Monday Shout-Outs

A few things on my mind....

I'm so thankful that my grandma made it through her surgery and time in the hospital last week like a trooper. I am so proud of her for being so strong and am so thankful that my family members were able to be there for her, especially my mom...the best nurse in the whole world! She is a miracle worker.

I'm very proud of my sister for making it through an entire week away from her kiddos, especially her youngest Parker for the 1st time, while she took her dance team to camp at Gonzaga. I know that was a really hard thing to do and it was surely a long week but she made it through! She has had so much going on lately with the twins' 5th b-day on Father's Day, then a week of camp and Parkers 1st b-day this weekend. Another strong woman in the family. I learn a lot from her.

I'm so thankful that other than a few relatively small things, I feel pretty darn good right now. I was able to get out and do a few things this weekend that I haven't done in a long time. I feel very fortunate that things are going in the right direction with this pregnancy. Once my energy comes back a little more I'm hoping to get a few things done that have been on my list for a while!

Good luck to Gayle today with Simone's first day of swimming lessons! It's only her 2nd time in the water and I know Gayle is nervous. I know Simone will enjoy herself and I hope Gayle will too. I can't wait to hear all about it and hopefully come watch!

I'm so thankful that on Thursday afternoon Ryan and I will be on a plane to Washington to spend the holiday weekend with family. We have a wedding to go to on the 4th and our nephew Parker's 1st Curious George birthday party on Sunday. Other than that, it's relaxing, visiting and hopefully taking in some sun until Tuesday...maybe a day at the lake! I love home and I can't wait to see everyone.

I want to wish my friend JoAnna (and her fiance Joseph) as little stress as possible as she prepares for her wedding on the 11th (less than 2 weeks)! She has so much going on and I hope that she will get to enjoy herself and this time with family, friends, and future in-laws :) Joseph's family is all coming in from Atlanta so it will be a lot of company, hosting and coordinating everyone's schedules while working and trying to get last minute details done! I can't wait to see her walk down the aisle and be there by her side!

Happy Monday All!

"Before you put on a frown, make absolutely sure there are no smiles available." Jim Beggs

All we want for Christmas...

For those of you who check in on my blog from time to time, I have been a very bad blogger. I go through phases where I get back on track and then life gets in the way! Well, it's happened again. It has been quite the few months.

As some of you know and some of you may not, Ryan and I have been trying to start a family for a few years now. It has been a long and winding journey and has taken a lot of support, faith, hugs, patience, tears, love, hope and so many other things to get through the past few years. Our families and friends have helped us more than I ever thought possible, and I hope that someday we will be able to thank them as much as they all deserve.

I am overjoyed to share that I am 11 weeks pregnant with twins. It is still amazing and surprising to say that out loud and to believe this is all really happening. I have fallen in love with the word "Believe". It kept coming around in one way or another throughout our journey and it is something that I know will continue to help me get through the toughest times. This pregnancy has had a rough beginning but is now going by so quickly and going well. Each week is a little bit different and we are taking things one day at a time.

Our little ones have a twin due date of December 23rd, 2009. They are measuring perfectly so far and we will get to see them again next Tuesday. It is the most amazing thing I have ever seen. I can't believe how much they change each time. We still have a long road ahead of us but are so excited to see what this new journey has in store for us as we become a family of four!

"In our lives there is bound to come some pain, surely as there are storms and falling rain; just believe that the one who holds the storms will bring the sun." Anonymous