Fleeting

Summer is fleeting. I always get this feeling around mid-August, but this year it's different. When I look back through pictures of Avery, I realize that she will never live another summer with the same selfless innocence of an almost two-year-old toddler. Of course, we have more exciting times ahead, but these moments, now, where a day in the park is just another jaunt will quickly fade. As Avery adds several new words to her vocabulary each day and begins to new create sentences like, "Look, Mom, watch!", I know my baby is really not a baby anymore. Such a bittersweet felling. I am beyond blessed to have a career where every day in the summer can just be us. I will forever cherish these moments.

Here is a video of Avery learning her Bible verse. This is one of my favorite moments of each day.

The Godwin Family

6 More Weeks...

Photo taken by Erica Sorenson

I can't believe that our "expected arrival date" is merely 6 weeks away. Where has the time gone? I literally feel like I was just standing in my bathroom staring at my home pregnancy test thinking, "Am I just feeling funny, or do I see two lines?" Part of me is so anxious to finally meet Avery, and part of me wants to keep being pregnant. Now, the not being able to sleep, eat properly, or climb stairs I will NOT miss. However, I will miss the intimate time I have with her now. I am the only one feeling all of her kicks and hiccups, and she is always with me - wherever I go. My mind continues to be blown away that she can develop so much in just 9 short months! Seriously, y'all! I will be holding her in just a month and a half - how is that even possible?! I am going to cherish every moment of these next six weeks, as I know they will fly by. I love you, sweet Avery!

Update on Life

OK, I realize it has been 7 months since I last updated my blog, but I believe it is about time to continue posting. Why, you may ask? Well, let's see...we are expecting a baby in 8 short weeks!!! We found out that we were expecting "Baby Godwin" in late February, and my mind has been in a million different places since then. We also found out that we will be having a GIRL! Her name will be Avery Anne, and we are beyond thrilled!! I really want to make it a priority to continue updating this blog as a documentation for all of Avery's development and milestones along the way. I don't think I will ever be able to express in words how much she has already changed my life, but I do not want to lose any memory of my feelings and adoration for her! We are beyond blessed! Now, I will leave you with a few photos of her development along that way!

About 13 Weeks

25 Weeks

30 Weeks

My sister-in-law, Cori and me at 31 weeks. We are pregnant at the exact same time! Our due dates are only 3 days apart, so it has been exciting to go through each stage of pregnancy together!

We are so unbelievable grateful and excited for this new life to enter our family! What a blessing!

Catching my Breath

I have been so blessed with the privilege of having my own Kindergarten classroom while I cover a dear teacher's maternity leave. However, after juggling 50+ students a day, assessments coming out of my ears (report card time), and responding to endless phone calls, e-mails, meetings, and trainings, I am wiped out! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE teaching! I would not trade this job for any other, but I do feel that it is difficult to catch my breath sometimes...in a sweet way. :)

Every morning as I drive to work, I pray that the Lord will allow me to experience humbleness and grace. I am nothing but amazed as I continuously experience the Lord's overwhelming power through everyday classroom endeavors. To be honest, I was not at peace with where the Lord was leading me for quite some time. I did not understand why I was not blessed with a "job" this school-year, or why life decisions had to be SO stressful. It didn't seem fair, and I was constantly comparing my experiences with others. I finally gave up the battle and decided to trust the path I was lead. I can honestly say that I have more peace now than ever before. In fact, I continue to see how each direction and opportunity I have been blessed with are piecing together. Why am I complaining about no job, when I work with students and teach everyday? Why is it so hard to be comfortable with life circumstances, when others would kill to have a loving and supportive husband like mine and a beautiful home to live in?

Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be in situations where I can serve you and TRUST you! Please use me, break me, and allow me to be fully immersed in your holiness again this week...even if it's hard to catch my breath!

Busyness

I have heard the saying too many times..."I'm just too busy to update my blog!" Actually, I have been telling myself this over the past two months, and I finally need to put an end to these thoughts. The truth is, blogging, although time-consuming, is such a great way to document life. Life is a vastly moving journey, and I do not want to let moments, thoughts, revelations, or opportunities go by the wayside. It's true, I am busy. But let's face it, who isn't?

Shutterfly Holiday Cards!!!

The holidays are just around the corner, and I have been looking forward to designing our photo Christmas cards on Shutterfly this year! Shutterfly is a wonderful place to order prints of your photos. I have used them to order prints and a fabulous photo book for our anniversary. I also loved receiving baby announcements, wedding invitations, and gifts from Shutterly. They are so personal and meaningful! Shutterfly also has tons of great gift ideas for the holidays! Here are some of the products I like:

I could add several of our new fall pictures and it says Merry Christmas! You can find this card here.

I also love this card. It is folded, so you can write a personal message inside. You can find this care here.

This is a great card to capture one great photo of the family. You can find this card here.

Shutterfly also offers more than Christmas cards. You can also find wonderful calendars, photo books, and wall art.

If you are a Blogger, you can get 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly!!! Just follow this link to find out how...http://bit.ly/sfly2010 .

OK, OK....It's Been Forever, But I'm Making New Posts!!!

I know it has been WAY TOO LONG, but I want to catch everyone up on our lives the past six months. Bear with me, I promise posts to come!!!