Will God Bless us With a Little Girl.....

I loved my strawberry shortcake room and dolls!

My mom made me wear things like this...

How sweet is my cousin Christopher?

Little girls and their dolls

I loved playing mommy!

So, tomorrow morning JT and I will find out if we are having a boy or girl! We are both very excited at knowing and could not be happier either way. Many have felt we will have a boy (my mom, Abby, Marla, and several more)....but a few wise souls have suggested the baby will be a girl (Jenn, my sis in-law, and of course my hair lady). What do you all think out there??? We just pray that the ultrasound looks healthy and that is really all that matters! Down deep I have this feeling it may be a boy....I am 19 weeks and a few days but feeling great. There is a lot going on in our lives right now...our house went under contract in Colorado and is set to close May 30th, JT is still interviewing for jobs all over, and I will be walking a half marathon this Sunday with my mom and sis. Pray I make it and don't have to stop every half mile to potty! Our house is finally packed up...being 5 months pregnant and franctically packing up a three story house in 2 days has been a little trying. But we are on our way! So, keep tuned in for the post of what we find out tomorrow. Much love.

Or Will We Be Blessed With a Little JT??

Oh how sweet...at least while he's sleeping!

I think I could take a little cutie that looks like that....

How sweet!

JT with his childhood buddy Chris Kilmer ( I think - Chris is a twin!)
Nice tans!

Spring Break 2008

Mom and Soph

My parents came out for their spring break this year...it snowed nearly every day. Which they thought was beautiful, but JT and I were fed up with! I had a hard time keeping up with my mom this trip out...yes my mom. She is in amazing shape and is taking our marathon training very seriously. We walked and went snow-shoeing everyday. I think the most frustrating and different part of being pregnant for me has been my overall fatigue and just not being able to work out at the level of intensity I am used to. I have finished an 8 mile workout this past week and been swimming and lifting on top of my long walks to cross train. My body has been sore, but I am trying to build up endurance with moderation. I will be attempting an 11 mile walk/hike this weekend if I feel up to it. So, kudos to you mom! You impress me so much. I'll be back with you in about 6 months!

Easter Sunday

For Easter this year, JT and I flew down to Austin to meet up with his family and spend some time with the Kilmers, our good family friends. We really had an enjoyable time and got to actually wear some spring clothes (yippee)! We went to church on Easter Sunday at his sister, Jennifer's church. We then had Easter dinner at his Aunt and Uncle's house where we got to see his grandparents and other relatives. Rick is doing well and recovering nicely from his bone marrow transplant and we continue to wish him the best and send him our prayers. Of course, it is still snowing like crazy up here in the mountains, so it was so nice to get away and spend some time in warmer weather. We had a blessed time, as Easter is probably one of my favorite holidays.

Jt and I at Jen's church posing for pics

Sweet Rick with his grand baby, Brady

I think JT looks precious with a girl!

Lake Travis sunset at Oasis

Me and my hubby

16 Weeks

Yesterday was my 16 week appointment with my OB, Dr. Ferrara. It went great. I have not grown too much in my tummy (the doc's not yet even measuring) but I have managed to gain a couple of pounds. My doctor told me that the new recommendations for weight gain in pregnancy are 17-18 lbs. My original goal was to stay under 20 lbs, so we will continue to work on just growing a baby. I believe as long as I exercise consistently and eat as well as I possibly can, I should stay on track. The baby has moved up a little in my belly, but everything is still under my belly button. That all should change the next 4 weeks. The baby's heart rate was a strong 160 bpm and it is so good to know that things look like they are going well! We find out the sex in only 3 1/2 weeks and we are so excited! I am very tired of looking at amazing baby catalogs and in cute stores and not being able to "plan" the nursery or buy little things because of not knowing. But soon enough. I am closing in on the half-way mark and am feeling great except for fatigue. But that's here to stay for the long run I assume =) We'll keep you updated as things progress. Keep checking in for pictures posted of my parent's visit to Colorado and Easter pics. My friend Grace and her husband Bryan are in for the weekend visiting from K.C. Grace found out last night that she passed the Kansas bar exam, so we have all been so excited! Congrats Grace! Will post soon. Take care!

8th Annual Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

I have always had a connection to the Oklahoma City Bombing. I grew up in Oklahoma and was in middle school when our history class saw on the T.V. the horrible images of the bombing and devastation. I remember being very moved and upset by the loss of life and innocence of our state and the people who were taken that day in April of 1995. After talking a little bit to my mom, we decided that we should participate in the Memorial Marathon Run/Walk coming up late April. Despite being 4 months pregnant and around 5 months at the time of the race, we figured we could get out there and do the half marathon. My mom is an avid walker and so she will begin training immediatly. Since I can not run the 13.1 miles, I will also be walking with my mom and start training up in the mountains. Just doing the 13.1 miles will be a challenge for me since I have noticed that I am quite a bit more tired and still a little queezy with my pregnancy. We are hoping to get my sister to join in with us. Come on Abby! And if there is anyone else out there who would like to join us, please do (Grace!!). April 27th at 6:30 AM is the official date and time of the race. Registration will be open until the first week of April.

I remember visiting the bombing site within a few days of the actual bombing and seeing the destruction that was caused. I will never forget those images. I will be so privelaged and honored to walk in honor of those beautiful people, children and babies who were taken from their families and our state that fateful day. So if you are available to participate, join in for a wonderful cause and day of rememberance!

Room for a Little One...Yes!!

I could sure see myself with a sweet little girl!

So, JT and I have finally decided that it is officially time to start letting people know that we are pregnant again! It has been very, very hard to keep the news hush, but we wanted to make sure things were progressing smoothly before we let the cat out of the box. I am 13 weeks (3 months and 1 week) and thus far everything has been going so well! We saw and heard a strong heartbeat at 8 weeks as well as last week during our 12 week appointment. We are overjoyed. It's been hard to keep things quiet since I have been so sick the last 2 months! I got to bed at 9 PM and can't eat hardly anything! What a life. But as my second trimester is underway, I have started feeling a little better. Our due date is September 15th, a great time leading into football season and the holidays (very exciting!). We will find out the sex next month and until then, we would appreciate any prayers concerning the safety, development and health of the baby. We are so very thankful!

We love the Barnards

Last weekend JT and I made a quick trip down to Lubbock, TX to visit one of my dearest friends, Marla. Marla has two little ones: Jonah who is 2 and River who is almost 3 months old. Marla is married to Justin, who is an independent Christian musician and owner of Sugar Brown's coffee shop in Lubbock (best coffee in the south!!) It was my first time to see River and I instantly fell in love with his sweet little face! He is such a calm and easy going baby. He is full of love and it was wonderful to spend time with Marla's family. We played with the kids, got to go shopping, ate some really good food and just enjoyed each other's company. Marla and I have known each other since our college days back at OSU and there are many, many stories to share about the two of us! I'll save those for another blog =) Marla dedicated an entire blog to some of our times together...if you want to check it out you can go to her blog www.thefamilytoots.blogspot.com

So, it was so nice to see my dear friend and get a little baby practice, since JT and I are expecting a little one to arrive in a little under six months! I think JT had a reality check, but he will be so good as he really enjoys taking care of little babies. It was such a great time and we can't wait until our next little rendezvous together! Love ya Marla

Jonah calls River "Mickey Mouse" when he wears this outfit

And more adorable shots...

My little cupcake River

Look at those eyelashes!

Maybe I could have a boy???

Big boy Jonah playing in the backyard

Grandma Margie Barnard

A Break In The Clouds

Yesterday was finally a nice day. The temperature got up to 30 and the sun was out! Today it is snowing again, but at least we had one nice afternoon. So JT and I decided to take advantage of the sunshine and take the dogs snow shoeing at Pike National Forest about 10 miles or so from our house. We packed a lunch and set off on a trail we hadn't yet explored. I didn't realize how much I had missed getting outdoors...it certainly affects your mood and temperament when you can't enjoy the sun and some fresh air. So, we had a great time.

In other news, we have decided after some long thought that we are moving from Colorado back to the south. We really have enjoyed our time up here but we miss being closer to family, friends, and having all 4 seasons to enjoy. JT doesn't get to hunt up here, so he is looking forward to spending more time with his grandfathers and dad on their hunting lease - and I will just enjoy maybe getting to have a summer where we can go to the lake or swim in a pool again! Colorado is great, but we have decided it is more desirable to visit. You can't beat the physical beauty, but time with family and friends is much more important. But living at almost 11,000 ft elevation really takes it's toll on your body. We need to get down lower! Right now our house is under contract, but contingent on our buyers selling their condo up here. If things work out accordingly we could be on our way by mid-March. We are very excited at the possibilities that await us. We will always make the mountains a part of our life. Only now, we will be able to choose when we come and when we go. And trust me, you don't want to be up here for a winter like we've had this year! We'll probably stick to summer visits. So we would appreciate your prayers concerning a speedy sell and move.

Crazy Shiloh burying herself in a foot of snow

Cabin Fever....

As the wind howls outside and I am nestled nice an warm inside, I can't help but think of spring and summer, sandy beaches, refreshing oceans, and anything but the Colorado winter. January, the wonderful month in which I was born, has been the longest month this year! The days have crept by. January is what local Coloradians call deep winter. This has been one of the coldest, snowiest, and dreariest winters for some time up here. This morning JT and I awoke to -12 degrees air temp with a wind chill of -30. This has been fairly consistent day after day now for 2 months.

Did I mention that our water lines froze from our well and we have no running water? The frozen ground has done it's damage and if a plumber doesn't come out and thaw the line (at $125/hr) we would not have running water until the spring thaw in May. This has been quite a blistery winter season. Usually the average highs for January in Colorado up here are in the 30's. The sun is out, the air is crisp, but at least you can go ski or snow shoe. But not this year. Even the dogs are tired of it all. They get frost bite just going out to potty. So I think of better times. Like when I lived on the warm coast of Florida. It takes a lot of heart to live and survive up in the mountains, or high country. There are no frills to the lifestyle. We keep our house warm via a wood burning stove. On days where the snow keeps falling, we can not leave. Often we lose electricity due to the high winds. Oh, and now we have gotten to experience the joys of having our water lines freeze. But it has all been a learning experience that we are thankful for. And did I mention that the summers up here are to die for? They really are.

When you hear the locals who have been here for 20 plus years, grumbling about the long drawn out winter, you know it's bad. And then I guess I don't feel so bad for wishing and dreaming of long summer days and wearing shorts or sandals or catching a wave off my old beach near Palm Beach. So, for all you out there who are freezing your bums off and ready for spring, just think it could all be worse. God has given us all the seasons and He is as faithful as He is consistent...warmer days will come. Soon enough winter will end and spring will come to us all joyfully, welcoming in new life and light. So, until then I will wait patiently dreaming of melting ice cream cones and flip flops......

Magic Kingdom and Grace!

To celebrate our second anniversary, my birthday, Christmas and one of my best friend's Grace getting married, we made a trip down to Orlando Florida. Grace was planning on getting married to an amazingl guy named Bryan Willnerd at Disney on January 4th. So, we just made one big trip and celebration this past week. It was so much fun to spend about 3 days with Grace, her family and Bryan's friends and family. When we weren't hanging out with those guys, JT and I took a couple days to do Disney World. This was JT's first time there, and I have to say I think that he really thought it was neat. Disney has something for everyone - of all ages! It is such a neat place and I love visiting there. We can't wait to take our kids there someday. My sweet Grandma Dorothy took me there some time ago for the first time and I thought often of her while we were there. I really miss living in Florida and soaking up that warm sunshine. It was such a nice break from the record amounts of snow that have been falling up here around Breck. We were so grateful for those days we got to sneak away and spend together in a place as magical as Disney.

Magic Kingdom Christmas Tree

Mainstreet U.S.A.

Disney Parade

Beauty and the Beast

Cinderella!

Mary Poppins...one of my all time favorites

Snow White

Pooh Bear