Blessed by Amazing Friends

This past week, Brandon and I were blessed with the presence of having our friends Josh, Sarah, and their newest addition, Jakub in our home all the way from the Czech Republic. They are missionaries and are here in the States on furlow. This was our first time to see Jakub in person. It was so fun to have a little one in our house for a few days. It is exciting to think of what it will be like when our little one arrives. Jakub was able to try out our highchair and pack-n-play, which was so fun! Jakub's smile is priceless. I am not sure that in 2 1/2 days that I even heard him cry. Thank you guys for coming to visit. It is always an encouragement to have you all around. May God continue to bless your work in the Czech Republic! We love you all!!!




Just look at that happy baby!



Wow! That is a lot of boys! In a few months, there will be one more!



I am so blessed to have such great Christian sisters!

September 25, 2010: Randi's Work Shower

I am so blessed to work with an amazing group of women. A few Saturday's ago, Nikki, welcomed us into her home to celebrate Carson's upcoming birth. She is the ultimate hostess and had made an amazing brunch. Thanks for making this time so special!




29 weeks pregnant







Let the games begin. The girls tried to guess how many squares of toilet paper it would take to go around my belly. Nikki helped with the measuring, but it was Erin who was the winner with a guess of 9 and a half!



Erin graciously passed on a favorite book that she read to her son on many occasions! I can't wait to read it with baby Carson!

Doctor's Appointment

Yesterday, I had my glucose testing for gestational diabetes. Thankfully, the test was not near as bad as some had told me. Maybe it is because I love sweet stuff. Anyway, the doctor said that the baby is weighing around 3 lbs and is measuring perfectly. I will go back in about 4 weeks for my next appointment. After that appointment, I will be going more frequently. Unfortunately, no more sonograms unless medically necessary. So...I guess we don't want to have any more sonograms!

On Wednesday after receiving sad news that a family friend had passed away, I was driving home and observed this....












I think it was the first time that I had ever truly seen a double rainbow, and it extended from one side of the sky to the other. I wasn't the only person pulled over to take a picture, but unfortunately my pictures don't do it justice. I was quickly reminded of God's promises! I am so thankful that I have a living and active God who knows just what we need when we need it!

28 Weeks

Everyone told me that time would fly by after finding out the gender, and they were right. I am officially in my 3rd trimester. I have continued to feel great. I have had some back pain and swolen feet, but other than that no complaints. Baby Carson has been moving around like crazy! I sometimes think he must be having a little party inside of my belly. I absolutely love each movement and thank God daily for allowing me to carry this little one. It is amazing how much you can love someone that you haven't even met yet! I know that the next weeks are going to pass quickly as the baby showers begin next weekend, birthing classes, doctor's appointments, and basketball gets started. I am trying to treasure each day with my husband. I know that the days of just the two of us are coming to an end. We look forward to what the future holds. I am glad that we are in this together. Love you, Bran!!

Chicago 2010

As Brandon mentioned earlier, last weekend we were blessed with the opportunity to go to Chicago with Brandon's parents. This was officially our last trip before the baby comes! We had the best time seeing the tourist attractions, hanging out with friends, eating, going to the White Sox game, spending time with family, and going to the RACE! Here are some pictures of our fun adventure!

DAY 1:


Pop and Brandon



"You sure you both are ready for this?"



Brandon and Pop looking real "cool" at the expo before the big race!









Pop, Mimi, Brandon, and RL at Navy Pier. The weather was great!!!!



Grandy, this is for you! I think it is kind of crazy that this boat is named the Anita Dee. Isn't it also kind of random that her name comes first???



Our fabulous tour guides and amazing friends, soon to be Mr. and Dr. Marquie. Yep, they've been married for two years, but the Dr. thing is new. Way to go, Kelly!!!




Kelly and RL: "You sure you guys don't want to move to Texas?"



"Is that a Kraft macaroni and cheese noodle?" Man, we love Kraft! (especially that Jello, Craig) We have been buying out the stores in the south!



We love to eat! We had the best time "bartering" food for the fondue!

Day 2:


Mr. Geddie, this is for you! We felt no guilt eating this Chicago pizza until we were all stuffed!




Take me out to the ballgame...the White Sox game that is! Sorry, Craig! Maybe they will win next time! Happy belated, belated birthday!

Day 3:


Have you ever left two hours before a big event, only to be stuck in crazy early morning traffic, crammed in a public bus with with not even standing room available, then struck by a truck that takes off the rearview mirror, then had to pull over because not safe to drive, then transfer to another bus, then arrive but only within a mile of your destination?? Well...let's just say that was our morning of the BIG RACE!




Mile 1: You guys look great! Keep it up, Pop and Daddy!




Mile 4: Wow, you both still look great! I can't believe you are doing this!!



YOU DID IT!!!!! Daddy and Pop, we are soooooooo proud of you both!!!!!!!!

Running for our future!!! :)

I wanted to take a minute to report as Dad on our past weekend. I am sure Mommy will post more on it later, but I figured everyone really wanted to hear from me...(probably not, but I am posting anyway!!)

This past weekend Carson's Daddy and Pop (my dad), ran in the Chicago Half Marathon. We had been training since June and had run quite a few miles together preparing for the event. Along the way we both had some struggles in our training with vacations and injuries, but when it was all said and done we both finished and had some great memories together. We ended up with an official time of around 2 hrs and 27 min (We had a little misshap at the last water station or we would have come in a little faster!!!). All said, we averaged about 11 min per mile which actually wasn't that bad for someone as out of shape as me! It was a great experience to be able to accomplish something so significant with your father, and I am sure we will both never forget it. God has created fathers for such a significant purpose in the lives of their children and this weekend reminded me of how the best fathers will do anything for their children, just like God has done for us.

Carson, I hope that someday we will be able to experience something like this together and that you will be able to learn how to be a great father from the examples of your Pop and your Dad!

Here are a few pics from the run...

Carson's Room

This past weekend, Brandon and I worked on Carson's room. Thanks to Brandon's mom, Mimi, coming to help, we were able to get all the paint on the walls and get all of the boards sanded and distressed. A friend of ours graciously came and helped make sure that the boards on the wall were secured. Here is our progress so far...




My gracious grandmother, Nannie, gave us a vintage rocking chair that has been in her house since I was a little girl. We had the comfy chair recovered. Yeah, I know it doesn't look too boyish, but you know a little boy can't have a rocking chair in his room forever! It will eventually be put somewhere else in the house.


"The Before"

"The After"


















In addition to the previous accomplishments, Brandon almost completed re-doing our bargain, $20.00 chest, hung a fan, and graciously helped find a "black" crib. So that is it for now...more pictures to come!

Oh, How Time Flies By!

I thought that I might do a better job of keeping everyone updated, but it hasn't happened! Sorry:( I am now 25 weeks along, and here are some updates of what has been going on the past 4 weeks...



Here I am at 24 weeks! Yes, the belly has grown! Last Thursday, we had our routine doctor's appointment and everything was great. The baby's heart beat continued to beat strong at over 140 bpm. My next appointment will be my glucose testing in approximately 3 1/2 weeks. At that time, I will also pre-register with the hospital. Yikes! The past four weeks have been great. I have felt really good and thoroughly enjoyed each kick. I am still amazed that God has allowed this little one to grow inside me! What a Creator!



A few weekends ago, Brandon graciously drove me and a co-worker to Arkansas so that we could attend a conference on feeding. Brandon and I were able to stay with Brandon's first college roommate, his wife, and his two kids. We love every opportunity we get to see them. Somehow, we missed out on pictures with the kids this time. They showered us with gifts, including this adorable bag and burpcloths with the baby's initials. We love them! Thank you guys!







After completing the conference, Brandon and I were able to "enjoy" one night in Hot Springs to break up the drive home and enjoy our last minutes before school officially started. I have to say that Hot Springs was not what I remembered it to look like in some areas, but this place, the Sun Bay Resort, hasn't changed. So...mom, dad, and J, this picture is for you! Hot Springs was miserably "HOT" and humid. I have to say that out of my days of pregnancy that was by far the most difficult day!


Shortly after finding out the gender of our little one, we decided to go ahead and tell our families the name we had chosen. I can't tell you how much more real it makes it when you know the sex and have a name! Anyway, we have had our boy's name for about 6 years. So...for those of you...we haven't had the opportunity to tell...his name is CARSON REED!

To Our Little Man:
Carson, as the days get closer, I can't even tell you how much your
mom and dad, can't wait to meet you! We pray for you daily, and look forward to having you in our lives. We started working on your room this weekend, but more importantly, we are using this time to soak up all the advice from those that we have seen raise their boys to become strong Christian leaders. Our prayer for you is in Philippians 1:9-11..."that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." We love you! Mom and Dad

Snips and Snails, and Puppy Dog's Tails

That's what little boys are made of!

On Thursday, Brandon and I were privileged to see our little one! It seemed like forever since our last sonogram! After much anticipation, we were asked if we had any guesses on the baby's gender. Before we could really respond, "B-O-Y" was typed in the computer and placed on the screen! After celebrating and thanking God for the news of a healthy baby boy, we called our families to share the news. Needless to say, they are excited...



My dad creatively decorated the sign in the front of his store to announce his news to the town. Hopefully, there won't be any wrecks on the main street trying to read the message!



The rest of the crew added to the celebration, but it took dad taking me to the sign to notice their creativity despite walking by the room several times. I would say that it was a pregnant moment, but my lovely husband also did not notice the lights, balloons, and decor! Thanks Mom, Dad, Kelli, and Tyler!

"Life's About Changes..."

"Nothing ever stays the same."

This week I have been reminded of this song from when I was younger as we said "good-bye" to our sweet Bella. At 3:00 a.m. this past Monday, Bella took her last breath. It was a rough last 24 hours for the little one, so we were thankful that God answered our prayers. For those of you who know me well, you know that I am not a huge dog person, but I loved my golden retriever (most days). Looking back over the past 6 1/2 years, these are the things that I loved about our Bella...

1. She loved you no matter what!
2. She was always waiting for you to come home!
3. She always listened and rarely "spoke".
4. She always wanted to be with you.
5. She provided a sense of protection.
6. She loved the simple things in life.



As I look back on this list, I am thankful that I have Someone who exhibits all of these characteristics yet He is always constant. He never changes! Yes, life is about changes, but I have a Heavenly Father who always loves, listens, protects, and desires to do one thing. He desires to have a relationship with me.