here comes Christmas!

Christmas is just around the corner and I can hardly believe it! A year ago I was newly engaged and packing to move across the country, and now here I am, married, with a baby soon to arrive! Ryan and I are grow closer with each passing day, and every day I thank God for bringing him into my life. ** :) **

The baby is growing right on schedule and I have had no troubles other than normal pregnancy inconveniences. She kicks me quite regularly, turning and rolling and poking me in the ribs. I am SO looking forward to the day she's in my arms!

We're trying to start our own holiday traditions... first being cinnamon rolls on Thanksgiving morning. Yum! I also made a pecan pie (for only the second time in my life!) and methinks that will become a tradition as well. Tonight we put up our first Christmas tree. It's so little and cute, sitting atop our entertainment center - no more than two feet tall, with sparkling black and white and silver balls. The perfect size for our bitsy apartment! I'm looking forward to the coming weeks, spending them with my love, and making more traditions as the holidays get closer.

A company Christmas dinner, a baby shower, a trip to Michigan to see my family... that's what these next few weeks hold! Three cheers for the holiday season!

little bits of progress

Baby registry - done. Stroller, car seat, bed, various blankets and trinkets. SO much fun!! The girls at work are planning a baby shower. How cool and sweet is that?! I'm slowly piecing together a maternity wardrobe... a pair of cute skinny(ish) jeans here, khaki shorts there, flowy tops here, baby bump sporting tshirts there. A friend is bringing me the maternity clothes she is now done with... Yay for passing things on! Let's see... what else? I thoroughly cleaned out my closet this week, making space for baby things. I have begun knitting a baby blanket. All fuzzy and soft and cuddly.... When I start thinking ahead to the coming months, I can't help but grin. And also..... (!) I'm pretty sure I've felt Caitlyn move! At 20 weeks, it's more than likely but it's weird at first... trying to distinguish between gas or stomach gurgles and teeny baby kicks. Weird, but amazing all the same. This is such an incredible adventure, that of growing a baby. More to come later! :)

the baby

Yesterday was our ultrasound. I cannot describe how incredible it was to watch the images on the screen of our little baby. It's a girl! She is so precious... Tiny and lively... she seems to like to wiggle around a lot! We could see little hands and tiny feet. Arms and legs. The ultrasound pictures captivate me... I cannot seem to stop gazing at them, in awe of the creativity of our God, and in wonder that this little life is inside of me, growing and forming more each day. I cannot wait for the day we get to meet her, and hold her in our arms.

summer news

The summer is flying by far too quickly. It's been a little but of an adjustment for me, being here - in HOT Oklahoma, but I'm managing. Quite often, spending time outdoors is nearly impossible, but I do enjoy leaving my patio door open some mornings, and I rejoice when the days are mild and not scorching. We've been blessed to be able to take a few little trips... I've been home to Michigan twice! Once in early June for the siblings' graduation parties, and then Ryan and I went last week for our wedding reception. It was a lovely time, and SO wonderful to see friends and family... as a married couple. Also, we were able to go to Houston over the 4th of July weekend and spend time with P.J. and Paulina. They are such a wonderful couple, and growing together so much. I'm very proud of them.

A bit of big, exciting news.... In early June, Ryan and I found out that we are expecting a little one! Our bundle of joy is due to arrive around Valentine's Day. :) My morning sickness (or rather, "all-day sickness") is mostly over now, but I still tire rather easily. We had our first doctor appointment a few weeks ago and were able to hear the heartbeat.... Quite an amazing thing! God is SO creative and amazing.

In the time I've been married to Ryan, I feel as if my eyes have been opened to what God is doing in our lives so much more than I ever took time to notice before. Beginning with Ryan's ankle ordeal and God's provision through all of that, and on to month-by-month, and day-by-day, provisions... I'm amazed. Last fall I was introduced to the song "God of this City", and I have fallen in love with it. At the most random moments, lines run through my head... "For there is no one like our God..." and "Greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done - here..." It's such a hopeful song. A reminder of all that God is, all that He always will be, all that He wants to do in each of our lives and in the world... A reminder of the hope that He provides...

You're the light in this darkness
You're the hope to the hopeless
You're the peace to the restless
You are....

You're the strength in our weakness
You're the love to the broken
You're the joy in the sadness
You are...

There is no one like our God....

Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done...
Here.

He is good, isn't He?

late night

It's nearly midnight, and I am home alone. Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and a glass of chardonnay are my company. Ryan has to work through the night, a rarity. It's a reminder of the months we spent apart, and I am SO grateful that those days are over. God has been good to us and blessed us incredibly beyond measure... Thinking about all the things that have happened in the last year make me wonder what He has in store for the future. I'm excited to find out!

Hmmm.... what's new in my world...? Tensions at work seem to have smoothed out. My hours remain high for a week or two more, but I'm pacing myself to make it through with a smile. I get to go home to Michigan in a month for the sibling's graduation parties, and I really can't wait to be there. *grin* I'll get to hang out with the fam, spend some time with my old Starbucks crew, and see Michigan in the beauty of early summer.

We are looking at houses, toying with the idea of buying one before the summer is over. The possibility excites me. I think I would feel one step closer to being a "real"grown up. A house... a yard... a lawn to mow... neighbors and a street... It'll feel so weird after so many years of apartment-dwelling.

Plans are coming together for our receptions. They're going to be ultra-simple and casual, but I hope lots of fun. It'll be great to see so many near and dear people. :) July 11 in Tulsa, and August 1 in Michigan. Save a date for us, and prepare for an afternoon of chips, salsa, dessert, and plenty of laughter. Maybe some pool fun too?

That's all for now folks... 'Night!

Spring time, and everything is green and blooming. I LOVE it! Well, apart from the sighting of a baby garter snake close to my front door. I know, I know... it was dead. AND it was only a harmless and friendly kind of snake, but I DO NOT CARE! It still freaks me out. However, consistently warm weather is such a gift from God. It makes my soul happy to be able to enjoy the fresh air so much more. I must enjoy spring for all it's worth, because I fear I may have a hard time surviving the summer heat...

We have finally gotten the living room all pretty and devoid of boxes. We were gifted a lovely bookshelf, and now it houses many many books, and pretty little decorations. It looks quite lovely and artful, if I do say so myself. Ryan and I spent an afternoon arranging and sorting and rearranging, and we are quite pleased with the results! I'm anxious to have people over now.... now that the living room actually looks like a home. :)

The last few weeks of work have been rough. I have battled homesickness and exhaustion, and I want them to go away and leave me in peace. By way of many conversations and times of going back and forth with my manager, I was finally able to change my availability while remaining in my current position. I will close only once a week, and work on one Saturday a month. I see other women doing so much with their time - working and being married and having a family and social life, and balancing it all, and I wonder how they do it. Because, at this point in my life, I don't seem to be able to manage it. Without my evenings and weekend hours to connect with my husband and my new surroundings, my life and emotions get ALL out of whack. I don't want to be a moody and stressed out wife. I want to be cheery and buoyant and content. And so, to achieve that, I'm cutting back my hours. And I couldn't be happier.

So long for now.... the land of delectable caffeinated beverages calls....

one more day

Another Monday. Another week ahead of me. Where does time go..... ?

A freak snowstorm blasted us on Saturday. Six inches or more. It was all sloppy and wet, and the walk from our apartment door to the truck was lick wading through muck. It was a beautiful mess. Wonder of wonders, Sunday dawned sunny and clear and warmish. Now everything is melted and everything is springlike again. I guess this is the land of extremes...

I'm starting a new part-time job this week... nannying! Two adorable kiddos, ages 2 1/2 and six months. It'll be just a few hours a week, but I'm SO looking forward to it! Ryan and I went to meet the family last week and we totally clicked on many levels. I have a feeling we just may become good friends...

Ryan and I started on our search for a "community group" last night. We'll visit a few before we settle in to one. I'm really looking forward to making a connection with some people here. It was really a blast to hang out with the couples last night. For the first time in my married life, I spent some solid time with married couples who actually are around our ages! They were totally fun and cool... Twas so refreshing!

I'm off to run errands and then work in the world of delicious coffee aromas... Cheers!