A Chance of Showers...

The weather called for showers last weekend and more in the forecast for this weekend! Baby showers, that is! (groan, moan...sorry, I couldn't help it.)

I was so blessed to be showered with love and gifts for Abby this past weekend in Dallas. Paige, her mother, my sister, and my mom all hosted the most perfect shower with special touches. Along with adorable and much needed baby goodies, each guest brought their favorite children's book for Abby with a personalized bookplate. Jared and I have been enjoying reading them to Abby all week and can't wait to read them to her when she makes her debut.

Here are some pics from the shower!

Abby has the BEST grandmothers!!!

What a treat to have so many of my Baylor girls together!

My parents made personalized books for Abby! So creative.

At the shower, each guest wrote a birthday with for Abby to open each year.

All in all, it was such a great day. Thank you, thank you to all my friends and family who made it so special!!!

Stacey

What's in a name??

Abigail Katherine. Yup, that's my little girl's name! That little squirmy, button-nosed pumpkin of mine.

At our baby shower that our friends threw us in Nashville, we got to see Abby's name on lots of things for the first time. Cute, adorable, precious things that I look at everyday!

Seeing her name in cute swirly pink makes things so much more real for us!! And I know it's the perfect name for our sweet girl.

The name Abigail reminds us of the strong and wise Abigail Adams, First Lady and wife of our 2nd President John Adams. I pray my Abigail always knows she has a voice and strives to do what's right, as her namesake did many years ago.

The name Abigail reminds us of Abigail from the Bible who is one of the most faithful women in the Bible. I pray my Abigail grows to be a woman of integrity as her namesake lived long ago.

The name Abigail reminds us of two sweet sweet little girls -- our flower girl in our wedding and the first blind student that truly touched my heart-- and brings us strong memories of kind, gentle, and strong spirited little girls.

Lately, the name Abigail reminds us of how blessed we are and how excited we feel to meet our new family member. Lately, the name Abigail makes our hearts swell with love.

Stacey

Mother-To-Be-Day

Yesterday was my first Mother's Day...or Mother-To-Be-Day. As I near the end of my 2nd trimester, this whole "Mother" thing is becoming much more of a reality! Sometimes it's the most amazing feeling in the world, and I don't think I can possibly wait another second to meet little Abigail. The next minute, I panic, wondering if I have what it takes to be a good mom.

Jared's favorite quote is, "God feeds the birds," meaning He promises to take care of us and will always provide. A few weeks ago at church, the preacher shared a sermon that brought to light how divine God is through the ways that mothers care for their young in nature. They know just what to do.

Yesterday morning bright and early, I took a walk around the ponds in our neighborhood. I saw this mother and her little family. It made me smile.

I know that I will have what it takes to be a good mom, and that God will provide me with moments of peace, patience, and comfort when I need them most. He has blessed me with MY amazing mother and Jared's mother as wonderful examples for me to follow.

My little girl and I shared many sweet kicks and somersaults yesterday, and I feel closer to her everyday!

Stacey

Nashvegas

This weekend we flew to Nashville to see some great friends. It's been a year since we moved, and it was so great to be back. Nashville will always be "our city" -- it's the place where we really grew up. We also grew together as a couple and figured out who we really are. Not to mention, we met some amazing people that we'll have in our lives forever.

This weekend was a whirlwind trip, but here are some highlights:

Drinks (don't worry, mine's non-alchoholic) at Jackson's!

Our FAVE-- Whiskey Kitchen

Frothy Monkey, of course! (Among many other coffee shops visits!!)

Cheering on Amy and her sister in the marathon!

And we were showered with love for our baby girl.

Thanks for the good times, as always, Nashville!!!

Stacey

Pancake Party

Yesterday one of my students had a birthday, so I thought it would be fun to have a pancake party to celebrate! Also, TAKS started today, so we decided the pancakes would help offer some extra brain power like they do for his favorite book character, Nate the Great. Also, I pretty much just love pancakes.

I also love incorporating cooking into teaching...reading a recipe, following directions, measuring, etc. Also, blind students often benefit from the exposure to everyday things that just aren't so everyday in their world.

One major key component to the party--potholders. :) Blind kids + Hot Griddle = Pot Holders.

The funny part of the story that our air conditioning happened to be out yesterday, so once the griddle got hot, my portable room became almost unbearable. Of course, I knew the pancakes would be worth it, but I did complain a bit about how hot it was getting. I AM pregnant, you know.

To this, my wise little pancake man says, "Mrs. Chambers...if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen!" Touche, kid!

So here's to pancakes, parties, and hoping that we can all survive the heat of this crazy TAKS testing week and all that the rest of the school year has to bring!!

Stacey

I do!

Six years ago today, Jared and I said "I do!" and began our lives together as a married couple. Since that day, everything has changed and nothing has changed all at the same time. Know what I mean?

He makes me laugh, he gives me head rubs for hours on end, he is the best listener, most fun friend, he is smart, talented, trustworthy, and strong. Best of all, he's mine.

Stacey

Rip Your Pants!

The phrase "Rip Your Pants" holds a special meaning to my sorority sisters...it basically means "work your butt off" or "do your best," and it derived its meaning when one of our girls danced so hard that she actually ripped her pants.

I was reminded of this memory today when I noticed that I had actually ripped my pants. I take that back. I am blaming it on the washer/dryer/GAP manufacturing. I washed my jeans last night, so that had to be it. Although, the largeness of the hole may or may not have been increased by my lunges across the kitchen this morning post-jean-washing.

Obviously, I drove as soon as possible to the nearest GAP maternity, demanded (politely asked) that my jeans be replaced, changed in the dressing room, and left a new woman! Kudos, GAP!

That all being said, I am spending the rest of the evening studying for a Braille certification exam that I take tomorrow. And to that I say, "Rip Your Pants!!" But, not really this time.

Stacey