TGIF!

Not feeling inspired to just start writing, so I'm going to do a survey about my hubby!

1. Where did you meet? Charlie's Steakhouse in Pflugerville, but we didn't start talking until later in the evening at the Cotton Patch dance hall in Granger, TX. We were w/a group of friends and I think it's safe to say we were set up. :) Below are pictures from the night we met.

2. How long did you date? Dated for a year + engaged for a year = happily ever after!

3. How long have you been married? One year and five months. And I am five months pregnant ;)

4. What does he say that surprises you? He is fairly predictable to me, but I love how he is so supportive and reassuring. When he says "everything is going to be ok" I know he is right.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? Not actually a feature, but I love his hugs and kisses! When he holds me, I feel so safe and when he kisses me, it's like no no one else exists and time ceases to matter...STILL!

6. What is your favorite quality of his? Easy. His moral character. When I first met David I didn't know what to think of our age difference. (almost 7 years) I was 22 and he was 28. But David was a Man, not the Boys I had dated..and that made all the difference. Yes, I was young, but I had a baby girl, was continuing my college education and beginning my career, but here was someone already on his career path, had learned from failed relationships, had seen the world while he was in the Navy and was ready to share his life with someone special and have a family. Since I've known him, David has always done the right thing. He does the right thing by me, by Emma and always has our best interest at heart. Unlike my ex, I always know where David is, what he is doing and trust him with my whole heart. This trust didn't come right away. I really was NOT interested in dating let alone falling in love at the time that I met David, but God had a plan for us and it didn't take too long for me to realize this was IT!

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Honey, baby, good lookin'...basically he only calls me Sarah when I'm in trouble!

8. What is his favorite color? Blue

9. What is his favorite food? Chicken-Fried Steak and if ranch was a food group it'd be #1!

10. What is his favorite sport? Lemme think...BASEBALL!

11. When and where did you first kiss? The night we met :) Denava's house after dancing.

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? We like spending time together period. When we were first dating we were in a bowling league together. We both love going to the movies, sporting events and dancing. No one had ever spent a lot of time dancing with me, let alone teach me! So dancing togther is really special to me. We are both terribly competitive so it's tough for us to play a game against each other, we'd rather be on the same team. But David has pretty much conceded (I think) that I have an edge on guitar hero and well, he cheats on Gears of War. This week he got a bunch of board games for us to play on the XBox and we're having fun with that.

13. Do you have any children? When David and I met, Emma was 15 months old and I was recently divorced (from her 'father') and not long after, David made it clear that he had every intention of raising Emma with me, as his own. And he has. We have a little boy on the way and I'm due late January :) Experiencing this miracle with David has been such a wonderful thing! I would do it another half a dozen times if he wanted, but for now, I think we're done.
One of my faves


14. Does he have a hidden talent? He's amazing at what he does and LOVES it. I can only hope opportunites will come his way to make a difference on a bigger scale.

15. How old is he? He will be 32 in Dec.

16. Who said "I love you" first? I did. David took our relationship very seriously (not that I didn't), making sure everything was right- didn't want to make any mistakes. It wasn't very long before he said it, but I'll never forget when he did. We were at a concert at Midnight Rodeo and he told me he loved me in the middle of the dancefloor (we were dancing). I'm glad he took his time, because when he said it, boy was it right!

17. What is his favorite type of music? Country, Texas Country. We both like rock although I'd call his stuff "classic rock". :) He tries to brainwash Emma by showing her Music of the 80's on VH1 on Saturday mornings...she just likes the clothes and hair.

18. What do you most admire about him? He's a good man and I'm glad he chose me.

19. Do you think he will read this? Yeah, he reads my blog when I post that I updated it on FB.

BOY do I feel pregnant!

Let me start by saying today is a good day. I have NOT thrown up three out of the four days so far this week! My sinusitis symptoms seem to be waning which is good. I am planning to take Emma to get her flu shot tomorrow. David is off and has a three-day weekend so we'll all be home together in case she needs a day or so to recuperate.

David has had to cover the night-shift (6PM-6AM) three nights this week. Boo! I miss him and hate being "man of the house". I've never liked to lock up the house; I don't sleep well. I hear every noise. It could be a lot worse! Thank goodness he goes back to his regular schedule next week.

I am loving this fall weather! Craft shows are right around the corner! I decided I didn't want to participate in any this year. I was way too sick all summer to get crafty. I'm so excited to just be able to go and shop instead of having a booth of my own to manage. I am making hair bows for all the girls in Emma's class (nine!) to match their Friday "spirit" shirts and that is about as much craft stuff that I can handle being out in the living room right now.

Otherwise I'm feeling inspired to finally make Shepherd's Pie. I've never made it but have EXTREMELY FOND memories of it from my days in daycare at Gethsemane. Not tonight because Emma has dance class, but sometime soon so stay tuned!

Well, this is blog isn't really going anywhere. Hopefully, more exciting entries to come!

For Better or Worse, in Good Times and in Bad...

I have purposely avoided the blog for the past ten days. As you probably know, Colt has not come home since the evening of 9/10/09. Unfortunately this is also the same day the four-day rain began in Austin. David and I have been completely crushed and I think I finally have it "together" enough to write about it. Colt is nine months old; we got him for Emma's birthday as she had recently decided she wanted to be an "Animal Dr." and is obsessed with animals like her DD. Colt was not our first family pet; we "rescued" our two turtles one year earlier.

We've pretty much exhausted every effort to find Colt. I've been to the TLAC (Town Lake Animal Center) and check their inventory on the web multiple times a day as well as WilCo (Williamson County Animal Shelter), posted ads on CraigsList and Petfinder as well as leaving our information with multiple Vets in our area and posters in the neighborhood. One vet office I talked to said it took three months for her cat to come home. David and I do not have the feeling that he is in a cage at some shelter. Wherever he is, we don't want him suffering and I don't think he is. The7 months we had with him were wonderful. He was so wonderful to Emma, gentle with me and WAY playful with David. He would hear Emma coming down the hall or out of the bathroom and he would wait behind the wall (wiggling his butt and tail) and then jump out on his two hind legs to scare her. Never scratched her, just hilarious. The last couple of months he really started spending more time with me and laying on my tummy- whereas he had totally been a daddy's boy; I think he could hear the babies heartbeat. David was closest to him. When David has days off during the week and plays XBox all day, Colt would just lay in his lap and sleep with him.

It's been a really rough week. I didn't even really pay attention to my birthday. I've always looked forward to 25. When I was a little girl I always said I wanted to become a Mommy at 25 (I was a little off). But with Colt gone, it just didn't seem to matter and I definitely didn't feel like celebrating. It's been the most difficult to watch David grieving. Colt brought us so much joy after the passing of David's father and added a wonderful new dimension to our family unit. I choose to believe that everything happens for a reason. While I don't always know what the reasons are, I have faith that wherever Colt is, he is in peace and we will never forget him.
Here are a few of my favorite Colt pictures:
Napping with Daddy
Before one of the many times he took a bath with me...
Sleeping with me
In love
His favorite place

Last week the phrase stuck in my head was "God gives us opportunities...". I have no idea where that came from and hadn't heard or read it recently. But I thought about those words everyday for a week straight. I tried to focus on baby last week and started our BRU registry online with a few things I knew that we'd like/need for Cody. I tried as hard as I could to get my mind off of Colt; had to keep functioning, taking care of Emma, DD and I etc. Meanwhile I was getting sick. Wednesday I went to the Dr. and was diagnosed with a sinus infection.

Throughout the whole missing Colt situation I have become even more thankful for our marriage. David loves with his whole heart and constantly gives all he has for others. He's my strength and makes me proud daily.

With everything going on, it still hasn't quite sunk in that I'm having a son! This will definitely be a change from my world of pink, dress up, fairytales and princesses. I'm excited but also a little overwhelmed. Even though this isn't my first rodeo, there are still so many things to think about and try to prepare for. David's mom and step-father are coming for a visit next month. Now we really have to get the third bedroom cleaned up! After their visit, it'll be time to move the guest bed out and move the baby furniture in!
Here's a picture of the bedding we chose:
It's called, "My Little MVP"
Would you expect anything but sports from my husband? We're contemplating a burnt orange accent wall or 1/2 wall. To be determined...

Comedy of Errors

Surprisingly I was able to sleep the night before the big ultrasound! We took Emma to school and then headed to the Dr's office. As we were pulling into a parking spot David accidentally went over the curb and spilled my water all over my shirt. (Someone was a little jumpy and excited to see his baby). I sat and had a good five minute cry before I would get out of the car. David held me and then we had a laugh about it.

We got checked in and almost immediately they called us back for the ultrasound. We were in a room we had never been in and David's chair wasn't able to be next to me which I didn't like- we usually hold hands. But once I assumed the position I was pretty much frozen and neither one of us thought to have him stand next to me. No biggy.

So here it was! Finally the big moment! As soon as she got the camera on me, we could see his little boy parts! He started trying to cover up almost immediately so she moved on to other parts of the anatomy and said "I'm thinking we have a boy". Everything was measuring normally-GREAT! As she was pushing down on top of his head for yet some more brain measurements, he started pushing back. David and I did "This is me in a nutshell" (Austin Powers). He was basically moving the whole time. At one point he had both hands behind his head and was stretching out his legs. He was also talking to us! All of a sudden his mouth was moving in steady, fluid moments. Cute! So then we go back for one final view and pictures- this time his hands are well...down there. He was fidgeting with himself! The sonographer said something to the effect of "Oh, he knows it's there". I was mortified and covered my eyes. David and the tech. had a good laugh.

After that the regular Dr. appointment went well and the Dr. was pleased with everything from the ultrasound. I guess there were a few things they didn't get great shots of, so we'll be having another ultrasound at our November appointment. I talked to the Dr. about some of my body changes and she said everything sounded perfectly normal. I went ahead and got my flu shot and will get the H1N1 when it comes in.

The baby's heart rate was 154 this time and my blood pressure was still great, even though it'd already been an emotional morning. I'm still about 5lbs. under my prepregnancy weight which is surprising considering food is my friend again. We stopped by my dad's office on our way to taking me to my office and then stopped at Dan's for breakfast. Overall a great report! The measurements of the ultrasound were reporting that I was 19 weeks 6 days even though according to the "official" due date I'm only 18 weeks 4 days. Just like I've always said, I think baby is coming early, about the last week of January.

We keep watching the sonogram DVD over and over again. He's beautiful and Mommy and Daddy already love him so much. We broke the news to Emma tonight. She's said from day one that she wanted a baby sister. But she said "Yay, I love baby brothers" sothat made me very happy. She's excited and we're all glad to refer to the baby as "he" or "Cody". It's been a long, emotional day and I'm ready to hit the sack.

Picture Post

Me at about 18 weeks.

Emma on Labor Day. We had a family fun day.Back to School night @RLS.

September has arrived!

I’m so thankful to have had such a wonderful, restful long weekend after a hectic and trying week. My morning sickness and generally day-long nausea has been slowly but surely dwindling the last two weeks or so. FINALLY! Some relief! Where I had been getting sick every morning and feeling lousy every day until about 3PM, I’m now only getting sick every few days and the nauseous feeling goes away pretty much right after I umm…well, use your imagination. I’ve read that some women experience morning sickness and nausea throughout the pregnancy, I can’t imagine and am so thankful! It is safe to say that I survived the first trimester on chicken noodle soup, countless packages of saltine crackers (which I wouldn’t even touch while I was pregnant with Emma) and lots of love and support. We are truly blessed and experiencing this miracle with David and the love our family and friends has been nothing short of one of God’s gifts. So glad this was in His plan for us.

This is going to be another busy week, but hopefully nowhere near as overwhelming as last week was for me. I had first-of-the-month bills and invoicing at work last week, (and other assorted projects), plus school pictures, book orders and Emma needed a haircut! Everything got done and we all survived. Longhorn football at last! We share season tickets with my Dad and my brother and sister-in-law so this season our games are Colorado, Central Florida, and Kansas (the last three). Adam, Kelly and Baby Drew were in town, yay! Check out the pictures on FB, we had so much fun and Drew is an angel! We will love getting to spend so much time with him this fall.

Tonight we have back to school night or Redeemer’s Rattler Round Up. Rattlers? Well I guess snakes were rather menacing in the Bible. David is off today so he’ll meet us up at the school for some Rudy’s BBQ. Excited to see what they’ve been working on and hopefully meet some of the parents we don’t already know. I love how I ask Emma “What did you do in school today” and she talks about lunch or playground time. Even when I ask specific questions thanks to lots of communication from the school/teachers, she’s not really that interested in talking about it. In the first few weeks of school their themes have been; Getting to Know You, God Made Me Special, and God Made Us a Family. Out of nowhere Emma sang a new song to my mom over the weekend. I need to get the lyrics from her teacher since it’s not one that I’m familiar with. They’re also spending the next two weeks learning about Ruth during their Jesus Time.

Thoughts of the day:

• I just read that vivid, even scary dreams are “normal” during this stage of pregnancy. That’s good to hear because I’ve definitely had them. I remember thanking David for waking me up yesterday because I was having such bizarre dreams.

• I woke up with my hips hurting Sunday morning. I sleep on my sides and remember tossing and turning during the night that night. What’s up with that? One to ask the Dr. about on Friday.

• I’m loving the cooler mornings. I can’t wait for it to carry throughout the day. I just love fall colors, craft shows and we’re already getting to enjoy football season! (Not to mention relief from this crazy heat.) I’ve been able to look at/eat beef more and more the last couple of weeks, so hopefully there will be pot roast and chili in the crock pot soon!

Here are a couple of shots from a recent play date Emma had with her Nana and Grandad at Aunt Danita's.

PS- pictures coming soon from our family date on Labor Day. Hope everyone likes the new blog layout :)

Goings On...

What a busy weekend and first part of the work week! Friday I came home from work early feeling really lightheaded and dizzy, especially if I stood up or moved suddenly. Not wanting to pass out at work, I opted to leave about mid-day and come home and put my feet up. I napped and took it easy the rest of the evening. I had also been having what I will call "growing pains" for a couple of days. These cramps were pretty intense and a little worrisome. I called the Dr. and they could be one (or a combination of) many things:

• round ligaments stretching and growing,

• Braxton Hicks (they can come earlier since this is my 2nd pregnancy) or,

• gastrointestinal issues since I'm still having morning sickness thanks to my lovely hormones.

Saturday morning I had to finish packing for our quick trip to Fredericksburg and get birthday gifts wrapped etc. Emma had breakfast with the grandparents and David worked most of the day so I was glad to take my time getting ready that morning. We all rendezvoused, packed the car and headed to Elgin for Lily's birthday party. What a princess ball! Emma had her make up done, played games, won prizes, climbed a rock wall in heels, but most of all had a blast with one of her favorite cousins!

























Climbing in heels



After the party Mommy and DD headed to Fredericksburg, TX to help one of our best friends celebrate his birthday.

There was a huge rain cloud hovering over what I was sure was Luckenbach Hall.

Luckily though, it wasn't in Luckenbach or Fredericksburg but it sure was close. Otherwise we got to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Hill Country; I LOVE living in central Texas!

As soon as we arrived we found our hotel and got checked in. We were so happily surprised at how nice it was! I found Fredericksburg Inn & Suites on the City of Fredericksburg website. The landscaping was gorgeous, pools and hot tub were breathtaking and the whole building is Texas Limestone- my favorite. One of my favorite touches- the Bath & Body Works soaps and lotions in the room. I didn't use any of them, but it was a nice touch! :)

Some pictures from the Inn:













Cute courtyard near our room












Hot tub near fireplace













View of pools and pool house













Me by our room, almost 16 weeks


Ok, enough pictures, but I just loved this cute Inn. Did I mention it was a block from Main Street and uber-close to Auslanders? Fun, fun!

So we met up with a group of about 10 of our friends at Luckenbach Hall.
















First timers to this famous Texas honkytonk!














Baby's first Roger Creager concert


The concert was awesome and my handsome honey twirled me around the dancefloor. I was glad I didn't get dizzy and pass out. So much fun. The concert ended just before Midnight and David and I really hadn't eaten since about 1PM so we found a Denny's in Fredericksburg to get our cheesestick and ranch fix. DD had a full breakfast which we had to wait over an hour for. There was some very entertaining people-watching to be had...and I'll leave it at that.

Sunday morning we met up at the Fredericksburg Brewery with some of our friends for brunch. DD had chicken-fried steak...of course and I really enjoyed my Jager Schnitzel and german potato salad...and side salad, and an onion ring, and cole slaw. I was stuffed! We visited a couple of our favorite shops before hitting the road back home to Austin. You know life is good when you love coming home! We missed Emma like we do everytime we do anything without her.

Sorry for the long post- life has been busy!

Welcome to my blog!

I've been wanting to do this for a while, especially since I am disappointed in Twitter. I continually catch myself wanting to write something down "for posterity's sake" and never stop to do so. I've never been in to journaling, so I'm excited about the option of blogging.

Happenings this week

As of Monday I am 15 weeks pregnant and after a 10 day hiatus Emma went back to school for for final year in preschool at Redeemer.