We are growing!

The news is out but we haven't blogged about it yet. Our family is expanding in May 2012 because we are expecting TWINS! We could not be more excited about this great news. God has truly blessed us. We have waited 3 years, visited numerous doctors, and had lots of tests done and we are finally pregnant. Our story is a long one and I would love to share it with you if you know of someone who is struggling. I can recommend you a GREAT doctor in Memphis if you need one. Trust me, he is AMAZING! Just ask me! Our faith has been tested several times but we have remained patient with God and he has definately provided us with 2 great miracles.
We found out we were pregnant while in Chicago and were completely in shock because we have had so many negative tests lately. I did not believe the first test I took so I took another test the next morning and then another after we had confirmed with blood tests. Trust me, I still am in shock. Life is great! We give all glory and praise to God who is in total control of our lives. He has taken us on a trying journey and now that we are expanding and we cannot wait to see the end products of his work.

At our first ultrasound was when we discovered that we were having twins and that was on Doug's birthday and it was the best present I could have ever given him. He only wanted one heartbeat and I gave him TWO. We were so nervous that day but we knew God was in total control and I cannot begin to tell you the emotions we were overcome with that day when we saw TWO precious little babies on the screen with 2 incredible heartbeats. When you are having twins, you have lots of sonograms so we went back for another one just to make sure one of the twins had not vanished because Baby B was measuring a day behind. But both twins were there and growing like crazy. We were released from our doctor in Memphis and had our first appointment with Dr H. in Tupelo 2 days after my 30th birthday. It was incredible to see the babies again. Their fingers, toes and legs were even more visable than our last appointment. They were wiggling around and looked like little tadpoles. Babies were still growing like weeds. This time we actually got to hear the heartbeats and if that doesn't make you cry then I guess something is wrong. I'm doing good so far, just extremely tired and that comes and goes. Overall, I haven't been sick (PRAISE THE LORD). God is sooooooooo good and we cannot wait to meet these precious little ones in May. Keep following our blog and stay tuned!

I listen everyday to The Message on SiriusXM radio and every morning "changing tracks" play as I drive to work. Changing tracks is where people can call, email, or facebook a song that has changed their lives. So I leave you with my changing track "Stronger" by Mandisa. God has taken us through waves and trials but we have held onto him and he has been faithful to provide us with 2 beautiful babies. He has made us stronger and has strengthened our marriage relationship and has brought us closer to him throughout this whole process.

Stronger
by: Mandisa

Hey, heard you were up all night
Thinking about how your world ain't right
And you wonder if things will ever get better
And you're asking why is it always raining on you
When all you want is just a little good news
Instead of standing there stuck out in the weather

Oh, don't hang your head
It's gonna end
God's right there
Even if it's hard to see Him
I promise you that He still cares

[Chorus]
When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
And things can only get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger
Gonna make you stronger, stronger, stronger
Believe me, this is gonna make you Stronger

Try and do the best you can
Hold on and let Him hold your hand
And go on and fall into the arms of Jesus
Oh, lift your head it's gonna end
God's right there
Even when you just can't feel Him
I promise you that He still cares

[Chorus]

'Cause if He started this work in your life
He will be faithful to complete it
If only you believe it
He knows how much it hurts
And I'm sure that He's gonna help you get through this

When the waves are taking you under
Hold on just a little bit longer
He knows that this is gonna make you stronger, stronger
The pain ain't gonna last forever
In time it's gonna get better
Believe me
This is gonna make you stronger

More Chicago Pictures

Soldier Field where the Chicago Bears play

Chicago Harbor on Lake Michigan. There are over 5,000 boat slips to rent and all of them are booked and there is a waiting list. WOW!

Navy Pier. My conference was actually held here so I had more time to spend here. Great place!

The ferris wheel

Us along the Chicago River

Waiting on our architectural boat tour and fireworks tour along the Chicago River

Chicago night skyline

We enjoyed a fireworks show out in the middle of Lake Michigan during our night tour. The Chicago River is actually 2 feet lower than Lake Michigan so we had to sit in a Lock area to be raised 2 feet so we could get to Lake Michigan and do the same going back. It was cool and WINDY!

The view from our hotel. Our hotel was along the Chicago River. You can see the Chicago River run into Lake Michigan.

Overall we enjoyed Chicago and are looking forward to returning sometime soon to finish the things we did not get to see. The buildings are gorgeous with some much architectural detail. It was a beautiful and clean city! We loved Chicago!!!!!!!!

Chicago, Chicago

The hubs and I went to Chicago a few weeks ago. I had to work so the hubs decided he would tag along with me. We got to see a few of the Chicago sights and had a great time. We experienced Wrigley Field and a Chicago dog, Navy Pier, Deep Dish Chicago Style Pizza, and went on a double decker tour to see parts of the city. We had a great time! Enjoy the pictures!!

Wrigley Field

Chicago Cubs vs Atlanta Braves

Us at Wrigley Field

We had great seats. 4 rows behind the Braves dugout

This is Campana and he can RUN

Marilyn Monroe statue

The Cloud at Millenium Park

Chicago Tribune building

Trump Tower

A loft apartment costs $500,000 to rent down from $750,000 when it first opened

The fabulous Magnificent Mile. We did do some window shopping

Gino's East Pizzeria. YUMMY!!!!

Our Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza. This was a small pizza with only 4 slices.

It was DELICIOUS!!!!!!

Had to go to the Hershey's store the Magnificent Mile

Too many Choices

My life motto

Couldn't decide what to get so I thought this would satisfy me. Unfortunately I didn't buy it! :(

We saw Woody at the Lego Store

The church where My Best Friend's Wedding was filmed with Julia Roberts

The John Hancock Building

Willis Tower (formerly Sear Tower) with the famous Skydeck. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the Skydeck.

The Willis Tower

The ever so famous Chicago Theatre

Water Place apartments. Coolest building ever!

The most dangerous building in Chicago when it sleets and ices because sheets of ice just fall off the top of the building because its slanted.

Us along the double decker tour of Chicago

Today We Celebrate 7 Years of Marriage

I cannot believe it has been 7 years since I stood before God and all of our friends at First Baptist Church and married the absolute LOVE of my LIFE. I could not ask for a better man to be married to than my husband, Doug. God has provided me with an amazing man who cares for me more than life itself. He cooks and can grow the BEST vegetables ever!!!!!!!! We have been through some rough and trying times here lately but I couldn't imagine going through it with anyone else but him. He has kept me grounded in my faith and also has helped me to stay positive in knowing that God is in control and will definately continue to provide for our family. So thank you honey for 7 AMAZING years and I cannot wait for many, many more years with you!!!!!!

July 31, 2004

Then

July 31, 2011

Now

By the way, I need to brag on my husband a little. He has just grown the biggest cucumber in our garden this year. He is so proud of this cucumber.

3 Kids + 8 Adults = Fun & Crazy Times at the Beach

We just returned from a great time at the beach with my entire family. All 11 of us went and had a blast. It was very different traveling with 3 kids when we are so use to going with only adults. When you add 3 kids in the mix, it really makes for an interesting trip. We ate at GREAT restaurants, relaxed by the pool and beach, and overall had great entertainment by Anna Grace, Peyton and Anessa. Combined between Alecia and I we took over 400 pictures but I'll leave you with just a few. I have a some videos that I want to post. One in particular is of Anna Grace having a blast in the spray fountain area at Destin Commons. But I'm waiting on her momma to send it to me. Will post that later but for now enjoy these pictures.

Beach Pictures

Our view

We stayed at the Adagio in Blue Moutain Beach/Santa Rosa Beach and it was WONDERFUL

Anna Grace playing in the sand. This was her first time at the beach and LOVED it!!!

Testing the water for the first time with Papa Bill and by the look on her face she LOVED it too!

Peyton liked the water too

Nothing like playing in your boat with the sand buckets

Most of the time, Peyton preferred snoozing on the beach.

Oh what a life!!!

And she's off to the water again

Anna Grace loved sitting down and having the water run over her.

She thought it was cool to have it cover her feet too!

Crazy big sister, Anessa, enjoyed the beach too. She played in the ocean and the pool, searched for seashells, boogie boarded, and built sand castles.

Mary and John chilled under the tent

Doug "chilled" too

Also, us Smothers' sisters chilled and relaxed too

The Track

One night we went to The Track and had a great time! Anna Grace and Peyton rode rides in "Kids Country." The McMath family rode the train. Michael, Anessa, and I rode the go-carts. Here are a few pictures from that!

Daily and Nightly Entertainment presented by Peyton and Anna Grace

Mmmm...

Momma's lettuce sure is good at Stinky's Fish Camp

Playing with the cracker bowls at Stinky's Fish Camp

Playing peek a boo at Red Bar with Papa Bill

Can I have your attention?

Cafe Thirty-A

Eating good food at Cafe Thirty-A

Playing Hide and Go Seek

Discovered Uncle Doug's socks and played with them constantly

Got caught digging in the "fake" plant with "fake" sand with our sand bucket in Aunt Kara and Uncle Doug's room

Simply looking CUTE with our doggie

Playing on the rafts in the hallways

Playing with brother while Nana Karen referees

Cleaning with Uncle Doug's socks

Smiling for the camera

Group Pictures

Aunt Kara and Anessa at Cafe Thirty-A

Doug and I

Our guys

John, Doug, and Michael

The future Mr & Mrs

Mary and John

Michael and Alecia

Smothers Sisters

The Smothers Family

Sisters, Anna Grace and Anessa

Michael and all his kids

Dad, me and Doug at Louisiana Lagniape

As you can tell our trip was very fun and entertaining. Thank you mom and dad for a great trip!! Thank you Alecia and Michael for the entertainment provided by none other than your crazy kids. Can't wait for next year!!!!

It was a "touchdown" of a trip!