barefoot and pregnant

We had an ultrasound on Sunday and found out that (we think at least) we're having a girl. So instead of visions about little league games, big wheels, action figures, and matchbox cars, we're getting excited about things like princesses, ladybugs, dolls, and anything pink. But little girls like to play with Legos too don't they?

Just this morning Stacy came out and said, "Josh, will you come in here please." She has been telling me for a few weeks now that she thought she felt the baby but wasn't sure. This morning she was pretty sure and I felt for a while and finally, just faintly but definitely, there was a little kick or punch, and then another one. So amazing! We could not be more excited to be having a girl, and we feel blessed by the Lord so far beyond what we could ever imagine.

Otherwise, we're just keeping busy with summer stuff. Stacy is working with the 4 year-olds now, where she'll be till December when she is done. That has been good and she has really done a wonderful job. She works from 10-6 and has been very faithful about exercising and being in the Word every day. And she's still keeping the house clean and me very, very well fed.

I've been working and reading, getting ready for seminars coming up in less than a month now. It looks like it will be another fun semester. I'll be in a Psalms seminar and one on the Gospels, and I'll be working on learning Latin as well as some other odds and ends kind of research and writing.

Here are a few photos, mostly of my beautiful wife and the baby growing inside her.

This is the great little town of Sonoma, where we went for the day a few weeks ago. If you're ever there, go to the Sunflower cafe (in the photo on the left I think) for a coffee, breakfast, lunch, or whatever. Just be sure to sit out back in the garden seating area. Everything about it is just right.
...growing
...growing. This was a couple weeks ago in our little kitchen, where Stacy is displaying her culinary genius as she does every day.
...and growing. These ones were taken this evening. Isn't she adorable?

Ball Game

A couple weeks ago we went to a ballgame at At&t park between the Giants and the Cubs. It was a great game that the Cubs won. and we stayed for the firework show afterward. Here's a few pictures.

Good friends

There is something so amazingly special about those people that God has brought into your life for a specific time and purpose. Someone that you have seen in many life circumstances both stressful and fun. Who has been on a few road trips (definitely bonding) and labored in prayer together. Bri is one of those types of friends that is a gift from God and Josh and I were blessed by her presence last week! Fun times! Thank you Bri for coming all of the way from Oregon!

We had a great time in spite of the smoke from the fires--yuck.

We mostly hung around town and just talked, which is my personal fave but we also packed in a few fun outings. I think that all of us would agree that one of our favorite activities was watching a thought provoking yet sweet movie together. One of the movies that you want to tell all of your friends to see because it is rare to see something not big box office but just plain old good. So here it goes, Under the same Moon, a Spanish movie with some subtitles but also English.

Happy 4th of July everybody!

The threesome

The thing on my mind most often has to do with a large bulge protruding from my belly that seems to be getting bigger on a daily basis. I am not saying that it is a bad reminder just one that is only going to become a larger reminder:)
So here's the quick update blogger style.
Daddy: Just celebrated his first ever Father's Day and was officially announced as a Father in front of everyone at our Church on Sunday! Feeling a bit of sleep sympathy for Stacy and has been willing to take naps when needed. Also practicing up on his golf swing inspired by another new father (yes, Tiger Woods) and to be ever ready for a golf lesson just in case we have a boy.
Mommy: Potty training 2o two year-olds at the preschool to hone in those "accident" skills. There is nothing to teach you faster than a two year old standing at the door with pee running down her leg into her crocs to get you to move a little bit quicker when they have to "go".
A bit tired and oh so ready to be officially in the 2nd trimester next week. Praise the Lord for 13 good weeks!
Baby Peaches: Now almost 3 inches and the size of a peach, wow!!! Developing vocal chords this week, no crying yet. And if its like its mother with bad habits it is sucking its tiny little thumb already.
All in all, the 3 of us our doing quite well and are loving these wonderful stages of life that bring so much joy and anticipation. We love being parents already and anxiously await the feeling of holding our little one.
Thank you for all your prayers! Keep it up please!

Here are a few little clips from the ultrasound Mom Mathews did a few weeks ago.

Family

We haven't stopped blogging, just been busy the last few weeks. Here's a few pictures of some of our recent highlights.

Josh's sister, Sara, came for a visit and we showed her the sites around here, took her to San Francisco, and just had some good, rich, fun and meaningful times (re)connecting with her.


Then on Thursday before Memorial day weekend, right after Stacy got off work, we headed North to spend ten days with our families. The first stop was for a few days in Medford with Stacy's family. We got to see Kenney and Cynthia who just got married in March, have been living in Turkey, and are just moving to Georgia.


Then we kept heading North to the Portland area. We spent a few days there with family and a friends and then headed to Rockaway beach with Josh's family. It was the first time in a while that all of us have been together (we are up to 17 now including the number 8 grandchild inside of Stacy). Again, great times of playing games, talking, relaxing, and just being with loved ones.

Baby Love

Well, how does one describe the miracle of life?! I am at a loss for words but have been pondering the design that God chose as the best plan for us humans to experience yet again a tiny vision of how His humongus heart works. I am sure that in His infinite wisdom He could have made babies a gazillion different ways but He chose to use the beautiful union of man and woman to give to one another so He can create. Why does He chose the woman, the weaker vessel, to house such a precious one? I do not know, but He wanted the child to dwell and be nourished for months inside flesh, the womb. I wonder if just maybe it is more for the parents to be humbled by this tiny little heart beat and growing body to draw us to the Creator? If He wanted us to be in awe of Him for these 9 months as much as we grow in love with our child. I'm sure it serves many purposes beyond what my mind and heart can take in at this moment in time. What a Wonderful Maker!
I was struck last Friday when we had our first practice in the chapel with the 2-4 yr olds at the preschool when they came to the simple and ageless song, "Jesus Loves the Little Children of the World". They were especially loud as these mostly unchurched children belted out a song they love. I thought, "they get it, they Know that Jesus loves them no matter who they are!" What joy this must bring to the Father's heart who made His children to praise Him with a full heart!
I can only await with a heart of expectation at the daily lessons that Josh and I will learn from this little life that He has given us charge of for this time.
How great a love the Lord has lavished on us that we should be called children of God!


Random pics that we thought you would like!

Josh and I at our favorite Mill Valley square. We rode our bikes down for a picnic lunch and game of Settlers.

Celebrating Josh's first year of Seminars at PF Chang's - Yummy!

Giants game in the City with our friends, Josh and Elizabeth Howeth.

Josh puting another log on, camping at Clear Lake and our first Mother's Day celebration (I had a craving for a bagel with cream cheese) at the cutest coffee shop/garden in Sonoma, thanks Josh!

That's all folks!

Baby Olive

If by now there is anyone out there who does not know yet that we are going to have a baby, we're very sorry, but it's true! Stacy's first official appointment is this Thursday. So far baby mama has been feeling pretty well, pretty tired and a little queasy but not too bad. (Baby daddy feels great and could not be happier.) And no, we are not thinking of naming this little baby Olive, though it is kind of cute. The book Stacy's reading says that this week (week 9, we think) the baby is the size of a medium green olive. So the name has changed from blueberry to raspberry to olive, and next week we'll be talking to little Pruny in Stacy's tummy. It's amazing that a little person is growing, and growing so quickly, inside of Stacy right now! It can only be from a great, creative God. We are so thankful, humbled, excited, and in awe. What a blessing!