17 weeks...almost 18

I know it's been a while, and I apologize for not keeping you updated more.  It has been a whirlwind of a month.

President's Day Weekend CJ (baby Fischer) was baptized, and it was awesome.  We were able to help Matt and Katie get ready by setting up the food, so that way they didn't have to rush home after church.  Then that Sunday night, Christie was supposed to fly in.  Now I say supposed to, because due to weather in Detroit she didn't actually make it in until Tuesday night.  It ended up working out though, because then she was here until Friday afternoon.  It was great to see her, and be able to catch up with some other friends for dinner on Wednesday and Thursday night.

A week after Christie left Breeann and Kevin came!!  I love when they come because it is always an adventure, and we never get to spend enough time with them.  Once my parents move here, we will be able to make trips up there just to see them, but it's so hard to go up there, and spend all of our time with them when I love spending time with my parents too!  The four of us ate a lot of course, but we also went to a Spring Training game.  Kevin loves the Giants, so we went to a Giant's game.  Now, before you get too excited, we didn't get to go to their home field though, we drove all the way over to the West Side to the Dodger's stadium.  It was still a lot of fun, and the best part was probably our pit stop at Denny's for the boys!!

Top Shelf didn't have a Pink Cadillac so this margarita had to do.

Kevin and Beautiful in our amazing seats at the game!

Our "normal" picture.  Apparently I have to say that now!

On Saturday our friends the Hulkes flew in so that way Andrew could interview at Christ.  We met Andrew two years ago when he was student teaching at Christ and Valley.  Emily and him got married that spring, and now they have been living in Denver.  We are so excited to find out if they are going to be coming out, but we are waiting just like everyone else, and praying for them.  The six of us went to eat at Oregano's, Tyler's new favorite place, and then we went out to play some mini golf.  The boys did awesome, and us girls had some fun!!

Our updated picture!!

On Sunday Tyler and I had to go to church for the beginning of Lutheran School's Week.  When we got home we took Bree and Kevin to breakfast at another one of Tyler's new favorites, Chompies.  Of course then we went to the bakery and spent $25 on cookies, brownies, and chocolate covered strawberries.  Well worth it!!  Sunday afternoon the boys played some video games, and Bree and I did some shopping. :)  It was nice to be able to go out and get some new clothes with a friend who would tell me if it didn't look good!!  We just stayed home Sunday night, BBQ some steaks and enjoying talking.

Monday morning came way too early of course, and it was time to say goodbye.  I hate leaving those I love, or having those I love leave, but at least this time it is only until June.  If only plane tickets weren't so much!!

Breeann and Kevin left right at the beginning of one of the busiest weeks of school for Tyler and I.  Lutheran School's Week!!  It is a week full of activities such as teacher vs. 8th grade volleyball, talent shows, reading days, dress up days, field day and grandparents day.  Throw in the fact that I was in charge of the Talent Show, and my kids were in charge of chapel that day, and needless to say it was a very stressful week for me!!  I tried to keep it light by dressing up to our theme days every day, but Tyler made fun of me.  He made me take a picture so that way everyone else could see how ridiculous I looked!

Monday - Crazy accessories day

Tuesday - 80s Day

Wednesday - PJ Day (my favorite)

Thursday - Field Day (Go Orange Team!)

For the Talent Show the teachers decided to do a flash mob to Black Eyed Peas, I've got a feeling.  If you haven't seen it before you should check it out!!  It was a lot of fun, and thanks to Chelsea and Lori it was easy to learn, and the kids loved it!!

Friday we had to wear normal clothes, since it was Grandparent's Day, hence the reason for no weird picture.  :)  Friday night we went to dinner with our friends Jeff and Carlee and it was nice to be able to relax after such a long week.

15 weeks

Saturday morning we headed out to Orange County to spend the week with my parents at Disneyland.  I was looking forward to this trip from the day that we planned it.  I was so excited to be able to see my parents, and to spend some time at Disney!!  For those of you who don't know, Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth.  We met up with my parents Saturday night and were able to of course, go and eat.  :)  Sunday we headed over to Disneyland Hotel, and Uncle Jay came down from LA to meet up with us!  Monday morning I woke up, and started not to feel well, but we pushed through the day.  We were able to get tickets to see World of Color, thanks to staying at the Disneyland hotel, so we had plans to see it that night.  I was so excited because it had opened the year before when Tyler and I were there, but it has always been so crazy to get tickets that we hadn't seen it yet.  It was an awesome show, due to us standing there and waiting for an hour and a half, but I loved it.  It's not as good as Fantasmic at Disney World, but I would see it again for sure!

 On the Jungle Cruise

My parents wanted to celebrate Tyler's birthday with us! 

We love the Toy Story Ride!

Breakfast at the Grand California

 Tyler is ready for take off

The baby wanted to play too! 

At least I beat him in accuracy 

 We were playing cards downstairs, and Goofy wanted to play with us!

The cool headboards in our rooms!

Tuesday morning I woke up not feeling so well, so we didn't a half day at Disney.  We went and played a little in the morning, took a nap, and then after dinner with Nicole, went back in for Toy Story.  Wednesday morning I woke up and was awful.  I didn't get to go in the park at all.  After breakfast we played Catan, and then I went back to bed.  Tyler worked on some homework, and my parents went shopping in the park.  We played some more cards, and then Tyler went to go see Dustin and Julie.  I was sad that I wasn't able to go and see them, but it was nice to be able to have down time when you don't feel well.  My parents were real troopers and hung out with me all day, even though I kept telling them they could go back into the park.

Thursday morning we all woke up up the lovely hour before 5 am to get ready to go home.  For those of you who don't know, LA traffic is awful, and none of us wanted to sit in it.  We were both home before noon, so it paid off.  Thursday morning was our only whole group picture too, but on my dad's camera, so I don't have it yet.  When I do, I will upload it!

When we got home I went to the doctor and it turned out I had an ear infection!!  What!? I haven't had one of those in FOREVER!!  I was really surprised, but it prompted my need to find an ear doctor here.  Friday I went to the dentist, and that was so much fun.  Saturday night I was able to coach my girls in a volleyball game, and we WON!!  It was a blast, and it reminded me how much I love these girls and missed them over the week.

This past week at school has been busy, as I have been trying to get caught up on everything.  I have let things get behind with Lutheran School's week, and then not feeling well.  Plus I didn't have my aid this week due to her traveling with her son for his hockey tournament.  I am looking forward to getting caught up today, as well as going to a cheer competition to cheer on my girls!!

I went to the doctor on Thursday and everything still looks great.  The baby's heart beat was 153, which others (not the doctor) then tell me means we're having a girl!!  We would be so excited to find out the bean is a girl, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up.  Someone in Tyler's class even bought him a picture frame that says "What a Whirl, It's a Girl" because that is how much she believes it's a girl, and she hasn't even seen me!!  We find out next month what the bean is, and we are so excited!!

I promise to update more often, and to start posting more belly pictures.  I know there aren't many on here, but before last night I kept thinking I just look bigger than normal, not pregnant.  When I was in the bathroom last night though, I turned sideways and I could say baby, not "fat" so that was a breakthrough for me.  I know Baby Bean is growing strong in there, but for those who know me, waiting is not one of my strong suits!!

12 weeks...almost 13

Our weekend took quite a different turn starting on Saturday.  We thought we were going to have a house full of people starting on Saturday, and lasting until Thursday.  Instead trips and planes were cancelled, so Tyler and I are enjoying our day off by ourselves.  To enjoy this lovely President's Day, Tyler gets to go to the dentist, and I just ordered some pictures from Costco.  I started a scrapbook for Katie, Matt and CJ, and still haven't finished.  I figured I should stop procrastinating, and get it done TODAY!!  :)  Plus, I am going to start the baby bean scrapbook, as well as try and start working on our wedding scrapbook.  My 2011 goal was to finish our wedding, and honeymoon, so we'll see how that goes.


I thought I would share some pictures with you, even though they are a little old at this point.

January 19, 8 weeks

TWINS!!  January 22

Nicole bought us our first baby present too!!  When we told her we were pregnant she asked if we could go to babies r us while she was here.  I was excited, but of course Tyler wasn't too thrilled.  After a yummy dinner at Carlos O'Brien he drove us up there, and we walked around the store checking everything out.  :)  Nicole bought us the cutest little picture frame that I can't wait to put up in the baby's room.  As soon as it is up, I'll share!!

I can't believe we're almost 13 weeks along, but we do go back to the doctor on Wednesday.  I'm excited that I've started to have some energy back, but I do enjoy relaxing and my mac and cheese still!

11 weeks . . . almost 12

It's hard to believe how quickly things are moving!!  I have finally started to get back some energy, but I'm praying that it stays with me.  We have some friends coming to visit for the next couple of weeks, so we are trying to get a ton of stuff done around the house.  It's crazy that we've already lived in the house for two years, and just the amount of stuff that we have.  We have started to downsize some things such as books and cds, but I know our movie collection will only continue to grow.  :)  Good thing we already own almost all of the Disney movies!!

We have decided that we aren't going to re-carpet yet, but we'll wait and do it in a few years.  Instead we will save the tax rebate money for when our baby bean comes.  We're so excited to find out if we're having a boy or girl, and can't wait until we do.  Hard to believe we still have to wait another couple of months.

We are both continuing to finish up our masters, and we ask that you continue to pray for us.  I just have to finish my project this semester, but we are concerned about what Tyler is going to be able to do.  He still has to student teach and we found out Wednesday night that they won't let him do it during the summer.  That means he may have to take three months off of work to student teach, and if you know me, that puts me in a panic when I think about our financials.  I know that God will provide, and show us the direction he has for Tyler, but it still worries us.

I'll put up new pictures soon, we go back to the doctor on February 23!!

Big News!!

Hey everyone!!  I know, I know, it's been forever since I updated our blog!!  Tyler and I have had quite a whirlwind of the fall, and just when we thought we were settling into a routine, something amazing happened to us.


On January 4, it was confirmed that Tyler and I are going to be parents!!  We had an idea that we were pregnant since about Christmas, but didn't share any of those ideas with anyone.  We told a couple of people that we were going to start trying for a baby, but never in our wildest imagination did we believe it would happen so fast!!


We had our first doctor's appointment this past Tuesday, January 25.  Our doctor confirmed that I am nine weeks pregnant, and that our baby bean is growing, and has a strong heart beat.  We are so excited to begin this journey, especially when really good friends of ours just adopted their first baby on January 11!


Overall I have been feeling pretty good.  I have had some days where I haven't felt my best, and I have battling a head cold the past couple of days.  Overall though, no really weird cravings, or sickness.


I will keep everyone updated about baby news, and I will try my best to keep this updated more as we go through our pregnancy, and then when we welcome our baby bean into the world!  Our baby bean is expected to join our family on September 1, my cousin Steven's birthday.


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.  "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Starting School

Summer has come to an end, and Tyler and I are returning to our classrooms.  I start school tomorrow, and Tyler starts on Thursday.  We are excited, nervous, anxious, happy, scared, and so much more about this school year.  We ask that you continue to pray for us as we are with our kids every day, and are teaching them about God and the world.  Please continue to lift up the Crane family as well.

Love and miss you all!

Crane Family

So much has happened in the last week, I don't even know where to begin.

Austin has gone to be with Jesus and his mom.  He was announced brain dead on Wednesday, and his body was finally shut down on Friday after he was able to donate 7 organs so other kids would be able to live.  He is a hero, and it is amazing to see how God is working through this already.  I know that this is what I am going to have to tell my kids on Wednesday, and I know it's true, but it is going to be so hard to face my kids, talk about this, and not cry.

Summer and Tia are doing as good as can be expected.  Both are still in medicated comas, but hopefully Summer will be coming out soon, and then Tia not too long after.  Dad is facing surgeries aggressively so that way he can be there for his daughters.

Tonight was another hard night, as a mom who was able to be there with Austin all week told us all about it.  It was a great therapy session and I know that we are all going to be effected by this for quite some time.

Once again Im' asking for your prayers for myself, our school, our staff, the Crane family, and our school families.  We are all going through this together, and are all trying to figure out what we can do to help.  If you feel led to help prayers are much appreciated, and soon I believe there will be a link on our school website so that way you can donate money to help with medical bills.  I don't even want to think about how much their medical bills will be once they are all recovered.

Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.  We miss and love you all!

Prayers please

A school family was in a fatal plane crash this afternoon, and I just found out.  We had Ben and Alison over for dinner tonight because they leave on Sunday to move to Florida.  I came upstairs and saw that both Andy and Matt had called me.  I knew it couldn't be good, but was never expecting this.  One of our families was flying home from San Diego, and the plane went down.  Mom was announced dead at the scene, and now the three kids and dad are in critical condition, but at different hospitals.  Please keep the family in your prayers as they are fighting for their lives, and then will have to figure out how to go on.  I love this family, and I am really struggling with this right now, and I know other staff members and school families will be as well.  Please keep our entire school, and school family in your prayers as well.  They are such an awesome family, and the mom was amazing.  It's hard to imagine that I won't see her next year, and the hard times those kids are going to have growing up without a mom.  Thank you all for your support, and prayers.  I really appreciate them, and know that their family will as well.

I just keep going back to my go to verse.

Isaiah 41:13
"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do NOT fear; I will help you."

All I can do is lift up my prayers to God, and know that he will be with that family.  At least I have the comfort in knowing that they are a family who fully believes and relies on Christ.  She will be missed, and I will make sure to keep you all updated.