Chicago

Jason and I had a great opportunity to spend a few days in the Windy City this week. We had a few days off work, good weather, and an itch to go somewhere before Baby Belly gets too big to ride in a car for 5 hours. So, we seized the chance to take a short trip! Here are a few pics...
Lake Michigan looked a lot better than the last time we saw it...it wasn't frozen. =) A very nice day to enjoy Lincoln Park and a walk along the water.

I know this doesn't look particularly appetizing, but my point to make is that this half of a Chicago style pizza in our doggy bag weighed almost 2 lbs! We seriously weighed it on our hotel room scale. Guess that means that the entire small pizza weighed 4 lbs. Yikes. It sure was yummy though.
Oh how we love city streets!

I wish we would have taken pictures of our evening at the Sheckler's house. I guess when you are busy enjoying friends you forget to document the time with photos. Nonetheless, we enjoyed Keri, Kevin, Sofia, and Selah. Thanks for welcoming us to Chicago!

Our very low-tech Baby Counter.

Baby's Room: Phase 1

My dad has completed the first phase of Baby's room - the all-important paint job! He came all the way from Texas to help us out with the painting. And it looks fabulous! We'll keep you posted on future phases... For now, we have a beautifully painted room and tons of crib pieces on the floor. Bring on Phase 2: Crib!

Tulip Time.
(This post is dedicated to Sheryl, my friend from Pella, who has always been proud of her hometown. She "introduced" it to me when we were roommates in Istanbul in 2000.)

Last week Jason and I ventured out to Pella, Iowa for Tulip Time. Pella is a small Dutch community about 45 minutes away from Des Moines. They are famous for their tulips in the Spring - the whole town was covered in the lovely spring flowers. We enjoyed walking all over town and the dutch fair food - potato ribbons (thinly sliced fried potatoes - yum!), poffertjes (tiny pancakes served with strawberries and whipped cream), and dutch letters (the signature Iowa cookie). Pella is a great little town and we enjoyed the chance to celebrate Spring...Here are a couple of pictures of the tulips.

I've learned my (painful) lesson.

You know how on the back of a box of Q-tips it clearly says "do not insert Q-tips into the ear canal"? Well, for as long as I can remember I have been inserting those little cotton sticks into my ear to get them clean. I simply cannot stand the thought of having excess ear wax in my ears...

However, I think I have learned my lesson and decided that perhaps I should follow the advice of the packaging (and my husband, for that matter) and NOT insert them into my ear. This week I had the most painful ear canal infection. And you know what the doctor said when I went to see him? "Infections this severe are caused by inserting things into the ear canal...like Q-tips." So after several nights of lost sleep - because it was on the left side and pregnant ladies have to sleep on the left side - and countless ear drops to relieve the pain, I have decided that I shouldn't stick Q-tips in my ear. No matter what. In fact, I think I have even subscribed to my husband's advice that because God made ear wax to be in our ears, it's probably helpful. So hopefully my little cotton-tipped lesson will benefit my readers - especially ones who are prone to insert things into their ears.

==

On a side note, I have a hilarious story about my 8-year-old nephew Mitchell. A couple of weeks ago, he failed his hearing test at school. When the school nurse examined his ears, she told my sister that she could only see red in there. She thought it looked swollen and he should probably be taken to the doctor to check it out. Since it was my brother-in-law, Dave's, turn for the doctor visit (when you have 4 children, mom & dad have to take turns =), he and Mitchell went to visit the pediatrician.

Once the doctor looked in Mitchell's ears, he immediately asked Mitchell if he had recently put anything in his ears. He promptly answered, "no". When the pediatrician responded, "well, it looks like something may be stuck in there and I will have to get it out. I'll be right back so I can take a closer look"...and Mitchell started to look a bit pale. As soon as the doctor left the room, he turned to Dave and said, "oh, Dad...did I tell you about the little boy at school who likes to stick things in people's ears when they aren't looking??? He's a really bad boy. He is always putting things in other people's ears." Dave asked him what kinds of things this other little boy puts in people's ears. Mitchell said he wasn't sure...all kinds of things though...Hmm... That sounds very fishy, doesn't it?

Long story short, when the doctor returned, he removed pencil top erasers (the small red ones that come standard on pencils) from BOTH of Mitchell's ears. Once the doctor asked him about the erasers, he stuck firmly to his story about the bad kid at school who puts things in people's ears when they aren't looking. He must have felt strongly that the doctor would buy his story - and fear the second grader who had the strength to stealthily put things in other kids' ears. The doctor gently scolded Mitchell and made sure he understood that he shouldn't let ANYONE put anything in his ears - EVER. And just in case he ever got the idea to put something in his own ear, well, he shouldn't do that either....

Jason's Birthday.

Yesterday we celebrated Jason's birthday and since we had Connection Group last night, it was a ready-made party! We always enjoy Tuesday nights with our friends from Cornerstone. And it's even better when there's cake!
This is my humble attempt at making a homemade cake look like a store-decorated one.
Gabe, Carolyn, & Melissa
Jason and Todd being the "old guys" in the group.
Jason's really 34, but I thought 4 candles was enough.

Jason commented that one of the many perks of having a wife is having someone to make a big deal out of your birthday. I enjoyed every minute of making a big deal out of him yesterday!

My husband has launched a new website I thought many readers might be interested in. Smart Parents...healthy kids! is a website Jason has created for parents who are interested in learning more about taking care of their children's health at home. He offers lots of education for parents that, quite honestly, your pediatrician knows but probably doesn't take the time to explain in the office. Various topics include how to treat fever, cough, sore throat, ear aches and more. He works as a pediatrician full time in the emergency room at a large hospital and has created Smart Parents...healthy kids! to equip parents and help them to keep their kids OUT of the emergency room and avoid unnecessary doctor's visits. Hopefully many of you will find it helpful.

Sign up as a subscriber to Jason's newsletter on various kids' health topics. You can easily sign up on the website and we promise not to spam you! So, be sure to sign up for the newsletter and be well on your way to smart parenthood...and healthy kids.

Let us know what you think about the website - we'd love feedback!

This no longer looks like a Baby Bump! It's definitely a Baby Belly! We are at 25 weeks now...

My Least Favorite TV Show

I don't watch a lot of TV but occasionally I find myself watching it while Jason is at work. I have decided that the show I love to hate is Jon & Kate plus 8 on TLC. Basically it's about a couple (Jon & Kate) who used fertility treatments to get pregnant twice and ended up with eight kids. They have a set of twins and sextuplets and live in Pennsylvania. They are also the stars of their very own reality show.

I have decided that Kate is really the most annoying part of the show. She is the perfect example of a nagging wife, an overprotective mom, and a generally unhappy person. She is always complaining and whining about something. And her poor husband Jon seems to be the constant target of her jabs - at his weight, his parenting abilities...even his intelligence. He is literally pummeled in every episode by his quarrelsome wife.

Just in case Kate ever happens upon my blog, or if I ever need an occasional reminder that these are not desirable wifely qualities, I have made a list of tips for Kate (and me, and any other wives who take note)...

1. A little affirmation goes a long way. Husbands love to hear that they have done a great job at something - and they always do a great job at something. And most of the time, they do a great job at lots of things.

2. Just because he doesn't do it your way doesn't mean it's not right. Swallow your "my way is the only right way perspective" and allow him to do it - his way. And then be grateful! After all, he probably helped with something you otherwise would have done.

3. Dads are not Moms, but that doesn't mean they are idiots. As long as he's not endangering their health by feeding them poisonous food, he's probably doing a swell job. Relax and let him do it. Maybe seize the opportunity to take a nap while he's taking over as Dad for a while...

4. If you are going to comment about his weight, at least do it in a way that is loving and helpful. Sarcasm is not the way to communicate to someone that you love that you are concerned about their weight. I figure most women should know this. (After all, don't we grow up obsessing about our bodies?) However, Kate has given me enough bad examples that it seems some women don't know this...unfortunately it seems like it only degrades and embarrasses the husband who receives this kind of criticism.

5. Always take his side in front of others. I realize this must be incredibly difficult when you have cameras in your house 24/7, Kate. But cameras or no, (and most of us don't have any...) there is no reason you can't take his side in public. If you disagree with him or have some criticism for him - deal with it in private. Do it with love. And for goodness sake, there is no need to scream. Ever.

I could go on and on with this list but I'd have to keep the TV on and watch the behavior of this couple to get more specific examples. And frankly, I don't want to. It is such a poor example of how a marriage and family should work that I just can't watch anymore...

*DISCLAIMER: Before you start thinking that I am just plain mean, hear me say loudly and clearly that I am NOT PERFECT....I just don't have a camera in my house all the time. And, granted, I don't have eight kids. So, Kate, I'm not attacking you - just the behavior I see on the show. To put a more positive spin on things, let's see it as my desire to learn from the too-many-to-count bad examples on the show. Thanks, TLC. You've given me as much learning as I can take...

Tagged.

Thanks to Callie, I can no longer avoid taggage. Here you go!

4 Jobs I have had in my life:

1. Waitress
2. Lifeguard
3. College Professor
4. Event Planner

4 Movies I've Watched More Than Once

1. Steel Magnolias
2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (This was before Sarah Jessica was Carrie...)
3. Rad (a super lame bike movie my brother and I loved when we were little)
4. Elf


4 Places I've Lived:

1. Fort Worth, TX
2. Riverside, CA
3. Istanbul, Turkey
4. Des Moines, IA

4 TV Shows I Watch/Watched

1. The Office
2. The Office
3. The Office
4. The Office

4 Places I have Been:

1. Italy
2. India
3. Morocco
4. Greece

4 People who email me regularly

1. My husband
2. My mom
3. Jennifer
4. Facebook

4 of my favorite foods

1. French Fries...especially yummy during pregnancy.
2. Tomatoes
3. Mexican
4. Cheesecake

4 Places I Would Like to Visit

1. South America
2. Canada
3. Paris
4. New Zealand

Things I am Looking Forward to in the Coming Year

1. The birth of our baby.
2. Warm weather in Des Moines
3. Visiting Family
4. Family & Friends coming to visit

Friends I'm Tagging

1. Rebecca (you gotta do it now, Bec, both Cals and I tagged you!)
2. Keri
3. Kimmy Sun

Here's a picture of our Easter celebration at home...

Happy Easter!
Here's a picture of the cute Easter cupcakes I made this week - they were yummy but most all of them ended up going over to the hospital with Jason. I actually love that people know Dr. Reynolds' wife as the one who loves to bake! I have always loved the kitchen but it's especially fun when I have a place to send all of my homemade treats.

Jason and I will be at home for Easter. We are really excited to celebrate resurrection Sunday in our new city, in our new home, with our new little family. We have much to be thankful for and will enjoy the celebration of new life that Easter brings.

Happy Easter weekend to all!

To my mom on her 60th...

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my mom turned 60 last week while we were in NY. I thought it appropriate to take a minute to recognize this amazing woman that brought me into the world...Even now as I experience the joys of pregnancy and look forward to the gift of motherhood, I have so much gratitude for my mom.

When my mom finished high school in our tiny hometown of Albany, Texas she set out for her own adventure. I can understand her desire to get out and see the world, after all, because I felt the same way. While I loved small town Texas, I was itching to do something new. Anyways, Mom went to a small junior college in Cisco - simply because she could join the drill team there and get a full scholarship. After Cisco, she and her girlfriends set out for the ultimate "coming of age" experience, renting an apartment in downtown Dallas in the 1960's. She worked downtown, walked to work every day and loved city life.

She and my dad married and set out for a new adventure together living in Germany for 3 years. She gave birth to her first child, my sister Melissa, in Germany and lived without email, digital pictures, and cell phone calls to America (beyond what I can fathom). She often comments that her experience in Germany was something she would NEVER take back - even though at the time it seemed a little crazy to move halfway around the world as a newlywed.

After my parents moved back to America, my brother and I came along. My parents divorced when I was in the fourth grade, but for as long as I can remember, I never heard a negative word from either one of them about the other. I am grateful they allowed us to grow up and learn to see them and love each of them as they are.

My mom always worked full time and provided what we needed - without us ever knowing that we were often in need. She leaned heavily on her faith through losing both of her parents before she turned 50. Within the same period of 4 years, she lost her dad to cancer, her mom to heart complications, and her second husband a sudden heart attack. He was only 48.

When I felt called to go overseas, she was supportive and never once questioned if I was doing the right thing. She came to visit me in Turkey and California and has vowed that no matter where I live, she'll come.

In the last 10 years, she's welcomed four grandchildren into her life and been transformed into a very cool Mimi. She's also survived breast cancer, a midnight car wreck with four cows that totaled her car, a broken ankle and reconstructive surgery, and numerous West Texas highway run-ins with deer. She is a woman of faith, always relying on the Lord to see her through the difficult times.

And, in the last year, she graciously survived being mother of the bride AND mother of the groom for me and my brother.

The quality that I love most about my mom, though, is her sense of humor. She is one of the funniest people I know and has always, always seen things in life with humor. I hope I can learn from her motherly sense of humor and the ease with which she can make us laugh.

For so many pivotal times in my life she has been a counselor, a listener, a comedian, and most of all, a mom.

I truly hope I can be half the mom she is...

I love you, Mom!

p.s. She's beautiful too, isn't she??

Fav NY Pix

New York

New York City is one of my absolute favorite cities. Jason and I had the privilege of going to NYC last week with my mom for her 60th birthday. We had so much fun celebrating in the Big Apple! We ate (a lot), went to the theater, and enjoyed hanging out in the City. We saw three fabulous shows (Thanks to the Half Price ticket booth): Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - starring James Earl Jones & Phylicia Rashad, Mary Poppins, and Legally Blonde. All of them were great shows but my favorite was Legally Blonde. If you are planning a trip to Broadway anytime soon, I highly recommend it. We laughed hysterically!

This was not my mom's first trip to NYC, but it was Jason's first time. If you know me at all, you know that I am the natural trip planner/coordinator in most any group, so I was happy to plan our itineraries for each day. Most of all, I was really thankful that my mom and Jason were willing to put up with my "tour of NYC via the best food joints". Oh, the perks of having a pregnant travel guide. =) My favorites? The Buttercup Bake Shop - cupcake heaven! And, Good Enough To Eat - a fabulous little place in the Upper West Side serving yummy comfort food...macaroni and cheese to dream about.

My mom is such a fun traveler. She loves to laugh and I'm convinced she can have a great time ANYwhere. I'm so glad she's my mom! Thanks, Mom, for letting us celebrate in style with you!

Next Post: A few of my favorite pics...

Baby Bump.Here's the Baby Bump, folks! 20 weeks worth of baby in there...

1.5 Hours

So, I have learned a lot about Iowa weather in the last few weeks...Lots of people joke about Texas weather being unpredictable and changing on a dime. Well, yesterday's Iowa weather beat anything I've ever seen in Texas! Yesterday it was so warm with the high at 58 degrees - truly balmy compared to the last several weeks. All of the snow even melted! It was great to catch a glimpse of the grass! It started to rain in the evening but still wasn't much colder. Long story short, when I fell asleep at 10:30p and woke up at midnight when Jason got home from work, there was 6 inches of snow on the ground!! I seriously couldn't believe things had changed so drastically in 1.5 hours. It snowed all night and now everything is covered in a blanket of snow again. Today the high is 20 degrees. Crazy!

Sad News.

It seems that the death of Cyd Mizell, who was kidnapped weeks ago in Afghanistan, has been confirmed by the organization she worked for. They state on their website they have received news of her "apparent death". Click here for the website. Sad news for those who loved her and have prayed for her over the past few weeks...but glorious news for Cyd - who is now eternally with the Father. Please continue to pray for her family and friends. May they be overwhelmed with the peace of Jesus and the comfort only God can provide.

My Soup Kitchen.

So, since living in the VERY cold Midwest, I have added lots of soup recipes to my collection...it's sort of becoming a soup kitchen. Since I spend a lot of time in the kitchen and have rarely blogged about my favorite recipes, here are a few of my all-time fav soup recipes. Most of these came from Epicurious - my favorite recipe website. Enjoy!

Broccoli, Red Pepper, and Cheddar Chowder

1 small head broccoli (1/2 lb)
1 large boiling potato (1/2 lb)
1 large onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
l large garlic clove, finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup heavy cream
6 oz sharp Cheddar, coarsely grated (1 1/2 cups)

Discard tough lower third of broccoli stem. Peel remaining stem and finely chop. Cut remaining broccoli into very small (1-inch) florets. Cook florets in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water to stop cooking, then drain. Reserve 3 cups cooking water for chowder. (Reserving the water helps to retain the nutrients.)

Peel potato and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Cook potato, onion, bell pepper, broccoli stems, and garlic in butter in a 3- to 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until onion is softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Add cumin, salt, pepper, and mustard and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Add flour and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Add reserved cooking water and simmer (partially covered), stirring occasionally, until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in cream and cheese and cook, stirring, until cheese is melted, then season with salt and pepper.

Purée about 2 cups of chowder in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids) and return to pot. Add florets and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 2 minutes. Serves: 6

Tomato Basil Cream Soup - as good as La Madeleine!

4 tomatoes - seeded & diced
4 c. of tomato juice
14 leaves fresh basil or 2 tsp. dried basil
1/2 c. cream
2 tblsp. butter

Put tomatoes and juice in a stock pot over medium heat. Simmer for 30 minutes. Put the tomato mixture in a blender and puree with the basil (remember to remove the center piece from the lid and cover with a towel - to allow the steam to escape). Return puree to stock pot.

Place the pot over medium heat and stir in the cream and butter. Season with salt and pepper. Heat, stirring until the butter is melted. DO NOT boil.
Serves: 4


Chicken Vegetable Noodle Soup

8 c. chicken broth (6 15.5 oz cans or 4 chicken bouillon cubes plus water)
1 c. chopped onion
3 large carrots, peeled and sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 large red bell pepper, chopped
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken tenders, cubed
2 c. yolk-free noodles (No Yolks Brand), uncooked
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp garlic powder

Lightly spray a large soup pot with cooking spray. Pour 2 tablespoons of chicken broth into pot and heat over medium-high heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and red pepper and cook 3-5 minutes, just until tender-crisp. Pour remaining chicken broth into pot; increase heat to high and bring soup to a boil. Add chicken pieces, noodles, pepper, and garlic powder to pot; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and cook 25-30 minutes, until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through. Serves: 6

We're Back.

We had a fabulous time in Hawaii! Jason and I enjoyed the time in Maui to relax and enjoy a break. The time in Oahu was much busier, but we loved hanging out with Jason's friend Pagnarith from Cambodia. This was his first trip to America, so it was fun to hear his perspective of things. Jason and Pagnarith's presentation was very well received at the conference, and they were even recognized by an internationally-known doctor who specializes in treating kids in resource-poor areas. He thought the work in Cambodia was done so well, he offered to help Pagnarith and Jason publish some of their findings. It was a huge encouragement to Pagnarith, above all, because he lives and works in Cambodia every day. The battle with serious disease and poverty there is overwhelming at times, but it was awesome to see such a young Cambodian doctor be recognized for the difference he is making. He is a truly amazing person and we were grateful to share in his success at the conference.

Enjoy the pictures!

Jason and Pagnarith after parasailing in Honolulu. Too bad I couldn't get a close up of them on the parachute, but the speed boat didn't seem like the best place for a pregnant lady.

Pagnarith and Jason listening to other presentations at the conference...looking very smart.

"Our" poster displaying the research and findings. We label it "ours" because Pagnarith and Jason did the work and I designed the poster. What a team!

On the first night of the conference, there was a big welcome bash in Waikiki. Basically, a big fancy party on the beach with tons of food and entertainment. Pagnarith said, "I've only seen this kind of fancy party on TV! I feel like a movie star." Frankly, Pagnarith, us too. =) We don't hang out at parties like that very often either.

Mine and Jason's feet in the black sand on Maui.

We went whale watching and saw lots of whales! They were so quick, but I happened to catch a tail in this picture.

Self-portrait on the black cliffs of Maui.

Beautiful views on the road to Hana...

The Maui countryside.

Nothing.

There is nothing to report about Cyd's kidnapping. Investigators in Afghanistan have no clues about her disappearance and no one has claimed responsibility for her kidnapping...Please continue to pray for Cyd. Pray that God will give her great strength and peace. Pray also for her family who is grieving the absence of the woman they dearly love. May Jesus Himself be their rock, comforter, friend, and Peace.

Kidnapped.

Perhaps you heard a story over the weekend about an American woman who was kidnapped in Afghanistan. It was reported by several international news sources. This woman, Cyd Mizell, is someone I worked with about 5 years ago when I was in Turkey. She is a precious person and went to Afghanistan because she was so compelled to help women in such a desolate place. Please pray for her release. No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of her and her driver in a Kandahar neighborhood. The more time that goes by, the more desperate the situation is. Here are the links to two stories (and a photo of Cyd) posted on foxnews.com. The second story is particularly interesting because it reports that over 500 burqa-clad women marched in support of Cyd yesterday in Kandahar. Such a display of protest from women in Afghanistan is rare, and would not have been possible even 5 years ago. Their march makes quite a statement that the work Cyd was doing and her reputation there was phenomenal. Please read the articles and pray for her safe release...

American Woman Kidnapped in Afghanistan (foxnews.com)
Hundreds of Burqa-Clad Woman March in Protest of Kidnapping (foxnews.com)

Next Stop: Hawaii (for work, of course)
Next Monday Jason and I will have a real chance to thaw out...in Hawaii. Now, before you start questioning how we could possibly need a vacation after just returning from Bora Bora, please be advised that this is a work trip. Seriously.

I'm actually really excited about this trip because it seems like a really great opportunity for me to see first hand some of the work Jason did while he was in Cambodia. Jason and one of his Cambodian collegues will be presenting their work at a Critical Care conference in Hawaii next weekend. Of course, Jason and I will go a few days early to hang around Maui. After all, we wouldn't want to miss out on the opportunity for another mini-vacation, would we?

If you'll allow me for a second, I'd like to explain a bit about some of the work Jason did at a pediatric hospital in Siem Reap, Cambodia. He and a group of Cambodian doctors were part of implementing some life-saving changes in the way the hospital treated patients who needed a certain type of critical care. The work is significant because the old therapy that was being used required expensive equipment (not readily available in Cambodia - often imported from West) and frequently landed patients in worse shape - many times even leading to death. Jason and his Cambodian collegues were able to use a much more cost-effective and simple therapy to treat these patients and the results were staggering. It turns out that the new treatment was less complex, easier to use, more cost-effective, and much more realistic for a place like Cambodia to reproduce and use effectively. (Side Note: this is not a new therapy all together, it is actually an old therapy that was replaced in the US by expensive equipment several years ago. Well-meaning doctors brought the expensive and complex equipment to Cambodia intending for Cambodian doctors to use it.) Most importantly, though, the new therapy has increased the outcomes of the pediatric patients. In lay man's terms, this means that many more patients lived instead of died. That's significant.

The conference will be a great opportunity for Jason's Cambodian collegue, Pagnarith, to tell about the hospital in Siem Reap and raise awareness about the impact this type of simple critical care therapy could have in countries without a lot of resources. It could be very significant for Western doctors to see that sometimes over-complicating procedures and importing Western equipment is not always beneficial in these places, particularly IF there is a simple, reproducible, cost-effective solution available. Hopefully Pagnarith and Jason's presentation will be well-received and perhaps provoke some good conversations about what's really best in international medicine. We'll see.

Jason and I are looking forward to hanging out in Hawaii with Pagnarith. Personally I am looking forward to the chance to see this sliver of Jason's life that is still somewhat foreign to me. We have planned to take a trip to Cambodia together someday, so I can see the hospital in person. I am so proud of his work there and the impact he has made. I honestly can't wait to see him in action at the conference and I'm thankful I get to tag along on all his work trips now (oh, the perks of being a wife!)

You can learn more about the hospital in Cambodia and see pictures by clicking here: www.angkorhospital.org

Baby's First Picture.

The journey to Des Moines.

Crossing the state line from Missouri. Iowa seems like a friendly place already.

A BIG shout out to the movers. Maybe you have wondered if hiring movers is really worth it. Take my word... worth every penny. Granted, Jason's company paid for it, but we have already decided that it is a worthy investment. They packed all of our things in 3 hours, loaded them, delivered them to Des Moines, and carried them up three flights of stairs. Priceless. We have already started saving for the next move, just in case someone else doesn't pick up the tab for that one.

This is our view of downtown Des Moines. And a lovely view of the snow.

I'll post more pics of the house as it develops.

Des Moines & Baby Reynolds

We are here and getting all settled. I will post some pictures as soon as I can figure out how to get our internet to move faster. =) I have some especially great pictures of the 7 or so inches of snow on the ground. It looks really beautiful from our third floor window and I keep thinking about how grateful I am that we don't have to shovel it. We can simply enjoy its beauty from afar. Our house is fabulous. We are enjoying unpacking and making it home. Again, I promise photos as soon as possible.

Another big announcement to make. We are expecting a Baby Reynolds! We are truly grateful for this gift. Our little boy or girl will arrive somewhere around July 31. Yesterday was my first doctor's appointment and we were so thrilled to see Baby moving around on the sonogram screen. What a miracle! Truly God has blessed us with this tiny gift. Pray for us as we wait in excitement and watch Baby grow in the coming months.

A New Year, A New City

A short apology for being an absent blogger. I truly did not intend to be that person that annoys me in the blogging world...the one who NEVER posts. You know who you are. You wait weeks and sometimes months to post something. Just about the time I have given up on you, you post a back log of the last six months complete with pictures. Sometimes you have a radically new hairstyle, or got married, or moved. A vast amount of life has changed in those absent months...Now, I AM that person. Sorry. I will try to do better. I haven't changed my hairstyle, but I'll include some of the newest updates.

First, there was so much to celebrate in 2007. Namely, marrying the love of my life.

Life with Jason is incredibly sweet. We enjoyed a wonderful holiday season with family and were spoiled a bit with Jason's 18 or more days off in December. We spent Christmas in West Texas, going back and forth between my family and his. All in all, it was a great time to catch up with family and enjoy the Christmas season together.

There is also much to celebrate in 2008, starting with a new city! We are moving to Des Moines, Iowa this month. Jason has been doing work in hospitals for over a year now as an independant contractor. It's a super fun life for a single guy, but the travel and schedule is not so conducive to a stable home life. So, he interviewed in Iowa in September and we took a trip together to scope it out. We accepted the position in October (again, a late announcement on my part). For months now we have been looking forward to this new chapter. Des Moines is a real answer to prayer for us - a great job, friends nearby in Iowa, and a home. We are excited to be on the journey and look forward to all that's in store for us in the Midwest. Seems like a cool place.

This week went to visit Des Moines and walk through the condo we are buying. We found a great place directly across the street from the hospital, so Jason can walk to work and we can walk all over downtown. True urban living in Des Moines. The condo is in a 100 year old building that has been completely redone with all new stuff. The great thing is that they kept the cool old hardwood floors and woodwork, so it feels "old" even though it's new. Perfect. I'll post a few pics when I can...

I'll leave you with an article published in the NY Times recently about the "coolness" of Des Moines.

Our wedding photos are up!

Check this link: www.capture1000words.com/reynoldswed

Back from the Honeymoon...

Married life is incredibly sweet.

For those of you anxious to see wedding photos, they will be posted on our photographer's website. There are already some reception photos up, so take a look if you are interested: www.capture1000words.com/reynolds.htm

Here are a few of our favorite pictures from Bora Bora & Rangiroa. We highly recommend a Tahitian vacation. =)

This is the hotel pool...seriously.

Our feet in the sand in Bora Bora.


This is my smokin' hot husband.

A view from the sailboat tour of Bora Bora.

Hypothetically speaking, if we were ever in a plane that crashed in the South Pacific it could totally crash on this island. I'm pretty sure the view, the sand, the water and the coconuts would keep us company until the rescuers arrived...Not that I'm signing up for a plane crash or anything. I'm just saying this place doesn't look all that bad from the plane window.

The Blue Lagoon on Rangiroa.

The Bora Bora Airport is the most scenic I've ever seen.

This is my husband swimming in the water where the sharks are being fed. He's the first one next to the guy throwing raw fish guts into the water for the sharks to eat. I'm the one INSIDE the boat taking the photos of my husband and all the other people willing to swim in shark infested waters. Jason was so excited to jump in the water with the sharks! When the tour guide suggested everyone should get in the water to watch the shark feeding, Jason's face lit up with excitement. I was truly in awe of his adventurous spirit and relieved he didn't expect me to come too. We are a team in most everything, but I drew the line at the shark infested waters. I was very happy when he climbed back in the boat after feeding time was over!

These are my feet and a view of the Blue Lagoon.