Happy Friday!

Happy Friday, Yall!  I'm so glad that the weekend is finally here!! :) Our plans......POTTY TRAINING! Yes, we start in, oh, roughly 20 minutes when sweet E wakes up!  I'm nervous, not for her, but for me.  We've had it on the calendar for a few months so I could get mentally prepared.  Why you ask....
#1 3+ days of staying at home with a toddler (not running errands, no park visits....HOME...all day for 3 days)!!!
#2 I need some energy to keep up with her & all of the messes that I know are going to happen
#3 sleepless nights-we are night training too.  I like/need my sleep.
#4 I won't have a baby anymore.  With the diapers gone our baby girl is becoming a big girl! :(

It's very bittersweet.  I know she is ready & I know that we are ready to stop changing diapers.  Plus, we will have another one in diapers in our home in 5 short months.  I don't want to have 2 little ones in diapers, nor do I want that cost.  But I don't want our little girl to grow up to fast.  I know her little booty will look super cute & pinchable in her big girl underwear! :)

Say a prayer for me.  E will do great, it's her pregnant mom that will be an emotional wreck! Will give yall an update after the weekend is over!

I hope yall have a great one!! Those Houstonians heading to the Nutcracker Market....yall have a blast--totally jealous!

Pregnancy Update

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful,I know that full well.My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place,when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.Your eyes saw my unformed body;all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." -Psalm 139:13-16

Five weeks ago our world, this pregnancy, was thrown a curve ball.  I tested positive for being exposed to the chicken pox, but I'm not immune to the virus.  (Yes, I know, I'm one of those rare people that never had the pox as a kid).  I've even had the vaccination for chicken pox before we were pregnant with Emma, but apparently it didn't do it's job.  So when the doctor called us a little over a month ago to tell us that we needed to visit with a Maternal & Fetal Medicine specialist our little world fell apart.  I immediately went & did some research on the internet to find out how the chicken pox virus would effect our baby.  And of course, I found the worst case scenario... congenital varicella syndrome (CVS), which could cause severe deformations. 

During the next couple of days as we waited to visit with the specialist I learned to fully lean on God.  I know His hand was on our family & this baby since it was conceived & I continued to pray for His protection.
  
After meeting with the specialist, we learned that there was only a 2% chance that this virus, if I got it, would affect the baby.  We felt a little better, but that slight chance still left us uneasy.  We had to wait until 16 weeks to have an early sonogram to check for signs of the virus in the womb.  Waiting those 4 weeks weren't the easiest, and I'm so thankful for our prayer warriors, who I called out to & they lifted our family & this sweet baby up in prayers.  

Week 16 came & we are so pleased to say that there is no sign of the virus present.  The baby looks perfectly healthy. The doctors are all very optimistic. We will go back at 20 weeks for another sonogram to double check on the baby & make sure nothing has developed, but we are all feeling more confident.  

We cannot thank our prayer warriors enough for your prayers.  We cannot give God enough praise for this wonderful report.  We know that He is in control & that we are in His hands. This baby is His & He loves it more than I do (although that is really hard to imagine b/c I love it so much already)!  

Here HE is.......Baby Boy Moore!!! 

It's Friday....Let's do a Giveaway!!!

It's been a heck of the week to say the least, and I'm so glad to get it all behind me.  Emotions are still really raw with everything we faced this week.  I'll go into details in a later post, but if you could just say a quick prayer for our little family & my little bump.

Now....the weekend is here & nice cold front is making it's way towards Houston this weekend & I can't wait.  No big plans for the weekend (thank goodness! one of the three weekends we have nothing going on for the rest of the year).  I'm thinking the park, watching our nephews play soccer, & just enjoying the cooler weather!  Awww....relaxing!

Since it's Friday & I'm in a good mood, let's do a quick little giveaway!  I have a ton of never been used stuff left over from my little stint of being a Stella & Dot stylist. So let's giveaway this fabulous little handbag.  It will make the perfect accessory for the Fall!  Enter below!  Winner will be announced on Sunday @ 3pm CST!

****Bag being giveaway has silver metal instead of gold. ****

Also, jump on over to my mommy blog for another fabulous giveaway!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

EEEKKKK!!!! Big Announcement!

We are pregnant!!! Baby Moore is due April 10th! 

 E doesn't really get it just yet, however she knows that there is a baby in mommy's tummy & sometimes she claims there is one in hers! (slow down sister) :)  The Mr. & I are super excited & overwhelmed....in a few short months we will be parents of 2 kiddos---CRAZY!  

This pregnancy has been so different than my first.  Only been sick a few days, but EXHAUSTED.  I mean, like falling asleep everyday while E naps & then again at 6:30pm...and then not wanting to get out of bed before 7am.  E has moved to a toddler bed (that's a post all in itself) & is up between 5:30-6:30am....not working for this sleepy momma!  One day I will feel rested-at least I hope, but until then, I will continue my naps & saying my prayers because the good Lord has truly blessed us.  

Happy Friday yall!  (yawn...taking a nap starting NOW!)

{thankful} so many blessings

It's been a whirlwind of a week.  I can't believe that it's already Thursday....can I get an AMEN?!?!

This week I'm thankful for....

this face...

and how she walks up to me & says "hu" meaning hug & give me the biggest squeeze she can give.  

how she tries to sing her ABC's & it sounds like ADCD-it's the cutest thing

when she sings in the car she wants any & everyone that's riding with us to sing & do the arm motions.

the Mr. who works so hard so I can stay at home with this sweet little girl

date night at home dinners with the hubby

weekends spent at home

summer days at the pool

and I'm thankful for something that God is doing right now in our lives (I can't share it just yet), but when I can I will.

I'm thankful that God has perfect timing.  And that He hears our prayers & answers them.  

I'm linking up today with A Punk, A Pumpkin & A Peanut & The Fontenot Four.

Photo A Day Challenge

I've decided to join Fat Mum Slim this month for her Photo A Day Challenge.  My sweet friend, Annalee , started doing this a few months back & I love checking out all of her photos via Instagram. So this month I'm joining in on the fun.  Let's hope I can remember to do this everyday!!   Anyone else taking the challenge?  Get your iPhones ready.....

I am thankful....

for:
baby monitors, so i can hear E jabber every morning before she is ready to get upfamily weddingslittle giggles from E when she chases the dogs aroundphone calls with my grandparentsthe Mr.'s horrible dancing skills & the fact that he doesn't care that he's horriblewalks after dinnerour sweet sweet neighbors & the friendships that have formedmy Proverbs 31 Bible study group & each woman in itweekends at homeGod's faithfulness
I will give thanks to the Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.-Psalm 9:1


What are you thankful for today?  
I'm linking up with A Punk A Pumpkin & a Peanut & The Fontenot Four

We are the Aggies, the Aggies are We.....

Today I'm linking up with The Vintage Apple.

Football season is right around the corner & I couldn't be more excited.  This year is a little bitter sweet, since A&M is now in the SEC.  I'm not really sure how I feel about it. I like tradition. I like the Big 12. I love that our house is divided (my husband is a Red Raider) & the anticipation of that game.  I don't much care for change. I really don't like being under t.u.'s shadow, but saddened that Thanksgiving will never be the same. All that being said, I'm proud to be an Aggie!!!  And no matter what happens this season, win or lose (I'm guessing mostly lose), I'll proudly wear my maroon & cheer our boys on.  So in honor of being an Aggie & football season here are my Aggie pins.....

  

Source: Becky Friesenhahn via Pinterest

so true

Source: Jennifer Jordan via You Know You're A Texan on Pinterest

 I think E needs these

Source: Jillian Teague via Aunt Teague on Pinterest

 Aggie Barn...WH06P! 

Source: UniSunn 144 College Football Boards on Pinterest

 The Century Tree

Source: UniSunn 144 College Football Boards on Pinterest

 I think I do....

Source: AggieLife

The Dixie Chicken (spent many hours there).

Source: Jan Washburn via Google on Pinterest

 Bottle Cap Alley

Source: Margaret McIntyre via Spirit of Aggieland on Pinterest

Bonfire

Source: Misty Rosson via Aggie Network on Pinterest

If you aren't an Aggie, you'll never understand...

Source: Aggie Life

Aggie Ring

Source: Katherine Graham via Google on Pinterest

 "Now forming at the North end of Kyle Field...."

Source: K'Lee Riddle on Pinterest

Source: Mackenzie Parham via Spirit of Aggieland on Pinterest

Source: Kathy Vinson via Aggie Media on Pinterest

Source: Stephanie Soeder via Spirit of Aggieland on Pinterest

Happy Wednesday y'all! 

Today, I'm linking up with A Punk A Pumpkin & A Peanut for Thankful Thursdays. 

I'm thankful for rain...sweet, temperature cooling summer rain.  It has rained here in Houston for the past 4 days & even though we haven't been able to get out I've gotten some good cuddle time with this sweet face...& I'm so very thankful & blessed by her! 

I'm thankful for forts made out of blankets & picnics under them. 

I'm thankful for fresh veggies from my momma's garden.

And I'm thankful for these 3 ladies. I haven't seen them in months & I'm thankful  to spend the weekend with them. 

I'm thankful for.....

early morning quiet times

early morning work outs

a good cup of joe

texts from a friend that I haven't talked to in ages.

Pinteresting Wednesday

I've been a blogging funk for a little while now, so I've decided to join up with some link up parties to get some inspiration & my juices flowing again.  

Oh Wednesday, I normally really like you, but since my darling little E woke up at 3am and screamed for an hour, and then again at 5am, it's needless to say that I'm needing a big cup of joe this morning & a prayer that this rainy day gets better.

 Coffee in hand-let's start pinning! 

Reading nook inspiration that must be in E's toddler room:

Source: www.mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com via: Melissa on Pinterest 

My go-to meal this summer:

Source: realsimple.com via:Katie on Pinterest

Summer Chic:

Source: polyvore.com via: Tierney on Pinterest


For Sure: 

Source: twotoosmartsmartassmommies.com via: Torey on Pinterest


Love my BFF's: 

Source: unknown via Rowan on Pinterest

Looks like my little one is up for the day, so pinning must cease. Another full day inside due to all the yucky, but much needed, rainy weather.  Hope you have a Happy Wednesday! 

New Project

I'm so excited about this project that one of my friends & I have been working on for over the past couple of months.  Both of us mothers of toddlers & were wanting a little more structured play time for our little girls.  We found a mommy & me book club on Pinterest & our juices began flowing.  What started out as planning a weekly book club for our girls & some friends soon became more than we could imagine.  With Mustard Seed Moments, we wanted to end the hours of online searching & create a one stop shop for structured learning & themed activities for our children & other mom's to use. Go check it out for yourself!  We are currently having 6 Days of Giveaways & you could be a winner!!  

We spent last weekend with some wonderful friends in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.  The weather was incredible, no mosquitos, no humidity, stunning views---just a good ole time had by all.  We are blessed to have such wonderful friends in our lives to relax & hang out with.

Here is a recap in pictures. I apologize in advance for my lack of photo documentation....

We woke up to elk in the pasture in front of our cabin....

Our java.....

 The girls at the brewery

 Faren & I shopping

We had a wonderful weekend & are ready to go back.  Emma spent the weekend with Bubby & I think she enjoyed herself as well.  Here is a picture that we got from Bubby on Saturday....I don't think she missed us that much. 

Birthday Week

We have been in full birthday mode here this week-the Mr. is turning 28 on Sunday!!  Emma has loved making gifts for daddy, playing with balloons, hanging up his baby pictures all over the house, and of course, making his birthday cake.

She is in a full on "dada" phase.  It's her new favorite word.  

Happy Birthday, Matt.  We are so thankful that God made you 28 years ago & that he brought you into my life.  I have loved watching you grow into a wonderful husband & father over the last 3 years.  You are my rock, the love of my life. God could not have picked a better man for me to marry.  You are an incredible father. Emma & I are so very lucky that you are ours.  We look forward to celebrating many more years with you.  

We love you!!!

Trust.

"Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who TRUSTS in the Lord." -Proverbs 16:20

"A greedy man stirs up dissension, but he who TRUSTS in the Lord will prosper." -Proverbs 28:25

"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever TRUSTS in the Lord is kept safe." -Proverbs 29:25

Trust, here it is again. This time it isn't about our husbands trusting us, but rather us trusting in the Lord. I have always said, "Yes, I have faith in God. I trust the Lord do to His will", and it's easy to when things are going great, but when my world is falling apart around me, do I really trust Him? When I was 15, I lost my grandfather to cancer. And I can honestly say that I truly trusted in God's plan & His will. Did it make it easier? No, but I knew it was in His plan. Last year, I lost a dear high school friend in a sudden accident. We hadn't seen each other or spoken in the last couple of years before his death, but he was a huge part of my life--we were best friends for 4 years. This shook me to the core. Maybe it's because my relationship with God over the years hadn't been as strong as before; maybe it was because this young man was my age, but I was mad at God...really mad. I didn't understand & I didn't trust Him. Then as I sat at his memorial service & saw the thousands of high school students that he taught & the lives he had impact I knew God had a greater plan. As those students sat in their grief, wondering the same questions I did, they also heard the Gospel. They heard about a young man who loved everyone, brought good to everyone he met, had the greatest smile & funniest sense of humor & a man who loved God. Some of these kids may have never seen anyone like this or heard of God, but because of this young man's death they did. I heard that it was okay to be mad at God, it was okay to wonder why, but I also heard, "Trust. Trust me that he filled his purpose. Trust that I've had a plan all along. Trust me, Ashley." There are still some days when I ask why, but I'm reminded of Psalms 139:13-16.

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully & wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the ear, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."

Our days were numbered before we were even born. God is in control & His plan is far greater than anything that I could ever imagine. Trust in Him, Ashley. Trust in His plan, His Word, trust in His timing.

He Trusts Me

This morning in our GMG Proverbs 31 Bible study we focused 3 verses....

"Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value." -Proverbs 31:11

"Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf."-Proverbs 11:28

"He who trusts in himself is a food, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." - Proverbs 28:26

"Her husband has full confidence in her...", as women, isn't that one of our deepest desires, for our husbands to look at us & know that they can trust us with their hearts, raise our children, make decisions to run our home, and to support him. Matt & I had a converstation yesterday about a decision that needed to be made about our home, nothing too major, but I went to him to get his opinion & here was his response, "Thanks for asking my opinion, but you run the house so you decide. I know you'll make the right decision." (sigh.) He trusts me. He has full confidence in me. He trusts me. Sometimes I doubt my own decision making, sometimes I want to heed his advice (Wives, submit to your husbands...Colossians 3:18), but what he needs from me is to make the decisions (most of them, but he'd rather we decided together on major ones) & he trusts me to make the right one. 

I think that the other verses are reminding us that the only way we can run our homes, children, & be a supportive wife, etc. is by giving everything up to God. We have to continue to develop our relationship with Him & be in His Word daily. And he will give us guidance with anything that is put in front of us. I also think that they are to remind us that it's so important to teach our children to not put so much value on worldly things, because they too will fade away. We need to show them by example & through The Word that God is the life-giver. And we need a deep relationship with Him to be able to face anything that this world brings to our plate.  

My prayer is that God will help me to focus on The Word, and to trust that He will show me the paths to take to be a virtuous woman, wife, and mother. That He will give me the wisdom & let me lead by example to teach my children the importance of seeking God in every aspect of their lives.

Proverbs 31 Woman-Bible Study

I cannot even begin to tell you how blessed I have been in the past 3 days by our Bible study. When I first became interested in this study I knew I wanted to be able to do it with other Christian ladies.  I created a group inviting about 7 or 8 friends & family to be apart of it.  The response was so great that I decided to invite more ladies to join us and now our group is up to 23.  In just these 3 days, the Lord has used all of the women in our group to open my eyes up to things that I wouldn't have seen without each of them.  They have humbled me, prayed for me, and encouraged me by their words.  I'm honored to be the group leader.

Thus far in our study we have read Proverbs 31:1-6.  Proverbs 31 are the words from King Lemuel's mother advising him on how to be a good king & giving him the characteristics of a godly wife.  Verses 1-9 focus on warning Lemuel of the many temptations & sins he will face as a king--loose women & alcohol. And then it goes into what he should do to be a man & king of honor.  Lemuel's mother is preparing him to be a husband suitable for the Proverbs 31 woman and a godly man.  These first 6 verses have really spoken to me about the type of wife, mother & woman I should be-diligently praying for my daughter & husband.  Offering godly advice & being an example to Emma & our future children, and preparing them to be wife/husband & mother/father one day.

Next week we will dive in to the characteristics of the Proverbs 31 woman, and I cannot wait to see what God reveals to me in these scriptures.  Please pray for me as I lead this wonderful group of women in our study, and that God changes hearts & lives throughout it, mine included.

GMG Summer Bible Study

I've decided to start a group for the Good Morning Girls Summer Bible Study, and I'm in need of some women who want to read the Word, hold each other accountable, and learn more about living out this life that God has given us His way.  This summer the book we will be reading is "The Proverbs 31 Woman: One Virtue at at Time"  Learn more about the Bible study here.  I don't know about you, but I'm always struggling to be the wife, mother, and woman that God has called me to be.  I think this will be an amazing study & I look forward to see what God will do in my life this summer through His Word, our group, and this Bible study.

If you want to sign up, please comment below with your email address & I will get more information to you.  The study begins on May 14th!  I'm praying that God will do amazing things in all of us!