Strength and Courage

Grace with her beautiful Auntie Becky

I am overcome with emotions at how strong someone can be when faced with the uncertainty of what lies ahead. My little sister, Rebecah, is 24 years old, and was recently diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. The good thing is that this type of cancer has a 90% cure rate. She will beat this. It still hasn't set in that my sister has cancer. I have found myself asking the question, "God, why Becky?" I'm sad that, at her age, she has to battle this disease. She will start chemotherapy in about 2 weeks and it will be a 6 month process. She will eventually loose her hair, will be sick most of the time and yet she is so positive every time I talk to her. How is she doing it? She is surrounded by people praying for her on a daily basis, and she can feel it! Becky has a Caring Bridge website where she updates her page often. Please keep my little sister in your prayers.
I love you Becks!

35 Weeks and counting

To say this pregnancy has been different than the first is an understatement. I'm not sure if it is because I really haven't had time to stop and think about it, or due to the fact that it has been more difficult than my pregnancy with Grace. I'm usually not one to complain, especially about having one of God's miracles growing inside of me. During pregnancy with Grace, I remember saying that I could have 10 children if this is how 9 months of pregnancy is. With #2, I have not been that positive. I was much more sick and for a longer period of time with this one. I found myself to be tired the entire way through, most likely because Grace keeps me on my toes at all times, and the fact that I can't sleep (it's almost 5 am and I've been up since 3:15)! The kicker for me has been the last two weeks. I have been in miserable pain with sciatica. There are varying degrees of this pain, none which I have ever experienced before. It has just about made me immobile most days, where all I can do is lay on the couch. This is not as easy thing to do considering I have a 15 month old that needs my love and attention. How can I do that when I can't even stand up :/ ? I have tried just about everything, physical therapy, homeopathic chiropractor, and acupuncture, heat, ice, stretching, you name it, I've done it. Nothing seems to be working. I guess I should consider myself lucky since there are some mother's that have this pain starting at 10 weeks. Ugh!! No way?! The sharp pain starts at my butt and works it's "knife stabbing" pain right down my leg to my toes.

I've been told that most likely the pain will go away once I deliver this baby if not before. I pray that this is the case. I could not have gotten through the last 2 weeks with my loving, devoted husband. He has been amazing. My mom, pops (J's dad), and Carrie (J's sister) have helped me out as well. I feel horrible for Grace. She knows that there is something going on, and is not sure how to handle it.

At my most recent doctors appointment, on Friday, the doc did an internal exam. I am 1.5 cm dilated and my cervix is 50% effaced. I'm moving along and thinking that this baby might come a little early like Grace. Here's hoping...

Trip to San Diego and Sea World

At the end of my Spring Break and the start of Jason's we decided to get away for a night and head down to San Diego. We had so much fun and Grace loved being somewhere different. Sleeping, on the other hand, was a little difficult. Jason and I had to hang out in the bathroom until Grace finally fell asleep. It was quite comical! But, she slept great once she was down. We stayed at a beautiful hotel, US Grant, in downtown S.D. We walked to dinner by the water and we called it an early night. We wanted to be well rested for Sea World the next day. Now that Grace is at the age where she is aware of everything, it was so cool to see her stare in awe at the fish and penguins, and the whales, etc. It was hard to get pictures with her looking at the exhibits. We did our best...

Playing on mom and dad's gigantic bed!

It was a little chilly on our walk to dinner, but G was nice and cozy!

Bath time in the bathroom sink. They didn't have a tub, just a shower. We made do, and as you can see, she loved it!

Checking to see how she looks in her new hat.

We were in the penguin exhibit. She loved hanging out in the back pack. Jason's shoulders and back were a little tired by the end of the day.

The three of us waiting for the Sea Lion Show.

It's hard to see in this picture, but I was trying to capture Grace making her fish face. We were in front of a huge aquarium. She is not used to seeing so many fish in one place. She only has a single little Beta fish at home.

C is for Cookie!

Her favorite, Elmo, and Count joined the picture too!

At the end of the day, she ran around the kid zone area and did not want to leave. It took her no more than 2 minutes to fall asleep once we were in the car. Great weekend fun! Can't wait to go back with our free passes.

29 1/2 Weeks

I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone. I have a little over 10 weeks left to go before this new one arrives. We are so excited to add another little (girl or boy) to our family.

More of Easter Day!

Grace loves her Aunt Carrie, especially when she plays crazy with her!

Grace missed the big pink egg behind her during the Easter Egg Hunt!

She did end up finding one of the more difficult ones...behind the wheelbarrow!

The one and only egg she found. Which I was totally fine with, since she didn't need any of the candy that was inside. (Meaning: I didn't need ANY of the candy. I ate enough as we were stuffing them!)

Gavin and EZ looking for the yellow eggs in the lemon tree. Uncle Jason sure is sneaky!

All dressed up in her Easter best!

More of Easter Sunday to come...

Happy Halloween

Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Our little pumpkin

"Just curious as to why you have me in the dirt with these gourds?"

Little Bumble Bee

Umm, pumpkins are so tasty!

Her own guard dog, Murphy. She loves him.