The Cavs

In North Carolina, we just create our own mascots.  Especially when one has never seen a real Cavalier; we're forced to create makeshift mascots for Montreat pride!  However, I will say this little gal will not be going to any games, ever again.  I tried once the first year we moved here and after a few friendly faces passed by, she had my lying on my back at one of the home games.  My only prayer was that she would not dart off into the middle of the soccer game.  What a classy coach's wife... lying on the side lines with a dog gone mad!

On a more serious note, the Cavs had two unexpected losses this past week.  Which has left this week as a chance to recuperate.  The last of the two games were away and Brenton called to tell me the boys had lost.  He added in that a number more had gotten injured, and that there were two going to the ER when they returned home.  One of the guys came back from the ER with staples in his head and another just relieved to find he was not the second player this year with a broken leg.  Thankfully none of the recent injuries have been quite as serious though it has left a handful of the Montreat men's soccer team needing time to heal and regain strength.  The hope is that the majority are ready for this Saturday's game.  The boys have amazing potential and half the season left, pray for healing and health for the next two months.

I will say, it seems that every year there is some type of obstacle; sadly I know it is a part of growing up.  On the mature side, I know it is a chance to grow and develop character.  Often I want life to just be easier, like my call to insurance today.  All I could think of, while I was on the phone, is how I wanted to be a kid again and have my mom worry about life's details.  I know I've written it many times before but stretching is not fun, though I know it is necessary.

Family Updates

The Montreat Cavaliers are 4-2 after a close game with Bryan College, the 1-ranked team in conference.  Though I was not able to be at the away game, it sounds like it was as heart-breakingly close as the final conference tournament game with Bryan last season.  In both games we only lost by one goal and held out to the very end.  The boys have two more conference games this week, one on Wednesday and one on Saturday. 

We are officially at 25 weeks with our little girl, though the picture attached is from 24 weeks.  Every fiber in me did not want to post a pregnancy picture since everyone does, but with all of you close friends wanting to see my belly... here it is.  Our little girl didn't seem to move much the last week and a half, until today... she has been an active little gal!  Which probably explains the odd rush of nausea I woke up to last night.  Unfortunately, I could tell it was over as soon as I woke up and it did prove to be the most violent of the stomach episodes.  I started to feel this way around dinner again tonight, now just hoping my stomach can stay settled enough to not have another rough night, while being thankful that the nausea is not anywhere near as often these days.

Came home to a sweet surprise after such a rough night and exhausting, late work day.  My wonderful husband had gotten a chair for the nursery that some friends were selling.  He knows how much I love the accent color... RED!  May sound odd, but the baby's room will be in tan, black, deep brown, and red, as you can tell by the picture.  We have a cream dresser to bring up and we registered for a wooden cherry crib this weekend.

Which leads to our Sunday adventure... we registered at Walmart and Target, mostly online.  Walmart did not have scanners, interesting.  Both had a lot of similar stuff, so we tried to compare prices as best as possible when registering.  I'd say we are most excited about the crib, though the carseat/stroller combo was pretty amazing too.  Oh yes, and I was really intrigued and stoked about my pacifier thermomether find.  It is just fun to think we'll be meeting our little girl in less than three and a half months!

More than a little surprised today when I was told that North Carolina has decided a baby needs to be born before December 1st to get a full tax deduction.  Supposedly, if the baby were born in December, we might get a small tax break but nothing compared to babies born by November.  (If someone is smarter and knows better, please prove me wrong on this!)  Really hoping this is not so as we began to hope our little girl would come around December 31st.  Guess that means we'll have to stick with having the first baby of the New Year! 

Oh and our friend that makes handmade wooden signs as a hobby allowed us to have one of his treasures.  Our new rustice "Welcome" sign seemed to be the perfect touch for our mountain get-away!  Thanks Heather and Wes!

Montreat Cavalier Men's Soccer Team Update

The Cavaliers are off to a booming start! The season began a few weeks ago and the team is proving to be very talented. Their current record is 3-1. Though the team lost to Trevecca Nazarene, they out shot Trevecca 22-10. Their most recent victories came over this past weekend at a tournament held here in North Carolina. The Montreat Cavaliers beat Oklahoma Baptist University 1-0 and St. Francis (Illinois) 4-1, all four goals in the St. Francis game scored by freshmen. The skill shown at the tournament allowed two of the guys to earn "Player of the Week" in conference and currently ranked the team 2nd in conference.

With all their Conference games and the larger part of the season ahead, it has at least been an encouraging start. Regardless what happens, the boys' talent has been commented on by many; coaches, referees and fans. The Montreat Cavaliers have a good deal to be proud of though there is a lot of hard work and competition ahead. They have, at the least, made a real big fan of the coach's wife! And please be in prayer for one of their starting defensive players who just broke his ankle (during the OBU game), a tough break as this is his first year and for the fact that he is from Latin America, a good ways from home. Thankfully, the boys have rallied around him to build a community of support here in North Carolina.  Keep watch, their next game is this coming Saturday.

Pregnancy Peculiarities

I know I'm a first timer, but really?!  One would expect certain things to happen to their body when they are pregnant, but there are others that seem a mystery to me.  Some of them I won't share for the sake common courtesy, but a few of my peculiar favorites are listed below.


1)  Leg cramps (Why does a potassium deficiency affect you only when your pregnant?)

2)  Eating sooths nausea

3)  Feeling claustrophobic during church or in big crowds of people

4)  Having trouble breathing during Sunday worship

5)  Starting a walk and having a sudden urge to use the restroom (Before the halfway mark is even in sight!)

6)  Lower back pains before the belly has really grown

It's a Girl!!!

We are thrilled!  I think this is the most exciting part of the journey so far, to know something about our baby or should I say our daughter!  It is amazing how much can be known and seen with technology.  I took some advice given me and had caffeine about an hour before our appointment so the baby would be active for some good views, and boy was she!  I loved seeing her little hands, fingers and feet, by far the most precious.  The definition in other areas was not so clear to me, not being an ultrasound technician, but who doesn't recognize little fingers.  And her profile was also very defined.  You could clearly see her nose and mouth; how unreal that at five months the little one is so intricately created!

Brenton says he had a hunch all along; I knew nothing. It was fun to be surprised with no expectations.

Amazingly, the technician could tell the baby was about six days smaller than originally believed.  The little one is healthy and the due date was not changed.  They said they were just going to watch her growth over the next few months, as would be expected.  And as I know nothing about the process, they mentioned if the baby had been 10 days behind or more, then they would have been concerned.  Thank goodness we weren't the extra four days lacking.  I'm hoping she'll be a small little thing, especially come time for delivery! 

Heavenly Shoes

This past week my Pappaw on my Mother's side went to meet our Heavenly Father.  The previous weekend, before he moved out of consciousness, he told someone he was ready for his "heavenly shoes".  It seems he knew his time was near and was ready to meet the Maker.

While it is sad to have him leave, I was amazed to hear so many people say they had never met a more godly man.  Each of the three pastors that spoke at the funeral said just that as they choked on unshed tears.  One saluted a fellow soldier for the last time as he concluded his portion of the funeral.  His, was a life well lived. 

Ironically, as I went to bed Friday night after the funeral, I imagined Pappaw, Howard & Benji (the students who passed at the colleges we've worked at) sitting together and joyfully chatting in heaven.  I know there is no other place those men would rather be than with our Savior.  And how can I be sad on that note.

Thankfully, just before Pappaw past, we were able to spend time with him at the farm.  We drove Pappaw up on his trekker and he watched as we took family pictures, one of which can be seen above.  Little did we know about two and a half weeks later, we'd learn of his passing.  We are so thankful for the godly heritage on both sides of our family!

Family vacation at the beach was also a much needed rest.  I think I'm still feeling a little lethargic from all the rest I took in that week!  Unfortunately, all the pictures are on my sister's camera.  The ones you see, I've taken off her Facebook page!  Thanks Jen.