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Well, we’re all packed and ready for our first big family vacation to Orlando, Florida. Aside from the flight (I absolutely hate flying if you didn’t already know that), I am so excited and happy to just be there. I have not seen my sister Cindi since June or my sister Jennifer since August. I’m ready for our entire family to be together again. You cannot imagine all the fun we have when we’re all hanging out! We have so many fun things planned including . . .

The post title says it all . . . I’m pregnant with baby #2!  It has been a huge shock to us {and everyone else}.  I was on birth control so this took us by complete surprise.  We always knew we wanted another baby but didn’t think it would be so soon!

This experience has been the total opposite of the first time we found out.  We were both pretty confused as to how this happened.  I mean, yes, we know how this happened but still . . . how did this happen?  A lot of stars had to align for me to become pregnant!  My doctor believes that my birth control failed after a month of taking antibiotics to try to stop the terrible symptoms I had been having. But now that green bean is a part of me I wouldn’t want it any other way.

You know that thing they call the “corporate ladder”?  Well, I just stepped off of it and got onto the “Mommy Ladder”.  I resigned from my job on Thursday.  After six months of working myself to the point of utter physical and mental exhaustion I decided I had had enough.

Most people would probably think it’s a non-profit so how stressful could it be?  Just add a micro-managing, power hungry, overly-demanding volunteer to the mix and you’ve got your answer.  I was expected to work nights and weekends and the stress was unmanageable.  No one there had kids and they were not understanding about daycare pick-ups and doctor’s appointments.  That is unacceptable.

Does anyone else have major trouble dealing with change? I remember back in 2003 when I decided to leave my safe job to try my hand as a wedding coordinator at a local venue. I was so nervous about it that I broke out in hives for a week!

I usually get very anxious about the future. But lately I’ve been feeling excited and hopeful. We’ve got some major changes in the works right now and this time next year our lives might look very different than they do now. In a good way, of course.

Something scary happened on Wednesday. I went to the bathroom, which I do every 10 minutes it seems, only this time there was blood. I was at work so I tried to stay calm but everything in my brain was screaming “OH MY GOD, NO!” I called Naaman who told me to call the doctor. The doctor was very nice and squeezed me in for an emergency ultrasound that same hour. Naaman rushed to get me from work and we headed in. I was so worried and nervous.

I had my first ultrasound yesterday morning. I was very nervous but our little bean popped up very quickly to say hello : ) We could instantly see the little heartbeat flickering and then the technician turned on the sound so we could hear it. I immediately started bawling. I cried, Naaman cried, and then we giggled like little kids. Oh man, it was just the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen and heard.

Let me go back a little in order to tell this story. My 29th birthday was December 6th. It was a nice day. My parents came over to our house around 8:00 p.m. when Naaman got off work to have cake. For as long as I can remember, my parents have sung happy birthday to me and I’ve usually had a cake with Santa on it or the like due to the fact that I’m a December baby. We only had one candle so I put it on there, lit it, they all sang to me while I made a wish and then I blew out the candle. I looked right into Naaman’s eyes when I blew out the flame. You see, little did my parents know that Naaman and I had been trying for a baby since September. And that’s exactly what I wished for . . . a baby for Naaman and I.

Roxie’s two week post-op check up was yesterday. Naaman and I were both worried that the vet would say that her pins had come out of place. I prayed last night that they hadn’t because I didn’t want Roxie to have to go through another surgery. The vet was encouraged when he realized they hadn’t come out of place. He said for as young and active as she is, and as bad of shape as her knee was in, it’s a miracle that they are healing properly. He did recommend two more weeks in the playpen with little movement or playtime. We can take her out for very short walks in order to start building up the muscle again.

Most everyone knows that I was in a car accident in March 2005 where I was rear-ended and sustained severe whiplash. I have suffered a lot ever since. I went through painful physical therapy and a lengthy and emotional lawsuit, which I won out of court shortly after returning home from our honeymoon. I have had relapse after relapse with pain in my neck and right shoulder and arm. In May 2006, I went for an MRI, which showed a bulging disc between my C4 and C5 vertebrae. Every time it has come back to haunt me, it has been painful but I never as bad as my recent experiences.

Well, this crazy weekend is over. I coordinated my Cousin Tim’s wedding and I can proudly say, it went off without a hitch. I am very happy that Tim found someone who will always be there for him. Years ago, Tim lost his sight and I know it has been quite a struggle for him and his family. I am glad that he persevered and realized that he too is worthy of love. Everyone is, I think.

I feel compelled to post this information because it has been on my mind for the past couple of days. I heard about Jennifer Ireland’s story on Mix 93.3 and immediately went to her blog to read about what she and her family are going through. I don’t think I was prepared for what I was about to read. It is a beautiful story of true love, sorrow and letting go of the ones that you love. I believe I may have gone to high school with Jennifer because she looks so familiar to me and they reference my hometown a lot but I’m not sure. I just can’t get their story off of my mind . . . so if you have an hour to sift through some of the most beautiful posts I have ever read, I highly recommend you do. It is truly a great testament to the vows Naaman and I just took, “In sickness and in health.”

We recently had a round of the sickies go through our house. First, Sawyer started vomiting. Then it hit Brigham. And last, Landon got it. With low-grade fevers and a quick recovery, I am thankful we were able to manage it at home.

It’s always disheartening to see your children sick. We can feel so helpless when they are in pain and we can’t take it away with the snap of our fingers! The only thing we can do is try to comfort them as best we can. And provide hugs. Lots and lots of hugs!