A Special Time

In October we had our amazingly talented, sweet-as-can-be, and not to mention GORGEOUS friend Kelli take photos for our 2009 Christmas cards. Her and her husband are dear friends to us, we are blessed to have them in our lives. Kelli simply took up photography for fun but as you can see here she was born for this!!
We were lucky to have my mom in town that weekend, so we brought both Grandma's and Grandpa John to capture this special time. Enjoy.

What a Merry Christmas

We are ready and waiting with great anticipation for the arrival of our little David Ansel. We have the nursery done, with some minor decorating accents to complete later next year. We LOVE how the wall decal turned out, it was designed by a local artist, you can view his incredible work here.

This Christmas our hearts are filled to the brim. We just cannot believe how blessed our lives are and to think we have our greatest blessing on the way. We are in awe of our awesome Lord and His love for His children. We celebrate the gift He gave us, Jesus Christ. Through Him we are so abundantly blessed.

Oh My!!

"Oh my!" is exactly what I think everytime I look in the mirror. These days it seems like everytime I take a glance I am a little bigger. T-minus 23 days and counting!!

Newest Addition

Tiger, was our unexpected, undesired, addition to our family this year. He came into our lives as a three week old stray, covered in fleas and dirt. Paul and I had promised each other, we would NOT keep him. The plan was to nurse him back to health, get him eating solid food, and vaccinated....then he would be adoptable. Well, you know how the story goes. This little guy purred right into our hearts and he has found his permanent home at the Hillenbrands.

He was just a little ball of fuzz when we found him, so tiny. He LOVES to play!!

Much bigger now, snuggling with Buttons. They play, fight, clean each other, and snuggle. Sometimes it seems like they were long lost siblings.

Georgie, our grumpy old man. He isn't real thrilled about Tiger. We tease that Georgie is Mr. Wilson and Tiger is Dennis the Mennis. That pretty much sums up their relationship.

Bump Update

Well....here we are at Week 24!!!

Stretchy Pants

I have broken down and purchased my first pair of maternity pants. It was really difficult for me to give in. What was my hesitation, you ask? Oh I don't know, was it the high waist or the elastic that was more...ummmm unsexy!! I told hubby that after wearing these we would never make babies again. I was afraid the image would be seared in his mind forever. To confirm my fears these are the words that came out of his mouth the first day I wore them,

"When you are a man, sometimes you wear stretchy pants in your room. It's for fun."

Never seeing Nacho Libre, I had no idea what he was talking about but I knew it had to be bad. Thank you google for providing this image from the movie so we all can be enlightened.
Needless to say, it's bad, it's unattractive, but oh so comfortable. I LOVE my maternity pants. I even went out and bought maternity jeans. I don't know what it is about that thick elastic waist band that feels so amazing. I may never go back!!

It's Finally Arrived!!

For many years now I imagined that my pregnancy would consist of swollen ankles, frumpy maternity clothes, and of course a massive belly right out of the gate. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that my body is taking quite well to growing a life, thank you Mom and Grammy for wonderful baby making genes.

First trimester was a breeze compared to what some of my girlfriends have been and are going through. Many compliments from coworkers and friends about my "glow" have been sweet words of affirmation. But one thing that kept coming up from person to person was the fact I wasn't "showing". At first I was a little proud of it, someone who has struggled to keep my weight down for most of my adult life suddenly to hear "you should have a tummy but you don't" was music to my ears. But then that motherly instinct kicked in...you know that one that says you should be worried. So, I started getting worried about it. "Why wasn't I showing? Was the baby growing properly? Was I eating enough? Was I eating right?" Although my Doctor continued to assure me I really didn't need to gain much or even show until week 20, it was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind.

Fast forward to Week 17 (this week) and I can finally say, "It has arrived!! I have a baby bump!" I first noticed while I was at the movies, sitting there thinking "Good grief do I need to unbutton my pants they are so tight?" When I got home that night waiting until hubby was busy in the other room to assess the situation and sure enough, there it was a little bump. And only to confirm what I thought I was seeing, the next night, Paul says "Can I tell you something and you promise you won't get upset? I think you have a bump." {smile}

Needless to say, something that would have many months ago mortified me to see (a gut) has now brought reassurance and an increased excitement for what is taking place inside my body.

Precious Moments

By now we are sure most of you have heard the exciting news, that we will be having a baby this year. We feel so blessed to be entrusted with the role of parent and are enjoying the journey of preparation to that special day (December 29th). In these first months we have enjoyed so many precious moments that will make for wonderful stories to share with this little life some day. Today we wanted to share with you one of those very special moments for us.

John and Jan (Paul's parents) were born to be grandparents. Not just to their biological grandbabies but they are grandparents to many lucky children. Whether they be neighbors, family friends, or church friends. Many children have already been blessed to have Grandma Jan and Grandpa John in their lives. So, to announce to them our exciting news was very special.

Jan and Paul threw a combined birthday party for John (60 yrs.) and myself (30 yrs). We had decided that this would be the perfect opportunity to bring the surprise of all surprises. And here was there reaction.....now how precious is that?!!!

We Did It!!

On April 25th Paul and I completed our first half marathon. From the first training day to the finish line we were learning more about ourselves, one another, and God. What a tremendous experience!!

Day 1 - Eliesha & Julia Visit TN

After a long plane ride from Washington State Julia had some energy to burn. Sooo, off to the park we went.Looking for frogs.We made a friend.

Playing games with Uncle Paul
Finishing off the day with snuggling

Day 2 - Eliesha & Julia Visit TN

Day two was a rainy day. By the time I got out of class we only had a few hours before Life Group. So, we headed over to The Factory for some window shopping and to pet the kitties (at Happy Tales).

Day 3 - Eliesha & Julia Visit TN (The Zoo)

It was a beautiful day for the Nashville Zoo.

All tuckered out...

Day 4 - Eliesha & Julia Visit TN

On our way to Chattanooga for a day at the Aquarium. But you have to start the day off right....at Cracker Barrel.Julia's loving the Legless Lizard...yuck!

Love at first sight...

This picture makes me laugh so hard. They are standing in a tube inside the tank, but it just looks so darn weird, it cracks me up.

This is actually two butterflies back to back. But I love how it looks like an owl...or a gremling. At the touch tank. We could pet sharks and sting rays.
Dinner at the BreweryOn our way home....