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.

Knoebels/ NYC

Wow - this last weekend was so fun, and so tiring at the same time.

On friday - Richard got to 40 hrs at about noon - so he came home, and I had everything ready to leave. My work had their annual picnic at a local theme park -Knoebels - so we were driving down there to get there by 2. We stopped on the way to pick up a friend that I work with, and then got stuck in traffic for like an hour. SO we ended up being an hour late for the picnic. We were thankful there was still food there. Knoebels was a good experience - very family friends. But Carson didn't like the rides too well. On each of them, the tea cups, the carasoul, and another jet flying thing, he had this look of terror on his face the entire time - and was on the verge of losing it - I was proud of him though, he held it together. but was not too happy. When we got home that night I was so so tired. I almost wanted to cancel our next day's plans - but very thankful that I didn't.

Saturday - we woke up bright and early and drove to NYC. This is always a nerve wracking event for me. The subways, the parking, the crowded city just seems so overwhelming to me a lot. But I always like going in at the same time. We had no problem getting in, parking or the PATH into the city. We met up with our good friends Wes and Katie Kouba who were vacationing there. We spent the whole day walking all around. We saw a little bit of Little Italy, the WTC, and the Museum of Natural history. And we enjoyed some great pizza at Lombardi's and coffee at a nice little shop. So good to see good friends, and to walk around a lot. Carson did so good for being in the stroller most of the day - He is quite the trooper. Probably not the funnest day he's ever had - but he handled that well too. there was a couple subways we got on that were so full, and he was picking at the people's pant legs and pulling on their clothes - but then who can resist a smile when you look down to see who it is - and this bright smiling little boy is looking up at you. No one seemed too bothered, although momma was mortified. :-)

Sunday - i think most of our Sunday's from now on will be pretty busy. We are teaching a Sunday school class (pre-k and K) and really enjoy teaching it together. Then this week we had to decorate our classroom for the upcoming VBS. (we are teaching 3rd and 4th grade again this year) Needless to say - by the time i got home Sunday afternoon I was in need of a long nap. :-) I did get one - Carson did so well through it all. And has bounced back just grand.

Lots of events coming up - and we will be super busy until after the 4 th of July - but we are so excited about getting more involved in church.

Memorial Day Weekend

I love going on trips, and if you read my blog at all you know that we try to take a lot but mostly b/c friends and family are far away. So We hadn't been on a trip since the new Year, which feels like FOREVER to me. :-)

We left Friday after work, like we always do, and we took a guy with us whose girlfriend is in MA for the summer. We made pretty good time and Carson once again did wonderful ( I dont' think you could be in this family if you didn't like road trips). When we got to my Auntie Terre's we talked for a really long time just catching up on life. (We get along very well, b/c I lived with her while I was engaged right after college).

Saturday we woke up really early and had breakfast in Boston at Faneuil Hall. I've never done that but it was really fun. My cousin and his wife and baby went, and then my other best friend from highschool and her husband went. After breakfast we walked to "the Constitution" and did a little tour. The weather was beautiful and perfect for a day of walking with friends. We had parked at a meter and knew the time limit, and when we were on our way back we knew it was close but thought we would be ok. When we were like a block away from the car, we watched the parking meter man put a ticket on our car. Richard ran up to him and told him we were right there, but that mean man said there was nothing he oculd do about it!!! Thankfully the fine could've been a lot higher than it was. Then we go to leave and the car won't start. UGH!!! And that mean parking meter man walking by us again, did not feel bad for us one bit, and didn't even consider taking the ticket away. Well after 2 hrs of waiting and calling AAA and paying a locksmith to ocme help out, we did end up getting back home. and we were thankful for nice weather, friends who are easy going, and nothing else on the agenda for the afternoon. We still enjoyed ourselves. In the evening we went to a family friends house, and their kids did great watching Carson while I relaxed on the couch and chatted with their parents. It was so nice for me.

Sunday was church and then we went out to eat with Grampie. A good ole' tradition of the family that we all really look forward to when we are in Boston. Then we went to church in the evening too. This church is my family's home church and where Richard and I got married, so it's so fun to go back and see everyone and catch up. There are a lot of dear friends to the family there. Sunday night Carson went home with A. Terre and we went to My best friends house and chatted until 12:30 at night!!!!!!! I haven't been out that late talking in forever!! it was so nice to catch up and there is just something so special about conversation flowing so easily with good friends.

Monday is the famous Sunday School Picnic at church so we spent the day at the park with the church family and had a great time of fellowship with everyone, and in the evening visited 2 other families that are dear to our hearts.

Tuesday we took our car to my Cousin's Mechanic shop for him to take a look. we have just had to dump so much money into our car, and the news he had for us was not too much better. So we were thankful for an honest opinion and honest good work done, but discouraged about the work/money cars cost. God will provide though.

After the car was done we drove home again for a short work week. The trip was so much fun and very refreshing for us. So glad we could make it to see everyone.

The rest of the week was spent playing outside in the beautiful sun with Carson. We made a make shift pool. I never want my kids to need lots of new toys, and seeing how much fun he had with some measuring cups and a bucket of water confirmed they just need love to be happy. :-)

1st hair cut

Well, it's taken me forever to decide what to do about getting his hair cut. After going back and forth about all my options and just putting it off for so long b/c I didn't know which one to do - I just called my hair dresser and set up an appointment. I did have to pay for it - but she did so good with him, and I was glad I took him there. He looks so cute now. So he looks all handsome in time for our fun trip next weekend.

Jehovah Jireh

So the past couple weeks I have been so amazed at how God has provided for our needs. Backing up a little bit before the past couples weeks, Richard and I were pretty discouraged about some things that didn't work out, confused about what to do, and worried about how things were going to work out in a few different big areas of our lives. It was so easy (and I'm not going to lie, I was) to be discouraged and thinking nothing "good" happens to us, we have to work for everything we have, God isn't working in our lives, or it was really hard to see.

But right now I want to take the time to praise God who does provide. I hope that I learned my lesson and will be able to do this even in the harder times. GOd thank you so much for your goodness whether I see it daily or not, you are Good.

-A man in our church gave Richard a whole set of new (to us, and relatively new in general) golf clubs. Now Richard has been saying for a long time that he wanted some new clubs, but of course that is not probable right now in our lives. But this wonderful man knew Richard loved golf and didn't need them anymore and just completely gave them to us!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Yesterday 5-21-10 Richard brought home a garbage bag full of non perishable food that he got from his work!!!!! This will help out so so much. (pictured above)

-Richard has been really needing work pants. every single pair he wears to work have massive holes in the knees - but who wants to spend money on work pants. So today a local church had a big free yard sale. i guess church people donate everything to church and everything is free. So we went to that and richard got 3 new pairs of pants, and I got some stuff for Carson for next winter, and some other little things. so so helpful and wonderful timing.

-We were looking for a toddler bed for Carson for when the new baby is born - we almost bought one on craigslist but at last minute decided not to - someone else from our church called and was getting rid of hers, so she is willing to just give it to us!!!! So wonderful and I'm so glad we waited on purchasing the other one.

-I was really worried about pregnancy clothes for me (carson's pregnancy I borrowed just about all my clothes from a friend, but she has moved away and I couldn't borrow them this time) - well in a lot of various ways, I have all the pregnancy cltohes I need and so littl emoney spent. I bougth some at yard sales, and a pregnancy crisis center, and a lot of people have let me borrow stuff too. So thankful for that.

We are so so thankful for it God taking care of each of our needs

1 Year Old

So this post has been delayed a little bit - but who cares. My son and I have achieved one year of being together and figuring each other out!!!! That feels like such a great accomplishment. I was so excited about his party. It's just a huge milestone for a first time mother and I love to plan things like this. My parents were able to be here for it, and that is something we will cherish forever, and never thought would happen.

I made the cakes for it - and they turned out great (although I did have help from my husband and my father). I had always said in the past that I would be terrible at making cool birthday cakes, but I had an idea and tried to do it. I would never have pulled it off without the help from my husband who is persistent at figuring things out though. so Saturday afternoon before the party I plunged into the challenge. After a whole afternoon of frosting, and a kitchen full of frosting all over the place. Here is the outcome. ( I made the frosting from scratch but added too much milk, and it was so runny after adding just about a whole bag more of powdered sugar, I sent Richard to the store to just buy some - hence the kitchen full of frosting.) But they turned out so good.

We just had family, our neighbors and a friend who lives close to us come over. So thankful for the day and the fun. I had meatballs, wings, pasta salad, veggies, and fruit salad for the food. And a really good punch too. Our theme was sports so that is why we did the soccer ball and the golf course cakes. I had an easter egg hunt for all the kids, and then had favors of diff kind of ball for everyone. i think everyone enjoyed themselves.

Carson started walking exactly a week before he turned 1. I thought it would never happen b/c he walked on his knees for like 5 months. But he finally did. Although the process of him walking all the time has taken longer than I expected too. But he is finally walking all over the place and getting faster. I just think it's so cute to see him toddling around.

Once I hit this mile stone I don't catch myself thinking about the next stage that much. If you've read my blog at all you know how much of an impatient person i tend to be. So always before i was always anticipating him being that next month older that by the time he hit that marker, I was on to the next one and didn't always enjoy the moment. But now that we have reached one yr, I feel like things are going good. i don't wait for him to be a different age now.

Now the big challenge is discipline and teaching him. I heard someone say just yesterday - "train your child to obey by the time he's 2 and things will be easier. " Which is just the philosophy I wanted to keep, now I know it is possible. So We are working on obeying and understanding what I mean when I say something. He does have a strong will, but I'm determined to be stronger than him. :-) I've really been praying a lot that God would help me to train him to be a godly man, and to be a well disciplined child. With God's help I face each new stubborn act of Carson's. :-)

But looking at this cute picture I bet you would never know he is stubborn :-)