So much to be thankful for!

Yes, I realize it is already December and yes, I realize I haven't posted anything about Thanksgiving so here goes...

We have so much to be thankful for this year! I have an amazing husband who loves me more than I ever thought possible and he is an incredible daddy to our precious baby girl! Joy Elizabeth is the sunshine in our lives and we thank God for her daily! Our puppy, Beau, is growing into quite a fun (and funny) big brother. We have a beautiful home filled with love. We are healthy (for the most part). We have the love and support of family and friends. We have a Heavenly Father that is the Giver of all things great and wonderful and the Teacher of life's many lessons. We really do have so much to be thankful for!

Picture from Thanksgiving at the lake... Joy Elizabeth's first thanksgiving!

Cheesy... but true!

I feel certain you have seen the vinyl wall decals that you can decorate your house with... they seem to be everywhere these days. While I think some of them are really cute and creative and I do want one for my family picture wall... some of them are super cheesy...

But true...

"All because two people fell in love" I suppose it should really read

"All because it was God's plan"

but I'm guessing that wouldn't sell as many wall decals (unfortunately).

Tears of Joy

Even before Joy Elizabeth was born, we received an abundance of cards wishing us all the best with our new addition... but yesterday I opened a letter from a gentleman Jason works with and it brought tears of joy to my eyes.

The letter began with the typical congratulations but then the gentleman continued with this quote...

"It is no small thing to hold someone so fresh from the presence of God."

We have been blessed beyond our best dreams and we thank God daily for our family. Our family verse is Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you, not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." We hold tight to the knowledge that He alreadys knows the plans for our family and that He was gracious enough to include Joy Elizabeth in those plans.

What's cooking, good looking?

Joy Elizabeth is getting to be such a big girl! She was even helping mommy cooking sausage balls the other day for a friend who just a baby boy! We had a great time that morning in the kitchen! I can't wait for the day she can really cook with mommy!

She's still not quite big enough for her high chair... and I can't tell from this expression what she actually thinks of it yet either! No matter what she might be thinking... she is absolutely adorable!

We love...

Mama Mary
Aunt Caroline and Aunt McCay

Mr. Paul

Joy Elizabeth and I had a great visit and hope to see everyone very, very soon! WE LOVE YOU!

Happy Halloween!

Joy Elizabeth had a fun filled first Halloween!

Our neighborhood had a pumpkin carving party... the kids got dressed up in their costumes and paraded around the square, carved pumpkins, drank apple cider... it was a lot of fun! Joy Elizabeth went to the party as our little pumpkin!Our sweet neighbors gave Joy Elizabeth a very cute ladybug costume so she had to change into it to go "trick-or-treating" (aka- visit the neighbors that gave her the costume!)! She was super cute!
We ended the evening by passing out candy to all of the big kids that stopped by! It was a great Halloween!

Happy Baby!

We love that Joy Elizabeth is getting old enough to really coo, smile, and even... on occasion... laugh! She is absolutely precious and we have never seen anything as sweet as our Joy Elizabeth!

Newest Yellow Jacket

Fall is officially here which means that it is football season!!! Meet the newest (and prettiest) Yellow Jacket... The first game of the season... we weren't there but Joy Elizabeth was decked out in her GT outfit to watch the Jackets with her daddy!

So far it hasn't been the best season for the Jackets but we're hoping to take Joy Elizabeth to her first game soon!

Going home

Our stay at Piedmont couldn't have been any better but we were so excited about heading home with our Joy Elizabeth!
Thank you so much to everyone that came by to visit us and all the goodies and treats you brought us! We are so blessed by each of you!

1 month

Joy Elizabeth is getting bigger and prettier with every passing day! At our one month doctor's appointment she weighed 11 pounds and measured 22 inches long! We couldn't believe it but we are so super happy that she is healthy and growing as she should be!

Our bundle of... JOY!

Welcome to the world Joy Elizabeth Stanfield! God blessed us with our sweet baby Joy on August 26, 2010 at 7:52pm. She weighed in at 8 pounds 1 ounce and was 20 1/4 inches long. She is amazing and we are so in love with her.

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27

Let the waiting begin...

As of today, we officially have 2 weeks until our "due date"! 14 days... 336 hours... Not that I'm counting! I have had a very easy pregnancy (as far as I can compare with the other stories you hear and read about) but the days are getting much longer and more tiring and my poor ankles (cankles) and feet are getting much larger!

The nursery is totally done and the bags are packed (for me, daddy, Baby, and Beau)... the call lists have been figured out and printed, forms have been filled out and turned in, my school work is quickly becoming complete... what else is there to do but wait?

Everyone tells us to enjoy these last few weeks because life will never be the same. We are enjoying our last few weeks as a family of 3 but we have been looking forward to being a family of 4 for so long...

Everyone also tells me to sleep now, while I can... sleeping doesn't come easy these days but I'm trying to pack it all in (although I know it won't actually help once our little bambino gets here).

And everyone has an opinion... we're having a girl... no, we're having a boy... I'm going to deliver early... just kidding, I'm going to be late... The speculation can be amusing but really - does it matter? Our baby will be here when he or she decides to get here... I'm just hoping without having to induce.

So, the waiting begins... or should I say, the waiting continues...

Small Group Shower

We had a great time at the shower for Baby J that was hosted by our wonderful small group! We have been so blessed to get to know these couples and "do life" with them for nearly 2 years now! They have become family to us and I don't know what we would do without their love and support! We have celebrated life's highs and consoled each other through some lows. We have prayed together and played together and Jason and I have loved every minute of it all! Thank you doesn't seem to do justice to just how truly grateful we feel for all that each of you do for us and Baby J! You are all precious friends and we are so thankful that each of you will play a part in our child's life!

Our shower was perfect and we are now as ready as we'll ever be to meet our little blessing! Thank you so much! We love you all!

How Sweet It Is!

How sweet it is to be loved by ALL of you!!! Two of my dearest friends threw me (and Baby) and shower "just for the girls"! It was wonderful! We had a great time talking and eating and more eating and talking! It was a lot of fun! Here are a few pictures...

The hostesses with the mostest! Thank you Becky and Tracey! It was so much fun... and yummy!So glad the Leslie girls were there! Is it really a party without you? I didn't think so! Teacher of the Year! Where would I be without your gentle (and accurate) guidance and wisdom! From the beginning... God knew the plan and I'm so thankful it included the two of you! It was a surprise to see Miss Kaci! And I'm so glad she was able to be there for her cousin's shower!Even Miss Olivia gave Baby a "happy"! Baby J cannot wait to meet you!!! I was just a teeny bit excited about this! I LOVE this diaper bag! Thanks Leslies! You know me so well!Somehow I didn't get a picture with our cousin, Andrea... but she has already begun to spoil Baby J rotten! Now, I am so super glad we get to return the favor and spoil sweet baby BROOKS!!! I cannot wait!A fun box... just the right size for Miss Kaci! (see... everyone had a great time!)How precious is this?! Becky's mom is so super talented that she made these cupcakes for the shower! Perfect... even down to the itty bitty toes and bottle! So special... I loved them!

Thank you all for a fun afternoon! It was a great time and I know I have said it before but I really cannot wait for Baby J to meet all of you! You mean the world to me and I love you all dearly!

Poured down like rain!

God's word says in Deuteronomy 28:2, "All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the Lord your God." Blessings certainly poured down like rain during our shower at Jason's offifce. We are both so thankful to work with people that love the Lord and that love us... Thank you to everyone who helped make this day so special and memorable for us! It was just perfect in every way!
And a special thank you to Mrs. Alley... the "Martha" behind it all and Roger... Jason couldn't ask for a better boss! You are wonderful and we appreciate you more than you know!
Now we are looking forward to introducing Baby to this part of our family!

4th of July (a little late)

Our July 4th begins rather early... But let me preface it by saying that I am not a runner. I run when I am chased but other than that, I am not a runner. My cute hubby on the other hand, is a wonderful runner! He had been training for the Peachtree and ran it in exceptional time this year!

It was a great way to start a great day! We (our friends Steph, Caroline, Cliff, & Jack) watched and cheered as Jason, Tim (Steph's hubby), and Erica (Cliff's wife) all ran by on their way to the finish line!

Later, we took it easy and grilled out with our newlywed friends (and neighbors) LJ & Leslie. The weather was so nice we decided to eat dinner on the deck and enjoy our sparklers!