eternal pleasures

Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge.

I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing."

As for the saints who are in the land,
they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight. ^b]">

The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods.

I will not pour out their libations of blood
or take up their names on my lips.

LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup;
you have made my lot secure.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.

I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.

"I have set the LORD always before me.
Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,

Because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.

You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:1-11

The Lord has blessed me beyond my wildest imagination. Beyond my wildest dreams. And today has been no exception. By far, this has been the best birthday I have ever had.

Not because of the presents, flowers, or cards sitting on my desk. Not because of the endless phone calls.

I am reminded that this time next year I will be able to celebrate my birthday with my son. As a mother. And that is the most beautiful, most fulfilling blessing I could ever receive. A blessing the Lord has had in store for me far before I could have fathomed.

His grace is sufficient for me. His blessings are all I need. I will be filled with His eternal pleasures.

faithful companion

This is what is waiting for us every day we come home. 

Our silly little dog, with bone (or toy) in mouth!

So excited for us to be home!

you make my heart

skip a beat. 

fall to pieces

Fall has officially arrived at 918 Meander now that my table is decorated. Its something that I have, my table always has to have a center piece and be decorated. Are you like that, too? Maybe because its just me and Mitchell, and Ricky when he's over, at a 6 person table. That space needs to be filled. 

Here are a few pictures of fall and halloween around our house. 

Halloween cupcakes. They are so cute. 

The table center piece. Mitchell doesn't understand the pumpkins and tree branches. Hey, the branches are the cheapest decorations we've got, they are free! Courtesy the pecan tree in the front yard! 

Romulus, just because he's so darn cute. I think he was posing. He knows when he's about to have his picture taken!

Coffee table

And here are a few pictures of the changes we've made in our bedroom. Its far from complete, but getting there.

I haven't figured out how I am going to decorate the top of this dresser. But this is good for now. 

Pictures courtesy Texas Monthly "Cowboys" issue, frames courtesy Hobby Lobby 50% off sale, and white spray paint. 

Monogrammed decal above the bed. Love it! 

And my hard working man unloading a BED FULL of stone for the house. I like we will line the front flower bed with the stone. You know, once we have front flower beds. 

Ahhhh, he works so hard. 

We have 2 walls  in Owen's room painted. Hopfilly it will be completely painted, minus the sail boat on Sunday. More pictures of that to come. Good news is, I LOVE THE BLUE we picked out!

bump

I opened the door this morning to go to the restroom.


The door ran into my belly.

I think I am underestimating the size of my belly.

this is love

I know, I know... he's the best! 

do's and don't with babies

I haven't had the best afternoon. Let's just say I have been trying to dress a bear like a cowboy.

Don't ask.

But my coworker just sent me this link and it pretty much made me pee my pants laughing. Here are a few highlights from this web page.







Can you tell I work with a bunch of men?

30 weeks

Hello, my sweet baby!

How are you doing down there? I cannot believe how much you (and I) have grown in the past few weeks. It has gone by so quickly. For a while there you were just a bump, but now you are growing so fast and we are huge! I love that I can feel you move all the time. Sometimes I wonder what you are doing in there. You are so active, not only kicking and poking my tummy, but doing flips and turns. It feels like you are having a lot of fun!

Every time your daddy goes to touch my tummy you stop moving. Its like you are teasing him and making him wait for your next move. He said that once you are here you will probably do that, be acting silly, then stop once dad is looking. Yesterday in the doctor's office as the nurse was checking your heart beat you kicked her right on that monitor. It made her laugh.

At my last doctors appointment you and I were measuring one week ahead. Yesterday he said that you are probably going to be 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 pounds. That really doesn't surprise me. Look at your grandpa, Papi. It will make much more sense how BIG and STRONG you are once you meet him. Besides, I was a big baby, too.

You are about 15.7 inches long now, and weigh almost 3 pounds. This is the most pivotal time for your skeletal structure. That explains why I have been craving a lot of milk. That is good for the both of us!

We have been busy getting your room ready. Although not much is done yet, you could come today and I would be ok with that. I am just ready to meet you and kiss your sweet face. But let's hold on for another 10 weeks. We don't want you here too early.

I folded your clothes this weekend and was in awe over every little thing you have. I can't believe you will be filling those little onsies and socks so very soon. I want you to be warm and bundled up once you are here!

I love you so much today, and more tomorrow. Grow big and strong today!

All my love.

pc vs. mac

I am so glad I have a PC at work. In the time I wait for applications or open/process/work I am thinking about how much time I am waisting.. ooops I mean contemplate on the work I could be doing, and the work I need to do.

I mean... I want to go home and work on my Mac.

it's me, romulus

The long lost forgotten dog of the Etters. Yes, friends I am still alive. There is no physical evidence of my existent at 918 Meander, not recent pictures, but if you pass by I promise I will say hello. They don't let me blog much and are keeping me outside like I am an animal. Things are piling up in the office that smell like lotion and other sweet things. A package came in the mail last night and mom kept saying it was for the baby, are you excited?

Excited? How can I be excited about something that I don't know what it is. Baby this, baby that. Last time I heard the word baby was when I was living with those college boys the first 10 months of my life. They said it all the time. And if our new baby is like their baby, then it will be a funny smelling, skinny, blonde girl who makes fun of me because I am big. I don't know about that.

So, don't forget about me. I am here, I promise!

Love,
Romulus

showers from DFW

Literally!

Last weekend I had my DFW shower and it rained, and rained, and rained all weekend long! 

Saturday night was my shower in DFW (Irving to be exact) given my my mother in law SuSu's best friends. These are such sweet and loving ladies. They also gave me a bridal shower before I became Mrs. Etter. I was most excited about this shower because some of our friends were going to be there!

We had such a great time visiting and laughing with family and friends, I didn't want it to end. I was so sad I didn't get the one picture I wanted. Everyone was loving on my  tummy/Owen Saturday night, Maggie came up and gave my tummy a kiss. I wanted a picture of that so bad! Sunday before lunch she did feel Owen kick, she thought it was the coolest thing. Her eyes lit up, she looked at me, and said, "He's in there! Which way is he facing?" It was so sweet and cute and funny all in one simple statement. 

Here are only a few pictures from my shower, ding dong me didn't charge the battery to our camera and this was all we had juice for! 

My sweet, sweet friends Heather and Nikki, and Nikki's 4 month old baby London. (their hubbies were there too!) 

Jennifer, my friend from forever ago. Jen knew me back when I was the dorkiest orchestra nerd in penny loafers, who got made fun of from the other dorkie orchestra nerds. Pretty bad, huh? And she was still my friend through all that. 

This is my diaper bag that my love got for me. Isn't it the cutest? It has Owen's monogram on it and is the colors of his room. 

This is Jennifer's husband, Doug. Mitchell and Doug were wearing matching polos, they looked so handsome! 

My sweet sister in laws who helped me at my shower, Meredith and Sarah. 

These are my sweet hostesses. 

time of my life

I think we all need to take a moment of silence for Mr. Patrick Swazey who passed yesterday. I will NEVER forget when I first saw this movie. I lived in Houston, and learned his mom had a studio there. I wanted to go there so bad, hoping I would see him.

No studio. No Patrick.

This Patrick is for you.




P.S. NO ONE PUTS BABY IN A CORNER!

pearls of wisdon

From my 4 year old niece this weekend:

You have something in your stomach.

Your legs are soft.

Throw it to my face.

Ohh, your bracelets are pretty.

I like yours shoes. They are nice.

Come on, knock me over.

I am your Sunday School teacher, Miss Maggie. We are going to read about dragons today.

Is the baby upside down?

Your not sitting in your right seat. You need to move.

glee

To the newest show in Fox, Glee: 

I came across you yesterday as I was talking to a co-worker. Took the day to watch your first two episodes online, and now I am hooked. Now I am not really a TV watcher, with the exception of Friends reruns and Top Chef - I just don't revolve my schedule around night time TV. But this might have to change. Come Wednesday night, I have vowed not to miss your third episode. 

I don't know what type of musical shows I watch when I was growing up, but I am sure this is what I'd be watching if I was in high school now. 

Sadly enough you do take me back to my middle and high school days. Those awkward days of tying to fit in, yet the penny loafer and orchestra practices didn't help. I thought I looked so cute in my knee high socks, and sweater vests. They sure do make it look a lot cuter in this show than I am sure I looked. 

Either way, thank you for finding your way into my life. I will see you Wednesdays. 

Sincerely, 

Penny Loafer lover

today

Today is a good day for a pumpkin spice latte.
Check.

To wear boots and be comfy.
Check.

Sleep late and maybe leave work early.
Half-way check.

Listen to Taylor Swift and pretend like I am 15 again.
Check.

What's good about your day today? Everything for me!
Check.

hello lovely

About a month ago we picked out a dresser for our room and for the baby's room. It was delivered today and I could not be more excited. Who would have thought that a piece of wood, nails, and paint would make me so happy. Could be that we have a small, doesn't fit anything dresser right now. Could it be that this is one more step closer to having everything for the baby's room?

Perhaps. Either way I just love them. What do you think?

This is the dresser/changing table for Owen's room. It is in the garage now until his room is painted.

Now hold on to your pants. This is the dresser for our bedroom. Yellow might not be everyones cup of tea, and this might be a little loud for you, but you know me. A green office? A yellow dresser? It makes sense now, doesn't it?


I just love it.

The color is more rich and gold than what is in this picture. And the walls in our bedroom are a really chocolate brown, not the washed out brown that it looks like. Why don't you come on over, I will show you. I am actually getting quite excited about the way our room looks. In the almost 2 years we've been in our house, it actually looks like a room. We got our new duvet cover and shames about 3 weeks ago. I hung pictures on the wall, and a monogrammed decal above our bed on Monday. I think it blew Mitchell's socks off. I surprised him while he was in class Monday night. See love, my silly ideas really aren't half bad!

I'm getting excited. House almost ready. Owen's room in the making. Baby still cooking. Things are looking good around my love shack!

sing praise

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

Our daily bible readings have been from Psalms and 1 Corinthians. Two books whose versus could not come at better time, when life is stressful and crazy. I am so amazed day by day of these small gifts the Lord plops into my lap when I lease expect it. This verse it what he brought me yesterday.

did you know

1. I don't like popcorn ceiling. I almost cried as it was being scraped off the ceiling in the baby's room. It was a joyous occasion.

2. Don't wrap your baby in an American flag and take a picture of him. Why would you do that? Why?

3. I am 28 weeks pregnant and still can't believe it. Sometimes I look in the mirror and think, wow I am really bloated today. Nope, I'm pregnant. And probably still bloated.

4. Putting shelves and organizing the closet yesterday made me ridiculously happy.

5. If my dog and husband didn't shed, cleaning around my house would be so much easier. Ok, maybe just if Romulus didn't shed.

6. I look forward to every meal I eat. I am going to be sad when this baby is here and can't eat whatever I want anymore.

7. I have baked 2 chocolate cakes in the past 2 weeks. I probably should think of something else to make when the girls from SS come over on Thursday, other than a variation of chocolate cake.

#3 or 5

I have been dying to post this, but was sworn to secrecy until the rest of the family knew. My sister-in-law, Meredith (Mitchell's sister) and her husband Mark are expecting a baby in April. I am so excited about being an aunt to another precious little being. 

This is baby number 3 for them, number 5 for the Etter family. I am so excited Owen is going to have a cousin so close to his age. 

Being an aunt and uncle has been an amazing blessing to us both. I never knew I could love a child as much as I love my nephew and nieces. They made my heart grow in places I never knew existed. And made my realization for a child of my own grow be

yond belief. 

Maggie, Mollie Grace, and Luke are going to have so much fun with Owen and their new cousin on the way. 

These are just a few of my favorite memories of us with our precious nieces and nephews. 

This past thanksgiving. 

MG during an Abilene visit, playing with my jewlery and HSU beanie! 

Luke last halloween. 

I love this picture - its on my fridge. We were wrestling. 

Their sweet hugs are so wonderful.

Maggie loves playing make-up. This Christmas we gave her a whole make-up bag, complete with nail polish. 

She even painted Bubs toes nails. 

Putting make-up on. 

Maggie Kay on her first birthday. 

Luke, he is so sweet and affectionate. 

Chunky monkey, Mollie Grace. 

Luke, the day he was born. 

Luke Boone. 

Love. 

She's not sassy at all. 

This past spring with Bubs. 

well hello fall

Although fall isn't here, I am getting ready. I have pulled out the fall decorations. Pumpkins, orange, and brown are slowly making their way around my home. 

Boots, cardigans, and scarves here I come. 

I love you fall. I love the cool crisp air, pumpkin bread, halloween, and costumes. 

Fall you bring me just a little bit closer to seeing my Owen. 

hey martha

This afternoon we went to purchase paint for the Owen's room, Blue Bayou and Sweet Midori. 

We handed our swatches to the lady at the paint counter at Home Depot, she pauses, looks at us and says, "Ummmm. I hope its a big room or space. These are really bright colors." And then looks like she just ate a lemon. 

I look at Mitchell look and her and decide to act. If I hadn't said something first I know what would have come out of Mitchell's mouth wouldn't have been as... nice. I told her it was for  baby's room figuring that she'd lay off. Oh, no. 

"Well, whatever." she finally sighs, "You've got it figured out."

Hey, Martha. I didn't know you were the resident color and interior design expert. Right here in Abilene working at the Home Depot paint counter. 

No, you aren't. And if you were, you wouldn't be working at Home Depot. Leave me and the colors for my baby's room alone!

YES!

Owen,

Today I got the best advice from a fellow blogger. She writes in blog Whatever that she is going to try to start saying, "Yes." every time her kids ask her something. In her blog, her daughter asked if they could make cupcakes, "YES!"

Won't that be fun and a great way to spend our days. Can we go to the park? Can we make cookies? Can we go see daddy at school, "Why, yes we can!"

I am going to try to be the best mommy that I can be, every single day of my life. To you and any brothers and sisters that might come our way in the future. We will always have fun. I will always support every idea you have, no matter how small or silly. I will try my hardest to meet your every need. I will try to teach you when things are hard, or you don't understand something. I will always have cookies and milk when you have a bad day.

And I will always try to be the Christ-like, God featuring mother that you deserve. This is my prayer for us.

So when you get here my little man, Yes I will love you from here to always.

All my love!

chocoalte milk

Today was the installation and convocation of Hardin-Simmons University's 15th president, Dr. Lanny Hall. Dr. Hall was also the 13th president of HSU before going to another small baptist university located about an hour and half south east from here. He then remembered where he belonged, applied after Dr. Turner left, and waaa laaa.

In today's seriess of important and highly busy events, was actual convocation. A friend from school while he was earning his Phd, Belle Wheelan , who is also president of SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, AKA the people who accreditate HSU), gave the convocation speech.

She was short, to the point, and incredably entertaining. The highlight of her speech, and of the day was the following quote: "In a child psychology while teaching the benefits of breast feeding versus bottle feeding, a student asked me, 'While breast feeding, do black women have chocoalte milk.'"

She's an African American woman.

Way to go on your convocation speaker choice, Dr. Hall.