The Big Shower = DONE!

Today was the day of the baby shower at mom's house. It was wonderful! We had a beautiful buffet of food that mom made. (If any of you know Pam Santos - she is a chef extrodinaire!) Here is a picture of course:

It was wonderful, the women on staff and the wives of staff and deacon and elder's wives came. Also, some close friends came and it was great to see our friend Megan from Pittsfield, Il come too. My maw-maw from Louisiana also came to be apart of the festivities.This is my mom (Pam), me and my maw-maw (Helen).

It was a beautiful day. Sunny and 70 - and a little windy. We received so many nice gifts and it was such a blessing! God is so good! I cannot believe that I am 34 weeks today! Only 6 weeks away from the due date.

A few of guests at our girly outdoor luncheon...

Sun, Sand, and Ocean Breeze

I will say that I absolutely love my husband! He took me to Orlando, Florida to meet up with our friends Dave, Jen and Layla Handsaker. Of course, Dave and Layla had no idea that we were coming. It was a complete surprise for his 40th birthday(which isn't until May) and his 3 year old would have told him so it had to be a surprise for her too. When we walked out of the airport and saw Dave and Layla's face, it was a time to remember! I believe that her exact response was "I am going to scream". Priceless! So, we spent 4 wonderful days with our great friends in Florida. Friday we went to the pool, Saturday we went to the pool, Sunday we went to the beach and Monday we went shopping - Dream trip. The first picture below is of all of us in a bicycle made for 6...let me tell you what, that was a hard ride on the boardwalk of the Disney resorts! But, a time to remember. The next picture is of Jerry and I with Layla on Bradenton Beach in Florida. And, the bottom one of Jerry, my 30 week pregnant tummy, and I. It was a beautiful day - 90 degrees, sunny, and perfect water.


People have asked if we went on a Babymoon (Honeymoon for parents having a baby)... and well I will say this... while in the water Jerry and I smiled and said that this is the last time we will be on vacation just the two of us. It is kind of sobering that in 10 weeks or less, we will have another life to take care of. God is good! And, oh yeah, it stinks getting fried on your first day of vacation... Jerry and I both have DEEP tans - or should I say deep peeling.

28 Weeks and Counting...

Well, Hello 3rd trimester. I thought that something magical would happen we this day came and I got nothing but INTENSE heart burn. I just don't understand how I can eat absolutely nothing and still have that sizzling, burning sensation in my throat. You know though... I would never give this moment back. Tonight, while hanging with my mom, Pam, Finley started moving wildly. I had her put her hand on my tummy and he kicked so strong it made her laugh. What a great moment to give her!
When almost a year ago we thought we would never be in this spot in our lives and now here we are. Today, during service at church, Jerry gave a word to the congregation. He told them of our struggles to get pregnant but that God always gets the last word. Then, he told them a story that he and I just remembered on Friday night. Last June 20, 2008, we were at a Summer camp in Ohio. Jerry asked the speaker to pray over us. He only told him that we were trying to have a baby. While praying, Adam, the speaker, said that we would have a baby by this time next year. And, God knows...we are due June 20! In Jen Handsakers words...."God is such a show-off!"

Our Friend Jude...

We have enjoyed being home with friends and family... We have really enjoyed getting to be around all the new babies at our church. Our friends Ryan and Afton had a boy, Jude, in October. He and Jerry are great friends. I tell you what, Jerry has a way with babies. I can't wait for him to be with Finley. Afton said, on Sunday, that Jude was cranky and as soon as Jerry walked up, he started smiling... so, here they are two buddies.

25 Weeks and Counting...

Well, the winter is leaving and spring is soon here. The weather has been beautiful! We are enjoying living at home around family and friends. Things that we have been missing out on, we now get to do. Like, go see our friend Ryan's band play at a coffee shop in town or be apart of the worship team here at Grace or just spend the evening making dinner and playing Wii with family.
Buc is becoming more of a crazy man. I think he is in his teenage years right now... ah, to have a 14 year old son... at least with Finley it will actually take 14 years and not just 3. We are ready to move to a larger house so he (and we) can have room to move around. Please be praying for us that our house in Iowa will finalize in the next few months.
And, of course, being pregnant. It is an amazing adventure for both Jerry and I. I am happy to say, as far as I know, that I have not been crabby and hormonal. It is amazing to feel Finley moving. I can now distinguish between a foot and a hand and of course, hiccups at 3 in the morning. He had them six times last night! He is kicking so hard that you can see my belly moving from the outside. We set up his furniture yesterday and are looking forward to the baby showers to fill it up! I am now 25 weeks and 1 day... where has the time gone?
We love and pray for all of you and know that God is going to bless you beyond your wildest dreams! Keep living the blessed life! Remember this: Don't give to get - Give to give

And the moment you have all been waiting for...

Well... a couple of weeks ago... SuperBowl Sunday, I went to get dressed to get ready to go my parent's house. I put on my jeans and good Lord, they didn't button. The odd thing was, they buttoned three days prior. I started yelling at Jerry to help. He came into the room and began laughing at me. Of course, in a loving way. He began to explain to me that this is what happens when women get pregnant. Eventually, they grow out of their clothes and must begin buying maternity clothes. Then, he proceeded to tell me not to be shocked and its not like I am gaining a bunch of weight (actually have lost 10 pounds now) and just to go buy some clothes the following day. I agreed hestitantly and finished getting dressed.

So, many of you who live away from us have been asking if I am wearing maternity clothes and what I look like...here I am. The interesting thing is that people are asking me when I am due. That does make a girl feel pretty good. I mean, that it's not just looking overly plump - it's looking pregnant. This is the best picture I could get as of now. I am sure we will update you with more to come.

SuperBowl and Cupcakes

Just wanted to let you share in the happy times of the Tipton Family. During the SuperBowl we went to my parent's house and hosted a few couples from church with them. It was loads of fun - especially the 3D portion of halftime. And, of course, we had to get Buc in on the action. Here we are enjoying the evening. And just for my mom and dad - Go Steelers!
Last week, my mom, Ashley (a secretary at the church), Cara (a friend), and I had the task of making 125 cupcakes for the Valentine's Dinner on February 7. And, of course, mom wanted them to be absolutely homemade - no boxes here. So, we proceeded to make red velvet cupcakes 25 at a time with cream cheese frosting. It literally took two days. But man were they yummy! And, people loved them at the dinner. Here they are...all 125. Wait - I mean 124. It seems as though Buc found them on the table, pulled one on to the floor and licked (in perfect form) all of the frosting off of one. I will say he enjoyed himself. But he also got in big trouble by Jerry and made his way to the bedroom with his head under the bed for pretty much the rest of day. And he really was caught "red-handed". He had red velvet cake all in his beard. Poor Buc - the guy can never get a break. He only wanted a cupcake. He was forgiven later and soon back to his old happy self again... soon to be found sniffing the cupcakes again...