I am Thankful.

I am Thankful:

Of course, I cannot even begin to list everything I am thankful for.

No one would have time to read it, and I would NEVER finish.

I do, however, want to list some things (in no particular order) that I am thankful for in 2011.

30 days of praise for November:

I am Thankful

1. .a loving, Godly family.
2. .Jamie- I cannot imagine life without him.
3. .Jayden- he makes me smile everyday- and I love his sweet laugh.
4. .Salem Baptist Church- I really do believe it is the best church ever.
5. .being able to be a work at home mom.
6. .finding toys in the bathtub when I take a shower.
7. .those sweet little handprints on our sliding door.
8. .the way our house seems to never stay clean.
9. .when Jayden goes through the house saying "MaMaMa" until he finds me.
10. .that I have babysitters almost anytime I need them.
11. .for great in-laws.
12. .for my mom, dad, Kim, and Bethany.
13. .our house- I love it.
14. .the way God always provides.
15. .for clothes, food, and shelter- we don't know how blessed we are.
16. .transportation.
17. .the Bible.
18. .Heaven.
19. .friends.
20. .phones.
21. .the smell of clean laundry.
22. .the way Jamie, Jayden, and I smoosh in the bed (even though we have a king size bed).
23. .the sunshine and warm weather.
24. .hand written letters.
25. .Premier jewelry.
26. .hot showers.
27. .Jamie's job- and all the ones he does on the side.
28. .a cozy fire in the winter.
29. .the smells of Thanksgiving and Christmas.
30. .anxiety- I actually really hate it-- but I realize more and more how it keeps my life into perspective. this world is not my home. and God is always good.

Again, there are SO many other things that I really want to list. God has been so good.

I am abundantly blessed.

7 months old.

whew! How seven months have flown by. Everyone told me that it would go by quickly, but I can't believe just how fast everything has been. It won't be long and we will be planning a ONE year birthday party! WOW!
Jayden is trying really hard to crawl around and is successful in getting where he wants to go... but usually goes backwards to get there. :) He is eating real food. I have made most of his baby food, which I have found to be actually quite enjoyable. He drinks from a sippy cup. He is still smiling all the time. And his big blue eyes will just melt your heart. His little personality just shines through more and more each day. We are so blessed by what God has given us. I never want to take any of it for granted.
We have taken TONS of pictures since Jayden was born and I have been keeping up with his baby book so we don't forget any details. On August 24th, we had our first offical family pictures made for our church directory. I was so excited that Jayden did so well considering that our appointment was so late in the evening. Of course, he smiled! (which is what I was wanting) I can't wait to get our Salem directory. :)

 This is our directory picture.

 I just smile everytime I see our sweet little family.

 He is such a sweet boy!

WOW! God has truly blessed us.

Ephesians 3:20  "Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope."

My Family is Fabulous!

I just wanted to take a little moment and let my little family know how much I love them.

Jamie is such a great husband and hard worker. We make such a great team.

Jayden is so sweet. His giggles and smiles just warm my heart and make my entire day.

God has blessed me so much by giving me such a great family. Even times when I get discouraged or frustrated- I know how blessed I truly am. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE MY BOYS!  

I thank my God upon EVERY rememberance of you!

4 Months Old.

Jayden turned 4 months old June 13, 2011. I took him for his wellcheck and the doctor said that he was doing great! He weighs 17 lbs and is 25.5 inches long. He kept laughing and talking to the doctor the entire time she was checking him. He got 3 shots and did very well. The doctor decided to change his formula AGAIN because of all the spit up. (I am so ready for him to grow out of spitting up) We have been adding rice cereal in his formula for a few weeks now- but it didn't seem to help. Now- we are able to feed him cereal with a spoon. We tried it out tonight and let's just say we need a little more work. haha. Jayden did not understand what was going on and he didn't think he was getting enough fast enough. He would start fussing after every bite- he was ready for more! At first, he wasn't that great at working with the spoon, and he got it all over him. I guess that is just part of it. I am excited that he is learning so many new things!

Since we fed him cereal with the spoon he has only spit up ONE time! Anyone who knows him knows this is a BIG deal! Hopefully, it will continue to get better.

Yes- he had to try to hold and touch the spoon and kept putting his hands in his mouth.

So this is what happens...

But he was smiling the whole time!

We are very blessed!

All that eating wore him out- but he isn't going to let go of the paci!

Bubbly Baths and Sweet Songs.

Tonight as I was giving Jayden a bath I started thinking how I never want to take these moments for granted. He was kicking and splashing in the water, trying to sink down so he could turn his head enough so he can drink the water, and laughing the whole time. He has always loved bath time (except for the very first one). Now he splashes so much the water is nearly gone before I even drain the tub. It is a time I love to spend with him though. I time to relax and wash all the worries of the day down the drain. I never want to forget how special these times are to me. Bring on Bubbly Bath Time.

Trying to drink the water.

Squeaky clean!

Jayden is pretty much spoiled to being rocked to sleep. He does put himself to sleep at nap times during the day but something about night- he just wants to be held. I used to be very against this-- but recently I have just been thinking how fast he is growing. He is going to be 4 months old Monday! There will come a day that he doesn't need me or want me to help him go to sleep. He will not need or want me to sing to him at night. I enjoy every night singing and rocking. It is such a bonding time for us- something I never want to forget or take for granted.

This is our bedtime song. I sing it to him every night. It is true and I am excited to see what God has in store for Jayden Lane Akins. He is such a blessing to us.

"Be strong in the Lord, never give up hope.

You're gonna do great things, I already know.

God's got His hand on you, so don't live life in fear.

Forgive and forget, but don't forget why you're here.

Take your time and pray, thank God for each day,
His love will find a way, these are the words I would say."

--Sidewalk Prophets "The Words I Would Say"

I could stare at him all day!

Thank you Lord for my baby boy, Jayden. You have blessed us abundantly. Thank you so much!

Many Memories...

On June 3rd we left for Lavonia, GA. We love visiting the cabin- it is so relaxing. Now Harry and Rosie have added on a bigger living room, another bedroom and bathroom. It was a great little mini vacation. When we got there on Thursday, we ate at Bell's. (a little home cooked place in Toccoa.)
Friday was very busy... we went to lunch with a friend from college- Danielle Martin. Then got ready for a Premier Training Show. It was so great to be back in Greenville, SC. It brought back so many memories from college. (and April's show went great! EVERYONE there booked a show!) Saturday was our 5th year anniversary. We had a fun day and Jamie got me a sweet card. :) This year he did not forget.

It was a great few days away. Great memories, Great time with friends, Great Premier Show, Great 5th anniversary, and Great time with my little family. Can't wait until we do go again.

The best cabin hands down!

I love my little family!

3 Months Old and Growing up!

Jayden actually turned 3 months old May 13, 2011. I really cannot even begin to describe how much joy he has brought to our lives. Somehow- at 3 months old- it seems like he has just grown overnight. He is rolling to his side, wanting to hold his bottle by himself, (he held his bottle by himself for the first time Friday), he loves to play with toys, laugh, and he smiles a lot. He loves when people talk to him, and he can recognize voices.

I started looking back at pictures when he was born, and I can't believe how big he has gotten. I am so proud of him. He is a great baby- and brings us lots of blessings! I pray for him everyday to become the man in which God would be pleased. I am so blessed by me sweet baby boy!

Bethany's cows got out of the fence-- so we went over to help them. Jayden and my mom played with the cows. He loved them- He kept smiling and laughing at them. This is Darla.

My dad, Jamie, and Jayden playing with the tractors!

Three months old and he looks so grown up!