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A Hosting Home

Styling and Inspiration + Handcrafted Designs

Baby & Family, Coffee with Cathy

Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Layne!

Happy First Birthday, Baby Layne! // A Hosting Home Blog

Happy 1st Birthday, Baby Layne!

I was telling Rob this morning that it’s hard to believe that we have a ONE year old. The day we met Layne’s little earthly body (after he spent 38 minutes battling in the NICU before meeting his Savior) feels both like it was just yesterday and a thousand years ago all at the same time. I have vivid flashbacks to that day often. And as much as I vividly remember every second, every emotion, every ounce of pain… I just as vividly remember how my God showed up for me that day and every day to follow.

If I’m being completely transparent, I’ve been dreading this day since March 28, 2019. Which sounds down right awful. However, it’s because I didn’t know what those 365 days in between would hold for us. We were walking by faith and not by sight into a time of suffering. A time of suffering that no-one but Jesus could help us through. And I’m honestly so freaking proud of myself (and Rob) — because there were some days this past year that I really didn’t know how I was going to make it through. But, God did. (Because let’s face it, He had to walk with me, carry me… and drag me through every day.)

READ ALSO: Life Lately | No. 07 – Layne Thomas’s Birth Story

READ ALSO: Life Lately | No. 08 – A Letter to Layne on His Due Date

Happy First Birthday, Baby Layne! // A Hosting Home Blog Happy First Birthday, Baby Layne! // A Hosting Home BlogLayne Thomas Birth Story // A Hosting Home Blog A Letter to Layne on His Due Date / A Hosting Home Blog

March 28th, 2019 changed me as a person. The events of that day shook and changed me down to my core. I’m not the same person I was just one year ago. (And I’m proud of that!) God has stretched me past my limit (and then some), and I’ve grown and learned to lean on Jesus in a way that I never have before – and in a way that I never want to stop. While some days still trigger me and remind me just how broken this world is (and I am), I am reminded just how faithful God is, even in my darkest moments.

In the past year, so much has happened. Between navigating the raw grief of Layne’s death, getting pregnant again, having a miscarriage, and now being pregnant again with Baby #3 in the midst of a global pandemic — to say it’s been a roller coaster has been a bit of an understatement. If you had told me on this day last year that I would be pregnant with our third baby, I wouldn’t have been able to believe it. To be honest, I’d probably slap you. But, here we are. As we come up on Layne’s first birthday, we are not only celebrating his 38 minutes of life and how his brief life has impacted the souls of so many. We are also celebrating God’s continual goodness and faithfulness in that He has given us the gracious gift of Baby #3… a perfect and happy baby #3…

READ ALSO: Life Lately | No. 17 – BABY #3?!

Happy First Birthday, Baby Layne! // A Hosting Home Blog

Today may be Baby Layne’s birthday, but this isn’t the only day that we celebrate his life or talk about him. I often wonder what he’s like. He looked so much like his daddy when he was born. (Although I’m told he has my nose!) I also often wonder what his personality would have been like. While it may make me cry, I actually do love to talk about him. Maybe it’s because I’m afraid that people will forget about him. But even more so I think it’s just like any other momma talking about their baby. I love talking about how handsome he was, the things he might have loved, and what I wish I could’ve gotten to do with him.

I also love getting to have raw conversations with others about how his brief 38 minutes of life has inspired, changed, and is continuing to change the lives of so many people. We celebrate our little man daily, and we talk about him constantly. His birth and story is so ingrained into our lives and who God is shaping us to be, that it’s impossible to go a day without him being a part of it.

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you” – Philippians 1:3

Today, Rob and I went to visit Layne’s grave (like we do regularly). We brought him balloons and a stuffed bear, and we sung him Happy Birthday. I lost a balloon on the way, and I ugly cried (thinking, total #momfail!) However, my sweet Rob said that Layne just wanted his balloon up in heaven. We then spent the day at home planting some flowers and enjoying the sunshine before having a nice birthday dinner and cake (made and delivered by my favorite person – Cake Envy  – thanks to my mom and dad!) It was the sweetest day full of the kindest messages and phone calls from a few of our family and friends who wanted us to know that they still love and remember our baby.

Happy First Birthday, Baby Layne! // A Hosting Home Blog Happy First Birthday, Baby Layne! // A Hosting Home Blog

 

Baby Layne… Happy Birthday, my little man. You would have been one today — and even though our hearts ache to have you with us doing all the things that little one year olds do, we praise God that you are in the place we all ultimately long to be. We love and miss you big…

March 28, 2020

« BABY #3?!
Modern Farmhouse Guest Bathroom Makeover Reveal »

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  • Life Lately | No. 17 - BABY #3???BABY #3?!
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Comments

  1. KRISTEN says

    May 2, 2020 at 3:39 pm

    I JUST STUMBLED ONTO YOUR site AND WOW! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE TESTIMONY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR PAIN AND LETTING GOD BE GLORIFIED IN YOUR STORY. It’s incredible how he can hold us and help us through heartbreak and seeming hopelessness and give us His strength and hope.

    Reply

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Atlanta based Award Winning Interior and Event Designer and Home Blogger Cathy Nugent

Hi, friends! I'm Cathy, a nationally published award winning designer of spaces to gather and southern belle writer based out of a small(ish) town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. However, most people know me as the Monica Geller of my friend group – a coffee connoisseur and dog mom with a huge heart for hosting and an eye for design. The heart behind what I do is simple. I want to help you be intentional on creating spaces to gather and celebrating life's precious moments - whether that be weddings, parties, or something as simple as having loved ones in your home. Living Simply, Loving Generously, and Hosting with Heart.

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I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty I’m not going to mind doing dishes with a pretty view like this. ✨💛 I hung these DARLING cafe curtains in my kitchen today, and I can’t get enough of the gold details with the rod, rings, and medallions. I still need to install cabinet hardware, but I’m really loving how everything is coming together in our new house. I’m feeling so inspired with embracing new styles and I hope you are too following along!  #ahostinghome 

Shared a closer look on stories today! Shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Futt #liketkit #shopltk #ltkhome

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#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
Building raised garden beds and planting with a to Building raised garden beds and planting with a toddler who just wanted to  dig and bury tools and throw dirt everywhere was as about as chaotic as you could imagine. (Forget wood for a second, have you seen how expensive DIRT is this year?! 🤦🏼‍♀️) Rob built me raised beds at our old house after Layne passed away and learning to garden became such a labor of love for me. We really missed having a garden last summer after we sold our old house and moved into the rental, so we were so excited to get started and plan another set of raised beds for this year for the new house. It’s a start — and we can’t wait to expand this little garden area even more as we go. 💛🪴 Are you excited for your garden this year? What are you growing?! #ahostinghome 

#raisedbeds #raisedgardenbeds #raisedbedgarden #raisedgarden #raisedbedgardening #gardening #backyardgarden #bhghome #mybhg #bhglivebetter
Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence Can I just say that if you’ve been on the fence about a bold design decision… to just do it! After I shared the black living room wall, I had a few friends tell me they wanted to do the same in other spaces in their home and they chickened out. Especially when it comes to paint, I say just go for it! Paint is one of the easiest ways to completely transform the look and feel of your home. It’s only paint — and that’s the beauty of it! If you hate it you can always paint it back. So instead of asking what if you hate it, ask yourself what if you LOVE it?! 🖤👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk ➡️ https://liketk.it/3EXef

// Color Details: Tricorn Black by @sherwinwilliams mixed in eggshell/satin in the Duration line // Walls are Extra White by #sherwinwilliamspaint 

#tricornblack #sherwinwilliams #sherwinwilliamstricornblack #sherwinwilliamsextrawhite #blackaccentwall #blackwall #accentwall #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiordesignideas #homedecor #homedesign #homedesignideas #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #homestyling #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter #mybhg #bhgcolor #swcolorlove
About the only thing I managed to get done this we About the only thing I managed to get done this weekend with a sick toddler was the little gallery wall in our dining room. I found these wireless battery operated gold gallery lights on Amazon and they are AMAZING. Comes in 3 colors, under $35, and super easy to install. I love how it just added a little something and made it look more high end. 😍👏🏼 #ahostinghome 

// shop via @shop.ltk here ➡️ https://liketk.it/3Ep2B

tags // #homedecor #homedesign #interiordesign #gallerywall #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #transitionaldesign #transitionalstyle #transitionaldecor #diningroom #diningroomdecor #diningroomdesign #ltkhome #bhg #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhglivebetter
My living room took a complete transformation this My living room took a complete transformation this evening — and I’m so in love! (You really didn’t think I’d part with these floral curtains did you?! 🤪) I always talk about the power of paint… but there’s also so much power in drapery, friends! I love how cozy they make our new home feel and how it just feels like “us” now with them up. ❤️ #ahostinghome
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#interiordesign #interiordesignideas #interiorstyling #livingroomdecor #livingroom #traditionaldecor #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #traditionalhome #homedecor #homedesign #floralcurtains #livingroominspiration #livingroomideas #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousedecor #bhghome #bhgstyle #bhgstylemaker #bhg
✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at ✨ Progress ✨ I’m so excited to finally be at the point of unpacking that I can start decorating a little bit! What do you think of the vibe in here so far? Hoping to get the kitchen cabinet hardware on this weekend! #ahostinghome 

p.s. I’ve also got big plans to refinish these table and chairs soon! 😍

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#interiordesign #homedecor #homedesign #kitchendesign #kitchen #whitekitchen #whitekitchencabinets #traditionalhome #traditionalhomedecor #modernfarmhouse #modernfarmhousestyle #modernfarmhousekitchen #modernfarmhousedecor #modernfarmhousedesign #transitionaldesign #transitionaldecor #transitionalstyle #interiordesignstyles
After all the rain, we finally got the wire backin After all the rain, we finally got the wire backing, our gates done, and the fence finished this week! 😍 We had a fencing company local to us do it, and they did an amazing job. We had a fence like this at our old house, and we loved how open it made our back yard feel while still keeping the dogs in. With the dogs, the fence was project priority No. 1 after we moved in — and I must say, I’m so glad I won’t have to embarrass myself chasing a puppy around the house with a toddler on my hip in my slippers anymore! 🤪 Are you team privacy fence or team 5 row fence? 🏡 #ahostinghome
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#farmhousefence #blackfence #fiverowfence #5rowfence #blackfarmhousefence #farmfence #modernfarmhouseexterior #modernfarmhousebuild #farmhouseexterior #farmhousebuild #houseexterior #homeexterior #whiteandblackhouse #blackandwhitehouse #blackandwhitehome #homedecor #homedesign #georgiahomes #exteriordesign #exteriorpainting #exteriorpaint
It’s been a long time coming, y’all… We clo It’s been a long time coming, y’all… 
We closed on our new house last week! It has been a crazy past few days getting moved in and the essentials set up/ unpacked, but we are so excited for the new adventure! We’ve already got so many plans and ideas, and I can’t wait to completely transform this home! 😍 I hope you’re just as excited to follow along! #ahostinghome
The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black sh The power of paint (and shutters!) Adding black shutters and a black door completely transformed the look of our house and made the exterior POP! 😍 We’re getting SO close, y’all. We’ve got just a little finish work left inside for them to wrap up, and we have our final walk through next week! #ahostinghome 

Exterior Paint Colors—
- Siding: Extra White by @sherwinwilliams 
- Shutters & Door: Iron Ore by #sherwinwilliams 
- Cedar wood columns

#newbuild #newbuildhome #newbuildjourney #newbuildprogress #newhomeconstruction #newhome #houseprogress #homeprogress #extrawhitesherwinwilliams #ironoresherwinwilliams

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