Time for class...

Hi friends! Sorry for missing last week- it got a little crazy at work for both of us. But now our events are fewer and more stretched out... we're both working on VBS in June, and Jim is preparing for a local mission trip in July with prep mtgs and fundraising, etc. Even the slow times keep us busy, which is nice in a lot of ways.

We began our birthing class this Friday. We joined the 4 other couples on the second session (missed the first since it conflicted with Confirmation & First Communion- whoops!). So boy oh boy and girl oh girl... is this baby becoming more and more real! It was a pretty good class- though Jim's not too thrilled with the more personal graphic shots on the videos! But we did learn a lot of breathing techniques that reminded me of some contemplative prayer (and some yoga relaxation). Of course, after a few minutes of deep breathing, the babe had a lungful of good oxygen and started some tumbling... which broke my concentration pretty quick! Guess I'll have to figure out how to work WITH the little one in the next few weeks & months!

We also took our church's baptism class this weekend. Trying to get our ducks in a row with all that. Neat to meet up with other couples with young children.

AND- as if those two things weren't enough to bring home the fact that we'll bring home a baby in about 10 weeks (!)... last weekend, our TEAMS marriage group suprised us with some great gifts (stroller, clothes) and later in the week, we received a cool care package from our friend Kiki. She's a Physical Therapist who works with kiddos (birth-3) and in addition some cute towels and diaper bag, she also sent us a Kody Bear... an adorable bear named in memory of one of her kiddos who didn't make it through his 4th heart surgery. So now KodyBear is sent to us to make friends & remind the little one that Kiki's around even if she's far away. Really, Kik- way to make us both cry with that!!

Then, this weekend my godmother and a close family threw us a shower! People were very generous, which is always nice, but it was especially nice to see everyone... and how excited so many of our friends are for this little one's arrival! Although, almost everyone there was more like family than friends... over half the group has known me since I was a baby, and most of them were at our wedding too. It's pretty neat.

So we had lots of reminders that the babe is real, is really coming, sooner than later... and we're blessed in that and so many other ways. Thanks to all of you, too, who are following along from a distance and sending your love & prayers along :) You are appreciated!