Hardwick Family Baby Shower

Jesse and I had our first baby shower Oct. 11th in Macon, GA from the Hardwick Family. They put together a shower/reunion for the family and it was great to see everyone! We got some very thoughtful and adorable (of course) gifts for Ellie. We knew the food would be amazing with the Hardwick women cooking (our caterer from our wedding was one of them) and they definitely didn't disappoint.

I wanted everyone to see the Hardwick women that came so people can see my dad's side of the family. (From left to right) My HUGE self, Norma Banks, Aunt Barbara, Mom, Kala Hardwick, Bobbie Jo Carver, Maxine Hardwick & Jeanne Hardwick. (Missing but were there -Ashley Carver, Jewett Hardwick, Pam Smith, Judy, and Martha McMahon Stewart)

We now have a great start on stuff for Ellie - we only had a few clothes beforehand! Thanks to all of these ladies for putting together a great afternoon of family, food, and generous presents for our future baby girl!

Back to Orange Country

Last football season, Jesse was deployed to Iraq and one of the hardest things he missed was most of the college football season - especially UT games. I was able to go to one with my best friend and her hubby last year, but this year, we were very intentional about getting tickets for the first game! My parents ended up being able to come up for the weekend and join us, so it was a lot of fun to share it with them. Technically, this was Ellie's first game and she was definitely kicking up a storm with all the noise in Neyland Stadium! I think it was a sweet moment for Jesse and I to be back at a game together, something we plan to do for many years to come once we move back to K-town. Here's a short video of the football team entrance through the team for those of you who have never experienced this tradition in Orange Country!

Rock Star CD Release Party

We were invited to come to the cd release party for our friend, Lena Hood (Cox), at Wild Bill's in Atlanta last weekend - we jumped at the chance to go to a Rock Star's cd debut!! The best part about this concert was that not only did we hear Lena sing her songs live, but we also heard the debut of "Ragdoll", the country band her and her husband Jason have formed. This was the first time we have heard them play together some of the songs that they will use for their country group and we were impressed! It was great to be there and experience this with our good friends - we are so proud of them!

FREE Carrie Underwood Concert- count me in!

Every year, Ft. Campbell hosts "Week of the Eagles" to celebrate the history of the 101st Airborne Division with many different activities and competitions. Fortunately, one of those events includes a free concert and this year, Carrie Underwood came! Our friend Claire saved us seats since she could get their earlier than us and we met up with her and her hubby for the event. It was open to the public, so people came out of the woodwork to come (about 75,000 people to give you a rough estimate). The concert started with John Rich (who was AWFUL - had 2 different sets that consisted of about 20 minutes of music and 40 minutes of talking about the war - BOO), Hank Williams, JR (had the rednecks praisin' Jesus for country), Jake Owen (was ok compared to the others) and Carrie Underwood (she was just as good live as she was in Pennsylvania last year when we saw her - can't beat it!). It was a late night, but a great evening with our friends. I wanted to show you some pictures of the actual concert, but also some of the people we saw. The first is of a lady that had her belly hanging over my chair talking to someone and it grossed me out. Next is a picture of a lady having a spiritual experience during Hank Williams JR followed by us with the Teters. Good fun for everyone!

Garden Update

Another update on the garden in our backyard - here are some pictures of my yellow squash, zuchinni and tomatoes! Enjoy.

Puerto Plata Paradise

When Jesse and I got married, we decided that every 5 years of marriage waranted a splurge vacation for just the two of us. Although it is easier now without Ellie here yet, we still plan to keep this tradition in the many years to come. This time, we went to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic to the Sun Village Resort & Spa. We left early Sunday, July 26th and did not return until Sunday, August 2nd - a full week away! One thing we have discovered over the years is how well we travel together, and this trip was no different. I was nervous about the flying, praying I had no embarrassing vomit incidents and thankfully the Lord spared me of that! We had a full week away of no sickness and pure bliss. We spent most days sleeping, laying out by the pool, at the beach and eating.









We ended up adding in a day excursion on Wednesday to the downtown area as well as a cable car ride up the mountain - it as great to get out of the resort for a bit but we were ready to come back by the end of the trip. Our trip consisted of the cable car ride up 2 miles to the top of the mountain where we walked a nature trail and got to see a bird's eye view of the area. Then, we headed downtown to see the Catholic Church, Amber Museum, a ligit jewelry store to buy the amber, a fort that Columbus had built when he landed on the island, a buffet lunch, a cigar factory and the Brugal Rum factory. BUSY DAY!











We also treated ourselves to the Spa for a morning and had some great relaxation. Other than that, we just enjoyed our time together with no cell phones or email, and even more importantly, NO WORK for either of us! I am so blessed to have a husband that wants to spend quality time with me and cares about our relationship first and foremost. I love vacations with my best friend!

Ellen Suzanne Cragwall

Yep...IT'S A GIRL!!! Jesse and I had our ultrasound earlier this week to find out the gender of our baby, but most of all to see how she has grown and developed so far. Everything was in the right place and working efficiently (without the tech outright saying it), so Ellie is doing great! It was so wonderful to see her moving (kicking my bladder while she was at it), and even more awesome to see how much she has developed over the last 9 weeks. We saw her organs, bones, spine, facial profile and then of course 100% proof that Baby Cragwall is a girl. The tech showed us two different angles to prove he was 100% on her gender. We are thrilled! I'm about halfway through this pregnancy and definitely showing now. It's getting more and more real and we are both excited about having a Baby Girl in our family. Jesse has already established that her feet will not touch the ground until she's 18 years old - he will always be holding her. Ellie measured right on track for my due date of Dec. 26th so no changes there that I know of. Please keep praying for her health and development during the remainder of this pregnancy.

Psalms 139:13-14

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.