I have the most incredible friends in the world. Matt and I moved here just 3 1/2 years ago, and in that small amount of time we have made some of the most lasting, meaningful relationships of our lives. It was hard for me to leave home and family and friends and make this move to NW Arkansas, but I just had no idea what all God had in store for us… namely people who would care and love us through the hard times (such as Grandma’s death) and times of celebration (such as Jeb’s birth). This Saturday, I had my THIRD baby shower for Jeb given by my friends Erin, Sara, Sherrilleta, and Sarah (also my sister-in-law). Before that, the ladies in our connection group at FBCS gave me and two other of my ‘expecting’ friends a shower, and that same day, the ladies in Matt’s office, along with a host of teachers, gave us a shower in the administration office at Shiloh. I literally went from having nothing for this child to having more than enough in a week’s time. I am truly truly grateful to EVERYONE. Right now, for me, there is no better gift than friendships and the love and support that comes with them. So, from my friends and family to everyone at Shiloh, thank you, thank you! Matt, the girls, and I appreciate you so much… and I know Jeb will, too!

Today is Matt’s 28th birthday. I posted a few pictures of us over these past 6 1/2 years, and get ready b/c I’m about to brag on my husband… If I had to sum it all up in a few words I would have to say, ‘he just gets it’. He gets what is important in life and not important and sets that tone in our home. I never have to remind him to spend more time with the girls or me or that work or play time isn’t as important as family time. He is just here for us and not because I force him or shame him into it, but because this is right where he wants to be. I am so completely blessed and do not at all deserve the blessing he is. Not only does he allow me to stay home with the kids, he wouldn’t have it any other way and supports me in that endeavor along with my writing and anything else I want to pursue. He doesn’t put a lot of emphasis into material things, but instead focuses on ‘forever’ things like his girls and me and relationship with God. I could go on and on, but the bottom line is, I have the best husband in the world and am so very very grateful and undeserving. Happy Birthday, Matt.

Our turn to post snow pictures! The girls LOVED playing outside, and yes, we have our own snowman. I may have talked a big game about him, (Sharon), but the poor little guy is really pathetic. All I could find was an old Razorback hat and some celery. Bless his little snow heart.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Matt gets to stay home tomorrow again. Siloam schools are already closed. We had so much fun all being at home together today. We even made snow ice cream, which Matt hates but the girls and I love. (Of course I couldn’t have any b/c of the sugar, but it was fun for Belle and Dru.)

Ok, so I think the Slaughter snowman definitely wins out over the Kennedy and Scogin snowman. He just has more character. The celery put him over the top.

This entry is mainly for family and people who knew my Grandma. Otherwise, it will probably bore others. I’ve been feeling pretty nostalgic lately, going through pictures and videos. (I think it’s because Jeb is almost here, and I have been missing Grandma so much.) I found this video of her that I recorded in 2003. She had just had her open heart surgery and was still recovering. I was doing a paper on people who were convinced they had encountered an angel, and the professor made us record the interviews. I’m so glad he did now. I’ve watched this video so many times I have it memorized. Belle and Dru ask me all the time to play it for them. I told my mom that I would put it out here for her to see, along with some other family members. Click here to watch.

Aside from a few decorative items here and there, Jeb’s room is pretty much done. We really like how it has turned out–sort of rustic, woodsy, ALL boy. The bedding is Sky Forest by Dwell and is just perfect for what we wanted. Matt did the letters above the crib. (For anyone who doesn’t know, Jeb is being named after my Grandpa whose name is James Earl Burris… We just used his initials.) Then the curtain rod is actually a peach tree limb from Grandpa’s backyard. The picture frames on the wall are from Matt’s Grandpa John and Granny Pat, so everything sort of has a purpose. Imagine that. I thought I’d go ahead and post a few pictures.

Other than a little hospital stay on Monday that ended with an ultrasound and finally an “everything is fine” from the doctor, things have been good–that is, aside from having to watch everything I eat and feeling hungry most of the time. I would KILL for a box… no a crate… of Milk Duds.

The only other news we have, I suppose, is that Matt is training for the Hogeye marathon this April. So, he is losing weight like crazy as I gain. He is getting up every morning around 5am and running for miles and miles in this FRIGID weather. I’m proud of him. I think he’s crazy, but I’m proud of him.

We have a big weekend planned… a marriage retreat in Branson. Hopefully we’ll have some fun news after.

Everyone has been so sweet asking me about my gestational diabetes. Here’s the latest… I was finally able to get in to see the endocrinologist on Wednesday, and things have really been going well ever since. He was wonderful and probably spent 45 minutes with Matt and me going over all concerns. Basically he told us that the insulin shots I have been taking were doing me no good, and that for my case, I needed a specialized plan. To make a long story short, I am now taking five shots a day… one in the morning and one before bed and one before every meal. It sounds bad, but it’s really not. I give them to myself… Matt is now banned from all shot-giving.

The specialist told us that he should have my sugars regulated within the week, and as soon as that happens, Jeb’s pancreas will go back to normal which means a healthy baby. If we would have continued with the high sugars, there was a very good chance that he could have been born hypoglycemic and would have arrived as a sick little boy. AND all this is supposed to go away as soon as I deliver.

Jeb is due February 25, but I will be induced at least a week early. And I have to say, this baby can’t get here soon enough. We are working on the little guy’s nursery, and I will post pictures when we finish!

Wow. Over the past two days, our family has had its share of storms. Last night, the girls and I spent over an hour in the bathtub with a mattress nearby, while tornado sirens blared and policemen circled the neighborhood with loud speakers telling everyone to “take cover now.” Praise God, the rough stuff missed us.

Then this morning, Grandpa called me with news that a tornado had just touched down only half a mile (at most) from his house in Appleton, AR. Apparently, the damage is horrible, and a friend of the family was killed. As far as we can tell, there was little if no warning. We are SO blessed that it missed Grandpa’s home, but he is pretty upset about the effect it had on his friends and their homes and property. Thank you to everyone who called/emailed/texted me today to check on him and also to those who called him and went by to see him. That really meant a lot to me (since I am a few hours away) and to him as well. Please say a prayer for everyone affected, especially the Carters who lost a member of their family.

(The picture is what is left of a little church that sat beside a cemetery near Grandpa’s home. Grandma and I went there many times for decorations, and I’m told it was over 100 years old. So sad that it’s gone.)

The bed is finished! Matt did SUCH a great job, and the girls are so excited. He decided to put a little roof on it, along with lighting on the inside and on the edge of the roof. It turned out better than I ever imagined. (Not that I ever doubted Matt’s handyman abilities.) And the grand total (along with all paint and lighting) was only $300! The Pottery Barn bed was over $1,000, so we did pretty well.

I am so proud of my husband, and the girls think their daddy is the coolest guy ever. Way to go, Matt. (By the way, I added our 2007 pictures to our picture site. Enjoy.)

I thought I had better hurry and post a “before” picture of the bed making process since Matt and his helpers are making such fast progress. It has been a loud, crazy morning here. Can’t wait to see the finished product!

I can’t believe Christmas came and went so fast. Belle and Dru had a ball being with family and opening gifts, and that makes it special for us. We were able to spend 4 days at Grandpa’s with Aunt Shirley and Uncle RC, and the girls were sad to leave them. (I wish my family lived closer.) At one point, a cousin of ours walked in and Belle said, “Hey! Paw-paw’s at the store, and Memaw’s not here either. She’s up in heaven.” I am so glad they still think of her when they go to that house. It’s hard not having her there… especially at Christmas. But we made it through and had a really nice time. Even Grandpa… I think. And Christmas morning at Gigi’s was a hit, as usual!

As far as an update on my gestational diabetes, the shots twice a day aren’t so bad, and I’ve gotten used to sticking my fingers 5-7 times a day. But for some reason, my blood sugar levels are all over the charts… one minute too high, the next too low. I saw my doctor on Wednesday, and she was “concerned” enough to make an appointment for me to see an endocrinologist. Hopefully he will be able to help me get the numbers under control. When they are too high or too low, I end up either unable to keep my eyes open or sick and shaky. Also, because of the “risks to the baby”, I have to go in twice a week now and let them monitor his movements and heartbeat for about 20 minutes at a time. I think this is just normal procedure, but it definitely doesn’t make me feel warm and fuzzy. I just want this little guy to get here healthy as can be.

Other than Christmas and Baby Jeb, the only other exciting event transpiring in the Slaughter house is Matt’s decision to undertake building the girls’ bunk beds. Yes, my 3 1/2 year old is still in a crib that must now be made ready for an actually baby! Belle and Dru will be rooming together now. We searched NW Arkansas for a bed we liked and came up empty, so Matt just decided to build one. I picked out one in Pottery Barn, and he’s using that as his pattern. He’s pretty “handy”, so I’m not worried. I’ll keep you updated though. It still may get interesting!

That’s it… our generic Christmas posting. I hope everyone had a great one.