Speaking of Hawaii...

...No, I'm not planning a trip there anytime soon (although, wouldn't that be amazing?!).

The math teacher I work with in summer school (Cindy) just got married June 25 (sounds like a familiar date, huh, Kelly?!). She honeymooned in Hawaii and apparently couldn't get enough of these banana/macadamia nut pancakes (did you ever have any, Jacki?). Anyway, she ordered tons of mixes and gave me one to try out! I made them tonight. They were tasty:) Check out the package it came in. Why is everything so stinkin' cute from Hawaii?!

Always an appreciated "feature"...

Hawaii Flashback

Lately, Brad and I have been missing our Hawaii days. So this Sunday was so good for us. My assistant teacher from Hawaii was in town for her cousin's wedding. Kinda a weird story because I hired her cousin's sister at my job. Of course I knew of the connection beforehand. Anyway, we had brunch with her yesterday and chatted all about our school, life in Hawaii, and our friends. I loved it!

Then I started working on shower invitations for my sister-in-law to be. Me and my aunt are throwing her a shower on August 21st. SO Chrissie - I hope to meet new baby while I am in town too. I was in the cutest paper shop and was inspired by some wedding invitations hanging up. I bought a stamp, paper, and embosser and went to town. Brad definitely helped me. But I had fun.




One more week til vaca for me and I am so stinkin pumped!

30 Weeks

It's hard to believe, but we’re now a few days into the 30th week. I feel like a lot has changed in three weeks (since my last pregnancy post). My fatigue seems a bit more pronounced, which may have something to do with being back at work. I can tell that the baby is gaining height in the uterus…my ribs feel a little crowded these days. Her movements are more evident than before, to the point that others are even able to see when her not-so-little-anymore body ripples by. We can feel lumps and bumps as she moves from one position to the next, and it’s fun to guess what body part—tummy? head? elbow?—we just felt . Hiccups seem to be a more frequent occurrence. If she’s anything like my mom or myself, she’ll be susceptible to these annoying diaphragm spasms when eating carrots or dry bread. At 16 inches and 3 pounds, she’s getting to be a big girl…and closer and closer to the size she’ll be at birth. In fact, her head and body are now proportioned like a newborn’s. According to “the books”, her eyebrows and eyelashes are fully developed, the hair on her head is getting thicker, her hands are fully formed, and fingernails are growing (no scratching, please!).

bedrest...again.

Hey girls. So, unfortunately, I am on bedrest again :(. I have been having pretty severe back pain and at my OB appt this week, my DR. suggested that I be placed on bedrest until I reach full term (which is next Friday). She said that since back pain can be an indicator of pre-term labor I need to take it easy until it's time for the baby to come out. So, this is only a week and a half and I know I will survive, but you girls know me...I don't like to be contained and told I can't go anywhere or do anything!

Fortunately, Kirk's sisters Katie and Konni came up on Wednesday to help out with Elijah and they have been taking good care of him the past 2 days. They left this afternoon to head to Chicago to see Kirk's other sister Kelly, but they will be back Sunday night to help out next week as well. It's nice to not have to lift him and get him fed and all that stuff because that was taking a toll on my body. I sure do miss being on the floor with him and playing catch and building towers out of blocks with him :(.

Please pray for me. I am discouraged a little bit and it is difficult to be dependent on others for so much. It's been a humbling experience...I know God is using it to shape me and grow me...just pray I am open to that shaping and that growth! Please pray for the baby as well...I know God will bring this baby to us in His perfect timing, but it would be nice if he/she would stay in there until it's time!

I'll keep you posted of course :). Love you all.

Potpourri

Mal has her youth group in Atl right now for a week. On Monday, Mal brought her kiddos over to my community and they played games for like 2 hours with my residents. It was so fun. I don't have the pictures on hand so I will attach later.

I had the day off yesterday, first in about 7! So after I slept in (nothing's changed) Brad and I had a nice afternoon. We went to this place called Star Provisions which is a fresh market for one of Atlanta's nicest restaurants, Bachannalia. During the day they serve sandwiches and such, but they also have a bakery, cheese and wine shop, meat shop, produce stand, and a cute little shopping area. I had this Thai pulled pork sandwich - yummy, mint, carrots, jalapenos and thai flavored pulled pork on a yummy roll. Brad had a shrimp po' boy sandwich, a southern thing, but I don't even know what all was on it. We shared a yummy Mexican coke in a bottle (made with cane sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup). Here are out pics



Don't worry kids - its candy!

Afterward we checked out ShopSCAD, where SCAD artists sell cutsy stuff and fine art. Check them out online, pretty cool. We went to a thrift store and I found a vintage Singer sewing machine for $14.99 and just missed it, already sold. Then we went and checked out mopeds. After taking one around Martha's Vineyard we loved it, and just did some research on buying one. Brad would use it to go to school since we only have one car. When we got home we had a package from Brad's mom. She made us the stinking cutest window coverings for our bedroom. We have huge windows and they let in so much light, so she black out lined them. I love them! I can't wait to put them up. When I have them hanging I will post a new pic.



Today, I worked and when I got home another package. I found a dress in Jcrew last week that was one size too small. It was on major sale, so I used their red phone and the website had it. I got this dress which used to be 168 bucks for .... drumroll please.... 27.99!!! Can you believe it? I love the ruffles and floral print - it makes me feel girly.


The other thing consuming my time... LOST. My word I love it love it love it. I didn't think I could ever get sucked in to something like this.

A couple of things...
Chrissie your BD2's bday and my Bday are in 29 days. If you love me you won't have her early - yeah I called it I think it is a she!
Darla, will you send me a link or something to your cloth diaper website. I want to see what they look like- I have an idea momma.
Kelly, phone tag will not get the best of us- We will prevail
Mal - catch on the flipside
Lauren - potential to see you in August. I will e-mail or call you.

2 weeks away

HI all!

I have had very rare Internet access for the last couple of weeks, so now I am back in Atlanta - I can post what I have been up to.

Brad finished his drawings. They are currently on a boat to Hong Kong- go Brad!


Tuesday the 6th we flew out to Boston and took a bus to Woods Hole. We got on a short ferry and spent about 4 days with Brad's family in Martha's Vineyard. It was so fun and very relaxing. Throughout the course of the week, we beached, went clamming (I tried a semi-raw clam for the first time Yay me!), putt-putted, hung out, and rented mopeds. Here are some pics...




Then on Saturday we took the bus back to Boston for about a day. After checking in at the Langham Hotel, we meandered through the historic city and found ourselves in the North End of Boston at an Italian restaurant one of my residents recommended. It was out of this world good Italian food. Afterward, we stopped by this 24 hour bakery (there were several with long lines - so we knew this must be a staple of Boston) and shared a huge whoopie pie. The next day we walked so much - Boston was cool because the city was definitely walkable and you could see a lot of cool things. We went to Harvard Square in Cambridge. We had sandwiches from a cute eatery. I had one of New England's best sandwich contribution, the Pilgrim Sandwich, made with roasted turkey, stuffing, and cranberry dressing. And of couse I found a cute cupcake shop. We spent some time resting in the Boston Commons, a beautiful and peaceful park in the middle of the city, saw the original Cheers Bar location, walked down by Boston Harbor, walked through the cute and enticing Beacon Hill, and made a couple historic stops on Freedom Trail. All in all I was very impressed with the city and recommend all of you go there sometime if you haven't already.









This week was spent in Louisville, KY at training for work. It was sales training and I really enjoyed it. I don't have any pics from that, but I do have this one of when my puppy and I reunited after almost 2 weeks of being apart. Gosh I can't imagine leaving a child when I have one. I missed her!


Now I am home and will be for a couple of weeks.

Perfect Timing!

Well, don't cha know? Money magazine ranked Eden Prairie, MN as 2010's #1 best place to live. (Thanks forthe call, Jacki.) So if any of you are considering moving...well...you know...perhaps Eden Prairie? But at the very least it's a perfect excuse to come visit this fall...to say you've officially been in the best city in America (at least for 2010).

Reunion Date

How does everyone feel about the first weekend in November? The 4th to the 7th?? Darla, I know that your due date is now early October so that may not be enough down time for you. I know for sure I can't do the following weekend (the 11th to the 14th), but possibly the weekend after...the 18th to the 21st, but that is the week right before Thanksgiving.

Ps...even though Jacki hasn't commented I talked to her yesterday and she said she is in. She is in Louisville for training for work so she probably doesn't have access to the blog for a few days.

Go West Young Man....or Woman

My family just got back from a week in Montana (Idaho and Wyoming too). That part of the country is absolutely gorgeous. WOW. Here are just a few pics. This is in front of the Grand Tetons.

This is one on of our hikes. It was crazy that one day we were wearing tank tops and shorts and the next we were bundled up hiking in snow. Again- spectacular creation.


At the one cabin, they had guitar so Jimmy played on a few of the evenings on the porch. Riley fell in love with Jimmy. She followed him everywhere and said his name all the time. It was too cute.

This is a picture of Tyler and Ali. When we returned from the trip, he PROPOSED! They are going to get married in December. Then they will move out to Colorado where he will be stationed at Ft. Carson.
As for the reunion, I'M IN! Lets throw out some dates and see what we can get in the works.

I may be beating a dead horse...

...but I really want a repeat of the picture below. Is anyone in for a little November reunion in MN? I talked to Lauren and Mal and it sounded like you were both interested. I miss you all! Any chance we can make this a reality?

And just for fun, here's a picture from our weekend. Kirk and I made a spur of the moment decision to drive out to PA to meet Charlie...I couldn't stand to wait until September so we drove through the night Friday to get there and through the night last night to get back. A little crazy but his SO precious! Here's a shot of the 3 cousins :).

LONG TIME COMIN!

HEY EVERYONE!!

Gosh, this has been a long time comin! I just finished catching up on reading all the previous posts from the last few weeks that you all have put up and man... there's sooooo much going on!! Lots of exciting stuff!!

For me, this summer has been INSANE! Very busy and challenging but also good. So far, I've led 2 trips (New Orleans and Chattanooga) for a week each and then on the 18th I lead another trip to ATL!!!!!! I'm especially excited about this one because I get to see Jacki!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!! :) Also, it will be with 14 of our rising 7th grade students for their first missions trip...they are really excited!

The pictures I'm attaching are of the New Orleans trip with our rising 9th graders. This was actually the 2nd time I've been on this missions trip, but it was my very first one to lead. It was a great trip where I really think our group was able to be a light in darkness. God was so good to us!

Anyway, I hope you all are having a great summer!!! and that you had a great 4th!

I MISS YOU ALL SO SO MUCH! LOVE YOU!

Mal

charlie james

Here is my cutie nephew! Charlie James Jackson...don't you just love that little face?

Big Brother Max!

Hello my dear friends,

Hopefully you all got my message - I'm pregnant! We are so thrilled and excited! YAY!!! Somewhere around the middle of March Max will be a big brother (I was given March 16th as the due date). I have more pictures on the Yordy blog, but wanted you to see Max's shirt (I totally stole the idea from Chrissie) :)


We've had fun today spreading the word! Please pray for the baby's health and my health. I will keep you posted, of course, as we learn more about this new little one. Thanks for all of your love and support.

Much love,
Kelly

Favorite Time of Day

Breathtaking, huh? Remember when I used to convince some of you to join in me chasing the sunset at Taylor? Oh, how I love dusk!

Man! There's just a glow at this time of night! Unreal.

Visitors, visitors...

We have had a very busy few days with lots of visitors! It's been fun to be around so many great people! Kirk's family was in town for the holiday and you can check out the Duncan blog for some photos from our awesome day at the lake on Saturday.  Before they came, on Thursday night, Moose and Mel came to see us.  Moose just took a job as a hall director at Biola so they are making a big move out to California.  They decided to do a little friends and family tour before heading out there, so we were thankful they stopped to see us! 

Goodbye midwest, hello westcoast!

Then, yesterday, I got to see Amy Jo! She came to Indiana for the holiday weekend and it worked out for us to have breakfast yesterday morning.  She brought her boyfriend Jon home with her and I got to meet him for the first time.   Great guy and it was fun to see them both for a quick meal!

I am thankful for all these sweet reminders of how blessed I am with so many great family members and friends!

4th of July Pie

It has been too long since I typed an update on this blog. Brad was using the computer a lot for his art and he had first dibs. :)

Today we met my parents halfway in Tennessee to give them Bonnie for about a week and half. We are leaving Tuesday for Martha's Vineyard and then I have training in Louisville next week. So it worked out for them to watch her. My mom brought a little picnic for us so we stopped in Clinton, Tennessee by some river and we ate. It was so nice to be under the shade with my fam. The breeze was great and so were the homemade chocolate cupcakes she made for Brad's bday. Here are a couple of pics.



When I got home- I recruited some help from my sous chef. I am making 6 pies for work tomorrow's 4th of July BBQ - 2 Strawberry rhubarb and 4 berry pies.



Hopefully, I will post some pics tomorrow. You know tomorrow is one of my most favorite holidays! Happy 4th of July everyone!

Lunch Time

I just love this adorable face.