We are officially 9 days away from Christmas!! Aren’t you excited!? Craig and I ended up having Part One of “Our Christmas” last night, which is the only day we have had to ourselves since last Sunday, and will be the only day we will have completely to ourselves until the New Year’s Eve. We figured we should make the most of this special time together, and so we opened each other’s “big gifts” last night. It was so much fun! We are looking forward to sharing Christmas with our families beginning at the end of the week! I think just maybe we might be able to fit everyone in! Prayers and fingers crossed!
Now for our recommendations for this week!
EZY Dose Stackable Pill Reminder Maybe you’re thinking this is an odd recommendation, but since I’ve started with the medication to balance my insulin, plus all the vitamins and supplements and allergy medications, I have struggled with a way to both make sure I remember to take them throughout the day, and to transport the pills. We found this handy pill keeper at Walgreen’s, and it has proved it’s usefulness tenfold. You can read more about it or purchase one here. Ladies, this fits quite easily into your purse; and gentlemen, with the helpful un-attaching feature, you can easily carry one (or a few) of the containers in your pocket! No more excuses for not taking your pills!
10% Off TODAY Only at The Catholic Company If you have any last minute gifts to buy, today’s your lucky day! The Catholic Company is giving an additional 10% today only with this code: F2RT7JD6 🙂 You can access their website here and can find a WIDE ARRAY of products from books to dvds to bible studies to jewelry to art to gorgeous pieces like this: Catholics and non-Catholics alike can easily find something at The Catholic Company! You can even get an extra 15% off by subscribing to their e-newsletter… Happy online shopping!
Sidewalk Prophets Christmas AlbumThis is a phenomenal Christmas album that is both cheerful and worshipful, and contains both new and old Christmas music. I know you will really enjoy it, and your can purchase it right here! My favorite tune to get me in the Christmas spirit is “Because It’s Christmas” – and I’m giving you a little preview below 😉
Y’all enjoy the rest of your Monday, and we’ll catch up with you tomorrow!
It’s TTC (Trying To Conceive) Tuesday here at The Newlywed Lefebvres blog, where we will limit ourselves to one day per week of discussing our (trying) journey of infertility. For the purposes of future posts, maybe today I should tell you a little bit about our unique situation.
For the past year and 3 months, Craig and I have been trying to have a baby, and thus far, we have been unsuccessful. After complaining to my doctor the entire time of issues I was experiencing, after almost a year, he finally referred us to have some testing completed. Long story short, they found a polyp blocking my right fallopian tube. This was surgically removed in October.
Further testing (which is an entire novel of a story in itself) confirmed I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) – Click here to find out more.
We began treating this condition in the past month with Metformin and Letrazole, as well as vitamin and mineral based supplements. In addition, I am using a progesterone cream, as well, and (as I have for years) am following a extremely low-GI, gluten-free diet. Yay.
Last Wednesday, I went in for my first sonogram to monitor the medication’s effectiveness…If you have gotten a frustrated call or e-mail from me, you know we are struggling with the most inept medical practice in Northwest Georgia, and to put the cherry on top, they had no idea why I was there when I arrived at the doctor’s office last week…So, that being said, who KNOWS if they were able to obtain any worthwhile results from our first sonogram or not. This Friday, they will have another shot, so we will have to let you know next week if they redeemed themselves or not. Pray for us and my patience with these people. Seriously.
On a positive note, the Metformin has been wonderful at treating all sorts of things I have struggled with for years. Insulin-resistance can affect alot of things, and finally finding an answer and a treatment is priceless, albeit a little bit maddening that it took so long for the doctors to diagnose and to grab their attention. If you want that saga, send me an e-mail. It’s quite the tale…
The bottom line is that YOU know your body. If YOU think something is off, don’t stop until the doctor LISTENS and DOES something!
The anagram is PUSH – Pray Until Something Happens. I say: SPADS – Start Praying And Don’t Stop.
See? I promised I would be back bearing photographs, and here I am! It’s quite handy to have your camera to upload pictures, using a functioning laptop. Sort of a necessity, actually. Ask my dear husband and you’ll find out I haven’t had the latter for QUITE some time – until recently. I now have TWO – a work laptop, and my personal laptop – fixed by said dear husband. 😉
Anyway, you can see our most recent pictures here. I will continue to update them with additions from our phones and Craig’s more fancy camera, and as we have more to add for Christmas 2013. Here are a few samples:
A Night On The Town This SummerThe Lefebvre Family at Cara’s Wedding (minus Mandy & Mike – who we MISSED!)Our First Anniversary Dinner – Elijah’s In WilmingtonCraig & I at Fort Fisher, NC
In other news, get ready for a lot more blogging and a new format! Here’s the idea:
My Choice Mondays – Craig & I will share products we love, places or venues we have enjoyed, recipes we have made, etc.
TTC Tuesdays – We will discuss the latest in our TTC (Trying To Conceive) Journey – happenings, thoughts, feelings, plans, PCOS, etc.
What’s Up Wednesdays – A weekly re-cap of ‘What’s Up?” with The Newlywed Lefebvres.
Thirsty Thursdays – Not your typical THIRSTY! Thursdays will be “Thirsty (for Christ) Thursdays! Devotions, thoughts on God, Bible study, favorite verses, etc.
Food For Thought Friday – News, thoughts, pop culture, anything and everything!
So what do you think? Excited for next week already? 🙂 Personally, I’m looking forward to THE WEEKEND and TONIGHT!!!!!!! That sweet husband I keep talking about? He’s finally coming home!
Happy Friday All! We hope you have a WONDERFUL weekend!!
Craig and Lucy are out in the front yard playing fetch, so I was able stay inside with the air conditioning and have a little peace and quiet – and jump free time, to write the blog we promised for this weekend! 🙂 As usual, things have been hectic around here. We went to Minnesota over Mother’s Day weekend and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with our Midwestern family. We were able to spend time with so many people I felt like we hadn’t had any quality time with since the wedding, including the other Newlywed Lefebvres – Dani & Marty! It was a great, relaxing and much needed trip! Unfortunately, so relaxed we even forgot to capture the memories with pictures. I guess there’s always next time. 😉
Over Memorial Day, the Southern Lefebvres went camping. It was quite the innovative compromise, I must say. Craig wasn’t back in town until Saturday, and I had to work on Monday, so we couldn’t go very far…BUT we did enjoy some fun in the sun at the neighborhood pool:
And then after I got home from work on Monday, Craig and I (and Lucy) headed out on the long hike to our camping spot…Our backyard! 🙂 We had such a good time! We made hot dogs, and played games indoors in the A/C… and when it was time to go to bed, we headed out the back door and slept under the stars…Well, except for Lucy, who heard all the nature sounds but couldn’t SEE what was going on and freaked out, pacing back and forth in the tent anxiously all night…Until my husband decided to turn on the radio from his phone to calm her down…and it worked like a charm. She actually shared a pillow with Craig that night. 😉 The best part of our little “camping trip” was being able to wake up, and walk inside to take a shower right away, with immediate afterward access to coffee, tea and a hot breakfast. Camping perfection. 😉
This week we have both been working up a storm. Here’s a glimpse:
Craig In NYCSibling Rivalry
Oh…and another little thing…
For the moment, I have bangs…Craig wanted me to try it out, since I haven’t had them since 7th grade, but I’m not sure how I feel about them yet. They will either take some getting used to, I’ll like them better as my hair gets longer, or they will be grown out pronto. We shall see. For the moment, they’re pinned to the side. Therein lies the beauty of making a hair change like bangs – it’s easily undone. 🙂
In other news, I am working with one other member from our church choir to lead the music for Vacation Bible School at church the week of June 10th. If you have young children in need of summer fun in the Cartersville vicinity, VBS will be at St. Francis of Assisi from 6-8pm, Monday through Friday. I’ll be heading over that week after nannying. We’ve been going over the music and choreography and it’s really going to be a lot of fun. For a sneak peek, you can take a look at www.cokesburyvbs.com. It’s the program about being a good neighbor (rather than the one entitled “Hip Hop…”)…
Craig and I have been praying and have been felt led to help out in some way with the youth at our parish. The VBS program literally fell into my lap, when I was asked to help, and then the Youth Director called and asked if I would lead the music for daily Mass this week at the Youth Camp at our parish for middle/high-school students. Interestingly enough, Craig is off work all this week, so we will be leading music together starting tomorrow morning at 8am, before I head off to work…Speaking of which, I guess we better get to learning said music…Eeek! 🙂 We want to glorify the Lord, after all, not make the Youth Program wonder whose bright idea it was to bring US into the game! 😉
This has been just a whirlwind of a week thus far! I can’t believe it’s only Thursday – Feels like it should already be Monday again…But we can’t skip over the weekend, can we? 🙂
Sunday morning both Craig and I sang with the choir at Mass! Yes! My husband surprised me and absolutely made my YEAR by telling me he wanted to serve God in song with me!
My Awesome Husband In The Vest I Bought Him For Valentine’s
Tuesday afternoon I gave notice at my current office job, and my last day is March 5th! Craig and I aren’t positive what the next step will be, but we both know we made the right decision together when we chose for me to leave my high stress job. As with everything, we are praying for God’s Will to guide us in the right direction. He brought Craig and I together; He led us to an amazing new church parish; and He will lead us in the perfect path for what I’ll do next. Keep us in your prayers that we will have the strength to listen to Him for His guidance.
We also began our Lenten Bible Study (via the phone) last night! We chose “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. Just in going over the Preface and Introduction together, I feel like we really got something out of it. There are many opportunities to refer back to the Bible and we had some wonderful discussions over what was said. You’ll have to check it out for yourself. I know God is leading us on the right path and you can never have TOO strong a relationship with Christ. The study is all about that relationship, and being more of a Christian than just attending church on Sunday mornings. I can’t wait to go over the first part of Chapter 1 this evening! Hopefully, our little devil dog angel puppy doesn’t make that too difficult. 🙂
Last Saturday night, Craig and I attended one of the FINAL showers for our dear friends Ashley and JW….It was a great get together, and I just can’t tell them enough how HAPPY we are for them! Ashley and I are lucky girls for sure! 🙂
Their wedding is just over a month away! Eeeek!!! Such an exciting time!! I remember it well…It was just over 5 months ago for Craig and I!!! As we pulled out of the driveway after the shower, we both looked at each other and said, “SO GLAD WE ARE MARRIED NOW and are done with the planning and parties!!!” You’re almost there, Ash and JW!!! You can finally just relax and enjoy being husband and wife…and making grocery lists, and paying bills, and taking out the trash, and doing laundry… 🙂 LOL – Seriously, it is all AMAZING when you marry your soulmate and best friend! I speak from experience.
Well, it’s time for me to relish in the last few bits of dictation I get to do here at RB&Co. No tears. I promise. 🙂
My my my! 2012 is not coming to an end slowly, and the end of this eventful year has not become any less eventful! Part of that may have to do with my own flightiness…but nonetheless, beginning with Friday, it has been quite the journey to end the year!
Friday evening, in Dallas, Georgia, was a rainy and stormy and COLD one (for Georgia folk anyway – 34 degrees!! Brrr!)…Sweet Craig had left that morning for work, and I got home from work, and had my peanut butter for dinner, followed by a glass of wine, and decided to sit on our front porch with the iPad to enjoy the rain, and wait for my husband’s evening call before bed. This was around 8:45pm…and Craig did indeed call around 9pm…I grabbed my glass of wine and the iPad and went to go inside for the night…to find the door locked. Not wanting Craig to worry nor to embarrass myself, I asked my husband if I could call him right back, thinking maybe the neighbors had a spare key…So here I am in my pj’s and fuzzy socks, running next door in the middle of the night, in the pouring rain and cold weather…Long story short, there was no spare key…and I had to walk back to 116 Caitlin Court with my tail between my legs…I called Craig back and explained the situation…Now, I don’t know this for sure, but I am almost positive he rolled his eyes a little and sighed, “Oh my goodness, my silly wife…” but he didn’t let me hear it if he did. 🙂
He had me check a few windows that might be open…They weren’t…I called our sweet friend Julia, who lives semi-nearby, but she didn’t answer so I texted her. Finally, Craig broke down and called the locksmith. Meanwhile, Julia called back and sweetly asked if she could help. Knowing how reliable locksmiths are, and also that (by this time) it was 9:45/10pm and she has 3 small children at home and a husband who is also a pilot and away, I thanked her profusely for calling and offering to save me, but told her that the locksmith was already on the way. I called Craig back and sat down on the bench to wait the estimated 15 minutes for the locksmith to arrive to save the day…and (another long story short) during the 2 and a half more hours I waited outside with freezing wet feet and a HUGE spider climbing the wall next to me, I was reminded of the time in February when Craig and I went camping, in the snow…I was pretty much THAT cold. LUCKILY, around 12:30AM, the locksmith arrived to let me inside. It literally took him 2 seconds.
That little fiasco ALMOST foiled my plan for Saturday…
Poor Craig had to be up SUPER early the next morning to fly to Detroit, and he of course had waited up with me until I was safely inside the house before going to sleep. I felt horrible for him, but OH SO THANKFUL I have such an amazing husband – who saved me from the freezing cold and the scary spider even from hundreds of miles away! I was awoken the next morning by a text message from my husband letting me know he was safely in Detroit at the perfect time. 🙂 We had ‘planned’ that I would try and make it on a flight to Memphis, where Craig would be ending up for a long overnight…HOWEVER, the flights were full going to Memphis and back to Atlanta, as well…So we scratched that plan…and Craig knew how tired I was (we both were) from the night before…But all along I knew I wouldn’t let a full airplane stop me from seeing my husband on my day off! 🙂
Craig’s text came at 9:30am – just enough time for me to jump out of bed and quickly pack and get ready to be on my way by 10am! The drive from Dallas, GA to Memphis, TN is right around 6 hours, and Craig was scheduled to be at his hotel around 4pm. Of course, when I got in the car, Craig called me and I had to work hard to muffle all the driving sounds, since he thought I was sitting downstairs enjoying a pot cup of coffee with Miss Daisy…By the time I had passed safely through Birmingham, AL, Craig had told me the flight between his arrival in Memphis and right then had been canceled, and I felt I should probably let him in on my surprise:
Craig was SO excited! 🙂 I couldn’t wait to see him in just a few more hours…
Ha! I should have remembered that my husband is a PILOT who works for the AIRLINES and that anytime you PLAN anything, it never happens as you think it should! Right, Julia? 🙂
Craig’s first plane was delayed by maintenance, so I found a Target in Memphis and decided to go shopping for a bit…Craig texted to let me know they were on their way and I disappeared into the store for about an hour. After I got back out to the car, thinking it would be time to go and pick him up at the airport in about a half hour, I got another text from Craig…there was an issue AGAIN and they couldn’t take-off…AAHH! Very frustrating and so much for newlywed romance, huh? 🙂
So…I visited Best Buy since my phone was close to dying at this point and I didn’t have a car charger…(We do now!) Then, I found a movie theater, rather close to the airport – and not in a desirable part of Memphis… – and by this time, Craig reminded me of his flight number and said they had gotten a NEW airplane, and were about to take off.
Well, I looked down at the clock in my car. 6:30pm. And I walked up to the ticket counter at the movie theater, and saw that “This Is 40” began at 7:05pm. Perfect! By the time the movie ends, Craig will be here and I will have killed 2 hours! I bought my small popcorn and small Diet Coke (STAPLES for a movie, in my opinion), and went into the theater…to find the movie halfway over… What???
OH YEAH! Memphis is in the Central time zone…and the clock in my car is on the Eastern time zone. Duh.
So, I watched the end of “This Is 40″…and then, when the movie was over, I stretched my legs in the lobby and came back to watch the beginning of the movie. About halfway through, Craig FINALLY texted to say they had safely arrived in Memphis! So I left to head to the airport to pick him up! I’m not sure what happens in the MIDDLE of “This Is 40”, but I enjoyed the beginning and the end…even in reverse order.
I picked up my husband and it was WONDERFUL to be able to spend an evening with him in the middle of a 4-Day trip!! (Even though, after we ate dinner, we were both sleeping like babies within minutes!) I took Craig back to the airport at 7am, and began my drive BACK to Dallas. My mother asked me if it was worth 12 hours of driving to be able to spend even less than that with my husband, and it absolutely was! I would have driven, flown or swam any number of miles to be able to spend any amount of time with him at all.
And so, as I await his arrival back home this afternoon, I wish all of you a very Happy New Year! We are going to celebrate with champagne, black-eyed peas and collard greens, and Mass on January 1st. I cannot wait! I can honestly say that 2012 has been the absolute best year of my life, and according to a recent tweet by my husband, he feels the same:
I have the very best husband in the whole world, and am blown away each day by how God has truly blessed us in 2012!We can only imagine what He has in store for us in 2013! We thank all of you for making this year special, and wish you all the best in 2013!
Today is Wednesday, and for me, Wednesdays are pretty much the saddest day of the week. Yep, I dread Wednesday even more than Monday! The reason? Well, Craig’s trips for work are usually Wednesday through Saturday, and Wednesday is the morning I have to say goodbye to my husband for nearly four days a week, every week. It’s tough. Even more so than you may think. Or you may think it only gets easier as time goes on (as both Craig & I figured it would). But for us, it is harder to say goodbye every Wednesday. Even with phone calls, FaceTime, texting and emails, it is still no fun to bid my husband farewell for four days at a time.
So since today is Wednesday, you would be right in thinking it has been a tough one for me. But luckily, I had my listening ears on when God pointed me in the direction of my now husband… Look what I came home to this evening!
AND MY COFFEE FOR TOMORROW READY TO GO!
Thank you to my sweet and wonderful husband for such an amazing and unexpected surprise!
Thank you, God, for the husband you chose for me, who is beyond my wildest dreams!
Good night everyone! Keep my sweet Craig in your prayers as he travels this week!
Happy Monday!
Maybe you’re thinking this is an odd recommendation, but since I’ve started with the medication to balance my insulin, plus all the vitamins and supplements and allergy medications, I have struggled with a way to both make sure I remember to take them throughout the day, and to transport the pills. We found this handy pill keeper at Walgreen’s, and it has proved it’s usefulness tenfold. You can read more about it or purchase one here. Ladies, this fits quite easily into your purse; and gentlemen, with the helpful un-attaching feature, you can easily carry one (or a few) of the containers in your pocket! No more excuses for not taking your pills!
Catholics and non-Catholics alike can easily find something at The Catholic Company! You can even get an extra 15% off by subscribing to their e-newsletter… Happy online shopping!
This is a phenomenal Christmas album that is both cheerful and worshipful, and contains both new and old Christmas music. I know you will really enjoy it, and your can purchase it right here! My favorite tune to get me in the Christmas spirit is “Because It’s Christmas” – and I’m giving you a little preview below 😉
The (Not-So) Newlywed Lefebvres 
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