Sweet Summer

Our visit to North Carolina was great.  Unusually hot for the area, but still a relaxing time.  We did a lot of eating, drinking, golfing, shopping, and front porch sitting.

Our fourth of July celebration was low key.  We stopped by our new neighborhood's block party, which was filled with lots of kids on cute decorated bikes.  After that we went downtown to the river and watched the city fireworks show with friends.  I was very impressed, well done, Augusta.  This is a short clip of the fireworks lining the bridge, so it looked like a fire waterfall...pretty neat.

Happy Summer!

Coming back catch up

Hello all, thanks for putting up with the small blogging break.  With my life taking another 180 degree turn lately, i've been taking time to recuperate.  The Lord has done good things in helping heal us, and we still have many blessings to be thankful for.  Many thanks for all the prayers.

The other thing keeping us busy is we finally moved into our new house! Man, has that been exhausting.  Not only is moving yourself tiring alone, but there are several repairs that we're trying to handle/get finished.  We've had many stressful days, but it's exciting seeing it all come together.  I'll post some pictures eventually, but we have some more painting and picture hanging to do first.

On a good note, we celebrated David's 25th birthday last week.  It was a two-day event involving kayaking and a huge backyard BBQ.  And I must say, I'm pretty proud of the rib rub I made...quite tasty!  It was so fun to hang out with friends and party with them :)

On a side note, my dear friend, Heather, gave me this as a housewarming gift.  It is uhhh-mazing.  Seriously good and authentic Texan recipes.  I've already made some charro beans to die for.  Will have to share some of the goodness with y'all.

We also celebrated our 2nd anniversary this week.  What a blessing.  I couldn't imagine going through life without David.  So thankful for you, babe!

With all the craziness that's been going on lately, we have a long weekend vacation coming up soon.  We're going up to Boone for my family reunion, golf, and cool weather.  Counting down the days.

Hope y'all are having a great summer day!

Lost for words

This past week was traumatic.

trau·mat·ic/trəˈmatik/

Adjective:

disturbing or distressing.

I had an emergency sonogram.  I had an overnight stay in the ER.  I had surgery.  I had a miscarriage.

Traumatic in every aspect of my being.  Emotionally and physically.
Traumatic not just for us, but for my family and friends.

My heart is more broken than it's ever been.  I've cried more than I ever have.
We feel such loss.  We miss feeling like parents.  We miss our little one...more than words can say.

I'm sure you're wondering why I'm posting about this.  This is obviously an extremely personal matter.  People don't usually share this information.  First of all, I want everyone to know, so they aren't expecting any baby news.  Secondly, I started this blog with the intention of sharing my life...the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I feel that tough times and burdens should be shared, so that we can comfort others and be comforted by people who have gone through similar situations.

^{2 Corinthians 1: 3-4}  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

This is the bad and ugly.  This is the hard aches and pains of life.
But this is also where God redeems.  Somehow He is here as well.  He gives us purpose and hope.  We'll never forget, but life with move forward, and God will help us one day at a time.

We are so, so thankful for all the outpouring of support from everyone.  It is touching.
Please be praying for us.  Pray for our hearts during our grieving, and against bitterness.

(If you want to comment, I'd appreciate it if you'd please make it on here and not on facebook).

Figuring it out

In the last month my life has made a 180 degree turn.  It's a good turn, but still totally different.

Instead of being in class with my friends all day, i'm here at home.  This has been the hardest part, not seeing them all the time, suddenly stopping school.

But i've found extra time elsewhere now.  Time I wouldn't have had before.  Time to visit and serve other friends.  Time to go on morning walks with my husband.

I'm trying to find my new daily routine.  So far, starting my morning with (decaf) coffee, the Today show, or a book isn't that bad compared to morning class ;)

I'm learning to be still...learning to be content in this stage of life God has placed me in.

On a side note, we're going back to Texas this weekend for a family wedding.  We are so excited!!!  Although hoping it won't be too hot.  Will report back with pictures.  

Hope everyone is having a day to be thankful for.

Big news x 2

Sorry for the absence.  Remember how last post I said being busy was an understatement?  Well, there are a couple of things that have been going on lately, aside from school and work, that have kept us occupied.  But you will be happy to know I finished the school semester with straight A's (bam!!)...anyway...

1) WE BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOME!!! This was such a blessing.  God really taught us a lot through this home buying experience, especially about patience....this process took a loooong time.  We are so excited to have this opportunity.  It's a charming, but old, home, so I know it will present us with situations where we have to practice our patience skills even more ;)  I'm looking forward to moving in and being settled for a long time.

2) ...*drum roll*....

That's right folks, there will be a Baby Cathcart coming into the world in December!
I know, go ahead and freak out, it's okay.

This was as shocking news to us as it probably is to you.  When we found out I took the day off of school and proceeded to freak out, cry, pray, etc.  It was overwhelming.  This was not in our "5 year plan."   But, the Lord obviously has different plans for us...which is exciting.  He is in control and no matter how crazy, we have to trust in His timing.  We are really happy and looking forward to this new journey. We are totally unprepared, and I'm going to be delayed in finishing grad school, but God is gracious and faithful, and that's what's important.

It's funny when I think back a couple of years, I would have never pictured this for my life.  Living in Georgia, buying our first house here, having a baby at this time, etc.  But God is good...so so good.  He's been with us every step of the way, and he will be in the future.  That's what we take hope in.

And let's be honest, we'll have a pretty cute baby ;)