thank heaven for little girls!

Julie, I'm thrilled for you! And I agree with Kimmie, I've been needing an excuse to look at and purchase little girl things :) I go shopping for little boy stuff for my expected nephew and feel like I've been neglecting the little girl departments!
Not much new here. I'm fully enjoying this spring with all the flowers in bloom and my lilac bush filling the back yard with glorious smells! the garden has been tilled and we are getting ready to plant the vegetables in a few weeks. Chris and I just got back from a long weekend in Washington DC. We had a wedding and spent a few days sight seeing. The place is just beautiful I tell ya. We saw lots of sights and... one really funny one. We visited the George Washington Island to see the Teddy Roosevelt memorial and as we were leaving (walking) we saw a woman jump out of her previously parked car as the car drove straight in to the Potomac River! It was so strange! No one was injured. I wonder if she didn't mean to do it because heck, if i just drove my car into the river and nearly went in with it, I would be a LITTLE freaked out. she was giggling. giggling! chris just had to take a picture of the car in the river, so I'll make sure it gets online sometime soon.
Bed time!

Yay!

Finally! Now I have a reason to buy those adorable pink froofy baby things.
Congrats, Juls! Keep us posted.
I didn't realize Tulsa was getting pounded with storms so badly. Hope you're all okay!
Love ya...

baby update

Hey girls! I hope you're all doing well. Kim, I'm so happy about your new job and I hope that you're getting all settled in and enjoying your work. (sorry I missed your call the other day, I don't even know how I didn't hear my phone ring) All is fine here. Josh is working nights this week. It's not too bad except that tonight is his first 12 hour night and we happen to be under tornado attack all night. I have already spent part of my evening at Panera Bread in the freezer with Seth because it was a safe place to hide from the first round of tornados that swept Tulsa while I was eating dinner with a friend. I just crawled out of the hallway where I sat in the dark for an hour with Seth asleep in my arms while we hid from the second round of storms and tornados. We have a brief reprieve, but I will probably be heading back to the hallway or bathroom with a sleeping baby to take cover from the third round of tornados in about an hour. It's a crappy night for Josh to be gone all night. You girls know how I'm afraid of thunder and lightening, let alone tornados! Before I got married, I spent most thunderstorms in bed with Kim because they freak me out so much! Anyways, there's nothing new happening here. I just wanted to post to tell you all that I had my ultrasound today to see if we could identify the baby's sex. I'm only 18 weeks, so I'm a little early to get a completely clear view as the genital area has just recently developed completely. However, you can get a pretty solid picture at this point that is rarely misleading. Based on the view we got with the ultrasound (and it was a pretty wide-open angle if you know what I mean), it looks like we can pretty confidently expect the first member of the Sapphires Club, the next generation. It's a girl! =) The doctor looked at her from every angle to make sure there was nothing "poking out" and he and Josh both decided that it is most definately looked like a girl. Hopefully, we'll get another good picture at another ultrasound when I'm further along to just verify her sex. But we feel pretty comfortable with it right now. I'm pretty excited. I had psyched myself up so much for a boy so that I wouldn't be disappointed that I can't quite believe that it's a girl. It will be fun. Well, I'd better get going and watch the weather again. Love you all!

New job

So I'm officially a full-time working girl now. I just started yesterday as a copywriter at Onlineshoes.com. I'm mainly writing product copy and things like that for the website. It's going to be challenging, but definitely interesting (I mean, I had to read fashion magazines yesterday to do 'research' on brand images...). The pay is exactly what I needed and the office is about a mile and a half from home (I know this because I missed my bus yesterday and walked most of the way!).
Other than that, things are pretty much the same. Adam and I were in Colorado for Easter -- our nephew Dylan really got into the Easter egg stuff this year, so that was pretty fun. I'll post some pictures whenever I finally get them off the camera -- Adam and I went kind of overboard on our egg-coloring this year. It's always quite an event at his family's house -- everyone all sort of has a contest to see who can be the most original, funny, or whatever.
Adam's birthday was on Tuesday -- I got him flying lessons that will start this Saturday. He's very excited about it -- hopefully the weather is good so we can go up.
We're getting more involved in church -- we found one that seems to be perfect for us. Very young and trendy, but also traditional in some aspects. We've been making some friends there and are really starting to feel connected.
I guess that's about it from me -- love you all!!

saying good-bye

Hi girls,
I just got off the phone with Stephanie and felt the need to post. Tonight I said goodbye to Jaren. She leaves on saturday morning to move back to Arkansas. these last 2 weeks have been really rough on both of us, saying goodbye again. But I'm really thankful that God gave us this time together.
Friday morning we leave for Washington DC. We're going to a formal military wedding, and also will see some sites while we're there. We get to share a hotel room with my mother-in-law :) won't that be fun!!!
I don't think I told you that my brother and his wife heard they will be having a boy. They've chosen the name Bailey Christopher. I'm super-excited and can't wait to start buying little boy clothes.
My tulips are in full bloom and they are gorgeous. On Easter morning I walked around the corner of the house to see the first red tulips blooming. I was so excited, Chris thought I wet myself.
Our company has moved in to the new office building and it's fabulous. It's professional looking, which is quite a change for our company.
And I think that's all I have to catch you up on. Love you ladies!

Happy Easter!

Hey all! I thought I would just give you a hello. This time of year reminds me of you all so much. I was thinking about making Easter dinner, which brought back memories of the Easter dinner we had at my apartment my senior year. You guys are so special to me!

Not much is going on with us. Missions is really starting to kick in. We are suppose to have over 50% of our money in, and Nick and I are running short. We have found a few extra jobs to do in the evening, so hopefully that will help. :) We are working a gardeners for a lady next week. I hope my green thumb can grow in between now and then! ;)

Kim, I'm so sorry for your loss. I am praying for your family and your mom. I hope you all have a great time in Longmont! :)
Jennifer how was the move? Are you enjoying your walls and door? It is amazing how much you appreciate simple things when you've gone with out them for so long. :) How is Chris doing? We are praying for him.
Steph...how was the move? I'm figuring you are on your way or close to being in Tulsa.
Julie - I hope you are feeling better and that you can let your "faith doctor" know that all is well. ;) Your story made me laugh and cringe at the same time. I think I would have told the man off.
Angie, thank you so much for the birthday card! I had a such a wonderful day and hearing your voice made it that much sweeter! Thank you!! The picture is great too, I can just imagine us when were are old and wrinkled sitting in the inner tubes on some lake during a summer. :) I can't wait for that too happen!!

I hope you all have a wonderful Easter!! I love ya tons! I'm counting down until I see you in July. I have my plane ticket bought!!

Remembering

Well Adam's watching the Discovery Channel and I'm waiting for laundry to be done, so I thought I'd post something while I was thinking of you all.
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers for my family in the past week. My mom's still having a hard time with the fact that one of her siblings is gone -- that's a feeling I can't even imagine. We've all been going through our memories, finding all kinds of obscure events and family gatherings, trying to remember the special little moments. It's funny the little things that your mind brings back to your attention when you immerse yourself in remembering.
My mom gave me an old picture not long ago of her on her wedding day. It's a beautiful old black and white photo of my grandmother helping my mom with her veil and my Aunt Joan (the one that just passed away) is standing next to my mom, admiring her. It's such a lovely picture -- I think I might frame it for the wall. They all just look so young and happy -- and skinny! Those girls must have had waists smaller than Scarlett O'Hara! Good grief. Where did I get all my curves from??
Anyway, I wasn't able to make it to Ohio for the funeral -- the tickets were just outrageous in price because of spring break. But I'd like to get back sometime in the next couple of months, hopefully. Times like these I sort of forget why I wanted to live so far away from everyone. It's very frustrating when all I want to do is see my family -- and I can't. Normally, it's not an issue -- we can fork over the money and just splurge on a ticket. But when the cheapest one you can find is $900, that's not really an option.
Is anyone else having to pay taxes this year? This is the first time we've had to and ... ouch. Guess we need to pop out a kid or something before next year. Too bad we can't claim the pets. I mean, Clover could be a child's name, right?
Write soon, girls, and keep us all updated on your lives! Steph, we need to catch up soon! Have you finished packing yet? Julie, how was Seth's birthday party? I was thinking of you all weekend -- you'll have to post some pictures! Jamie, Adam and I will be in Longmont this weekend -- we'll wave as we fly over! Hope all is well with everyone. Love you, girls!

just stopping by

Hey ladies,
I've been missing you all so much lately, and thinking of you constantly as I watch the count-down to sapphire reunion tick away! Life is finally settling down after getting the floor completed. I love the look of it all, and the new trim, and the smooth finish. I will say that it is a bit slippery sometimes, so if you ever come and visit, keep that in mind. Last night I came close to falling on my face. Chris visited the doctor a week ago and was put on a very low dose blood-pressure medication. Please pray that the medication, along with the weight loss that's occuring will help lower the blood pressure.
Our office is relocating to Davenport next friday. I'm imagining that will be an interesting experience for all. I get an office with 4 walls (this is a first!), a big window, and only one door (also a first). It'll be nice when everyone's settled in.
Julie, I loved reading your story about the super-spiritual doctor. I probably would have just snapped at the guy! I couldn't imagine just sitting there and listening to all the blabber. How did you stand it!? Kimmie, I'm praying for you and your family as you mourn this passing. Jamie, I'm praying for you and your hubbie, that God would direct your communication to be effective. Stephanie, I miss you too much and we really need to talk! Hope things are coming together for the upcoming move. i'll try and call you this weekend.
lots of love!

Sympathy

Hey Kim, I just wanted to post a quick note to say that I'm so sorry about your aunt passing away. I did not know your aunt had cancer. Which one is it? Anyways, your family is in our prayers. Please let us know if you need anything at all. Where will the funeral be? Let us know if you're going to be going and when so we can be praying. Again, I'm really sorry. Love you!

Quick note

Hi, girls. I just have time for a quick post right now. Just wanted to let everyone know that my mom's sister just passed away last night. She had breast cancer and had been struggling for over a year now. So it wasn't a total surprise, but still a bit of a shock as everyone assumed she'd be discharged from the hospital in a couple days. But she slipped away pretty quickly and peacefully - my uncle didn't quite make it in time to be there with her when she went. I'd really appreciate prayers for my mom right now. I think she's still in shock - she hasn't really broken down yet. I'm trying to decide whether I should and can go to Ohio this weekend for the funeral. So I'd appreciate your prayers as well.
Anyway, hope all is well with you girls. I love you!

Is anyone normal?

Hey...what a crazy last few days. I just needed to write and not feel like I'm a drama queen. I probably am, but oh well. :) Nick and I have been trying to discuss an issue that just hurts me. I can't figure out how to explain it to him though. Everytime I bring it up, it confuses him more and more. The problem may come from me not really knowing how to verbalize what is going on. Am I normal? I sure hope so. Anyhoo...I think I'm learning to let it go a little, but then again, maybe not. The small issue that sets me off is that he doesn't respond to me when I ask, holler or sometime talk to him. I know that's a 'usual' thing for guys, but I guess I didn't realize how much they don't listen. :) I must have done this to my mom when I was a kid. I realize how much it must have driven her crazy. When he has to repeat something to me, he assumes that I don't trust him. That is what hurts the most. I can't seem to figure out how to make him see that I do trust him. The latest incident was when were cleaning the house and had the radios up loud and doors were shut. The thing that gets me the most too, is that I know he was working on a surprise for me...and I always seem to blow them.

Anyways...thanks for reading and hearing my heart. I needed to vent to a safe place. I sure do miss you guys! I wish often that I could just transport you all into my world for a moment. A quick hug and an assurance that I'm normal, then you could go back to your lives. :)

I love you all and I'm praying for you all that time!