9 Weeks

The baby is my belly is 9 weeks along...I feel like I am 14 weeks along... hahaha! My belly definitely grew faster than with Kaden. I don't think I was showing until I was like 16 weeks with Kaden. I need to go shopping for bigger pants already. Has anyone used the belly band? Might be an option to keep my clothes until I HAVE to wear maternity clothes. :)

I feel pretty good, just really tired all the time. Sleep is hard to come by... when I do sleep I have FUNKY dreams all night! I wake up feeling like I just fell asleep and coffee hasn't sounded good to me... I know I can drink a cup a day but it just doesn't sound appealing. So... no coffee and no sleep... makes for a very zombie like Lisa.

Morning sickness hasn't really been a problem... I didn't have much with Kaden either. I get nauseous here and there but I remember I have to eat and then immediately feel better. That's so backwards to me, feeling nauseous makes me NOT want to eat, but I have to force myself to get something down, because I KNOW I will feel better...

My memory is SHOT! I try sooooo hard to remember things... but before I can even grab a piece of paper to write whatever that's important down to remember and reference... I have already forgotten what I was going to write down. :*( I left ice cream out last night and have the most grace-filled husband who just puts it away without making it a big deal. Hahha!

Other than that... I love this growing baby in my belly! Kaden kisses my belly and tells me it's a girl. Do kids have a sixth sense we don't know about??? Hhaha! Either that or he's going to be super disappointed if it's a boy. I am sure he will be excited regardless once he sees the baby. A few people I know had babies this last week and it makes me that much more excited to meet mine in 216ish days. It has a lot of growing to do before that day... and I will wait and I know that the time will aslo fly by sooooo fast.

Sorry no belly pictures... I forgot to upload them to my computer. Happy 9 weeks little grape sized baby inside me!

Missio Community

To be authentic community that makes Jesus fully known ...so others may fully know Him.

What a weekend... we have been gearing up for this day to come for the last year and some months... Missio Community LAUNCHED! What does that mean? It's our new church community that we have been in the planning stages for the last year and some.... we started out with a group of about 10-15 people gathering in one living room dreaming of this day when we start gathering in multiple living rooms and a Sunday gathering in Southwest Portland. This last year we were meeting on Sundays once a month and adding to twice a month...now that day has come that we are now meeting weekly... there was about 100 adults and 20 kids this last Sunday to kick off our weekly Expressions (gatherings). We know there was a lot of friends and family out to support our first gathering... and there was a lot of "core" that was out of town and traveling or working. Regardless of numbers... Jesus was made fully known on Sunday... he was made known through the love of the children workers, the guest care, the worship team, and the preaching. He was made known through the smiles, the handshakes, the hugs. It was a very exciting day and more exciting days to come... we are here weekly! Joel and I can't wait to get our house sold (or rented) and move to SW so we can be closer to the people we want to reach. It's been a really exciting season in our lives... we would love continued prayers for this community to continue to put Jesus in the center of all the things we do, that you would pray for Joel and support raising and his new role in ministry. If you want to get Joel's monthly ministry updates you can subscribe HERE. 

Since April?

Since April...the last blog post we have had a LOT of happenings in the To family!

Joel turned 35 in April...

We put our house on the market in May....

We went to a LOT of graduations in June...and also celebrated our 7th anniversary!

 In July, Lisa turned in her two-week-notice to the office and started a new job at the Portland Arts Museum as an Events Manager....

Joel was gone most of August to help his parents at the fair... and April came down to be our nanny.

September Joel started working on staff at Missio Community...where we have had the privilege to be a part of this church plant and use our gifts and talents that God has given us... Missio will be meeting weekly SEPTEMBER 18!

Kaden started preschool...which he LOVES!

And if that wasn't enough change and transitions... we are PREGNANT! Whoohooo! Baby To #2 will be arriving into our family April 23ish.

So...with all that said...we are definitely in a time that we are learning to lean on Jesus and trust in HIM every day in all aspects of our lives... please pray for us during these next few weeks and months... that our house sells, that Joel raises full support, that Kaden grows and learns more in school, not only academically but spiritually as well, and that Lisa is adjusting to the new job and the growing belly and the baby is growing and healthy. Thanks much! Here's to blogging more often! Cheers!

Need to Blog More...

I should blog more.

Need to make time.

I always try to and then realize I don't have the right computer that has the pictures on it.

Then, I just forget.

This is my attempt to start again.

:)