Summertime

The weather has been great here. Hot and muggy. Usually I wouldn't consider that to be "great weather", but seeing things through Asher's eyes makes things more enjoyable. For example, we have been spending afternoons in his little blow-up pool in the yard. I fill it in the morning and by the afternoon the water feels great. It makes the heat bearable. And Popsicles have never tasted so good as when I eat them outside with Asher. He loves them and he's finally getting the hang of holding it by himself. The hot weather is so much more tolerable when you're experiencing it for the "first time."

The pregnancy is going well. I had another check-up today and the doctor said everything is looking great. I'm in the 15th week and the baby's heartbeat sounded strong. It's such a relief to hear that little heart beating at the doctor's office. My belly is getting bigger. It's not huge...yet, but there is definitely a baby bump. I lost a few pounds (due to the vomiting) but I try to distract myself during the day with activities and snacks. It's the worst in the morning, but some days the nausea is there all day. So on those days, I try to nap when Asher does so I can sleep through some of that yucky stuff. But things are going well and the baby is healthy and that's what's most important to me.

Jonathan's back is ok. For those of you who don't know, he's seeing the neurosurgeon tomorrow (June 27) to look at his lower spine. He had an MRI done and it showed a disk that wasn't normal (it's bulging or herniated, or something). We should find out more tomorrow at the doctor's office. They're going to see if some cortisone shots or epidural will help before they decide on surgery (as a last option). You can just be praying that Jonathan's spirit stays up. He's a very active guy and so this has been hard on his heart. No disc golf, no running, no golfing, nothing. He even gets sore some days walking. The pain is in his right hip and goes down his leg. He has some numbness and tingling in his right foot and sometimes up his calf. It just depends on the day. So you can be in prayer for his health and his spirit.

For the most part, things are going great. We are loving having a toddler around our home. He's such a joy. And puts a smile on Jonathan's face even when he's down about his health. Jonathan will lie on the floor to rest his back and Asher always crawls onto Jonathan's belly. It's really cute!

To Arkansas and Home Again

On May 31st we began our adventure to Rogers, Arkansas. Our friends, Clint and Jessica Alexander, moved down there over a year ago and we thought it was time to check out their new home. It was great to see them and their church, where Clint works as a Children's Ministry Leader and Jess helps out in the offices of the youth ministry. Here is a little about our journey to Arkansas and back.

May 31
Traveled to Cedar Rapids, IA for insurance business and stayed in Kansas City, MO for the night. Asher did not do well sleeping in the same room as us and we attempted to separate him from us with a "blanket wall." But it didn't work too well.

June 1









Arrive in Rogers, AR and tour the church. They had a huge rocking chair in the foyer of the children's building. Jonathan and Asher look so small in it. Clint's auditorium was decorated for "camp". Asher liked the little tent. Clint also played some of his kids' favorite praise songs. They were a lot of fun!

June 2
We visited a park and played on the swings. It was the first time Asher was big enough to really enjoy the swings. He was so cute in the swing! He fell on our way to the car and got a rock "stuck" in his forehead. That evening we went to the "Catfish Hole" for dinner. They are known for their fried catfish and hush puppies. It was really good and we met Clint and Jess's friend who have a little boy named Asher. He's about 6 months younger than our Asher. And they dressed up like Batman and Robin for Halloween too. It was bizarre. Oh, and they just let their church know that they are expecting another baby in January...and we're due in December. It's crazy! Also, at dinner we found out that there were two Jessica's, two Asher's and four Jon's. And only four other people with different names. It was really funny.


June 3









On Sunday we went to church and visited Clint in his true element. It was great seeing him interact with the kids. He did a wonderful job. In the afternoon, we went to Andy's for frozen custard. It was delicious. Asher and I shared a straw-ana sundae. He mostly just picked out the strawberries and bananas and didn't eat much custard. Then later that evening we went to the lake. It was beautiful. Asher wasn't scared of the water at all. He just walked right into the lake with his clothes on. Mom was right with him, but it didn't stop him from getting all wet. He just loved to splash around in the water.

June 4
We visited the Springdale Aquatic Center. It was amazing! It was $4 for adults and children and $2 for children 4 and younger. They had 2 regular water slides, 2 other water slides, a high dive and a low dive. They had an area for swimming, and intermediate play area, and a toddler/baby area. We spent most of our time in the toddler/baby area. The water is only a few inches deep and there were little fountains and things that squirted water. It was cute to watch Asher play. The sun was warm, but when it disappeared behind a cloud, the breeze was really chilly. After the pool, Asher went to Randy and Pat (Clint's Dad and Mom) and we adults went to play mini golf. We played an 18-hole round at Lokomotion and then two 18-hole rounds at Gator Golf. Jessica V got 7 holes-in-one and Jonathan got 6. It was so much fun to play mini golf at great outdoor courses. We would love to have mini golf like this in Ames.

June 5
We headed back to Ames. We had a great time in Arkansas and it was so much fun to see our friends again.

For more pictures of our trip, you can click on the picture of Asher in the right hand column. There are pictures in our family album and our friends. Check it out!

Another Arrow for our Quiver

We're pregnant with baby #2!! We're really excited and scared all at the same time. Our due date is December 19th and we are looking forward to having another little person in our home.

I've been feeling nauseous a lot so we would appreciate your prayers for that. But otherwise, we're doing well!

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. "
Psalm 127:3-5a

Asher at 14 Months

Asher is growing. Not in weight really, but in height. He seems to be getting quite a bit taller and he's beginning to climb. He loves the challenge of getting onto the couch, even though he's still unsuccessful. He did manage to make it onto the love seat by climbing into the basket, which holds our blankets, and up onto the love seat. He was pretty impressed with himself. But when I took him down so I could get it on film, he wouldn't do it. That always seems to be the case.

Asher spent about 5 days with his cousin Will, who is 6 1/2 months older than him. I think it was great for Asher because he's been trying to verbalize more and it seems like he's catching on to more things. It's great seeing his eyes light up like, "I get it!"

He's also running around a lot more and has become a little more picky with his food. In fact, lately, all he's wanted is vegetables. Funny, huh? He's even pushing aside his pizza for some peas. It's fun to see. But he loves his fruit snacks and usually cries when I say, "All gone." Now I have to show him the empty package to prove that they are, in fact, all gone. It's so much fun!