Surprise Announcement!

In case you haven't heard....I'm PREGNANT!  Hooray!  It did come as a surprise even though we've been trying for 2 years and 3 months.  Let me explain:
Drew left for his temporary assignment on May 5th and so I had given up on getting pregnant until at least November.  Granted, I would get to see Drew some of the time, but there was no guarantee it would be the right time.  So I was impatiently waiting on God and his timing and just gave up.    Drew was able to surprise me and come home for Mother's Day before he started his new job and after his training.
A few weeks later, when I went to the wedding that I posted about earlier, my Mom's perfume lotion nearly knocked me out in the car.  I didn't think anything of it at the time.  Later that same night, someone asked me if I was pregnant.  I said, "no."  But something made me want to take a test anyway.  I got home late on a Sunday night and took a test.  NEGATIVE. :(  I was disappointed AGAIN!  Then on the following Tuesday one of the mom's in Andrew's class told me that they were moving next year and that I'd better be pregnant before she left.  Being the crazy person that I am, I went home and took another test.  If you've ever taken a digital pregnancy test, the directions tell you to wait up to 3 minutes for the result.  Well, if you're pregnant it says pregnant right away.  So I took the test and waited....and waited....and waited.....that little hourglass just kept on blinking FOREVER.  I was thinking the whole time, "It's negative.  I shouldn't have wasted the test!"  I just kept staring at it...willing it to say POSITIVE and then....IT DID!  I hit the floor (literally) crying with my hands in the air screaming through my tears, "Thank you, Jesus!  I praise Your name for You are Wonderful."  I just couldn't stop crying.  When I finally regained composure, I had to tell Drew.  But Drew works in a place where you can't call him on his cell.  Plus he sleeps days and works nights.  I knew he'd be driving to work soon so I just sent him this text:

I think he was quite surprised as well.


We didn't tell anyone right away (ok maybe a select few).  We didn't want to relive the miscarriage experience again, so we waited.  We didn't go uber public until my first appointment....which was today.  The first few weeks were a little scary.  I had a few scares.  They did extra blood work and found that my progesterone levels were low, so I've been taking hormone supplements (which feel like PMS X 10!).  I actually had to go in around 6 weeks because of another scare, but learned that everything was fine.  I got the same report today. Hormone levels are where they should be HcG counts are normal, and that little heartbeat was just kickin' it on the sonogram today.  It doesn't look like much, but here's baby's first photo:

We could not be more thrilled!  So around the first of February, we'll have another Ladner baby!  Andrew can't wait to be a big brother...and what a great one he'll be!  We are blessed beyond measure and I still thank the Lord everyday for this blessing.   More updates to come.!  I go back to the Dr. on July26th.  Oh and in case you missed it: this is how we made the public announcement.

Please continue to pray for our little jelly bean as he/she grows.

2 New Cakes

After a very busy week at VBS, I had 2 cakes to do.  I baked them after VBS on Friday before I had to be back at church for Family Night.  I didn't get started decorating them until 9 pm that night.  It was a very long night!  But if you'd like to see the Mickey first birthday cake and Cosmic Bowling cake....you'll have to check out my newly remodeled baking blog.  Go HERE!

VBS 2012

This week was our VBS: Amazing Wonders Aviation.  Our sanctuary looked awesome!  They really did a good job.  We even had a plane (with a fully functioning propeller) built just for VBS!

I was on the music team for the morning and afternoon worship rally and I also taught Preschool music.    In the rallies, I played a character named Vera. B. Swift, complete with blonde wig and everything.  Mom posted some videos on facebook.  Funny stuff.  Anyway, the theme for music was "Music at the Matterhorn" so our room was decked out in a swiss mountain theme.

 We had a few posters on the walls too.

One day we had an activity where the kids had to "snow ski" using paper plates and rhythm sticks.  They loved it.  This is our 4 year old class trying out their skis.

 Wednesday night we had "VBS Family Fun Night."  We had a hot dog dinner and water play time.  The preschoolers had sprinklers and baby pools while the big kids played "Kiddie Pool Kickball." (so fun)

 And of course, we had WATERMELON! 

It was a great week.  We had a lot of fun learning about all the amazing things God did.  

I Have Great Neighbors!

Did I ever tell you that I have great neighbors?  Well, I do.  Since Drew is working in Tampa, Bill has been kind enough to mow my yard.  One day while blowing off the driveway, he stumbled across this little baby.

 So, naturally we HAD to kill it!  Bill had just the solution.

 Shot it's head clean off!

 See...

 YUK!  I hate snakes.  So, like I said...Best.Neighbors.Ever!

Worship Wednesday: Strong Enough

This Matthew West song is very near and dear to my heart.  Let me tell you why.
This will come as a surprise to most of you, but back in October (on the day we moved into our new house) I suffered a miscarriage.  I was only 6 weeks pregnant, but the loss stung.  Drew and I have been trying to have another baby for over two years now.  You can imagine how excited we were.  We told Andrew over dinner one night and he was ecstatic.  He has been asking for a little sister for quite some time.  So when we lost the baby, it really threw me for a loop.  I was devastated, shocked, hurt, MAD...all kids of emotions.  But I knew God had a plan.  I had two trips to the ER, followed by a visit to my doctor, followed by 3 return trips for blood work to make sure all of my levels went back to normal.  On the way home from one of those doctor visits, I heard this song for the first time:
 
When I am weak, HE is strong.  With God's help we can get through anything.  I believe that with all my heart.  So whatever you're going through today, I pray that this song will encourage you to turn to the One in control of it all.  As Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct your path."


My due date would have been June 14.  So tomorrow is going to be a rough day.   Pray for us tomorrow.  You never know why these things happen.  We just have to trust the sovereignty of the Lord.  Probably the hardest part of the whole situation was explaining to Andrew that the baby inside Mommy's tummy died.  He was very quiet about it, but you could tell he was sad.  The night after it happened, I couldn't sleep.  I was actually crying in the bed.  Andrew came in our room around 2 am, climbed in beside me, and put his hand on my cheek.  It's like he knew just what I needed.  At that moment I thanked God for the beautiful child I DO have.  He is such a sweetheart!  Even through the heartache of losing a child, I am truly blessed.  

VPK Graduation

Tonight was Andrew's Pre-K Graduation Ceremony.  Everyone came to town for his special night: Grammy, Granddad, Alex, Granna, Granny Margaret, Gracie, and Uncle were all there.  

                                                       

 They sang several cute songs.

 Then it was diploma time (excuse the blurriness) The only other one we have, he is covering his face.

 Cousins

 Andrew and Gracie

 Andrew with Gracie and Uncle

 Andrew and his girlfriend, Zya

 Granny Margaret and the the graduate

 His teacher, Ms. Delores

 Friends from the other class, Bobbi and Coretta

 Since we missed the official picture day, I had to take a few of him outside in his cap and gown.

 This one is my favorite! 

 Picture with Granna

 Mom and Dad with graduate Andrew

After the ceremony we all went to Red Barn BBQ to celebrate.  The kid got so many presents, you would have thought it was Christmas!  Lucky for him, he gets to do it all over again with Kindergarten Graduation! 

More Visitors!

I got to see Heather this week!  Ok, ok...a little back story on Heather.  She and I met in Auburn in the fall of 1999.  We both lived in Noble Hall. (which sadly is no longer standing, but the memories will live forever)  We hit it off right away and became the best of friends.

Sidebar:  I tell you what....the people that I met in that dorm are ((STILL)) some of my most favorite people I met in all my year at Auburn.  They are all very special to me and I still keep in touch with most of them, though we be scattered all over the globe.

Anyway, back to Heather!  The last time I saw her was in December 2010, when I was in Dallas for Ben's wedding.  She called to tell me that she was coming home for a wedding and she and her hubby would be staying in Florida for a week.  So, naturally, I made the drive over to Seagrove Beach to see her!  We left after school and met Heather and Brian for lunch.  (My shrimp sandwich was divine!)  Then Brian left the girls to the girl talk for a round of golf.  We spent the rest of the afternoon catching up and catching some rays.  It was a cloudy day, so it wasn't too hot. (That's Floridian for PERFECT DAY)  Heather took a few pictures of our day together.  


HOLD THE PHONE: I've lost the picture of the two of us?!  What?!  Heather, you may have to email me those pics again!  IN the meantime, here are a few she took of me and Andrew.

 Andrew enjoyed a nice popsicle after our day at the beach.  And he finally decided to cooperate in the picture.

Lots of Visitors

I went home for Memorial Day and when I came back, I brought some house guests with me!  My BFF, Erin was on maternity leave so I suggested that it would be a great time to come and visit me!  She and her 2 girls rode home with us and spent the week.   We had so much fun that I hardly took any pictures at all!  (I know...it's terrible)  I did manage to snap a couple of cute pics of her newest addition.  

 She was a happy girl, until I tried to hold her.  Then, this is mainly what I got.  LOL!

 But, Mama made it all better.

Andrew loved having her other daughter (4) to play with.  He was pretty crazy about the baby too!  We spent most of the week in the pool and when the kids went to bed, Erin and I had some quality girl time. (That had seriously been lacking for a long time.)  
On Thursday of that week, my other friend Kellye, her friend, Trina, and dog Picasoo came down for a long weekend.  Drew even made it into town Thursday night too!  AND Erin's hubby drove down Friday night to pick her up.  So at the peak of the week our full house total went a little something like this: 6 adults, 3 kids, 2 dogs, and a rabbit!  It was a fun week.  I enjoy having company, and I'm really glad Erin and I got to spend some BFF time together.