7 Wonders Chad and I would like to visit or revisit in the next 15 years

Chad and I have both been many places. He has traveled the world and I have traveled the US. We put together a list of 7 places we would like to visit together. Some places we will probably go multiple times and some just once. We agreed on 5 we both would like to visit for the first time or again and each chose one place we have always wanted to visit.

Disney World(with kids)
Boston(family)
Washington DC (Chad's pick)
California: LA, Newport Beach, mountains (family)
Savannah, Georgia/Hilton Head or Africa(my pick, undecided)
Mexico
Hawaii

Chad is BACK

Chad loved the Ukraine and would love to go back. I could never give his stories justice but, I will type a few highlights.

-The camps were crowded with kids who were so appreciative of the attention the group gave them.
-Chad's best friend was his interpretor, Olga, who was so kind to him through out the whole trip. Chad went to her dance class and met her instructor, the instructor ended up coming to the nightly service.
-They look at people who are not Orthadox as cultish and outcasts. Chad said it is really hard to teach these people any different.
-One kid told Chad that he had bought and idol and was saved now.
-The thing I found most interesting about their culture is that the husbands leave the home after the children get a little older. Olga's husband moved to Moscow and she only sees him 4 times a year. It is amazing that is a norm there.
-The love Gatorade and hats. They are so appreciative of anything and very generous too. Chad was given like 15 gifts from kids who had almost nothing.
-There are so many other great things that Chad had to say but those were just a few highlights, he may read this and want to add....I could never give his trip justice.

Thank you for your prayers, I am so happy to have him back!

A Glance at the Last Week!

WOW, what a week! I do not see how military wives do it, I am going NUTS without Chad! He will be back tomorrow night and seemed to really enjoy the mission. I haven' t been able to talk to him much! I have made the most of the week by keeping busy and visiting great friends. I first have to tell a quick story about Charlie, I have posted a picture but, it does not give his bad behavior justice. He has been awful for the last 3 weeks and I know it is because Chad has been gone. He jumps on the counter and grabs any food he can find! I finally put jalepenos all over the countertop and he hasn't been snooping since! I have posted a recent picture of him just for fun. I know he is missing his Dad.
Sat. my good friend Rachel and I spent the day visiting friends, shopping and then we threw a shower for some of our good friends and had a great time!
Sunday, I left to visit the Josh, Lauren, and PRECIOUS JAMES! I had the best time, I didn't want to leave. That baby made me feel so loved, it was hard to say goodbye! He just smiles and cuddles, he is the PERFECT baby. Lauren and Josh were so good to me, I am so appreciative of their friendship. It is so nice to have friends who are constantly kind! It was a wonderful 3 days! I can't wait to go back. I have officially fallen in love with the idea of having a boy after being with James. I have always wanted my girl to be first but, am completely at peace about having a boy after being with James.....he is absolutely adorable! This picture does not give justice to his good looks!
I spent Thursday at a conference.
Friday morning my mother in law and I went to shopping and to visit friends. I always enjoy time with her.
I left Friday afternoon to visit my parents. Friday night I played with Olivia and mom and I enjoyed a great game of Scrabble.
Today was a great day of playing with Dezi and Olivia. They have both developed great personalities. Olivia LOVES Charlie, she laughs at him and would much rather play with him then me! I have posted a picture of them but, was not able to get a good shot of them playing together. Olivia is much cuter than this picture as well. I think I have learned I will need to get a quicker camera before our baby comes! Olivia's mother is pregnant and due one month before my Santa baby! So exciting!
I was able to have lunch with Emily and her friend Jordan. They are both attending Harding as freshmen in the fall and are so excited! It is so fun to talk about the good times I had in college with them!
I am back home and getting the house ready for Chad and making his birthday cake. Sorry I haven't been posting as well, I will do better!

Ukraine Mission Trip

As most of you know my husband, Chad played basketball for Harding and really enjoyed his experience there. I truly believe he would be a coach if he hadn't chose business. As soon as we placed membership at our BCofC that quickly scooped Chad up for one of their missions. They take a group of coaches and some women to the Ukraine to put on a basketball camp and work in the orphanages. They put on camps for kids and teach them Jesus at the same time. This trip has been a big success for the last 10 years. It was obviously something Chad was interested in. He has a heart for missions and to put his 2 passions together (God and basketball) was just a no brainer! He left this morning at 8am for this amazing trip. He has been in Victoria, TX on business the last 2 weeks and his flight black last night was canceled! He was forced to drive through the night and arrive at home at 4 this morning! I think he will catch up on sleep on the flight and hopefully be refreshed once he gets there! I thought I was fully prepared for him to leave but, I lost it as soon as he had his bags out of the door! I guess I was just holding in pregnant emotions and they just spilled out! I know he is doing more greater good there than he would be here and it is where God wants him to be! I am so proud of his decision to spread the gospel around there world, it is encouraging to me! Please pray that God works through the group going this morning and that they come home safely!

Baby Bed dilemma SOLVED

My husband the consumer report junkie has decided that a baby bed from Target is the safest and most practical way of getting a baby bed! As always TARGET TO THE RESCUE! I have to laugh because he has studied all the baby needs on consumer report and can tell you why you should not buy baby diapers until after the baby comes. He can spout off brand names of strollers, cribs, car seats and many more baby items that have the best and worst consumer ratings. I am so happy that he is engulfing in the baby market with me!

Experienced MOMS that come across this blog PLEASE HELP!

I am having a baby bed dilemma! I love taking advice from supermoms and I know you can help me out here. I really do not want to spend a ton of money on a crib, but I just read in Baby Bargains to absolutely NOT buy a used baby bed or car seat! I knew about the car seat but, had 0 clue about baby beds being harmful if it is used. I was planning on garage selling and consignement shopping for one. Then I read that the cheap cribs can be harmful and fall apart easy, I would like to use the same crib for all of my babies. Chad and I have also considered getting a raw wood crib and painting it ourselves, the upside to that is I would get the exact color I want. I want a off white bed. Any advice in the crib department would be nice. Would you also give me a good price to spend on a bed? While you are at it, would you give me your opinion on the baby bedding market? Chad's mom has offered to pay for the labor if I pick out the fabric, or should I just get cheap Target bedding.....is it worth it? Please give me your opinion, I do not want to fall into the "must have best" trap. I can so easily fall into that trap. Example......I MUST HAVE A PAIR OF DESIGNER MATERNITY JEANS....husband doesn't like this trap:) As I ramble on....I beg for advise.
Mommy in Training