So I'm bad at this whole blog thing...

...but in my defense, things have been a bit busy. I picked up a temporary full-time job on the 11th, thinking that it was going to last until December. It was the whole 40-hour, office-work type thing out in Mebane. Needless to say, three months ended up being 2 weeks. But, I have to admit, I was relieved because #1 the drive was a bit much and #2 I just wasn't "clicking" with the people there. I consider myself pretty easy to get along with, and it's not like anyone there was rude or mean or anything, but it just didn't feel like a good situation to me. Lots of talking behind each others back, cursing, yelling from the boss (not at me, thank heavens...I don't think he knew I existed)...just things I'm not used to in a work environment. This taught me a couple of things. First of all, I took my old place of employment for granted...BAD. I was there for 8 years and really got along great with everyone. I had three awesome Christian girlfriends there, one of which changed the way I look at a lot of things. It was a laid back, fun place to work and I just didn't appreciate it the way I should have. And secondly, I also learned that I lack faith. Plain and simple. When I found out that the job was ending (yesterday was my last day), I went into an all-out panic about finances. Although I was relieved that I wasn't going to spend another 8+ weeks at that particular job, I had been counting on that salary. Not that we would have been starving, by any means, but I had planned on having some extra income until the baby is born for various reasons. So I was literally FREAKING out - talking it to death with anyone who would listen (be glad I didn't blog during those few days), crying, the whole nine. Of course, I also prayed and prayed some more, which is a good thing.

Anyhoo - fast forward to yesterday when I left work. There was a message on my cell phone from the staffing place that she had another job opportunity. I called her back and found out that she has a part-time, accounts payable job that is in Durham and will last until December. This really excites me because it's only 20 hours per week, which will give me time to keep up with the housework, etc. And it's in Durham (off Miami Blvd.) which is a wonderful location because of church, mom's house, Brier Creek. So I start Tuesday and I am praying that it goes well.

This whole situation taught me a lot about myself and even though it hurt to realize that I have so far to go in trusting God to take care of me - I count this as a good experience.

In baby news, she's moving around a TON (which I just love). I feel great, have plenty of energy, and am just really enjoying being pregnant. I can't wait to meet the little one!!

And yes, I realize that I haven't finished up my vacation Part II blog...what can I say? I'm a slacker. Sue me.

Trip Part I

Hello to all! We returned from our trip(s) on Thursday evening, so I thought I'd go ahead and post about the first part of my trip, which was to Pensacola, Florida with my dad, stepmom and 3 sisters.


I flew out Saturday morning at the atrocious hour of 6 a.m. It hurt to get up at 3:30, but I wanted to make sure I arrived on time and all that jazz. James dropped me off at around 5 a.m. and by the time I checked my bag and made it through security, it was time to board. The flights went well, both from RDU to Atlanta and then from Atlanta to Pensacola. The only thing that I regret is requesting a window seat. I wasn't considering the fact that Kendall's new favorite past time is kicking Mommy's bladder, so I had to interrupt my neighboring passenger (as well as the beverage service) to go to the itty bitty bathroom. Good times.


Saturday was spent getting the girls (Lexie, who is a Junior and Lindsay, who is a Freshman) somewhat situated. We shopped for some dorm essentials and ate on campus - all pretty fun. They have a beautiful campus and really nice dorms. They're at Pensacola Christian College, both majoring in education.


Sunday, we went to church on campus, then lunch and naps. Allie (youngest sister - she's a 7th grader, but would have gladly stayed with her college sisters if given half the chance) and I went to the Planetarium that they have on campus (nice, right??) and caught a show before evening church. I really enjoyed the college pastor...especially the evening service.


Monday, Lexie and Lindsay had business to attend to on campus, so we just kind of hung around the hotel. We attempted the beach later in the afternoon, but that didn't work out too well. I beat Allie in Phase 10, which is always a pleasure. That evening we headed to the Sports Center on campus where they have ice skating, bowling, ping pong, air hockey (whooped Allie in that too!) and a few other things for the students to do. I personally love to bowl, Dad vetoed that. Evidently pregnant ladies can't bowl for some unknown reason?


All in all, it was a great trip. I really enjoyed being with them since I'm not with them nearly enough. And it felt good to be with the girls for such a big occasion.

Stay tuned for Part II - Hilton Head...

Only took 2 measly pics while I was there:

Lexie, Lindsay, me, Dad, Putt, Allie at church

Allie, Lexie, me and Lindsay during our attempt at the beach

(you can't tell but there was a thunderstorm going on)

Traveling Masons

James and I are heading out this weekend...in two different directions. Don't worry, we'll eventually meet up. He's leaving Sunday for Hilton Head with his parents and sister. I'm flying out Saturday to Pensacola to help move my two eldest sisters (my Donnie dad's kids) into college. I'm not too excited about flying alone as I've never done that before, but I was even LESS excited about the prospect of driving for 10+ hours with this wee little bladder. So, fly it is. I'll be there with them until Tuesday, then I'm flying to Savannah to meet James and drive the 40 minutes back to Hilton Head until Thursday when we're coming home. Whew! Should be an event. I'm excited about getting to spend time with my dad's family...I don't spend near as much time with them as I should. And I LOVE Hilton Head, so I'm really excited about that. Plus, this will be our last vacation until Kendall arrives, so we're gonna live it up!

In baby news, I went to the doctor today because last night I was having a lot of tightening in my lower abdomen...what I now know are Braxton Hicks. She said normally women don't notice them this early (which contradicts research that I did that said they can be noticed WAY early), but that I shouldn't worry because after a thorough check she determined that all is well. Big relief because I was a little freaked out.

Anyhoo - I'm off to pack! Hope everyone enjoys their last summer holiday...personally I'm ready for cold weather.

Oops - almost forgot - wanna give a quick "you're awesome" shout-out to Rachel Pittman for loaning me all the snazzy maternity clothes I've been sporting lately! She has very good taste and I'm getting lots of compliments on her clothes, so I thought I would publicly give credit where credit is due!

Sharp dresser...

I finally did it. I gave in to the temptation of sweet baby girl clothes. Yesterday mom, Joseph and I headed out to look at baby stuff. Our first stop was Babies R Us, which has tons of super cool stuff that I can't afford. The bedding was absolutely beautiful, but alas - it ain't coming home with me. Just can't afford it (however if any of my blog reading friends want to take up a collection, let me know). Then we headed to Old Navy to look around and then to lunch (Joseph loves guacamole!) then home for naps all around. After Joseph was picked up, mom and I headed back out to Target. Ahh! This is more like it. We saw a ton of clothes and mom ended up buying Kendall her first pair of baby jeans and a shirt and I bought her 3 pair of little cotton pants with shirts to match. I think we did pretty good bargain wise, but then again I'm comparing that to how much I spend on my clothes, so I'm sure I'm WAY off! After Target, we checked out Michael's and Hallmark for a baby book and then had dinner at mom's house. It was a really fun day and I just have to tell you all (in case you didn't know) that I have the best mother on the face of the planet.

It's a...

We went in today for our ultrasound and everything looks great! PRAISE GOD!! I was, of course, my usual anxious self until she told me that everything looks normal. And we also found out that we're having a sweet, precious GIRL - yay!! To be perfectly honest, it didn't matter to me one way or the other, but I'm excited about all the cute clothes I can start buying. However, you guys know that I'm already fretting about how her hair will be...I can't do my own hair, much less a little girl with (most likely) curly hair! So if anyone wants to give me lessons, I'm game!

In all seriousness, I'm amazed at this miracle. Seeing the way she's already moving, touching her little face and kicking her legs just blows me away. God is so good to us.

We have also been blessed by the Brown family. They are loaning us a beautiful crib and a Pack-N-Play. I picked them both up last night and I'm thrilled at how God is providing for us with the baby furniture.

I'll have pictures of our little girl at church on Sunday (don't know how to work the scanner thingie).

Everyone have a great weekend!

Half way there!

I'm 20 weeks today!! Only 20 more to go until we need Baby Mason (I really need to think of something catchier to call him/her). Yay!!

In other news, it's hot outside. Don't go out there.

That is all.

3 down...1 to go

Today James and I accepted the challenge of cleaning out closets. It started with the downstairs coat closet (which had not only every imaginable coat, sweater and athletic vest but also an assortment of James' suits, shoes, and golf clubs). Okay, in all fairness I had shoved a bunch of stuff in there, too. Anyhoo - after that we decided we'd tackle the guest closet and then I decided we'd do the linen closet. At the end of all that, we took bags and bags of stuff to Goodwill and we are one step (actually 3 steps) closer to being organized when Baby Mason arrives. Now all that's left is the baby's room closet which is going to be a CHORE. We'll handle that bad boy next week. It feels good to have accomplished that much, though.

Hope everyone is doing well and staying as cool as possible. We called Time and Temperature a little while ago and it said the temp is 113...I'm assuming that's the heat index, but still. I, for one, am staying inside in the air conditioning.