Oak Alley Plantation

On Saturday, in celebration of my birthday, we had a family outing.

We picked up some sandwiches and drove an hour to Oak Alley Plantation.

It was our first time at a plantation.  This one was a sugar cane plantation that is on the Mississippi river.

We started with a picnic.

Then started touring the grounds.

The slave quarters.

This plantation is famous for its beautiful alley of oak trees.  We saw a picture of it and that is why we chose this plantation.

But when we got to the alley of oak trees it didn't look the same as the pictures and was pretty but not amazing like the picture had made it look.

We were kinda disappointed but took our posed pictures in front of it.

But then we realized we were at the back of the house, and that the real oak alley was at the front of the house.

And it was amazing.  Lined with 300 year old oak trees.

So we redid our pictures.

Aren't they amazing!

Here is a picture that will help give you some perspective on how big these trees are.

Exploring with Daddy.

The house.

 We did a tour of the house which was interesting but not nearly as grand as I expected.

Alice being silly on the balcony.

After the tour we walked down the alley of oaks.

Here comes Alice!

This girl loves running around and the outdoors.

Oak Alley as seen from across the street.  Isn't it amazing how much the oaks sprawl out!

Across the street from the plantation is the levy and the Mississippi river.

So we climbing up it to see the view.

"I made it!"

The Mighty Mississippi.

Then it was back home for dinner and my choice in movie which was the documentary Babies.

Stephen took it like a trooper with minimum complains :o)

The end.

Nashville Botanical Gardens

So to celebrate Mother's day and my birthday we spent a Saturday in Nashville.  

We went to the botanical gardens.

It was fun but I was disappointed by how few flowers there were.

But we got take some nice pictures and I got to wear around the new ring sling I made.

Our backyard is mostly dirt and weeds so this was Alice's first time sitting in the grass.

She really likes the grass and the outdoors.

 She was not the biggest fan of actually laying in the grass.

She fell asleep by the end of the walk around the gardens.

After that we went to a gourmet popsicle shop.

I got a strawberries and cream popsicle dipped in chocolate and Stephen got a chai popsicle.  They were so good!

Then we went to a craft brew place and tasted some beers.

After that we went to whole foods and picked up some different cheeses and went home and had a cheese platter with some wine and watched Star Wars VI.

It was a pretty great day :o)

Infertility

This week is National Infertility Awareness Week.

And as some of you know, I have PCOS and have struggled with infertility.

On January 2nd 2012 we discovered I was pregnant and I have been overflowing with unspeakable joy ever since.

But oh what a contrast to the unspeakable pain of infertility.

One of my biggest struggles during infertility was hating my body.

It was so terrible to me for the one thing I felt like I could control (myself/my body) to fail and betray me.

That no matter how much I wanted and willed myself to get pregnant, I couldn't make it happen.

When dealing with infertility, your body is a constant reminder of what you are missing and longing for.

And there is no escaping yourself.

I wrote this poem after a particularly painful failed month of fertility treatment (I made the fatal mistake of getting my hopes up).

I want to get away

Escape for just a moment

I want to not feel

I want to not see

I want to not be

These breasts that will not nurse

This belly that will not grow

This womb that will not carry life

These arms that will not hold

This voice that will not soothe

These lips that will not kiss

These hands that will not caress

Not for one moment can I escape

Not for one moment am I not reminded

That I am, and may forever be

barren.

Reading that poem now brings tears of joy and thanksgiving to my eyes because I have now done and experienced all those things.

Some days I am so overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness for Alice that all I can do is fall to my knees and thank God for blessing me so much more than I deserve.

But at the same time I still am worried about infertility and if we will be able to have any more children (we would love to have at least 3!).

For those struggling with infertility the best advice I can give is to put your hope, trust and faith in God alone.

Your own body may fail and betray you but God never will.

Through infertility, or any troubles in life for that matter, you have to trust and believe 100% that "all things work together for good to those who love God." (Romans 8:28)

Even if that "good" is never having a child.

It is a difficult thing to accept that "bad" things that happen in our lives may actual be a "good" in God's bigger plan.

But there is nothing like the peace that comes from resting in God's sovereignty.

Also, fight and fight hard, those feelings of bitterness and of covetousness toward people who have been blessed with children.

Consider the parable of the laborers in the vineyard from Matthew 20. (my pastor did a great sermon on this on Sunday)

Matthew 20:15 "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? (aka life/blessings)  Or do you begrudge my generosity?"

None of us deserve any blessing from God.

Don't begrudge another's blessing.

Again, trust God's sovereignty.

For those of you who are blessed with fertility, thank the Lord for your children.

Also, keep in mind that the person you may be complaining to about the "inconveniences" of your children may be someone who would give anything to have one.

Clever Apple is coming back!

I closed down my Etsy shop when we left Hawaii.

It wasn't really planned, it just came from having all our things in boxes while in Missouri and finding out we were having a baby and then having said baby.

Somehow I just didn't have the time (or much of a desire) to sit and embroider for hours.

But lately I have missed doing crafty things and now that Alice is older I have (a little) more time to work on things.

Also, with Stephen getting out of active duty and into the reserves and starting school soon, some extra income certainly wouldn't hurt.

So I am re-opening my Etsy shop CleverApple.

Though the name is the same, the product is different.

I'm keeping it a surprise what it is but be sure it's adorable and genius!

(Well, at least I think so)

It is taking a lot of time and work to get everything ready but if all goes well, I should be opening my shop in the beginning of April.

Here are some pictures of my work space (aka the dining room table) to give you some hints.