these hands that are holding you

Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching
As if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

'Cause I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands at my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

'Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, yeah I'll love you
I'll never let you go, no, no

And I'll be by your side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Here at my side wherever you fall
In the dead of night whenever you call
And please don't fight these hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you
Here at my side, my hands are holding you

Lyrics from “By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North

I post song lyrics a lot, I know.  And I apologize for that… but not really.  Frankly, these people are good at putting things into words.  And songs speak to me a lot.  Sometimes it’s Jeremy Camp, while other times it’s a message from good ole’ Tay Swift (22 anyone?). 

Well today it’s Tenth Avenue North.  I could write a lot about the lyrics above me.  Like a lot.  But I’m not going to ramble today (your welcome).  These lyrics speak for themselves.  It’s really a love letter.  To you, whoever you are, wherever you are, from God. 

I needed this love letter yesterday and maybe you need it too.  I was searching for love and comfort in all of the wrong places and was completely running from the hands that hold me, His hands.  I see women, especially, doing this all the time (I’m at the front of the line trust me).  But I’m here to tell you ladies, people are not enough for your heart.  Even the most perfect, amazing and wonderful person.  Not enough.  Your boyfriend?  Not enough to fulfill every part of your happiness.  Your best friend who would do anything for you?  Not enough for all of your heart.  Your sweet, sensitive and selfless husband?  Still not enough to fulfill every need in your inner-most being.  And all of these people are wonderful, and I believe God places these people in our lives so they can fulfill some needs and teach us about love and grace.  Lord knows I would be nowhere without my husband.  He is my backbone when I’m happy, sad, strong or weak.  But even he’s not perfect.  And neither am I.  I can’t fill every single part of his heart either.  As much as I want to and as much as I try to.  He needs Jesus to do that just like I do.  Only Jesus can fill parts of our heart.  So let Him.  Don’t run.

OK fine, I rambled a little bit.  But sweet friends, don’t run.  Let him lift up your face.  He is by your side and holding you.  Just let him.

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i heart lilly

erin and i working the Lilly store on halloween.  she's a princess and i'm... a pumpkin duh.  all in Lilly :)

On Sunday the world lost a fashion icon.  A legend.  Someone I dearly loved and respected.  Despite the fact that I never met this woman, I felt like I knew her through her patterns.  Lilly Pulitzer has been a staple in my life.  Not only did I work at the Palm Avenue Lilly Pulitzer boutique throughout college in Raleigh, but my sissy owned the Wilmington store for a little while.  My family loves some Lilly.  And always will.  I know my sweet Georgia Grace will follow suite!  And now for a a few of my favorite Lilly dresses.  The sad part is... I didn't post half!

gaga, me, my sissy and my mama (last three all in Lilly)

lilly skorts on bid day

lilly for my bach party

in my lilly for my bridal luncheon

lilly for my bridal shower

lilly for a wedding

me and margaret ann.  both in lilly headed to Carolina Cup.

lilly for a function in college.

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6 months update!

And now I bring you a preggy update! 22-24 Weeks

How Far Along: 24 weeks as of yesterday AKA 6 MONTHS!  Side note here:  When I tell people I am 6 months pregnant most people react with, “Oh my goodness 3 more months!”  Then my when I tell them I am due in late July they become confused.  As would I pre-pregnancy.  So allow me to clear up a common misconception.  I am 6 months pregnant right now but I still have 4 months to go.  You carry a baby for 40 weeks and, well, 40/4 is 10 my friends, not 9.  So you are technically “pregnant” for 10 months not nine.  Crazy huh?  They start counting the week before the egg is fertilized or something crazy.  I don’t know all the details.  All I know is I am 24 weeks pregnant and that means 6 months!  And it also means I’m in my last month of my 2^nd trimester, aka I’m closer to my 3^rd trimester, aka baby is soon and I need to get busy on her nursery!

Size of Baby: Georgia is the size of a cantaloupe. She about 11 inches long and weighs about 15 ounces. 

Maternity Clothes: Duh.  I love them.  I still can get away with the belly band at times, and luckily a lot of my dresses are flowy (so hurry up warm weather), but there is nothing like putting on my preggy pants.  They have an elastic, loose band that comes clear up to below my boobs – letting my belly just chill.  I’m pretty sure I’ll wear these pants for the rest of my life because they are that comfy.     
Stretch Marks: None yet.  Sticking to my Coconut Oil nightly and I’ve incorporated BioOil into my regime as well thanks to the lovely Kelly’s recommendation. 
Sleep: Sleeping like a babe lately.  I still wake up a few times to readjust and get comfy and I haven’t bought one of those snazzy pillows yet and I don’t know if I’m going to.  Between me, my growing belly, my 6’4’’ hubby and my fur baby, I’m not sure there is room for that thing in our bed.  And we like to stay close and snuggle.  But I do sleep with an extra pillow between my knees and that is super comfy!
Best Moment of the Week/Past Month:  My trips to target are pretty amazing these days.  I got Georgia’s Labor Day dress the other day (her first seersucker!) and I’m pretty much in love with all of their onsies.  But I love hearing her heartbeat and feeling her kick.  We heard her little heartbeat again yesterday and it continues to amaze me that she is growing inside me.  It washes away any fears I have in my mind and reminds me of God’s faithfulness and goodness each time.  And I love her kicks.  And her flips.  And her cartwheels.  She may be a gymnast, I’m telling ya.
Movement:  Yes!  See above comment because she’s a mover and a shaker, that’s for sure.
Cravings: Chocolate milk is still a nightly ritual.  And of course breakfast food.  Nothing else though.  I just eat everything.  And a lot of it.

Gender: Still a girl J  I made my doctor re-evaluate the ultrasound again last week to make sure.  She said they are pretty good and these things and it’s save to buy pink.  Good thing! 

Belly Button In or Out: Still in!
Wedding Ring on or Off: On.
Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: Still feeling so blessed to say no!
What I Miss: Still missing the red.  But thanks to our wine club membership we are stocking up for when mama is back in the game!
What I am Looking Forward to: Showing off my belly!  My belly has finally “popped” so they say and I look preggy.  I love it.  We have lots of busy and fun weekends and travels coming up with good friends so I’m excited to rock my baby belly with my loved ones.

Labor Signs: Nope thank goodness.  Too early for that!  

Nursery: There is a plan!!  I have picked the paint color.  It’s official.  And these next few weeks we are taping off the room and hubby is painting the trim.  Then he and his daddy are gonna get that bad boy painted so I can move on!  I’m also painting her bathroom a different color.  So I’m hoping in the next 2-3 weeks we can check off painting from our "To Do" list! 

Emotions:  Happy.  Overjoyed.  Still super sensitive, and emotional, but happy still.  I wake up every morning with a baby in my belly.  My baby.  A baby that looks like me or Matt.  How can I not be overjoyed?

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