Catching up

               2015 came and went without much activity on this little space, which I'm okay with. My life has kind of been a whirlwind and I don't think it will let up anytime soon!

So, here are some of the things that have happened. 

~ We officially started building our house! After quite a few delays because of the slow building department and the weather we are all set to get our foundation poured (as long as the weather stays nice long enough!). It might seem like we haven't gotten very far, I mean isn't the foundation the first step? Well, I have learned that a lot happens before you can pour and when the weather isn't cooperating, it takes a very long time to reach this point. Here is what has gotten done -

1. The lot was cleared and a lot of dirt brought in to raise our house up to the required level for drainage and stuff like that.
2. The area was formed so the concrete stays in the right place! 
3. Footers (a 20 inch deep, 12 inch wide trench around the outside of the house for where the walls will sit) were dug and re-dug and then re-dug after rain messed them up. 
4. All the underground plumbing for septic and hot and cold water was put in. I can now put plumber on my resume ;)
5. The shower was formed, plastic put down, and rebar was put in the footers.

We passed our inspection Monday, woohoo! So hopefully the slab will be poured this week.

~ I am 18 weeks and 5 days pregnant with the greatest blessing of our lives! I have had two appointments with our midwives and so far everything is going great. I've heard the little ones heartbeat both times and have officially passed morning sickness. The next huge step is our ultrasound! Which is scheduled for February 10th, just one week from tomorrow. Nathan and I can't wait to see Baby Frook and also as long as the baby cooperates find out if it is a little Eleanor or Abram, so excited! My gut feeling is girl, but I think 90% of that feeling comes from the fact that both Nathan and I really want one. Either way it will be amazing and exactly what we want!

I have started to feel the baby move which is amazing. I felt like I started feeling it around 16 weeks but it would be so random and only one little thing each time that I wasn't really ready to confidently say that I had. This past week it has definitely become more noticeable and usually I'll feel a couple little jabs in a row. It will be kind of nice once it is less random, but I am enjoying what I can feel for the moment. 

One thing I will say is that I really haven't had the pregnancy "glow" and most ladies I've said that to have agreed that they never did. My body just doesn't ever feel normal and I've had a lot of stretching out pain/discomfort, which doesn't really help my peace of mind. I feel like I am getting more used to the feeling and dumping all my worries on my midwife last appointment helped to reassure me that all these feelings are normal and has helped me worry less. So thankfully, the past week or so it has been easier. 

~ We have a new little niece in the family! Little Aubrey made her appearance January 27th and she is just the sweetest thing ever. We love having another little girl in the family!

~ At the end of this month Nathan and I are actually leaving our little apartment and moving in with his parents until our house is done. It might seem a little funny, but it really makes sense for us right now and we are both excited for the change.

It also means that I will be quitting my receptionist job in a week or so and I am definitely ready to close this chapter of my life. My mom did a little too good of a job raising me to be content at home =P (a great thing for wife and mommy-hood if you plan to be at home, which has always been our long term plan) and I am ready to be a stay at home wife and soon, mommy! 

So we are in the midst of packing everything up, kind of a big job! Although I think we've got a pretty good start on it. The hard part is finding time to move our furniture and other things we won't be needing to our storage unit when every weekend is already jammed pack with working on our house. It will all work out though =)

Well, I feel like those are all the big things at the moment. Maybe I will work on writing more often, I do still enjoy it! And it will be great for documenting my pregnancy and our new little baby. 

Until next time,

Jessica

6 Months and a little more...

On the twentieth of this month, Nathan and I celebrated our 6 month-iversary. Like I always say, I can't believe it's already been this long and I can't believe it's only been this long. 

It definitely wasn't my ideal way to celebrate, because Nathan was off and I was working... But! I am glad that he had the day to rest and relax, and he did so much stuff around the house for me =) 

In honor of our 6 months, I'd thought I would share some of my marriage thoughts with all of you.

1. Marriage: it brings out the best in us and the worst, but the best part I could think of is that I have someone who knows me better than I even know myself, has promised to love me forever no matter what, and daily shows me what that means. I am not perfect (shocker! =P) and I let my sinful, fleshly self, control my actions and moods way more than I want to admit. But, Nathan loves me selflessly and forgives me even when I'm a huge stinker. And by God's grace I do the same with him. 

2. Forgiveness and dealing with anger/conflicts quickly is vital. When God says not to let the sun go down on our anger, (Ephesians 4:26), He is telling us to resolve it as quickly as possible with the one we are angry with. In marriage, anger and conflict happen, because we are humans with an old sin nature. Maybe my anger is well merited, most of the time it's not, but either way I am called to initiate healing. Sadly, there are times I wait until Nathan initiates it, but I am so glad he does. We can only do that because of our new nature in Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit! When you can deal with issues and then forgive each other quickly, life is so much sweeter and your selfless love grows.

3. Nathan IS the most perfect soul mate, provider, protector, husband for me! The longer we are married, the more in awe we are at how perfect we are for each other and the more thankful we are that God brought us together in His marvelous way. Seriously guys, I cannot think of any other person that would be silly with me, talk with me, live with me, and much more, the same way Nathan does. I know some people may argue with me that there isn't THE one, it's just whoever I choose to love, etc... But I don't know, I feel like Nathan is an argument against that! Don't get me wrong though, I also know that even as we grow older and change, he will still be THE one for me, and I will love him and choose him forever and ever. 

4. Marriage is sanctifying. It is definitely smoothing away our rough edges slowly but surely. =)

5. Marriage has to be intentional. We have to be intentional about spending time with each other, we have to be intentional about putting each other first, we have to be intentional with putting Christ first, we have to be intentional with loving each other better every day. And I think that's part of what makes it so sweet.

6. A Covenant marriage is AWESOME! Nathan brings me so much joy, fun, and love... He is with me through all the wonderful ups and the hard downs, he is my best friend, his arms are my favorite place, and getting to go to sleep with him each night and wake up with him every morning is beyond incredible (even when I'm grumpy ;) - I couldn't imagine my life without him. 

I love you Nathan Brian, and I always will!

Until next time...
Jessica

Dear Valentine...

My dearest, most beloved Nathan, 

I never, ever want to forget our first valentines as husband and wife. It was perfect in every way, and I could never have dreamed up a better one. 

I have to admit that when we ended up being at Silver Springs camping with your family on the actual day, I was a little bummed. It didn't feel like Valentines day, and I wanted it to be special. I knew you had promised we would celebrate Monday, but silly me couldn't quite come to terms with that. 

But then, Monday came. I worked, wasn't the funnest - except the whole day all I could think of was our date, and how excited I was for you to come home!

As soon as I got home, I started cleaning. I wanted you to come home to a nice, clean, restful house. Then it was time to get all dolled up for my fancy date with my handsome husband - I love being fancy with you -heart eyes- Waiting was hard... The table was set for our candle light dinner, the living room was straightened, the stuff strewn over the floor from camping was cleaned up, and I was all ready for you! 

Then, you walked through the door, and I felt millions of butterflies in my stomach, and my heart skipped a few beats. In your hands was our yummy dinner (Salad with chicken! Thanks for being willing to change our dinner plans and get exactly what I was craving! It was perfect...), beautiful roses and a lovely plant - one for now, and one to grow - you said. All I wanted to do at the moment was be in your arms, feel your lips on mine, and cry with happiness! And that's exactly what I did! You told me I was beautiful, and I knew you meant it, and I felt it, just being with you.

Nathan, I could never ask for a greater, sweeter, more amazing husband. You have lived up to my dreams and exceeded my expectations! Each morning that I get to wake up with you and each night that you come home to me, I thank God for bringing my soul-mate into my life and making us one. Everyday I fall more in love with you, and you show me more and more of what true love is. I am thankful for God's grace, and the way He has molded our lives and is continuing to shape us as we continue in this adventure of marriage. 

You are mine, I am yours, together we are His - and no matter what I will love you, forever and always, my dear Valentine. 

Song of Solomon 6:3

"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine"

Your's forever,  

Jessica 

Family and Wedding party pictures

We're almost done with wedding pictures, guys! This time we have our family and wedding party pictures =) I love all of them so much - Melissa did a great job as always! 

(Picture credit, A&M Photography)

The Wedding party...

From left to right - Kayla, Jaquelyn (MOH), myself, and Charissa 

From left to right - Jonathan, Nathan (my hubby!), Hayden (Best man), Andrew

Our Families...

My sisters! Left to right - Jennifer, Jaquelyn, myself, Katheryn, Sarah

My family, left to right - Jennifer, Mom, Katheryn, Dad, myself, Nathan, Graham, Hayden, Jaquelyn, Sarah

His Family! Left to right - Brianna, Benjamin, Abby, Jonathan, Levi, Myself, Nathan, Dad, Mom, Andrew, Heather 

His sisters! Left to right - Abby, Nathan, Brianna, Heather

One super big happy family!

Nathan's (pretty much) entire extended family, too many to name ;)

Set 1 of 2, his grandparents 

Set 2 of 2, his grandparents

My Granny (my Granddad wasn't able to make it from WV)

My other Grandparents

Until next time...

Saying goodbye to 2014...

Is it just me, or is it completely crazy that 2014 is over? I can't even begin to tell you what an amazing year it has been and how excited I am to see what 2015 holds!

Thinking back over this year, I am so thankful for all that God did, and how He blessed and grew myself and my family. Here are just a few things that happened!

Got engagement pictures done with A&M Photography -Swoon-

Officially started planning for our wedding!

My sweet nephew Graham was born and I spent a week in the hospital with his parents while he was in the NICU.

Made my very first dress! And only so far...

Celebrated my 21st birthday with my dude and family.

Enjoyed a wonderful Bridal Shower put together by my sister and Bridesmaids.

Starting learning about and living more naturally. That included learning how to make my own deodorant!

Started a crocheting group at my church.

Had another wonderful Bridal shower, planned by Nathans mom and sisters.

Dad celebrated his fiftieth!

Another baby nephew was born, (Nathan's sister's baby), cutie Levi!

We had our rehearsal.

One of the biggest and most exciting things, Nathan and I got married!!!!!!

Went on my first airplane ride and enjoyed a wonderful honeymoon with my husband.

Experienced my second airplane ride and lots of waiting.

Started my first ever "out in the world" job as a part time receptionist.

Celebrated our first Christmas as Mr. and Mrs. -Heart eyes-

Experienced a miracle from God, having my adorable nephew grow into a healthy, happy, crazy, 10 month old!

Goodness, 2014 was wonderful! It did have some hard times - like having a hard time waiting for our wedding, Graham being in the NICU, struggling with lots of changes. But it was definitely one of the best years ever! 

Until 2015...