Happy Birthday Kelly!!

Aspen had the best time "accessorizing" with Daddy!

Kel-
I cannot imagine me without you.

I love you more than I could ever put into words.

Happy Birthday honey!!

xoxoxoxo,
Monster

Here I am...kinda...

I'm still alive...kinda. :)

This pregnancy has been difficult. I'm not gonna lie. I had a very good pregnancy with Aspen. My normal health issues seemed to melt away, and my body seemed to relish the feel-good-preggo hormones. This time I was expecting the same...but it has not been so. I've felt like crap for the most part, to put it mildly. lol

The nausea has been extreme, and the achiness has taken more of a toll than I like to think about. My right hip has decided to send a shooting pain up and down my body most of the day and all of the night. The nausea has been way better lately since the Dr. gave me some meds to help with it. So I've been MIA for a bit. My job has been pregnancy and taking care of my other sweet busy baby. Kelly has been an angel. He has never complained, picked up more than his share, and encouraged and comforted me. He's simply amazing. My parents have helped with more than I ever could have expected them too. A few special friends have continued to support me and pray for me and contact me even though I'm not able to return the favor a whole lot lately. That means so much.

This last year has admittedly been the hardest year Kelly and I have had in our marriage so far...NOT that our marriage was the issue at all, just the external circumstances that we endured this last year have definitely made it the most trying so far. Without too many details...financial disaster, cancer, feeling betrayed by someone close, loss of possesions, secondary infertility, severe hardships endured by extended family....just to name a few. We know this last year was God-ordained and God-orchestrated. He has brought us to Him through these trials in ways we didn't anticipate or know we needed. We were forced to recognize what exactly was important, and what wasn't. Once again, faithful friends and family members were brought out of the woodwork, supporting us even when we didn't deserve it and couldn't offer much in return. The most wonderful blessing of all...a baby. A totally longed for but unexpected pregnancy. I have no words to describe it except divinely precious.

Kelly and I were able to get a quick getaway to the coast for our 11th anniversary. Aspen had the time of her life with her Aunts in Salem while were gone. We knew the trip would not consist of a lot, since I am low in energy, but we enjoyed our room on the beach leaving the windows wide open the entire time so we could hear the roar of the ocean and feel the cool sea breeze. It was much needed and neither of us wanted to leave! lol

Just wanted to share a few pics...I am 17 weeks in these photos. I am huge. People are already asking if I am getting close (I'm not even half way!) and one lady questioned if I was having twins. Oh well. I do looooooooooooove that I am pregnant! And we love, love, love this little baby more than we can imagine. It's all worth it :)

Sweet girl asleep in the car on the way over. I love this so much. Kelly said I was sleeping the same way...I have a feeling it wasn't so cute on me.

Guard your heart...

"Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. "
Proverbs 4:23

Happy Birthday Dad!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I'm avoiding the blog-world lately, BUT I had to post a heartfelt Happy Birthday to the best dad ever.

This year has been a rough one for our family, for my dad in particular...his wife went through breast cancer, and he unfairly lost his job.

He has drawn on his faith and kept his head high amidst hurt, uncertainty, and complications. I am proud to have him as a father, and respect him so much. He is the best Grandpa and the best daddy. I am very, very blessed.

Happy birthday dad! Thank you for everything you do.

LOVE you!

In the bath...

Aspen: Mommy, there is a BIG bubble! Ow!

Me: What? Where did the bubble come from?

Aspen: From my bottom. There are lots of them.





Nice.

I am NOT...

my weight,

my facebook friends,

my shoes,

my bank account,

my church,

my emotions,

my jean size,

my fertility,

my vehicle,

my wit,

my neighborhood,

my education,

my health issues,

my friends,

my hair color,

my blog comments,

my credit score,

my home decor,

my text messages,

my job,

my family,

my talents,

my failures,



In fact I am not even my own...





Lord-

It's not because of who I am,

but because what of you've done.

It's not because of what I've done

But because of who you are.



And you told me who I am.

I am yours.



I am yours.







(song excerpt Casting Crowns)

Prayers for Mom: last surgery tomorrow!

Tomorrow is my Mom's last surgery in her treatment following a breast cancer diagnosis in early April 2009. She is now cancer free, and after tomorrow, she will be done with treatment for good!


Her surgery will most likely be around 7:30 am in Bend, and we would appreciate your prayers... specifically for the doctors wisdom and care, and for a complication free procedure and recovery.

Prayers for my dad and his career direction would be appreciated as well.

Thank you friends!




Aren't they cute :)
They've been married 35 years, and despite this year being a particularly rough one, they are still in love with each other, and in love with their God.

Video of Aunt Laura and Aunt Jennie finding out about baby #2

This a week and a half ago.

Aspen came out from her nap with a shirt on that said "big sister." (see post below) Laura picked her up and said kinda sarcastically "Big sister?! You're not a big sister." Then my mom said "What did you say Laura?" The filming begins right after that.

It gets a bit shaky near the end because the camera man (proud daddy) gets a little emotional. :)

Just in case you haven't heard our great news...

Tickled pink...A shower to remember...Moriah and Summer

I have been looking forward to attending Summer's baby shower for years. It was even more of a privilege to be able to throw her a shower along with friends Cathy and Mya.

The theme was all things feminine with a rich appreciation for pink, just like Summer, just like a sweet new baby girl.

Our hope was that Summer would feel celebrated and reaffirmed that we are all so very excited and so very supportive about this new role in her life: motherhood. Summer looked incredibly beautiful and has that new "Mommy glow," and of course her daughter could not be ANY cuter or sweeter!

Encourgement abounded, tears flowed, and laughter roared throughout this very special shower.

We love you Summer and we love you little Miss Moriah! Mwah!






























"Not flesh of my flesh,
nor bone of my bone
but still miraculously my own
Never forget -not for a minute-
you weren't born under my heart
but in it."









This girl is just too cool for words. :)

We wanna get married again and go down the aisle with style!!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this!

Can't you totally see us going down the aisle this way?! Who wants to join us? :)





Oh, I sooooo want to do this...

And I still totally cried when the bride came in! How awesome was it that she danced too! :)

Our Fourth of July 2009

We had a packed day this year. We started out at the Pet Parade in Bend. This has become an annual thing for us, and this year was our third time attending. Aspen really loves it. We went with my mom and dad this time and met my sister Jenn and her hubby Ben there. It was nearly 100 degrees so we didn't make it this year to Drake park after the parade to enjoy the music and vendors. Oh well.

After the parade we headed home for a rest. In the evening, we headed to our good friend's house for dinner and play time. We rounded out the night by going out to the Redmond fairgrounds with our friends and enjoying the fireworks show there. It was a lot of fun and I can't believe we have lived here for 6 years and never knew this went on!! The atmosphere was great, people were doing there own fireworks all around, music was playing and people were tailgating and enjoying themselves. It had finally cooled off, so the evening was just perfect. The fireworks show was impressive, without being too short or too long. It's definitely something we would love to do again.




Little Miss Independent


My favorites


Flying Dog


Frying in the 100 degree heat


Experiencing the parade with Grandpa


I love her cute back and shoulders


Aunt Jennie, Uncle Benny and Aspen



Posing


Flag lined streets in Redmond, one of the flags is dedicated to my Grandfather.


Mid-day nap at home on the dog


Eli's shows off his skills under the close watch of Juneau


At the fairgrounds waiting for fireworks


Look at that one!


Shootin the breeze


I love this girl. She's such a great friend


Ooooh. Ahhhh. Pretty fireworks


Cutie patoot Nate


Um, there's a little something in your hair


God bless America


It's really past everyone's bedtime




Just for fun...here's Aspen and Kelly last July 4th.

Sweet little Moriah Lynn is here!!! *Added picture!*

After 4+ years of infertility, bff Summer and hubby Mike are finally parents to a beautiful little girl!!

Their birthmom went into labor this morning and Moriah Lynn was born by c-section shortly after.

I only spoke with Summer briefly, but she is over the moon in love with her daughter! Moriah is a little peanut at 6.9 lbs and she has blue eyes and curly hair! She is being very sweet and quiet (for now, lol!)

Congrats Summer and Mike, I cannot wait to meet her!!!

Dancing makes her happy

Another sooooooooo...

Has anyone else said today,

"cheese is for eating, not juggling."

Soooooooo...

Has anyone else cleaned peanut butter out of a 3 year old's belly button today?

New Aspenisms!

Before kicking a ball in the yard Aspen says,
"Watch this power daddy!"


Aspen hands me her crayons and paper and says, "Let's draw a sunshine and a wonderful day."


Aspen's prayer,
"Thank you for Mommy and Daddy and Cupcakes and Grammie and Grandpa."


After having her sleeves pushed up so she could wash her hands, Aspen asks "Daddy, will you pull my arms off?" (meaning, will you pull my sleeves down)


According to Aspen, if a man is wearing a cowboy hat his name is Cowboy.


Aspen declared that "the shower was too spicy." (too hot)


Spagetti--- Basketti

New Aspenisms

While reading her alphabet book, Daddy paused and said "And Aspen starts with an 'a'. And Daddy starts with a 'd'. And Mommy starts with a 'm'"!
Aspen thought for a minute and said "Yeah, and Lola starts with a '4'!

******

Last weekend we were getting ready to go out on the boat and Aspen came up to me and said "Big girls do not poop in the boat."

******

We passed an older couple holding hands while walking down the path. Aspen said hi to them. After they passed, she said "they're so cute!"

******

Refridgerator: Frigalater

Bubblegum: Gubblegum

Pancakes: Panpakes

There are moments...

that happen every now and then that I will relive over and over again in my mind. Yesterday Aspen was sitting in my lap. She leaned over and put her head on my shoulder and looked up at me with those big brown puppy dog eyes. Her sweet little voice whispered, "Mommy, you are my best friend."

sniff, sniff

My boyfriend's song & sweatshirt

There was a night not too long ago, where we went out for the evening with some friends. We were out of town at the coast and went to dinner and a concert and then did a little karaoke-ing. My boyfriend got up there and sang "Good morning beautiful," by Steve Holy. Part way through the song, he came over to our table and sang to me. A little cheesy? Perhaps. Totally soaked it up? I did.

After our fun night out, we went back to our rental house and some of us got in the hot tub. My boyfriend stayed upstairs in case my daughter woke up. Without meaning to, my friend and I stayed up chatting until 3 am. Oops.

Once we finally broke ourselves away from our continual conversation, I snuck in to my room and checked on my daughter, who was fast asleep with her arms behind her head. I realized I was freezing, and frantically looked around for my sweatshirt. It was too dark and the only sweatshirt I could find belonged to my boyfriend. I hurriedly put in on and jumped under the covers. Still cold, I put the hood up over my head and giggled at how silly I must look. Then I inhaled deeply. His sweatshirt smelled like him, his cologne, his deoderant, him. My heart flip-flopped a bit and I realized I was smiling. I was completely twitterpated with my boyfriend.
Twitterpated: to be completely enamoured with someone; the flighty, exciting feeling you get when you think about/see the object of your affection.

Funny how a love song and a sweatshirt had that effect on me in the middle of the night...but it did. My boyfriend had me downright twitterpated without even knowing it. I rolled over and looked at him, sleeping deeply with his arms behind his head. I snuggled next to him because he's my boyfriend...

...and I'm so glad he married me.

To Aspen, who changed everything... Happy Birthday

Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
Before you were an hour old I would die for you
This is the miracle of a mother's love
(-Maureen Hawkins)






The day your daddy saw the positive pregnancy test and shouted for me to come look was the day our whole world changed.

You see, we had a deep ache for a child, and God, in His unfathomable grace, gave us you.

Tears freely flow because I still can't believe we are celebrating the birthday of our big 3 year old. For years I never thought I'd have a child to celebrate birthdays with. And then there was you. Thank God there was you.

I had a pregnancy. I have a birth story. I got to experience the joy of nursing. I experienced the phenomenon of being more tired than I ever have been in my whole life, yet being so completely peaceful in my heart. I know what it's like to be a mommy, because of you.




Midnight moonlight
Shining through the curtain lace
Paints a perfect picture
On your perfect face
My sweet Aspen sleeping in my arms
You are the promise I knew God would keep
You are the gift that makes my world complete

And you'll never know how much I love you
But I'll keep telling you my whole life through
Now I believe in miracles
and you're the reason why
So dream on while I sing you
Aspen's lullaby
(-original by Reba McIntyre)

Baby girl, you will never understand how much your conception and existence has transformed everything we know about ourselves, about each other, about life in general and about the Lord Himself.

We would have waited 100 years for you.


Happy birthday sweetheart.