Was I ahead of PB?!{ha}

I saw this in the latest Pottery Barn magazine...

And immediately thought of my "B" for my church door of my wedding.  I still have it...I wonder if I should hang it on the front door instead of in the garage??!!  Wouldn't it be cute with a big thick silk ribbon tied around the top?

And...just because you might want to make one....here's the tutorial so you can make your own! I do have them for sale on my Craft Site, but it'd be just as easy to make your own and not spend $80 like PB! :)
If I were to do it again, I would make it skinnier {since it would be for a front door, not a church door} and use the rectangle moss to make it a much faster project!

I'd love to know if you make one! :)

{PS- thanks for following!}

Our First Year...

I have no idea where to begin.  This year has been ridiculously amazing.  I have more 'special moments' than I ever thought I would have.  It's also been one of the most relaxing years of my life.  Brian and I match so well.  We didn't really have any huge fights or disagreements, no burnt dinners, just a lot of laughing and hugging.  My face just can't stop smiling when I think about this past year.  Between trips, living together, and just being 'us', it's just been plain amazing.

I am fairly certain we all think we have the best husbands {or we wouldn't have married them!}, and I am certainly one of those people, too.  I was complete before Brian but Brian made me overflowing with extra joy.  He is such a good, honest, and caring man.  He is sensitive and puts forth more effort than I ever knew was possible.  I know he's worked at certain topics we had discussed during our pre-marriage classes, and I can tell - because we don't have a lot of issues because we both work hard on the things we already know could cause one.  And while I know that yes, this year was a blissful one and not all the years to come will be this 'easy', I know that with the strong love, bond, and Christ-centered marriage we have we can get through anything together. 

A few of my favorite simple moments from this year:
*the night we got re-baptised together (March 25th) to re-dedicate our marriage and future family to Christ
*the moment walking off the stage as a married couple
*the night we came home from our honeymoon and stayed in the same bed in our first home for the first time
*our monthly special things we did for one another to celebrate another wonderful month
*all the trips and weekend adventures we went on
*just going to bed with one another each night
*decorating our first Christmas tree
*finding out our little miracle

I'm getting too excited for this weekend! We have some fun things planned - hurry up work week!! :)

Hmmm...

Not 2 hours after I posted my Myth Monday below, my baby girl name popped up on someone's Facebook page.  Now...why isn't it that I haven't gotten off that silly thing?!  WAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

So, we are wondering...is this a sign we will or will not have a girl?! Ahhh, I can't wait to know.  Still holding out on the boy name. Haven't heard it...yet!!

What do you think we'll have?!

Myth is not a Myth: Naming the little bundle

I have been told by some wise souls several times before, "Don't say your names out loud. Someone will either take it, or it will become popular."  Well, I did it. I did it with hesitation, but I did it. I remember the conversation vividly.  A few of us book club members were all sitting around Mandy's dining room table discussing names. A few people were sharing, but I was trying my hardest not to.
And then I did.
And then it happened.
I heard my precious name about 2 weeks later.
And again a month later.
And again, 3 months later.
I will tell you that I did not cry, but that would be a lie.  All but the last time I wasn't even pregnant {or at least I didn't know I was!}. The time I found out my name was taken and I was pregnant...let's just say; thankful for having a sweet hubby who doesn't judge. :)

I also have been known to have a few major freak-outs in the past few weeks. Although I'm sure that is coupled with my crazy hormones {i mean, I've never been one for drama, right?!}, I know SO MANY PEOPLE who are pregnant!! I know a few friends, and more acquaintances that I'd never even know about unless it was for that darn Facebook. So I will tell you this...if my name is taken I will probably, I will cry. HA!

Now, will I still use my beloved name in-which-I've-loved-for-years? I am not sure... I guess we'll find out soon...
{original post date: 2/2/11}
*************************************
3/21/11~ So, we have our boy name and girl name. And I love them.  Brian does too. I think he is in love with our girl name.  I can't wait to know which one we will be using!!!

12 Weeks!

YAY! We've made it to 12 weeks!! There was a time where I wasn't sure I'd ever see the end of the first trimester! Fingers crossed, I've felt pretty good the last 3 days.  Maybe this will be my 'magical' time! ha!

Today started out with my weekly treat ~ a McDonald's Mcgriddle {egg and cheese}, hashbrown, and OJ.  It's been my treat for about the last 6 weeks every Saturday morning for counting down another week!

Our "What to Expect" app this morning said baby Burton was the size of a large plum! That's so crazy to me! Although, I've already got the are-you-bloated-or-pregnant look, so I guess it isn't that crazy!

This will be a jam-packed day with watching UK advance to the 3rd round of the NCAA {hopefully, but not hopefully for my bracket - whoops}, taking Hayden to Monkey Joe's, and having the MIL cook us dinner with Brian's cousin Kelley and her daughter.  Therefore...I'm off to take a nap!!
*Thank you for the continued prayers. I'd be lying if I said I did not still have freak-out moments, but knowing this is truly God's plan and His timing helps settle my nerves.

Cameron says, Go CATS!

3rd Doctor's Visit {Past Post}

Original Post Date 3/1
We went to our third doctor's visit on Tuesday (Mar. 1).  We're beginning to see how busy our own doctor is...because once again our doc was delivering a baby. So we're 1/3 with him! However, the doctor we saw was sooo nice! We loved her! She was very open and honest, and basically made me feel much better about my constant freak-outs and feeling terribly all the time.

So...on to the good part! We didn't get an ultrasound, but we did get to see the baby! Our doc even printed us out a picture {which apparently they don't usually do at this visit}.  The baby's heartbeat was very quick and strong and baby was much bigger than the last time! We could see the little heartbeat flickering. It was so neat! All my tests and blood pressure came back great as well.  I was very relieved about this because I haven't been able to eat very healthy due to being sooo sick - I have to eat what I can get down!  I also haven't gained any of the weight I initially lost back yet, but the doctor said that was normal, so I'm not going to freak out about that anymore.

Also, the best part was that we get to find out the gender at 18 weeks!!! They usually do it at 20 weeks, but I've been a week ahead of the timing of the visits {long story as to why}, so we are waiting to go back in 5 weeks instead of 4, so that we will be able to find out early instead of later! YAY! That is going to be soo fun! Baby Burton will have a name!! :)

Baby Burton is the size of a medium sized green olive!

A different kind of shopping...{Past Post}

Original Post (2/26)

My mom and I went Maternity clothes shopping one Saturday when I was feeling decent.
It was quite comical.
We went to Target first and they didn't exactly have the selection I had expected.  Next we headed to Motherhood Maternity in the mall and ended up staying there for probably close to 2 hours!  It was too hilarious! They have this cloth bump (that was kind of bumpy?!) that you strap around your waist to see how you 'may' look in the future with your bump! It was more funny than helpful honestly.  But we had a lot of fun with it! I think it's also funny that you buy your regular size and it is supposed to fit! Can't wait to see if this is true!

We bought a few things, and I even found 2 decent bathing suits for the summer. I actually bought a one piece... I don't know when the last time I wore a one-piece was...maybe the Speedo I was wearing when I swam in high school?! I told Brian to just watch out for my hot-ness coming at him in Summer 2011. :(  Why doesn't Victoria's Secret make maternity swim suits!?

Here are a few funny pictures from the shopping day. Mind you, we were in maybe-the-world's-smallest dressing room, it was a million degrees in the store, I was wearing my accupressure bands proudly, and I had been holding in my pee for almost 30 minutes. Again, I apparently haven't had this 'beautiful pregnant woman glow' yet. I hope it comes soon!

Mom wanted in on the action, too!

Since then I've found some other clothes at Kohl's, GAP, and a few online stores.  Oh me oh my...I am glad I can *hopefully* pull off the flowy summer dresses! haha! :)  And no, I'm not insane, I will not be spending $100 on a Pea and the Pod shirt I will wear for a few months.

St. Patty's Day Desserts!

All I think about is eating desserts! Weird, huh? I'm usually not a huge dessert person. So, since I haven't posted a recipe in SUCH a long time, here are a few fun and yummy-looking desserts to make!!  I SOO wish I could make one of these for my students, but the thought of preparing food is still gross to me. :( Oh well, maybe soon!!

Mint Chocolate Dark Squares

The Ultimate Thin Mint Brownies

Grasshopper Pie

Kiwi Lime Pie

Easy Ice-Cream Pie

Chair Envy

Ok, no secret, I'm not in love with our family room chair. I'm just not. No matter how many pillow changes it receives, I don't like it.  Well...I had been looking up different family room furniture options for our next big change/update in our home {mostly chairs, and then couches to match}, but it looks as though it won't be happening anytime soon since baby's are apparently expensive! HAHA! I believe our next room will be a nursery!

So, anyways, here are a few of my chair envy's ~ I'm in love with the gingham pattern...not so much in love with the circles in the boring, muted colors I'm currently the owner of. Just not me. :)

All photos courtesy of overstock.com

{2nd} Baby Doc Visit

Original Post Date: 2/3/11~
So, our first visit to the baby doc was very weird.  We were too early to see anything on the ultrasound {they thought I was 8 weeks, then 6 weeks, turns out I'm 5weeks5days}, didn't get to see my doctor, and was there for 3.5 hours!!!

BUT, we did get to make an appointment for a week from that first visit...and this time it was awesome!

So here's a recap from the oh-so-cute Daddy-to-be...

Wow, what a day...nervous is not the word, I'm not really sure how to describe anxious, unsure, concerned and excited in one word, but none the less it has been a crazy day!  Our appointment was at 3:00, which I had assumed meant 4:00, but to my surprise, we were called back at 3:15.  The nurse immediately did the ultrasound, and within minutes we saw our baby!  Not only were we able to see the little sweet pea, but we also heard the heartbeat, which was absolutely incredible (120 beats per minute)!  Meg and I were so excited, in fact, I gave a classic Jersey Shore fist pump!  That sound is one that I'll never forget!  Next, we finally got to meet with our doctor, who had been delivering a baby during our first appointment.  He quickly relayed to us everything to expect over the next 34 weeks.  We are scheduled to go back in 4 weeks and we both can't wait to see what's ahead!  What a blessing our Lord has given to us...it hasn't completely sunk in yet, but we both can't wipe the smiles off of our faces after this amazing day!!!

:)

The Myth IS a Myth: Morning Sickness

Welcome to the first Myth Monday. This is just supposed to be viewed as something somewhat comical in due fact that I may never be the same as I once was before! ha! In no means will I write any of these posts from a 'mean' or 'mad' perspective. It's just all in fun and the memories I want to keep and remember.

Ok, this really IS a myth. Morning sickness is some made-up word by someone who could not have ever been preggo. :) It's an ALL DAY sickness type of thing.  We like to refer it to as 'getting sick' in our home in stead of puking to make it be cuter since it does refer to a baby, and babies are cute. ha!

Feeling puke-y, feeling nauseous, feeling down, crying for no good reason, feeling tired exhaustion, leg cramps, belly cramps, 13 yr. old acne all over my face, etc. lasts all day long and almost every day {at least it still is here at 11 weeks...}.  But it has become quite funny! In the beginning I used to cry because I cried, or cry because I puked, or cry because I can't open the fridge without getting sick. Now, I gag and we just sort of start laughing, really. I mean, what else are you going to do?! It's just funny when Brian gets home as asks why I am crying and I don't have a reason! Oh extra hormones!!!

However, with that said, I DO NOT want to look back at this post and think I was complaining.

Because you know what, this is just part of it! SO, keep your chin up and remember - this is a season and IT IS WHAT IT IS.

As my hubby likes to remind me, You're making a baby inside you for heaven's sakes! And he's right! God has blessed me with this unbelievable miracle inside and my other lady parts are a little jealous of their space getting smaller and smaller. You'd be mad, too, wouldn't you?! So...people say it doesn't last longer than your 1st Trimester.  My 'getting sick' started exactly at 6 weeks and I'll keep you posted on how long it lasts!  I only have a week and a half longer until I'm out of the first trimester, so keep your fingers crossed!

Here's what's in my current "Pregnancy Tool Kit":

It also stinks if you're allergic to everything and then you can't take your allergy meds! Hello allergies I've been fighting off for years!!! But again, this too shall pass.
*So...if you're in the middle of this craziness, just realize how lucky you are to be feeling this way, try and do your best to deal; tell your hubby, momma & daddy how appreciative you are that they are being over-the-top sweet to your crazy ways, and know it will be over soon. :)

In Honor of SEC and upcoming NCAA...

I've decided to do something I *just might* regret...  Today I am feeling pretty good, so I may regret saying I'll have the energy {haha} but...in honor of all the basketball games I'm watching, I'm running a special on Sports Team Wreaths.

*If you order a UK Wreath, enjoy $10 off from today (3/12) until Friday (3/18)
*If you order a Sports Team Wreath with another team other than UK, enjoy $6 off from today (3/12) until Friday (3/18)
{and remember, if you are a follower you always enjoy $3 off!}

Please remember it could take up to 10 days to fulfill an order, so hurry before the NCAA tournament begins! :)

You can either leave me a comment, or send an email to my account: megek4@yahoo.com
Hope you're getting sunshine like me today! :)

The Secret's Out!

Here's a little recap of how we told a few friends and family so I won't forget {although, I don't know if I can forget!}

We were able to go to the doctor's office a week after I took the pregnancy test to confirm. Immediately after, we drove over to my Mom and Dad's house and showed up 'for dinner', which was unexpected, but I'm not sure they thought anything of it.  I had purchased them a recordable book from Hallmark, A Baby's Blessing.  On the outside I had written, "Here's a little book to record in September when you become GG and G-Daddy times 3!"  {at that time, they told us our due date was Sept, also, my parents already have 2 other grandchildren, hence the 3}  We also gave them the candy and poem as well.  They were ecstatic! Dad and Mom were all smiles!

The candy bag with the poem, M and M's and valentine sweethearts inside

Here's what the poem said:
"Here's a little Valentine's treat

for you all to enjoy and eat...
Each little candy, be sure to read
We've got something to share, indeed!"
We are so excited to share with you our little 'sweet' -
Please keep it a secret, so no facebook or tweets!

Then we left and drove over to Kelli's house {my sister}.  It was kind of late, but we didn't think the boys would be in bed yet, and we thought Eric was home. Whoops and Whoops.  So, we actually caught Kelli at a really bad and intense moment! Yikes! So, I handed the candy bag to Colby and told him to give it to Mommy. He did. She read.  She was so excited too! Then Eric happened to call and we told Colby to tell him he was getting a cousin. :)

I wanted to do the same thing, but mail the items to Brian's family, but he just couldn't wait! So we called them in the car to tell the good news!

Next, we told our Life Group at one of our get-together's.  We spent the whole night trying to decide if we would or not {we had brought the candy's with us}. It was kind of an awkward night with a few baby questions here and there, and you know when you're keeping a secret, you think everyone is intentionally asking you those questions, even when they're not!  Well, at the end of the night, I told the girls I had made them Valentine's treats (it was the weekend before Vday) and they just thought it was cute...until they read it! Alison and Jordan were more in shock, and Amanda was crazy! She said she had had a feeling! haha!

Life Group girls

I mailed Mandy her candy, took Allison's over to her, and I waited until Girl's Night to tell the rest of my college friends with their candy's!

I told my team-teacher Mary when we had a 'happy hour' at my house, and told the other girls one morning at school {we were trying to plan a get-together and it wasn't happening, so after weeks of trying to tell, I just broke down and told one day!}.

I also got to tell my Granny and aunt and uncle, and my Granddaddy. That was really exciting. They were both a little confused about the candy, but once I explained they were excited! :)
********************************************************
Friends have been so thoughtful! :) Here are a few super thoughtful things we've received over the course of the past few weeks.  It sure makes this pukin' girl smile when I see these items! haha!

sweet cards from Mom and Dad, Jamie, Mandy, Allison, Sara, and Maegan

our first baby outfit from Mom and Dad- a unisex outfit and bib of course :)

fun items from the new parents, Maegan and Trent

the most delicious gift ever from Mandy and Brian! YUMMO!

My sister also gave me a bunch of books. Umm, this book I always like to give my pregnant friends; it's so SCARY!!! haha

Jordan and Nick have been so sweet in fixing us dinners! She even asked me the other day what I was craving, and I said fruit pizza. Well, last night they had our favorite Puccini's toppings pizza AND a fruit pizza!  Hello way-into-my-heart. haha! I can't believe she made me a fruit pizza!

{PS- remember the shoes? these were my preggo gift from B b/c I've been too sick to exercise, so he said I was kind of exercising when walking at school! remember the flowers? this was actually after they found out and cooked us dinner one night.}

A few details...

Let's just say...we rang in 2011 with a bang...and didn't even know it! HAHA

Let's also just say...we'll be expecting a late CHRISTMAS gift in the Fall!!

I'm not out of the first trimester just yet, but I am sooo close.  I know, I know, but I am NO GOOD at secrets, and it's been killing us to keep it in! So we figured, the more people we tell, the more prayers we have coming our way! :)  {thank you!}

Our official due date is October 1st. October sounds like such a fun month! I'm already imagining pumpkins, fall leaves, and haybails for my child's birthday parties!!!

YES we have our baby names for a boy and girl. NO we are not telling them until we find out. :)  But they are names we've liked for a long, long time (one before we even married, haha), so some of you probably already know what they are.

I have some fun things planned like Myth Mondays, which I will start on Monday!  We've also been blogging 'behind the scenes' since the day we found out.  {yes, even Brian!}  I'll be sharing some of those posts soon!

and finally...YES, I've been VERY sick!! But it's ok - the baby's health is totally worth it! Have you noticed I haven't posted any new recipes in about 2 1/2 months?! That would be because I haven't cooked in that long! haha! Opening the fridge makes me hurl...so my amazing hubby doesn't make me perform that act. :)

{and NO Katharine, my posts will not be 'baby-only' from now on...I just need to re-cap a little:) }

Let's Pretend...

Like it's Valentine's Day...
The day, or close to, the day we shared with close family and a few friends...
That life would soon be changing for me and him.

Our beautiful and fulfilled family of 2,
Was soon to become a family of 3!

That's right... We've got a little BIG miracle happening inside of me!

*And just like the little picture poem says...my friends on Facebook:, please do not write anything! I'm not going to be linking up my baby posts to Facebook just yet!
**Now you know why I wanted you to click 'follow' if you read...so I knew who I'd be sharing my news early with! :) If you're reading and not following, I'd love it if you would!
***And, if you are reading and I work with you...please don't spill the beans at work! Let me! :) I'm hoping to at our next staff meeting...if we ever have one of those again!
Can't wait to share and document more details soon!! 

New Job!

I'm starting a new job this Fall. Actually, it's going to be more like another job, because I will still be teaching.  It's going to involve all the things I do right now, just added responsibility and possibly room for more creativity.  I'm not quite sure about the pay...

Stay tuned!

Family Rules

OK, this is my blog, and I write my blog for me, so today I need to vent. Luckily for you, you don't have to read if you don't want to. :) But I need to document this now so I can save it for later when it applies to me, and hopefully be able to say, "Yes, that's what I did and I'm proud of how I raised my kids."

Disclaimer: I do not have children of my own, yet. I am very well aware that it is not as cookie-cutter as sometimes it seems to be. Nor do I think I'll be the best parent with the best children in the world. I am very clear that sometimes there are circumstances that happen and shape situations. But, I will try my very best to raise civilized, respectful, and loving children with the help from many, especially God's word.

I truly love working with kids, but some days, I just can't take it anymore. Today was one of those days.  I've been teaching for 6 years, and it seems like each year there are more and more misbehaved kids over the well-behaved kids.  I don't just mean mouthy kids. I mean children who will get in your face and scream, back-talk you like you've never heard, and sass you till the cows come home. I have students who will lie to my face even though there is proof in front of them, and who will make up elaborate stories to get out of whatever it is that got them into trouble.
But what I've always said is this; For the most part, kids are not 'bad'. They become 'bad' because of their upbringing. Their household life. What they see. What they endure. What they are taught, or not taught. There. I said it. If you do not think it's true, you probably don't work with children.  You probably don't deal with 25-30 students a day with a different home life and story on a daily basis. But if you do agree with me, you are probably in my profession. :)

Well anyways, while B and I were going through the Pre-Marriage class at Southland {which I LOVED, which we would both recommend to anyone and everyone}, there was a part where we had to discuss future children.  The 2 couples who were running the class were young with young children.  They were open and honest and asked us to come up with some "Family Staples or Rules".  Now, I'm no dummy. I know I will be adding and deleting from this list once we have a family, but I thought the idea was a great way to get to know how your future spouse felt about family, children, upbringing, etc.  So, after we discussed our childhoods we made up a set of Family Rules.  {and yes, we agreed with all our rules. that's probably why I loved this class, because it made us feel so prepared for marriage, HAHA, quit rolling your eyes;)}
A few of ours are listed below. {don't judge me! :)}

Burton Family Rules:No cell phones, electronic devices while we're eating or having family time*
Show respect towards adults by listening to them
Talk about God as a part of our family daily**
Use simple manners often {please, thank you, yes, no thanks, etc.}
Kiss and say "I love you" every time someone leaves or goes to bed

OK, so I know none of the ones I listed above are genius ideas. But you know what, I think a lot of these ideas are some that aren't put into place anymore. Honestly.

*We chose this one because we HATE going out to eat and seeing the Mom and Dad on their smartphones and the kids on their Nintendo DS'.  I mean really? We already have this rule in place for just the two of us!My family went out to eat all the time and we didn't have that! Maybe the coloring menu and crayons but that still fostered conversation! Again, I work with kids all day. They LOVE to talk, but they really LOVE to have someone listen to them. It will not be an awkward dinner experience.
**I think this one has a lot to do with life right now. People are so busy. Too busy for God. Too busy to talk about God. I don't think it has to be one of those weird things where the Mom and Dad have to get all judging or awkward and read the Bible in tongues.  Talk about what good thing happened that day and how God is tied in to that. Talk about a situation that happened during a playdate, school, work, etc. and tie it into a similar situation God talks about in the bible. Easy things. Nothing weird. :)

So anyways, that's my soapbox and I will gladly step down now.
Also, I found these SUPER cute sites where you can get your Family Rules posted here, here,here, and here. My favorite is here by Sara Floyd Photography. If you look under her Products, then Family Rules, you can see several she's made!
I've bookmarked them for the future. Of course...maybe my Cricut could do that too....

via Just A Girl Blog

Who doesn't love Chick-Fil-A?

Make sure to pick up some Chick-Fil-A sauce to go with those fries... ;)