GIFTS!

I wanted to note a few gifts that have already been sent to us as well! After getting the crib, it has really brought this whole thing to life and we started pulling things out and wanting more to prepare for our little baby!

Gramma S. sent us some BEAUTIFUL little onesies and socks, binkies and spoons, and the softest, snugliest, blanket! They are all Classic Winnie the Pooh themed, and they actually inspired our nursery theme!

<-- Sooo softy!!!

Aunt Mandy also sent us some cute onsies... I can't tell you how much I love cotton. I've always loved my hubby in cotton, and I just can't wait to love my BABY in cotton!! Aren't these beautiful colors? The last one has little animals on it, horses, giraffes, and little monkeys wearing bandanas and cowboy hats. I love it! It is so fun imagining our little baby wearing all of these things.

And then, of course, Keith and I have made a few fun purchases ourselves. Like the little cowboy boots in the post below, and this adorable St. Paddy's day bib. We are due on March 15th, and can't wait for our little St. Paddy's day baby! Thanks for all the gifts! We love them! Every single day it becomes more and more real to us. We are so thrilled to bring this little blessing into the world!

BEST YARD SALE FIND YET!!

Actually, it was an Estate sale. We had passed the sign last night on the way to the store, and decided after our wonderful find last week that we would check it out. Sure enough, as we are getting out of the Jeep, a lady screams 'Everything half off!'. She came right up to Keith and I as if she knew us and said 'We have a beautiful baby bed over there that we will sell you for half off if you like.' HOW DID SHE KNOW!? (I know I am showing a little bit, but I had a fleece on, and you could barely see my belly) Well, this beautiful Baby's Dream crib and Simmons Kid baby mattress were MORE than perfect to us. So we bought them! $100 cash! It was an amazing buy... The crib is convertible and will even convert into a headboard for a child's twin size mattress when the time is right. Looks like we will be using this piece of furniture for quite a while!

Here are some pictures. WE LOVE IT!!!

It seemed fairly simple to put together. Keith worked on that while I made us breakfast.

We liked it in the corner of the nursery with a veiw of the window.

Simmons Kids Beautyrest Beginnings™ Luxury Firm crib mattress gives baby supportive, restful sleep with 231 pocketed coil springs. Our AllerCare™ feature is specially designed to help reduce indoor allergens in the mattress so your baby can rest easier. MoistureBan vinyl cover repels spills and wetness, and is specially-designed to resist wear and tear. Never needs to be flipped. Side air vents keep mattress fresh and all-around edge support provides extra firmness and durability.

When we got home, I did a little research. It looks like this crib retails from $400-$600 and the mattress from $150-$175. I couldn't believe we got both for only $100! GOD is so great!

ice creeeeaaam.... ice creeeammmm... ice creeeaammm...

So... I want ICE CREEEEEAM!! Not with pickles or anything, but some pumpkin pie in there would do! Dairy Queen does the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard of the Month in November, I think, but I've really been craving one lately. I can't believe FALL is here! The temperature today is a nice cool 69 degrees and I want to be out in it!

I'm at work, and I can't say it's any fun at all. BUT IT IS FRIDAY! So that keeps me going. I've been trying to decide what I want to do for halloween. I don't know if I should tell my ideas on here, because then it won't bee a surprise. So maybe I'll just keep it a secret and all 1 of you who read my blog will have to wait and see!

Okay, can you tell I'm just kinda rambling? All I can think about is icecream and going home. My husband is picking me up from work today, and I can't tell you how excited I am to see him. I just want to get out of this place today...

Community Group 08

Here are some pics from the other night. Thanks to Julie! CLICK FOR PHOTOS!

Today's "Google Doodle"

I love today's Cuddle Season starter Google Doodle! Does that make any sense? hahaha... Today's Google Doodle (click here for details) represents the first day of fall; TODAY!! I'm so excited!

15 weeks, 18 people, 6 blue chairs, and 1 pair of the cutest shoes ever!!

Well, I'm in my 15th week... WOW! I can't believe it! I'm so excited! Yes, there is a belly picture below. I'm going to try to take a picture at the start of every new week on Sunday before church. (I've made a "belly album".) I was so excited that I fit into my courderoys... "Fit into your courderoys?" you say... YES THAT IS RIGHT, THOUGH MY BELLY IS GROWING I WAS ABLE TO FIT INTO MY OLD CLOTHES!! "How is this?" you ask... Well, if you notice the orange fabric under my green shirt... Momma B was creative this weekend! I cut an old tube top in half and hemmed one end; using this as a band so that I can wear my old pants, just unzipped and unbuttoned. It was awesome! (Felt a little weird at first, but good all in all). I need to buy me a bella band, but I thought this was a good improv version. I look forward to this kind of thing for my postpartum belly too!Keith and I went to our first YARD sale this weekend! It was really awesome... We knew we were having the community group over on Sunday and were afraid that we wouldn't have enough seating. We met a sweet family that just moved here from Wisconsin. They had moved here from a 150 year old farm house and had lots of extra furniture in that style that they were getting rid of. (Mom - you should have seen their old rusty iron bed frame.. BEAUTIFUL!) Keith and I aren't really the 'old farm house style' kind of couple, but WE NEEDING SEATING, so we didn't care! They had 6 chairs to offer at $5 a piece. The mother had painted them bright blue, and stated that she didn't really like how they turned out, but never did anything else with them. She assured us that they had been 'gorilla glued' and had outlasted 5 kids, so they were very sturdy. This sounded good to us! They really have some sort of charm about them, and were comfortable, so we bought them, ALL 6 bright blue chairs! haha... they rock. (notice Thelma likes them too)

We also made a few more purchases; bought a couple fall smelling candles, and some candle holders, and THE cutest pair of shoes I had ever seen.
We obviously don't know the sex of our baby yet, but when I saw these I just couldn't pass them up. $3 Childrens Place cowgirl boots! They are for age 12-18 months... so it may be a while before they can be used, but they were so cute, at least to decorate the room until they can be worn. AWWWWW!!!

Any and all baby stuff that we've been collecting has made its way into the (soon to be) 'baby room'. That couch you see was a Goodwill bargain for $50! The day we purchased that couch, as soon as we got it into the house, we both sat on it and called our whole family announcing our pregnancy. Great couch and great memory. We are thinking we like these vintage like colors for the nursery. Mom had sent us some vintage Winnie the Pooh baby stuff, and we may do our nursery in that theme.

Community group on Sunday was just awesome! We had a cookout, and 18 people ended showing up! This included a bunch of kids and one tiny Emmeline (6 months old). She's precious. The cats stayed in the utility room hiding behind the washing machine (refer to our home video to see our scaredy cats in action), and Springer was thrilled with all the attention. You may see some crazy pictures up on Julie's page. Everyone was noticing my new belly... and there was a funny one of Keith and I both sticking out our bellys (after stuffing our faces with all the amazing food!). It was funny... All in all it was a productive and busy weekend and we were both really happy when it was time to sleep last night.

CHRISTMAS!!!

So I've been getting a bunch of email surveys/forwards from my mom and sister recently. And I keep putting my favorite holiday as HALLOWEEN! I love the creativity of picking a costume, making it, and heck, who doesn't love a holiday with unlimited CANDY!!! Also I have been putting THANKSGIVING as my favorite... I love Cuddle Season (this is what I call FALL) because of the weather, colors, and just the snuggliness of it. Is that a word?

Well, I have to say...
Last Christmas was probably the best I've ever had in my life. Christmas for quite a few years wasn't fun for me anymore. Without family around, a 'whole' family, and without feeling the true meaning, it just slowly dropped down my list of favorites. Two Christmases ago I made the choice to fly to California and spend the holiday with my best friend on the beach, and it was the best decision of my life. I will never forget that week with Keith and Christmas hasn't been the same since. Last Christmas Keith asked me to share my life with him, FOREVER, and I accepted. We shortly after became members of the most amazing church I've ever been too.
All season we had been enjoying the sounds of our church's worship team and their Christmas project. I just started thinking about that today, and right here, in my chair at work, began to tear up at the thought of how amazing CHRIST is, and how that season is celebrating Him coming to save us... What an incredible holiday!!!

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – December 10, 2007 – To raise money for its African mission work, Fellowship Bible Church in Brentwood, Tenn. recorded Ring the Bells: A Christmas Offering, a new CD of original music from Cindy Morgan, Ronnie Freeman, Christy Nockels, Geoff Moore, and many others. These artists presented the music in two concerts at Fellowship Bible on Thursday evening, December 6, and The Worship Network taped the event in High Definition for broadcast this Christmas and a DVD project in 2008.

Each musician, artist and producer who worked on the project donated his time, and all proceeds from concert ticket sales and CD sales will go to FBC’s work in Africa.

“We’re honored to be able to record this concert and help spread the word of how one church is using its talents to make a difference across the world,” said Bruce Koblish, president of the network. “This project will not only be a unique program to bring our viewers, but it also taps into our desire to work with local churches to create effective worship resources.”

For the latest airtimes and updates, visit The Worship Network’s website at http://www.worship.net/.

Above is what how we celebrated with our church and worship team last year, and Keith and I are way too excited for this year. To pull out our CD and rejoice and worship the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!! Last year Keith and I chose to donate 100% of our Christmas money to our African mission project by purchasing CDs and sending them to all of our family and friends. We are also very excited that a DVD will be released this year! We went to the concert, and it was great that they taped the performance! I urge you to click the link below where you can see a clip of this amazing event!!

http://www.worship.net/press/2007/06.asp

If anyone reading this blog (I know it's mostly family, and I'm sure you have a CD already) wants to donate to our African missions by purchasing a CD or DVD, YOU SHOULD!! It is amazing music, and 100% of it goes to a great cause. Keith and I feel honored to have such a talented Worship team, and feel blessed to live in this city full of beautiful music!

I LOVE YOU ALL AND I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

A PEACH!!

Okay, so this picture may be a little detailed... but I just think it is the cutest thing ever! Look at that LITTLE TINY BABY IN THERE!!!

Keith and I went to our second doctors appointment on the 4th (Thursday) and since I had to do an annoying test (so the doctor said) as a treat she let Keith and I take another peek at our child! It was so teeny and cute, but not a 'bean' anymore. THERE'S AN ACTUAL BABY IN THERE! It even lifted up it's hand and waved at us! We saw the little fingers and everything. It was soooooo awesome. I wish I had my own ultrasound at home so I could just peek whenever I wanted. haha...

So, some websites say (and you can kinda tell on that picture above) that I should be getting my 'baby bump' this week! It is week 13 and I'm almost into my second trimester. I don't know if I'm really excited about the 'bump', but at least I won't just be angry at my clothes being too small and have visible proof that something else is going on. I think I may buy a Bellaband. I saw it on Target.com and it looks like a GREAT invention!

What it basically does, is allow you to wear your normal pants without having to button or zip! You can just put this band over your waist and it makes it smooth. And if it is seen under your top, it honestly just looks like a cami or something so no one can tell you are really unzipped! This sounds great to me, and especially since I do'nt think i'm quite ready for Maternity pants yet...

This week my baby is the size of a PEACH!! I like comparing it to fruit. What I don't like is calling it 'IT'. 7 more weeks and we get to find out what this little bugger is. Sometimes I imagine a baby girl and sometimes a boy. The part that is still so hard to imagine is me as a MOM! I just hope I do a good job!

Keith and I started a couples course at church called Love & Respect. We're really excited to learn more about what God intended for husbands and wives and learn more about each other in our relationship. Preparing for parenthood has a lot to do with marriage! We want to make sure we are strong in that FIRST! The course is based on a book by Dr. Emmerson Eggerichs. We're really really excited! We had our first class last night and it went well. We even practiced some of what we learned on the car ride home. haha...

We have made a few good and healthy changes this week too, all in preparation for our WORLD to change in a few months. We finally (after 8 months) made up a household chore list, and we've set our alarm for 5:30; we have gotten up and gone walking two mornings in a row! It feels good to eat right, exercise and have a schedule. I love my husband with all my heart, he really is the motivation behind all of this. Recently he was taking care of breakfast, lunch, dinner, watering the yard, cleaning the bedroom and living room, sweeping and vaccuuming the house, cleaning the litter box and the chinchilla cage and also working tremendously hard for our family. It was time to share some responsibility :) I'm so blessed... (and Thank GOD for giving me my energy back!!!)