New Pics...

So cute and innocent....right?

Just chillin'...so we think...but what's really going on underneath that diaper?

Shabam!....leakage....and no it wasn't mine.

Striking the Heisman Pose with T.D. (that's Truett Dean)

Just when you thought...

...it couldn't get any better, Chick-Fil-A went and did this.

Truett

This is us today.


We went to the doctor on Tuesday and got a really good report. Truett was born at 7lb 15.8 oz. The day we went home he weighed 7lb 14.5 oz. Well as of Tuesday Truett weighted 8lb 11oz. So, I think we are in the clear for breastfeeding. I am so pleased with how things are going and that breastfeeding is working out. I have huge thank yous to give to the nurses at Clark Hospital and Jennifer Jordan. Dr. Corba (Truett's pediatrician) actually said multiple times "wow, he is doing good." He even said we could cut back on a few feedings, well tell that to Truett.

All-in-all we couldn't be happier with how things are going with his feedings. He isn't really a fussy baby either. He barely cries at night so I think Josh's sleep is barely disturbed. I of course am feeding, but it is really nice not to have to soothe a fussy baby on top of feeding. Truett really is pretty easy so far. We'll see how things change.

We aren't in the clear yet for his pee'ing problem when he was first born, but those appointments will be in September. Stay tuned for those results.

Great testimony from an old friend...

This is a video from bluefishtv.com. It features an old friend of mine. Her name is Bethany Allen. Her dad used to be the pastor of the church where I grew up. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in her mid-twenties. She's got an amazing testimony regarding the power of prayer. Take the time to watch this video...

Shana's Update: Birthing Story

Sorry it has been a while since I have updated. Josh has done really well though with keeping you up to date with pictures and such.

Some of you might be curious how the birth went. Well here it goes.

Labor started Friday night at 10pm. I called Dean and Judy around 2am to let them know this was the real thing, and they packed up and headed our way. Not to long after that Andy and Caitlin headed here as well. We checked into the hospital for the first time Saturday morning around 3am. My contractions were 1 minute apart lasting almost 2 minutes. Since I have Group B Strep, we didn't know how long it would be till Truett would enter the world so we went to the hospital so that I could get on antibiotics. Well, once at the hospital, the first time, my contractions slowed down. They sent us home to labor some more. We came home Josh napped I tried to nap in between contractions. We took the dogs for a walk and kind of got ready again. We returned to the hospital the 2nd time Saturday around 11 or 12 in the afternoon. (Exact times start to get a little fuzzy for me, please forgive me.) They checked me in and I got a room. From then on we continued to labor through the day and into the night. I labored in the big bath tubs and labored mostly on either my hands and knees or bend over my bed. Josh's role was to apply pressure to my lower back and hips every contraction. Needless to say he got a really good work out,

FInally around 7pm we got to our first pushing point, so we thought. There was some miscommunication looking back because Josh and I could have sworn we were told I was 10 cm, but later after speaking to my midwife after the fact she says I was not a full 10cm. I was well over 9, but not a full 10. Well, I started pushing and that is a no no. We both knew that from all that we learned in our Bradley class. Well, I ended up swelling my cervix because I was pushing before my body was ready and digressed to 7cm. All while my contractions kept coming harder and stronger than ever. What did we need to do, we needed to rest in order for my cervix to come back down and redialate. Well, Jesse (my midwife) said we need to talk pain killers. We started just with the iv pain killers, but those did nothing really. They knocked me out in between contractions, but it was like being woken up to a stabbing every time I got a contraction. It was horrible. So, we did that for about 2 hours I think. It wasn't working. My cervix wasn't getting any better nor was I dialating. At this point I was in way more pain and resting was out of the question. It came down to focusing on a vaginal birth. Jesse said we need to get an epidural so you can rest. About at this point I had lost all mental capacity pretty much and Josh was making executive decisions on my behalf. He did everything right, and took very good care of me. He was super nervous that I would hate that I had given into the epidural once it was all over, but after educating ourselves with the Bradley class we knew there weren't any other options. So, with that said I am at peace. Now, when they came to give me the epidural I freaked out. Some of you who know me know that I was freaked out by this procedure. Well, that didn't make it less scary for me to get it. I was having incredible contractions on top of each other and they were telling me to hold still. All while all the side effects and negative stuff about epidurals is running through my head I am screaming out to my body hold still. Soon after receiving the epidural I was able to rest. The nurses came in every 30 minute to roll me over on my opposite sides so that my cervix could come back down. By 2amish Sunday I was redialated to a full 10cm and my cervix had gone back down and Truett was ready to come out.

My epidural was starting to ware off by now, which for me was fabulous. I had feeling in my legs and could move them and I could feel Truett making his decent. I know now too having pushed with the epidural that I wasn't pushing correctly the first time either. What a rookie right :) After about an hour of pushing Truett came flying out. It was a pretty awe struck moment. In which our camera got broken, o well. I had no tearing thanks to my fabulous nurse Val who messaged me the entire time.

Clark hospital was absolutely awesome. My nurses in the labor and delivery were outstanding. One stayed with me for a whooping 16 hours. That was Shirley, amazing. I can't believe that is what they do everyday for a living. Holy cow. They were really amazing. So after about 30 hours total labor time Truett Dean came into this world.

I can't believe how amazing it is to have him here in our lives. Way more then I could ever have imagined. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Birthdays, Grandparents, and New Pictures...

Here are some new pictures taken this week...

A big thanks to mom and dad...er..grandma and grandpa... for coming to cook, clean, and help out around the house.

My first hug... (look at the monkey arms)

Truett's Birthday: 8/16
Josh's Birthday: 8/17
It kinda got lost in all of the craziness, but mom, dad, and Shana got me an ice cream cake from Graeter's. The best ice cream ever. Andy and Caitlin got me a mandolin slicer! I've been wanting one of those for a while. Some money has also come in which will go to a new camera.

Mom's birthday: 8/24 - the big 6-0!
We got her a Willow Tree statuette. Its the grandmother one.

These are my two favorite pictures so far...
"The Professor"

"The Plumber"

How it all began...

Just in case you've never seen this, this is the video we took on Christmas morning 2008 when we told my parents and Shana's dad that we were pregnant. We got them all grandma and grandpa sweatshirts and had them open their gifts at the same time. They all thought they were getting Seminary shirts. As you can see they were very surprised...

Toes

Thanks to Kim Davidson for this picture...one of my favorites.

Home Sweet Home

We're finally home! After all the tests I think prayer is what worked in this case. Truett hadn't voided any urine until yesterday (when the emails went out to start praying). Since then he's gone lots of times (including all over grandma's jeans). I know you've probably never prayed for pee before, but thanks for being faithful. They kept him in the hospital until this morning. We came home around noon. A big thanks to grandma for staying in the hospital with Shana last night so I could come home and sleep. She'll be here for a week and we'll have several house guests after that. Here are some of my favorite pictures so far...

A BIG yawn...
This is the same outfit I wore home from the hosptial. Vintage 1978. Unfortunately he didn't make it too long in this one. He wet all over it. We were pretty excited.

A nap with dad...

Truett Dean with Big Dean

Another nap with mom...

Truett and Grandma...

We're finally going home!!

Shana's escort and entourage...

The first car ride and flowers from Mimi...

These two have no idea what's going on...

At home and at rest...

Nap time again...

He's sleeping and mom is doing mom stuff (and looking super hot!) with her moby wrap...

Whirlwind...

The past day has been a crazy whirlwind. Shana and Truett are still at the hospital. He hadn't passed any urine yet. The doctors were concerned so they kept him another day. They probably won't be home until tomorrow. The diagnosis: swollen kidneys. He finally peed this afternoon. Thank you to all of you who prayed. The cause could be several things. They think its most likely because of the marathon labor that Shana was in caused him to get dehydrated. They will continue to monitor him tonight and then they can be discharged in the morning. My mom will be staying with both Shana and Truett at the hospital tonight. Today was my first day of classes - including Greek. So I have a bunch of work that needs to get done at home. Between the trips to the hospital, to class, and home and back again...we're all a little tired. I have another class in the morning (Wednesday) and the I'll go back to the hospital - hopefully - to pick up the family and bring them home. Pray to that end. Over-and-out.

New Pictures

I'm home again taking care of a few things. Shana wants to stay at the hospital another day to utilize the resources there about nursing and some other things. We'll be home tomorrow around noon (Tuesday). We've both gotten some sleep and Truett is doing great! He's had a few poops and everything is fine. He's nursing really well. Shana says that every time it gets easier. He's also sleeping a lot - so far. We've gotten a few visitors which have been nice. Thanks for all the phone calls and text messages. Here are some new pictures:

A few minutes old...

Truett and Mom - who is doing great!

Truett and Grandpa

Here he is getting all checked out. This was good Father and Son time...

Proud Grandma

Uncle Andy and Aunt Caitlin made the trip from Atlanta...

Dad and Son - about an hour old.

The whole family!

Introducing...(Drum Roll Please)...

Truett Dean Stringer

This is our little guy.
Born: August 16, 2009 at 3:42am
7 lbs. 15 oz.
21 inches

This is the best picture we have so far that is uploaded to a computer. During all the craziness of the 30 hours of labor (24 hrs. hard labor) my camera got knocked off the table it was on and broke. Grandpa Dean (Truett's namesake) had a backup and we used that. All of those pictures are on my computer at the hospital (with no internet access). I'm home getting a few things for Shana, showering, taking care of the dogs, and cleaning up the house before we come home tomorrow (Monday).

Shana did great. She was really tough and persevered. We'll write more about that later. The most important thing: Healthy mom and healthy baby. Both are doing great. Shana has that "new mom" look and certainly doesn't look like she was just in labor for 30 hours. Truett looks like his mama. He's been given a very clean bill of health by the nurses and our pediatrician. We'll be resting for the next day or so in the hospital until they release us to come home (prayerfully soon before classes start on Tuesday). We welcome texts, phone calls, and visits if you are able.

Thanks so much to all of you who prayed for us during the whole process. The Lord has entrusted us with this fantastic little dude. May He receive the glory now and throughout Truett's life!

Also thanks to Uncle Andy and Aunt Caitlin for the new Georgia Tech and Falcons gear (pictures to come).

Update III

Back to the hospital. I think this is it.

Update again.

Still at home. Shana is sleeping pretty well. She only wakes up for contractions, but when they come they really COME! We went for a good walk and she did great. Just found out that Andy (my bro) and Caitlin are coming up! Mom and dad should be here around noon and they'll be right behind them. I'm super excited about that. I haven't seen any of them since Andy's wedding in April. They won't be here long but I'm still glad they're coming.

More updates when something changes...

Update

They sent us back home to labor some more. Its only about 10 minutes...no biggie. Shana's contractions were slowing down but remaining intense. They've picked up again but we'll hold off before going back to the hospital. Baby is coming. He'll be here soon.

It's Time!

It's 3am. Shana has been having contractions for about 3 hours. They are now 2-3 minutes apart and lasting for about 1 minute to 1 1/2 minutes. So...in a little while we'll head to the hospital. She's still talkative and just ate an egg and cheese sandwich (I'm her short-order cook). We're doing fine. The car is packed and we'll be off in a few. We'll send out an email and text blast pretty soon too. Mom and dad are on their way. Keep checking back. I'll try to post something if I have time. Things have gone smoothly so far. Pray that they stay this way! Wahoo!

Gearing up and New Life...

A new semester starts on Tuesday. We're a little past our one year anniversary in Louisville and in the first calendar year of seminary I have finished 40 hours. I have 48 more to go. I finished the summer terms with a 3.75 gpa and am pretty happy with that. I don't have my hopes set so high for this semester, but am cautiously optimistic. Here's a rundown of my classes:

Theology of Worship with Dr. Bruce Ware

Systematic Theology II with Dr. Russell D. Moore (his blog is on our sidebar)

Elementary Greek with Dr. Jonathan Pennington

Intro to Family Ministry with Dr. Randy Stinson

And of course there are new books:

I've already started some of the reading. I was trying to finish a book about an FBI spy during the cold war (amazing story) but it doesn't look like that'll happen. You can check out that book in my "Shelfari" in the side bar. Just scroll down a little. This morning I got up and started the book pictured below. Its for my Theology of Worship class. This is the class I'm probably most looking forward to. I know, you thought it was Greek right? Anyway, if the class is half as good as the introduction and first chapter of Recalling The Hope Of Glory it will be a great semester.

I also wanted to take a second to acknowledge all of the people who have been reading this blog lately. I know you're primarily looking for baby updates...and we promise, as soon as something happens we'll get the info out. But I just wanted to say thanks for taking an interest in our lives. We've had over 100 views a few days this week and what that says is either you have too much time on your hands or you really do care about us. I'm banking on the latter. Not that we ever had much doubt, but its nice to know. Thanks for all your comments on here. They are encouraging to both Shana and I. A lot is about to change for us and we covet your prayers and thank you for your support and friendship - to those of you we know well and just know a little bit.

One last thing. I probably don't know everyone who visits this blog and thats cool. Also, with so many visits to the blog there's a good chance that some visitor may have never heard the gospel or given the chance to know God. Maybe you're just distant from God and its been a while since you've gone to church, read the Word, or even prayed. Maybe you are close to God and are a believer. Take the time to read this and be reminded of what God has done for us! As Shana and I are getting ready to welcome this new life into our world - which is really God's world - have you considered the new life that God is offering to you? The Bible says (2 Cor. 5:17) "If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has passed away and the new has come." Christ died on the cross to bring new life to those who are dead. Because of our sin we are dead and helpless before the Creator of the Universe and he is our judge. Our/Your sin is so radical that it is impossible for you or I to have a relationship with God or hope for eternity on your own. And because of your sin you deserve the eternal wrath of God. Without Christ this wrath remains on you (John 3:36). Only through the work of Christ on the cross, taking God's wrath on himself on your behalf are you able to experience this new life. Jesus made the payment for your sin with his life, death, and resurrection. You can't be good enough or do enough good things in this life to make this new life or heaven possible. If that were the case then why in the world would Jesus have gone through all of the pain and suffering on the cross? Its only by grace you are saved through faith in Christ. Its not of your own doing but its a gift of God. Its not a result of your good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). To receive this gift God has placed before you it requires something from you. Not money. Not any earthly thing. The Bible says that you are to turn from your sin and trust in Christ (Luke 24:47). Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame (Romans 10:11). When you turn away from yourself the Bible calls that "dying" to yourself. When you die to yourself you are then living in Christ. The Gospel of Christ is truly good news that brings new life to all who believe. It is even greater news that that of a new baby. God is giving Shana and I the gift of a new child. God is giving you the opportunity of a new life of your own. Will your turn from sin and trust in Jesus today?

Isaiah 53:3-6

^"3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. ⁴ Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

What can wash away my sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

Shana's Update: On a roller coaster!

I know I am seriously on an emotional roller coaster. I can't handle myself even. Today so far has been a good day. Josh is home, he drove me to work so that I wouldn't have to walk up hill 3 blocks to get into my office. The morning soreness makes it quite strenuous to get in here. That was really sweet of him.



So back to my emotional roller coaster. Seriously, just by looking at my blog postings I can see my emotional roller coaster going up and down every other day. How annoying, my poor husband. I must say though he did a really good job of getting my spirits lifted yesterday. When I came home from work I scheduled an appointment to go and get a pedicure at my favorite salon. Stringer family got me a day at the spa gift certificate for my birthday so I decided to get my pedicure early. Then last night Josh took me out to dinner at a really great restaurant, see his earlier post. I got Eggplant Parmesan, that is another wives-tale. It was really nice and relaxing, we had a great time talking about all kinds of random stuff. It really was a date night, no baby talk, money or house talk. It was great. Then we came home and snuggled on the couch.

I am thinking about using reverse physiology now on this baby. I am just going to totally ignore the fact that I am overdue and pregnant (yeah right) and then all of a sudden I will go into labor right? That is what they say about everything else. When you aren't waiting or looking it shows up. Here is a story from my childhood to give you an idea of what I mean.

When I was a little girl I would go to grandma's house pretty often. I would sleepover and we would travel all around Sarasota on the bus. My grandma (as long as I have memories) has never driven a car, not sure why, but just hasn't. So, we traveled everywhere by public transit. I remember her always saying while waiting for the bus. "If I light a cigarette the bus will come." I know random right, but I think you get where I am going. Well at least hopefully. So, many times we would be waiting and she would light her cigarette and sure enough the bus would be coming around the corner for us, so she would have to put it out.

Well I am looking forward to what adventure today holds. Washing and drying my prefolds 5 more times, BOOO! Just got informed by Liz they won't work unless I prep them. Other then that who knows.

Out to eat...

We heard that eggplant parmesan does wonders to send a woman into labor, so tonight we gave it a try. Not knowing where to go around town I looked online for places that had this dish. Other than the chain restaurants there wasn't much. So I called this place called "Volare." The guy spoke with a thick Italian accent and said that they normally didn't have the dish but he would speak with the chef. He said they would make it for us so that's where we went. We couldn't have picked a better place. The service was fantastic and the food...whoa. So great. It was pretty pricey but this is probably our last "date" for a while. And in this case we really got what we paid for.

We both got salads. I don't remember the name but it had thinly sliced apples, sliced almonds, bits of fried goat cheese (our fav), roasted red peppers, and this killer vinaigrette on a bed of bibb lettuce.

Shana got the Eggplant Parmesan on a bed of pasta. I got Vitello Valdostana. A 12 oz. Veal Rib Chop stuffed withe proscuitto, spinach, and fontina cheese with sage butter. Now I cut and sell veal all day long but I've never had it. It was amazing. Probably the most tender piece of meat I've ever eaten. It was on a bed of polenta and broccolini. So good.

For dessert we got a dark chocolate flourless torte with a raspberry sauce. Shana got decaf coffee too. All in all the bill was more than we should have paid (which is VERY rare for us), but everything was great. It was a nice leisurely meal with a great waiter and atmosphere. If we could we'd definitely go back and we recommend it to anyone up in this area.

Now, if that eggplant parm would just get our kid out. He's missed dinner four nights in a row!

Shana's Update: Dr Apt

My numbers are pretty much the same, just better. Pretty much how it goes is my midwife said last week I was barely 3cm but this week I am a really good 3cm. She stripped my membranes yesterday and obviously it didn't work because I am typing this right now. I am extremely frustrated so please don't be offended if you have called and I have not called you back. I am just really not in the mood much to talk about it. I am really sore and emotionally spent. Pray for Josh, I am not normally like this so it is hard for him to deal with me I think being like this. I feel bad he gets the backlash, when he has been so sweet and good to me.

Mistakes and Indiscretions...

I realize that most people who read this blog are just waiting for pictures of the new kid and the title of this post probably freaks you out when you read it with the presupposition that its going to be about a baby. Well, while we are waiting for junior to arrive other stuff is happening that I need to talk about to take the waiting off my mind. By the way, he's grounded when he comes out. He's late and he didn't even call to let us know when he'd be home! (Like father like son).

Ok, so back to the title. I am absolutely not a UK (Kentucky) fan and am growing less and less a fan of U of L (Louisville). I think when you live in this state you have to sort of root for one of the teams. I don't like any SEC teams so the UK option was out. I liked Louisville because the were usually the underdog and everyone loves underdogs right? Something has come to light in the recent days, however, that involves UL men's basketball coach Rick Pitino - who ironically used to coach UK back when they were relevant (I say that to dig at UK fans who read this because UK will be good again this year so just relax). Pitino had been involved in a lawsuit by a woman who claimed he raped her several years ago. He then countersued her for extortion. Her story was totally unbelievable - and it was. By the way, she shops at Fresh Market. Reallly. So does Pat Forde who has nothing to do with this post but a lot to do with college baskeball. The cops didn't press charges to Pitino because her story had so many holes in it and really didn't even make sense. I'm sure I don't have all the facts exactly right but its pretty close.

Yesterday it came out that Pitino told police that he did have sex with the woman (in a restaurant) but it was consensual. She got pregnant. He paid for the abortion. After the abortion they had another rendezvous. Pitino is married with five kids and a devout Catholic and a great basketball coach with a program of "integrity."

I get it that a lot of people do this sort of thing all the time in this country - paying for abortions, covering it up, etc. Here's the problem. He said that he was sorry for the "indiscretion." The school president said that his players and the students need to know that everyone "makes mistakes." I think I blogged about this back during the Michael Vick dog trail because that was just a mistake too. Look, I know that that these high profile people have media spin machines and I know why they use these words. But are we (the public) so incredibly stupid to blow this kind of stuff off as a "mistake" or an "indiscretion?" He paid for an abortion to cover up his infidelity. Mistakes happen when you miss a turn or dangle a modifier in a paper. Indiscretion is a lapse in judgment. Maybe you hired the wrong guy for the job or bought a stock that wasn't so great. When you cheat on your wife in a restaurant and pay to have your "mistake," or as Obama calls it, your "punishment" murdered, that puts you in the big leagues of gigantic sins. "Josh, you sure are judging him." Yep. I am. If he and guys like Mark Sanford and Michael Vick (and on a lesser level any of the baseball players who've been busted with steroids) want to just refer to this kind of stuff as "mistakes" which influence our culture with massive implications when it comes to desensitizing us to the consequences of sin, you'd better believe that I'm going to judge him. You should too. If any of these guys had owned their sin with the same level of repentance that their sin entails it would be a different story. But when they blow it off and minimize it to divert the consequences that deserves someone calling them out.

Michael Vick paid his due and will get a second chance in the NFL as he should. 2 years in jail is paying your "debt to society." Mark Sanford, however, is still governing in South Carolina making decisions that influence his state and this country. Rick Pitino will still coach basketball at U of L and influence the lives of young men. All of these guys did stuff that may or may not should have gotten them fired (Pitino probably shouldn't lose his job - Sanford - absolutely). But, we should be paying close attention to the way people own their sin and how they repent. Its the same with your kids. When they do something wrong, and I mean really wrong, an "I'm sorry" doesn't always cut it.

Shana's Update: Random Flowers

Josh came home from work last night with a beautiful surprise. You can see them above. I am a huge fan of flowers. One day when we have a house, I want a little stretch of land that is full of flowers for me to plant and cut to always have in the house.

From my post yesterday you could probably gather that I was having a bit of a rocky day. My husband was my number one encourager. I was counting my blessings again for having such an awesome husband yesterday. While I was at work he was emailing me sweet emails with scripture to remind me of God's sovereignty. Calling me all throughout the day to check in on my emotional state. Sending me random love you text messages. Then to top it off bringing me home flowers from work.

Today I am meditating on those versus in hopes of a brighter outlook on what might be in store for us.

New Album

I'm not much for compilation albums made up of non-believers doing Christian songs just to have their name out there as an artist with Christian ties - (ie. Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, etc.) However, I saw this on iTunes. Its called "Oh Happy Day." I'm not crazy about most of it, but I love good blues music. Really love it, especially if its got some gospel threaded throughout (although it seems like most people have that token black gospel choir nowadays). I've long been a Johnny Lang fan and I'm liking this Joss Stone chick (she did a song with Carlos Santana a while back that is kickin'.) So there are two songs off of this album that are worth a look. Joss Stone - "This Little Light of Mine" and Johnny Lang - "I Believe." Other artists on this album that you've heard of are Bon Jovi, 3 Doors Down, Al Green, Queen Latifah, and (white chocolate) Michael McDonald.

*My editorial note about gospel music*** There's a huge difference between gospel music that actually promotes the redemptive work of Christ in its message and the type of gospel music that I'm talking about in this post. Most "gospel" music is the type of music that is talked about in the first video. Its more about the history and the style of music rather than the words that direct you to the Word and THE Gospel. I like both types of gospel music***

Here are a couple of tracks via YouTube:

Funny...

As part of my daily news intake I check out AJC.com (Atlanta Journal and Constitution) just to see what's going on back home. I don't usually like the editorial cartoons in that paper because Mike Luckovich is a liberal quack, but sometimes they're pretty funny. Like these...

Shana's Update

We will seriously let everybody know when the action starts. Obviously nothing is happening right now. Nothing we can really do about it, but wait. Everyone keeps asking me how I am feeling; I feel fine. Am I supposed to be feeling a certain way that is contrary? Still super frustrating to be asked by every person I come into contact with "no baby yet" - OBVIOUSLY NOT - still look like I am smuggling a basketball out of a sports store. I seriously don't mean to be rude or mean, but please put yourself in my shoes for a second. Don't you think I really want to have had this baby by now, so it doesn't make me feel good at all to be asked everyday when it is extremely obvious.

To be honest I am slightly stressed about the fact that my midwife's last day is this coming Sunday. Some of you might be saying, so what I didn't know who I would be delivering with when I had my babies. Well, that is why I choose the doctor's office I did. Whoever I chose to see on a regular basis was the person who would be delivering our baby. Now that she is moving across the country and leaving I am looking at the possibility of 1) being induced or 2) delivering with a doctor I have no clue about. As you might can tell, I am a little emotional, touchy, crazy, or whatever adjective about the subject.

P.S. I seriously promise to keep people updated when the action starts and results from future doctor's appointments. Please believe me, I posted about my mucus plug falling out for goodness sake.

P.S.S. Even though it might sound different in this email, comments are welcome on what you think in regards to this.

Shanas Update

Today I lost my mucus plug.

***Josh's editorial addition to this post***

Sorry that "mucus plug" was mentioned on this post.

Shana's Update: Weather

We have had calls and emails asking how we are doing because the news everywhere this week has shown mass flooding in our area. Well I posted earlier this week that we had a crazy storm, but didn't think till now to post how we were doing. We did get some bad flooding in certain parts of Louisville. Obviously other areas were hit worse than others, but as for the seminary we were spared once again. All the water has receded pretty much now and I think the clean up has begun. University of Louisville got a really bad spell of the flood. It has been a crazy year of weather here for us. First the hurricane, then a ice storm, now a flood. All we need now is a tornado and a earthquake.

Shana's Update: Testimony Part 2

That weekend I drove back to Orlando, where I was attending college. I went to hang out with my friends and to a few parties. I had the strong conviction to return home. I had no clue why, but I just knew I needed to go home. I tried to explain this to my friends at the time, but I could barely understand it myself. I remember one of my friends asking flat out, is it a religious thing, it kind of blew me away because I hadn't mentioned it. I was wrapped in a year long lease for my apartment. I went to the office to prepare to sublet my apartment. Within days it was sublet. What an answer to my first prayers. Soon, I was on my way home; for what I had no clue.

I went home and my mom was in the choir. I went with her one night just to watch rehearsal. No clue why, weird to think back now. Who just goes to watch choir rehearsal. After choir rehearsal one of the ministers approached me about baptism. I had no questions or hesitations, I said sign me up. The rehearsal I had attended was for a special midnight service because it was Y2K that year. I was going to be baptized into the new millennium. It was kind of special. New Years Eve was days away. I remember going to church that Sunday and sitting on the front row and crying my eyes out. From that day on, anytime the door was open at church I was there. I know now that the Lord wanted me to learn as much as I could because he had great plans for me. Side note - the night that I was baptized my mother introduced me to her Sunday school teachers daughter - Jenny Walters (Towner). This was pretty crucial. I was a really social person, and knew that my old lifestyle wasn't going to cut it if I was going to be a follower of Christ. When I would try to explain it to my friends they didn't get it. Jenny gave me her phone number, telling me later she never thought that I would call. I called her I think the next day. Little did I know that she would become like family to me, a best friend, a partner to literally walk along side in my new journey, and one that would stand along side me on my wedding day.

So, I was at church every time the doors were open. Volunteering for whatever came my way. Little fact (can't remember if I mentioned this in part 1) - my church was seriously across the street from my house. Over the next few months I learned that Jenny was going on a mission trip after the school semester was over in May. I so bad wanted to go. This was a first for our church so they had selected a few people for this endeavor. There were five, the only 2 girls were Jenny and another girl named Shayna. (How crazy another girl that said her name the same as me, well she spelled it differently though). Well, Shayna was at college and soon called home to our ministers saying she didn't have a peace about going. Since the planning was so far along they needed to replace her, they prayed about who would fill her spot. Another Shana! Kind of crazy. At that point, I had 2 weeks to raise my funds and get a passport. NO JOKE! I was so excited for the opportunity.

During the process to figure out how to get my funds and my passport I met another friend that would become a mentor, a sister, and friend to stand beside me on my wedding day as well - Heidi Neumann. Heidi was the financial secretary at our church. She helped me know all the rules for raising my support and in the process we built a friendship and soon a discipleship relationship out of it. We met every week to read through the old testament that summer. Needless to say I grew a lot in God's word, it was the first time I had ever read the old testament. I had all kinds of really dumb questions. Heidi embraced them all.

You are probably wondering if I raised all my money and got my passport in that short of a time. OF COURSE CRAZY! It was a time in my walk with the Lord (as early as it was) that I knew that I was supposed to be going on that trip. I seriously got a passport in 1 weeks time, which is unheard of. Obviously, God was in the midst of it. I also raised all my support.

So now you have met Jenny and Heidi. Two friends that God has put in my life and walk that have been instrumental even today. Both were my maids of honor on my wedding day, and I can't thank God enough for their love, friendship, and influence in my life, even as we have lived miles and states apart. They are more then friends they are sisters to me. God used them to teach me what it meant to be a follower of Christ those first years.

Mission trip soon came and Jenny and I were on our way. I was ecstatic. This was my first airplane trip as well as my first mission trip. It was an 8 hour flight to Argentina. When we got there, I learned how to share my faith, pretty much all week that is all I did. We went to orphanages and danced on the streets of Argentina in order to build a platform to share the gospel. It was an awesome time. Lord again revealed himself to me to teach me new and marvelous things. During that week, God revealed to me that he wanted me to return for a more extended period of time. When I returned home from this week long trip to tell my mom that I needed to go back, she was excited. My new church family was excited for me as well. Soon after returning home, I learned that Jenny had that same call. I was thrilled that we would both be returning in August. God had given me a partner to walk through this journey with.

That summer I had my self-induced lesson on finances. Like every other college student I got a few credit cards in college. I learned really fast when I got home from Argentina, if I make no money I can pay no bills. That meant the debt I had accrued needed to be paid off before I left or I couldn't go. This was one lesson that has stuck with me every since. I never again wanted to be bound by owing someone money because that meant I robbed myself of the freedom to do whatever God wanted me to do. I worked hard that summer to pay off my credit cards, working 2 and sometimes 3 jobs. Prepared myself to live out of 2 trunks for a year. When August came, Jenny and I were once again on an 8 hour plane ride back to Argentina, but this time for 12 months.

To be continued...

Shana's Update: Doc yesterday

3 cm, 60%, -2
she also gave me a little bit of a "rough" exam

still waiting

P.S. It is super annoying to be asked "no baby? Obviously not! Even though I post the numbers update they really don't mean anything. It could still be 2 weeks or it could happen tomorrow. We are headed in the right direction though.

Soundtrack for Birth: Part 3

Here are my choices for after the baby comes (looks like "Push It" won for the labor part - thanks to both of you who weighed in).

#1 - "Hallelujah Chorus" by the Brooklyn Tabernacle (we also played this song during the recessional at our wedding) The good stuff starts at the 2:28 mark...

#2 - "I Just Want to Celebrate" by Rare Earth - this is way better than Kool and the Gang. A little more funkalicious.

Additions made by my friend Chris Jordan....

Movie Night (the last?)

There's a movie theater here in town that shows movies on Tuesdays for $5 all day - new movies. A few weeks ago we saw Harry Potter (Shana's pick). I thought it was just ok. Kinda boring actually. Today we saw Transformers 2 (my pick). Maybe not my best choice but we pick our movies on how good they'll be in the theater versus on our T.V. (the "wait and Netflix it" technique). I went into Transformers 2 with the lowest of expectations. I almost didn't even go see it (which is why it took us so long), but I figured it was about the only thing out that I want to see - except The Hurt Locker which looks great. So since my expectations were very low the movie was actually pretty good. Although the Sam's parents were utterly annoying and the twin robots were unbelievably stereotyped and pretty racist. Other than that and Megan "too much collagen in my lips" Fox, the movie was pretty good. It was a good fun summer movie. The story was better than the first and it kept moving. There was lots of dizzying action which is very typical of Michael "story? what story? just blow stuff up" Bay. But, low expectations coupled with the fact that Optimus Prime is the man... er, robot?, I enjoyed it. I think Shana did too. Now if that baby will just come out! If we have time I want to see G.I. Joe (which is getting great reviews), Hurt Locker and Sherlock Holmes when it comes out.

Shana's Update: My Niece

This is one of my favorite pictures that I took of Skye, my niece. I never have any pictures on here of my family mostly because we don't see my family near as much as we see Josh's family just because of distance. The last time I was home to visit was March of last year. My mom, Skye, and I went to the beach and flew a kite. It was a ton of fun. In all my pictures too I was looking I don't have any of my parents because they always dodge the cameras. Obviously Skye doesn't.

Shana's Update: Adorable Right?!?

One of the things I have been wanting to do was get my pictures organized on my computer before the baby came. So, today after work I sat down with Josh and mine's computers and moved photos and got them organized again. Updated my folder for scrapbooking too. Who knows if this kid keeps taking forever maybe I will be able to get some scrapbooking done. Most likely if I get to that point, I bet he would come. O well. Anyways. I found this computer on Josh's computer. It is an old picture of him and his brother Andy. How adorable right? I guess this is a little glimpse of what our son is going to look like. I can't wait!!