Ultrasound and Life in General

Hi Everyone! Yes we are still alive -- Life has just been very busy lately! I finally have time tonight to post some ultrasound photos from Tuesday and update you on what's been happening since the last post.

First things first -- here are the first glimpses of Baby Barnette! (Cause I know that's really what you want to see!):


You kind of have to have a knack for looking at ultrasound pictures. It's amazing how much clearer things look on the actual screen than in the photos they give you. We still don't know what it is (which is what we want) and it was interesting b/c the ultrasound tech was kind of surprised we didn't even ask her after it was over. She told us that everything looked normal and ok for now. Baby (insert name here) weighs 12 oz. and from ear to ear measures 2 inches! I was glued to the monitor and could not help but keep looking at the tiny little thing. It is so amazing what we can do with technology and to get a glimpse of life for my baby while it's still inside me was absolutely facinating. The only thing that's changed is our due date. They think it's going to be around March 13th instead of 15th but still -- it's around that date.

I think Tosh was surprised. He said he didn't think it would be as clear as it was. I wish it could've lasted much longer -- I wanted to keep watching it squirming around. She/he was butt down and you can see in the last 4 shot photo (bottom left) the baby was pointing it's finger. My mom said it was saying "That's my mommy!" but I said it was saying "Just wait'll I get outta here"!

I haven't felt a whole lot of movement and the technician said it was because my placenta is in the front and is acting like a cushion of sorts so I can't feel a whole lot. She said the placenta could be anywhere (front, back, top, etc.) and that it was normal. My belly is beginning to explode! Which leads me to the next photos! These were taken at 20 weeks 1 day. I've been trying to do belly shots once every month.



OK, so I know it's not very drastic in the photos but it sure is to me!! Tosh and I were laughing about the fact that my belly button has suddenly become an "outtie" instead of an "innie" and it's really FREAKY!!! I know there are lots of books out there for us preggies to read, but I've just decided to forego it. It's sort of an adventure that I have no control over and just seem to notice the changes as they come. For example, I feel like I'm suddenly carrying around a dumbell in my midsection even though the baby isn't huge. I feel sluggish and it's hard to bend over. So many people keep telling me I look like I'm carrying a boy and most of my family seems to think it's going to be a boy. Who knows for sure right!? Until it comes out!!

Life in general is going OK. It's very interesting how quickly you can fall into the routine of "not going to church" regularly. I thought I'd think about it all the time since we were at LBC so much during the week, but I haven't. We are trying another church on Sunday so we'll see where that one goes. We are still praying for God to send us to the church He'd have us at.

I've been working now for two weeks at the Career Coach position and this week was my first week to be alone. It's been kind of difficult. You sort of have to "wing-it" at first until you get the hang of it. Once I get access to the seniors I think it'll be fine but it's the "getting into the classroom" part that's hard. My boss is super great and she's willing to work with me when the baby comes. I've also prepped all my schools in case I go into labor and I'm over an hour away that they'd need to take me to the nearest hospital. So I think I'm covered.

Some of the nice things about being back are the fact that it's only a half hour between our families houses. We're able to go up and see Tosh's dad and still see my family too. Living with my parents of course has it's problems, but we are adjusting and they have been more than kind in providing us the space we need to be here. Mom said she doesn't see us as a burden so much as it makes her feel needed again.

They were both there for the ultrasound (Mom and Dad) and they'd never seen one before b/c at the time mom was pregnant they didn't do them. So Dad and her both thought it was really amazing.

I'll be back in Lexington on November the 9th for Angie's baby shower at the church so hopefully I can catch up with everyone a bit. I'll be by myself since Tosh must work every Saturday in November. Then I'll be back up again for Deck the Halls on November 22nd.

We celebrated my dad's birthday on the 28th this month. He had a little accident and got that cut on his nose. Here's a picture:


Tosh is doing well and enjoying the job here I think. He's working a lot of long hours and has already had to do a Hunting Fatality. He is planning on taking off when the baby comes for several weeks so we can share the experience.

I am having a lot of trouble coming to grips with the fact that we might still be here at my parents when this baby arrives. I have this grand nursery planned out in my head and it's difficult to think about the fact we don't have a home to put it in yet. The Lord has a plan though and we must just keep trusting Him and His timing -- not ours.

Midnight and Punkin have adjusted very well. They have become very vocal since we moved in. I think it's b/c there are some other dogs and cats around here and they think they should talk too. I don't know though. It's weird how much the dog barks now when he never used to and the cat meows all the time. Especially for food! They are spoiled rotten.

Okay, enough blogging for now! Enjoy the photos and I hope everyone is well. Love to you all!

Of Preaching Styles and Churches

It is so interesting to travel to Southwest Virginia and hear the change of preaching style. Tosh and I attended a church service this morning and the gentleman was OK but he just took each part of the verses and went over them. He didn't bring anything out of it really and we found ourselves longing for more "teaching" and "practical" life application. So for those of you at LBC -- be THANKFUL for the teaching/preaching style of Pastor Michael.

The other thing the guy said that bothered me was that God took revenge upon Pharoah and his people by drowning them in the Red Sea. It just sat wrong with me. Mainly because God doesn't exact revenge on anyone-- only His righteous judgement and justice according to His great plan and purpose.

All through the service we never saw the pastor and when they said they had a guest speaker we thought the Pastor was just out of town. In the last five minutes of the service the guest speaker was encouraging the congregation not to worry that God would send them a new Shepherd soon -- then we realized they didn't HAVE a pastor. So we are kind of unsure about the church. Initially I felt right at home and they even had the same welcome packet and cards that LBC has. But the not having a pastor thing sort of made it feel uncertain.

There is still a few other churches we want to attend too. Thankfully Tosh is off every Sunday except one in November so we can continue to pray and visit around the area for a church.

Presidential Boredom and Happy Birthday MOM!

I don't know why but I really dislike listening to the Presidential run-arounds that these people come up with! So I'm going to come and blog instead!

I should probably start with the update from Monday. I went to MECC to visit with the Career Coach Director and fill out some paperwork. Everything went OK. The only down-side is that they only have a $125 pot of money for gas per month. Soooo that's not so great, but maybe I can make something work. The Director seems great and I think she'll work with me once she realizes I'm preggers. She's got tons of energy and that makes things a lot better.

Now for the CNM....I went to the Doctor on Tuesday to meet my new Certified Nurse Midwife. She is awesome! Tosh and I both felt like between the office staff and her we are set. The nicest nurse came and got us and then when Donna came in she saw my list of questions and she automatically said, "Let's go over those." So she was super patient and kind -- she felt like she really was intune with what I was asking/saying and she ended up saying at the end that prayer is powerful. She said she doesn't say that to many of her patients but I had mentioned something earlier about praying about her and this new move.

The downsides to the hospital birthing center here is that they don't have birthing balls or a room that you'll stay in after the L&D (but I can bring my own birthing ball). They end up moving you to a "clean room" after the birth. I forgot to ask about in-room stay for the baby but I hope they do that. We got to hear the heart beat again and she seemed to think it might be a boy based on several things. Which I've thought since the beginning that it was a boy -- mainly b/c the only dreams I've had have been about little boys. BUT -- it could be a girl! We don't know and we don't want to know. We go back on the 28th of this month for an OB Interview (not sure about what this is exactly) and the Ultrasound. So I'll hopefully have some pictures to share soon!! I'm really excited about seeing this little baby inside me.

Today was my first day on the job. I'm not sure about some things -- still feeling out the people and the process of this position. I've got training all day tomorrow and Friday and start full swing next week- job-shadowing, going to my schools, etc. It was so odd being back in my old High School today and seeing people that my Mom worked with for years and years. They all recognized me and it was nice to see them again, but kind of weird too. I've been gone from there since 2001 so it felt strange to be back on campus again. One neat thing was that we took this Career Assessment test and I was kind of wondering if mine would actually come out anywhere close to what I went to VT for. Surprisingly, my first career choice was Human Services -- exactly what my degree was at VT! Second was something to do with Art/Drama, which isn't surprising. The program we use is called KUDOR and it's very neat! I can't believe we didn't use this when I was in high school! It has tons of great information and career paths.

Friday is Football night! I finally get to go see my nephew, Ross, play football. He's a senior this year and he's playing quite a bit so I'm excited to share in a few more of his games before the season ends.

My mom called in some of her "favors" and found out a bit more on that full time Purchasing Clerk position I applied for. Looks like it's a dud. They probably won't hire someone before December and they don't think it'll pay more than $8.00/hr if that. There are more pressing positions they need filled right now in the County so this one isn't top of the list. Soo, I plan on just sticking with this Career Coach thing and seeing how that goes. Long drives to some of the schools -- one is about an hour or so away. That won't be the most fun but at least I can work in the schools and meet some new people and gain some different experience.

The leaves are falling here and it's so peaceful. At night and during the day most of the windows are open. Tosh and I heard some great horned owls about a week ago hooting back and forth at each other in the early morning hours and last night Tosh heard screech owls. It was such a neat blessing! We don't hear those kinds of birds unless we're camping, and the fact we can hear them in my parents back yard is just amazing! We've also got some flying squirrels around here that we keep hearing at night.

Midnight is spoiled rotten. He's become best buds with my parents two Huskie mixes, Star and Jake. They are ten times the size of him, but he just loves getting around them and trying to play. He goes outside all the time and he's found lots of sunny spots in the dining room on the hardwood floor to doze in during the day. Punkin's favorite spots seem to be the back of the couch and the back of the recliner. He's doing really well here too.

Not sure about all of you but we are being bombarded by ladybugs!!! It's that time of year I guess -- right? I sure do hate those little beatles though. They are annoying. I'm going to try out a new church on Sunday that's across the mountain from here -- about 20 minutes. I'm looking forward to it.

I hope to post some pictures soon of my Mom's birthday today that we celebrated. It was a great time and I got to help make the cake at my sister's house last night. That was kind of weird. I haven't gotten to spend time at her house or do something like that in years and it was special for us to share that time. Well, I'm off to bed -- I have to be up early for *gasp* work. :-)

Homecoming 2008

Here are some pictures from Lexington Baptist Church's Homecoming. Enjoy!



Tosh and I had a wonderful time with friends and it was very bittersweet. Corey's car ROCKS! Enjoy your ride, girl!

Tomorrow I go to my new Certified Nurse Midwife in TN. I'm really excited because I keep hearing lots of great things about her and I hope that all I've heard is true. I'll update once I have a better idea.

I got a job!

The Lord is so good! I got a call today from MECC and they offered me the position of College Career Coach. I went and signed the papers today and I will start next week! Yah!

I'm excited and I think it'll work out really well to have some days off during the week to be able to go to Dr's appointments and such.

The other great thing she told me was that it was advertised at $11.00/hr but they increased it to $14.00/hr! So it's even a little more money for us to have for the future.

2 Years Today

Happy Anniversary to us!

It's very hard to believe that two years have gone by. Last year we were celebrating by camping out at Grayson Highlands where Tosh proposed to me. It was COLD! We slept in coats but it was a great time. Here's a picture from last year:

It's sort of odd that this year we are at my parents house in Lee County. All we plan to do tonight is go to Kingsport, TN to The Chop House and have dinner. Tosh had to work today and he's off tomorrow so we'll at least get to spend some time together tomorrow -- but no trips are planned, sadly. I'm a bit bummed out over it because I wanted to get away for our anniversary this year since we have Baby Barnette on the way. But we are broke and homeless and can't really get away right now.
I'm having a bit of a yucky day today too. I feel pretty bad today for some reason. Stomach is achy and my head is achy and I don't feel well at all. Not sure what's up with that but hopefully I'll feel better this afternoon and we can enjoy dinner together.
The position here in Lee County is much more in-depth and demanding than the CPO position Tosh had in Rockbridge. He's been under tons of pressure and working very long hours so please pray for him. He is struggling to meet all the demands and still stay sane but he is very exhausted and emotionally drained.

I talked to my new OB yesterday (well the office person) and I go to the Dr. on the 14th. I wanted to know if they'd do an ultrasound that day but she said no. She said they'd ask me to come back in two weeks (20 weeks) and do one then. So just a couple more weeks and we'll finally get a glimpse of this tiny little baby inside me. I've been feeling some interesting things lately and I think it must be the baby. No hard kicks or anything, but some sort of movement that doesn't feel like it could be anything else.

I turned in my application for the Purchasing Position yesterday (sorry Corey- I need the money!). I hope I have a good shot since my parents know the boss and the Board who is hiring the person for the position.

Oh I wanted to update on the church thing. Churches are so different back here. Let me tell you -- I went to a new one on Sunday morning and I'd just like to say that the way LBC handles visitors is so much less invasive and embarassing than how it is handled back here. I was the sole visitor for this particular church and they made it a point to announce it and my name to the entire congregation. I'm glad at LBC they do visitor cards. If I hadn't already been a Chrisitian and comfortable in church I'd never have went back to that church because of that. They also did communion kind of funny. Instead of passing out the bread and cups, they waited for you to drink your cup in front of the deacon person and put your cup back in the tray before moving to the next person. I couldn't reverence or reflect at all because I was trying to hurry and finish my cup. Kind of invasive. On the positive side they did play a Third Day song before they did communion and they have an awesome Awanas program there.

On Sunday evening I traveled to a church about 40 minutes away to where a friend of mine from college is the Youth Pastor now. I felt more at ease with the 16 or so juniors and seniors there. They have a KICKIN' Youth room. Pastor Michael, they had just built a gymnasium two years ago and it was amazing: snack bar, 7-10 stall bathrooms, bleachers, basketball nets, the works. It was perfect for them to do outreach (which they are). They are doing a 5th quarter Lock-In coming up after one of the local football games there. Their Youth Room had a pool table, ping-pong table, massive space, huge flat panel TV for them to play Wii on and a small kitchen/fridge space. The sad part is that my Youth Pastor friend is the only one working with them. He told me he'd have about 50 kids total if they all came at once. But they don't do music or games really -- just lots of hanging out and then trips around VA and TN as a group. They are on the verge of something great. I was of course plugging WOL and our awesome program back at Lexington.

Well for now I'm heading out. I have errands to run and a dentist appt. today. Yay. I'll keep you posted on new news as it becomes available. Miss everyone in Lexington -- a LOT.

Belly Shot

Okay, here is the belly shot at 17 weeks. I think I felt the baby move yesterday but I can't be for sure. It's so hard to know -- but the movement I felt didn't seem like it could possibly be anything else. (You can check out my new maternity pants too!)

Lee County, VA

Just so you know -- Lee County does exist. Even though it's very far down in Southwest VA, it is here. Let's see, we've settled into my old bedroom and Midnight and Punkin' have done very well getting used to the new location too. Things are a little odd. Every time I go out into the county I see people I graduated high school with or went to school with. I feel kind of strange since I've been gone for 5 years and don't really know or remember them very well. My mom and dad are very happy to have us back. Dad set up a great work station for Tosh in the basement so he has a new "Game Warden" room to work in. It's not the greatest but it's definitely a cozy spot and Tosh is happy.
Today was Tosh's first day on the job and as of right now I haven't heard from him all day long. So I'm a bit concerned but certain that he's fine. I'm sure we have lots to share once he gets here.
I had a job interview on Monday at the local Community College that I attended. It was for a Community College Career Coach and it was a panel of 5 people that interviewed me. I felt it was successful and not too stressful. I think I answered all their questions fairly well but I haven't heard anything from them so that makes me a bit concerned.
I also picked up another application today for a Purchasing position in the County Administrator's Office (I'll probably be calling you Corey if I get this one!). Don't know much about it but I think I could do it no problem. I'd like to get something going -- we need the money.
On a sad note, our horse here, Pokey, is down. He got his front foot caught in some fencing and he's sure suffering right now. Cut it all the way to the bone so yesterday was a bit of a stressor. We weren't sure if he was going to make it because his opposite back leg is also a bit of a concern due to some pulled muscles or something. We're doctoring him the best we can and the local vet came over and checked him out. We have three weeks and if he's not much better we might have to go a different route. He's a pretty old horse but it's sad to see him so down and out right now.
Below is a picture of a Cookie Cake from the place in Kingsport, TN that we always get them from. I used to get these cakes almost every year for my birthday-- they are my favorite. Mom and I decided we should have a minor celebration of sorts since we are back "home".


I also got a call from Stonewall and they are showing our house tomorrow at 1:30 so I hope that goes well. I think we left it pretty clean and neat so I hope it is a success. Speaking of houses, Tosh and I went and looked at a house in a place called Poor Valley. It was on 19 acres back up in the woods - perfect spot, but the inside wasn't so great. We'd looked at it about a week ago on the outside and went back to see the inside. Once inside with the realtor, (the door just fell in) we realized that something wasn't quite right. Someone had stolen all the copper out of the house. Flipped the kitchen stove over, ripped up the ceiling where the washer/dryer was, tore out the breaker box -- it was ridiculous. They ended up calling the local Sheriff's office and Tosh got to meet one of the deputies. Needless to say, we are kind of glad we went to see the house so we could help these people catch this theft. What a mess!
My mom and I have been looking at every single baby selection in all the stores we've been to. I got a few pairs of maternity pants recently and we found this cute bib that says, "Baby's First Thanksgiving" with a turkey and acorn on it. Mom is extremely excited about Baby Barnette/Sidni/etc... the list goes on with the names.
I've been feeling some weird things down there. I can definitely tell I'm getting thicker around the middle and I'm starting to get a slight belly. Probably it'll explode in about two weeks or so I think. I feel pretty good -- only feel kind of sick when I don't have something on my tummy all the time. Seems like when I get hungry is when I feel the worst. Mom is of course, feeding us very well.
Tosh's brother is going to be moving to Ohio. He is pretty serious about this new girlfriend he has and he's wanting to get started on a better paying job up there.
We are still looking for churches and praying about where the Lord wants us to be. I'll hopefully post some belly shots soon (like in a couple days). Love to everyone!

Keep yer eyes peeled!

COMING SOON!
A real update and new pictures! Check back later!

Things have been really hectic with moving and I want to get a real picture of me and the belly and the Lee County sign -- I'm doing that today so be prepared!