It's True ~ We Are Expecting!

As some of you may already know, Steve and I are expecting a little someone October 11, 2009! I am 14 weeks along, just beginning my second trimester. The first trimester went very well, I only had morning sickness one time, and other than a few discomforts I felt pretty good. I am beginning to feel a slight baby bump, and have to unbutton my pants for more comfort. It is a funny time because I am at that inbetween stage where I feel more fat than pregnant and my clothes just don't seem to look the way I wish. Oh well...the sacrifices we make. :) What really matters is that the baby is healthy thus far. I had an ultrasound at 9 weeks which was very exciting to see the heart beating and the baby moving around. (I will post the first ultrasound pictures after I can get them scanned.) Last week I was able to hear the baby's heartbeat which was at 162 beats per minute! Such an exciting time for us- we cannot wait to meet our little baby!

Saying Goodbye :(

Early yesterday morning Steve left for a 15 week TDY to Fort Bragg Army Base in North Carolina. He is doing a special training with the Army. Although we debated for awhile if this was something that he should do, we both felt that God was leading us in this way. Unfortunately because of the intensity of the program, it didn't make sense for me to go along with him, so I am still here at Edwards. I spoke with Steve earlier this evening and he seemed a little overwhelmed with the schedule for the weeks ahead. They have PT (physical training) every morning at 6:30am, class until 5pm, and lots of homework in the evenings. Because it is an Army Base there will be different expectations and new challenges.

Please pray for Steve these next 4 months as he is away from home and living in the unfamiliar. Also I ask that you please pray for our marriage- that we will be able to communicate through the distance, and hopefully find a way to see each other sometime during his training.

Happy Resurrection Day!

"The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life- only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
~John 10:17-18

What a precious gift we have this Easter! Christ rose from the dead to further prove that he willingly endured the cross for us!

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

~John 14:1-4

Our Practice Baby

I had to do a post on Phoenix for several reasons:

1. I heart cats
2. Phoenix is our first "child"
3. When I send out photos most of my pictures are of Phoenix
4. My brother, Ryan would be so disappointed if I didn't (one of his blog name ideas was "Phoenix and the Rest of Our Family")
5. Phoenix is a very interesting cat, in a dog-like kind of way

We adopted Phoenix September 2006, after much begging and pleading with my husband. He said that I could get a cat as soon as I found a job, so shortly after finding one we were on the hunt for a little friend. We ended up adopting him from Edwards A.P.E.T. on base, which is a no kill rescue facility- he was about 6 months at the time, and his name was "Lucky."

He is certainly cute, but looks can be deceiving. One of the first things we found out about Phoenix is that he loves to lick hair. (Kinda gross I know.) He is especially excited when there is a visitor, and a new head to lick. Phoenix will eat practically ANYTHING. Most cats are a little finicky when it comes to food, as they should be. Phoenix likes anything from meat to dairy, to fruit, dry cereal, and chips. He will wait for a handout or paw food right out of my hand when he is desperate. Phoenix also likes to play with his own dry cat food. He scoots his food dish over to his water dish and dunks pieces of food in his water, then proceeds to scoop his soggy food out with his paw and eat it. As you can imagine he constantly has wet paws. He loves to get in the way and be in places he's not supposed to be. For example, his new favorite thing is to jump in the refrigerator every time it is opened. It can be quite frustrating so I will shut the door for a few seconds, and lo and behold he is ready to come out when I open the door.

In some ways Phoenix is like the Marley of cats. Despite all of his "special" qualities, he really is a good cat and companion. He generally follows us from room to room and enjoys curling up next to us on the couch. He is very friendly and loving, that is when he's not biting or chewing on things. :)

Phoenix hanging out in the dryer

Family Visit

Late last week we had the joy of spending some time with Steve's parents and "little" brother, Will. They flew into Los Angeles and we met them in Santa Monica to get our beach fix. (Plus, I really like Santa Monica.)

The next couple of days we went to...surprise, surprise: Disneyland! We enjoyed many fun rides, good food, and wonderful company.

Silly boys...

Joann and Bob waiting for "It's a Small World"

This picture would be nice if Steve's finger wasn't in my face. :)

The last day we drove to La Canada-Flintridge (close to Pasadena) to eat lunch and spend some time with Steve's Great Aunt Lucille. Shortly after that we had to head back to the dry and often depressing Antelope Valley (Its always hard to return after seeing green and beautiful plant life in other areas of California.)

~

The time with family flew by as usual and it always reminds us how much we love and miss our families (that is after all, the reason why we LOVE Colorado so much.)

Welcome!

So I thought it would be fun to begin a blog now that Steve and I have been married for 2 1/2 years. I am a little bit behind in times, but have been apprehensive about blogging simply because I wasn't sure if I would have anything interesting or profound to post. This will be a journey for me and anyone that may read this blog- so hang on tight and bear with me as I learn and figure out all the tricks of blogging. Enjoy!

Steve and I at my parents house, Christmas 2008