Visiting the Land of Cactus

Jon and I just got back from a trip down south to Phoenix. We had an awesome time seeing friends and family, shopping without a 13% tax fee and spending some quality time in warm, dry weather. Yay for 80 degree temperatures!!
We were so blessed by all the love all three of us received while down there. It was good for my heart to see so many faces I love and makes me excited for the next time I get to hug them again. I just wish time would have gone a little slower.

Christina and Storey hiking with Jon

Four Generations of Ladies

My mom's "non-shower" for our little lady :)

It's a Girl!

Well, we headed to UC Baby this past week to find out what we're having and it looks like we have a girl awaiting us:) Yay!! We're so excited to meet her in three months!

Brunch and Baby Showers go well together!

My amazing friend Beth wanted to put a baby shower together for me before she moved, so we got some friends together we know in our military circle up here and had a little party last weekend. It was wonderful and tasty and everyone's generosity blew me away! Thank you Beth!! I'm going to miss you like you wouldn't believe!

As easy as apple pie

I could say that about pregnancy thus far, but it would be a bit of a stretch. Though I've have an a great six months of mom-to-be preparation, I'm now starting to feel the reality of my growing belly. I can't complain one bit though....God has been so good. He teaches me something new every day through this process of waiting and anticipation and growing.

This fall is like no other I have ever experienced. The fact that the temperature is slowly dropping and the leaves are changing are just reminders that life as I currently know is coming to big turn. I'm both happy and sad, excited and scared. I'm trying my best to enjoy these last few months like a fine wine, slowly and fully. And yet, I find days slipping by like water and my to-do list of items to accomplish ever growing in my quest to have certain goals completed prior to our little "Number 3" arriving in January. The constant desire and struggle for balance....one I'm sure will only grow.

Ahhh.......well, here's to today. To apple pie, afternoon walks, wonderful fall air, getting caught up in a good story for a few hours...and enjoying the sight of my ever expanding waitline.

Understand Newfoundland

Jon and I (and our little baby in progress) just returned from a visit to St. John's, Newfoundland. What a cool city, rich with pride and history. We had an awesome hosts and tour guides in our friend Barry and his Dad, their hospitality and excitement to show us around blew us away. We walked and kayaked and camped and visited lots of good restaurants and coffee shops in our week on "the rock" and now just get to adjust to normal life again. I thank God for the opportunity to visit and experience His awesom creation in such a fun way. Though I'm excited to one day show our little person the beauty of His creation, I am really glad I got a week to have Jon to myself. These are moments I'm treasuring all the more now that our due date is creeping closer and closer.

Is It really almost September?

I find it absolutely crazy that September is just two days away! Where did this summer go?? I'm finding myself grasping onto all the little enjoyments of summertime i feel I haven't taken full advantage of yet this year. I'm happy we have a few more months of nice fall weather to ease us into wintertime, but I'm sad to say good-bye to hot, summer weather!

As far as pregnancy life is going, I'm feeling great! I don't feel the need to pass out at 8pm and all seems to be good and well with the little one, Praise God! Were getting more and more excited to meet this little person forming in my belly. Last week we felt the first kick and had our 20 week ultrasound appointment. Just a few more realities of what's coming in 4 more months.

Here are a few new pictures to show you all what we've been up to this month. Enjoy!

Can you say "Kejimkujik"

Jon and I decided to take the recent long weekend as an opportunity to explore one of the coolest National Parks here in Nova Scotia. It was a quick trip.....just over 24 hours, but we had a great time....for the most part.....ha! Poor Jon got the raw end of the deal when we had to portage our canoe 6 times. However, I am married to a wonderful and very strong man, so he managed it well.
Aside from the whole lugging of the canoe, we had an awesome time paddling lakes and quiet steams, camping next to a lake you could hop in for a swim and sleeping in the rain under the protection of our warm tent. Though I still can't pronounce Kejimkujik, I would go back again in a heartbeat!

16 Weeks...and showing a bit more:)

The Land of Anne of Green Gables

I had the pleasure of having my wonderful mother come up for a visit this past weekend. We had an awesome time exploring Prince Edward Island, canoeing around Dartmouth, touring Halifax and shopping for maternity clothes. It was so great having her up here and I miss her already. Love you Mom!

Lookng at Life go by week by week

So, I figured I better get something up here since I told y'all that I would be keeping this thing updated! I have to keep this short because I am coming off my adrenaline rush from working a late night at my office and my bed is starting to sound really nice right about now. Jon and I took our first "preggo" pictures this past week in honour (for all my Canadian friends) of Canada Day and Number 3's (as I'm affectionately calling him/her at the moment) 13th week of life. Hope you Enjoy!

Swimming Struggles

Now, I know that I'm out of shape, but yesterday brought me to a new level of humility. I decided to go swimming last night which is something I haven't made time for in the past few months. I was expecting to be slower than normal, but when the pre-teen swim club started to pass me up in the lanes next to me, I had to face the blinding reality that I need to get my bum (Canadian lingo) back into working out! I would swim 100 meters at a time and then pretend I was stretching( ie: my arms and legs felt like 50lb weights were attached to them and I needed to give them a reprieve) Looks like I'm going to be heading to the pools a bit more often now

We made it through our first year! Beautifully!

I never thought it could be possible....but as Jon and I were celebrating our 1st Anniversary together a few weeks ago..I looked at him in wonder and realized that my love for him was more intense, more real, more wonderful than the day we got married.....I can't wait to see what the 2nd, 3rd, 5oth Anniversaries bring our way. I love you Jonathan!

NCIDQ Hiatus

I'm sure at this point, most of you may have thought I gave up on this blogging adventure, but alas, I'm still here......just a bit pre-occupied lately. I've been busy studying for the NCIDQ exam, trying to get my professional certification so I can be a bonafide interior designer....yay! It's been torture, but thankfully the end of the road is in sight. The exam will take up just one more week of my life (that is if I pass) and then I can move on to bigger and better things.

Sharing one of my favorite parts of spring compliments of Jon