15 weeks.....

....and showing!!!

Oh yeah, and FYI----we plan on getting new cushions for our porch rockers----soon!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Although there's always going to be 15 between us, you are my Valentine!!!

I wasn't your first love, your first kiss, your first date, your first fight, or your first girlfriend, but I don't aim to be your first, I just want to be your last!!! I am the one and only Mrs. Derrick Givens! You are my Valentine!

And, after 7 years of life together, you are still my Valentine!

And my sweet baby boy, 12 hours after you came into the world, I knew, you are my Valentine!

And, even now, in your little preacher man suit, 6 years old, and waiting to be a big brother, with your silly little ways, and cute little smile, your sweet little laugh, and your temper tantrums(which come from your dad), your voice when you talk to me, and your tender big heart, you are still my Valentine.

Ever since You lifted me from the miry clay, and set my feet upon the solid rock, Ever since You healed me, Ever since You restored my soul, Ever since You called me friend, Ever since You've pulled me closer to You with Your ways, Ever since You gave me life, and gave my life meaning, Ever since You lived, died, and rose again on high, Ever since You took the keys to death, hell, and the grave, Ever since You showed me Your divine miracles, Ever since You have been so faithful, and so constant, Ever since You've blessed me with my wonderful parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews, and cousins, Ever since You've blessed me with a Godly husband, and two children to raise for Your glory....

You are Still My Valentine!!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Flashback to the past.....

When my brother fixed my computer the other day, he found some pictures that were as he put it "in a weird place" and I was so excited about that. Some of them we had backed up on CD's, some not. I can guarantee you they are all backed up on an external hard drive now!!! Either way, these are just a few I was looking at! The Panama City Beach one is from our honeymoon, I looked like a baby (maybe I was!), the next one from one of my baby showers with Noah (I'm almost that big now!!!) , then Noah and I posing after church one Sunday, he was 9 months old (yes, I had an awful perm), then us in Baton Rouge (I think, I know it was at Blue Bayou/Dixie Landing and in that area, and Noah was 9 months old), then one of my favorites of him just playing, and I'm not real sure how old he was, maybe 5 months, can't remember (notice the computer on in the background!!! Before blogs, facebook, myspace and the likes. Just regular ole e-mails!)!!! I may be inclined to share some others later, I just like going through the memories!

A new post.....

...for my mom, who requested a new post, because she was tired of what was on there....honestly!!!!

And for my Bubby, who has been known to fix things for his baby sister......

....including my computer!!! It was down for a week, and I stayed internet free.....if he didn't call today, I was going to the library!!!

And oh yeah, dear ole sister for referring me to dear ole brother, when it was totally out of her league!!!

Beware---A mini-sermon!

"...,and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins. Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, to swim in, a river that could not be passed over. "---Ezekiel 47: 3b-5

• Are you ankle deep in what God has for you? Or in what you have for God? Maybe you are just starting out in your walk with the Lord.

• Are you moving to the knee deep point, where you know just enough to get by, and you want all of what you could have, but you just aren't going to sacrifice for it? You're not going to pray more, or read the Word more, or love more.

• Are you waist deep in the water? Are you only giving God what you "have to." Just "Enduring till the end." You pray---for yourself, when you need something. You read---every Sunday morning along with the preacher. You are a part of a ministry---because if you give to God, He'll surely reward you....or...

• Are you all the way in the river, where you are giving God all you have, and not worrying about what else he has for you?!?!?

After all, it's your reasonable service to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God!

I recently heard this preached as a sermon, and it really got me to thinking. I'm always, "strivin' to be like Him." But, am I really? Am I doing everything? Am I willing to give up everything?

We sing a song at our church called Evermore, and one of the lines in it says, "Above all, I live for Your Glory." Not meaning for His Glory to fall upon us, but for us to live to Glorify Him. My life is for His Glory.

One of the most popular radio stations, W.I.I.F.M....What's In It For Me?

But, that's really not it. We should never stop trying to learn about the Lord, or being like the Lord. We should strive always to be our best in Him. Rather than thinking, "Well, I've went to church all my life, bless His name, I've heard it all....." No, we don't!!! I think you could be a Christian for 89 years, and not know everything! Particularly about God. And you can be a Christian for 5 years and know more than the one saved for 89 years!!! It happens all the time. You can be saved 89 years and be only ankle deep, or knee deep. At knee deep, you know enough to quote a scripture or two, but not enough to LOVE unconditionally, without passing judgement. If you follow all the commandments of the Lord, but you don't love, you have nothing!

And, I totally typed this up in Love, not Condemnation. I don't believe in condemning people, Jesus didn't, I'm not going to. I really have had my eyes open to this, and just felt lead to share it on here....maybe you needed to hear it too!

I'll say, "Yes, Lord, Yes, to Your Will and Your Test!"

This ole blog ain't what she used to be!

So sorry for short and infrequent posts!!!

Turns out that I, having not been pregnant for 7 years, totally forgot what it's like to be pregnant!!! It's all coming back to me.....

I have been sooooooooo tired; energy---gone. But, I haven't thrown up!!!

That's one of my proudest announcements!!!! People ask me how I am feeling and I reply, "I haven't thrown up!"

But, it has been taking me a lot of energy just to sit at the computer.

And in the meantime, Noah started running a fever with a sore throat, and really had no other symptoms, so after 3 days, I took him to the doctor, only to find out he didn't have strep throat, it's mononucleosis!

So, he's been resting, and I've been washing sheets and lysoling the house!

Here's the good news:

Mr. Noah Givens was selected out of all of Kindergarten for Student of the Month, based on the character trait: Respect!

Be back soon!!!

Everyday life....Bass Pro Shops

So, this past weekend, I found a little lost energy, and with coupon and gift card in hand, I talked D into taking me and Noah to Bass Pro Shops, and somewhere along the way, we picked up little Anthony, my nephew!
Doesn't Anthony looked thrilled to be with us?!?!?!
Anthony: "See the fish Uncle Deck, See the fish Noah?"

And of course, we found the toy section.....Anthony was not impressed by this video game.....

.....but he quickly found something he might like.

Anthony: "Look Uncle Deck, Pow-pow!"
And the boys enjoyed the elevator ride too.Then we found some woodland creatures...And we even took a rest.

All in all, we ended up with a pow-pow and Whitetailopoly(which is awesome!!!) and we headed out to the penny creek!
Anthony wanted to put the pennies in his pocket, but he caught on pretty quick!


Then we took the old Chevy out for a spin....Next was a little chorus of "I'm hungry!"

So, we decided on Burger King.........they waited so patiently!!!

And I think it was worth it!!!

We had a wonderful afternoon together, and then, it was on to naptime for everyone, after a round of Whitetailopoly!!!