Baby Progress...............20 weeks!

The days are starting to get hotter and my students are getting really antsy - which means summer is on it way!  Two milestones are occuring simultaneously around our place - the end of our first school year since our return to Kansas is QUICKLY approaching (and my first as a full time teacher) - and we're already past the 1/2 mark through our pregnancy. 

The above photo is from week 20 - which was actually last week.  THIS WEEK, we had our sonogram which has really allowed things to set in for us.  While I had been able to feel the baby moving for the past week or so - its not quite strong enough for Ben to feel/see anything.  So, for him to be able to see the baby actively moving, pointing and reaching for his/her toes really helped solidify the fact that we need to start making plans for baby! (For both of us!)

We decided to forego finding out the baby's gender - which was a much tougher decision than I had originally intended.  Shopping for gender neutral baby garb is tough - but ultimately I'm glad we choose to wait.  I anticipate it being one of the best surprises of our lives.  We have started to hash out baby names, room themes and ideas on cloth diapering - and we find ourselves laughing and disagreeing more than agreeing BUT we have very similar views on parenting so I'm confident we'll be just fine. 

Up to this point, I hadn't felt like sharing the progress of our pregnant belly because it had felt less pregnant and more "full".  But its very clearly a baby bump these days - which makes it easier to look at, shop for and photograph now that its clearly baby's home.  So expect more photos during the 2nd half of our pregnancy!

True to form.

What a cliff hanger....I'm sorry that I left so many people in a lurch! 

True to form, my husband is a terrible secret keeper.  There's a reason why he doesn't buy my birthday or Christmas gifts more than a day or two in advance - not because he's a procrastinator (well maybe just a little) but because he gets so excited that he can't possibly keep it to himself.  There are two beautiful turquoise bracelets that were meant to be Christmas gifts that never made it past September.  Bless his heart.

So, even though I begged him to keep this secret for me........he's as bad a gossipy high school girl.  Just a text message or two later, most of western civilization had heard the news.  So incase you were gone that day - or it was my job to call, text or message you the news - here I am, breaking my own rule and sharing some pretty big news a whole week earlier than I wanted/planned.  What's that saying, "You want to see God laugh......tell him your plans!"?

In September, we will finally welcome a little one into our family of misfits.  Baxter and Bernice will become big brother/sister.  If that creeps you out - you should probably just not follow the blog for the next...................oh forever.  My plan was to keep it a secret for one more week, once we've sailed over the 13 week mark - but I decided when Ben told his judging team last night that I would probably get shanked if I didn't start letting "my people" know. 

We are over the moon excited, probably a little less excited than the again-to-be grandmas on both sides - but we are certainly ready for the challenge.  Within hours, some random lady at the grocery store knew after my mom heard the news.....and minutes within giving Regina the "go-ahead" on telling extended family - we received congratulatory texts from cousins and aunts 3 states away!  I'm not complaining, because if they weren't excited - they would be much better at keeping secrets.  At least Ben gets it natural :)....

So, again - if you aren't in the mood to listen to another pregnant lady ramble on about the woes and delights of her pregnancy - you won't offend me if you stop following the blog.  But be warned if you do - I've been saving some pretty funny stories to share with the world - and I'm about the vomit them for the next 6 months to come (no pun intended).

Its not that I've been uninspired...................................

Ben has been giving me a hardtime about blogging, and I hadn't realized that it had been THAT long until I finally visited today.  November 2nd, wow!  That's ridiculous!  As my title says, "Its not that I've been uninspired" because alot has been going on, I've just not devoted the spare time towards the blog.  But, I bet things will get better - I have a feeling about it!

We're back in the grind of life - Ben's on the last of his 5 week stint travelling with roughly 2 big trips left before hanging up the hat for the season.  I'm back in class, both as a teacher and a student - hoping to survive the spring semester!

We've got a few surprises in store for you followers, but its not quite that time.  Lets just say you won't be disappointed!  In the meantime, here's hoping there are still a few of you out there that read this thing!

The power of cell phones.................

With the ability of cell phones to send pictures just as quickly as they are taken, Ben and I rarely feel like we're not included in family events even though we're hours away.



What's even better is that as soon as we receive them in the phone, the photos are quickly and easily uploaded to all sorts of places like my facebook page and now blog!

What's a little bit of time.....

Time has left me nothing inspiring to write about lately. Too busy to stop and breathe, enjoy the blessings God has given us and write them down. But I am thankful today for time.

Ben and I got to spend time together today. After spending a week on the road, Ben was finally able to keep close to home for the weekend.....leaving me very excited when he informed me last night that he had nothing on the agenda today except to spend time together.

Its rare these days that we have the time to devote an entire day to each other, given our new responsibilities. To just get in the car and drive, using the windshield time to catch up with each other was a true blessing.

I love that we got to devote a little bit of time together today. Even if the 24 hours is almost up and we have many commitments to tend too tomorrow.

MMMoment

I love my new job. Not that I didn't love my old one, but being around these kids is where I was meant to be! I've been meaning to post for a few weeks, because I had a semi-brilliant idea to share with you some of my favorite parts of my job in a segment called

Melt my Heart Moments


I want to share quick little blurbs about the heart-warming things I hear from my kids, all 85 of them. Here's moment #1.

I was struggling, not feeling like I was connecting to my students - because I was trying really hard to gain their respect, lay down the law, an establish myself as their teacher. It is all part of the process, and I understand that - but it hurt my heart all the same. Two weeks into school, a very sweet 8th grader comes into my classroom - the first one in fact. He's always the first one, because he likes to visit before the rest of the kids get there. He proceeds to say, "Mrs. Williams', I need to ask you something. Can I call you Mrs. W?" I couldn't help but laugh, smile and say "Thanks for asking, you sure can!" He proceeds, "Okay!" and sets down. We go on through class and end the day. The next morning I'm met in the hallway with a hug and a "G'morning Mrs. W" from the same young man. A hug! Two weeks into school! You couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

Lesson: Hugs make a difference, give them away freely and frequently.

What a hiatus we took!

Finally, after the last few months - we've started to settle in back down in KANSAS and get in a rhythm of life.

Here's a quick update, in case your wondering:

1. We moved at the beginning of August. Back to Kansas, in Hutchinson, to be exact.

2. I got a teaching job in Haven, just 15 miles south of Hutchinson. I'm in charge of the FFA program and teach 5 high schools ag classes and one middle school ag class each day.

3. We sold our house in North Dakota, the papers were signed and we got our check on September 1st.

4. We've had houseguests - sleeping on the floor. We haven't got our bedrooms fully set up yet.

5. I haven't even had time to make a trip home. Or to see my puppy. Hopefully soon.

6. In addition to teaching classes, I also have to TAKE classes to get a teaching license. Which leaves little time for supper, dishes and laundry. But I'm not complaining.

Anyway, I should return to my online meeting/training that I'm supposed to be diligently watching. I promise to update again soon!