38 weeks

and i'm about to pop (or at least that is what a few people have told me lately). I'm actually not uncomfortable at all...just ready to meet this little guy. This is the first week i haven't run which for me is sad because i love it so much. But on saturday i could only make it 2 miles and had to give up. I just know it is coming down to the wire now and walking is better since i am having so much pressure from Eli dropping! Speaking of him dropping...we have been going to the doctor weekly now (i have been bad at updating on that). The process of labor has begun. I have started dilating, the doctor felt Eli's head & said he is very low...which i figured that by the way i feel :). 2 weeks ago the doctor told us he didn't think i would make it the full 40 weeks (by the way i have progressed over a week) but we aren't getting our hopes up because that was just a guess...even though i know he is a doctor...we still don't want to be let down!

Today was my last day of work. I am feeling all kinds of emotions. I love the little ones i watch and will truly miss their smiling faces each day, but i am ready to be mommy to my own and see his little face. I can't believe i am done but am very thankful for a little time to myself.

Yesterday morning (1:30am) I began having very irregular contractions. they lasted through out the day and then got more consistent last night. but they went away around 11:00 and then began again today. I think my body is just getting ready for labor (whether that be in the next few hours or the next couple of weeks). i think our little guy is playing with mommy & daddy about when he will come...but we shall patiently wait!!
Oh & we took some photo's this past weekend (since we didn't have any of both daniel & i in them with me preggo). hope you like them...we do!

make that 3

that's right...we have officially been married 3 years today. as i think back to that wonderful day i get all giddy. seeing my groom (very handsome...the most handsome i might add) standing there waiting for me (his bride) to walk down the aisle. saying our "i do's" and then sharing in communion. what a great day. one that i look back on and smile.

after nearly 4 years of dating and 3 years of marriage, i am still learning new things. our love has grown so much. i love staying up late and chatting about...well...nothing. i love waking up to him in the mornings. i love how he loves our dog, madie and gives her baths. i love that he loves books & studying greek. i love that he eats grape pop sickles & drinks a tall glass of orange juice most nights. i love how he loves the Lord. i also love how he loves me. and now as we await the arrival of our first child, a son, i love how he touches and talks to my belly hoping Eli is listening. i love that he thinks i'm beautiful...even pregnant. i don't have to wonder if he will be a great dad because i know he will! I am so blessed with such a loving, patient, man of God. Thank you Lord for another year with this man made so well for me. here is to many many more!!

mae

come one, come all!!

Over the past few years our love and desire for photography has grown. We have been praying for a way to incorporate this passion into our everyday life. Our desire is to capture moments in peoples lives at a price that is affordable. So in saying this we have started a little photography business on the side. We can shoot engagement & wedding, maternity, baby & family photos or whatever else you can think!! Here are a few photo shoots we have been on recently...

Maternity Photo Shoot of Jordan & Kari






Family/Baby Photo Shoot of Jamie, Joy & Breeson







Engagement Photo Shoot of Bradford & Leslie

Children's Photo Shoot

If you are interested in knowing more or having pictures made let us know!

Daniel & Magen

week 36

here i am...me & my basketball as many family member say. not too much longer...i'm starting to get a little bit uncomfortable :)

And here's something new...i have an outie! somewhat of a recent development but if you look close enough you can see it.
mae

our big news :)

if you remember my post a few back where I mentioned that God is just so full of surprises...well I can now spill the beans! Let me just interject here that I would not have posted that blog and made so many of you question what was going on if i actually knew we had to wait this long & jump through so many hoops. BUT now we can let it out!! Here is an exert from our latest newsletter explaining everything...

We have been praying for God’s guidance about what should be our next step in this journey to France and continuing to build our support team. We have both sensed over the past few months that God had some kind of significant shift in mind, but we were not sure what exactly that might be. Now after much prayer and consultation with our church, pastors and leaders, we are certain that God is leading us to move to the Chicago area in January 2010, and for Daniel to enroll in course work at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) with the hopes that it will be a springboard to new support raising opportunities. Rest assured this is not a change of plans, but a further unveiling of God’s plan and will for our journey to France. Needless to say God’s will is full of surprises and turns that we don’t expect, but we embrace them knowing what He promises and what He has done in the past. We anxiously await to see what He is going to do next!

The wisdom in God leading us in this direction is already becoming very apparent. It will open us up to a whole new area and group of people to share our passion and desire to minister in France with both in the community and school. Daniel will have a unique opportunity to build relationships with pastors and others in ministry and to share with them about France. We will, Lord willing, have the opportunity to speak in many churches about the ministry in France. It will also allow Daniel to gain further training for the ministry in France while at the same time continuing to raise support.

so there it is :) we are just beside ourselves right now & ready to see how God is going to use this move. Daniel will be in seminary while I stay home with sweet little Eli. It's not going to be easy moving away from our family & friends with a 4 month old, but we want the Lord's will most of all & this is our next step!
Also..PRAISE the LORD that Daniel got a wonderful scholarship which is really going to be beneficial! I am so proud of my hubby. Thank you Lord for always providing for us.

In other news...we are down to the last 4 1/2 weeks until our sweet baby boy gets here. We have had two wonderful baby showers where so many friends have blessed us with little gifts for Eli. His room is ready, our bags are halfway packed & our car seat is properly installed. Now we wait...

34.5 weeks

Our weekly doctor appointments start on Friday and maybe just maybe we will find out a little more about Eli's size. Pregnancy has really been wonderful to me, but as we get closer & closer to the very end i find myself wanting it to be over. In fact...last week as Daniel & I were walking out of wal-mart in the 90+ degree weather, i turned to him and asked him to remind me that i won't be pregnant forever. He quickly responded in assuring me i'm almost done! I want to embrace these last weeks & really enjoy them because i can't get them back!

I will leave you with pictures from our showers.

Baby Tea:

the beautiful cake that Andi had made & the precious diaper cake Ellen & her mom graciously made...it was just perfect!

the hostesses-THANKS LADIES!!

best friends from high school (Ellen, Myself, & Andi)

the food was AMAZING

our gifts

Laura & Michelle

i love you Ellie Mae

our second diaper cake... :) loved it too!

Jessica..thanks for coming girl!

Our couples shower at church:

look at this cake Leann made! How amazing is that? Her first baby shower cake...i was impressed!

Barbie & I chatting it up :)

Daniel & I

playing the diaper game

opening presents!

our WONDERFUL hostesses Kevin & Leann

soon to be...Granddaddy, Nana, DeDe & Special K :)

Shaffer, Lindsey, Daniel, Myself, Leslie (Lollie) & Bradford

Ok I think that is enough catching up for now! I have lots of thank you notes calling my name. Until next time...

Mae

it's getting harder to...

• run & do weight training
• get out of bed
• bend over and pick something up
• find something that fits (and looks half way cute)
• shave my legs
• paint my toenails
• give someone a hug without my belly getting in the way

...i don't see how it is even possible for this belly to get bigger :)

mae

Updates updates!!

We had our first baby shower this past weekend & got SOOO many wonderful gifts! We both feel very blessed. The baby tea was just perfect & I could not have asked for more :)! We have our next shower (which is a couples shower) a week from Sunday!!!

I am leaving for the beach tomorrow. This is my last trip because I will be 34 weeks next week & your not suppose to travel after that. I'm pretty excited about the beach even if I do look huge :)

We went to the doctor yesterday & both Eli and I are doing great! He is measuring a week big now. Not sure how big they "predict" him to be. I think that is at our next appointment at 35 weeks!! I am feeling VERY pregnant these days & know I will only get bigger! As of yesterday I have gained 16 lbs according to the doctor (but more like 23 according to me :))! I'm not gonna lie I am REALLY looking forward to the challenge of getting this weight off. I feel pretty motivated since my sisters wedding is 6 1/2 weeks after little Eli's due date! We shall see though...

I'm still running almost 3 miles every other day & then swimming or biking the days in between. I had a little accident this past week so I am now restricted to running on the tredmill. Not ideal for me but my balance is getting worse so it's for the best. And yes all you out there asking yourself if it is ok for me to still be running...we yet again asked the doctor yesterday was reassured that as long as I am not in pain then it is perfectly fine for me & Eli!

We have completed 2 out of 4 of our birthing classes. I honestly have enjoyed going & learning about labor & the whole process. I feel like I can better grasp what is going to take place. I however did not enjoy learning about csections (no fun)! But I guess we do need to be educated just in case. We are also going to attend a class on nursing & natural birth since YES I do plan to go naturally despite all the nose turns I have gotten from people. We shall see how that goes :)
ok I think that's all! Will post pics soon
mae

pregnancy joys

up at 2:00 am. can't sleep. hip hurts really bad. very hungry. hubby is snoozing. want to go back to sleep. watching some show about cheese. :( this won't last forever i keep telling myself.

mae