like you're out-numbered now!"  And I can't wait!  Brett is going to be an amazing daddy, and I pray our little guy takes after him!  That he gets Brett's compassion, strength, gentle heart, smarts, spiritual leadership, and so much more!!  And of course I hope he looks just like him :)

We can't put into words how excited and how blessed we are.  We are praising God for all this wonderful news!!

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. 

John 1:16

looking at us

putting his hand over his face (something his Daddy would do while taking pictures :) )

thumbs up!

sweet man

HEY!!!

first "something blue" from Stacey when I got back to work :)