Getting Ready!

I Cried Today...

The weather was absolutely beautiful today. We had a warm front come through, and when Jonni got home, I knew he had taken the top off the Jeep. We have been trying to sell the Jeep. Due to all the major changes in our lives right now, we felt like it was the best thing for us to do. But neither one of us want to sell it.

We have some major emotional ties to the Jeep. We rented a Jeep when we were married in Maui, and wanted one ever since. When we were in school, after late nights of studying, we would pass by the Jeep dealership on our way home and sit in all the different Jeeps talking about how we would buy a Jeep one day. Then on our graduation day, Jonni surprised me with, what do you know...a JEEP!! Exactly the one that I wanted. It was our graduation gift to each other. When we moved, we spent almost every weekend exploring our new territory in the Jeep. We would go off-roading, looking for houses, joy-riding... There are few things that I love more than to have the top off the Jeep, riding around with my Jonni, holding his hand, listening to the radio, feeling the wind in my hair, breathing the fresh air, and looking up at the sky. That alone would cure any bad mood or bad day I was having. I know heaven will be so much greater, but riding in the Jeep with Jonni was like heaven on earth to me. I will cherish those times forever.

So tonight he got home and was really exhausted, but he knew that I really wanted to go riding, so he took me out anyways. He said this may be one of the last times we get to do this. Immediately I began to cry. The entire time we were riding in the Jeep tonight, I cried. I am crying now as I write this. I felt like we were saying goodbye to the past six years of the most wonderful time in our lives. The time that it was just me and Jonni...nobody else. I know that Grace is going to bring such a wonderful new dimension to our lives, but I just loved the way our life was with just the two of us too. I love my husband so much, and I miss him every moment that I am not with him. He is my closest companion, my soul-mate, my love, my rock, my leader, my smile, my heart, and so much more. I felt tonight like a chapter of our life was closing, and I so badly didn't want it to end. I just don't want to say goodbye. As we drove, and I cried, I just kept thanking God for his blessings in my life. I have been so blessed...undeservedly blessed. We stopped at one point and prayed together, and Jonni and I thanked God together for our lives, for the Jeep, all the memories, and for Grace. Most of all we thanked Him for Him, for how He loves us. Without Him, nothing is possible. There is no joy in life without God, no peace, no security, no love...nothing.

So I will cry the rest of my tears, knowing that a greater joy awaits us. One that I will be crying over more than this. But our ultimate joy and hope is not of this world, or in this life...but in the next. That joy is something that we can never lose, that we will never have to say goodbye to...one that lasts forever...and I thank God most for that.

Week No. 38

We are in the 38th week of pregnancy. I feel pretty good. My feet have been swelling alot, so I have been sporting some pretty nasty cankles! Ha ha! I have only been slightly emotional, I think. :O) The baby is moving like crazy, and is very healthy, as far as we can tell. My last appointment was this past Wednesday, and I was 1 centimeter dilated, 80% effaced, and the baby is in the -3 station!! CRAZY!!! I can hardly believe it. So I could blow any day now!! We are both really excited. I can't wait to see Jonni holding our little girl. What a wonderful moment that will be for me.

Today was my last day at work, until I get back from my maternity leave. I was sad, yet excited as I pulled out from the Plant today. I will miss seeing all of my friends. They have all been so good to me, and really supported me through this time of major change in my life. It is really weird to think that I will not be working for the next eight weeks or so. That is wild. I am so looking forward to being home though, and to spending time with Gracie and Jonni.

We have pretty much gotten everything ready for Gracie's arrival. Bags packed, nursery in order, car seats installed, etc etc. I don't think we can really truly prepare for what a major event this is going to be, but we are ready nonetheless. I keep hearing how life will never be the same, and that we will never be the same. I know those words are true when I hear them, but I don't think I can fully grasp the depth of them until that time comes. I think I know, but I know I don't know. One day, I will be telling someone else the exact same thing probably, and knowing that they are in for the ride of their life!!

We know this is a blessing from God, and one of the greatest miracles! Life. Another person in this world that has a little bit of me, and a little bit of Jonni, and some other family genes mixed in there too. Another life. Another person who will change the world in which we live. Another soul. Another child of God. We can't wait to meet her. We only pray that we would be godly, loving, life-giving, and wise parents. Parents that fulfill the highest call to lead their child into relationship with the living God. We want our child to know God, and to live for God. That is our highest call in her life...to lead her to Him, and to love her the way that God loves us. God help us!! :O) What an awesome repsonsibility. Thank you for this blessing God.

Recap

Once again, I have not updated my blog in FOREVER! Life has been busy. Let's see if I can do a brief recap. Christmas was absolutely wonderful. Jonni and I spent the Christmas here at our home just the two of us. It was wonderful. We slept in, ate steak and eggs for breakfast, opened gifts, and just chilled. I love spending time with my husband. This was and probably will be the first and last Christmas that we were able to spend just the two of us.

New Years was great too. We spent a lot of time playing poker with the family, and just hanging out around the house. We ate LOTS of ribs over the holidays. We love ribs in this house.

I cleaned alot. I got on this major cleaning kick, because I was home so much...and rested. I don't know if this is pregnancy related, but I have become addicted to the smell of cleaning supplies! They smell SO amazingly good to me. Weird huh? I just can't get enough of that glass plus smell, and my kitchen floor cleaner smells so good, I want to mop everyday!! We babysat another dog over the holidays, except this one was a very small chiuauah, however you spell it. She was sweet, but she had a slight peeing problem. She was the ugliest yet cutest dog I think I have ever seen.



We found out that our neighbors are pregnant again!! Yay! There are so many people I know that are pregnant or have just had babies. Jonni and I have formed a new friendship with a guy and his wife that we met through a church small group. His name is DR and his wife is Deena. We hung out with them and their two adorable girls a couple times, and had a blast. We look forward to spending more time with them, and getting to know them more. They are awesome! We also spent some time with the Bissots. Had a date night and went to see a movie and then ate at the Melting Pot. We love you guys so much and are so blessed and happy that you are in our lives. Thank you for being wonderful friends to us.

Franchy and I did our traditional glamour shots. Almost every year we get all glamoured up and take pictures of each other and together. It started out one year when we were really bored, and now it is a traditional thing we do. We are both pregnant together now too, so we knew we would love to look back at these pictures one day and reminisce, however you spell it. ;O) (Pictures to come soon!! I have to get them off of my other computer!)

Jonni and I worked hard to get all of our paperwork in for the PE. We have decided to give it a whirl in April. It is great that we are able to study for it together, but we have a very busy next few months. So well see how it goes. Keep us in your prayers.

Jonni and I celebrated our six year wedding anniversary the first week of January!!! Wow! I can say with complete honesty and sincerety that the past six years have been the best years of my life. I love my husband, and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with such a wonderful man to share this life with. I love you Jonni. I'm still crazy about you!

Well I think I have hit most of the high points. I'm sure I have forgetten some things, but I'll write more later if I remember. My brain has been absolutely haywire through this pregnancy. I don't know if I should be trusted with a child! ;O) I will post some pics this weekend too, because they are more fun to look at than reading through a bunch of my ramblings I'm sure.