Saturday, July 31, 2010

Time's Up!

We are finishing up our last "childless" summer. We've slept as late as we wanted, gone where we wanted to go, ate what we wanted, and done absolutely whatever we wanted to do. I have a feeling that's about to end. As excited as we are about Ella Kate's arrival, it also scares me more and more as it approaches. I have no doubt she will be worth every bit of the change that is about to take place in our lives, but that doesn't keep me from wondering if we're ready for this.

Monday kicks off our school year and football season at the Bowers house. We've been at school this past week as much as we've been at home...trying to prepare so we aren't drowning in "to do's" next week. My room's ready for the most part. I had a moment of "what am I doing???" last week one day when I thought about making the transition from 1st to 5th grade. I could handle the first day with 1st graders with my eyes closed. But I've never done the 5th grade thing. I am most excited about the ladies I get to work with and around. Maybe they'll keep me sane with all the change we're about to go through. I have also been "promoted" as someone put it to varsity cheerleader coach. The girls are fun. It's just way more responsibility than I ever realized. But we'll all survive and we'll enjoy doing it. Bradley's just hoping we'll both get through football season without Ella Kate making an early arrival. She's due 3 days after the last regular season game.

Just for the record, I have gotten most of my TO DO list completed this summer. Except that the nursery is not painted. Does the test paint on the wall count? I have all the supplies sitting in the nursery floor along with the crib that is still in the box. Maybe we'll get to that soon.

We're spending our last day in the pool and B said he would grill later if I act right. I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Beach and a Baby Picture

Bradley and I left late Thursday night after workouts for the beach. We spent the day Friday on the beach. It was beautiful. I sat in the edge of the water for a long time. Then I camped out under the umbrella for a while. There's nothing like a sandwich and a drink from the cooler on the beach. We tried out a new place to eat that night, The Old Florida Fish House. It's not new but we'd never been. It was SO good. Actually, since I've been pregnant, there's not much that I don't find to be "SO good". Yesterday we slept late, then went out for breakfast...we waited forever to eat. I guess everyone wanted a good breakfast yesterday. We made a Target run, then sat on the beach all afternoon. A lady fell over backwards in her beach chair right beside us. You'll be happy to know I held it together...I've always been one to get tickled pretty easily, but lately I get so tickled I can't stop laughing...usually at the most inappropriate times. Last night we had a late dinner. I had grilled fish for the first time...very good. I usually liked fried or blackened, but indigestion is the enemy right now, and I didn't think I should try that. We slept late this morning, then headed home. But not before I ran smack into the sliding glass door and laughed hysterically. I then cried for about 30 minutes on the way home for no apparent reason. I couldn't even tell Bradley why I was crying. I have no idea. I fought it for some time...and I kept my sunglasses on for a while, but he was on to me. He just helped me find a tissue and shook his head.
I'll jump back to last Wed and post a picture from our 4D ultrasound. This baby is without a doubt a daddy's girl. Her mouth and nose look identical to his. I'm good with that. I think he's pretty. I won't tell you how much weight I've gained, but I will say there is NO way that scale was right. Absolutely NO WAY.

One last week before I have to go back to work...lots of last minute stuff to do, along with some floating around the pool. Hope you all have a fabulous week.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Anniversary Post #2

I am starting this post at 3:40 a.m. Thank you, Restless Legs Syndrome. Have I mentioned that although I'm thankful and very aware of how worth it Ella Kate will be, pregnancy has not been the fun experience I expected? Marriage, however, is a different story. It has been more than I expected...and most definitely a fun experience thus far. I feel like we've been married so much longer than 2 years, but I mean that in a positive way. Many things have happened in just 2 years. Our wedding day seems like it was ages ago. But I still remember so much so vividly.

I was determined not to be stressed on our wedding day. I had been living on my own for 4 years in an apartment that I loved. I wanted to stay there by myself one last night the night before our wedding. It was late when I got in bed. When I got up the next morning, I lay in bed for hours reading a book, The Convenient Groom. I started it earlier that week and wanted to finish that morning. I walked over to the church (across the street) to check things out. I don't recall having breakfast or lunch that day (or supper for that matter), but surely I ate something. When Jennifer arrived to do my hair, I had not even showered! All the bridesmaids arrived and my mom came. We all got ready together. My brother got a haircut on my porch because he had failed to do so before then. It was such an enjoyable time. My husband-to-be thought he needed a round of golf that morning. I have since found out that he drove extremely fast to get back and barely made it to the church on time. We chose to see each other before and had a time together, just the 2 of us. I had written in a journal all the things I could remember from our first date to the present. I gave it to him when we saw each other. He became a little emotional, but I was pretty impressed with how well I was holding up. Pictures began, and were over pretty quickly. We laughed through most of the pictures. The groomsmen were good entertainment that day. I went back to the apartment with the girls. We watched as people began to arrive. The church was packed, and that's an understatement. We were overwhelmed at the number of people who showed up to share in our day with us. We were and continue to be so blessed with people who love us and support us. As the time arrived, the bridesmaids left and my daddy and I were alone. I remember walking over together. As he and I prepared to enter the church, he said something to me that I will remember forever. It wasn't sappy. It was hilarious. And it's probably best that I don't share it on here. But it fits my daddy to a T. I remember everything about the music starting and the doors opening. By the time I got down the aisle to Bradley I was EMOTIONAL. I wasn't sure I would hold it together. I remember Bradley blowing in my eyes. I remember telling him my feet were killing me and I'd never wear those shoes again. He told me he'd never wear his again either. I had my engagement ring on, and I remember him trying to get me to take it off so my wedding band would go on first. I never understood what he meant, and I never took it off. I was so emotional that my vows were a whisper. I could barely speak. I knew if I started crying, I would lose it. My very favorite memory was near the end of the service. My first principal, Mr. Franks, played the trumpet during a time of prayer. It was AMAZING. And during that time, my new husband leaned over me and prayed with me for our life together. It is without a doubt, my fondest memory of our wedding. I remember that Bradley held my face when he kissed me. It was so gentle and sweet. After we were presented, I remember realizing for the first time, just how many people were in the church. I saw all the people standing in the back and in the balcony. I don't remember much about the short trip to the reception. I remember just how good the cakes were...I've never tasted better. That was all I ate at the reception, the cake we fed each other and a Mt. Dew. We have no clue what our first dance was to, but we think it was a Keith Whitley song. I do remember dancing to "I Let Her Lie" at some point, which we thought was hilarious for a song at a wedding reception. My feet hurt worse than they've ever hurt in all my life. I told Bradley the truth, I've never worn those shoes again. They sit on the top shelf in our closet. We left in the smokey glow of sparklers and with a fire truck escort, complete with lights and sirens (Thank you, Stae!). We found Bradley's truck fully decorated at the apartment. I thought Bradley would be so ready to leave Luverne, but he thought he should wash one load of clothes before we left. I sat on the couch and ate rice while I waited.

I remember eating wedding cake for breakfast the next morning, and we left Montgomery for Atlanta. We slept for many hours that afternoon in Atlanta. We were absolutely exhausted. We flew out of Atlanta for beautiful Jamaica on Monday morning at the crack of dawn. Our honeymoon was so much fun and so pretty. I would love to go back one day.

I'm not a girl who's dreamed of her wedding all her life. But it was everything I wanted. We were so worried that things would be a big blur. They weren't. We made it a point to soak up every detail (which I just shared with you. I apologize. It's long. I know.) I hope our lives are like that. I hope we soak in every detail, and remember it forever. (Maybe, not the morning sickness, I could do without that memory. I still live that one every now and then.)

Marriage has been so much sweeter, funnier, and happier than I ever imagined it could be. God sent me His best for me in Bradley. I am so grateful. It's not always easy. It's hard for you to imagine, I know, but sometimes we're not nice to each other. Usually, that would be me. I will admit that I have tried to push his buttons (once or twice). He always forgives me. We say often, that for the most part, it is "easy". We don't always have to talk. We don't have to be entertained. We enjoy each other's company. And we still enjoy doing our own things. We are immeasurably blessed, and very thankful for the lives God has given us. Thank you, God for the past 2 years. Thank you, Bradley, for your patience with me, for the love you give me (even when I'm ill, as you tell me). I love you more now than I could have imagined when we stood before God and those people and committed our lives to each other only 2 short years ago. Happy Anniversary. I'd like to close with the chorus from the song that we used at the end of our wedding ceremony.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee
How great thou art
How great thou art.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

A Daddy's Girl

We've made 3 different attempts on 3 different days at some 4D pictures of Ella Kate. She refuses to move her hands and arms from in front of her face.
And we wonder why???????????

Thursday, July 8, 2010

I Heart Summer!

Can you tell we don't have a baby yet? And that I'm out for the summer? I've been posting pretty regularly. Don't look for that to continue in August. We'll be swimming in school, football, cheerleading, and piles of dirty laundry by then. But for now, life is so fun!

We took off for Destin yesterday morning. We adults still like to do a little school shopping every summer. Pregnancy makes shopping for me not so fun, and more so expensive. I made up for it with all the stuff I bought for Ella Kate. I'm getting so excited about this baby girl! Bradley bought more than both of us. He says he does not have a lot of clothes...this is is not true. I told him the only way he could get more shirts is to get rid of as many or more than he bought. The walls of our closet may explode if he doesn't.

After a little shopping and a quick lunch, we went to see some good friends and some family for the afternoon. The Ingalls, who I lived with in college, were at the beach for the week. When I was a single girl, I went with them several summers. Those were fun times. They have a large family and I loved it. Yesterday, we got to see some of them and we spent the afternoon with Mrs. Sally. We went out to dinner with her and visited some more. Then we made the late drive home. I am so thankful for them. I love talking with Mrs. Sally and Mr. Terry. They are precious to me.

I also am thankful for summers off where we can load up and drive to Destin to stay all day. The beach was beautiful. I'm thankful for a husband who enjoys it as much as I do, and is willing to take off for the day with me. We have some great conversations in the car. Sometimes we learn a lot about each other. Often I hear stories that he's never told me. It's so funny to me.

Tonight we're having several teachers and their husbands over. I'm excited! It's a blessing to enjoy the people that you work with, and we love having people over. Maybe I'll take some pictures. Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Anniversary Post #1

We've almost been married 2 years! It's gone by so fast and it feels like our lives have been changing at warp speed. We now have new jobs, a new house, a dog, and baby on the way. There are so many little things that happened around the time of our wedding. I want to post them so I'll have them to remember when life gets crazier than it already is around here. I'll post in 2 parts so that all of you won't get bored halfway through and stop reading.

We got engaged at the beginning of April and planned our wedding for July 19th (our first date was October 14th). We didn't have tons of time, but that was fine with us. We knew we had to get the wedding in before football started. A few weeks before the wedding, I backed Bradley's truck into a light pole...I left quite a dent in the bumper. I was already stressed and that added to it. I also had planned for my reception to be at the Ag Center in Luverne. On a whim, I called to make sure everything was good with our reservation. I was told that it had been double booked and we would not be able to use it. I had no idea what we would do. A couple of friends came to the rescue and we were able to book the country club at the last minute. I am normally a fairly calm person, but that was not the case that day...not even close. It all worked out better than the original plan though. God's like that. Yesterday I was cleaning out some books and found a devotion from the week that it all occurred. It was called "Divine Interventions" and I remember finding it very encouraging that week.

Bradley and I got along really well the whole time (9 months) that we dated. The week prior to the wedding, I thought we might kill each other. Experts refer to that as stress. One particular memory was the Wednesday night before the wedding. I was staying at my parents house one last time as a single girl. Bradley picked me up to take ferns to the church in Luverne. We snapped at each other the whole trip, and on the way home he decided he needed some french fries. I don't know why that bothered me, but I went into this spill about how he had already had supper (experts call that nagging). He gave me no response and pulled up to the speaker in the drive through. After several minutes of waiting, I told him that maybe God was trying to tell him he didn't need those fries. He pulled off (really fast) without any fries. We didn't speak all the way back to Opp.

Bradley's grandmother gave him a letter the week of the wedding and he asked me to read it to him as we rode somewhere one day. I started to read and got through the first few sentences. I remember folding it up and sobbing because I was so emotional and just could not read it.

The Thursday night before the wedding, all the bridesmaids and I went for pedicures and mexican. Is there any better combination? I left Troy late that night and found several messages on my phone from Bradley. When I finally reached him, he wanted to know if I had been contacted about the tent. He wouldn't tell me what was going on. I found out that our tent had not been set up completely and Ms. Jean couldn't get under it to set things up. I think I called the tent guy sometime after 10 that night. The tent was fixed the next morning.

I'm not sure how much you'll all enjoy reading these details, but it makes me smile to think back. It was such a fun time. It was stressful, but it was so much fun. So many people told me their weddings were a blur. We were determined not to let ours be that way. I remember so much and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you in Anniversary #2.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Yay for a Week Off!

We teachers have the whole summer off, but that's not entirely true. Bradley has workouts so it's hard for us to schedule much. But he has all of next week off and I am so excited. I have a list of things for him to get done, but I'll let him rest some too. We have NO plans for the 4th except lunch with my parents. His parents are off on a cruise, but I'm sure we can manage to give their pool some good use this week. That's our plan for today along with putting up peas. I just came in from our backyard, and the weather is amazing...it's like a spring morning...breezy and comfortable. Yesterday was hot, but so much better than it's been. I even did a few things outside yesterday, and that has been impossible so far this summer. Bradley did A LOT outside yesterday. It looks nice and I'm very appreciative.

We capped off the day with dinner and a movie with friends. Bradley grew up at VBS every summer with Morgan. They always celebrated their birthdays together at Bible School because there was one day between them. Morgan also did us the honor of singing in our wedding. So after 2 years of trying to plan a dinner date, we finally got together with she and her husband, Matt, last night. We had Mexican (yay!!!) and went to see Eclipse. I've never read the books, but have been told I'm missing out. I've seen the other 2 movies, but slept through the end of the last one. It would be safe to say they are not my favorites. But I was pretty impressed with Eclipse. I think that's the latest we've been out in a very long time. It's the first time we've been able to go to a movie since I found out I was pregnant. Morning/all day sickness will change your way of life for sure. I've been told that a baby will do the same thing. It was an extra good day all around. I love days like that.

One more thing that added to the "goodness" of yesterday. I had to make a quick trip to my moms yesterday afternoon. It was beautiful, so I let my windows down and opened the sunroof. I also broke out a few old cd's. I had high school/college music blaring from my speakers. I have always enjoyed riding in the car by myself, but windows down and loud music can make my day. It was all good until all 458 napkins on my console exploded through my sunroof. It was hilarious and I had a pretty good laugh in the car all by myself. No, I did not go back and pick them up. I'm sorry. I would never have found them all.

I hope everyone has a great 4th of July weekend! Be safe.