Loving Spring in Charleston

It's only Sunday, but I've (we've) already had the best weekend. For the past few weeks, we've either been traveling or hosting guests...which has been amazing...but it's always nice to be home with no set plans. On Friday, a friend of mine turned 30. To celebrate, we stayed at a beach condo that was generously lent to us for the night. The condo was on Folly Beach which is a popular beach here in Charleston but the farthest from our house so we rarely visit. It was nice to be reminded of how amazing it was! The weather has been incredible...mid 70's-low 80's and sunny. After a long week of teaching 9-year-olds, it was great to relax with the girls...

crazy friends!

all the girls...

our view from the deck...I still can't believe we live here.

Yesterday morning, I woke up early to go home to my puppy and husband...I was greeted by our recently groomed doodle who now looks like a completely different dog! For those of you who have never seen our poochie, she has got some fur on her! In an ideal world, you'd never have to cut her beautiful mane but when you live in the south, it's a recipe for a dog to have a heat stroke with the fur that this girl was carrying around. On Thursday, I dropped her off at the groomer/daycare, went to work, and walked out of the groomer after work in tears. I definitely mourned this haircut as I barely recognized my own dog but I know that she feels so much better! After googling forums about how others are often traumatized by their goodendoodles' first haircut, and reading many comments about how it would grow back within a month, I was comforted and realized that it was the right thing to do. Still miss my Don King dog though! I'll update you in a month when she's cute again!...haha kidding, but seriously.

After taking a morning walk on the beach, we went to the driving range to hit some balls. Bending over to tee up my ball is getting a bit trickier I noticed. At 18 weeks, I know this is only the beginning. We then decided to grab some Mexican for lunch and were caught in the middle of a spring thunderstorm. I've never seen rain like it rains here. I'm grateful that it only lasts for maybe 20 minutes when it rains because it is intense! If you know me at all, you know that I'm not too keen on storms...especially ones that may produce tornadoes (which we seem to have a lot of watches/warnings for). I guess that's something that I must live with as long as we are down here so I better get used to it! After lunch, we braved the storm and headed over to Trader Joe's. Shopping at Joe's with Matt is one of my favorite things to do. I know that sounds funny but I think it might have something to do with how it reminds me of our Seattle days. Oftentimes after church at Mars Hill in Seattle, we'd walk across the street to TD's and shop around before going home to make a Sunday brunch with Jeff. I miss those days. Also, Blake and Erin have introduced us to the joys of their dark chocolate...also to be appreciated on a daily basis after dinner. 

Anyways...we ended the day with some Seacoast Church and Menchie's for frozen yogurt. It really doesn't get much better! Today, Matt is golfing and I am home attempting to get rid of a migraine (the joys of not being able to take any medicine while pregnant :))

I'm so excited for the next few weeks...on Wednesday, we get to find out whether we have been blessed with a son or daughter! On Thursday, the Briedes come to visit. Then, one more week of school before spring break and Mama (or should I say Grandma) Denise comes!

Bump Update...

18 weeks...not much to view yet...feeling a lot bigger than this picture looks.

Winter is over...

Or did it ever start? The weather has been warm these past couple of weeks...70-80's...I constantly have to remind myself that we are in normal seasons now unlike the constant rain of Seattle or constant winter of Montana. This is normal...but it's strange. 

Just last night, I was chatting with my friend, Kristin, telling her how I was missing rainy, lazy days. It seems like the sun shines every day in Charleston and while that is nothing to complain about, I feel guilty staying inside in such beautiful weather. This makes it difficult to make time for cleaning, laundry, and getting work done. Well, today was the day! We are getting the tail end of that storm system that has been producing all of those tornadoes...but none for us so it's ok with me! Matt unfortunately had to work but Raleigh and I had lots of time to lounge around the house. I felt guilt free in my stretch pants and walking around with my rubber gloves on :) Sadly, I enjoy cleaning but rarely have the time (or energy) to spend an entire day doing it.

Our lives have been really busy lately. I feel like I'm always saying this but time flies. I feel like we were just in Europe and now it is March! Speaking of Europe, I am JUST uploading our photos to the computer and will give you the link shortly. People have been asking for them but our lovely doggie, RB, decided that she wanted to enjoy our camera cord as an afternoon snack a while ago. Hence, the delay. We now have a new one.

Work has been super busy. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my job but it takes up so much of my time during the weeknights and evenings. This is what makes my time go so fast. I do love it though...my students are amazing. I love the culture here and love being called "maam". I don't know where we will raise our children at but I do know that they will have southern manners.  I feel so blessed by my work...these little kiddos have lots to teach me too. Matt is still busy at Boeing...nothing new there. He's losing a co-worker as Blake and Erin are moving back to Montana here in a few months :( That's a little sad, I would love for them to stay here so our little ones could be friends but I know this is where their heart is! We will sure miss them!

 

 

14 Weeks

Growing a little one has been going well :) My nausea that I experienced for about a month has now passed (thank goodness) and my energy is back which is a huge relief! I'm 15 weeks today and we get to find out what the sex of this nugget is on March 28th. I would love to wait but I just do not have the patience! I'm so anxious to know! Other than some lightheadedness, I've been feeling really well...

Here are a couple of photos just from my phone...the quality is terrible because I can't get the good ones off the camera...but the bump is definitely showing. I'm in that stage where I was always wonder about other people "is she fat or pregnant?" Haha...horrible but true. 

 

 

 Well, we have a lot to look forward to in these next couple of months! Visits from the Ramages, my aunt & uncle, the Briedes, and my Mama! Hope you have a great weekend!

15 Weeks