It's Time!

     No, not for the baby...YET!  But, it is getting closer...I actually can't believe we're (hopefully) less than a month away from being a family of four.  Are we ready?  Probably partly, but definitely not completely!  I'm not sure I know how to be until he's here!
    
     SO...it's time to start making some predictions!!!  Jonathan and I started a little poll between the two of us, and I wanted to open it up to everyone else.  When do you think Becker will join us, and what do you think he'll weigh?

Jonathan - July 3, 9lb 4oz
Bailey - July 9, 9lb 9oz (no I'm not hoping for this, but my first baby weighed the same as my mom's first, and her second was 9lb 15oz, so I'm just wishful hoping for a grace of 6oz!! And, no, I wasn't the ten pound fatso...that would be my sister - haha - LOVE YOU)!

*We are thinking that he could be 9lbs because I'm a little larger this go around (for those of you that can't see me).  Emrick was July 12 and 8lb 1oz (just so you know)!

Leave a comment here, or on the link on Facebook...If I can think of something fun, that my husband will agree to...I would love to give a prize to the closest guess!

Before and Afters

      We've been up to alot around here, so this post promises to be a ton of before and after pictures, plus some others for those too far away to see us for themselves!  Have fun!

The Living Room (BEFORE):

 The Living Room (AFTER):

The Hair (BEFORE) - Sorry its blurry!:

 The Hair (AFTER):

The Boys' Room (AFTER) - 

Because I don't have a before...I referenced this project on Facebook...this is the project that Grammie and Poppy helped us get accomplished in one weekend:

 LOVE these cubbies...and Emrick is really learning to put everything on the shelves!

PS-He is totally cheesing here, he HAD to be in the pictures

 We are planning on removing the dresser to the left and changing table (they make getting into the bathroom difficult to say the least)...anyone want/need them...first to come get them can have them!

The dresser in the back is a new purchase and fits clothes for both boys and serves as a changing table too!

      As far as the boys' room goes, there are still a few things I would love to do...shelves for one, and pictures of this sweet boy in my belly, two; but I guess I'll have to wait on the second one!  

      The next several pictures aren't before and afters, but just show what we've been up to!

This is what happens when you try to repeat a picture two years later...such a mess:

Two years ago:

This picture isn't really great, but my belly cracks me up in this picture!  No wonder I can't ever breathe!

This is from my shower at work-it was pretty much AWESOME!

 One of my co-workers made this cake...isn't it precious!  And, it's a shame you can't taste it...YUMMO!

 This picture does our reality no justice.  The green thing in the bottom left corner is a pack-n-play standing upright.  After our two showers, mainly my school shower, the amount of diapers is just as tall. In front of the diapers are all the wipes we were given.  I think we're set for a little while, and we are quite blessed-Thank you sweet co-workers...you AMAZE me!

Oh, and PS - the small blue area you see in the bottom right?  YEP, my belly!!!

AND...

because he's so darn cute!

Our Life Lately

So a little bit of what goes on at our house any given afternoon or night!  We're loving life!

Playing with my Daddy:

Singing & Dancing with Mommy:

*I must give credit where credit is due...Emrick learned this song, and these moves at school!  He absolutely loves school, and he comes home all the time with new stuff they have taught him!

A Friend's Passion

     Last fall, Jonathan and I started hanging out with a couple of college kids (Heather and Michael) that have quickly become some of our favorite people.  In many ways they remind us of ourselves, and for some reason, they don't mind hanging out with us from time to time.  Heather even watches Emrick for me, as I'm sure that Michael would too if I were in a bind (only Heather might have to come change the poopy diapers for him-but he's a college kid, and I'm not sure many college boys have or would be willing to change a dirty diaper, so we'll let him slide)-but I digress!
     We admire their passion for ministry (both of them have it), and its exciting to see them ready to move toward whatever mission God has for each them.  One of Heather's first conversations with me was about her passion to help bring awareness to the sex trafficking and sexual exploitation industry in the United States.  She made the point that while most people aren't terribly surprised that this industry exists in other countries, few know or at least want to admit that it is in America.  It exist in your neighborhood.  We've talked here and there about it since that conversation.  I know that her desire is to start a group of interested individuals that would help her bring awareness to the issue.  So, when she recently handed me a book called Renting Lacy by Linda Smith, and asked me to read it.  I wasn't surprised, and I knew it would mean alot to her if I actually read it.  I am not a big reader for those of you that don't know...or a reader at all.  I mean my goal for this year was to finish three books!  That's it - 3!  I told her I would.  Little did I know that this would be the first book of the year that I finished.
     It's hard to describe this book.  I can't say it's a good book...it's terribly heart-breaking, and uses terrible language from time to time.  I can't say its not a good book, I couldn't stop reading it (and again, for a non-reader like myself that's huge).  But, its real.  It uses the language and the scenes that actually exist in the world that these girls live in.  It is incredibly insightful, and humbling.  There are times that it will make you sad, and others that will make you insanely angry.  Would I recommend it?  Yes, but be forewarned...it's graphic (to use Heather's words)!  Then as it says at the end of the book, tell someone else to read it too!  If you ever want to talk about it, I'm willing, and I'm sure Heather would be too!

I Told You!

I told you we missed that face!  Here's a cute video, but first a few disclaimers:
*the video does this moment NOOOO... justice
*pay close attention to Emrick's face...that smile didn't leave (expect when I tried to hold him while Jonathan got his luggage...he was stuck to his daddy)
*you can't hear it, but as soon as Jonathan lifted Emrick up, he said, "my daddy," and I can hear it replay in my head over and over...absolutely the sweetest words I've heard him say!
*after the video, we were walking toward baggage, and Emrick kept saying, "mama, mama" and tapping Jonathan...it was almost like he was trying to say, "Mama, look, look, its daddy...I found him, its daddy!"

Oh, my gosh, how I love these two (and a half) boys.  They make me smile!

Missing This Face...

The daddy face that is....

We are missing our daddy for sure, but know that he is doing some awesome work in Nicaragua this week!  He brings so much to our family, so we know that he is bringing so much to his team, and the people they will serve this week.  Please join us in praying for their team, the people in Nicaragua that they are ministering to, and the families (there are lots of teens and pre-teens missing their moms and/or dads this week) that are waiting patiently for them to return.  We are so proud to call this face...daddy!

And this one, too...



Her birthday was today...I won't tell you how old, but we should celebrate her greatness anyway!  We love and miss you Mimi!

Oh, and this one....

Her birthday is tomorrow!  We love and miss you Grammy Sue...Happiest to you!

One Blue Cake!

We were seeing blue this afternoon at our "What will it 'BEE'?" shower!  Looks like Emrick will be having a little brother join him in July!  We had such a fun, sweet time finding out with some of our friends and family!  We missed you if you couldn't join us, but enjoy this video of the reveal, and several other photos too!!!

The bakery did a great job!

My two amazing hosts and I (and yes, we all matched the theme)!  They really thought of everything!

Cake Table

My Mom and I

Favors

Snack Table

Such a fun time!  Thanks to everyone that came and made it special...and thanks to Libby and Carrie for putting so much thought into the day for us!  Now, onto figuring out a name for this precious little boy!