It's a...

BOY!


The big 17-week "gender revealing" ultrasound really snuck up on me this time around. I wasn't nearly as anxious as I was with Leah, although of course I was eager to find out! Time is just flying by so quickly. I can hardly believe I'm already in maternity clothes, already living with a little baby bassinet in our bedroom (I can't believe Leah once fit in that thing!). The baby was not quite as active this time, more or less just stayed in one place. He had his legs crossed some, but at one point, the tech said, "oh, I don't think we'll have to wait to see the gender." Brett said he could see the boy part immediately. I didn't really see what she was seeing at first, but once she pointed it out, it was fairly obvious that we definately have a little boy on our hands.

We are both excited about having a son, but Brett especially is. He has been praying for this boy for awhile now! I have a feeling it is going to be a whole new world. I have no idea what to do with a little boy. I'm quite certain he won't be nearly as prissy and dainty as Leah, and will enjoy getting dirty and playing rough-and-tumble much more than she does. I've never really bought clothes for a little boy before, although I have seen some really cute things!

Meanwhile, Valentine's Day came & went with little fanfare this year. Since we have been cutting way back financially, the idea of exchanging gifts with my Valentine never even really crossed my mind-- or his. I did [attempt to] make a heart-shaped Red Velvet cake, Brett's favorite. (Just so you know, heart-shaped Bundt pans should come with instructions on how to remove the cake without it falling into a million pieces.) And we had a special breakfast Sat. of crepes w/ bananas & chocolate. Yummy! Leah did make a couple of cute little crafts at preschool. She didn't have any special Valentines' Day attire, so I didn't take any good pictures, but she does have a special 18-month birthday coming up & I hope to finally get my fancy schmancy camera out to show off my quickly growing little girl.








I don't know why she always has a dumb-founded look on her face in the pictures she gets taken at school.



















I am a sucker for crafts with her handprints on them.

Life Changes

Besides expecting a new baby soon, while watching another grow before my very eyes, lots of other things seem to be going down in our lives now, leaving us with much uncertainty and a lot of emotions. Brett's last Sunday as worship pastor at our church will be this Sunday. We have been here almost 2 1/2 years, and though it's been quite a journey, we have made a few friends along the way. The decision to resign was not an easy one, considering that this job provided over half our income, and he has nothing to fill it's place-- we will probably be hard-pressed to find another ministry position that will pay as well as this one.

But the decision was also necessary, as sometimes you reach a point in ministry when God is urging you to move on to other things. The past few months with our new pastor have been challenging and Brett has gone through some things no minister should really have to go through, especially in a job surrounded by others who profess to be Christians-- and ministers of the Gospel. I'd like to say our lives might be a little easier now that we are leaving, but I know that will not be the case, as unfortunately I know that a huge percentage of Christian churches face the same types of issues we are facing here. God gave us all a sinful nature and we all have fleshly desires that can sometimes cause other believers heartache. It is a sad thing that non-believers have to see that in churches, but it is just a constant reminder that we live in a fallen world and can only be saved by grace.

So we have been working on cutting our budget, hunting for jobs (and it is tricky for me, knowing that come July I won't be able to work for awhile, and even after that, childcare costs for 2 children would likely take my entire paycheck), and just clinging to each other and to our family and friends for support. I've never really liked not having a plan, but that's where we are now. We're making it today. We'll probably make it tomorrow and the next day. God has always provided for us and He always will. So we are trusting that He will soon show us a bright side, and show us where He would have us to be.

I will still remain as part-time admin. assistant for the church-- at least until July (but of course there's no plan after that yet) and Leah can continue to go to the preschool there. I have another temporary, part-time opportunity in the works. Brett has an interim worship pastor position he will be starting mid-March-- not exactly where he wants to be, but that's why we're glad it's only interim so he can continue to look. Doors are opening even while others are closing-- such are the seasons of life.

I wish I had some pictures to make this post more exciting, but Leah will not let me take her picture anymore because she wants to look at herself on the camera screen. I hope to take some 18-month pictures soon, but I will need more than 2 hands!

Snow Day 2010

We were literally stuck in our neighborhood almost 3 days straight this weekend, as there is a big hill leading into it that was impossible to get up in either of our cars. My plans to take a trip to GA were cancelled as a huge winter storm hit the entire area. 3 days in the house with a very active 17-month-old were crazy! But we survived & I'm at work today, although schools may be closed for the 3rd day in a row tomorrow, which means I have to make other arrangements for Leah. We managed to get out and play the first day a little. Leah wasn't too excited about walking on the thick white blanket and just wanted to be carried around. We put her in the stroller & took her for a ride, and she really enjoyed the winter weather-- just as long as she didn't have to walk in it.

I feel like I should have gotten some more things done around the house but usually if I get laundry and dishes done, there goes my whole day. I've not been motivated lately to do much, but I do have a few projects I need to get done, especially before baby #2. Some big changes are about to happen in our house, about which I will write more later, and maybe that will allow us more time, but we shall see!