It's gettin' real over here...

To think that ANY day now, Jayden will go from being in my tummy to being in my arms is SURREAL!!!  We are ready and trusting God's timing for when that day and time is and just soaking everything in on this crazy, fun journey.

Monday, 2 weeks ago (I was 36 weeks and 2 days), I had officially dilated 1 centimeter and was 50% effaced.  Exactly one week later at 37 weeks and 2 days, I had dilated to almost 2 centimeters and was 75% effaced.  Both midwives confirmed the fact that Jayden is SUPER low considering they could literally feel his head during my cervical exams.  Since he is so low and in position, they say that I may not have to push very long; however, I am not banking on ANYTHING because I realize there are no guarantees.  

In the meantime, since Rance and I made NO real plans this last week outside of our normal schedule, (since we have no idea when Jayden is going to arrive) we have been able to enjoy some much needed time together, a couple of date nights, as well as getting things done around the house and in the yard too! 

On a side note, I have been so blessed to NOT be miserable at this point.  I am still trucking along and although I experience tons of pressure with Jayden being so low, I am still mobile and on the move!

The BEST homemade waffle cones EVER
(right beside the doctor's office)

37 weeks, 1 day
(after Rance preached on Ephesians 6)

when you coming out buddy?!?!

38 weeks exactly (this past Saturday)

Alumni baseball game - Boo is up to bat!

YARD WORK!

This past Saturday evening, the Stecoah community (where we live) was having a HUGE get-to-gether to celebrate the NEW playground (PHASE I) just built in the community and to raise money for PHASE II to be built in the future.  The kids had a blast playing and at 8pm, they showed the movie Frozen outside on the lawn!  It was a BEAUTIFUL evening.

 

 

 



*Prom 2014*

Oh, THE PROM!  I can honestly say I do not miss those days!  Weekend before last, Robbinsville High School had their prom and here are just a few pictures I snapped.

 

Lil Frank (Junior Year) with Wyatt

Jasmine & Chaz

Wyatt was VERY popular in the prom pictures!

LOVE THESE THREE!
Jess is currently discipling Jasmine (who is a real JEWEL)

*The guys*
We appreciate Colin letting us use his yard for pictures!

Ever since Frank began wearing these glasses,
we all joke that he looks like Clark Kent
(hence the superman shirt)

CRAZIES!

FRIENDS

This cracks me up!



Frank, Jasmine, Ashlyn, Shawnda, and Tyler in the back
(the first 4 make up our Ephesians study on Sun mornings)

*Mother's Day 2014*

Mother's Day was definitely different this year considering I am actually a mom (say what?!).  Jayden may not be here but he is definitely alive and active and a little man forming and growing in the womb daily and the Lord has granted us the gift of entrusting Rance and I as his mom and dad while on earth.  

Since I have not been with my own mom on Mother's Day since I moved to Robbinsville, it seems to look different each year but this year was a super fun time bonding with our teammates here who we not only consider our best friends but our family too.  After a lovely Sunday morning at church and Ben preaching a phenomenal message for Mother's Day - Rance and I along with all the Thacker's headed out for lunch and an afternoon on the river!  The day was gorgeous and the time was so relaxing and well spent.

Jess with her sweet little man, Wyatt! 

Andrew & Anna



Wyatt taking a lil dip in the COLD water! 
He handled it SO well.



 

David & Dana

I can't get enough of this little man!

....and enough of this one too!

He entertains me :)

The gals :)

The gang!

That's more like it :)

*The Thack Pack*

*Thack Pack 2*

 

On another fun note, Rance spent a lot of time making me a couple of homemade Mother's Day gifts.  For me personally, this speaks to my heart BEST.  I'm not big on fancy jewelry or diamonds - but I'll show you what I am a fan of...

 

My very OWN hiking stick - he made it from start to finish - carved it, stained it, and all - with the gospel and my name on it!  Know what is even better?  It didn't cost a thing but had a lot of heart and time and thoughtfulness behind it.  Hiking is something we LOVE to do as a family so this will be a MUCH used gift...

 

LOOOOOOVE!

36 weeks, 1 day

 

The day ended with a lovely FACETIME date with my mom (for the first time) thanks to MANDY!





Maternity Session

Anyone who knows Rance and I - KNOWS that we take LOTS of pictures.  I have my camera pretty much everywhere we go and if I do not, that is what Iphone's are for.  I never hear Rance complain about taking a picture - he is ALWAYS ready and I really do LOVE that about him. 

Ever since I got pregnant, taking pictures of my growing belly was SUPER awkward at first.  In fact, I did not take any pictures the first 12 weeks I was pregnant.  My mom and a few close friends began asking (more like insisting) for pictures of the growing bump and eventually I slowly began to take pictures weekly (thanks to my boo insisting).  Once I realized this does not fall into the 'selfie' category since I do NOT enjoy taking pictures of MYSELF, as in Jennifer, but focusing more on the fact that this is for memories of Jayden and this whole pregnancy process - I began to relax a little more over these pictures.  Capturing a life growing inside of you is beyond words and if that means me feeling awkward in a few pictures to track his growth - so be it.  Thankfully, not many people read this blog anyway ;)

Moving right along - I have always LOVED seeing pictures of other woman pregnant because it is just pretty miraculous to dwell on the beauty of it all.  When it came to maternity session photos, it was not even in the plan before having Jayden until it was given as a gift to us at CHRISTmas time!  

Thank you Jaycee & Maria for lovin' on us!  

Maria took the photos below (and about 50 more) when I was 33 weeks pregnant.  We had about 30 minutes to squeeze in some photos before the rain came and we are so thankful for the gift.  After a few 'staged' poses - Rance began to break lose and do more of 'his kind' of photos!  Oh how he makes life fun! 

 

 

 

 

I still don't know how that limb held up in the picture above!  Onlyyyyyy boo ....(and eventually Jayden I'm sure)...