February 21st

February 21st, 2012 was McKinley's given due date.  We knew in November when she was born that this day would be especially hard.  This was the time that we should have been bringing her home to a beautiful nursery prepared for her.  Matt and I both decided to take the day off to honor her and to spend time together.  This was our day:

We woke to find a gift and letters from our families.  Each letter meant so much to us as we read with tears rolling down our faces.  Our families love McKinley as much as we do.

I would like to share the devotion from the book, "Jesus Calling."  for this day,  February 21st.

"Trust and faithfulness will get you safely through this day. Trust protects you from worrying and obsessing. Thankfulness keeps you from criticizing and complaining: Those “sister sins” that so easily entangle you. 

Keeping your eyes on Me is the same thing as trusting Me. It is a free choice that you must make thousands of times daily. The more you choose to trust Me, the easier it becomes. Thought patterns of trust become etched into your brain. Relegate troubles to the periphery of your mind, so that I can be central in your thoughts. Thus you focus on Me, entrusting your concerns into My care."

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We had breakfast at a little cafe in downtown Duluth called "Chocolate Perks."  It was a really cute cafe and no, we did not have chocolate for breakfast even though I wouldn't have opposed!

After breakfast, we went to see "The Vow."  I had been wanting to see this since it came out.  Matt definitely sacrificed for this one!  It was a great movie and at 11:00 am we almost had the entire movie theater to ourselves!!

Next, we worked on a project for McKinley's grave.  Back in November, we placed shepherds hooks that were used for our outdoor wedding.  On one hook, we have her wind chimes and on the other we have placed and replaced flowers in the form of hanging baskets.  I decided that I wanted to make an artificial flower arrangement so that it stayed looking beautiful all year long.  Matt had the amazing idea of recreating one of the arrangements from our wedding.  We spent the rest of the afternoon creating this piece for her.  Pictures to come once it is completed.  Here is a picture of it from our wedding.

Back in November, my coworkers gave me and Matt a gift card to an amazing restaurant that we would normally not go to.  We decided to use it for this day.  We got dressed up, went to the cemetery for a visit with McKinley and then headed to downtown Atlanta because the restaurant was in Centennial Olympic Park.  It was beautiful with white table cloths and candles.  They sat us at the most wonderful table overlooking the park.  It was the perfect way to end our day together.

And this is the picture of my steak....  :) 

Thank you so much for all the sweet messages, emails, comments, texts and phone calls on this day!!

Scrambled Eggs and Cowlicks

I've said it before, "McKinley has changed my life forever...."

Well, she has not only changed my life emotionally, but she has changed it mentally and physically.

Let me explain.

First, Scrambled Eggs....

Before becoming pregnant, a typical weekend breakfast would include Matt's famous scrambled cheese eggs!  Matt loves scrambled eggs and so did I.  Things changed.  I had heard about food aversions when pregnant, this was mine.  Much to Matt's disappointment, all of the sudden, one day I didn't even want to think about eating scrambled eggs.  I keep saying "scrambled," because I can still eat eggs, just not in this cooking method!  Well, to this day, I still can't eat them.  After McKinley was born, I think Matt had hope (as still does), that this would go away.  Once in a while on a Saturday morning, I still hear the words, "Want me to scramble up some eggs this morning!?"  The answer is still no.

Second, Cowlicks....

I've heard people talk about their hair changing while being pregnant and then also after birth.  About 5 months into pregnancy, I discovered a big change in my hair showing itself in the form of a cowlick beside my ear!  After I dry my hair and before straightening it is when it really shows its true colors! Thankfully I am able to tame it with the straightening iron most days!  I also have this "crinkle" that will just not straighten on the side of my head.

Most people would be annoyed at these kind of changes in their lives, but I just smile and think of my daughter.



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29 on the 29th!

Well I turned 29 on January 29th! It was definitely full of surprises to say the least!  It started on Friday when I came home to a spotless house cleaned by my wonderful husband and mother-in-law!  I went to Pampered Chef party on Friday night and had a blast!  After a long day at work and the Pampered Chef party, I crashed on the couch for (what I thought) was the end of my night, it was 10 pm.  I was just about to doze off when Matt "acted" like he left his wallet in the car.  He opened the door and much to my surprise, I hear dogs running into the house!  Next thing I know, my sister and brother-in-law come running into the living room saying "Happy Birthday!!!"  Jillian and Bob live in Kentucky and drove all the way down Friday night to spend the weekend with me!!  Such a great birthday surprise!

On Saturday night, we all got ready for dinner.  I figured we would be meeting Matt's parents and maybe a couple of friends.  Matt wouldn't tell me anything, not even where we were going.  I played a guessing game in the car about where we were going with each turn we would make. Dave and Buster's!!  And its a surprise party!!!  Everyone kept SUCH a good secret!!  We had a blast!  I wanted to share some pictures from the night :)

My FIRST birthday surprise!  Jillian and Bob!

My yummy cakes (yes, friend should have an "s" on it! haha!)

The handsome man who made this happen!

Group shot!

Jillian, me, and Liz (she drove from Macon!)

Kara, Me, and Keri (love these girls!)

Matt and I with Kara and Jonathan
They came to my party a DAY before they were induced with Dalton!!