lucky # 13

So, number 13: "Get started on baby #2". Always easier said than done? Yes, but still, done! If anyone still reads this, you probably already know that we are having our second child in June! We are super thrilled. In fact, we had planned to have one earlier, but as always, it seems like God's timing is more perfect than ours. When Chad and I went off of birth control a few years ago to "let nature take it's course" (i.e. get pregnant), we got pregnant almost right away. However, I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks. I learned that it's very common and that many women have early miscarriages like this, without knowing it. We got a little discouraged, but realized that we were happy to know that this was really what we wanted. So we pressed on and obviously, Dylan came along in September of 2008. Now, Chad's been ready for our 2nd since Dylan was about 6 months old! However, I was clearly not. We eventually reached agreement that it was time to go for round 2. So we dove in and after a couple of months, success! I wanted to shout it out to everyone immediately, but Chad thought we should wait to make sure that it was all good. His intuition beat mine out. Sure enough, on our 5th wedding anniversary, August 20, I had miscarriage number 2. I was way more devastated this time around. I had been getting all kinds of symptoms, I felt pregnant, and I really didn't think it would happen to me again. However, as I said, God's timing is more perfect than ours. We waited it out and started trying again. This time we were very cautious, and almost in denial when I missed my period. We didn't let it ever sink in, just in case. We were totally on our guard. Yet, time kept passing and I was still pregnant. So we decided that on Thanksgiving we would share the news with our family. It was until even after that (which was 11 weeks in) that we really let it sink in...we are having another baby! It's so crazy to think that we will be a family of 4. God is so good and we are thrilled to be welcoming a baby into the world in June. Yay!

ND

last year no doubt reunited for a tour to ignite their inspiration to write the new album that they are in the studio recording now. as soon as i heard they were going on tour i knew i was going and i knew i was going with rayanne. she's my fellow gwen and nd lover! being in the financial state we were in i got a scare that i wouldn't make it, but rayanne came to my rescue and for that i am forever grateful! we had sooo much fun!!

#86

floors and walls

#93 and 94 were completed a whopping 9 months ago! yes, in august we had our carpet ripped up, the original hardwoods refinished and we repainted the living room walls. i can't find our before and after pics for some reason, but i do have this picture of dylan with our "focal wall" in the background. our walls were previously an olive green and a light brown. we wanted to lighten the room up since the floors would be exposed instead of ugly tan carpet. so we painted all of the walls a coconut milk color except for the wall with the fireplace. we had our tv hung above the fireplace, painted the brick white, the hearth a dark brown-black and the wall a pumpkin (or Texas Longhorn orange depending on who you ask) color. the floors are absolutely beautiful and we are so pleased with the results. you can kind of see the floors around the new rug here too.

#40-42

i have completed #40, but to complete 41, i need your help! i've registered for the Great Strides walk for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. this year they added a walk here in long beach and it's right down the street from our house. chad will be out of town, but Dylan and i will be there to support the team "Liam's Legacy for Ojaio's Hope". i look forward to the walk every year and last year i was unable to participate. which means the CF Foundation lost money. i know it may not have been a lot, but any amount i can raise makes a difference. so please help me raise some money for the walk this year. my goal is $500. i've beat it before and i hope to do it again. so spread the word and send this link to anyone you know. i know everyone's going through financially difficult times, i know we are, but that doesn't mean we should put important research aside. CFF has come along way in helping my niece Ojaio extend her life. they are closer than ever to finding a cure and they are constantly finding new treatments. thank you in advance for your help.

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2010

Since this blog was inspired by the blog of my friend, Laura, I decided to get some more inspiration from her and do this post about the last decade! It's 2010 and the start of a new decade. Pretty crazy to think. A lot has happened in my life over the last ten years. Here's a mini breakdown of what's been going on:

2000: I went on a missions trip to Ireland, my first trip out of the country (other than Mexico).

2001: I went on a date (and fell in love) with the man that would later become my husband.

I went to Hawaii for the first time, Chad and I went to Maui.

Our nation was rocked on September 11 with a terrorist attack.

2002: Nothing's coming to mind?

2003: My Granddad passed away :(

2004: Chad and I went to New York City, my first time there and we got engaged.

2005: My Papaw passed away :(

We got married and I moved to Long Beach and out of my parents house for the first time.

2006: My Granny passed away :(

We bought a house.

2007: Chad and I went to Europe on a skate missions trip; Germany and Amsterdam

2008: My daughter Dylan was born!!!

2009: My Aunt Nita passed away :(

In 2010 I will turn 29, my parents will move to Long Beach, and hopefully there will be much discussion of the addition of Tim Tim baby #2, just to name a few things. I don't know what else the year or decade will hold, but looking back on the last one, I'm hoping this one won't be filled with as much loss. My child won't ever have any great grandparents which is truly a tragedy. She has incredibly wonderful grandparents, though. She will always know great love. I hope the new year brings great things for all of you. Happy New Year!