Before we left for the beach for the first time, we got some sad, yet joyful news. The lady that my family took in over two years ago, Miss Martin, passed away early Tuesday or Wednesday(?) morning. It was something we all knew was coming, but it still came suddenly to me.

There she is :)
She was so precious. And lived such an amazingly prayerful life. She always told me she was praying for Brandon and I and the baby.
Before she went Home, she always asked me how the baby was doing and that she couldn't wait to meet him/her, but she really hoped she would go see Jesus too. She got to see ultrasound pictures but wasn't going to meet this little one in person. I am so happy she is PAIN free and with our Jesus.
Even though I miss her.

The funeral/celebration was on Saturday, the day before we left for the beach. 
I haven't been to my familys house since she has been gone, so I know that first time will be strange. Not getting to go into her room and give her a hug and a kiss on the forehead and just sit and talk with her.
But I am happy.
She was such a sweet heart and my mother is a saint. She gave up and sacrificed so much to take care of her every single day for  2 1/2 years.

We love you Miss Martin and I can't wait to see you again one day soon!!

Beach trip number 1!

September 2-8 Brandon and I went to Nags Head, NC with my family for the week.

The week was so relaxing and quite alot of fun. Brandon had to bring his work with him, but was able to have a few slow days/afternoons so he was able to enjoy the beach. He had Labour day off so that was an entire free day for him.

Bobby and Bency were able to join us with their precious baby, Zachary. Bobby had to work as well, and dad did a few things work related too, so everyonce in a while they all three worked "together". :)

I reallly took it easy that week. I got up to see the sunrise once, maybe twice? :P I also slept til 8 or so almost every morning besides the mornings I got up for the sunrise. It was great :)

Usually, around 9-10 AM everyone would head down to the beach to play in the waves, sand or just relax.

We were blessed with such great weather that whole week! Even when they called for rain it was no big deal. It would rain for a few minutes and then clear up amazingly after that. So we were able to enjoy alot of good quality time in the sun.

Several of the days the yellow flags were up and rightfully so. It meant that the currents were strong and dangerous. Even though the flags were up we still went in the water, but were careful to not go too far out.

It's amazing how little balance I had at the beach. I was easily knocked down by waves, but being IN the water was so very relaxing. Nothing hurt or was sore, it just relaxed my body.

Mom was able to do quite alot of letter writing :)
Every night each couple would take turns making the meal for the clan. We did a Mexican casserole with mashed potatoes and green beans with a yummy dessert. The last night  was the traditional shish-ka-bobs.
Dad and Brandon did those :)

One day all of us girls also went on our annual thrift store hunt. We hit about 6 different consignment /thrift stores in a few hours. We found some pretty good deals :)

Brandon's little sister, Hannah was able to come to the beach with us for a week. Everyone loved having her there :)
We really missed having Maddie, Stephanie and Zach at the beach with us this year. Maybe next time we will be able to ALL go :)

We spent times hanging out, playing games and going out for late night coffee and much more.

Over all it was such an enjoyable week. And God was so good and kept everyone safe while we were there.

Next post will be beach trip number TWO! :)

Sister Maternity Shoot

Back in July our friend Kelsey graciously took a few photos of all three of us sisters while we were still pregnant. It's so neat that we were/are able to share in many of the same experiences at the same time!

Stephanie gave birth a month after these pictures were taken and Amy Joy will probably do the same any day now! :)

So far, we know that out of the three of us there is a boy and a girl. The third and last (mine) is unknown for another month or so. Can't wait to find out whether our sweet baby is a boy or girl.

I love that there will be three cousins with in three months of age running around in the next year or two! Kinda crazy :)

of life

I have tried posting sooo many times on this poor blog. Every time I would click "new post" I would get a blank page with the Blogger symbol in the top left hand corner. That's it.

So, I gave up for a while. The thought of trying a different browser other than Chrome never even occurred to me. Until Brandon mentioned it and until I remembered it just now. :P

And lookie here, it works. :)

I have several posts that I want to do, but it's too late at night for me to be sitting here in front of the computer uploading pictures and making multiple posts on my blog, so those photo posts will wait til tomorrow or Thursday. Or maybe both. :)

I've been doing alot of letter writing recently, and have caught up at last! Now the letters are starting to arrive in my mailbox so I need to keep up with them this time around. :) My mother is the one who inspired me to finally tackle my stack of letters to respond to. You should definitely check out her blog for some inspiration.

Today I led the girls meeting, that my friend Samara and I lead together, by myself. We had a wonderful two hours together today laughing, playing games, eating food, talking about memorizing scripture and praying. These are all girls that go to our church and are in the 14-18 age group. They are such a delight to be around. We were challenged to memorize Psalms 103:8-14 by the next time we meet. I paired everyone up with a buddy, so we are inspired encouraged to keep at it.  I love that passage tho-wouldn't it be a great one to be able to pull out of your mind at any time of day? I am looking forward to memorizing that passage and more to come!

I am also 32 weeks pregnant. It's kinda surreal to think that in 6-8 weeks we could have a teeny-tiny baby around here. I have officially gained 36 pounds and I am not even 140lbs yet! But I definitely weigh the most I have ever weighed in my life. Feels weird. My midwife is very pleased though with my weight gain and told me today that usually from here on out she usually sees women  fluctuate with their weight gain and so I might not really gain anymore. She thinks I have gained just about all I will gain. I am ok with that. :)

This week is Brandon and I's off week from the beach. :) It's okay, you can be jealous.
We went from Sunday to Saturday this past week with my family to Nags Head, NC, and this coming Saturday to Saturday we will be spending a week with Brandon's side of the family in Kitty Hawk, NC. I love the beach, but I also love my mountains. Driving home from the beach on Saturday we saw the most spectacular sunset right as we were getting back into mountain land-and that sealed it for me. There is just nothing that compares to the mountains.

Well, I want to get back to my book and get a heating pad on my back before I head to bed. More updates to follow :)

Baby Shower :)

This past Saturday, my sister threw an adorable baby shower for Brandon and I.

The theme?

 Waddle It Be?

Therefore lots of rubber duckies were used to decorate. It was all just so darling. 

We felt so blessed (not really felt, we are just plain blessed) by everyone who showed up and supported us.

The food was really as good as it looked. My mom and Maddie worked so hard on preparing everything. Instead of the normal sandwiches etc that you see at showers, they did salads. YUMMY salads. Everything from pasta to fruit and chicken salads. 

There was also crab dip. My goodness :)

I just love rubber duckies.

Maddie had a picture frame with a calendar of the end of October and November and the instructions were for every one who attended to put a pink or blue bow sticker on the date they think baby will arrive.

I love looking at what everyone predicted now. :)

She also had cut outs of rubber duckies in pink or blue scrapbook paper on wooden sticks that were used for a photo opportunity later on after the shower.

We got so many cute and adorable gifts! So blessed!

Everyone held up the duck they had picked out-blue or pink- and we got a picture. Later on I will have to actually edit this photo so you can see the colors. There were a fairly equal amount of blues and pinks.

It was a wonderful shower and it was so great seeing people from my family's church and from around the area that we don't see very often! 

Summer

I wonder if doing an overwhelming post updating about the summer that Brandon and I have had would be ok.

I am done wondering, and I am determining that it is ok. :)

We have had a fairly eventful summer and usually our weekends are filled. The next two Saturdays we have nothing going on. Strange. :)

Okay, so starting WAYYY back in May. MY neighbor Hannah and I played the violin together in a friend of mine's wedding.

My brother graduated highschool the same day.

The weekend after was my good friend Kelsey's wedding, and I was a bridesmaid. Therefore, I have verrry few pictures.

She's married! AND! She lives near me :) 

Brandon was able to help his family put on a new roof.

In June I hosted a baby shower for a dear friend of mine, Bethany. It was my first baby shower that I've ever done. :) We had a pretty good turn out and a TON of food. That being said, it was a good party.

It was also my first time making a "diaper cake". 

I was privileged to spend sometime one afternoon before it rained, taking pictures of this lovely couple and their adorable family :)

We have been doing a lot of yard sailing this summer.

I have done alot with strawberries, blackberries and tomatoes this summer :)

(Canned diced tomatoes! :) )

In July, I hit a deer and severely messed up my car. It was in the shop for over a month.

Fourth of July was spent with my family and hanging out at the pool.

Brandon and I wound up staying two weeks with my family while waiting for my car to be fixed, and while the owners of our house were back in town.
I was able to go with my mom and the kids to the beach for the day, while we were there.

The kids and I went out for an afternoon :) Just like old times.

We got chickens! :)

The last picture of "our" donkey. She is now our neighbours. I miss her!!

I participated in Dress like a Cow day at Chick Fil A. Kelsey and I hit up three different Chick Fil A's, and a Starbucks for a free drink.

Brandon and I were able to spend an evening just driving on the Blue Ridge  and watching the sunset.  It was a great evening to just get out of the house.

Stephanie, Amy Joy and I spent a day getting pampered. I got my first pedicure, and a manicure (had one before). We then headed over to where Kelsey lives and got sister maternity photos taken :) I will do a post on those later.

Stephanie hosted a Murder Mystery Dinner Party one night, and invited two other couples besides us. It was such a fun night, and the game was really intriguing.
My character was a nurse and Brandon's was a publisher.

Brandon and I hang out at coffee shops pretty frequently :)

The baby is big enough now for me to place things on my belly and it stay put. Unless, baby is awake, which is 90% of the time. If that's the case, I will just hold it, or else it'll be kicked off.

I've used our grill several times so far this summer :) This is obviously an uncooked version of what I was grilling one day.

Brandon and I went on a surprise trip to VA beach the end of July :) This is the place that I had booked for us to stay. It was quite nice.

BABY shower time for Amy Joy!!! :D

Can't wait to meet their little guy in less than a month! :)

The biggest news of August was the arrival of a precious little niece. Chloe Elise.

I am going to close with a photo of what is basically our back yard. It's just gorgeous!!!

Does everyone feel a bit more updated now?

I shall try my hardest to keep this updated from here on out :)

Have a most blessed week!