Small Child

Here is a pic of me and the growing 'small child' (emphasis on small) as my husband refers to the little one inside of me. This was taken on Saturday, so 15 1/5 weeks. Excuse the messy closet. I was doing some Spring cleaning and rearranging :)

Ice Cold Water

I'm sitting here drinking some ice cold water and I'm realizing how much I like cold water. The lukewarm stuff just doesn't cut it. It makes me more thirsty and my throat becomes dry. Cold water is so refreshing and rejuvenating. I can gulp it a lot better than lukewarm. This reminds me of a verse in Revelations....

Enough about cold water. My birthday was yesterday and I turned 25 and my oh so sweet brother told me not to have a quarter life crisis. Thanks Carl. I'll try not to. ;-) I think this will be a good year though. I already have some exciting things to look forward to in this 25th year of my life. Such as, a one year wedding anniversary (oh yeah!), trip to CA, seeing my cousin get married, planting a garden at my in-laws, getting ready for a baby and Lord willing welcoming the baby into the world. That's a lot! Yes, this will be a good year.

Baby update: The babe is doing well at 15 weeks and so am I. Pushing through more so I have a bit of a rounding tummy. It's enough to not be able to button all my pants and use nifty rubber bands to hold them up. If I don't feel like rubber banding it then I use this awesome invention called the belly band which can be found at target. I seem to be losing the "I need to eat something now or will be nauseous" stage. I'm not as exhausted anymore which is super nice, still tired but there is no need to have/want a nap every three hours! I'll try to get a picture up here soon of the belly. I know certain people have been asking :)

Off to enjoy this beautiful sunny Spring day!

New heartbeat

Today Tom and I had the privilege and blessing to hear our baby's heartbeat!!! :-) I am 13 weeks pregnant and the little one is due September 29th. Hearing your baby's heartbeat is just so amazing. I can't even describe it, just plain awesome. I am in awe of God and how He works everything together and how such a tiny tiny life can have such a great heartbeat! Things are going well and i'm feeling fine other than just tired and hungry all the time. Will keep you all updated as time goes on. :)

Vacation in Santa Maria

Last week we were in beautiful Santa Maria for 6 days. It was so nice to be there and see green grass and hills, bask in the sun, hang out with the family, and visit some friends. Here are some pictures of what we did while we were there.

Tom and Carl went exploring at Shell Beach and found a crab.

Exploring

Walking on the beach

Shell Beach

Whitney, Brittany, & Hannah at a party that my mom had for me, Tom & Carl

Rachel and I catching up

Brother and sister...boy we look alike in this picture!

Miniature horses in Santa Barbara

Wine tasting at Rancho Sisquoc

Longing for Spring...Contentment

As I sit and write this it is snowing outside again, but one good thing is that it is in the 20's and not minus 20!!!! I am very thankful that it is warmer. I do admit that I long for spring days...green grass, blooming trees and flowers, wear t-shirts outside, and lighter jackets. I know this is just a season and it will all pass in a few months.
Being in this weather and state really reminds me how I need to be content NO matter the circumstances or weather. "For I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" Phil 4:11. I've had days where I've been down and out but I know my real joy comes from Christ and that's who I need to look to for happiness. That can only come by reading His Word and really getting to know Him, not just know about Him or know of Him but really Know Him. That is my prayer.
Here's a good quote from Elisabeth Elliot "A quiet heart is content with what God gives. It is enough." My Lord has me in this state during this weather for a reason and so I must be content and try not to complain "Do everything without complaining or arguing" Phil. 2:14
May God grant us all contentment in whatever situation we may find ourselves in.

Blue walls are gone!

This last week my dad and Tom painted our living room, dining room, and entry way walls in our house. It is so nice to have it painted, it makes the house flow more and it is much more welcoming. Tom was ok with letting the blue walls go. He still has the neon green in our bedroom which I hope will soon go as well!! Here are pictures of the new walls. I didn't do a before and after but if you go here you can see what the house looked like before the new colors.

Thanksgiving Weekend

I love family, they are such a blessing and so fun to hang out with. :) Thanksgiving was good and relaxful. We went down to the farm and everyone was there except my parents, Carl, Uncle Karl and Aunt Debbie, and Steve. We ate some yummy food and played a ridiculously long game of scrabble. The Pembertons were able to join us (minus David) which was a lot of fun.

The day after Thanksgiving Tom and I got to hang out with Hannah and Jonathan. We had a really good time with them! We went to the Como Park Conservatory and the Zoo. I enjoy the Conservatory a lot, it reminds me of being in Haiti with all the tropical plants that they have there.

On Saturday all the ladies went to the Swedish Institute. That is such a beautiful place! We weren't allowed to take pics in it so sadly there are none to prove how beautiful and ornate it is. After spending a while there, we went to IKEA (yay!) and then to Angie's where we had one last family dinner before everyone headed home.

Me and Misha and silly Leah in the background.

I'm crocheting and Laura and Sarah are looking on...not sure what Sarah is laughing about.

Backrub time!

Hannah and Jonathan

Us :)

The beautiful Conservatory

I love these girls.

One last thought: I have so many things to be thankful for! When it was my turn at the table to say what I was thankful for I got overwhelmed because there are so many things! God is so good, rich in mercy and grace and abundant in all that He gives. I am thankful for my husband, our marriage, being back in MN, how God is faithful to me when challenges come my way, and that He is strengthening my faith and trust in Him.

Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!!