Getting Ready for New Honeybees and a New Baby

Last year, Todd decided he wanted to be a beekeeper. (Side note: he never needs a Halloween costume because his bee suit is way creepy.) He got his bees in May of last year so we didn't get any honey last season...but on Monday, we are getting two additional hives and will be able to "rob" all three at least once probably twice! With the potential of 5 gallons of honey from a single hive, we are going to have plenty of honey for the winter and won't have to use nasty white sugar anymore! And no, honey isn't sugar. Todd and Carly Beth painted the new boxes tonight in preparation for our new buzzing friends. Beekeeping is kind of an expensive hobby but fresh, raw, local honey can be too.

I, on the other hand, was washing the baby's new socks and swaddle and putting the cover on the boppy pillow. The new swaddle blanket is cute, it has bees on it...but Carly Beth is angry with me because I wouldn't buy "her baby Lucy" a pink swaddle today. I'm starting to get concerned over what she may do if the baby is a boy...which I think it is. We'll see...

Surprise Baby Shower!

I LOVE surprises! I love being apart of a surprise and receiving them. But let me start the story back a couple months ago...
One of my Aunts told me she wanted to throw a baby shower for me but thought we should wait till after the baby came so guests would know whether to buy for a boy or a girl. This wasn't a huge deal since we kept all our larger baby things we received for Carly Beth like the bouncy seat, Pack n play, High chair, and stroller. All babies really need at the beginning is diapers and onesies, right?

Last week, my Aunt invited me to a surprise brunch for my cousin Caitlin's 11th birthday. I got excited and made a couple rounds of biscuits to take. I even made her a present of quality time cards: like little "mini dates" just for us. She likes quality time, it's her love language. Anyways...
On Saturday morning we got ready and I was having one of those harder mornings so I put my hair in a ponytail and skipped makeup. When we got to my aunt's house, I noticed some cars that surprised me, but didn't think anything about it. When I walked in...
IT WAS A BABY SHOWER FOR ME!!! I was so surprised! No one notice me slip in so I walked into the kitchen and said "This doesn't look like a birthday party." I'm still just so surprised! It was my family, so even though it was a large group it was still intimate and quaint. I felt, and still feel so special! I was so surprised!
I feel much more prepared for Baby Watson's arrival and I am so thankful for my family! Turns out my husband knew and he kept it a secret even though he knew I was having trouble not shopping for the baby.
Thank you do much for my surprise!! I'm still so surprised and very very blessed!

5 Weeks To Go...

      

     I can't believe there's only 5 weeks left until Baby Watson arrives!! I am very much unprepared compared to the journey with Carly Beth. At this point everything was washed, folded, ready and waiting. This baby has enough clothes for maybe two days. Looks like I need to do some baby shopping.

     The baby's crib and blanket are ready. Todd put the crib together much quicker than when we did it for CB and My Mama did a great job sewing the blanket. It was super quick! I'll post pictures of their finished room when Carly's Bed is done and all the furniture is where I'd like it to be. :)

     This pregnancy has been a little harder these last weeks than I remember with Carly Beth, but I know I'm blessed and I'm trying very hard not to complain. My total weight gain is less than 13 pounds. This is a serious victory! 

     I'll post more pictures as I get things done...Why did I wait until now? 

Dear GangGang - a Letter to An Amazing Lady

Dearest GangGang,
I still can't believe you've gone. In the six years I was blessed to have known you, you taught me a lot. You showed me how unconditional love can truly be life changing. You showed me that family doesn't always mean "blood relative". You even shared your amazing Eggplant Casserole recipe with me. You spoke truth even when we didn't want to hear it, but it always coated in love and a desire to help and not hurt.
You always called my daughter your "First Great-Grandchild" and never even gave a second thought to the "Step" that should've been in front. It always touched me when you wanted her to accompany you to the beauty shop so you could show her off. Carly Beth loves you so very much. We all do. I'll make sure she never forgets you.
It's my prayer that your legacy of unconditional love and family is carried on. I hope that we get to bring all our children to see your beautiful home on the river and teach them to shrimp and catch crab off the dock, tell them your stories of the hog farm and moving cows up and down the road.
We will teach all our children about who you were and how you loved all of us. I could only hope that people see me as half the lady you were when my life comes to an end.
We will always love you, GangGang and we will never forget you or the things you taught us.
All my love,
Mandy

At The End...

You can shed tears that she is gone,
Or you can smile because she has lived.

You can close your eyes and pray that she will come back,
Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left.


Your heart can be empty because you can't see her,
Or you can be full of the love that you shared.


You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.


You can remember her and only that she is gone,
Or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.


You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back,
Or you can do what she would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.



written 1981
David Harkins 1959 -
Silloth, Cumbria, UK

Ten Weeks To Go!!!

Wow...I'm 30 weeks today. It's flown by. It's been a very easy pregnancy, just like with Carly Beth. I'm having serious insomnia but I'm not complaining. Total weight gain is 9.2 lbs...I'm 1.2 lbs heavier than when I was 30 weeks with CB, but I'm still very pleased!

I'm hoping and planning to do so many things differently this time...God has really opened my eyes to a lot since the last time I was here. I know we will endure criticism but we are confident in the choices for our family.

God has done an amazing work in my husband. This summer we will be growing vegetables for the farmers market and taking honey from our three hives. One day, our family will be working together on our own little farm, bringing healthy organics to our community and changing people's opinions about food. This is turning into a passion for us. And I'll be honest...not having my husband leave for work every day definitely will out weigh the work we'll be taking on as a family.

We are excited to meet the new baby. We aren't sure if it's a boy or girl...I'm thinking boy but I could be wrong. I am so grateful for this miracle...I wasn't sure that we would get here again after losing two babies. God is good to us and thankfully He healed our broken hearts.

I Turned 30...and Life Went On

I've been 30 for 11 days. Thankfully, I'm not crying about it anymore. Actually, I was upset the days leading up to my birthday...I'm sure being pregnant was a factor. But once my birthday came, it was a pretty great day! I am prone to having birthdays that are less than fabulous...but since we are close to my family now, it was great! My Dad and Stepmom took CB on Thursday and kept her until Saturday. It was such a blessing!! I needed a day to myself and Hubby and I got to have a date night. Unfortunately, on Thursday night Hubby's Dad called to to us that his grandmother passed away. Her quality of life hadn't been good for a while, and we know she went to be with Jesus. Friday was my birthday and it was great! Hubby made sure no one forgot to call or text me, myna Aunt Di took me to lunch, my Mama took me shopping...and we had dinner at the farm with her, my stepdad and Samuel. It was a great day. Saturday we went on to Charlotte to celebrate New Years with the Lail's...and Sunday we were busy in Concord with Todd's grandmother's arrangements. Monday we traveled to Boone to bury her. In the midst of all that...Hubby bought a tractor!


Guess our farm dreams are on their way to coming true...