It's a BOY!

We found out our third "M" is a boy!  I'm seeing a trend here, AND I LOVE IT! I was pulling for a boy.  I see myself as a boy mom - so this is working out nicely! 

We found out this past Friday, May 27th, at 18 weeks gestation.  It was such a fun and amazing experience.  Dr. French offered to use his new machine on the 2D setting, as their office hasn't yet been trained on the 3D mode.  Even in 2D we got to see SO much of our amazing little baby boy!  His heart (all four chambers, pumping away), his stomach, bladder, spine, kidneys, face, eyes, eye-lenses, limbs, hands, feet, and little boy parts!  Oh, it was so incredible.  Jalon, my dad, Jalon's Nana, and little Marshal were all in the room.

Some fun memories of the day:

• We had been practicing with Marshal to say, "Hi Dr. French" when he saw him.  But when we arrived at the office, he proceeded to tell EVERYONE, "Hi Dr. French" - including the ladies in the waiting room, the office staff... it was super cute.  He did finally tell the ACTUAL Dr. French, and gave him a hug (and invited him to come watch him play soccer at his soccer game??? Interesting, since he doesn't actually PLAY soccer yet, LOL.)  He also was kind of hugging his leg during the ultrasound.  My sweet Marshal.  
• My dad saying how amazing it was, and how he'd never seen an ultrasound before.
• Marshal saying,"That's so awesome" about the baby.
• My (Jalon's) Nana being able to be a part.
• After we were done, Marshal saying it was HIS turn to look at the baby in HIS belly.  
• Marshal coming home and telling Auntie and cousins (who were at home watching Mason) that he was going to have a brother.
• Jalon and cousin Riley pouting together because it wasn't a girl.

After the fun morning, Jalon and I got to go to Home Depot with my dad and pick out ALL the materials to fix up the house... carpet, blinds, paint, bathroom mirror, stove, microwave, bathroom fixtures, and the list goes on.  THEN we found (after a long time looking) a beautiful set of NICELY UNDER-PRICED bunk-beds at a garage sale.

All in all? This girl's PERFECT DAY.

PS - guess who gets to go be the "training belly" for Dr. French's 3D machine??? Yours truly, with baby boy M #3.  Yay! A whole hour of looking at my baby? I think so! Yes please!

Picture This

Big Week!

It's been a big week this week!

First of all, I'm feeling the baby move (17 weeks)!  Oh so sweet - those little kicks, barely noticeable, and yet just another reminder of the wonderful miracle that is LIFE. 

Secondly, this Friday we're hoping for a baby reveal :) pray that the little peanut shows us the necessary view.  And  MAYBE, just maybe we'll know if this little one is a boy or girl.

Lastly, the plans all fell into place (after lots of crazy extenuating circumstances) for my dad to close on an investment home.  This means we'll have a new land-lord, and a beautiful new rental to live in.  We are so excited, blessed, and grateful.  I'm sure there will be many pictures, adventures, and stories to come surrounding this move.  

The Walk

"I set your instructions to music 

and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way.  

I meditate on your name all night, 

treasuring your revelation, O God."

Psalm 119:54-55

San Diego - While Mama's Away

In early May my employer sent me to a conference in BEAUTIFUL San Diego, CA.  We all went, and made a wonderful vacation out of it.  While I was cooped up learning a lot, my sweet boys were out playing in the sun, having amazing adventures.




Rode a truck, that from what I gather turned into a boat?? And visited the sea lions.



 
Hung out at Balboa Park.




Toured an aeronautical museum, and got to fly a plane.





Played on the Star of India, America's oldest sailboat.


I'm so proud of my husband - as all you mamas out there know, it's hard to go to the GROCERY STORE by yourself with the kids, let alone gallivant all over an unknown city.  They made wonderful memories and made me very jealous happy.  Love them.  Love memories.  

San Diego - Out of the Routine

We hung out and did what we wanted.  We ate in bed.  Stayed up late.  Went out to fun restaurants, at one of which we ordered calamari.  This baffled little Marshal, and as you can see, he was not what you'd call a fan.

San Diego - Family Adventures

The Children's Museum was a BIG hit.  Hands on exploring. Loads of giggles and memories.





 The beach was all ours.  No one else from beach to beach.  We had a pizza picnic (with a little sand as a topping) and played and played and played.  The water was FREEZING of course, and the (little) boys liked it just fine.


Other adventures included a Diamondbacks game at Petco Park, and the SD Zoo.  

What a day to remember...

Friends and Providers (Left to Right):

Stephanie Purinton, Certified Nurse Midwife

Angela Alexander, Family Nurse Pracitioner

Me, Family Nurse Practitioner 

(and the little baby M on the inside)

Yesterday CCA hosted it's second free medical clinic - this time to Cornville.  As you can see, it's currently after 4 am. I'm WIRED and unable to sleep, so what's one to do? Blog to savor the day, of course!  

Over 50 workers: MDs, NPs (and Midwife), EMTs, PTs, RNs, CNAs, dentists, hygienists, eye specialists, parking attendants, greeters, cooks, hospitality workers, pastors, children's workers... wow.  We treated between 85-100 patients in 5 hours.  

Workers worked so hard.  

Served with joy.  

People were touched. 

Side note, if that isn't the work of Jesus I'm not sure what is.

What a wonderful day. 

Broadway or Nacho Libre

Anyone who says church isn't fun has never been to Cottonwood Christian Assembly. 
Shout out? Yes. 
Biased? Of course. 
Do my sweet M's get shown extra-special treatment because they are pastor's kids? Most definitely. 
A whole church of people know his name and birthday. 
He gets little random gift bags for Easter. 
He takes fun trips with a whole bunch of cool teenagers (who he thinks are his bff, btw).  

And cool lion outfits.
Why? Just for fun. 

Where did it come from? Pastor Nancey's bag of tricks. Who knows where this stuff appears. 

Have you seen Nacho Libre? He was SO one of the lion fighters.  Creepily similar.  

Or maybe a mini-star for Lion King on Broadway.  Let's vote that route for sure.