Simply the Best

We are LOVING having my sis and bro-in-law here!!!

Just wanted to share a few pics from our time together so far.

Waiting for the arrival.

And it's a good thing I had that sign because I don't think they would have spotted us otherwise!

Been waiting on this hug for about 9 months!!!

Beth and LarBear standing by their welcome sign at our house.

I still can't remember when I started calling him LarBear :)

Welcome to India, Walkers!!

Aunt Beth and Uncle Lar got to join us for our 14 week appt. Look at little Padfoot's sweet profile!!

Getting to meet my friend at Cafe Turtle.

What can I say... It's all about the brotherly love!

Walking at the Ridge by our house, pretending we are on a hike.

Being touristy and visting India Gate.

Getting to enjoy a new cafe with two of my favorite ladies in the world!

The best news is we still have another week together!

14 Weeks and Counting

14 weeks

We've officially reached the 2nd trimester. Woohoo. 

Our lil 'padfoot' is the size of a lemon this week. And let me clarify for the sake of braggin' on my baby... we're talking an American sized lemon, not a measly Indian lemon.

And this week, Padfoot's starting to make sweet facial expressions and suck his thumb! I hope maybe we can catch some of these new developments on the ultrasound Thursday.

I really am feeling like a new woman. I'm not really nauseous anymore and naps aren't mandatory (just preferred).  I'm still waiting for my cravings for Indian food to return. I hope it happens before we leave in a few months.

We are so excited about my sis and bro-in-law getting in just a few HOURS! My hubby has been such a huge help getting the house ready for their arrival. I really don't think I could have done it without him. Together (okay mostly him, but I helped when I wasn't napping) we've cleaned the floors, stairs, bathrooms, air filters, kitchen, rearranged furniture, dusted, and made sweet rolls. And that's all been today!

Top things on our agenda for this next week include:
1. Laughing
2. Playing games (when it's just the two of us, my hubby always beats me)
3. Showing off our city and the Taj
4. Eating the yummy sweet rolls we've made from the PW's website.
5. Golf for the men/ pedicures for the ladies

Is it too soon to go to the airport and wait? hehe

Aradhna

 This has been one super busy week. The majority of it has been consumed with being in the car, driving that well known path to the southern part of the city. You know you live in a big city when it takes over an hour to get from one side of the city to the other. But we are so thankful for our car and the recently opened metro line that gets us back and forth safely.

 During one of our many trips to the south this last week we were able to join with some of our national brothers and sisters for a sweet time of worship. We left our shoes at the door, sat on rugs, breathed in the incense, and enjoyed singing together in a language that used to be so foreign to me. I love this glimpse of what our eternal home will be like someday.

 During the Satsang, truth gathering, I couldn't help but be drawn to watch a 12 year old boy who sat "indian style", with his eyes closed, his hands bowed, singing his heart out to our Father for over 2 hours. No one forced him to sit there. He was truly so reverent and genuine. What a picture of worship!

 Our time was led by Chris Hale from a group known as Aradhna, meaning "adoration" in Hindi. He was in town only for a short while to film the music videos for his upcoming album. We had heard his music before and are looking forward to his new release in December. Chris and the rest of his group have a huge heart for this country and these people. You should check them out on their website or itunes!

"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb...and they were shouting with a mighty shout, 'Salvation comes from our Father who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!"

Rev. 7:9-10

Lucky 13

Yesterday, we made it to the 13 week mark in our pregnancy. Woohoo! And I had every intention of posting an update, but this baby momma chose sleep instead. I figure I'm still within the 13 week mark today and since my hubby stayed up late and updated his blog, we're all good. (He's already confirmed his spot for the late night shifts once our little one arrives.)

So after some much needed sleep, I'm rested and ready to update!

This is one of my 13 week photos taken while I was singing "my hips don't lie" 

Thank you Lydia for my birthday shirt!

Our little one is the size of a peach this week. Little fingerprints are already forming. Vital organs are starting to function. It's just really amazing how detailed God is with His creations! We've enjoyed praying specifically for what is forming each week.

This week has really been a turning point for my nausea. Praise the Lord! I still get a little sickly when I'm hungry, but other than that I feel great. Along those same lines, I'm so thankful for my friend Lindsey, who sent me some vitamins that don't make me spew. They are of the Flintstone variety...

I'm still so sleepy, but I can't tell if it's pregnancy related or just that I've always been a girl who requires sleep. Either way, I'm very thankful that I've been able to adjust my schedule and fit in a nap-time.

Well, I learned how to make fried chicken last week... oops.  As far as cravings go, I am now pretty much addicted. So far, we've had chicken parmigiana (thank you Pioneer Woman) and fried chicken sandwiches with fresh pineapple slices on homemade sesame-seed  buns. Look out Chick-Fil-A, we just might have to go into business. yummy!!

We have already made 3 visits to the doctor (all planned). Even still, I'm so looking forward to my next appointment. Why? Because we'll have special guests with us. My sis (Dr. Walker) and bro-in-law are coming to visit! It's been 9 months since I've hugged my sis's neck and I'm having such a hard time believing I'll get to do it next week!!!!!

Also, many people have been asking us about when we'll find out the sex of our little "padfoot", as he's been named. Well, here in India it's against the law to find out the sex of your baby. So, it looks like we'll be waiting till we get back to the States, just after the first of the year.

This is on the door to the ultrasound room. See... I told ya.

You may be asking yourself "Why would they find out that late in the game? Why not just be surprised?"

This I can answer. I love surprises (remember our Christmas 2009 surprise?!) I love everything about surprises. Unfortunately at this point, I feel like we have enough surprises/unknowns in our future. Any more surprises might just push me over the emotional pregnant edge.

Please be praying for direction as we begin our transition back to the States. We are still a few months out, but are needing to start preparing resumes and all that fun stuff. Pray that God would lead us to where we are supposed to live, job opportunities, ministry opportunities, etc. Pray that God would continue to grant us peace [that passes all of our understanding] as we trust Him with all the unknowns.

Laughter

If you've ever been on a airplane for long periods of time I think you can appreciate it.

Check out this article.

It's Raining. It's Pouring. Amberley is snoring.

I've posted before about the crazy rains in our city. It all started this year on the 4th of July while I was trying to enjoy my pulled pork bbq sandwich, green grass, and fireworks. It hasn't stopped raining since!

We were here for the so called monsoon rains last year , but they only lasted a couple of weeks. With all of the rain we've seen this year, we can now say we truly know what a monsoon season is like.

So what is it like? Monsoon Rains mean:
-We get momentary relief from the heat and humidity
-The crops get more than their share of drinking water.
-The children have free access to community pools (see video below)
-I get super sleepy (or is that due to the little one growing inside me? hummm...)
-The roads get torn up
-The traffic is crazier than normal
-The men ride their motorcycles with umbrellas open to keep their work clothes dry and their feet up on the handle bars to keep their feet dry
-The clean clothes don't dry for days
-Constant standing water
-The mosquitos are terrible
-Dengue Fever outbreaks all over the city
-The Common Wealth Games construction is no where close to completion

After all the rain we have had, there seems to be no sign of stopping. The papers and other local news outlets are saying that the rain will continue through this month and into the beginning of next. Crazy!

Please take a second and lift up:
-those families who live under a tarp on the sidewalk and can't escape the rain.
-all those who have Dengue fever and for those who have lost loved ones due to this terrible mosquito born sickness.
-the construction and preparation, that continues to make our city look like a war zone, for the CWG's Oct 3-14.

The following is a video of the children in our neighborhood enjoying our flooded park. I guess it could also be referred to as the community swimming pool these days. I had to document this just in case you thought I was being overly dramatic.

Coming Soon..

So many people were praying for us as my family left us and went back to America at the end of July. I had a few e-mails from friends saying they were praying specifically for the Lord's blessings and encouragement the week following their departure. Little did they know how the Father would answer that prayer!

By the way, if you haven't been to my hubby’s blog in a few days, take a moment and watch the video he posted.

The day after my family left for the States, Joe and I found out we are expecting our first baby! Since we found out, we've been to the Doctor several times and have had the opportunity to see our little one on two different occasions. Our sweet little one has already doubled in size since we found out a little over a month ago. 

As of today we are 12 weeks along with a projected due date around March 22 of next year. So far, I have had ‘all-day’ sickness, extreme fatigue, and only had aversions to Indian food. Unfortunately, I am only craving the things I can not get in South Asia. Such as, a chef salad from Stoby’s, steak fries [and spicy ranch] from Colton’s, and Scott’s famous Bratwurst. Hopefully the symptoms will ease-up over the next couple of weeks. As for now, I pat my belly everyday and tell our little one s/he’s worth it.

12 week ultrasound

I am so humbled to know that God allows us to play a role in how He chooses to bring life. Amazing!

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex..." Psalm 139:13-14

Birthday Blessings.

(my birthday cake)

I'm a quarter of a century now! I remember when I was younger thinking 25 year-olds were so old. Now they are seem so young and cool. Funny how your perspective can change over time. :)

Let me rewind for a second before I start talking all about this birthday.

I've always loved birthdays. Love them! I have some of the best memories from my birthday parties.  I remember going to the theater to watch Lion King on my 8th and having a 30+ girls sleep over for my 13th. All good times!

Last year was different. In fact, I caught myself dreading my birthday for numerous reasons. It wasn't going to be normal. It wasn't going to be celebrated with family, friends and cookie cakes. It wasn't going to be special... Oh, but it was! It was great. It was special. It was filled with skype calls, blueberry muffins, painting pottery, and dinner with friends.

Fast forward back to this year. The big 25. 

This year's festivities all started on the 28th with some friends coming to our house to celebrate. We had brownies, cookies, velveeta cheese dip, and they even brought gifts [which were so unexpected - Thanks so much].

At midnight I got birthday wishes from my sister, bro-in-law, little nephew, and some sweet friends.
Before getting out of bed on my birthday morning, Joe surprised me with some gifts he had been hoarding.  He said, "wait, I think I have something for you,"  so he reached into his drawer and pulled out a card from my grandparents. I loved it! And while we were sitting there talking about family and the plans for the day, again he said "wait, I think I have something for you" and pulled out another card. And another. And another. And another. In all I had 10 cards waiting for me from my friends and family in the States.  It was a perfect way to start my second Indian birthday.

More phone calls, text messages, and birthday wishes came all morning long, while Joe and I made plans for the day. I even had the opportunity to talk to another sweet friend from the States who I hadn't gotten to talk to since Christmas.

This is how excited I was about celebrating my birthday. 

(Don't my eyes look better? No more pink eye!)

After opening my cards and talking with friends and family, we finally came up with a plan. The plan... Escape at the Hilton! We'd never done it before, but we decided to celebrate by having a night to escape from the norm. And boy was it an escape. More like a retreat - it was amazing.

My favorites from the Hilton Escape: 

- the endless ac 

- the surprise complimentary birthday cake from the hotel staff

- the swimming pool all to ourselves

- tv, which was a fun treat

- no dogs barking or horns blowing

- dark curtains to hide the 5 am sunrise

- instant hot showers minus the smell of boiling chicken

- and the amazing cloud-like bed

Another one of the perks of the Hilton, is that it is attached to one of the many mega-malls in the city. So, we were able enjoy dinner at Hard Rock (first bite of beef since Christmas) and a movie.

I am so thankful for my hubby, family, and friends who all made my 2nd Indian birthday special.

We are looking forward to everything God has in store for this next year of my life. It's going to be another year of transitions and changes, but I love knowing that our Father is in control.