Planned Parenthood Protest

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to be a part of a protest against Planned Parenthood and the heinous acts they commit inside of their buildings. This protest was being organized in every state to take place on the same day in front of as many clinics as possible.

When a friend first asked me to join her at this protest, I was hesitant. I had never been to a protest like this before, so I wasn't sure what it would be like. I'm not entirely sure that protesting with signs is the way to end abortion and I wanted no parts of yelling at women who may have been entering the clinic. After some discussion and learning that John Piper was promoting this protest and planned to be at the one near him as well I became more open to it. I read this post from John Piper's site Desiring God and discovered I agreed with his points that sometimes in life we have cultural moments and seasons in life. We don't protest everyday, but when the opportunity like this comes around, we should see it as a season to speak out. We realized this was meant to be a peaceful and prayerful protest, so I agreed to go and we decided that if the attitude wasn't what it should be then we would leave. My sister Erin also ended up joining us.

The clinic actually ended up being closed that morning so the only people who saw our signs were those driving by. I actually felt better about this because I felt like the protest could be seen as a protest against Planned Parenthood and their practices and not against the women going in to their clinic. There was a crowd of about 270 people ranging from young to old, men and women. It appears a variety of people are against killing babies. It was very quiet and peaceful. We held signs, prayed and waved to the people driving by. We had a mix of responses from people, but I actually felt more people drove by and honked in support than those that drove by and shielded their faces or kindly flipped us the bird.

Later that evening I went on our local news channel's facebook pages to see if there had been any reports of this protest since we never saw any news crews out there. I was grateful to see they did cover the small story, but saddened - though not surprised - to see the responses of people commenting on it. Many stated we should mind our own business, what a woman does with her body doesn't concern us. Many said we weren't "pro-life" we were "pro-birth" (this is the newest argument against pro-lifers) and that we didn't care what happened to the baby after it was born. Some people argued that no one wanted babies because they might have health issues, which health issues happens to be the second to last reason that people abort their babies. I'm not a fan of getting into a comment war with people on facebook, but I had to respond to some people, with as much grace as possible of course! Isn't it heartbreaking to know that so many people don't see a baby as a life that's worth living? That baby had no choice in who conceived it or even how it was conceived. It didn't ask to be an accident. But once it is conceived, its alive. Once it is alive, it has a right to be born. How can you determine what that child's quality of life will be? Can you look at anyone who is alive right now and tell them they should have never been born?! I can't get over the fact that if a woman wants a baby she will ooh and ahh over her 12 week ultrasound pictures and marvel at the little human wiggling around in side of her, but if she doesn't want the baby??? Well, then its perfectly legal to be rid of it. The hypocrisy astounds me!

We had the chance to talk to the local organizer of this event and learned about their fight to end abortion here in our area. There are 3 abortion clinics in this area, and they have done the research to figure out which days each clinic performs the abortions and they even know the cars of the doctors who do the unspeakable, so they know if those cars are the in the parking lot, they need to be there hoping to convince women to take an alternative route.


I know this fight isn't a new fight. It's been going on for decades. But with the recent release of all of these undercover videos, the fight is gaining momentum. Already 5 states have defunded Planned Parenthood and 13 more are investigating into their practices. I don't know where my place is in this war yet, but I feel like it's time for our generation to join in - fresh soldiers on the battlefield. This might mean volunteering at my local Crisis Pregnancy Center, I honestly don't know. But I'm going to be looking for it. I hope you'll be looking for a way to join in as well.

See Reaghan Grow! {11 Months}

Wow. 11 months. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that Reaghan will be turning 1 next month. Mark and I have been reliving all of the emotions we were feeling this time last year as we were approaching our due date. If you're on facebook you know how it will give you a "memory" about the days date in previous years, and apparently we were taking our hospital tour at this time last year. I'm so excited for our future babies, but man, I don't think anything will top the excitement of preparing to welcome your first little one into the world.

But enough reminiscing. I'm sure you're dying to know what Reaghan's been up to this past month. : )

• She still weighs less than 20 pounds and can still fit into a lot of 9 month clothes, though 12 month fits her pretty well too. I've gotta say, based on Mark and I's baby pictures I was fully prepared to have a chunk, but this girl must take after her Aunt Ann and Aunt Erin - she's my little bitty thing.
• Sleeping 10-11 hours consistently at night. (8:30 - 7:00 usually.) If she wakes up, she usually puts herself back to sleep within 10 minutes without me going in to her room. I can lay her down for naps and bedtime without having to rock her all the way to sleep now - though more often then not I'm okay with rocking her to sleep because its usually the only time she wants to snuggle. Still taking 1.5-2 hour naps in the morning and afternoon.
• She is less interested in her pureed food and more excited about eating anything and everything else. She loves steamed carrots, sweet peas and cauliflower, but steamed broccoli florets are her absolute favorite. She loves to eat eggs or banana's for breakfast and usually for dinner she just eats whatever we are eating. She is great at feeding herself, she can even feed herself from the little food pouches. I rarely have to hand feed her anymore.
• She loves the little Gerber yogurt melts. If you bring out the bag, she goes nuts! Also loves sugar wafer cookies that her grammy got her hooked on.
• We've introduced a little dairy into her diet - greek yogurt, some cheese and she got her first taste of ice cream and milk shake. No reactions to dairy - yay!
• She's still nursing about 5-6 times a day but I'm trying to bring it down to 4-5 times. I've started thinking about how to go about weaning you and it's a bittersweet thought.
• She has a stubborn, sassy personality. She isn't afraid to let you know if she doesn't like what you're doing. It's been challenging to know how to correct her when she screams or smacks at people. For a while when I would tell her no, she would just stick her tongue out and spit. I mean, where do babies learn these things?! Thankfully that phase didn't last long! Now she just hangs her head and gives a pout face when corrected. Let's just say I've grabbed quite a few parenting books off of my moms bookshelves this last month.
• She traveled to Ohio and met many relatives for the first time. 
• She traveled to Blacksburg and was the flower girl in my best friends wedding.
• She got her first tooth the day we were traveling home from Ohio - literally it wasn't there when we left that morning and when we stopped for dinner it had finally popped through! She got her second tooth a week later. (both on the bottom!)
• She loves to walk while you hold her hands. She's starting to let go and balance on her own in standing for a couple of seconds before falling to her bottom. 
• She can make a "mad" face and loves to do it when we ask her to! She thinks its hilarious.
• She loves to follow me around the house and pull herself up on my legs from behind me. She'll often stick her head between my legs, look up at me and laugh. 
• She learned how to say "more" and "all done" in sign language and can point with her index finger!
• She has started to put her hands together during prayers, we've been loosely practicing at dinner, but its mostly something she started doing on her own just from watching. : )
• She's learning to follow simple directions like "come here" and "sit still". 
• I turned around the other day in the kitchen to see that she had climbed herself up about 3 steps up the stairs! Time to pull out the baby gates!
• Uncle Noah taught her how to "smell" things. She especially likes to smell candles.
• I know tv watching is frowned upon at this age - but sometimes we watch Curious George together and she loves it. Especially the theme song.
• Her favorite song to sing is "If you're happy and you know it." 
• Thanks to daddy playing with her on his drum set, she loves to bang on things like they are drums, especially if she's holding something resembling drumsticks!

This was pretty much the last smile I got out of her during our quick photo shoot. Her tongue is usually hanging out like that ; )

Her favorite toy from her grammy. We've named her "Molly Polly Dolly". 

Okay, so maybe I got one more smile before she became disinterested...

Her general, overall feeling about our photo shoot.

"Are we done yet?" I mean, is this child 11 or 11 months... I can't tell. ; )

I love her relaxed pose with her knees bent. And the tongue. Always the tongue.

Crying or laughing? I confess, its a cry that can totally pass as a smile - so I put it up. ; )

And thats a wrap.

 I feel like once Reaghan turns one she'll be in full on toddler mode and 

just like that my first baby will no longer be a baby. 

So, Reaghan, forgive me if I try to make this month go as a slow as possible. I just need to soak in all of the babyness out of you that I can, while I live in denial that you'll be a year old soon.

PS

How sad is that I only need to do one more See Reaghan Grow photo shoot?! But I am definitely looking forward to printing out these pictures and making a banner for her first birthday party to show how she's grown and changed since she was born! 

PPS

Don't go on pinterest if you're planning a 1st birthday party. You may end up throwing the birthday bash of the season for your one year old who won't remember a darn thing. We're just doing a low key, family party for her, but I have to keep reminding myself of that when I'm scrolling through Pinterest. I've already placed an order from Oriental Trading for some decorations. *hangs head*

The time when Reaghan was a flower girl!

One of my very bestest friends was married a couple of weekends ago on August first. We've known each other since our early high school days. She was in my wedding so I was really excited to be a part of her wedding party when she asked me to after she got engaged. I totally wasn't expecting her to ask Reaghan to be in her wedding as her flower girl, but I'm so glad she did! Reaghan was adorable (I know, I brag on my child way too much, but she's seriously the cutest thing I've ever seen.) and Robyn's wedding was one of the most beautiful weddings I've ever been to.

She got married up in Blacksburg (her and her husband met at school at Virginia Tech) on a small little hill on a working farm. It was rustic, simple, elegant, Christ-centered, fun - totally Pinterest perfect. I may or may not have been slightly jealous the whole time that my wedding wasn't as beautiful as hers. It was amazing. I could go on gushing, but I'll just share some of the pictures - enjoy!

Helping Robyn get ready the morning of the wedding!

Anna Grace Photo

Bridal Party pictures before the ceremony.
Robyn and Matt did a "First Look" so we took all of the pictures before the wedding.

Anna Grace Photo

She had all of her bridesmaids pick out their own dresses within a certain color palette... It was a little nerve wracking picking out a dress without knowing what the other bridesmaids were wearing, but I think they all looked great together! 

Anna Grace Photo

The full, fun wedding party!

Anna Grace Photo

An overview of the venue.

Anna Grace Photo

The hill on which they were wed. They had everyone seated in a circle around them - it was unique and beautiful!

Anna Grace Photo

Another view of the farm, we were able to walk down by the pond during the reception.

Anna Grace Photo

And now for the pictures you've been waiting for!

Anna Grace Photo

My sister Erin and I decorated the wagon (mostly Erin - she's my "I've got an idea, can you make it happen?" person. She always comes through big time! But! I did do the spray painting.) The wagon turned out just how I was hoping and Reaghan did a great job sitting still as her other two flower girls sweetly pulled her down the aisle. They put a little flower girl basket full of petals in the wagon with Reaghan and, I kid you not, right before she got to the end of the aisle she pulled a petal out of the basket and dropped it out of the side of the wagon. I wish I had had a video camera!!!

Anna Grace Photo

So thankful for these beautiful photo's from her photogapher, Anna Grace. We will definitely be ordering some of the pictures of Reaghan. Her info is at the bottom of this post if you are interested in  seeing more of her work.

Anna Grace Photo

 Daddy trying to sneak in some pictures of just Reaghan ; )

Her reception site was just down the hill in a barn that the farm keeps set up for people to use for events like wedding receptions.

Anna Grace Photo

Some beautiful details of the reception site that their photographer captured. 

Anna Grace Photo

My sister snapped a shot from the little loft area in the barn. Each corner of the barn was decorated beautifully.

My parent's loved being there to see Reaghan be a flower girl. I loved having them there because I knew Reaghan was having a blast while I did bridesmaid type things like help Robyn change into her reception dress and give a speech.

Mark's family was also there. Here's Uncle Jason hanging out with both of the girls!

They had a live band at their reception that taught everyone how to square dance all night long. Mark and I and Ann and Jason are doing the 2-step here, but I think my favorite of the night was the Virginia Reel that I danced with my lil sis Sara. 

They served bottles of cream soda along with their dinner and I probably had like 3 or 4 of them. It had been so long since I had had cream soda, because usually its not my favorite, but I man was it delicious at the wedding!

Robyn also made the terrarium centerpieces - she grew all the succulents in a green house in her backyard for months before the wedding and used them as decorations throughout her wedding.

In luie of a cake, they had donuts.

Best. Idea. Ever.

Anna Grace Photo

Loved sitting at these long tables that fit both of our families that came!

One of my favorite family pictures of the night!

The outside area was perfect for the girls to get out and practice their walking!

Mark was so proud of his little flower girl.

Cousins! :)

(My mom holding Brooklyn's hands and Erin holding Reaghan's.)

I'm so thrilled that my Robyn Lee is now a married woman. She's going to make an excellent wife because she loves the Lord so much; her new husband is a very lucky man. I felt honored and privileged to stand beside her on her wedding day and be a part of her celebration. I pray the Lord gives them many years of happiness and adventures together.

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PHOTO CREDIT:

BLOG: Anna Grace Photo

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/annagracephotography

PINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/annagracephoto/

INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/annagracephoto/

**All pictures that belong to Anna Grace Photography are noted underneath the picture. These specified pictures were taken from her blog and belong fully to Anna Grace Photography.**

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#MomLife

.... I'd like to interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you pictures for this week's episode of "Guess that Bodily Fluid!" ....

Soooo.... I don't often take pictures of my back side (yup, I took a selfie of my butt) but when I saw this spot on my rear end in the mirror as I walked into the bathroom to give Reag a bath, all I could do was laugh. It just sums up my week perfectly.

Reaghan has been sick this past week, (we both have actually) which means I've been covered in snot all week. (Hers, not mine ;)) She loves nothing more than to turn her head into my shoulder right after she sneezes and use me as a human tissue and she loathes being wiped by an actual tissue (or boogie wipe - my favorites!) She's also been teething (which may be a contributing factor to her snotty nose) so it has been #droolfordays around these parts. The spot on my bum is from playing on the floor with her.... apparently I sat in a puddle of her drool. hashtagmomlife.

I'm not complaining... honestly I'm not. But sometimes... I'm super grateful for bath time and bedtime and the chance to shower and change into clean clothes that will stay snot free, food free, and drool free for at least 12 hours. ; )

Here's to a healthier week for our home!

Ohio Trip: Part 2

After we spend the weekend with the Jones Family, we take the rest of the week to be with the Kesslers.

My my grandpa just had double knee replacement surgery 6 weeks before we got there, so we spent a little time doing odd jobs around their house to help out since he hasn't been able to keep up with what he normally does. The boys mowed the lawn a couple of times, cut down some dead tree branches, cleaned out their gutters and fixed some broken windows while the girls cleaned out the flower and vegetable gardens... (we got the easy side of the deal!) but we were all glad to help and wish we could've done more! I wish we were in a situation where we lived close to my grandparents and could regularly help them whenever they needed it. I love being on their quiet street with their huge yard, cornfield right behind their house and the train tracks behind the cornfield with the train whistling by every hour.

We grilled out one night and met my cousins daughter Nora. She loved Reaghan and kept calling her her little sister, and you can see that Reaghan liked the attention.

One of the highlights of our trip to Ohio this time around was getting to visit the Columbus Zoo. It's Jack Hanna's zoo and it is gigantic! We got there at 10:30 that morning and barely finished the last exhibit as the zoo was closing at 7pm that night.

Mark and Reaghan looking at the brown bears... be still my heart... <3

Eating lunch at one of the outside grills - burgers and sweet potato fries - yum!

We all had fun showing Reaghan the different animals... sometimes she was interested, other times not so much. ; )

All the monkey and ape exhibits were our favorite - we saw chimps, orangutans, gorillas, baboons  and little spider monkeys.

And check this out...

Shout out to the Columbus Zoo for thinking of the nursing moms! Reaghan has become less and less willing to nurse under the cover because she wants to know what every sound is that she hears while she's nursing. She will do it if I make her, but its so much easier to not have to worry about it. Plus it was a pretty hot July day and being under the nursing cover makes us both sweat! I was so thankful we came across this little air conditioned room right as Reaghan was getting hungry. It was awesome.

One of our favorite Ohio past times is going to the drive in movies. This was Mark and Adam's first time at a Drive In and they loved it!

We saw the Minion Movie and Jurassic World. 

Seriously, I wish there were more drive in's around this country. Why don't we have one here in Hampton Roads?! I would be a loyal customer.

We didn't spend 100% of the next week with just my dad's family... we stopped into visit with our other grandma a few times as well. Here we are with my mom's Uncle Jim in my Grandma's kitchen. He had brought over some big ol' juicy peaches and Reaghan loved them. Uncle Jim was quite smitten with Reaghan. : )

We also spent quite a few meals hitting all the local hot spots. These were my parents old stomping grounds and we always enjoy visiting these locations and listening to them share their memories whenever we are up there.

BK Root Beer stand for National Hot Dog Day...

The Spot has the best Old Fashioned Cream Pies you've ever tasted. I only ever eat these pies when we're in Ohio, but man do I love them. They're my dad's favorites as well. Nothing but cream and sugar - So. Good. ; )

My moms absolute, favorite place in the whole history of ever is Cassano's pizza. We eat it almost every day when we're in Ohio. I'm not even kidding. 

Usually we get it take-out, but we make it a point to eat in restaurant at least once while we're there.

 We went shopping one day, just the girls, while the guys were at some RV factory tour, and we got lunch at Culver's. A little hamburger and ice cream shop that I had actually never been too before. My Grandma Eileen and Aunt Linda met us there - its my grandma's favorite after church lunch spot.

We had a nice bon fire one night. It was the kind of country bon fire where the only lights around are the fire and the stars. We ate s'mores and played weird games of "Would You Rather" and "Who would you take to {insert random place here} if you were the last 2 people alive"... ugh..not my favorite games! haha but there were lots of laughs. 

 

The last night we were there, we got all matchy matchy and went down to Tawawa Park to get family pictures. My sister Mallory took them with her crazy photography skills and a tripod. We definitely want to get some of these printed off and framed for my grandparents. 

I love that Reaghan has her daddy's blue eyes.

Grandsons

Granddaughters.

Probably my favorite picture of the lot, thanks to my grandpa's smile. :)

We had an uneventful trip home, and Reaghan was just as good as she was on the way up there. I'm so thankful for my easy going girl. We took one more mini trip the weekend after getting home from Ohio, in which Reaghan and I wore pretty dresses and did some square dancing, you're not going to want to miss the pictures. :)