Just a waitin'

I am sitting here...literally waiting on our sweet baby to get here. Why literally? Because I can't do much else. Sleeping is a thing of the past, eating usually leads to a stomach ache, and walking just increases the size of my elephant feet! Still, it is so worth it. Aaron and I are so excited to meet our baby we could just scream. Thinking back to just a few weeks ago, I wondered if and how everything would come together. There were so many things that needed to fall together. But God is so good and now I have the privilege to simply relax (kinda) and wait for our baby instead of running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Having our baby in Saipan has probably saved us thousands for the pure fact that we are doing with only the necessities. There is no elaborate nursery, gadgets, or gizmos...just me, Aaron, and our soon to be munkin. And it couldn't be any better.

Here are a few pics from our maternity shoot last Tuesday.

Life As We Know It

In just a few short weeks, our baby boy will be in our arms. This is such an exciting time in our lives...I don't think I can fully grasp it. In recent weeks, Aaron has taken on a new level of excitement. It is such a blessing to watch him get excited as new baby items arrive in the mail and he imagines our little one taking advantage of the items. It is fun to day dream with him. I am grateful to have him by my side during this process. This pregnancy, much less labor/delivery, and then caring for our son would have been insane without him. We are feeling really blessed. And though these last few weeks have been filled with physical discomfort and all sorts of craziness that comes with being pregnant on an island in the middle of nowhere, these are the days I think we will look back on as old people and smile.

Life on Saipan is like nothing else. It has definitely had it's ups and downs as we adjusted but it has become one of the(if not the) sweetest times in our marriage. We are privileged to spend most of our days together. We have learned to rejoice in the little things. We have grown spiritually in ways I didn't know were possible considering our briefness here thus far. We have a better grip of where our marriage and soon to be little family is headed and our purpose. And we even love our teeny tiny room that we live in. It's all very surreal. I look back on when I first heard about this opportunity in Saipan and this is indeed not what I expected it to be but it is exactly as God wants it...and it is beautiful. We have been humbled and changed in the most beautiful of ways.

Saipan is in need of a church...a fresh church that offers something...different. This island is in need of a revival. The island, to be frank, seems to be dying spiritually and the youth particularly are in desperate need of a message that they can understand. We feel like we have a role in making a difference in God's Kingdom here on Saipan and are really trying to understand what that role means. Be praying for us on that.

Something random and funny...some of you may know that I braid hair. I've been doing it for ages now and even went ahead and got my license a few years back to make it official. Well, the women on the island are intrigued to say that least. The are awestruck at the fact that I braid my own hair and the small population of African American women here are basically forming a line for my services. It is hilarious! Before my arrival to Saipan, women have literally been paying airfare to travel and get their hair braided with extensions. That is insane to me. And the local women in the island are amazed. To them it is this kind of old world luxurious beauty; something elaborate....and expensive. So to them all (American and native women)...me being here is miraculous. It's amazing how little gifts can be such a huge deal to someone else.

My Sweet Cameron

I found out two days ago that my cousin, Cameron Xavier Dansby had been killed. He was only 23. It breaks my heart. This is the cousin I grew up with. He lived in the same home with me when we were in elementary school and then again for a while in high school. We took dance class together as little children...he was so skinny and cute. As we grew into young adults, he took a different route, a route I wouldn't have chosen for him...but he was finding his way. And all too quickly, he was snatched from the earth a few short months after welcoming his son (who looks like his twin) into the world.

I cannot explain why this happened. Why he wasn't one who lost his way...then found it. Why he will never get that chance. I just can't say. But I find relief that I don't have all the answers. I thank God that I don't have to carry the weight and burden of knowing it all because as heavy as I have been feeling in these last few weeks of pregnancy, I am still far too small to carry that significant task. I do know that 5 years ago, Cameron and I sat in his mother's living room in the very early hours of the morning. I took his hand and I prayed for him. We recited the sinner's prayer. I have to find peace in that. I remember opening my eyes in the middle of the prayer seeing this young man across from me who literally seemed to radiate light in those few moments. I remember thinking "God is here". I couldn't help but see that little boy that I played cars with as a little girl, the little boy that weighed 50 lbs with the head of a basketball. The little boy that I called "My little Keebler Elf" because he had a round head with little pointy ears that kinda stuck out as a toddler.The young man I used to goof off with and jokingly freestyle battled with. I loved him so much. And it hurts to think I won't get to see him anymore and hear his silly jokes...not here on earth. I think I will even miss his occasional temper flare ups now...because love it or hate it, that was Cam. It hurts that people can be so unkind that they would take him from the earth so cruelly. It's not right but I trust God.

I trust God. And I will miss my little cousin but I will not spend life mourning him. I have far too many precious moments to hold onto for that.

I love you sweet Cam and trust that this is not the end.

Life in Saipan

These last few weeks have been insane...like something out of a movie. I can't even begin to explain everything so I won't try. I will say that we have grown tremendously and been changed by our move to Saipan. We have been deeply saturated in a cultural experience like none other, we have gotten to spend more time together in the last few weeks than we have in any other 4 weeks in our marriage. That has been a blessing. But things are different and there are things that we have to adjust to and things that we have to decide if we can adjust to. It's all very intense.

As far as baby, he is moving like never before. It reminds me of that game where those groundhound things pop out of holes all over and then going disappear. I have lumps appearing and disappearing all over my belly. It's pretty funny! I can't believe I am nearing 33 weeks. That is so insane to me. I have been looking forward to this moment since I was a little girl and here it is just weeks away! I have to say that as the time draws near it is bittersweet to imagine family and friends not here to celebrate with us. Particularly our mothers and sisters being here to greet our sweet munchkin as he is just minutes new into the world. That is hard. But God is good and we continue to hold on to the fact that we are here for a purpose.

Overall this is truly a season of patience, obedience, and spiritual growth. Though there are difficult moments I believe Aaron and I have realized that we are both stronger and more resilent then we thought. We have also grown closer to one another through this process. And we have been able to spend these last few weeks of my pregnancy together, making decisions and enjoying each other's company. I can't say that this would be the case in the states and for that I am forever grateful.

Enough for today. I will be back soon. Honest :)

Big Changes!

I'm just going to pretend that I have not majorly failed at blogging for the entire month of July. I have actually been dreading writing this blog entry because so much has changed in a matter of a few weeks that I feared I would be writing the world's longest blog entry. But I will try to be brief.

In the world of pregnancy: I am HUGE! Bending has become a commodity along with a normal ankle size. But I am so very grateful to be this far along. I remember being in the first trimester things 30 weeks seemed years away. And here I am, closing in on 31! God is good and we could not be more excited to welcome our sweet baby boy. He has been moving and kicking and it is just so precious to be able to create life. I am completely grateful. As I fold his little clothes I get teary thinking of a little body fitting in these cute outfits one day soon.

In the world of our life in general, we moved! No...not down the street. That would be far too convenient. Instead, we moved across the world to a small gorgeous island called Saipan. It is a U.S. Territory that no one has heard of and it is pretty incredible. See the pictures?!

But rewinding a bit...how did this come to be?!?! I actually heard about it from my now previous boss. He is helping to start a golf school here in Saipan and mentioned that they were looking for a young Christian couple to stay in the dorms and serve as houseparents to the kids. That's us! So it's really that easy. We prayed about it, communicated back and forth with the individuals heading the program up in Saipan and about 5 weeks later we were on a 18 trek to Saipan from good ol' Houston, TX. And here we are. The opportunity is very exciting though it has turned into something a bit different from what we originally thought. There are no children here yet and most likely won't be until September or October at the very earliest. So our focus has been preparing for them, marketing, and getting the basics taken care of. I think it works out pretty well as it has given us time to get acquainted with things here. The island is lovely and the people are most hospitable. It's great place to raise a family. The only unfortunate thing is that the island is really struggling economically. It largely depended on the garment industry up until a few years ago but was completely shut down by the US government due to wage issues. That could be another blog entirely but everyone has their own opinions. Either way, it is sad to see businesess abandoned or struggling, people living in poverty trying to make it day to day.

Before I left Houston, we had a lovely baby shower/going away party. See?!

There had to have been a good 60 people there. It was great...and sad to see so many of the people we love gathered in one place to acknowledge the pending birth of our sweet baby, but also our departure. These past weeks have been very emotional for us. We are excited because we truly feel God placed us here and that he orchestrated everything so beautifully so that we could be here. But it is hard nonetheless. We miss our families and some of the luxuries we took for granted in the states. But we are humbled as well...in a very healthy and spiritually awakening kind of way.

In sad news, we have to find another home for our puppy, Lilah. My mom moved into our house which has been great but I think Lilah is a bit much for her. So we are going to find her a good home with the help of my friend Katt and her husband. It is so hard to think of her as gone. She quickly became a part of our family and even though she chewed up a huge part of our home, we loved her. But we have to trust that this too is happening for a reason and that it will be best for our loving pup. She came into our life for a reason. It makes me cry to type this...so let's move on.

So that is that...quite the post full. There is so much more to say and write but I will save it for another entry, hopefully in the not too distant future. Thank you all for reading...for caring about our lives. We are excited to share with you our adventures in Saipan as well as our soon to be adventures in Parentland. This is sure to be an action packed blog in the coming months!

Until next time!

24/25 Weeks

I wrote a 24 week post and I just realized that it is not here! So now I have been forced to combine two weeks...again.

Recap...the last few weeks have been insane. Lilah was sick...now she's better (or at least getting there). There was a lot more in the vanishing post but I can't remember. :(

I can't believe tomorrow will make 26 weeks! I remember being in the first trimester thinking thirs trimester was decades away. Now it's practically here and I am unprepared! We finally picked out nursery furniture but other than that...we have done nothing!

There may be some pretty insane news coming up but I am going to hold off until it is final.

Other than that, I guess I've got nothing to say. Hmmmm, that's a first.

22/23 Weeks

Don't judge me!

I know I am way behind but life happens. I'm trying to think of something of importance to type but I'm really coming up with nothing.

Oh! We got a new doggie! Her name is Lilah. We got here from the Humane Society and it has been an adventure ever since. She has been to the vet about 4 times since we picked her up May 27th because she ripped the stitches out of her leg (from having her dew claws removed) which we think caused her 105 fever! In addition, we are hoping that she simply has kennel cough and not distemper because she has an interesting little cough which we have been giving her medicine for. Lord, please don't let her infect Seven! He just had bladder surgery 2 weeks ago...we could really use a break! Lilah is a real sweetheart though. She is a German Shepherd mix and although she has torn up quite a few things around here now, she is extremely loving and very obviously happy to have a home. Her and Seven are cute to watch and Seven is MOSTLY happy to have her around.

I had a Dr.'s appt this morning. All seems well. I have been having this delightfully intense pain near my side which my Dr. believe is my gall bladder. She advised me to make note of what I was doing, or eating when the pain flared up and then to avoid doing it. Super... On a more pleasant note, I have only gained 12 lbs this pregnancy so woohoo!!!

We should be wrapping up baby furniture shopping today. We just started it yesterday officially but I have quickly discovered that with all the options out there, it's a good idea to just pick one and move on with our lives.

So that's that! Here's a picture of our sweet Lilah and I will try to get a picture of me up soon as well!

'Til next time...