Life is a DANCE...

So much going on so much to say...so few words found to say it!

Baby Canales is growing and doing really well. We have been so blessed with such a smooth sailing easy going pregnancy. Besides feeling a little more tired these days I really cannot complain. I have had such amazing support from loved ones.

The deployment seems to be flying by I cannot believe we are a week into January 2011. Morgan has been very busy with missions and tasks across sea. I think him staying so busy has also helped the time pass. He is so ready to be home and I am soooo ready to have him. Asking for prayer that he will be home for our sweet baby's birth. There are so many things in a marriage and partnership you don't picture going through a lone. Going through birth is high on my list. Yes I know that I will have the support of my family and friends but I would HATE for Morgan to miss the chapter completely. So that is my prayer. That timing would work out and a spot would be available for him to come home to me and his baby girl!

Monday is Morgan and my anniversary. 2 YEARS! Can't really believe it! it has gone so quickly it seems. I am sad that we will be spending this one a part but I know that we have so many a head of us and refuse to let it get me down!

I am now 32 weeks and 3 weeks a long in this pregnancy! She could be her in 7 weeks give or take! I have found a pediatrician whom I am very excited about! My OB doctor has been so wonderful and understanding. He is prepared to deliver via Skype or Telephone to make sure my hubby is part of the sweet moment! I am so thankful for him and his team of nurses!



This is the part I don't want to report....but it part of the season of life I'm living in. I did NOT pass my Nursing Exam for the third time. It SUCKS (sorry mom not a better word for it)! I was so hopeful that this would be my last RODEO with that DARN test. I am not sure what the Lord is trying to teach me through this trial but I know he has PLANS for ME! I will probably wait til after the arrival of our lil one to consider retaking it. In the meantime I am going to focus on getting ready for that special day!

There are so many things to be excited about and so many reasons to keep on smiling....so that is my plan!

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!