March Moments

These are all precious moments from this month...I am 30 weeks pregnant now, and the countdown has begun!

God vs. a Valentine

A valentine may play a love song for you, but God sings you the sweetest love song in the universe. ("The Lord will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zeph. 3:17)
A valentine may send you flowers, but God sent you the most beautiful rose of all, Jesus. ("I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys." SOS 2:1)
A valentine may take you out to dinner, but God has invited you to the most amazing feast ever given. ("Blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!" Rev. 19:9)
A valentine may bring you chocolate, but God provides you with something even sweeter, His Word. ("How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Ps. 119:103)
A valentine may be far away, but God is always with you. ("I am with you always." Matt. 28:20)
A valentine may give you something, but God has given you everything. ("God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." 1 Tim. 6:17)
A valentine may love you for a lifetime, but God loved you before you were born and will love you for all of eternity! ("I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." Jer. 31:3)

May your Valentine's Day be blessed with the understanding of these truths from God's word!

Little Gym and Life Lately...

Part 1: Phoenix! Elaina and I made the trip out to Phoenix last week to visit Mom Mom and Pop Pop, Uncle Stephen and Aunt Grace. It helped to pass the time while Daddy is away at training. We started out the trip sick (uck!!) but thank goodness it was a short lived bug.

Elaina and her Pop Pop being silly!

I love seeing my little girl's smile in these pics!

We love you, Mom Mom and Pop Pop!!!!

Part 2: Litte Gym Graduation! On Saturday, Elaina finished her "Birds" class and will move up this week to the "Beasts" class. She showed off all her skills, and was then presented with a ribbon during their little awards ceremony - so cute! We were thankful to have Daddy home for the occasion. :)

Riding in the parachute as the parents spun it around, singing.

Forward roll over the hot dog!

Backwards roll over the hot dog...

Flip over the bar...

Elaina's signature move: pulling up on the bar! (The girl is S-T-R-O-N-G!) This move always amazes the teachers and parents watching...he he. :)

She's now a pro at walking the balance beam, with support of course!

Attempting a forward roll on the balance beam...

Getting her ribbon while we all clapped for her!

I had to find her star...:)

Part 3: Life lately

Belly shot at 21 weeks. I am 5 1/2 months already! The next 4 months will fly by, I know! I feel baby boy throughout each day now, which is always a delight for me. I love knowing he's okay in there! And he can hear us now, which always makes it fun, singing and talking to him. (Thanks for the new maternity top, Mom!)

Seeing Daddy off today. Elaina did really well. We are half way through training. God has provided for us so far, and we are counting on Him to be both Husband and Father while Scott is away. Last time Scott came home briefly and left, Elaina had a HORRIBLE couple of days. I am gearing up for that again, but hoping for the best. Overall, my little girl and I are enjoying so many special moments throughout each day, playing together. Elaina's personality and language are just exploding these days. I love being able to communicate with her now, so much better. She's a little girl now, with a lot to say!

Here's a quote from Dr. Dobson in a parenting book I'm reading, based on a 10-year study, that really reminded me and encouraged me of my significant role as mother...

"The single most important environmental factor in the life of a child is the mother. According to Dr. White, she...carries more influence on her child's experiences than any other person or circumstance."

What a privilege to bear this title! What a responsibility! How thankful I am to stay home with my baby. What an important role. God, may I be faithful as I walk each day in your strength!!

New Year's Eve...Gender Revealing Party!

Billie Jo watched Elaina for us while we were at the ultrasound that morning. She's the BEST! Elaina calls her "Jo-Jo." :)

The first photo of the family of FOUR, after the ultrasound.

The cake that told it all...isn't it gorgeous?!?

Proud Daddy and Mommy

Elaina wore her Big Sister shirt for the occassion.

Our wonderful neighbors, Anna and Aaron.

With Beth and baby Jacob

Scott with Matt

Scott and Kevin

Me with Kerrie (who's due right after me and is also having a BOY!)

Mommy with the big sister-to-be

Elaina enjoying a slice...who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?!

It was SUCH a special day - and night, with friends. A memory that will last a lifetime! :)

It's a BOY!

The verdict is in, and we are having a little boy!!!! Scott is especially excited that the Stone family line can continue. :) Scott and I went out the other night for our date night and stopped by Babies R Us to look at the baby boy section. (A first!) It's a whole new world of puppy dogs, frogs, monkeys, trains, and airplanes! We chose 2 little onesies: one that says "Daddy's Little Allstar" and another one that says "Little Brother." SO cute! Though we do not have a name chosen yet, I am certain about one thing: the room! An airplane theme, no doubt. Blue walls, with some clouds and airplanes going around...and hopefully some bedding to match. We feel SO blessed to get to experience both a girl AND a boy -and the 2 very different worlds of each! (We could've used everything over again for a girl, even the clothing sizes would have been identical...oh, well...guess we'll have to get all new cute clothes, darn! :) I am still getting used to the idea that I actually have a little BOY inside of me. Someone reminded me yesterday of the special bond that mothers have with their sons....much like the special relationship between daddies and daughters. I had never even considered that; what a joy to think about! I know God will prepare us for him and He prepares him for us. I can't wait to see his little face. I hope he looks like his daddy. (Scott was the most adorable little boy!) We are truly blessed.

18 Week Ultrasound

This morning we went in for our second ultrasound...and continue to praise God that the baby looks great and healthy! The sex was determined by our tech and placed in an envelope, which was then taken to Maxi B's - the best bakery on the planet! We had our favorite cake made for today (strawberry buttercream), decorated generally for baby. The last piece of the puzzle was having the baker write the announcement "It's a Boy" or "It's a Girl" on top! The gals working at the bakery were so excited knowing our secret! :) Nobody can believe we've been waiting ALL day to look at it - we are exercising self control here - until our friends arrive tonight to watch us open up the cake, and eat it in celebration with us! It will also be videotaped for the grandparents...What a F-U-N day this has been for us! Thank You, Lord!!!!!

Legs crossed on left Elbow bent back by ear


These are my favorites. This beautiful face has already stolen Mommy's heart. Bottom right: mouth is opening!
Elbow still bent by ear.

The 2-D scan. Baby turned upside down. Bottom left: fingers seen. Bottom right: profile with a beautiful arm above it!

Christmas Highlights

This Christmas was probably my favorite so far. I can truly say I enjoyed every bit of the season; from the first Christmas song played on the radio, to decorating the house, to mailing the gifts and cards, the baking, and gatherings with friends...and especially seeing it through the eyes of my precious 18 month old little girl. Being pregnant again this Christmas, as I was in 2007, always brings a greater depth to the Nativity story: of Mary and Elizabeth especially! Here are a few highlights from our Christmas. The rest are posted on my Facebook page...

Belly shot at 4 months...We can't wait until Thursday when we go in for our 18 wk. ultrasound to learn the sex of our baby!! You can leave a prediction here if you'd like!