Date Night

A walk along a favorite beach...



Watching the sunset with zen surfers...



Eating at a favorite joint...



And doing it all with my favorite person...

Due Date #2

I know what you're thinking. Where did Due Date #1 go? It's coming, next week. The initial speculation was March 1, but after my last ultrasound they said February 22. I'm not putting too much stock in either date, but it's still blog worthy. And also blog worthy? Baby showers. I have to say, I'm the most blessed girl around, I have truly wonderful friends and family. It's almost embarrassing to admit, but I've had five, FIVE, baby showers. I know, seriously.

The first was January in Bako where Jon's family threw me a lovely shower. It was so fun to have all the females together to celebrate the newest family member. We had a delicious brunch, a crazy fun game put together by Ruth (Top baby names from 27 countries? Crazy hard to guess.) and a fun time celebrating the babe. I married into the best family imaginable, and have been truly blessed and amazed at how they've accepted me since day one.







Second shower, Britt and Kari here at church. Knowing me quite well, they threw together a wicked international shower that was so fun. It was filled with more ethnic baby games (The word baby in 30 languages is pretty difficult to tell sometimes...), lots of food (dumplings, hummus, Japanese snacks, cupcakes...ummmm, yum.) and a ton of the wonderful ladies at church spoiling the babe. My mom was able to come to this shower, so praise the Lord for good weather! And, two of my best friends from college, Ashley and Adrianna, surprised me by coming up. So great.




Okay, see that table cloth? Actual British Flag. HUGE.




(If you knew me at all during college, this picture should crack you up.)

And even more surprising. The surprise shower I had the next day. Yeah, I know. Crazy. Ash and Drana had wanted to throw me a shower, so when they heard I was already having one, they called my close friends and threw an intimate shower up in SLO. We ate at Novo (I'd never been there and it was amazing.), and then went to see 'Once Upon a Matress' which is an incredibly cute musical. It was so thoughtful of them and I was really blessed.



That next week was our Leaders Luncheon for CBS. The ladies blessed me incredibly by throwing me, yes, a surprise shower. They had a sweet cake welcoming the babe, a fun game guessing baby pictures, and plenty of fun stories and good advice. I've been so blessed to be a part of the leadership team this year and had so much fun.

And then, this last week, my team at CBS threw me a surprise shower. This was a total surprise, because parties aren't usually allowed within groups. They went and got the ok from the head honcho, so that was awesome. :) I seriously have the best group of ladies, they constantly bless me every week. I've learned so much from them this year and am encouraged every week at group. It was great to hear all their stories, and receive all their well wishes. They, like everyone else, are so excited for her to get here!

Sorry there's no real pictures for the last three. That happens with surprises. :)

So this is my public thank you note. Everyone, you are soooooo amazing. Thank you for all the showers, gifts, cards, well wishes, and especially the prayers. You're all such a big part of my life, and I'm so thankful for the part that each one of you plays in it. The babe is truly spoiled to be born into this huge family I'm a part of...my own family, Jon's family, my church friends, and all my other friends. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I have the best friends and family in the world. So thank you for all you are to Jon and I...and the babe!

New Kid on the Blog

My wonderful husband (and talented photographer) just started a website dedicated to photography and (what else?) travel. So go check it out, give him some love, and add it to your RSS Reader. http://www.theworldinphotos.blogspot.com/



More to update soon here. Stay tuned...

All the colors of the rainbow...

...in the form of adorable cloth diapers. Hooray!

If you would've told me a year ago that I'd be this excited about diapers, I would've (politely) laughed in your face. God certainly does have a sense of humor. :)

Off to a good start...

Hot scones from the oven...
Homemade jam...
Refreshing Ginger Lemon Tea...
A good book...
Plenty of rain...
A wonderful bed with plenty of pillows and blankets...

A truly wonderful day...

Transition

This week is a transition for me. A definite leaving behind of the old and getting ready to embrace the new.
-I have exactely one week left at my job. I've been here for the past 2.5 years, which is certainly the longest time I've ever stayed at a job. It'll be odd leaving it behind.
-I'm trying to finish up my Master's Module and get ready for a season of no school. Well, no formal school. I'll be learning plenty from the babe once she's here. :)
-Changing the house around. Turning the guest/craft/office room into HER room. Getting the living room kid friendly with no loose wires anywhere, and plenty of soft blankets and toys for her play with.
-My pregnancy has suddenly gone from easy to "Are you kidding me? Get this thing outta me."
-And slowly, our January weather is changing from summer to fall. Finally. Well, at least it got here, however late.

Like I said in my last post, time is certainly elusive at moments. But I think that's just part of her mystique. While seemingly random and haphazard at times, she's the model of consistancy. So, I'll just take this time and try to make the most of it before my life is REALLY changed.

Around 6 weeks to go.

Time

Oh, time. You're so elusive. I apparently get to spend 24 hours with you every day, but I'm pretty sure you've been skimping out on me the past couple weeks. I still have piles of dirty laundry to wash, clean laundry to fold, christmas presents that need a home, and a very messy room that is supposed to hold the babe in less than 50 days (oy.). Oh time, where have you gone....

Now, I'm sure that this lack of time has NOTHING to do with the fact that Jon and I just watched 'Long Way Round' and 'Long Way Down', in their entirety, in just one week. I mean, that's just a coincedence. Ahem.



But honestly, 10 episodes of Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman travelling from London to NYC, on motorcycles, across 8 countries, including areas like Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and Siberia...I mean, that's just pure entertainment. What could be better? Oh wait...



Ewan and Charlie travelling from John O'Groats to Cape Town, that's what. I mean, the tip of Ireland to the tip of South Africa, with another 16 countries thrown in the middle? Oh man, it's like this was made for Jon and I. And can I just say, I've always wanted to go to Africa because, well, it's there. But there were few countries that really held my interest, and most of them were in North Africa (Morroco, Egypt...). But now? I can not WAIT to go to Uganda and Rwhanda. You hear all these horrible things about them; they're famous for completly the wrong reasons. But then you see them and they're phenomenal. Oh Africa, how you're calling.

But in the meantime, well, I'll satisfy myself with the books of the account (obsessed much?) and will use every candle I blow out to wish that they do a trip through South America (oh please, oh please, oh please). Does telling ya'll that negate the wish? Hope not.