My Double Shower!

About a week ago, our friends threw my good friend, Samantha Barrett & I a Double Shower! It was a lot of fun as we played a game, talked & opened great gifts. Sam is 1 week ahead of me in her pregnancy, has a 2 year old daughter & will be 'surprised' at what they're having in about 4 weeks now! I can't wait to know if it will be a boy or a girl! I'm so thankful for our friends who wanted to throw this shower for us. I got some really cute things for our baby girl that I am excited to put on her. I've enjoyed experiencing this pregnancy along side my friend. It has given us many things to talk about! Soon we'll be taking care of little babies together.

Josiah's pictures

So, though Josiah will be 3 in April, I thought I'd share his 2 year pictures. We had a lot of fun at this session. It's nice when your kid actually is in a good mood & smiles! We'll see what he's like at his 3 year pictures!

5 weeks to go!

I'm 35 weeks along now! Here is a picture of me at 34 weeks. It's weird to watch your body keep getting bigger! The pregnancy has been great, but is getting harder. I got back from the Dr's office today & I have to start 'stress tests' twice a week on top of my regular weekly visit with my obgyn. So, twice a week I have to drive 45 minutes to the Dr's & the other day I have to drive 30 minutes. I'm not looking forward to this! I feel overwhelmed that I have to find a babysitter for Josiah 3 times a week. We still have the big decision of deciding between a c-section or vbac. The Dr. said I have to have an answer in two weeks. So, Shane and I are continuing to pray about this. I've been nervous about making the decision since before I even got pregnant again. There are risks either way, so it makes it hard to decide. One thing we have prayed for since the beginning is that God would help us decide. I honestly am not leaning either way at the moment. Sometimes I think 'lets just do a c-section', but we're not done having kids & how many times do I really want to be cut open? Other times I think 'I'll try a natural birth', but there's still that risk of a uterin rupture. So, I really am torn. I pray that God helps us decide that in the next two weeks & continues to carry me & the baby in His arms. We pray for a healthy labor/delivery for both Meghan & I. I do love feeling her move around. I love going in her nursery & picturing her lying in her crib all little & cuddley! I love how into his baby daughter Shane already is. I am so thankful to God for a healthy pregnancy. Please pray with us for the decision we have to make & that God keeps us both safe.

Disneyland

For Christmas last year, my sister got us Disneyland passes! We have had a wonderful time there with many memories over the past year. We had our last trip there last week & it was so much fun. We saw the Christmas parade & fireworks where it 'snows'! Josiah's favorite rides have changed over the course of the year. It started out as being 'Dumbo' & 'Pooh Bear'. By the end of the year, his favorite rides were the 'Tea cups' (which both Shane and I prefer not to ride...the things you do for your kids), 'Moster's Inc.' & 'Toy Story'. The last time we took him to Disneyland, he was more into the characters than the rides, which was a lot of fun. I will definitely miss taking Josiah to Disneyland, and I'm not sure yet how to explain to him that we can't go anymore. Those passes were one of the best gifts we've ever gotten and I'm so thankful for them. We were able to experience such fun memories as a family! Thank you Aunt Pammy for the wonderful gift! We really appreciate you & your thoughtfulness :).

Congratulations Pamela & Miguel!!!

My sister is engaged!!! On December 6th, Pamela's 25th Birthday, Miguel had a really special day planned for them. Throughout the day he had her open little gifts that had to do with things she'd mentioned about their future during their 3 year relationship. Some of the events of the day included going to the zoo, seeing a Christmas show that they ran across and going to dinner. After dinner, Miguel found a quiet place where they could be alone. He talked to her about things she's always wanted & said that in his jacket pocket was something he wanted to give her that would make all her dreams come true. She reached in & found the ring box. They both began to cry as he got on his knee & asked her to be his wife. Of course she said YES!!!

I'm so excited for my little sister as she embarks on this journey of marriage to the man of her dreams. It's been a long road & it's finally here! Welcome to the family, Miguel! I've seen qualities in you that will make you a great husband as you guys follow God's word. We look forward to May 23rd when you become man and wife!!!

Congratulations Micah & Kelly!

Shane's brother, Micah is engaged! On Friday, Nov. 28th he took Kelly horse back riding on a beach in South Carolina. During the beautiful date he got down on his knee & asked Kelly to marry him! Of course she said "Yes"!!! Micah & Kelly have been dating since their Freshman year at Cal Baptist University & are now Juniors. They are currently interns in Washington D.C. until they finally return home next month. We love Kelly! Her & Micah are a great couple as we have watched them work well together, challenge eachother & encourage eachother. They love God & really live to honor Him. We are excited to see them next month as an engaged couple! We look forward to when they become man & wife. Congratulations you two! We love you & are so happy for you!

Halloween

This year was the first year that Josiah really got in to 'trick or treating'. He was dressed as "Woody" from Toy Story this year. I took him to a shopping center where each store was passing out candy. He quickly got the hang of it as he followed his cousins & friends in to each store saying 'trick or treat' & then 'thank you'. It never failed that he wanted to eat each piece that he got right away! I can understand how he felt when he's handed candy & can't eat it. Later in the evening my parents came down & we took him around a neighborhood so he could experience the good old fashioned way of trick or treating. He loved that. He even went up to one house by himself as he looked at us and said 'I'll be right back' :)!!! It was an enjoyable night as a family as we had so much fun together.

We're Moving!

Last night I came home to the best message on our answering machine. It was the owner's of this awesome condo we applied for earlier that day. They said 'they love us & when can we move in?'

In May, when we found out we're having another baby, we began to pray for a 3 bedroom. It was looking near impossible lately as everything (buying & renting) seemed out of our reach. I started to think of how to rearrange things in our place to put our two kiddos in one room. It wasn't going to be ideal, but God was teaching me to be content & thankful for what He has given us.

Then on Wednesday, Shane showed me this place & we viewed it that evening. We love it! It's a 3 bdrm, 2 1/2 bath with an attached 2 car garage! It's a beautiful, quiet neighborhood with parks & pools to play at.

Thank You, God for blessing us with this place. Your timing, as always, is perfect & we are so grateful!

'Are you kidding me? We're having a GIRL?'

We went three days ago to find out if our baby was a boy or girl. I laid there as the ultrasound technician took the sonogram of mine & the babies organs. I wasn't allowed to see the screen yet, so there I laid staring at the ceiling for about 30 minutes. I was praying that God would allow us to get a good look at the babies 'parts' :).

I was preparing myself for her saying 'It's a boy'! Almost all of our friends & family guessed we were having a boy; so I begin to tell myself that as well. The thought of having another boy was actually great. I knew Josiah would have so much fun with a brother; being able to jump off things, crash toy cars & play sports. So I knew I would be excited about a boy as well, if that was the outcome. I didn't realize how much I wanted a girl until people would tell me they thought it was a boy. Something inside of me got irritated a little bit; that's when I knew what my hope was.

So the exam of all my organs was over & I was finally allowed to bring Shane in. The first thing the technician asked us was if we wanted to find out the sex. Of course we said 'Yes'. She went right to that part of the baby & instantly we couldn't see anything in between the legs. We both were thinking in our heads, 'there's nothing in between'!!! I kept waiting for a different angle so I would see the boy part, but it never appeared! She said 'I think it's a girl' (they're not allowed to say 100%). I looked at Shane and said 'Are you kidding me? We're having a GIRL!?' :). We both smiled so big & he said 'I told you'. (He thought it was a girl).I couldn't stop giggling & smiling the rest of the exam. It was so fun to say 'Look at HER arm' or 'SHE'S kicking me' :).

Thank you, God for our little girl. We're so excited to meet her!

The other guy in my life...

This little guy is such a joy in my life!!! Over two years ago I held him in my arms for the first time & my life has never been the same. I couldn't have imagined the instant love I would have for him. Watching him grow up has been so much fun. From a little baby that I just snuggled & helled in my arms, to a silly, playful & gentle little boy. I was nervous to have a boy at first because I didn'tknow what to do with boys. God knew!!! He placed this guy into my life & he's taught me so much. He's taught me to just have fun & let boys be boys. He's taught me that I am not a patient person & need God's help with that. He's taught me that I need to get past myself & spend time with him. The glow I see in his eyes as we play together is priceless. Thank You, God for Josiah!

I'm thankful for my husband!

Shane and I just celebrated our 5 year annivesary! I look back on our life together so far & smile so big :). I'm thankful for my husband! He works so hard each day to provide for his family. He takes time to talk with me, spend time with me & challenge me to grow in Christ. He makes sure we go on regular dates; which I love. I miss him when he's gone & can't wait for him to come home. I love that we play board games & cards together. I love that I married my best friend! Thank you, Shane for following Christ & for investing in our marriage :).

He is an amazing Dad! Josiah & him have the best time together. They play baseball, soccer, basketball, etc. They build 'tunnels' & climb all over them. Josiah lights up & runs to the door when he hears the garage door open; that means Daddy is home from work :). I'm excited to watch their relationship as the years go on. I know that Shane will be someone Josiah looks up to as an example, not only as a man but as a follower of Christ. Shane, thank you for what you give to Josiah with your time, your love & your example. I can't wait to see you with your precious little girl in January. My heart will melt when you hold her in your arms. I love you & am grateful that God placed you in mylife!