The Basement is Almost Done!

As I sit here listening to the pounding of nails and workers voices in the basement, I'm so excited!! Our carpet is getting laid as I sit here blogging. It seems like it's been a long and drawn out process that we just want done! While we were in Nebraska we had someone prime and paint a first coat on our spare room and living room and finish some last minute dry wall. When we returned from Nebraska my family came over and helped paint the computer / laundry room and put second coats on the rest of our rooms. Now the end is finally in sight and we are extremely thrilled! I should have pictures up later this week.

The most fun and exciting part should begin by the end of the week....the BABY'S NURSERY!!! I have been wanting to start it since we picked up our crib and dresser a month ago. I am so excited to decorate our little boy's room in his sport's themed room. I know once the nursery is done I'll just sit in the glider and stare in awe that this finally happening. Only 11 more weeks and our little one will be here. I can't believe it! I thank God everyday for this blessing that he's given to the both of us!

A Baby on the Way

So I haven't blogged in a very, very, long time. It's been a crazy, busy year with school and just life! You all may know by now that Nate and I are expecting a baby boy in September. We are very excited and so blessed!! We have prayed for a long time that God would bless us with a child and we just can't wait for our little boy to get here. It's been an amazing journey of faith and prayer and we wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for our friends and family!

The baby journey has been so exciting so far! We've been to quite a few ultrasounds and have seen our very active little one! He'll be playing football for sure! I've even started feeling some of his football movements this past week. Amazing!! I will post the ultrasound pictures as soon as I scan them.

We had a great time surprising my family with the gender of the baby. Of course my mom said she had a feeling we were having a boy! They are so excited to be grandparents!!

My group of second graders gave me a wonderful surprise baby shower and I'm still in shock that they kept such a big secret for me. I'll post pictures of the shower soon!! I've been writing down some of their comments as they go through this journey with me. Kids say the funniest things!

Less than 20 weeks and we'll welcome our little boy! We both can't wait!

The Great Turtle Race of 2009

So it's been a very long time since I've updated our blog. I apologize! We've been so busy with the start of school and I have to admit, I update a lot on Facebook and have been neglecting our blog. So here is an update of what's been going on in our busy lives.

We've both been very busy with the start of the school year. I can't believe it's almost Halloween and we'll be done with two months of school! Nate has finished his football season and is working hard on writing his thesis. I have been just busy with my busy and very energetic group of second graders.

This past weekend we were able to get away for a couple days to Mackinac Island. The weather on Friday was horrible and it made for a long journey by boat and finally by taxi to our hotel. What an adventure! Let's just say I have a very patient husband to put up with all of my complaining about being too wet and cold!

So why did we go to Mackinac Island in the fall? Nate has gotten back into running and had set a goal to run The Great Turtle Race, which is a 5.7 mile race on the island. The race started by Old Mission Point and went up through the island and back around down the shoreline. He finished the race in 45:24. I was so proud of him as he came across the finish line. Wow! Our friends Travis and Sam came with to cheer him on. What a fun weekend once we were dry! Enjoy the pictures!

Nate warming up before his race.

Nate coming across the finish line. Wow! Check out that form!

Walking around the island in the cold and mist.

Look at the rainbow and the color of those trees? Beautiful!

One last picture before boarding the ferry! I am one lucky girl!

Buckley Camping!

At the end of July we took my sister Jaime camping up to the Buckley KOA which is just south of Traverse City. This was our third summer there and we had a great time! Our friends Travis and Sam were able to come up for a short visit too. We visited Traverse City, Sutton's Bay, Glen Lake, and Sleeping Bear Dunes. What a fun trip!

July 15, 2009

Writing has always been therapy for me. When I write, tons of emotions come out and I feel better, so on this difficult day I thought I would write. So here it is; my emotions that I'm feeling today and what I want to say to our little one.

Today is the day Nate and I were to welcome our little baby into this world, July 15, 2009. This was a day to be filled with nervousness, excitement, and so many other unbelievable emotions that go along with being first time parents. The summer was supposed to be filled with baby activities. All we can do now is pray that we will be able to have our time as parents some day, and I know we will. It's just hard when it's not on our timing.

I have always believed that God is around us and comforting us during hard times. I have felt His presence through family, friends, and amazing co-workers during this difficult time. When I announced that we had a miscarriage, I was surrounded by so many women that have been through what I've been through. I can't thank those women enough, some of you reading this now, for all of their support, prayers, smiles, hugs, and special things that were given to me to help me through a very difficult time. It's amazing how God places those people around you right when you need them. Thank you!!!

So now I look at this day and say a prayer up to Heaven:

"Dear God, I pray that you hold our little one near and give her extra hugs today. Since she can't be here with us today, I guess having her there with you is okay. Please tell her that her mommy and daddy and all of her family love her very much and will see her some day. Thank you for taking care of her for us. We love her so much!!!"

Again we want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We need them now more than ever. God does have a plan for us, we just need to pray and make sure we follow His lead.

Nebraska Fun!

Summer is here and I can finally pay more attention to our blog. We have had a very busy start to our summer. We just got back from a wonderful 10 day visit to Nebraska. Nate did a week long science camp at Calvin Crest, the camp his sister and brother-in-law are in charge of. We worked with 4th - 6th graders and Nate did some fun hands-on science activities with them. The kids had a great time!

While we were there we were able to spend time with Graham, our nephew. He is getting so big and is so much fun! He loves to run around the camp. Nate and I got a good work out this week by chasing after him. We enjoyed giving him baths and then reading to him at bed time. We both wish he (and his mom and dad) lived closer to us.

"Graham you are such a little stud!"

Graham loved his pants because they were like his Uncle Nate's pants.

While we were in Nebraska, we were able to see our best friends Rich and Darcie and their girls Grace and Joy. We had so much fun spending time with them too. Here are some pictures of all of us at the Omaha Zoo. What a fun and hot day it was!

Taking a photo break.

"Is the water refreshing Joy?" She didn't want to leave it!

My best friend Darcie and I. Oh how I miss having her here in Michigan.

Craig, Anissa, and Graham. "Hey Graham, the camera is over here!"

"Graham...look at the camera!"

"Come on Grace, don't be shy for the camera!"

"Come on Graham. Let's keep walking! You can do it!"

What a fun week we had with our family and friends! Now we are back home and ready to enjoy more of our busy summer. We have tons of stuff planned...another science camp in Grand Haven, Vacation Bible School, camping, a wedding, and much more! Wow!! I know it will go fast!

Congratulations Nate!

On Saturday the Grand Haven Science Olympiad teams headed to the State competition at MSU. What a busy Saturday it was for the middle and high school students. It was so much fun to see these students enthusiastic about science! These students amaze me because of their devotion from January through May. What a long season! Wow!

So how did they do? Well, the High School team got first place in their division. Lakeshore, Nate's team, received first place and White Pines, the other middle school, received 2nd place. WOW!!

What next? All three teams from Grand Haven will be traveling to Augusta, Georgia to compete in the National Competition next week. So this next week and a half will be extremely busy for Nate, but well worth it!

Congratulations to Grand Haven on another successful year in Science Olympiad!!

White Pines Middle School taking their 2nd place trophy!

Lakeshore Middle School (Nate's team) taking their 1st place trophy! Yay!!!!!!!