Ben's room is ready!

Now all we need is Ben! Gregg's dad is making us a changing table, and it isn't ready yet, but other than that, his room is ready for him! I spent a lot of time this weekend getting it done. It's so exciting! :)

Last night's project

I did this page last night in about 2 hours.

Lots of pictures

Madelyn's favorite thing to eat is yogurt. Here she is enjoying some.

These next couple pictures are from my grandfather's viewing. I got some cute shots of Madi, Chloe, and my grandmother.

Right before the viewing, after checking into our hotel, Gregg and Madi had a chance to go swimming. Madi was just about to go under in this picture. :)

Here I am today, at 34 weeks! We are getting so close now. I can't wait to meet our little guy. I am feeling great, especially now that I am done working. We have a lot to do yet to get ready, and I needed to stop working so we can take advantage of the weekends, and so that I can take advantage of getting as much sleep as possible before Ben's arrival.

Here is our completed den. I am soooo happy to have redone it before Ben's arrival. It feels so good out there, and Gregg and I have been using the room a lot more even in the last week. I think I will be scrapping more now that it's all out in the open, and I don't have to retreat to the back of the house to do it.

All the paneling you see is new, as well as the crown moulding, and the sliding glass door. Everything is so fresh and new!

It looks pretty crowded, but all this stuff was basically in Ben's room.

Here is Ben's room! We just finished painting and putting the trim and closet doors back up. We have maybe an hour of work yet to do, which I am hoping to do during Madi's naptime today.

Finally, last night we took Madi to the park. She loved it! It was a little cool outside, but that didn't stop her from having a blast! Every time we drive by the park, she squeals.

Playing Catch Up!

Just thought I would post a quick and short update. I am now 33 weeks, and find it hard to believe that this little guy could be here in 4 weeks. If he comes as early as Madelyn came, he will be here on April 20th! That's only 4 weeks and a couple days.

We have been making huge progress in the den. I will post pictures tonight, I hope. Tomorrow, Gregg is taking off and we are going to town on Ben's room. We have to take apart the home gym and put it back up in the den. That is our goal for tonight. We hope to have the room painted by Friday! I have to work this weekend, and then I have off the following weekend. I am only working 2 more weekends after that, and then I am going on maternity leave. I can't believe he is coming so soon!

I found out today that my good friend, Abbey, who used to live nearby, but now lives in North Carolina, just had her baby. I don't know if she was born last night or today, but I know her name is Cameron Elaine! CONGRATS, Jake and Abbey!!!! Can't wait to see her and hear the birth story! :)

That's it for now. I am going to do some better catching up on here tonight.

30+ weeks!

Madelyn has a new obsession with these boots. She wants to wear them all the time.

Here I am at almost 31 weeks! :)

Tomorrow Gregg, me and Madi are on our way to Western PA for my grandfather's funeral. Please keep our family in your prayers.

The angels came for Grandpa today

This is a picture of me, Madelyn, and my grandpa last year. Today at 1:35 p.m., the angels came and carried him to Jesus. I know this isn't a very good picture, and I am going to try to gather up some pictures of him from years ago to post. I am glad that I have pictures of him and Madelyn so one day I can show her who he was.



Ever since I can remember, my grandfather struggled with Parkinson's disease. When I was a little girl, my brother and I would make fun of him and how his fingers shook. I didn't know then that he had a disease and that he couldn't help it.



My grandfather was always very loving, but very protective of us. Even when we were teenagers, he would not let us ride our bikes in the street. We always had to be on the sidewalk. We were not allowed to get into his junk drawer for fear we would hurt ourselves on his scissors. If we did manage to get his permission to look in the junk drawer, he would watch over our shoulders like a hawk. And the pencil sharpener mounted inside the basement steps-- we were not allowed anywhere near it!



I have a million fond memories of my grandfather that I could go on forever telling. I am so very sad that he left this world, but I know that he is in the presence of God, and I couldn't be any happier about that! He had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and I know he has eternal life in Heaven with Him.



There is a song sung by David Phelps that seems like it was written for my grandfather.



Fly Again

Words & music by David Phelps



His trembling hands held the church pew that day,

stuggling to stand when they asked him to pray.

With wisdom and strength his words were spoken.

but his body grew weary for his wings were broken.



But he will fly once again.

He will soar with his wings unfolded.

Hear the angels applaud as he rides

on the wind to the arms of God.

And he will fly. He will fly again.



And on that day when he left for the sky

I saw him smile as he told me goodbye.

No more would he weep for missed tomorrows.

No more would he suffer in this land of sorrows.



But he will fly once again.

He will soar with his wings unfolded.

Hear the angels applaud as he rides

on the wind to the arms of God.

And he will fly. He will fly again.



I know that he’s in a better place.

I still dream of the day when I’ll see his face.

Then we’ll embrace, and...We will fly once again.

We will soar with our wings unfolded.

Hear the angels applaud as we ride

on the wind to the arms of God,

and we will fly. We will fly again.



Julius Eugene Arnold

September 25, 1927- March 3, 2008