Baby coming????

Chris told me today he wanted me to have the baby tomorrow. So then we'll have 2 birthdays right in a row as his birthday is Sunday. Then he clarified that he wanted to have the baby born 1 minute after midnight tonight.
Keith would like the baby to be born on either this Monday or next Sunday or Monday.
Beth doesn't care.
I just now need them to finish their packing for when the baby DOES come!

Chris as the Robber

Here is Chris stealing a present during the Christmas program.

Christmas Program 08 actually in 09

Our kids' Chrismas program was postponed until yesterday due to weather. Christopher was a robber and Bethany was the grandma. I taped her scene only it is in 2 parts. They both also sang as part of the choir.

Sorry

I havn't posted in awhile as our laptop's cord had a short in it and it won't charge anymore. There is a new one on order which should be here this week.
Today was Keith and I's 17 year wedding anniversary! In some ways it seems like we've been married longer in others I can't believe we are old enough to have been married that long. We did go out for supper to Hickory Park with the kids. We are planning to spend 1 night in a hotel on Thursday night.
We all had a good Christmas and now are beginning to get ready to have the baby. We have had the car seat and bassinet for awhile. I also have outfits for a girl and boy to take to the hospital to bring the baby home since we don't know which it is. We also have a couple new blankets which I'm sure we'll need to get the baby home. This week we'll get the Christmas stuff packed away and then get see what other clothes and things we may need and pack our bags so we are ready. We also have a crib, it just needs to be put together the rest of the way.

Getting Ready for Christmas Keith's new job

So we are doing Christmas with my family on Saturday. The kids and I went shopping on Tuesday night and then Chris and I went on Wednesday afternoon. Tonight Chris says he'll wrap the presents. He actually is quite good if I cut the paper. He however, got 3 done and said he new favorite saying,"I'm bored!" He likes to say that when he really just doesn't want to do the thing we are doing anymore. Bethany helped me make the Buckeyes ok maybe really I helped her as I think she did the majority of the work. We'll finish up the wrapping and make some peanut clusters tomorrow. Beth is making a special dinner and we are hanging out as a family tomorrow night.
I am 1 week away from being only a stay at home mom and homeshool mom, soccer mom youth leader and etc.... Well at least I won't be working outside of the home!!! I have enjoyed cleaning other people's homes for the past year and half or so, but am really ready to be done for now. In order to help with finances Keith will be working part time at YSS in Ames. He'll be working Friday and Saturday overnights. It is similiar to what he does at Youth Homes. He has been training this week, which has been kind of hard, but I'm working less hours so that helps. All in all we wish he didn't have to work, but it is a good job and our house flows better with me not working at this time. He is also praying for chances to share with co-workers and kids Christ. It will also be nice in that our church is local so he can invite them to Campus. Where he works now is in Johnston so Campus is at least 45 min away for most co-workers.
I am still feeling pretty good physically. My blood pressre has been normal and the doctor says I'm boring which is good! My due date is 6 weeks from tomorrow. I however do not think I'll have the baby on or before the due date. My actual due date is AWANA quizing at our church so I'd like to be able to be there to see Chris and Beth compete. I may feel differently as the day approaches, but now I think it would be easier to be pregnant.

Tour and Thanksgiving

Tonight we went on a tour of Birthways at Mary Greeley in Ames. We decided it may be best as I only had Beth there which was 12 years ago; really not much has changed, yet. They are in the process of remodeling. It could be interesting as it didn't sound like they'd be done when the baby comes. The kids noticed there was no fountain pop machines like there was at Mercy. I did point out that we should only be at the hospital 2 days and not 2 months! My due date is still alittle over 8 weeks away, but they only do tours on Wednesdays and with church being Tuesday this week it was the perfect time. I'm not really ready to worry about the baby too much until after Christmas. I've not really gone early or late. We do have a car seat, bassinet, crib and pack and play for the baby. I also know I have some clothes left and Keith knows where they are. The kids and I did look at baby clothes at Wal-Mart. Beth had a hard time believing our baby would really be that little! Chris just thought they are so cute!!!
For Thanksgiving we are blessed to be able to spend time at Kim and Steve's(Keith's sister and husband) then we will go to Pella. We are planning on doing some shopping on Friday nothing like my crazy brothers. Then on Saturday we hope to attend the Sinterclause(dutch santa) Parade. In the afternoon, my mom's sisters and brothers and family will have a huge meal. After the meal, we play Bingo. It is a lot of fun, since my aunts shop clearances through out the year and have good prizes! We'll be back in Ames for Sunday as the kids need to practice the Chrsitmas program for Dec. 21. Beth is the grandma! Chris is robber. IF you want to come it is at 10:45 am on Dec. 21 at our church.
Hope you all have a great thanksgiving!

Grand Prix

Here are Keith, Beth and Chris at the workshop. They look like they are having a great time. That's because I think they were done except for painting or else because I stayed home.

Here is Christopher's car. It is a remote. There was way too much going on for him to actually look at me to take the picture.
This is Beth's last year to do the Grand Prix. Her car is a ketchup bottle. Very fitting don't you think?

Black Tie

Keith and I were able to go with our teens to the Black Tie Event. This a chance for teens from across the state to dress up and enjoy a good dinner and speaker. It was alot of fun! I was able to find a dress on sale and to dress it up I bought a sparkly necklace and headband(which you can't see). Keith wore a black tie with alittle more personality than just a normal tie.

Christopher's Room

Ok so I've spent the last week or so getting the wall paper off of Christopher's room. Now Keith and the kids are painting it. Keith was hoping to get it painted today. We'll see as we are going to the Gilber School play tonight. At least I've got most of the laundry washed and even folded!

Just when you think......

Ok so today I drove to church to help out as our church secertary is on a misions trip. The car kind of smelled funny like burnt rubber alittle. After I talked to Earl I went to the office and some one called the office to tell us a car in our parking lot was on fire. We looked out the window and it was my car!!! We are very thankful that no one got hurt and nothing else was damaged.

Faith Fest and Soccer

This Saturday was Faith Fest for the teens. It was very exciting as we had 4 teens get saved!!! Also that day Chris had a soccer game. I was glad my parents were in town so they went with me. Chris has had a pretty good season. I feel he has a great coach and has learned a ton. I kind of felt bad for him tonight. It rained during practice and of course they didn't cancel as it wasn't too bad. He came home very cold, wet and tired. He had already had PE this afternoon. After supper he bounced back alittle bit, but I think he'll be ready for bed earlier than normal. I was glad for a day at home most of today to just get caught up alittle. The kids are doing good with school. Beth told me today her math was too easy, so we'll skip ahead to the next thing, adding mixed numbers. She has always understood fractions really quick, maybe from the baking we've done together. Chris just needs alittle more encouragement than Beth does in getting on task right away in school, but he has gotten better this year than last. We really don't have anything planned for this weekend except Chris's soccer game on Saturday morning. That is kind of nice for a change.

Thanks for praying

I went for my level 2 ultra sound today. And I'm thankful to report that everything looks good!!! They of course spent alot of time on the heart checking out everything there and all looks good! I'm still so amazed by what they can see at this point. The baby weighs 1 1/2 pounds at this point which is normal.

Praise!! Please Pray

Keith recieved his annual raise on his last check and it was larger that expected. On this Friday morning I will be going in for a level 2 ultrasound. Please pray that the baby will be in a good postion for them to especially get a good look at the heart. Also wisdom for if we'll do an amnio at this time. Thanks! God has been so good to us and he will keep on blessing us!

Leadership Retreat

This is the great sunset outside our hotel on Saturday evening!

Ok so we were planning to go repelling with the teen leadership team in June, but due to flooding we weren't able. Then we looked for dates that would work and last weekend was the date. However, rain was predicted, so on Friday Jeff and Jenny booked us all to stay at the Holiday Inn in Little Amana. This hotel has an indoor waterpark! It really was perfect for someone Chris's age, so he had an awesome time. I took pictures on a teen's camera so hope to get them soon. Beth was able to help some with Jeff and Jenny's boys(ages almost 3 and 1 year) . Then on Sunday we were able to eat in Amana and see some of the shops. Then we stopped in Williamsburg at the outlet mall. One thing I must add is that our youth groups right now is majority girls, therefore the leadership team has 9 girls and 2 guys on it. So you know they enjoyed the shopping! We are busy this weekend with the Homecoming dinner at Faith and Beth's Birthday Party on Sunday afternoon! Oh and throw in there a mother and son lunch on Saturday with the church!

Labor Day Weekend

Last Saturday we went to a Motocross Race of one of our teens and his dad and 10 year old sister. We took teens with us and had a great day!! Between races we ate and played games. On MOnday we went with Keith's brother Kevin to the parade in Madrid. The kids got more candy and we all were hot and hungry when we got home.
The kids started school on Tuesday. I have been very pleased with Chris has he has gotten up and done school with out being told. Since Beth is in 6th grade we are doing more formal science and history.
I'm going to Ladies Retreat at camp today and tomorrow. Chris has his first soccer game of the season tomorrow morning. Beth assures me that she'll remind Keith what time he needs to be there. It sure makes my life easier to have Beth around.

Busy, Busy, Busy

We have had a busy week this week. My doctor's appointmen went well. Nothing unusually, but I will be going to DesMoines for my next appointment on Sept. 26 for a level 2 ultrasound. Chrisopher started soccer this week and had practice on Tuesday night. He said his feet hurt alittle after practice. Last night was the youth kick off and registration for AWANA. The kids have already begun to work on sections to say for next week.
We really don't have major plans for Labor Day. Keith's brother Kevin is coming over, but I'm not sure what we'll do. The kids would like to go swimming one more time before it closes for the summer. I need to finish getting the stuff ready for the kids to start school on Tuesday. I think they may be ready, but I'm not quite there, yet.

Baby Update

I sometimes forget I'm pregnant and then someone asks me how we're doing. We are doing good. Tomorrow I'll be 18 weeks along. We have talked about names, but really can't seem to agree. I go to the doctor on Monday for a check up. At this point nothing really exciting happens there except I have to wait forever to see the Doctor. I'll be sure to bring a lot of things to do while I wait. They really should put recliners in the waiting area and then we could just take a nap.
Beth's comment of this week, "I really don't want it to be a girl because then I'll have to share my room, but I really don't want a brother since he'll be more annoying than a sister."
Thanks everyone for praying and keep on praying for us and the baby.

Back to Reality!

Ok so this week school started here in Slater on Tuesday which meant I had to have forms filled out by then about what I was going to teach my kids this year. I also had other forms to fill out as they are taking classes with the Ames Home School Assistance program. Basically I have writer's cramp!! But I'm glad to have that part done now I can finish up last minute stuff until we actually begin school after Labor Day. I also worked 4 days this week along with meetings and church on Wednesday it has been a long tiring week. I'm thankful I got unpacked from camp this past weekend or I'd been in big trouble.
This weekend Keith is going to Men's Retreat at camp and the kids and I are going to go to Lincoln Highway Days' parade in Nevada on Saturday if it doesn't rain. The college students are back in Ames so that means Pizza Fest on Sunday. It is a chance for those of us from the church to meet and make college students feel welcome.

Chris doing archery

Here is Beth going off the zip-line and Chris standing at the top. He never did go off.