A Numbered Street

It's funny. I had originally said, when I found out that Savannah would be "home" for us for a while, that I wanted it to be for just a season. Maybe 5 years. Kev can get the experience he needs at Gulfstream, and then we're booking it back to hometown. Yeah...so funny.

Home buying has been on our radar for quite some time now. In the beginning, we thought we would remain in Pooler for an extended period of time, so we began looking in the older part of town because it's well...old. And we're into that sort of thing when it comes to home stylings. Plus, at the time, I was teaching in Pooler, Kev was working at the airport (also in Pooler), and we really felt like the Lord had great things in store for our community. We are also super attached to some really great folks we do a lot of life with and have really grown to love. Deeply. So living in this city (Pooler) just made sense for our family.

Ever since we found out we were pregnant back in December, it seems like more and more we've been drawn to live in the city of Savannah. I am no longer tied to working in Pooler (since I'll be a SAHM for a while) and we've begun to spend a whole lot of time there. Kev has been playing volleyball at Daffin Park on Mondays for a long, long time, and we're now a part of a Village Group (missional community) with Eden Village Church that meets regularly in Savannah. We've dreamed of moving closer to the city someday, and the Lord began to make that dream a reality for us over the course of the past several months. He's confirmed our doing so time and time again.

So we bought a house.

I've always wanted to live on a numbered street. Why? It just sounds so Savannian! Don't you think? And well, it just so happens that our favorite part of Savannah (midtown) is chalk full of numbered streets. As we began our house search in the area, many of the ones we looked at were in fact on a numbered street. Sweet! So a few months after we found out we were expecting, we looked, and looked...and looked. Our realtor, Kassie (Brooks) Peterson, who is also a dear friend from hometown who moved down here with her military hubby, was the best. She was so proactive and helpful in helping us find a house in the location we desired at a price we could afford. She and Kevin did a lot of the talking and coordinating, and most days, I was literally just along for the ride :). Looking around at all of the different houses was a blast. I felt like I was on one of those HGTV shows I watch all the time! So fun.

In May, we eventually stumbled upon a fixer-upper home (on a numbered street I might add), that had a lot of potential. Somewhere in there. We were sure of it. So sure in fact, that we made an offer on the house and the whole process began. We had accepted the fact that a fixer-upper was probably what we could afford right now. You know, get it up to par and at least ready to move into and then we can finish and make it feel more like "home" over the course of the following months or even years. All the while, crossing our fingers that the Property Brothers would come to town, meet us, and turn this house into our dream home. As you can imagine, that totally didn't happen. But we were ready to tackle such a project. Truly we were. People thought we were crazy (and we probably were a little bit) for taking on something so intense with the pending birth of our son being so close, but we really felt that pursuing this house was exactly what we were meant to do. It's not the house we ended up getting, but I have no doubt that we were meant to pursue it.

I'll (briefly) explain:
We went under contract on the fixer-upper and began the negotiating. After much discussion back and forth on this rickety little place, our "reno" window of opportunity was steadily closing. Several days would pass at times before we'd hear anything back from the seller's realtor about how they felt about our offer and what step we should take next (a part of our frustrations, yet a part of God's orchestrations). Offers were made and accepted. Stipulations were put into place and turned down. Minds and prices changed. It was a whirlwind. And it wasn't long before the deadline passed at which Kev and I felt comfortable with moving forward with such a project before Nolan's expected arrival. Meanwhile, Kassie, Kevin, and I began looking at other houses in order to continue our search should that other house fall through. And fall through it did. We made the decision to terminate that contract and pursue another all in the same day. All while standing in the living room of the house we now call "home."

There we were. Two people, disappointed that the other house hadn't worked out, but standing in a move-in ready home that probably would have been out of our financial reach and off of our radar had we not pursued the other. By now, it's practically mid-June. What finances we had intended to use for renovations, we could now use as a down payment on the home of our dreams. Was this really happening?! HOW was this happening?! So, we took a (giant) leap of faith and decided to make an offer on the newly discovered, waiting-to-be-lived-in, built-in-1951 home. We entered a bit of a bidding war (so HGTV-ish) and won, and so the waiting game commenced...once again. But I'll never forget the night the bidding war took place. The sellers had asked each buyer who had shown interest in the house (us and one other party) to put forth their best and final offer. Naturally, we felt a little overwhelmed at the unknown and feared making the wrong decision. But we knew what we felt comfortable paying and decided to stick to our guns. I will forever remember the prayer my husband prayed after we finished relaying the information to Kassie and got off the phone. He poured out his heart (and vicariously my own) about our desires for this home. His prayer wasn't about our desires to have a building to own or a place to call home. Our apartment provided just that. Instead, his prayer reiterated our desire for space to serve and to love and to get to know our neighbors in a community we truly believe we are meant to be a part of. Instead of asking the Lord to "give us this house" as I would have so easily prayed, Kevin recalled time after time after time when the Lord has been faithful in our lives. "Lord, you were faithful...*fill in the blank*...." Why should we doubt his faithfulness now? And so we rested. Literally. And reveled in the fact that our God is faithful. Whether we got the house or not.

The next morning, we found out that our bid had beaten the other and so, we went under contract and began the part of the process where we...you guessed it...wait. We set a closing date and closed ON TIME (a miracle in and of itself in the home-buying world, so I'm told). And as of just shy of a week ago, that beautiful little home on that adorably numbered street became our own.

Lord, you are faithful.

We've spent every day at the new house (along with some really great friends and family) cleaning and painting and preparing for our big move this weekend. I am *finally* able to begin working on Baby N's nursery, and have spent much of my time there propping up my swollen feet and being encouraged by the company and conversation we've already had within those walls.
I'm overwhelmed with thankfulness, and I can't wait to begin making that house our home. Although, I think it's already become that for us.

Welcome home.

I never want to forget this story. And I never want to forget that God is so good and so much to us.

Including our Provider.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:26-34

A Bumpdate: Month 8

Ah, summertime. 

Dates with lovely lady friends. Afternoon naps. New trial-and-error recipes. 4th of July (and a killer celebration to go with). Out-of-town visits from some of my favorite people. 

And my day-to-day with a belly that is taking over. 

The heat is officially not my friend. And that's ok. I've just had a hard time embracing the fact that I feel, well, pregnant. I've been bee-bopping along for about 31 weeks straight without a pregnancy care in the world (thank you, Lord). And while I'm well aware of the fact that I could be experiencing symptoms way worse than the ones that have recently shown face, it still stinks having to recognize them as a part of me. For now at least. The aches and pains are the toughest to tolerate. But tolerate them I will. Not because I don't have a choice, but because it means that our baby boy is growing and thriving. 

I know because my body reminds me almost every moment of every day :). 

Lots more updates to come in the near future, but for now I'll end with a few highlights of my pregnancy as of late.

I love what a couple of ladies I follow do in their blogs when it comes to their preggo updates, so for this entry, I thought I'd try it!

How far along: 

33 weeks (month 8!)

Name: 

Nolan Dorsey Dickerson

Wearing: 

A friend let me borrow a pair of maternity yoga-type pants, and I have been LIVING in those. I recently (finally) bought a new pair of pajama pants that FIT and bring me so much nighttime joy. I love my maternity shorts, and skirts are a fave too. Anything to help me beat the heat and feel less constricted.

Sleeping?

Eh. Most nights, yes, with at least one wake-up in the middle that's due to my overactive bladder or jumping jacking son. Or probably both.

Movement:

Heck to the YES. So, so much. Hiccups still happen on the regular and I absolutely love to feel them. One thing Nolan does not lack? Strength. And wiggle room. I still love watching my belly dance.

Cravings:

More like "fixations." I'll get hooked on a thing or two for about a week or so before finding something new to love. These days, I want lemonade, chips & salsa, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. 

And no. Thankfully not at the same time :). I'm hoping to long for healthier things again soon.

Symptoms: 

Affectionally termed (by me) "swolled up," I'm doing my best to embrace the swollen appendages. Most days, my chubby feet do make me chuckle.

What I'm loving:

Our bedtime routine. Kev and I read Baby N a story every night before calling it a day.

What's new:

Couponing. I'm determined to make this a weekly habit in an effort to contribute to our family financially in a super practical way. I actually kind of enjoy it and hope to get my act together more and more each week. The savings are coming in baby steps.

Confession:

I've set the Divergent series to the side for now and started reading my first parenting book (tonight, actually). I received the book, On Becoming Baby Wise as a gift and have heard really great things about it. Here's to trying new things!

Looking forward to:

Our birthing class in a couple of weekends! And the baby shower being thrown by the sweetest ladies in Savannah! Seriously love my community here and the people we get to do life with.

4 Years Married

June 26.

Today's date marks the best party I have ever attended, the most fun I have ever had, and the most confident decision I have ever made. In many ways it feels like the time has flown by, but at the same time, it seems like it has always been this way. Haven't I always been doing life married to this remarkable man? I can't imagine things any other way.

It's natural for days like this to cause me to reminisce about the past and dream about the future. Not too long ago, I asked Kevin about the day we first said "I love you" to each other. Where were we? Who said it first? What was the context? Because well...I couldn't remember. Kev did though. I did remember the part about it taking three whole days after we were officially dating for us to drop the "L-bomb" as a sweet friend of mine so affectionately calls it. THREE DAYS. I always say he was so easy to fall in love with. 

And it's the truth.

And he is still so easy to love. Yes. Marriage is the best. And yes. Waking up married to Kevin Dickerson is hands-down my favorite part about my everyday. But marriage is also hard. And it is the most vulnerable thing I have ever been a part of. The more difficult parts only emphasize our need for a Savior. And the more beautiful parts only emphasize just how good He is to us. And there is no one else on the whole planet I would rather be on this sanctifying journey with than the man I call my husband.

So, happy 4 year anniversary, my love. My whole heart is yours, but somehow you find a way to steal it away time and time again. 

You are my best friend. 

I'll love you forever and ever... 

Hometown Hoopla!

I feel like I'm coming out of being the best "good kind of busy" I've been in a while. Our lives have followed a winding road these days full of twists and turns that have pointed us in just about every direction except for the same one. Hopefully, I can shed more light on that later :). But between learning how to manage and pay bills (a baton Kev is officially passing on to me), organizing the mountains of paperwork needing to be filed and shredded in our home office, and washing and categorizing (by size of course) Nolan's new wardrobe and other goodies, I am finally able to sit down and write about where many of the cute baby things that I keep oooo-ing and awww-ing over nowadays came from.

My family threw an incredible baby shower for our boy. A HUGE shoutout to my sister, Shannon, and my cousin, Kristin, for all of their hard work in orchestrating such a celebration. I know there are SO many other people to thank, but it would be impossible to name them all. From the detailed decor to the delicious breakfast food to the manicured lawn to the overwhelming amount of gifts, so many loved ones contributed to the beauty of that Saturday. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU. When Shannon asked me where I wanted to have the shower, there was no doubt in my mind of the perfect spot. At the farm where countless family gatherings have taken place and where, now, my own parents and brother reside. I figured, why not add to the memories already there?

Over 30 women (and Clay) gathered together on the morning of Saturday, June 7th. It was all around the most beautiful day. The ladies. The decorations. The weather. Simply beautiful. We had the BEST time. I saw so many faces I haven't seen in practically forever and my soul was so refreshed by the day and time spent with so many people I love. Sometimes words just aren't enough and pictures tell the story best. 

Here are a few of my faves that were captured on my sister's camera:

There are still so many pictures I'd love to post! These are just a taste of the fun that was had. 

I literally cannot thank everyone enough. I love y'all!

So I think that pretty much catches me up on the happenings as of late. I spent this past Friday night and Saturday at Jacksonville (Jax) Beach, Florida cheering Kev on as he competed in his first ever beach volleyball tournament. A few of our friends competed as well. It was HOT. But the weather was absolutely beautiful. Nolan and I hung in there, no sweat (I definitely don't mean that literally). I hope it will be the first of many tourneys Kevin participates in. I REALLY enjoyed watching him play and feel like I learn more and more about the game each time I view it. And I'm his biggest fan...duh. It's fun to imagine Nolan joining us. We're praying he loves the sand as much as Daddy does!

And speaking of my two favorite guys, I'll end with this:

Last night, Kevin was especially exhausted after a long day at work and an evening spent playing sand volleyball at Daffin Park (our Monday night hang-out spot). We were at home laying on the couch watching the Braves game. Kev fell asleep within a few minutes of getting comfy, but not until after he whispered, with his hand resting gently on my belly, "With your two boys." He took the words right out of my mouth. Nolan was wiggling around like crazy as his daddy fell asleep, but just as Kev began to sleep, Nolan stopped moving. I like to think he fell asleep, too. So I wrapped up my Monday with both of my guys snuggled close and sleeping soundly. Perfection.

Ignorance is Bliss?

Well hello there, third trimester.

I can hardly believe we've reached that point already. Tri = 3, which means we're in the third part of three, which means we're in the home stretch! WOW. 

Look at us go, little boy. Look at us go.

And look at me GROW. 

People still think I look "small" for being 7 months along, but most hours of most days I beg to differ. I feel HUGE. Huge...but great. I know, I know. It's still really early in the game, and I'm just barely entering the season of pregnancy that most women dread. But I can honestly say that I am thoroughly enjoying being pregnant. Do I love the lack of sleep because I'm not a very good side sleeper? Of course not. Not to mention the fact that cuddling with my husband is kind of out of the question right now. Do I love how exhausted I feel after I climb the stairs? And the way the balls of my feet and heels hurt from carrying all of this extra weight? Who would? 

Besides all the little woes I experience (that ultimately seem inevitable), I have absolutely no complaints. Yet ;). Talk to me in a handful of weeks, and perhaps I'll sing a different tune. But for now...I'm still infatuated with this bumpity bump and with the crazy dances my belly does (especially at night). I love feeling the hiccups and squirming of our growing, healthy baby. His strength is increasing and his routines are setting in. And the best part? Is that I finally have time during the day to pause and enjoy it all. I can't be anything but thankful. 

And as I enter this last trimester, something dawned on me. I've officially decided that for me, when it comes to this thing called pregnancy, ignorance is most definitely bliss. I have a confession to make: I haven't read the first book about being pregnant, child birthing, or any of those things. I just haven't had any desire to. And I've come to the the realization that for me and for my personality, some things are just better unread, unsaid, and unknown. It keeps me from having unrealistic expectations, especially when things aren't going the way "that book" said they would. I promise I'm not bashing the books, or the blogs, or whatever may suit your fancy. They can be great! And helpful! And most are chalk full of all kinds of useful information. But maybe, just maybe, during this season of my life, I can alleviate some of the fear that I'm so often so prone to give in to. I'll read blogs from time to time and my daily prego update on my handy dandy app (of course), but other than that, in that way, I feel like I have done the bare minimum to prepare. 

My absolute favorite sources from which to glean wisdom and learn are the first-hand experiences in the lives of those nearest and dearest to my heart. Time spent with friends and family who will let me ask a multitude of questions and who will often times gracefully bare their hearts in answering them is priceless. And I need you ladies to know how much I so appreciate your vulnerability, your advice, and your willingness to let me sit at your feet (sometimes literally) and just act like a sponge, soaking it all in. I have gained more from listening to and doing life with each of you than I could ever learn in any birthing book. I pray that throughout my journey, you will remind me that I can't, but God did. And that I'm not (or I am) because of what Jesus has already done. My prayer is that we'll be confident in speaking the Gospel into one another's lives as we journey together. 

p.s. If there ARE any awesome parenting books out there that I should know about...

by all means...tell a sister! :)

A New Profession: SAHM

So, I said goodbye to my fourth round of students yesterday. It's so crazy to think that I've already taught four whole years, and yet, it feels like so many more. My first year teaching 6th grade science at Bartlett Middle in a new city within the context of a brand new marriage seems like ages ago. But I remember that craziness like it was yesterday. I've spent the last three years within the same four walls, teaching the same subject, under the same principal, at the same school. (Man, I love consistency.) Godley Station is where I found my teaching home and really had the chance to establish roots in my career. I grew to love 8th graders (it's the truth) and Physical Science. I'm also so incredibly thankful for the lifelong friendships I've established there. But it hasn't really hit me yet. The fact that I won't return to teaching next school year. But come August, when everyone else is tidying up their classrooms, welcoming the new faces, and establishing routines, I'm sure I'll grow a little sad. The first day of school is totally my favorite. But my sadness won't last long. Nope. Because our baby boy will be joining us shortly after the new school year begins. 

Aaaaaand cue my cheesy grin.

For those of you who may not know, I have dreamed of being a stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) one day. And to finally have that dream become a reality? Well, it's a little unreal. Don't get me wrong. I haven't been dreaming about it as in counting down the days to not teaching anymore. Teaching is something that I truly love. I wanted to get a few years in on purpose. People think I'm crazy, but (most days) middle schoolers really are the best. Saying "goodbye" to teaching and "hello" to mommyhood in the same breath is most definitely bittersweet. But as each day to meeting Nolan creeps closer and closer, it's most certainly getting sweeter. 

Yes, I would like to go back to teaching. When? I have no clue. 

That all depends on:

A. Whether or not being a stay-at-home-mom is a good fit for me

B. How many kids we have

C. Whether or not I'll wait to go back once they're each in school

But I do know that I am ecstatic, fearful, anxious (you name it) to embrace the changes that are yet to come. The hardships that are sure to show face. And the adjustments that are sure to bombard us. The Lord has shown us grace upon grace upon grace as we enter this new chapter in our lives. The peace that Kev and I feel as we do so can only be of the Lord. There are just so many "unknowns" to it all still. But then, that's the beauty of it, isn't it? 

Lord, grow us, strengthen us, and teach us to abide in You as we trust that...

...the best is yet to come.

I am a mommy.

Four of my favorite words. Especially yesterday.

I celebrated my very first Mother's Day! 

I am a mommy, after all :).

I have to give a special shout-out to my very own mama-belle (hehe, she secretly hates it when I call her that). But I love it. She is a beauty, inside and out. She is steady and confident and radiates her Savior's love in a way I've always cherished and admired. Thank you, Mama, for setting such a beautiful standard for me. You truly are so graceful in your mommyhood. I hope I can be half as graceful in mine.

I love you to the moon.

As I ponder being a mom, the word "transparency" keeps coming to mind. One day my "mommyhood" will become more real, more tangible. The day Nolan is in our arms and meets us face to face, I can only imagine all of the emotions we will feel. But I pray that from day one, I carry a transparency and vulnerability as a mom that reveals not my need to do better. Not my need to be a good mom. But my constant need for a Savior. I pray that I'm not afraid to fail in front of my husband and my son. But instead, my hope is that I'll be a mom who practices repentance. And that the Gospel will prevail in our home. It's a bold prayer, but it's a deep desire in my heart for our family. May we always strive to rest in what Christ has already done for us on that cross.

I'll close with a few highlights from my Mother's Day (but weekend-long) celebration. 

On Saturday we hit the beach for several hours (Nolan's first beach trip!) to watch friends play in a (legit) volleyball tournament.

(Side note: I may have been a little too excited to try out my new bathing suit!) 

And Sunday consisted of:

 breakfast in bed

seafood at Fiddler's

and a relaxing evening at home (power outages and all).

And all with my handsome baby-daddy.

Oh...and my first Mother's Day gift? It was definitely a surprise since we had promised no gifts. But...considering it brought me to tears and filled my heart with more joy than it could handle...I guess I can let this broken promise slide ;). 

I love you too, sweet boy.