Big News!!!!

So the news is finally out!!!! Brad and I are expecting a little one May 8, 2011!!!!! (ultrasound at 8 weeks)

We are super excited about this and can't wait for May to come around. We found out at about 4 weeks. I took 2 tests and they were both showing positive which was so crazy. I couldn't believe it had actually happened and that we were going to have a baby. I called my doctors office right away and scheduled my 8 week appointment. That was the longest 4 weeks I have ever had to wait for something. The night before my appointment was bittersweet as I had some bleeding so we were really anxious for the our appointment the next day. Finally when Sept 29 came around we went to the doctor and saw a very strong heartbeat which we were both THRILLED to see. After the appointment we went straight to our parents houses and told them.  Our parents were both really excited as this baby will be the first grand child on both sides.  I had another appointment at 10 weeks and another ultrasound to make sure it was all still going well. We still saw a really strong heartbeat so after that we decided to tell our grandparents, family and  friends. It was so hard for us to keep this secret from parents for 4 weeks and then everyone else for another 2 weeks.

We went to palm springs with my Prins family after my 10 week appointment and we decided to tell them all while we were there. I gave the ultrasound picture to my cousin and had her go show everyone the picture. It was fun to see all of there reactions. Everyone is really excited to have a baby in the family again.

I am just finishing 12 weeks and have been feeling pretty good. I started having some morning sickness around 8 weeks and has lasted regularly until last week. It is finally starting to go away which I am really thankful for :) Other than that being tired and my sense of smell is really getting to me. Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers for our arrival.

Right now the baby is about as big as a plum (2 inches) and can expand its fingers and toes. It is so amazing to me how much this baby has grown since we found out. At four weeks it was the size of a poppyseed. God IS SO GOOD!!!! What a great miracle.

Kenny Chesney - The Boys of Fall

I really love this song right now and it is a great way to get ready for the fall football season.

When I feel that chill, smell that fresh cut grass/
I'm back in my helmet, cleats and shoulder pads/
Standing in the huddle listening to the call/
Fans going crazy for the boys of fall/
They didn't let just anybody in that club/
Took every ounce of heart and sweat and blood/
To get to wear those game day jerseys down the hall/
Kings of the school man, we're the boys of fall/

(Chorus:)
Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes/
It's fighting back them butterflies/
It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball/
And it's knocking heads and talking trash/
It's slinging mud and dirt and grass/
It's I got your number, I got your back when your back's against the wall/
You mess with one man you got us all/
The boys of fall/

In little towns like mine that's all they got/
Newspaper clippings fill the coffee shops/
The old men will always think they know it all/
Young girls will dream about the boys of fall/

(Chorus:)
Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes/
It's fighting back them butterflies/
It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball/
And it's knocking heads and talking trash/
It's slinging mud and dirt and grass/
It's I got your number, I got your back when your back's against the wall/
You mess with one man you got us all/

(Chorus:)
Well it's turn and face the Stars and Stripes/
It's fighting back them butterflies/
It's call it in the air, alright yes sir we want the ball/
And it's knocking heads and talking trash/
It's slinging mud and dirt and grass/
It's I got your number, I got your back when your back's against the wall/
You mess with one man you got us all/
The boys of fall/

We're the boys of fall

We're the boys of fall

August Review

Well I can't believe the summer is coming to an end. It feels like it just began.

This month started by us going to Lake Tulloch with my family and also family friends for a week.

We have been going there for about 12 years now. We love it there. It is so much fun being on the lake and going skiing, wake boarding, knee boarding, or what we learned this year wake skating, and wake surfing. It is also fun to be there with family and friends and spend time together.

While we were there my friend Erica got engaged. I so called it that it was going to happen while we were there. :) I am super excited for them and so happy that Erica found her prince charming. She has always been like a sister to me. So that will be another wedding next May. :)

We also flew up to to Stockton for Brad's cousin Joey & Monica's wedding. It was a super fun wedding weekend with family.

Two weeks ago we celebrated Grandma Struiksma's birthday by all the girls taking a train ride up to Santa Barbara for the day. We ate lunch on the pier and did some shopping. It was a fun filled day.

While I'm enjoying these last few days of the summer and hot weather I guess I am ready too for Fall to come around. Lots of football games this year for us as Wade (Brad's brother) and 2 cousins are playing at APU.

Happy Anniversary

Happy 28th Anniversary Mom and Dad.  Thank you for being such a wonderful example of what a Godly marriage looks like. I am truly blessed to parents like you, and I am so thankful for you both.  I hope God blesses you with many more years.
Love you

Struiksma Happenings

So nothing too exciting has been happening with us. We've been to Palm springs a couple weekends. Once for my grandma's birthday and then for Mothers day. We also went to San Clemente for Memorial weekend with my family. Two weekends ago we went on a 3 day cruise to Mexico with some friends. It was a lot of fun. We went to Ensenda for the day and hung out there at Papas and Beer and did some shopping. It was also my birthday while we were on the boat. So that was a fun way to celebrate turning 24!!! :)  So far 24 hasn't been that different.

Next week we go up north for a shower for Brad's cousin and also for Clear Lake with his family for a week. This is my 8th year going with them up to Clear lake and it has been a great tradition. :)

This weekend is fathers day and my dads birthday so we have a lot of celebrating to do. Then the following week is my moms BIG birthday.

Well thats all for now.

Caribbean Cruise

Wow its almost been 2 weeks since I've been home.
Our cruise was so much fun, and it was a great way to celebrate our 2 year anniversary too!!!

We flew to Puerto Rico and boarded our ship there. We were on Royal Caribbean Adventures of the Sea. The boat was super nice and very big. We stopped at Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, St Maarten, and St. Croix. In Barbados we went on a pirate party cruise and went to a snorkel spot. In St Lucia we took a taxi and went rum tasting, and then went to a beach close to where Dale and Sheri had stayed before and we hung out there all day. In Antigua we went Zip Lining, which was so much fun. There were nine zips and then there was a rope challenge course with it. I must say we were all very tired after finishing b/c the rope course was intense. In St Maarten we took little 2 people sea-doo boat things and got to see the island that way. St Maarten had the prettiest water, it was super blue. In St Croix we went shopping and had a nice lunch and just hung out.

Also, Brad and I celebrated our 2 year anniversary. I can't believe how time has flown by. I remember when all I wanted was to be engaged and then married so badly and now it has already been 2 years. I am so thankful that God placed such a Godly man in my life. I love you babe. :)

Weddings

This post isn't really about anything except that I have a lot of weddings coming up.
Whitney a friend from high school is getting married in Oct
Joey a cousin is getting married in May
Debbie a cousin is getting married sometime this summer.

I just LOVE weddings :)