I went to a Beth Moore conference in Jacksonville with some of the ladies from church. It was a lot of fun. I wish I had felt a little better so I could have enjoyed it more. Taylor and I drove over to Jacksonville on Friday. The conference was Friday night and Saturday morning. I have enjoyed doing a few Bible studies from Beth Moore so it was really enjoyable to get to see her in person.
After the Friday night sessions all the ladies headed back to the hotel room. We went over to Colleen, Gloria, and Jen's room for some late night snacking and talking. It was good to get to spend some time with all the ladies. We laughed almost the whole time. We Lou, Lori and I headed back to our room a little before midnight, too late for the pregnant lady here but it was worth it.
We woke up much too early for a Saturday morning at 5:45, or at least that is what me and Taylor thought. ;o) Beth Moore has some of the most amazing singers for her worship band. I would pay just to go see them. They play such a wide variety of music and they do it so well. Worship music always gets me in the mood for learning about God and His Word. My two favorite song they sung were Shackles (praise You) and The Solid Rock. It was very powerful. Shari, Linda, Taylor and Lori rode home with me. We stopped at Subway for lunch and then drove home. I really had a great time with these ladies and was very renewed by the conference. The more I go to Christian conferences the more I love them. The power I feel from so many all worshiping and learning about God is amazing. I bet God loves conferences too. Seeing all those people gathered together sharing in His love and wisdom.
When I got home my sweet husband surprised me by organizing part of our room so that the baby's bassinet can be in there. I have been trying be motivated enough to do it for a while but sometime else always seems more pressing. He also organized the storage in the play room. It was very nice to come home too. I am very blessed to have a guy who works so hard to make me happy.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Camping in Mantee Springs
Josh and I decided to go camping for some relaxation and time together. We decided to go to Manatee Springs in Chiefland, Fl. My brother had gone camping there in November and recommenced it, plus this time of year the manatees are still in the springs. We headed out Tuesday and stayed until Friday. It was absolutely wonderful. We had such a great time! The weather was perfect except at night it was a little colder than you may want but we loved the trip.
We arrived at the camp site in time to set up camp and get dinner ready just before dark. Josh sat down after everything was dinner was cleaned up and started playing his guitar. I sat back and enjoyed the music. One of our next door neighbors, Jeff, came over and ask if he could join Josh is some music. It was pretty neat listening to them play together.
We had many visitors during our stay at our campsite. Our first and the funniest, was a cardinal and his mate. They were a very talkative couple. The male cardinal has apparently had luck getting into peoples cars for a tasty treat. He decided that our car MUST have something yummy in it for him and his little girlfriend. He would fly over to our car and peck at every window trying to get in. It was quite funny watching him. His mate would just sit up in a tree above the car and chatter to him. He couldn't figure out if she was telling him he was crazy or how he needed to be doing it better.
His girlfriend getting a drink
He finally gave up.
A lizard visiting our water tap.
Another visitor that was not quite as funny but just as persistent as the raccoon. He must have checked us out the first night and decided we were worth coming back to. We saw him in the tree right before bed. We have a huge cooler and since it was in the 40-50s at night were left the cooler out side under the picnic table. Well, once we had laid down in bed we head the little bandit knock over the small cooler, which was on top of the big cooler and try to get in to the bigger cooler. He must have really wanted to get in because even when Josh and I ran out making all kinds of noise he tried very hard to hide behind the trees so he could get another go at it. We decided that it might be safe to lug the cooler to the car and store it in there. So the first night we left the cooler out with no problems but the other nights the cooler went into the car. One of our most common visitors were the squirrels. They were all over the place.
My favorite visitor was the deer. The first night we were there I think the males were fighting over a female and butting head. I woke up to a lot of scuffling outside our tent. I unzipped our back window and we saw at 2 male deer and I think one female deer jump away. The next night a huge doe came right up behind our tent. I was about 5 feet away. You can't see her too well in the picture because it was so dark. It was really neat being that close to her. The last night we were there another female doe came up behind our tent. She was about half the size of the doe the previous night. She was also not quite as comfortable with us watching her. There must have been a lot of deer visiting out last night because whenever I woke up I could hear them munching.
There were still about 6 manatees in the springs that had not headed out yet. It looked like there were 2 younger manatees and the rest were full sized adults. An interesting fact I found out while we were there, is that manatees have almost no body fat. I always thought they were mostly fat. Manatees are such relaxing animals. Watching them just makes you want to sit down and relax or take a nap. They are very peaceful. Here are a few pictures I was able to get of them.
Lots of mullet fish
Josh and I did some fishing too while we were their. The first day was unsuccessful. Josh caught two catfish that both broke the line before he could get them up. While we were out there we saw vultures fighting. I guess 2 of the vultures were mad at another one. The rest of the group join them and started taking sides. The next day, Josh, with some help from me, caught a beautiful brim fish. He was a pretty good size too. We cooked him up and had him for dinner. Boy, that was some of the best tasting fish! I forgot how much I love fresh caught freshwater fish! While Josh was cooking out yummy dinner I started the camp fire. After dinner we sat by the fire enjoyed talking talking and made the yummiest smores. My belly was very happy that night!
Vultures fighting
The group taking sides
Our fresh dinner
The warm campfire which helped keep the mosquitos away and make a yummy dessert
We arrived at the camp site in time to set up camp and get dinner ready just before dark. Josh sat down after everything was dinner was cleaned up and started playing his guitar. I sat back and enjoyed the music. One of our next door neighbors, Jeff, came over and ask if he could join Josh is some music. It was pretty neat listening to them play together.
We had many visitors during our stay at our campsite. Our first and the funniest, was a cardinal and his mate. They were a very talkative couple. The male cardinal has apparently had luck getting into peoples cars for a tasty treat. He decided that our car MUST have something yummy in it for him and his little girlfriend. He would fly over to our car and peck at every window trying to get in. It was quite funny watching him. His mate would just sit up in a tree above the car and chatter to him. He couldn't figure out if she was telling him he was crazy or how he needed to be doing it better.
His girlfriend getting a drink
He finally gave up.
A lizard visiting our water tap.
Another visitor that was not quite as funny but just as persistent as the raccoon. He must have checked us out the first night and decided we were worth coming back to. We saw him in the tree right before bed. We have a huge cooler and since it was in the 40-50s at night were left the cooler out side under the picnic table. Well, once we had laid down in bed we head the little bandit knock over the small cooler, which was on top of the big cooler and try to get in to the bigger cooler. He must have really wanted to get in because even when Josh and I ran out making all kinds of noise he tried very hard to hide behind the trees so he could get another go at it. We decided that it might be safe to lug the cooler to the car and store it in there. So the first night we left the cooler out with no problems but the other nights the cooler went into the car. One of our most common visitors were the squirrels. They were all over the place.
My favorite visitor was the deer. The first night we were there I think the males were fighting over a female and butting head. I woke up to a lot of scuffling outside our tent. I unzipped our back window and we saw at 2 male deer and I think one female deer jump away. The next night a huge doe came right up behind our tent. I was about 5 feet away. You can't see her too well in the picture because it was so dark. It was really neat being that close to her. The last night we were there another female doe came up behind our tent. She was about half the size of the doe the previous night. She was also not quite as comfortable with us watching her. There must have been a lot of deer visiting out last night because whenever I woke up I could hear them munching.
There were still about 6 manatees in the springs that had not headed out yet. It looked like there were 2 younger manatees and the rest were full sized adults. An interesting fact I found out while we were there, is that manatees have almost no body fat. I always thought they were mostly fat. Manatees are such relaxing animals. Watching them just makes you want to sit down and relax or take a nap. They are very peaceful. Here are a few pictures I was able to get of them.
Lots of mullet fish
Josh and I did some fishing too while we were their. The first day was unsuccessful. Josh caught two catfish that both broke the line before he could get them up. While we were out there we saw vultures fighting. I guess 2 of the vultures were mad at another one. The rest of the group join them and started taking sides. The next day, Josh, with some help from me, caught a beautiful brim fish. He was a pretty good size too. We cooked him up and had him for dinner. Boy, that was some of the best tasting fish! I forgot how much I love fresh caught freshwater fish! While Josh was cooking out yummy dinner I started the camp fire. After dinner we sat by the fire enjoyed talking talking and made the yummiest smores. My belly was very happy that night!
Vultures fighting
The group taking sides
Our fresh dinner
The warm campfire which helped keep the mosquitos away and make a yummy dessert
Friday, March 21, 2008
Baby Belly Bumps
Here are a few pictures of the little Baby belly bump and it growing over the weeks. I have several pants I can't fit in too now, or not very well. I have been wearing the jean shorts that Ashley, Katie and Jen have let me borrow. I love having such wonderful friends! Thanks everyone for all the donations and borrowing of things.
At 3 weeks
at 8 weeks
at 12 weeks
At 3 weeks
at 8 weeks
at 12 weeks
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Whats been up
I really need to get better at this posting on a regular basis thing.
It has been so nice to have Josh home and back safely from his trip to Thailand and China. Many of you know but Josh came home 3 days early. It was an awesome surprise and much needed. He called me at 3:30 telling me he couldn't sleep (12 hour time difference). I had walked in the door from grocery shopping about 10 mins earlier. Jessica had come home right after me. While I was talking to Josh I heard something in the backyard. I ask Jessica if she had a friend with her. I told Josh to hold on because it seemed like someone was in the backyard. As I was getting up to check the backyard with Jessica Josh walks in. I was so shocked. All I could think of was that I was just talking to him in Thailand 5 seconds ago. I was so happy and pregnant so I started crying. Although the trip was not one I want Josh making anytime again in many years, time away always makes me realize how much Josh means to me and appreciate all his does for me.
Since Josh has been home we have pretty busy. We went to another appointment to see Dr. Marichal. We, espically Josh, was thrilled that he did another ultrasound. Don't ask why he did another one because I really don't know. We though we were just going to hear the heart beat. We were both so thrilled about the ultrasound that we forgot to ask why we were having it done. It was so amazing. As soon as we could see our little guys face he/she start touch its face with the little hands. He/she was is a active mood at the time because the baby was kicking and wiggling. It is still sometimes hard to believe that there is a little baby growing inside of me.
Here are the pictures that Dr. Marichal took of the baby.
Josh and I went on our Valentine's date, since we missed it while he was gone. It was so nice to go out together. First we went out and did our registry at Target and Wal-Mart. It was so weird looking at baby stuff for our baby. A lot of big items needed for the baby have been given to us by friends. Thanks Mike, Vernine, and Toni! We are very blessed. A few other things we bought very inexpensively basically brand new from a friend of my brother's. She had doubles of a lot of things and is low on fund especially since she is moving. So we both greatly benefited from the switch. We went to dinner at Miraku Japanese Steak and Sushi. It is one of Josh and mine favorite place to eat. It is normally not too busy and the people who work there are always very nice. We ate sushi, don't worry I only ate the pregnancy safe sushi.
After a yummy dinner!
Josh helped out with Gator nationals to help raise money for the youth group. After directing people to park anyone who helped out can use their vest for free admission. It is a pretty good deal considering you can pay well over a $100 for a ticket. I was able to benefit from it because the next day after the Youth groups did the parking Josh took me along with the vest that the youth group needed to turn in. We only stayed for a little while because I started not feeling well. The heat and noise combined with being pregnant doesn't mix well for long periods. It was fun while we were there though. I love concession stand food so my belly was happy. It is too bad concession stand food its exactly health food.
Josh and I also have been doing some shopping and refinishing. We are giving our living room an update. I have to work pretty slow because I have been fighting with throwing up. Unfortunately, it seems as if I am having early second trimester sickness instead of first trimester. Along with the throwing up I have also been having migraines that last for 2-3 days. They really knock me out. When I am not feeling like crap, I have been working on the living room. I am refinishing the tables. We bought slip covers for the couch and love seat. Hopefully we are able to finish the living room sooner than later. Right now it would not be the best place to have company over. My brother has some great photo editing program so we kinda can see what we are working towards. He has done all the color changes with just a click of a button. It is nice to see what everything will look like before we dive into it.
Josh has been working on the Thailand mission work. He has been putting together brochures and displays. He is presenting a little bit about his China trip at our church in Gainesville the last Sunday in March. He also has been working at getting started again the pond maintenance job he had going before. He had to stop before because He had switched at Petsmart from the pet care to grooming. Grooming was more time demanding and made good money. Plus he was getting too many jobs for just him to do part time. Now with him doing the mission work and having Mark, a long time friend, live in Gainesville he is hoping to be able to make it more successful. If any of you in the Gainesville area know of someone who would like a pond built or maintained or someone with an aquarium needing to be maintained, let us know.
Well that is just a little update on some of the things we have been up to. Sorry if any of my sentences don't make sense I have a bad case of pregnancy brain.
It has been so nice to have Josh home and back safely from his trip to Thailand and China. Many of you know but Josh came home 3 days early. It was an awesome surprise and much needed. He called me at 3:30 telling me he couldn't sleep (12 hour time difference). I had walked in the door from grocery shopping about 10 mins earlier. Jessica had come home right after me. While I was talking to Josh I heard something in the backyard. I ask Jessica if she had a friend with her. I told Josh to hold on because it seemed like someone was in the backyard. As I was getting up to check the backyard with Jessica Josh walks in. I was so shocked. All I could think of was that I was just talking to him in Thailand 5 seconds ago. I was so happy and pregnant so I started crying. Although the trip was not one I want Josh making anytime again in many years, time away always makes me realize how much Josh means to me and appreciate all his does for me.
Since Josh has been home we have pretty busy. We went to another appointment to see Dr. Marichal. We, espically Josh, was thrilled that he did another ultrasound. Don't ask why he did another one because I really don't know. We though we were just going to hear the heart beat. We were both so thrilled about the ultrasound that we forgot to ask why we were having it done. It was so amazing. As soon as we could see our little guys face he/she start touch its face with the little hands. He/she was is a active mood at the time because the baby was kicking and wiggling. It is still sometimes hard to believe that there is a little baby growing inside of me.
Here are the pictures that Dr. Marichal took of the baby.
Josh and I went on our Valentine's date, since we missed it while he was gone. It was so nice to go out together. First we went out and did our registry at Target and Wal-Mart. It was so weird looking at baby stuff for our baby. A lot of big items needed for the baby have been given to us by friends. Thanks Mike, Vernine, and Toni! We are very blessed. A few other things we bought very inexpensively basically brand new from a friend of my brother's. She had doubles of a lot of things and is low on fund especially since she is moving. So we both greatly benefited from the switch. We went to dinner at Miraku Japanese Steak and Sushi. It is one of Josh and mine favorite place to eat. It is normally not too busy and the people who work there are always very nice. We ate sushi, don't worry I only ate the pregnancy safe sushi.
After a yummy dinner!
Josh helped out with Gator nationals to help raise money for the youth group. After directing people to park anyone who helped out can use their vest for free admission. It is a pretty good deal considering you can pay well over a $100 for a ticket. I was able to benefit from it because the next day after the Youth groups did the parking Josh took me along with the vest that the youth group needed to turn in. We only stayed for a little while because I started not feeling well. The heat and noise combined with being pregnant doesn't mix well for long periods. It was fun while we were there though. I love concession stand food so my belly was happy. It is too bad concession stand food its exactly health food.
Josh and I also have been doing some shopping and refinishing. We are giving our living room an update. I have to work pretty slow because I have been fighting with throwing up. Unfortunately, it seems as if I am having early second trimester sickness instead of first trimester. Along with the throwing up I have also been having migraines that last for 2-3 days. They really knock me out. When I am not feeling like crap, I have been working on the living room. I am refinishing the tables. We bought slip covers for the couch and love seat. Hopefully we are able to finish the living room sooner than later. Right now it would not be the best place to have company over. My brother has some great photo editing program so we kinda can see what we are working towards. He has done all the color changes with just a click of a button. It is nice to see what everything will look like before we dive into it.
Josh has been working on the Thailand mission work. He has been putting together brochures and displays. He is presenting a little bit about his China trip at our church in Gainesville the last Sunday in March. He also has been working at getting started again the pond maintenance job he had going before. He had to stop before because He had switched at Petsmart from the pet care to grooming. Grooming was more time demanding and made good money. Plus he was getting too many jobs for just him to do part time. Now with him doing the mission work and having Mark, a long time friend, live in Gainesville he is hoping to be able to make it more successful. If any of you in the Gainesville area know of someone who would like a pond built or maintained or someone with an aquarium needing to be maintained, let us know.
Well that is just a little update on some of the things we have been up to. Sorry if any of my sentences don't make sense I have a bad case of pregnancy brain.
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