Blue Streaks.....

This afternoon we leave for Carlyle, IL to attend the last Tournament of the 2009-10 Teutopolis Blue Streaks basketball season. In fact, Sunday is the last game period. If the boys win today then they will play twice tomorrow but if they lose (and they won't) then they will play again later this evening instead of any tomorrow.

They weren't able to have any practices this week due to conflicting schedules. The biggest was the 7th grade boys went to State and WON!! Congrats boys! Austin, I heard you played a heck of a game.

Good Luck this weekend Blue Streaks, even though I know you won't need luck! We look forward to the games.

Caleb, we hope to see your offense explodes and your defense destructs there game plan. GRRRR.....get em

Carpet is going in the baby's room today...yay!!!!

Today is the day I've been waiting for since I knew we were prego. This morning at 7am Jason was at our house ready to lay the carpet in Blueberry's room. I've never been more excited to see someone show up at our house that early in the morning!

Now that the carpet is being done this means that come this weekend Matt, Caleb, and I will be busy bringing down our crib and changing table and setting up where I want everthing to go. Maybe I'll even be able to talk a shopping trip to Baby Depot too. There are still a few little odds and ends to pick up for her room there yet.

By my calculations we should have a whole month to just relax and prepare ourselves for little miss Blueberry's arrival. This should be plenty of time to visit the hospital, try to talk Matt into taking a labor and delivery class (wish me luck on that, he doesn't think he needs any help), signing up for Baptismal classes, and most importantly ~ PICKING OUT HER NAME!!!!!!!

Matt did spend all evening last night on Baby Center looking at every name possibility there was. I do think we have it narrowed down to three possibilities now though. So I do feel a lot less stressed about this now. However, no one will know what we've chosen until the day of her arrival. That is the one thing Matt, Caleb, and I are keeping to ourselves. So until that wonderful day we will all refer to her as "Blueberry".

Tender Lullabies

Last night I had to make a quick trip to Walmart that should have taken literally 5 minutes. Well, wouldn't you know that the school supply list is out and Caleb was with me so we had to shop for the stuff before it was all picked over.

So then once that was completed then I had to take a trip to the baby isle just to look around, again. It's so fun, especially when Caleb's with me :-) So while we were just "browsing" we found a cute lullaby CD from Fisher Price for just $10, so we had to buy it. Yes I did listen to every track and it was so sweet. Now I just need to burn it to my ipod and let baby Blueberry relax to the instrumental sounds of her 1st CD.

Now I'll just have to find some headphones that will fit my belly. The ones I had won't stretch enough. Watch out, Wide load comin through ;-)

Only 6.5 hrs to go

On a lighter note today, at 3 pm today I will officially start my 4 day vacation. The best part about it is, it will be just Caleb and I!!!!!! Tonight we will be packing up to start our fun.

First thing tomorrow we have to head to the dr's office where I'll take my glucose test, fun, fun. He just loves going there with me....lol. Then after I get my sugar rush for the year we're headed to get something for breakfast, wherever Caleb wants to go, of course. Then we're darting off to the Amtrak station where we officially begin our vacation together.

We'll be taking the train to Chicago to visit Tante' and Aunt Elizabeth. I know Tante' has an eventful trip scheduled for her nephew that entails concerts and an evening of a knights dual. Capturing the knights of the medieval times fighting to the death for there kingdom or maiden. All revolving around children's interest and of course rate E for everyone. Following the play they will have a medieval meal where you eat w/ your fingers and use little to no manners. Doesn't this just scream adolescents ;-) Hopefully we will have enough time to get downtown to see Aunt Elizabeth and soon to be Uncle Bill. They are really busy moving right now so we hope to a least meet them for a meal somewhere.

Sounds like we're going to have a jam packed, fun-filled, sunshiny weekend. To be honest w/ you, I need it. I always look forward to spending time w/ Caleb and just the thought of this weekend plasters a cement smile on my face.

Let the countdown begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally a Win

Our son, Caleb is on the same baseball team as last year, called THUNDER. Last year they all really seemed to click from the start and had a fairly good season. Very enjoyable to watch the kids work together and grow as a team.

This year it seems like the boys are struggling to pull it together. I'm not sure what happened but it is very noticeable. They have the same coaches, who are very good with teaching the boys and trying to keep up their confidence but again, something is not clicking with the team.

From the beginning of this years season I've referred to them as the 'Bad News Bears'. However, last night we played and finally won our first game of the season. Talk about exciting for both, the boys and their parents and family. Caleb played short-stop and his norm - third base and did it with absolute confidence. He was also focused enough to hit 2 triples in a row. Talk about a boy on cloud nine - THAT WAS CALEB!

Long story short, the boys are finally getting it together with just a handful of games left, but there getting it together. I couldn't be more proud of all the boys and yes of course, I give my little big man two thumbs up for growing in confidence and helping his team to their first win of the season.

Thunder - 11
Opposing Team - 3

Way to go THUNDER!

I know all is going to be well now

This whole baby thing has been quite a whirl wind for Caleb. Frankly, it broke my heart to see how concerned he was about being a BIG brother. I thought he would love the idea straight out the gate. Well, I now know, this was 100% wishful thinking on my part. Caleb has had nothing but my full attention for the last 10 years and after I thought about it our news probably scared the daylight out of him. I felt horrible about myself after the fact. I should have never thought he would share my excitement right away.

After his initial reaction we were sure to devote 110% of our time to Caleb. Make sure he knew this baby would never take his place in my heart. He's my first born, that will always be so special to me. We updated him on everyone of our OB appointments and kept him informed of every new sono pic. I felt like I was doing everything possible to make him comfortable in our new adjustments.

Finally, this morning while getting ready for work Caleb came in our room and offered to make our bed for me. I graciously accepted his offer. After he made our bed he came over to where I was standing and patted my belly (which I might add is definitely starting to protrude) and said with a smile, "Is that my baby in there?" At that point my heart was melted. I felt he finally accepted and looks forward to the baby. HE'S READY TO BE THAT BIG BROTHER!!!!

I couldn't be a happier person right now. My son accepts the upcoming happiness to our family. I have a wonderful husband who won't let me lift a finger, he's truly my Superman. My family is constantly checking in on me to make sure things are going well. My friends are spoiling me with smiles and excitement on a daily basis. What more could a pregnant girl want.

Well, The time has come.....

OK, the time has come. Thankfully to my wonderful S-I-L Christina who helped me with the final "technical" details tonight. Your the best C!!!

This announcement has been a work in progress for the last few years and I'm very excited to let it out!

To all our family and friends I want to share with you our proud family moment..........in another six months you'll get to meet him or her yourself but for now we have photos!

Please meet our newest addition: "Blueberry"




Matt and I are expecting our 2nd child to our family. We couldn't be more proud!!! We've work so very hard to accomplish this, it's truly our 2nd miracle in life......1st and foremost will always be our son Caleb.

Caleb took this news a little harder than we'd hoped but now that quite a few weeks have gone by and we've kept him informed about everything going on he seems to really be coming around to being the BIG BROTHER :-) It was a lot for my little 10 year old to take in after having mom and dad to himself for so long. All his emotions were expected, he's only human. He'll always be my little man!

Anyway, thanks for your patience while I worked out all my computer faults to get these pictures scan to our computer. Thanks again to Christina for keeping me from pulling my hair out, I was so ready to tell the world but didn't have everything ready to make this announcement complete.

Our due date is tentatively November the 8th. Yes, this will also be our 6th year wedding anniversary. What a wonderful gift!!!

Just a little ending note. No matter how bad you think things are getting for you, or you just don't feel strong enough to carry all the burdens and difficulties in life; Remember God will never give you more than he knows you can handle. I'm a firm believer in this. Always count in the Lord to help you through everything.

In ending I would love to share with everyone my most favorite poem of the Lord called:

Footprints in the Sand

:

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,

that if I followed you,

you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints in the sand,

is when I carried you."

Author: Mary Stevens 1984

I know many days seem like we're on our own. I know this last year took a HUGE toll on me but as long as I had the Lord in my heart, he always carried me through my troubles and pain. You just have to let him in and give him a chance.

God Bless!!!!!

Time off!!!

I've been looking forward to this week for a very long time! Not only is my S-I-L, Alicia, getting married on Friday but I will have a 4 Day WEEKEND!!!! How exciting it is to have 4 days off in a row and not have any O-O-T plans! I can do what I want, when I want! ;-)

I'm going to soooo love the R & R and all the extra time Caleb and I will have to goof around! Caleb goes back to school in 2 1/2 weeks already and he has spent more time at his grandparents this summer than w/ me because I work. Don't get me wrong I'm grateful that he is w/ his grandparents instead of daycare, but everyday I look at him and wish it was me he could be w/ all summer. I love my job and never want to leave it but Time Off is always something great to look forward too!

This day can't get any better than it will be at 5:30!! Hope everyone has as good a weekend as I do.

No More Daycare

Last night my momma called me and wanted to know if Caleb could spend the night, this was at 8:30 or so. I thought it was a little late and we needed to consider daycare too. Even if Caleb doesn't show up we still have to pay the weekly fee. So once my parents heard this I could immediately hear the wheels turning! Mom said she had to talk to my dad and she would call me back. It wasn't even 5 minutes and my cell phone rang, they wanted to watch him the rest of the summer so he didn't have to go to daycare anymore. Once Caleb heard about this I don't think his eyes could have opened any wider. Then said "Can I mom, can I please!?!?" Now tell me, how do you say NO to that kind of a request?

Caleb is soo excited to be w/ his grandparents for the rest of the summer.

Thanks Mom and Dad, you really know how to make Caleb smile!!!

It's Time for Holiday World!!!!

This Saturday our family is heading to Holiday World in Indiana. Getting away as a family is always something we look forward to. No phones, worries, and most of all NO drama! Last year we tried Six Flags in St. Louis, MO, out for a spin. That was a huge disappointment for Caleb. It just wasn't as child orientated as Holiday World is and he ended up having to ride the same ride over and over again. Bummer :-(

This year is even more exciting because we headed up there w/ Chris, Christina, and Calvin. Even more family fun! We're keeping our fingers crossed that nothing comes up and the weather stays beautiful.

Caleb's 1st Baseball Tournament

This past Friday May 23rd Caleb started his 1st Khourey Ball Tournament in Bishop. They boys are no longer pitched to by their coaches they are pitched to by the boys of the opposing team. This may not seem like a big deal to most but for us it is a huge change up! It's actually a real game, there a winner and a looser. The boys pay more attention to the game and they are working more together than playing in the dirt.

The tourny was very good. All teams played very well. Caleb played third base most of the tourny and did awesome. His team name is the TTown Thunder. The team won there 1st two games but was defeated in the 3rd game. They were to play for the 3rd and 4th place bracket but Mother Nature decided to be part of the event as well and the park district had to cancel the rest of the tournament....bummer! So this time there were no "official" winners or loosers. It was soo much fun. I think I'll be a great baseball mom!!! Matt even helped coach the boys and did such a good job, I might have to sign him up next year to coach Caleb's team. It's definetly good quality time w/ the family.

Thank you everyone able to make to see him play. It means a lot to us. Hope you had as much fun as we did!!

My Tough Guy!

Caleb is at the age where he really needs to be w/ me when shopping for his clothes. A few Saturdays ago I wanted to go to Champaign to shop for some summer clothes for him and he said that was too far, he wanted to play outside. So we compromised and went out to eat lunch and then decided to go to Kohls. They had several bargains and Caleb found a good foundation of new summer clothes but what he found as we were leaving I must say SHOCKED me. I just didn't think he would ever wear this.

I think this shirt is funny but lets face it kids can be mean to one another and I was just worried that even though he liked this shirt so much it would haunt him later. To my suprise, I can't keep this shirt clean. Evertime I turn around its in the wash. He came home from school w/ stories about how many kids, both boys and girls, thought the shirt was "COOL". He's always going to be my "Little Tough Guy" not matter what age!

My Mother's Day 2008

I feel like the luckiest mom in the world!! I have a very handsome, healthy, and great spirited little man that God blessed me w/ 9yrs ago. Even though Mother's Day only comes once a year he reminds me of how fortunate I am every day! This morning I woke up to the pitter patter of his little feet tip towing to our room to see if we were awake. Once he heard Matt and I talking he ran up to my side of the bed and said in his super sweet voice "Happy Mother's Day Mommy!" If there is ever anything to melt a mom's heart, it would have to be her childs love and sincerity. I'm one of those lucky mother's.

There are so many people who take for granted that they are capable of bearing children. For me, it is hard to see these children not able to recieve the love that they deserve. I know that Matt and I are always looking for ways to better our sons life. I wish these parents could realize that there children are a gift and a miracle that they should cherish not put on the back burner or pawn off to anyone who will take them so they can have a good time. Life isn't just about you anymore! Once your a parent, this is your responsibility for the rest of your life, enjoy it don't dreed it. There are plenty of people that would love to be in your shoes.

I know one day Caleb is going to grow up and not be as into Mother's Day as he is now, but until that day comes I will cherish every moment I have w/ my baby. The only thing I hope for Caleb is that as an adult he will be as loving and sincere as he is now. No matter how old he gets, he will alway's be my baby boy. I love you w/ all my heart Caleb and Thank You for another wonderful Mother's Day memory!