More Rehearsal Pictures

The Rehearsal

4 months pregnant

I just couldn't resist adding another blog about my pregnancy. I'm officially 4 months pregnant this week and boy am I feeling it. Most of my pregnancy books say "At this point, people might start wondering if you're pregnant, because your belly is starting to pooch out." Well, let me tell you, my belly is more than "pooching out." I feel like I could be mistaken for 8 months pregnant at times. And for those of you that haven't been pregnant before, you'll be surprised to know that your bely can actually be much bigger at night before you go to bed. It's the strangest thing. I'm still waiting to feel the baby move. I can't wait! It could be several weeks before I feel anything - and I'm anxiously awaiting it. And lastly, I got for a check-up next Wednesday and will schedule an ultrasoud to find out the gender of our little one. We're hoping for a boy, but will be happy with either. We'll keep you posted.

Grace SL

This weekend Matt spoke at "Grace SL" a senior high camping trip at our church. We spent two nights in the woods - roughing it! It was a lot of fun. Here are some pictures!

More Belly

I've procrastinated on blogging...mostly because we've been too busy, but also because I'm not sure what to blog about. I know most of you are interested in the fact that we're having a baby - but do you want to read about it in every post? Probably not. So, here's another set of "belly" pictures. The belly seems to be growing at a rapid pace. In one week I've grown out of normal clothes, but am not yet into maternity clothes. As much as I hate to admit it, stretchy pants and mumus sound like the most comfortable option. No worries, the mumu won't see the light of day - and I promise my stretchy pants won't have stirrups on the end. Haha!

Vacation Bible CHAOS

This week is vacation Bible time at our church and what a CHAOTIC time it is! We get home each night around 5pm, scarf down a quick dinner and head over to church to handle 50+ 9-year olds. It's a super crazy time - but its also incredible. Imagine 400+ kids in an auditorium singing "I will boast in the Lord my God!" You know, when you think about what heaven is going to be like, do you ever picture children? I know I haven't. But this week I think I've gotten a glimpse of what it might be like. It's refreshing.

Ultrasound #2

Party Like A Dog

Boogaloo turned 2 years old this week. And boy did we have a party! Last year at this time, we were busy moving to Michigan, so Booga's 1st birthday got lost in the jumble. I thought it was only appropriate to throw her a birthday party with her best friends - the little girls next door. So enjoy these pictures, because when the baby comes, Booga won't be getting as much blog time. Haha.

Must be nice...

...to be a cat.

Prego

Ok, so I didn't want to do this, but here's the first prego pictures. I guess its only fair to share the good, the bad and the UGLY right? :) Is it really possible to be showing this much at 12 weeks?

Pictures from the Holiday

This is the life...

We're at the cottage...yes, with wireless internet access, enjoying the sun, lake, seadoo and family. How can a vacation get any better than this? Get up in the morning, eat a wonderful breakfast usually involving homemade jam, put your bathing suit on, enjoy the sun and seadoo all day, eat lots of fruit, fresh veggies and junk, stay up late playing cards and laughing until our sides hurt and then going to bed only to do it all over again the next day. We love this time of year and the best vacation time ever. Pictures to come when we return to the real world.

Yeah for Fourth of July

It's been a busy week already and the fourth isn't even here yet! Matt and I spent last weekend at the family cottage in Lake City, Michigan. What a relaxing time! We both agreed that its the only place we can go to feel truly relaxed. Then, when we arrived home on Sunday night, Matt's sister and her family came to visit us for the week. They will be here until Thursday morning. At which time, we will be leaving for the cottage once again! So, we're busy as always, but finding time to relax, enjoy the weather and time with family, as well each other.

Pictures will be posted soon...

Sinning with the MAC

Ok, so that title sounds terrible. Mostly what I mean is I'm borrowing a brand new MacBook for the evening, test driving it to see whether or not this would be a good computer for me to use as I transition into working from home in the fall. Considering the fact that I've only been home 20 minutes and on it ever since, I think I'm leaning in this direction. I LOVE MACS! I'm addicted to the look, feel, easy use and wonderful graphics. Needless to say, I'm sold.

What kind of coffee are you...

You Are a Frappacino

At your best, you are: fun loving, sweet, and modern At your worst, you are: childish and over indulgent You drink coffee when: you're craving something sweet Your caffeine addiction level: low

What Kind of Coffee Are You?

A Miracle!

It's such a miracle that this little blob will soon by our little baby. I went to my first doctor's appointment today, expecting to get a regular exam and was offered an ultrasound! I even got to see the little heart beating away. I was reminded how wonderful our God is - and how creative!

Matt was really bummed that he didn't get to be there, but I did get to take home this souvenir of a picture. I've never seen my husband as giddy as he was today. It was a joy to see!

Well, enjoy...I'm sure we'll have many more to come!

Big Week

It's been a busy week around the Neal household. Matt completed his last day of school on Wednesday (WOO HOO!) which means he can finally start to relax before the next school year begins. We also watched my sisters graduated from High School on Wednesday night. That was a very cool thing. It's going to be a big year for my parents - my sisters graduate and go to college, my brother graduated from college and gets married this summer, and Matt and I are having a baby. We like to do it all at once in our family! :)

Speaking of the pregnancy - I've been feeling pretty good today. This past week wasn't so hot - with lots of nausea and fatigue. But I've got lots of rest this weekend and am looking forward to a three day week. We're leaving for KY on Thursday morning to celebrate Father's Day with Matt's family. If you go to Grace - look for us on Sunday!

EXPECTING!

So, if you haven't heard the news, you were probably shocked to see the baby development ticker I just added to my blog. Yes, Matthew and I are expecting our first baby in January! We're very excited to share the news with our loved ones. I am 6 weeks along and thrilled to be starting a family!

Bridal Shower, Open House Exhaustion

Congrats to the babies in the family - they have graduated from high school! Sarah and Leah not only turned 18 this year, but are giving my parents gray hairs by the minute by going off to college. It's an exciting time in my parents' life. My brother gets married this summer, my sisters are going off to college. What next?

We also had a bridal shower for my soon to be sister-in-law yesterday. It was a lot of fun. The entire family came down for the two big parties. Needless to say, it was a day full of hugs, laughter and lots of catching up. By the end of the day, I was actually in bed before Matt for once. That'll tell you how exhausted I was.

It's raining and cloudy today. I can actually say that I'm happy about that. It's a great excuse for me to come home from church, snuggle up on the couch and read a book. Yeah for rainy Sunday afternoons.

Summer Heat

It's so hot in our house. We still don't have AC - except for a window unit in our bedroom. I suppose I should be happy, after visiting so many foreign countries where AC is a commodity. And its much hotter in most of those places. But, I'm not. I'm clouded by the American lifestyle which tells me I'm entitled to it. Ha ha. You know its hot when your dog collapses halfway through walking down the hallway. The floor must have felt "cool" there. Ha ha.

New Business?

So, I've been thinking about starting a little side business. This past week, I helped my brother and his fiance design their wedding invitations. It was a lot of fun - and surprisingly I found out I was pretty good at it. This has prompted the question...Should I start doing this on the side? I'm hoping to get a bit of experience under my belt before jumping in head first. So, if you know anyone that would like to have custom invitations designed - at no design charge - just let me know. I'll be posting some photos soon of my samples - but am open to new designs as well.

Hearing Woes

So, I'm going in for my first CT Scan today to make sure I have a brain in my head. Just kidding. I really am getting a CT Scan done, but its to see how much scar tissue I have in my right ear from a boating accident that happened years ago. Either way, the doctor thinks I'm going to need surgery to remove the tissue. Hopefully this will help my hearing to improve in that ear. Be praying that the surgery will be outpatient and only last one hour (if you wanted to get specific)!

Also, we've been enjoying a fun-filled week of Tulip Time - Holland's Dutch Festival. I think they estimated 1 million people visiting our small town this week. Crazy! And we live in the heart of it all. It's a great way to get out enjoy the weather - smell the Tulips - eat lots of junk food - and visit friends. Now, after the parade tomorrow, I might change my tune. :)

Warmer Weather = No Blogging

Has anyone else noticed that when its nice outside, the computer stays off for days at a time? I'm usually a computer addict - paying bills, shopping, blogging, emailing - at least once a day! But, this past week, my laptop has stayed in its case for days at a time. The reason? Beautiful sunshine, warmer weather and a backyard that needs some serious help.

So...if you don't hear from me for a few days - I'm not dead. I'm just resurrecting my yard.

Flashback to Yesteryear

Saturday night was a night filled with "flashbacks" to my high school years. Matt and I attended Calvary's High School Banquet (prom), but this time as faculty! I went to that same prom each year for 6 years! It was a lot of fun this time...especially seeing it from an adult perspective.

Hey Peeps!

So my wife is making me write on this "blog" thingy (I'm old, I know). Our Zambia trip was great - action packed, nonstop, go go go that you would expect... but still a life-changing experience none the less. When you think short term missions trips, you probably think building stuff or tearing down stuff ~ to sum it up, this one was more relational. I'll never forget the bonds we made in the Siachatema village and school we visited. Just walking, talking, eating, visiting, praying and encouraging them were but a few of the things we did.

AIDS. There were some I met and prayed with that will not be alive at this time next year. POVERTY. Because of the recent drought some will not have enough to feed their families and will starve. Just a couple of things that cause me to look at my lot in life and see how truly blessed I am and that I have a responsibility with what God has entrusted me with. Enough said, pray for the communities we served and the missionaries who are laying down their all for the kingdom.

He's Home!

Yeah! Matt and his team arrived home safely yesterday. With a little trouble missing flights and enduring some sickness, we drove to Chicago to get them from O'Hare airport. From the little I've heard, it was a great trip and they were able to accomplish much! I'm hoping Matt will "blog" a little over the next week so you can hear firsthand how it went. Until then, enjoy this picture.

A Wedding and One More Day

I spent the weekend in snowy northern Michigan for my cousin Justin's wedding. It was beautiful and a wonderful way to spend Easter weekend. Justin has had a rough life, making some bad choices, but in the last few years has come to know the Lord in a very personal way. And, I truly believe that God has rewarded him with a wife like Krista. She is a beautiful, godly young woman, that loves Justin. It was such a blessing to watch them exchange their wedding vows and reminded me of my own. I have a renewed passion to see my marriage glorify Christ, which gets me to my second point...

Matthew comes home tomorrow! I can't believe he's been gone for a week and a half already. For those of you that have husbands that travel often, you probably are rolling your eyes at my next statement, but I'll say it anyways. I miss him a lot! We've only been apart for a week in our short three years of marriage. This has definitely been a huge test for me. And I think I succeeded. God used this time to refine some things in me that needed refining, and showed me that my confidence doesn't lie in my marriage to Matthew, but my salvation in Christ. And that will never leave me! Thank you Lord for your sacrifice on the cross for me...and thank you that many years ago, today, you rose from the grace to claim victory over death forever!

Until next time...

Before & After

Kitchen Before - YUCK!

Kitchen After - YEAH!

It's FINALLY FINISHED!

My new kitchen! Click here to view the entire picture album.

Almost there...

Here's the most recent progress on the kitchen. New backsplash, all the cabinets painted in some form (primed or finished), new hand towels to match and a nice new set of flowers! Should be finished in the next couple of days. Just enough time for me to get the house spic and span, go out of town for a wedding and surprise Matt on Monday!