Belly shots

Side shot week 26--pregnancy, overall, has been a very good experience! I can't believe this is my last week of my 2nd trimester.











Front shot week 26 (yesterday)













Week 17 picture

An Insightful, MUST-Read

This book, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, was my most recent pick for our book club. It turned out to be one of the best reads we have ever had in our group, with everyone woman finishing it and being touched in some way by the story. In fact, 3 of the 9 who showed up last Saturday for our brunch and discussion could personally relate to aspects of the memoir, a highly unlikely coincidence given the unusual events in the author's life. Walls grew up in a family with parents who were eccentric, nomadic travelers, moving the family from home to home throughout the US whenever they ran out of money or work (which was often) or the father felt the feds or Mafia were finally catching up with him (they were never chasing him in the first place). Along with her 3 siblings, Walls learns what it means to be an adult at a very young age and learns how to be extremely resourceful when there were very few luxuries, things we all take for granted such as beds to sleep in, things to do and play with, food to eat, etc. Unbelievable as the events in this memoir are (I found myself involuntarily commenting aloud at various times), Walls does not use her work as a platform for self-pity or rage against her parents. She never comes across as depressed or critical of them. This book is a magnificent read that will make most of us see our families in a new light and appreciate a story that will stay with us for years to come.

Two Film Recs

Aron and I had a date night last Monday and saw "Little Miss Sunshine" I had just had to make a quick post about it because it was outstanding!! The cast is incredible and worked so well together. In a nutshell, it's an honest look at life through the metaphor of a beauty pageant. The family takes the most incredible journey along the way (both literally and figuratively). There is an abundant use of the "f" word, but if you can get past it, you'll dig this film (just wanted to warn those who are more on the conservative side). Then, yesterday, my dad took us all to see "The Illusionist," another outstanding film. The cast--Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel--did a superb job, esp. EN; man, what an actor! It's a beautiful film with an intriguing story.

Rotten Tomatoes gave LMS a 93% and TI a 71%. I'd love to hear some feedback if anyone sees these flicks.

Company

Dad and mom arrived last night on their 3 week trek across America to the new digs in Florida. We just chilled around the house this morning, then picked Aron up at work for lunch. Dad bought La Madeline...yummy!! We were all saying that such a restaurant would thrive in OC; wonder why they don't have one? After lunch, we returned home to nap. I got up after 1.5 hours, but they are still sleeping. Tomorrow and Friday Shan will take off work, so it'll be fun to trek around, just the 4 of us.

In baby news, I'm growing like crazy it seems. My last day running was Tuesday morning--it's really too uncomfortable now. I've been trying to just deal the last 2-3 weeks when running, but I called it quits on Tuesday. Shan and I got up earlier to go to the gym today (a nice perk of the running was getting up at 5:45am, instead of 5:10am) and do the elliptical...much better!! We'll swim tomorrow--two exercises that are low impact, good for the bebe, and easy on mom. I told Aron last night that I have also felt uncomfortable in general the last several days; I am in month 7, but still...maybe that's too early to feel the way I do? Anyway, it's only going to grow moreso in the weeks ahead...I'm bracing myself.

Finally, I have solidified plans for Aron and my anniversary weekend (we take turns planning it every year). We are going the weekend of September 15, two weeks earlier than our actual anniversary. Details to come, though I do hope this can remain a secret for him.

July 31 Musings

The month of July always feels long to me, but not necessarily in a bad way. It's hard to believe that I have extended unemployment time ahead of me. Instead of going back to school on August 11, I will go back who knows when. Maybe never. Maybe once our kiddos are in junior high/high school. Both Aron and I are looking forward to homeschooling them eventually. I'm not sad to not be working; I'm thrilled to embrace the journey of parenthood and be a mama who can stay home with my children. But, it is weird to think that I have been in some form of school my entire life because my work has included the classroom these past 7 years. Now, after 27 years, I will no longer be in that institution. I'm stoked, though, as I do like change (in many ways) and this will be a one for me.

More Trip Pics

Lunch at Pei Wei before going to the airport














Cute couple in B/W :)













Mel and E hanging out














Yearly art project 2006














I do have plans for this, girls!

First shower

My first baby shower. Everything was perfect!











When we came back from the doctor, the girls had this written on the chalkboard. I had to check the box and pop the balloon to tell them what our bebe would be. Very clever!













I got several superb gifts! These girls know me well.

Girlfriends

My girlfriends from Bible college days came to visit July 6 (it's hard to believe that in some way we all managed to keep in touch for the last 9 years!). We have made it a yearly tradition to get together each year. The first year we were with Elicia (in blue) in Colorado and last year with Melisa (in grey) in Pennsylvania. While together, we shopped, saw "Pirates of the Carribean," had a memorable meal with great conversation at Cafe Brazil in downtown Dallas, painted a large piece of canvas for our yearly art project, walked/ran around White Rock Lake, watched "The Village" at home, enjoyed a meal cooked by my fabulous husband, and engaged in some deep conversation about life, sitting on the bathroom floor and painting our nails. Another fun highlight for me was being able to share with them the sex of our bebe in person the morning Aron and I found out. In fact, when we got home from the doctor, they had a little baby shower for me, complete with decor, homemade breakfast, a game, and gifts. These girls are my lifeline. They support and sustain me on a daily basis. We are all very different at times, and yet, we have forged a solid and lasting friendship where we are honest and open with eachother and not afriad to call eachother out on various issues. These are the friendships that we seek after so often in this life--and God has blessed me early in my adulthood with 3 women whom I daily walk through life with. I truly am awed.

Next year we'll be with Laurie (in purple) in Palo Alto, California.

New Adventures

I have sworn in the past to be a better blogger and I think I will really do it now. I have some time this summer (already half over!) and I want to use it better. Several bits of big news from the McKays:

*We found out last Friday that our bebe is a little GIRL! CANNOT wait to meet her; I thought boy all along so it was a trip to know it was a girl. She looks very healthy, too.
*Aron has received a promotion with his company, for which we are very excited! It involves relocation back to Mission Viejo and we are taking it. We should be back out there in the next 6-12 weeks. Our little girl will be a CA girl after all. Aron still plans to take online classes for seminary.

God really has a way of leading on this adventure of life. Moving to Dallas 2 years ago we thought we'd be here at least 4-5 years. Seminary, buying our first home, and building a deeper relationship with my sister Shannon and her hubby Steve (as they are our fantastic next-door neighbors) were all the main incentives for the move.

Some reflections: We have cememented an invaluable relationship with S&S in our time here. It's undoubtedly my (and I think Aron would fully agree) favourite thing about our move to Texas. Close behind is our church...we have grown as a couple through the teachings of our pastor and the fellowship of our Life Group. I was able to teach 1 year in public schools--and loved it (who knew!?). Aron finished only one semester of seminary (who knew!?). God. It's pretty amazing to me how He will guide us in one direction under a certain premise and then along the adventure, He shows us more clearly why He is doing what He is doing (i.e. moving us to Texas for other reasons). I do know that we were both prety sure that Aron would have graduated by the time we moved away, but hey, we know He is moving and we are truly thrilled about parenthood and being back in SoCal.

News!

I know it's been nearly 2 months since either Aron or I posted, but we are making an attempt to get back on the ball. Actually, we have purchased a website and plan on transfering all blog information to the url; Aron is working on it. Stay tuned (it looks much cooler and is much easier to navigate).

Many of our friends and family know what I am about to share, but many may not, so I wanted to put it out there for all to see. Aron and I found out in early April that we are expecting our first child in early December! We are thrilled!!! God is so very good. I'll try to post some new pics of Aron and I soon and give regular pregnancy updates (I'm done with my first trimester on Saturday).

suz