Happy Father's Day!

This Father's Day was a special one for us because we were all able to make a trip out to Oregon to surprise my Dad. The past few months have been hard ones for him as he's been on a new chemo, which has more severe side effects than his past treatment, and as generally he has been experiencing a lot of setbacks. This journey has been an exhausting one for him and for us, but it was good as always to be together. As I learn to live in the present, neither looking back wishfully at days gone by or fretting over the future, I'm learning to be thankful. I'm especially thankful to have my Dad with us this year, for the many lessons he's taught me, and for the father he continues to be even now as life is so hard for him.

I'm also especially grateful for the examples of love I've seen this week. In a world where many seem to easily fall in and out of love I'm inspired by stories of those who don't. While I was in Oregon my family got a visit from an elderly man in their church whose wife has Alzheimer's and doesn't remember him. Yet he kept saying over and over again how thankful he is that he can drive and see her every day. He knows she doesn't know him anymore but he remembers her and so he stays by her side. Similarly, I am so impressed by my own Mom and the tenderness with which she cares for my Dad. She beautifully emulates the promises that we make on our wedding day to take care of the one we love for better or for worse, in sickness and in health. She has so much on her plate and yet she continues to put my Dad first just like she always has and I'm so thankful for the example she sets for all of us of what it means to truly love someone.

It was also fun being home because it was my family's first time getting to see me "looking" pregnant. My brothers thought that they were pretty funny coming up with names for me, rubbing my tummy, and poking out theirs in the picture above, but this kind of fun was just what my heart needed. It's one of the things I miss the most about not being around them. No one can celebrate with you quite like family!

Finally, this weekend was fun because Robert's dog Coca had her puppies. They are a week old now and so precious. I couldn't get enough of them!

The Baby Room

Ever since we moved into our new house in March Brandon has been hard at work fixing it up and so far he has 2 bedrooms done, our room and the babies room.    It's amazing how much more settled we feel now that we finally have a space that we can begin making our own. It's wonderful!  As soon as the carpet went in we went to work setting up furniture and I have to say I am so happy to have my bed and dresser back.  Yay!!!!!   Next, thanks to my parents, we were able to purchase a crib and Brandon humored me by helping me set it up, even though we haven't picked out a paint color yet which was the original agreement, and finally yesterday I picked up the baby bedding which I also love.  It's just so girly and fun! 

It's A Girl!

We are very excited to announce that we are having a baby girl!  We found out on Tuesday afternoon and since then this whole pregnancy has taken on a new reality.  It was already an amazing experience but somehow knowing that it's a girl makes a huge difference.  The responsibility we feel to prepare for her and pray for her is suddenly so much greater and the connection is so much deeper, especially for Brandon I think.  It was sweet to see how things like names, which were a joke a few days ago, suddenly became serious because now it is no longer just a baby but his daughter that we're thinking about.  What an awesome responsibility and gift we've been given and we are praising God for that today!

As soon as we found out that we were having a girl we began spreading the news.  My best friend Melinda surprised us the next morning with this great sign posted on our garage announcing the news to our neighborhood. :)

Here she is.  She's waving hello, although it's difficult to see and was difficult to get a picture of as she is very active at this point.  The Dr. says she's enjoying her space and growing well.

Open House Madness!

Open House always brings with it a whirlwind of projects and never enough time to get it all done. This year was especially challenging as it was scheduled later in the year than I am use to and only 2 1/2 weeks after state testing.  Anyway, so this week had its moments.  Moments of being driven crazy by kids done with everything and constantly bugging me for what next and moments of being driven crazy by kids who never seem to be done with anything.   Ahhh! 

However, like every year somehow it all ends up getting done.  We make it to the big night and the kids have a great time showing off all their work to their parents.  

These are a few of the projects my kids did this year.

We're Growing

It's hard to believe but I'm already into my 2nd trimester.  The nauseous feelings have finally subsided (yippe!!!) and my tummy is starting to grow enough for a few people to notice which is fun!  Also, I just started feeling the baby moving a few days ago.  It's incredible!  I think I've felt it before but never enough to be absolutely sure.  Brandon has been working hard on the baby room which is looking great and now we are just waiting to find out if we are having a girl or a boy so that we can paint.  I've been helping where I can but there are a lot of thing I can't really help with so while he works I've been enjoying reading and searching the web for nursery ideas.  Also, I'm counting down the days until the end of the school year, at which point I have lots of projects I'm looking forward to starting. (23 Days to Go!!!)

4 Weeks

8 Weeks

12 Weeks

16 Weeks