Happy 3rd Trimester to us!

Well baby girl, we made it! Today marks the beginning of week 27, the official start of the 3rd trimester. It's also April 19, just 3 months from your due date! I can't believe we are already here, yet it some ways it feels like I've been waiting for you forever. You kick often, rolling around inside of me. Everytime we have an ultrasound the doctors talk about how active you are. I have a feeling you'll be quite the fireball! :)

This week I am learning about compassion and kindness. I've been praying for a compassionate heart, that's moved to respond in kindness to meet the needs of others. I want to show the same kindness that God expressed to us in His son, Christ Jesus. I pray too that you will have a compassionate heart, that breaks for the needs of others. It's amazing how God works. As I've been learning these things, he's demonstrated them to me. My back has been terrible this week, and his people have been so kind to us. One family brought us a delicious meal, and another friend is coming to help clean our house today. Getting passed themselves, they chose to serve us. I am humbled, and I am grateful for the examples in my life. You will love the people of God, they are such a blessing to us. I am so thankful for our community, and for the kindness of God in my life.

All is Well

My absolute favorite Christmas tradition is a tape we listen to each Christmas Eve called "All is Well." Each year a different part of the story touches me, and I am inevitably moved to tears. The message is always the same, For unto us a child is born, a Savior which is Christ the Lord. That's how come All is Well. He came, gave us his son, gave us hope, sacrificed all because of his great love for us. He weaves our lives together, for His glory. His kindness to us has been so full, so rich, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude that he saved us.

Today, especially today, I am thankful for who God brought into my life. Five years ago today Taylor asked me to be his girlfriend, and one of the best decisions I have ever made was saying yes!
Two years later we were married on December 27, 2008. I love this picture from our wedding, I remember how I felt at that moment. So grateful to be his wife, so excited to walk back down the aisle, with my sweet husband, to begin our new life together. I loved our vows, I loved our wedding, but oh did I love looking over at that man. Again, grateful, thankful God had given us to each other. Marriage has been one of the sweetest blessings of my life.


Three short months later our lives changed again...we brought home Bailey! Our first puppy, our first baby. I loved that apartment, the walls my father-in-law painted, the weddings gifts from friends and family that made our house feel like home, the meals Taylor cooked us there. :) I loved waking up in the mornings next to Taylor, and I really loved that puppy! I loved watching Taylor with that puppy, I loved imagining the kind of father he would be because of the way he loved her.



And then last Thanksgiving I caved again, and we got Everest. Our second baby. Our sweet puppy, who cuddles in the morning and begs for our affection.


Our family of four last Christmas! (2010) I love these dogs, "our girls." My mom told me a story about trusting God, and though I've forgotten the details, the message was that trusting him is like leaning into him, relying on his strength. If you've ever met my girls, they are leaners! They lean on me all the time, and remind me of the hope and confidence I have by leaning into my Savior.


Now I find myself grateful yet again, overwhelmed actually. We will welcome our first child into the world around July 19th! Today, we are 10 weeks pregnant!


Today I look forward to watching my husband become transformed into a Father. I eagerly await this child, this gift that God is weaving together inside of me. I pray, I hope, and I trust God, knowing All is truly Well, because of his child.

So blogging world, I'm back. Maybe it's part of nesting, wanting to capture all that is happening. Or maybe it's because of all that I'm thankful for, but here's to a new adventure!

Oak Glen

Last weekend we went to Oak Glen with friends and family, it was so wonderful. This year it was cold so it actually felt like fall. Everytime I go there I am overwhelmed by the beauty of God's creation, and so grateful for the sweet friendships he has given me.

Hudson and I, one of the few moments when he was happy with me :)

Classic....Brooke and Trev

The girls...

The gang...

Hayley took the pics of the fam with her camera so stay tuned for those!

Happy Halloween!

This year we went back to Orange for the second annual block party at the Davis' and the Hoehne's. BD makes this amazing chili and serves it with cornbread waffles...delicious! Hudson and London were older this year, so trick-or-treating was so fun!

Taylor and I were "Double Rainbow." Our signs say "It's so intense!" and "What does it mean?"
Bailey's sign says "It's almost a triple rainbow!" If you don't know what I'm referring to, youtube Double Rainbow. It's hilarious.
The whole group...London was supposed to be Tinkerbell with her mom "Wendy" and her dad "Peter Pan" but instead she chose to be a girl :)

Me and my nephew Hudson, he was SO cute. But apparently not happy about this pic!

The chefs with their lobster!

A trip down memory lane...

Double Rainbow...2010

Burt's Bees 2009

Peace and Quiet 2008

The Four Seasons...2006

OC Fair

Every summer Whitney's grandpa gets us into the OC fair for free, and we get VIP access to the rides, which are also free. Unfortunately it's pretty much waisted on us since we all puke after spinners, and I hate heights. However, I did manage to muster up my courage for the ferris wheel. Here's the before shot:

The McWhorter's enjoying the ride...I'm not sure how I was able to take the picture, since I was squeezing Taylor's leg and the handle bar while we sat suspended in mid air...

We love the McWhorter's, they are truly some of our dearest friends. :)

A fair post wouldn't be complete without a shot of some delicious fair food. This was a fried smore...mmmmmm.

What a weekend...

This weekend we got almost everyone (minus Sam) together to celebrate the September birthday boys. We went to Tinga for dinner, and it was amazing! Just to give you an idea, I had a black bean and goat cheese quesadilla, so yummy! Next time you're in LA, you have to try it!

Classic group shot, notice Trever...

The birthday "cake"

The birthday boys...

The girls...

Long story

Afterwards we went to see the Mystery Jets at the Troubadour. Great band, great show, great crowd.

Our carpool buddies...

Saturday Taylor and I watched Husdon for the first time. We had so much fun. I let him play with the hose outside, it wasn't long until he'd gotten himself drenched! Notice Bailey in the background, she stayed very close to him!

Sunday we went to Jared and Julie's wedding. It was absolutely beautiful, she was stunning! Congrats to the Dobbins!

Beach Trip!

This last Saturday ISI planned a beach trip for our International Students. We had great weather, great food, and good company! Thanks to all the host families who came!

The guys...

Me and sweet Lea... so glad to have all our Rwandans back here with us!

Enjoying the view...

Learning some wave riding skills...

Playing beach volleyball...

I am so grateful for my job, I get to work with amazing people from all around the world, and I especially love my sweet friends from Rwanda!