Church Update

I have been meaning to write this particular update for several weeks, but you know how it is, right? Anyway, Zach and I chose a new church home last month, Sovereign Grace Church of Indiana. Some of you might remember that it's the church we visited on our first trip to Indiana back in May, but when we moved here in the summer we just weren't sure it was the right place for us. We began attending a Baptist church in the area but after nearly five months there we found ourselves pretty discontent. We still felt like strangers, and we didn't feel the church was helping us grow spiritually. It was hard to contemplate leaving, though, because the pastor and his wife really had made efforts to reach out to us, though no one else had.

The first Sunday we decided to revisit Sovereign Grace we immediately felt it was where we belong. Countless people introduced themselves to us and we were invited to a Care Group (small group Bible Study), which we've now been attending for a few weeks. The people at Sovereign Grace are passionate for Christ and that passion overflows into a love for people.

I still pray for our old church. They have a caring pastor who desires to see the congregation grow in numbers and maturity. But it's just not the right place for me and Zach. I am so thankful that God has led us to a place where we can worship Him with likeminded people and hear His Word preached well.

Do I Look Happy?

Because I am. Happy, that is, whenever I sit in my new chair. It arrived yesterday and it is the most comfortable piece of furniture I have ever owned. It was a bit of a splurge for us as far as nursery items go, but I think it was worth it. As soon as our kiddos (Lord willing, Austin will have at least one sibling) are a little bigger, this chair is going to move across the hall into my bedroom. I think I will be spending more time in the nursery for the next six weeks, though, now that there's a great place to sit and relax!

Surprise Shower

I went to Women's Club Book Group today expecting to just enjoy a nice discussion about our latest read, eat lunch, and come home, but after the discussion the ladies surprised me with a little baby shower! I was completely shocked, especially since I have only been part of the group for a few months. Austin received some cute clothes, a handmade sweater, some miscellaneous baby gear, and of course some books. I have been touched over and over again by how warmly the ladies of the IUP Women's Club have welcomed me into all of their activities. They have helped me enjoy my first year in Indiana so much.

Organizing

In general, I like to organize things. So I have spent quite a bit of time this past week doing a project that was fun for me on several levels: organizing all of our new baby things in Austin's room. I never would have guessed that it would take so long just to take tags off and to take things out of packages! Then on to the washing, sorting, and folding. But I am so happy with the results. The nursery seems pretty ready to welcome a new baby.

Sorting stuff into piles as it came out of packages

A closet full of cute clothes

Diapers, onesies, sleepers, blankets, towels, burp cloths...babies need so much stuff!

And while we're on the subject of baby stuff, I have a question for my mommy friends: what do newborns wear most for the first month or two? So far we have more clothes for the 3-9 month sizes than anything else so I think we might need to get more small stuff, but if so what should I get? I'd love some suggestions.

Missouri Shower

I was going to do a blog post about the baby shower that my mom and sister threw for me this past weekend, but I think that what you really need to do is check out Megan's post about the shower. It is cute and funny and has good pictures. My sister is so clever--I would never have thought to put anything on the cake besides "Welcome Austin" or something kind of boring like that. Also check out the personalized onesie that she bought for my little guy. So adorable! Austin has a wonderful aunt, that's for sure.

So I am back in Indiana now and don't anticipate doing any more traveling until after Austin arrives, which incidentally is just about eight weeks away. I can't believe his arrival is getting so close! After my baby showers, I feel like we have everything we need to be ready for him; it just needs to get organized in his room. I am really getting anxious for this little one to make his appearance!

New "Friends on the Web"

My dear friends John and Christy, who are missionaries in Mexico, have started a blog of their own. (Fun background note: Christy has been one of my best friends since high school and 4 years ago she married John, who is my second cousin!) Anyway, they minister to school-age kids through an afterschool program and to the community at large in dozens of ways. I am always amazed at the challenges they face and overcome by God's enabling. I encourage you to check out their blog and learn more about what the Lord is doing in Croc, Mexico.

Benjamin's

A few days ago Zach decided that he wanted to take me out for a nice dinner at Benjamin's, one of the more upscale restaurants in town. (We realize that we are running out of time for this kind of dining experience.) It was fabulous! I think I have a new favorite restaurant in Indiana. Too bad most of you live so far away because this place is definitely worth a visit. We started with roasted red pepper/tomato bisque that was sweet and creamy, then moved on to house salads with a creamy Italian dressing that was so delicious we started dipping our bread into it. (I know, not very elegant table manners, but we couldn't resist.) Then it was a chicken breast with lump crab meat and red peppers in a basil cream sauce for Zach and tenderloin medallions stuffed with Boursin cheese in a Merlot sauce for me. And as for the dessert tray...let's just say I wanted one of each thing they showed us but exercised restraint and split caramel cheesecake with Zach.

Sigh. Delicious food makes me so happy! Eating delicious food in a romantic setting with my husband makes me even more happy. If anyone out there is interested in babysitting an adorable baby (I'm sure he will be) in a few months so we can go back to Benjamin's, just let me know!

Texas Shower

I took a little trip to Texas this weekend for a baby shower thrown by my mother-in-law Becky and her sister Debbie. These two sweet ladies went all out to make sure that it would be a special day for me--the table you see is filled with my favorites like chocolate cake, chocolate cookies, fruit salad, and cheese. Austin continued to get spoiled by his friends and family as we received some wonderful gifts like his stroller and car seat, lots of adorable outfits, and some diapers. Pregnancy has made me realize how blessed I am to be part of not one but two families that love me and my unborn child so much!

M.F.E.O.

I think Zach and I were Made For Each Other, as the little girl in Sleepless in Seattle would say. Of course today is not the first time I have thought that, but being Valentine's Day it's been on my mind. I really cannot imagine another human being complementing me as well as he does. He gets my sense of humor. He shares my love of chocolate and other sweet goodies. He rubs my big belly and tells me I am beautiful. He hasn't moved downstairs to the guest bed despite the fact that between me and my pillows, sleeping with me must be like being in bed with a baby elephant. A baby elephant who rolls over a lot, taking his blankets with her. In short, he is just about perfect. I am so thankful that God gave him to me as my precious husband.

Zach and I decided to make dinner together to celebrate our sixth Valentine's Day as a married couple, and our last one as a family of two. We have cooked most years rather than go out; it's something we really enjoy doing together and especially now that we live in Indiana, our going out options are kind of limited. We made Pork and Apricot Ravioli with an Apricot and White Wine Sauce. It was quite tasty. The sauce was really sweet but it paired nicely with the savory pork in the ravioli. I remember now why we don't make homemade ravioli very often, though: it is a lot of work! I was pretty tired of standing at the stove by the end and actually had to sit down while Zach worked on the sauce for a while. I think all our efforts were worthwhile, though. It is a nice feeling to end up with a beautiful, delicious meal that you can share with the one you love.

Zach making the ravioli

Ready to eat!

Good News

My doctor called me this afternoon to tell me that the results of my three-hour glucose test were good. I am thankful that this turned out to be only the smallest of trials in my pregnancy. I really feel kind of bad sometimes that my pregnancy has gone so smoothly. Why does God give some of us such an easy time while others suffer so much while they're waiting to meet their little ones? There's no good answer to that, I guess. I will just try to keep a grateful attitude for all the mercies of health He has shown me for the last six months.

Finished at Last!

Yesterday I finished a cross-stitch project that I have been working on for nearly seven years! Putting the last stitch in was a very exciting moment for me--there were so many times I thought it would never get finished! I started it the summer Zach and I got engaged. I planned to finish it in the year before we got married so we could hang it in our bedroom. That obviously didn't happen. But three bedrooms later it is almost ready for the wall. I just need to iron it and have it framed.


My next project is going to be a wall hanging for Austin's room. Needless to say, I have chosen a much simpler design this time. Of course I hope to have it done before he's born, but no promises.

Baby Updates

Zach and I went to our first "Birth of the Family" class last night. Most of the information was stuff I already knew: the stages of labor, terms like presentation, effacement, dilation, etc. But most of it was new to Zach, so I guess the two hours were worth it. Next week we'll start learning breathing techniques and labor positions, which ought to be more interesting. I can hardly believe it's already time for us to be learning this stuff! My pregnancy has really flown by.

On the not-so-good side, I did the one-hour glucose test on Monday and my results came back too high so I have to do the three hour test. I am not so excited about that but am trying to remember that I have been blessed with an incredibly easy pregnancy so far and if I turn out to have gestational diabetes it will certainly not be the end of the world.

Weekend Trip

Zach and I spent the past two and a half days at Fort Myer, VA with nineteen tuba and euphonium players from IUP. The occasion: the United States Army Band's annual Tuba and Euphonium Conference. We had a good time and I think the students did, too. Just imagine, two whole days of tuba and euphonium recitals, open reading sessions, and all the horns and mouthpieces you could wish to try!

Okay, so if you're like me, that doesn't really sound all that appealing. But I wasn't about to sit at home by myself for the weekend when the chance to explore Washington, DC was at hand! I went to a few performances with Zach, but each afternoon I took the Metro into the city to visit the Smithsonian. Friday I went to the National Portrait Gallery and Saturday I went to the Museum of Natural History. I think my favorite parts of the Portrait Gallery were the temporary exhibition about Katharine Hepburn (I learned that one of my favorite movies, Bringing Up Baby, wasn't very popular when it came out but is a hit now) and the Presidential portraits. The highlight of the Natural History Museum was probably seeing the gems and minerals section, including the Hope Diamond and a bunch of other amazing gemstones.

All that exploring really wore me out, though. I guess it shouldn't be too surprising that at six months pregnant I don't have my normal stamina for sightseeing. Kudos to the Smithsonian museums for having plenty of benches.

A little update

Once again there have been some requests for an updated Courtney picture, so here you go. I want to point out the curtains on the window. Mom made those (this room would be so boring without her talents!) and we hung them yesterday. The room is getting cuter by the day!

My New Kitchen Toy

Finally, I have a slow cooker! I have been wanting one since we got married but I have always put off buying one, thinking I don't really have space for it. Now that we own our house, the realization set in: there's not going to be any more space than I have now! Plus, I am on the planning committee for the Women's Club annual Chili Party and one of our main responsibilities is to bring a batch of chili. Obviously, a slow cooker greatly facilitates the transport and serving of this chili. So my fellow committee members encouraged me to use this as an excuse to buy an item I've wanted for so long.

So friends, besides taking chili to the Chili Party, I don't really know what to do with my new appliance. I know a lot of you use your slow cookers regularly, though. Please send me recipes--I would love to have some tried and true favorites from friends!