words of encouragement

Psalm 3:3-6
But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people. Who have set themselves against me all around.

Today, I need these words of encouragement. First of all, Lil A is quite sick. She's had fever for over 24hrs now. Poor baby. Doing our best to keep her comfortable. 

Being a mom, is just one of the fancy hats I put on every day. As you know, I also do a magical balancing act of being a case manager for 20 clients around the north west arkansas area, and I'm also a full time graduate student. Everything, I thought, was going beautifully! I've often patted myself on the back before going to bed at night to say a job well done on all the above. However, today, I got slapped with some awakening news. I got wait listed, after being told I was a shoe in basically, for formal admissions into the graduate program here at the U of A. I'm crushed. Most of the staff have been open armed to me since my arrival with the exception of one professor (with whom I honestly thought I was making head way). I was told by the director that there was some talk of my dedication to the program (by one professor in specific-wasn't hard to figure that one out) and they wanted to wait list me until the end of the semester to see how I pan out. I seriously can't believe it. Not because I'm THAT confident that I rock as a graduate student, but because I feel like I'm being penalized for being a hard working mom. Those were even their words, that because I'm working and a new mom that I may not have graduate school as one of my top priorities. 

I'm trying to see that God is creating an opportunity for me to shine and blow their low expectations away. But being totally honest with myself, and you the reader, I often am troubled with unexpected challenges, and sometimes start to lack motivation when the going gets tough. Is this what they want to happen? After all, I was given an ear full about how my fellow (27 other) classmates were completely perturbed about a new girl coming in and adding one more number to their already large graduate class. So strange considering the warm and pleasant experience I had in graduate school at Jonesboro. To say this was all unexpected would be an understatement. 

I'm am going to do my best to take all of this as a huge welcome basket and share my fruits and labor with those around me. God, my family, and true friends will help see me through this!

Winter WOWS!

So much has gone on since I last blogged. Time has just been passing us by. The one thing we heard so often after having a child has been, "enjoy it, because it goes by so fast". Now I know what they mean. The holidays were incredible! We drove to Atoka, Tennessee for Thanksgiving where Ben's mom's sisters all come together with all their children, and their children's children. All in all Ben's Aunt Susan and Uncle Danny host about 35 people in their home. This year Austyn was the youngest in tow, and everyone seemed to really enjoy having her there. Kasey Miller, Ben's cousin's wife, is pregnant this year. So next year we'll have another to add to the bunch, and Austyn will be walking, which I just can't even imagine! 

Sitting up for the first time on her own!

      Every day she is getting closer to becoming more mobile. She likes to be on her belly pushing off of her hands, but she still hasn't grasped the concept of getting her rear end in the air. I know it's just a matter of time, and pretty soon, I'll be back to blog of her first cruising escapade. I got to be honest and tell ya, I was getting a little worried knowing she wasn't getting around yet, but then my sweet husband reminded me in question, "Do you really want to be chasing her around the house yet?". I thought about it, and no... I really don't. =)

Christmas was a BLAST! The 10 hour drive to Galveston was well worth the time spent in the car with the two dogs, and us three Pittmans. I wish I had a picture of the circus act in motion. Haha. Games were played, lots of laughs shared, presents exchanged, wonderful meals prepared all by my fabulous mother, and memories were made that we'll never forget. It was Austyn's first Christmas and to say she did great on the vacation would be an understatement. She was INCREDIBLE! The long trip to and from Texas seemed to completely un-phase her. She slept well, ate even better, and was the perfect little Christmas angel in every picture captured!

Then soon after coming home, we rang in the new year with great friends Emily and Russ Allen. We attended their wedding back in October. 2011 has already brought good things our way. Ben's received a couple of bonuses at work for exceeding patient numbers. I began my job as a case manager with ICM, inc. Basically I work from home, but have to go out in the community a couple times a week to meet with my clients and make sure they are happy with services. School also started this past week, but with MLK holiday and today's snow day we only met twice. I could totally get used to that kind of schedule! =) We received around 6 inches of snow so far and its just beautiful!

With school starting back up, and this new job, it was obviously time for us to seek out reliable care for Austyn. It was pretty heart breaking for me to think about leaving her with total strangers. But miraculously, a daycare opened right across the street from Ben's office and the owner is one of his patients. Gotta be a God thing, right? We started childcare this week, and when I arrived to pick Austyn up on her first day, she was smooth passed out on the woman's chest, snoozing the day away. I guess she felt pretty comfortable there as well. That's a good sign. =) 

One more important thing that we incorporated into these past few months was getting Austyn dedicated at our church. It was a very special event! Keypoint is seriously a growing church. There were 8 other babies being dedicated that day, in our service, at the south campus alone. It'll be interesting to see how large the youth department expands to when she gets to that age. Our hope as parents is that she'll love going to church as much as we do and have a good understanding of why we go as a family. Keypoint has been an amazing addition to our marriage and we are learning and growing as individuals from attending and serving within the ministry. God has definitely been so good to us!

More to come in these cold, cold months! Stay well, everyone!

Falling into place...

Fall is officially here, with cooler temperatures, a kiss of red among the trees, and best of all, yes, FOOTBALL! The Pittmans have really been taking advantage of this change in seasons. With Austyn being so new to the world, we postponed adventure throughout the Summer but have really kicked things into high gear within the last month. Sparing too much detail I'll leave you with a picture time line of all recent events:

Austyn's first camping trip @ Bull Shoals State Park


 Labor Day Weekend 2010












AG and daddy after her first night in a tent!

 What a wonderful memory!

 With her "Aunt" Emily, showing off her belly. This was taken at the Jarratt's house. This was the day she first rolled over on her belly (while watching those HOGS!) =)


9-18-2010

Here at Grandpa and Grandma Hamilton's house. 9-19-10


 Austyn made a new friend, Josephine!

Our next big trip was to Paxico, Ks, to see our good friend, one of Ben's best friends from Chiro School, Joel Hund. Joel is now practicing in Ica, Peru, and this was his first trip back to the states since graduation. What a wonderful little town surrounded by kind and genuine folks!

9-21-2010

The next BIG event to attend was the Bama vs. Razorbacks..... though we know the final outcome of Mallets tragic pass interceptions, the day was an extraordinarily good one spent with friends, family, and lots of sunshine!

                                                                   9-25-2010

Next up, mommy and daddy DATE NIGHT!! It was the first time Austyn had a baby sitter, props to Alizabeth and Jason Harris! We have spent many nights since Austyn's birth, discussing the desire to get back out and watch some live music. Some of our most favorite memories of us dating in the "old days" were catching a couple live shows and dancing the night away! =) It was finally time to dust off those dancing shoes and get back out there. This time, The Black Crowes! The weekend was a great one as we shared this memory with good friends, and soon to be, Mr. & Mrs. Russ and Emily Allen!

                                                                       

Next Stop: Mountain Home for Grandpa Pittman's 81st bday dinner! A quick trip, but so great to see everybody!

10-5-10

 Lovin' on Aunt Susi

 With Great Aunt Donna and her Great Meemaw

Cousins Drew, Andrew, and Joseph

This past Saturday (10-9-10), we made a trip out to Vanzant Farms, just a couple miles from our home. I've been wanting to take Austyn to a pumpkin patch for some time, especially since I've never been to one myself. Vanzant is an awesome market where we frequent to buy honey, preserves, veggies, and what they're most popularly known for, peaches! The land was decorated wonderfully with fall foliage and pumpkins galore. We had a great time, and can't wait to return next year for more pictures! Aside from being so sleepy, Austyn appeared to love it too!

And finally, I'll leave you with this: 10-10-10, a special day and trip indeed. As I've mentioned before, Ben and I are leading a lifegroup within our church @ Keypoint, called Natural State Wellness group. We've met some really amazing and inspiring people, and better yet those people don't mind sharing a few Sundays out of the month joining us in what we love, maintaining a healthy lifestyle! On this particular day, a small group of us trekked out to Devil's Den in West Fork, Arkansas to enjoy nature, fellowship, and exercise! This trip was exceptionally special for us because almost one year ago (10-17-09) Ben asked for my hand in marriage at the Yellow Rock trail overlook! You can view our very first blog here to read our story! It was a beautiful day that we'll cherish forever, and we were so happy to travel back to "our" spot to reminisce with our baby girl Austyn in tow. 

God has continued to bless us daily with health, love, and open doors! I'm ecstatic to report continual developmental and physical growth in Austyn. She's a rolling fool these days, with more personality than I could have ever imagined for a five month old! It also feels good to know and say that Ben and I are making progress as parents! Life is good! =) 

Next stop: GALVESTON!! Austyn and I leave Wednesday for our first flight together! Wish us safe travels! We'll have lots more to update on when we return! Cheers!

Rolling in the Rock

     My sweet little girl has been full of surprises lately. Seems like everyday we're meeting a new milestone. In one week she's mastered raspberries noises, kissy faces, trying cereal and bananas for the first time, giggling and just today- she rolled over!! We're in Little Rock staying with my family and could not be more thrilled that some of my best friends were there to witness this BIG event in our life. =) Enjoy the video! We sure enjoyed cheering on more than the Hogs today! Go Austyn Go!! 

Whooooo Pig Sooie!

Oh yes! So I just recently got accepted as a student at the University of Arkansas. I'm officially an Arkansas Razorback! Whoo! (Pig, Sooie!)

Friends and family urged me to seek a meeting with staff to see what the chances would be of me completing my masters in speech pathology at the UofA. Since applying to the university 2 years ago, and being kindly rejected, I had little hope of the possibility of continuing my education here; especially since I had already completed almost 36 previous hours at Arkansas State University, in Jonesboro- almost 5 hours away. I had come to grips that come January 1, 2011, I'd be parting ways with my husband of one year to complete the 2+ semesters of coursework with our 8 month old in tow back in Jonesboro. The task seemed dauntingly impossible. 

So I did as my peers encouraged, and set up a brief interview with the Nurse and Health professions director. Ben kept Austyn, both waiting in the lobby for the news. I was amazed at how energetic this woman was at exploring all the options of me enrolling at the school as soon as possible. It was very apparent that God was working diligently, making sure this all panned out to the desire of my heart. With some tweaking of the schedule, and review of my transcripts, she assured me I was a shoe in. Hallelujah! 

With all this being said, I'm now proudly shouting from the rooftops, that I will be residing in Northwest Arkansas. Austyn will remain in close proximity with her daddy, and I'll be thanking the good Lord that all is happening for a very good reason! Go, Hogs, GO!

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3 months & happy

Hey Everybody!! Lots to post about since our last entry 3 weeks ago.Austyn is now a happy 3 months old, weighing in around 11.5 Lbs, and full of smiles. Her personality is really starting to shine. She loooooves to be called pretty.I can't imagine why! 

 Sleep is definitely hit or miss, which seems to be the running topic among friends who are in similar baby boats. They ask, "how ya sleeping?". Ben usually cracks a small smile, and I'm sure they usually see my face grimace at the thought of achieving a less desired 5 or so hours a night. The days pass quickly though, and sleep, as good as it sounds, doesn't seem to matter when you awake in a early morning daze, to see your little girl delicately grin back up at you once she realizes you've come to her rescue. Though I may struggle from exhaustion at times, those are the moments I'd rather remember. 

Speaking of sleep, look at how similar these two look when they rest: 

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When Austyn was first born, no one could figure out who she looked like. She did and still does, look very similar to me (Kelly) in my baby photos. Though as she rapidly grows, she's beginning to resemble daddy as well. I think he's exceptionally good looking so no complaints there.

Ben obviously is posing here, but I think the resemblance is too sweet. 

July was a full month for us. We traveled to Mountain Home for a special ONE YEAR celebration party, for our nephew Drew. What a sight! I'm looking forward to Austyn getting to play with her cousin. It'll be interesting to see what kind of trouble they get into. Here's Drew enjoying his much deserved birthday cake! 

After the bday party, I asked Ben to take me down to Bull Shoals state park. I'm so glad I did. It was a relaxing retreat to the river. We had the opportunity to get a family picture. The fog was crazy and continued to rise while we were there. We'll be returning with friends to this spot for Labor day weekend. 

7-17-10

Back to Austyn. One of things I've been getting a kick out of lately is watching her in her chair. She LOVES the purple hippo that hangs above her head. I'm so glad that I got this video of her playing:

My mom thought it was so cute that she decided Austyn needed a bigger purple hippo to play with whenever she wanted.

THANKYOU, BB! We love it!

All in all, the Summer has been good to us. We've maintained parenthood strictly from home, but looking forward to the several trips that are approaching very soon: camping, Little Rock, Heber Springs, Kansas, Jonesboro, and finally, a trip to Galveston. It'll be a busy couple of months, but the vacays will be much appreciated!

A few more pics to share and we'll wrap this thing up for today-

 

An angel in the outfield. At daddy's game.

A pretty girl indeed

father- daughter

turning into a blondie- watching the cowboys with daddy

Last one for today-This one makes me laugh everytime. So far we haven't been able to pull off the huge headbands that we see other babies so fashionably sport. This is AG having a little fun with a gift bag bow. Ok, so maybe it was funnier to me than her. Poor thing. Ha!