Found out yesterday...

that I have gestational diabetes. Ugh! Nothing makes me feel more worthless. I know it is a common thing for women, but I feel like I am not a good person. Cary had to remind me this morning that God is here with us and that He has his plans. But still, God did not call for me to be glutenous. I did that on my own. And I don't want Brylee or Cary to suffer because of my short-comings.

Happy Autumn!

(not the view from our patio...)

It's my favorite season! Cary and I just purchased tickets to go with his family to Vermont mid-October so I can experience the beauty of the changing leaves and cool weather. Maybe we can go to a Fall or Halloween festival as well. I can't wait! (please say a prayer for me dealing with my fear of flying)...

Now if I can just get over this yucky feeling that kept me home from work today....

Meet Our New Neighbor!

Don't know how long he/she will stick around, but Cary and I enjoyed meeting them after our walk last night...

A Night Of Love

Dear Brylee,

I want to share with you the magic and joy your father brings to my life. I know I still have a while before you fall in love, or even like boys. But I have to share with you how special this man is in my life.

Friday nights are our 'date nights'. These usually consist of dinner and maybe either walking around a store (Babies R Us is popular lately!) or going to a movie. But tonight, your daddy spiced it up with style.

When I left work (later than usual), I tried to call your daddy, as I do every evening. This time, he was not there to pick up the phone, so I continued my short drive home. But halfway there, I received a text message from him, "6:30"...that was all that it said. What does that mean?!? So I tried calling again, but yet again I had no success getting through. When I drove into the parking lot, though, his car was missing. This was really unusual for him, considering he gets off of work at 4:30, and I at 5:30...so what did this 6:30 mean?

When I stepped into the apartment, I found a bag on the coffee table and a note beside it. It told me that he would pick me up at 6:00 and to freshen up. When I opened the bag, there was a bottle of perfume in it. What did he have planned?!?!

So I ran around like a silly teenager, all excited about a date. I 'freshened up' (changed clothes and put on some of the perfume, as well as applied a little bit of makeup and brushed the teeth and hair). Then I sat anxiously, playing with Chester until it was about 6:30.

Outside the rain started pouring, so I looked outside to see our lawn beginning to flood. Just as I was about to go back inside, here came your daddy...running towards me. Carrying a beautiful bouqet of fall flowers. And he was dressed so nice--and soaked!

So we left to go to dinner. And where did he select tonight? 7 Salsas, the restaurant that we had our first date and our celebration dinner on our 6 month anniversary (and he proposed the night before!)

He admitted that he had nothing else planned for the night, but the evening was still incredibly special with a trip to Babies R Us (you've been on our mind!) and stopping by Market Street where we enjoyed a beverage and looking at crazy foods.

Brylee, with your daddy the fun never stops. He is always making me laugh, carries a great conversation, and has great talent. But more than that, he loves me. His never ending compassion challenges me to be a better person. I cannot hold a light to how well he treats me. I fall short when it comes to showing him my love for him. But when he does things like that for me, it makes me strive to do better for him.

Words can't describe how blessed I am; how blessed our family is; how blessed you are going to be. Life with you dad is going to be amazing for you, and we are going to have the most fun!

Love,

momma

I'm Proud...

I'm Proud to have been born and raised in a free country. I can wear the clothes I like, get an education, and choose the religion that suites me best.

I'm Proud to say I have family in the military, friends in the fire department, "brothers" that wear blue.

I'm Proud to remember this day, as tragic as it was, so that I can remember to live life to its fullest and hug my family tighter.

I'm Proud to say THANK YOU to our military, fire, police, and medical personnel today for helping us keep our country free.

America's Next Top Model

Alright...does anybody but me watch this show? I LOVE to watch and see the photography sessions and the model's best photo in the judging room.

Did anyone catch Wednesday night's premiew for Cycle 13, a.k.a., the petite models?

I watched the beginning when the girls were being weeded out. One girl in particular was enthusiastic...about Jesus. She might not have been the most mature of the girls, and sometimes seeming like something was just not right about her. She was picked to stand among 13 other finalists. However, just as the girls reunited for the slow and dramatic competitions, she suddenly was missing, reported to have dropped out and replaced by another.

But that's not the point I want to make. Seeing that show, and everything that came out of her mouth was, "Praise Jesus", and "I love Jesus!", and my favorite, "I want to be America's Next Top Model because Jesus wants me to save the world"...

And while that made you raise your eyebrows and wonder, at the same time, I found myself on the couch envious of her enthusiasm for her Savior.

He deserves having the entire world of Christians shouting at the top of their lungs, "I LOVE YOU!" But obviously not just on public television. In our daily lives, through all the great times and times we just want to give up. With every breath we take, we should sing His gospel and reach out to everyone who is drowning (thank you Ed Young).

Thank you, odd petite model, for reminding me to yell on top of my lungs that I LOVE MY SAVIOR.

Week 26 (14 to go)

Major excitement: Your baby opens her eyes! On the flip side, you might wish yours would stay closed so you could get some sleep. If a full night's rest has become elusive, welcome to the (sleepless) world of pregnancy insomnia. Between heartburn and leg cramps, bathroom runs and that big beach ball beneath your nightie, it's no wonder your body's having trouble calming down and drifting off.

What's up with your baby? She now weighs a full two pounds and measures nine-plus inches. And this week, her eyes, which until now were developing under fused eyelids, start to open. Of course, there's not much to see in there, but if your baby spots a bright light (or hears a loud noise) near your belly, you may notice an increase in fetal activity. (Hey, I'm in here, Mommy!)

Cary has been keeping all of our friends and family posted weekly with Brylee's progress, and I found this one particularly interesting.

I have been 'enjoying' the experience of restless sleep, but mostly due to not being able to sleep on my back, or even belly. But above it mentions the 'big beach ball'...am I supposed to have this big giant thing popping out of me? I mean, I do have a much more noticible tummy, but I wonder if it is noticibly pregnant or if anyone I pass think I'm just a larger-abdomened woman...

I do love to feel Brylee move around. It is such a bizarre feeling! So, I'm looking forward to more fetal activity, well, at least for now. I know a lot of people says it messes with their sleep, and we all know how I LOVE to sleep! But to feel her makes me feel like she is ok.

With me sitting here eating lots of strawberries (cheese and apples are next!), I do hope that I'm eating right. Trying to get in my veggies, meats, and fruits (breads--no problem!) I try to push away any sugar craving, but sometimes it's just not possible! Just last night, I wanted something with cinnamon and went through the cookbooks to see if I could find something that had all the ingredients already at our apartment....no luck!

So, for all of the already moms out there, what is your input? Did you enjoy the movements of pregnancy? Did you feel paranoid about eating correctly? Did you have a beachball at 6 1/2 months?

Game Night

Cary came up with a Family Declaration, and one of the things on there: Never Forsake Game Night!

For the last few months, Cary and I try to have a game night every Thursday. Just the 2 of us (and Chester, who eagerly chases his laser dot). It is a great way to make sure the tv and computer are turned off and we focus on the family. I sure hope that Brylee joins in with game night quickly--she can help me beat him!

Last night, we broke out our brand new Trivial Pursuit game. His parents have one, and we like to play on occasion. I thought it would be a great game to throw into the mix of Uno, Boggle, and 2-player card games. We got the TP Family edition, with a mix of cards that is challenging for adults and other set of cards that is perfect for kids. The only complaint I have for this game: not enough adult cards! But then again, I did look at the kid's cards, and I think it might present a decent challenge as well!

Game night is a great thing to do, and I recommend it for anyone to do as a family. Just do your best to keep your spouse from rubbing in all the times he has beat you... :o)

What To Write???

Hello!

I know it's been a while since I have posted anything. Not too much going on in our lives currently, except there is a little tiny human kicking my belly DAILY!

Brylee is an active little thing. I do hope she stays that way: chasing her around will help with my exercise!

We have finally finished registering, but I constantly think about the list, and hope that we have what we need for her, but also that anyone who wants to share in our joy and get us a gift doesn't think we went overboard! But the bedding we chose for her room is very different, and we LOVE it: http://carters.kidslineinc.com/products/collections/tree_tops.php

Hopefully Brylee will enjoy it, too, and grow with an appreciation for animals of all kinds. I guess that's the nature of our way!

That's all I have for now, but I will see what I can do to make our lives more interesting so that there is more to post! ;o)

(tonight is game night, so maybe I'll have something great to report later!)