The blessings are pouring in!

I just have to post because today is PROOF that God hears our prayers! The owner/teacher of Katie's karate has agreed to let us clean the studio and mow in exchange for Katie's karate tuition!!! This is a huge almost $80/month blessing for us, and I am so happy and excited! Yay!!!

I'm laying my burdens at His feet.

On Februrary 13th I was driving to a home visit in Coffeyville, feeling my sweet baby boy moving in my belly. I cried out for help, not being able to imagine leaving him after he was born to go back to work. I heard a song by 5th avenue north, called "Love is Here" that morning, and it gave me confirmation that God was working in our lives, and that things were going to work out. Now, with just 48 hours of maternity leave left, I heard that song again this morning. It reminded me that I just need to lay these burdens at His Holy feet, and TRUST Him. So Lord, I am trusting you completely in this moment. Please, please, please let things work out for me to be home with my children. In your precious name, Amen.

Fun in the sun and Father's Day!

Katie's been cooling off in the baby pool in the back yard. Ash hasn't gone swimming yet, but he loves going outside. We had a good father's day. I love this picture of my 3 favorite people in the world!

Blessings.

Tonight I just really want to cry. Instead though, I am going to list some blessings.

We have two beautiful children.
We have a safe, comfortable home.
We have two reliable vehicles.
We have two good paying jobs.
Our daughter gets to pray in school, and sing songs about Jesus.
We have enough money for groceries.
We can pay all of our bills from month to month.

There are a lot more blessings in our life, but those are the big ones that come to mind tonight. That's all for now.

More smiles!

We've been loving these smiles from our sweet boy! They are the absolute best! We had a good weekend, we went to the lake to visit Kris's parents again...we've really been enjoying spending time there. Katie loves riding on the golf cart down to the water's edge. It's beautiful at sunset.

I am still trying to understand God's plan for me to either go back to work or somehow stay home. I have been praying (begging, actually) for Him to make a way for me to be a stay at home mom, but I know the right thing to do is to pray for His will. I know He has everything under control...I just wish I could know what the next weeks and months hold for us. I am scheduled to go back to work in July, I'm praying for something to happen between now and then to allow me to stay home. If you're reading this, and don't mind praying...please, please do.

Smiles!

We are loving the smiles from this little guy! He is amazing and so precious...we are so blessed. It's hard to believe he will be 7 weeks old on Thursday, the time has gone by so quickly. I am still praying for a miracle so that I might be able to stay at home with the kids, but so far, God seems to be leading me back to work. I plan to go back to work half days the first and second weeks of July, and then full time the third week of July. I know that God has plans for our little family, and I just keep praying for his will...deep down inside I would just rather have mine.

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!)