Marriage

We have only been married for 6 1/2 years, so I don't have a lot of room to offer tips on a successful marriage, but I think we are doing pretty good.

Before we got married, Jason was heavily involved in ministry as the youth pastor. When we got married we both (pretty quickly) were in ministry full time. We've had 2 kids in 6 years and one on the way.

Life does not slow down at the Powers house. Ever.

However, I love our life. I love the ups and downs too because we have learned a lot from them. There is so much involved in our lives that it can be easy for me to see it all jumbled together, but I recently decided I would capture what the Lord has done in our short time.

Lessons I've learned (that I don't want to EVER forget):

*Be on the same side of the table. We aren't enemies, so fight for each other. Not against.

*Choose your battles. This is so true and I have seen it work.

*Plan dates. It just doesn't happen out of then air. I used to think it would...but it doesn't.

*Don't hint. Period.

*Be best friends.

*Make him grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup....cause that's his favorite.

*Know each others Love Languages...

Jason's love languages are Acts of Service and Affirmation. Jason loves it when he comes home to a clean home and loves it even more when I have affirmed his decisions or conversations he has had with people...even our children.

*Be affectionate. A hug & a kiss go a long way everyday.

*Support one another when hard times come.

*Make good financial decisions. There is nothing worse than fighting about money. So be smart.

*Put God first. Always, always, always, always.

I hope I remember all these things. Sometimes I forget even though I've lived them! I love my husband more than anything. He is in so many ways my prince charming. Sometimes I want to kick him, but I can't imagine my life without him. I am so thankful for a husband who really loves me, but loves God more.

Reagan Elizabeth

Now it's Reagan's turn to be in the spot light. :)

Dear sweet Reagan,

Here's a look at your life at almost 2 years old.

You Love:

-Your blanket. (BB)

-Your pacifier. (Mimi)

-Daddy

-Bubba

-Sitting on our laps and snuggling.

-Watching Backyardigans.

-Attention.

-Chocolate Milk.

-Any kind of fruit.

-M&M's.

-Your cousin Abby.

-Singing 'Jesus Loves Me'.

-Taking baths.

-Swimming.

-Being the boss.

-Going to the store with Mommy.

You like:

-Having your hair done. You like bows and wearing cute shoes.

You do not love:

-Being without your mimi or bb.

-Sitting in your carseat.

-Listening.

-Not being paid attention to.

-Drinking any kind of soda.

Reagan, words I use to describe you include:

sweet, beautiful, funny, curious, very smart, bossy, stubborn, leader.

Some words that describe how I feel about you are:

-Adore

-Love

-Excited to see the woman you become.

-Blessed

-SO thankful!

Reagan, words cannot even begin to fully describe the love I have for you. You are our sweet baby girl! Your daddy is madly in love with you and you have him wrapped around your finger for sure. Everyday you surprise me with the new things that your learn. You are smart and beautiful. I know that God is going to use you in mighty ways. We are so thankful for you!

Feeling Better.

This is me. This is me finally starting to feel better. Thank you, Jesus.

(Photo Courtesy of Jackson)

16 1/2 weeks. Baby is now the size of an avocado. Crazy.

Kids started MDO.

I started my music class at River City Believers Academy.

All is well.

Baby #3 Update

I am not keeping a journal with this baby. I know, shame on me. I think this blog is a great place to keep myself updated and will be a memory to look back on. So, here is an update on baby #3.

How far along am I? The last 2 times I have been to the Dr. they have told me they are still not completely sure what my due date is. He said it could be anywhere from January 15th to February 5th. I'm going with January 30th because that is what it's measuring at, which would put me at 15 weeks and 6 days.

How am I feeling? So, I am finally out of that 1st trimester, but unfortunately not feeling 100% yet. I wish I could say that I had more energy and wasn't feeling sick anymore, but that would not be true. However, there are better days.

What are we having? We will find out soon what we are having. Actually, we are still debating on whether or not to find out. I think it would be pretty cool to be surprised, but then there is another part of me that really wants to know. So, we will see. We do have names picked out, but we will keep that a little secret for now.

What do we want? Jason really wants another boy. I want another boy too, but honestly I don't care all that much. It would be really interesting to see what Reagan would do with another girl.

What am I craving? Chick-fil-a lemonade, orange juice, fruit, salad, Bill Miller Potato & Egg Tacos, spaghetti, sparkling waters, frozen lemonade. Anything cold and refreshing. I do not like sodas, a lot of mexican, heavy food or anything that comes back up.

So, that's where we are at right now. I was recently blessed with some AWESOME maternity clothes. I am so excited to wear them!!! All in all, things are pretty good. The baby is the size of an apple right now and has a great heartbeat. :) We are blessed.

Jackson David

I saw this on someone elses blog and thought it was so sweet. I haven't really updated my kids lately and I don't want to forget all the things I love about them and where they are at at this age. I'll start with Jackson.

Dear Jackson,

Here's a look at your life at 4 years old.

You Love:

-Your sister.

-Your daddy.

-Drumsticks & drumming.

-Your Buzz Lightyear light-up shoes.

-Music

-Pizza

-Doing puzzles.

-Being at the pool, but not off the steps.

-Writing your letters.

-Watching Backyardigans and singing along.

-Anything superhero. Specifically, Batman.

-Having spiky hair.

-Crawling in bed with mommy.

-Chocolate milk.

-Your cousins, Abby & Carson.

-Going to Target.

-Popsicles.

-M&M's.

-Hanging out at church with us.

-The funny names Daddy gives you.

You like:

-Annie Rairdon, a little girl that is a year older than you. She has 5 other little boys that like her too, but I think you would be super cute together and we love their family. You tell me, "Annie's pretty and her hair is yellow like mine."

You do not love:

-The dark.

-Being alone.

-Strawberries or any kind of berry really.

-Going to bed.

-Scary faces or scary cartoon villans.

-Being told no.

-Being at home all day.

Jackson, words I use to describe you include:

Silly, happy, dramatic, eager, imaginative, sensitive, joyful, loving, cuddly, smart, handsome, fun.

Some words that describe how I feel about you are:

-Love.

-Overwhelmed.

-Proud.

-Thankful.

-Blessed.

Jackson, you are my sweet, smart boy. I am so in love with you and so thankful that God chose you to be our son. Daddy and I love you more than anything. I can not wait to see where God leads you and what he teaches you!

A little bit of our summer

We took a little summer vacation last week. We actually didn't leave San Antonio, but it was still fun and we did it together. That's all that really matters anyway. :)

*Jason and I took a Sunday off and had tickets to Schlitterbahn. We dropped the kids off and headed to New Braunfels with our friends, The Conants. I love it there. I really would love to see our family living there one day. We ended up staying at a Bed & Breakfast in the town square and ate dinner at the amazing Huisache Grill . It was a much needed night away for us. We had a lot of fun at Schlitterbahn. I couldn't ride much because I'm pregnant, but any time in the water is fun. The B&B was awesome and the company was even better.

*Tuesday, we spent the day at Landa Park, rode the train and headed to BJ's for dinner. I was determined not to cook. If we were going to do a stay-cation, then I was not cooking!

*Jason was up to preach on Sunday (and he did AWESOME, BTW!), so Wednesday was spent with me cleaning and he working on his message. Kids & Jason got haircuts and we ended the day having dinner at Canyon Cafe in the Quarry and Orange Cup for dessert. It was Jason's first time to try Orange Cup. If you haven't, be sure to go today. It will change your frozen-yogurt life.

I love our little family and thank God for them every day. After this baby comes I am planning a trip for Jason & I to go to the East Coast. I think by then we will deserve it.

So much going on...

Super busy these days and had a nice little vacation with Jason and the kids. I need to sit down and blog about it, but I don't have much time right now.

Until then, I will say this.....

God bless you, Bill Miller BBQ. You have kept my alive every morning.

See you soon. :)

Slap in the face.

I have been super aware of my need for Jesus lately. I don't know if you have ever felt like that, but it's where I am at and it's slapping me in the face.

I was thinking about all the people around me who need Jesus. I pray for them, but I probably think too much about the things they are doing and how I immediately think, "sinner!" Isn't that horrible of me!!??

Well, they do need Jesus, but I always make it more about the sin and not the fact that they are living apart from God who just wants to show them how much He loves them.

But lately, I have been realizing my own need to know this. I know that I love God with all my heart, but I have somehow let the weight of my own sin go unnoticed. It is very easy for me to notice someone else's and forget that I am a sinner saved by grace....but still a sinner.

I had a conversation with Jason, Jenn & Galen the other night about some of this. I left thinking I was too bossy and wondered what my motivation behind the whole "reaching the lost" thing was about. My heart felt right about it, but it occurred to me (I'm sure the Lord had something to do with this) that I really needed to recognize that my sin makes me NO different than anyone. No one.

Not one single person. God loves every. single. created. being.

You would think I would know this. And I believe I have, but I know it for real this time.

Hmm...

I think that the humbling process is hard, but that it makes room for God to do something incredible.

Now, let's see what He does.