Madelyn Grace

I'm sorry it has been so long since my last blog. Things have been hectic and I just can't seem to find much time. Well as you must have guessed by the name of my post, we are having a precious little girl!! We are so excited to welcome Madelyn Grace into the world in September. Not only did we find out that we were having a girl today but it was our first ultrasound. It was so sweet to see her moving around...even if she was kicking me most of the time! We had a doctor appt right before the ultrasound so we had some idea that it might be a girl. Dr. Gerwe told us with that heartbeat that he was betting on a girl. Also, a very nice lady at our church knitted us some pink booties a couple weeks ago. I guess everyone knew we were having a girl except for us! Dusty said he had a feeling it would be a girl. He is very excited about his little girl. He asked my dad to buy him a shotgun to run off the boys in a couple of years! Here are the pics of the ultrasound. Enjoy!

What a wonderful world...

What a wonderful world...that song came to my mind today as I thought back over the events that have happened in these 2 short months in 2010. Mom and Dad came to visit the third weekend in February. I was so excited to have them both stay in my house. What did we do you ask?? EAT....a lot! :) That's exactly what my family knows best....good food! We had a great visit with them and I was so sad to see them go. Dusty always says I just light up whenever I'm at home with friends and family or they are up here visiting. I hope to go back home sometime soon!
I finally got a job this month! After 3 interviews and meeting my spouse, they hired me on the spot. I love my accounting job and every day Dusty asks me if I did anything exciting....I just shake my head because what I find exciting about accounts payable and general ledgers, he definitely would not!  I'm very blessed to work for a Christian employer. As a matter of fact, every person that works in the office with me is a Christian. I'm so thankful that I don't have to put up with worldly attitudes each day that I am at work. I am only working part-time now. I think that will be the best thing when the baby is born.
Friday, we had my first appointment with the actual doctor.  One of the first things he did was put the microphone thing up to my stomach so we could hear the little heartbeat. It took all I could not to cry. I guess actually hearing my little bundle of joy made it all too real. Now we can't wait to go back April 2 to hear it again! Doctor said that mom and baby were healthy. Oh and it was only 1 heartbeat so no multiples! :) I've been joking with Dusty about that so he made sure to listen closely. This week begins my 12th week so I will finally be in my second trimester next week! I've been blessed beyond measure to have been very rarely sick. (Thanks Mom....I'm sure I get that from you!)

So far in 2010...

So this is long overdue! Here are some pics from Christmas when Dustin and I went home. Dad planned a hunting trip for the family. None of the girls had ever been. It was kind of scary at times...I thought they were going to shoot me! We survived and the best part of the hunting trip was the amazing supper at the hunting house. I would go back any day just to eat!
There has been a lot going on since we've gotten back after Christmas. Upward Basketball began at church for the kids. Dustin and I are refs for the 3rd and 4th grade and Dustin coaches a 5th and 6th grade team. Our Women's Ministry Team held an event, Chili & Chocolate, to kick off some of our new groups like Sassy Scrappers, Flicker Chicks, and Cuisine Queens. It was a great success and very delicious!

Dustin and I also got some great news the end of January. We are going to be parents!! We are so excited! We can't wait for Baby Coleman to get here in September!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Tonight was the big night...we put up the Christmas tree! Dusty finally let me put it up...probably because he was tired of my constant questioning "if he was ready yet". I would celebrate Christmas 365 days a year if everyone would let me! When Mom came to visit in October, we popped in Elf and drank hot chocolate. I just love it!

I decorated most of the mantle and then began the joyous event of putting up the tree. Of course, I popped in some Christmas music as we fluffed the tree. Dusty carefully strung the lights. Then we put on the ornaments only to find out that the colored lights did not look so good with our ornaments of gold, green, and red. I didn't think it was possible for any Christmas tree to look bad but we had achieved just that. All that hard work for nothing! Oh well, tomorrow is another day and we shall try again! This time with white lights. Here are some pics of our unfinished mantle and our attempt at a good-looking Christmas tree.

Life is good

I feel like it has been forever since I last posted...well probably because it has been! I am finally starting to feel like we are settling into our new apartment. With school, weddings, and traveling, life has been kind of hectic. As life continues to fly by, I try my best to catch up with it. I realized last night that I only have three weeks of school left and I will be done FOREVER! I cannot wait! Dusty's last day of class for the semester was today. That's a relief! No more getting him up at 4:30 AM on Monday mornings! Hopefully, I will be able to keep updated with my blog. I have done a poor job so far but maybe once things slow down a bit I will be able to catch my breath and blog!

Since the return...

It has been a while since I have posted. I decided to share what God has been doing in my life since I returned. It's amazing to look back at the time that was spent in Peru and see just how far I've come. I had the most amazing teammates in Peru I could have ever asked for. Not only did we get along wonderfully, but they taught me so much. They taught me how to minister to those around me, whether it be teaching a lesson or just letting people know that we cared. That experience has changed my heart forever. My dad tells me that I have been smiling ever since I got back. Missions has always been an interest but now it holds a special place in my heart. I understand now the urgency to share the gospel with people everywhere. I don't know where the Lord will lead in years to come but I do know that I will make every effort to participate in future missions opportunities. I truly believe that traveling halfway around the country is worth giving up everything you have.

The Lord has blessed me tremendously since I've gotten back...way more than I deserve! I'm learning more about Him everyday. When you are where God wants you, it is amazing the things that seem to fall into place. I never in a million years would have guessed that I would meet my future husband in Bella Union, Peru. I sure never thought that I would end up in Kentucky. It definitely was God that led us to meet. Through a series of circumstances and changed plans, we met and the rest is history! :) How is that for a blessing?! I couldn't have asked for anything better! He encourages me daily and is my reminder of God's blessings!

Home Sweet Home

Hola!! Our last week was so sad in Bella Union! On Thursday, our new church family had a going away party for us. We told them not to but of course they insisted. They cooked us chicken and french fries! YUM! They were all so sweet! It was hard to leave, but I´m glad to be going home. We came back to Lima today...back to civilization!! HA HA I´ll be in sweet home Alabama on Friday afternoon! YAY!!!

I just want to say thank you so much to everyone for all the love and prayers! Mom and Dad tell me that everyone is constantly asking about me. It is such a joy to know that I have a wonderful church family and amazing friends!