So many blessings....

WOW!

I have just been thinking this past week all that I have to be thankful for. And I feel so BLESSED because the list goes on and on!

I am thankful for a 14 year old boy who gave my Best Friend the gift of life through organ donation.

I am thankful for Morgan's family that has been so supportive during this time. I know there are so many things in life we could choose to let get to us but with their love and support I have kept above the wake!

I am thankful for my family that has given me SO much! Provided a roof over my head and food for me and my growing belly! For my mom who has taken off from work to be at EVERY doctors appointment and sono!
For my sisters have held me when I have felt alone and who have made me laugh and forget my worries.

I am thankful for my Grandparents. I have enjoyed being back in Canyon and getting to spend extra time with them. Thursdays I eat at Grandma Berta's and Papa Ernest's retirement home. Wednesdays Grandma D and I find a different place to eat around Canyon.
I have been so blessed in my life to have both sets so close!

I am thankful for all my many many friends....near and far!
My Alaskan girls who are in the perfect time zone late nights when I can't sleep.
My Canyon girls who have helped occupy my time while at home and keep me going days I feel down.
And my Military wives those who have walked through a familiar storm and those who just know how it is! They have kept me grounded. They have kept me positive. They have kept me GOING!
My friends who are now MOMMY'S! oh my goodness! these poor girls have endured countless questions and statements of what if? but they too have kept me going and have shown me the way in a very unfamiliar territory. I am grateful for their LOVE, SUPPORT, and ADVICE!

I am thankful for technology that has kept me connected to the other half of my heart!

I am thankful for all the men and women who are away from loved ones to protect this GREAT nation we live in!

Most of all I'm thankful for my amazing HUSBAND! Who has missed so much but given so MUCH more. He is my HERO. He is my LOVE! He is my SOLDIER!

I pray that he too can find as many things to be Thankful for in time that some would allow hardships to get the better of them. I LOVE YOU MORGAN!

It's been a while...

Wow! I guess I have been a lil busy.

To catch up I started a temp job for Randall County Juvenile Probation Center (the Canyon Office). So I am no longer subbing. Subbing was fine but its nice to have set hours and know where I am going each day. Today completes week 3 here and its going well.

I had a doctors appt and a sono since I wrote last. Lil Canales is growing right on schedule. At the sono she weighed 1 pound and 1 ounce. She was sooooo active. Still keeps her hands on or at her lil face. We were able to get a few views of her face while her hands were down. I'll have to share those pics!

My dad went to the Sono. I think he really enjoyed it. He asked several questions and had a big smile on his face through the duration of our time there.

The week following was my monthly doctors appt. it too went well. I gained a pound in the month of October. Guess I wont complain about just one pound. My next OB appt is Dec 5th. Seems like a long ways away but I knows its not.

Time has been passing pretty quickly. Morgan will have been gone 5 months this Monday. I can't believe it. I also can't believe it will be time to find a home in Killeen once again.

Morgan has been doing really well in Afghanistan. He seems to be keeping a positive attitude and for the most part he enjoys his fellow companions. We miss each other very much but I'm so thankful the time is passing quickly for us both. neither of us are struggling with it to much. Of course we have our days but who doesn't.

More on baby Canales. It has been so fun to feel her move. Sometimes I wonder what she is doing in there. My mom and my dad have both felt her move. Wish Morgan could but he will very soon!

Shaken not Stirred

Perhaps its because I am not permitted to have alcohol these precious months of pregnancy. But for some reason I find the phrase shaken not stirred relevant to my life right now.
As I look back on this past year and where I was a year ago today and then think on the year to come and where I could be this time next year. Well its enough to make me feel like I am part of a fun party drink that is currently being shaken around.

When I think of something being stirred I picture this smooth elegant motion that yes can be quite brisk but for the most part all elements are moving in the same direction....together.

Well that just isn't ME or my lil family in the making.

A year ago I was in Alaska. Getting ready for the cold weather to come and looking for a job to help with holiday expenses. LOVED LOVED LOVED my time in Alaska and miss the life we built there most days. Then we move to TEXAS which is wonderful but only to find out that Morgan would soon be deployed. Can I get a shaken anyone?

I find out that I am expecting a lil blessing not 3 weeks after Morgans departure day and I found myself that day and most days since then in SHOCK. Me a mommy. Those who know me well know that for years in high school and through college I didn't think I was the mommy "type".  See what happens when you fall in love with someone you want to share with them the scariest and the most joyful for moments that life can bring. Even though I have never been so far from my love, my best friend, my husband, I have never been closer. Feeling this miracle grow within me is a humbling and awing experience. Knowing that its a piece of Morgan with me always... is at times.....breathtaking.

Keep shaking!

Morgan knows with almost a 100% certainty that he will not be re-enlisting come next September. I have and always will support him in any decision he makes for himself and our lil family. But I am human and fear the unknown. With the Army it did require great sacrifice. But it also provided GREAT security. We knew we would be provided for and that there would be a roof over our heads. Now all I see is question marks. Where will we live? What will Morgan do? Will we stay in Texas? Will I need to work? Will there be a good pediatrician?

But I know this FACT. No matter where life takes us and how it shakes up as long as I have the love of my life and God as my compass. We will make it. And we will be Happy.

So to you, Morgan, love of my life, I go where you go, your people will be my people, and your God my God!

THINK PINK!

Morgan FINALLY received the envelope with the picture of our sweet lil baby. On the picture it said HI DAD It's a GIRL!
We are so very very excited and feel so blessed. Of course for me a little bit of fear has set in with each milestone I feel like it is more and more real.

Morgan was able to Skype me on Tuesday morning to tell me the wonderful news. He had the biggest grin on his face. It was a wonderful treat to be able to actually see him. (skype has not been working for us for the past couple of months) We were able to see each other and talk for close to 30 mins.
We immediately started talking names. For the most part we have decided to keep the name a secret. We haven't chosen one yet. Once we do we are going to hold onto for us to share until the day our sweet lil girl arrives!

Morgan has stayed busy in Afghanistan. Even though it is getting colder they still go on daily missions. He was able to share some storeys with me of how evident it is to him that prayer works and that the Lord is really watching over his team. I think that is AWESOME.
Thank you to everyone who keeps him and his unit covered in prayer. We are grateful for each of yall.

Morgan has been having some back pain. Once he finally made it to the doctor they told him he has a cyst. They aren't too worried about it location but will continue to monitor it. It has caused Morgan quite a bit of pain. So I ask that we really cover that in prayer. He was given some medicine to hopefully shrink it and therefore ease the pain. He says he can feel a difference so I hope the meds continue to work.

I am doing really well and can't complain. I have been able to sub a little here and there. I really need to start focusing more and more on the NCLEX (nursing exam) that I will be taking in December. Just scares me how close December already is. So for myself I ask that people hold me accountable to be faithful in my studies. Ready to get this chapter behind me!

Thanks again for everyone's love and support! We are truly blessed.

Blessings!

19 weeks!

Had my monthly check up this morning. Finally got to meet Dr. May, in previous visits I saw his nurse or the nurse practitioner. Just as I had hoped he seems like a GREAT doctor. Really laid back and easy going which I like. Was able to listen to the heart beat and send a video of it to Morgan. Hope his Internet starts working again soon.

The heartbeat was right at 140 bpm, Sundy, our nurse, says the baby might have been sleeping but it was still a good heartbeat. Dr. May says I should start feeling Baby Canales move any week now! I can't wait.

I am now 19 weeks along can't believe I'm almost half way "baked"! Its been smooth sailing so far and I have been feeling pretty good. Tired some days but aren't we all! I read that the baby can now hear sounds coming from outside of the womb mainly my voice if I was to hum or sing (poor thing).

I love looking and seeing how big he or she is now and what part is forming and growing this week. I have stayed pretty calm waiting for Morgan to get my letter with the sealed picture revealing a boy or a girl. I am so excited he gets to open it. I think that is what is keeping me calm. I do hope his Internet is working by the time he gets the letter so we can skype.

I have started to substitute teach which has helped the time pass and the extra money isn't so bad either ;)

I took a picture this weekend of me and the baby bump. I was wishfully thinking that the "bump" would look bigger in the camera then in real life...yeah right! But I'll share it with you anyways!

Getting Closer....

So! I have a sono this Wednesday night! The sonographer will be taking pictures to see if we should all be thinking blue or pink! The complicated part is I am not going to let her share the info with me. The plan is to have a pre-addressed envelope ready to send to Morgan. Once the sonographer has the picture printed that says "Its a ______" she will place it and seal it in the envelope and then I will mail it off to Afghanistan.

I wanted Morgan to have the pleasure and joy of being the first to know. Then he will either call me or skype me (depending on connection) and tell me what we are having! I can't wait! I hope the letter reaches him soon. So far most of our packages that have been sent to him have reached him in about a week.

People keep asking what I "feel" like I am having. My response has been "a baby". I just really don't have a gut feeling on what this baby could be. My prayer all along has been for it to be healthy!

My next doctor appointment is on Oct. 5th. I can't believe I am already 18 weeks along (will be this Tues.)

For an update on Maverick! He is back to his old self. Has little scars on his nose where the snake bit him but I am so thankful that is all he has!

Thanks to everyone for the prayers for my family.
Blessings!

Our Pup Maverick!

So yesterday was a pretty scary day for me! I opened the back door to find my dog Maverick with a very swollen face and neck. He had a spot of dry blood on the top of his nose and I just knew it had to be a rattlesnake bite!!

I wasn't too sure what to do we have had animals bit before but Mav is a little smaller then our usual farm animals. After calling the Vet they said bring him straight in. My mom, dad and twin sister came straight to work to the animal hospital to be with me and Mav. Families are AWESOME!

The Vet suggested I leave him over night and they would start him on IV therapy along with steroids and antibiotics. I was pretty nervous about leaving him but knew he was in good hands. Last night I had a hard time sleeping. With Maverick and Morgan both gone the room was too quiet and still.

I took his blanket it to him this morning and they said the swelling was still pretty bad and that they would be monitoring him another 24 hours. Gosh another night without both of my BOYS!

I just hope he continues to do better and maybe tomorrow will be a better day!

Watching our lil Blessing Grow!

Had a Doctor's visit today. Looks and sounds like everything is going good. Our lil baby's heart beat was right at 155bpm this visit. I can't wait for another sono appointment so I can watch the baby move around! Our next sono will be towards the end of October and we will hopefully find out what we are expecting that day. For some reason lately I have felt like we are having a boy...not sure why! Guess I will have to wait and see.

This week/end is going to be pretty busy. My dad's parents are moving from their town of 62 years (in Higgins) to Canyon. We are all so excited to have them closer.

Also this weekend my parents, sisters and I will be going to the Boys Ranch Rodeo. Its always bitter sweet going out there. I am sure I will visit Stuart's grave site which is always and emotional time (stuartwells.blogspot.com). But I am looking forward to the time with my family.

Blessings!

First Timer

Well, I can't say that I really know how to "blog" but I hear its a great way to keep people you care about informed. So here goes....

Morgan and I married in January of 2009. After living in Alaska for a year we find ourselves back in TEXAS! Morgan was deployed to Afghanistan in June this summer.

I do hear from him in some form or another about every day. He has been really busy on missions. Time has already gone fast and I pray that it continues! He will be home for 2 weeks mid February and then home for good in April.

We will be in Killeen for a while once he returns then we plan to move back to the panhandle.

Our exciting news is we are expecting our first lil blessing. I'm due March 1st! So far everything has been smooth sailing and I can't complanin too much. Except of course missing my better half and wishing with all my heart he was here to share this chapter with me.

I think that has been the hardest part of adjusting to a deployment....not having "your person" around. I miss having someone come home and all they want to know is how my day was and what we want to do for the evening. Also, with him being so busy there are so many things I wish I could contact him and ask for his opinion on this and that. I know the Lord has great plans for out lil family of 3 and I can't wait to see whats in store.

Blessings!