Our Wonderful Little Reagan...

I just wanted to blog about how cute and darling our Reagan is... She has been so fun and energetic lately. This past Friday evening I thought I would cook something different and out of the ordinary. I've been feeling not so good this past week and haven't been able to do that much cooking. (sorry honey!) I believe Austin ate cinnamon rolls for supper Thursday night. Anyway, I made chicken stir-fry Friday night. I even made fried rice to go along with it and homemade Japanese "sauce." The sauce didn't turn out like I'd hoped, but oh well. While I was in the middle of my cooking Reagan was in the living room watching Dora. I was really concentrated on my cooking and didn't realize Reagan had taken her pants, pull-up, socks, and shoes off and was running laps around the living room and kitchen. When Austin got home from work he asked, "Why is Reagan running around half-naked?" For some reason lately she wants to be naked and running. I don't know why, but it's funny. The other night I just wanted to relax and take a bath and be ALONE! Well, Reagan took her clothes off and got into the tub with me. I couldn't help but laugh! I think she is beginning to enjoy dressing and UNdressing herself. Last night it was time for bed and she went in her room and put on her pink suede shoes and was tearing through the house. It was cute. Her little legs were going as fast as they could go! Reagan is also having "sympathy pains" with my pregnancy. I guess I've said that my stomach hurts alot and I don't feel well- b/c she tells me quite a bit now that her belly hurts! :) And in the morning when I feel sick she asks, "Mommy, you feel o.k?" "You all right?" When we ask her if she wants a baby brother or sister she says, "O.K!" I'm not sure she understands yet.

Last Wednesday we got her pics taken at Kid Shots for Easter. It was so fun! They have live bunnies and a lamb to pose in the pictures. The photographer got Reagan seated and posed and then brought the animals out. The first picture was taken with a brown bunny. The bunny was put in a little basket. But, the bunny didn't want to behave and kept trying to get out of the basket! :) Reagan would smile real big when the photographer would make her laugh and then her expression would turn back solemn. It was funny! We ended up choosing the picture of Reagan and the lamb - named Bella. Reagan has her arm around the lamb and it has it's head in her lap. The photographer said that it the first time she's seen Bella lay her head in someone's lap! Reagan is a real animal lover so we had a lot of fun! We got some really great pictures.
Reagan is a wonderful daughter and a joy to us- We love Reagan!!!!

God's is SO Good

I just wanted to reflect on God's faithfulness to our church body and in the life of our Pastor Keith Gilliam. Many of you probably don't know this, but our Pastor (age, 42) was diagnosed with Wagner's Disease last September and wasn't expected to live. He was in good health before this incident. It all started with a sinus infection that wouldn't clear up.-the onset of the disease was very, very quick. He spent 90 days in intensive care and was close to death four times throughout his stay. Wagner's is an auto-immune disease. What happens is your body literally starts attacking itself: it's organs, etc. His lowest point in the hospital was when he had his spleen (which had aparently died) removed and was put on a venilator.

But... Praise God today our Pastor was able to preach the word - in both services! I am amazed at God's faithfulness in his promises! Our Pastor is on the road to total recovery. Pastor Gilliam said the most important thing he has learned through this whole process is knowing God. He stated that he has always been a very driven and goal oriented person. But, more important than all of our goals, dreams, and plans should be our relationship with Christ and knowing Him! That is so true! I know I have many plans and goals for my life. Sometimes I allow these things to become more important than my relationship with Him. But, the thing to remember is that out of our relationship with Him comes all those things we are destined for. We can't help but walk in the fullness of Christ when we are following Him daily. So, knowing God intimately is the key! Everything else will fall into place. The things God has destined for us are already there, inside of us. We just need to walk them out with Him.

God is on the move at WPHC! Austin and I are so glad to be apart of such a wonderful family of God. Oh, by the way honey- praise and worship today was wonderful! You do a great job on the bass! You rock! And I'm not exaggerating folks!

The Little Bean Lives!

On Tuesday the 14th I went and had an ultrasound at the Women's Clinic. I am not suppose to see my doctor until the 23rd. However, there have been some things happening with me and my doctor wanted me to come in for an ultrasound just to make sure everything "was where it's suppose to be." I had never had an ultrasound this early in my pregnancy. With Reagan, I didn't get one until I was about four or five months along. So anyway, I went and got to look at our baby for the first time! The baby looks like a little bean. And the really cool thing was I saw it's heart beat! It looked like a tiny flicker. It is sooo amazing to me that you can see a baby's heart beat at 6 1/2 weeks!! So, as I was looking at the screen with the ultrasound tech, I thought- "Well, the little bean lives!" If Reagan were there with me she would have said, "There you are!" So, everything looks good and normal. Oh, they also printed out some pics of the "bean" so I could take them with me.- Not really one to frame. Later, we could say, "Look! There you are, a little dot!" Next week I will go back for my first official visit- finally!

I have definately been feeling sick. I started feel not so hot last Saturday. Somedays it's an all day sick. But, no throwing up. I will try not to be too descriptive on my blog about the not so nice things of pregnancy. But, just wanted to give you all an update. Hopefully I can snap some more pics of our family and post them really soon. I just haven't felt very well- until next time...

Great Children's Books

I just wanted to share some books that I think would be great to read with our little ones. Even if you don't have kids, keep these books in mind or read them to a younger family member or friend. Just READ!! I am convinced that books are a wonderful gift.

Bill Martin Jr.-

• "Brown Bear, Brown Bear What Do You See?"
• "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"

David Shannon-

• "No. David!" series

Eric Carl (awesome illustrator!)

• "The Very Hungry Catepillar"
• He has many others, you could just do a search on his name to pull up more.

Leo Lionni-

• "Frederick"
• "Swimmy"
• "Inch By Inch"

Ian Falconer-

• "Olivia" series

Also, if some of you out there like to read- an awesome book is "The Giver" by Lois Lowry. It's a young adult book but very well written. It is followed by two seqel books- "Gathering Blue" and "Messenger." I have yet to read these two but look forward to doing so. I hope posting this info. isn't boring to some. But, I just wanted to pass this along... There are many, many more great children's books out there. I encourage you to read to your little ones- no matter how small they are. It's never to soon to start!

Minnie!

Last Friday we got to dog-sit Minnie. She is my dog but lives with my parents. They inherited her when I moved to Tulsa. However, my parents are in the process of selling their home and will have to live in an apartment for a while- until their new house is built. So, Minnie will probably come and live with us very soon! I am glad b/c Reagan has such a good time with her. Minnie is very tolerable of children and doesn't mind being messed with. Reagan wanted to get her picture made with Minnie. (although it was hard to get Minnie to hold still!) Reagan likes to hook Minnie up on her leash in the house and led her around. Friday, she was playing in her room and had Minnie's leash hung on one of the knobs on her dresser drawer. I guess she wanted Minnie to watch her play. It was cute!

I also got to watch Pride and Prejudice this weekend with some ladies from my church. We went out to dinner and then watched the movie on a big screen at a local high school theater. It was so much fun to get out with the girls. I thought the movie was great! I love the end!! It's so romantic! I liked it so much that Austin and I rented it the next night. He enjoyed it as well...

Well so far so good on my pregnancy. I will be four weeks along next Saturday. I don't have a doctor's appt. until the 28th of March. I thought that was a little long to have to wait. I thought I went earlier than that with Reagan. But, I can't really remember. So far, I am feeling good. Just tired and somtimes my stomach hurts at night. But, no nausea. I am praying this pregnancy will go smoother than my last. I already feel fat and bloated!! I've always heard that women show sooner with their second pregnancy. I can believe it! So, that 's all the news I have for now. Until next time