Watch Out for the Bear

I posted this on FaceBook so sorry if some of you have to look at it twice! Boone and I at Thunderbird Falls. It was a fun day with Heather and her boys (Ian and Declan)! About half way up the trail we were told to look out for the black bear from a lady who was 100 ft from it at one point. Needless to day, we never ventured off the trail! I have never been a runner and now with a growing belly, I am sure my running skills will keep diminishing!

A Computer Fast

This past week I was steering clear of my computer. Our church challenged us to a computer fast. There were really no rules. And before you ask, no they weren't preaching that the computer was the devil.

The point was to take the time that you spend on the computer (doing FaceBook, Twitter or whatever else takes time away from your family) and use that time to spend more time with your family. I know I can really get wrapped up in e-mail some days. I love it! And I get a lot of it! I do have a FaceBook account but staying off was not really a challenge. Come to find out, if I don't read what people are doing during the day, my day is still complete.

It was interesting to see though, how many times I walked downstairs to get onto the computer out of sheer boredom. I would walk down, turn around and walk right back up to the living room. Good exercise I guess.

While this particular exercise didn't prove too hard for me to complete, it made me think of what would be a challenge. I came up with not being able to watch TV or reading. I am ashamed to admit that would be killer for me. I am not so sure I would make it through the week!

Good challenge all around though. I made me realize that maybe I should push myself more often. And not be so brainless about why I do the things I do.

What activity do you think you would miss the most if challenged to a fast?

Boone's Birthday

This is my baby...

He turned 5 on Sunday. I really don't know where the time goes. He is already getting gray under his chin. Yikes! He has moved 4 times to 4 states, survived and helped me through 2 deployments and 1 transplant. And now he has to welcome a new addition to the family with open paws! I sometimes question his intelligence but I will never question his loyalty. He is a good friend! I can't imagine live without him in it. I hope he knows he has to be around forever!

Me...preggers

Me, 17 weeks pregnant. The bump looks bigger without my hand there. I will remember that for next time! I can't even believe how much of a belly I have now. This thing has a mind of it's own!

I found out today that I am having a little girl!

The F Word

I am in a funk. A big one. I have no idea why and there is no reason! I live in a beautiful place. I am expecting our first child in November. There is over 19 hours of sunshine around here this time of year. I have lots of great friends. I can just keep listing positive things.

I do miss Aaron. He is only gone for a few more weeks at training. I have been through a 16 month deployment before this is nothing. But still I miss my best friend.

I have been busy finding stuff for the nursery. It is all sitting in the middle of the room. The painting has to be done first of course. And then when Aaron gets home he gets to assemble it all. Isn't that a new dad's right of passage or something?!

Maybe I just need to get out an explore. I miss taking pictures. I am indeed in a funk but I promise to kick my butt out of it soon! I miss writing on here.

Getting Bigger and Stronger

Baby P. at 13 weeks

The little bugger would barely sit still for a picture. It was amazing to watch he/she move around so much! Great appointment today at the high risk doctor. I think I am going to like going there because it will be often. I will get to see my baby more than most. I think it will be very reassuring.

Thoughts on being preggos...(so far)

Being pregnant isn't at all what I thought. I feel tired but that is about it. I don't feel nauseous or the need to throw up. I am more than grateful that this is the case! I think God gave me a break on this one! Because if I were to get sick I would have to go to the hospital and get my medicines through an IV. Not fun. But I need my medicines, so I really wouldn't have any other choice.

I am grateful that I don't feel the normal pains of pregnancy, yet I feel jipped somehow. Is that crazy? I don't want to get fat but I am excited for something, anything to happen or to change in me. We have been to the doctor twice and have heard the heartbeat. I LOVE THIS! It reassures me that everything is indeed alright. But then I leave the doctor and feel like plain old Jackie again.

How did some of you moms feel?

Am I excited? Absolutely. But I feel most days like it isn't real. And that I will wake up and someone will have played a horrible joke on me. I am looking forward to the day when I feel 'connected' to the baby and to actually feel like an expectant mother.

I hope saying these things don't make me seem like a horrible person! I promise I am more than over the moon that we are having a baby! It just isn't at all like I had expected to feel.

One bonus: I got the boobs I always wanted! :)

Late Night Sunsets Are Back!

10:04 PM last night!

A New Addition

God has blessed Aaron and I with our first child. He/she will be arriving this November. The sonogram is from 8weeks 5 days but I am starting my 11th week now. We are over the moon with excitement and nerves. Keep us and the little one in your prayers! Next appointment will be May 5th. I will keep you all posted!

Little People

Aaron and I rarely get home, so it was awesome to be able to go back to PA for Easter. It is always great to see family. But it is really great to see the little people of the family, nieces and nephews. They grow so fast! And it seems like we are missing a lot. But thank goodness we have sisters and sister-in-laws who send photos and videos of what they are up too! Here are a few of my favorite photos of them.

Delaney, Ryan and Briana's little one.

Delaney watching the lake. There is a lab in there swimming around. She thought it was pretty funny!

Nickie's daughter, Sydney and Aaron.

Aaron and the new addition to the family, Anderson. He is Nickie's also!

Aaron and Delaney doing the surprise face!

Aaron and Delaney showing their muscles. :)

Aaron also got some fishing in while we were home. It was funny watching him tote his fly fishing to PA from AK. But the fishing season hasn't started here yet!

I have more pictures of Anderson and Sydney. I took some for my sister to send to family. I didn't want to ruin her pics by posting them here. As soon as picks which ones she likes, I will post the others on the blog!

Random note: I love having Aaron home so I can take pics of him. There were only a few taken of me while we were home and I don't mind that at all! I can't seem to take enough pictures of him!