Pregnancy Observations

Now that we're closing in on week 20 of this pregnancy, I figured it was time for an update.

We are so grateful to be pregnant. Surprised at how quickly it happened, but so incredibly grateful. I would rather it happen quickly than anything else.

I'm going to be real. :)

First trimester:

• Fatigue. Oh my goodness I have never felt so tired for so long in my life. I was a sleeping machine!
• Nausea. I was lucky to really not have much of it. 
• Vomiting. Sweet potatoes and other thick foods however, were not good to me! They are what would send me to the bathroom. Oh, and smelly, old foods. Gag.
• I was (and still am) awe struck that I am pregnant.
• The boobies are really a bit sore.
• Moods. I'm not really sure how my moods have been. Hopefully not crazy.
• Yoga pants. Amen.
• Sports bras. Amen.

Second trimester: 

• Had our first doctors appointment! It was so cool to hear June Bug's heart beat.
• I always know where the nearest bathroom is... I think I've been lucky though with not having to pee a ton even though I'm drinking plenty of water.
• Blessings: A friend of ours received 3 transitional car seats when her son was born. She gave us one of them (never been out of the box). She also sent me home with 2 body pillows and the doughnut. Holy sweetness. Thank you for blessing me!
• Funny (and embarrassing, maybe) story: Mike and I went shooting and we were driving down a logging road to get to our spot. When we got there I was in a sour mood. Mike was leading the way and I grumpily asked, "how far do we have to walk? Can't we just shoot here?" gripe gripe gripe. Then I knew I had to pee soo bad. I was determined I could hold it but while Mike was setting up targets I yelled, "Don't turn around I'm peeing behind this stump!". He of course just laughed and I did my duty. Right after, and I mean right after, I peed I was in SUCH a better mood! Lesson? Don't hold it to long or you get grumpy. I know no shame.
• We have decided on a first name for a boy. We're thinking on girl names.
• I wish I could have a glass of pinot grigio. It's just the taste I miss with some of my dinners. And fake wines might as well be juice...
• I have some round ligament pain.
• My sciatica doesn't like me. No more sitting on the floor (good thing I don't have a toddler).
• Today I had a strong pressure in my pelvis. I'll ask the doctor about it on Friday but from the internet research I did it's all good.
• I asked Mike what is one way I'm different while pregnant (not physically). He said, "You're way more stubborn. Once you have your mind on something, that's how it has to go." Thank you God for a husband who loves me anyway!

Those are my thoughts and updates for now on pregnancy. I probably should do it monthly. My mom got me a journal for June Bug and this pregnancy and I really enjoy writing in it. So cool to have a place for memories!

~Emily~

High Five for Friday!!

Today, I'm headed to Redding (3 hrs from here) for an AWANA conference. Yay for a fun weekend with other who love Jesus!

I'm linking up with Lauren for high five for friday.

ONE. Knobs.
My hubby got knobs for the heat and air speed control in my car. Sure, they stick out about .5 an inch or so but wow it's easy to turn them!

TWO. Whales!
Mike and I went whale watching. It was so cool to 1) be able to see a whale and 2) watch the whale simply play in the swells.

THREE. Nature.
I wish I would have captured this better but the clouds in the distance (in and above the tree line in the center) looked like the tops of mountains.

FOUR. Pumpkin Patch.

I volunteered at a local pumpkin patch on Wednesday. Schools from the area come through and each kid gets to choose a pumpkin. It was fun (even without my coffee that day)! Bonus: the volunteers got "paid" with a pumpkin of our choosing! I chose this grayish blue one.

FIVE. Blessing.

God has blessed my marriage and I am thankful! If you want encouragement in your marriage I strongly suggest To Love, Honor, and Vacuum and Time-Warp Wife. They have been an encouragement to me when I felt like I couldn't (or didn't want to) talk to anyone else.

Cheers to the freakin' weekend!

~Emily~

High Five for.... Saturday??

Hi friends! I missed Friday so, High Five for Saturday!!

ONE. Family Time.

Mike's Dad's side of the family was in town for a week about a week ago. We had so much fun! Mike and his dad went salmon fishing and caught A LOT. Like, 50 + pounds of salmon. Yum! We explored the area and did hiking and swimming and hung out! Here are some pics from their time here.

{Ferndale}

{cute top hat in a Ferndale shop}

{succulents in a planter outside of a shop}

{the shop owner found this walrus skull in Alaska. Cool!}

{a local told us we had to go see this ship builder down an alley...}

{one of his awesome ships}

{the ship builder, Aunt Susie, Mike and Jalene}

{Jalene and me!! I gained a sister marrying Mike. Blessed}

{Mike's aunt got this photo of me on one of our hikes. I love it}

{sorry it's blurry. some of our fun!}

TWO. Photo shoot.

I am not a photographer. I understand angles and light and what not but I am not a trained photographer. But, I had fun taking my brother and his wife's photos. We went to Patrick's Point which is GORGEOUS. Pictures below!

{Kristyn and Andrew}

{Patrick's Point}

THREE. Juice Fast.

We decided to go on a juice fast. All four of us (my bro, his wife, hubby and me)! We originally set a goal of 7 days but ran out of some of the produce but day 5 (tonight). We all feel much better! We went through detox and are ready to start our clean eating lifestyle. Breakfasts were yummy, lunch was hard, and dinner was harder than breakfast but easier than lunch!

FOUR. River time!

The Mad River is so close to our house! Kristyn and I have gone multiple times and we love it. I'm even getting a tan this year. Score. Mike and I have gone swimming a couple times too. 

{the mad river}

{Kristyn and I on our first trip down to the river}

FIVE. Husband.

Mike and I are so blessed. We met in 7th grade and have been inseparable since we became an item in 8th grade (minus 6-8 months sophomore year. That was all Mike... ;). We are truly best friends and really enjoy each other. We also love each other. All I know is we are luckily, sure we have our problems and we work on them like anybody else but we are still blessed.

{somewhat awkward kissing photo of me and the hubs}

SIX. 4th of July.

I love everything it stands for and the way people come together on this day. I'm so thankful for the people who fought (and do fight) for this country! I'm grateful God put me HERE to live. Again, I am blessed!

SEVEN. Job Interview.

I finally had a job interview!!! I should find out about it next week. Feeling hopeful but I won't be crushed if I don't get it.

How were the last couple weeks for you?

How did you celebrate the 4th of July?

How do you best like to spend time with family?

High Five For Friday

It's Friday! And, it's been a ridiculously long time couple weeks since I last posted so you're going to get a couple extra but not many photos... As always, I'm linking up with Lauren from thelaurenelizabeth.com. Let's dig in!!






ONE. Home.
We finally, finally, have a home up here in Humboldt County. We live in Blue Lake, Ca. It's about 10 - 15 minutes from Arcata and McKinleyville (where Andrew and Kristyn [bro and sis-in-law] spend most of their time) and maybe 25 - 30 minutes from Eureka (where Mike works). God is an "eleventh hour" God in my life... I graduated high school, got a job at Hume, was accepted to UMKC and moved to Kansas City, moved back to Cali, and found a place to live here in Blue Lake, all "in the nick of time". This search for a home has taken months. I'm not exagerating. God is good! Now it's coming together as we decorate and plan for the vision of our shared home. Here is some of the inspiration for a Moroccan styled living room.

{via} 

{via}

{via}

TWO. Marriage.
Yeah... I'm grateful for mine but, I was talking about Andrew and Kristyn! They are married!!

{Photo/instagram skills belong to Bethany. She rocks.}

THREE. Kitties.
When Mike is gone for work, I realize how much having another living thing around is awesome. Mojo is a cuddle kitty. Mitzy is crazy kitty. It makes for an interesting mix.



FOUR. Knowing Myself More.
As you get older, you get to know yourself better. And that's a good thing. I have been going to a bible study on Monday nights here on the North Coast and a few weeks ago we went through Spiritual Gifts. I'm excited to see what these will bring over the next two years and how my life will look. I want to be a creator of beautiful designs/things/events, encourager of people's souls, awesome wife for my hubby, and whatever else God has in store for me. I want to do them well.



FIVE. In home washer and dryer.
Who knew this would make it on my top five list?! I'm just super stoked at how wonderful it is to not have to go to the laundromat.



SIX. (One more High!) Setting up a dentist appointment.
I know, another weird thing to be on the top five list BUT... if you had a couple teeth that were PAINFUL to eat with and you just want to eat something in a normal fashion, you would understand my excitement. I haven't been to a dentist in about 4-5 years. Last time I was at the dentist they prepped one of my teeth for a crown. And then I moved to KCMO and life was crazy and I have no excuse other than I just didn't make it a priority. FAIL.



SEVEN. Coffee with a new friend (and yes, you get another "high").
This is the third big move of my life (1st, KCMO. 2nd, back home (but I knew people). 3rd, Arcata). And the scariest thing is wondering if I will come to know and find great friends and people. So far, God is showing up in this area! I went to a super cute little coffee place in Arcata called "Couple Cups" with a girl I met through the college group at church. She is such a sweet sweet girl. God is good!



How was your week? Do you get excited when you get an appointment scheduled that you've been putting off?