Happy Anniversary, Baby!!!

Today is Ryan and my 5th anniversary!!!! I can't believe it has already been 5 years. Time has flown. It has been the best 5 years of my life. Even in the hard times when he was thousands of miles away, I knew it was temporary & he would be coming home. To see his love of country and love for me is amazing. He is such an amazing man. I could go on and on how great of a husband he is, but I would never be able to do him justice. So, I'll ask you to trust me. He's the best husband on the planet! I thank God that he chose me to be his wife & the mother of his child.

Over the course of our relationship I have seen God's hand. Of course His hand was obvious at our wedding. There is no way our wedding could have come off how it did without God's hand in it. After Ryan returned from Bahrain, we moved to Texas. That wasn't our 1st choice in places to move, but we went. We had faith that it was a door being opened for a reason. Looking back, it has God's fingerprints all over it. We have grown so much as a couple since we have been here. Sure, it's been hard being away from family, but it made us look to each other instead of other people. That was probably more how I grew than Ryan. It has made me turn to Ryan with our struggles (financially, or however) instead of turning to my parents. No offense to my parents! Ryan and I still turn to them for advice if we are stuck and don't know what to do. But now I turn to Ryan first.

The two times that Ryan was overseas I saw God more clearly than I ever have...especially this last time. I have never seen Him with such clear eyes before. He truly lifted me when I was down. He kept me strong in a city with no blood family. He gave me awesome Christian friends to be my family. And, he made Ryan and my relationship stronger through the struggles.

But most recently a friend showed me how God has worked. It is a small yet big way that I had not seen. One of our cars broke down several weeks ago. The transmission needs to be replaced! Ouch! That hurts the pocketbook! But, by the end of the same day that the car broke down, we found the money to pay for the transmission. We knew it would take a few weeks before we could start the process of getting it fixed, but at least we would be able to fix it. We fully believe that God provided that money. More than providing the money, He has made it to where Ryan has been in town when he was scheduled to be out of town. Over 10 weeks beginning at the end of August-beginning of October, Ryan was scheduled to be out of town 7 weeks. We were NOT looking forward to that! Now that we only have one car & the doctor doesn't want me out and about much Ryan has had to stay home. We've enjoyed the time together--the car rides to work and home. It has been nice. I was worried that we wouldn't get much time together as a couple before the little bambino arrives, but God has provided that time for us. AND...Ryan was supposed to be out of town today on our 5th anniversary! He is working today, but he will be home tonight. Our last anniversary as only a couple and he will be home. THANK YOU!!! We have spent enough anniversaries, birthdays, etc. apart. I'm glad that He allowed us to have this one together.

"God, you have provided me with a man who I can be so proud to call my husband, a man that my daughter can be proud to call him dad. Thank you. Thank you for being active in our marriage and in our lives. There are times that You could have left us alone & not made us stronger but You chose to strengthen us--whether by struggles or high times. You have never left our side. Thank you for being an active God who is willing to be in our lives...not just when we call but all the time. You are there even when we don't think to call out for you. You have made our marriage so much more than I could have ever asked or imagined. You have given me a partner in life who is more than I ever dreamed. May we always remember to look to you daily in our personal lives and together in our marriage. Through Christ we pray, Amen."

Baby, thank you for making the last 5 years the best of my life. I look forward to the rest of our lives together.

LOVE YOU!!!!

Today's doctor's appointment

Today's appointment didn't go so well. I've had a headache since Monday afternoon & I found out the possible reason today...high blood-pressure. It wasn't drastic, but for me it was high. The doctor has requested that I go back for a check-up on Friday. He has also told me to stay home from work for the rest of the week. So, it wasn't my most fun appointment, but I guess it could have gone worse. My blood-pressure did go down a little while I was there, so I didn't have to be monitored at the hospital. There were blessings in the day.

Please keep us in your prayers over the next few days. I have 4 1/2 weeks until my due date. I know she would most likely be ok if they needed to induce, but I really would like for her to wait until she is supposed to be here. Please pray for her safety as well as mine.

Love to you all.

Lazy day

I woke up this morning not feeling well AT ALL! I'm not really sure why. Yes, I know what hurts, but I have no idea why it is hurting. I feel like I've pulled a muscle at the top of my leg or something. And the little one has found a spot really close to it to punch! At times this morning, she has had me doubled over. I wasn't really in constant pain, it just didn't allow her to punch that spot. Anyway, those problems plus several fairly strong contractions has kept me on the couch today. I was up really early and dying to go to church, but my body said no today. So, I've played it smart and kept my behind on the couch. Maybe I did too much yesterday. Who knows.

I've been watching the Travel Channel all day. They have had pretty decent episodes on. Some of them are just interesting places, but most of them have been places I would love to go one day. While I was watching one of the shows, a commercial came on for Expedia. You can enter their contest to win a $50,000 dream vacation. I asked Ryan, "What in the world would you do on a vacation that costs $50,000?!" I have to say, my mind can't even completely wrap around that idea. I'm sure if I thought long and hard about it I could come up with something. But that is a TON of money to spend on a vacation!! Anyway, it was fun to try to figure out. It gave me something to do while I'm parked on the couch.

That's my Sunday. Not very exciting, but relaxing and...probably what the doctor would have rathered me do all weekend than what I did. Ah...one of these days I'll learn...

Sam...our current baby

Sam is obviously use to being our baby!!

I'm not really sure he's going to be ready...

to go from being the kid to being the dog!

The pictures were too cute to not post!

Wow!!

"Week 33: You have 43 days until Sunday, October 29, 2006."

That is what was emailed in a weekly email to me today! Wow!!!! I remember when it first started emailing me. It was 100 and something days! Time has really flown during this pregnancy. I can't believe it is almost here. I am totally excited and totally scared at the same time. I can't wait to hold her in my arms & see her beautiful face. I am also terrified of being responsible for another human being! The little person who sits on my shoulder ;-) is saying, "What in the world were you thinking?!" Then the person on the other shoulder says, "You'll love her & you'll pray for her daily. God will make her who He needs her to be." I have to tell you. That is comforting knowing that HE is in more control than I am. I admit, I've always been a control freak. But this is one control I will GLADLY give to Him! I will do my best & I will pray. But I am thankful that Ryan and I don't have to go this alone. How overwhelming it must be to those who don't have God in their life! I can't imagine...

43 days...I am ready.

Daycares...

Today Ryan and I went to see several daycares in the area today. I have come to the conclusion that I will not be satisfied with any! None of them are me. No matter how nice or how crummy, I will be leaving her with someone else. I haven't even met her yet & I already have problems with it. It is just hard to know that there will be days that she will see more of them than me. I would appreciate prayers from you during this process. I just pray that God will lead us to the right people for her--a place with Godly people & a place that we can afford.

Gma, Lesli, & Mom at baby shower 

Gma, Lesli, & Mom at baby shower 

Time in Paducah

We have had a great time in Paducah, but we head out in the morning. I am so thankful for every moment that we have had here. Friday night my family gave us a baby shower. The gifts were so cute! You can see pics of the shower on our website. It was so great to be able to spend time with the family that I don't normally get to see.

On Saturday morning we hung out with Mom & Dad. We did NOTHING! Mom and I hung out in the living room chatting & working on the website. The boys took an old couch of Nathan's off & went to Hanks. It was GREAT! That evening we headed over to Rita & Steve's. We spent the evening there visiting with them and Chris & Laura.

Sunday we headed to Lone Oak church, lunch with my family (relatives & church family), and back with his family for the rest of the day. It was a good day...minus the fact that my allergies were in full force!

Today Ryan spent the morning with his family while I chilled. They went to the parade (which is not on the "allowed" list from my doctor). I really wanted to be able to hang out with them this morning, but standing during a parade is not something that I am allowed to do. Anyway, Ryan had a great time. I got a chance to say good-bye to them a little later.

For the rest of the day we hung out with Mom, Dad, & Nathan. We napped, watched TV, sat out back talking & ate GREAT food!!

We really dread getting up in the morning and heading back to TX. We always hate leaving family. But, ya go where the money is, right?! Ha! That's where our jobs are, so that's where we call home.

I have tried my best this weekend to follow doctor's orders. I can't think of a time when I didn't. I have felt pretty good. The contractions are still coming, but they are FAR apart, so there are no worries. I'm hoping as long as I keep following my orders, all will be good.

For those that we were able to see, we love you & are so thankful for the time we had. For those we missed, we wish we could have seen you. For those in TX, we'll see you soon!

Love to everyone.