The Calm Before the Storm

Wow! I have to get better at posting to my blog. One post a month will not cut it. I am very thankful that my life has seemed to settle down- the calm before the storm I know. I am currently 25 weeks pregnant and feeling great. Jeff and I had a relaxing weekend. We are anxiously awaiting our new camera to be delivered. A semi- professional camera to document all of Ryan’s exciting adventures. Jeff and I got to meet one of God’s latest and greatest miracles this week, Jackson Wade Copeland. I am sure that he and Ryan will be buds for life, only a few months apart. He is just precious and I couldn’t help but think of myself in Kaylee’s shoes as she lay in the hospital bed just glowing. She is a true inspiration. I got to see my precious nephew Garrett this weekend as well. That little boy always makes me smile whether it is in person, a picture of him or even just a video that was emailed to me. While playing with Garrett, my sisters tried to feel Ryan kick but he wasn’t cooperating.

Jeff and I recently become official members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Denton. We are excited to get involved and meet families in our new church community. Ash Wednesday is quickly approaching and I am struggling on what to give up or take on during this Lenten Season… I would like to attend the Stations of the Cross on Friday, something I haven’t done since I was a student at Mary Immaculate. I thought about randomly picking a Christmas card every evening, from the ones I received this past Christmas, and praying for the family who sent it. Decisions… Decisions.

"How To Be A Successful Father"

Every day is a day closer to parenthood, more specifically for me, FATHERHOOD!?!?! "How To Be A Successful Father"- I am afraid this is another topic on which there are no manuals or how-to-guides. Therefore, I am on the prowl...observing those around me...searching for hints, tips and clues on this topic. It is important for me to not only establish some expectations for myself, but also project the expectations of my son. What will he want from me above all? My first thought is LOVE. I think of the LOVE that God has for me. The LOVE that he had...that he would give up his only son. AMAZING LOVE. The LOVE that Jesus Christ showed me on the cross as he took his final breath. That is the LOVE that I choose to have for little Ryan.

LOVE WILL MOTIVATE ME!

Back to Normal

We found out in October that we were expecting.

The holiday season is over and all of our Christmas decorations are back in the attic. Our house is back in order and our dogs are feeling better. We loved spending time with our family and friends throughout the past few weeks. We have so much to be thankful for, a baby is just one of them. The highlight of my holiday break… finding out the sex of our little one. Jeff and I got to go to Presbyterian Dallas for a very special sonogram, to visit my Aunt Jacque a sonographer. Interestingly, she told my mom the sex of my brother and I 26 years ago.  Drum roll please- Jeff and I will be expecting a baby boy in June, I couldn’t be more excited! I will say I thought he was going to be a she because of the heart rate theory and the fact that Jeff’s family has had all had girls first. I will never forget Jeff’s face when my Aunt said we will be having a son. My eyes became teary and my heart started racing. I just said over and over again, “We are going to have a son.” Every appointment, every sonogram, every weekly picture, every new bottle of palmers I buy and every pair of pants I can’t fit in just reminds me that I am going to be a Mother soon.

Aunt Jacque, Me and Jeff on December 23rd

I remember when Jeff and I started dating in September of 2002. I knew I had met the man on my dreams, my Knight in Shining Armor, my Husband, the Father of my children. We have had an amazing journey so far and I can’t wait to see where the rest of our lifetime will take us. We have been blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful friends and family members. We thank you all for that. 

Christmas Eve: 17 weeks