picture perfect

While on vacation I came across tons of great family pictures on my mother-in-law's iPad. There seems to always be a camera out at family gatherings, but I guess we all get busy and the pictures get buried in the mausoleum that is the Picture Folder on our computers. I keep saying I'm going to print these off and update the frames around the house. But in case I don't, here are some shots of the Gooden Family.

my mother-in-law, Dana, me and Elphie enjoying an unseasonably warm fall day in my in-laws beautiful back yard.

she loves to pose for the camera

My son is going to be so handsome. Just look at the men in his daddy's family! :)

Celebrating Tevie's 25th Birthday (Aug2010)

there is no end to the torture for our sweet girl. (Christmas 2010)

A candid shot I will treasure FOREVER! Our faces just moments after sharing the news that Baby G was on the way! (Christmas 2010)

my father-in-law, Tim, with his baby Guru

weekend update

It's never good when you end the weekend more exhausted than when you started out! With just 9 (*gulp* NINE!!!) short weeks until Dane makes his big arrival, there was a lot to accomplish around the Gooden home.

We started out Saturday morning with pancakes, a tradition that has fallen by the wayside in the last few months. It's so nice to enjoy the company of my sweet husband and start our day without being in a hurry to get anywhere. The blistering heat was no match for the two of us. We sanded and painted the dresser/changing table, assembled the crib, washed the first two loads of baby clothes, weed-eated, and pressure washed the back deck in preparation for staining later this week. We even snuck in some time for a family reunion/ cook out, watched the whole first season of "Justified" and finished out a season of "Swamp Monsters".

In case you're wondering, it's been one month since we "cut the cord" and got rid of satellite or cable. It's been so much easier than I anticipated. While I am afraid we still spend too much time in front of the TV, it's not on for just background noise any more, instead we only turn it on when we have time to sit down and watch something on Netflix. We've decided to not watch anything rated R (though if "Justified" were a movie it most definitely be rated R!) which limits your programming more than you'd think. So, we end up watching lots of History Channel programs... which helps me "justify" watching 4 episodes in a row of "Swamp Monsters"- it's educational, right?! :) 

It's days like these that make me immeasurable grateful for the incredible husband I have. He's a hard worker and already the world's most dedicated dad. He's been such an amazing help this weekend and we've worked suprisingly well together- something these two bossy first borns don't usually do. :) Here are a few pictures of our accomplishments this weekend. All of the furniture is in, there are cute little clothes sitting the drawers, we need just a few more finishing touches in order for our sweet boy's room to be ready for his arrival.

Thanks to Uncle Norm for assembling the bookcases while we were on vacation. Ikea thinks they are doing you a favor by making their instructions mostly pictorial... but I think they are down right frustrating!

A close up of the most beautiful crib I've ever seen! Thanks, Easter Bunny (and Pop & Granna Pruitt)! This converts from a crib to a toddler bed to a full-size bed. I love that Dane could grow up in this bed, take it with him to his first home, and even convert it back to a crib for his first baby. :)

The dresser/changing table belonged to my brother, Chase. It's a beautiful pine, but I chose to sand and paint it to fit in with Dane's room. I love the way it looks next to the rocker-recliner. Even Elphie approves of my handiwork. Doesn't she make a cute model? :)

maternity photos

Over a year ago, I had the privilege of joining a small women's bible study in the home of a precious friend. In her infinite wisdom, she had three friends she thought would enjoy each others' company and build each other up as they studied the Word. She couldn't have picked a more perfect foursome. I love these three ladies with my whole heart and they have been divinely placed in my life for such a time as this. :) I am grateful to for hours of conversation curled up on Emily's couch, watching with anticipation as our dear friend Wanda Beth (aka: Beth Moore) steps on our toes and tells us what we need to hear... and sometimes we don't want to hear it! 

One of these precious ladies is recognized as Kentucky's best and brightest photographer. Okay, I'm pretty sure that some magazine said that about her, but even if it didn't, it's true! Our Southern California roots bring us together and we can laugh together about the ridiculousness we sometimes find ourselves in living in Southcentral Kentucky. I am privileged and honored that she did my maternity photos. It was a wonderful evening and she made it truly memorable for us- deer ticks and all! :) Check out her work at: 
http://www.aesthetiicablog.com/allysa-tevie-baby-g/

Thank you for capturing this special event in our lives, Alicia. I'm so thankful that because of our friendship I'll never "cry and walk" alone.  

forgiven

I love when God drops something in my lap exactly when I need it. Today it was this article.

Here's an excerpt that got my mind moving this afternoon:

The prostitute on the other hand walks into a party of religious people and falls at the feet of Jesus without any care regarding what others are thinking and saying. She’s at the end of herself. More than avoiding an uncomfortable situation, she wanted to be clean, she needed to be forgiven. She was acutely aware of her guilt and shame–she knew she needed help. She understood at a profound level that God’s grace doesn’t demand that you get clean before you come to Jesus. Rather, our only hope for getting clean is to come to Jesus. Only in the Gospel does love precede loveliness. Everywhere else loveliness precedes love.

 There are many, many, many days when I feel like I am just never going to get it right. Though I try and try, satan keeps saying my efforts aren't good enough and since I'll never reach perfection (something this perfectionistic craves), I should just give up now. I think the first step is knowing that those thoughts come from satan. I am reminded that Paul often said he wasn't there yet, but he was better off than he started out. That brings a lot of comfort to this weary soul. 


Of all the vices and strongholds God has demolished and torn from satan's grasp in order to free me, perfectionism is one I just can't seem to let go of. Each time I feel the weight of those chains lifted I panic and dive into God's Sea of Forgetfulness before they reach the bottom, drag them back to the surface and, half-drowned and exhausted from the effort, lock them back on. Why? Because I don't know life without them, Lord. I've always dealt with this and it's just easier to keep lugging them around, okay? In my mind, I've always been and always will be this way. I've taken care of everything else, Lord, just let me hang on to this one thing... "But it's sinful, Allysa". "No, Lord, I've dealt with the sin. I'm totally good. I gave you everything else, just let me keep this fight for perfection, my poor self-image, my opinions that no one can do it as well as I can."


How is this sinful? Because every time I look in the mirror and say I'm not good enough, I say that Psalm 139:14 is a lie. That I am not fearfully and wonderfully made, but rather that the God of the universe who created solar systems, the central nervous system and German Augmented 6ths makes junk. Each time this control freak spins out of control and micro-manages every detail of a dinner party or loading the stinkin' dishwasher, I say that Ephesians 1:11-12 is wrong and that God does not work out everything in conformity and purpose of His will. 


I have to be reminded daily that I don't have to have it right to have hope in Him. "Only in the Gospel does love precede loveliness." Praise be to God. When I lay it down, whatever "it" is, I do not have to pick it up again. In fact, I don't have to have laid it down yet in order to come to Him. He'll hold me and comfort me as He rips that band-aid off. 

"We think it’s a mark of spiritual maturity to hang onto our guilt and shame. We’ve sickly  concluded that the worse we feel, the better we actually are. The declaration of Psalm 103:12 is the most difficult for us to grasp and embrace: “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Or, as Corrie ten Boom once said, “God takes our sins—the past, present, and future—and dumps them in the sea and puts up a sign that says ‘No Fishing allowed.’”

Pray with me and for me as God unlocks the stupid chains I still carry. I pray you set down your fishing pole, put on your life jacket and don't even think about diving into that Sea to pick up what He's cast off. Floating is much more relaxing than drowning. 

 --Allysa

 "East to West" 

Casting Crowns

Here I am, Lord, and I'm drowning in your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me
I yearn for peace and rest
I don't want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind, keeps me awake tonight
I know You've cast my sin as far as the east is from the west
And I stand before You now as though I've never sinned
But today I feel like I'm just one mistake away from You leaving me this way

Jesus, can You show me just how far the east is from the west
'cause I can't bear to see the man I've been come rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
'cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other

vacation



Jess and Meagan enjoying the view after dinner



The Prathers came to play! Noah showing off his beach toys.

Tevie, Gordy and Jess enjoying a swim with Noah

Already sunburned!

My sweet Buttercup catching some rays and acting too old for her age. :)

Dinner with my best friend. Great ending to an awesome day

Love this child.



Seriously- there is no cuter husband in.the.world!



It's been a blessed week! Not looking forward to the drive home tomorrow! :(

in the water

... is exactly where my toes will be in 24 hours! These poor swollen feet need a few days in the sand and ocean water to relax them, I think. 

At my check-up yesterday I asked my doctor how to prevent the swelling. I already watch my salt intake very carefully and drink GALLONS of water. And, no, that's not an exaggeration. I am constantly thirsty and drank 4.5 bottles of water from my 1quart water bottle- that's over a gallon. My doctor laughed and said, "Keep them elevated as much as possible and take birth control when you're not pregnant". He's a funny man. I'll definitely practice both of those! 

Each month at our board meeting I like to hold the little fetal models at the center. Can you believe my sweet boy is still this tiny? Why does it feel like he weighs 15lbs, is 4ft tall and carrying around a baseball bat, or pointy stick at the very least? :)

I love spending time with my family and have always loved road trips... well the trip to your destination, the trip home is never fun. Hopefully we come back refreshed and ready to welcome this sweet little boy home in just 11 weeks- that's 77 days!!! Where did the time go? Wasn't I just 11 weeks pregnant and now I only have 11 weeks to go. I think time moves at warp speed when you're frightfully underprepared for the arrival of your first child. 


As much as I love vacation, it's always hard leaving this sweet face for a week. Thankfully the pups don't have to go to puppy prison- I mean, the kennel- they get to stay at home and be cared for by a good friend. 

goodness

Recently, I have been absolutely astounded by God's goodness. Spending 72 hours in His presence with a group of Godly women on the Walk to Emmaus helped me realize it, too. 

Seven months ago on a Friday evening, I knelt in the small, mildewy chapel with garbage bag walls at Camp Acton, praising God in the most surreal worship I've ever experienced. I knelt at that altar and begged God to hear me from heaven and answer my request for a baby. As I sat on that concrete floor in the presence of God, crying so hard snot ran from nose and I didn't care who watched me, my precious friend Kristin knelt beside me and began praying the exact words I had just been pouring out to God in silence. I cried even harder. As the worship team sang "Revelation Song", I sang in unhindered worship with my hands in the air, surrendering to His goodness and believing in His faithfulness.

Almost seven months to the day, I stood in that chapel again. As we gathered for worship this Friday evening I couldn't help but remember the tears I had shed on that altar just a few months earlier. The room was filled with the Holy Spirit and the presence of God. Not out of coincidence, but by divine planning, the worship team began to play "Revelation Song" and I smiled because there is just something about that song being sung in that little moldy chapel that invites the presence of God. There is something about getting away from the padded pews and stained glass masquerade of the modern American church. I feel like I've returned to the church's roots- spending quality time with Jesus in a dingy, dimly lit room with nothing more than a hard seat and my Bible. I imagine that's exactly how the disciples and the early church spent their time with Him... minus the Bible. :)

At 29 weeks, my belly often changes shapes as the little man moves around. I can feel his feet or hands or elbows or a big stick he's carried in their with him in my ribs. He moves constantly... but as the music of that beautiful song started and I stood in praise, my precious son leapt inside me. More than the usual somersaults and kick-boxing I experience throughout the day, my sweet child was dancing! I have never been so overcome with God's faithfulness. Seven months ago I knelt before God in this very room, singing this very song, praying that He would bless us with a child and there I stood, carrying a healthy baby boy, standing in that same room singing the same song. How awesome is our God? How faithful is He?! 


Some could say that the little man liked the loud music and was reacting to my singing... but this momma knows better. My sweet baby is a promise from God and a picture of His faithfulness. I know he felt the presence of God and it was almost as if he was saying, "Hey, mom, I know this song!" I can't help but say it again- how awesome is our God, that even the unborn know how to praise Him. My sweet husband encouraged me to enjoy these last eleven weeks and I have committed to doing just that. Carrying this precious boy is such a blessing and I am ashamed that I have spent entire weeks complaining and taking it for granted. 

We debated about sharing his name for a long time. But, after finding out it's meaning, I can't help but share it with you... hopefully my hubby forgives me :). We chose to name him Perry Dane, both very special family names. After pouring through Bible names, none of them seemed to fit. After reading about the meaning of Kristin and Benson's sweet girl's name, I decided to look up Dane's. Perry means a "foreigner" or "traveler", which at first was a connotation I wasn't too pleased with. I wanted him to have a name that connotated stability. But add Dane, a form of the name Dean, which means "church official". A traveling church official... some would call that a missionary, I think. A coincidence that God has burdened our hearts with the Great Commission to GO (which by the way is a command...  but that's another post) and make disciples? A coincidence that we want to raise this sweet boy with a heart for the hurting, to serve the least of these and be the hands and feet of Jesus to the ends of the earth? I think not. Hope you don't mind, Dane, looks like your career may have been chosen for you before you even take your first breath in this world. 

Forever God is faithful. And He is always, always Good. 
--Allysa

over it

There are few things as disheartening as scrolling through your facebook news feed and seeing 15,000 negative status updates... so rather than complain there, I'm complaining here! HA! 

This, my friends, is the first McDonald's Diet Coke I have consumed in 26 long weeks. I'm hoping that since we're in the home stretch (third trimester begins Monday!!!) and the little man is mostly developed and just packing on the pounds, a one-day overload of aspartame and caffeine won't cause him to be born with six toes. 

I am married to the most amazing man in the world. He left his office this morning to make my I-must-have-it-now-diet-coke run. He's so wonderful to me. He's going to be a great daddy.

Note the indention on my ankle from the straps of my sandals :(

I've been contemplating the last few days why it is we do this to ourselves...Why can't our sweet children arrive by stork or in a basket with a pretty balloon like in the How the Grinch Stole Christmas movie.
To those of you sweet, innocent girls who have yet to conceive your first child, please be advised that pregnancy is nothing like the books say. Sure they warn you that you'll be hormonal and moody. Do not assume this is like PMS moodiness... it is far, far worse. You will find yourself crying for no reason and completely unable to stop the tears. 
They will warn you that you may develop acne. What they don't say it that it's not just a pimple here and there, it's a full-on 16 year-old boy breakout weekly. And leave your Proactiv under the counter, sister, because it won't even touch it. 
They don't tell you your usually soft, blond hair will turn course and start growing in so dark and fast that you will single-handedly be able to pay your hair girl's mortgage for the next 40 weeks. They tell you you'll swell towards the end... apparently for me "towards the end" is week 26.

I remember reading that you should try to wear your own clothes as long as possible because you will miss them later on. In my eagerness to look as pregnant as possible, and not like I'd just eaten a large lunch, I embraced my maternity jeans and tops and pushed my little belly out as much as I could... my sweet childless friends, you will miss your own clothes. On a warm spring morning you will wistfully brush your hand across those cute seersucker slackers and tailored tops and long to be in something without an elastic waistband... which is even uncomfortable nowadays because you're gaining weight at a rate of 2lbs a week and you can't stop it!

This is the hardest part for me. For years I have been fixated on my weight and image. I meticulously watch what I eat and fret over every calorie. While rationally I know  I am supposed to be gaining weight, watching those pounds add on seemingly daily is very hard on my self-esteem. Each day that elastic waistband feels a little tighter. 


Thankfully, I serve a God who knew this was going to be an issue for me. This morning after being frustrated over my limited wardrobe and swollen hands and feet, I sat down to weep. My sweet little boy began rolling around and kicking me in the ribs. I needed that reminder that that's why I'm doing this. That's why they can't arrive by stork. I'd miss out on those kicks and punches and I wouldn't appreciate the masterpiece that is a woman's body. How amazing that God created something so intricate and beautiful. Now, I didn't jump up ready to take on the world... in fact I continued to cry while I got dressed, but I do have a renewed peace of mind as to why this is going to be worth it. 


I know what a huge blessing this is, I do. I prayed for eight months to be in this position and I truly wouldn't trade carrying this sweet child for anything... but, shew, is it ever hard some days!! Nothing worth having is easy though. So, while I miss sleeping on my tummy, wearing pointy toed pumps, pants without elastic, thin arms, my waist, being cold-natured, heartburn-free days (praise Jesus for Zantac!), a scale that reads a number in the 150's, my hair and skin and wardrobe, I think I can tough this out for 96 more days. :)

via

 This is a baby born at 26 weeks. As much as I feel ready for him to be here, I needed this to show me that HE is NOT ready to be here yet. What perspective. What's a little inconvenience like 30lbs and swollen feet when you're creating perfection? Right? :)

Fellow moms, how did you cope with swollen feet, heartburn and sleepless nights? And how on earth were you conned into doing this more than once?! :)

RISEN

Happy Easter!

I hope you spend this day remembering the resurrection of our Savior. The amazing thing about the Gospel is NOT that Jesus came and died for us, what makes it so incredible is that He ROSE! 

Here are some things I'm meditation on today.

"I am the man that called out from the crowd

For Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking

ground

Yes then, I turned away with this smile on my face

With this sin in my heart tried to bury Your grace

And then alone in the night, I still called out for You

So ashamed of my life, my life, my life

But You love me anyway"

Sidewalk Prophets

"The idea that a virgin would be selected by God to bear himself...The notion that God would don a scalp and toes and two eyes...The thought that the King of the universe would sneeze and burp and get bit by mosquitoes...It’s too incredible. Too revolutionary. We would never create such a Savior. We aren’t that daring...In our wildest imaginings we wouldn’t conjure a king who becomes one of us.

But God did. God did what we wouldn’t dare dream. He did what we couldn’t imagine. He became a man so we could trust him. He became a sacrifice so we could know him. And he defeated death so we could follow him."

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Easter/Easter-the-Story-of-Jesus-Resurrection.aspx?p=9#ixzz1K4Kv7JaQ

forget the frock

My amazing, Jesus lovin' friend Emily from The Fox Family  wrote an amazing guest blog for another amazing friend, Natalie at 5 Million Minus 1. 

I will be the first to admit that I love all things fashionable, shiny and trendy. Easter in the South is ridiculous. Much like Christmas, we have forgotten why we originally started this holiday. It's become baskets, bunnies, bonnets and little white shoes. I love a new dress as much as the next girl - and don't even get me started on a new pair of shoes- but my heart has been burdened lately as commercials bombard you with sales on dresses, baskets and candy. I read facebook status after facebook status of parents who complain about money in one and then complain about frantically going shopping for matching Easter apparel in another. Doesn't that sound like craziness? 

If that doesn't, this will. This year, the Gooden family is skipping the Easter get-up. Sunday morning you'll find us happily sporting our Feeding the Orphans shirts.

Of all that Sundays in the year, Allysa, why Easter Sunday? Well, isn't rescue, feeding the needy and adoption what the Gospel Story is all about?

Romans 5: 6-8 (NIV) says we were rescued:

 ⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 He didn't wait for us to get our act together, He knew we needed a savior so He came to us while we were still weak with sin.

John 6 (NIV) shows us that He feeds us when we're hungry:

 ⁵ When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?” ⁶ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do...¹² When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” ¹³ So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over by those who had eaten. 

Convicting. God knows exactly where the food to feed these children is going to come from... from what we consider nothing, God creates a feast. The cost of the t-shirts we'll wear on Sunday feed an orphan 3 meals a day for a month. Like a that boy's sack lunch, God will take my $25, bless it and it will multiply into plenty. 

Galations 3:23-28 (NIV) says we have been adopted as children of God through our faith:

 ²³ Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. ²⁴ So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. ²⁵ Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

 ²⁶ So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, ²⁷ for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

I love that last verse. Our great God is the biggest supporter of international adoption ever! What better day to support international adoption and the millions of orphaned children around the world than on the day we've chosen to celebrate the resurrection of our Savior. The Son of God who came to this earth and died so that we could be called children of God. Black or white, African or Asian, Jew or Gentile, slave or free- there's no distinction. We're all children of the living God who gave His life to set us free. 

It is with great joy that we support this ministry, prayerfully consider adopting and brag on sweet little Tedi Henderson like he's our own kid even though we've never met. :)(... yet!)

In the words of the exuberant, loveable, Jesus lovin' fashionista Emily Fox, 

"Happy Easter Ya'll... now go love some Orphans!"

Happy Easter!

--Allysa 

Matthew 25: 31-40

³¹ “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. ³² All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³ He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

   ³⁴ “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶ I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

   ³⁷ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸ When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹ When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

   ⁴⁰ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Don't forget to cast your vote if you like what you read here:

http://www.topbabyblogs.com/cgi-bin/topblogs/in.cgi?id=allyg06