Getting Ready for Baby - Phase 1

Well friends, it's about that time... time to start getting ready for our new addition! I am typically the worst - and I really do mean the WORST - procrastinator on earth, but I knew that we had to get moving on this before I am so big that I'm absolutely no help at all.
So, Saturday we spent the day moving furniture around... we had to take some furniture down and move one bedroom to another room and just get that future nursery emptied out! It actually took much less time than I expected! I have to say that Jon is so helpful such a hard worker, which is just a blessing that I have to remember to recognize and give praise for! So, here are the pictures I took from our transfer process:

 This is the old bedroom (future nursery) that Jon is taking apart and moving to be the back bedroom.

 This is now what our back bedroom looks like - got it pretty much set up! It's pretty much the only room that is useable right now. :)

And this is the emptied out nursery - our blank palet!
So, now for the plans and the elements for the nursery... it's all just an idea at this point, but I have a few things picked out!

This is what the nurseries ceiling looks like right now - I know what you're thinking ~ "SWEET fan! Where can I get one like that??" Well, if you're lucky I might sell it to you for a small fortune! ;) Seriously, don't be jealous! And no need for fighting - we have another one in the back bedroom too!
So, the plan is to find a sweet little white understated chandalier to put up and Jon is going to scrape the popcorn ceilings off.
As for some of the other elements...

These are the fabrics that I think I've settled on for baby bedding. I am so blessed to have both my mom and my mother-in-law who are very good at sewing! They are going to help make the bedding and the curtains!

 

We already had this rug, which I love, and since the nursery is going to be pretty neutral, I thought it would work well.

This little old whicker dresser was mine all through my childhood, and we thought it would make a great changing table - a little paint touch up and some cute new knobs should dress it up great! And Jon can work on the top to make sure it's safe!

Picking out the paint color is the trickiest part! I want a very light blue... but these 2 samples I got almost look white... but we'll find the right one! And NO, I do not think I'm having a boy... I just like the color. :) And if we have a sweet little princess, then we will make it girly if that time comes.

So, friends, that's all I have for now! It's going to be a fun process!

We're thanking the Lord every day for this sweet little life He's knitting together so perfectly! And of course praying for all the other little ones that we will meet soon too!

Getting Ready for Baby Coonce!!

That's right friends! We are going from 2 to 3! We are so excited for the new addition to the Coonce Family! Boy or girl, no one knows... but we are trusting the Lord for whatever is best! :) We are due August 21st, and it seems like everyone we know is having a baby right now too... lots of new additions, which is exciting for all!
I am SO horrible at keeping up with this - especially right now because we don't have internet at home! BUT I promise I am going to be better about it as we get closer to welcoming our little one into the world!
We got our crib recently which was so fun! God totally provided such a cute ccrib for such an AMAZING price! He is such a good provider! And we are definitely trusting Him as we seek out some type of daycare! If anyone has any suggestions, PLEASE let me know! :) We are on 3 waiting lists, but we really need something as affordable as possible!
As we get ready for this big change in our lives, please pray for us as parents... since we have no clue what it will be like! My sweet hubby is a little nervous about being Daddy, I think. :)
More to come soon! We will be working on getting a nursery going and my goal is to post updates!
Trying to pick out fabrics and colors right now ~ so torn... I love the blues... but who knows, maybe green... I need a designer to help me!!! SO not good at envisioning!

Going to the chapel ~ Jara's Bridal Shower

Okay, I am so excited because soon, I will have another sister-in-law, and she is is just the best! I could not say enough nice things about this girl! She is one of the nicest girls I have ever met, and I love that she is marrying Jon's brother! I just wish we could be closer (geographically)!!

This past weekend, our Aunt Jenny (Jon's dad's sister) hosted the cutest bridal shower! She is one of the best hostesses I have ever seen in action! :) She finds the most fabulous places to have the party first, and the food is always wonderful and everything is just perfect! Jara's shower was at the historic Benton House in Irvington, IN, and it was so quaint! So, the shower was perfect and Jara received lots of wonderful gifts (crystal goblets, the best picnic blanket and basket, every day platters of all kinds, towels, etc.)... I remember so well how fun and exciting this time is, and it's hard to believe how quickly it passes... and then you are settled into marriage and life before you know it... but what a fun and special time!!

Isn't this house so picturesque??!! I love it, and we had the best time celebrating Jara and David! I know Treasure is so excited that she is soon going to have 2 daughters! I'm so blessed to have such a sweet mother-in-law who loves so well!

The cake that Aunt Jenny had for the shower was SO cute (and yummy too)! We had a great weekend trip, and June 12th will be here before we know it!!

Bows - N - Bloom

So, my friend at work has a hidden talent that I recently discovered! She came into work yesterday with a box FULL of the most adorable bows that she had made! She was shipping them to her sister-in-law to sell for her... so you know me, I jumped right in! :) She didn't even know she would have a customer yesterday morning at 8 am, but she sure did!
I got bows for my sweet nieces and some extra for  birthday gifts! She makes them in every size and for holidays too! And she will make custom orders... her large bows run $6, and the smaller ones I think are around 5 or 6 dollars for 2. And she throws in a coupon with each order! And you know I love coupons!!
I am going to post pictures soon, but she does not have a web site yet, so you would have to order by e-mailing her...
Her business is called Bows-N-Bloom, and her name is Brandy Vancil. If you are interested, please let me know!! :)
Pictures will be coming soon!

PS - She also makes adorable bow holders

Additional Flood Pics

This is a picture of Fieldstone Farms looking toward Cotton Lane.The Cumberland flooded over 1st Ave. in downtown Nashville.Hillsboro Rd. heading into downtown Franklin

Flood waters in Franklin - State of Emergency

It saddens me to say that are sweet little town is in for some major work ahead! The area has been delcared a disaster area and I hope FEMA comes in to assist! Many that have been flooded do not have flood insurance! This is the worst flood my 64 year old dad has ever seen, and he has seen a few! There are areas flooded that you would never think would have been! I've seen it on the news, but to see this in real life is just crazy! I'm so sad for those who have lost everything, but it reminds me of one thing - we can't take it with us when it's our time to go... I know that's probably easy for me to say, since I haven't lost anything really, but it's true. Still praying for everyone who is affected by this!

The Tennessean said: "More than 20 major roadways are flooded and several Franklin neighborhoods have been flooded. The Red Cross has set up an emergency temporary shelter at the Peoples Church at Mack Hatcher and Murfreesboro Road. Police are urging people not to drive past the road blocks, and for curiosity seekers to stay home and not come out to see the flooding. These actions could put emergency officials at risk!"

Below: One of Jon's favorite homes in Franklin (I think Dana's too) on 7th and Fair

& The back of my mom's neighborhood

Happy Easter

Thank you Jesus, for your precious blood!
I am so thakful for a Savior who is risen and ALIVE!!


(I am a little behind on my posting, but I will try to catch up soon. :)

Indiana Christmas

Christmas in Indiana was a blast!

Cookie is Jon's childhood dog, and poor girl may not be around too much longer... she's sweet though, and will eat anything in the world!! (Will add a video to show)

My mother-in-law is so sweet... she always gets us fun presents for Christmas morning, and I almost feel like a kid again... my favorite gift this Christmas was not one that I got, but one that she received... a steel drum... oh how fun! What a unique gift!! It was fun hearing those Jamaican sounds again... reminded me of my honeymoon!

Oh, brothers! David, William, and Jon ~ all grown up... well most of the time anyway! :)

Me and Jon on Christmas morning in Indiana... we had so much fun visiting with the Coonce side - is such a precious time that we have to savor, since we only get there every couple of months.

Christmas Fun!

Shout out to Becky for the awesome sweater!! (She used to wear that UT sweater w/ pride... and the one that Rich has on too!)

Tacky Christmas parties are the best! Here are just a few pictures from our little Christmas shin-dig... Dana officially took home best costume for the ladies... and it was close for the guys... Rich and Braton were both pretty classic!! Love my friends!! :)

My debut on TV :)

I had a very exciting opportunity today that I wanted to share. Better Nashville (Channel 4) invited Mercy Ministries to be on the show, so I was very fortunate to get to share just a little part of my testimony today! Holly Thompson is such a nice lady, and it was exciting to be able to share, in hopes that someone might find the help they need. So, here is the link! It's about a 5 minute blurb, and also gave us a chance to plug the Merry Mercy Benefit that takes place tomorrow night.


http://www.wsmv.com/video/21910601/index.html