Weekend Recap

This weekend was great! Friday night we met Bonnie, Brett, and Collier for dinner at Verde. It's always a crowd favorite. Collier really enjoys sitting in the big high chair these days. He had himself in stitches over nothing. It was too funny!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_gvpSenhm7Yc0Q5SEpxWWlMMEk

Saturday morning we woke up super early to get ready for game day. We met at the Reynolds at 7am to drive to Auburn for the Uga vs Auburn game. We had a breakfast food tailgate at Ansley and Matt's parents tailgate. We only had a few hours because the game started at eleven central time. 

We met up with Tyler and Lindsay Maxey for the game. They were gracious enough to offer us tickets. We had great seats below the massive jumbo tron. Georgia played great so I had a very sour husband by the end. My dear friend Jessica who lives in Alabama now has season tickets just one section over so after the third quarter we met out by the concessions for a quick catch up session. Was so great to see her and sweet Hylan! 

Go dawgs! We needed that win! Sorry Auburn. 

It was a great day with friends. James stopped by our tailgate to say hi for a bit. Always a good time having my "little" brother around. 

Cooper was happy to see us when we got home! 

Today we had a late sleep in to make up for not being able to sleep in yesterday. I then did a big grocery run for the ingredients for what I was making for dinner for some of my girlfriends tomorrow. I made orzo tomato soup from the Barefoot Contessa Foolproof cookbook and I'll make Gouda grilled cheeses tomorrow to go with. I also made her salted caramel brownies for dessert. They look so good it was hard not to try! 

Then I posted up in baby girls empty room with a pallet on the wall to watch a Gossip Girl marathon. It was exactly the relaxing Sunday I needed. 

And lastly I made us some potato and chicken chowder for dinner. It was delicious! A recipe to keep around for the cold days of winter to still come. 

We had a great weekend. Only five days of work separate me and the beach for a week with my family for Thanksgiving. We are all in need of a vacation and break from work. So much to be thankful for this year! 

Our Story

So you know when you haven't been blogging for awhile there is always a reason. Sometimes it's just hard to know what to say when what you really want to talk about isn't all that easy. Over the past 5 months myself and Tommy have been on a roller-coaster ride of emotions. As I wrote about yesterday we are so excited to be welcoming a little girl in May. We knew when we got married that having a family was something very important to both of us. We decided that this summer was the right timing for us. We celebrated our first anniversary on May 31st and we managed to get pregnant on month one of trying. I didn't know I was pregnant until the week before I was leaving on a bachelorette party for a friend followed by a week vacation to the beach with my family. I felt off but the week before the test was negative but I decided "you know what I should just check again before I'm away for ten days on vacation." Well on that night the test came back positive to my disbelief. I had what I thought was my period the week before. 

I called my doctor before leaving town to tell her about my positive test and the bleeding situation and she said it could have been what they call implantation bleeding. I thought to myself if that's what it was I need to be super careful. I went on the bachelorette party to Charleston and pretended to be drinking the whole weekend (not so easy to do). I then left for the beach with my family. I was antsy for Tommy to get there because I knew my family would catch on to me not wanting a glass of wine with dinner or a beer on the beach. He managed to get there just in time before my Nana's birthday dinner on the Tuesday and we announced we were pregnant. I was hesitant in doing this because my gut was still telling me that something was wrong but then again it's my family and either way I needed them to know. I went the whole week anxious to get back to town.

I wasn't scheduled to go into the doctor for another week after getting home but as I was praying about it I was lead to change that appointment. On that Tuesday after we arrived home, I went in for an ultrasound and confirmation of pregnancy. I will never forget the first sentence that came out of the ultrasound tech's mouth which was "I don't see anything. Are you sure you are pregnant?" I was in complete shock and thankfully Tommy was with me. We then had to wait for what felt like an eternity in the waiting room before getting our own room to speak to the doctor. The instant we got into our own room I burst into tears. The doctor came in and instantly said "don't jump to any conclusions just yet. We might just be too early to detect anything on an ultrasound." She tried to make me feel at ease but down in my heart I knew what had happened. I got a significant amount of blood drawn that day and then I returned two days later to see how my HCG levels were. I got the call when I was at the pool with my friends that indeed I had had a spontaneous miscarriage because my levels were dropping. I had to go again to make sure they went back down to zero. It's hard to explain your immense sense of loss and grief for someone you never got to meet or hear was alive. This child of mine will never be forgotten but I also am not one who can dwell on the loss. I needed to move forward and know that there was a reason this baby did not survive. 

This was such a low point for me and Tommy. We had only told our families but since I was at the pool with two friends I had to tell them what was wrong and that I had been pregnant and miscarried all in the same sentence. I have never felt the way I did that week. I've never seen my husband so torn up before either. This is something you don't prepare for and you wonder what you could have done differently. The only thing you can do during this time is pray and that I did. 

Tommy and I were going on vacation the following week and it couldn't have come at a better time. We both needed to get away and escape reality for a bit. I needed time to digest, recover, and rejuvenate. We were told we needed to wait one cycle before trying again so we followed doctors orders. 

We found out we were pregnant again on August 29th. I have never been so excited and scared all at the same time except in my heart I knew this was different. I was so at ease this time around. My doctor had told me that when I got another positive test that I should come in that week and they would monitor my HCG levels. When she called with my first results and the numbers were higher than they were at 6 weeks before I felt this weight lifted. Two days later she called with the second results and said I didn't need to come back again and I could go ahead and schedule my 8 week appointment. I had prayed every morning and every night since this summer for a healthy baby and god had answered my prayer. I knew he was the one making me feel so at ease. It was so hard to explain that ease to Tommy (who was worried until 12 weeks) but I just knew this time it was different. 

I have learned a lot about myself, my relationship with my husband and my relationship with the lord over the past 5 months. You think you can plan all you want but God has a bigger plan for you and you have to have faith in that. Every doctors appointment I find myself getting anxious before but I am so relieved after. I am so excited to embark on this journey to motherhood and I can't wait to share every step of this journey with Tommy. He is going to be such a good girls dad (he just doesn't know it yet).

I debated whether or not to write about this but for me I wanted to have my story written. I've read so many blogs lately about miscarriage and how women are afraid to talk about it. I think it's important to know that it does happen and it's OK to talk about it. Just this morning A Cup of Jo had a post written from three of her friends perspectives. Just last week my sister sent me a story from someone who had a story very similar to mine. This is a part of my journey to motherhood and is a part of our story. We are so fortunate to be in the midst of a healthy pregnancy right now but that won't stop me from praying day in and day out for a healthy baby girl in six months. Thank you for taking the time to read and I hope that this brings comfort to someone who has just had a miscarriage that there is hope out there and that it can be something that is just a part of your story but isn't your whole story.

Our Big Secret

Well I've been slower on the blogging lately because what I really wanted to talk about I couldn't just yet! We are so excited to announce that we are expecting a baby girl to our family next May. Tommy and I have been married almost a year and a half and we knew when we got married that kids were something very important to us. We are so excited/nervous/anxious/blessed to be embarking on this journey to parenthood. We waited to announce til we were able to tell the gender. We did the genetic testing at 11 weeks but weren't able to share the news with our families until this past Friday night. We hosted a gender reveal party for our families and a few of our closet couple friends at our house Friday. We made chicken chili and regular chili with a variety of blue/pink desserts. Friends and my mom brought the appetizers and tommy a mom made the cornbread. We had 22 over for the fun! It was a wonderful night getting to finally share that we were having a GIRL! I ordered these adorable scratch off cards from etsy for the reveal. Once everyone was there we announced as to not delay the inevitable. The rest of the night we just enjoyed each other's company. We are so fortunate to be surrounded by so many loved ones. Here are some pictures of the decorations from the night. 

Saturday for lunch I met my college girlfriends to do the same gender reveal with them. We met for lunch at kaleidoscope. They were so excited and most of them were wrong. Everyone but Carly thought it was a boy. We had a nice time catching up! Kier drove in from Columbia to join which was awesome! I mailed the cards to Audrey in KC, Gorman in NYC, and Samantha in Orlando so they could be part of the fun even though they couldn't be at lunch. I am so lucky to have such great friends! 

Then lastly was our official announcement on social media. I ordered the sign from Etsy and then couldn't resist buying the sparkly shoes from Carters. Baby girl already has such a cute mini wardrobe. Girl clothes are so precious. We have so much to look forward to. We are so grateful for the prayers over the past few months for our growing girl and we pray that she continues growing strong and happy until we get to meet her smiling face in May. 

For this child, I have prayed and the lord answered my prayer. 

1 Samuel 1:27

Halloween 2015

Well Halloween weekend this year wasn't like others. Tommy's dad has surgery Friday so we spent our evening visiting with him and his mom for the evening. He is doing well and the outcome was best case scenario. 

Saturday morning we got ourselves ready for the day and I ran a few errands before stopping by my sister's house for a few hours. I really wanted to see Collier in his Halloween costume and it was just as adorable as I had hoped! Cutest giraffe ever! 

After watching some terrible football we headed back to the hospital to spend some time with Tommy's parents over dinner. No Trick-or-Treaters for us this year. Next year we hope to join our neighborhood party and give out candy. 

Sunday we spent our day being productive and actually getting some things done around the house. We went to Tommy's parents for dinner. Tom and Courtney were very happy to be home. Tom is recovering and doing well! 

I can't believe we are in November! Boy is time flying by.  

#happilyeverabernathy

It's been awhile since I have blogged so what better time than for another wedding! Two weekends ago, a long-time family friend, Ben, married his beautiful wife, Emily. My whole family headed up to Dahlonega on Saturday to gather for lunch with the Balfours before getting ready for the wedding. Ben is not only a long-time family friend but we have become great friends over the years since college because Tommy really enjoys hanging out with him. 

The wedding was held at White Oaks Barn. It was the perfect setting for a fall wedding in the mountains. The ceremony was out on the lawn with the mountains behind the pastor. The reception was on the same site in their barn. We had a fabulous time with family and friends. It was the first time in months my whole family was together for a gathering. 

Emily rode to the top of the aisle in this car. So cool!

It was a beautiful wedding for a wonderful couple! 

It's Fall Y'all

So with Auburn not playing that great this season and October starting I decided to go full on Fall decor at home. Trying to not spend too much money but still be festive I added some touches around the house! 

( sign from Tuesday Mornin; hay, tray, and pumpkin bowl fillers from Hobby Lobby) 

These are all decorations I had last year. That's my wreath I think I got from Home Goods just laid flat and our hurricane from our registry sitting in the hole filled with more pumpkins and such. Those leaf plates I also got last year from where I can't remember. 

Boo sign from Hobby Lobby (which right now all Fall decor is 40% off so this sign was less than $2!)

Door sign from Hobby Lobby as well as the hay. I got the pumpkins from Costco. 

That's all I've decorated! One of the pumpkins will get decorated at Supper Club Monday and the other might get carved closer to Halloween. 

Happy First of October! 

What's Up Wednesday-End of September

I'm linking up with The Larson Lingo, Pinterest Told Me To and Mix & Match Family today for What's Up Wednesday which they do the last Wednesday of every month. I can't believe we are already to October. The month of September just disappeared so quickly! 

What we're eating this week.... Well Monday we went to dinner with my in-laws to Ted's, Tuesday we had Costco pizza (lazy weeknight dinner), tonight I'm going to my friend Colleen's for pumpkin enchiladas, and Thursday night we are having ravioli lasagna. 

What I'm reminiscing about.... This past month we went to Hilton Head for a friend of mine's wedding and it was a wonderful time with my friends. I don't get to see all my girlfriends very often because they live all over! (LA, NYC, Columbia, Orlando, Panama City, DC, and Kansas City) It was such a fun weekend and a nice break from work. It makes me sad that it seems that weddings are the only occasions we get everyone together for especially since that was the last one for awhile with my college girlfriends. We need to plan a girls weekend or something so we can all get together! We talk often through our Group Me group but it's not the same as undivided time together for a weekend. I miss them all dearly!

What I'm loving.... I'm loving that the weather has changed and cooler temps are on their way in! (minus the miserable rain this week) I love jeans, boots, leggings, and sweater time so this is my favorite time of the year. I've switched my closet over from my Spring/Summer clothes to Fall/Winter and it makes me happy. I have 3 bags full of clothes to donate to goodwill because I finally decided if I haven't worn it in 2 years than I'm not going to. It made me feel SO much better shedding some of them! 

What we've been up to....September was full of football watching, wedding, meals with friends, tennis starting back up, dealing with a bum tail with Cooper, and time with family (when we can gather them together!). It's been a busy but eventful month! 

What I'm dreading.... So a large part of my job this year is SST meetings (parent meetings with teachers about students who are performing below grade level and need extra support) and I spend 2 FULL days a week running these meetings. I knew what I was getting myself into but I also didn't I guess because they are not very fun and there is SO much pressure when it comes to getting RTI on track at school. Not looking forward to this 2 days a week the rest of the school year. I need to suck it up and accept it but doesn't mean I have to enjoy it (:

What I'm working on.... I'm working on some monogramming for a few different people. I have some bags I'm doing for a girl from my high school for her flower girls, an overnight bag for Tommy's buddies niece, and some burp clothes for a friend on my tennis team. The monogramming has come in slowly and kept me busy. I'm really enjoying it! here are a few of the things I've done this past month. 

What I'm excited about....I'm really excited to go to Kansas City in 2 weekends to visit my friend, Audrey! I haven't been out to visit her since she moved last July so I'm thrilled to get the weekend with her. A girls weekend is much needed right about now! I'm also looking forward to celebrating my nephew's first Halloween! I can't wait to see him in his outfit and squeeze those chubby cheeks. He is just the best. 

What I'm watching/reading....Ha READING isn't happening right now. I know that's bad but I just don't have it in me when I go to bed at night. I'm watching my fave shows now that they are back on! Scandal, Nashville, Modern Family, and Grey's Anatomy. 

What I'm listening to...The radio. I know boring but that's the only time I listen to music is in the car and on the way to work is the Bert Show anyway. Once the new "Serial" series comes out I will be listening to those podcasts to and from work. 

What I'm wearing.... JEANS now that it's not too hot. It's so much easier to get dressed when you can throw a pair of jeans on. It's even better when we have a jeans day at school. It's the little things when you work in a school. 

What I'm doing this weekend....Going to one of my favorite place ATHENS to tailgate for the UGA vs. BAMA game. We don't currently have tickets because right now they are through the roof but if we can scalp some that day we will go in. If not we will just watch it at a tailgate which isn't too bad of a time anyway. Looking forward to heading there for my first game of the season for UGA. I just love Athens and getting to tailgate hop to visit a bunch of different people. There are so many people headed that way this weekend and I can't wait to see James and Claire too. This is definitely UGA's biggest home game of the season. 

Sorry Lindsey! 

What I'm looking forward to next month....I guess I already answered this earlier in the "what I'm excited about" but there are some things I am really pumped about that are happening this month that will be blogged about at a later date!