Nothing better than some sister time!

Last weekend I took a day off from work and went to visit my sister. I hadn't seen her since February and she only lives 3 hrs away. There's just something so relaxing and enjoyable about spending time with your sister. She is my twin - but we are as opposite in every way possible. Having kids together has been so fun. We both are pretty relaxed about things and her house is plenty big enough for all of them to run around. We understand eachother and love each other no matter what. There's just nothing like family - and sometimes I really miss being around my family. She did her youngest son's 1st yr birthday party and I helped her with everything. Although I missed Richard terribly - I was so thankful for the time that I spent with Jerelyn. (Plus I don't think we will ever live this close after we are done here with school)

The Fall

So this past friday turned out different than i was planning. Here's the story . . .

Of course it's 6AM and I know I won't be able to doze back to sleep for a little bit more unless I make my way down to the toilet first - yes, I go to the bathroom all the time. So I got up still sleeping I think and start my trek down to the first floor of our apartment where the bathroom is conveniently located right next to our stove in the kitchen. :-) But as i step on the first 2 steps down my foot slips on the edge and I start falling all the way down - still half asleep I have no idea what I hit or what happened. I just got to the bottom of the stairs and layed there. My blood is hardly flowing at all and I got so lightheaded b/c of that. UGH!!! not a good feeling, although I must admit it's not the first time I've falled down stairs first thing in the morning - in fact probably every house I've lived in i've falled down the stairs at one point or another but not that distance. Needless to say - I woke up Richard who was scared to death and also Carson. So our day got started off pretty early I think. But after I wasn't dizzy anymore I went and layed on teh couch for a little. My loving husband had the marvelous idea of going to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast since we were up so early on a friday morning. That was a nice little treat.

So then I debated so much whether to call teh doc or not. I went back and forth, knowing everything was probably ok, but also knowing that everyone takes things very seriously when you fall with a baby inside you. So I called the doc office at about 9 AM. I was hoping she would just tell me to look for certain signs and if something did start happening to call them back. But no, she told me to go straight to Labor/delivery and get checked out. Well I debated whether to take Carson with me - but he had been up so early, and was really needing his morning nap, so I took him to the neighbors to sleep there while I would be gone, thinking it would take about an hour or so. (ha, was I wrong about that).
So after calling the people I'm responsible to for work, I made the short trek to the hospital. Without going into too much detail - i ended up being there for over 6 hrs (which by the way is the minimum you have to stay if you go in for a fall) and had blood work done, an ultrasound, and was on the fetal monitor all day. But I just layed in the bed and relaxed watching tv all day!!! i wished I brought a book, or computer or something. Next time (hopefully there isn't a next time) I will know better what to expect.
So everything is fine with the baby- and it all turned out great. I was a little shook up from the whole ordeal and the what if's. And my lower back is very sore and healing pretty slowly. But other than that it was an event come and gone. Thankful nothing more serious happened, and thankful for God's protection when I was half asleep.

2nd pregnancy

So here I am at 25 weeks. Onlly 15 or less to go. Some people say - oh that's not very much, others say - you still have a long way to go. So take that as you want to. :-)

this pregnancy I've craved lots of cold, expensive, calorie rich drinks. It's cold and costly - I want it. :-) Slushies, iced coffees, frappes, smoothies, milkshakes. Anything like that. I really need to get a blender and make some myself - but there is something about buying one that was made for you that tastes so good. :-)

Needless to say the only one I have really indulged in is the Iced Coffees - mostly b/c I can get them for $1.16 and they are very accessible. So wonderful. Hot coffee is not appealing to me at all but you say the work iced before it and I want it. :-)

I think it's probably b/c I'm pregnant through the summer and it's been so hot. But I will admit - so far the heat hasn't been as bad as I was anticipating - although the humidity realy does zap me of my energy. Overall i feel great still. Hoping that sticks around for a while.

I am so excited to have this baby and hold him, and enjoy him. With carson i had no idea what to expect and didn't understand the love you have for your children. this time around I understand all that. I cannot wait to have another child. God really does place something in a woman's heart for family and taking care of the home. I feel like I have just flourished as a woman in motherhood. Just thoroughly enjoying it.

One thing i'm very nervous and tend to get anzious about is the delivery. I really have my hopes up for a Vaginal birth after C-section (VBAC). But it's so hard to know what's going to happen. i will do all in my power - but most of it I'm powerless with. I know that I will be terribly disappointed if I have to have another surgery - but I'm just trying to prepare my heart for what God has and not have expectations. but at the same time I want to go into it with determination and even anticipation for what doctor's will want to do and prepared to stand up to it if I can. but the waiting game is the problem - I have no way to predict what will happen - and I just have to wait and see what will happen. So far everyone doctor or U/S doctor says I'm a perfect candidate but also - even they can't predict what will have to happen. SO I trust GOD!

End of June

So we finally go through the busiest part of our summer. I'm thankful we made it through. Now to enjoy the really hot summer days while working :-)

We week of the 21st - 25th we had our VBS at our church. Richard and i were in charge of the 3rd and 4th graders. VBS is always a lot of work - but so fun and rewarding in the end. It's such a funny thing - b/c you just are waiting the for the week to be over - but every day with the kiddos is so fun. You pray that you're time with them is profitable and that you are planting more seeds than it looks like you are. :-) We had another great couple helping us out - and we had fun working together.

June 27th Richard had the wonderful opportunity to preach at our church. We are in a transition period right now with no Senior pastor and trying to fill the pulpit. I guess everyone that was asked could not do it. It wasn't the most convenient time for him to prepare a message - but how can he turn down an opportunity that we wondered if we would ever have. So he gladly did it - it's so cool to see him doing what we know God has called us to eventually. He has such a passion for true expositional preaching centered on the gospel and to see him be able to prepare and do that makes my heart glad as his wife. he did a great job. Both of us pretty nervous about it - but he did so great. I was so proud of him. Cannot wait until the future when we are doingn stuff like that full time. (patience jessica, patience)

Then on the 30th of June we left after work and drove to NYC. The teens from our church were on their summer ministry trip. The youth pastor had to leave on thurs, so we drove to help take over and bring them home. Boy were we excited for this opportunity. it was so fun. We did take Carson and that does alter how much I could do with actual ministry - but boy we had a great time. The fact that it was NYC made me nervous - but it truly was enjoyable. Carson was flexible and although wasn't the happiest kid ever, he survived. we got to know a lot of the kids in the youth group and that was so wonderufl. Since both of us have a burden for the youth also. We learned things about what and what not to do or what we would like our youth group to look like as far as philosphy. Have a lot to learn about teens - but were so thankful for the opportunity.

We got back Sat July 3rd in the afternoon. Poor Carson isn't feeling too well, but we're hoping that it doesn't damper our plans to much.

Looking to the future - I have the 5th off of work!!!!!!! WOOHOOO. My twin Jerelyn will be coming to my hosue this week. And in August we will be taking a family vacation to VA beach to have a mini reunion with college friends. My last day of work will be Sept 30th and I cannot explain to you the happiness that I feel when I realize that. :-) then the baby comes.

Over all we are so thankful for the opportunity to experience and serve in our church and hope for more opportunities in the future. Please pray with us for decisions in the future.