21 Weeks and a New Adventure...

Here I am at 21 weeks, and while it doesn't look like it from my last picture, am seriously stretching out here! I am still enjoying myself and this time and really can't complain. The baby is kicking, or swimming laps, as I like to think of it, and those are the most exciting times for me. If he is really really patient, Eric is able to feel the kicks once in while, but just thinks it's a "muscle spasm" he's very funny!

Next week Tuesday is the big day...the answer to the big question...boy or girl? Will there be HOT PINK in my future? My guess is no...I'm really feeling like it's probably a boy...but what do I know? Next Tuesday will put it all to rest. Hot pink or not, I am so excited to get the nursery ready and really make it feel like we are going to be welcoming a baby into our home soon.

In other news, I accepted a promotion at work last week, and effective May 5, I will be a Foster Care Supervisor. I will supervise seven staff and have to learn how to balance and effectively do a whole new job, while working with what feels like half a brain. I am excited and am looking forward to this new endeavor.

And just for those of you who are wondering, YES, I am wearing short sleeves, and it's not just because I'm inside with the heat on, it really is that warm! When I was driving home today, the thermostat said 76 degrees, which is fantastic! There are flowers everywhere and the trees are finally budding. I love spring...and how I've missed it while we were in Arizona.

Till next Tuesday....

Blessed

OK...so I've been known to do a bit of complaining in my day (this is Ann of course, not Eric!), but I just thought it would be nice to take a moment and just share with all of you how truly blessed I feel! I am blessed because:

1. I am loved by the God of all creation
2. I have an amazing husband who does whatever he can to make me happy
3. We have wonderful families who love and support us
4. I have a crazy little baby growing inside me who loves to move around
5. We have an amazing group of friends who we get to see regularly, and who we look forward to
seeing soon
6. I'm writing a blog without pictures :)
7. The weather was warm enough for a short time today when I didn't have to wear my coat!
8. My pregnancy is healthy and I am loving every second of it

I am sure the list could go on and on, but I just wanted to let you guys know that I can look on the bright side of things, and I am so grateful for all that is in my life. That's all for now!

Surprise Mom! And Good Times with Family

OK...so let me just start by saying, before I get into to any type of story, that I almost gave up on blogging all together with this one...Picutre placement, getting all these pictures to fit...and Rachel does slide shows...and Carrie does movies...I still have a long way to go folks, so just be glad you get the little updates you do!



So...my sisters and I started scheming and planning several months ago that it would be incredibly fun to surprise my mom for her 65th birthday. After many phone calls, e-mails, and what seems like hours searching for tickets and discussing time frames, we were all on planes to come across the country to surprise my mom in Florida. And boy was she surprised! Her day started with a surprise party thrown by her dear friend Ann Marie (no, not me, but what a great name, huh?), and the surprise continued when myself, Chelly, and Kim all walked in. She screamed and didn't think it was real...then when it all sunk in, asked "So where's Chris, he lives in Florida and he can't come?"

Well, actually, we planned to surprise her with my brother and a visit from three of his kids later in the week, but my mom just couldn't let well-enough alone, and the surprise was ruined! But they still came and we had a great time laughing, playing and catching up.

Here we all are: Kim, Chelly, me, and Chris

Being that we're all scattered across the country, we don't see each other all that often, and sadly, it was my first time meeting my little niece Ali (who Kim is holding), and so, none of the kids could really remember our names. It was our mission to get a picture that they could all put in their bedrooms so that our names could be practiced on a regular basis...and so they'll start requesting to see us of course!

Ali is two and with Kim, Harrison is 7 and Emma is 5 and sitting with Chelly (apparently all the kids were scared of Auntie Ann!

This is my mom's wonderful friend Ann Marie (on the left, my mom is on the right) who was so helpful in planning this whole event! She lives next door and even opened her home up to us so that no one would have to go without a bed, which the pregnant lady loves her for!

It was a busy trip, and while we were there I even got to visit with my old friend Linzie, whom I've known since I was like 8 years old. We go way back, and even performed a few GREAT numbers in some talent shows together!

The real treat was that I didn't get to just see her, but got to meet her beautiful new baby, Marielana, she was precious...and made me even more excited to see my little one!

A Night on the Town

A few weeks ago we decided to go to a hockey game with a group of our friends...yes, you heard me correctly, friends! We really do have some new friends here in Michigan (and none of them have mentioned that being my friend is like watching a bad car wreck...and we've played games...yeah, you know how you are!). And Dave used to work for Coke, and was able to get us tickets to the Coke Suite at the arena...we didn't just watched the game, we watched it in style!!

Crystal and Lisa were really enjoying themselves and dancing right along with the great music!






Eric and I had a lot of fun and have enjoyed getting to know all of the different personalities in our group. I know that you haven't seen many pictures of us together on this blog...but here it is, proof we still love each other and are still happy to enjoy some fun together!






And here we are...Small Group #3 for Eric and I! It's taken some time, but we all really enjoy one another's company (I think!). We are learning lots about one another and walking together in our faith, and of course, having fun along the way!

So, we have (from Left to Right--in couples) Dave and Crystal, Chris and Lisa, Kevin and Kristin, Eric and I, and Dusty and Betsy.

Eric saw this picture and said "Man, I am short!" So, let's all send him some love...we like him just the way he is!

19 Weeks and GROWING!

Well, I don't know if it was the food I ate, or if it's just that time in the pregnancy, but while I was on vacation this past week...my belly sure did pop out! I can't believe it, it's so cool to watch it grow, and to put on clothes and think "Gee, this shirt was really big a few weeks ago, and now it fits pretty well!" There is certainly no denying the fact that I'm pregnant anymore, and it's pretty fun. The foster parents and bio parents that I work with on a regular basis see me and look at me like "Are you???" and I just smile and nod...it's a fun time for me!



I know you are all thinking, that I MUST know by now if it's a boy or a girl, but we won't go to teh doctor until April 29th...at 3:30pm...and I can't wait! I am getting anxious to decorate and paint and register. It will be fun!

Winter, Winter, GO AWAY!

So, we enjoyed a beautiful, warm(er) weekend full of sunshine and all things glorious (like melting snow). I was so hopeful that Spring was just around the corner. I awoke this morning to the pitter patter of rain and purple glow through my blinds, a perfect indication of a thunder storm, which would have to mean warmer weather.

Well, don't get too excited for us yet. As many of you have heard (some through my complaining, and some of you more "infomred" ones, through the news perhaps) we have had the WORST winter in several years. (Eric is of course convinced Michigan is rejecting us). Anyway, with the warmer temps and melting snow, I was wure there would be no more winter. Then, Terri DeBoer, the crappy weather lady, tells us that "later today, the rain will turn to snow, with dropping temperatures into the 20s overnight. It will continue to snow throughout the week and we won't see temps out of the 20s on Friday."

So, there go my dreams, shot down by the lady with the fake blonde hair...it is so depressing to think that it will be winter forever! We say this horrible winter will just make us appreciate Spring even more, but will we really ever see Spring?? I am starting to doubt....

Presents for Baby, clothes that don't fit, and money making schemes!

So, my mother-in-law had this really cute idea to create this cute gift basket with a gift for baby for every month. Being that I'm now finally in my fourth month, we got to open another cute gift...it's fun to have soemthing to look forward to.

Another thing to look forward to...clothes that actually fit me! Yes, I've reached the point where my normal clothes don't fit any longer, and my maternity clothes are still too huge! How come none of you with kids told me about this awkward stage?!?!

But, my little belly is popping out a little, and that is very exciting. I can't wait till our appointment next week to hear the "swoosh swoosh" of our precious baby's beating heart. I know many of you are waiting to see a picture of my growing belly, but unfortunately, there is not much to show yet (weird huh, since I just said nothing fits!). I'm a little nervous for my doctor to tell me how much weight I've gained...here's to hoping not too much!

Well, with all the thoughts of impending baby costs, Eric and I are busy scrambling trying to figure out ways to earn a little extra cash. Among other things, we are currently purging our house of old CD's...that's right, a little box of old tasteless music is earning us some pretty decent cash! Eric also promised me that if he isn't using his bowflex in the next six months, we can sell it...finally I get my way!