30 Weeks...7 Months Pregnant

The countdown has begun...only 10 weeks to go! We went for an ultrasound last week and got a great report. His kidneys (which we were following up on) look normal and there is no further need to evaluate or have concerns. We are so thankful for this! The bright spot on his heart is still there...but his heart is functioning as it should...no reason for health concerns there either! What a blessing from the Lord. We found out this news on my birthdays, so of course, it was a great birthday present. The ultrasound tech did tell us we have a "very healthy baby." She later came back after doing calculations and told us he is about 4.5 pounds already...crazy!

A sneak peak of our little boy...who has
yet to be named...any suggestions?
We think he looks like Emet!

Belly Shot

30 Weeks Pregnant

A Special Sunday

We had a great day Sunday! We enjoyed worshiping at Hope Fellowship Sunday morning. I made our "Thanksgiving" grocery run that afternoon...the grocery store was the most crowded I've seen it. While I was out the kids napped and Jon put up our tree! We went to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate Oliver's birthday. I love the friendship he and Ava have and it was great to celebrate his special day with him. After the party we headed home to decorate our Christmas tree. What a day! We certainly were busy, but it was a great day!

Oliver and Chuck E. Cheese

My kids loved helping decorate the tree. Emet had a hard time putting the ornaments on, but he still had fun. I'm thankful to have had Jon put up the tree this year. Every year up until now around this time he has had tons of school work for Seminary. He hasn't had a lot of free time the past few years...which left me putting up our tree and stringing lights. I prefer the ornament hanging myself! But, this year, with no Seminary work, it was a real treat to have him completely put the tree up all by himself. I was thankful to come home from grocery shopping on Sunday to find a Christmas tree in my living room! Thanks Honey!

30 Years Later...

We were blessed to have Mom and Dad come up for a few days. They were here for my 3oth birthday. I can't believe I am 30! I hear it's better than the 20s though...here's hoping! It was good to have Mom and Dad here for a couple of days. We enjoyed a birthday dinner at the Cheesecake factory and a trip to the aquarium on Friday. Jon pulled out the stops for my birthday. He got some great treats from a local sweet/ice cream shop and gave me a BEAUTIFUL bracelet from Kay Jewelers! It's gorgeous and I was truly surprised. He did a great job picking it out! I love it!

Before going to dinner for my birthday

Ava and Emet enjoyed having Granna and Pops here!

Gotta love the kids' expressions!

Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory

Ava covered Emet's mouth to keep him from blowing out the candles!

30 years old...

I'm so thankful for these ladies! They came by to bring me birthday gifts...but their
friendship is more than any gift means to me. They are truly a blessing in my life!

Dad played cars and built a lego castle with Emet!

Weekend with Daddy

When I went to North Carolina, the kids and Jon had a fun filled weekend! On Friday he treated them to dinner at Chuckee Cheese's. On Saturday they went grocery shopping, rented Toy Story 3, cooked a great lunch, and traveled to the mountains for a hike. Sunday was filled with time at Hope Fellowship, much needed naps and RHC's first corporate gathering. The kids had a blast hanging out with their Daddy for the weekend. I'm glad they had this special weekend together!

A view of Boston from the mountain the kids and Jon hiked

My sweet kiddos

She loves hiking!

Having a blast!

Jon with the kids

They made it all the way to the top!

Bonnetts Take On Boston

Our good friends, the Bonnetts came to visit us over Veteran's Day. (I am a little behind in blogging!) It was great to have them here and we certainly enjoyed getting to catch up. We went into the city, ate some great food and enjoyed fellowship. Kenneth and Kristen were our first friends in Seminary. They were our neighbors and the first new friends we made right after we moved. They are so special to us! When we met them, Hayley and Elijah were 5 and 3...they are now 12 and 10! They are moving back to Wake Forest, so we will miss having them so close to us...but are thankful for the two days we had to hang out!

On the T

Ready for Boston

We ate at Regina Pizza in the North End...YUMMY!!!

Kristen and Elijah

Hayley and Ava

Walking the Freedom TrailUSS Constitution

On the ship

A view of the city from the ship...
Ava jumped in all their family pics!

Enjoying goodies from Mike's Pastry

Quincy Market

Testing the Frog Pond to see if it was frozen...it was!

At Colleen's Diner in Medford

The Coast

Boston

My sweet girl!!!

The Bonnetts

Kenneth pushed Emet in the swing at the park...Emet loved it!

See-Saw

My sweet boy!!!

Miss North Carolina Teen USA

The first weekend in November, I was able to make a special trip to North Carolina. Brittney, one of our students from Gorman, and one of my sweet friends, was in the Miss NC Teen USA pageant. I flew down for the weekend and surprised her! It was great to be there to support her. I enjoyed a couple of days with the Gann family and Chelsie. I was also able to see some of my family while I was there. My cousin, Britni, was also in the pageant. It was a blessing to be able to get away for a few days and to spend some time with special friends!

Chelsie and Me...before preliminaries

Me, Mimi, Pop, Chelsie, Rhonda, David and Chris
Right before preliminaries on Friday night

Me, my aunt Linda, uncle Bob, cousin Chan and his wife Angela

Waiting to see Britney after the pageant on Friday night

She did an amazing job and looked BEAUTIFUL!!!

Brittney with Mimi and Pop

She made her Momma and Daddy proud!

The Ganns

I love this girl! She is amazing and I am so thankful for her friendship.
She is truly a blessing in my life and is the little sister I never had!

These girls are the best! I am so thankful for them!

I also had the chance to meet Leigh Ann and Kellie in Winston for lunch.
Kellie brought Ian with her. He is such a cutie! Loved getting to seeing these dear friends!

My sweet friends!

Dinner before the finals

Me and Chelsie before the finals

Me and Mom at the pageant

My girls! Love them!

Brother and Sister

I loved being there to support Brittney. She, Chelsie and I got to spend the day together on Sunday...what a treat. I treasure my time with these girls and love them so much!

My cousin Britni...she was beautiful,
looked amazing and did an incredible job!

Deuces!!!