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!



Gulf Shores 2011

What a great week! Relaxation, the beach, Blue Angels, Naval Museum, USS Alabama, submarine, a great time with family, and a lot of good eating!!

It has been years since we have been out of town for a week... together... as a family... for a real vacation. I really can't even begin to describe how great it was. The vacation experience has changed a lot since we were little kids. I remember when I was younger all we wanted to do was stay at the beach and the pool. This year was quite different. We went to see history, we took naps almost every afternoon, and we just sat around- as a family.

We really enjoyed our entire trip. We went to The Shrimp Basket, Lambert's, Doc's Seafood Shack, and we had fun just eating sandwiches in our condo. Truly a family vacation we will never forget!

5K, Ladies Brunch, Mother's Day, and Vacation.

Last week was so busy. It seemed like every single night we had things to do. I do love being busy, but I felt like we had no time to rest before it was time to do something else.
I have been walking most days to try to get back into shape. One of my friends from church talked me into walking a 5K with her for Healthcare Classic. (I really started walking so I wouldn't fall over while we were doing the real thing... lol) Saturday Morning I met her at our church at 7am we went and walked and got back to the church around 9am. We went to the ladies brunch which started at 10am (and I was a table hostess). I felt like we had really accomplished something that day! The ladies brunch was so much fun and all the decorated table were amazing! I could not even pick a favorite. It was great to spend the afternoon with so many great people. (I will post pictures soon)
The rest of Saturday was spent by packing for our Gulf Shores trip and eating dinner with my parents. (packing for a 3 month old is quite the chore) :)
Jayden made me a sweet picture for Mother's Day. (with some help of course... but it had his little hand print on the picture) I really had a wonderful first Mother's Day. I am so blessed to be a Mommy.

We left Sunday afternoon for Gulf Shores, AL. We have never been here before, but got the opportunity to go and so far it has been great. Jayden did so good all the way here. (he is such a great baby)

Day 1:
We really didn't get in any hurry today. We spent time in our room, ate, and got groceries. It felt SO GOOD to be able to relax all day. We went to the Shrimp Basket for dinner which was really good. Then around 6:00pm we took Jayden to the beach for the first time. I put a lot of sunscreen on him, and he loved the sand and the water.

We could see the pier from the beach at our condo- so Jamie and I decided to take a little evening run. We ran down the beach to the pier and then clocked it to see the distance. (3.4 miles!) It was a lot different running on sand. :)

What a great first day of vacation!

I am so blessed to have my little family.



"serving leftovers to a Holy God"

"O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sactuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of food; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." - Psalm 63:1-5

I just need to vent for a little minute. I'm upset with myself... really... I don't know why I couldn't see this before now. I started reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan for our Premier Bible Study. I absolutely love our Bible Studies and they all change my life in some way. This book though--- has really changed my heart. I'm not even finished with the book yet and already I know my life is changing... for the better.

The author starts talking about being a lukewarm Christian. (something that I would have never really called myself prior to reading this book) As I'm reading this chapter- I start realizing how little focus I am putting on Christ. I get so caught up in our finances, planning our schedules, and working for the Lord that I totally miss what God really wants from me. I am always setting goals- and I love for things to be planned out. I am a really good person. I hate to break the rules (I've just always been like that) and I do truly love God. But do I truly act like I am in love with God? Not by necessarily doing bad things-- but just not always choosing Christ first.

"Jesus Christ didn't die only to save us from hell; He also died to save us from our bondage to sin." Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10) That is talking about in this life... the here and now. So why do I put so much focus on how much money we make or what plans we have going on. All I need to focus on is falling in love with Christ- and he will give me life abundantly. That is such a freeing thought.

I never want to become complacent  in my walk with Christ, I never want to think I'm good enough so that I don't need Christ, and I never want to forget what He did for us. I want to remember that I am fully dependent on Him. I want to think of Christ first, give Him my best, and never serve Him my leftovers.

Baby Dedication, Five Generations, and Official Work at Home Mommy!

April 10, 2011- Jayden Lane Akins dedicated to the LORD!

Psalm 127:3 "Children are a heritage from the Lord."

We wanted to dedicate Jayden when he was born, but it seemed like time went too quickly. We finally got the date planned, asked Preacher Hare to conduct the dedication, and invited all of our family. It was so amazing to see almost ALL of our family in the same church service... together...
My Granny Smith also got to come which made five generations there for the dedication. We even got to take some family pictures which we may never be able to do again. It seems like it is so difficult to get everyone together-- much less get a picture of everyone.

I started thinking about the dedication afterward. I know exactly what it means- I knew what we were doing before the service- it just hit me in a different way afterward. I can't believe we are responsible for a little life. What Jayden is taught, what he listens to, who he is around-- even what he eats, what he wears-- God has given us this responsiblity. It makes me nervous really... it is just so much to comprehend. I thank God every day for my son. (he is now 9 weeks and 3 days old)   :)
I pray every day for him. I pray for the decisions he will make- the friends he chooses to be around- what he chooses to believe. Even more- I pray that I will be a Godly Mommy. I want my son to see Jesus in my life. 
My parents were such great examples of Jesus. I can only hope to be able to the kind of light they were to my family. I never want to get relaxed in my relationship with God or with my family. I want my life to reflect Christ at every minute-- in whatever I am doing. 
I want the point of my life to point to Him. - "Crazy Love"

After saying all that-- Jamie and I have decided that I would be a work at home Mommy. My last day at the Wellness Center was Thursday, April 14, 2011. It was a very bittersweet day. I love all the people there-- but my desire is to be at home with Jayden. Even though we have had to tighten down our budget (it is worth it to me)-- and we have to plan each month a little more (which I really did anyway)-- I am so proud we get to raise our child instead of a daycare raising him for us. So now- I am full time with Premier! Something I never thought I would be able to do- but a little jewelry business made it possible for me to be at home.

It is really amazing to look back through the journey God has taken us on since we got married. I had a great job making great money... then I quit under circumstances I couldn't control. I got a part time job at the wellness center and learned to live without the money we had before. I used to think that was a bad situation-- but actually- what a great situation! I never once thought about being able to stay at home with our children, because my income was needed. God was just opening doors...
Premier is such a great company- and I can have the best of both worlds. I can stay at home with Jayden, but still have adult conversations with ladies through homeshows. (something I LOVE doing) and the income is there too!!! God is amazing! I'm so happy His thoughts and ways are higher than my own!

The Beginning...

I feel like my life is changing so quickly and I don't want to miss a minute. I want to be able to look back and remember all the memories that are currently in the making.

I am a wife to Jamie Akins, a wonderful man and my best friend. Our wedding was June 4, 2006. What a wonderful day! I had our first child, Jayden Lane Akins, February 13, 2011. He weighed 7lbs 5ozs and was 21 inches long. He has blessed our lives and we have experienced a love for him like no other. I have the best family, friends and church family I could ever ask for.

Jayden is 7 weeks and 3 days old today. He is such a wonderful baby. He is becoming so alert and following us with his eyes and smiling all the time. He can almost hold his head up-  sometimes he still wobbles around. When I lay him on his back- he rolls to his side. He has changed SO MUCH in 7 weeks. It seems like every morning there is something different.

God's love became so new and fresh to me when I experienced the love for my sweet baby boy. How amazing it is to think of how deep God's love is for us. When I look at Jayden- he is so dependent- relying on us for every single thing he needs. He crys when he is hungry and we feed him. He needs milk to survive. It is just like us as Christians. We are fully dependent on Christ. We rely on Him for every single one of our needs. We need Jesus to survive. He provides us with everything we need. What an amazing thought!

I am so blessed...