The finished products!

The bumpers

Close-up so you can see how cute these are!! Tom really likes the bambi's :)

Curtains

Mom lined the curtains with a striped fabric, so if I'm not feeling the polka dots I can turn them around and have stripes!

I love how everything turned out! My mom did such a wonderful job and I know Small Child is going to like it :) Thanks mom and see you in 6 weeks!!!

Bits and Pieces

Check back soon to see the finished products and how all these pieces were used!

The simple joys in life

My new clothesline :) I feel like I am back in the country and love it! Plus who doesn't love the fresh scent of clothes from outside?

30 weeks

Here is the baby bump/Small Child at 30 weeks! Only 10ish more weeks to go! It's coming up so fast. This last Tuesday we finished up our birthing classes that we had for 10 weeks. They were very good and informational. I now feel better prepared and it's nice to know how Tom can support and coach me through the labor and birth. The Bradley Method's main focus is on relaxation and having the husband coach the wife through labor and the birth. I now know some relaxation techniques to use for labor, but who knows which one(s) will work for me. Ultimately I know my main focus will need to be on God and getting through by the strength that only He can gives. Trusting in Him and laying all my fears at His feet. It's comforting and reassuring to me to know that God created childbirth and He has made women's bodies to give birth naturally! So amazing.

Lake Pepin

About a week or so ago we took a little vacation to Lake Pepin, WI with Sam and Charlene. Sam and Charlene had graciously asked us if we wanted to share with them a cottage for the weekend that they had won as a door prize at a Love and Respect conference. We had a great and relaxing time! The cottage was basically a really nice house in a cute neighborhood. The first night we ate at Harbor View Cafe and all had wonderful entrees. Then we walked along the lake and explored some rocks...



Looked out on the lake...



And explored some more.

The next day Charlene and I went to Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthplace in what was the Big Woods. The log house is a replica of what her home might have looked like when she lived there as a little girl. The Ingalls lived 7 miles away from the town of Pepin. When Charlene and I were driving there we just couldn't imagine how long and hard it must have been to get to town for them.

Inside the log house

The Log House

What's left of the Big Woods

While we were pretending to be pioneer women the men were fishing. :)


The weekend was wonderful and a really nice getaway. The day we left we stopped for some ice cream and some cute shots. :)

28 weeks

I have officially entered the third and final trimester! In just 2 1/2 months or so I will be holding Small Child in my arms!!! I can't wait. The excitement is definitely building now as it gets closer. Here are some belly pictures for those of you who have requested them! :-)

Small Child :)

The crib is up in Small Child's room!

Celebrating 233 years ago

We had a great 4th which started with seeing Cirque du Soleil Friday night. We went with Stefan, Christina, Pat, and Ashley. That was an amazing show! I was holding my breath when they would do the crazy terrifying acrobatics. They do stuff that you wouldn't think a human being is capable of doing!

On Saturday we went over to Tom's parents for the annual 4th of July Dippel party. There were probably around 80-100 people there. It's a big event and lots of fun! To top the night off Tom does his own fireworks show and it is amazing!!



Sunday we had an outdoor service at our church followed by a potluck :) I love potlucks! After hanging out there we relaxed in the pool with friends for a bit and then went on a lovely pontoon boat ride.



I hope you all had a wonderful weekend celebrating the birth of our nation!