we interrupt all Christmas posts...

We were busy getting ready last night. 

You know, poofin' our bangs and all.

Showin' a lot of shoulder. 

Wearin' our side pony tales. 

Takin' it back  a few years.

All to surprise this handsome almost 30 year old.

And he was surprised all right.

Surprised so much he tried to figure out whose birthday it was. And why his friends were tight rolling their jeans and wearing loafers. 

1980 was a good year. Matthew Aaron Cavin was born and this year he turns 30. So we took him back to his childhood and enjoyed every minute of it. We played name that '80's show, movie, etc. which Cindy clearly dominated all of us even though she was on "The Scrunchies" team.

I rocked some knock off keds from Wal-Mart. And I made leg warmers by cutting off the toes of some fuzzy socks. Matthew was taken back every time he looked at me and it made me laugh.

He got some pretty awesome gifts.

And we all enjoyed celebrating in high fashion together! 

At the end of the night Jenny was smackin' her Bazooka bubble gum and got sassy. So I captured it.

Then the little ones came home and had just as much fun as we did...

box thirteen

Dear Santa,


I wanted to write you a letter because  I want a Woody that talks. I want you to leave a reindeer bell at my house. Thank you Santa.


Grey

looking down

Holy Moly! This is what I see first when I look down these days. That baby boy is just a growing. I have noticed significant growth on the outside and feel significant growth on the inside but today when I went to the doctor, that was confirmed.

After drinking that shockingly sweet orange drink before taking my blood this morning, I got to see my doctor. We talked for a few and then got to hear baby boy's heartbeat. He had just a few seconds before been kicking me in my ribs so I was sure we would hear a strong, fast heartbeat which we did. Then she proceeded to measure my stomach. 

I saw Dr. Hilton today who delivered Tucker and also is a friend. So when she pulled out the measuring tape she was thrilled to note that my stomach was measuring right on track with 28 weeks. Only when she looked at my chart she realized that I am actually only 26 weeks. Her excitement for "a smaller baby this time around" quickly changed to making me very aware she would not let me have an 11 or 12 pound baby! She put me on alert that they would be checking his size and weight closely from here on out. I know I can have a 9 lb. 4 oz. baby because I've done it twice before. Much bigger makes me a little nervous. 

Talk about being nervous. I'll be completely honest, as of right now, I am getting more anxious the closer the time comes for this little one to be born. Which is coming quicker than I can process right now. I have found that this is one thing that I am actually anticipating in life and trying my hardest to somewhat prepare for. Whatever that means. I'll tell you what, now I'm so thankful that I don't try to prepare too much on a regular basis because it is making me anxious! It's not a common feeling for me and I don't like it. 

It's the little things really. The things like getting everyone in the car and out of the car and keeping everyone together when it's just me. Grey is still in a car seat with a five-point harness that he cannot do or undo the whole thing by himself. Oh heavens. Or the things like a simple trip to the grocery store will be 3 times as complicated and sometimes has to be done with all 3 in tow. Or like when I have to nurse the baby and Tucker is climbing up the bar stools and standing in the middle of the counter smiling at me wanting me to be proud of what he's accomplished. Again, oh heavens. It's the fact that I will feel even more ineffective in my children's lives from a lack of intentional time that I expect from myself. 

Like I said, it's the little things that make me anxious. When I begin to feel this way, I stop and think about these three incredibly precious lives that God has loaned to Matthew and I. That this baby boy that we haven't even met yet was willed and provided for us to grow up and teach to love the Lord with all His heart just as He has given us Grey and Tucker to do the same. His plan is great. It is so wonderful. And if I would have planned my life up to this point, this would probably be the FIRST baby we would be having. I cannot even imagine. And it brings me to tears when I thank God for the gift of life He has brought into our home for His good. And we get to experience the greatness of it.

My hands are also anxious to hold a newborn baby with that sweet soft skin. To snuggle so close and have the privilege of providing nourishment to him. To watch him sleep. To watch his brothers learn to love him and welcome him into their brotherhood that is developing day by day. To love another boy. To receive a third child's precious hugs. To meet him and know his unique personality. To guide and train him in the way the Lord intends. 


I can't wait. But I can wait all at the same time. 


One other shot of what I saw when I looked down today made me so happy for yet another boy to enter our home. That's a few army men, a straw, some dirt, and some raisins. They were all very crucial in this afternoon's playtime.

box ten

 The Christmas season around our house has been full of singing, dancing, baking, and much Christmas cheer! And it's only December 12th! We saw our first snowflakes tonight and a few of them actually stuck to our deck. It's clear I'm from the south to be remotely excited about that but I was stoked I saw the first flakes before Christmas this year! I don't know if that's ever happened.

Grey opened box number ten on Friday and was delighted to see my very artistic picture of donuts and Christmas lights. I have personally been looking forward to this activity for quite some time and even moved it up on our calendar. This could have something to do with the combination of pregnancy and donuts but I really love this tradition.

Tuck was "cheesing" on our way out and even tried to sing along to the Christmas songs this year.

Grey Bear couldn't quit talking about the donuts and all the lights we were going to see. 

These are the donuts they picked. They were definitely eye catchers, those Christmas "finkles." (sprinkles) I'm more of a chocolate creme filled kind of girl. 

Mmm Mmm!

This is one of those houses that had about 20 billion lights all synced to music playing on a certain radio station. It was insane. I've seen those done online but there was one right here in Fort Mill. Pretty impressive but I could only take it for so long. I'll spare us the video that may make you go into convulsions. 

We had a really fun night together and completely wore Tucker out. He fell asleep long before we were home. On to more Christmas fun!

thankful monday

It's only 7 pm my eyelids are being pried open with Q-tips. I'm so tired. Through my exhaustedness (yeah, I don't think that's a word) my heart has been oh so thankful today. Just some things on my mind that God has brought to my attention lately.

I'm 25 weeks pregnant and thankfully all I can say that has been a hitch through this pregnancy is needing a nap almost everyday. And when I don't get a nap, I'm prying my eyelids open at 7 pm. I can feel significant growth in this little boy over the last week. His movements are big and strong and I'm beginning to feel little body parts. I always miss this when I'm not pregnant so I am trying to relish in and be thankful for this movement. Grey Bear asked me last night, "Mommy, when we have our NEXT baby, it will be a sister but will she have brown hair?" I quickly stopped him to tell him we weren't positive of God's plans for our family but we might not have any more babies. To which he replied, "why? I really like having babies here." And that's that.

As I sat through a Catalyst Student Leader Dinner last night, I was completely overwhelmed. God brought to my attention where He has brought Matthew and I in ministry, with our family, and in our walk with Him here in Fort Mill. This time in our lives is just so good. I looked at all the people surrounding me and was blown away at the support in our lives. God has provided so many people for us to minister alongside who love and support us in ministry and with our family. This does not even include our small group which I've mentioned before. Like I said, this time is so good.

Thanksgiving week presented me with lots of wonderful opportunities to spend time with people. That's one of my specialties in life...I don't have many but I would consider spending time with people a hobby. I got to spend time with with my sweet friend Carla as she was driving through to Atlanta and share a cup of hot tea and conversation. Matthew and I got to spend time with some really dear friends from Clemson, Seth and Ashley. It's been too long since we've seen them and every time it's confirmed how special and precious those relationships are to us. I was able to see my side of the family and spend some time with Gram. I got to do two "photo shoots" in which I met a new family and spent time with another that I love! I also got to meet Erin who lives in L.A. for lunch one afternoon and catch up! In all of these times, I got to have REAL conversation which I am sucker for. It's so good to hear and see the way that God is growing all of these people individually. It spurs me on and allows me a glimpse of the struggles, the joys, and the life that they are experiencing. I am so so so thankful for the people God has placed in my life along the way.

And...just for kicks...

Move-in Day our senior year. The Brothel. (we had 7 girls living in a house which was technically illegal in Clemson so we called it the Brothel.) Too much fun for words. Carla is the far left and Erin is right beside her. Next in line is Kelley, Me, and Katie :)

At our wedding rehearsal. Again, too fun for words.

Graduation Day 2005. Bittersweet. 

Matthew and I with Seth and Ashley. Check out that rockin' haircut on my fiance. 

Me, Carla, and Erin. I miss these girls a whole heck of a lot. 

side note: as I was going through pictures to post, I was laughing so hard the whole couch was shaking. There are so many pictures from my college years I wish I could post but some things are better left between friends. And I might mention I've matured quite a bit since then. Well, maybe.

As previously mentioned, I was privileged to enjoy two families in one day and try and capture them as they are. I love being stretched in my photography venture and it always stretches me to do these so called "photo shoots." I always get a little nervous that I won't get the right shots for the family but then once I begin, I just enjoy it. And then I think they enjoy it. It's such a good outlet for me and so far, I am sticking with this specific hobby and hopefully growing. I know Blythe won't mind me posting a picture or two of her extremely handsome and charming son Hendrix!

Oh my word! How beautiful is that child?! He was SUCH  a joy, along with his mommy and daddy. 

As I was going throughout my morning enjoying my second cup of coffee (this is unusual to note seeing as I normally find at least 3/4 of my second cup sitting around somewhere at around 3:30 pm. Ya hear me Jennifer?!) Anyhow, I was watching the boys play/fight/chase each other screaming and thought about how thankful I am to spend my days with them watching them grow and change. I know I've mentioned this a lot lately but I really think God has put a refreshing view on the mundane in my life. Tucker is talking so much and Grey's little mind is working overtime. I am enjoying watching them learn loads of new things every single day. 

Matthew taught the students yesterday morning and started the "Christmas Series." He began the Christmas story from creation. From the fall of man we needed rescuing. We needed Jesus and as Galatians 4:4 states, "in the fullness of time, God sent His Son." The time was right. It was perfect. The time had come for God to wrap all of His glory up in a tiny baby. This blows my mind and I was reminded again of the precious, perfect gift of Jesus. My heart jumped for joy as He allowed me to stand in awe of who He is. And I thank God for this time of year. 

I love days that He makes me aware and my heart can be grateful and not completely selfish. I have more than enough to be grateful for and I should be in a constant state of that but too often I get focused on myself. I sure do hate that but I love days like today.

the first box

We got to open our first Advent box last night before dinner. Grey had been waiting patiently all day to see what was inside. He was a little disappointed when there was no "special surprise" (aka candy) inside but just a small note card. He quickly got over it and couldn't wait to learn more about the star that God put in the sky the night Jesus was born.  

After a warm bath on a cold night, the boys curled up on the couch with daddy to read about Jesus. We got all of about 5  seconds out of Tuck before he wanted to go smell the Christmas tree. Little Grey could sit and listen for hours. 

After a little reading comprehension quiz from daddy about the story, Grey summed it all up by saying "Jesus is the BEST part of Christmas!" He was thrilled to put the star on top of the tree before any other decoration.

Grey Bear did a heck of job decorating this year as opposed to last year. There were no ornaments broken and he strategically placed his favorite all around the tree. Tucker was at first a spectator before Grey showed him the ropes. Then of course he had to join in. 

And I will keep repeating to myself Grey's exact words, "Jesus is the BEST part of Christmas!" all season long.