Happy Birthday, Jeremy!

Today is Jeremy's birthday. I love celebrating his birthday each year and trying to think of creative and fun ideas to make it special. This year for his birthday lunch we are having the local youth ministers he meets with monthly to our house for lunch. I am making one of his favorites, homemade fettuccine alfredo. While I didn't buy Jeremy a gift (I might have splurged at Christmas) I still wanted him to know how much I love him! Since his love language is words of affirmation here goes:

This weekend we went to our church's volunteer retreat at Lamoine Christian Camp. Every year I love going back and enjoying the memories this place holds. This year Jeremy told Grace that this is where Mommy and I "fell" in love. How fun! That was such a fun summer. I still remember thinking, "Would I really still want this guy around when I'm like 40?" And I realized the answer was yes! And the good news is the answer is still-YES! On Friday night Jeremy was facilitating team building activities. I love watching him do this because it is something he is passionate about and amazing at. Its wonderful to sit back and admire my husband as he works. I still am so thankful he is my husband. He still makes me catch my breath and feel so in love. Happy Birthday!

Fun "Firsts" for Faith

Grace wasn't sure about the strap around her neck!

Faith proudly models her new swimsuit.

Sampling her cookie dough.

Faith & Grace work together.

Faith shows off her pink painted toes!

Well, I have to admit I haven't always done the best at recording Faith's "firsts." Although I have blogged as much as possible, so I count that. Lately we have done some activities for the first time. On Thursday night we went to the YMCA to take the girls swimming for our family night. They had a great time. It was really fun. Above they are modeling their new swimsuits they got from Gramy for Christmas. I thought they looked SO adorable. 

We also made cookies for our Super Bowl party. It was the first time I have let Faith truly help with cooking. She has "helped" with her own bowls and spoons before but this time she actually got in on the dumping and pouring action. She did great! At the end I let her and Grace lick there spoons a a reward for a job well done. The next day I went to bake the cookies and she wanted to climb up on the step stool and check out what I was doing. I was putting a second set in the oven when I heard Grace say, "We lost some cookies." I was so confused! Then I saw Faith had reached over and managed to grab the cooling rack. Six jumbo cookies were now on the floor. Faith was screeching, she was mad she didn't get ahold of one before they fell on the floor. I couldn't really get mad though because I decided it was probably too much temptation to put freshly baked cookies within the reach of a one year old!

We also painted Faith's toes for the first time. When I was painting Grace's toes recently she expressed interest in having hers painted as well. She held really still and was so excited! It was great to include her in the fun.

I'm pregnant!

Well, it is Super Bowl Sunday. I am watching a little HGTV and trying to relax. While I won't post this blog entry for awhile I wanted to blog so I didn't forget how I feel today. All weekend I had started to suspicion that I might be pregnant. I wasn't super late I just had a "feeling." I felt car sick on the way to our weekend retreat, I cried in church, I have felt tired. Nothing big. Honestly I thought I might just be convincing myself since I am SO familiar with pregnancy symptoms. But the inner debate was starting to consume my thoughts. So when I came home from church I took a left over pregnancy test from when I redid the test with Faith several times. :) And it confirmed that I am pregnant! Even though I've done this before I had to break out my pregnancy book to try and calculate my due date. I looks like Baby #3 will arrive right around Faith's 2nd birthday. The book calculates my due date as October 7th.

Now I am dying to tell someone. But I am not going to tell Jeremy right now since he is at the church preparing for our youth Super Bowl party. Tomorrow is his birthday so I am going to make him a card. I took a picture of me with the positive test since he isn't here to see it in person. I know he will think it is a wonderful birthday present. Kind of ironic to me since I first seriously suspicioned my pregnancy with Grace on Father's day. 

I am excited and nervous all at the same time. So many moms have been telling me how hard the transition from two to three is. But, I find comfort in knowing how many people said two so close together would  be a challenge and I have survived! I am thankful God has blessed us with another member to our family. A baby is the most incredible blessing. 

Baby,

I already love you. I am praying God will protect you as he knits you together. Already you have a family who loves you and will eagerly anticipate your birth. You are loved. I pray even now God will plant the beginnings of a heart that longs to know Him. 

Your Mama