Pray for Albertville

I actually have a lot of updates coming...This weekend was very eventful as my friend, Ashley, got married. Along with the events of the wedding, there was some eventful weather across Alabama. I didn't realize until Sunday morning that my hometown, Albertville, had been hit by a tornado in the night and that there was extensive damage. Thankfully, my parents were fine and there was no damage to their house as they live a few miles away from the heaviest hit area. However, there was a lot of damage to the downtown area, the high school and middle school, and several homes along a portion of downtown.

- The lunchroom of the Alabama Avenue Middle School.

I have had a hard time really understanding what has happened as I haven't visibly seen the damage...I've almost had an "out of sight, out of mind" mentality, which bothered me. I do not live there currently, but Albertville will always be my hometown and will carry so many of the memories I've had in my life. The streets that I used to ride my bike through are now bare as many of the hundred year old trees are down. Good ole AAMS (Alabama Avenue Middle School) where I walked the halls during those awkward middle school years has piles of rubble throughout most of the building. I've now seen pictures that are making the reality of the situation sink in and making me realize the urgency of my need to pray for this city.

- These are some houses across from the high school.

I do ask for prayer for the Albertville as they begin to "rebuild the city". Mostly, I ask for prayer for those who lost their homes or will have to undergo major renovations to fix the damage. Thankfully there were no fatalities, which is a miracle. I feel like this will be a situation the Lord will use for the city to become stronger through the devastation it has faced. It makes me sad (as cheesy at it sounds) to think that my little boy will not see Albertville as I saw it...the old, beauty of so much of the landscape that truly made it such a nice place to grow up. Thank you all for your prayers!

- This is on East Main...the oldest and prettiest street in Albertville.

- This is of the High School, the campus used to be covered in trees.

**All of these pictures were taken courtesy of Kathy Baugh**

And he shall be called...

Samuel Larkin Denson

Joe and I had a successful "naming retreat" at the beach. I think Joe went in with his mind made up on the name, but I needed some time to talk it out. We had decided that we wanted to call him Larkin, but we were unsure of the other name. Not a lot goes with Larkin as it is a bit unusual. However, we love it! It's Joe's middle name and has been in his family for a few generations. His grandmother was excited to hear the name as Larkin was her father's name, so that was very special for her.

As for Samuel, we have both loved Samuel since praying for our child early on. We both felt strongly about going with family names or names with significance to us. The story of Hannah praying for Samuel has carried a lot of meaning for many people we know who have prayed for God's blessing of a child. We felt that it was fitting as that story and the faith of Hannah's prayers encouraged me often as we hoped for a child.

So little Larkin is kicking up a storm and growing like a weed. I had a great dr's visit today and everything continues to go right along as it should. I do think Larkin is nestled nicely on my sciatic nerve which sends shooting pains down my rear-end, but at least he seems to be enjoying himself in there. I am thankful that this pregnancy has been somewhat of a breeze and hope it continues as the hot weather draws closer.

24 Weeks and Counting

I wanted to post a quick update on the pregnancy. I am 24 weeks and counting down to the arrival of our little man. I am feeling GREAT! Everyone was right when they said the second trimester you became "normal" again. I have so much energy and just overall feel good. I do think that the springtime weather has contributed a lot to how I feel since I have always said I have "seasonal depression"...basically hate feeling stuck inside with cold weather. I also have had great reports at the dr. recently and it seems (as you can see from the picture) that little man is growing very well!!

On that note, I wanted to share a funny story of the harassment I receive about my growing belly. Thankfully I take joking and sarcasm very well and everyone knows that I don't get my feelings hurt too often or to easily. So keep that in mind...

We had our Good Friday service last week and saw some friends of ours. I said something about my "little man" and they all kind of smirked and giggled. I immediately let them know that at this point in my pregnancy, the baby should be just a little over a pound. My brother quickly, and with no hesitation, turned to me, pointed to my belly and emphatically said ,"That's only a pound?" I laughed along with the rest and started making up reasons why my belly (while only carrying a child around a lb in weight) was as voluptuous as it is. Oh the moments of pregnancy. :)

Lastly, Joe and I are going to the beach next week for a get-a-way weekend together before our little man comes but also so we can have a NAMING RETREAT! We still have not settled on the full name and until we do, I just can't bring myself to post his name. :) So, it's coming soon.