Weekend with the Walls

Our good friends, Rob and Sara Wall came to spend the weekend with us. It was the fir st time that we had guests here without having a "guest room". I think their air mattress worked just fine for them.

On saturday, we went for a picnic lunch at the Rose Garden. Little did we know that there was a wedding going on. I strapped on my camera and took some pics. I have no idea who they were but weddings are always beautiful! As you can tell, I was hiding on the bushes.
And here am I at 26 weeks! Last week of my second trimester, then I enter the 3rd. The home stretch!!! Two years ago, i was here taking my bridal portraits. And now here I am taking baby belly pictures. Wow!
We love English Ivy and I just had to take pictures of The Miss. She stayed still pretty well just wouldn't look at the camera! I'm going to be a freak about taking pics of our little boy!
And, quite exciting for me, probably not so much for you. I finally got my new crocs!! I've been wanting these maryjane crocs for over a year they were finally on sale enough to buy them! Thank you Luke!!!
And my latest project. This is my blanket, or as I've always called it, my sabana! My mom made it for me when I was like 6. As you can see, it's old and raggedy.It started to get thin, so I sewed a flannel sheet to the back for layers. When I got married, Luke said no way Jose! So, now I've decided to chop it all up and fix it up for a baby blanket. We'll see how it goes. Less than 100 days left!!!

Meet Ella Barclay

Our great friends Scott and Kelly came for a quick visit to introduce us to their sweet Ella! She made this little smile whenever the flash went off.

Luke continues to get more and more comfortable with holding newborn babies! I can't wait to see him holding our son.

And finally , the happy family on our big red chair. It was Ella's first time but I doubt that it will be her last.

Thanks for coming over and prepping us for parenthood!

What I've Been Up To

First of all, I've been making a baby!! My tumbly is popping out and I love it!!! Except, getting dressed in the morning is alittle harder now. I'm at 25 Weeks now and very close to our 3rd Trimester. Thanksgiving is right around the corner!!!
I've also been busy making things for our little boy! I love to sew and thank my mother for teaching me my way around a sewing machine, even if it was against my will sometimes!Here, I've made two burp rags, a changing pad, and a bib. All I have left are a few finishing touches and a wipes bag that needs to be sewn!
And I found these cloth diapers super cheap and sewed the ribbons on them. This was super fun for Luke too. He got all into picking the ribbon and the fabric above too. The middle one has a white paper because I've ironed baby's name on it, and it's still a secret! They all have either his name or his initials on it! I'm so glad he finally has a definitive name!!!!
Anywho, I love making these little things for our baby and wonder what it's going to be like actually using them when he's here. While I'm doing this, Luke's mom is generously making our crib bedding, rocking chair padding, and the diaper bag that goes in the set above. So exciting!!!

I know I keep saying this but it's soooooo true: WE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET OUR SON!!!!!

Joe-NAY-thun

My friend that I have known since his birth...Jonathan Wilson...is finally going to college. He will be attending Appalachian State Univ. where he will probably major in skateboarding. He has incredibly mad skillz and could possibly be sponsored if he wanted to. We got to hang out this week and play some frizbee golf at Sweetbriar park and yes, I spanked him. JohnaTHON has always been a good friend of my brother and I. We used to have slumber parties and play video games until 5am. He is all growed up now, but still has that humor that someone like me can really appreciate. I am very proud of him. His dad actually used to be on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ at ASU, so it is neat to see him going there and living with and ministering to others. Jonathan, I will miss you and be praying for you!!!

Cummings for Breakfast!

Last Saturday morning, we had the Skip and Deb Cummings over for breakfast, and of course, they sat on the Big Red Chair! They live in Greenville and I lived with them my last semester in college and for about 6 months after while I was figuring out what to do with my life. They are a great family and were so patient and supportive and loving in a confusing time in my life. God used them in amazing ways to draw close Jesus. We had a great time being with them and talking. We love you guys!!!

Day Off in Raleigh

Luke and I have been working really hard and haven't had the blessing of going off to a vacation all summer. So we decided to take a day off last Friday. We had no plans to go anywhere, we just had plans not to go to work. Luke surprised me and took me to the Museum of Natural Life and Sciences in Durham. We love going to the museums together and what a fun day we had!!!

Here's Luke playing the a man-made cloud bowl in the weather center.

And the man-made tornado. This was a tough picture to get because kids kpet jumping up and sweeping the tornado away, but hey, that's what kids are for!
Me playing the drums in the sound garden in the outside part of the museum.
Here I am pumping water. It was all really interactive and fun. I got that little wheel turning.
We're about to go into the bug and butterfly pavilion.
The butterfly garden. There were butterflies everywhere, like birds flying around. You didn't have to strain at all to find them and they were all so beautiful. Luke was the photographer in here.

Can you find the bug in this picture? yes there is one in there. Keep looking. It's at the bottom, in the middle just above the bowl. No really, it is a bug! God created a bug that looks exactly like a leaf. Talk about stealth!

I didn't know this museum had bears but they did. There were two and they kept fighting eachother. Talk about National Geographic Live! I though it was cute how he was sticking his one paw in the water as he drank; just like a dog.

And the little alligator in the nature section. There were three of them lying right on top of eachother. Luke took this picture and was very proud of it. And the "Catch the Wind" section where all the animals and activities had to do with the wind. See the hummingbird. So cute, little, and FAST!!! We were so excited about this that we immediately went out and got our very own hummingbird feeder and have been enjoying many hummingbirds of our own. What a great day we had!! Luke and I were the only adults there that didn't have little kids with us, butwe didn't care. It's one of the things I love about Luke, that we can go out and do kid things like this and completely enjoy ourselves. So, whether you have kids or not, and enjoy going to museums and playing, go to this museum, it was a great time!!!!

Echerd's for Dinner!

Drew and Leslie came over for dinner on Thursday night and kicked off our long weekend with a good start! And of course, to sit on our big red chair!!! We had dinner then played a great game of Taboo. The boys kicked our butts though. Oh well. Still a great time!!!

Hymns For Life V

We sang this at our 30th Anniversary Celebration at church on Sunday. They had a wonderful time where you could request hymns. Then we sang "Wonderful Grace of Jesus". My soul was lifted. I had never heard this hymn before and not only were the words powerful, the tune was very uplifting.

Wonderful grace of Jesus,

greater than all my sin;

How shall my tongue describe it,

where shall its praise begin?

Taking away my burden,

setting my spirit free,

For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,

reaching to all the lost,

By it I have been pardoned,

saved to the uttermost;

Chains have been torn asunder,

giving me liberty,

For the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!

Wonderful grace of Jesus,

reaching the most defiled,

By its transforming power,

making him God’s dear child.

Purchasing peace and heaven for all eternity;

And the wonderful grace of Jesus reaches me!

CHORUS: Wonderful the matchless grace of Jesus,

Deeper than the mighty rolling sea;

Higher than the mountain, sparkling like a fountain,

All-sufficient grace for even me;

Broader than the scope of my transgressions,

Greater far than all my sin and shame;

O magnify the precious name of Jesus, praise His name!

What a great reminder of God's grace for me. You can YouTube it to hear the tune of the song because it really helps with the lifting of your heart. Here's a YouTube video of a gospel quartet singing this hymn!!!