5th degree virus?

Yesterday, I noticed a horrible rash on Blakely's arms and stomach while we were walking outside at Jordan Creek with Holls and Kypton. Of course, a thousands things ran through my mind of what the rash was... After an extremely long night of no sleep and Miss B tossing and turning plus screaming, I noticed the rash spread to her entire body, yes even her lower abdomen area. :(  

Upon waiting an hour at the doctor's, we were informed that she has a 5th degree virus and the rash is actually a good thing?? Who would have thought? and who knew there was something out there called a 5th degree virus? Needless to say, this whole ordeal of worrying, wondering, and yes, even a few tears from both B and myself (surprise, surprise ;)) reminded me that Blakely is a blessing/gift from the Lord and ultimately she is His and He has everything in control. :) She is doing just fine, she's actually sleeping as we speak, and I am so very thankful!

It's kind of weird not to have pics to share with everyone, but it doesn't mean things are any less crazy around here!  Blakely is practically standing all by herself; we're just waiting for the moment she takes her first steps! Her first birthday is next Friday and I am so very excited to celebrate with her! I'm also really excited to see what God has planned for our family in the year to come!

I just received all of the requirements for my two internships I am completing in the Fall and I must be honest, it's going to be ALOT. I'm starting to think it will only take a miracle from God for it to all go the way it's suppose to! I also received the syllabi for my summer courses and while I'm being honest, I think it's going to take another miracle for me to complete them in addition to moving to a new house and all of the weddings we have this summer. In all seriousness though, I wouldn't have things be any different! :)

I hope everyone's enjoying the gorgeous weather and having a wonderful week!

And it begins... :)

Blakely experienced her first taste of Ross's Easter Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Egg and....she loved it! :)

That's right...I just ate chocolate, mom!

And...I love it!!

I love my daddy too!

B's new room...don't mind the clothes everywhere ;)

Presty's room transformed! My family has been so kind and great for doing all of this!

Again, don't mind the clothes...living out of laundry baskets right now ;)

And as for the pics I promised of all the newness in the Owens home. Please forgive the blurriness and poor quality of the pics...they were taken with our video camera. ;)


Last week, we received some bittersweet news that one of our family friends had passed away. He was around the same age as my dad, and has a wife and three children. Even though I felt sadness for his family here, his wife posted a really sweet and profound post on facebook and it basically said, she did not lose her husband, she knows exactly where he is and that's in heaven with Jesus. :)

The time we have spent with the family has helped put my life in perspective and motivated me to really try to make the best of the time I have with those I come in contact because only God knows what the next minute, hour, day, etc will bring. :)

Move #1 Complete :)

Who would have thought the room covered in N*SYNC (mostly Justin Timberlake) posters, pics of middle and high school memories, American Girl dolls, and so much more that I so dearly loved as a child/adolescent/teenager/college girl would be transformed into the room my daughter will be spending the next two months??  (I would have pictures of this but of course, our camera is still in the desk drawer that is packed in the back of our storage unit. :) )

And to add to the story...the room my brothers spent the majority of their childhood in would be our new location for the next two months?? Crazy and somewhat creepy for me to think about it ;) In any event, we are sooo thankful for being here and for all that our families have done for us!!

We decided to move in to my parents' house a week earlier than planned, which meant one crazy weekend of packing and moving things into storage for Ross's parents, Ross, B, and I. (I don't suggest anyone, including ourselves, to ever do it! ;) ) However, it has been a blast being back in my parents' house. Blakely has enjoyed the extra time with her Nini, Grand daddy, and uncles. I am pretty sure Blakely has said, "woof woof" and "yeah yeah" a hundred times a day from her uncles asking her to! :)

Blakely's first Easter was great! We spent the weekend with both sides of the family, which included seeing all of the cousins on the Rethmeier side, and yes, even our new cousin/nephew Sage was there! :) Blakely experienced her first Easter egg hunt at Frama and Papa's house, dying of Easter eggs at her Nini and Grand daddy's, and Good Friday and Easter Services at HOPE even though we spent the majority of the time in the family room. ;)

Similar to Christmas, this Easter had a new meaning for this first time mom. During one of the services, Pastor Mike showed the scene from the Passion where Mother Mary longed to protect her son from the beatings Jesus received while carrying his cross. I have to be honest, I cried (surprise, surprise :) ) but I also realized how thankful I am for Christ and for the blessings in my life! 

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend and I will hopefully have some pics of all the "newness" soon!

MUCH LOVE!!