Fingerprints of God

This Spring,  I have had the opportunity to lead the Bible Study, Fingerprints of God by Jennifer Rothschild to a group of women at Royston Baptist.  I spent many weeks debating & praying over what study to complete with these women.  It's amazing how I was led to this study & love it.  To check out her website -

http://www.jenniferrothschild.com

It is the first Bible Study that I have completed by Jennifer & I am loving it! Jennifer is blind, but discusses how we can see & experience the presence of God.  This study challenges us to truly look for God. How do you see God? Do you take time in your ordinary daily moments to listen to God?

Since becoming a mommy, I see God everyday in my child.  First, through the birth of Peyton.  Then, seeing his mannerisms, personality, & looks.  Most recently, I see God through Peyton's daily new vocabulary & skills.  I see God through - the sunrise, sunset, my students, friends, special conversations, cards in the mail, anytime I hear my favorite Chris Tomlin song, flowers, my husband...I could go on.

Take a minute to think how you SEE God.  How do you see God's touch?  I would recommend this study to anyone looking for a new Bible study! Prayers to you & your family.

Back to the Bluegrass...My Winter Break!

Peyton & I took our first TRUE ROAD trip this past weekend.  We drove 7 hours to Kentucky to visit family & friends.  I'll admit, I was nervous taking an almost 18 month old alone in a car with me.  Jonathan & I "tag-team" our long drives, taking turns keeping Peyton "entertained" in a car.  Thankfully, he couldn't have been more perfect.  He loved his Sesame Street DVD, talked to himself for twos hours, ate many Cheese-Its, & survived the long drive.
We had the best time in the Bluegrass - celebrating Ashley & Megan's baby girls arriving this spring,  shopping with my sisters, eating my favorite home-cooked meals (thanks Mom!), running in the bitter cold (it was 70 in Georgia today), loving on my precious nephew, & making memories. Peyton & I loved our road trip!

Ashley & Megan's Baby Shower

Peyton loved Auntie Anna's hats! 

Family dinner with Cousin Tommy & Delean 

Girls Afternoon (notice Carter posing for the picture!) 

I love the fact that Franklin County Schools has a WEEK-LONG Winter Break!!! It is wonderful! Today, Jonathan & I went to doctor's appointments for Baby Boy & all is well.  He is growing (already 5 ounces), healthy (strong heart beat & measurements), & I'm feeling pregnant! It is true...with your second baby, you "show" much sooner! For my Thursday, more doctor's appointments & deep spring cleaning.  For Friday, a Barlow Bunch family day...I'm so excited!!!
My prayers to you & your family.  Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten Season.   I hope you have had time to reflect on Jesus' sacrifice today & for the next 40 days.

Our Valentine's Day

Our Valentine's Day Highlights - We had a wonderful Tuesday! It started off early...
1. As I went running, Peyton woke up (5:30am) & didn't go back to sleep!!! So, at 7:00am, we got him up.  I was able to eat (quickly!!) Royston Drive-In pancakes & ham biscuits with my boys...the best gift!
2. Jonathan went shopping at Joann's Fabrics (YES...he did) & got me fabric, buttons, a pattern, etc. to make Peyton or baby boy 2 a romper.  Cross your fingers...one day you may see my sewing on the blog.
3. Kindergarteners & Valentine's day = EXHAUSTING! Enough said...
4. We did not have a date night, but instead ordered pizza & gave Peyton his new golf clubs (we found them on clearance after Christmas).  It's hilarious how much Peyton loves his clubs (Jonathan's dream come true).

Miss Jeanette & Peyton (his Royston Grandma)

Peyton & Peyton (don't look at the house!) 

Peyton excited about his new clubs

Papa showing Peyton how to play golf!

I am thankful for my family & a special day to show my love! Valentine's day was not the easiest as a teenage girl, but so much fun as a wife & mommy.  I hope your Valentine's was extra-special with the ones you love!

Psalm 37:3-6 "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun."

(The verses on Jonathan's wedding ring) 

Our Weekend!

The Barlow Bunch had another wonderful weekend with family.  Papa Rusty, Nana, & Jack (their Maltese)  came from Destin, Florida to visit for the weekend & celebrate the Super Bowl.  We had a fun-filled weekend - dinner out to Carolina Pizza (if you live in the area...it is a MUST pizza joint) & Bob's Small Town Grille, an afternoon of golf, sewing lessons, cooking new recipes, Sunday church, & the Super Bowl!

If you don't know Jonathan, one fun fact about my husband - he LOVES football! This week, he watched every segment of Sports Center, read anything he could get his hands on concerning the big game, & even preached on the Super Bowl...haha.  SO, Sunday night was the climax of the season for him.  We had a blast hosting the RBC youth group, laughing at the commercials, cheering on our teams, & eating way too much!

We are thankful for family willing to travel, love & spoil Peyton, & spend time with us.  It is hard to live seven hours from both sets of parents & siblings.  We are thankful for a loving community in Royston, but miss seeing our family on a daily basis.  Consider yourself lucky if your parents & siblings live down the road! Thank you to the Barlows for a fun-filled weekend!

Jonathan, Ophelia & Peyton, Rusty 

Susan, Ophelia & Peyton 

I just had to add a few fun pictures of Peyton.  He LOVES playing outside & didn't want to stop to take pictures!

Peyton & Derby - Best Friends! 

I am very excited to finally write this post...as I have been waiting until the appropriate time to share with you - my family, friends, & readers.  Jonathan, Peyton, & I are excited to announce that the Barlow Bunch is growing!!! Yes, BABY BOY 2 will be arriving on August 3, 2012! 
The second time around, I wanted to tell my family more creatively than we did with Peyton (a phone call).  Peyton told our family on Christmas Eve (Fraley family) & on the 26th (Barlow family) from the pictures below created into a card.  My family opened it without me (but received a phone call soon after) & the Barlow's opened the card in the middle of our Christmas exchange.  It was so much fun to see (& hear) their surprised looks!

The sign reads, "For Christmas, Santa brought me...

"...a baby brother or sister!"

We learned Monday that we will be having another baby BOY.  I am thrilled that Peyton will have a younger brother.  I already envision bunk beds in their future! This pregnancy has been MUCH different than Peyton's - no nausea (THANK GOODNESS...especially with a little one running around), & cravings of orange juice, pizza, & sweets!!! For 13 weeks, it has been a breeze... Thank you for sharing in our joy of our new little Barlow bunch!