Birth Announcement!!

Our little boy arrived on January 21 at 4:41 am! He weighed 6lbs 8oz and is 20 inches long. We named him Pierre Dominic! And we are so in love!! 

Someday when things are not quite so crazy around here I will try and post the birth story. I will say that I had a great birth at a Birth Center with Hubby, a Doula, a Midwife and a nurse present. 

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Americans! And a Happy Day also to my fellow Canadians! There is much to be thankful for today and everyday!

I'm especially thankful for my Wonderful Hubby.. And for this squirming, active life inside of me!:) Also for a easy, healthy pregnancy.. Only 8 weeks left!! It's definitely count down..

Thanks to six of my friends who put on a lovely baby shower for me last Friday.. Everyone gave many wonderful gifts for our Lil Baby! Looking forward to using it all!

The baby room is very near completion. The walls are painted a medium grey with the white furniture all in place. ( Just waiting on the glider. ) MIL has painted 3 beautiful white birch trees on the wall and sometime in the next couple of weeks a couple of yellow owls will be added to the branches. I just need to sew a few more little projects and it should be ready!

Today we are on our way to Jonesboro, AR where Hubby's youngest sis is teaching. Folks and the rest of the family are already there. We plan on coming back Sunday. Looking forward to being all together as a family!

And I am thankful most of all to God for all these wonderful blessings! And for this good life..

Excited!!

Probably by now you all have heard but for those of you who haven't...We are expecting a baby in January!! We are really excited!! Thankfully I have been one of the lucky ones that has not got very sick! Mostly tired... but I can take that any day over throwing up!
Now for the sewing tho...Thanks to my Aunt D I have not had to sew any yet! Which is a relief since that has seemed like a huge task... I think I'm going to try an tackle some short sleeved ones this next week tho.
It definitely seems to be a time of change, letting go of fears and trusting... But does that not make us stronger in the end?

Update

Here it is already almost the end of May and I once again have gone a long time with out posting... Here are some highlights from the last couple months.

• In April we went to Kansas for a couple days. My good friends K & S from Phoenix were there to pick up my friend A and take her back to AZ so I got to spend the day Saturday in Wichita with them! We went shopping, went for lunch and spent a good while in a neat little coffee and chocolate shop we found! Was almost like the "old" days when we would go shopping etc. together! Definitely a highlight! Also enjoyed our time spent with S & Lil for night and breakfast!
• My Dad & Mom were here from May 8 - 13! We had a really relaxing, fun time with them. This is the third Mother's Day in a row I have got to spend with my Mom and I feel very privileged!! Spent a day in  Springfield (MO) touring a cave, going to a botanical gardens and eating at Lambert's! One day Mom and me went to town and she helped me pick out all the flowers for my pots. Then she helped me get them planted up! Was a lot of fun and also much appreciated because I am kind of lost when it comes to plants... They are looking really good so far, Mom!
• Last week it was FINALLY dry enough to get in the fields so Hubs ( and all the farmers ) was very busy... He was gone from early til late... It is a little something for me to get adjusted to this life style now tho! They got the corn all in by Saturday afternoon! Just in time to come to the school play day supper!
• This coming Friday til Sunday we have a Yost family reunion in KS. We were at one 2 years ago so will be interesting to see what this one is like now.
• This week I have mostly been trying to get a dress finished up for this reunion. Besides the normal laundry, some baking and some cleaning.

I am sure you all are busy too as summer always seems to be that way! :) I always enjoy summer tho and am glad it is finally here after our late spring! Happy Summer to you all!!

Cincinnati Bound

This morning we pulled out a little after 6... We are going to Cincinnati with Uncle J's an their family! There is a farm meeting Hubby an Uncle J are wanting to go to on Friday an since it is spring break we all are making a fun little trip out of it! I think there is a couple museums, some shopping an relaxing at the motel on the agenda...Then heading, home on Saturday.Looking forward to a relaxing time!

A Snow Day

It has been snowing off and on since yesterday afternoon!! We have got about 9 inches!!Everything is beautiful now that the white snow has covered all the brown dirt. So today we relaxed at home! And I allowed myself to be kind of lazy! We don't get many of these kind of days so we have to take advantage of them!:) A few loads of laundry got done, meals made and the puppy played with and that is about all! So u see how it was a lazy day!! It's so cozy tho! This evening I am sitting here in my pj's and blogging / reading and drinking Chocolaty Chai Tea! Why don't you come on down! I would make you a hot drink too...

A Puppy Named Lexus

Friday we drove 2 hours to go get ourselves a puppy!! Her name is Lexus and she is a 6 week old rottweiler/lab cross.. She is quite  tiny still and definitely a baby!! She is going to be a definite outside dog tho! However for right now when she is small we have her in a pen in the garage.. She did quite a bit of crying at first... but she has settled way down already! So we are in for the joys of a chewing puppy an all the training that goes with! She sure is cute tho! :) And looks just like a rottie!!

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day to you all!! Did you do something special today?:)

Family Time

Tuesday  we went and met my Dad & Mom and K & J in St. Louis!! Their main destination is Ann Arbor to see S but they have been doing some other fun sight seeing on the way! We left here early morning and got to spend all morning with them at their motel! Went and had a quick lunch with them at Cracker Barrel yet before we both went our separate ways! Was short but so much fun!! Mom an me tried to get as much as possible said in a short amount of time!=)

Because He Lives...

Because He lives I can face tomorrow...
Because He lives all fear is gone...
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!!
 
   This song has been special to me this morning... That even if I fall time and time again God still loves me so very much... And I can have a happy day instead of feeling so down from falling again! And it is all Because He Lives!!!

My Red Kitchen

My kitchen got a face lift!! Friday my MIL came and we taped everything off and got my kitchen all painted!! It is now a "Rustic Red" and I am happy with it! Maybe someday in the far off distant future I will paint my cabinets.... They will easily get me by till then tho!!

Dinner Menu Plan for 01.27 ~ 02.02

Sunday ~ Beef Enchiladas, Black Beans, Lettuce Salad, Chips & Salsa

Monday ~ Chicken Alfredo Pizza, Ceaser Salad

Tuesday ~ Leftovers...

Wednesday ~ Ground Beef Hobo Dinners with potatoes and carrots, Lettuce Salad

Thursday ~ Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry, Brown Rice

Friday ~ Oven Broiled Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Cooked Green Beans

Saturday ~ Leftovers... again!!

Christmas and New Year's Ramblings

 Yes, this post is kind of late seeing as it is already a couple of weeks into the new year.. Also I had good intentions of doing two separate posts for Christmas and New Year's but some how that never happened so guess you get it now! Better late then never?!
 Dec. 8 we headed up to central Kansas to the place where SIL T lives. The reason for going was to visit a friend of ours in rehab in Dodge City and also to spend some time with T and meet the great people she lives with! It was good to be with our friend in DC and really enjoyed our time with T! We arrived back home on the 10 after Hubby took the time to take me to the fabric stores in central KS! :)
 Early morning Dec. 19 found us on our way to FIL's to pick up them and J and then on to AR for SIL H's school program and party. We enjoyed getting to know the people there and being with Grandpa D's and Uncle M's! Also our good friends R&D from here in Mo have moved to AR so spent the night there and was good to just be together with them again and catch up! H's program went great an had a good time at the party! Getting to meet her class was a real highlight! We came home the 20.
 Christmas Day was spent relaxing at Folk's and celebrating BIL J's birthday! H was home! But T had to work...
 T arrived home the morning of the 26 and by 9:30 or so we were all on our way to Eureka Spring's, AR where Dad had booked a cabin on the lake for 3 nights! Spent the next couple of days relaxing, taking turns making meals, eating out, shopping in the neat little town of ES, playing games, sleeping in etc!! Was so much fun to all be together!!
 New Year's eve FIL's an H and J came over and Mom and I made New Year's Cookies! Guess we are getting old as they left by 10:00 and we were sleeping when the new year came! LOL
 As soon as our vehicle got out of the shop on Jan. 3 we loaded up and headed for Ann Arbor, MI to visit my sis S in the unit! We got there in time on Friday for her to show us around the hospital where they volunteer and also got to meet her friends there! Saturday the 3 of us went to Timmy's :) for breakfast! ( We don't get that nearly every day!! ) Then went to the Ford Museum and assembly line! I had thought the assembly line might be kind of boring but turned out to be very interesting and we ended up spending a couple of hours there! It was fascinating to see how a truck like that comes together!! Sunday, 3 couples from the congo's came down and had SS and a short Church service with them. Then we left Monday morning when the girls left for work.. S seem to have a real neat bunch of girls and nice houseparents!
 Monday afternoon we arrived in Springfield, IL. Our plan was to spend the night and tour the President Lincoln museum the next day! It was kind of a bit of a side trip for our anniversary! The museum was very interesting and we spent a relaxing time in Springfield! We pulled in our drive around 8:00 p.m. on Jan. 8...
 It is good to just be home again now! It felt like the last few weeks we have really been on the go and it is nice to get back to normal life again! Whatever normal is... lol

A "New" Rig

We got ourselves a different rig! Our little '00 Jetta that has done us so well is really getting up there in miles... and its not so young anymore either! So we decided to upgrade to something a little newer and with a few less miles. We decided while we were at it to go ahead and get a ride with a little more room  as the Jetta gets pretty cramped for anybody in the back seat.. So the vehicle of choice was a '05 Honda Pilot that we found with low miles. We haven't had a chance to drive it much yet but the bit we have we are happy with it! So now when any of you come to visit we have room to haul you around! =)

Thanksgiving Thots

I realize that Thanksgiving has come and gone already and I didn't get a post done for it... I wanted to list all things I am thankful for etc etc. Really, tho,  I am thankful for these things everyday! So here is my list today!

Thankful Things...
* For God and all the blessings He bestows upon us
* That I am a part of God's church ~ It is only by His Grace...
* That we can worship God unmolested and without fear
* For my sweet and wonderful Hubby
* I am so thankful my Hubby is solid in what he believes and that he supports this precious Faith
* My Mom! I miss you Mom! Looking forward to next time we can see you!!
*So thankful too for my Dad and Sisters and Bro!! Love you all!
* For Hubby's family! I am blessed to have such wonderful In ~ Laws...
* We were privileged to live in Phoenix for 1.5 years! We have such special memories and wonderful friends!
* For all my special sister friends! You know who you are! =)
* It's less then a month til Christmas!!
* For our warm, cozy house
The list could go on and on.... We are so blessed! Far beyond what we deserve.....
*********************************************************************************

We had a busy, enjoyable Thanksgiving! G&L Yost and family from Iowa came Wednesday evening in time for Church and then they left Saturday morning. They have been good friends with Hubby's family for years... I had never really been with them tho so was enjoyable getting to know them! Hubby's sisters T & H both came home and was so good to be with them again!! Of course we ate turkey and stuffing and sweet potatoes and pumpkin dessert and pecan pie and many other excellent dishes of food til it seemed we all had food coming out of our ears!! Not a good time for a diet... However, a good time was definitely had by all!

Will Clean for Dresses

I have a wonderful Aunt who I am happy to live close to again! We have made a deal and I think it is a super one!! ( I hope she does too! =) ) Yesterday I went to her place and cleaned house for her while she sewed on a Sunday dress for me! I think it is more fun to clean someone else's house then my own anyways!lol Especially when i get a dress out of the deal!! I feel fortunate to have someone do some sewing for me once in a while as it is definitely not my most talented area...Don't you think that's a fair trade?! And don't you wish you had an Aunt like that?! =)

Little Glimpses

Here are just a few highlights / happenings from over the last couple weeks!
 *It is finally starting to feel like we are not half buried by boxes!  We mostly just have a few more boxes stacked in the garage that need sorting through yet. Also I have a bit of reorganizing I want to do in some closets, cupboards etc. We did finally get the guest bed an bath set up! It can all feel kind of endless at times but on the other hand it is starting to feel more homey already!
 * I got to keep my 5 yr old and 2 yr old cousins for an hour or so last week! Was a lot of fun to be able to have them over again!
 * Mom (In~law) and I spent last Saturday together garage saling in KC! Was a lot of fun!!
 * We had company for night the last 2 nights! Hubby's cuz and his wife, A&A from Jamesport! Sure was good to spend a bit of time with them again!
 * I have a couple pieces of furniture sitting in my garage that I am wanting to redo/paint! So as soon as I have a bit of "extra" time I am hoping to work at that!
 * I have been spending a few evenings riding with Hubby in the combine as they harvest beans! Planning on doing that again this eve! Need to bring him a quick sup that he can eat with one hand as he is on the go! I saw a recipe for Chicken & Rice burritos so might try those tonight! Do any of you have any ideas for supper to bring to the fields?? Hubby is the main combine driver so he keeps going and does not stop to eat! I found out that soup doesn't work very good!=)
 * Once harvest is done and things start slowing down for the winter, we are hoping to repaint the whole inside of this house! Maybe do a few other small projects too! I'm thinking of doing all my main walls grey, kitchen red, both bathrooms teal and maybe a teal wall in our room! Hoping to repaint all the cabinets in  kitchen and bathrooms a off white or something similar..
 * My left eye has been sore and really running so went to Optometrist today and he tells me I have an ulcer on my eye(cornea)!=/ Didn't know there even was such as ulcers on the eye...He said it was small enough still that with aggressive treatment it should clear up! So today it is drops every hour and for the next 5 days drops every 4 hours...So life goes I guess!
 * I quit counting my Weight Watcher points last summer and have gained back bout half what I lost!=( So needless to say I am trying very hard to lose it again! WW seems to be what works best for me so it is back to counting points... I have lost a few pounds already so am feeling kind of encouraged! Now if I can just keep from thinking bout the Raspberry Jello Cake with White Chocolate pudding that is sitting in the fridge...
 * I WILL make time to go on a walk today!!

Good ~ Bye Phoenix... Hello Rich Hill...

Well, in about 5 hours we will be at Wendell's folks' place in Metz, MO. We plan on spending the night there and then getting moved in to the house in Rich Hill tomorrow!
 Folks and J arrived in Phoenix last Wednesday in time for a late supper. Thursday we spent the day packing and got the majority done! Friday we took the day off and did some sight seeing with them! Saturday was more packing and getting everything ready to load Monday morning. Sunday we went to S&K's with S&S for lunch after church! Was good to be with them but kind of sad too... Sunday evening the congregation had a farewell for us... They gave us a beautiful throw with a desert scene on it! Monday we packed up the last few items, did a bit of light cleaning and the men loaded the trailer! After a quick supper we went to tell our "family" good bye... Then we were all at D&W's for night! We pulled away around 6:30 am and got to Amarillo, TX for a late supper and for night around 9:00 local time. This morning folks left early in our car  and J, Hubby and I left around 8:30 in the truck, pulling our very full 20 ft  cargo trailer!
 So now we are just driving along through Oklahoma...It is still hard to imagine not being in Phoenix, however, we have a new venture a head that we are enthused about starting...

The First Load

Grandpa K's left this morning with their van loaded full of our boxes! They arrived Wednesday evening and we spent a good part of the day Thursday packing. Grandma packed up all my China and I went through my kitchen cupboards and pantry and pulled everything out I didn't need or decided I could do without for the next week and a half! With all those boxes and a few that were in storage in the garage Grandpa's van was piled right full!! Now to get the rest packed up...

Moving... and things pertaining to it

   As most of you have probably heard by now, we are moving back to Missouri! We got an offer to farm that we couldn't refuse! We have thought that someday we would go back to farm but we just didn't know when things would open up. Hubby will be farming together with his Uncle so that is something to look forward to! And even tho farming is a lot of work we are looking forward to the lifestyle it brings. Also we are going to be moving right back into the same house we lived in before!=) Someone was planning on buying it from Grandpa and then a couple months ago they decided they wouldn't buy it after all. So guess it is waiting for us!
   We are really excited to think of living close to family again and enjoying good times spent together! It will be fun to run over to folk's for supper or the day or whenever! Hubby's folk's, Grandparent's, and some Uncle's and Aunt's and cousin's live there! Also my Uncle  and Aunt, B & D and boys, who we are really close to, live there, too!
   I have to admit I do have really mixed feelings tho... This definitely has been home... I (we) have some very good friends here that will be hard to leave. Also, we love the congregation here! It is small enough that it kind of feels like family. So I have happy and sad days about going... I wouldn't trade having lived here for anything tho! Even tho it has been short we both feel like it has been a stepping stone, maybe even a growing point for us. And I am so glad for the friends I have made and they will always be very special!
   No, we do not have a date set yet. We are aiming for the first couple weeks in October. Hubby is working till the end of September and then we will get things around after that. I have been going thru some closets and packing stuff up we won't be using any more. I think Hubby's folks are planning to come help us move so our date also depends a little on when they can come as they still have soy bean harvest to do.
   Yesterday my dear friend SE and I spent the day shopping together! It was so relaxing and fun! Had lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, bought things we didn't really need (LOL), tried all sorts of fun things on and of course, talked! We don't have many more of these times left so are enjoying the time we do have!
   I will try an keep you updated on when we are going to move and how things are coming along! As you probably have noticed, when things get busy around here I have a hard time keeping up with my blog... Will see what I can do tho!=)