My Better Half

So this blog is mainly just a way for me to shout to the world how lucky I am to have Raymond. I always prayed that God would lead me in a direction where I would find the man of my dreams. Of course, when you're 18, trying to envision spending the rest of your life with someone is a thought that is about as far from mind as figuring out what career path you want to take, or even what am I doing next weekend? But I was so blessed to have met Raymond 5 1/2 years ago and never in my wildest dreams did I envision the blessings for myself that I have received. My wedding day was everything I had imagined for myself and more. I will never be able to express in words the feelings that I had walking towards Raymond at the end of the aisle. He was right there waiting on me, just like he always is. He vowed to love and honor and cherish me that day, and never for even a millisecond did I have any doubt he would see those vows through. I was thankful enough to have a great partner and then pregnancy came along. Now I am especially thankful!! Pregnancy can be a multitude of emotions as I have discovered and just knowing that you have someone there at the end of the day who loves you unconditionally makes it all okay. I know that many of you don't get to see the "behind the scenes Raymond" and so that's really what this blog is for. I have the most amazing husband who puts his every need aside to make sure that I am taken care of. When I start crying while folding the laundry because I am "so overwhelmed," he kisses my forehead and says I don't need to be worried about a thing. And I know he's right. He cooks dinner every night without complaning because he knows I am too exhausted to do so. He rubs my feet and tells me how beautiful I am even though my face looks like a prepubescant teenager and my stomach is swelling by the day. He stands behind me 100% and is the first one to tell me how proud he is of me. He kisses my ever expanding waistline and talks about how excited he is to meet our baby. He doesn't care what day it is or what time, he never forgets to tell me he loves me and how grateful he is that I'm his wife. I always knew that I would be so happy being married to him, but I never knew how perfect he would make me feel. Even when I don't want to see it. He doesn't know I'm writing this, and will probably blush at some of the things that I have written. But that's what I love most about him.

"I am my beloved, and my beloved is me."
- Song of Soloman

Love,
Mommy-to-Be

Exciting New Challenges!!!

For those of you that don't know, I have lately been feeling the itch of changing my career path. I love what I do and I have learned so much being in the position that I am, but the time has come where I no longer have that spark that originally gave me the drive to be that top sales(wo)man. And, I noticed that it started to infiltrate to my "non work life". And we all know if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!!! It's not that I don't still love what I do and I have had such wonderful opportunities meeting new people, hearing their stories, problems, challenges, and then having the ability to help them. BUT, with the down slide of the economy and the State changing some of their infrastructure, which indirectly affects my position, I have decided that it might be my time to switch gears. You know, jump ship before it sinks. Not really knowing what was out there, and not trying to jump the gun and just up and leave my career (I do have a baby on the way afterall), I sent my resume out to see what would bite and low and behold, this awesome opportunity came across my desk. Two interviews later, I am now the Assistant Account Manager for The Benefit Company, Inc. What the company does in a nutshell is manage benefits (and all types within that realm) for large and small companies all over the US. Some companies I had never heard of and some I was very familiar with (NASCAR, Red Bull, BCBG). I love the company and the atmosphere that they thrive in. I am very excited to begin a new chapter in my life. It's bittersweet to leave my zone and clients, and I will definitely miss those that I have worked so closely with for the past year and a half. But it is time to lock all of this up and shelve it away for now. I appreciate all of the pep talks, good thoughts and prayers as I have been searching for the correct answers as to what I should do. I can't wait to see what the future unfolds for me and my little family.

Have a good one!!

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
Eleanor Roosevelt

Love,

Charlotte's Clan

Praise to you all

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you all who are reading this for all of your kind words. I get emails and texts every day saying that you are following this and that makes me so happy! So far, we have only had positive and happy news to share about our BOJ and this has been a wonderful outlet. But I have also seen some of the families on here who I feel have truly benefited from this as a tool for venting all of their frustrations and obstacles that they are facing. I know that the trials and tribulations of parenthood (and impending parenthood) can be daunting and sometimes just knowing that you have a portal to relieve all of your stress through words is a very comforting thought. Hopefully our days of gloom will be few and far between, but knowing there's a praying heart at the other end of the keyboard is an alleviating notion. Thank you so much for caring and I hope and pray that we continue to have nothing but the best to deliver to you all.
Hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed weekend-

Many hugs and kisses,

The Happy Hamiltons

Heartbeat Mania!!!

We had our checkup yesterday and everything looks great!! Not much to report which is a good thing at this point!! We heard the heartbeat and everything sounded wonderful. It was a rather emotional moment for me as we have only SEEN the heartbeat up until this point. Listening to the sound of my child's life has truly made the miracle of God that much more concrete. How great are all of His blessings and Raymond and I truly are reaping the benefits of His mercies. This week I hit the end of my 17th week so I am well into my second trimester. I am feeling really great, I've got some of my energy back and I am having to loosen the adjustable straps on my maternity pants! The doctor is very pleased with how I am progressing and says that we are right where we want to be! We go back in a few weeks for our 20 week checkup and at that point, we will be able to see what our little BOJ is going to be! I am so excited and can hardly wait! Raymond is just beside himself with everything and really looking forward to start getting everything ready for the arrival!

On a different note, while the miracle of life is amazing, it also reminds us how fragile life is and how precious our time is with those that we love. As I sit back and relish my upcoming months of impending motherhood, I am quickly reminded of how lucky we are to have such wonderful friends and family. This time of year is bittersweet for my dear friend Blair, who, four years ago lost her father. Papa K was a wonderful man with the largest heart and even bolder spirit. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful memories of him and so thankful to have had such an incredible role model of a father and husband. He truly touched so many people and I know that his love and generosity live on in the hearts of those he left behind.

“May God give you...For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.” - Irish Blessing

Love to you all, the Hamilton's

Sad day to be a Bulldog

So Raymond and I got the horriffic news last night that a Cadet at The Citadel took his own life. Some of the details have begun to emerge and our hearts break for the family of this poor child. I feel so awful for him that he felt no way out other than this extreme measure. All that I could think of is that my poor baby brother, along with all of the other Cadets, and how they will begin to deal with this. The days and nights at The Citadel can be gloomy enough on their own without adding this great amount of despair to it. I hope and pray that the Cadets who are all left behind to pick up the pieces can begin to find some sort of solace in all of this.

John 16:33 Jesus spoke, "These things have I spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."

May we lift up the boys of November, the family of Adam Riley and the entire Bulldog clan.

Figuring out this whole thing....

So, with impending parenthood right on our heels, I decided to take the plunge and START A BLOG!!!! It seems the appropriate next step in the world of Posh Parenting. So first I had to come up with a name for our "homepage." I wanted something cute but not ridiculous and then I had a flashback to the show Double Dare from my childhood. All of the families on there would come up with catchy names using oh so wonderful alliteration.....and so The Happy Hamilton's was created.
It only seems fitting though, as Raymond and I are truely on Cloud 9 right now. We were just settling in to our adventure as newlyweds when we got the news of a lifetime. So, even though our little BOJ (bundle of joy) came a little sooner than we expected, we can hardly stand it.
At this point, I am 17 weeks pregnant and trucking right along!! I feel great and my exhaustion from my first trimester is pretty much over. Although, these past few days I've been a little sluggish. My hormones are starting to flare up a little (poor Raymond) and I have tried to keep them in check, but sometimes it's not that easy. But, I managed to make it through my first trimester without any sickness, so I can only pray that the rest of my journey will be as smooth.
I cannot ask for a better partner throughout all of this- Raymond is so patient and kind and it only reaffirms all of the reasons I knew I married him for! Who else has a husband that cooks dinner every night?!?! I will soon figure out how to put pictures/videos and all that jazz on here and I will keep you updated on Baby H's growth. We return to Dr. Wild on Monday (MLK day) for a routine checkup. My nerves that usually arrive before each appointment are slowly dwindling as I get further into the pregnancy. We are so appreciative of all of the prayers and thoughts and support!!

Love, Charlotte, Raymond and Baby H