Memorial Day 2011

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.

-Arthur Ashe-

I'm so proud of my brother, Davey! Thank you for all you've done, for all you do, and for all you will do on your next tour in Iraq. I love you with all my heart!

Thank you to all of those who have served, currently serve, and in remembrance to those who have given their lives. It all means so much and we are all so blessed to have men and women willing to fight for our beautiful country and all it has to offer. 

25 Weeks

Well, here we are at 25 weeks! Growing and still growing! We have 3 more weeks to go and we'll be in our third trimester. I can't believe it's gone by so fast?! Yesterday Jason and I headed over to Buy Buy Baby to start registering for everything our precious baby girl will need! Overwhelming is he best word to describe our 2 hours there, and we didn't even get through our entire list! I have to say Buy Buy Baby is amazing...and it's seriously a one stop shop! We may not even register anywhere else?! (For all you moms out there...do you think only registering at one place is ok?) 


We will be moving soon so we will wait to choose bedding until we decide what colors we want to use for her room. We're very excited to get started on that....really, we're just ready to get into our new house!!! 16 more days and it'll be ours! 


Stay tuned...

Just Dance

On Valentine's day this year Jason surprised me with a Groupon he'd bought for couples dance lessons! I was geeked! We'd talked about doing this for awhile and now we really could take advantage! February and March were jam packed so we had to wait till April to schedule something...but I'm so glad we did because of how much fun we both have! We laugh the entire time, and it's so fun to learn something new together!


We are a sight I'm sure! I'm 24 weeks preggo and Jason has been known to have two left feet (Sorry hunny! haha) We've had two private lessons and one group lesson. The private lesson is awesome because we have the full attention of one of the instructors, Mr. Johnson, and he spends time teaching us the basics of certain dances. So far we've learned the box step for the Waltz, and the Cha Cha. (I'm sure there is another one in there, but I can't remember...preggo brain, my apologies) In the group lesson we danced with two other couples and began learning the Foxtrot and the Tango! I love, love, love the Foxtrot! I think we did really good (after practicing it 15-20 times in a row!)

I'm so glad we decided to do this! It's great for our date night, and we can start showing off our dance moves at the weddings we have coming up!!

It's a girl:)

Jason and had our second ultra sound yesterday and Baby K was in a much better position (after I drank about a gallon of water and some OJ for a bit of a sugar rush! She's a girl!!! We both had a feeling, and it was confirmed! We are so excited, and Jason knows he's in trouble...he'll be wrapped around her tiny little fingers from the second she is brought into the world! 


I want to go out and buy everything that is purple! We can finally start planning on colors for the nursery, and I love referring to her by her real name (this will remain a secret until she's born! Sorry guys!) 


This past weekend Jason and I attended our child birth class. It was a weekend deal, so we were committed for Friday night and 6 hours on Saturday. It was a lot of information and a bit overwhelming, but I'm so glad we did it. We learned about the labor process, relaxation tips, breathing techniques, child safety, basic child care, breastfeeding, and so much more! I admit, even after seeing the birthing videos I'm still not that nervous about the labor....this probably isn't normal is it? I know it's going to be extremely painful, but we'll have a beautiful baby girl at the end of it, so all the pain will be worth it! 


I'm 24 weeks right now and feeling good! I still want to eat just about anything and everything, my belly is still growing, and I'm still pretty tired, but I feel good and really can't complain! Everything with the ultra sound went perfectly, and she looks beautiful:) Our next appointment is on June 3rd and after that will be all of the testing for diabetes! That should be interesting! 


Here are some of the ultra sound photos! The 3D pictures are so crazy aren't they?! You can see her little hand by her face, and then there's a great 3D shot of her left arm! It's so amazing!!! God is good! 

Spring brings a new season

The last couple of days have been sunny, warm, and just about perfect and I finally feel like spring is here. Even though it's the second week of May....I'm just now noticing the buds on the trees, the leaves growing by the minute, and the grass is so much more green than memory serves. The houses all around us provide a technicolor of entertainment with all of the lovingly planted flowers, and I was lucky enough to get out my sandals today! 

Springtime provides the start to new season, and I can easily relate this newness to the season of life I'm in right now. Pregnancy has been by the book...morning sickness, ever growing appetite, weight gain, backaches, and belly touching. All new things that I learn about everyday. Things I'm thankful for. Things I have been blessed with. I admit there are tiny valleys here and there when I get scared and overwhelmed, but I know that's normal. I have to remind myself that I should just enjoy this time and not over think things like I sometimes tend to do! 

So when the rain clouds seem to set in, I just think of clear blue skies, sunny days, the smell of spring, and know that God has a plan for me, Jason, and our baby. He has prepared and will continue to prepare us for whats to come, and I trust that with my whole heart. 

Banana's and Chocolate...yes please!

Just call me the baking queen! I attempted to make banana muffins last weekend and I admit, they were not the most tasty of treats so I thought I'd try again. I found and LOVE this recipe, and I can't wait to try a piece!!! 

Banana Split Bread

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 
  

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. beat in egg. In a small bowl, combine bananas and milk. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda; add to creamed mixture alternately with banana mixture. Fold in chocolate chips and pecans.
2.  Pour into a greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

Enjoy!! 

Reflections

When God closes one door, he opens another. I'm sure we've all heard this before, but as I think back to the week my family and I have had to endure it seems very fitting. Monday morning I received a phone call that my Grandma Hall had passed away. I admit, even though I had been anticipating this news because of her health failing so rapidly, hearing those words still never seems to sink in appropriately. 


We are all so happy that she is finally at peace and that she is now with my Grandpa in heaven most likely playing solitaire, wearing her bright pink lipstick, while waiting to take her banana cream pie out of the oven:) 


In the midst of all of the sad news we were still dealing with, Jason and I experienced a small miracle of our own...our first ultrasound! We were able to see Baby K for the first time and I fell in love a million times over. It was the single most amazing thing I have ever seen! The baby is growing perfectly, and I continue to be healthy as well. The only thing that could have gone differently was finding out what the sex was...Baby K was spine up and being incredibly stubborn (there is definitely some Hall blood in there, that's for sure) and we'll have to go back May 24th for another ultrasound. I admit, I'm excited to be able to see the baby again, and I pray that he/she will cooperate this time, but I can't help how impatient I feel! 


This weekend we also celebrated Mother's Day! We were able to spend time with Kathy, and have dinner with my Mom on Saturday, and had brunch with Jason's family after church this morning. I am so blessed to have all of these women in my life! 


Specifically, My Mom. 


Mom, 
I am the woman I am because of the way you raised me. Your unfailing love, support, encouragement, and continued blessings have helped shape me, and I am forever grateful. You are my best friend, and constant rock. I only hope to be that kind of mother for my son or daughter one day. 
I love you very much, 
Courtney Marie

Baby K Sucking his or her thumb! & Spine up, stinker!!!

We love you Grandma! 

20 Weeks and still learning...

Well, we're 20 weeks today and we get to find out if Baby Kingma is a boy or a girl tomorrow morning! We're so so excited and I probably won't sleep a wink tonight! 


May is here already...and there have been a lot of things that have entered my world, and some have just been amplified by this tiny baby that's growing inside of me. 


These things include, but certainly are not limited to: 


- Gaining weight never felt so good! (Not being able to fit into my pants is a little scary!) 
- Unwanted belly touching, isn't as unwanted as I thought it would be! (Shocking, isn't it?) 
- I am obsessed with smoothies, and egg salad sandwiches. 
- Comparing the growth of our baby to a fruit each week/month, cracks me up!
- Jason is amazing everyday! He loves me even in the middle of all my hormonal fits! 
- I cry at commercials, and any article baby related. 
- Forgetfulness!!! (I haven't locked my keys in my car yet, so I think that's a good sign!) 
- My new body pillow is my best friend. (Jason might be a little jealous! Sorry hunny!) 
- I will never again take sleeping on my tummy for granted...
- I love flats...it's getting harder to tie shoes, oh boy! 
- I know at the end of this there is going to be an enormous amount of pain...
  yet I still can't wait for that day  to get here!!!