We're Having a BABY!!!!

The evening of April 30 brought us some great news! After applying a blue cleansing mask to my face, I took a pregnancy test and didn't expect much of anything (a week ago we had taken a test and it was negative). To my surprise, there were two lines--Positive! I'm sure Dale was a little disturbed when I ran into the living room screaming, jumping, and my face covered in blue "paint". Shoving the stick in front of him, I screamed, "Is it true?!"

The next morning I took another test to see if the results were correct. At 6am I was bright awake and couldn't wait any longer. This test was also positive! Dale was still sleeping so I nudged him awake. Beaming with joy, I stuck the pee stick in front of his face until he realized what was happening. Dale's response was, "I'm gonna be a daddy?!"

A few days later, our doctor confirmed the good news--we're gonna be first time parents. We told our friends and family right away, and they also shared in our joy. Dale and I cannot wait for our little miracle to continue to grow and be healthy.

New addition to the family

Our New CAR!!!!
2008 Dodge Caliber

My 1994 Mercury Sable kicked the bucket a few days ago (problem with the head gasket, etc.). Although the car situation brought on stress and uncertainty, my main thought was.... GOOD RIDDANCE! For the entire 3 years we've owned the Sable, it has had issues--constant mechanical problems. So we threw in the towel and decided to go searching for a car...

During the search, we found this cute Dodge Caliber. We weren't looking for anything fancy, just something reliable that would get me to/from work safely. To be honest, when we signed the million papers to be first time car owners, we weren't jumping up and down at all that night (we had sticker shock). We went home scared, dazed, and worried. This is the first big purchase we have made in our lives so far which made us wonder if we made the right decision. After thinking about it for awhile, I'm beginning to understand that these feelings will also play a part when we buy our first house as well. It's just scary realizing we are now adults, and have to make HUGE decisions.

Throughout the stress of the week, I am realizing once again that God ALWAYS provides. There may be things that cause us to worry, but God knows what we need at the time. I am thankful that I can depend on Him to get us through life situations.

Time for Tea

Not only have I been running around town all day, but this seems to be a recurring theme to my life.

The instant there is "free" time, it's spent multitasking--doing laundry, washing dishes, chasing the dog, or just trying to "watch" tv while my mind is occupied elsewhere. It has never been easy for me to "stop and smell the roses". Maybe because I'm always rushing to get the next thing done on my To Do list that I forget to savor the small things--the most important things in life. So today I did just that--enjoyed myself a cup of tea while letting my mind rest.


Don't forget to savor the small things in life.

Relax for a bit. Make time for a cup of tea, a relaxing evening with a book, cuddling with the person you love, or whatever it is that re-energizes your soul.

:::What it means to be REAL:::

What does it mean to be REAL??

That is a question I ponder as of late. As I get older, I realize that all situations (especially the tough ones) are helping me to discover my true authentic self. I want to become REAL--full of confidence, acceptance, understanding, and a sense of knowing that it's okay to be me. =)

One of my favorite excerpts from:
"The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse, "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes." said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real, you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, 'or bit by bit?"

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse, "you become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real, you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

Photographing Memories.....

Dale and I have not had professional pictures taken of us since our wedding day about 2 years ago. We were in dire need of some cute, fun-loving pictures that captured us as we are today. Hope you enjoy them, as much as we do.

Walking hand-in-hand into everyday of our lives...

Miss Bella

Lil' Miss Bella is Learning New Tricks

The only exciting news in the Hermesch house right now is the fact that Bella is learning new tricks. We've been taking lil' Miss Bella to doggy training classes at Petsmart for the past few weeks. It is soo cute when we walk into the training class...right away, Bella starts using her cuteness factor. She starts tilting her head, and knows that if she keeps it up she will eventually get a treat. So far, our dog has learned the "sit" command, and when I throw a treat on the floor she leaves it until I tell her it's okay to get it. Our dog is still trying to comprehend the "down" command. She doesn't understand that I want her to lie down on the floor.
It's really exciting to see our lil' pup learning new things. Dale and I spoil her soo much, but we don't have any children yet to spoil, so Bella will have to do.

Resolutions for 2009

The New Year is a time to reflect on what changes need to be made to live a full and rewarding life. As I think about the MANY things I can change in my life or add to my daily routines, I am reminded to take it slow this year and just enjoy the process of trying out/accomplishing my New Year's Resolutions. May this year be the year that I can gain my health back, try new things that I never thought I would ever do, and to embrace fully the life God has given me.

Here are my New Year's Resolutions for 2009:

(these are in no specific order)

1. Take Bella to doggy training class

2. Take a dance class (something I've wanted to do for the past 3 years and never followed through...maybe this year will be different)

3. Try new Recipes

4. Have a better relationship with God

5. Go to church more often/join a Bible study group

6. Save money...less shopping

7. Study this semester for my classes

8. Spend more quality time with Dale (date night at least twice a month)

9. Step out of comfort zone regularly

10. Be more organized

11. Be healthy (eat better, exercise, and slow down/relax more)