4 years...

I can hardly believe that Tyler and I have been married for four years!!  It is crazy to imagine how much our lives have changed over the past four years.  We have gone through many ups and downs, as any couple has.  We have spent 1,460 days, 35,040 hours, or 2,102,400 minutes as man and wife.  That is a lot of time to spend with someone.  

During these past four years we have traveled up and down the state of California visiting friends and family.

Celebrating Christmas at the Lampe home with the Stellers! Fresno 2008

Dinner with Kelly, June 2010

We have moved to Arizona.

Welcome to Arizona!!  June 2008

We have gone to weddings of family members, and friends who we consider family.

Piol Wedding, May 2010

Shaver Wedding, July 2009 

Kahler Wedding, May 2011

Stetson Wedding, August 2009

We've traveled to the Bahamas, Lake Tahoe, Sedona, Orlando, San Francisco, Newport Beach, San Diego, Palm Springs, Houston, Texas, Omaha, Nebraska, Boulder, Colorado and Bend, Oregon.

Lake Tahoe, June 2011

Bend, Oregon, June 2009

Sedona, March 2010

Tyler went to Alaska with the guys, summer of 2009.  I went to New Orleans with the high school youth group, summer of 2010.  I traveled to Las Vegas with the Pinter family June of 2010.  I also went to Florida to visit the Richter family October of 2010.

Hanging out in Vegas with the Pinter crew!

Jeremy, our DCE biting an alligator in New Orleans!

We have had multiple side jobs including coaching flag football, soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball, tutoring and working for New York and Company. 

We have gone to many concerts, including Jeremy Camp, Mercy Me, Toby Mac, Third Day, and Rascal Flatts.

We have seen countless movies, and added to our movie collection.  We are now the proud owners of two DVD stands!!

Tyler's pride and joy!!

We have bought rented two apartments, lived with the in-laws, rented a house, and bought a house!  

The day we got our keys and moved in!

We have furnished our home, and then bought new furniture to turn our house into a home.

We have had many people come to stay with us, and taken them out to the zoo, movies, spring training, and yummy places to eat.

Piol visit, Howl at the Moon, November 2009

Melting Pot with the Richter's before they moved to Florida, August 2010

We have both worked on our masters, and almost finished!!

We have fallen in love with each other more and more every day, and we are now falling in love with Brandon.  We have been blessed with our baby boy, who we can't wait to join our family in just a short nine weeks!!

June 2008, Dave and Busters, Orange County

June 2008, Gondola Ride, Newport Beach

June 30, 2009 ~ 1 year!!  Sedona, Arizona

July 5, 2010 ~ Eating our wedding cake with Susan!

Matt's 30th birthday!  August 2009

Saying goodbye to my childhood home!!  June 2011

Heading off on our honeymoon!!  July 2007

June 2010

Brandon going on Toy Story at Disneyland, March 2011

31 Weeks

A lot has happened in the past week!  I can't believe how quickly the time is flying!!  Tyler and I are still working hard on getting the house ready for Brandon, and all of our guests that are going to be joining us in the month of July.  We are very excited for the busy month ahead, but at the same time, sad that our summer is already half way over.

Last Wednesday I had another doctor's appointment, and we found out that we graduated.  Now we get to start going to the doctors every two weeks.  That means we go again next week, and then hopefully I'll be able to schedule my appointment after that for when my mom is here.  :)   It would be awesome if she got to go with me, because she hasn't made any appointments yet, and then she can hear his heartbeat too!!  I got a phone call from the doctor today, and found out that I failed the glucose test last week.  That means I get to go in for a three hour test tomorrow!!  I'm oh so excited about that one!!  I had to start fasting at 8:00 tonight, which includes water as well!!  It is really hard to be living in the desert in the middle of the summer, not drinking anything.  Luckily I'm going to go to bed soon, and then hopefully I'll sleep in (at least until 7), so it won't be as bad in the morning.  I know I'll be starving though.  Especially since I ate breakfast at 6:30 yesterday, and 7:00 this morning.  The doctor also told me that I'm anemic, so I had to start taking Iron as well.  For those of you who don't know, I can't swallow, so finding iron in liquid form was hard enough, but then paying for it was even harder.  I got 240 mL for $15, and I have to take 20 mL every day.  Needless to say, I'm going to search the internet for a cheaper price to order the next bottle online tomorrow.  I'm going to take the bottle in that I have and make sure it is okay first.

Other than that, we have just been working hard around the house.  Tyler has been a great help getting everything ready since I'm not supposed to be lifting any thing.  We went to IKEA yesterday to buy my new desk, so now our office is set up with my computer in it.  I still have to finish cleaning out my office though, and moving stuff over.  It will be interesting to see how often we are both working at our computers, but it will be fun for a while to share this space.  I need to be done moving stuff out, or at least cleaning it up A LOT because our first July visitor is coming on Sunday!!

We also cleaned out some stuff from the kitchen.  We went through our spice cabinet, and started throwing stuff away that was outdated.  We also went through our cabinets, and moved some things around to make room for some things my mom is going to be bringing.  We are probably going to be doing Christmas at our house this year, unless they get their house first, so I'm pretty excited that I'll get all of my mom's Christmas china for at least the year!!  We've used this china for Christmas for as long as I can remember!!  I want to get my own stuff too, and I saw some at Khol's last year that I really liked, but I know it wouldn't be the same.

I also decided to redo the picture wall that we have downstairs, along with our bedroom picture wall.  I haven't finished either project yet, but that is what I plan on finishing this week.  I promise to put up pictures of that as soon as it is done as well.  I'm excited for the new pictures that are going to be going up, as some of the ones that we had on the wall were four years old!!  We'll still have some older pictures on the wall, but excited to show off some of the new additions, or adventures we've had with our loved ones!!

We just ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers as I go through testing tomorrow, and Brandon continues to grow.  It is amazing how much more active he is, and how often he is moving around.  I still feel pretty good, so I'm excited about that.  Tyler is finishing basketball camp this week as well, so he is excited that then he'll be able to stay home and relax with me.

Until next week, I hope that you all have a great 4th of July, and be safe!!

30 Weeks . . .

It's crazy to believe that I already only have 10 weeks left before Brandon will be joining this crazy world!!  We had a doctor's appointment yesterday which went well.  We got to see our doctor again because she was off for the last two appointments because she just had a baby.  We also have to register for classes soon, so we have to sign up for those.  We want to do them in July, but because of the dates they are offered I don't think that we'll be able to.  We may end up just doing them through the hospital instead, or waiting until August.

Now that we are back home Tyler is back at work.  He has basketball camp this week, and next week.  Him and one of the fifth grade teachers are running the camp, and this week they have something like 25 kids!!  Next week they only have 12, so they are looking forward to that.  Tyler has also been tutoring this week, and will continue that next week as well.

We have been working hard on getting things cleaned up, and ready here as well.  For the last two nights Tyler has painted the letters that we are going to hang on the wall, as I've been writing thank yous.  We have also started watching Criminal Minds, because my parents got Tyler the complete set for his birthday and we knew we wanted to wait until this summer to watch it!

Other than that, we aren't doing much.  We are just relaxing, and enjoying the fact that it is summer.  It's crazy to think that in a month we'll be going back to work already.  We are excited that we have a lot going on before then!!  In the month of July we'll have two good friends visit, as well as my mom come to visit too!

For those of thinking about visiting, right now on Southwest you can get cheap tickets!!  The only bad part is that you have to buy them by today.  For those coming from Orange County (hint, hint Nicole) they are $40, and those coming from Oakland (hint, hint, EVERYONE ELSE!!) they are only $80.  We would love to see you all, and can't wait to introduce Brandon to everyone!!  :)

Baby Shower

While we were in Northern California my mom and my aunt threw me a baby shower.  It was a blast to see friends and family that I haven't seen in a while.  My mom and aunt did an amazing job, and it was a lot of fun.  We didn't play very many games, which was nice, because it gave us time to talk.  

My mom and I

Brandon was spoiled by everyone there, and he got lots of amazing presents.  His bedding is now complete, and he got his pack and play, as well as his high chair!  He also got a lot of awesome clothes that we can't wait to put him in.  He even got his first Disney onesie!!  My mom had already sent him a Disney PJ set, but this onesie came from Aunt Bree and Uncle Kevin.  :)  He is going to melt some hearts in it.

It was nice to see friends that I haven't seen in a long time as well.  The guests ranged from family, grandmas (all four of them!), to family friends from when we were young, the vice Principal's secretary from high school, to my best friend's moms.  It was great to see everyone, and my only regret from the shower is not taking more pictures with people.  I wish I would have taken more pictures with these people who love and care for me and my family.  I have a few pictures with some people, but not very many.  For those of you who know me, pictures are huge in my life!!  I will make sure to do this at my next shower, so that way I can show Brandon all of the people who cared for him before he was out here in this crazy world with us!!

 Some of my High School Moms (My mom, Alex's mom, Brian's mom)

My cousin was the closest to how big my belly is!! 

Brooke was my little helper, she helped open all the presents.  (This beautiful blanket was handmade by my friend Heather's mom)

California Vacation

Tyler and I went to California to escape the heat, visit friends and family for a week and a half.  It was a blast, and nice to be able to get away.  We started in Orange County visiting the Steller family, and Tyler went back to his old school so we could see the teachers, and he could watch his last 5th grade class graduate 8th grade.  He always has a blast going back, and seeing his friends.  We don't get to see them very often, so it's nice to get away for a few days.

Uncle Jon and Aunt Nicole after an amazing dinner!

While we were in Orange County we were also able to have lunch with Dustin, who was in our wedding party.  It was nice to be able to spend some time with him, even though Julie and Connor were out of town.  We are really hoping that they will come visit this fall!

We also went to Disneyland one more time, to use our season passes on the day that they expired!!  I can't go on a bunch of rides, but we were able to go on Buzz and Pirates.  I really wanted to go on Toy Story, but I didn't want to wait in line for an hour.  We just walked around, and enjoyed being at Disneyland for a couple of hours.

Our last picture in front of the castle before Brandon comes!

After our two days in Orange County we drove up to my parent's house, so that way the five of us could head to Lake Tahoe!!  My family has been vacationing in Lake Tahoe for as long as a I can remember, and it is always a blast to go back.  No two trips are ever the same.

While we were in Tahoe we didn't end up doing much.  My mom and I worked hard on my pregnancy scrapbook, and we actually finished a majority of it.  We have everything scrapped up until the trip, so that was nice.  We played a lot of Catan, and a lot of Shanghai.  We also ate a lot of course. We went to dinner at the Sage Room, which is always an amazing meal!!  We had planned on going to the beach one day, so we thought we would go to the pool the day before to get a little color before we all went to the beach and fried.  Well, needless to say, we didn't end up going to the beach because my dad and I both fried at the pool and we were there for less than an hour!!  My mom and Tyler came out much better than us!!  We went to see Bobby Slayton while we were up there too.  My mom apologized before we went for anything that he might say that offended me.  I didn't think he was too bad, but I could tell he would offend some people.  I was just glad he hadn't made it down the line to pick on us, because he was picking on people in the audience!!  Our week ended way too quickly in Lake Tahoe, but it always seems to.

Out on the beach!

Packing up on our last day!

It was nice to just be able to relax, and do whatever we wanted while we were on vacation.  We didn't have to rush to get things done, or make sure that we were in certain places at a certain time.  Tyler and I love days like those.  :)

When we got back to my parent's house we were able to go to dinner with Bree and Kevin before we had to head back home.  We went to our usual spot, and it was nice to just be able to spend some time with them, and catch up.  We're praying for them right now, as Kevin is trying to get a job with a fire department.  No one is hiring, but he is taking lots of tests, and has an interview next month.  He is also thinking of applying for a job here, which we would love!!  :)  So please, keep them in your prayers!

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Bree after our yummy dinner!

Saying goodbye was hard of course, but it always is.  My mom is coming to visit next month, to bring her first truck load of stuff, but we won't see my dad again until the end of August.  Hopefully they'll be here before Brandon is so we can spend some time together, but if not, then this trip was my last trip as just the four of us.  It's crazy how you prepare for this, and know it is going to come, but then hits you all at once.

27 weeks

What another crazy week it has been.  So much has happened in the past week and a half.  Tyler finished school last Tuesday, and we were both blessed by his parents and students.   We were showered with gift cards, gifts, and the amazing sweet words in cute little cards!  Tyler finished up meetings on Thursday, and was ready for summer by Friday mid afternoon.

On Thursday my class threw me a surprise baby shower!  It was adorable!  My room mom, and some other handy moms had decorated the room for me, including a clothes line with clothes hanging!  The kids all had these adorable hats to wear, that they just loved!  We played some shower games, ate amazing food, and of course I had the cutest basket full of books and gifts ever!

Walking into my room!

The amazing parents who were there the day of (minus Eileen)

Friday was the last day of school, and even more parents came up to shower us with gifts and love.  I hope Brandon realizes how many people out here already love him and can't wait to meet him.  All of the parents at Shepherd and Christ have been amazing throughout this whole process!!  Friday was also a hard day because one of our families is moving to Minnesota.  It was really hard to watch them say goodbye to everyone, and to say goodbye to Angela.  She has been my aide for the past two years, and I loved knowing she would be there every Tuesday and Friday afternoon for a chat.  Plus I have had one of her boys every year since I came to Shepherd.  This would have been my first year without one of the boys in my room, but it's going to be hard not to see their smiling faces come running down the hall.

Friday night we flew out to Northern California for my sister's graduation.  She graduated Saturday morning from Sanoma State.  It was awesome to be able to go and see her graduate, and to see family.  Everyone was able to make it up for her graduation, which was awesome!  We got to spend time with my grandma, see my aunt and uncle who live in San Diego, and of course everyone else.  I only wish we were able to spend more time with everyone, but that is the way it worked out.

Mom and Dad with Rachel

Our aunts and uncle

Sunday night we were able to go to dinner and a movie with the Piols!  I love my time with them, and am so excited we'll see them again in just a few short weeks.  I know our time of just hanging out with them is getting closer and closer to being over.  Once my parents sell their house we won't be making trips back to the Bay for visits, so we'll have to plan special trips just to see them!  That will be great, because we'll be there to see them, but it's going to be fewer and further between.

When we came back on Monday we had a Diamondbacks game to go to with the Fischers.  The game was a blast, and the Dbacks kept kitting home run after home run.  Plus, our seats were AMAZING!!  We were sitting about ten rows behind home plate!  I don't think I have ever sat in such great seats!  It was nice to be able to relax and hang out with the Fischers too!  CJ is getting so big already, we joke that he will be driving by the time Brandon is born!

He's such a cutie!!

He is a big smiler now

We're determined for them to be BFFs!

Our amazing seats!

Yesterday I had to go back to work for our end of the year meeting.  At the end of the meeting the staff surprised me, and had bought us our travel system already!!  I was so surprised, and we are so thankful that they did this for us!  They also gave us a Target gift card that of course will be put to good use!  Tyler didn't have to go to work yesterday, so he stayed home and put the crib together!!  The nursery is now starting to feel and look more and more like a nursery.  We bought the bookshelf we were going to build, but we bought the wrong color, so now we have to return it and wait.  We bought it from Bed, Bath and Beyond because it was cheaper than the one on our registry, but BBB doesn't sell the bookcase in cherry, which all of the other furniture in the nursery is.  Target does sell it though, so we'll just wait for it to go back on sale at Target.

The crib!

Today they had a going away party for the Koumontzis at the park.  It was great to be able to go and see the kids.  They looked like they were having a great time, and really enjoying the day.  It was nice and cool today, so it was a great day to have a park morning.  The moms who put it together did an awesome job!  No tears today though, because I get to have lunch with Angela next week!  :)  I'll miss the boys, and they will have a special place in my heart!  Right before we were getting ready to leave Demi came and popped a water balloon on me!  If I wasn't seven months pregnant, and there were more balloons, I would have gotten him back, but I'm sure his brothers will do that for me!

Now Tyler and I are in full summer mode.  I turned in all of my paper work, so technically I don't have to go back to work any more this summer.  I'm sure I'll be there a lot in June to try and get things together before I start to feel too tired, or worn out.  I came home, and after lunch today took a tour hour nap.  I know I am going to start getting more tired, so I just want to make sure I stay productive in the mornings.