What's Going on...

So I thought, after a month, that I should do a post. Nothing too exciting is happening
in our lives.  But I thought I would do a quick update, before April.
p.s. it's a long post,  but there are pics!

We are both still chugging along in school. Jed is super busy (all the time) with
projects and homework etc. but he manages to come home at decent hours (most nights)
so we can spend some time together.

I am just finishing up my sophomore year, and Jed will be done with his Junior year. I
should be applying to the the EL ED program, but I am not too sure how thats all going to
work out. I don't plan on going back to school in the fall (the baby is due the week before school
starts) and I know I am going to need those four months to heal/figure out how to
be a mom. And with my program come the exciting practicum hours where we go into
the schools and teach for 6 weeks out of each semester. This would be very difficult/rather
impossible to do with a nursing baby, and a husband who's gone all the time. So I am going to
keep trying to figure out a way that it can work, because Jed and I both feel that I should
continue going to school.

Jed is nearly done with his bachelor's degree, and looking forward to graduate school. We both
were pretty much solidified with this idea after a banquet Jed got asked to go to. They talked
about with a bachelor's degree Jed can be making "X" amount of dollars, but not really
doing any sort of designing himself- primarily he would be working under other people. We both
know that Jed would be good at that, but I know he would much prefer getting to do his own drawings
and working on his own schedule etc. So, we're going to continue renting and being poor for awhile
so that he can go to graduate school, I can be a mom, and find a way to go to school as well.They
discussed at the banquet that either you can go to graduate school and have a full-time job, or you
can just go to school. With having a full-time job, graduate school will usually take upwards or
four year (vs. 1 1/2- 2 years) So-- we're hoping Jed can get a research position where he is able to be
doing research, getting paid for it, and working towards his thesis all at the same time. That
is obviously ideal, and if that doesn't work, then we'll go to plan "B".

What come after graduate school you must be asking yourself? Well that would be CONTINUING
school and working towards his PHD. haha. Dr. Jedediah Alvey. I think it's great. With a doctorate,
Jed will be able to do his own drawings, have more freedom with his own work, and being the
one to actually create something that didn't exist before. This will take a few more years, and we
will continue being poor and living off nearly no income ( I will probably be working part-time etc)     

But this is our plan for right now. It's a rough outline, and we're not too sure how babies, my schooling, and bills are all going to fit in that equation- but we both feel like we're headed in the right direction.

Now we just have to figure out what school Jed's gonna go to. Who knows where we'll be in a year?
I am so excited though. As we were laying in bed last night (Jed got done with his homework SUPER
early!!) and we were trying to listen to the baby move (Jed loves to do that. He asks me all the time if
he can talk to "my baby" like it isn't his or something!) haha---- Jed said, "So we're gonna be in school
for the rest of our lives. I was like-- yup. Im planning on being a teacher, so even when we're done,
I will always be in school. We both love school though. We were the kids in elementary who cried
if we had to miss a day. Loved doing extra credit etc. We are such nerds.

So now-- on to CONSIDERABLY more exciting things! April 9th, we go in for our 20 week ultra sound. I am supppppperrrrr excited. Though I think it's a boy, but REALLY want a girl, I just
want to know what it is, so we can start buying cute stuff :) We had an appointment at 16 weeks
and got to hear the babies heart beat. Beautiful. I think it was like 140 or something. which is
super middle of the road-- so healthy! and they looked at me and said that my body was just
built for baby carrying--  i was like whew- i would be nervous if it wasn't!-- so everything
seems to be great. Just two more weeks and we get to see everything. Big Question-- BOY
OR GIRL? Parker or Adelaide? Who knows? I am getting giddy just thinking about it.

So the picks below-- the first one is 13 weeks, and the second is 15 weeks. I am 18 weeks now,
but I haven't taken any pics this week. Maybe I'll do a quick post this afternoon, after I shower. :)

p.s. I think the 13 week one looks HUGE, but really I think its just the shirt. ????

It's getting real-er...

This whole baby thing is just not real yet.

The throwing up and feeling gross, as well as
the random crying and complete exhaustion are
pretty good indicators- and so was the ultrasound,
but not REAL. I guess when I start feeling the kicking
I think it will start to feel like yeah there's a baby
inside me, but for now-

Im just fat, emotional, malnutritioned, dead tired, and
overall gross.

But...........

aside from all that,
We got a CRIB! We were given (thanks Carolin, DW, and Rachel Mary)
a BEAUTIFUL, white wooden crib. I love it. I
would have picked the same one. So now, it's starting
to feel a little more real. (Because Jed and I 
aren't going to sleep in it, so there must be a baby who will)

We are so grateful for the crib and all of the encouragement
and support from our families and friends. 

p.s. My plan for adopting children from Bora Bora is sounding
PERFECT right about nowwww.

What's In a Name

Well I am not too good with names

actually I am terrible with names.  I lived with 40 girls
for a full year, and I still don't know all their names.

Its gross.

But man this BABY is gonna have a great name.

Cuz no matter the first name, the last name is

                   ALVEY

and that's the best name i know.  so....

        













Yes I'm Expecting!!!

It has been crazy here in our house, but we
are having a baby! Oh my goodness.
Jedediah's gonna be a daddy. Im gonna be a mommy.
WHOA.

White female from rural northern Illinois, USA

     [And Proud of It!]
         To chose three artifacts (definition: an object made by a human being [not me], typically an item of cultural or historical interest) that represents me culturally and ethnically is not an easy task. (A sentence whose words I had to individually define in order to properly do the assignment).  But after thinking about it for awhile, and really looking deep, I think I figured it out. [A school assignment of course]

Black Pen
     I loathe blue pens and pencils, so I write with black pens. I take all my notes, grocery lists, and whimsical ideas with a black pen. Every thank you note, Christmas card, and form- I have to do with a black pen. I have yet to figure out exactly why I can't use anything else, but it is the way it is.
      Especially because I love to write. I love to write my thoughts, wishes, dreams, catchy titles, and book ideas all down because I WILL forget- and when I write them down, I always use my on-hand black pen. 

Houndstooth high heels
    Shoes. Pretty much every girl's favorite thing.  I feel like they represent me because they show where I have been, where I was today, and where I will go tomorrow, and where I will be going for the rest of my life.  But okay- yes, they have to stylish. I am not the type of person to wear tennis shoes because they are comfy- I wear tennis shoes to match my cute pink shorts- and yeah,  I might be doing some exercise. :)
     Even if I know I will be standing on my feet for long periods of time- I wear my cute black boots, or my brown flats. NOT my tennis shoes that are "comfy." Not unless I will be wearing my cute pink shorts. Maybe its a phase, maybe it's even a little immature- because yes, I do occasionally have back problems- I am gonna keep on wearing my favorite- CUTE- shoes. Like those! --------------->

Family Pic
     My family. Man- do I love them.  I love every quirk, every mole, every temper, every laugh, every smile, every call to say "I love you", every shoulder given, every prayer thought, everything.  My family is anything but "normal". We totally passed the 1.5 (?) children, any nuclear family definition, and we totally surpass being just a family.  We are best friends.  There is 6 of us- some step siblings, mostly half siblings, but all best friends that I would give everything I had and wanted for.

   I think I chose them to help represent my culture- because that's where I got any sort of culture from.  I get my ability to find screaming deals, and make yummy dinners from my oldest sister. She taught me that being good isn't an option.  The best is what He deserves, and she has showed me how to do this.  Another sister opened my eyes to music, and being daring, and how to have a good time.  Then my brother- he taught me how to eat ice cream. And well. And to do accounting, and all sorts of calculus, and how to be loyal and honest- no matter what.  Another brother taught me that laughter is a good thing. Make mom laugh- and she'll love you. He taught me that I can pursue my dreams and go to school far far away. And then theres my younger sister.  Sometimes I feel like she should be running parts of the family. She taught me to listen.  To cry when someone else is crying- to play more intense church ball than expected.  That I can be myself, and somebody will always be there to throw mud right back at me.
      I would say that I am the person I am, I do what I do, I live the way I live, primarily based on what my family has taught me.  I love them.  Whether the last name is Denhof, or Lucas, or Culey, or Alvey, we are a team or strongwilled-full of life all around- best friends.

"How do I love thee, let me count the ways"

Today is Jedediah's birthday. He is 23 years young today!

1. He married me. The best present ever.
and im still trying to figure out why.
2. He makes me laugh.
and so does everything else- you may be wondering. But he makes me laugh when crying seems like the best solution.
3. He lets me cry.
thats always a good thing.
4. He is super smart.
I love listening to him talk about stuff I have no idea anything about.
5. He Loves kids.
maybe not as much as I do :) but he's gonna be a great daddy
6. He works hard.
I have never seen someone who studies like he does.
I always get compliments from those he tutors saying, "Hey- you're married to Jed Alvey? He pretty much gave me the A in my math class." Then I get butterflies.
7. He laughs at my jokes.
they're really lame, and he still does.
8. He does the right thing.
9. Loves his calling.
I know that it is super important to him, even though he's gone a lot.
10. He rubs my feet.
Enough said.
11. He lets me ask "stupid" questions.
12. He uses Excel.
and I think its hot.
13. He's very clean.
he does the dishes. everyday.
14. He doesn't mind when I get lost.
he always seems to know right what I did wrong, and  how to fix it.
15. He likes the crafts I make.
they're lame- so its nice that he likes them at least.
16. He never complains about supper.
NEVER.
17. He lets me take my time to get ready.
18. He's a GREAT kisser.
19. He charges my phone.
20. He lets me pick my favorite pillows.
21. He opens my car door.
and he helps me into the seat at restaurants. LOVE IT.
22. He watches the movies I want to watch.
really. he likes them too.
23. He is my best friend. Really.
Forever sounds perfect.

Happy Birthday Jedediah. The first of infinity birthdays to come.

Lets both by "y".

 

XLIII. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..." by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight For the ends of Being and ideal Grace. I love thee to the level of everyday's Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light. I love thee freely, as men strive for Right; I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise. I love thee with a passion put to use In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith. I love thee with a love I seemed to lose With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath, Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose, I shall but love thee better after death.

we love to laugh.

Setting: Laying in bed after a LONG day---

Aubrey: Why do you have that other blanket?
Jed: cuz you always steal the blankets

Aubrey rolls over trying to get comfortable
Jed rolls the other way trying to get some room

Aubrey: Snuggle with me not against me.

Laughter (which has been an ongoing joke for days)

Jed: Isn't that a line from somewhere or something?
Aubrey: Now is not the time. Sleep!

I love Jed :)

Love this product!

After following this blog, Leelou showed us her stroller.  It's called the Joovy Caboose Stroller. After reading just her one little blog post about it-- it got me interested. After looking around at other strollers, I like this one. It's lightweigh, small, and can hold 2 kids.

So i guess when the time comes, this will be one decision I won't have to make.

Thanks Leelou!