Catching Up

See, I warned that this wouldn't be a regularly updated blog. I smartly foresaw me forgetting to update or running out of hours in the day. Excuse me while I give myself a pat on the back. OK, that is finished, now to cover the many topics to catch everyone up.

I used to think I loved winter. Since moving out here I realize I love do love winter, but only a Tennessee winter or just a southern winter in general. The winter in Colorado is a true and proper winter and I am not in love. The first few weeks of it was nice and beautiful and exciting. Now, going on the third month of it, I am not filled with wonder but rather dread or annoyance. To be perfectly honest, a lot of these feelings of ill-will to the snow has to do with being pregnant and not having the appropriate attire.

If I had the proper outerwear maybe I wouldn't slip or shiver so much. The slipping is the main issue thanks to already being off balanced and the lovely ice that remains in our building's parking lot for weeks after a winter storm. I have only fallen once, but I have to walk like Granny crossing the street with her walker. Slow and steady. Pretty sure I had 80 year old women walking faster than me. Pregnancy and falling do not go well together. Luckily I managed to get one leg to slip under me so it took the brunt of the impact. It has gotten to the point where if there is snow and ice Rob has to pick me up at the door like Driving Miss Daisy. It is a little embarrassing and irritating not being able to just walk to the car, but I would rather be a little embarrassed than hurt myself or, more importantly, Colt. Basically, this girl is ready for spring. I want the spring. I want the sun. I want the sunblock!

This Friday is Valentines Day. I think Rob and I will actually get to spend it together. That has only happened 3 times in the 9 years of being together. We really don't want to fight the crowds and go out so I think he will be breaking in his charcoal starter for the first time. Nice meal at home, maybe rent a movie or see what we can find on Netflix. Just being together is precious enough, we don't need to go all out. I am going to miss being near my parents for Valentines. My daddy and mama have always made a big to do about Valentines. Special cards individually selected for each child, a little treat of something sweet, and normally a family dinner or we help daddy make something special for mama. It is just another part of growing up and being an adult, having to say goodbye to little traditions and create your own.

Rob and I were VERY fortunate and received an unexpected package from my Mimi filled with goodies for Colt. A few Sleep-N-Plays and an infant towel/washcloth set, some wipes and bath products, and adorable socks. All of which we did not have. Such a blessing to receive gifts and help from afar. Rob also picked out some outfits for Colt, all 3 month sized, and they are so adorable.

The baseball outfit is so stinkin' cute! Slowly we are preparing for Colt, but we will get there eventually.

Rob has a four day weekend this week and we are thrilled. Keeping our fingers crossed that the weather will be pleasant and no more snow will fall. It has been lazily snowing all morning so far but not enough to cover anything or stick to the roads. Hopefully it will warm up and we can do some sightseeing or explore the area some  more. Of course we will steer clear of the mountains due to the avalanches but there is a lot to been seen in the downtown Colorado Springs area.

Signing off now so I can start our dinner for tonight.

Kick     kick,kick,kick     Kick!
That is Colt's greeting for today.

I cannot express how happy it makes me to be able to feel him moving and grooving. It has definitely helped greatly with anxiety and stress; each movement is a little reminder that he is still here and I am not dreaming.

I have spent the day planning an attack. An attack on our place. We have lived here with all our stuff for about six months now and I have come to the realization that we have too much stuff for our place. There are things that have yet to find a designated area and they will be evaluated and deemed necessary or not this weekend. I will also be removing any kitchen items I do not use or need. The same goes for just about every room. I am going to part with books that I have read several times, it is time for them to go on to new homes and make other people happy. Letting go of books is the hardest thing for me to do but I am determined to streamline our place into a mean, functioning machine. In order for that to happen sacrifices must be made.

I have been researching organizational tips and tricks and home organization blogs via Pinterest and Google. These are the top ones that have been the biggest help to me:

1. The Clover Lane Blog
2. Peter Walsh's Tips on Organizing
3. Conquering Clutter

I am pretty sure this is the nesting period of pregnancy because this is something that should have been done
 months ago. Whatever the reason, I feel like I will develop a permanent tic if I can't get this project done before Colt arrives.

We Are Going to be Friends

Today is a quiet cold, cold, cold, cold day. We are so blessed that neither of us have to work outside today. Because today is a cold (did I mention cold?) day I was planning on making soup for dinner but I found out I lack at least 1-3 key ingredients for all of my soup recipes. So, tonight will be an evening of feasting on the pasta dish left over from last night. It was a Pinterest recipe for Shrimp & Zucchini Pesto Pasta. Simple and easy and very filling. Here is the recipe.

This week we do not have a lot planned. I have decided to tackle a problem area in our place one at a time. Last week was the dining area, this week is the kitchen (mainly the cabinets and pantry). Being able to focus solely on one task at a time and working on it slowly so I can't overdo it is working wonderfully. It also is helping me stay busy an sane and cabin fever free. This weekend we have a church group meeting on Friday evening. Saturday is free of any plans as of now and Sunday is church and football.

I have an appointment next Tuesday with my OB. Just a general check up on my blood pressure and Colt's growth. It is hard to believe that in just a few months we will be holding our little guy in our arms. Excited? Yes! Anxious? Yes! Hormonal? Yes! Typical pregnancy reactions. Rob is starting to get really excited for Colt to arrive. We went last weekend and picked up some hand-me-down items from one of Rob's Sgts. We were blessed with a swing, walker, and exersaucer; all things we did not have. Such a blessing to receive help even when so far away from Tennessee. We will continue to add to our growing collection of baby things through the coming months and I am sure a lot of things will be bought after he is born. It is a fun time for us. I feel so blessed to be able to say that for the majority of this pregnancy I have felt great and have been really happy. Hopefully the remaining weeks will be just as wonderful. Pregnancy has given us a big perk; guaranteed visits from our parents when the little dude arrives. We are also trying to talk all our friends into vacationing in Colorado this summer.

Fingers crossed!

Ashelynn

Introductory Post

Why have we decided to create this blog? To keep our family and friends updated about what is going on out here in the wild west is the main reason for this blog, but a secondary reason is to keep everyone updated about our soon to arrive baby boy. This way we can post all the pictures we want without blowing up everyone's Facebook feeds. 

The short of it is that we love you guys and want to continue to share our lives with you, even if it is from afar. Blogging is something new to us and I hope it is something that we can learn how to do quickly. We do not want this to turn into diaries or a place to complain about how much we miss the South (though there might be a post or two reminiscing over sweet iced tea). We hope that we can use this technology as a place to nurture existing relationships and grow new ones. 

God has a purpose and a plan for us to be out here in the Springs. We are praying that whatever that may be we will be obedient and cheerful. How fortunate are we that we have a benevolent Father who gives us endless chances to grow in Him! Please continue to pray for us as we seek his will for our family's future. Without the support and encouragement from you guys things would look pretty grim; so, we thank you.

There will not be a set schedule for these posts. How foolish it would be to make that kind of commitment or promise when we cannot guarantee what will happen within a moment from now. Let's just say we will post as frequently as we remember. The remembering is the hard part thanks to a work schedule and pregnancy brain (you can guess which goes to which). 

Until Next Time.