Great time in Germantown

This whole past week I've been in Germantown spending some wonderful time with family and friends. I know this will probably be the last trip I make home before our baby girl arrives. Andrew and I have decided to name her Kinley Ruth. We chose the name Kinley because my brother is a big mountain climber and even climbed Mt. McKinley in Alaska. We chose Ruth because we had been trying to have a child for a while. Our small group at church was reading through the book of Ruth. On the last night of the study, we were talking about how Ruth had been barren with her first husband and when she married Boaz, God blessed them with a child. We were able to tell our group that night that we were pregnant. We're very thankful for everyone's prayers and wanted to have a reminder of God's blessing to us. Later, we found out that Ruth is a family name on both Andrew's side and my side. :)

I had my first baby shower this past Saturday hosted by my mom's sweet friends. It was such a fun morning and I got some great things for Kinley. Here are some pics from the shower. I cannot figure out how to rotate the pictures. :(

Lake Getaway!

Andrew and I were able to enjoy a very relaxing get-away this past week at my boss's cabin on Tim's Ford Lake! On our way down, we stopped in Murfreesboro and caught up with old friends. We got to meet our friend's new baby girl Stella. She is so precious! We also ate at Andrew's favorite Murfreesboro restaurant, Camino Real, and caught up with several of our former youth students. Every time I'm around them, it just reminds me that I'm getting old. Some of them are preparing to go off to college and others are going to be seniors this year. Where does the time go??

We really enjoyed our few days at the lake, away from the internet and distractions of everyday. It was sooo hot outside so we spent a lot of time inside reading, playing cards, working on a puzzle and just being lazy. We were very grateful that my boss let us stay here for a few days! We did make a day trip to Chattanooga and met up with Andrew's mom, sister and brother. It had been a while since we had been together, so it was great to see them.

On our way back to Louisville, we stopped again in Murfreesboro so we could eat at my favorite restaurant, Demos'! Man I love that place. During this whole pregnancy, all I could think about was a Demos' steak. I've wanted one so bad!! I was very happy to have my steak, spaghetti alfredo, bread and salad. I'm getting hungry again just thinking about it!

Here are a few pictures from our little vacation!

Me, Andrew and baby Stella Kramer

My boss's great lake house!

Just hanging out on the dock by the lake.

Eating at Big River Grille in Chattanooga with Andrew's mom, sister and brother.

Quick, let's take this picture before we all fry!

Time to brag on my brother!

I've got to give a little shout out to my brother, Karson! He completed his goal of climbing all 54 14,ooo-ft. mountains in Colorado! It's taken him 14 years to accomplish this goal. He climbed many of the mountains by himself. I wish I could post pictures of him on every summit. He is such an inspiration to us all. I truly cannot imagine doing what he did. I've climbed 7 of the 14ers and just never got into it like he did. He has loved climbing since he was born!!! The Memphis paper did a very nice article on. Here's a link to the wonderful article.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2010/jul/27/mountain-man/

Way to go Karson!! We're all so proud of you!

Sweet BABY GIRL!!

On Tuesday of this week Andrew and I went in for the 20 week ultrasound and got to see adorable pictures of our BABY GIRL!! My mom was able to be there for it as well, and it was very special to have her here. I must admit that I had already made up my mind that it was a boy. Andrew had felt the same way too, and we had picked a few boys names that we really liked. So when the ultrasound tech announced that we were having a girl, I think we were in shock! But we are so excited to have this blessing in our life and now, I think we are getting used to the idea of a daughter.

While my mom was here, we did lots of shopping and running around and couldn't resist buying things for our baby girl. We even picked out bedding and some decor for her room. If you know me very well, you know that pink is not my favorite color. So we're going with an adorable green and brown theme and I just love it!! I really wasnt planning on getting all this done for the nursery, but it's coming together so well. I know that Andrew and I will both have a really busy fall so it's nice to have all this taken care of. Here are some pictures of our girl and her cute room!

Waving to the world!

She may be sucking her thumb or just putting her hand in front of her face. So cute!

My sweet mom who spent the week helping me get the room ready!

5 months!

One of my dearest friends Jensey stopped in Louisville with her husband Nate. We were able to grab a quick lunch together. I have known Jensey since kindergarten and she is still such a wonderful friend. She and her husband are currently living in Orlando and are awesome wedding photographers, but they will be moving to Nashville soon, so it will be great to have them so close!

Our little girl's brown and green room!
(The white circle on the wall is a reflection from the mirror.)

June Happenings

I can't believe it's JULY!!! Where is this summer going? Andrew and I didnt have too much time to recover after our trip to Africa and Italy! We had a friend's wedding the weekend we returned. It was a beautiful wedding and the bride was gorgeous! The next weekend, we made a super quick trip down to Memphis to see my family. We had a great time playing with my niece and nephews and telling my family about our trip. I had another appointment with the doctor and June 15 and got to hear that wonderful heartbeat again! I just love it. Here are some pictures from this past month's events!

Tricia & Lee's Wedding June 6. It was a beautiful outdoor wedding
and everything was wonderful!

Me holding Andy & Caitlin's baby Emerson. She's a doll!

Me and my nephew on our trip to Memphis. I just can't get enough of his cheeks! He's too cute!

I LOVE these kiddos!!

Andrew and Kale

Nothing better than having a baby fall asleep on you!

Andrew and I at our church's annual 4th of July party!

Andrew starting to put a crib together! Yes, I know it's a little early,
but once Andrew starts school in August, he has no time!

Here's a belly shot at about 18 weeks pregnant! It just keeps growing.
We have an appointment on July 20 and we get to find out what we're having (hopefully).

Adventures in Africa and Rome!

Andrew and I had the opportunity to travel to North Africa and Rome a few weeks ago. While we were in Africa, it was awesome to see how the Lord is at work there. I often find myself putting God in a box, and it's always amazing when he reveals to me that he's so much bigger than I can even imagine. It's hard to even put into words some of the things we experienced. On our way back from Africa, we stopped in Rome for about a day and half. Even though we just had a short time in Rome, we were able to see lots of sites! We visited the Vatican and saw the Sistine Chapel along with St. Peter's Basilica. We were able to visit the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Circus Maximus, St. Pauls Basilica, the Spanish Steps (in the pouring rain), Trevi Fountain and some others. Here are tons of pictures from our adventure! I have tons more but tried to narrow it down. :)

Andrew and our friend Kamal.

Andrew and I at Sidi Bou Said..a beautiful area on the Mediterranean. Everything was painted blue and white in the whole area. I loved these blue doors!

In the mountains on our way to a village.

Kamal's mom making us yummy bread.

In front of a castle on the Mediterranean.

Great rock formations.

A city we stopped at. I had to go to the bathroom..oh the joys of being pregnant..haha. :)

Some chicken, french fries and not too sure about the other stuff.

Cow head anyone?? Yummy!

He's just missing his camel!

A roadside bbq place we ate at!

Here are pics from Rome. This is inside the Vatican.

Andrew and some Roman heads.

Me with the silly-looking guards.

Behind us is St. Peter's Basilica.

Our favorite little gelato place. We ate there both nights!

The Colosseum

This is Paul's tomb. Constantine supposedly had his body moved from a swampy area to this place where they built a church on top of his tomb.

Andrew pretending to race his chariot at the Circus Maximus.

Trevi Fountain

Dinner our last night there.

The belly is growing! Of course the Italian gelato

and food might have contributed to that as well. :)