Here Comes Baby (Part 2)

Things were happening so fast, I could barely keep up. As I mentioned in my last blog, Eric was already so excited about me being pregnant. However, if I got real honest with myself, I was pretty far from excited. I was very scared, felt very unprepared, and felt completely blindsided.

Here we were two months after getting married, and I have taken a pregnancy test that says I’m pregnant. I called and made a doctors appointment to have some blood drawn just to confirm the pregnancy. The next day I received a phone call with the news. I was in fact pregnant, 5-6 weeks to be exact. SO… it seems that Eric and I went a whole three weeks being married, and not pregnant!

In our pre-marital counseling we talked about having children one day. We talked about how Eric and I felt about how long we should wait, how many children we both wanted, and financially how we would support a family more than just the two of us. All of these questions we had talked about, and had answers for. We wanted to wait somewhere around two years, we wanted one (possibly two) children, and financially we both felt better about being married a couple of years to kind of figure out the whole marriage thing before adding a child into the mix. Eric and I had a plan. We were ready to stick to that plan. Well, God had a much better plan in store for us. Honestly, it took me way longer than it should have been to fully embrace God’s plan as my own. I had just started a new job, I didn’t have any sick time, no vacation time, and for sure no maternity leave! I wasn’t even eligible for health insurance yet!! I had so many excuses I’m really ashamed of my attitude looking back. God had blessed us so much. He had provided for us in every single way. I had NO REASON to doubt that this would be any different.

We made our first official doctors appointment for three weeks later. The doctor’s office told me they would like for me to be 8-9 weeks for our first appointment. The blood that that tested to make sure I was actually pregnant also showed a low progesterone level. Basically, they like for the number to be around 20, and mine was around 13. This meant I would need to receive a shot every single week of progesterone until I reached 12 weeks. Low progesterone levels made my risk for a miscarriage pretty high, so we decided not to tell very many people that I was expecting right away. We did tell close friends and of course our family.

I really wish I could say that I only felt scared and blindsided for just a week or so, but that really wasn’t the case. It took me a while to not cry every single time I thought about the fact all of this was happening. This was supposed to be a happy, wonderful time in a couple’s life- for me, it was anything but. With some wonderful words of encouragement from friends and family, and many, many hours of prayer, being silent, listening, and finally letting go and letting God do what He has always done for me, I had an overwhelming joy and peace about the entire situation. You see, God will never give me something that I can’t handle. He will always be there when I need Him. He has promised this to me over and over. I just wish I had taken this outlook from the very beginning. The cool thing though, is that in all of this, God taught me so much. He gave me this situation to go through so I could learn and grow in Him. How amazing! What a mighty God I serve! Amen.

First comes love, then comes marriage, then...

comes a BABY in a baby carriage!! Oh my!

Let me back up just a little... The Monday after we returned from our wonderful honeymoon, I started work at a brand new job! I now work for Community Service Inc. in Conway. We are a mental health facility for youth. I got a job as a Behavioral Specialist. Basically, I help youth (ages 14-18) who have been expelled from public school. All of them have felonies, and are on probation. We help them to get their GED's and also help them behaviorally. The afternoons are dedicated to groups on anger management, social skill, empathy, and character education. I am finally able to use my degree I worked so hard for in Psychology. My job is very rewarding- but also VERY challenging. I love it. I love the kids, and I love helping them to become productive members of society.

Okay, so we come back from our honeymoon, and I was off to work at a new job! Needless to say, I had lots of new things in my life! (a husband, living with a boy, new job, LOTS!)

A couple of months after we got married, I started not feeling really well one day at work. I ignored it at first, and kept pushing through (I also didn't have any sick time yet). A couple of days later, I decided I would call my doctor and see if I could get in on my lunch break. I explained my symptoms to the nurse, and the first thing she asked me was "are you pregnant?" um... NO! No way! I can't be pregnant. I started thinking and realized I should have started the week before. The nice nurse then told me to go buy a home pregnancy test and to call her back. UGH! I didn't want to go buy one! I was scared out of my mind.

So, off I went to Target. So many questions were running through my mind! "What kind do I buy? Should I get more than one? Should I call my husband?" I was freaking out! (that's probably an understatement) I ended up buying one that had three tests in the box. Sounded good to me. Plus, I think I had seen a commercial about this particular test.

I got back to work and decided I couldn't wait till that night to take the test. So, yes... I am one of "those girls" who took a work home pregnancy test at work! Three LONG minutes later, I got a second little line on the sick. Meaning I AM PREGNANT! I took the other two, just to make sure, and then it was off to tell my husband.

He was still at work, and I was a nervous wreck. I had no clue what he was going to say! We hadn't exactly planned this- in fact we had taken the precautions the doctor had told us would be effective. Apparently, I am in that 2% of the population that birth control doesn't work on.

I pulled up to the McGee Center and walked in to tell my husband he was going to be a daddy just TWO months after we got married. Ha! I'm getting nervous again just typing this out! Okay, so I ask him if we can go talk somewhere. We end up walking around for a while, and then finally going outside. We sit down and this is how the conversation went...
Me: "You know how I haven't been feeling real well lately?"
Eric: "Yeah, are you okay?"
Me: "Well, I called the doctor today and she told me to take a pregnancy test. I went to Target and got a test. I already took it while I was at work... and... well... it says I'm pregnant."

And that is when Eric laid down. Right there, on his back, just laid down.

Me: "I have the test in my pocket if you would like to see." He nodded.
after a few seconds that seemed like an hour, Eric finally responded.
Eric: "Well, I guess we are having a baby!"

And from that very moment on, Eric has been so excited!!! I needed a little more time to get to that excitement level, but Eric was excited from that day on. I am very lucky to have such a wonderful guy.

Honeymoon!

After a very busy week, we were both so exhausted. We were excited to spend a week in Eureka Springs! We rented a Treetop Cabin not far from the downtown area. We had the best time ever! It was so peaceful and exactly what we both needed! Here are some pictures of the outside of the cabin.

It was so cute! It was perfect for us.

They had placed cute little notes all around the cabin for us. This one on the outside of the door says "Eric and Brittany, Welcome to the Hidden Oak Treehouse. Please enjoy your stay".

The heart shaped jacuzzi that Eric NEVER got out of! Ha! He loved that thing!

It was such a wonderful week. I wish we could go back. I would recommend these cabins for anyone! They were wonderful! Here's the link if you are interested. http://eurekaspringstreetopcottages.com/

It's Wedding time!

Razorback theme? I think so! Such a great night. The food was amazing!

Even Kyndall was decked out in her Razorback gear!

My mom's bestie, and the lady that helped us make it through the week. My second Momma, Ms. Jacqui!


Our wedding day was AMAZING! I wouldn’t change a thing. Yes, several things didn’t go exactly how I would have liked, but that’s what makes for entertaining stories to tell our future kids!

I started the day by going with my sister, and Rachel Cox to get our hair done. It was great! My dad came by and made fun of my hair during the many steps to get it perfect. Only my dad can make me laugh so hard on a day that I just knew I would be a wreck! Thanks Daddy!

Then, it was off to the church to get ready. My niece Kyndall was there to keep us company. I am so thankful for her. She was the BEST petal princess ever!

Eric getting ready, YES, he was about to wear WHITE SOCKS.

Thankfully someone had an extra pair of black ones. HA!

So, somehow in the stress and craziness of the day… my mom came down with PINK EYE (in both eyes)!! Bless her heart. She was trying her best to get to the church on time. P.S. She had my dress with her. Haha! I knew she would make it, and everything would be fine- she was the one stressing.

Me waiting patiently for my dress. Love you momma!

As our wedding present to each other, Eric and I gave new Bible’s with our names on them. I had the idea that we would each write a sweet message in the Bible’s and that we would exchange on our wedding day. Poor Eric. He didn’t understand that. I had his Bible with me- waiting to exchange… Where was my Bible? In his truck at the Peabody. We had reservations to stay there for our honeymoon night. He thought we were going to exchange them later, in a “more private setting”. I’m still not sure if he really thought that, or if that is what Derek told him to say, to keep him out of trouble! Ha! I love you Eric!

It was finally time to walk down the isle to my man! Oh, what a wonderful time. My bridesmaids… Rachael Myers (Maid of Honor), Jodi Brewer (Matron of Honor), Rachel Cox (Bridesmaid), and Stephanie Ungerank (Bridesmaid). My junior bridesmaid Tori Jackson (Eric's sister). I couldn’t have done this without each of you. You all played such a vital role in this day for me. I will never be able to thank each of you enough!

My honorary bridesmaides... Casey Slayton, Anna Rogers, and Courtney Jordan! I love you each more than you will ever know!

Eric’s groomsmen… Brock Jackson (Best Man), Derek Cox (Groomsmen), Justin Kimbrow (Groomsmen), and Cory Cox (Groomsmen). Such great guys! You each mean the world to Eric!

Brother Jason Aultman officiated the ceremony. I am so thankful that a man I have known for so long was so excited to be a part of our day.

Dr. William Collie, and his wonderful wife Sarah were a huge part of our ceremony. When I walked down the isle, we wanted to have a family prayer. Both of our families joined us for such a special time. Katie Fleming sang our favorite praise song “Wonderful, Merciful, Savior”. It was an amazing time of worship and prayer with each other, and our God. Thank you Katie, David Attebery, and Jerene Reddin. You all made the day so wonderful. I love that you are using your musical talents for the Lord.

BIG KISS!! We are officially Mr. and Mrs. Jackson!

Thank you to Leo Cummings III for doing such a great job introducing us to all our friends and family for the reception. Here are a couple pictures of that!

Finally, with the help of our friends and some sparklers... we were off to the Peabody!

An amazing day. I wouldn't change one thing.

Thank you to EVERYONE to made this day so special for both of us. We love you!

Here Comes The Bride... almost!

I was so worried about having my bridal pictures taken. How do you pick one to make HUGE for everyone to see at the wedding? What happens if I don't like how I look well enough in any of them to pick one? I was stressed. However, after seeing how wonderful our engagements turned out, and buying a second wedding dress :) … I was READY! I had so much faith in Damon and Jessica. They did such a wonderful job posing me, and helping me feel so comfortable! So… here are a few of my favorites!

LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Thank you Damon and Jessica!

The Greatest Photographers EVER!

For those of you who know, and those of you who don't... I am a Facebook/ Blog stalker! :) Sorry. It's one of my favorite things to do. I love to learn about people. With my background in photography, I didn't want to just get anyone to take our pictures. I also wanted the same photographer to take our Engagements, my Bridals, and our Wedding. Pictures are so important to me, that I was willing to pay extra to get exactly what I wanted. So... I began the search. Searching Facebook, and random blogs, looking for other people's professional pictures. BOY- there were a TON! I ran across a friends wedding album on Facebook. I fell in love with her pictures! The only problem was that her photographer lived in Cabot, and I couldn't for the life of me find out how to get in touch with him! So, I kept looking. Nothing seemed to stand out as much as her's did.
One day while at work, it hit me... one of her bridesmaides was going to be one of MY bridesmaides! :) Duh Brittany! So I called Rachel and begged her to find out who this photographer was and how I could get in touch with him. I am telling you, within seconds (maybe more like an hour) Rachel had his name, email, and phone number. Actually, she had already emailed him and told him I was interested in using him. SHE IS AMAZING! :) That's one of the many many reasons she is one of my closest friends, and HAD to be a part of my wedding! LOVE YOU RACH!
So after searching and searching for the perfect photographer I was finally in touch with my dream photographer! Damon Hair! Here is a link to his Flicker, he is amazing! http://www.flickr.com/photos/dhair/

It didn't take us long to set up a day to do our engagement pictures. We decided on the Capital for some dressy shots, and then downtown Little Rock for some more casual pictures. We had to have a picture with the Hog that is downtown! Ha!
Here are some of my favorites...enjoy!

My bridal's are coming soon!

God is Good!

Eric and I were doing great!! We were slowly starting to plan our wedding and start preparing for our future. We both had stable jobs (or so we thought), supportive families, and were looking forward to what the next few months were going to bring us. We were having fun with our friends, and didn't have a worry in the world. This would change very soon... the week after Eric proposed I lost my job!


A little background:

When I graduated high school, I decided that I would like to work at a bank, while going to college. I figured the hours would be good for a college student, and I didn’t think it could be that hard. Luckily, I was hired a couple weeks after graduation. I continued to work at a local bank until I graduated with my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. It took me 4 ½ years to graduate. During that time, I really had grown to love working in the banking industry. With a degree in Psychology, you really need to have your Master’s Degree in order to do much. I had graduated, and wasn’t really excited about going back to school. The bank I was currently working at, didn’t have any full time positions open at the time. I made the decision to start looking around at other banks. I took a full time job with a different bank, and was scared to death!! I had worked at this local bank for 5 years! Sometimes change can be very difficult for me. It seemed to be the best decision for me at the time. After 3 years working for this bank, I had moved my way up and was the assistant branch manager of a branch here in Conway. I loved my job. One morning, my regional manager had scheduled a meeting with me. This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary we met several times a month. This turned out to be the last meeting I would have with him. The bank I was working for was going through some very serious financial problems and had to lay some employees off. I was one of the lucky ones. My life was literally turned upside down! I had no clue what I was supposed to do. Banking was all I knew… I had been doing it for almost 9 years. I needed to listen to God now, more than ever. I knew this would all turn around for the best, but at the time, it was very hard to believe that.

I was unemployed for almost 3 months. WAY TOO LONG. I interviewed so many places, and it just seemed like there wasn’t anywhere that was hiring. I interviewed at a behavioral facility here in Conway for kids who had been kicked out of public schools. I wanted that job more than anything. I have always had a desire to work with kids, and I could actually use the degree I had worked so hard to get. However, I didn’t hear back from them. I got offered a teller position at another bank a couple of weeks later, and accepted! I was so happy to just have a job. I really started loving the people I was working with, and began to focus on starting at the bottom of the banking “chain” again. God provided exactly when I needed Him. I never doubted, but I can’t say there weren’t nights that I didn’t cry myself to sleep. God is good. He will never leave me or forsake me. Sometimes we just need that reminder.