Portraits by Kelli

I think that most of you already saw these photos that our friend Kelli Campbell took of us this past weekend, but I wanted to add just a few to the blog. I can't wait to have her take some of my belly as I get further along and then, of course, the little one once he's here!

"Keep Sailing Bob!"

We had our "What About Bob" sailing adventure this weekend. No one was actually tied to the mast, but we can now say, "I sail!"

Shawn, Kelli, Tristan and Kenna invited us to spend the weekend with them and we got to go out on their sailboat on Saturday. Here's a few pictures that I took, but I'm sure Kelli's got a lot more.

The Shawn's (as we'll call them) decided to swim to shore and back....I think it was a little bit farther than they had initially thought.

On the way back, it began to rain....and then to pour. Kelli, the kids and myself decided to stay inside at this point. We had a great time and will hopefully get to go out again before Shawn leaves.

A "Hello - Goodbye" Career

This life that Shawn has chosen for us is, for me, an honorable one. Everytime I go to an event where they pay tribute to military service men and women, I am so proud to be a part of that group. Everytime we have a Marine Corps function where we are surrounded by our military's finest (some would argue with me about that and I apologize to our Navy friends now :o) there is a huge sense of pride that we are a part of this group. I try to tell Shawn often how proud I am of him for making this commitment and that I am a Marine wife and that although I was hesitant about the military life for a long time, I absolutely love it now! How else would we get to see the country? How else would we meet all of the wonderful people we've met? And although this sounds greedy, how else would we have been as blessed as we are to have the things we have or to have taken the trips we have? As I've said many times before, God knows what he is doing with our lives and I'm thankful to be a part of this crazy ride!

As Shawn left for El Centro this morning, which will only be for 2 1/2 weeks, I realized that this upcoming deployment is not going to be as easy.



A while back, some friends and I were talking about what this deployment will be like for us. I made the comment that it's either going to be easier because we know what to expect, we know how to deal with it and because we have our group of friends this time.....or.....it's going to be more difficult because we know what to expect.


I think that I am going with the latter part of that statement today. Not because he's going to miss his baby being born...that's a given! But, because we do know how long 6 months is now. For him, he's going to be in the same exact spot that he was last time; nothing will be new or different. And because we will both be so anxious for him to hold his baby.

All that being said, we are closely approaching the day when Shawn will have to make a decision as to whether he will stay in the Marine Corps or go out into the "civilian" world (as us military folk call it) . This is a tough decision. I can voice my opinions and thoughts, but ultimately it is his decision. Shawn is the one working in this environment everyday and deploying every six months and he needs to figure out what is best for him.

"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 a hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Which is best...or more practicle?

TO ROCK OR TO GLIDE....THAT IS THE QUESTION

We were completely set on buying a rocking chair with Brady. That was until I sat in a couple of the gliders and got great recommendations from friends.

We cannot decided which we should get. We know that if we get a glider, we will probably only use it with each baby we have and it will stay confined to that room. But, with a rocking chair, we can use that forever and move it to other rooms if need be.

So, my question is to you all you moms out there.......which would you suggest?

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Did you all not realize it was Thanksgiving?

Mike and Averi Kempf decided that since our guys are going to be gone for another round of holidays, we should have Thanksgiving dinner early. And let me tell you, what a great idea that was! We had a ton of great food and luckily for me, I was wearing maternity pants, so I had plenty of room to keep stuffing myself :o)

Jen Beck, Kimzey, Adam, Chris Larson and Matt Beck

Mike putting the turkey on (notice the three dogs sitting to his left, waiting patiently for something to drop).

Mike carving the turkey.

Averi and Sheppard

Busy, busy, busy....and tired!!

We have been extremely busy the past couple of weeks. We had Drew and Holly (Shawn's brother and wife --- some of you were asking how they were related) in town for the 4th. We went to our squadron's Dining Out, had another ultrasound, went to an all day birthing class this past Saturday, went on a hospital tour this past Monday night, and Shawn's 30th birthday was the 14th, so we did some things for that. That may not sound like alot, but add that to a busy work schedule, other outside obligations, trying to plan predeployment leave, making a list of everything that needs to get done before he heads out....(the list could go on)....and you realize you haven't been to the grocery store or done any laundry in two weeks, the house is a disaster, the dog's been cooped up in his crate for way too long, and you both are absolutely exhausted at the end of the day! I remember us being like this right before Shawn deployed last time too......there just wasn't a dog, I didn't have a job and I wasn't pregnant. Am I sounding a little whiny??!! Well, maybe I am, but did I mention I was tired? It'll all get done. It always does!

We are planning a vacation with family in Asheville, NC in about a month. Shawn will actually be able to make his brother, Cody's football game in Fort Wayne before he heads out too. We have only seen him play at the championship game in Tennessee, so it'll be great for him to actually see where he's been going to school these past 4 years and watch a home game.

Shawn will be heading back to Iraq at the end of September. I am torn and have told him many times, I absolutely hate that he is leaving so quickly again, but I feel like the business of it all is making the pregnancy go by faster AND I'm ready for this baby to be here! We won't even get into the emotions of him not being here for his birth, but we know there have been many before us whom have been in the same situation and we will get through it too. Thank God for e-mail and pictures and video (Thank you to Cindi who got Shawn the cameras for the computers so we can see each other while he's gone..........who am I kidding, Shawn may want to see me, but he really just wants to see his son!!!!), because without that, it would make this all alot harder.

My friend Heather is planning a baby shower for me in October and my mom, sister, niece, grandma and mother-in-law will all be coming out for that. I am looking forward to having them here! I am also looking for suggestions as to what I can register for. We already have pretty much everything we could possibly need, but I'm sure there are other "can't live with out" items you other moms may want to pass along to me.

I didn't realize I was writing so much, so I'll just stop with that. Here are some pictures from the past couple of weeks.

Wooden airplane mobile Drew and Holly got for the baby.

Notre Dame bodysuit, Aunt Trina got for the baby! I can't wait to get it on him!!

Shawn eating his birthday ice cream at Texas Steakhouse.

Group of friends we had for Shawn's birthday dinner.

Jennifer got me this for Mother's day. It's really cute, but I hate to say it...it's kind of "moo-moo-esk". Maybe once I grow into it more, it won't look that way.

Shawn and Wrigley relaxin' on the couch (Wrigley's not on the couch, but as close as he could possibly get).

Cindi sent me this "Hoosier Momma" shirt :o)

Playboy (their "official" yet "unofficial" mascot) ice scultpture at the Dining Out

Shawn and Adam

Jamie, Heather, Me, Kimzey and Becky

Kimzey and I

Shawn's banner that was set up when we got home from the Dining Out.

And now for the pictures you were waiting for.......here's the latest of the little one!

Straight on shot of "boy" parts.

His little foot

Can you see his face? Turn your head to the right and then you can see him.

We absolutely loved this picture!! Shawn said he doesn't have his pointed chin yet :o)