Big Senior

Taylor's youngest brother, and my favorite Mathis boy, is now a big senior at Corinth! This makes me incredibly sad. John was in sixth grade when Taylor and I started dating. This is obviously the closest thing I've had to a younger sibling. This past Friday, we made a quick trip to Corinth to see Uncle John play in the first round of play-offs against Yazoo County. Yay, they won!

Mo loves her play buddy.

And I can't forget to mention, Uncle John was one of two guys at CHS to receive Hall of Fame!!

Yay Uncle John!!!!!

We love you John!! (Even if you are going to MSU next year!!) :)

Just Thankful

There is so much I want to say, but I think I will let it rest. I'm just thankful. I'm thankful that we serve a Savior that is so much bigger than everything we face here on earth. I'm thankful that my Savior found me worthy of saving by shedding His own blood on the cross.

I'm also thankful for these three beauties in my life. I'm thankful that I have a husband who works hard every day for us. Yes he's gone from us a lot, but we love every second of when he's home. He keeps me grounded on so many levels. Thank you. I'm thankful for my daughters and what they teach me. If only we could all see life like the eyes of a child.

Oh, I'm also thankful for:
candy corn
sweet tea
Yankee candles
clean sheets
football
my daddy's lunch on Sunday afternoons

My Little Hooties

The Pumpkin Patch

I went with Morgan's class to the Pumpkin Patch. It was fun and very cute to watch all of the kids run around to find the perfect pumpkin. Morgan picked up a good 15 pumpkins before she picked "the one." Here are some highlights...(mostly of just my child. Sorry I think she's cute!)

Initiative 26

As many of you already know, there is SO much debate on initiative 26. I've stopped reading all of the back and forth on Facebook, because it is out of control. I will admit that I have gone back and forth with my opinion on this initiative. I have done my best to research all that I can to make an informed decision. For the most part, I have been stumbling over the part with IVF. I have several friends who are struggling with infertility. Some have chosen to use IVF to help them conceive and others have chosen the road of adoption. Taylor and I were so blessed to have our two daughters without any trouble or complications. I cannot imagine walking in the shoes of my friends and not being able to have a child. It breaks my heart for them. Therefore, I wanted to make sure I clearly understood what this initiative would mean for my friends who struggle with infertility.

After thinking and praying through all of the pros/cons, research, blogs, etc; I will vote yes to initiative 26. Being a mother, I have to for the sake of the unborn babies who have no voice. I would gladly spell out all of my reasoning to you, but instead I want you to read my friend Megan's blog. Megan and her husband Russ are some of our dear friends who struggle with infertility. They elected not to do IVF, and are currently in the middle of the adoption process. She did a BEAUTIFUL job of explaining why she is also voting yes to this initiative. I don't know that I could say it any better than she did.

http://russandmegan.blogspot.com/2011/10/one-question.html

I would also like you to read my friend Beni's blog. Beni and her husband Mark are raising twins who were conceived through IVF.

http://bjandmark.blogspot.com/2011/10/from-my-heart.html

I know everyone will not agree with me. That's ok. The important thing is to BE INFORMED BEFORE you make your decision. Trust me, I don't think this amendment is perfect by any means. I also don't want the goverment so involved in my decisions. However, I do want to be a voice for the precious child in the mother's womb. If you think you can stomach it, just try looking at the information and videos on what takes place during an abortion. Read and/or watch that and tell me you can be ok with it. I also CANNOT even fathom being a victim of rape. However, the baby is also a victim. It is not the baby's fault that a terrible person would commit such a horrific act to a woman. In this situation, I think about people like Megan and Russ who are desperately waiting to adopt a baby. What a time to turn such a tragic event into such a blessing for those who cannot conceive on their own. People like Russ and Megan would love that baby to the moon and back.

I could keep going for a long time. Even if you disagree, please just be informed and be in prayer for our state. This is a major deal for everyone.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you, and I ordained you a prophet unto the nations." Jeremiah 1:5

Finally A Family Of Four

As of yesterday Millie turned three months old. I guess it's appropriate to start blogging again. I've literally been working on this one post for...three months. It's a post with picture overload. Maybe after this one I'll discuss how we've "adjusted" to life with two kiddos. For now, here's a recap of the day my sweet Mills was born for those who are not Facebook users.

The story goes that I went in that Monday morning for my 37 week check-up. (Here comes the tmi for those that care.) I was 3 almost 4 cm when we checked. I could have gone home to wait it out or have a baby. My doctor didn't think we would be waiting it out long at all. I had so many mixed emotions. I was only 37 weeks, my mother-in-law and brother-in-law were literally in route to a youth trip in Florida, Taylor was working, my entire family was working, I had no plans for Morgan, etc. After several frantic phone conversations with Taylor we decided to have a baby.

Everyone went into pure down to business mode. My mom (who had Morgan) went to our house to get our bags and dropped Mo off with my sweet friend Lauren. I owe Lauren majorly!! She entertained my child, fed my child, made sure she got a nap, and dressed her in her cute outfit to come meet Millie at the hospital. There are not enough thank yous in this world! My sister and dad rushed through the rest of work to get up to the hospital as soon as they could. Taylor called his dad (who was performing surgery by the way) and gave him the news. Dr. Phil had to call Mrs. Cindy (remember she was in route to FL) to let her know their trip would be cut a tad short. Mrs. Cindy then waited at the Jacksonville airport for hours while Dr. Phil finished up surgery and got down there to get her.

I, on the other hand, was all alone. I left the doctor excited and confused. Then I drove myself to the hospital to get the day started. It was so strange checking into the hospital without anyone with me. All I could think about was how much I wanted Taylor to hurry and get there. I filled out all fifty pages of paper work, put on the ever so precious blue gown, and settled into labor mode. I kept my game face on all morning, but when Taylor finally walked in my room I. LOST. IT. Tears were everywhere. However, my hubby is the perfect match for me because he's so calming. He just laughed, held me, and reassured me everythind would be ok. I just didn't feel ready or prepared at all in my head. Three weeks early was not at all how I saw this pregnancy ending.

All in all the day went perfect and almost exactly like Morgan's birth. With both babies, it took about ten hours to get to the point of pushing. Once we started pushing, she was here in ten minutes. I never push long at all which is perfectly FINE WITH ME! I knew these big hips would come in handy one day.

We did have one minor "hiccup" in the day. When they started my epidural, they gave it to me in a shot in my back. Once that kicks in and does its thing, the drip takes over for the remainder of the labor. Well, about an hour and a half went by after my shot and I noticed that I could move my legs a little bit. I didn't think much of it at that point. Then I realize the contractions seem to be getting stronger. I knew something was wrong when my aunt was talking straight to me, but I had no clue what she was saying because I was in so much pain. My wonderful nurse could tell I was not a happy camper so she quickly got anesthesia. Long story short, they realized my drip was never turned on!! So basically I was laboring with just the shot and that wore off. They turned on the drip but for about forty-five minutes I had to labor with nothing. I will NEVER willingly have natural childbirth. EVER. Every time a contraction started I couldn't breathe, I couldn't think straight, and all I wanted to do was scream. I am absolutely 100% without a shadow of a doubt an epidural girl. The thought of it makes me feel weak in the stomach. Let me just say my nurse was a miracle worker and I love her!

So there's the story. We have LOVED every second of having Millie in our lives. It has been challenging for sure, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I owe a HUGE thank you to my family..both mine and Taylor's. They have helped out tremendously! Now enough of the chit chat and here is the picture palooza.....

And so it begins.....

Mom, me, Beth

Morgan handled seeing me all hooked up to medical things well. I thought it might throw her for a loop, but thankfully it didn't. She was a trooper all day!



My sweet friend Lauren came to my rescue and kept Mo until it was baby time. Thank you!!!

So skip about 12 hours, ten minutes of pushing, and Millie is born!!

6 pounds, 6 ounces, 19 1/2 inches long, 6:30 pm

You can see my nurse aka miracle worker in the background!

Daddy introducing his girls. I do believe he cried at this point.

Me, my cousin Ashley, Mamaw, and Aunt Lisa

Nene getting her first look at baby girl #2.

My Mamaw-Millie's great grandmother

Cici and Papaw meeting Millie!

My sweet friend Sara and I had our babies on the same day!
We were literally across the hall from each other in l&d.

Dr. McCrory has now delivered both of my baby girls.

Getting sweet Mills ready to go home.
She wore Morgan's dress, my baby shoes, and cuddled in my baby blanket.
Cece made her bonnet to match her dress.

Daddy and his girls.

Of course Princess Morgan had to make an appearance.

Patiently waiting on us to get home.

Morgan wanted to sing Millie a song. She chose her ABC's and Jesus Loves Me.

Finally home!

This is after our first bath at home. Morgan was such a big help!

Here are some comparison pics of my girls at one month old.

Morgan- one month
Millie- one month

Here is my big sister update:
Morgan is a great big sister. She loves Millie. She tells me all of the time she needs to "see her." It's very helpful to me that Mo can grab diapers or whatever I need when my hands are tied. When Millie was five weeks old, Morgan decided she was ready to potty train. That almost pushed me over the edge, but somehow we made it. Here is one of favorite pics of Mo.
So we are a family of four and filled with a lot of pink!