The BIG 3-0

Well I'm officially now part of the '30' club. I know a lot of people dread the idea of turning 30 or even 29. I guess I can't really say that I felt like that. So far it was a smooth transition. Honestly I can say I think 30 is going to be the start of probably the best yet season of my life. There have been so many wonderful milestones in the past 10 years for me:

19 yrs old - Meeting the man of my dreams, being in a new city, with new friends, chasing my dreams.
22- Getting engaged to that man and graduating from college, transitioning into the real world.
23- Getting married, buying our first home, being 'in love' and living it up.
23-27 - Coaching club volleyball, getting settled into the right job, really finding myself - as an adult, a wife, etc. And in my faith with God. God moved me in some powerful ways leading up to '27'
27- Had my first child. Cooper. Like everyone says, seriously the best thing that ever happen to us. Such a happy and perfect little guy. He fulfilled our lives and our marriage in a way we couldn't have really imagined until it happened. And to think for the beginning years of our marriage I was terrified of becoming a parent. I guess that's why I needed some time to figure myself out first.
28-30- Watching Cooper grow. And figuring out how to be a Mom.. and a parent. In the midst of that we faced some trials. Our basement flooding many, many times.  Struggled with selling our first home. A huge gamble and step of faith for us to trust that was the right choice. Finally selling it, but for much less than we had hoped. Living with family for 8 months, looking for our dream house. And trying to figure out the right location for us and our family of '3'. Waiting and just wondering what the next step would be.

Fast forward to now.. 30.

We live in our 'dream' house. Its absoluetly beautiful, everything that we wanted and more than I could have imagined. We got a great deal, otherwise we could have never afforded it. Seriously still after being here almost a year, everyday I look around and think, God is really good to us. I love our new home. I'm not sure that we really deserved it. Anticipating the arrival of our second child. Something we have waited a while for. We were waiting for the right timing. Taking 2 yrs to sell our first house, kinda slowed that down. But Gods timing is always right. We are excited and grateful there will be a 3 year age difference. And to make it just a little sweeter.. a baby girl.

So '30' scary and awful. No, not so much. More like the start of something pretty awesome. A season of life where we are past that newly wed 'in love' and we are past the trials of figuring out 'this whole marriage thing' and 'new careers'. Our love has grown and expanded in new ways. Its taking on new meaning.

Looking forward to the thirties.. and the new adventures of being a family of four.

Two Nanas

My parents came in town for my birthday this year. Which was also the same weekend we celebrated Cooper's 3rd birthday. So my 30th and Cooper's 3rd. My parents haven't been able to travel as much the past few years due to health reasons. And it was really great having them here for about a week and having them to celebrate our birthdays. I titled this entry.. Two Nanas because Cooper is always amazed when my parents come in town and we get together with Diana and he has 'two nanas' together in one place. He really gets a kick out of it.

My dad always brings Cooper fun surprises. This time my Dad brought some more of my old toys. Here Cooper is playing with my doctor set. Which was still in excellent shape for being over 20 yrs old. He went right to work on his animals.. ha!

My parents decided to give Cooper his birthday gift the day before his party. Since he would be geting quite a few gifts at the party. We thought it would be good to spread it out.

 

Cooper got a grill. And he tried to help Papa assemble it. 

Once it was done he made us all burgers.

Boy or Girl? Part II

Ok so if you read the early post you'll know that baby didn't cooperate at my 20 week ultrasound. So at my next check up we had a little better luck. Joe had a baseball game and wasn't able to go with me. So I had the doctor put the results in a envelope. Later that evening we went out to dinner.. And we let Cooper help us open the envelope. And the little note said...

It's a Girl!

Cooper will have a sister. I'll tell you I was pretty shocked. I'm super excited, but I think it will take a while to sink in.

See the video below.