Update

Not much is new right now. Still preggo, still in school, yada yada yada. School is going good, in fact, I can hardly believe how fast this year is going! In ten weeks, Skyler will finally be here! Of which, I'm very excited about. I'm hoping he decides to come a week early, but I have feeling that he's going be to stubborn and stay inside me til the end. Maybe I can convince him. ;-)

I feel like I'm very busy with one thing or another, but yet, sometimes I feel like I get nothing done! Perhaps it is just because my list of "to dos" just keeps getting larger even though I cross things of my list.

Well, we'll be sure to keep you updated if anything major occurs. Right now, it's basically same-ole, same-ole! Hope everything is having a wonderful day!

Welcome Home, Papa, welcome home

I've been away from my blog for awhile...at first, it was because I was in LA and San Diego for week and then this past Monday, my grandfather (or papa as we grandkids called him) passed away from a very fast growing cancer. (was only diagnosed approx. 3 weeks before he died) It has been hard and I miss him very much, but he was a truly amazing man. My cousin wrote something for the funeral today and thought it would be the perfect way to describe him. (I only included part of what she wrote)

" ...but most importantly he left behind a legacy. He loved unconditionally, served others devotedly, and followed the will of God unwaveringly; all the while teaching grandkids how to bear hunt in the suburbs of Detroit, how to escape the grip of the human knot, and most importantly how to eat quickly; you know, "every time you talk you miss a bite." His testimony was inspiring, his faith uncompromising, and his love for Christ was indescribable." (by Lauren Prince)

Words do not adequately express how amazing he was. He gave all he had to everyone, dedicated much of his time to several Detroit missions, and would share his love of Jesus to anyone he came across. He even told the nurses while he was dying in the hospital. He told them, "I'm either going home (pointing to the sky) or going home to Garden City (where he lived)." Even when he was dying, all he could talk about was God's amazing faithfulness and love. My grandfather wasn't saved until he was in his late 20s-early 30s and was a drunk, in a motorcycle gang, and smoked a ton. One day, he walked into a church and his life changed forever. He told people.."If God can save a drunk like me, He can save anyone!" And how true that is. My papa was testimony that Jesus can save and not only change one man's life destiny, but the paths of his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. And all because one day he decided to sit in the back of a church to see what went on.

So Papa, I hope you're dancing on the streets of gold, singing praises, and eating a huge banana split with Jesus (my papa's favorite). We love you and I can hear you saying "that's nice". =) See you in Heaven Papa!!!

"Ranny and Papa" Papa's Bday 2008

Christmas 2008

Papa's Birthday 2008

Keep up the prayer

Well, today we find out the exactness of my grandfather's condition. It isn't looking so good since today he has been in a great amount of pain and was actually taken to the ER. He does, for certain, have a tumor in his pancreas, we're just not sure exactly what stage the cancer is. We're praying now that he may be a candidate for a very long surger called the wipple procedure. (I think I spelled it right...or is it wupple? Not sure.) Anyways...please still keep my grandfather in your prayers as well as my family. It's been hard on us all. Pancreatic cancer is a very bad cancer to have because usually by the time it is caught, there isn't much time left. So please keep us all in your prayers. I have faith that God most certainly can heal him, however, I know God may answer me with a no. I am praying that my grandfather will at the very least, be able to meet his first great-grandchild, Skyler. Thankfully, I know that my grandfather is an incredible God-fearing man whom I know will be in Heaven whether God decides to take him now or in 10 years. I pray, selfishly, that God allows him more time on Earth. Only time will tell now. I ask that you please pray for our hearts no matter what God's answer will be.

Baby registry

Today Allen and I registered for little Skyler. I must say, it was pretty fun! (for me anyways, Allen didn't quite enjoy it as I did) But as a mom-to-be, it is a bit overwhelming. There are so much you need or think you'll need. Whoah. Seriously, whoah. I still had fun though. It was fun picturing myself use all of the stuff we registered for with our little Skyler. =) For some reason, it still seems so far away til he'll be here. It's only 15 weeks away, but it feels like forever for some reason. Time has gone by fast thus far, so I'm sure these last 15 weeks will fly by.

Well, that's about all I have today, except I did want to say that I thought it was hilarious that Allen was very eager to register for the "anti-pee on mom and dad" gadgets. As soon as he saw some of them (which by the way, they cover the males genitals while you're changing his diaper...pretty fun with funny designs), he instantly wanted them. He seems to think these will guarenteed himself not getting peed on. Little does he know..... I suppose he'll learn fast enough though or perhaps he'll get lucky enough that those little gadgets will work its magic......

He's always been faithful

I am coming before you all for a specific prayer request. My grandfather (my mom's dad) has been in the hospital for about a day or so. He's having abdominal pain, as well as other complications to his type 2 diabetes, and the docs aren't quite sure what the problem is. First, we were told it's possibly cancer, then we're told it might be cysts developing from his new diabetes medicine. We still (or at least I) don't know the full diagnosis, yet, but we're praying (obviously) that it isn't cancer. I know that God has all of us in His hands and if He chooses for us to battle a family member dealing with cancer again, then we will. For the sake of our hearts and my grandfather's body, I pray that we don't have to face that again.

Many of you know that my uncle Bob passed away this past November from a long battle with brain cancer. He was one of the greatest men that I know who displayed true love and compassion every day. Just within the last couple of weeks, I found a note he wrote me when I graduatated highschool and it was so encouraging. He always knew how to lift me up. I pray that I impact my world as much as he impacted his. For all who knew Bob Kring would agree that he had a HUGE impact on so many peoples lives. I love him dearly and I look forward to the day when I get to see him again in Heaven praising Jesus.

So needless to say, this is why we're praying it's not cancer for my grandfather. God has always been faithful to me, through thick and thin, and I know He'll stick with me now.

Check out this video on youtube. It is one of my favorite songs and whomever made this presentation did a good job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2E6g3MksMUc

23 weeks

This is me at 23 weeks. This was actually taken in the Logan's (a steak restaurant) bathroom after church on Sunday. =) My mother is obsessed with taking a pic of me every Sunday to update my progress and this was the only place to take the pic this week. (I actually like her obsession because that's one less thing for me to think about or do) So it was kind of funny watching the faces of people coming to the bathroom while we were trying to take the pic. It took a couple of trys (or should it be tries? I've never been that great with grammer), since the lighting in public restrooms are not all that desirable. But as you can see, Skyler is a growing boy, who is very active these days!

Pharmaco what?

Then end of my day is soon approaching. Soon, I will be crawling into bed from exhaustion because I tend to get that way now once 11pm rolls around. I have been studying a lot for my upcoming pharmacology test. It's the first one for this semester and you know how those are... you never know exactly how the test is going to be...detailed or more general concepts? So in my worry and anxiety, I have been trying to learn as detailed as I can. Although, I have been study for about 2 weeks now, there is SO much information--I still feel like I need more time. Thankfully, I do. The test is not until Wednesday. Oh man, I can't wait til that test is over!

On a lighter note, I am excited because today I went to Joanns and bought wooden letters to spell out Skyler. I also bought paint (teal and chocolate brown) to make them look cool. =) Eventually that will get done...but who knows when. Also, I'm very excited because tomorrow I am going to IKEA. I love IKEA. We have one in Michigan now, but it is like 40 minutes away--so it is a special occasion when you go. So, needless to say, I'm excited to be surrounded by affordable, put it together yourself, adorable furniture. I plan to purchase a few things....hopefully I'll keep it to a few. =)

Well, that's all for now folks! Sorry it may be slightly boring. I know IKEA and pharmacology are not exciting to all, but that's my life. =) Tomorrow I get to play volleyball and I'm very excited about that too! People always get a chuckle watching me, the preggo, play vball. Yeah yeah. (on a side note, for you worriers, I am a very safe preggo player...no diving, no overly exerting myself, etc etc)

Ok, for real now...I'm leaving! Have a great night!