Go HOGS!!!

I know this is a silly post, but I just wanted to say how happy I am for the Arkansas Razorbacks!!! We hardly ever get to watch them on tv over here, but last Friday we were able to watch them beat LSU in three overtimes!! What a GREAT game!!

Our thanksgiving was fun!! It was a really relaxing weekend. Well, except for the fact that I made Dallas crawl into our storage above the bathroom and put our winter clothes and all the clothes I know I won't need between now and atleast May away, it was relaxing!!

I was able to spend some time with my mom, Kaci and Katelynn on webcam over the weekend. That was such a treat! I didn't realize how much I needed that, but I think with the pregnancy, being away from my mom and sister is really tough. I also got to see Ben and Abby. They are having such a blast at my parents, but I wasn't expecting any different. My parents have always treated them like family, which puts such an ease in my mind when we are apart!! Katelynn is also looking great!! She is growing like a weed. Her hair is getting so long and she is really starting to get into those facial expressions and her words.

All in all it was a great Thanksgiving weekend!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I just wanted to take this time to say how greatful I am for each and everyone of you!! I have to say that I am not short on blessings and could list them all, but I am mostly thankful for the relationships in my life. I am so glad that God loves us so much to give us companionship in family and friends.

I always knew that I would be blessed with a good marriage, but I had no idea that Dallas would come along. And, now that we are expecting our first child, I see more everyday why it is God choose him for me! What an amazing thought! He sees me as special enough to choose for me a man that I can depend on, be proud of and love in the good and bad!!

I am also greatful, as a woman, to experience pregnancy. Wow, how incredible! As I am writing this our little surprise is flipping all around and I am the only one who can feel it! God and I are the only ones on a daily basis aware of this miracle inside of me and that is overwhelming. What a gift!

Thank you for allowing Dallas and I to share our lives with each of you through this blog and thanks for caring enough to check it periodically. Even though we are far away this holiday season, please know we love you all and are so incredibly greatful for what you add to our lives!!!

Baby bump debut...

I have promised some people that I would put a picture of me on the blog as soon as I had a little belly. Well, the belly is making its debut. It really isn't much and you can only see it if I am wearing certain clothes, but it is definitly there!! Hey BABY!!! Anyways, I hope you enjoy the little bump. I will try to put pics on every 4 weeks or so as it grows. Mommy also thinks she feels our little surprise and can't wait for Daddy to be able to feel the kicks and jabs too!!!

First Baby Shower...

So, last weekend I was surprised by all my girlfriends here in La Madd with Spa weekend and baby shower! It was a REAL surprise. Mainly because it is so early in my pregnancy. However, a lot of us will be doing a lot of last minute travel before the base closes and some are due to leave in Dec. So, they all thought it would be better now than later! It was really great! The hotel was in an area with hot springs and had a heated pool with saunas, steam rooms, heated rocks to lounge on and of course the spa. I got a manicure, pedicure and facial. The massage thereapist at the hotel would not touch a pregnant woman. So, I just got one in La Madd!!! I got some wonderful gifts from everyone! My favorite had to be the cake made with diapers. It was made with newborn diapers. When I opened it up I couldn't believe how tiny the diaper was. All that went through my head was, "God, are you sure you want ME to take care of something that tiny?" hahah!!! And, one of the girls made me a cake that actually looked like a baby with a pacifier in its mouth! That was cool!! It was actually hard deciding where to make the first cut!!! The party was great and a wonderful surprise. It made me feel special and realize that this baby is real and is REALLY coming!!!

notice the diaper fits in my palm!

the baby cake!

Smile for the birdie....

Here is the newest picture of our baby! The baby is 14 weeks and on Friday we will begin the 15th. All is great with the baby! We heard the heartbeat and saw it really good this time!! We even saw the baby MOVE!!! That was super cool. The doctor was showing us the spinal cord when all of a sudden the baby did a flex motion front and back and then a little flip. The picture we have here is the result of all that motion. If you notice the words are upside down? That is because the baby was doing a head stand!! Yep, that is MY baby!! The doc, who is a great friend, said "There is your little gymnast!!!" I put the picture with the head up because it is much easier to see what it is that way!! The picture is taken from the side of the body and you can see the baby's profile and the arm and hands! The hands are kinda in a praying motion!! During the visit the baby moved the arms a lot as well! I tell you what, Dallas and I totally loved this appt. Compared to the last time, where the baby was practically a gummy bear with no movement, to a baby moving all over made it quite entertaining! Let's just say if we didn't believe in miracles before today (and we did) that we absolutely do now!!! Doc says I am doing well too, so all is great in Gipsonville!!! Even Daddy seem really proud and happy!!

If you double click the picture it will enlarge the image!

Baby at 14 weeks and 4days.

Not sure about mommyhood...

Hahahaha!!!!!! My friend Sandra sent me this picture! We were in Cinque Terre, a town on the northwestern coast of Italy, enjoying the beach until it was time to head home. Not soon after we had gathered all our things and began heading to the car we realized I had everything, the bags, stroller and Mia( her daughter) and Sandra was carrying nothing. Needless to say we laughed so hard!! I looked like her little nanny slave!! It was hillarious. Except, now, I have a picture of what life as a mom is going to look like for Ms. Cindy!! We all know I am a little chaotic and try to do everything all at once. Maybe this was meant to be and a good practice for things to come!! HAHAHAHA!! Poor Dallas!!

Me and my Mia (those are her legs dangling!)

La Maddalena's Last Navy Ball.....

Dallas and I at Navy Ball 2007. No that flower is not in Dallas' hair!!!

As many of you know, the base that we are currently stationed at is in the process of closing. These are strange times here and filled with a lot of bitter-sweet moments! Last Friday was the last Navy Ball ever to be held in La Maddalena. Instead of the usual formal affair we had a very casual luau. The remaining 150 service members and their families came out for one last celebration as a La Maddalena family! The ship has left and now the remaining service members are busy wrapping up some red tape before we lock the gates and turn in the keys to the NSA compound. Sad times, but we are trying to enjoy all of this little island, that has been our home for the past two year, as much as possible.