Cruise Pictures!

Happy 30th Birthday Kevin!

2008 is proving to be a big year for Kevin.... going on a cruise, turning 30, graduating from ASU, having a son! It's certainly full of memories. What a way to celebrate your birthday too - by going on a Mexican cruise. That left me to ask, "What will we do for my 30th birthday?" (Insert sly smile) ... "How about a Carribean Cruise?" We'll see about that. But in the meantime, having an adorable baby boy is of course a highlight for me too.

Kevin's actual birthday fell on the day after our return from the cruise, so we got to celebrate it in Simi at Kevin & Erica's place. Let's call this the budget cake due to the week-long galivanting we did along the Mexican Riviera. :)

The countdown has definitely been ticking until Kevin's graduation, and we are now a mere six weeks from the finish line! I'm so proud of Kevin for his hard work and determination in pursuing this program. He has accomplished so much, and that graduation day will definitely be a joyous day!

Now it would be great if I could figure out how to get Kevin to keep his eyes open when the camera flashes... hmm.

20 Weeks and Cruisin' the Mexican Riviera!

So I realize that it has been quite a while since I've written, but it was with good reason since we went out of the country. We held you in suspense, and now here it is! We had the pleasure and privilege of going on this cruise with a group of our close friends. What a blast! We did so much and saw so many sights that I don't really know where to begin... but I'll try to make it good.

Some of the highlights we enjoyed were:

• Room service.... 'nuf said.
  
• Watching Jaimie bravely kareoke. She was amazing! Her timid "I've never done this before" was quickly overcome by her beautiful voice and the loud cheering of the crowd.
  
• Seeing dolphins swim alongside the ship right outside our stateroom window. Incredible and beautiful! A real treat!
  
• Dinner. Connecting with everyone each evening for dinner was really special. It was like family time. And our dinner waiter "Cool" and waitress "Jum-Jum" added humor and hospitality. They were both from Thailand, and they were so fun!
  
• Warm Chocolate Melting Cake... Oh yes, in all of its warm chocolatey meltiness with a small side of vanilla icecream. Mmmmmmm, oh how I miss you!
  
• Mini golf on the top of the ship against the beautiful backdrop of sea and sunshine.
  
• Cabo San Lucas - our favorite port together out of the three (Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan were the others). Kevin and I enjoyed a 45-minute boat ride along the shore then a supreme spot on a private beach where we relaxed together and tested the water.
  
• Kevin played golf at the Four Seasons Golf Club Punta Mita with Tom in Puerta Vallarta. It is a private course designed by Jack Niklaus that they majically got to play, thanks to the smooth workings of Tom. Kevin said it's the best and most beautiful course he has ever played... and he has over 100 pictures to prove how much he enjoyed it!
• Spending time with Erica and her Kevin in Simi Valley before and after the cruise.
• Frozen yogurt 24-7. Now that was a treat!
• And last, but not least, hanging out with our friends for a week! It was like going to camp, and we had the same sad feelings as then when it was time to say good-bye.

Stay tuned for more pictures... I just have to figure out how to download a slideshow.

19 Weeks

18 Weeks

Adorable Face and Tiny Toes

I was already excited about this little one forming inside of me, but after seeing him on that screen for the first time, I was instantly bonded. My heart is already overwhelmed with love for him, and now I can't imagine how much it will be magnified when I actually hold him in my arms!

Since I became pregnant, I started reading all I could about pregnancy and the stages of development that the baby goes through. I've learned so much! And it has thoroughly fascinated me. God's creation is so amazing, and the process of forming the human life is the greatest of all.

Psalm 139 has always been a favorite passage of mine, but after all I have been learning about the growth of this little life inside of me, I now read that passage with a whole new perspective!

"For You created my inmost being;

You knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body."

I was hoping to scan the pictures in at work, but apparently the scanner at work is not geared for tiny detail... So I resorted to taking pictures of the pictures. They are a little blurry, but I think you can make them out well enough. The first picture was the best shot of his cute face. The second, as the caption reads, is one of his adorable little feet. You can see his tiny toes!