eight.

Eight years ago today we started an incredible journey together.

we have been blessed through every season.

Seasons full of love, fun, adventure, newness.

and seasons full of sickness, trial, struggle, and loss.

We have stuck with the vows to each other,

and the vow God made to us.

That He would never leave us or forsake us...

through the good and the bad, the rich and the poor,

the sickness and the health.

Our desire at that ceremony 8 years ago tonight

was that the Lord would be worshipped.

Little did we know how prophetic the main song of our wedding would be.

We sang it during the wedding,

and we walked down the aisle into the world

as a married couple to this song:

"You give and take away.

You give and take away.

My heart will choose to say,

Lord, Blessed be Your Name"

Let's just say our hearts have had to choose A LOT

to say "Lord, blessed be Your name."

Because though a lot has been given,

a lot has been taken away in our short life together.

But He has remained sovereign.

People have literally said to us in the past

that maybe we should not be married because

"God seems to be putting ya'll through too much."

We have had friends ask if we accidentally said

"in sickness and in sickness" in our vows.

We have been told maybe we had made a mistake,

that why would God allow us to go through so much, so young?

We used to dwell on what was being taken,

by our Enemy, or by God's protection for us.

But we are {still} learning to say,

and actually believe,

"Lord, Blessed be Your Name!!"

God gas GIVEN in our marriage.

protection from things unseen.

forgiveness when it seemed hopeless.

money when there wasn't any.

children at perfect, unexpected timing.

healing from major sickness.

provision we didn't know we would need.

I wouldn't trade our journey together for anything.

It has blessed me, challenged me, grown me, and guided me

beyond my wildest dreams.

I cannot believe it's been 8 years,

but I cannot imagine having spent them any other way.

We. Are. Blessed.

God has given us immeasurable JOY even in the midst of fire.

I love who we've become.

I love who we're going to be.

I love US.

Happy 8 year Anniversary, Parker Lowe.

I'm so glad I said "I do".

first pics of Baby 2!

Introducing...Baby 2!!

Today was the day we have waited for for what seems like forever...

to see our new little punkin!!

Because of the financial journey the Lord has had us on,

this was the first real ultrasound we have had with this pregnancy.

It's been a challenge to wait so long (I am about 18 weeks now!),

but it has also allowed a pressing in of my heart to trust God

with this baby growing inside,

and not put any hope in an ultrasound or a doctor.

We were so blessed

(and shocked bc it seems SO real now!)

to see our strong, beautiful baby!

Baby finally uncrossed it's legs after 35 minutes of stubbornness

(hmm sounds like another little punkin I know!)...

and we had the sonographer write down it's gender in a note.

We are still deciding how we are going to reveal it to ourselves

and our family,

but knew we wanted to wait and do it on our own

{It's taken all of me not to open the envelope today!}

Dont worry, we will reveal it soon!!!

Abigail had fun looking at the pictures of baby when we got home.

She took them from me and walked around the house saying "my baby!"

{I might have cried a little.} :)

I cannot WAIT for her to be a big sister, she's gonna love it!

and I'm sure she WILL think it is HER baby!

below is my favorite one.

A tiny little butt sticking up in the air...

just how Abigail sleeps sometimes.

SO cute, right?!

Oh, and one more exciting thing we found out today...

Baby's official due date:

January 5th!!!!

i need ideas to reveal boy or girl!!

We want to reveal boy or girl to our parents in a fun way

but I need your help!!

What are some fun and creative ways you or people you know have told?!

I KNOW you have some ideas!!!

Thanks!!!

We find out tomorrow and will reveal soon!

Cant wait to share the news with you too!! :)

my girly space....and a winner!!!!

It's where I spend most evenings right before bed.

my girly space.

my mommy retreat.

my smells-pretty spot.

my no-toys-to-pick-up area.

my personal spa (well, minus the massages and facials)

my womanly sanctuary.

It may not be much,

but it is.

It's where I can wind down, and take the day off a bit.

Let loose of the stresses and strains,

pray for peace and rest,

Relax before sleep.

Just BE.

I can catch up on celebrity gossip here,

read my book,

watch sweet girl sleeping on the monitor,

pray, or just sit and close my eyes

and take in the pretty smells of my bath soap.

basically =

take a break.

Like I said, it's my girly space.

It's where my jewelry hangs and my magazines are stored.

It's where I have my amazing prints displayed

(thank you Jessi at naptime diaries!)

to remind me of the kind of woman I want to be.

And of course,

a picture of my sweet angel hangs before me on the wall...

the perfect way to relax.

Where do you wind-down at the end of the day?

do you have a space in your home that makes you feel girly?

Id love to hear! :)

oh, and we cant forget!

The WINNER of the Red's Rosies necklace giveaway is.....

(chosen by random.org)

Kassi!!

email me friend! yay! :)

for more lovely in your Monday,

head over here:

giveaway reminder!!!

Happy Saturday!!

Abigail loves the "big pool",

even finally blew some good bubbles in the pool on the last night of swim lessons!!

This girl is growing up TOO fast!!

OH, and

this lovely GIVEAWAY

ends Sunday night, so enter if you havent yet!!

{click here!}