Burt Chuckles

Excuse my insane laughter in this video...

Impatience, Irritability, and Selfishness

I am new at this parenting thing....4 months to be exact. But it didn't take long to know that parenting has revealed some terrible things about myself. You see, when I want to blog, watch some TV, read a book, or clean a little, I can't because I have this little rascal crying in need of a diaper change, to be fed, or in need of attention. Here it comes. This wave of frustration comes over me because I am in the middle of doing something important! Not really. What I wanted to do is now interrupted. Hello, selfishness? When my little Burt wakes me up at 4:55 in the morning, and I stomp into his room to feed him and change his diaper. Me....Irritable?? Oh, big time!

My lack of patience has been greatly revealed as well. Especially at the end of the day, when I have had just about all I can take. Thankfully, my sweet husband comes home from a long day of work and helps take care of our boy. I sometimes countdown the minutes until he gets home! Momma needs a break! And I really don't have to ask Andrew to do it. It is just that he really has missed the little guy and wants to play with him, bathe him, feed him, and cuddle with him. Fills my heart to the brim. 

When I am impatient, irritable, and selfish, God shows me that he is endlessly patient, abundantly compassionate, and incredibly selfless. He gives me grace upon grace upon grace.

I read a blog from The Gospel Coalition's website about parenting, and how it refines us. God uses my Burt to grow my heart. So those frustrating moments, like when he won't keep his pacifier in his mouth or when he pees all over the wall, are for my good. It is an opportunity for God to show me my sin and create in me a clean heart.

Sometimes you have to mummify your baby to keep that darn pacifier in!

Burt, Burt Reynolds

Last year around this time, my family and I looked like this.....

.....as we celebrated my Mom's 50th Birthday/Halloween Extravaganza!!

This year we sat at home in hopes of having trick or treaters knocking at our door, watching Hocus Pocus (seriously have watched this every day....a FAV of mine), and eating all the candy we could find.

I guess I could have whipped out my ninja turtle outfit or even pulled out our old fandango costumes from a few years ago to greet our trick or treaters......

.....But instead, we gawked at Burt Reynolds.

 

Yep, easily the cutest thing I have ever seen.

Happy Friday, Ya'll!

Burt's Arrival

 In my attempt to open up more through blogging, I have found sharing the stuff that's been going on in my mind quite enjoyable and good for my soul. I have been thinking about telling the story of Burt's birth, but I have often hesitated because it is one of utter joy with a little bit of heartache.

So here it goes....

I had a checkup the Thursday before my due date (which was Friday the 13th), and my doctor told me that I was progressing and it would be okay with him if we wanted to get the ball rolling. Music to my ears. I very much wanted to feel normal again. So I put on my sweatbands, Thompson jersey, and eye black and replied, "Well, let's do this." Not really, but I did get my gameface on.

Andrew and I made all the phone calls alerting our families that it was gametime. My mom, my brother, and Andrew's mom all showed up on Friday as we awaited the arrival of our little boy.

Yes, I was scared of the insane pain of birth. Yes, I got an epidural. Yes, I am glad I made that decision.

The doctor predicted that he would arrive between 3 and 5 on Friday. Boy, was he correct! I had to wait for the epidural to wear off some, so I could feel when to push. It started to wear off around 2:25, and my contractions were about a minute or two apart. It was time. Geez. I was feeling contractions with an epidural, and it hurt like crazy!

My nurse coached me of when to push and when to rest. She was a tough, black lady, who propped my leg on her hip like it was nothing. She took care of me, gave me plenty of pep talks, and I wanted to go out with her after the delivery and have a good, cold beer. I felt like we could be BFFs. She was amazing!

Well, the doctor arrived just in time. Between contractions we all watched a little family feud...yep, seriously. Then it would be time for me to go into "beast mode"-this is what Andrew likes to call my hardcore pushing.

At 3:22 he was finally here. Andrew snipped the cord, and they laid that sweet baby boy on me. Beautiful. Andrew and I were in awe. And then it happened.....

My stomach is in knots right now as I think back to this very moment.

You see, some fluids went down Burt's air passageway, and he turned blue. The doctors took him away to try to clear it out and revive him. Panic soon replaced the awe. I couldn't watch. I stared out with a blank look on my face. All I could think was pray. I looked at Andrew, and told him to pray. They called a CODE BLUE over the intercom to alert a team to come in. My heart continued to sink. The doctor's kept working, and we prayed.

I repeated over and over....let him be ok, God.....let him be ok, God.....let him be ok, God.

And he cried.

I cried.

Andrew cried.

He was okay.

Andrew went to let our family know that everyone was doing okay, and they could come see him in a little bit. Burt went to the nursery to get cleaned up and to get his bath, and I had a moment to decompress.

I laid there with so many emotions running through me. I was exhausted from the hard work that my body just went through. I was in awe of God at the sight of our baby. I was relieved to know that our baby was healthy. I was overjoyed with becoming a mother. I was in love seeing Andrew look at our son. I was pained knowing that my father was not there to see this. I was overwhelmed with the soon to be tasks of taking care of our baby. I was a bit cocky because I just rocked that labor (I know, I know, but it's true). I was a disheveled, hotmess with a side pony-tail and no make-up (hence the no pictures taken of me).

When we brought Burt home, I was nervous leaving him in the crib. I would check on him A LOT to make sure he was breathing. I think that it is normal for every first time mom, but having THE BIG SCARE made me even more overprotective. That finally subsided. I was able to let the anxiety go, and trust that God would watch over him as he sleeps. Isn't that what prayer is for? Casting your cares to God, and leaving them with Him.

He is growing like crazy.
He is a strong and healthy boy.
He is cooing and talking up a storm.
He is blowing tons of bubbles.
He is kicking those legs like the ninja I think he will become.
He smiles constantly and laughs hysterically at my awesome faces and jokes.
He is checking out those sweet little hands, that are so much like mine, and mine are so much like my father's.
He is so wonderfully made.

"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well."- Psalms 139:13-14

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."-Psalms 127:3

Oh, Sweet Heaven!

I made the-best-down-home-southern-girl-dinner tonight! I am so proud of myself! Woo! Nothing gets me more excited than a yummy southern meal!

I so bad want to go into the kitchen and eat all of the leftovers. Self-control. I know the hubs would totally judge, so I am going to sit right here and share that yummy goodness with ya'll instead!

Do you remember that turnip greens recipe from earlier? Well, I made those. I didn't have any onion, so I added a little extra garlic, some onion powder, and Tony's (Cajun seasoning). I do believe they were even better this time around! I am getting good at the greens!

BUT, what really made the night exceptoinal was the Creamy Shrimp and Grits Casserole. Oh, and don't judge yet from the name. I know the word casserole is quite cringe worthy. I cringe at the thought of the word, too! Anyway, I believe I got this recipe from my sweet sister-in-law. I don't know why I haven't made it until now! It is so dang good!

Here it is!

Shrimp and Grits Casserole
2 cups of milk
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup uncooked quick-cooking grits
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 tbsp. butter
3 oz. pkg. of 1/3 less fat cream cheese
1 tbsp. chopped flat leaf parsley
1 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 large egg whites
1 lb. peeled and deveined medium shrimp (chopped/whole-whatever you prefer)
Hot pepper sauce (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine milk and broth in a medium heavy sauce pan, bring to a boil.

Gradually add grits and salt to pan, stirring constantly with a whisk. 

Cook 3-5 minutes or until thick.

Remove from heat and stir in parmesan, butter, and cream cheese.

Then stir in parsley, lemon juice, egg whites, and shrimp.

Spoon into a 11x17 inch baking dish (coated with cooking spray).

Bake for 20 minutes until set.

Yes, that is a paper plate. Momma just cooked all that good food, and Momma needs a short-cut every now and then. ha!

So, there you have it. Serve that yummy goodness with a side of turnip greens and some homemade cornbread. And add a splash of pepper sauce on those greens and things will be glorious!

Oh! Sweet Heaven? To describe food? Exaggerate much? I know, I know. Heaven, I am sure of it, will have some good feasting going on. Our senses will be made anew! I sure hope there are greens, grits, and pepper sauce. :)

My Name is Casie and I'm Addicted to the TV

Alright! It is out! I watch too much television.

I have the shows I watch with the hubs, and the stuff  I would not dare watch with the hubs for fear of the eye-cutting looks and the "I can't believe you watch this crap" comments.  I am going to give you the good and the bad. 

Here's the mess I have been watching. Don't judge too badly. I know it's horrible!

Drumroll please.... the first category is Trashy trash reality tv......

#1 The Real Housewives- New Jersey and New York- I will put these together since they are of the same beast. I believe these women just fight and fight and fight and fight. They suck you in, and I am officially a sucker for watching it!

#2 Keeping Up with the Kardashians- It is on all the time! Sad. I know. Sad.

Moving on.

#3 Real World Battle of the Seasons- Bucketloads of shame just poured out as I typed those words. Why, oh, why. I like watching the competition. I like watching the elimination rounds. I don't like all of the other insanity, but you have to take the good with bad. Maybe.

#4Honey Boo Boo- Yes, once again, sad. These hillbillies are bananas. They reel you in because you never know what they are going to say or do. A new low for me.

Now the-mid-line-shows-I-have-been-watching-and-don't-feel-as-guilty-about-but-still-couldn't-watch-with-my-hubs-type tv shows.....

#1 Project Runway Season 10- I feel like it is my duty to watch this. I have been following them since the beginning....and why stop now?? I think a little bit of me really wants to sew my own outfits and be on Project Runway. One day, people! One day!

#2 The Mindy Project- I hope this television show goes well for the Kelly chick from The Office. See there are some legit reasons for all the tv watching. I am trying to support others efforts! I love Mindy's witty sense of humor, and I am quite entertained by her search for love! 

#3 Dance Moms/Abby's Ultimate Dance Competition- Yep, here's another one. That Abby Lee is a mean ole lady, and those dance moms are cray cray, but those girls can dance!

#4  Married to Jonas- I am not sure if I watch this because I feel sorry for that little Kevin Jonas's wife or if it is because of the father in law. The father-in-law is a whoot!

Now, the good things I watch with the hubs. Well, I'll let you decide. 

#1 Go On- We have been super excited about this tv show. Hello, Matthew Perry, and welcome back to the sitcom world. We have missed you. So far, we really dig Go On! It is quirky and hilarious!

#2 Duck Dynasty- Judge all you want about this....but those rednecks are flippin' hilarious! It is some good stuff to watch.

#3 Guys with Kids- I think we relate to this sitcom. We are new parents, and we have no idea what's going on in the baby raising department. It's pretty, darn funny! Oh, and Denise from The Cosby Show is in it!

#4 How I Met Your Mother- We have been watching this for a really long time, and cannot seem to let it go. I want to know who the mother is ASAP.

#5 The Big Bang Theory- We can't get enough of Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Raj. Good ole' nerdy comedy is the bomb.com Yep, I just said that.

There you have it, folks. I have laid it all out for you. I feel like I just cleaned all the dirty laundry. Whew, what a load! I am sure there are some things I could be doing instead of watching the trashy stuff. With that in mind.....I will be making some cuts on the trashy tv list!

What are ya'll watching?

Cousins and a Baptism

Friends, it was quite a special time around the Thompson household over the weekend.

We had Andrew's mom and dad down for the weekend! And to kick it off, we went to see Hannah, Will, and Emma to celebrate Hannah Bops 11th birthday!! What?!? When did she grow up and start having boyfriends and talking like the cutest valley girl ev-er.

 I love these kiddos! It is so awesome getting to see them grown up.

Sunday was finally here and it was time for Mr. Burt's baptism.

You see folks, all throughout the Bible you can see the thread of God faithfully working in the lives of His people from generation to generation.

"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." Deuteronmoy 7:9

"And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generation for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you." Genesis 17:7


My father-in-law always says that when a baby is baptized, it is like an engagement ring is being put on the baby because a promise or a covenant is being made with the parents, the church family, and with God.

A promise is made that as a family they will do their part in seeing that the baby comes to know who God is. A promise is being made that the church family will do its part in praying and loving that child. It is also a pouring out of the Holy Spirit to work in the child's life.

There is something special about an infant baptism. I always tear up when I witness a baby having the water poured over them and the parents making the vows. This one of course was much different being that it was my very own flesh and blood being baptized. I made a promise along with Andrew that I would do my part in bringing this sweet boy up in the church, reading him scripture, and praying for him to know God. I witnessed a new church make a promise to love us, support us, and pray for our baby to come to know God. I also saw my father-in-law pour water over our baby to symbolize the pouring out of the Holy Spirit to work in Burt's life. I cried.

I cried because I know how important it is keeping these vows. 

I cried because I believed the church will love and pray for our baby. 

I cried because I know God has been faithful to us, 

and I know he will be faithful to our little Burt. 

I have hope that Burt will know God.

 

Our covenant child! 

We had some sweet family time this past weekend, and it will most definitely be a time I will always remember.

**Sidenote: My mom was present, but unfortunately she was covered in spit up during her photo session. :) haha!

How Sweet and Awesome

Andrew and I have found a church family here in the deep, deep south.When changing churches you have to go before the elders and give your testimony. The emotions that led up to this past Sunday were insane! Oh no, I have to reflect on the past? The good and the bad. Are they going to like us? So this means we are officially leaving our old church? Goodbye to FPC Tuscumbia? Is my face going to turn bright red? Will I say something stupid? Now, are these elders really wanting to hear the bad stuff or could I just give them the G rated version? Ahhhh!!!

So one thing at a time.

First- Say Goodbye

The previous year in Jackson, Andrew and I did not commit to a church. We weren't satisfied with any church really. They're not friendly. The order of worship is wrong. The preaching isn't good. There are no young couples. Excuse after excuse. We missed our little Tuscumbia church and nothing was measuring up. Really the problem was us. We did not want to make the effort. Sure, the church should be friendly and inviting to new people, but we needed to be friendly and inviting as well. We did not want to get involved in the small groups. We did not want to commit. We just wanted to sit in the back pew and go unnoticed. No wonder we never found a new church home! The move to Mobile had to be different. We were going to do things differently this time. We would open up, get involved, make some friends, and find a ministry. We knew this church would not be exactly like our previous church, and it would be unfair to compare. We had to officially say goodbye to Tuscumbia, so we could say hello to a new church.

Hello, Eastern Shore Pres.

Second- The Testimony

It is never fun talking about what a rascal you were in the past, and how you are currently still being a rascal. Especially in front of 12 old dudes! But I had to. I entered the room and 12 sets of fatherly eyes looked at me. Oh crap! I told them about how my best friend asked me to go to church in the second grade. I told them that's where I learned about who Jesus is and who I was in comparison to Him. The reality of sin in my life became apparent. But no matter what I did, I could not quit sinning. I tried very hard to be good, but it was impossible. Oh, I see that's what Jesus is about. He takes our place. Got it! Well sort of. You see, I would mess up. Like hanging out in cotton fields in 9th grade til 11th grade so I could drink, smoke, and cuss like a sailor, and then show up at church feeling pretty rotten.

Oh, and I looked like this.....

Haha!.....Anyway....

I would always feel the need to walk an aisle or just do something because of the guilt. I was missing the whole point of Jesus. It was not until I met Andrew's father my senior year of high school. He was my Senior Bible teacher, and he knew a lot. And an added bonus was that he had a pretty cute son! (that's another blog) He taught me about God seeing us through Christ's perfect record. So when I did mess up, all  I needed to do was confess and turn from my sin instead of walking an aisle or working for my salvation. That I was accepted no matter what. Wow! That's comforting. These words resonated with me acceptance, favor, steadfast love, assurance, and pardoned. A huge weight lifted! This encouraged me to do things for God out of gratitude and not out of guilt for my sins. All throughout college and mostly while in Tuscumbia, I continued to grow in the knowledge of who God is. I learned so much about God's sovereignty, sanctification, justification, pre-incarnate manifestion, grace, propitiation, election, atonement, total depravity.... and I am still learning.

Whew! Well that wasn't too bad. My face did turn red. My palms did sweat. And the elders accepted us into the church anyhow. Well that right there is a picture of what this is all about anyway. I am accepted.

We are in a peaceful place right now. We have a new church. The people have been super friendly and inviting. I am part of a women's small group that meets on Tuesdays. We have a young couples group that meets on Fridays for some hangout time. I have a playgroup. Andrew's getting involved with a men's morning group. Burt gets to hang out in the nursery with all the cute little girls! Hey-O! That's right! He is the only little guy! Hopefully between all the pregnant girls at church, he will get a guy friend soon.

We love FPC, Tuscumbia, and we are excited about Eastern Shore Pres in Fairhope. I have been singing this hymn in my mind the past week or so.

How Sweet and Awesome Is This Place 
With Christ within the doors,
While everlasting love displays
The choicest of her stores!

We long to see Thy churches full,
That all the chosen race
May with one voice, and heart and soul,
Sing Thy redeeming grace.

We absolutely love the Church.

Turnip Greens, Farmer's Market, and a Pomelo

If I could snap my fingers and be at my Granny Burt's house right now I would. I have been craving delicious turnip greens with a splash of pepper sauce. Since I can't magically appear at Granny's house, I guess I must settle on making my own. So I came up with my very own recipe for turnip greens. That's right folks.

Here's how it went down....

I didn't have any hog jowls or ham hocks, so I used bacon instead! What the heck is a hock and a jowl anyhow?

The Ingredients:
1 pound of turnip greens
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
4 or 5 strips of bacon
1/2 cup of water
Little bit of sugar
Little bit of pepper
Little bit of salt
Little bit of crushed red pepper flakes
Just add whatever flavors you like! 

I browned the bacon in my trusty big bad boy dutch oven over medium heat.

After that I put in the onions and garlic. Let that saute for a bit.

I poured in the water and added the sugar, pepper, salt and pepper flakes. 

Bring to a boil.

Then I filled the pot with greens and let them simmer down. 

Continue to add the greens.

Let them simmer for a good 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Serve that yummy goodness with some cornbread and some homemade pepper sauce. Or add some Louisiana Hot Sauce! Oh my!

I bet they will be even better tomorrow!

"I figure it's almost like a balance. We're eating these wonderful collard greens and turnip greens which are so medicinally good for you and, OK, so what if it
has a little ham hock in it?"- Paula Deen 

That Paula is cray cray!

Oh, and I scored all of these great items at the local farmer's market. 

Aren't they beautiful!

On the Thompson menu this week: butternut squash soup, eggplant Parmesan with a fresh salad, and chicken breast stuffed with herbs, cheese, and garlic with a side of roasted veggies.

Out of curiosity I bought a pomelo? A pomelo. It's about the size of a cantelope.

Not sure what to do with it. Tips anyone? This pomelo might be entitled to its own blog post. 

Dreaming of a Thanksgiving Feast....

The smell of baked cinnamon wafting through the air makes you ready for the holidays that are quickly approaching. I am dreaming of turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, deviled eggs, pumpkin pie, butter beans, and yummy yeasty rolls. You must be wondering the cause of this Thanksgiving meal craze that's going on in my mind.

Snickerdoodles did it!

I found this recipe from Whole Grain Gourmet.


Whole Wheat Snickerdoodle

1 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
2 eggs
1 1/3 cup organic sugar
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups white whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/4 tsp salt

Roll cookies in
2 tsp cinnamon
3 Tbsp organic sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper, or lightly grease.
2. Combine 2 tsp cinnamon and 3 Tbsp sugar in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Sift together flour, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt then set aside.
4. In a large bowl beat sugar with softened butter for 2 minutes. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture until thoroughly combined.

5. Roll dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and then roll in cinnamon mixture to cover. Place cookies two inches apart on a cookie sheet.

6. Bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until the tops are light golden brown. Do not over bake.

 7. Allow cookies to cool for two minutes before removing them from the baking sheet. Transfer to rack to cool completely.

My cookies didn't flatten like the ones on the Whole Grain Gourmet website. I think it is because I used whole wheat flour instead of white whole wheat flour. ??? Who knows! They were still scrumptious!

Praise the Lord and Pass the Creamy Mushroom Sauce

We had all the Thompson bros in town last night. Alex was on his way to Florida to meet the parents and made a pit stop at our place for the night. Matt came over from Biloxi just to visit. I must say it is quite entertaining having the three brothers lined up on the couch  ratting each other.

So to celebrate this little reunion, Andrew and I made pork chops with a creamy mushroom sauce and a variety of roasted veggies that included zucchini, squash, fingerling potatoes, sweet potatoes, onion, and garlic. Yum!

I completely forgot to take a picture of the meal! 

But anyway, here's the recipe of the mushroom sauce that is from Cooking Light.

Creamy Mushroom Sauce
1 tablespoon of olive oil 
1 package of button mushrooms (8 ounces) sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar (we used a dry white wine instead)
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of chicken broth
1/4 cup of creme fraiche or sour cream
2 teaspoons of dijon mustard

Place roasting pan over medium high heat. Add the oil to the pan and then add mushrooms; saute 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. 

Add garlic; and saute 1 minute, stirring occasionally. 

Stir in vinegar and bring to a boil. 

Cook 1 minute or until liquid evaporates, stirring occasionally. 

Stir in salt and broth; bring to a boil. 

Cook and let liquid reduce for about 7 minutes. 

Remove from heat and add creme fraiche and dijon.

You can put it on almost any meat that you eat. Heck, the boys even put it on their roasted veggies! It is so dad-gum good! We have eaten it poured over steak and pork just to add some tang and creaminess to our meal. We seriously make it once a week!! ha!

There is something satisfying watching those you love enjoy eating the food you have prepared.

This little guy loves his Uncle Alex!

My Summer Playlist

Music has the ability to take you back to a certain time in your life. When I am feeling nostalgic, I'll pop in a mixed tape or CD and reminisce. I secretly want to make CDs for my BFFs and mail it to them. C'mon, you know you still want to make a mixed tape or CD of your favourite songs.

Well Instead of making a tape or CD, I made a playlist of my most played songs of the summer. This is definitely a season in my life that holds a lot of special memories. What better way to remember than with some tunes.

1. Home by Phillip Phillips reminds me of settling into Mobile and making it our new place.

2. Ho hey by The Lumineers will always take me to the birth of our Burt Burt.

3. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson is a catchy song that I just couldn't shake this summer.

4. Lost In My Mind by The Head and the Heart is a porch song with the hubs.

5. Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men is another front porch swingin' song.

6. The Church's One Foundation- Of course I had to throw a hymn into the mixture! We found a new church this summer and we were stoked!

That's it folks! I need some new tunes! What are y'all listening to? Yes, I am asking the three people who actually read my blog to give me some feedback!

Family Time

Andrew and I have recently set some goals for ourselves, well our family really. One goal involves having some solid family time. Whether it is at the dining room table with some good conversation and food, sitting on the front porch swing, taking a walk, or playing with Burt; what matters is that we are making some room for family bonding. So often we are caught up in cleaning the house, getting groceries, cooking dinner, and running around like crazy people that we forget what is truly important. Family.

 

We had a lot fun tonight during our little family time. Even Miss Suki joined in on the fun....that never happens! 

Baby Mobile

My latest do it yourself project.....and by latest, I mean pre-birth. While I was waiting for the arrival of Mr. Burt, I was scanning through Pinterest, duh, and found the cutest baby mobile.

Tutorial for this mobile can be found here.

Did you know that baby mobiles on average are 30 bucks!?! Ridiculous! And they are not even that cute! Baby stuff is a racket y'all!

Enough of my ranting.

So at the end of my pregnancy, I had to get my nesting on. I was going to stick it to the man and make my very own mobile, with some assistance from my mom.

Here's how it turned out!

 

I didn't follow the tutorial perfectly! Instead of just cutting out circles, we made cardboard cut outs of a turtle, alligator, and frog. We also added some little buttons where the ribbons attach to the hoop for a little extra pizzazz. At the bottom we bought some wooden beads, painted them, and tied the ribbon in a knot for some extra weight. 

I love Burt's little homemade mobile! Thanks for the help, Mom!

He Is With Me

So after the labor, the first few weeks of no sleep, the incoming visitors, the baby having a cow's milk allergy, the traveling to visit great grandparents, the hurricane, and then more visitors.....geez..... these past few weeks I got to actually have some downtime at home. Maybe I liked having all the chaos because I started missing my family and friends.

Isn't that crazy how that works!

In the midst of the craziness, you want some downtime and in the downtime you long for a little craziness.

But anyway....

They say that the baby blues occurs during or after pregnancy. I didn't think that I had these so called blues at all. Everything is perfect and super duper! Um no.

Is this all I do now...... bathtime, naptime, feeding every couple of hours, changing poopies, washing tiny clothes, cleaning up pee-pee off the wall, and comforting an upset baby boy. I am a stay at home mom...WHAT? When did this happen? I had the wife, special education teacher, sister, daughter, granddaughter, and friend roles all sort of figured out, but being a MOM?!? I am not sure if I even qualify being a mom. I am still amazed that the nurses and doctors allowed me to leave the hospital with my baby. Total doubt of my capabilities. Yep, the blues for sure. I could go on and on about all the discouragement and depressed feelings, but that's depressing in itself.  

I knew that I needed to get out of the house and meet some folks. Since my mommy friends are so far away, I knew I needed to meet some moms. At church I noticed that the women's circle meetings were starting, and I should probably get involved, so that I would not become a recluse - stay at home - mom (that's just asking for the blues). In need of some fellowship, I started going to a women's small group .

We are studying the story of Martha and Mary. You know the one where Jesus came to their house, and Martha did all the preparations for the meal, while Mary went and sat at Jesus' feet to listen. Martha asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus says that Mary has chosen what is better.

I needed to remember to listen to what Jesus has told me about himself. I needed to sit at his feet and remember who he is.

He is with me, do not fear.

It is quite frightening to know that this little boy depends fully on Andrew and me to take care of him. I don't have all the answers to bringing this baby up in the way he should go. I am anxious of the mistakes that I will make in the future. I am comforted in knowing  that we are not alone in all of this. God has given us his Holy Spirit, parents, siblings, and friends to help us. In the women's Bible study group there are four other girls that have recently moved to this area, many moms with little ones, four girls expecting babies, and others ladies that I am extremely excited about getting to know. I have already received some little nuggets of wisdom from some of them, and I cannot wait to find out how God will use them to teach me about being a Godly woman and mother. 

God is good like that. When you need encouragement, he gives it. When you need help, he gives it. When you need grace, he gives it. When you need forgiveness, he gives it. Maybe I won't be such a sucky mom to Burt Burt like I thought. 

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." Isaiah 43:1-2

Fear not, He is with me.

My Granny Burt

I want to write a memoir one day about all of the crazy stories about the Burt side of my family. Most of the stories would include my Granny Burt. Most of the hilarious stories that I would share about her would include a few choice words. When you hear an 85 year old lady drop a curse word, you are always caught off guard. You would definitely get some good stories or one liners after she has had a glass from her boxed wine. Mind you she is not a big drinker, but she does like the occasional glass of homemade muscadine wine or boxed Franzia (yucky). One of my favorite stories of her involves an uncles ex and my brothers ex and her old self wanting to trip them.  She obviously doesn't like it when others mess with her children or grandchildren.

The lady never stops. Even at 85. I mean what other 85 year old lady mows her own yard and prepares a meal every Sunday for a family of 15? Whenever I go to stay with her, she makes my favorite things either pecan or lemon pie, butter beans and fried okra. All of my sweet memories of growing up with her has her cooking in the kitchen, picking out of the garden, stocking up the freezer, or sweeping off the porch. Lady knows how to run a home.

I think often about my Granny Burt. When I need a little bit of her wit and charm to cheer me up, I call her. When I need a little advice about how to make turnip greens, fry the perfect piece of chicken, or make meringue, I call her. When I need to be reminded about my father, I call her.

Today marks five years since the death of my daddy. Oh I miss him like crazy. Such a devastating time, but also a time where the Lord drew me to himself. I often think about how my Granny felt during this time. How much pain she felt when she found him. How her heart broke losing her first born son. I often feel the heaviness in my own chest if I think about it, and I know that's how she feels. It also makes me think of God as well. Did he have that same heaviness when Jesus died? Did he grieve and mourn for those three days until Jesus was resurrected?

I know this all seems dark and morose, but knowing Jesus especially during these dark and difficult times makes it so much better. I think I would still be stuck in my grief full of denial, bitterness, anger, and depression if it weren't for the gospel. I know that we live in a fallen world that is groaning for redemption and restoration, and that's where Jesus gives us hope.

My Granny has been calling me more often since Burt was born. The little rascal looks so much like my dad, and she just cannot get enough of him.

The Lord does take away, but he gives abundantly more.

Give It Up or Give It One More Shot

My dearest blog,

I have been thinking a lot about you lately, and I really want to give you up. You are a scrappy little thing, and you keep clawing your way back into my mind.

Meeting a few friends with totally sweet blogs (12 Reasons Christians Should Blog click here), and being encouraged by my mom to get to blogging has  made me reconsider keeping you.

I need you.

I promise to post atleast twice a week.

Love,

Casie

So Much for the Cradle List

I am back after the year of no blog. I skipped "The Cradle List" and went straight to the cradle! I wanted to blog about each step in the pregnancy, but to be honest the first trimester was totally Sucksville and the second we found out we were moving. The blog of course was put to the side until after the move, after school let out, and until I had a moment of sanity. So here I am 8 months pregnant! Whoo! We are settling into Mobile, AL after a week of stressful moving, and I am just now feeling like a normal human being. And by normal I mean, I don't have to worry about moving, children at school, and not living in a separate city from my hubs.... not so much the swollen hands and feet, the not being able to reach my feet, the minutes it takes to roll over in the bed, the insane appetite that I have taken on (which really impresses my husband), and of course the inability to fit into any clothes, so I have resorted to wearing an XL t-shirt, gym shorts, and squeezing my fat feet into a flip flop when I need to run to the grocery or Redbox. Andrew hooked us up with a sweet house in the historic district of downtown Mobile, and I am slowly making progress getting things in order. I am pretty excited to finally get to look at all of the amazing goodies for our little guy. Once his room is set up you can expect a picture. It's going to be cute!  Like my good friend Nicole says, "It's the 4th quarter"......so the blog is back and just in time for the good stuff!

 And here is the cheesy pregnancy picture!