Vest Fest

Carrying Life

2010-03-24T22:07:00.003-05:00

This was shared with me today. Powerful and inspiring words that I want to remember. A great lesson on the partnership and mission we share with our Creator in bringing life into the world.

My willingness to carry life is the revenge, the antidote, the great rebuttal of every murder, every abortion, and every genocide. I sustain humanity. Deep inside of me, life grows. I am death's opposition.

I have pushed back the hand of darkness today. I have caused there to be a weakening tremor among the ranks of those set on earth's destruction. Today a vibration that calls angels to attention echoed throughout time. Our laughter threatened hell today.

I dined with the greats of God's army. I made their meals, and tied their shoes. Today, I walked with greatness, and when they were tired I carried them. I have poured myself out for the cause today.

It is finally quiet, but life stirs inside of me. Gaining strength, the pulse of life sends a constant reminder to both good and evil that I have yielded myself to Heaven and now carry its dream. No angel has ever had such a priviledge, nor any man. I am humbled by the honor. I am great with destiny.

I birth the freedom fighters. In the great war, I am a leader of underground resistance. I smile at the disguise of my troops, surrounded by a host of warriors, destiny swirling, invisible yet tangible, and the anointing to alter history. Our footsteps marking land for conquest, we move undetected through the common places.

Today I was the barrier between evil and innocence. I was the gate keeper, watching over the hope of mankind, and no intruder trespassed. There is not an hour of day or night when I turn from my post. The fierceness of my love is unmatched on earth.

And because I smiled instead of frowned the world will know the power of grace. Hope has feet, and it will run to the corners of earth, because I stood up against destruction.
I am a woman. I am a mother. I am the keeper and sustainer of life here on earth. Heaven stands in honor of my mission. No one else can carry my call. I am the daughter of Eve. Eve has been redeemed. I am the opposition of death. I am a woman.

Christianna Reed Maas, 2010

Titan and Nolan

2010-03-04T10:50:00.003-06:00

We are loving that Titan is such a big source of entertainment these days. After Titan destroyed Nolan's stackable rings, I wasn't so sure about him. He has now redeemed himself.

February Update

2010-02-18T21:24:00.007-06:00

The poor blog has once again taken a backseat to the many things that always seem to fill my time. Jeremy and I are loving our little man and treasuring all of the things that are so fun at this age. I am still loving my job, though we are facing yet another transition with our youth ministry as my co-worker will leave at the end of February to begin a mens' ministry in Jackson, TN. Jeremy is currently training for an ultra marathon - 33 miles (crazy, I know). It is a trail run near Birmingham, AL and there is a place on the course where you have to use your hands! What?!?

Recently God has been teaching me that everything good that comes out of me is ALL HIM! Sometimes I think that the wise advise, display of patience, word of knowledge, and creative streak are my own doing. Then I realize that what comes naturally to me is to speak too quickly without first listening, snap at Jeremy, forget something important, and do a mediocre job. When I remember to acknowledge God for what He's doing in me, He gives me more.

Here's a quick photo update of our growing boy. Nolan is eight months old. He has four teeth, but not the usual four that most babies first get. We've got the normal two on the bottom. The two on top, however, are the "lateral incisors" aka "vampire teeth." Does Nolan have two front teeth? I certainly hope so, but they are currently no where to be seen. Right now he looks kinda funny, but he's awfully cute.

Nolan says, "ba ba ba" and "da da da." He laughs hysterically at Titan. Hopefully a video will soon follow. His blond hair is getting thicker and his blue eyes get brighter everyday. Nolan loves turning the pages of his books and pointing at pictures (with his left hand only). He's a sturdy sitter, but still wobbles while standing. No crawling yet - and I must say that I'm enjoying that. He loves to practice his standing at the Wallace's Leapfrog music table.

Enjoying some oatmeal. Still nursing 5 times a day, but tasting fruits and veggies on the side.

20 pounds at our last appointment and in the 80% for both height and weight. We're slimming down :)

Thanksgiving

2009-12-02T09:09:00.008-06:00

The Vest family spent Thanksgiving with the rest of the Vests in Nashville this year. We had a wonderful weekend celebrating the holiday and eating everything in sight. I have loved being a member of the Vest clan and time together is especially fun now that there are three little ones to play with. I love that Nolan is sandwiched in between his two Vest cousins - Jon Harper and Virginia.

Jeremy and his brother Johnathan took their boys out for a 5K run - the Habitrot. They got in an extra workout pushing those jogging strollers. The best part - while they were running, I was sleeping lazily in my bed.....which I had all to myself :) Nolan spent the 5K sleeping as well thanks to my sister-in-law Elizabeth who loaned us Jon Harper's Patagonia fleeze bunting.

Other favorite moments of the holiday week:

The Vest family photo shoot (see pictures below), watching Biggest Loser, being treated to a mani & pedi by my sister-in-law Jennifer, catching up with Sara over Starbucks, free babysitting while the sibs went to see The Blind Side, a delicious Thanksgiving meal prepared by Nola, Vest family breakfast at Cracker Barrel - always a special treat, having lunch with my parents and grandparents at the lake, laughing as my Grandmommy retold the renowned story of my grandparents first meeting in Centennial Park when they were 16 and 21, receiving a beat down from my dad after challenging him to a game of Bible Trivia, a scrumptious brunch at Liz's house, and Nolan laughing hysterically at Jon Harper's Elmo doll. I just realized how many of my favorite moments involved food! Oh well.....such is the season :)

Catching Up

2009-10-29T21:40:00.008-05:00

The Vest family has been joyfully adjusting to life with a four month old, but sadly the blog has taken a backseat as of late. So here's to catching up. I am personally thankful that my week of travel is over. I had to leave Nolan for the first time the week before last - two nights at a staff retreat during the week and another night on a teen girls' trip to Atlanta over the weekend. It was hard on the heart to leave my little boy behind. Jeremy did an amazing job taking care of him and their time together was very special to them both. They covered some expansive terrain in the jogging stroller and went to Home Depot. I returned home to a house that was in perfect condition and Jeremy took pride in rattling off his list of house-cleaning accomplishments. I appreciated the clean house, even though part of the motivation behind it was to show me how simple it is to do both childcare and housework in the same day. However, it is rumored that Nolan watched Baby Einstein four times in a row.

I am loving my part-time schedule and cherishing the days at home with Nolan. God has been giving me some neat ministry opportunities with some teen girls that have been both challenging and refreshing. Just when I begin to think that I'm not as fruitful as a part-time youth minister, He overwhelms me with a new way to be used. He's pretty good like that. Nolan has dropped down to the 90th percentile for height and weight and clocked in at exactly 18 pounds at our last appointment. We had so much fun at our church Trunk or Treat this week. Nolan, dressed as a Tootsie Roll and sitting in his bouncy seat, was the main attraction of our poorly decorated trunk. We passed out Tootsie Rolls to complement our theme, though I think they're kinda gross - sorry kids!

Here are some favorite pictures from the last two months of the cute little boy we love so dearly:

A Tribute to Pa

2009-09-14T17:36:00.014-05:00

This past Thursday my family lost a beloved member of the Lowry clan. My grandfather "Pa" was 77 years old. He is now in heaven with our Savior Jesus and is reunited with his beautiful wife - our "Nana." Heaven is now a sweeter place because Nana and Pa are there. Pa has been waiting for this reunion for the past two years as my Nana's passing was very difficult for him. On Sunday, September 13th we gathered together in Manchester, TN to celebrate his life. My mom's side of the family is very close so time together with them was such a gift. Even though both of my Lowry grandparents are now gone, I have no doubt that our family will continue to have many a joyful time together.

I had some regret that Pa never got to meet Nolan. We visited him in the Critical Care Unit in Murfeesboro over Labor Day, but it was not safe for Nolan to enter the CCU (many serious cases of the flu). I got to squeeze Pa's hand and he squeezed back really hard. I got to tell him I loved him. Though he couldn't utter those words back that afternoon, I didn't need to hear them that day. Pa was forever telling me how much he loved me and how proud he was of me and Jeremy. Though Pa never met Nolan on this side of heaven, he felt him kick in my belly at a shower in Nashville. Pa told me Nolan needed a spanking for kicking him so hard.

My grandparents' house in Manchester is filled with so many precious memories from my childhood. Pa had a garden full of vegetables and a farm that hosted both cows and pigs. As a child I once watched a mother pig give birth to piglets and the moment was breathtaking. My cousin Katie and I used to roller skate in the basement and swing around the poles. We would make up dance shows like "Circus Celebration", put advertisement signs around the house, and charge our aunts and uncles 10 cents to come to the show. In that house I discovered a love for playing the piano and I loved listening to my Nana sing alto. On their farm I learned how to do cartwheels, watched Martins, and took many a tractor ride with Pa. Twenty of us would gather around for an intense game of Trivia Pursuit (boys vs girls) and then we'd end the evening singing old hymns. The casserole dishes at Thanksgiving and Christmas meals filled every ounce of counter space in Nana's kitchen. Those are the kind of meals I believe they'll serve in heaven. My friends that know me best can attest to my mischievous side. I inherited this trait directly from Pa. He loved a good prank!

My dad shared some neat thoughts at the funeral. For the past couple of years my Pa has been showing signs of early Alzheimer's disease. In the evenings he would get confused and ask those around him if he could go home - even though he was in his own house. They would gently tell Pa that he was home. A few minutes later, Pa would ask the same question again, "Can I go home now?" My dad pointed out in his talk that all this time we assumed Pa was just talking to us. In the quiet places of Pa's heart, God was preparing him to go to his real home.

Dad also read two verses from one of my favorite songs at the funeral. It was a fitting reminder of the hope and victory we have through Jesus Christ!

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all in all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Seven Weeks and Changing Fast

2009-08-11T15:34:00.005-05:00

Here are a few photo updates of our growing boy. Nolan is changing so fast. Jeremy weighed him on our bathroom scale this weekend and he is already at 14 pounds....but sometimes that scale isn't always so accurate. That's what I tell myself anyways when it's higher than I think it should be.

Thank you Parker and Savannah for letting us borrow your swing.

Nolan loves it so much that he swung in it until the batteries died.

Already cheering for the VOLS

Nolan has his mommy's eyes and his daddy's forehead

Another bath - we're getting better at these (much less screaming)

Four Year Anniversary

2009-08-07T20:12:00.004-05:00

The Wedding Day

First time to meet Jeremy's family early on in our dating days

Yesterday Jeremy and I celebrated our four year anniversary. My parents are in Montgomery for the weekend so they kept Nolan while Jeremy and I went out on a date, a new concept since we've entered the world of parenting! We enjoyed a delicious meal at Carrabba's - the same restaurant where we had our very first date almost six years ago. We had fun reminiscing about the conversation we shared on that evening. We talked about our jobs, families, the ZOE Group, Lipscomb, and pleding social clubs - so random! We laughed as we compared this conversation to the one we had last night - how in the world are we going to send Nolan to college?!? We've come a long ways since 2003 and the journey has been wonderful and amazing every step of the way. I praise God for giving me such a Godly, loving, thoughtful man to be my husband. He is an incredible role model for Nolan, a great provider for our family, and my very best friend! I love you Jeremy Vest!

Nolan's New Laugh

2009-07-29T16:30:00.003-05:00

Who knew the mommy was so funny? :)

Doctor's Visit, Favorite Pictures, and Two Greats

2009-07-27T13:46:00.015-05:00

At his 5 week appointment, Nolan weighed 11 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 22 3/4 inches. This big ol' boy is in the 93rd percentile for weight and the 90th for height. His formerly 14 inch noggin is now 15 1/2 inches (no more newborn hats). We had a great appointment and Dr. Trumbull said Nolan is the picture of health. Thank you God - what a gift!

My friend Lindsey Bagwell took this picture of Nolan at his one month photo session. It has been so fun to see his sweet little smiles. His daddy made him laugh for the first time this past weekend!

Time with the Daddy while the Mommy goes out for a pedicure

Feeling a wee bit nervous about his impending bath

This past weekend, we drove up to New Albany, Mississippi to visit Jeremy's grandparents. On the way there, we were talking about how lucky Nolan is to have five living great grandparents. The most we've ever had was one. Here are the first two "greats." Nolan will meet the other three greats on Labor Day weekend.

Jeremy's mamaw is 94 and still cooks up a storm.

Jeremy's papaw is 95 and still mows his own lawn.

Also this weekend - my Aunt Faye and Uncle Jerry drove over from Atlanta on Sunday to meet their first great nephew! Nolan, who is now giving sweet little smiles, was so happy to meet them.

Family Reunion

2009-07-16T22:47:00.003-05:00

We made the short trek to Dauphin Island, Alabama for a family reunion with my mom's whole side of the family. We had fun introducing Nolan to all of the family. Jeremy and I were blessed to have so much help with him that week. Jeremy got to play several rounds of golf and I enjoyed some time on the beach and some good reading. We also got hooked on Lost. My parents brought Season 1 along for the week, and pretty sure Jeremy and I are now half way through Season 3 :) During the week Nolan took his first bottle and even made it through the movie "My Sister's Keeper."

A Family Photo

Two Week Check-Up

2009-07-11T15:26:00.005-05:00

Nolan had his first doctor's appointment at two weeks. We sure are proud of our boy for putting on the ounces. He's been a great eater so far. Nolan gained back his birth weight (8 lbs, 14 oz) and then some!

We love our pediatrician Dr. Trumbull. We were relieved to hear that all of Nolan's constant noises (hiccuping, sneezing, grunting, and pooting) are completely normal. Whew!

Dr. Trumbull showing us the best position for burping a baby.

It works like a charm every time!

The Vests Visit

2009-07-01T16:52:00.005-05:00

Jeremy's family came for a visit to see their new nephew/grandson. Here are some photos from their time with Nolan.

Papa John and Nodie with their two grandsons

Aunt Elizabeth (due with baby Virginia August 27)

Jon Harper takes a good look at "be be"

The Vest brothers and their boys

Cousins Ben and Bre

Getting our Z's

2009-06-28T16:31:00.005-05:00

Nolan has been a GREAT sleeper during his first week at home. Here are some of his favorite sleeping positions. We call this time of day "bottom time." Around mid-morning, Nolan get to lay on his belly in his crib - butt naked - and listen to his Amy Grant lullabies CD. "Bottom time" is great for airing out the hiney and getting rid of diaper rash.

The Shoulder Holder position - perfect for snuggling

Sleeping soundly in the crib

The thumb is a great soother when the pacifier falls out

Everybody wins in this sleeping postion

The Wrights

2009-06-24T17:47:00.007-05:00

Here are some shots of Nolan with my side of the family. My mom and dad have spent this first week with us at our house helping with the baby. What a blessing it's been to have home cooked meals every night, clean laundry, and an extra set of hands to change dirty diapers.

Grandpa

Lee Nana

Uncle Sam

Aunt Hailey

Nolan Robert is here!

2009-06-22T14:12:00.005-05:00

We arrived at the hospital on Wednesday morning at 5 a.m. for a scheduled induction. Based on our last ultrasound, Nolan was expected to be a big boy and if a normal delivery was going to happen, he needed to come as soon as possible. After about 11 hours of painless labor (thanks to a wonderful epidural), I heard the nurse say, "turn on the baby warmer - it's time for her to push." Nolan's head was 14 inches in diameter, so it took quite a bit of pushing before his entrace into the world. After an hour and a half, he arrived just in time for Wednesday night church - 6:28 p.m. Nolan weighed 8 lbs, 14 oz and was 20.5 inches long. What a gift to be apart of such a wonderful miracle. We'll forever treasure the first moment we laid eyes on our new son. His big bright eyes and head full of blonde hair were a beautiful sight indeed. Thank you God for a healthy baby and a safe delivery. It's still hard to believe he's actually ours.

Jeremy's first moment with Nolan. A few seconds later, Jeremy noticed the front of his shirt was soaked with pee. Welcome to fatherhood!

First family photo

Sleeping soundly

Head full of blonde hair

Noley Poley is ready to go home

Nolan Becomes an Eight Ball

2009-06-04T09:37:00.008-05:00

This week at work, we made a video with some of the teens in order to reveal the identity of our new part-time intern - Hannah Chatham!!! When Nolan comes, I will work less hours with my job, and a good bit of my hours will come from working at home. Hannah C. will come on board when I come back from maternity leave and will work with us through the duration of the school year. She will be a huge help to me with the teen girls! Hannah is graduating from our youth group this year and I can't wait to have her working with our youth staff in the fall. It was so neat to show our teens this video because they already know and love Hannah. It was a great way to reveal this "surprise announcement." Special thanks to Sam Evans for filming, directing, and editing our video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3-LPgMGTD0

Weekend Visit with Jeremy's Family

2009-06-02T21:47:00.004-05:00

Jeremy's family came down this past weekend for a visit and to help us put some final touches on the nursery. Nola always takes good pictures, so these are all from her camera. With less than 20 days to go, I can't think of anything else to do in that nursery...except sit in the rocking chair and ponder. It's hard to believe that in less that three weeks (hopefully!) this room will be the home of our brand new baby boy!

Posing by Nolan's crib

Nolan's clothes 0-6 months - lots of blue, with hints of TN orange :)
Getting bigger and bigger and more and more ready!
Our nephew Jon Harper, riding horsey with his Papa John and laughing hysterically. They have a sweet relationship and we look forward to Nolan bonding with his grandparents.
Some other bonding that occured this weekend was between Jon Harper and Titan. Jon Harper loves to say, "dog" and he definitely said "Titan" way before uttering "Uncle Jeremy" or "Aunt Hannah." It was so fun to watch them play together!

Weekend Project

2009-05-11T09:51:00.004-05:00

With less than six weeks until Nolan's due date, we've turned our attention to completing some projects in his nursery. This weekend, we washed all of his clothes (only two loads worth since they're so small!), organized them, and hung them up in the closet. I also finished his name blocks. Thanks to a 2x4 at Home Depot and some leftover paint, Nolan will hopefully learn at an early age how to spell his name. Jeremy carefully drilled holes in each block and then we hung them with ribbon.

A Great Reminder of HIS Love

2009-05-05T12:55:00.010-05:00

We've reached the 33 mark! Baby Nolan weighs around 4 pounds and is proportioned like a pineapple. Overall, I feel great and am just thankful to be experiencing this little miracle. This past weekend, Jeremy and I were convicted of something pretty important. Despite the road we've been down to have a healthy pregnancy, we are in no way deserving of this blessing. Over the last few months, we've almost felt entitled to have this baby. Surely we've earned a healthy child after remaining faithful to God through the experience of a miscarriage. But this is so NOT true and I'm embarrassed that I ever felt this way.

Thankfully, God's Spirit continues to work on us and humble us, reminding our family that every good and perfect gift is from above. The gift of Nolan's life is like so many of the blessings the Lord gives us each day. Do we deserve them? No. Did we earn them? Never. Regardless, does God continue to give them? He does....because He loves us so much!

My dad shared a special verse with me recently. God says in Malachi 3:10, "see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Now that's some LOVE!

Above are some shots of week 33 - and may we all continue to be reminded that every good thing that comes our way is not of our own doing, but because we have a God who loves us so very much!

On a less serious note, I wanted to include these cute pics of Titan. I've been mowing through some peanut butter at our house and when we finish off a jar, Titan gets to enjoy a special treat - outside of course. His vigor for licking the jar clean was quite inspirational! If Titan could talk he would tell us, "It's the simple things that can be some of life's sweetest pleasures." Well said, Titan. You're one wise dog.

The Last Hurrah...

2009-04-22T15:42:00.009-05:00

We've been referring to our Savannah, GA trip as "The Last Hurrah," as if we'll never have fun again after Nolan's arrival. Joyful times are ahead for the Vest's, no doubt, but we also know that many a sleepless night will first accompany this next season of joy. So while it's just Jeremy and me (and I've been feeling pretty sentimental about that...), we will celebrate as best we can!

Last weekend I finally got to open my Christmas present - a wonderful and relaxing trip to Savannah. It was great to have a "just us" trip and to travel while I'm still able. We stayed at a Bed & Breakfast in downtown Savannah called the Ballastone. Highlights of the weekend included a horse-drawn carriage ride/tour, walking along the river, shopping for and eating pralines, getting a couples' massage, watching Slumdog Millionaire, listening to musicians on the River Walk, returning to our room and finding that it was full of rose petals, eating at the Olde Pink House, Vick's on the River, and the Soho South Cafe, and talking about life and our future with Nolan.

Jeremy standing in front of our Bed & Breakfast (above)

The Olde Pink House - some good eatin' (below)

A beautiful scene in one of Savannah's many squares (above)

Jeremy pretending to be Forest Gump, in the park where this scene was filmed (below)

The EMPATHY BELLY

2009-04-20T12:02:00.009-05:00

I have been waiting for this moment to arrive in our child-birthing classes for quite some time. Each week, a husband from class is chosen to wear....The Empathy Belly! It was finally time for Jeremy Vest to take a turn. The empathy belly is a 35 pound belly that straps over the shoulders and fastens in the back. It is meant to allow unsuspecting husbands to feel several symptoms of pregnancy. If worn long enough, it can actually cause lower back pain. A Velcro strap is tightly applied around the rib cage to produce shallow breathing and shortness of breath. A weight is also attached to the bottom of the belly that rests directly on the bladder (my favorite). This is supposed to simulate bladder pressure and frequency of urination. The empathy belly also comes complete with a set of breasts. Jeremy does not look too happy to have those!

Unfortunately, Jeremy only had to wear this belly for 30 minutes. I was hoping the nurse would let us take it home so that he could sleep in it. Nurse Waller did, however, make Jeremy sit on the floor and stand up, and bend down to remove his tennis shoes. Jeremy said the worst part of the belly was the 35 pounds resting on his bladder. When I asked Jeremy how he felt, his comment was this: "This isn't as accurate as your pregnancy. I've got 35 pounds resting on my bladder. At least your weight gain is spread out through your legs and rear." end quote. It seems the wearer of the empathy belly did not feel so much empathy after all :)

http://www.empathybelly.org/home.html

The Landmark Shower

2009-04-15T10:00:00.000-05:00

After a whirlwind morning at the Knoxville Marathon, we arrived back in Montgomery just in time for the Landmark baby shower. We were honored with two other couples that evening and were showered with an overwhelming amount of gifts. People really go all out for these church baby showers. We were truly touched by the many families who wanted to join us in celebrating Nolan's birth.

Neither of our families were able to come down for the shower, so we asked Linda Dunham, a close friend of the family, to sit with us and help with gifts. Linda is the one who first introduced Jeremy and me when I moved to Montgomery in 2003. At Linda's suggestion, Jeremy asked me out for our very first date. She was the perfect stand-in mom and gift recorder. Her presence beside us at the shower was very special! Check out our faces upon opening the AL outfit. (Linda, too, is a big fan of the Vols!)

A Shower for Nolan, a Marathon for Jeremy

2009-04-10T15:21:00.000-05:00

The girls that I grew up with in the Laurel youth group threw me a beautiful shower on Satuday, March 28th in Knoxville. Women from this church that I have known most all my life were able to come and make the occasion so special. God, in His goodness, has provided our family with some lifelong friends through Laurel Church of Christ. Many of them were around to welcome me into the world 27 years ago, and now these same family friends are helping us celebrate the birth of baby Nolan.

Here are some of the dearest friends a girl could ever have! I love you girls and treasure the lifetime of memories that I have with each of you. I'm so thankful we have each other and that we've remained close all these years! I will look forward to our next visit together!
My talented mother smocked and sewed a precious little onesie for Nolan. The brown puppies are adorable, as we are certainly partial to puppies at our house. Nolan will be stylin' in his new outfit!

On Sunday, Jeremy ran his best time ever in the Knoxville Marathon (3:48)! We were on a time crunch to get back to Montgomery for the Landmark shower, so his marathon finish was a double victory!!! My dad also ran in the race - his 5th marathon to date. Praise God for an injury-free race for both of them! My mom, sister, and I enjoyed following the two of them around Knoxville and cheering for our runners. The finish in Neyland Stadium was pretty awesome!

Before the race, Jeremy and I splurged and bought a new video camera. Unfortunately, the cameraman (myself) was not too good, so the footage is a little shaky. Caution: may cause motion sickness.

Nashville Showers

2009-03-21T21:04:00.000-05:00

On March 14th, we had our first two showers in Nashville. The first was a Family Shower hosted by Jeremy's family. Our sister-in-law Elizabeth did a wonderful job with the decorations. Pictures of Jeremy and me from when we were babies surrounded the room and little onesies hung over the fireplace.

Two of our favorite gifts were a quilt that my mom made and a Baby Blessings Book that contained prayers of blessing from each person in the family. Before the shower began, each person read their baby blessing to Nolan. Bre put all of the blessings together in a scrapbook that will always be one of the most treasured items in Nolan's nursery.
Having my Pa there was very special to me. He even got to feel Nolan kick. Pa exclaimed with surprise, "He bit me" and then told me Nolan would have to get a spanking.
Our next shower was hosted by some of my dearest friends from Lipscomb. The shower honored Keely and me. These girls have been apart of so many milestones in my life. It was so neat to share this occasion with them and be blessed by their love for our new baby.
Keely is six weeks ahead of me and we are both expecting boys! Caleb Thomas is set to arrive on Mother's Day while Nolan's due date is on Father's Day. It was so special to share this celebration with Keely.
Kristy and Addison also came by to help us celebrate. One of my favorite parts of the shower was getting to catch up with friends. Jeremy and I both felt so overwhelmed by all of the love shown to us on this day. We are truly thankful for all of our family and friends.

Nursery Beginnings

2009-03-20T19:41:00.001-05:00

John and Nola (Jeremy's parents) came down from Nashville at the end of February to help us get started on the nursery for "Nolan Robert Vest." We completely cleaned out the room, sold furniture on Craig's list, emptied the closet, painted the walls, added shelving to the closet, picked out new bedding, painted a bookshelf, and hung curtains. Titan couldn't help but get in the middle of things. Note the blue streak of paint down his back. Titan rubbed against a wall and left a trail of black fur behind. That was great fun to pick out of the paint :)

This weekend, my mom came down during her Spring Break and brought us the baby furniture. We washed all of the bedding and got a start on the set up. There is still lots to do, but it feels great to have the major pieces in place! Jeremy painted the bookshelf that was previously in the closet (see above picture) and I was so excited with how it turned out.

It's a BOY

2009-02-05T21:12:00.001-06:00

Our ultrasound this morning revealed quite a surprise. Though Jeremy and I both were convinced that our baby was a girl, we were thrilled with the news that a BOY is coming our way!!! He was most cooperative with the ultrasound technician, proudly showing off his male anatomy for all to see. Weighing in at 13 ounces, the baby is healthy in every way that could be determined by today's appointment. We are so thankful to God for the gift of this child and we praise His name today and always for being so faithful to our family. A boy's name is still in the works, soon to be revealed. Titan was also thrilled with the news and even practiced being a big brother tonight with his stuffed Boston Terrier pup. (For Titan, being a good big brother was not tearing the puppy's head off - we still have lots of practicing to do).

20 Weeks and Counting!!!

2009-01-31T22:04:00.001-06:00

This blogging update is way overdue. Here's the latest belly shot in all its glory. I've noticed that my belly button is definitely more of an "indention" these days than an actual "belly button hole." Outie belly buttons have always been so cool to me, so I'm secretly looking forward to having one. Maybe it will even poke through my shirt :)

Baby Vest has been doing lots of thumping and bumping. At 18-weeks, Jeremy felt the baby move for the very first time....right during the middle of American Idol. It was a special moment, watching Jeremy's face light up as he felt the little kick. Our baby time ticker (see top right) now says 140 days to go, 140 days so far. We can't believe it!

Baby Vest is currently the length of a banana, weighing in at about 10.5 ounces. I have loved this second trimester and am giddy over the constant feeling of our baby moving inside of me. How great is our God to show life in this way. Poor Jeremy finally set a boundary that I can only grab his hand and put it on my stomach in the privacy of our own home - not in public :)

Prayer time for this baby is a treasured time with Jeremy each evening and we can't wait to pray for this baby by name. We will find out the gender in five days!!! Stay tuned for ultrasound pictures and maybe even a name. We are so ready!

I also thought this would be a fun place to announce that I'm going to be an aunt again. My sister-in-law Elizabeth Vest is due with her second baby in August. They shared the early news with us at Christmas so we could celebrate this miracle together as a family. After waiting a long time for God's perfect timing with Jon Harper, God brought this baby to Johnathan and Liz very quickly. Jeremy and I are so excited and thrilled that our first-cousin babies will only be two months apart!

Highlights of the Holiday

2008-12-19T12:51:00.000-06:00

We have been quite busy this month and I wanted to take some time to write about my favorite moments of the season so far. December is always busy, but also so FULL of wonderful times with family and friends. This year, my fatigue and not so pleasant pregnancy symptoms have prevented the home-decorating explosion that is usually such a fun part of Christmas in Montgomery. We are gone so much in December that we wouldn't get to enjoy a decorated home very much anyway. Therefore, I have LOVED getting my Christmas fix at the following oh-so-fun festivities.

The Christmas Carol - Jeremy's parents came down for a visit and we took them to see The Christmas Carol at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. It wasn't the best performance that I've ever seen there, but it was a great start for getting into the Christmas spirit.

Revolve Tour in Atlanta - I spent the first weekend in December with our teen girls at this conference. The event is a fun, fast-paced, action-packed event where thousands of teen girls gather at the Gwinett Center for a time of worship, drama, and personal testimony!

Junior High Christmas Party - There's nothing like 30 junior high teens packed into one room of a house. It took us over an hour to play dirty Santa, but I have never laughed so hard! I adore our junior high teens and have so much fun with them.

Doctor's Appointment on Dec 11 - We heard the heartbeat again and will find out the gender in about six more weeks. On this same day, our dear friends Kevin & Britani had their baby. What a joy to see them and hold their new little miracle - Oliver is a beautiful baby!

Staff Christmas Party - Gail Durden, Landmark's new ministers' coordinator is definitely the hostess with the most-est! We had so much fun playing the coolest take on Dirty Santa I've ever seen. It was a special time to spend with our church staff and I am very thankful to have them as my Montgomery family.

Johnathan's Graduation - Jeremy's brother finished his doctorate in education at the University of AL. We joined the family in Tuscaloosa (my first visit there) to attend his graduation and to celebrate this amazing achievement. We are so proud of him!

Andrew Peterson Concert - When we first began dating, Jeremy introduced me to the music of Andrew Peterson. Jeremy is one of his biggest fans. We travelled to Birmingham with some friends and left the concert truly inspired! Jeremy even spotted Chris Tomlin there!

Christmas Concert at Landmark - Our church went out on a limb and hosted a fabulous concert this past Wednesday night. Rush of Fools, New Song, Ayiesha Woods, and American Idol's Chris Sligh all performed throughout the evening. God undoubtedly worked through this event to touch many lives in our church and community.

Dinner with Friends - Before leaving for our eight day road trip, we spent an evening with some good friends in Montgomery. The Summers hosted us and a few other couples for dinner and a game night in their home. Valerie and I are only two days apart with our pregnancies - so fun!

Exchanging Gifts with Jeremy - Jeremy and I always take time before the long road trip to do a special gift exchange with just us. This year, Jeremy surprised me with a weekend trip to Savannah, GA at a bed & breakfast (complete with a spa treatment and horse drawn carriage ride). We will take this trip in April before our journey through parenthood begins. I can hardly wait!

13 Weeks Today - What a Gift!

2008-12-14T20:54:00.001-06:00

It was so exciting for us to reach the 13 week milestone this weekend. We had another doctor's appointment last Thursday and once again heard the beautiful sound of Baby Vest's heartbeat. I will never take that sound for granted for as long as I live. What a gift! At 13 weeks, the baby is now 3 inches long and is about the size of a peach. He/she (I'm thinking he, as of now) has already developed fingernails and hair. It can squint, open its mouth, and wiggle its fingers and toes. We have an amazing creator. A verse from Psalm 139 continues to echo across my heart this week: "You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." What an overwhelming thought to know that He is currently knitting together a beautiful work of art inside of me even now!

I will start my second trimester tomorrow. Now I have heard rumors that the next three months will bring more energy, less nausea, and better sleep. I can't wait! Though I have only gotten "sick sick" once, I am eager for the persistent feeling of nausea to leave. I would like to give a special shout out to Quaker Honey Graham Oh's. I am currently on my 5th box of these bad boys, as they've become my favorite bedtime snack. Other favorite foods include deviled eggs, ramen noodles, spaghetti o's, string cheese, chocolate milk (thanks Keely), yogurt, and the Mediterranean Tuna pita from Zoe's Kitchen. Jeremy has been a trooper through the first trimester (only 189 days to go). He single-handedly cleaned the whole house and did much of the laundry last Friday night. I am thankful for many things right now, but Jeremy is most certainly at the top of my long list!

Why We Love Our Whitey Titey

2008-11-16T17:02:00.001-06:00

We've had our dog Titan now for 3 years. Those first few months were pretty rough, but he has turned out to be a pretty great dog. Here are 15 reasons why we love Titan so much:

1. Intelligent expression - we can tell what he's thinking

2. His big brown eyes will melt your heart

3. He knows the names of all of his toys and can bring them to you on command

4. He's a great cuddler and he sleeps right in the middle

5. Titan never gives up with bringing you his toys - even when told "no play" over and over again

6. He's a great walking partner and can even make it 3 miles on a cool day

7. He does a great impression of Billy Idol

8. He always wants to be with people and he loves to give kisses

9. Titan can chase ducks like a pro, right up until they hit the water - then he runs away

10. He cleans the kitchen floor better than a mop

11. He can balance a treat on his nose until given permission to eat it

12. Titan loves to "go on a trip" and is a great traveler

13. He's had as many surgeries as Jeremy and Hannah put together

14. His black and white coat makes him the perfect gentlemen

15. Titan's gas can clear a room quicker than a fire drill

Last but not least, he's going to be a great big brother to our new baby - due June 21st!

A Tribute to the Swellest of Sweaters

2008-11-11T09:36:00.000-06:00

Today I pulled a long-lost friend out of my closet - a sweater that I bought when I was a junior in high school. This year, my sweater is celebrating its tenth birthday. I've gone through a lot of sweaters over the years, but this is one that I just haven't been able to part with. (I'm wearing it today so that I can rationalize keeping it yet another year). Call it nostalgia, call it pride, but I hope to hold on to this sweater for many more years to come. I remember buying it with my own money at the West Town Mall Abercrombie (before Abercrombie was associated with nude models). I remember loaning it to friends because they too thought it was a cool sweater. I remember wearing it to class at Lipscomb. I have a distinct memory of my friend Laura wearing it at Winterfest. It still carries the faint scent of Country Apple body splash from Bath & Body Works. Sadly, I don't get to wear many sweaters in Montgomery, AL. Our winters are very short here. But on this day, I will wear my sweater and smile at the memories.

Bitter into Sweet

2008-11-07T09:44:00.000-06:00

I'm in a Bible study that meets on Wednesday mornings. This year, we are studying the Life of Moses. At first I wasn't too thrilled with this topic, seeing that the study lasts 32 weeks. But I have been amazed at how much God is teaching me through a man that was born almost 3500 years ago. This week, our study had the neatest application.

After 430 years of slavery in Egypt, the Israelites have just escaped and crossed through the Red Sea. They celebrate God's miracles and praise Him with song and dance. But just three days after these events, they have already forgotten God's amazing provision and deliverance! As they begin their journey through the desert, the drinking water they find is bitter and the grumbling and complaining begins (only forty years to go!) And then . . . God works the most perfect miracle. He took the bitter water and turned it in to something sweet - a water so sweet that two million people and their animals could have their fill!

Isn't that just like God? He can take the most bitter of circumstances and transform them to something beautiful and sweet. Of course this story reminded me our our miscarriage last March. We had every reason to feel bitter and angry. But instead, He worked a miracle in our hearts and lives. He turned the bitter into sweet!

Right after working this miracle, God tells the Israelites that He is Jehovah-Ropheka, "I am the LORD who heals you." What a gift of grace that we have a God who heals us! He restores beauty for ashes, gladness for mourning, and praise for despair. Jeremy and I have experienced this healing in our hearts, and we are so thankful for His gracious care of us. He has led us through green pastures and beside quiet waters. Not because we deserve it, but because that's who He is - Jehovah-Ropheka! It's not always easy to be joyful in difficult circumstances, but His track record of faithfulness is 100%. It's pretty hard for me to doubt when I remember that!

Nashville and a New Hair Cut

2008-11-03T09:04:00.001-06:00

Jeremy and I had a great time in Nashville this past weekend with his family. We arrived just in time to see our 9-month-old nephew, Jon Harper, in the neighborhood Halloween parade. On Saturday, we had a family breakfast and I later helped Nola make pumpkin pies. Nola also took me to see Becca Bean. Becca is a friend of the Vest family who cuts hair on the side. She's given me my last two hair cuts. I was grateful to get some thinning action going on - Thanks Becca Bean :) On Saturday evening, we ate at the Germantown Cafe in downtown Nashville to celebrate Johnathan finishing his doctorate. While leaving the restaurant, both Jeremy and his brother made eye contact with Sheryl Crow! We enjoyed the worship service at Harpeth Hills and then posed in front of the Vest house for a family picture. I am very thankful to be apart of the Vest Family!