• Baby,  Pregnancy

    Baby Zin – Frequently Asked Questions

    July 5, 2017

    Hi friends! Thank you so much or all the love and support from my post on Monday! I’m so excited to finally be able to talk about my pregnancy and all things related on the blog. It’s been so so hard to find things to write about because all I want to talk about is the biggest thing that’s going on in our life. So today I thought I’d share a little bit more about just that – Baby Zin!

    How far along are you?

    I am 13 weeks, 4 days today.

    How are you feeling?

    Not too bad! Mostly just really tired. The first couple of months were a little but worse. I didn’t have morning sickness per say but I definitely didn’t feel that great either. I had food aversions like crazy too. I’m planning on doing a first trimester recap soon so I will include more details in that.

    When did you find out?

    May 6th. It was the first weekend that we had moved into my mom’s house so I was panicking that I was going to be throwing up and feeling awful and not even have my own space to do it in. Thankfully I only got sick once and got through just fine.

    How did you find out?

    I was feeling so very strange that morning. Tommy and I were getting ready to go out for breakfast and I was SO TIRED, with no reason to be as exhausted as I was. I was also really crampy but not period crampy, which really confused me because my period was due to come. I could not stop thinking about being pregnant so I took a test so I could “stop thinking about it” and SURPRISE I was pregnant.

    How did you tell Tommy?

    I ran down the hall after seeing the positive and looked at him in shock and said, “It says I’m pregnant! I’m not kidding! Oh my god!”

    Were you trying?

    If you couldn’t tell by my reaction to Tommy, no haha. But we weren’t actively preventing either. Baby was a happy surprise.

    Are you going to find out the gender?

    YES. I cannot wait to find out next month. Our anatomy scan is on August 21st and I’m planning on having a little gender reveal party just with close friends and family either that day or very soon after. I cannot wait.

    Do you have any gender preferences?

    Honestly before I got pregnant I only wanted boys. As soon as I became pregnant I literally didn’t care if the baby is a boy or girl. Tommy and I want at least one of each so we really don’t care which comes first.

    Are you going to work or be a SAHM?

    I am going to stay at home with baby. I am so very thankful that I have this opportunity. I know that a lot of people have the desire to be a SAHM but aren’t able to so I don’t take this lightly. I have always wanted to be a SAHM too so I am very excited.

    So that’s just a little but about what’s been going on. Like I mentioned before I’m planning on doing a First Trimester Recap soon also. Let me know if you have any other questions too! Thanks for following along on this fun journey with us.

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  • Baby

    Baby Zin Coming Soon!

    July 3, 2017

    Baby Zinhobl Due January 6th, 2018

    “Every good and perfect gift comes from above…” – James 1:17

    Happily sharing the news with you all that we are having a baby! It’s so great to finally be able to explain why I’ve been MIA the past couple of months. We are so excited for this adventure ahead and I can’t wait to share it with you all as well! I have more baby related posts coming later in the week so keep your eye out for those for more information about our little miracle!

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  • Life

    What’s Up Wednesday: June 2017

    June 29, 2017

    It may be a day late but I thought I’d join in for What’s Up Wednesday especially since I haven’t been blogging too often lately. I was debating on not doing it again this month because ever since we moved in with my mom I haven’t been taking many pictures. But I decided that a post with fewer pictures is better than no post at all. 😉

    What We’ve Been Eating This Week

    Lots of meals made by my mom. This was supposed to be the last week that we were sharing a space with my mom so I was enjoying all of her cooking before being left to take on that responsibility on my own again. It turns out we will most likely be here for another week however though. Womp Womp.

     

    What I’m Reminiscing About

    Living in our old apartment! If you guys remember, it was a tough move for me. I really did not want to leave because that space was perfect for Tommy and I. I seriously cannot believe that it’s been two months since we moved out though. I was thinking about just how awesome that little space was for the year that we lived there just the other day.

     

    What I’m Loving

    That I finally opened my Etsy shop! I was planning on waiting until I had more items to sell but life got in the way and it was taking longer than expected so I decided to just open it with the items I do have done! If you’re interested in either of those blankets, check out my Etsy shop here! You can also follow along when new items are added to shop on Instagram here.

     

    What We’ve Been Up To

    Nothing too much! We did a lot of weekend traveling this month so we are trying to stay home more lately to save some money. We are patiently waiting to move upstairs and start unpacking though!

     

    What I’m Dreading

    Nothing really! Just not knowing when exactly we will be moving into our own place. We have to wait for the tenets to move out and they are waiting on the closing for their house. I’m praying, hoping, and wishing it will be sooner rather than later.

     

    What I’m Working On

    More Etsy shop items! This is the baby blanket from above just in girl colors! I have a few other projects started as well but not yet finished.

     

    What I’m Watching/Reading

    I have been slacking like crazy on reading. I’ve been in the middle of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for a few months now. I also just started Wild and Free by Hayley Morgan and Jess Connolly. I’m only one chapter into it but I’m excited to keep reading.

    Tommy and I also are watching New Girl on Netflix and we seriously love that show. It’s just so funny and perfect for watching right before bed.

     

    What I’m Listening To

    Honestly nothing haha. I’m not really too into Podcasts just because I don’t know of any good ones. Send me all of your recommendations though!

     

    What I’m Wearing

    Lots of track shorts and t-shirts honestly. It’s been pretty hot here so I’ve been dressing nice and comfy. 🙂

     

    What I’m Doing This Weekend

    We are dog sitting for Tommy’s parents this weekend and they have an awesome backyard with a super nice pool. We will probably be spending our days out by the pool and enjoying a house to ourself for a change!

     

    What I’m Looking Forward To

    There is some HUGE news headed to the blog next week so stay tuned for that! I’m super excited to finally be able to talk about it here. 🙂

    So that’s all for this month – told yah there weren’t many pictures. We really aren’t up to too much other than enjoying our slow-paced summer and the launch of my Etsy shop. What’s new with you? Come link up with us. 🙂

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  • Life

    Friday Favorites | Vol. 7

    June 23, 2017

    Hi friends! I’m back for the first time in a long time with Friday Favorites! I promise that soon enough I will be back to posting more regularly! Let’s recap what I’ve been up to over the last few weeks, shall we?

    Friday Favorites

    o n e

    Tommy and I have spent two out of the three weekends this month at the beach! We just drove down for a few hours and sat in the sun and read and it’s been so much fun. We were determined to keep busy this month to try to make the time go faster (since we don’t move out of my mom’s house and into our new apartment until July 1st). This has proved to be a great way to pass the time since we both LOVE the beach.

     

    t w o

    In other super exciting news, I launched my Etsy shop! I had planned to wait a bit longer until I had more items to buy but life got in the way and it’s taking longer than I expected to get them done. That’s totally okay but I decided I wanted to open shop with what I do have!

     

    This chunky blanket is item number 1! My husband and I love to use it while were sitting on the couch watching TV. It’s super soft and warm. If you’re interested in seeing more about this item (like the 18 other color options or more pictures) click here. 🙂

     

    The other item I have for sale is this beautiful baby boy blanket! This was my first item finished and it was so fun to make. If you’re interested in seeing more about this item, click here.

     

    t h r e e

    We finished our online Bible study this month as well! (I actually never got around to posting about the last week, oops!) I did this study with Bella from Over The Teacups and it was such a great study! If you want to read about what I learned you can check out some of those posts (here, here, here, and here). The study was about Jesus’s “I am” statements and how they mean everything to us. It was so fun to have a friend to do the study with as well.

     

    f o u r

    Tommy and I also took a trip up to Lake George for the weekend last week! Tommy really wanted to bring my mom and brother up and show them the lake. His family has been going there since he was a baby and we had so much fun sharing the lake with my family.

    We also got to bring our dog Noelle, which was a big change but so much fun. She did so well! Here she is not sure how she’s feeling about being in the car. She seriously was the best dog while we were up there. We even brought her on the boat!

     

    f i v e

    Other than that we’ve been doing lots of resting and napping this month and you won’t see me complaining one bit. It’s been great to have a nice balance of keeping busy and resting. Can’t wait for all the fun to begin once we move upstairs to our apartment in exactly a week from tomorrow though! Then there will probably not be so much resting being done because there’s going to be so much that needs to be done and I can’t wait!

    Thanks for stopping by and catching up with me. What have you been up to? I’ve honestly really missed this space and can’t wait to get back to a more regular posting schedule. 🙂

     

    Linking up with these lovely ladies below!

     

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  • Coffee Dates,  Faith

    Let’s Have Coffee | Vol. 10

    June 13, 2017

    I can’t believe I’ve been doing this linkup for 10 months! It’s my favorite linkup of the month that’s for sure! Let’s catch up this month over some coffee. 🙂

    If we were having coffee, I would share with you that I just love K cups and specifically the Starbucks Veranda blend ones. I had to take a bit of a break from coffee for the past few weeks and had my first real cup today and absolutely loved it. I also loved what it did for my energy levels as well, haha!

    If we were having coffee, I would share with you that ever since being back at home I have really missed going to our old church. I’m not positive if I mentioned it here (although I think I have) but my husband and I switched churches in the beginning of the year. It’s been a long drive to that church and ever since moving back home, I have really missed our old church. We decided to go back this past Sunday and aren’t sure yet about if we are permanently switching back but I’m thinking we might end up doing so.

    If we were having coffee, I would ask you how you are loving this weather. That is if you live anywhere near me. Here in New Jersey it has been in the 90’s (!) the past few days. I don’t hate it or love it to be honest but I’ll definitely take it over being cold that’s for sure!

    If we were having coffee, I’d let you know that I have been really slacking on my time with Jesus lately and it’s been really frustrating. I just cannot seem to find the motivation or energy to really sit down and have really good quality time with Him like I know I need. I actually carved out some time today and it was absolutely amazing. I really want to get back into my habit of drinking my coffee and reading my bible and journaling in the morning. I definitely need it.

    If we were having coffee, I’d ask what you’ve been up to lately. I’d really love to know so leave me a comment below! My husband and I have been going a bit stir crazy after moving into my mom’s house for a couple of months so we’ve been trying to get out on the weekends this month. It’s totally been working and this month feels so much better than last. We’ve taken a trip up to Lake George one weekend and two beach trips already! I’m super excited for more!

    If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m super excited about the vacation that we just booked last night. We are going to Wildwood (a NJ beach) in August for 5 nights and I can hardly wait! My husband and I absolutely love the beach and haven’t been on a vacation just the two of us since our honeymoon so it should be loads of fun!

    I must confess I didn’t think I had much to update you guys on and almost skipped out on this linkup again. I am so glad I didn’t! What else is new with you guys?! Today I’m linking up with Erin for our monthly coffee dates. Come join us!

     

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  • Devotional,  Faith

    How Jesus Satisfies Bible Study: Week Four

    June 7, 2017

    Hi friends. I cannot believe that this is the second to last week of this study. While sometimes it feels like I’ve been doing the study forever, part of me feels like I just started. It has definitely been an eye-opener and I have loved it so far. In this week of the study, we went over two of Jesus’s “I Am” statements. The two statements were, “I am the resurrection and the life” and “I am the way, the truth, and the life”.

    “I am the resurrection and the life.”

    During this section I was convicted that I sometimes do not really believe that Jesus gives me life. It reminded me that I still turn to other things of this world to give me enjoyment and life.

    The study also walked through disappointment in believing that God really hears our prayers. Sometimes when we are praying things for years and years without an answer we can get very discouraged in our walk with God.

    The study reminded me that it is important to not give up hope. It reminded me to look to the ways that Jesus has shown up and is with me and use that to encourage me that God hears my prayers.

    Some bible verses that help with this.

    • 1 John 5:14
    • Philippians 4:6-7
    • Isaiah 41:10

    I would encourage you if you are struggling with knowing if God really hears your prayers to look up those verses and pray about them. Confess to God that you may be struggling with some unbelief and ask him to help you with your unbelief. I hope it brings healing to your soul.

    “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

    In this part of the study, the author broke down the definitions of the way, the truth, and the life. I want to share with you what she wrote. (These definitions are direction quotes.)

    WAY: a way, road, journey

    TRUTH: truth, but not merely truth as spoken; truth of idea, reality, sincerity, straightforwardness

    LIFE: life, both of physical (present) and of spiritual (particularly future) existence

    When I think of Jesus being these things for us it honestly comforts me. Jesus wants us to come to him for truth and direction and life. He is these things for us and what a relief that is. We do not have to search this world for truth because Jesus gives us truth.

    I hope you enjoyed learning about these two “I Am” statements from Jesus today. If you have been following along, link up with us below! I can’t wait to hear what you have learned this week.

     

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