House for sale...

My sister and brother-in-law are selling their home! If you know of anyone looking to buy a home in the Inverness area (Hoover schools) please tell them about this house! It is listed on a few sites, but I am going to put the information on my blog as well...just in case :)

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You don't want to miss this beautiful townhome in Hoover's Inverness Cove!! This 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home looks great and is ready to show! Nice, open floor plan with the dining room, living room, and kitchen flowing smoothly on the first floor. A main level garage adds to this incredible layout. The kitchen features granite counter tops, electric appliances, hardwood floors, and a large pantry. The large master bedroom easily accommodates a king size bed and has two walk-in closets!! A garden tub in the master bath with separate shower and large vanity make for a beautiful master bath! Lots of storage throughout home, with a security system already installed. The hardwoods, carpets and paint are in GREAT condition throughout the home!

Hoover schools (Greystone Elementary, Berry Middle, Spain Park High)

Charming neighborhood with lighted sidewalks, large cookout area, and beautiful pool!

Owner is ready to show home, so hurry over!

$182,000

For more information, or to see this home, please call 205-834-6780 or send an email to anderson.reynolds@gmail.com

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We Are...

HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!!

...and we could not be more excited!!! I am 11 weeks along and we are due on July 27!

Anyone who knows me knows that I have prayed for the day that I would become a mom. This has been my hearts desire all my life. We were unsure if this would ever be a possibility for me, but God is faithful...oh how He is faithful...and has blessed us with this little miracle!

About 6 weeks ago I started feeling a little funny, but just thought I caught a stomach bug from my niece who had recently been sick when I was keeping her. A couple days later, though, when the feeling did not go away, I decided I should take a pregnancy test...just in case... Well, pregnancy tests are expensive so I had recently bought some test strips off of Amazon that my sister had told me about. Without really saying anything to Graham, I took one of the tests...waited 5 minutes...and saw two lines...POSITIVE. I waited 5 more minutes...I guess thinking that maybe that second line would disappear...and when I checked again I saw two lines...definitely positive. Well...these test strips were incredibly cheap, so I thought maybe they weren't working right...maybe they gave false positives (apparently, though, this is not possible...)! I came in the den where Graham was watching tv and said, "Hey babe...I think I need to go get a pregnancy test." Considering he did not know about the previous test I had taken, he was convinced I was crazy for wanting to take ANOTHER pregnancy test (...so maybe I've taken a few over the past couple of years...wishful thinking at times, I guess?!) Now..before you think I'm a bad person for not telling him about the first test, I wanted to be 100% positive that we were actually pregnant before I said anything! So, we went to CVS, bought another test, came home, I took it and had Graham time it before we checked. When it had been the allotted amount of time, I said, "I think you should go check this one...I have a feeling it is going to be positive..." Still convinced I was crazy, he went back and asked what exactly he was looking for. I told him that if it is positive then there will be a + in the circle. Well...there was a + sign in the circle!! We were completely shocked and surprised...but elated with the news!!!

It still seems so surreal! I am so thankful for a God that is sovereign over all things and whose timing is absolutely perfect. Graham and I feel so humbled at the fact that God has entrusted us with this precious blessing...it is our prayer that during the next 6 1/2 months the Lord will work in both of us and in our marriage to fill us with His wisdom and prepare us to be the best possible parents to our child.

Here's a picture of our little peanut at 8 weeks:

We told my family the next day, which was SO much fun!! We went to dinner with Melanie, Reynolds and Abby that night and brought a gift for Abby (not unusual for this little girl to get a random gift from her aunt and uncle!). When Mel opened the box for Abby, this was inside...


Their reaction was priceless. Graham videoed everyone's reaction on his phone..I am so glad we have those videos!!!

We then put the shirt on Abby and went to mom and dad's house. Graham and I walked to the front door with Abby, rang the doorbell, and were standing there when mom and dad came to open the door. Again, priceless reactions! I am so thankful for a family who shares in our joys!


It just so happens that all of this happened right before Thanksgiving and we were already planning on spending a week in Oklahoma over Thanksgiving...the perfect time to tell Graham's family! Before leaving for OK, I wrote a poem for his parents that started off as more of a poem of thanksgiving..thanking them for being wonderful parents to Graham and myself..and then transitioned into why this trip to OK was even more special than any other trip we have made... Here is what the end of the poem said...

This trip is even more special, though,

You may be asking, why?

There are many ways we could tell you,

All of which would come as a surprise!

It’s time to plan a trip to Birmingham,

Please come in July!

This is the month that we will be welcoming…

Yes…a little angel to our lives!

We just found out about this blessing,

And couldn’t wait to share!

The joy we have felt is overwhelming,

Keeping it from you any longer just would not be fair!

So be prepared to replace this poem

With a picture that will always make you smile,

For in nine months you will receive

A precious baby grandchild!

Just the same as my family, their reactions were full of pure joy!

Here is a picture of the framed poems...

So there is our exciting news! Thank you for sharing in our joy!

Merry Christmas!

This Christmas season has been absolutely wonderful! We have spent lots of time with friends and family..which makes every holiday that much better!

Graham and I stayed in Birmingham this year so I just loved being able to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my family...such a blessing and sweet times. We were planning on going to Oklahoma today, but a little over 2 weeks ago Graham had surgery on his shoulder (a surgery I would not wish on ANYONE) and due to his therapy schedule we had to stay here in town. We will most definitely miss seeing all of our friends and family in Oklahoma this Christmas season, but we are very thankful for the long amount of time we were able to spend there over Thanksgiving!

This is the first year in I don't know how long that I have not made Christmas cookies...that will NOT become a trend! My sister and I did, however, make gingerbread houses one night. It was a lot of fun...for me...but I'm not so sure how much Mel ended up enjoying it. Let's just say her house had a few unfortunate run-ins...resulting in what Dad said looked like a crime scene. Take a look for yourself...

{Mel's is on the left...}

I was able to take Abby's Christmas card pictures this year...I had so much fun doing so! Here are some of my favorites...

For Christmas Eve, Graham and I had everyone over to our house for lunch. I loved being able to host my family on such a special day! We had my family, my grandfather, Graham's grandmother, and her nephew join us. Here are some pictures from that day...

...Have you picked up on who the most photographed person in our family is?! Yes, our lives revolve around that precious little girl these days!

Christmas Eve night we went to the Christmas Eve service at church then all came back to mom and dad's to spend the night (yet another tradition that I love). We spent some time with Abby, then after she went to bed mom, dad, Mel, Reynolds, Graham and I played the game Wits and Wagers...if you haven't played it I recommend it...it was pretty fun! We ended the night the same way we do each year...with Dad reading the Christmas story to us and spending time reflecting on the one and only reason that we celebrate this special day.

Christmas day was perfect...we finally, after all of my dreaming this would happen in Alabama...had a WHITE Christmas! It snowed off an on all day...although it did not stick, it was beautiful to watch and enjoy! We spent the day at mom and dad's and enjoyed a late lunch with mom's side of the family. I only have a few pictures from Christmas morning on my camera and they are all of Abby enjoying her Santa gifts :)

{I think it is safe to say that this chair was Abby's favorite gift! Once she sat in it she would not get up. The rest of her gifts were enjoyed from the chair only!}

So there is a quick recap from our Christmas! I just realized Graham and I did not get a single picture together...sad! It was a wonderful time, though, celebrating the birth of our Savior, and reflecting on what that means in my life. I think the thing that has astounded me so much more this year than ever before is the fact that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, for ME. Christ put Himself where only I should be...beaten, mocked, ridiculed, and brutally crucified...so that I can one day be with Him for eternity. Praise Him for His grace and mercy....oh Praise Him!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

2 Years...

Earlier this month...November 8, to be exact...Graham and I celebrated our two year anniversary! I can't believe we have been married for 2 years already! I can honestly say they have been two incredible years filled with so much adventure, travel, laughs, and great memories. I am beyond thankful for my husband and the blessing that he is in my life. I look forward to many, many, many more anniversaries to come :)

{November 8, 2008}

{November 8, 2010}

Month of Birthdays...

I love this time of year...the weather is cooling off (albeit a little too cold today..), it's football season (especially fun this year - War Eagle!), and the leaves change to the most gorgeous colors! This just might be my favorite season each year.

October is Graham and Abby's birthday month, so it was a busy, but very fun month for us! We celebrated Graham's 29th birthday and Abby's 1st birthday. Can you guess who got the most attention? :)

Here are some pictures to recap this month...

{Happy Birthday! The big 2-9!!}

{Melanie and Mom at our family birthday dinner for Graham and Abby!}

{My handsome hubby showing off some new clothes}

{Abby tearing in to her presents - she was way more interested in the boxes and paper than what was inside!}

{Melanie spent hours upon hours making this scrapbook of Abby's first year}

{All of the ladies checking out the scrapbook}

{The love of my life}

{Love these two!}

{We are best friends :)}

{Poor thing had to be tired of her aunt making her take pictures with everyone in the room!}

{One more...definitely over the picture thing at this point...}

{So thankful for this man. It is a JOY to celebrate his birthday!}

{One of my most favorite people in the world - Marco Vallejo! This man and his family have been so important to me and my family for 10 years now. So glad he was able to spend a few days in Birmingham before heading to Cuba with Brook Hills.}

{Dad and his girls}

{Happy Birthday Precious!}

Abby's Birthday Party!

{My beautiful parents}

{Mom and I painted these pumpkins for Abby's birthday...and Melanie helped :) Mom came up with the idea that turned out so cute!}


{Andersons celebrating their baby girl}

{Me and mom...love her so much!}

{Abby's first experience with cake...I think she liked it...don't you?!}

Okay, so this is probably the most pictures in one blog post I have ever done - but I love pictures and think they can capture moments in such a stronger way than me just trying to explain them!

Other than the birthday celebrations, things have been pretty quiet around our house. We are still seeking what is next for us and trusting that God will reveal that in His perfect timing. I am learning more and more each day just how impatient I am, but even more just how faithful God is. He has shown that to my family this month in a powerful way and I am beyond thankful to Him for that.

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken."
Psalm 62:1-2