Updates!

OK, so we are way behind on the blogging. We’ll see if we can’t catch up in the next couple of days…

But, first, Ben’s 31^st birthday! Ben is officially in his 30’s now – which has led to endless teasing on my part. We celebrated last night with homemade shepherd’s pie (who doesn’t love beef and veggies floating in rich, beer-touched gravy and crowned with mashed potatoes?) and My Name is Bruce (the latest Bruce Campbell movie – I must really love my husband!). Ben also received a new Bible (his old one was literally falling apart) and a USA Soccer jersey. Stay tuned for party pics from this weekend at Kell’s Irish Pub.

Also thought it was time to post a belly picture since we have, as of yesterday, only 9 weeks left!! Sorry I have not posted more belly pictures – it seems like the second trimester just flew by! I did go to the doctor yesterday and everything is still right on track and looking good. We started our birthing classes Tuesday night and spent the whole two hours talking about contractions – exciting stuff. Then next Thursday we are touring St. Vincent’s hospital where I will be delivering. That is going to be totally surreal!

Oh, and here are some pictures of the nursery/office – ‘nurfice’. Still needs a few more things – including stuff on the walls – but it’s looking pretty good! Kind of looks like a baby might sleep here someday.

Between my trip to California, outings to Target and Babies R Us, women’s retreat last weekend, an Oscar party with Chris and Nicole (thanks, guys!), birthing class, Care Group, and Ben’s birthday, we have been pretty busy! I’ll post the pictures from my California baby shower soon along with pictures from Ben’s birthday this Saturday.

Auction Fun

Last weekend, our friends Craig and Nicki invited us to join them at the Orphans Overseas auction. OO is a non-profit organization that is lead by our pastor's wife. Our friends Mark and Stephanie were also there with Mark's parents, who helped bring in a lot of the items for the auction. Little did we know that we were in for a treat. First was a silent auction with tons of awesome things to bid on. Then came an wonderful dinner. And during dinner, the auction was lead by a very young and talented lady auctioneer. Cool, huh? It was so nice to see people bidding on items knowing that all of the proceeds were going for the OOS Karibu Center. Although we weren't able to afford any of the auction prizes (the top item went for $12,000), we had lots of fun watching money get raised. Thanks again, Craig and Nicki!

Craig and Nicki

This was as high as I was willing to raise our bidding number.