Baby Gap to the Rescue!

**Warning!! Do not read if you're offended by stories of baby poop! :)**

Elli and I took a little trip to Tupelo today to gorge ourselves on craft supplies at Hobby Lobby. Oh how I wish I didn't have to drive an hour away every time a new project presents itself...though I think Chris is secretly pleased with our "middle of nowhere" location! And I totally wish I could share with you what my new project is, but it's a present for a dear friend and I don't want to ruin the surprise. (Have I told you how horrible I am w/ surprises??!!) I'll post pics just as soon as she gets it though 'cause I think it turned out pretty darn cute :)

Anyway, back to my story! After our quick jaunt to Hobby Lobby, I decided to take Elli to the mall so that I could read & play w/ her in the children's area at Barnes & Noble. Does that totally make me a geek? After writing that, I'm not sure I've ever heard of anyone taking their child to play at Barnes & Noble. Oh well, what can I say? I like books :) Our B&N escapades made us hungry, and I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to eat some Chick-fil-a, so off we went to the food court. I got a high chair for E (yep, she's graduated to a high chair now!), but when I grabbed her out of her stroller I noticed that her pants were a little wet. She didn't stink, and I had already made her bottle, so I figured I'd put down a blanket in the high chair, we'd eat really fast, and then we'd head to the B&N bathroom (b/c it's super clean!) afterwards. And let me just preface this by saying that Chris and I had just talked, the other day, about how Elli had never had a "blow out" before, and how lucky we were for that! Note to self: NEVER, EVER talk about what great things your baby HASN'T done yet...you're just asking for a disaster!! Anyway, by the time she had finished her bottle and her baby food, I was starting to notice a stench coming from her direction. I quickly put her back in her stroller with her blanket under her (just in case) and took off for the bathroom. Mid-mall I started wondering what I had done w/ the extra set of clothes that I always have in the bottom of my diaper bag. I vaguely remembered telling Chris to dress her the other day, and finding the diaper bag open next to her changing table. Panic!! So I look...serious panic!! There is no extra outfit, and she's really starting to stink now...and she has on a onesie underneath her pants...and am I going to be THAT mom who is rolling her baby around in her stroller w/ just a diaper on?!? And then I notice that I've stopped to panic right in front of Baby Gap! It was fate I tell you!!

So, I bought Elli a super cute bubble outfit (on sale, mind you!), and continued my run/walk down the middle of the mall to the B&N bathroom. And let me just tell you, it was the mother of all blow-outs!! I had to laugh, I just HAD to...or I'd cry! Somehow, my precious daughter had managed to poop all over her leg/tummy/feet/clothes and NOT in her diaper. How does that even happen? On top of it all, I had exactly 3 wipes in the wipe case. Eek!! Luckily the little baby changing station was stocked w/ napkins (thank you Lord!), and Elli just had to suffer through a sandpaper-y wipe down before I did the final clean-up w/ her regular wipes. Just go ahead and nominate me for the Mother of the Year!! Teehee!! I have to admit though, after all of that, she did look pretty cute in her new outfit :)

A Story of Hope

You MUST click here!!

I'm a regular reader of Adrienne's blog (it's fantastic, by the way!) and I just read her new post today and was in tears by the time I got to the end!! She has endured such heartache, yet always had hope for the seemingly impossible. Hers is an incredible story of triumph, and a true testament to what the Lord can do. I promise you'll be rejoicing with her by the end...go on, and take a look.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Elli's Silly Face

SLI ~ Week 5 (Chapters 9-10)

This week's chapters in "So Long Insecurity", were a little bit different. The first one, chapter 9, finally dealt with healing. The prayer that Beth wrote out was brilliant, though I didn't pray that exact one out loud. I read through it, and then prayed my own prayer...one that honestly started to heal my heart just like she said it would. This week's questions are a little different as well.

Here they are:

1. DO (don't just read, but actually DO) chapter 9. Reflect back on this time with God, and share anything specific that you received from it.

2. Go to this link and look at all the verses in the comment section. Pick five Scriptures that speak most powerfully to you right now - five that you feel like you need the most - and write them on the inside cover of your book.

I hope that this weeks reading was well received in your hearts. Can't wait to see the comments!

Track Select

We've been waiting for this weekend for a LONG time!! It was Track Select weekend, or more simply, the weekend where we would learn which "track" Chris will be going to for the next phase of pilot training. There are 4 possible "tracks": T-44's (which go on to fly C-130's), Helicopter's, T-1's (which go on to fly cargo planes & refuelers), and T-38's (which typically go on to fly fighters). Chris, of course, wanted T-38's...but it's easier said than done. There were only 6 T-38 slots for his class (of 30), so he had to work extremely hard to get one of them. In the end, his dedication and drive paid off! Though the announcer's teased that he had received a UAV slot, the slide quickly changed to a pic of the 38 and a big "Just Kidding" sign above it. It was pretty funny!

The slide show is pretty much a big roasting, and I'm telling you...I couldn't have taken it!! I'm too sensitive to stand up in front of hundreds of people who are laughing at me! I gotta admit, his slide was hilarious though :)

It read:

Born in: 1920's

Most likely to say: "I will destroy you!"

**Yes, apparently he actually said that during class one day!**

Most likely to fail the PFT due to crippling arthritis.

**Obviously, he's old! (For the class, at least!)**

I love his face in this one!!

Can I just brag on my husband for a minute here? I'm sure you won't mind, right? Ha! Well...my hardworking guy won 3 awards that night! He won the "Top Gun" award in Contact, the "Top Gun" award in Formation, and the "Dubisher Award" which is awarded to the top student of the class. He was shocked and excited, and I just about jumped out of my seat when they called his name for the last one! I am so unbelievably proud of him!
His mom and Mike came out to see Track Select, and we had a great time on Friday just looking at all the planes and learning about a typical day for a student pilot. Above is a pic of them w/ the T-6
A family shot of us w/ the T-6

I love this one!! Elli the pilot :)

Chris in the T-38!

Daddy & Elli in the T-38

So today is the beginning of the next phase of pilot training. For the next 6 months, Chris, along with 5 other guys, will learn how to fly the T-38, and will compete for their final assignments. It's like starting over, the slate is wiped clean. We're hoping for a Fighter, but we know that it will take a lot of hard work, tons of dedication, and rain-checks on date night for the next 6 months! Ha! I'm sure it will be yet another adventure :)

Sneak Peek...

Some of you may have noticed that I've been alluding to a project that I've been working on...the one that is supposed to make it's debut in early May!! Well, if you know me at all, you know I'm terrible with secrets, so I thought I'd give you a sneak peek at what's up :) Pretty soon you'll be able to see some more of my work on a website that rhymes w/ Betsy! Tee Hee!!!

I LOVE Springtime!

The weather in Mississippi has been incredible lately! I even broke out my "summer clothes" a few weeks ago! Don't you just love the feeling of tearing into your boxed up seasonal clothes and discovering all of the things that you forgot you had?! I just delight in it!

We took Elli "swimming" for the first time today...what a trip! I definitely think that we were more excited about it than she was. Try to picture Chris and I loaded down w/ 2 cameras (yes 2!), 2 towels (one for sitting on, one for drying Elli off with), our Flip recorder, Elli's hat, some bath toys, & our child (you can't forget her!). It was a sight, I'm sure. We got all situated, turned on the video camera, put her in the water, and....nothing. I'm not sure what we expected, but she was neither excited nor upset with the who experience. Actually, she seemed quite bored with the whole thing! But we splashed around a little bit, took plenty of pictures, and ended up having a a great time laughing about her first pool exposure. I see a lot more of that in our future, especially when it gets super hot this summer!!

Here are our 2 pools!! Ha!

Elli the Swimmer!

I LOVE her new bathing suit...I want one just like it :)

And some pics of our newly renovated garden :) We planted some zinnia's, an azalea bush, and lots of marigolds. We'll see if they survive...my track record isn't so hot!
Our house & pretty new garden!

Happy Monday!

Hey friends! I hope you all had a great weekend, and that you don't have a "case of the Monday's" today! (I LOVE that movie!) Grandma Donna came out to visit us this weekend, and we had fun cruisin' around getting things ready for summer! Grandma D bought Elli a sweet little swing to put in the backyard, and we found a baby pool that we're going to set up this afternoon as well. Of course, when we started looking at pools, Chris decided that he & I might need one too...and so, we now have a "parent's pool" that will be set up next to the baby one :) We also did a major overhaul of our front flower beds. Whew! After multiple trips to Lowe's, at least 5 hours in the hot Mississippi sun, and a few run-in's with some furry hole-digging creatures, I've decided that I'm not a big fan of gardening. But alas, I'm so happy with the end result that I just might have to try to keep it up :)

Possibly my favorite thing about this weekend was our visit to a new church on Sunday. Though we were relatively happy with our old church, we just felt that it didn't quite "fit" us the way we longed for it to. We loved the nursery, and were happy with the pastor; however, the music was a bone of contention each and every Sunday. And when, on Easter, the band opened with a U2 song...well, we just felt that we needed to find another church home. So, we opted for the First United Methodist Church downtown. We chose to visit because in my search of Bible Study materials for our upcoming women's study, I called FUMC hoping that they might have a Beth Moore study on hand that we could rent. An associate pastor called me back, and without even asking where (or if) I went to church, not only gave me an inventory of the available studies, but also agreed to box up the one that I chose! In the box was 6 DVD's, the leader kit, and enough workbooks for all of the women who will be attending our study...they won't have to buy a single thing! What a blessing! Anyway, we were very impressed with the Sunday service, really liked the nursery, and felt extremely comfortable in the church. If you'd like to pray for us this week as we make our decision about whether or not to make it our church home, we'd definitely appreciate it!

I do have a parenting question for all you mommies out there!! When did you cut out your babies first nap? I'm thinking it's about time to go to 2 naps a day instead of 3, but I'm not quite sure. Elli, like I've said before, REALLY likes her sleep...but 3 really long naps a day seems excessive for 7 months old. I'd love to hear your feedback, and always welcome any tips you might have that could make the transition a little bit easier.

Happy Monday!!

SLI ~ Week 4 (Chapter 7-8)

It's Monday again, and you know what that means!! Here are Beth's questions for this weeks chapters:

1. What part of Chapter 7 hit home with you most, and why?

2. Based on your journey so far in chapters 1-8, list your own personal top three reasons why it's time to deal with your insecurity.

3. Based on Chapter 8, briefly describe a recent trigger of insecurity and whether or not it got a rise out of you.

4. Also based on Chapter 8, what does dignity mean to you?

My answers will be in the comments section, if you're lookin' :)

Updates from the Duncan House :)

It's been a busy week! Super busy! So busy that I can't really remember why it's been so busy! Ha! We went to Atlanta last weekend to visit the Hilburn girls, and it was an excellent trip. 9 months is way too long to go without seeing them, and I've decided that I'm never doing that again, I just love them too much! Elli did okay on the trip down...a little fussy, but what baby isn't after 5 straight hours in the car? That night; however, was a different story. I haven't gotten that little sleep in months, and I had forgotten what sleep deprivation feels like! Elli just wasn't a fan of sleeping in her pack 'n play, staying up past her bedtime, not eating on time, or being in a new location. It was a rough night, but luckily she's a sweetie and by the time morning had rolled around she was back to herself again. We visited the Georgia Aquarium, which was AWESOME!! I think Cara & Syd's favorite part was the penguins :) I really liked the sea tunnel, I've never been through one of those before. We spent the entire day just wandering around all of the exhibits, most of which were really cool. We also got to check out Olympic Park and we tried to stroll on down to the Atlanta Underground; however, the drug deal that took place directly in front of us kind of put the damper on that whole thing! I'm totally serious, it was crazy! The next day we went to Sweetwater State Park, and spent about an hour talking and playing near the lake. It was a gorgeous day, and honestly I just didn't want to leave. We had a wonderful time with the Hilburn fam, and we're so looking forward to seeing them again really soon!

Chris also finished up in T-6's this week. His last ride was a check-ride, and he did awesome! He actually scored higher on it, grade-wise, than any other ride he's had in that plane. Needless to say, I'm pretty proud of him! We're now just waiting for Track Select to roll around to see which plane he'll be flying next...and then it begins again! Ready for the next adventure I guess :) It's crazy that he'll only have another 6 months of training before we find out our next "real" assignment. Just like the months flying by with Elli, I feel like our time here has gone by extremely quickly!

We have some visitors coming into town within the next few weeks as well, which is always fun! I'm sure there will be lots of pictures to post after they leave :) And then, it's back to Texas for Elli and I so that we can attend my older brother's wedding. I'm so excited to see everyone again, and I just love a good wedding!!

We've had a great day today as well! Elli & I went to Tuscaloosa w/ my friend, Jeane, and her sweet daughter, Myla. We hit up Hobby Lobby, and Chick-fil-a...now that's my kind of day!! I love shopping w/ friends, especially when there's a Chick-fil-a in the food court :) And then, this evening, we got to eat w/ some of our friends from England! It was great to catch up w/ Shanna, and I know Chris enjoyed talking w/ Hooch about all things jet related.

I'm continuing to hone my crafting skills, and have a few new projects under my belt that I'm super excited about! Don't worry, the big reveal is coming soon :) And I'll be hosting a new bible study in our home which will start in early May, so if you want to say a quick prayer about that, I'd definitely appreciate it! I'm really excited to dive into it. It's a Beth Moore study called, "A Woman's Heart: God's Dwelling Place", and I've heard great things about it. I think that covers just about all things Duncan!! I hope you are all having a great week, I'd love to hear what y'all have been up to lately!! Doesn't it seem like Spring is always the busiest season? It definitely is for me!!

SLI ~ Week 3 (Chapter 5 & 6)

Goodness!! Where have I been? Sorry this is a little bit late, but here are the questions for our Book Club this week :) Luckily there are still only 2 of us doing it, so I don't feel so bad!

1. After reading these two chapters, what do you believe to be the TWO primary roots of your struggle with insecurity? Keep in mind that more may apply but try to lock in on two that you believe to be most impactful.

2. What, if any, insight did you gain about the roots of insecurity and did you sense that God was trying to speak to you in any specific way through it? (This answer does not need to be limited to the two roots you identified in the previous response.)

Again, these questions are straight from the Beth Moore Blog. If you'd like more info on her, the book, or you're looking for a little bit more in depth discussion, visit her here. My responses to the questions are in the comments section.

Not So Wordless Wednesday!

There is something about Springtime that makes me incredibly happy. I love the blooming flowers and the budding trees. We've been opening our windows lately because the weather has been so gorgeous, and I love listening to the birds in the mornings and the crickets in the evenings. We finally have a house with a garden, and I've learned that I truly enjoy working in it...which is pretty surprising considering how much I loathe getting my hands dirty! I'm looking forward to getting a little baby pool for the backyard, later in the season, so that Elli & I can play in it together. I can't wait to see her splash around in it! Everything just seems new, exciting and fun in the Spring, don't you think?! We have the whole year to look forward to, and good weather to enjoy. I just love it!

I've been working a lot lately. I'm trying to get caught up on data entry, as well as getting lots of crafting in so that something super exciting can happen in May!! More on that later :) But here is what my desk looks like at the moment, what a MESS!!

We're also gearing up for our trip this weekend to see some of my most favorite girls in the world!! The Hilburns!! I can't tell you how excited I am to see them...9 months is way too long in my book! They've never met Elli, and I'm hoping that when they do, they'll all be fast friends :)

Chris's training is winding down, too. He'll be moving on to the next phase in about 2 weeks, and we're anxious to see which "track" he gets. What we're NOT looking forward to is the long hours again...boo! He's at a place right now where he goes into work for about 9-10/day; and though that might seem like a lot for most people, it's a welcome shortening for us! When the next phase starts, it's back to 12 hr days, every day...ughh. And when he DOES get to come home, he has to study for 2-3 hrs/night to prepare for the next day. I have to admit, it gets me down sometimes. On the other hand, I am so thankful to have him here with us at all. We have countless friends who are without their husbands (or wives) at this very moment, and while 12 hr days often seems disheartening, I try to treasure every second that we're together. I guess when you're in the military (or married to it!), you try to "save up" all of those morsels of time that your family has together in order to make it through all of the long months that you know you'll be apart in the future. It doesn't ever make you feel better in the midst of the separation, but I do believe that it keeps you from taking time together for granted when you have it. At least that's the Duncan Motto :)

What has Spring brought to your house this year? Besides lots of yellow pollen, that is!

SLI ~ Week 2 (Chapter 3 & 4)

Okay, we're going to do something different this week. I'll post the questions (still straight from Beth Moore's blog), and I"ll write my responses in the comments section. I think my answers may have been distracting...what do you think? Anyway, you can all post your answers there as well...and we can have discussion. Oh so fun!! I thought we'd continue reading 2 chapters a week, and then discussing on Monday. So, this week is chapter 3 & 4.

Here are the questions/assignments:

1. Based on Chapter 3, what tends to be your prominent false positive?

2. Write out the challenge at the end of Chapter 3 again so that you can pound it into your belief system. Beth says it is CRITICAL to our journey! I believe her :)

3. Based on Chapter 4, what biblical character (or statement about him/her) resonated the most with you? Why?

I really learned a lot about myself this week. Or, not really "learned" as much as "examined". I guess I've always known, deep down, what I struggle with; however, it's a little different when you delve into it a bit deeper and start asking "why?". And really, it's not even about asking "why?" as much as it is about asking what it's keeping you from, and how it limits you from accomplishing all that God has perfectly set out before you. Besides the questions above, did any of you have any great revelations this week? Or anything that just really stood out as important that you'd like to share? I'd love to hear about where you are on your journey!

Easter Weekend

There was something different about Easter this year for me. I don't know if it was because I'm a mommy now, or if it's because I'm just at a different place on my "walk" with the Lord...but whatever it was, it made this year extra special.

Chris and I have been reading Luke together at night, and we made a point to try to match up the dates this week so that each night we could reflect on in Jesus' final days. We decided to also watch The Passion on Good Friday...I hadn't seen it since it came out in theaters. I think that by doing both of those things, our hearts were opened up to an even deeper appreciation of Crucifixion & the Resurrection. Those things, combined w/ a new church home & the excitement of sharing such a blessed day with Elli just really got to me.

The whole weekend was great, actually! We used our new babysitter on Saturday night and tried out a wonderful restaurant in Starkville. If you live in the area and haven't been to The Veranda, I highly recommend going. The risotto was phenomenal. Yum, so good! And afterwards we made a quick stop by Coldstone to get some ice cream. I haven't been to a Coldstone since we lived in Goldsboro. Way too long in my opinion! Elli, sadly, didn't have such a great night. Apparently I spoke to soon when I said that she doesn't have separation anxiety in my last post. Our sweet babysitter said she cried almost the entire time we were gone. Doesn't that just break your heart?! Poor girl! And then, when we picked her up from the church nursery this morning, the first words out of the sweet little old lady's mouth who was rocking her were, "she cries, ALOT!". So sad! Oh Elli girl, mommy is going to have to start leaving you with people more often!

Our afternoon consisted of a nap, washing the car, taking some pictures down by the lake, and snuggling on the couch just enjoying each other. I hope that all of you had a nice, relaxing Easter as well.

"Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has RISEN!!"

Luke 24:5