Our Wedding!

I finished up and ordered our wedding photo book today! Special thanks to our incredible photographers Heather, Sarah, and Becca! I've linked their websites to their names, check them out!

I'm glad to cross "wedding photo album" off my list before the baby is born. It got done! Sweet!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Are you planning a wedding? Consider adding an Amazon registry, especially for those out of town guests!

preggo dreams

I just woke up to a dream worth sharing...
I was at my parents house, dad was in the living room as I ran around trying to find clothes to wear to church. I passed by the side-yard window and froze! I saw a platypus in the side yard right outside the window--and it was HUGE!

I quickly and quietly got my dad's attention as we watched this strange animal move every which way and look back at us, concerned. And then to our amazement, out came a baby platypus! No joke! Right in front of us!

I ran outside with my sister, Natalie in tow. She had a camera, that for some reason she didn't know how to operate. We wanted to take a picture with this cute brown fuzzy baby! Thankfully, our friends Julie and Sara came outside and actually had a camera they knew how to use and snapped a few shots.

We were all super pumped!--but we still had to get ready for church. As I finished getting ready, however, I started showing signs of labor. Yes, that's right. I guess all I needed was a little inspiration from the platypus. I then changed my church-clothing frenzy to labor-clothing and shared the news with my family. Wow.
Now to find a platypus in real life to watch give birth, so our baby will come!

... I should mention that --upon waking up-- I knew immediately that the animal in my dream was definitely NOT a platypus. It's face was completely different. The animal in my dream was a beaver -- so I guess that gives me a far greater chance to actually seeing one in the next couple of weeks! Beavers...way cuter!

And now, on to my day! Finish up my apple cinnamon cereal and head out to work!

swollen feet and aching back

I passed the 38 week mark on Tuesday...I'm feeling rather uncomft. It's a word I invented because it took less time to get out. Uncomft. I guess triple digit weather and pregnancy aren't really designed for each other. Come soon little one.

In preparation

Josh and I have sorted through quite a few random boxes over the past few days as we transition the spare room into the "baby room" AND, I should mention, the birthing room! Yep, that's right, we're planning on a home birth! We had our full home-visit today with Joy, Misty and Debbie along with our mommies.  It is surreal to think that we will soon be gathering again--laboring through the arrival of our little one. Josh and I have been praying that everything will work out to have our baby at home. So far, so good. We are not opposed to the hospital or those that choose to birth there, but we are very excited about the opportunity to have our baby at home. Yes, there are uncertainties, but we are at peace that we will start at home and know that whatever happens, we will make choices that are best for our family. 

I have never had a baby, and don't pretend to have things figured out, but I'm willing to do my very best with the support of my family, midwifery professionals, and our Savior. We've prepared our best, and that's all we can do. It was so fun today to gather in our living room and casually chat about life, and, of course, labor. We can't wait to meet our baby! I told the ladies, some days I think I may have to go out and buy bows after the baby is born, while other days I assume we'll have to schedule a circumcision! Whether a boy or girl, we will love this baby to the fullest!

After the meeting we were treated to dinner by Josh's parents, my parents in love, Jay and Jennifer. Our destination? Mazzio's Pizza! What a treat! They introduced their gluten-free pizza to our location this past week, and let's just say this outing wasn't our first of the week and won't be our last in the weeks to come. We enjoyed our time together, and concluded the outing with smooth custard from Andy's! 

Josh wrote the first post on his new blog today! I'm looking forward to reading his words and learning more about music, especially his style. I'm glad we're trying to blog/journal more often, it helps archive this life-changing time. 

I was flipping through Josh's phone and came across this ultrasound picture of our baby. All those little bones and muscles at 20 weeks formed. We can't wait to meet you on the outside little one!

SELAH

Josh and I had a great time at SELAH on Wednesday night with our Grace Hills family! It was such an encouragement to worship alongside students. Neil surprised Josh with his new electric guitar just in time to get tuned up and play around a bit before we got started! Josh was elated! He's been waiting for this pretty instrument to come in since February. We concluded they were growing the tree, but it was worth the wait for quality!

It was a very special night--Josh's leadership through music and exhortation spoke so strongly to our hearts. It was so fun to sing alongside him! We got to mix and mingle with the students for a prayer time while Josh played some music on his phone so that we could bridge the gap between "stage" and "congregation". We're all the church!

Phil spoke on endurance and used examples from his personal testimony, a special father and son, and our savior Jesus. My mind jotted down as many notes as it could as I look forward to some serious endurance in the next month or so and beyond.

Last night we had rehearsal at CCF for Sunday morning's worship service. Josh is filling in a few times this summer while they are looking for a new worship leader.

Afterward we got to hang out with some great friends and newly weds, Matt and Johanna! Their new home is getting all set up as they've been settling in during the past week. We swapped fun stories and prayers for the decisions and turning points ahead.

You hold me now

Come Lord Jesus Come

Looking back and forward

Here's a little pic Josh and I found on my phone...Let's just say we laughed hysterically--Josh commented on how small I was then :)  2nd trimester, March 23rd when I was 20 weeks and 3 days along. This was taken when we lived in Gravette, out in the woods. In our house...obviously...out in the woods :)  We're thankful to be living in Rogers now--in town--with just enough room for our forming family of three. I'm now in the 3rd trimester--36 weeks and 1 day! Whew! We're in the countdown mode now. Here's to hoping I'll be close to around my due date rather than afterward. Current food favorites: fruits, veggies and ICECREAM! (...although not mixed together, mind you--I'm not that crazy...yet!)

Shout out to Joshua--he's been SO patient with me and very loving. You should know--he's really the BEST man--such a treasure!

We're now on the mission to clean and organize the baby room. Why is it so hard to get motivated? Maybe it's the clutter monster that has given me some sort of poison these days. I'm pretty sure that's it.

Tired today...hoping for a nap after Gymboree Play&Music before SELAH! Josh is leading worship tonight, and I'm on to sing! I know we are both looking forward to worshiping our LORD alongside students.