This and That

It has been awhile since I've posted anything, although I find that is a normal trend.

We are progressing along without any incident and Pebbles is growing right on track! We had another ultrasound a few days ago. Our little girl looks healthy and happy... we continue to pray that she'll grow healthy and strong. I'm not praying for big anymore... we'll let her grow big once she comes out! Ha! I am officially 23 weeks... only another 17 or so to go. I can't believe it has gone by so quickly, although time seems to do that these days. We set up the crib and changing table in her room the other night. Wow does that make it so much more real! Now every time I walk by that room, I see that crib in there and realize, if only a little bit, how much our lives are going to change in a few months. And what a blessing it will be.

My Mom and Norm are coming today and will be here for Easter weekend. I am so excited to get to visit with them!!! They stopped for about 36 hours on their way back from Mexico last November... but other than that, it has been almost a year since we've seen each other. Of course, I look a little different now than I did back in November. Think they'll notice? ; )

I am anxiously counting the days until I "retire" from this job and start a new one... as of this post only 51 more days! Our plan is for my last day to be June 30th. That is so exciting and so scary all at the same time. I have always worked... I have always supported myself. Of course, walking away from a great job during these odd economic times is cause to make one stop and think. But I trust in our Lord... He has always provided. And I know he always will. I am so grateful to Jeff for being on board with this plan too... just another reason why I know God brought us together.

Speaking of Jeff, have I mentioned ever that I have the most wonderful husband in the world? I do. He's the best... and I don't tell him that often enough. He makes my heart smile every day, and especially on my bad days. He helps me to see the good in people, he inspires me to love others, even when I don't want to. I praise God for him and look forward to 58 more years together! I LOVE YOU JEFF!!!

Have a wonderful Thursday... have an even better Easter. May we all remember the true meaning of this most important holiday. The death, burial and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ. All good things come from Him, through Him all blessings flow. Do you know Him?

My friends

I have known Julie for almost 15 years. (Wow... that makes me feel old.) We met at ACU during our freshman year. One of my first (an fondest) memories is us lip syncing to Mariah Carey's song "Hero" during the freshman follies performance that fall. That was certainly a good indication of the fun we would have over the years. We won't mention the choreographed dance to Vanilla Ice's "Ice Ice Baby". : ) I recently had the pleasure of finally visiting her new home in Tennessee and meeting her newest daughter, Audrey, who was born last November. That's the longest I've waited to meet any of her children... but with the holidays, her visitors, our "trip" to Montana and all that followed, we just didn't find the time until now. We enjoyed a very nice couple of days visiting, talking about babies (new and old), going through maternity clothes, baby clothes, nursing advice and all of that fun stuff. I am blessed that we are still friends, after all these years and all the miles. We haven't lived in the same state for over 10 years! In fact, we finally realized recently that we hadn't seen each other since my wedding. I think that is the longest that we had ever gone between visits.

Anyway... I just wanted to share these pictures of my precious friend and her family. I admire her so much for the great job she does with three energetic girls... and I hope that I can learn some things from her as I grow into this parenting thing. Thanks for having me Jules! I definitely felt like one of the family... just like always. Can't wait to see you in August! I love you friend!

18 Weeks

Here I am at 18 weeks... Getting a little bigger around the middle! ; )

These aren't the most flattering photos in the world, but it's good to see the expanding belly. I know I'll be happy to have them later when I've forgotten exactly how this all went.

I can't believe we are almost half way through this "phase"!!!

(P.S. Thanks for the shirt Jen! : )

It's a GIRL!!!!

We recently found out that our little Bam Bam is actually a Pebbles!!! Imagine my surprise, as I was beyond certain that we were having a baby boy. So much for Mothers Intuition!! ; )

We are extremely excited and just as nervous too... really it just makes it so much more real. This is a precious little person. Not just an idea or a plan for the future. Wow. That is a bit overwhelming. Not to mention that at some point, she'll actually have to vacate her current housing situation and be welcomed into the real world. Um... ouch.

All that aside though... I grow more and more excited each day. I definitely feel her moving now! It is still really subtle, and it can't be felt from the outside yet, but she is definitely in there moving around. It makes me feel good to know that. I have spent some time wondering what she is going to look like. I can't wait to see her precious little face... to kiss her precious little cheeks.

Needless to say, we love her so much already and we haven't even met her yet. I know this is going to be a love that neither of us can even fathom. I guess it'll help me to understand a little better what God, Our Father, feels for us. And that, in and of itself is just amazing.

Early

I don't like to get up early. I know that really isn't a surprise to anyone who knows me, but sometimes I just like to state the obvious. ; )

So, I had to get up early this morning, to cover the 6:30 am shift at the office. It is not something I ever relish doing. In fact, it makes me loathe getting up on Mondays even more than normal. However, once I actually get here, and I have an hour or so of peace and quiet before the rest of the crew come rolling in... I secretly like it. Just a little. Don't tell anyone. I also really like driving to work when no one else is on the road. And I really like going home around 2 pm... that right there makes it all worth it. So the moral of the story is this... I see a nap in my future.

Happy Monday!

I panicked.

Yep. You read it right. I finally panicked. It was a couple of nights ago, and I honestly can't put my finger on any one particular incident that caused it. I had worked an eight hour day (which doesn't happen very often). I had driven home in 5 o'clock rush hour traffic and come home to my sweet husband cleaning the kitchen and getting dinner started, which of course is the best thing in the world. But as I went upstairs to get changed, it just hit me. We're going to have a baby!!! WHAT!?! When did that happen? I mean, are you serious? I know God is all knowing, but does he really think it is a good idea to trust me with such a small, precious and delicate little life? No... he can't be serious. Can he? So I laid down in my bed and I cried. Poor Jeff... probably thought I "fell in" because after about 20 minutes he came looking for me only to find me curled up under the covers with a tear soaked pillow. I can only imagine his thoughts... "What am I going to do with this poor, crazy woman? I never know what I am going to find!" He truly is the sweetest man in the world though... he just let me cry and fuss and reassured me that I will be a good mother, that we'll do it together and that God won't let us mess this kid up too much. And then it was over.

So I wonder... how many more times will that happen before August?

Love,
Melissa

Happy Birthday Week!

It was Jeff's birthday this past weekend... we started our celebration the weekend before with a very impromptu trip to Cannon Beach. We love Cannon Beach. We spent our honeymoon there, and our first anniversary there and have made several trips back in between.

It was a beautiful day on Saturday. It was sunny, clear, blue sky, and no wind. By mid morning, it was warm enough to walk on the beach without our coats. It was heavenly. We had a good time standing in the sun and being amazed at the power of the ocean.


We are getting good at the self portrait:












Saturday night, we went to a dinner session at EVOO... a cooking "school" in town. Jeff had gone there with a work group a few years earlier and we have tried a couple times to get in on subsequent trips back to CB. They talk about how to pair food and wine, how to cook the meals and it's all prepared right in front of you. It was a fabulous meal and I am so glad we finally go to go together. I so look forward to going back when I can enjoy the wine selections as well!!!











We ended the birthday celebrations with a family party yesterday. I think Jeff spent most of the afternoon introducing the majority of the family to Wii Fit. I'm not sure who had more fun, him or the kids! See a selection of his birthday gifts below... Who's birthday was it again?












Happy Birthday Jeff... I love that I get to celebrate with you!!! XOXOXO