Family of Four...

We are a family of four. It's amazing. It's wonderful. It's four-tastic. It's also so busy! When we are home, I feel like I just feed, pump breast milk, change diapers, and do laundry and dishes. When we go out, it's like we're leaving for a year long expedition! I forgot about those amazing but crazy, busy, so-much-work-to-do things about having a new baby! We are enjoying little Asher so very much! He is an AMAZING blessing! Katie has been so great with him. She is officially on summer break now, so she has really just been a HUGE help! She doesn't complain about all of the millions of times I ask her to get things for me. She has been wonderful! She has had just a *few* jealous days, but they weren't as bad as I thought they might be.

We have been on a few little outings during the past couple weeks, just to get out of the house and do some visiting. We went to Osage Hills State Park, just to drive around and daydream about camping again someday. This past Memorial Day weekend, we went to Grand Lake, to visit Meme and Papa. We had a nice visit. Asher and Tre got a cute little visit together when we visited my sister's for Ry's birthday on Saturday. All of the kids had a good time together. I will try to upload some photos!

That's all for now...gotta talk with the little man who is looking at me and read books with the little lady!

Asher's birth story...

I hadn't had time to write down Asher's birth story, so I thought I would just do that here. I think that I need to get my calendar out, because the days in April were so crazy while we were expecting him to arrive. We had planned to be induced on April 8th, but when I went for my appointment with the doctor that day, she decided that we would wait a couple more days. She told me to go home, do lots of walking and sit on my exercise ball among "other things" (ahem...) to get labor going on my own. I went back to the doctor on Thursday, the 10th and she had me go to the hospital for a non-stress test on the baby. Everything looked fine, and I was even having contractions on my own about 3-4 minutes apart during the test. We waited for the afternoon, and doctor called and asked me to go ahead and go the the hospital to start the induction that evening. We went in, got all settled, and doctor came in and gave me the Cervadil. I had some minor contractions throughout the night, and was induced the next morning. I had contractions all day on Friday, but by late afternoon, I was still not dilated. Around 5pm, doctor came in and visited with us about our options. Because I was not dilated, I could either go home, and we would try again next week, or she could go ahead and schedule a c-section. We decided to go home. I was doing fine, Asher was fine, and a sonogram revealed that he still had plenty of fluid and room in there. Even though everyone was ok, I still felt so deflated about going home without a baby in my arms. I rested most of the rest of the weekend. I went back to the doctor on the 16th, and she decided to try the induction again. We went into the hospital around 3 pm, and started the process over again. By 1:00 on Thursday, the doctor was giving us the news that I was still not dilating, and we would need to go through with the c-section. She came in again around 4:30 and checked me one more time to see if I was making any progress. Nothing was happening, and shortly after that (and I DO mean shortly!) LOTS of people came in to prep us for surgery. Kris and I were both shocked and how quickly and efficiently all of the staff moved toward accomplishing the c-section. I was petrified---more afraid than I had ever been in my life---but it was also one of the most memorable experiences in my entire life. We had the ABSOLUTE best staff to help us through it. I remember one of the surgical staff quoting the Bible verse about God not giving us a spirit of fear, but one of courage, and I remember just feeling a calm come over me. I am sure it was partly drug induced, but I feel like Christ himself was in the room with us that evening. By 5:16 our sweet boy was out to meet us. He looked precious and perfect to me, and we could almost immediately see how much he looked like his big sister. Kris had big tears in his eyes, and was right there beside my head the entire surgery. He was so happy when Asher came out OK, and he went back upstairs with him while I went to recovery. The surgery seemed like it went so quickly, and the recovery was pretty much a sleepy blur. I was so incredibly afraid during the whole process, but I really think it strengthened me somehow. Our little guy was with us, and that was what mattered most. He was safe and healthy and wonderful.

He's finally here!

Our Asher boy finally arrived on April 17, 2008 at 5:16 pm. He weighed 8 lb 5 oz and was 21 inches long. He is precious and perfect! We are all so in love!

The countdown is on...

We have 4 days until we can hold our sweet boy in our arms! I visited the doctor this week, and she has scheduled to induce me on Tuesday, April 8th. We are all so excited to meet Asher Kenneth! Katie can't wait, she just kisses my tummy all of the time and calls him Ashy-pea and bubby.

I have so many things to do at home this weekend to get the house ready to come home to, but lately I've just had no energy. I really need to make an effort to get up early on Saturday morning and just clean, clean, clean! I want to clean out the car really well, and I want to steam clean the living room carpet. I also want to reorganize the laundry room and hall closets. I need to mop, and fold and put away all of the laundry. I need to clean our bedroom because Kris's mom will be visiting and it will be her room for a couple days. I'm kind of doubting that ALL of those things will get done...but they are goals of mine and will keep me busy while we wait! I have our bags packed, cameras ready, I think I've got it under control...but possibly not. I am SOOOOOOO nervous! I told Kris this morning that I just have major anxiety today! I think it' s because it's my last day of work for 3 months, the baby is coming, AND it's our 10 year anniversary, and I completely forgot to get a card or anything for Kris! Yikes! Ok-enough of this rambling...I am so stinking nervous!

Skipping ahead to week 38!

I visited Dr. yesterday, and she has *officially* moved my due date up to April 9th, so that means that even if I need to be induced, we will have a baby in our family by April 14th! Yay! I am so very excited! Everything is still going well, although I caught up on 4 pounds of weight gain this week--yikes! I think it was the Easter food...too many chocolate eggs! We had a nice Easter. Crystal an

d Michael and the kids came over to color eggs and have a little egg hunt on Saturday, and we went to church and I fixed an Easter dinner on Sunday with ham, hashbrown casserole, corn casserole, green beans, and Rhodes rolls. We also took our yearly picture with the big rabbit at the park-it's amazing that Katie is getting as tall as the rabbits! :o) I will have to add some pictures.

Our chubby cheeked boy...

We had our sonogram this morning, to check Asher's growth percentile. He is at 66%, and around 6.5 pounds! The sonogram calculated a due date of April 9th. He is precious---she was able to take some pictures of his face, and he looks like he has the chubbiest little cheeks...so incredibly adorable if I do say so myself! Each time I look at the pictures, I just can't believe he is OURS, and COMING SO SOON! :o) Kris is finished with his room, so now we just need to put the crib together and move him in! Yay! Things are moving along. Our sweet boy will be here before we know it!

36 weeks!

I missed my "beginning of the week" entry to talk about what week we are on...so I am trying to catch up! I went to the doctor yesterday and everything still seems to be going well. She checked to see if there is any dialation happening, and there is not...he still has a few weeks to stay though...so that's ok. She did order another sonogram to check his growth, however, because I am measuring a little small, and I've only gained a total of 8 pounds. I am not too worried about that, because he is a very strong little guy, and I am a big girl with lots of room for him without my belly poking out too far. It will be great to get another little peek at him before the big arrival. :o) I love him so much...I can't wait to see him.

My work has been VERY stressful lately, and there are some days when I do nothing but worry about going back to work after the maternity leave. I know that I shouldn't worry about that already, but my heart literally hurts when I think about leaving him. I HAVE too keep hope and faith that God will put something in place to allow me to stay at home with him. My sister has given me some ideas about possibly watching other kids in our home, and I visited with my old pal, Vickie about that too. Both of them are SAHM's by keeping other children along with theirs during the day. Kris is a little shakey about that...he's just not completly convinced that it would work for us. I don't know...I just know that I have to explore every single option. I know that God has plans for us...he's already us shown so much of what grace and amazing miracles he is capable of...and I know there are more in store...I just know it! :o)

Boiling binkys and missing my big girl...

Katie went to Kids Talent Day at Carthage Naz today, and goodness...she's been gone for 1 hour and I miss her so much...I'm sure it's some kind of crazy hormonal "mommy" stuff, but I can barely stand to be home without her. I have prayed like a million prayers for safe travel for them today...and I really just want to jump in the car and run after that little church bus...yikes...sniff.

I have decided to keep myself busy, so I am boiling binkys and a couple bottles (just in case he's not a nurser baby) and cleaning Katie's room, top to bottom. Kris went to breakfast and shed hunting with Bart this morning, so I have plenty of time to take advantage of getting tons of stuff done. I need to vacuum. I want to steam clean Katie's carpet, and the living room if I have the energy, and replace the shower curtain liner in Katie's bathroom. I also want to get all the laundry folded and put away...there's a giant pile mounting on the sofa (does anyone else have that problem-please say it's not just me!) I also need to go on a walk today if it stops raining.

We bought Asher's crib mattress and stroller at Wal-Mart last night, and the changing table pad came via UPS yesterday, so I think now we have*officially* bought everything to be ready for a baby to come live here...after Kris gets the room finished of course...just a minor detail! I am hoping to find a good deal on a bouncy jump a roo/walker thing and a high chair at garage sales this summer...those are for later on down the road. I'm looking forward to all of those wonderful baby stages so very much...just seeing those beautiful baby blue eyes on our boy will be the best thing ever...I can't wait.

I think that's all for now. I took some pictures of Katie this morning, but Kris took my camera, so I will post some later!

Giving each day to God...

This morning I was just having a rough morning. Katie and I stayed up too late last night, I woke up at 3:30 worrying about work, and I just didn't sleep well at all. I grumped at Katie a little bit, and got around late myself. I decided that I just needed to take a minute, hold Katie, and pray. I prayed that God would just take this day and make it his. I prayed for him to just come into our lives and help us through the day. I realized later that I shouldn't just do that when I'm having a bad day, but everyday...everyday should be his...

I had been doing really well with reading the Bible every morning, but I've gotten away from it the past few weeks, and I can really tell the difference...I just KNOW that I NEED Christ and His word in my life EVERY DAY...EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Hey-we've made it to 35 weeks!

We are 35 weeks along this week, and I am so relieved that it's almost over! 4 or 5 weeks to go...I am really hoping that this little guy will come a week early! I just cannot wait for him to be here...none of us can...we just want to hold and hug and kiss him! I've been feeling ok, with some contractions here and there...but nothing too exciting. I've not really had a lot of swelling yet, but I do feel sudden urges to take a nap and MANY urges to go to the ladies room!

We had our church baby shower this weekend, and it was really nice. Baby Asher is a very blessed little guy to have so many people who love him already! We received several duplicates of things we had received at last weekend's shower, so we are thinking we will do some exchanging and get his crib mattress and a couple other things we still need. The girls at our main office got me a Target gift card, so I ordered his changing table pad and a "diapee and wipee" pack from Target.com...fun stuff! :o)

Kris and Jay worked on the nursery again this weekend, and got all of the trim put up. We need to put another coat of paint on the doors, and put on the hardware, and it will be all finished and ready to move in! :o) I can't wait! I will be so glad to have his bed all set up, and his changing table organized, etc. I have been nesting like crazy, and it has been hard to be patient with his room getting done!

Katie has spring break next week, and Kris is taking the week off too...so they will hopefully get some good quality time in-just the two of them- before baby brother gets here. We're planning to make a road trip to Tulsa to the Build-A-Bear workshop on the 19th, to celebrate Katie's birthday a month early, in case Asher decides to show up on or near her actual birthday. She has requested to go to IHOP for breakfast, and we're trying to make arrangements for a friend to go with her, too...so it should be a fun day! I see Dr. on Tuesday, so hopefully she will check me and make sure things aren't "happening down there" so we can make a safe trip on Wednesday. Yay! It's hard to believe our baby is turning 8 years old...where did the time go?

34 weeks!

We're 34 weeks along this week! We only have 5 or 6 weeks to go! Our baby shower was so nice, and we have a really wonderful little supply of baby goodies now! Our church shower is this coming Sunday, and we're really looking forward to that as well--it will be so nice to have Asher's little room stocked up for his arrival! Jay and Kris worked on the nursery this weekend, it now has doors, and some trim! I think Kris is going to try and finish up the trim work and paint the doors and install door handles this weekend, then I need to steam clean the carpet, and we'll be ready to move in his crib and changing table! Yay! :o)

I wanted to share a little thing that Katie said this morning. We were driving to school and I was telling her that it was almost garage sale season. She said she wanted to wait until it was warmer to have a garage sale, because our last one was TOO COLD! She was remembering our garage sale last spring during our move and it was soooo cold that day! She remembered that she had planned to wear capri's and flip flops that day, but had thankfully found some socks to wear in the stuff we were selling, and she said (with a huge grin), "God blessed me with socks that day!" It was too cute. Just this morning-BEFORE our drive to school-I was figuring bills and remembered a sermon by Joyce Meyer about her family "believing God for their socks" and having faith that God would supply her family's needs. I am believing that God is going to supply our needs--we may not have everything we want, but He will always take care of our needs.

Our shower is tomorrow!!!

Yippy! I can't wait! My friend Anita is coming down from KC, my friend Pam is making the cake, and my friend, my sister, Crystal is putting the whole thing together! I am just so grateful! I am excited to see everyone, and so excited about getting Asher set up with the stuff he's going to need! Yay!

I will try and post some pictures tomorrow! Yay!

33 weeks!

We are at 33 weeks this week! It's getting so close. Our first baby shower is this weekend, and I am really excited about it! Asher boy is still squirming quite a bit, but I can tell that he is getting cramped in there...he pushes so hard that sometimes I think he is trying to escape! I love that feeling, but I can't wait to hold him in my arms for the first time.

I have been trying to get things caught up at work, but honestly, my heart is already home. I am still praying to be a stay at home mom. I am willing to do whatever God has for me to do, but in my own selfishness for my own family, I really want to be at home. I have to believe that He is in control, and knows the plans that He has for me. There is no other way I would get through the day without knowing down deep in my heart that God has things in his hands. There is a new song by Natalie Grant, called "In Better Hands" that I just love. I am going to see if I can find a link to it...here it is: http://new.music.yahoo.com/videos/--55692603

It think that's all for today.

Exciting weekend!

I just wanted to share a few pictures from our weekend so far. Katie tested for her second orange tip on her way to the orange belt in karate. She did so well! We are so proud of her! She really listens to Master Lewis, and enjoys karate so much! They always begin each testing with prayer, and end each testing with board breaking. This is Katie's third board!

Tonight Katie and Kris went to the Daddy-Daughter Ball! Our wonderful neighbor, Kara, came over and fixed Katie's hair so beautifully! Kris bought her a wrist corsage, and she was so excited about wearing it! She looked so pretty, and Kris looked so handsome...I am such a blessed person to have those two in my life!

Asher and I are just hanging out. He is squirming around in my belly, and I'm going to tackle the "sock basket" (yikes!)

Do not fear...

http://peterwade.com/articles/wade/fearpl.shtml
Someone said that there are the words "do not fear" 365 times in the Bible, and that is one for every day of the year. I just found the article above, and it gave me some encouragement. I wanted to add it in to read through later. Today has been a very stressful day of work. I drove 160 miles, had 2 very stressful incidents, and tonight getting home from work, I snapped Kris and Katie's heads off, because of the stress of work. Not because of anything they had done, but because of my work stress. It's ironic to me that I take out my frustrations on the two people that I love the most and should be taking care of, because of the stress of taking care of other people's families. They left me here. Kris said he would take Katie out for a drive so I could finish my work. Before he left, he said, why don't you read the Bible for a little while, you'll feel better. I opened my Bible randomly (but yet by HIS plan) to Isaiah 41:10 which says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I prayed and let him hear all of my frustrations, and cried out to him, and he gave me that verse. What an amazing God HE is...the one who holds my heart.
When Kris and Katie get home, I just want to hold them, and tell them I love them so much, and ask them to forgive me.

32 weeks!

I am 32 weeks pregnant this week! Asher boy is just moving so much, and he seems to move and wake more throughout the day. Yesterday in church he was awake for the morning service and the evening service...so cute...just wiggling all over the place. I can't believe we are getting so close to the time of holding and kissing him. None of us can wait. Katie just loves him, and gives my belly hugs and kisses at random, telling her baby brother that "this is Katie and I love you, Asher" Kris talks to him, and I sing and talk to him. Katie prays for him. I can't even imagine the joy of all four of us in the hospital room together for the first time...that is a moment that I look forward to...so very much. So we have 7-8 weeks left to go if he waits for full term. In a way, I hope he comes a tad early, just to avoid a 9 pound baby, but I know that God will take care of it in his timing. On the other hand, the later he comes, the later I can stay home on maternity leave with Katie on her summer break. We are still praying for a miracle so that I can be a stay at home mama. I learned yesterday in Sunday School not to use prayer as a "last resort" but to pray first! I knew that, but somehow I guess I needed someone to give me "permission" to rely on prayer first. I know there are things we need to do to hold up the end of our financial responsibility, and we've been doing pretty good at following our budget. I know God has a plan!

Speaking of plans, Marilyn from our church Sunday School class called and wants to have a church shower for us on March 9th! Yay! I am so very excited! I know it sounds silly to be excited about "getting gifts" but I really just cannot wait! We have been so tight with our money, that I haven't just been shopping like crazy, and getting things for the baby will truly be helpful to us. I feel very grateful that we will be having baby showers...I am blessed.

31 weeks!

Wow--we are really coming in on the home stretch now--only 8 or 9 weeks to go! I am still feeling ok, but my fasting blood sugars have been a little high. Asher just keeps wiggling so much, Katie was totally cracking up watching my belly move this weekend. Just thinking about holding my sweet little guy makes me smile...

We had an ICE day yesterday, Katie didn't have school, so we got to spend an extra day together. It was nice. We had a good weekend together too. Kris and I both have commented the last few weekends that we've really been enjoying our time together. We've been staying home more, just being together. Some of our regular things we've been doing is curling up together on the couch and watching Mythbusters or Dirty Jobs from the Discovery channel. We have tons of episodes DVR'd--they are a lot of fun. We've been working on a 1000 piece puzzle for a few weeks--it's kicking our rear though--it's a hard one! Katie is the one who has found the most pieces! I don't mean to brag-but that girl of ours is SMART! She is so much more intelligent than Kris and I were at that age! She's amazing!

While writing my last post, I was really struggling with having faith and trust. I am starting to feel better about things, but I know I have a long way to go. The thing I am starting to realize is that I need to recommit myself to FULLY trusting God to meet my needs. I read this morning in the Bible that God knows my needs before I even ask him...I need to remember that every day. He--the creator of all things--the King of Kings and Lord of Lords knows MY needs. The way that I love and take care of Katie is so insignificant compared to the way that my FATHER loves and cares for me as his child. I just need to meditate on these truths...and believe.

Trust.

I'm having trouble with this one today, Lord...please help me.

On my fridge, I have a note, and it says, "Praise HIM when things are wonderful AND Praise HIM when the are not! Don't give up. Trust everyday!"

I think I need to read that about 500 times today.

In Joshua, 1:5, the Lord says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." And of course, Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all of your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Please, please, please Lord, help me understand how to trust you today.

I need to trust today.

Today.

This morning.

Right now.

Today.

Another sleepless night, and dr. visit update

I can't sleep. Last night I woke up at midnight, and was awake most of the rest of the night. I guess I am preparing for those sleepless nights when baby arrives. I have a lot of time to think during that time, and last night I couldn't stop thinking about doing something with women's ministry at our church. Kris had one of those nights the other night when he couldn't sleep, and was thinking about men's ministry. It's kind of crazy. Anyhoo...
I went to the doctor's office today. Dr. was delivering a baby but I saw the nurse and she did the normal checks. I lost 6 pounds this week. I was shocked. I am not sure why. I have really been trying to watch my sugars, but I haven't really been eating too much less. She said that my ketones looked good this time, though. So I don't know what's going on. Baby Asher seems to be doing good. He has been a little squirmer--just wiggling so much. I love that feeling. I love this little guy so much, I can' t wait to see him. I just want to hold him. There were two brand new babies in the waiting room today, and I just can't wait to see our little one.

Woohoo-30 Weeks!

Since I am awake, anyway, I might as well post my weekly update-we're at 30 weeks this week! Yahoo!!! Only 9 or 10 more weeks to go! I am feeling good this week...much better than last week. I see Dr. again on Wednesday, to check my ketones. Hopefully I will get a better report this time. I am trying to drink my water, and keeping a close eye on my sugar. Yesterday at lunch time I had a few oatmeal cookies, and those really did not work out...I guess even sugar mixed with oats is not good. I just need to stay on the straight and narrow with that.

Tonight I woke up at 1am, and I really have no idea why. I decided to blog for a bit, and was looking at older posts. I listened to that BP/SE New Again song, and decided that I shouldn't keep it for just myself and my faithful (whole entire two people!!) blog readers. I hope no one thinks I'm a weirdo, but I sent a link to it to my whole entire address book...yikes...I am sure some will think I've lost my mind. I've been thinking about what exactly I've done to reach people, though, and well...I'm falling short. I need to reach people for Christ...that's what I am called to do.

Last night we went to the park and zoo. After receiving 13" of snow on Thursday, it was almost 70 degrees yesterday! It was beautiful. Katie and I got home, rounded up Kris, and we spent the evening walking through the zoo, playing in the park, and we even had a picnic dinner. It was really nice. I am so blessed to have those two...they are the greatest of all my blessings!

Thankful for $18.00

I was at Wal-Mart on Saturday afternoon, just grabbing a sub, some jalepeno chips, and a few other things for our Super-Bowl Sunday, and I saw a Mom and three girls leaving the store. The mom looked tired, she had her littlest girl tightly in tow, and her two older girls were dragging their feet behind her. They had bought nothing, Their coats were dirty, and they all looked a little stressed. They caught my eye for some reason...and I wasn't sure why at the time. I went on my way, and paid for our food, while they left the store empty-handed (and what looked like empty-hearted). You know, I never leave empty handed, in fact, I usually leave Wal-Mart with more than I could ever need, and more than we ever finish, usually. I say all of this because we ARE, in fact, a little bit poor this week. Our budget was tight anyway, and I went ahead with obedience and paid our tithe. I have to confess that there have been weeks when I have held back our tithe check, so we could have extra money for the week. This week I went ahead and paid, and yesterday Kris was cleaning out the garage and found a Christmas gift that I had bought for Katie and forgotten about/lost. I still had the receipt, and he took it to WM to get a refund and buy an extra $18 in groceries for the week. I wonder what $18 could have done for that family? Would they have left WM in what looked like despair? Would it have helped them in any way? Gosh...seriously...if I could DVR time and go back to that moment, I would have loved to have had just a $100 bill to give them. We are so incredibly, abundantly blessed, and I take it so much for granted. I think there are times when the Lord wants me to learn a lesson on thankfulness...and this time I think I did. I am thankful for the milk, bread, oranges, and string cheese that Kris will bring home in the morning-truly thankful.

Dr visit update

I saw the Dr. today. I lost two pounds, and my keytones (sp?) were a little elevated from dehydration. I haven't been drinking as much water, because I don't like making 25 trips to the bathroom every day at work! She was happy with my blood sugars and everything, and I am measuring just fine. Asher's heartbeat was in the 130's today. She wanted me to not lose any more weight, and to drink more water and eat eggs and cottage cheese (seriously-that's what she said! :o) Funny suggestion, but it works for me...I love both of those! She wanted me to come back in one week this time, just to check the keytones. She said I was a good patient, and that I make her life easier. :o) I guess that's a good thing.

The last days of winter...in my mind anyway!

Ahh...January is over as of midnight tomorrow night. What a relieving thought! I know we still have all of February and sometimes even March for wintry weather, but I am just glad this month is almost over. February brings hope of spring. This morning I was reading the first chapter of 1 Peter, and I was reminded of a song by Acappella-Nita and Crystal-do you remember them? Gosh-there's nothing like that group to remind me of the hope and promise of spring. I am not quite sure why I link them together? Possibly because Crystal won an Acappella tape-Sweet Fellowship-I believe-at the Youth Group Easter Egg Scavenger hunt when we were all in grade school---that's a long time to keep a memory-I'm proud of my brain for that! That makes me happy. So...I just put in this cd, and ahhh...I feel happy and blessed...plus my nose feels better today.

I think I mentioned yesterday that there are only 10 weeks til our baby boy gets here-he's about all I can think about. I've been trying to get things at work gathered up, caught up, fixed up, and not messed up before I go on maternity leave. I am not sure who is taking my spot for the THREE MONTHS (!!!!!) that I will be gone, but I want to have it all ready for them.

Oh-and here is a little piece of 1 Peter that I love:

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1Peter 1:8-9

Even though there are struggles of this world, and sometimes we cannot see Jesus-we KNOW he is here with us, and that makes us happy, because we know we will be in Heaven with him someday. (my paraphrase)

29 weeks!

I'm feeling a little bit better today. My head still aches, but the crazy nose thing is tapering off. I really want to get back to being blessed and blogging---I've missed sharing my thoughts and joy here.

We're 29 weeks this weeks-about 10 weeks to go! I am so excited! I also spoke with my boss about taking 12 weeks off instead of 8, and it looks like that will work out! I am thrilled! I can't even imagine taking 3 months off with my boy-and my girl-two of the months I will be out will be on Katie's summer break! I'm looking forward to spending the summer at home. Yay! :o) I want to really savor and enjoy it, so I am going to try very hard to get organized before baby comes, so I can just enjoy the time at home. I know it won't all be peaches and cream, but I think I will always treasure that time at home. I don't know if I will get to ever be a SAHM, I don't know if Kris will get a new job, I don't know how we will afford daycare if I have to go back to work, but I know God has a plan-HE's the MAN with the PLAN!

I see Dr. tomorrow, and I will for sure be asking her what in the world the pulling feeling is clear accross the top of my belly. I am not sure if Asher is just growing so much, or if my body is just rearranging, but it has really been worse lately. There are times when it almost doubles me over, just because it aches...I'm sure everything is fine...I'm just old and whiney!

Well, I need to get a little bit of work done today (tons, actually) so I will blog more when I can. It's good to be back...I've missed being here.

Is it over yet?

Yikes...I cannot shake this cold. My head feels like it might just fall off! I see the doctor on Wednesday, so if I'm not better by then, I might have to whine and see if there is anything I can take. It seems worse in the evenings and the nights have been really tough.

I think it's because I've not been feeling well, but I feel a little depression creeping in this evening. I also think it's because it's the beginning of Kris's work week, and I miss him so much.

Tomorrow will be a new day, a Monday, but nonetheless, a brand new day.

One more day of not feeling so great...

Ugg...I will be glad to feel better. This has been a rough cold. It seems like it's better in the daytime, and then at night my whole head/nose/sinus go bananas...I can' t sleep, can't breathe...praying tomorrow morning will be better. I miss blogging about good stuff...so instead of writing a novel, I want to just list some things I am thankful for:
My family.
My parents.
The thought of having our baby in the springtime.
Clean laundry.
This baby boy kicking me.

Still not feeling well...

1 Peter 5:7 says,
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Thank goodness.

Germs...

The cold/flu germ has invaded...Katie and I have the beginnings of what looks to be a yucky cold. I will post again later when we are feeling better.

28 weeks!

This week marks 28 weeks of pregnancy, so we have 11 or 12 weeks to go before we meet our boy! Yay! I am feeling lots better, I have decided that it really is important for me to get rid of the sugar all together. I am still eating carbs, but obvious sugars have been gone for the past 5 days, and I do feel lots better!

My Bible reading this morning comes from 2 Corinthians 5:17:
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

I was looking for verses with the word NEW in them, and there were a lot. I am going to think about this verse throughout the day today, and maybe share some thoughts on it later.

holiday

Yesterday Katie didn't have school because of the MLK holiday. I did have to work, however, and had to go to a meeting in Pittsburg. I decided that Katie could come with me, and then we would have a fun lunch and shop a little bit. We went to the Mall Deli and had delicious bagels with munster cheese...so yummy! While we were there, we saw Pastor and Leah Sukraw from our old church-Pitt Naz. Pastor married Kris and I, and we attended there until we moved when Katie was 18 months old. They were so happy to see us. Leah's energy still amazes me. She wanted to know everything about how we were, etc. I found myself just talking 100 mph about the last 6 years in Independence, and they were so happy to hear that we were doing ok! I told her about Kris giving his life back over to Christ several years ago, and it had made him so much more loveable and our marriage so much stronger, we talked about baby Asher coming, and our 10 year anniversary coming up, they were amazed with how beautiful and tall Katie was, and with all of the good things and blessings that God has provided. Somehow, telling them about us made me feel more optimistic about things. Really, the move to "the country" was so good for us. Each time we visit Pitt, we affirm our choice in moving here. Visiting with Pastor and Leah was wonderful, but I think that might be the only thing I *really* miss. I don' t miss keeping up with the Jones, I don't miss the pressure of being in the main office, I don't miss Kris not being who he really is now in Christ. I wouldn't trade that part for anything...his salvation is so much more important than bagels, Jim's steakhouse, Lakeside Park, our beloved sunroom, and all of the good memories I have from living in Pitt. I will always have those memories as long as I am on earth, but our relationship with Christ is eternal.

Oh-and I got my hair cut and eyebrows waxed, so I am feeling much less furry...I was having fur issues because of the vitamins and hormones...I'm better now.

New Again

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-NaSROohLzs

I love this song too.

Amazing Grace

http://video.music.yahoo.com/up/music/music/?rn=1301797&vid=39593503&stationId=&curl=

Have you heard this version of Amazing Grace by Christ Tomlin? We watched the movie this week, and it was really good. I love this song.

My favorite lyrics in it (that were added in, I believe) are:

My chains are gone, I've been set free.
My God, my savior, has ransomed me.
And like a flood, His mercy rains,
Unending love, Amazing grace...

I'm so thankful for that grace that he shows us. Even when we mess up...over and over again.

Colossians 3 and Asher's heart.

Really, there is so much goooooooood stuff in this chapter, it's too much to type, but I wanted to at least remember and write down Colossians 3:12-15, because they seem so relevant to me right now. So here it is:
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as memebers of one body, you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Yesterday I had to travel to Lawrence for a meeting. I had almost 6 hours in the car with Joyce Meyer, and 4 hours in a meeting for work. The name of the tape set I was listening to was called "The Price of Progress". I had listened to it before, but I know for a fact that the Lord led me to listen to the series again yesterday, because it was what I needed to hear. It ministered to my HEART, and I cried in thankfulness almost all the way home. One of the points that Joyce made was that the devil tries to bring out our old sins-the ones that are already forgiven-to bring us down. He brings up the things of our past, things that happened to us, the things that we have done to others, to tries and pull us away from the grace of Christ. I needed to hear her message so much yesterday. I think my heart was set free. There were some problems of the past that I have been thinking of, even having dreams about, and I believe that HE has delivered me from those. Another point that Joyce made was that God-our savior-truly loves us...not like he kind of puts up with us...but he truly adores YOU, and me. He gave his one and only son to die for us...even if we would have been the only person on earth...he still would have done it...for YOU, for me. Isn't that amazing? I am in complete awe of that, and I hope it gets into you too.

I have some pictures to share in a little while. Katie found Asher's heart! My mom gave us a little wall hanging that has tiny nails to hold hearts with all of our names on them. I had lost one, couldn't find it anywhere. Katie found it in her Barbie toy box, and when I got home from my trip yesterday, Katie had written (in her sweet 2nd grade handwriting) Asher's name on it and hung it on the nail by our names. She was so incredibly excited and proud.

Another picture I want to add is a note that Katie wrote to Kris a couple of night ago. Earlier in the evening, Kris and Katie had been having a conversation about loving Jesus with all of your heart. Katie told Kris that since her whole heart was for Jesus, that she would love him with all of her feet. Her note for him to read the next morning when he got home from work said,
"To Daddy
I love you
whith all of
my feet
I misted
you Love
Katie Macaroni"

These (the two examples above) are what it's all about, huh? They really, truly are.

Yeah...time to go get more kleenex...I'm one thankful mama today.

I'm a failure...

Happy update: I called dr. on Friday to see what the results were from this big long test, and I passed-she said everything was fine---sooo incredibly thankful. I am going to watch my sugar like a hawk from now on!

I failed my one hour glucose test yesterday, so today I'm having to do the 3 hour one...ugg...so not fun. Also-can I just grump for one minute? Kris let Katie sleep with us again last night, and I just cannot keep letting her do that. I need to get good sleep at night. I have woke up so grumpy all the mornings that she sleeps with both of us. It's different when there's only us two, but three's a crowd. I grumped at Kris this morning for me not having a real winter coat to wear, I grumped at Katie for pretty much everything this morning, AND I grumped at a co-worker...and I hurt his feelings, I know. Lord, please forgive me for my crazy grumpy behavior. Ugg...I hope this day gets better.

Good grief, and my devotion from Colossians this morning was about clothing yourself with kindness, gentleness, compassion, and a whole bunch of other stuff that I haven't even considered doing yet. Lord, please be with me, and help me be what YOU want me to be...not what I FEEL like being...

Dr. visit and our karate girl

I went to see Dr. today. Everything still looks good! I gained another 4 pounds this month, which really made me cringe! Dr. said that 12 pounds is not bad for being 6 months along, so I guess I am still ok! My goal was to not gain over 15 pounds, but I am not so sure that's going to happen. Baby Asher's heartbeat was in the 140's-150's. I love listening to his heart beat...it's the most wonderful sound! I go back every two weeks now, so we're coming in on the home stretch! Yay! I'm so excited! My goal for the next two weeks is to REALLY watch my sugar closely, and try and not have too many desserts.

Katie had karate last night, she does so well in there now. She's still a little wild, and not completely 100% focused while she is listening to Master Lewis, but she loves it so much. She is really enjoying having a "sport" that she is good at. We're so very proud of her!

Proverbs 31

My devotional this morning was Proverbs 31. I had read it before, but it's always good to review that one-especially if you are a mom and wife. Verses 11 and 12 especially spoke to me this morning. In talking about the virtuous wife, the passage says that the heart of her husband safely trusts her, and she does him good and not evil all the days of her life. Those are things I need to work on...probably not the trust part as much as the doing good and not evil. Sometimes I am not the kind of wife that I need to be-there are days when I don't put much effort into making Kris feel better, there are some days when I am not encouraging, but rather nagging. In the 25th verse, it says that "strength and honor" are her clothing. I have to admit, strength (emotional, spiritual) is not one of my strong virtues. I think I might try and work on all of those, just a day at a time.

27 Weeks!

Our little guys is 27 weeks this week. As I'm typing this, he is just squirming around like crazy. I will never tire of that feeling! I feel so blessed to have him.

My sister and I talked a little bit about the baby shower again this weekend, and we're thinking either the 1st or 15th of March. Yay! I can't wait. Kris thinks we need to do it on the 1st, so we will have plenty of time to get the things we still need after we have been "showered". I started a registry at Wal-Mart, but we didn't get to go shopping with the little scanner thing yet, so I think Katie and I might try and do that this week. She wants to help pick out some things for him.

Katie is getting really excited about meeting him, I think. She just seems more enthusiastic. I was looking at some pictures that I had processed of Katie holding baby Tre (above photo) when he was tiny, and the look of love on her face is priceless...I can't imagine how much she will adore her own brother. (I hope it's a bunch!)

It's crazy to think that in 13 weeks or less we will get to hold him in our arms, and touch his tiny hands, and kiss his sweet head, and just look at him all we want. Yay! That in itself makes me so happy! I remember when Katie was born, Kris and I would just look at her, for the longest times, just in total and complete awe of the tiny creation that God had given us. She was amazing, and I can't believe we get to do that all over again! What a HUGE Blessing and honor!

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed (literally.)

Yikes...I have been a grump this morning. Last night I decided that I would let Kris have his old side of the bed back for a night. Big mistake. I woke up this morning at 3, 4, and 5 am...as grumpy as can be. I decided to go ahead and get up and read the Bible. I couldn't understand my Bible reading (Romans Chapter 2), I just wandered around the house aimlessly for a while, then sat down on the couch, fell asleep, and had a bad dream. Ugg. Lord, please renew me. Please, just renew my faith, my strength, my cheerfulness.

Hebrews 13

This morning I read the 13th chapter of Hebrews. I had started reading at the 11th chapter about faith a couple of days ago, so I thought I would just finish the book. Well, this morning, I looked at the chapter, and at the top it said, Concluding Exhortations, so I thought, oh, that's just the good-bye part of Paul's letter, I should just skip it and start a new book. I am so glad that I didn't. My prayer was this morning for God to please speak to me, to tell me that he was going to make everything alright. When I read that chapter, He DID speak to me. One little passage says, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."(the end of 13:5) and 13:6 says, "So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" I have had a heavy anxiety these past few days. I am dreading the time 5 whole months from now that I will have to leave my boy at daycare. It has seriously been causing a feeling of physical pain in my chest...like heartbrokenness. I, in my earthly knowledge and brain of ideas, don't know how it would be possible for me to stay at home with him for a while...but I have a feeling that HE does! I know that NOTHING is impossible with God---nothing!

Nothing is impossible with God.
Nothing is impossible with God.
Nothing is impossible with God.

Nothing.
No, not one thing.
Nothing.

It's going to be ok. He will make a way. He will show me what to do. I have faith. I have every confidence...Lord...please help me truly believe.

Scrapbooking and Faith

I got an email with the first weekly challenge for Faith Sisters, which is a group of Christian ladies who also scrapbook. The challenge for the week is to do a page about "Faith", where our faith comes from, who our faith is in, etc. The scripture for this assignment is Hebrews Chapter 11. I decided to read it here at work, because I had Katie's tiny Bible in my purse. Wow. That chapter truly does have a huge list of testimonies from Bible people who lived by faith...it's a literal list, and I just found it so amazing. There are tons of stories in the Bible about living by faith, but to see them all listed out was neat. Hebrews Chapter 11, verse 1, says,"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." I kept on reading a bit into chapter 12, and had to pinch my nose to not cry...it says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2)Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Ok, that's all for now. :o)

26 weeks!

Every week I am so thankful. Every week I am in disbelief. Every week I feel INCREDIBLY blessed to be having this baby boy. It's hard to believe that in about 14 weeks, I will be holding him in my arms instead of feeling him bump around inside of me.

Kris worked on Asher's room a little more this weekend. He is thinking we might have to hang new doors in his room. When he took the trim off the doors, he broke one of the door frames...yikes! He was able to get the ceiling fan installed, and filled all of the nail holes to get ready to paint. We're looking for a remnant of carpeting that is big enough to do both his and Katie's room and closets. It would be so nice to have that all done before Asher arrives.

We had a good weekend together. Kris was off Friday, Saturday and Sunday (day). We watched a couple of episodes of Little House on the Prairie from my new Season 2 DVD's. We went for a short hike at Elk City Lake. I had some pretty good Braxton-Hicks contractions over the weekend, so I kind of took it easy. It was nice to be home with Kris and Katie. We only have about 12 more weekends with just the three of us, so we're trying to make them count! Katie and Kris were having a small wrestling match on the living room floor and Katie said the funniest thing...she told Kris she was going to give him a "butter" sandwich, because she couldn't think of "knuckle" sandwich. It was so funny...I couldn't stop laughing!

I have decided that since I cannot use my usual New Year's Resoultions of losing weight, exercise, etc. that I never can keep anyway, that I will try some easier, more creative ones. One of them is to write more letters (actual letters-on paper), and get back in touch with people that I haven't talked to in a while. So far, I have written and mailed two letters...one to my Aunt Waunita, and one to my friend Jennifer Buckbee. I'm a weirdo-I know!

Ok-time for 3 random things that make me happy:
Strawberry-Banana Yogurt with bananas and pecans...yum.
Clean sheets.
Listening to Katie giggle and laugh.

:o) That's all for now.

Happy 2008!

It's hard to believe that 8 years ago, Kris and I had a "2000" millineum party at our house and I was 6 months pregnant with Katie. Time sure has gone fast. This year Kris had to work, so Katie and I went to Mom and Dad's for New Year's Eve. We all tried so hard to stay up until midnight-we barely made it! Everyone was so tired and full of yummy food...it was hard to stay awake! We did a few fireworks and all went to bed! The next morning, I had to go back to our hosue, because I had forgotten Reese's birthday present, and as I was driving home, I just felt so much hope and happiness. It was kind of early in the morning, the sun was coming up, and it seemed like I just felt the presence of God in my car that morning. I do have so much hope for this year. Our little boy will be born safely, Kris will hopefully find a job that will be better for our family, and I think we will all draw closer to the Lord. Those are my most sincere hopes and prayers for our little family for the New Year.

Well, speaking of our little boy, we are on week 25 this week, so only 14-15 weeks to go. We're so excited! He moves so much now, and I can really feel and see him moving from the outside! Kris and Katie have both been able to feel him move too. We have started to work on his room. Kris has decided to put up new trim after he paints. This should be an adventure! We got our crib and changing table back from Emmalee, and I'm so excited and thankful that they decided to send it back our way! We still need to get a crib mattress, changing table pad, and carseat for sure, otherwise, I think we are set for at least the couple of months. I just can't wait to meet him, and kiss his sweet forehead...I wonder if it will be as soft as Katie's?

Happy New Year-2008!

24 Weeks and Merry Christmas!

We're at 24 weeks this week! Only about 16 weeks until we meet our little guy! I can't believe it. Time has gone by so fast, and the next couple of months will fly by as well, I'm sure of it! Asher is really moving a lot, and I think I've felt him have the hiccups. Everytime he moves, I count my blessings. I know that's a lot of counting, but seriously, I do. I feel so blessed to be having another baby. I know that people do it every day, and that people take it for granted, but there's no way that I could ever feel that way...we waited so long. My sister asked when we would like to have our baby shower...woohoo...I can't wait! There are so many things that I still need to get, and because we don't use credit cards anymore, I've been putting it off. I need to get bedding for the crib, a carseat, and a breast pump (lol!) those are the priorities at this point! I have clothes, blankets, and enough diapers to last the first month at least. Sleep is getting a little bit uncomfortable, and I am feeling a little back pain here and there, but otherwise, I'm feeling good!

Merry Christmas! We had a great Christmas this year. After a small (ha!) crazy-pregnancy- induced-nervous breakdown (poor Kris-he's a trooper) on Saturday morning, we traveled to Neosho, MO and spent Saturday afternoon/evening with my family. It was so fun to see Reagan open her gifts, she was so smiley and was just amazed--she has to be one of the cutest babies! I got to hold baby Tre, and feed him his bottle--he is so precious, and reminds me so much of Bobby when he was a baby. Monday evening was spent with Kris's family. We went to church at Jill and Jay's church, and then came back to our house for finger foods and giving gifts to the kids. Christmas morning was a blast! Katie had so much fun, she was so excited about everything! She loved the her presents, and I was so proud of her for her thankfulness and gratefulness. We had a big brunch with my friend Melissa and her family, and everyone played the Wii all morning and part of the afternoon. It was a fun time. I will try and post some pictures here in a bit.

Katie and I have an exciting New Year's Eve party planned! Kris has to work, so Katie and I are going to party it up-just the two of us! Our plans so far (all planned by Katie!) include watching Snow Dogs, doing snappers and whatever other fireworks we can find from our canceled-by-the-flood Fourth of July and eating macaroni and cheese! We thought we might drive to Wal-Mart just before midnight and give Kris kisses to ring in the new year, but it might be safer to stay home. As crazy as it sounds, I am looking forward to just her and I staying up as late as we can in our jammies! Last time we tried this, just the two of us, we didn't make it til midnight! :)

23 weeks!

I visited Dr. on Wednesday, and everything seems to be going well. She was super pleased with my blood sugar levels. I gained 4 pounds this month-yikes! So 6 pounds all together. I am hoping to get through pregnancy having gained 15-20 pounds, so I can lose the baby weight and be healthier than I was before pregnancy. I really want to get a good stroller so that I can take walks and get healthy after Asher is born. On Christmas Day, we will be 24 weeks, and if you divide that into 4 week months, then we are 6 months along! I think that's a great day to celebrate making it to 6 months! :o)

Are you ready for Christmas? I am...I think. I still have 3 gifts to buy, and I still have to get a few groceries. As crazy as it seems, I will probably try and make a middle of the night trip to Wal-Mart to do my grocery shopping, either tonight or tomorrow night. It's just too busy there during the day. Katie and I went at 7:30 this morning to get cookies for her class party, and it was busy already!

Katie has just been so excited for Christmas this year. I think it's because we are having 6 days chock-full of Christmas-y activities. Last night was her party at karate, today is her party at school, tonight we're heading to the movies to watch National Treasure. Tomorrow is Christmas with my side of the family at Crystal and Michael's, Sunday is her program at church, and Monday is, of course, Christmas Eve with Kris's side of the family coming to our house. The big finale will come with Christmas morning, opening gifts, seeing what Santa brought, and having a big brunch. I'm excited about all of this too, really...her little craziness is starting to rub off on me!

Blessings and Prayers

I am blessed to have a husband who has given his heart to God.
I am blessed to have an amazing daughter, who has also given her heart to God.
I am blessed to have a squirmy boy growing inside me...who will hopefully, someday give his heart to God.
I am blessed to have so many good friends that I know I will see in Heaven someday.
I'm so thankful for those things, because really, that's what it all comes down to.

There are lots of prayers that I want to remember to pray in the coming hours and days. I thought it might help if I list them here, so I won't forget:
Anita W.'s sister, Lana, for the lump in her neck to be benign.
Brother Todd Hamilton, from Katie's school, collapsed during Chapel today, and was life-flighted to Wichita.
Dustin and his family, his sister passed away in a car accident this past week.
Evelyn, struggling with TTC.
Anita B., being without her mom and Don for the holidays.
Tim and Trina, for Tim to progress and Trina to have comfort and strength.
Melissa and her family, for them to have safe travel home for Christmas.
The lady that Kris works with who is struggling with depression and sadness.
For all of my children in foster care who will be away from their Mom's and Dad's for Christmas.
For everyone who is alone or struggling this Christmas-God be with them and give them strength and hope.

5 random things that bring me joy...

1. Kissing Katie's forehead.
2. Hot tea with splenda and milk.
3. Green depression glass.
4. Grapefruit.
5. The smell of fresh carnations.

Baby Jesus...

I just heard the song by Barbara Mandrell, "Born to Die"...and because I'm hormonal...and because of my softy, soft heart...I have big tears running down my cheeks! I was thinking about the words of the song...and really and truly...that is what Christmas is all about.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16. That, in a one verse nutshell, is what Christmas is all about. God knew, even on that beautiful night of Jesus's birth, that the plan for him was to endure a cruel death on the cross. Christmas is not about finding a pink game boy at the last minute, it's not about fixing the right food to impress your inlaws on Christmas Eve, it's not about stressing over the one string of lights on the tree that has quit...none of those problems or issues compare to the wonderous and amazing love of God when he gave his sweet tiny baby boy to us.

Catching up on some photo additions!

Katie received an orange tip addition to her yellow belt at Thursday night's Karate promotion! We are proud of her! She has really stuck with this, and she gets better all of the time!

Because we had an "ice day" Katie spent quite a bit of time "creating" (messes around the house) today.

22 weeks!

We're 22 weeks along this week. It's hard to believe that we only have 18 weeks to go! Kris thinks time will fly after Christmas, and I think he's right. Christmas week will be 24 weeks, and New's Year's Day will be 25 weeks, so time will be moving right along.

We have a day off school today, we've been having a little ice storm that has left everything very slick! Supposed to get one more round of freezing rain this afternoon, and rain and snow until Thursday this week! Yikes!

I'm trying to come up with my menu for Christmas Eve. Kris's family is coming over. So far, I have on my menu:

Salami roll-ups
BBQ Little Smokies
Hanky-Panky's
Pigs in a blanket
Sauerkraut Cheese Dip and Chips

I need to come up with some other ideas, for maybe some sweet stuff...mmm...making my list is making me hungry!

Winter-y weather!

It's sleeting here this morning, but I feel so much better today than I did yesterday. Yesterday I needed to call on my Lord, and I did, but it was a tiny, lame, quiet, unenthusiastic call to him...and He listened anyway, and brought a better day today. He brought a beautiful morning with my sweet girl. We woke up at 6 and talked and giggled and laughed until almost 7...He gave that to me...that precious time with her...was a direct gift from God! Goodness, I'm so grateful for that. It made my ENTIRE day so much better...I love her so much.

I ordered an outfit for Asher this morning. I still had some $ on my Gymboree gift card, so I got him a puppy outfit for church...maybe for his dedication day at Church. April and May are sometimes a little chilly, so I think they might be ok. So cute for our sweet boy!

The UPS man visited us today!

My super, wonderfully sweet friend Melissa sent this for Asher today! I just love, love, love it!

Junie B. Jones reading marathon!

Katie has been reading like crazy-cakes lately! We went to the library after school yesterday, and she chose 4 Junie B. Jones books and has read two of them already! I checked out Home to Harmony by Philip Gulley. I have only had time to read the first chapter, but I really like it so far. I hardly ever read...but I think I am going to try harder to make time to read both my Bible and other stories of families and faith.

Confession: I watched 3 (yes-three!) episodes of Grey's last night. Katie slept in her bed, and I hadn't watched any at all this season, so I decided I would just watch one on the laptop. I sort-of regret it, honestly, because I am so tired today...and because Grey's is obviously not about families and faith...yeah...not sure that was such a great idea to watch those. That's all I'm going to say about that for now.

Kris pulled in right as Katie and I were pulling out from our street today. He was so happy to see us, he loves that girl of ours so much! I miss him when he is gone to work all night.

I think that's all for today.

21 weeks-19 weeks until we meet our Asher!

19 weeks left to go! I can't believe this little pregnancy journey is more than half way over. I have been feeling little Asher move quite a bit. He has been a little wiggly worm! Kris found some things he really liked for Asher's room at Target. I just couldn't tell him no, it's his first, and possibly his only son. I really didn't want to go with a "theme" but we are going with the baby camping lodge/cabin feel. It's from Woolrich and it's really adorable, and it will be fine for his infant through toddler years. Kris just fell in love with it...and I just felt like he needed to be a part of creating Asher's room. We have definitely decided on his name being Asher. It just feels right, and we love the meaning behind it. Kris sent me this little exerpt about Pat William's book by that he got the name idea from, and I want to share it here:

Over Labor Day weekend 2004, Pat was in Peoria, Illinois as the guest of Northwoods Community Church. He watched the news as Hurricane Frances churned her way across Florida. Frances was the size of Texas and headed straight for Pat’s house in Orlando. After speaking at the church, the pastor accompanied Pat to the airport in case his flight was cancelled. The pastor asked Pat, “If you get marooned in Peoria, you can come with me to our 7:40 Club.” Pat asked, “What’s the7:40 Club?” The pastor explained that their club was a group of men who met on the first Saturday of each month at 7:40 a.m. Intrigued, Pat asked about the club. The pastor had stumbled onto 1 Chronicles 7:40. In the passage of Scripture, the Bible explains that a man named Asher had numerous descendants (26,000) and were “heads of families.” Pat pulled out his Bible and read the verse for himself. The “heads of families” were godly husbands and fathers, and also brave warriors and courageous men of strong convictions.
“If it hadn’t been for a hurricane in Florida, I probably never would have heard of Asher,” says Pat.
Ever since his life-changing experience in Peoria, Pat says he has been learning everything he can about Asher. Through his research, Pat discovered that Asher was the eighth son of Jacob whose mother was Zilpah. His name means happy and when Jacob blessed his sons in Genesis 49, he predicted that Asher’s food would be rich. Moses also blessed Asher and said that he would be favored by his brothers and that his feet would bathe in oil. (The lands once possessed by the tribe of Asher are still olive-growing regions to this day and provides an abundance of olive oil.) Pat says rabbinical literatures tells us Asher was honest and honerable. He was considered a virtuous man focused on bringing peace to his family and building relationships among his brothers. The 26,000 man tribe of Asher was not the most numerous but they were “choice” men, known for quality not quantity.
From what Pat discovered about Asher, it was clear Asher was a special man, complete in four dimensions of godly manhood: fatherhood, character, boldness and leadership. While God speaks quite pointedly about Asher, His description of him is compressed into a single verse. But God wants us to take note of Asher and learn some important lessons. “I believe God wants all of us, as men of God, to become spiritual descendants and imitators of Asher, complete in four dimensions of godly manhood,” says Pat.
Fatherhood: No amount of success can make up for failure in the home. Twenty-four million American children live in homes without a biological father. As the father of 19 children, Pat says the only man who is truly a failure as a father is the man who fails to love, discipline, affirm and teach his children God’s plan for their lives.
Character: In order to raise children of character, fathers must model it for them. A man of character has integrity (he is the same man at home, work and church). He displays honesty and owns up to his mistakes. He is diligent and hard working with an uncompromising commitment to excellence. He displays humility (confidence without arrogance) and patience.
Boldness: “A warrior is a man who lives to die,” says Pat. Everyone is afraid to die but the courage of a warrior gives him the strength to do the thing he fears.
Leadership: Kids want to lead. When given a chance to lead, they will astonish you with their ability to get things done.

Secret Post!

I did some Christmas shopping at LLBean.com today....look what I got for Daddy and Asher!!

I am so excited...I cannot wait until Christmas morning!! I think I am going to tuck Asher's little shoes right inside of Kris's big size 13's!

We're having a BOY!

We had another sonogram this morning, and we have a baby boy in there! We are so happy, and blessed, and thrilled...we're over the moon! :o)

We haven't told Katie yet, we'll tell her tonight.

Now...to do some shopping!

The best day ever-according to Katie!

Last night, we decided to go on a family date night. We went to Montana Mikes and got three matching plates of chicken strips with honey mustard and mashed potatoes and gravy-so yummy! Then we went to the mall and watched Enchanted-it was wonderful! We went to the bookstore, and Katie had a wonderful time picking out a chapter book. I also got a couple of things on my list for her there-a Junie B. Jones Diary and a anatomy book--she is loving science stuff! We went to Sears to get a couple of things Kris was needing (er...wanting). While we were in there, a girl said it was snowing outside. We went out to the car, and sure enough-big, beautiful snowflakes. Katie said, "this is a perfect day-2007!" She's so cute...she had a great time last night. There was something about the evening that I think we will always remember. I can't really put my finger on it, but we just had a really nice time together. We're so blessed to have each other. I love Kris and Katie so very much.

Praying...

I visited with my sister last night on the phone for two hours. It had been a long time since we had just talked and talked and talked. I love those conversations. I really needed to talk to someone and I think God prompted her to call and the exact right time.

There are some things I need to pray for, and a couple of them are not small, in fact, they are quite large obstacles, in the eyes and ways of man...but for God...NOTHING is impossible.

I need to pray for a miracle, for some way for me to be able to stay at home with our baby, and with Katie. It is not a small task, like I said, because we have a lot of debt that needs to be paid off before it can happen...but I believe that God can help me. I am going to start praying earnestly for it.

Yesterday was a difficult day at work. We had a lot of very sad referrals for children needing foster care. It was more than I could bear. There was one particular case that was probably the worst case of abuse I have heard of in a long, long time. It made me want to leave my job and never come back. Seriously. It made me want to hide out in my nice, safe, abuse-free home, and pretend that things like that don't really happen in our world. I also had some difficulty with co-workers, and I just don't understand why. It's something that I was not aware of that was a problem, but suddenly it is a problem with them...I need to figure it out. It is really, really bothering me.

The one thing I know...right now...right here...is that GOD-MY God in all of his majesty, infinite knowledge, grace, power and strength-has it all under control. None of my burdens am I carrying alone...not one single one...from the least to the greatest. That is comfort...true and real.

19 weeks! 21 weeks to go!

Hi. It's been a while since I updated. Kris had his wisdom teeth surgery, and it went really well! He has had very little pain or soreness, and has recovered so well-we prayed about it, but I'm still amazed! He actually went back to work last night.

We had our first Thanksgiving dinner at Jill and Jay's yesterday. We had smoked turkey and ham, mashed potatoes, dressing, chicken and noodles, 7 layer salad and pie. It was yummy! I am looking forward to this Thursday for my mom's Thanksgiving dinner. We always have a traditional roasted turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, kidney bean salad, green-jello salad, rolls, and several other wonderful things. I'm really looking forward to spending time with my family.
There is a certain comfort level that I have with my own mom and dad, I guess...that is very...well...comforting.

We are on week 19 this week with our precious little one. I see Dr. on Wednesday afternoon, and hopefully they will want to schedule another sonogram for sometime in the next couple of weeks. I am really anxious to do some Christmas shopping for him or her!

Wiggly Hips and Wisdom Teeth...

Oh mylanta! It feels if someone has been trying to rip my legs from their sockets all night long. I guess this is the part where my hips start to loosen in preparation for giving birth. There are so many amazing ways that God designed our bodies to do this important job. Kris was completely amazed about how babies born via c-section sometimes have to have their lungs suctioned, because it just naturally occurs when they are born vaginally. I think we are both just amazed every day.

Kris is getting his wisdom teeth taken out in the morning. I am planning to stay home with him...the surgeon recommended that he have someone with him for the day. I think I am going to make him a variety of puddings and jell-o's for a soft foods buffet of sorts. He borrowed a PSP from someone at work so he will have something to do while he's recovering. I've heard that the surgery is more difficult the older you are...so I hope he does ok.

I need to update my Christmas List for Katie:
Wii-check! (Kris got it last week-thank goodness!)
Wii extra controller and game pack-check!
Pajamas-check!
Stocking stuffers-compact umbrella, socks, undies

Still need to get:
Joke and/or Riddle Book
Science Kit
Doodle Pony
Shoes w/wheels at Wal-Mart
Remote control helicopter
Barbie with the horse

Well, that's all for now.

Week 18-again...

Well, according to the sonograms we had last week, this is actually our 18th week, not last week...so I am just saying we are around 18-19 weeks along. I've really been feeling baby move around a lot, and I just LOVE that feeling.

Our weekend went by fast. We got up really early on Saturday morning to go to Kris's parents shop to help with their Christmas Open House. We got things set up, and then went to a few flea markets/antique malls to browse. I must have not been in the "mood" to go flea-marketing, because I didn't buy one single thing all day. It was just a long, tiring day. We got home around 8pm, and all went to bed. Yesterday was just kind of a rough day. I didn't feel so great, we got around late and missed church, then we all took a big nap in the afternoon. I think we were all three so tired from Saturday.

We officially have plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas with Kris's family. We are having Thanksgiving dinner with them this coming Sunday at Jill's house, and then Christmas Eve will be at our house.

Kris has to work Thanksgiving Day, but we are having dinner at my parents, so he will get to go with us and take a giant nap at Mom and Dad's. I'm really looking forward to that day. We have so many things to be thankful for this year. I was thinking back on 2007, and so many things have happened. Crystal and Michael had their car accident in April, their car flipped end over end once, and rolled two times, and all five of them were miraculously not injured. Also in April, Grandma Rench went to Heaven, even though it's painful for us, it's wonderful for her. She is with the two loves of her life: Jesus and Grandpa. Bobby got married to a great girl, Mary Ann, and they had their first baby, little Tre...what a blessing he is! And, of course, our pregnancy...what a miracle that is. I know there are other things that happened this year, that are really such amazing blessings...and I am so thankful for them...even though I might not remember them now.

We were saying our prayers together before dinner last night, and after we were finished, I told Katie that part of the reason we were getting our baby was because of her prayers. She has prayed every night, for probably the last year and a half for a baby. She always prayed, "Please let Mama get a baby in her tummy, and let it be a girl, and let it look just like me, only littler." I'm not sure if the girl part will be answered, but He sure has answered the baby part. I just love that little girl, she is an amazing blessing...we love her so much...even when she is ornery...she is still our sweet pea, and she always will be.

Our baby is a ...

...beautiful, healthy, wonderfully cute MYSTERY! We went for our 2nd sonogram this morning, and the technician was still not able to confirm the gender. Baby was sleeping all scrunched up at the beginning and through most of the measurments, etc. Then I patted my belly a few times, and it started moving it's arms and legs around (I didn't mean to startle it...I just wanted it to wake up so we could see!). She thought it might be a good opportunity to see something, but baby put it's little hand right over it's private area! :o) She thought she "may" have seen boy parts, but she could not confirm. My goodness...what a day! We are still so incredibly glad that everything is ok. The heart and all organs look great, and we are measuring at 17 weeks and 3 days, so the due date, according to the sonogram is April 14th or 15th. We feel so incredibly blessed...our baby is so precious...and it really doesn't even matter...we love it so much already...and knowing if it is a boy or girl is just a bonus. :o) We are so BLESSED!

Update from our sonogram...

We had our sonogram this morning, but our sweet baby had the cord between it's legs, so we couldn't see anything! Then the sonogram machine stopped working, so all of our measurements were lost. We get to go back in the morning at 10 for a "do-over"...for free! Our sweet little one is so very precious though. She was able to print 5 pictures for us, before the machine stopped. We feel so incredibly blessed-just to have seen a healthy heart and organs, precious tiny feet and a cute little fist and profile...so wonderfully adorable---I am in LOVE! I will try and scan some of the pictures when I get home this evening. I teach Deciding Together tonight, so it will be kind of late.

Yay-I'm a mom again!

18 weeks!

We are on the 18th week this week! I'm so excited! We had a busy weekend. Kris worked really hard and pulled out all of the weeds from the back of our property. They built new houses behind us, and the construction folks just let everything blow into the back of our fence row, and didn't develop the easement, so it was just a BIG mess back there. Kris worked so hard, I was really proud of him---the muscles...oh...the muscles! :o) I finally got Katie's new room cleaned out and the entire room painted. It is a really dark pink called Pretty Petunia. She loves it. I think Kris is going to try and work on replacing all of the trim in her room with white. I think it will be really nice. He has also been working on refinishing her bed (which was his and his mom's when they were little). So we have a lot going on.

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before (JUST KIDDING!) but our sonogram is Wednesday--this Wednesday--as in 40 hours from now! I just CANNOT wait to know what we're having!

Saturday we're traveling down to Grove for the day, to help Kris's Mom and Dad with their Christmas Open House at their shop. I am going to bake cookies, and make some little appetizers to take and serve. I'm excited! She always has really beautiful stuff in her shop...and it's a great flea market too.

That's all for now...will definitly be updating Wednesday!

5 days until we KNOW (hopefully!)

The baby has really been moving A LOT in the past few days...I love this feeling. It is so reassuring to feel that little one in there! I know, I know, I've already mentioned this, but I am so excited--our sonogram is 5 days away! It will be so nice to do a little shopping here and there...knowing if we are having a son or daughter. I was looking at pictures of Katie right after her birth, and she was so incredibly precious and wonderful. I still can't believe I will get to experience that again...what a huge blessing!

17 weeks this week!

Yay! I can't believe how fast time is going now--we're 17 weeks this week! I have my triple screen test this week, and NEXT WEEK is our SONOGRAM! I am so stoked! I can' t wait to see if we're having a boy or girl. Kris and I feel so incredibly blessed! We were blessed just to have Katie, but to have another one...wow! The little photo above is from Gravityteen.com-it's a 17 week old baby 4D sonogram...so precious!

Fun weekend...

We had a great weekend, lots of family time...sharing some pics! Bryce and Megan visited us and we went to the Neewollah parade! We carved our cat-o-lantern! Bobby and Mary Ann's sweet boy Tre arrived! He is precious! 19", 7#8oz--he's a sweetie pie! It was a nice weekend!

Nursery ideas...

Kris and I went uptown today for lunch, and we stopped at the hardware store to get some brackets for his shelves in the garage. They have a beautiful home decor section so we browsed in there for a little while. We found some really wonderful things for the baby's room. There is a print/painted framed art, that has Sweet Dreams, and a little sentiment on it...it's a pretty dark baby blue with a dark brown frame. I am wondering about the possibility of doing the baby's room (if it's a boy) in dark baby blue and chocolate brown, and if it's a girl, in a darker baby pink and chocolate brown...with kind of a pottery barn feel. I think that would be so nice. Our crib and changing table are a walnut stain color, and the trim in the room is already walnut stain color too. I think it might be nice and calming. We are planning to have the crib, changing table, a rocker, and dresser in there. I can't wait to have it started. Ok--just needed to get these ideas down before I forget them!

happy and blessed

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, and I am just so happy. I got to hear the heartbeat--it was good and strong! Dr. was happy with my blood sugar levels, I only gained 1 pound and I don't have to go back for 4 whole weeks! Yay! I'm so incredibly blessed with this pregnancy...I never want to take it for granted.

I'm also happy that it is officially fall outside...the leaves are turning, the air is crisp, and it just feels great to be outdoors. Pam and I went for a walk last night, and I took a short one after my doctor appointment this morning. I know I can do those 30 minute walks every day, even if it's 10 minutes at a time! I want to do what's best for the baby...even if it means a little discomfort for me.

It's Neewollah week here, and the downtown area is FULL of food boothes, carnival rides, and the huge stage is set up! It's a weeklong celebration here that is just a huge deal! The Clydesdale horses are here, so I think we are going to try and take Katie down there after school to see them...Kris saw them this morning and said they are just beautiful!

It's a happy day...I am so blessed...thank you LORD! :o)