The Beginning

And so it begins...morning sickness (yeah right), correction, ALL the time sickness. Just five days ago my sister and I were talking about how "oh so lucky" I was to not be sick with this pregnancy...that very night, it began. And this morning, at 5:55 a.m., I am so so thankful for a little pill called Zofran. This little anti-nausea pill is about the only thing that this baby seems okay with. And even more horrifying, the day has come (only seven weeks in) where the baby has said "no way, Jose " to my dear friend, coffee. Oh, how I already miss it. Perhaps it's time to try the steamed eggnog from Starbucks. Now don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. In the midst of all the nausea, sickness and fatigue, I still haven't forgotten what the final product is. I just wish there was a way to fast forward from the first trimester to the point where the fun begins. Like the first kick, the hiccups, picking out the name (can you tell i'm just a little excited) and painting the nursery. But the most fun part is how excited Camille has gotten over the prospect of being a big sister. Just last night we were explaining what size it will be when it comes (she seems to think it will be the same size as 1 year old cousin "Baby Claire") and she said "Momma, I can feed it tea!" As you can see, we still have some explaining to do ;) We're going to Memphis this weekend for our annual "Thanksmas" get together and it should be interesting considering I'm pregnant, my sister is pregnant, and one of our Memphis cousins is pregnant as well...babies, babies, babies!! More to come on this trip in a few days. I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend...bundle up!!

Answered Prayers

Wow, what an amazing week we've had!! My family decided to spend Thanksgiving this year with my sister in South Carolina. We made it up there Wednesday and on Thanksgiving Thursday we were given an amazing gift...we're expecting another baby. I can't even explain the elation I felt when I told Camille that she was FINALLY going to be a big sister. Needless to say, that's been the most memorable Thanksgiving to date. The gift of life is one of God's greatest gifts and we are beyond grateful. And what makes this moment so much sweeter is all of the family and friends that are so supportive and rejoicing with us!! Our little family is more than ready for this next chapter in our lives (Camille is adamant it's a boy ;)) and couldn't have asked for a more blessed closing to 2010.

"For you created my innermost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13-14

That Time of Year

Eggnog, decorations, Christmas music, fires, 30 degree weather, blankets ( or snuggies :) and last but NOT least...HOME ALONE!! It's finally "that" time of year. And this year, Camille is almost three so we're having fun doing it all together. Although, she did think Mommy was a little batty when I freaked out because they're finally playing Christmas music on the radio. Having a child her age is so much fun because when they experience it for the fist time, it's like you're reliving your childhood all over again. I introduced her to "Home Alone" the other night (it's a Christmas family tradition) and I am proud to say, she loved it. And while I am ALL for going ALL out at Christmas, my mother reminded me the other night what the special holiday season is really all about. I think it makes God happy to see everyone enjoy the season: lights, snowmen, sugar cookies, presents...but I think it also makes Him sad to see everyone forgetting what Christmas is all about. So, let's enjoy everything this following month has to offer but don't forget to take a moment every now and then and thank our Lord for sending His son, so many years ago.

TGI-the Weekend

Oh Saturday...why must you come only once a week?! Cleaned the house this morning, put the kid down after lunch, showered and now, I am doing absolutely nothing and it feels so darn good. The husband and I are going on a date this afternoon and tonight we will cheer on our team and (hopefully) beat the bulldogs. All together, it makes a perfect Saturday, spent with my favorite people. My blogs usually have a certain purpose or message but this one is purely for fun. I am feeling the need to express how thankful I am for the weekends and the relief they bring...and also, may I add, the THREE hour nap my child is taking doesn't hurt either ;)

Apologies, once again...I've been a slacker and neglected my poor blog. The Wyatt family has been busy, busy, busy! But here I am, writing again (hopefully you share my view piont, better late than never ;) I'm kind of in a rut too, because it's been so long since my last post, there's so much to share, and I can't decide where to begin...
Let's begin with Memphis. We finally made it up to Memphis to see the fam. I need to insert how very dear Memphis is to my heart. I can't even describe the feeling I get when I see the Memphis lights driving in...or driving down Haynes (my grandparents street) and pulling up into their driveway. And the smell. It always smells like Magnolia's....it's that feeling you get when you know "I'm home". Everything is always the same at my grandparents. Their house and the things in it haven't changed since I was a kid and there is something so comforting about that. It takes you back in time and you have that warm fuzzy feeling all over again. However, one thing has changed... they don't greet us at the door anymore. My grandmother has been bed ridden for some time, and my grandfather is always right there with her. So now it's kind of bitter sweet. The house is the same, the furniture is the same, the smell is the same...but the people that made that house so special are not the same. My Mama E can't talk to us anymore. And Daddy D, bless his heart, he tries. On my last visit I tried to tell my sweet grandmother how much I love and appreciate her, but I wish I had told her years ago. I don't know why I waited until I was 23 to tell her I ADORE her and respect her more than anyone on this earth. I wish I had told her sooner that she made my childhood so special with her loving gestures and thoughtful actions. We always wait to tell the people in our lives how special they are to us, thinking we can do it later. Well friends, it's later...

Wedding, Flowers and a Little Princess

Where to begin, where to begin? This past weekend was my husband's cousins wedding. S0 four o'clock Saturday morning we loaded up and headed to Virginia. After a long eight hour trip we arrived in the sleepy (and BEAUTIFUL) little town of Abingdon. If I've ever seen a place that looked like it was taken straight out of a movie, this was it. We freshened up and went to the rehearsal and then the rehearsal dinner, and following that was a bonfire and hayride at Luke's aunt and uncle's.

The next morning we started getting Camille ready for her first role as "flower girl". It was hectic (as excpected) with everyone running around, curling hair, finding shoes, last minute alterations...and then, it was make or break time. I'm not going to lie, I was nervous. But as soon as Camille was dressed, her hair was done and Aunt Shan Shan added a little rouge...she was in her "princess state of mind" and a princess she was. From the moment she started down that aisle, meticulously placing each petal, until the end walking back down the aisle, my child was the perfect princess. From there we went to the reception where we danced the night away. I have to insert that Luke and I (and everyone else present) cried like babies when Jessica, the bride, and her father danced. It was probably the sweetest father/daughter dance I have ever seen. (Aside from the one Camille and Luke shared later in the evening) It was an absolutely beautiful wedding and I realized what a sweet family I married into.

We made the long trek back on Monday, thank the Lord for safe travels, and are packing yet again for our trip up to Memphis tomorrow. More to come on our trip to see tha family!!

Changing Seasons

So summer is finally drawing to a close (sort of, mornings are cool but afternoon's are still HOT) and October is approaching quickly. And what a busy October it is going to be! I'm throwing a baby shower for my dear old friend, Laura, on the 5th, on the 10th we'll be in Virginia for Camille to be a flower girl in a wedding, the 11th is my little niece's 1st birthday, we're going to Memphis the next weekend, on the 22nd we're going to the beach and on Halloween my S.C. brother and sister are visiting...phew!! And while the weather is changing and it's fading from summer to fall, our lives are also changing with it. As stated before, the youngest grandchild is turning one (we've got to stop calling her "Baby Claire") and my own child is getting closer and closer to turning three...I start crying every time I think about it. I brought her home just yesterday...or so it feels like. Before I know it I'm going to blink my eyes and she'll be walking into her kindergarten class. People tell me all the time "Take advantage of this time, it goes by so fast" and I understand what they mean. The older I get the more I appreciate the well known Latin phrase "Carpe diem" which most know to mean "seize the day" or the meaning I like best, "to enjoy, seize, use, make use of ". This life goes by in the blink of an eye and I for one want to enjoy every second of it. My words of advice are to stop every once in a while and take a good look around, enjoy what God has blessed you with. Fall always seems to bring out the thankfulness in me. Maybe you should let it bring it out in you too =)

Something Beautiful

I have alot of feelings. I am also very in tuned to these feelings. When something makes me happy,I like to dance and sing. When something makes me sad, the tears just don't stop coming. When something makes me mad, I'll find fault with everything and everyone. Like I said, my emotions are a strong thing. And sometimes I feel completely overwhelmed. I think about all the loved ones I've seen come and go in my life, about my past sins that have caused others pain, about things I should have said or done, about my homeland, Africa, and how much my heart misses her; I think about dreams I have that I want to fulfill someday, about the dreams I have for my daughter's life, about all the non-believers in our world who are living in darkness...and my heart and soul feel completely overwhelmed.

It's easy for me to question God. It's easy for me to get offended and wonder why there's so much pain and sin in the world. But when I stop, shut my mouth, open my ears and get down on my knees, I remember the cross. The cross that my savior was crucified on. The one that my heavenly Father watched His son die on. How much pain did He suffer? How much blood did He shed? How many tears did He cry? When I think about what He went through for ME, suddenly my pain and sufferings seem so small. I need to remember the "big picture". It's not about me...not even close.

He doesn't give you anything you can't handle

Yes folks, I am very aware of how much time has passed since my last blog. And no, I did not forget about it, I have just had alot on my plate lately. But it is because of these recent trials that I've been reminded just how wonderful and dependent my heavenly Father is.

On August 1st, my husband and I had to put down our baby boy, Cody Man. We picked him out as a little runt of a dog when we first started dating and he was always an ever present comfort for me. He truly gave meaning to the phrase "man's best friend". Throughout my entire pregnancy, Cody would place his head in my lap, like he wanted to be close to the miracle inside me. When Camille was born, he didn't get jealous, he simply accepted her as another person to be loyal to and protect. As a puppy, he rode in the car (in my lap, no less), everywhere I went, until he just couldn't fit anymore. Luke and I referred to him as "our son" and Camille loved him just as much as we did. We will miss him very much but I'm taking comfort in the hope that there is a "doggy heaven" and I will be able to see him again someday =)

There are other personal things my little family has been through lately as well, but we won't get into those. I can say that I don't know where I'd be without my faith to sustain me. The Lord is constantly giving me strength and support to get through these tribulations.

I would like to share an amazing story that just happened a few nights ago. Camille and I were lying in bed and I had had a particularly hard day. I was just kind of bummed out in general and as Camille was falling asleep, I wrapped my arms around her and just thanked my Father for such a wonderful little girl. And then, I swear I felt arms wrap around me and my child and I was overcome with this feeling of comfort and peace...I'm so undeserving yet He never fails me.

"I'm forgiven, because You were forsaken;

I'm accepted, You were condemned.

I'm alive and well, You're spirit lives within me

Because You died and rose again."

This blog is inspired by something that holds a very special place in my heart and, quite honestly, I find essential in my every day life. It's called "music". I really don't know what I would do without it. I mean, I love music so so much that I listen to everything. I love rock (classic rock to be specific), country, jazz, reggae, soul, hip hop and (dare I say it?) I have found that the older I get, the more I love the '80's.
To me music isn't just a few notes and some lyrics. The good music (and most of the stuff around now doesn't qualify) is a form of art...a way to express yourself. Some days your mood may call for some good old Johnny Cash. Or some days may call for Nirvana and Sublime. No matter what the mood or occasion though, I can guarantee that somewhere out there there's a song suitable for it.
It may sound silly, but teaching my daughter about the Greats like George Harrison, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Marley and Jerry Garcia is something I truly have a passion for. Who knows, maybe if she gets it she'll be the next Janis Joplin (minus the heroin overdose.)

Baby Blessings

I'm going to be an Auntie again!! That's right, my oldest sister, Bethany, is going to have her second child in February and I am so so excited. Our family has truly been blessed with the "fertility" gene and we're incredibly thankful for each new addition.

Growing up with five kids in our family was so much fun. NEVER a boring moment for sure! And I can't describe the feeling you get when you see your children and your siblings children growing up together...such an incredible blessing. I do, however, feel so awful for my preggo sister because she's already sick every minute of the day. Hold on sister!! You know the prize is worth the price =)

It's Sunday and today I am so so thankful for my sweet husband. Luke is a man's man. He loves hunting and fishing and a cold beer now and then. He (in my mind) can fix almost anything. If he's watching TV I can just give up because he always always always go straight to ESPN. And if Alabama football (actually ANY college football) is on then you might as well get comfy, because that's all you're going to be doing for the next few hours.

What I love about my "man's man" is how he changes when he's with his family. As soon as he sees his daughter, it's like he melts. It's absolutely precious to see my big strong husband lying on the floor playing Light Bright with a 2 year old. He's forever telling her how much he loves her and how beautiful she is. They have "secrets" that they whisper into each other's ears and when I ask what they're saying Camille looks at me and says "It's a secret!"

I think God knew exactly what he was doing when He gave us Camille. He knew this tough guy needed a little princess in his life. I'll never forget when we found out we were having a girl. TERROR!! We were so scared. But when we saw our little blonde angel for the first time, we knew our lives would never ever be the same.

Another thing my husband does that touches me is his love language of gift giving. When he goes to the store (whether it's Wal Mart or a gas station) he almost always brings something back for his girls. Chocolate milk for Cam and a chocolate bar for me. Or new alphabet magnets for her and a big candle for me. He really is the sweetest person and I am so thankful for him. He works so so hard and always provides for his family. I really do love my husband. September 2nd will be our third wedding anniversary and I look forward to many many more.

Something to Think About

So, once again I have to apologize for slacking off on my "blogging" duties. My life is crazy right now!! As you know, I have a 2 year old, I keep my 8 month old niece every day, and for the summer I'm also blessed to be watching my 6 year old niece, Bella, who is visiting from Hawaii. Add that to my usual daily duties and there's just not much time left over ;)

I got home yesterday around 6:30, vacuumed the house, unloaded and loaded the dishes, cooked dinner, folded some clothes and finally sat down to enjoy "Where the Wild Things Are" when I realized...I'm not going to make it!! So I gave up and went to bed. Ha! Such is the glamorous life of a full time mommy, auntie and wife.

As of right now, I'm sitting on the couch with one arm around my sweet Cam, watching "Olivia" and using my one good hand to type with. There's something that's been nagging at me this past week that I would love to share. It started with the oil spill and all the complaining I've heard and seen as of the past few weeks and I didn't realize how much it was bothering me until, oh, I'd say four days or five days ago. The complaining i'm referring to are from people angry about having to cancel their beach trips: "I'm so pissed off that I have to cancel MY vacation because of this stupid oil spill" or "I've been waiting ALL year to go on my beach trip but now I can't because of a little oil".

Does this sound familiar to you? You know, my family is used to going on two beach trips every year and my daughter LOVES the beach. We, along with alot of others, have had to cancel these trips. But I'm not complaining...and do you know why? Because (excuse me for being blunt here) that is completely and utterly selfish. How about all the fisherman and restaurant owners down in the gulf or in New Orleans who actually depend on the shrimp, fish and oysters from that oil polluted water? How about the poor dolphins, whales, birds, turtles and fish (just to name a few) that are suffocating in that "stupid" oil? It's easy to get stuck in a box where only you exist. The next time you want to complain about something, think about others outside of your box. Take that vacation...the locals still need tourists. In fact they need you now more than ever. And while your down there, maybe you should volunteer somewhere. Be pro-active...

"You are the light of the world, a city on a hill cannot be hidden...shine your light before all men, that they might see your works and praise your Father up in heaven." Matthew 5:14 &16

Family

This past weekend we celebrated my father's 60th birthday. My aunt and her family came down from Knoxville and my father was also able to enjoy his celebration day with all of his grandchildren (which is not something that happens often). Watching my dad's face was priceless. You could just see the happiness. Bella and Camille helped him open his presents and I don't think I saw him stop smiling once.

My father is an amazing man. To say he had a rough child/teen hood would be an understatement. His father was almost completely absent and had problems with alcohol. It would've been the easy thing to do to follow in his father's footsteps. Instead, he became a christian, married a wonderful woman and had five children. My dad was and is a wonderful father. I feel so blessed to have him in my life and my children's lives.

Yesterday was his actual birthday and I am so thankful for every year God allows us. So, this blog is dedicated to my wonderful wonderful father. I love you dad.

Carpe Diem

So, once again it's a Sunday morning and I'm the only one awake! I could really get used to this =) I've been waiting for a chance to sit down and write a new blog but this past week has been hectic, to say the least.
My husband and I took our annual trip to New Orleans two Fridays ago. We had a relaxing Friday night, a great Saturday morning and then Saturday afternoon, while we were strolling throught the Quarter, my dad called to tell me my grandmother had gone home. At first it was a shock...I knew it was going to happen but I honestly didn't think it was going to happen on that weekend. I cried and my husband comforted me and offered for us to go home. My first instinct was "Yes!! I want to go home, curl up in bed and cry until the tears won't come." But then I thought of my Grandmother. What would she want me to do? She loved life and she would want me to seize the moment and enjoy it too. So I did what my sweet, fun loving Grandmother would've done and I enjoyed my time in NOLA. We had lunch at Pat O's and then on Saturday night, my sweet husband took me out for one of the best dinners I've ever had...a five course dinner at Tujagues (which I would highly recommend) that any Creole would approve of.
We drove home on Sunday and picked up CamKat from her Auntie and Uncle's and then on Monday we made our way up to Knoxville. My Grandmother was an amazing person. A stranger sitting at her funeral would've been able to tell you that. She had a beautiful ceremony followed by an even more beautiful graveside service in one of the most breath taking cemeteries I've ever seen. From her grave you can see the top of the Smoky Mountains.
I could go on and on about my wonderful grandmother but I think you get the point. I will add that I am so proud of my grandfather who has loyally been by her side and truly given meaning to "through sickness and in health". He has some amazing rewards waiting for him in heaven and I admire him so so much. So, here's to you Grandmother and the legacy you've left behind...you were an amazing woman and I can't wait to tell my children and grandchildren about the woman I was blessed to call "Grandmother".

Saturday, May 29th at 1:10 p.m., my sweet and wonderful Grandmother was finally called home. I got the phone call while my husband and I were walking through the French Quarter...which was very ironic because a few days before our trip I had found an old picture of my Grandmother and Grandjerry in New Orleans. It was comforting to know she had enjoyed this wonderful city just like we enjoy it now. There will be more to come but right now I need to get on the road...headed to Knoxville to celebrate the life of a wonderful woman who is now dancing with her first born grandchild in heaven.

It's a Trust Thing

I have an amazing kid. This is a fact. Not only is she smart (she just turned two and knows her ABC's, her shapes, her colors, can count to 11 in english and her new thing is trying count in spanish, SO cute) but she's also so sweet and kind hearted, not to mention freaking adorable.

Almost on a daily basis I find myself questioning whether or not I'm teaching her all she needs to know. It's scary being a parent...here you are, responsible for not only taking care of this child, but you're also responsible for preparing her mentally, emotionally and spiritually for the rest of her life.

I want her to love animals like I do, I want her to love the outdoors, I want her to like reading, I want her to treat others with respect, I want her to treat herself with respect, I want her to embrace life and explore the world, I want her to appreciate good music (and sorry kids, this does not include Justin Beiber or the Jonas Brothers), I want her to love Africa as much as I do...I want so much for her!! And because of this, I worry if I'm doing it all right.

I also worry about the day that's coming (it's inevitable, I know) when she won't want her mommy to go with her everywhere. That day when she wants to do things on her own and I won't always be there to tell her what choices to make. Oh my gosh do I worry about that day! And then I have to remind myself...she's a child of God, she's in His hands. My role as a parent, first and foremost, is to set an example of a godly mother and wife. And I can't do it without my loving Father's help. But when I let go and let God, I know He has an amazing plan for my daughter...all I have to do is trust Him.

Blessed Beyond Description

So, it's a Sunday morning and I am experiencing something very rare...I'M THE ONLY ONE AWAKE!! I am lounging on my couch, coffee in hand, looking out the window and the only noise I hear are the freshly washed clothes in the dryer...now this I could get used to =)

My sis-in-law, Gini, also blogs. Hers is far more advanced and she's been doing it alot longer but one thing in particular about hers that I like is her "Thankful on a Thursday" blog where she posts what she's thankful for every Thursday. I woke up this morning feeling so thankful and I realized I usually do on Sunday mornings. Maybe it's because I know I get to go to church and worship an amazing God with an amazing church family or it could just be because it's a day of rest and my head is more clear. Whatever the reason, I am going to start my own "weekly blog thanksgiving" and mine is going to be on Sundays.

Let me begin with my family. I have such a godly mother and father. And the reason they're so godly is largely in part because of two women: my father's mother, Sylvia Bobo and my mother's mother, Elwyn King. These two women are truly a magnificent example of God's handiwork. I am so thankful that these were the women that raised my parents. Because of them, I have two parents that want nothing more than for their children to have fulfilling and meaningful relationships with Christ.

Both of my grandmothers are now very close to meeting their heavenly Father that they have so obediently served all these years. And although I am crying as I write this because I will be sad that their physical bodies will not be here with us, I KNOW that our Lord can't wait to have these amazing women join Him in His kingdom. My daily personal prayer is that God will use me in the lives of my children and grandchildren, just like He has used my Mama-E and Grandmother in the lives of their off spring. Thank you Lord for blessing me with the amazing family I have.

Always Stop and Remember

Five years ago I was working at a childcare center where I taught a class of 2 year olds. While working there, I grew very close with my co-worker, Brooke. She was such a funny and likable person that I really had no choice in the matter...friends it was! One weekend, like many, we were going to find something to do and we ended up at one of her friend's apartments. She introduced me to a tall, dark and very handsome young man who asked for my number and the next night called me. The night after, I went over to hang out and we immediately hit it off...we had so so much in common!! We ended up sitting on the couch and talking for hours on end. A week later we were officially "dating" and we knew that this time was different.

A few weeks after Luke and I had been dating, Brooke came to me at work and told me that a check-up with her doctor had revealed that she could possibly have cancer. Both of us were positive that it was just a scare, so when later tests come out positive, we were just in shock...

Brooke died in September of the following year while I was in Gulf Shores on a beach trip... two years later, Luke and I got married on her anniversary in front of the same condo I was staying in the day I found out she died.

Luke and I have now been married almost three years and together almost five and have an amazing child together, and I will forever be grateful to Brooke for introducing us. Today is Luke's 28th birthday and I'm sure if Brooke were still alive, she'd be calling to say happy birthday to him. Thank you Brooke Bost for getting us started on this journey, we'll always stop to remember you and your unforgettable laughter.

Something New

Hello world!
Let's start with the basics, shall we? My name is Jessica, I'm 23 and I have been married to my husband, Luke, going on three years now. We have an amazing, beautiful and incredibly smart (maybe I am biased but she truly is a smart little booger) two year old daughter who is the light of our lives!! We also have two unruly ( I still adore them though) dogs: Cody and Max, who are always keeping us on our toes =)

Now that we've covered that, let me just say how EXCITED I am about my very new ( as in about 20 mintutes ago) decision to start blogging! I have always enjoyed writing, yes I may be categorized as one of those "nerds" who wrote for my high school paper. And now with a two year old running around and keeping my 7 month old niece every day, I tend to have some hilariously entertaining stories I need to share. Not to mention, Camille Kate (my daughter) seems to have a very large fanbase, so this way all of those fans ( ahem, grandparents, aunties and uncles) can keep up with her, albeit young, busy and fun filled little life.

So, whoever may be reading this, I am very excited for you to be joining us! I look forward to sharing much much more.