Transitions, Teething, & More!

Look closely and you will see Nelson's first TWO teeth!!! 

Hard to believe that it’s already the last week of January! 2013 started off with a bang as we were on the road to Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta...all within 10 days and a 5 month old in tow! Not to mention, we discovered Nels has his first two teeth!!! A few weeks ago, our dear friend and “sister” that we affectionately call “ADM” (Aunt Doula Mary) was the one to notice his first tooth as he was gnawing on her finger...then a few days later, B noticed the second tooth! Our boy is growing up before our very eyes! 

For those that may have missed the news from our last post, Brandon has been offered a position with his company back in the Nashville territory and we will be moving back to Nashville on March 1st! We had a feeling that we could be moving from Birmingham at some point for Brandon’s job, but it was no where on our radar that we would be offered the opportunity to be back in Nashville at this point...just another testimony of how God is into the details of our lives and truly has given us the desires of our heart. It’s a different kind of move this time, since the “light at the end of the tunnel” is our dear community of friends back in Nashville...yet it still is a process to wrap up the sweet time that we have had this past year and a half (+) in Birmingham and the friends that we will miss as we start this next chapter. 

As you can probably imagine just from reading what’s been mentioned above, there is a lot going on. It’s amazing though to feel the PEACE that we know is straight from the LORD. As people ask how they can pray, help and support us through this transition...the thing that comes to mind is to ask for prayers for our REST. It’s quite a task to “shut down the mind” in the evening when it’s time for bed...and it’s a whole other issue to wake up from the short bit of sound sleep to nurture our dear teething son. The first two teeth came in with no issue but now we think it’s been a combination of being on the go PLUS the teething that have led to our sleep being a bit off! *wink* 

Thankfully we have kept the lines of communication between husband and wife wide open and are able to hear each other out on what our “needs” are...For instance, this week we have put our finger on the issue that I, as a Mom and Wife, need to make some time in the day for some “me” time...and that does not include doing dishes, laundry, or a run to the grocery store. We are making every effort for this to be some time apart for some personal exercise, bubble bath, or even today...the gift beyond my very imagination which was...a massage! God bless my dear hubby for having a play date with Nels and giving me some hours away for relaxation and rejuvenation! And vice versa, we see the importance of me really helping to guard his “cave time” to watch a TV show, read a book, or whatever it takes to wind down from the day and gear up for the next day. 

We also wanted to make sure and update you with the praise report on Nelson’s feet! Our last club foot clinic appointment was last week and the doctor said that Nelson’s feet are looking great and that we will keep him in his “snowboard” (22 hours/each day) for another month...and then at the end of February when we have our appointment, we will find out if he is ready to move into just wearing his snowboard at night when he sleeps. This would be a HUGE step! Our “mover and shaker” rolls all around (with or without his snowboard on) and at some points it looks like he is about to take off and crawl! Who knows what will happen when the sweet thing is without his snowboard all day...!!! We praise God for His faithfulness in this journey so far and know that He will be the one to direct our path from here...and that Nelson will crawl, walk, run, and play all in God’s perfect timing. Please continue to pray for Nelson and his feet when the Lord brings him to mind - that the snowboard will stay on and that his feet will continue to 100% correction. 

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family. Please continue to pray that our eyes will be fixed on JESUS in the midst of all that is going on around us. We know that nothing is more important than HIM and through HIM, everything else will fall into place...

Final Thoughts Of 2012

Happy New Year from the Nalls!

With only a few more hours left in 2012, here is a reflection on this year as we look back at what the Lord has done and look forward to all that's to come in 2013...

We continue to learn to WALK by FAITH and take ONE STEP AT A TIME

Thankful for a healthy pregnancy and birth of our precious son that has brought more JOY to our lives than we could ever put into words

We have enjoyed our new and old friends in Birmingham, AL and have enjoyed this place that has become our home

Thankful for our church, The Church at Brook Hills, and all that the Lord continues to teach us through making the WORD come alive in our lives 

We continue to learn more about functioning as a team and being there for each other in the moments where it seems the other person's patience is about to run out

Thankful for family and friends that have come alongside us in a whole new way as we raise our son

As the new year is right around the corner, we would love to share the following news with each of you in person, but this seems to be the best way to tell all at once...

We are moving back to Nashville! 

Brandon's company has offered him a position in the Nashville territory. We are truly in awe of the Lord's divine plan and excited to be on this journey with HIM. Lots of details (as far as living arrangements, dates, etc) that we don't know the answer to at this point...but we are in the midst of planning a move for sometime in the first quarter of 2013, as B will be starting his new position officially on February 1st. 

Thank you in advance for your prayers and praises with us during this exciting time. 

Much love and blessings to you as we step into this NEW YEAR. Something so refreshing about a fresh new start! Here's to making much of JESUS, no matter where we are, as we journey forward with HIM...as one chapter closes and another is just beginning! 

In Sickness And In Health

What a weekend it's been! Friday night started off with a bang, as B and I had our first "official babysitter" (aka: not a family member) come and stay with Nelson while we had a night on the town with some friends at a Christmas Party. It was a lot of fun to have some "us time" and enjoy dinner, dancing, and fellowship with great friends. 

Always fun to get dressed up!!

Then on Saturday is when things took a turn... B wasn't feeling the best before we went to bed on Saturday night but we didn't think much of it. Then around midnight he decided to go sleep in the guest room because he knew he was getting sick. Starting at 2:15am, he threw up every hour until 6:15am...it was awful. There is nothing worse than watching someone you love be sick. 

I decided this morning that I was going to have FACE MY FEAR of throwing up and step right into this because throwing up in part of life and family. I didn't sleep last night and prayed for healing for Brandon - and for protection for Nelson and I - as I cleaned toilets, sheets, towels and so forth throughout the day. The joy of the Lord has been my strength, even in the midst of not sleeping much...last night OR the night before really. So thankful to be Brandon's wife and there is no where else I'd rather be than right by his side. 

I literally have not thrown up since high school...and pray that I never will (but know that's not reality, ha!) ... I was so thankful to make it through pregnancy and childbirth without getting sick like that, too. A true answer to so many prayers!! But today I realized that the marriage moment of this week was realizing that I was NOT going to put on a mask and gloves and be afraid to get near my husband. I was going to embrace what was going on and pray to be the hands and feet of Jesus as B has been aching from head to toe. 

Thanks to my MOM for teaching me over the years
how to make even a "sick tray" look pretty!

He hasn't eaten anything all day except for a few nibbles on some applesauce and saltines...but he got adjusted by our chiropractor this afternoon...so Lord willing, he will wake up feeling like a new man tomorrow. Thank you in advance for your prayers of healing for Brandon - and prayers of protection for Nelson and I - as we face this stomach virus head on.

Keepin' it real with this pic!! This is what playtime in the jungle looks like
while Daddy is sick and Mommy folds laundry! 

This weekend I have really felt like my "mama role" has come into full fledged action...as we had our first babysitter and our first stomach virus roll through. Never a dull moment! 

Our little acrobat during one of his "snowboard breaks"!!!

We would like to close with a praise report: Nelson's snowboard has been staying on ALL day throughout the past couple of days! From the time we put it on, until the time we take it off for his 2 hour daily break...his shoes and bar (aka: snowboard) have been staying on AND staying in place. That is a TRUE answer to prayer!! Thank you to each and every one of you that have been lifting that up. Those first few days and weeks were really tough...as we would put the snowboard on and then within five minutes at times, it seemed that he had wiggled right out. We have been learning dedication and perseverance and seeing how that really pays off. So please be encouraged IF YOU are going through something in life where it seems like you just did that, or just learned that, or just took that thought captive, or so on and so forth...keep at it! Your dedication, perseverance, and persistence WILL PAY OFF! We go in on Wednesday for our next appointment with the club foot doctor...we will keep you posted! Thank you for your continued prayers as we take ONE STEP AT A TIME! We are so encouraged each time we look down and see the progress of Nelson's feet. To GOD be the glory! 

Merry Christmas!

To all of our blog readers, Facebook friends, and Twitter followers...Merry Christmas! Thank you for your prayers for us always...we are so very encouraged by you! This birth announcement and Christmas card says it all...we are so very thankful for God's precious gift to us this year in baby Nelson...but more importantly, His gift to the world in the birth of Jesus. Soooo very much to be celebrated. May we take time to slow down here at the beginning of December and savor each and every moment of this special season. 

            O come, let us adore Him! JOY to the WORLD!! Glory to the newborn King!!! 

Teach Me To Sing "Hallelujah"

One of my dear college roommates and I had our baby boys 11 days apart. It was such a blessing to be pregnant during the same time and then have babies at the same time AND live in the same city to walk alongside each other through the good days and the hard days. There is a song by Bethany Dillon called "Hallelujah" and some of the words say..."Whatever's in front of me, help me to sing hallelujah". We have quoted that verse in the song on more occasions than I can count...and I thought that lyric would be an appropriate title for today's post! 

Baby Nelson helping his buddy Baby Crawford move!

We've been a bit MIA on the blog front for the past two weeks as we have had a lot going on are trying to LIVE IN THE MOMENT! Since we last wrote... our little snowboarder went back into his casts, we celebrated our first Thanksgiving with our precious son, we traveled to "LA" (Lower Alabama) to visit Brandon's family for the holiday, we put up our Christmas tree, sent out the Christmas cards, B & I have had the round of the sinus/allergy crud, Nelson is "talking" more than ever (making cute sounds that seem like he's trying to talk!), helped our dear friends move (the one mentioned in the top paragraph & photo above), annnnnnd as of today...Nels has his snowboard back on! Whoo!! Never a dull moment! Here is the update on that front: (a few photos to show before we get to the update)

Happy boy in front of the Christmas tree!

He is too good to be true!

Today at Nelson's appointment, his casts came off and the doctor was pleased at the progress. When she went to put his shoes back on, she said they fit MUCH better this time around! Praise the Lord!! [Note: He went back into casts for the past two weeks because he kept wiggling out of his shoes during the first go round and it was because his heel wasn't stretched enough and they were not fitting properly] He will be wearing these shoes for 22 hours a day (yay for bath time now at night!!) and will be wearing these for 3 months (December, January and February) ... She showed me how to be stretching his feet before each time we put the shoes back on. If they ever get tight again or to the place where he is sliding out of his shoes like last time - she recommended we bring him back in and he may have to be casted again - we will play all that by ear. The prayer is that his feet will continue to fit in the shoes and that he will get in a groove with his snowboard like he did with his casts. I am convinced that this whole process is harder on the mama than it is on the baby ... so continued prayers for me would be greatly appreciated when the Lord brings us to mind! I feel a peace and know that this is the "missions trip" the Lord has me on and there is no where else I'd rather be. For those of you that have known me, I have had a heart for missions since I can remember. I went on my first trip out of the country in 7th grade and my eyes were opened in a whole new way. Where the Lord has me now is my "Uganda"...I love it! What an answer to prayer!! 

Legs lifted high in celebration!

The casts are OFF!

FREEDOM :)

Yippee!!!

He hasn't skipped a beat. Legs lifted high in the jungle!!

There are so many times throughout the day that an analogy of the snowboard pops up and parallels to our walk with the Lord, but we will share that another time. In the meantime, just know that your prayers mean so much as we literally walk this out...one step at a time! Pray that God will continue to draw Brandon and I closer to HIM and to each other ... as even becoming parents is a huge adjustment to our marriage, let alone everything else with the snowboard and such! As we have taken care of each other these past couple of weeks "in sickness and in health"...we have had many times where Brandon will say, "Thanks for saying 'Yes' " and I will say "Thanks for asking me!" ... There's no one else we'd rather be on this journey with! To God be the glory!! "Whatever's in front of me...I choose to sing hallelujah!" We will close with this verse from 1 John 4:9-10, "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love -- not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." May this promise resonate deep in our hearts this day...

Snowboarder In Training

Without further ado, we want to give you an update on our little "snowboarder in training"!!! On Wednesday, November 7 (Nelson's 3 month old birthday), he got to get his casts off! He had that set on for three weeks (since the tenotomy procedure) and did great. The doctor said that his feet look really good and that it's time to move into the shoes and bar (aka: snowboard)...

Taking a nap and sleeping peacefully with his new snowboard

On Wednesday at the appointment, it was one of the sweetest moments when Nelson was getting his casts off and looked at me with big eyes and squeezed my hand so tight. He was a champ getting those off and it was SO good to hold him without the casts on! He's weighing in at a little over 15 lbs...so with the added weight of the casts...he's been our little sumo wrestler. Now that his casts are off, he feels like a little baby again. So sweet. Once the doctor came in and put the shoes with the bar on, Nelson cried really hard (no one likes to be held down or to have your feet squeezed) and that was super hard on the mama. Everything seemed a bit overwhelming at first...feeding him, changing his diaper, putting on a clean outfit, getting him in his carseat...

Once Nelson and I left the appointment, I was on the phone with my Mom and I got a little teary. She mentioned that if I needed to hang up and have a good cry - that is OK! So that's what I did. I hung up and just had a good cry. A combination of processing how hard this seemed at the time and a combination of not wanting my precious son to hurt. I called Mom back and she was encouraging and even reminded me..."Sis, let your expectation be that whenever you get in a groove or routine, there will be a change up...and that's how it will be for the rest of your life"...She didn't say that to discourage me BUT to encourage me...and it is so true! We have been in such a good groove with Nelson's eating and sleeping and then to get the snowboard on and see him sad...was making me sad. But we got home from the appointment and Nelson continued to nap and then eat and did that for the rest of the afternoon. He had a few moments where he would pout his little lip and act more fussy than usual...but nothing that lasted longer than that afternoon. By that evening, he was sleeping like a champ like usual and the snowboard was not phasing him at all. He was back on his "rainforest activity playmat" (we call it the "jungle") and lifting his legs high! That boy is going to have some strong abs!! 

We are overjoyed with love for this precious angel!
 It never gets old to squeeze on him with nothing between us!!!

I share all that to say that Nelson is doing great and has transitioned into his snowboard very well. Also, trying to be real with you that these milestones (the first clubfoot appointment, the first casting, the day we got the snowboard) have not been easy...but once I have a good cry and process what all is happening...I am able to move forward with joy in knowing that we are one step closer to our baby boy being able to walk and live a happy, healthy life while running, jumping, and playing! It's been such a reminder to Brandon and I that we are not in control. As soon as we feel like we have things under control, something changes and we are reminded that GOD is the one in control. 

You may be wondering...

Nelson wears his snowboard now for 22 hours a day for the next three months. This means that we get about 2 hours a day with nothing in between us and our precious son and we are taking full advantage of loving on his feet and legs...including baths!! After the three months, Nelson will more than likely just have to wear the snowboard at night when he sleeps. That will all depend on how his feet are doing at that point.

Something you can be praying about...

Nelson got his snowboard on Wednesday and by Friday we noticed that we would look over at certain points (while he was in the jungle or while he was sleeping) and he had wiggled out of his left shoe. That is the foot that needs the most correction and we need for his foot to stay in the shoe. Please pray that these shoes will stay on. 

Everything we hear is that this shoe and bar phase is the most critical because it is the time in the process that the feet stay in the corrected position. If the shoes are not on...his feet are going to move. Please pray for diligence, patience, wisdom and so forth for Brandon and I as we love our son in caring for him well. We are so thankful God has chosen us to be Nelson's parents and we pray to be His hands and feet to Nelson each step of the way...

This is how we found him in the jungle yesterday...without his left shoe on!!!

Thank you again for all your encouragement. This is obviously not easy, but we have been amazed at how adaptable and resilient Nelson is...what a praise! We are learning so much (as a family) about how our lives are much like the little left foot that wiggles out of the shoe. God sends us through different times of training (like the snowboard) and it is for our good (so he can walk) but doesn't always feel good as we go through it (like the left foot that gets uncomfortable)...but our prayer is to stay the course, stay in God's presence, and keep walking by faith each step of the way...in our marriage, as parents, and in every aspect of our lives. 2 Chronicles 20:12 says, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you." There are times when we really don't know what to do, but we know one thing is for certain...we want our eyes to be upon the LORD. 

Taking Time To Clean Our Burners

I don't think our stove top has ever been this clean!

Last night as I was cooking dinner, I started to smell a strong burning smell come from the kitchen stove. When I looked close enough, I could see that something was on the bottom of the burner and was burning more and more as the food was cooking. This morning I decided that it was time to take the time to clean the burners on the stove top. I don't know about you, but it's a big enough blessing to have the time to cook dinner...much less, take the time to clean the burners. As I was thinking about this though, it clicked with me that there was a "life analogy" happening right before my very eyes. 

We often go,go,go...tons of great, fun, busy, exciting, positive, life-giving, blessed things going on, people we love to be with, sweet fellowship, wonderful occasions to be celebrated and so forth...but there comes a time when we have to be disciplined enough to step back and take care of ourselves before moving forward. The marriage moment of the week that comes to mind in all of this is the fact that we were planning to go out of town this weekend to one of our favorite places...Nashville! 

At the beginning of the week when we started talking through how busy we've been and how life doesn't look like it's going to be slowing down anytime soon (!!) ... we talked about committing it to prayer this week about whether or not we should go or stay here and have a chill weekend...just the three of us! There was no specific occasion we were going to Nashville for, simply excited about connecting with dear friends and enjoying a fun Fall weekend in one of our favorite spots. Well, the reality is that we need to take a step back and take care of ourselves...make time for those husband and wife moments of quality time on the porch that get lost in the hustle and bustle...have a cozy Saturday morning at the house as we make pumpkin blueberry pancakes and snuggle our baby boy...and take one minute at a time and not have every minute planned out. Whoooo! Much needed! It's hard to do though! 

So bringing it full circle...life is much like the burners on the kitchen stove. Sometimes you have to make the time to stop and clean the burners so that it doesn't smell awful each time  you cook in the future. In the same way, we are putting a halt to "our plans" and choosing to take a weekend to rest in the plans the Lord has for us and "clean our burners" so that we don't run on empty in these days and weeks to come...