I Promise, We're Alive!!

So, yeah, its been over 3 months since I last posted.  Ooops.  I think, now, that I definitely just needed a break.  I could give you all the excuses about being tired, overwhelmed, busy, computer issues, etc, but none of that really matters, right?  Right.  Because it is June, and what's done is done.  :)

So, how 'bout I fill you in on the major points of the last three months.  There have been some big ones!  (So, get ready for a long one, friends.)

# 1.  Numero Uno.  THE BIG ONE.  ::  We got pregnant!!  Ironically, we found out on March 4th, just 3 days after I wrote my last post, complaining about being tired and frustrated.  Haha.  We couldn't be more excited, although I'm sure its tough to tell by the lack of posting :)  Baby is due to be here around Nov 15th, which means I  am now 18 weeks and counting, and I can't believe how fast its gone.  When I was pregnant with Greyson, time seemed to drag on and on.  It  felt like I was sick forever.  This one has seemed so much quicker, but I'm sure that's because I'm now chasing around an almost-two-year-old!  I was pretty tired and nauseous for about 12-13 weeks or so, which is much better than the 16 weeks I spent with Greyson.  So, now I've got a definite baby bump, I'm wearing maternity clothes, and I am now feeling this sweet sweet movement inside my belly.  Finally!!  Having a baby develop inside of you, because of nothing you're doing, can do, or will ever be able to do (well, except for....you know) is nothing short of a miracle.  Right now, at 18 weeks, baby is around 5 1/2 inches (crown to rump) and about 7 ounces.  He/she is moving arms and legs so much and looks like a mini baby.  All "the goods" are in place, so we head in for our big ultrasound in the middle of next week!  Yay!!!  Little baby, we can't wait to welcome you into our family.  Your big brother is so excited you are coming!

# 2 :: Speaking of big brother, Greyson is doing awesome.  Really.  Really.  Awesome.  He loves talking about the baby, reading books about the baby, and looking at pictures of what the baby looks like.  He is going to make such a great big brother, and I can't wait to see that happen.  Aside from baby news, Greyson is all boy, all the time.  He is in love with cars, trucks, trains, really anything with wheels.  His favorite movies are Cars and any Toy Story movie and would probably watch a combination of those all day if we let him.  He also loves playing Beatles Rock Band with Daddy, and prefers listening to The Beatles to other music.  Yes, Dan is proud.  :)  Over the past weekend, we got Greyson his Big-Boy Bed (BBB), and he loves it.  Right away he told us cribs are for babies.  Right now, the crib and BBB are both in his room.  If Baby is a boy, its going to stay that way.  If Baby is a girl, well, the jury is still out.  :)

# 3 :: My sister got married!!  Amy and Chris have been dating for, like, a million years (kidding!) and got engaged on Christmas Eve.  So, this spring has been filled with lots and lots of wedding planning!  Maybe that's another reason the blog has been on the back burner.  I made 6 bridesmaid dresses, threw a shower, designed the invitations, made suspenders and bow ties for the little boys, and probably some other little things here and there.  :)  But it was so much fun.  So, on May 14th Amy Hunter became Amy Coolidge and Chris officially joined our family.  They live on a farm in Fresno, CA and are having fun (so far!) fixing up their little farm house.  The wedding was BEAUTIFUL!!!  It was such a fun night and Amy was gorgeous.  Stay tuned for more pics, as I didn't take a whole lot that day.  I was the MOH, not the photographer, and it was kind of nice!  :)

# 4 ::  I quit my job.  WOW.  This was a big one for me.  I was a social worker in Gilbert Public Schools for four years, and I LOVED it.  Really.  When Greyson was born, I went down to part time, but with a new baby coming in November, staying home full time is the absolute right decision for our family.  And, so far, its great!  I always have the summer off, though, so I know that around August it will really set in that that's not my gig anymore.  And I will miss it.  But, there's nothing like being a mommy and I know these years are oh so precious.  So, bottom line, it was a no brainer.  God is good, and he will take care of us.  Which brings me to #5.

# 5 ::  Dan got a new job!! This JUST happened.  Like, JUST.  And it was completely unexpected.  For the last year, Dan has been working from home, developing his own business and just being plain awesome.  He's been working his butt off and, I would say, he's been successful.  But, the issue was the irregularity of income.  So, with me losing my "back-up paycheck" this new venture couldn't have come at a better time.  Randomly, one day out of the blue, the new Weekend Media Coordinator from Scottsdale Bible Church called Dan and asked if he'd be interested in an interview for their newly-available Video Production Engineer.  A mutual friend had given him Dan's name.  So, over the course of the next few weeks, Dan had some interviews, did a couple of projects for them, and we checked out their weekend services.  It soon became clear that they wanted Dan for the job, and eventually we were sold on it too.  This was totally and completely orchestrated by the Lord.  Over the last 7 years we've been married, Dan has interviewed for countless jobs.  And yet, in the last year or so, through none of our own efforts, he has finally be able to do what he's always loved.  (And, its probably the hormones raging through my body, but just typing this makes me well up).  Dan accepted their official offer this week and starts "for reals" on Monday.  Some of you Sun Valley friends might be wondering what this means. And let me tell you, we did not come to this decision lightly.  Dan's new position is a weekend position, so he is expected to be there helping to coordinate all of their 6 (yes, SIX) Sunday services.  So, we will be attending SBC on Sundays.  And we love their strong Bible teaching, their great kids programs, and the general atmosphere is beginning to grow on us :)  Its a BIG change from SVCC, which we love dearly.  For countless and hopefully obvious reasons, we are still (as of now) going to be a part of our Sun Valley small group.  I just can't imagine leaving that now.  We've grown together, our families have grown together, and I am just not willing to walk away from that (especially when that walk is a 40 min drive to Scottsdale).  Basically, that was a super long paragraph just to say we are excited about a regular paycheck, about Dan being in the ministry, and especially about discovering God's blessings and plans for this new part of our life.  If you think of it, please pray for Dan as he starts his new job next week, and for Greyson and I as we adjust to "regular" life at home together.

First of all, thank you for making it through all that if you actually read it!  I'm impressed!  That was way too long, but, hey, its been way too long since I've been on here.  So, you will be rewarded with some pictures.  :)  Here you go...

Goofing around in early spring and a visit from Nana...

Playing piano with his cousin Sean at Amy's shower in March

Easter Egg hunt at church.  This shot cracks me up!

Easter at our house

A trip to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park in Scottsdale so Greyson could see and ride all the "beep-beeps"  :)  He had a blast!

And, then, over the weekend we went up to Oak Creek (just past Sedona) for a quick day trip to picnic and play in the water.  Definitely a good day.  

If you are looking for wedding photos, that's my next post.  Thanks for coming back after 3 months, and for making it through this mammoth post.  You are the best!!