Stuck in the truck!

Yesterday I had one of the scariest moments of my life. It went a little something like this.

I was looking for my external hard drive in the house and couldnt find it. I decided to go look in the truck. Brody was playing and walking around and when I started to head out he wanted to go with me. So I picked him up and we headed out to Aaron's truck. I unlocked the car and Brody grabbed the keys to play with them. He does this all the time so I didnt thing anything about it. I opened the front door and set him in the seat so I could look all around the front for it. I didnt see it so decided to check in the back. So before I opened the back door I closed the front door and just let Brody continue sitting in the front while I checked quickly. I didnt want him to fall out so that is why I closed the front door. He still had the keys. As I am looking in the back, I hear a click of the door but it didnt register that Brody could have hit lock instead of unlock. So I finish looking in the back seat and close the back door. As soon as the door closed, panic sunk in as I thought, what if he locked it? As I go to open the front door I realize he did.

Now at first he was just sitting there playing with the keys happy. So I was not too scared yet. I was trying to tell him to keep pushing the buttons (as much as a 14 month old can understand that through a window) hoping he might hit the unlock. Well he did keep pushing them, but he pushed the alarm button. So I run inside and get Aaron quickly. He comes out and just kind of stands there like what do we do. Brody is still holding the keys so Aaron goes to the driver side and I stay at the passenger side. We keep saying "Play with the keys Brody, hit the button." His thumb was literally ON THE UNLOCK! But he other thumb was on the lock button and that is the one he kept pushing. We were ready to open the door super quick if he hit unlock. After about 5 or so minutes of this he drops the keys between the door and seat. I tell Aaron to go get a hanger and try to unlock it. I go grab my phone and call AAA.

Now I am just trying to keep Brody's attention as he is in the front seat. I start to freak out just a little here. I start thinking that my baby is going to be stuck in there a while and get hurt somehow. I turn away and hear Aaron start banging on the window and yelling "NO, NO, NO, NO" to Brody. Brody is trying to eat some pennies he found on Aaron console. PANIC!!! I just start crying and saying "He's going to choke! He's going to choke!". I tell Aaron, "Break the window!!!" He says I cant. I run into the garage crying and looking for something to break the window. Then I hear Aaron say, "He put them down!" Let me just say - you have never felt panic before until you think your child is about to be in serious danger. All I could think was, he is going to put that penny in his mouth and choke and I wont be able to get to him quick enough. Sheer panic! I really thought he might choke to death if we could not keep his mind off those pennies. Then I hear "NO, NO, NO, NO" again from Aaron. He has picked the pennies up again.

Meanwhile, I have gotten AAA and they say they will be there in 20 min or less. I think the person heard the panic in my voice when I told them my son was locked in the car because they said they would send the closest next available person over.

Crying I come over to the window and just start talking to Brody and trying to get his attention. He is screaming now. I think Aaron banging on the window and yelling scared him. BUT I am glad it did because he dropped the penny and became focused on us. He was scared and wanted us to pick him up. Then, he started getting close to the seat edge. Now, I think he is going to fall off the seat and hurt himself and I cannot get to him. Not as scary as the pennies but still scary. So I start playing peek-a-boo with him towards the back of the window. Since he is still standing I think that maybe he will slide towards the back of the seat to try and reach me and I am toward the back of the seat. It worked! Now he is just screaming, but ok standing and not about to fall off. He is pressing his face against the window smoothering it with tears and snot.

Then my mom text me and says Pop-A-Lock unlocks for free if a child is stuck. So I call them and ask how quick they can get there and they say about 10 min. I just want him out so I say ok send them. AAA was taking too long for me. Brody has been in there about 20 min by this point. As soon as I hang up AAA calls and says we are 3 miles away. We will be there in 5 min. So I call P-A-L back and say we didnt need them anymore. They AAA got there in about 5 min (seems like 30) and got him out in about 1 min. All I wanted to do was pick Brody up and hold him when we got it unlocked. He was in there about 25 total min.

Let me say, Aaron did a great job through it all! He remained calm when I did not and distracted Brody very well when I was crying and looking for something to plung through his truck window. So thankful for him and how he handled it all!!

It was a scary adventure for us! Not one I enjoyed. But I remember just praying "Lord protect him, protect him, protect him." I know the Lord heard me and distracted him from those pennies and kept him safe. I am so thankful! I held Brody a little tighter and kissed him a little more last night. Something I should do anyway.

So take note: Dont close any doors of your car if your child is in there and playing with the keys, or just dont let your kids play with keys. It was not something I thought about at all. It seems like common sense, but playing with car keys seems harmless as well. Just be cautious of the situation.

1 Peter 5:7 " Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you." NLT

Karlee

Routines

Well we have been in Bentonville a little over 3 months now. I can say the Webster's are in a "routine" or a schedule now. Monday - Friday our house is rising by 5:45 am (well I am at least :) Aaron about 6:30 and Brody about 7), we get ready and all head out the door by 7:40 am. Aaron and I trade off who take Brody to school. I always do on Fridays but during the week I like to do it some days too! I dont have too because Aaron goes to church anyway (Brody's daycare is at the church) but I enjoy dropping him off. Aaron picks Brody up at 2 and has about 2 hours with B man until I get home. I get home about 4. We all play for about an hour. I start dinner around 5, 515 and we eat. We may take a walk or ride our bikes after. Bath time is about 645. More play time until about 730. Then its bottle and relax time and Brody goes down by about 8 pm. Then Aaron and I have some down time for just us. I am usually asleep by 930 :) What, I get up early?!? We have a schedule/routine that we do daily.

As I think about how much of a routine we are in and how much we do the same thing over and over, I think about my relationship with God. Do I put God into my routine of my life? Just fit him in when I have time? Do I have a "routine" relationship with Him? Do I say the same prayers and read the same scriptures often? Do I pray from 6:40 - 6:50 every morning because thats my "prayer time"?

Now, dont get me wrong, I think routines are good. I think it is good to have a set time that you spend with God. But routines/schedules can limit. I think sometimes it is good to allow yourself to do new things in your relationship with God. Pray for more time than you have set out for your daily time with him. Read more Scripture than you normally do. Challenge yourself. That is what I have been doing. Challenging myself to pray deeper. Pray more often, even if its not when I normally do it in my daily "routine" or schedule. And not routine, surface level prayers. Deep prayers. That come from the pit of me. I am challenging myself to dig in the Word more often. Every time I get a chance, even if its just one Scripture. It helps me grow. No its not in my daily "routine" but thats ok. Spontaneity  with Jesus is fun! He shows you things you may not would have seen had you not gotten out of your "routine". He calls us to pray without ceasing. Even if we dont "schedule" for it. He will honor your time with Him. He wants you to spend more time with Him getting to know Him. He wants to be your best friend. Take that time you spend on facebook/twitter/etc. and give God some of that time.

1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 "Always be joyful and never stop praying. Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do."

 

Its all happening.....

Do you ever feel like life is happening so fast?? I do. Lots of things have been happening in our life lately.

• Brody turned 1: How in the world do I have a 1 year old?? Seems like yesterday I was finding out I was pregnant!

I am so thankful for a healthy, happy, baby boy that I have had the pleasure of raising for the last year. I hope and pray I am a good example for him and that he wants to follow in my footsteps.

I am so thankful for my parents and their example and I hope I am 1/2 the parents they were to me.

• We moved!! We really did love Houston. But we LOVE Bentonville. I was a little skeptical about a smaller town, but it is so much nicer to get to places within 10 minutes without I-10, 610, I 45, etc. 

• We both started jobs. We both really like our jobs and are both very thankful for them. People in both our workplaces are so nice. 

• Brody started daily daycare. He is doing just wonderful! He plays well, feeds himself lunch, puts himself down for  nap, and the teachers are loving him. Couldnt be more thankful!

• Attending a new church -we love our new church and church people. They are so nice and welcoming. We have already fallen in love with them. 

The Lord has truly blessed us. We have made an easy and smooth transition and we just praise Him!!

A New Life

Well life has been crazy since the last post. Here is a little recap of the Webster Life the past few months!

My last post, I posted about Senior Sunday coming up. The next weekend after Senior Sunday, Aaron, Brody, and I headed to Bentonville, AR to interview for the youth pastor position at Bentonville Church of the Nazarene. This was an interview we had bathed in prayer.

It was a good weekend. It was very busy. We liked the town and the people were very nice. Aaron was fairly certain by the time we left that we needed to come to Bentonville to start ministry here. I, on the other hand, was a little unsure. The town was small, I would have to leave the students that I adore and have built great relationships with, leave friends in Houston, leave my job, etc. But as I prayed the Lord showed me that these were all excuses about ME and MY insecurities. None of them were about God and Him not wanting us to come - but about me being nervous. After a lot of prayer, I felt the same peace as Aaron that we needed to come to Bentonville.

The next Sunday we told the church and our students, one of the hardest things we have had to do! I think it came as a shock to many and not a lot was said that day.

School ended and we headed to camp! Camp was a great week!! It was also one of the hardest weeks I have had in a while. It was really hard going through it knowing it was our last with TSM students. Many tears were shed and that week Aaron and I both "let go".

After getting back from camp, the next week was spent packing the house up. Boy do we have alot of "stuff". I tried to get rid of lots of things! I still feel like I have so much. My mom came that week and helped a lot! My dad came at the end of the week and it was great spending time with him. This week I also had a job interview and got a job at Lincoln Junior High over a phone interview. Totally a God thing!! For every job, there are 200 applicants. I am so blessed to have this job!! Thank you Lord for providing! We also had a wonderful going away party! Thanks to all who helped make that possible and who came!

Then we headed to Jacksonville, FL for a family vacation, just the 3 of us. Thanks Kayce for letting us stay with you!! We did a lot of relaxation and much needed recouping!! After a week in FL we headed home!!

We got home and got in full swing of finishing packing and cleaning. We packed our truck up Monday June 25th and went to Dallas that night. Thanks to all who helped!! You made it so much quicker! We arrived in Bentonville the afternoon of June 26th. We moved in June 27th. Thanks for all the help - it was done in 1 hour!!! With the help of Aaron's parents, our house was set up by June 29th!! And Kourt, Nat, and Lisa stopped by on Saturday along with Jared and that was just great!

We have been in Bentonville a little over a week now and already have fallen in love with this town. It is much smaller than Houston but that is a good thing! :) You can get practically anywhere in 15 minutes TOPS! The people here are so NICE!! We have said over and over we just cannot get over how nice people are here. For instance, at the fireworks show last night we met a couple. After 1 hour of talking they gave us their number, said drop by to swim anytime, and if we ever need dinner just call and say we are on the way and they will have dinner ready when we get there. Really? Who are these people?? :) The people are just awesome and the community feeling is so great! Now, dont get me wrong. We loved the people in Houston!!! We just really like the atmosphere here!

The Lord has confirmed to us many times that we are right were He wants us!! We feel confident we made the right decision in our move. Although it was SUPER difficult to leave the people in Houston, we know we followed the Lord and that offers a peace that cannot be compared or given any other way than through Jesus! We are SO excited to be in Bentonville and get to know the people here and see what the Lord will do through us here!

Well thats a recap of our life!! Enjoy!

Karlee

Life Lately

Well life has been busy lately, as usual. We have had a lot of church events. I have had a lot of cheer stuff going on. And we have a  7 month old - that in and of itself will keep you busy!

Parent Life: I am really looking forward to summer to slow down a little and just have time with my boy. We have really been fighting naps lately so hopefully I can conquer that issue this summer. MDO days are very hard - he hardly sleep at all during the day on Tuesday's/Thursday's. Last night I was just holding him a little bit before his bedtime feeding. He was facing out in my lap "watching" tv with us. He layed his head back and passed out. He is so tired on those days. I am not really sure how to fix this because MDO has lots of noise and he just cant sleep. There isnt really anything to fix this - you cannot silence other babies just so he can sleep. So we are just dealing with it. We are trying to figure out a good schedule every other day where he gets 2 good naps but have not found one yet but hopefully will soon.

We are trying to slowly introduce "real" food to B and not baby food. He gags a lot when we do this and frankly it scares me to death. I know we have to for him to get used to it, but he hates new textures and just gags and chokes. I hate it, but we are doing it slowly with tiny bits of food. Hopefully he willl quit that soon!!

He is getting closer to crawling. People ask me a lot if he is yet. Nope hes not. Sometimes I feel like people are thinking - whats wrong with your kid, he should be crawling by now. But hes not and its ok. He will learn and get the hang of it. He has met all other milestones and I am sure he will with this one. It may take him a little longer than "usual" but its ok. I mean if my thighs were the size of mountains and I had no knees it would be hard for me to crawl too.

Aaron and I love being parents but we love just us time too. After we put B down about 730, 745 we relax on the couch together and enjoy some tv. I usually fall alseep on the couch. I am so exhausted by then I just cant keep my eyes open - but I do it so we can have us time to nurter our relationship. We enjoy talks at this time of night too and just being "us".

Youth Life: Senior Sunday is coming up. This Sunday is always sad and especially will be this year. Three girls that I have grown to love and adore are graduating and leaving me :( I am so excited for them and their new adventure but sad for me that I wont see them every week. I often refer to them as "my girls". I am very protective of them and they mean so much to me! I love you Kourtney, Natalie, and Lisa!!

Being a youth pastor's wife can be very hard. We spend many evenings not at home as a family of 3 but at church as a family of 50-75. Sometimes I just want a whole week at home every evening just the 3 of us. But then I get to church and see the faces of those students and interact with them and I get so blessed and I remember how much I love to be a part of their lives and my whole attitude and feelings change! I feel so blessed that they let me in their life and let me take the journey of their youth with them. Being a youth pastor's wife doesnt mean that I have my job and Aaron has his. It means I have my job and we both have his. It is a partnership. Although it is exhausting at times having my own job, being a mommy, and doing so much with his, it is so rewarding. I wouldnt change being a part of those students lives for anything! They bless me all the time and it is such a gift! I hope I have made a positive impact in the lives of these students! They surely have on mine! Love you guys! And I am so blessed to be a part of your lives! Cant wait to see you keep growing and living life and to be a part of it!

Thats all for now! See you soon!

Thanks Mom

This blog is simply to say thanks to my mom!
Thanks mom for:
1) loving me when i wasnt lovable
2) loving me and all my personality quirks
3) understanding me
4) being there for me whenever I possibly needed you
5) making every effort to always be where i needed you when i needed you there
6) helping me become a better mom
7) watching me become a mom
8) supporting me in anything I ever wanted to do
9) giving me everything I wanted or needed
10) dreaming big dreams with me
11) helping me through the best of times and the worst of time
12) holding me all the times I cried
13) holding me all the times I laughed
14) those evenings at home with dinner, laughs, and movies...just the 2 of us
15) road trips the two of us
16) all our "talks"
17) forgiving me
18) trusting me
19) being my #1 fan
20) being my best friend
21) teaching me what a Godly woman looks like
22) teaching me what a Godly mother looks like
23) teaching me to be unselfish
24) teaching me how to put others first
25) so much more I could put - but these stick out to me

I love you mama! I just dont tell you that enough and I am sorry. You mean the world to me. I know we have had ups and downs but 1 thing will never change....you are my mom and best friend and I would not change that for anything in the world! I muff you mama!

Crazy Busy

So, I have not blogged lately like I like to. Life has really been crazy busy this semester! We have had youth stuff back-to-back-to-back. I have had cheer stuff a ton lately with try-outs and new squad things along with my old squad end of the year things. Plus fitting in family time! Its crazy around the Webster house. Most weeks, we have something going on every night of the week. BUT after these next 2 weeks things will hopefully slow down a little. Poor B is on the go all the time. He needs some normalicy too!

Life has been good though! B is doing well. He still has a bit of a cough but is overall well. He has started not taking naps very well in the day. "normally" he takes about a 45 minute nap in the morning and about a 2 - 2:30 hour nap in the afternoon so sleeping about 2:30 - 3 hours a day in naps.Lately he has been only sleeping 30 - 1:30 minutes of naps a day. I think he may be teething and his gums may hurt so maybe that is why? Or maybe it is just a phase? I use orajel when I think his mouth hurts and it seems to help but it is weird. Just like one day he stopped. And then by about 5-6 he is getting GRUMPY! He is also waking up consistently about 430 (which we try to just let him put himself back to sleep). Then sometime between 5 and 545. This one is hard. He WONT put himself back to sleep. So we give him his paci, rock him, etc. We are trying to get him to go until at least 6 for breakfast because the doctor really wants us to get on a "normal" schedule of breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner if we can. So we are trying - but I feel bad because I feel like maybe he is hungry and I am just not feeding him. SO should I feed him that early??? then his lunch is at like 10?? Just trying to figure it all out!

School is almost out! Yahoo!! 37 more days. Cannot wait for a summer with B! the Lord has really helped me being back at work. I still want to be home but he has helped me get through it much easier than I was! Being busy at work helps the days go quick too!

I have gotten a new photography website and been trying to promote that more too! I would LOVE to do that full time but would have to really make business booming before I took that leap! But even if I dont, i LOVe it and doing it on the side is fun too!! Head to here to check out my work!

Well hopefully I can blog more! Once life settles down!

Karlee

It is Well

Lately, the Lord has really been speaking to my heart. Here's what He has been saying.

As you probably know, and you are probably tired of hearing about it, working has been rough for me. It is really hard for me to get up in the morning and leave my little boy at home knowing I wont be with him that day. I feel like I am missing out on so much of his little life and his growth. There are many days I just cry thinking about it because it really does make me so sad. I know some moms say - I would never want to stay home, but that just isnt me. I would LOVE so much to be home with my little man.

The Lord has reminded me many times over the last few weeks that he works out things for "good" for me. Where I am at, meaning working, is exactly where He wants me. Although it isnt necessarily where I would choose now, I know that He has a plan for me and there is a reason He has me working. I have also realized that I have been a little selfish. Many people in the US would die to have a job and I have one and here I am complaining about it. So thank you Lord for my job, the opportunity to work and help provide for my family, and for forgiving me for being selfish.

Dont get me wrong, it is still hard for me to work everyday and leave him. If I had my choice, I would choose to work from home and still be financially secure by working from home. But the fact is, that isnt where God has me and I am learning to accept it and realize that His plan is PERFECT! Even though I dont understand or know His plan, He has me where I am for a reason and that reason is not to upset me. It is GOOD for me! I am thankful for that! I accept it!

I read this morning in Jesus Calling this: "I am above all things: your problems, your pain, and the swirling events in this ever changing world. When you behold my Face, you rise above circumstances and rest with Me in heavenly realms. This is the way of Peace, living in the Light of My Presence. I guarantee that you will always have problems in this life, but they must not become your focus. When you feel yourself sinking in the sea of circumstances, say "Help me, Jesus!" and I will draw you back to Me. If you have to say that a thousand times daily, don't be discouraged. I know your weakness, and I meet you in that very place."

Hello! Was that written just for me?? I think so! I dont believe its a mistake I read that today. I really needed those words. So instead of focusing on the fact that I am not a stay-at-home mom, I am really going to work on focusing on God's blessings and just Him!

The verse that go with this were Ephesians 2:6 and Matthew 14:28-32. Both great verses but Matthew really spoke to me. It says "Then Peter called to him, "Lord if it's really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water." "Yes, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted. Jesus IMMEDIATELY reached out and grabbed him. "You have so little faith," Jesus said. "Why did you doubt me?" When they climbed back in the boat, the wind stopped."

I capitalized immediately because that word hit me this morning. Even through Peter's doubt and questioning towards God, he IMMEDIATELY reached for him. He didnt think about, didnt say Peter we need to talk first, didnt say Peter ask me to forgive you first. Nothing. It was immediate! I think about a time Brody was sitting in my lap and arched backwards and started falling backwards. I IMMEDIATELY reached for him. No thought, no questioning, it was INSTANT! I wanted to make sure he didnt hit his head. That is what Jesus did. IMMEDIATELY reached for Peter. He IMMEDIATELY reaches for me when I call. Even through my selfishness and questioning Him and His plan and wondering why He hasnt allowed me to stay home, the instant I call for Him He reaches for me. WOW! Now that is one great God I serve. Thank you Lord for looking past my faults and reaching for me anyway!! Thank you for not holding my selfishness against me. I am sorry Lord and I am so thankful you look past my faults and always reach out your hand for me anyways! I love you Lord!

So, I type all of this to say, It is well with my soul. I know God has a purpose and plan for my life and the life of my family. I choose to accept it and accept where He has me right now in my life. I know it is a perfect plan and I choose to enjoy it and live life now with what the Lord has blessed my family with. Maybe one day I can stay home, but I am no longer going to live everyday wishing I was home and miss the blessings of God.

It is well.

Kar

Randomness called "Karlee's head"

Well, my thoughts are kind of everywhere this month. Therefore my blog will kind of be everywhere! Aaron and I will be talking and I will say something "random" and he will say, "where in the world did that come from?" My mind goes a million miles a minute from one thing to the next. Here is a little look :)

I am really learning how to be a Mary this month. Here is the passage that keeps coming to my mind over and over.

Luke 10:38-42

38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home.39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught.

40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”
41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details!

42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

You see I am very much a Martha! I like to have a clean house and be organized and have laundry done and all the good things that come along with taking care of a house. This month I have learned, yes those are important but not as important as time with my wonderful husband and my precious baby boy. It is a hard thing for me to get used to but I am. So, if you come to my house, you might find dirty dishes in the sink, or laundry in the laundry room, or a bed that is unmade, or a bathroom counter that isnt spotless, but you WILL find me laughing and tickling my little boy, talking to my husband, and enjoying my little family. You will find me doing the important things in life - time with my boys.

I posted a note to facebook about prayer. How I was going to pray more for people. I really have this month. It is such a joy. The peace that Jesus brings when you pray to Him is so great. (This is in no way to brag that I pray a lot but to show my Jesus off) I have had the privilege (anytime I get to go to the Father on behalf of someone else its a privilege) of prayer for sick people, for sick babies, for marriages, for healing, for peace, for direction, for changes in hearts, for youth, for financial issues, for school, and many things. I have gotten to see some of these prayers answered and some not. BUT I know God hears them all. If you have anything you would like prayer for, please let me know. I want to lift you up to our Lord.

I am enjoying my little boy so much and watching him grow! Here is a little of what he is doing: talking up a storm, grabbing and eating his feet, almost putting his paci in his mouth by himself, laughing, almost sitting up on his own, reaching for toys, sleeping through the night without swaddle, and growing like a weed! He is almost 16 pounds! I never knew I could love a little boy as much as I love him! Being a mom is one of the greatest blessing I have ever had!!

Working is really hard for me. I know people say that it gets better and I guess it has. I dont cry everyday when I leave him and I dont cry at work but I miss him so terribly much all day. It makes me so sad when I see stay at home moms pictures on facebook of their days - going to the store, play dates, picnics with their kids, etc. I am missing out on all of that and it breaks my heart. I broke down yesterday. I cried all the way home and until Brody got home with Aaron and some after he was home. I cannot even really explain how much I want to work from home. Right now, I have not been able to do that. Maybe one day the Lord will bless us in that way and allow me to work from home and still make the income that we need for our financial stability. Praying at least!

Sometimes I just stare at Brody. I want to soak in every second I have with him because I know it will go by so fast!!! I try to enjoy each and every second with him before he is going off to college!

I love my husband. He is so supportive and such a good daddy! I am so lucky to have him in my life!

I have been doing some more pictures. I have not been doing a ton simply because I dont have a ton of extra time and the extra time I do have, I want to spend with my family. It is hard though because I love doing pictures but I also love that time with my little family.

There is a look into the randomness of my mind this month! Have a great day!

Resolution Progress

Well, I cannot believe the first month of 2012 is over!!! It went by slow but fast....weird how time does that!

Well here is how I did on my resolutions:

1) Get closer to God! This is the most important to me! B+

I feel like I am reading the BIble more and praying more but I could still improve!

2) Read the whole Bible. I have tried doing this several times but have not succeeded - I hope to this year! C

I am working on this with the 1 year Bible but I am already behind...im trying to catch up!

3) Go on 1 date a month with my husband and be intentional about growing our relationship. A+

We went on our January date! We went to Los Cucos, got a Chick-Fil-A shake, and Best Buy! I surprised him with an iPad 2! :)

4) Run a 5K without stopping - I am doing Couch to 5K to try and accomplish this! A-

Aaron and I have been doing really well with our couch to 5k! Im working on it!

5) Get more organized and stay organized!!! I feel like I have always been somewhat organized. Since Brody has come we just have so MUCH stuff. I want to get rid of a lot and declutter and organize. I mean like labeled tubs the works! This will be a slow work in progress but I will get there! C+

I have organized some things but i just dont have a ton of time to do a whole lot!

6) Lose the last 7-9 pounds of baby weight. This is hard since I am breastfeeding but I hope to! F

I havent lost any weight in Jan. I actually have gained - boo

7) Encourage at least 1 person a week. B+

I am trying hard to do this!

8) Send more mail. F

I sent no mail this month :(

9) Save as much money as possible!B+

I feel like we saved more than we did last month! Improvement!

10) Read 10 books. I usually read 4-5, so I am doubling it this year! A++

I have already read 2 and working on my 3rd and its only Feb 1st!

11) Be more open and honest about my feelings. I tend to keep them to myself sometimes. B+

I am really working on this and getting better but still need work.

12) Pray more and listen more when I pray!!! A+

I am praying way more than I was and it is awesome!! Love talking to God!

13) Worry less! B-

I am worrying less but still too much! The Bible says dont worry about ANYTHING!

14) Keep track of Brody's growth and changes in pictures.C+

Not doing great on pictures this month - i forget :(

15) Journal to Brody more. C+

I havent done much journaling this month :(

So there you have it. My resolutions 1 month in

Sweet Moments

I think it is just incredible when God uses sweet, intimate moments to show Himself to you and to remind you of things and His promises.

Last night, Aaron went to Chick-Fil-A to grab us some dinner. I stay home with Brody. While we were home I was sitting there holding my sweet boy. No t.v., no computer, no phone. I was just focusing on my son and I. We were looking into each others eyes. I was telling him "I love you Brody" "Mommy will always be there for you" "Whenever you need me, you just call and Ill be there in an instant" "I will always support you" "I will always hold you when you need me to" "I will wipe away your tears for you" "I will be there for you to lean on when you need me to be" "I will always pray for you" "You are so special to me and I love you more than you will ever know" - an so on - gushy stuff a mommy tells her baby.

In that moment God spoke to me. He told me "Karlee, that is exactly how I feel about you, plus much. much more. I love you more than you will ever know. I will be there when you need me, just call. I will wipe away your tears for you. I will hold you when you need me to. I will be there for you to lean on. I will always support you in your life. You are so special to me. I will be there in an instant." Wow! Pretty incredible thought. I know if i feel this way so much for Brody, these feelings that God has for me are so much more - I cannot even imagine it!

Then God revealed even more!! So cool. I was holding Brody and he was fighting me and moving around some - he always does this right before he falls asleep. I have to hold him tighter to get him to stop and then he just falls right to sleep. I know exactly what I need to do to get Brody to relax in my arms. When he stops fighting me, he can fall asleep and just relax in my arms. He has so much peace and calm about him when this happens. If he starts to fuss I give him his paci and he goes right back to sleep. Brody knows he is completly safe, protected, and watched over in my arms. He trusts me 100%.

God was telling me - when you fight me I will just hold you tighter. I know exactly what you need to get you to rest and have peace in me. I will give you that, but you have to stop fighting me. Once you stop fighting me and fighting for control, I will give you exactly what you need. Then you can have peace and rest in my arms. You can be completly safe, protected, and watched over in my arms. You can trust me 100%.

I just love how God takes sweet moments with my baby and teaches me more about him!! I love how He reveals things to me in just everyday life!! Are you resting in God today??? Or are you fighting him? Do you trust Him 100%? Give up the fight and just relax - its so much better and more peaceful!


Karlee
Psalm 52:8, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 16:33

New Year Resolutions

Ok. So I dont usually make these but I decided to this year and am DETERMINED to meet them!! I will update progress on them throughout the year!

1) Get closer to God! This is the most important to me!
2) Read the whole Bible. I have tried doing this several times but have not succeeded - I hope to this year!
3) Go on 1 date a month with my husband and be intentional about growing our relationship.
4) Run a 5K without stopping - I am doing Couch to 5K to try and accomplish this!
5) Get more organized and stay organized!!! I feel like I have always been somewhat organized. Since Brody has come we just have so MUCH stuff. I want to get rid of a lot and declutter and organize. I mean like labeled tubs the works! This will be a slow work in progress but I will get there!
6) Lose the last 7-9 pounds of baby weight. This is hard since I am breastfeeding but I hope to!
7) Encourage at least 1 person a week.
8) Send more mail.
9) Save as much money as possible!
10) Read 10 books. I usually read 4-5, so I am doubling it this year!
11) Be more open and honest about my feelings. I tend to keep them to myself sometimes.
12) Pray more and listen more when I pray!!!
13) Worry less!
14) Keep track of Brody's growth and changes in pictures.
15) Journal to Brody more.

I know I know, lots and lots of them but I feel like they are all attainable goals! I do not feel like any are just out there and ridiculous. I'll let you know throughout the year how I do!

Wowzer!!!

I cannot believe it is 2012 already!! 2011 was a fast, crazy, exciting, emotional, trying year!! Heres a recap!

January - On my birthday last year, January 4th, I found out I was pregnant. We started trying in December and thought it would take a while so it was a very good surprise. I do not really know why I took it on my birthday because I was only 3 1/2 weeks along at that point and knew I probably wouldnt be able to tell, but low and behold I did!! So fun! The video of Aaron finding out is fun too!! We had our first doctors appointments this month and we told our immediate family!

my 25th birthday. The day we found out we were pregnant!

only 3.5 weeks

Febuary - This was a pretty hard month for me. I felt pretty good and was just working throughout the month as far as my pregnancy goes. Aaron and I decided to give Tex away and this was the month we did that. I cannot believe I have not seen Tex in almost a year! It makes me really sad to think about it but it was the best decision for all of us! I miss you and love you Bubbie! We also told our closest friends about the baby!

Last family picture - still makes me sad when i think about it!

Last morning with Tex - i had been crying

Maverick!

March - Aaron and I decided to get a new puppy, a goldendoodle. We named him Maverick. He is such a sweet, gentle, excellent dog. I know Maverick and Brody will become best friends! On March 12, we announced publicly that we were pregnant. Aaron first announced it to the youth group, then to the church, then it went on Facebook! We also had Jeff, Meagan, and Difab come down for part of Spring Break which was lots of fun!!

12 weeks along when we announced our pregnancy!

Friends out to eat!

April - Aaron and I decided to go on a trip just the 2 of us while we could before the baby came. We went to San Antonio. We stayed in the Marriott on the River Walk. We went on the river boat, went out to eat several times, went to the mall, walked around the river walk, went to the market, and walked the streets of downtown San Antonio. It was a great trip! I also went to OKC to my good friend Laura's wedding. This was the first time I saw several people after I had told them I was pregnant! That was a lot of fun. It was great seeing my friends!

San Antonio Trip

May - On May 3rd, we found out the sex of our baby - a BOY!! We were both so excited. We had several people over and had a gender reveal party with cupcakes!! This was the halfway point in my pregnancy! We also went to OKC with some of our youth for extravaganza and got to see some friends. School is almost out!!! I also went to a Mother's Day tea in Killeen with my sister and mom!

1/2 way there!

June - School ended. We went to camp with our youth. That was pretty tough at 6 months pregnant. I had to drink LOTS of water and had to get in the air a lot! My mom came and visited my this month and I visisted her while Aaron went to DCC with Difab. We went to an Astros/Rangers game with the True family. We spent time with our youth! We also got a 3D ultrasound this month and really enjoyed it! It was so cool seeing our little man.

3D ultrasound

Group at camp!

At Camp

July - We went to NYC in Kentucky with our kids. We took charter buses so it was pretty comfortable but I had to get up every 45 min - 1 hour to walk since I was past 28 weeks pregnant and the risk of blood clots is greater. This was a FANTASTIC time with our kiddos. We got back and I had two baby showers - one in Killeen and one in Houston. They were both fabulous! Thanks Lynnlee and Kim (and life group ladies)! Then I had cheer camp for my squad at school for 3 days. That was hard because this is when my hip really started bugging me so standing all day was hard! I also got an ear infection and had to take Amoxicillin which I didnt like very much since I was pregnant. I mean its been years since I have had an ear infection and I get it when I am pregnant?? Then Aaron and I celebrated 3 years of marriage! I am so blessed to call him mine!! The weekend before the 26th we went to Galveston and went to the beach and the Strand and just spent time together. We went to Outback on our actual anniversary! Cannot believe it has been 1 year since we were in India celebrating our 2nd anniversary! We also decided our little man will be named Brody Scott this month!

Us just being us!

At NYC in KY

Our group at NYC

At the LWN shower

The amazing shower my sister threw me

Our 3rd Anniversary at Outback.

August - The first week of August we went to Colorado with my family. Aaron and I flew since I have to get up and walk so much when traveling. It was a much shorter trip. Aaron climbed Pikes Peak and almost died - ask him about it. We had lots of fun going to things like Garden of the Gods, Olympic Training Center, and Seven Falls. We also got to go to Aaron's grandparents cabin and see them. School started this month! Bleh - the first day of school I was 9 months pregnant! My Oligohydramnios started this month. Nothing to worry about now and we just monitored it. We are having appointments every week now!

August! Almost time to meet our little boy! Only one more week but we didnt know this! :)

September - Still having weekly appointments. At my 38 week appointment I only measured 36. My doctor ordered an ultrasound. My fluid was only a 4 so I was going to the hospital that night!! After 14 hours of labor, Brody Scott Webster was born on September 9!!! This month flew by with moms here, trying to figure out being a mom and spending time with our sweet new man!! check out www.websterfamilyof3.blogspot.com to see my blog to Brody

Our first family picture!

Brody joined our world September 9, 2011

8:51 pm, 6 lbs 9 oz, 18 1/2 inches long

Brody didnt like his first bath!

B wearing one the outfits his daddy wore as a baby!

October - I was off all month and enjoyed time with my little man so much! We visited daddy at work and ran errands and took naps and just enjoyed each other!! We also went to OKC and Brody got to meet our friends from college - that was fun!!!

1 month old!!

Brodys first long car trip

At Pops

Brody's first Sunday at church in October

Brody's first Sunday at church!

November - The month I dreaded after having B. I went back to work this month!! It was awful!! B also got his first shots this month. He ran a little fever and was a little fussy but did pretty well. We had my big family Christmas and Brody and I went and Aaron went to Dallas for a Cowboys game with his brother and dad. We then had Thanksgiving at my parents and I loved black Friday shopping! Especially for B!

2 months old!

Family Christmas

B's first Thanksgiving

December - This month was busy with school, photography, youth stuff and getting ready for Christmas! I also had some personal medical issues that turned out OK - Praise God! We went to Killeen for my side of the family for Christmas the 21 - 24. Then we were home Christmas day. That was neat to be home just the 3 of us on B's first Christmas!! Then on the 26 - 31 we went to Amarillo for Christmas with Aaron's family. B was held a lot and loved on so much!! :)

Brody's dedication

3 months and getting chubby

Christmas at Lolly and Peeps

Christmas at Nana's

At church Christmas morning!

Daddy and Brody on Christmas morning

Mommy and Brody Christmas morning

This was a fantastic year!! Lots happened. I am just so thankful for a God that provided a great pregnancy, awesome birth, healthy baby, healthy me, healthy husband, healthy family, love, and blessings!

Happy New Year!