A Family Vehicle

Well, the baby hasn't arrived yet, but we're definitely getting ready. We've been wanting to purchase a family vehicle for a while - namely a minivan. But, with the vehicle market the way it is, we didn't think that was going to happen anytime soon. Today, we just happened to drive past a parking lot with a used 1998 Pontiac Transport for sale (like the one above). It's the exact van that my parents own, only white. So, we decided to stop and check it out. After driving it, having it checked out by Auto Zone and a mechanic, we made an offer. Our original offer was countered and we accepted! Matt will go to the Secretary of State this week and we will officially be a minivan family. It also feels good to know that we're able to pay cash for a new vehicle. Thank you Lord for providing!

Rachael's Personality

A Sad Day

Today was a sad day - the day Bwana left us for his new home. We weren't sure what day or time his new mother would call to come get him, so it kind of took us by surprise. Within 10 minutes of the phone call, she was here to pick him up. I was a basket case. As much as I wanted to find him a new home, I didn't realize how difficult it would be. I have to remind myself, "he's just a cat." Those of you cat-haters that are reading this, are probably finding it hard to be sympathetic. But, those of you that have had pets you adore and lost them or had to get rid of them, I'm sure you know what we're feeling. So, as pathetic as this sounds, Matt went to get me a movie and ice cream. Seems like a grand solution to feeling better about anything.

We really did love him. I feel bad that he needed to find another home. But, I'm excited to welcome our new addition, a little girl that will bring us much joy and fulfillment. And I'm sure will keep us busy!

More Christmas Pictures

Christmas 2007

Christmas came and went this year with a flash!  I can't believe we're already approaching the New Year.  What a whirlwind.  Here are some pictures from Christmas Day at my parents house. What fun we had!

Making Christmas Cookies

Matt and I started a new family tradition this year.  It's the first year that he and I have spent Christmas in our own home.  It's also our last year as a childless couple.  So, on Christmas Eve we decided to make Christmas cookies together.  And yes, I mean together.  Matt helped in each part of the process and we really had a great time! 

Merry Christmas

Today is Christmas Eve.  I can't believe it's already here!  This is the first year that Matt and I will wake up in our home together on Christmas Day.  It's also the last year that we will spend Christmas childless.  2008 holds many changes for us - and we are anticipating them greatly.  But, this morning as I reflect on the holiday festivities we will take part in, I'm most grateful for the birth of my Savior.  I'm celebrating more than a virgin, miracle birth.  I'm celebrating my own personal salvation - that Christ came to earth, lived a perfect life, and died a death that saved me from eternal separation from God.  Because of Christmas, I'm able to have a personal, vibrant relationship with the God of the universe.  Thank you Lord!

FOUND

It looks like we found a home for our cat.  It's bittersweet, really.  Monday night was our school's Christmas concert.  As we were leaving, a parent of one of Matt's students stopped us and said she was interested in our cat.  She lives in Indiana and already has 3 cats and a dog.  She said when she saw his picture, she thought he was "beautiful."  We were proud parents at that moment!  She was hoping to take the cat with her that evening - but we weren't ready to cut ties so quickly.  So, she's coming back on New Year's weekend to pick up Bwana (its much easier if I refer to him as "the cat").  Now that its final, I'm having second thoughts.  It seems like in the past week, he's been the sweetest cat ever.  (Which was totally not the case before.)  He has let me hold him, pet him, even play with him.  Then again, maybe its all my imagination.  Either way, he'll be leaving us in just one short week.  We're sorry to see him go - especially Matt - but know that soon after he leaves we'll have an even BETTER gift in our baby girl.  I'm certain the distraction of parenthood will help us get through this.

Free to a Good Home

Baby will be arriving soon and the cat needs to go.

Male Cat - 2 years old in February 2008

He is neutered, declawed in the front and up to date on most shots.  He is a great companion and is used to being around an energetic dog.  We would love to keep him, but with the baby arriving soon, want to reduce the amount of attention we have to focus on our pets.  

Let us know if you're interested.  We'd like to find him a home soon!

Mom's Birthday

My mom (soon to be grandma!) turned 49 this past week.  Sh...don't tell her I'm announcing her age on the world wide web.  To celebrate, we had a fondue dinner at Matt & Emily's house.  It was a lot of fun - with great food!

Church Baby Shower

I had my first baby shower yesterday.  It was so much fun!  My Aunt Sue and cousin Angie drove over for it.  Angie is also pregnant - which made for some very fun "pregnancy" stories.  Here are some pictures you can enjoy.  I am 34 weeks - only 6 to go!

Oh, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like...

...Christmas!  We decorated for Christmas two days after Thanksgiving.  Matt's mom was here and she helped me do it all in under 2 hours.  It was so much fun to decorate the tree with her. Definitely more interesting than decorating with Matt - but don't tell him I said so.

An Eventful Day

We usually say we're going to "relax" on Saturday - which rarely happens.  Here's what we did today:

1 - We woke up this morning planning to clean out the garage and put up a new garage door. Both of which actually happened.

What we didn't expect was our car being vandalized!  Because we have a one stall garage and two cars, Matt parks his car in the driveway each night.  Someone decided late last night to throw a beer bottle through his back window.  They must have thrown it pretty hard, because we found the bottle in the front passenger seat, with frozen beer everywhere.  We live in a nice neighborhood, just one block from the police station downtown, and rarely have any trouble with people who are up to no good.  Needless to say, this was a kind of discouraging start to our day.  We bought a nice piece of plexi-glass from Menards and duck taped it in place.  That'll do for now.

But, we have a new garage door and experienced the year's first snow today, so there's something to be excited about!