19 Weeks

First Family Roadtrip - recap

A few of the photos we snapped along our 6 day trip from Vancouver to Fort Collins.  Phew.  Had fun, but glad it's done!

at the McNarry Dam (in Idaho?)

at a dam along the way 

in Boise, Idaho 

the Mormon temple in Salt Lake City, Utah 

 Silas enjoying his daily nap

 hitting stormy weather...

attempting a family photo in windy, dusty weather...

 in Deadhorse Pass: incredible views!

Silas loving the view (mommy, getting nervous...) 

 Family shot!

 In Utah!

 More lightening storms and rough weather

 Trying to hide Silas away for sleep (not working so well!)

 Arches National Park, Utah

 Incredible Arches

 Loving the scenery

 Full family shot (baby included)

 Daddy & Silas in an Arch!

 Climbing (I needed help down from a stranger!)

 Daddy & Silas in Arches

 Family shot!

 Double Arch

 In Vail, Colorado

 Checking out a gondola!

 Ski runs behind

Entering the Mountains of Colorado

so the Adventure Continues...

We head out tomorrow for our 5 day road trip to Colorado.  (woot woot!)  We are stocked up on snacks and kids' dollar store toys and DVDs.  We hope (and pray) that Silas will survive, and that we will survive him and each other!  We're excited for what this month ahead brings as we will be doing some Bible schooling out of Fort Collins.  So many doors have opened for us in order to do this, so we really feel the Lord's leading.


We are also very thankful that I am feeling much better (no nausea!) and that I had a good ultrasound the other day!  Everything looks a-okay and we're getting more excited about this baby.  I think I felt him or her move today during worship which was exciting!  I started to get emotional the other day in the car listening to Creed (of all bands...)  Their song 'Arms Wide Open' is about the lead singer finding out he is going to be a Dad and I love his words:


"Well I don't know if I'm ready
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, I'll take her by my side
We stand in awe, we've created life"
he says to his child:
"With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything"


Okay.  It's not that sappy.  BUT I still got this swelling up of emotion and joy that I will again, Lord willing, have the opportunity to hold a little life in my arms again.  


On that up note, in typical Shannon style, a little authenticity:  If adventure usually means good, it can sometimes mean scary and that is also where I'm at.  It's hard not to be fearful about how adapting to baby #2 will be.  My thyroid was tested the other day and I'm borderline hyperthyroid.  Oh bother.  Here we go again (?)  I pray it isn't so.  Or that somehow, I will have the maturity and grace to go about any bumps along the road in a different way (if that's the Lord's will).  


So there you have it!  We have an exciting summer ahead: Bible school, trip to Saskatoon, weddings... and are on the verge of something incredible as we continue on this journey back to the mission field [?] and back to being new parents again...  


And here I am.  Busting at the seems (okay, not quite).  17 weeks and counting:

15 Weeks and Counting

at this point, I just feel fat. grrr.

But, looking forward to my ultrasound next week!