Beach Pictures

Here are some of the pictures of our time! This was the first year we ever brought Fiona (Mom and Dad's yellow lab) to the beach and it was so much fun! She loved swimming, digging holes in the sand, watching people on the beach, sitting on the big porch. She had more fun then any of us did I think! 

There he is. The self titled "King of the Beach"! He lead his people with kindness, benevolence, and justice all week long. We all hailed his reign:)

One afternoon Will, Meg, Dave, and I took a jaunt into the little town of SouthPort. It was really quaint and fun! We saw old houses, antique stores, and got ice cream at Spike's Dairy Bar. 

In SouthPort, Meg and Will went to a little consignment store and bought these adorable things for Kate and Laurel! It's Kate's first Dress. I can't wait to see it on her next summer! 

The water in Oak Island is lovely and we had a nice mix of calm and more wavy days. The boys spent hours enjoying the water. It was the perfect temp!

Almost every afternoon a storm would roll through. It was really cool to watch them surrounding us on the beach! We didn't mind the storms because we would just head back to the big front porch and sit in the rockers and chat while it passed. Very relaxing. 

The Parks family very kindly offered to loan us their Bocce Ball set. It became a favorite beach activity. We had some very fun competition. I really enjoyed playing it and I am not a game person:) Thanks Parks!

The obligatory and much beloved "ugly, silly shot". HEHE 

Ahh, the power of brother-in-lawly love! Poor Will got a nasty sunburn one of our first days there. One afternoon it was "pins and needling" him so badly that he couldn't wait for Meg to get out of the shower and apply lidocaine/aloe vera gel to him. Below is what he resorted to:)

As I said, we all LOVED sitting on the house's front porch. Lots of rockers and deck chairs and sheltered from the rain while always breezy. It was my favorite spot all week. Mom and Dave and I would be first to arrive out there for coffee each morning and we all had time together in the evening. A big porch will be a must at Dave and I's next home!

Putt-Putt time! 

Relaxing at the "Leaky Tiki" after a hard putt-putt competition. Dave, Me, Mike, and Peter were the victorious foursome!

There were many other fun times of games, and dinners, and mystery shows, and just relaxing. But these are most of the pictures I got. It was a GREAT week! God is SO generous to bless us with such sweet family and sweet times. I am in awe of Him!

Belated Beach Update

Well, I was going to post some pictures of the Connolly/Malament/Kittrell/Emerson Oak Island beach trip, but they were taking FOREVER to upload to blogger so I will try later. In typical Anne fashion I don't have a ton of pictures.....I just can't seem to get the hang of always pulling out my camera, but you will be able to get the gist of how wonderful and relaxing our time was:) Check back soon!

We Have a Kicker

So, I have a little Kung Fu Panda on my hands! The last two days Kate has been moving and kicking so vigorously that you can see my tummy bumping out and see her little wiggles under my skin. It's so fun! The baby website said that wouldn't be happening for another 2-3 weeks so I think she must be an extra strong baby:) Dave was there when it happened the first time which I was very happy about because normally she is quite naughty and stops moving whenever he tries to feel her....Since he was just watching we tricked her and she gave quite the wiggle/kick show for us both to see. 

I am really enjoying these new found excitements of pregnancy! I am loving my baby more and more! It's so fun now to know that she is a she and not just an idea of a son or daughter. What an adventure:)

We are having a glorious and relaxing time at the beach! The weather has been gorgeous. Some of the prettiest beach days I've ever seen. Despite my best efforts I got sunburned yesterday so I had to stay under the umbrella today. Hopefully tomorrow I will return to my tanning efforts:) Pictures to come!

My Granma's Name was Kate and My DAUGHTER'S Will Be Too

We are having a girlie! Dave and I could not stem the tide and add another boy to the population of Crossway so we are going with the flow and having a girl:) I really pictured and wanted a boy, but now I am thrilled about Kate (although I will have to get used to thinking of her as a girl, she's been a boy in my head for awhile!) We are naming her Kathryn after my dad's mom who was MUCH beloved to our family. One of these days I will share about her on here. She was called Kate and hence so will our little lady. The doctor said she looks great! Nice and healthy. I am very grateful to the Lord for that as I had been very aware this week that her being healthy was not a given or a right. But God is SO kind! 

This picture makes me laugh really hard because it looks like her little hand is a goat's hoof! Dave and I love it. (Her arm/hand is up over her right eye in case you can't figure it out.) We have also joked that our child's nose could be HUGE as there are large noses on both side of the family. From the looks of this picture she may be in for it! Hopefully her other features will grow into it:)

Here's her little profile. Doesn't it look like she's blowing bubbles? She was very docile during the ultrasound. Most of the time she was curled up in a ball. She did wave her arms and hide her face some though. In fact, she hid her face right when were trying to get the 3D pictures! 

Look at that bicep! Looks like my workouts are doing her some good:) I actually really love this picture because Meg has one EXACTLY like it from Laurel's 20 week ultrasound. Such a cute arm. 

Here I am! I still really feel good. I am learning that I don't have nearly the the stamina I did before. I full day of errands really wears me out! I have also dropped my blood sugar a few times which is kinda scary. I need to remember to keep a snack with me at all times. I can feel Kate moving alot now which is SO fun. For some reason though as soon as Dave puts his hand on my tummy she stops. I think she can sense the pressure and doesn't want to move. I hope she gets over that soon though so that he can share in the joy of her moving! We are growing ever more into a happy family of 3:)

We are heading off to the beach with my whole family tomorrow! I can not wait. I am so looking forward to relaxing and having so much time together (even Meg and Will are coming!!!) See you all in a week! 

Disappointment

June 9th. A day I have been waiting for for a long time, 20 weeks to be exact. Waiting the way a kid waits for Christmas, each day seeming so slow....the big date so far away. Yes, today was my 20 week ultrasound. 

As you can see  from my dramatic description, I was really excited about today. I have been longing for this "meeting" with my baby. To be able to put a face and a gender and a name to the increasingly feisty movements I have been feeling more and more has been what I've been looking forward to most in the pregnancy. About now you all are probably thinking that the baby wouldn't cooperate and show us his/her gender. THANKFULLY, not so.....But the ultrasound tech was sick and wasn't there. I got postponed to Friday at 2 o'clock instead. So, not the end of the world, but definitely a big disappointment after how excited we all were. I felt a little listless the rest of the day. But, the Lord knows what He is doing and I am content with what He thinks is best. Friday will be here before I know it. Also, they only had 1 ultrasound slot left for the entire week and I will be on vacation all week next week so God was SO kind to have that one available for me. 

Check back Friday and hopefully the news will be in!!!

Two Years of Wonderful

Today is David and I's two year wedding anniversary! They truly have been the best two years I've ever had. I used to wonder how I would ever love a husband quite as much as I loved my family...I still don't know how it happens, but I do know that from David and I's first night together he held every bit of my heart. I fell more in love with him that night then I ever knew was possible. I was very fearful before marriage that it wouldn't be as wonderful as my single life had been. God has overwhelmed me with His goodness to me in making David and I's marriage the happiest and most grace filled experience I can imagine. 

Much of the reason marriage has been so wonderful is due to the fact that David is wonderful!!! I don't know another husband who loves his wife as selflessly as he loves me. He is always desiring my happiness above his own, looking for and asking about ways he can serve me, and constantly laying down his life in little ways each day to bless me. He is very selfless!

He is also very serious about helping me grow in the Lord. He has firmly challenged and gently led me through the many struggles and sins I deal with. He greatly desires that both of us always be pushing on towards the goal of holiness. He is willing to "do hard things" for that to happen. 

He works hard for our family as well. He dives in and gives himself to his job, but also to caring for our household and managing all the responsibilities that entails and he doesn't complain about it....ever! I know so many nights he is tired when he comes home from work but jumps right into paying bills, responding to emails, mowing the lawn, and even helping me clean up dinner. He is a hard worker!

We laugh together and enjoy each other's friendship everyday. I can't imagine a more delightful companion. I can't believe he picked me:) Praise the Lord for his kindness to me!!!!! He has truly been good beyond my hopes (and they were pretty big!) 

I don't feel like I am sufficient to honor Dave as I would like to, but I hope all of you who read this know that I love and respect him with all my heart! Take a minute today to think about why you love and respect your husband/wife....and tell them about it!