football season

This past Thursday, Lee and I had a date planned for the evening. We were just going to do the typical go out to dinner and hangout. That day though someone graciously offered some free tickets to the pre-season Bengal's game to the GFC staff. We decided, why not? Let's go! It's something we'd never do, probably never pay to do, and who knows when we'd have the opportunity again with a baby on the way. It was the first pro-football game either of us had ever been to. We had amazing seats. We got to see a lot of good plays up close, including a great touchdown pass, AND...the Bengal's won! I wouldn't say we are die hard football fans, but it was still a fun experience and one we'll remember as our last date before this baby arrives.

The funny thing about this picture is that we took it at halftime when the little pee wee football players were playing. Lee and Linda, who also went to the game.

Then last night we had the fun opportunity of taking some cute kiddos (including ours) to the first HS football home game of the season. Well, actually we just went for the halftime show to watch the band, but it was still a lot of fun and something intriguing for the kiddos. I guess there are a few perks of living close to a school. People are really kind to you too when you have 4 kids in tote and look/are 9 months pregnant.

Weekend of celebrations

It's been a crazy weekend, a crazy crazy weekend, but we also feel so blessed by all of it and are enjoying what God has given us and how blessed we are.

It started out celebrating Ibel turning 4! Which according to her as apparently transformed her in some way.:) She doesn't do certain things anymore because she's 4 now! She is an extremely inquisitive little 4-year-old...there is almost not a minute that goes by she is not asking why something happens, or how something works, or what something does. One day I actually had to tell her, "please don't ask 'why' anymore until after nap time." Of course her response, "why?" I'm still working on encouraging her questioning and not getting annoyed by it. She really loves playing pretend and LOVES loves putting toys, random toys, in bags and carrying them around. Of course each bag has a purpose.

We knew it was going to be a busy weekend so we celebrated the morning of her birthday by, of course, getting donuts and then playing and swimming with some of her friends.

We didn't get to celebrate her birthday much that day other than that because we were celebrating another occasion, some friends wedding, which Lee was a groomsman in. We had the rehearsal dinner to go to and then the wedding the next morning. It was a beautiful wedding that was very God honoring and we enjoyed being able to celebrate with them. Congrats Megan and Ilir!

GFC staff guys at the reception

Then Saturday evening we finally had a small birthday party for Isabel, as well as for my mom, who's birthday is the day after Isabel's.

In between, all of the festivities Lee was running back and forth to work, trying to prepare for our 4th service preview night, as our church will be starting a 4th service the end of September. The preview service was tonight and there was much to be done. It was held in our newly finished upstairs part of the facility. We are thankful for a growing church and this opportunity. We had been praying the baby would not arrive until after tonight, and thankfully she hasn't...although, she is free to come ANY TIME NOW! Right baby? I'm really proud of Lee and all the work he has done. He has put in many long hours (including almost 15 today), and has still tried to put God and his family first. There is still work to be done and tweaks to be made before the 4th service officially kicks off in September, but he can breath a little bit as we anticipate a new baby.

#3

14 days! Although I'm trying to trick myself into thinking my due date is like the middle of September so I won't be so anxious!

Just wanted to put some thoughts down about this pregnancy, about the anticipation of this little girl and becoming a family of 5 instead of 4.

It seems like it was LONG ago we found out we were pregnant. It was just after Christmas last year. Now, the summer has almost come and gone and her arrival is imminent.

I started out more sickly with this little one. Maybe it was trying to take care of two others, or my body's hormones just going crazy. Despite my effort to exercise during this pregnancy (something I didn't do with my last two and which I did pretty consistent up until last month), I still feel pretty much the same as my other pregnancies. Actually everything really feels pretty much the same, well other than the fact that I'm keeping up with a 4 and 2 year old.

I'm wondering what this little one will look like. Lee says, just look at Ibel and Ana and there you have it. What will her personality be though? Will she have light hair like Ibel? Will she have super dark hair like Ana did when she was born? Maybe she'll be bald? We already know she has the girl's nose from her ultrasound picture, that cute button nose.

Then there is labor...with Isabel my water broke...hurray we get to go to the hospital. With Ana it started in the middle of the night, but didn't go to the hospital until the morning. When will this little bug decide to arrive?

And her name? We finally settled on one...I think?:) I suppose it could always change at the last minute right? We are big on wanting the meaning of our kids names to mean something too, and I'm excited about this one, which we will reveal at her birth.

It's a little bit hard to think what newborn life will be like again. I'm sure it's going to all come back to me REALLY fast...the sleepless nights, the feedings, everything. And the girls? I have a feeling they are going to smother her...at least for a little while.

We've been SO blessed the last two years with our little family of four! We've gone on some amazing adventures and made some GREAT memories. Looking forward to adding another little one to the mix who will add to the excitement (aka drama) in our house. The only thing I asked of Lee was that he not break any major bone in his body when we have a 3 week old. I'm holding him to it too!

So here's to hoping she comes before the middle of September and looking forward to another baby girl!

Changes

Over the weekend, we had the privilege of heading up to MI (one of our favorite places to go) to celebrate my dad's retirement from 24 years of serving as senior Pastor and celebrating his 40+ years of pastoral ministry elsewhere. It was a great celebration!!! Definitely bitter sweet! It was in the town I grew up in and so many people there are like family to us and so many are actually family (extended and such). We are grateful we still have people we can go and visit up there.

It was great hearing my dad in his last sermon as pastor there, encourage the church as to who they are and what they stand for whether he is there or not. In the evening, they put together a great service honoring his life and service for the Lord, which just because he is retiring is definitely not over, just going different directions.

We also got to see lots of close family, some expected and some unexpected. We've had the privilege of seeing my brother, Jon, on and off for the last month and just hanging out. The girls adore him and had so much fun! He headed back to his family in the Philippines though now. We will miss him! For the retirement party my other brother, Dave, flew in and it was the second time in one summer that my entire family was together, quite a rare thing as we are all located all over the world and barely get to see each other every few years. It was special for sure.

A big change for my parents and us is that they relocated to be closer to us and now live about 20 minutes away. I'm sure it will take some adjusting on both our parts.

Other changes: We have a new motor for our HVAC, a new garbage disposal, two new fixed tires on our van (both had nails in them), and Ana has new flip flops. Yes, all of which broke before/on our trip, within 24 hours. How God orchestrated everything though so it would work out is really quite amazing. Like driving on two flat tires for 2 and half hours and somehow making it to our destination. We are so grateful everything is fixed now and God has provided!

Then there is the OTHER big change...as in the one that is the size of a basketball in my belly, which will soon be REALLY changing our life in a few short weeks. It hit me today and so commenced the washing of bedding and baby clothes. I can't wait to meet this little gift from God! I know it's going to change our life yet again forever.

Some highlights from MI:

Hanging out with Uncle Jon

Going to the beach with cousins who also happened to be in town

Enjoying a downtown event with lots of festivities

Family picture in front of church