Father's Day

I wanted to make Father's Day really special for Kenny this year. Last year we were in the middle of moving and I can't even remember what we did.  I want him to know what an awesome daddy he is to our wolfpack... he works endlessly and would do anything for our boys!  I feel in love with his father-like spirit before we even started dating and it's been such a blessing to see him exceed all I knew he would be.

It was a "yucky cloudy rainy day" so there wasn't any temptation to be outside.

We started with bagels from Einsteins... cinnamon sugar with strawberry cream cheese!

Then we gave Kenny gifts from the boys: a plate with their handprints, a new hat, some snacks, and a loofah!

Joshua loved helping to wrap his present and make his card. He enjoyed picking out snacks (though it was hard to understand they weren't for him).  I'm looking forward to seeing the boys grow up and put their own touch on his gifts... rather than me picking them out.

Next we made Kenny's favorite dessert, key lime pie!

We then went out to run errands.. Ikea for a new pillow, Columbia for some clothes, Taco Cabana for lunch, and to pick up his trailer. It honestly wouldn't have mattered where we went, we all just love riding in dad's truck!!

By the time we got back home, it was time for me to start dinner: chicken parmigiana, cesar salad, french bread, and of course our key lime pie dessert!  It was delicious!

It was a wonderful Father's Day and I'm looking forward to many more with my growing wolfpack!

"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior 

are sons born in one's youth." 

Psalm 127:4

warrior wednesday

What is Warrior Wednesday?  It's pictures and updates of the family and what we've been up to lately... with little explanation.  Sometimes I just want to post pics without having to write an entire blogpost. (Can I get an Amen!?)

This is the boys drinking their Chocolate Shakeology... and Maverick throwing a fit when it was all gone! Needless to say, THEY LOVE IT!!

We haven't played outside much since it's been so hot. But one afternoon I pulled out this spray turtle and Maverick had a blast playing in it!

We've been blessed to go swimming at my mom's pool! She lives 20-30 minutes away so it's not daily, but it sure is fun when we go! Joshua just finished swim lessons and so it's nice for him to practice.

We also went to Lee and Hollie Woodham's summer kick-off party. The food is always amazing and Joshua loves playing with the water guns, bounce houses, and other kids. 

We also went to Cabela's so Kenny could get a fishing rod and, of course, we bought some fudge... vanilla snickers and chocolate peanut butter M&M!  Yuuuummy!

pregnancy update: Week 25

how far along:  25 weeks

baby size: rutabaga (13 inches, 1.5 lbs)

maternity clothes: yes and they are getting tight!

sleep: pretty good with a pillow between my legs

best moment of the week: we picked a name and heard his heartbeat!

movement: yes, he loves moving around... he's a swimmer or some kind of athlete for sure!

food cravings: carbs and sweets, DP and chai, CONSTANTLY! My new obsession is this Hawaiian sliced loaf.... especially when paired with Monterey Jack cheese for the perfect grilled cheese sandwich! YUUUUM!

what I miss: being able to bend over to pick things up without heartburn flaring up! =(

what I'm looking forward to: appointments with midwife being every 2 weeks instead of 4

pregnancy symptoms: heartburn, little bit of swelling, hot flashes, and just plain old feeling like a whale in everything I wear

stretch marks: not yet! I keep lathering up my belly to keep them from coming =)

belly button: still an innie

what's in a name

I've always felt God places great value in our names. He rarely told someone they would have a child without giving them the name He wanted that child to be called. And on several occasions, He even changed names to when a person changed. (Abraham, Jacob, Paul)

So when it came to naming our children, I knew it wasn't a decision to be taken lightly.

Yet Kenny and I have the hardest time agreeing on names!  While it is frustrating, I knew we'd both agree on whatever names God wanted our children to have.  It would only be a matter of time... waiting for His perfect time to reveal the name in His way.

For a while now, we've liked Remington Hawkins but I just didn't have a peace about it. I asked Lindsay if I was being ridiculous or if I should wait for God to reveal a name. She encouraged me to keep praying and that God would reveal a name that I would just "know" was it!

I was at James Avery on Saturday looking for a new charm for my mommy bracelet. There was nothing my heart was set on and I didn't want to buy one just to have one. I wanted it to have meaning. I thought about an elephant, mainly because I like them. But it had no significance for this baby so it didn't feel right. The saleslady asked if we had a name picked out. I told her no, but I knew what I wanted his name to mean.

Maverick means "independent and non-conforming," two character traits I see and love in Kenny.  Kenny has also reminded me of the tree in Psalms 1:3... deeply rooted and stable, unshaken by circumstances around him.

"He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers."

I had tried researching names that meant deeply rooted, stable, steady, unchanging... nothing came up. There were names that meant strength, bravery, or power. But those words just aren't the same. And I don't feel God gives us a name that almost means what He wants it to.  Every time we call our child, we're claiming that meaning over them. I wanted it to be an exact fit.

So I continued answering the saleslady saying his name would mean "deeply rooted and stable."  She replied with, "what about an anchor."

My heart skipped a beat and my spirit said that's it!

She pulled it out of the bag and I laid it on the bracelet... it fits perfectly and looks awesome! I bought the charm and wondered if we'd ever find a name that actually meant "stable."  On the way home, I wondered what Kenny would think of the name "anchor."  I figured he'd probably hate it.  But I just couldn't shake it. So I knew I'd have to present it to him at just the right time.

I prayed and asked God to give us a name, to put Kenny and I on the same page, and to show us what He wanted claimed over this child each and every time we call his name. This child belongs to Him and should be named by Him alone.

On Monday after work, I told him I had a name that I wanted him to think seriously about and asked if this was a good time. He responded no. Later that night I asked the same thing again and received the same response. Tuesday morning, I asked him again but answer stayed the same.  That night our schedule was off and we ended up putting the boys to bed and then sitting down to dinner... alone! Kenny fixed his bowl of taco soup and went to the dining room to eat, which meant he wanted to watch TV.  I felt like a lost puppy dog, made my bowl, and followed right behind.  To my surprise, once I sat down he paused the TV and started a conversation with me! It was glorious!! And the few times there was a lag in the conversation, I figured he'd unpause the TV and start watching, but he didn't.  I felt the Lord urge me to tell him the name.  Reluctantly, I asked my old, familiar question. This time, Kenny said "yes, I'm ready to hear it."  I told him the back story and then asked what he thought about naming him "Anchor."

He loved it! He loved the meaning. He loved how unique and strong it was. He loved it with the other name we had picked out.

I was blown away by his openness and response! And completely in awe by how my God orchestrated the whole thing! I'm known for being super impulsive. I know if I had randomly asked Kenny what he thought of "Anchor" as a name, he would have immediately dismissed it or made fun of it.

I'm so thankful we serve a God who cares about what we name our children, and who reveals to us His name. There's no guessing or hoping I get it right.

Can't wait to meet you Anchor Hawkins! We love you so much already.

the three musketeers

This past month Texas has experienced record breaking amounts of rain! While it's been a blessing to see the lakes full and fears of drought relieved, it's been tough having to keep the boys inside.

Especially since Daddy just bought them a new playground.  *Earlier in the year we were going on a walk and Joshua noticed a playground in someone's front yard. He asked for one since it was so cool to have your very own park in your backyard. =)

It took Kenny over two weeks to put together... after work and in between periods of rain. Joshua watched patiently, wondering if he'd EVER be able to play on it.

The long anticipated day of sunshine finally came... and it just so happened we were watching his cousins Claire and Emma.  Joshua eagerly awaited their arrival.

From the moment they arrived, the three were inseparable.

Claire has a wonderful imagination and Joshua and Emma are happy to obey all of her "commands."

First they played on the playground. They came up with the idea to pour a cup of water down first and then slide! So much fun... they came flying out!

Once they were thoroughly soaked. they moved to the trampoline to dry off. It amazed me how quickly they came up with games to play.

Their final outdoor "treat" was water guns! We told them we weren't filling them up because the ground was already so soaked. But they used puddles and Sam's bathtub to fill them anyway and had even more fun!

I'm so thankful for cousins and sunshine!!  It was an awesome day!!

**Kenny also just replaced the fence. We are LOVING the new one! The back side is taller so it blocks all of the houses and traffic noise. All we see now is trees and it's heavenly! =)

pregnancy update: Week 21

how far along:  21 weeks

baby size: banana, 7 inches (crown to rump)

maternity clothes: yes and getting sick of them... I just want my body back! =(

sleep: okay, I get tired of sleeping on my side but don't think it's good to be on my back. I miss tummy sleeping!

best moment of the week: We found out it's a boy! (more on that later)

movement: yes, HE completely flipped over during sonogram

food cravings: onion rings! I need them ASAP!!

what I miss: nothing this week

what I'm looking forward to: giving him a name

pregnancy symptoms: my back pain has been pretty bad. I've started seeing Dr. Cindy, a chiropractor. It helps tremendously and I count the hours till my next appointment.

stretch marks: not yet! I keep lathering up my belly to keep them from coming.

belly button: still an innie

Happy Mother's Day

This year marks my third Mother's Day!

I am still in awe that God has blessed me with two (almost three) children.  So much so that when the mothers were asked to stand in church yesterday, I had a hard time doing so.

It felt self-righteous to me.

I didn't become a mother by any act of my own. It was totally and completely by the grace of God alone. His hand that moved mountains for us to adopt Joshua. His hand that showed me what herbs and oils to use to conceive. His hand that sustained that pregnancy. And His hand that miraculously allowed us to get pregnant a second time without even trying.

Our pastor gave a special Mother's Day sermon and then said he felt he needed to do something he had done in the past but stopped.  He knew there were women still trying to get pregnant and acknowledge that our God is a God of procreation. His heart is to open every womb!

He then asked women who once struggled with infertility but were prayed over and conceived to stand up. I wanted so badly to jump out of my seat and give Him the glory!! But I couldn't, because I had not stood up when previously asked if I was a mother. Lesson learned.

Our pastor then prayed for women still trying to get pregnant. My heart was so burdened, knowing that this day can bring such sadness to those struggling with infertility. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But at the same time, I am so grateful to have walked this road because it's where I found the sweetness, tender, loving-mercy of our God. He met me in those dark places and carried me through the days of hopelessness. I can truly say He is good. He is faithful. He cares. And He will carry us through whatever trials come our way.

Another obstacle I've experienced in my journey to motherhood is feeling an instant "love at first sight" kind of love for Joshua. I know we were to adopt him. But I've struggled finding the unconditional type of love for him that I have for Maverick. Today I found this article from Katie Davis's blog.  She put into beautiful words what has been on my heart. It takes a while to "make strangers into family." And it is a choice to love... but that love grows.  This article healed my heart and encouraged me to keep doing what I'm doing. Thank you Lord for the sweet ways You speak to Your children.

I got my first Mother's Day card this year... one that I will treasure forever! Joshua made me a mommy first and we are learning to love together.

front

inside

I still love my mommy bracelet and can't wait to add the fourth charm tomorrow after we find out if we're having a girl or boy!