At Home in the Woods:

Happy Birthday, Doug!

2012-02-02T07:28:00.000-08:00

Today is Doug's birthday. We already started the celebration with sloppy joes for dinner last night and pigs-in-a-blanket for breakfast. [One of the "pigs" rolled out of its "blanket" on the pan...Doug looked at it and said "that pig must have gotten hot. It rolled right out of his blanket". He really does make me laugh everyday.] Tonight we will continue to celebrate with buffalo wings and chocolate chip cookies. I think eating favorite foods is the perfect way to celebrate a birthday.

I think you all know this already, but I really love Doug. Like a whole whole lot. He is so sweet to me even if I am being selfish and needy. Watching him love our son is incredibly encouraging. He works so hard to provide for our family and I know that he always will. He is also funny and super good looking. I mean seriously, just look at him. I am so glad I get to share my life with him. He sure does make life more fun and wonderful.

Our Weekend:

2012-01-31T09:50:00.000-08:00

We drove to OKC to see some family and friends. Our trip started out a little rough due to misunderstandings and lack of communication. After an hour of silence we started talking and asked for forgiveness from each other and talked through our thoughts. Marriage at its' best right there. I love working through things together.

We got to spend some time with our super talented friend, Esther. She snapped some beautiful pictures for us and I feel like she captured our little family pretty perfectly. Then we shared a meal with the Nails and the Sullivan's. I might have almost teared up during Eric's prayer. We really are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends in our lives.

I fell in love with their sweet dog Winston. He let me lay my head on his soft belly and he likes to look you in the eyes. That is all you need to know. We ate lots of yummy chili, shared bread plates, and finished the evening with apple cake and coffee.

We also got to spend a lot of good time with Doug's dad and his wife. We ate a really yummy dinner at B.J.'s, watched the Thunder game, and Henry spent a lot of time being handed back and forth between the grandparents.

I love weekends away being surrounded by good food, coffee, and people we love.

This Past Week We:

2012-01-27T10:08:00.000-08:00

-Went to the doctor for the dreaded two month check-up and first round of shots. Henry screamed before she had even given him any shots. Good thing breast milk is a miracle drug and he immediately calmed down as soon as I was able to feed him.
-Doug went out of town for a night for a Food Show...so Henry and I were alone for the first time overnight. I think we handled it okay. Frozen food and girl movies helped me get by. We were both pretty happy to have him back home. Dad helps out a lot.
- I made homemade taco seasoning and chocolate and oatmeal cookies.
- Ate dinner at Justin's house.
- Had one of the girls that worked in the kitchen last year over for dinner. We caught up on her life and she got to meet Henry for the first time. It is one of those relationships that we hope to always have for her sake and ours. There are times when we are talking with her that Doug and I get a glimpse into what it will be like to have teenagers.
- The fancy restaurant in town is closing and we got a gift certificate there for Christmas that we needed to use up. Nathan and Teresa and Justin joined us for a fun meal out. Even though they did not have half of their menu available and our poor waitress said that pretty much everyone that is coming in is using up gift certificates or coupons.
- Started doing our taxes
- Doug continues to make his case for a dirt bike. Which involves him giving me this certain look, spending hours on-line trying to find the perfect bike, and crunching numbers to see if and when we would be able to afford one.
- We started using cloth diapers. Now that Henry is a bit bigger they fit him better and I am not so sleep deprived so washing them is not nearly as intimidating. So far, so good!

High/Low:

2012-01-25T09:45:00.000-08:00

High:

- taking pictures with Henry

- having Doug back home after he was away for a night

- toasted bagels and cream cheese

- beating my Dad at Words with Friends

Low:

- not having a fence at our new house which results in me standing out in the cold yelling at Maxwell..."Go potty, Max. Go potty!" Anyone want to give us a fence?

- running out of coffee

- asking Doug who the guy on the left hand side of the screen was during the State of the Union Address...to which he responded "Joe Biden, our vice-president". Maybe I should pay more attention to politics and our government. Oops!

Henry's Favorite Thing:

2012-01-24T08:30:00.000-08:00

Our good friends, Eric and Ashley came for a visit a couple weekends ago. While they were here we talked about baby Henry a lot. One thing that came up was how Henry loved to lay on the floor and kick and play and stare at the ceiling fan. I was telling them about how I thought he needed something fun to stare at, but we were not willing to pay a lot of money for an infant toy when clearly the fan was working. A few days later Doug called and said that we received a gift in the mail. The gift happened to be the adorable play yard that I had looked at and loved from our very thoughtful friends. Henry loves his new toy. He will start kicking and moving around his arms so fast that he starts panting for breath. He is so much happier now that he has cute little animals to stare at instead of the boring old ceiling.

2 Months:

2012-01-23T14:56:00.000-08:00

12 pounds 3 ounces

23 1/2 inches long

[The doctor said he is perfect and is tall and skinny]

Sings back to you when you sing to him

Sleeps about 6 hours a night

Loves to go on walks in the baby carrier, which usually results in a good long nap

Has discovered his hands and he loves to suck on both hands at once

He loves to eat and will throw quite a fit if he has to wait at all

This Past Week We:

2012-01-22T13:52:00.000-08:00

- Had good friend Steven come for a visit. He helped out in the dining hall this weekend, recorded some music in our dining room, and got to love on little Henry.
- Hosted a baby shower at our house. Lots of fun women filled our kitchen and dining room.
- Made Chicken Chili and ate it throughout the entire week
- Got our T.V. working. We had not hooked up our antenna since we had moved to our new house. It is nice to be able to watch football games in our living room again.
- Went to Tulsa for an evening of fun
- Talked to all of our older sisters on the phone
- Gave Maxwell a bath [let's just say Henry has gotten waaaaaay more baths than Max has these past eight weeks]
- Doug did his evaluations for all of his employees this week. He learned that it is much harder for him to do the evaluating then being evaluated himself. They all went well, but there is just a level of stress that surrounds evaluations.
- Took several good long walks. Trying to soak up the beautiful weather while we have it.

1st Art Project:

2012-01-20T09:48:00.000-08:00

My mom had this great idea of creating a fun little art project to remember this past Christmas. She printed out a tree template on card stock and we all put our fingerprints as the leaves on the trees. We were able to fill up the trees wonderfully because we had 17 people. This is officially Henry's first art project. He was totally into it as you can tell.

Last Night We:

2012-01-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

- Dropped Henry off at Grandma's house for our first real night out without him
- Met up with lots of fun people for dinner [McKinneys, Odoms, Goodriches, Jones's, Future Metcalfe's, Andrea, Alex, Mindy, Rhett, and Jennifer] at Joe Momma's Pizza.
- Ordered a Buffalo Chicken pizza and ate the whole thing
- Walked in the cold to Cain's Ballroom
- Listened to beautiful music by The Staves and The Civil Wars
- Enjoyed the wonderful company of such fun people
- Ran into Hanna and Emily at the concert
- Picked up the Henry from Grandma's house
- Stopped at QT on the way home for a hot drink and doughnuts
- Fell into bed at 1:23 am exhausted but so happy from a wonderful night out with friends

Maxwell:

2012-01-18T10:22:00.000-08:00

- Has always loved socks...he loves them even more know that there are miniature versions around the house.
- Will play fetch with Doug...he brings back the tennis ball once or twice, then he thinks it is more fun to just run at full speed toward Doug with no ball and play instead
- Is still a little confused as to the new sounds and smells that come with a newborn
- Loves going to his bed...he will stand at the door and wait for us to let him into his crate
- Will only chew his bone if we help him get it started. I think he is getting a little bit lazy.

Seven Week Update:

2012-01-11T13:09:00.000-08:00

- We took a trip to Montana. It included four flights which he did great on all of them.
- The crying has eased up a bit. At least now I feel like we are able to calm him down easier.
- He has outgrown clothes and diapers. He looks older to me too. Babies really do grow fast.
- It has gotten easier. And, dare I say, I think it gets a bit easier every day. I know that there are still a lot of hurdles and obstacles ahead of us, but the thought of being his mother forever is not as overwhelming as it once was.
- He still eats like a champ. And we are working on the whole napping thing.
- We went to church for the first time. He drew quite a crowd at the end of the service.
- He coos and talks constantly while he is doing tummy time.
- He has smiled at us since he was born...but his smiles are getting much bigger and brighter. He is also smiling as a result of us talking and tickling him now...not just a random smile here and there.
- I had one of those moments where I really felt like a mom. I was worried because he was not sleeping very much throughout the day. I worried that he was sick or that something was bothering him. Then he fell asleep for three hours. Then I started to worry because he was sleeping too long. I worried that he was sick or that something was bothering him. I stopped myself in my thoughts and realized that this is what being a mother is. Worrying and then talking myself down and realizing that he is fine. He is totally fine.

Recent Favorites:

2012-01-09T08:43:00.000-08:00

- Words with Friends
- Dunkin' Donuts Coffee
- Henry's facial expressions
- Cinnamon Chex Cereal
- Parenthood and Downton Abbey
- Our do-nothings
- Dove soap
- My soy candle from Montana

12 Things to Do in 2012:

2012-01-06T17:59:00.000-08:00

1. Visit Brad and Jeanette [And Nana and Uncle Carlton!]
2. Read a book of the Bible together
3. Eat at Wolf Gang Puck Bistro
4. Write a love letter to each other every other week
5. Run the Tulsa Run
6. Make yogurt
7. Buy or Build a picnic table so we can eat dinner outside
8. See 6 movies in the theaters
9. Take a weekend vacation somewhere new
10. Go to a zoo
11. Camp as a family somewhere here at camp
12. Create Castle Code of Conduct [more on this later]

Seven Siblings:

2012-01-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

It had been over two years since we had all been together. The seven siblings. I think we are all starting to realize that we have to treasure the moments when we are actually all together. As families grow and change it will only be more difficult to coordinate schedules, have the finances available, and the time to all be together. So we make the most of the times when we are all together.

Seeing my siblings love on my baby is much more moving than I ever thought it would be. I had imagined in my mind what it would be like to see my parents love my child, but I had not prepared myself for how special it would be to see my older sisters and younger siblings love Henry.

Other sibling moments to remember forever:
- Going out for coffee with just my four sisters. I can't remember the last time it was just the sisters.
- Taking this series of pictures together
- Watching little brother's basketball game...all that were present were so proud of our little brother
- Singing Silent Night all together at the Christmas Eve service
- Watching a marathon of How It's Made
- Whenever I would sit on the couch with a sibling (especially one of my sisters) we would end up touching.

New Year's Eve 2011:

2012-01-04T08:45:00.000-08:00

This year for New Year's we went over to Jon and Emily's house. We enjoyed homemade chili, our traditional game of Fruit Bowl, and a huge container of cheese balls. I sent Doug to the store to pick up some snacks to bring to the party and he came back with a huge smile on his face and the biggest container of cheese balls he could find.

Really the highlight of the evening though was being able to catch up with friends that we have not seen for a while and spending more time with those that we see a lot.I have said it before and I will say it again...we are so blessed by our friendships.

One Month:

2012-01-03T11:07:00.000-08:00

One month old...already.

- He loves his hands. One of our favorite things is to look over in his rocker and just see his little hand sticking straight up in the air.

- He cries when you put lotion on his face.

- But he loves our baby massages and bath time

- He wakes up about every 3 - 4 hours throughout the night

- He coos after he sneezes

- He loves to ride in the car

- He stops and listens whenever Doug starts to play the piano

- Lights are one of his favorite things to stare at as well as our faces

- He loves to kick and play on the floor

- He weighs about 10 pounds and has outgrown newborn diapers

11 Things to do in 2011 Recap:

2011-12-31T07:13:00.000-08:00

Well, we failed miserably this year at our accomplishing our list of things to do. I think it might be because we focused a lot of time, energy, and resources onto growing the little guy and then welcoming him into the world. Good thing this is just something fun we like to do every year. There are no penalties for not completing the list!

The things we did do:
Visit Greg and Beth in California
Mailed Birthday cards to almost all family members

So, as I said earlier we failed miserably.

Christmas 2011:

2011-12-30T11:49:00.000-08:00

This year for Christmas we flew to Montana to celebrate with my huge family. We had a perfectly relaxing time with some of our very favorite people. I think Henry had a great time meeting his grandparents, great grandparents, lots of aunts and uncles, and his three cousins!

Some Christmas highlights were having Granny and Grandpa there with us, watching Henry sleep, taking family pictures together, eating throughout the entire day, watching the younger siblings open their gifts, mom opening her gifts that she bought for herself, watching dad open his present from Bethany, and Doug saying that he would not smile when he opened the next present and it happened to be the Smile album by the Beach Boys.

Christmas Party:

2011-12-15T09:34:00.000-08:00

We had a Christmas party here at camp last night. We helped plan the party this year and I think it is safe to say it was a success. We had close to 120 people there, a rockin' photo booth, great prizes, Mr.David told the Christmas story, a hilarious game of musical chair with the kids, and a really hott host. [Doug was the host as you can tell by his sweet jacket]

The highlight of the night was the food. It was honestly my favorite meal all year. Justin made homemade ravioli, Lauren made the best green beans and potato casserole, Teresa made my favorite salad, and the turkey was absolutely perfect.

We had such a fun time together as a community during this wonderful time of the year. Again, it was another wonderful reminder of how very blessed we are.

Late Night Adventure:

2011-12-14T07:41:00.000-08:00

Two nights before Henry was born I was in a funk. In fact, I was in a funk for about the last week of my pregnancy. I told Doug that I wanted to go do something that we would not be able to do easily once we had our baby. This thought led us to the new Waffle House in town at 10:30 at night. We relived the moments back before we were even dating when we would drive to Waffle House late at night and study together. We ate cheap food. We followed a football game on Doug's phone. We enjoyed watching the different types of people that decided they need to be at Waffle House late at night. It was the perfect little late night adventure.

This Past Week We:

2011-12-13T10:20:00.000-08:00

- Took super fast family pictures for our Christmas letter.
- We received the She & Him Christmas album...It has already gotten lots of plays on the ol' record player.
- Spent a lot of time watching movies and t.v. shows on our couch bed
- We went on a two day retreat with the rest of the camp staff. It was a good practice run for our week long trip to see my parents for Christmas. It was not much of a retreat for us...but I am glad we went. We were surrounded by people who have all been in our same situation.We received lots of love and encouragement when the little one would not stop screaming. We were all very happy to be back at home in our own beds.
- Ate at a fun local hamburger place. Cheeseburgers, french fries, and root beer were made for each other.
- My sister and her family came over for an evening. They brought their new baby boy who is only five days older than our baby boy.

Thoughts on the First Two Weeks:

2011-12-07T08:18:00.001-08:00

We have been parents for a little over two weeks now. Here are some thoughts:

- The way Doug loves the little one brings me so much encouragement...especially when I am tired and frustrated. And I did not know if it was even possible for me to love Doug more...and then I had his baby.
- My nine month pregnancy was way easier on me physically and emotionally than the past two weeks post pregnancy. I think I am finally making some improvements in feeling like a human again.
- I still forget sometimes that I am not pregnant anymore. It is still weird to look down and not have a huge belly sticking out.
- Henry has the most beautiful eyes. Those sweet eyes have helped get me through so much.
- We have been so blessed with wonderful people bringing us dinner. It really does help to not have to think about the little things like what to eat for dinner.
- I think I need four more hands.
- The past two weeks have truly been the best and the hardest two weeks of my life. Funny how that can happen.
- Doug and I laugh a lot together...these days we laugh at our sweet boy and his funny facial expressions
- I thought I knew a lot about babies, and then I had one of my own. There are so many times throughout the day when Doug and I are standing looking at each other trying to figure out what to do. I love knowing that this is what all first time parents go through and I love being part of Team Castle. We are figuring each other out...one day at a time.
- The cold weather makes it super easy to stay at home and cuddle all day and night.
- We are so so happy our baby boy is here and with us in our home.

Our Baby Boy:

2011-11-30T14:37:00.001-08:00

Henry Edward Castle

Born Nov 21, 2011

8 pounds 6 ounces

39 Weeks:

2011-11-17T18:21:00.001-08:00

- Baby keeps getting lower and lower. And bigger and bigger. Which really I am okay with. I don't feel as big as I look, thankfully.

- We finished our birth classes. The last part of class was taking a tour of the hospital. It was a pretty crazy feeling standing in the room thinking that in only a few short weeks or maybe days we will be back in there but we will be back there because I will be in labor...not just there to take a tour.

- I had my first pregnancy breakdown. I called Doug because I could not get the fire started. He came home to help and found me in the floor weeping, staring into our wood stove. It is hard to start a fire when the wood is not seasoned very well. But really I was crying because I just want to hold our baby and we don't know when that will be. Thankfully we don't have to know and really we are okay with waiting until the baby is ready. It is not my decision to make. Doug hugged me, made me breakfast, and reassured me that everything is going to be okay. And thankfully, I am fully aware that my feelings and emotions are a little overloaded at the moment.

- My sister had her baby boy...so now our sweet little one has two newborn friends to meet once he/she makes the grand entrance. Baby Devan and Baby Libby.

- Anytime we are a few minutes late people assume that we are having our baby.

- We had to ask our doctor some silly questions, but since it is our first time at this whole thing we really had no idea. He was great and did not make us feel silly for asking "So who do we actually call once we are in labor?" and "What exactly is that phone number?" and "Where do we go to check-in?"

This Past Week We:

2011-11-15T19:01:00.001-08:00

1. Talked about marriage with a couple that is getting married this weekend. They needed to interview a couple that has been married 3-5 years for their pre-marital counseling so we met in a coffee shop and talked about our marriage. It might have been one of my most favorite conversations we have ever had. I loved hearing Doug's insights and perspectives on our marriage. I walked out of the coffee shop even more in love with my husband.
2. Watched some football at our neighbors house.
3. Baked some banana bread and muffins. I had my little dog helper at my feet the whole time. Soon it will be my little child helper at my feet.
4. Went to Lowe's and bought a new water filter, a diaper pail, and hand soap.
5. One of Doug's friend from high school came over with her family for a visit. We walked around camp and looked at all the nature and then visited in our home.
6. We played Sequence with dear friends Justin and Cheryl. The girls won [no matter what the boys might tell you] and we might have inhaled two bags of microwave popcorn.
7. Enjoyed another Braum's chocolate milkshake
8. Worked a very busy weekend with lots of people wanting to eat lots of food.

Fall Fun Day:

2011-11-14T13:20:00.001-08:00

Last night we had a fun Fall evening with the families here at camp. We enjoyed a hayride, roasting hot dogs, eating smores, laughing at the cute kids, and talking with so many wonderful people. We are constantly reminded of how blessed and fortunate we are to be a part of a ministry that cares so deeply for each other and family.

p.s. Thanks to Justin for the sweet photos. You are the best!

Small Peek of the Nursery:

2011-11-12T18:26:00.001-08:00

We have not finished the nursery, so here is just a small peek. We are waiting for the little one to get here before we finish. We will add some gender specific things once we know if we have a little boy or a little girl. The pictures above the crib are silhouettes of my mom and uncle. I found the letters above the changing table at a flea market two or three years ago. When I bought them, I knew I wanted to use them in our future nursery. The ABC print on the top shelf is from a book that belonged to my great-grandmother. The owl was a homemade baby gift from a special family friend and Mickey Mouse gets a special place on the shelf. He was the only souvenir we brought home from our trip to Disneyland this summer.

Week 38:

2011-11-10T16:18:00.001-08:00

- We are going to the doctor every week now. Our doctor is super laid back and is great at avoiding unnecessary exams and procedures. We love having a doctor that we trust and is so good to just let the baby call the shots and decide when it is time to come. At the last appointment he told us that the baby has caught up in size. Way to go, babe!
- We were about 10 minutes late to our childbirth class this week...someone told us later that they thought that maybe we were in labor.
- I could have this baby any moment now. Or in 3 three weeks. It is a little difficult making plans.
- I finally packed some stuff for the hospital. I kept putting it off just because I don't want to add to the mental anticipation that it could happen any moment when really statistically we still have several weeks to go.
- I am getting a little tired of total strangers telling me that I am about to pop and telling me that they just know that it is a boy or that there is no way it is not a girl. So far, that has been the worst part of not knowing if we are having a boy or a girl.
- I think my body is finally getting a little tired of carrying around 30 extra pounds. My hips and back sure do ache at night.
- The other night I sat on the floor and read from one of my childbirth books to Doug. We are getting prepped and ready for game time. We are going to make a great team.

The Father of My Child:

2011-11-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

[At Birth Class]

He loves me so perfectly.

He makes me hot tea just how I like it.

He rubs my back.

He pats my belly.

He tells me I am cute.

He makes me laugh every day.

I am deeply blessed to have him in my life.

He is going to be the best birth coach out there.

Last Night We:

2011-11-09T09:30:00.001-08:00

Had soup and sandwhiches for dinner.

Watched American Pickers and The British Office.

Doug worked on our finances...again.

I cleaned the kitchen...again.

We cuddled to stay warm.

Talked about birth.

Disneyland Memory:

2011-11-03T19:49:00.000-07:00

I recently organized all the pictures on our computer (nesting, maybe?). I came across this picture and it made me so happy. You see, when Doug and I went to Disneyland this summer I really wanted a picture of the two of us in front of the castle. Trying to get a couple picture in a busy place can be rather awkward. We tried several times throughout the day to find the perfect time and the perfect opportunity to ask someone to take the picture for us. I had given up and decided that this memory would just have to live in our minds. But then Doug surprised me and walked right up to a stranger that was passing by and asked her to take our picture. He made my dream come true and now we have this picture to document that memory. It might seem small to you, but it was so significant to me.

Last Night:

2011-11-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

We had Thai food for dinner.

Doug told me all about his planning retreat that he had been on.

We talked a lot about camp, living at camp, and how happy we are to be here.

Stopped at the Redbox.

Rented Winnie the Pooh.

Watched the movie on our couch-bed.

Drank hot tea and hot chocolate.

Enjoyed the fall rain shower.

37 Weeks:

2011-11-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

- We are 37 weeks today. Which in the medical world means that we are full term and babies come "any day now". In the Castle family world, we realize that really this does not mean a whole lot and that baby will come when baby is ready. It is a relief to know that if baby does come soon the lungs and heart and brain and all the vital organs have been given enough time to grow and develop.
- Made it through another childbirth class. We did not laugh quite as hard this time, but still had lots of fun moments. We learned more breathing, massage techniques, and different laboring positions.
- The massage Doug gave me this week made me feel so special and loved. And it was just what my body needed.
- A few people have told me they think the baby has dropped. I think they might be right. Many times throughout the day I feel like my hips are about to break. When I tell Doug this he responds with "Hips don't lie".
- Now when people ask when I am due I only have to say the day instead of the month and the day. We are in our birth month!
- The other night the baby kicked so hard it rocked our whole bed. Doug turned and asked me what had happened and I let him know that it was his sweet child just kicking me that hard.
- I have been eating lots of cereal and grilled cheese sandwiches.
- I am still so overwhelmed and thankful that I still feel great. Thank you Lord!

Siblings:

2011-11-01T15:01:00.000-07:00

I am not totally sure what is going on in this picture, but I do know a few things:

I love having four younger siblings.

They are all extremely cool people.

And Montana is very far away from Oklahoma.

Doug's Chili:

2011-10-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

I worked the other day and Doug took the day off. Which made for a great night for Doug to make dinner. I came home to our whole house smelling of chili. He said that I put too much stuff in mine, but that is how I like it. It was so good and I hope this tradition continues throughout the cold months.

Friends and Baseball:

2011-10-28T12:39:00.000-07:00

Doug and I would never say that we are big baseball fans. We don't keep up with the regular season at all, but we do love watching the play-offs. I am a Cardinals fan by birth and Doug cheers for them as well. My dad is a huge Cardinals fan and has been his whole life. For me, baseball is a sentimental sport thinking of time with my dad and going to Cardinals game all across the country as a child.

Last night we had the privilege of watching one of the greatest Cardinals games we have ever seen. It made it even better that we were watching it with some of our closest friends in their warm and cozy home. We enjoyed homemade pizza, a wood-burning stove, pumpkin and chocolate whoopie pies, and lots and lots of laughs. It was a late night, but a good night.

And, let's go Cardinals!

Week 36:

2011-10-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

- This past week we started our childbirth classes. We might have laughed our way through the entire class. It is hard to practice breathing through a contraction, in a room full of strangers, with a funny husband over your shoulder whispering funny things. Next week might be even worse. We are suppose to wear comfortable clothes that we can easily move around in so we can practice different labor positions. We might get kicked out of the class.
- I realized that I was nesting after I looked around the kitchen and saw all the cupboards open, food items all over the counters and table, and walked into our laundry room and found it in the same state. I am glad I enjoy organizing things anyways.
- I am still feeling good, thankfully. I would like to thank water consumption, walks, hot baths, and massages for making this possible.
- We received our cloth diapers in the mail today. I spent a long time watching You Tube videos on how to use them, practiced stuffing them, and got them pre-washed.

This Past Week We:

2011-10-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

- Got to meet our dear friends new baby. We enjoyed our visit in the hospital and loved getting to hold a sweet one day old baby.
- Made lots of cold tonics. We both fought some nasty colds, but I think the home remedy might have kicked them. [Apple cider vinegar, honey, lemon, cayenne pepper, and hot water]
- Spent 24 hours with my dad. He was given a ticket to one of the world series games and he made the time to come up to see us. It was a fast visit, but a good one. We ate enchiladas, watched some baseball, went to Sam's, and ate at Chick-fa-la.
- Enjoyed lots of rain and the cooler weather. The leaves are looking beautiful around these parts.
- We closed a bank account we have been needing to close for ever, got our PikePass figured out, made an appointment for someone to come tune our piano, and hung up some more pictures and shelves around the house.
- Had dinner with mother Karen at a new bbq place.
- Started childbirth classes [more on that later]
- I made some pumpkin cupcakes.
- Took lots of naps. Thanks to the colds and the sweet little one growing inside of me.

Last Night:

2011-10-26T12:13:00.000-07:00

We went into town for our favorite pizza.

Walked around Wal-Mart and looked at a few things. But only bought one package of peanut M&M's.

I ate only half of the bag of M&M's and was very proud of myself.

Came home. Changed into our do-nothings.

Watched a Ben Folds concert on an old DVD.

Drank tea and cider.

Doug read old Xanga posts. I read baby books.

Feel asleep in our comfy, warm bed.

The Piano:

2011-10-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

Doug plays the piano quite beautifully. The thing is we have never had a piano so I would only get to hear the beautiful music when we were in other people's home that had one. When we moved into our new house we both knew that we would love to have our own piano for him to play. We were given this beautiful thing from a friend here at camp. And it just made it's way into our home this past week. I love listening to Doug play it, even if it is currently out of tune. We plan to get it tuned soon, so Doug can play sweet lullaby's for me and the little one.

Week 35:

2011-10-19T19:46:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

You have been growing and changing for 35 weeks today. It really is crazy to think that you are going to be joining our family in just a few short weeks. We have prepared a lovely little room for you. We have a comfy bed, some tiny diapers, a few books and toys, and lots and lots of love to give you. Your dad has been really excited and ready to meet you. He is ready to have you here so he can play with you and hold you and teach you lots of things. I think he might be a little jealous of all the exclusive time that you and I are getting to spend together. We know that you are going to come at the perfect time and we are getting to that point where we are ready to meet you whenever you are ready to come. We pray for you everyday, we love you more each day, and we look forward to having you here in our arms.

We love you sweet little one. We cannot wait to see your face and hold your body.

Week 33 & 34:

2011-10-17T19:06:00.000-07:00

- We painted the nursery, ordered our crib and changing table, assembled both, hung up pictures and shelves, and it is really starting to look like a real room.
- We ordered our glider, which we decided we are going to put in our living room. We will see how we like it there, we figure we will use it way more if it is in the living room. After all, it is our favorite place to be. And we can move it easily enough if we don't like it in the living room.
- Doug worked on the labor play list. I listened to it one night while I was falling asleep. I only heard about three songs and then I was out. So it is pretty relaxing, only time will tell if it is relaxing enough to keep my calm during labor.
- Some days I am excited and ready for labor. I feel good about the preparations I have made and I feel ready. Then the next day I am terrified and worried. Not confident, scared that I can't do it, etc. Oh, the crazy range of feelings you feel during pregnancy.
- An old man told me that I looked like I was going to have twins. When I told him we were only having one, he responded by saying "your going to have a real bruiser". Thanks old man.
- We attended our first baby and children consignment sale. There were a lot of people, thousands of adorable outfits, and rooms full of baby stuff. We spent $50.00 for $230.00 worth of baby gear. Thanks baby sales.
- I bought some eggs and looked down at the expiration date, November 23. Our due date. Which is only a few weeks away.

Poor Maxwell:

2011-10-12T09:49:00.000-07:00

Maxwell is starting to realize that things are going to be changing in his life pretty soon. He was less than thrilled to have to share the back seat of the car with a huge box holding our travel system for the little one.

Date Night:

2011-10-11T07:06:00.000-07:00

We went on a mini-date the other night. We had coffee drinks and played rummy. It had been awhile since we had played rummy, so we had to look-up the rules. At one point we both looked down at our phones to see what time it was, we were both shocked to find that it was only 8:30. We finished up our coffee and went home for an early bedtime. We have both been pretty tired lately. Growing a baby and running a camp kitchen can be very tiring. And, I am so thankful that I get to share a booth and dates with that guy. He is just so handsome and wonderful to me.

Home

2011-10-10T12:04:00.000-07:00

This is our second fall here at camp. It seems like this fall has been way busier than last fall. We have had a lot of new groups that have come out for retreats and Outdoor Education. It is so great to see people come and experience camp for the first time. We are blessed to be working at a place that experiences growth on a regular basis. I think..just maybe...things are slowing down a bit. The groups that we have coming are not all huge groups. There are some breaks throughout the week with no meals or no groups, which means we get to have some time at home together now. This morning we woke up together, made coffee and breakfast, watched t.v., Doug worked on our budget, I cleaned the house. It felt so nice to have time at home together. Not doing anything in particular. Just being at home.

A Productive Afternoon

2011-10-07T15:32:00.000-07:00

Many days I get a break in the afternoon, in between lunch and dinner. Most of those days I try to get a little rest, but today I decided to do something a little different.

Most every productive day starts with a little white lie (at least in my life). I told Danae I was heading home for a nap but I had no intentions of napping. Instead I drove here...

To pick up the crib and mattress Danae and I ordered online (that she thought we were picking up tonight after work.) I could have stopped after just getting it home but I decided to go above and beyond. First, I had to get it out of here...

Put it on this...

Open it like this...

And get ready to put this puppy together...

But first I put on one of baby's first CD's...

Then got to work...

I needed a break so I went next door to buy some lemonade, a story, a picture and a potholder...

Best two bucks I ever spent. Thanks Graneys...

I finished up assembling and ended up with this for little baby Castle...

I know this was kind of a long post, but I am making up for months of not posting anything on the ol' family blog. Also I hope this post makes my little lady smile, and I hope she forgives me for lying to her earlier.

-Doug

Family Weekends:

2011-10-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

The past five weekends we have been blessed to have family members from all over the country come to our area and we have gotten to host most of them in our home. First we had my parents come from Bozeman, the next weekend sister Jeanette came from Virgina, then my cousin Mindy came down from Chicago, then Greg and Beth were in town from Los Angeles, and we ended our weekends of family with a visit from my sister Bethany from Chicago. It has been a pretty crazy and hectic September full of work and guests, but we have been so blessed to get to see so many of our out of state family members. It also made September fly by...is our baby really going to be born next month?

Thank You Netflix:

2011-10-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Netflix,

Thank you for adding the entire series of The Wonder Years onto Instant Watch.You have made my husband one happy person.And now I am being cultured in yet another area of life that I previously had no knowledge of.

Pumpkin Muffins:

2011-10-02T17:31:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to make something pumpkin-y for months now. It just didn't quite feel right yet since pumpkin is such a fall flavor. So, I waited until October 1st to make my first pumpkin treat of the year. I will tell you right now, these are a little complicated and they take time and energy, but they are worth it. Happy October!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

found on annie-eats.com

Yield: 24 muffins
Ingredients:For the filling:
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners’ sugar

For the muffins:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 tsp. ground cloves
1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
4 large eggs
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree
1¼ cups vegetable oil

For the topping:
½ cup sugar
5 tbsp. flour
1½ tsp. ground cinnamon
4 tbsp. cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Directions:
To prepare the filling, combine the cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar in a medium bowl and mix well until blended and smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piece of plastic wrap and shape into a log about 1½-inches in diameter. Smooth the plastic wrap tightly around the log, and reinforce with a piece of foil. Transfer to the freezer and chill until at least slightly firm, at least 2 hours.

To make the muffins, preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line muffin pans with paper liners. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking soda; whisk to blend. In the bowl of an electric mixer combine the eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree and oil. Mix on medium-low speed until blended. With the mixer on low speed, add in the dry ingredients, mixing just until incorporated.

To make the topping, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Add in the butter pieces and cut into the dry ingredients with a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture is coarse and crumbly. Transfer to the refrigerator until ready to use.

To assemble the muffins, fill each muffin well with a small amount of batter, just enough to cover the bottom of the liner (1-2 tablespoons). Slice the log of cream cheese filling into 24 equal pieces. Place a slice of the cream cheese mixture into each muffin well. Divide the remaining batter among the muffin cups, placing on top of the cream cheese to cover completely. Sprinkle a small amount of the topping mixture over each of the muffin wells.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before serving. (It may be hard to resist immediate consumption, but the cream cheese filling gets very hot!)

32 Weeks:

2011-09-30T07:32:00.000-07:00

- My belly keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger [as you can see]

- We made our first major baby purchase, the travel system. The one thing that we absolutely have to have in order to bring home our little one.

- Went back to the doctor this week for a quick check-up. Everything is looking good and right on schedule. The next appointment we are talking through our birth plan. Are we really getting that close to delivery !?!

- We sat on the floor of the nursery the other night and decided where to put furniture. I think we have it figured out, now we just need to get that furniture.

- I love watching Doug assemble things. Watching Doug assemble our travel system for our baby is even better.

- All of my shirts have a small spot on the tummy from some kind of food or drink that gets dropped on it throughout the day.

This Past Week We:

2011-09-27T06:45:00.000-07:00

1. We missed not being able to see little brother and sister go to Homecoming. At least we have this really great picture of them together.
2. I started to make some homemade bread that you were suppose to let rise for 18 hours. It is still sitting on our counter...and let's just say 18 hours has passed about 5 times since I orginally made the dough.
3. Watched OU beat Missouri and other football games on Sunday
4. Ate pizza, watched football, and toured their nursery with Jon and Emily
5. Saw Greg and Beth for about 3 hours in Tulsa.
6. Worked a lot...a whole lot.
7. Took an evening walk that took every ounce of my energy and strength to get back home. I thought Doug was going to have to carry me home.
8. Walked outside one afternoon to find our director of the camp soaked and the riding lawn mower totally submerged in the creek. Everyone got a good laugh.
9. I bought a bookshelf at Salvation Army. I told them I would be back later that afternoon to pick it up. Went back later, and they had sold the bookshelf to someone else. Lesson learned...make sure they put a sold tag on the item while I am still in the store.

Friend Baby Bellies:

2011-09-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

One of the very best things about this pregnancy is that we are walking through this with our friends, Jon and Emily. Doug and Jon talk about being dads and Emily and I talk about birth, cloth diapers, and being a mom. We spent a few hours with them this weekend and we thankfully remembered to take some pictures. They are only a few shorts weeks or days away from having their baby. We are so excited and thankful to have such wonderful friends to be walking through life change together.

[ Fun random Castle/Odom friendship fact: We were engaged a day apart, married a month apart, and our babies will be born about a month apart.]

Nap Bed:

2011-09-23T12:08:00.000-07:00

I went to the grocery store and was only in the store for less than an hour. As I was getting up to the cashier I did not think I could make it through the line and out to the car and then all the way back home. I think this baby was zapping all of my energy. I made it home and unloaded the groceries on the counter, only putting away the refrigerated food. Then it was straight to the bedroom to create the most perfect nap bed. I love nap beds.

Week 30 and 31

2011-09-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

- People keep telling me..."You have really popped" I think I might agree with them.

- We told one of Doug's employees what names we were thinking about and they clearly did not like the names we were leaning towards. So they decided to give us their suggestion...Megan Michelle. I think we will stick with our ideas.

- I woke up one night with a stomach ache, went to the bathroom, threw everything up, and was given a brief reminder of that first trimester. I don't think baby liked what I ate that day.

- Doug had a very vivid dream that we had a boy. We passed him around, his name was Henry, and we were thrilled with our little boy. Girl dream = 1 Boy dream = 1

- I am nervous to be to far away from a bottle of Tums

- We have decided on a paint color for the nursery...Wheat Bread is the name.

- 9 (ish) weeks to go....seriously? I can hardly believe it.

- Thank You Old Navy for making the most comfortable maternity leggings and yoga pants. You make my time at home so much more enjoyable.

Things That Make Me Happy:

2011-09-14T12:03:00.000-07:00

- Having a frozen pizza in the freezer
- Drinking coffee and tea from my new mug [Thanks Mom and Dad!]
- Sleeping with the windows open at night
- Watching Maxwell shake his hind legs in excitement when he sees us
- My beautiful new necklace from Aunt Kelley
- Night baths
- Reading Amazon reviews

This Past Week We:

2011-09-13T12:10:00.000-07:00

1. Enjoyed having our windows open and getting chilly at night. It is almost fall.
2. I made some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that only got better with time. I think those are the best kinds of cookies.
3. We have been hosting a large group of elementary school kids this week.They are here doing our outdoor education program. My day looks like working in the office all day and then going straight to the kitchen to help out there for the rest of the evening. Doug's day looks like he wakes up at the crack of dawn and does not leave until the end of the night. Our days are long, but so fulfilling.
4. I had my first pumpkin spice latte of the season.
5. I got to spend some time with Doug's family. We were blessed with kind words, sweet prayers, and gift cards from his wonderful family. I am so blessed to be a part of his family as well now.
6. Enjoyed evening walks with Max and the beautiful sunsets that we get to see here so often.
7. We re-watched the first episode of Friday Night Lights. It just felt like the right thing to do.

29 Weeks:

2011-09-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

This week:

- I had to drink 10 ounces of sugar to test my blood sugar levels. It was not as bad tasting as I thought it would be. It did make me cranky and I might have had to ask for forgiveness for snapping at Doug in the waiting room. I passed with flying colors and I am thankful I do not have to drink any more sugar water.

- My belly keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. I do not feel as big as I look, which I am thankful for. I will walk by a mirror and do a double take when I see how much it is sticking out there.

- I had a dream about baby items. We are still in the middle of deciding what we actually need for this little one. In my dream I was standing over a pack-n-play trying to decide if we needed one. Anyone out there know if we need one or not?

- We got to spend time with Aunt Jeanette and her little one growing inside of her. We made our bellies touch and took lots of pictures. Our child is already very blessed with wonderful aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.

- The thought and word that has been going through my mind when I think of this little one is shine. We pray that our child will shine bright for Christ. We hope for a shining personality, shining smile, and a shining heart for others.

Parents Visit:

2011-09-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

My parents came to visit for a few days over Labor Day. I love having them around. We were able to squeeze in a lot over the short time they were here. We had hot fudge sundaes at Barnett's, went to church, had a baby shower, went to the mall, played scrabble, took a hike, and talked. We talked a lot. I love hearing about their life in Bozeman and I think they love hearing about our life here. I also enjoyed picking my mother's brain of all of her knowledge on labor and delivery and babies. She is an expert in my opinion. It is crazy to think that the next time we see them we will have our baby in our arms. Yay! It really is not that far away!

27 and 28 Weeks:

2011-09-07T13:48:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

During the past two weeks:
- We flew on an airplane, watched fireworks, walked in the ocean, and met a celebrity. That was a lot for you to experience in a short amount of time!
- You got to meet your Aunt Beth, Uncle Greg, and Grammy for the first time. They all liked you a lot I think.
- We had our first baby shower...some very sweet women at the church organized this special event. It was complete with shower games, punch in glass cups, and not one but two beautiful cakes.
- We got your high chair at our shower. It was the first piece of baby furniture that we have assembled. It is now sitting in the corner of our dining room. I know you might not use it for a while, but I like having it out because it makes me think of you.
- I had several encouraging conversations during the past few weeks where people have told me that I can do it! It is so nice to hear that encouragement. Sometimes I get a little nervous or worried because this is something that I have never ever done before. There are so many fears and unknowns. But I can rest in the fact that we can do it. We will figure it out...together we will all figure it out.

Love,

Mama

Some Trip Highlights:

2011-09-02T10:32:00.000-07:00

We had the most wonderful time in CA. Some highlights:
- Laughing so hard it hurt while having game night with Greg and Beth
- Kogi short rib tacos
- Getting to go to church with G&B. We loved meeting their friends and pastor, seeing the beautiful theater, and enjoyed a refreshing sermon and beautiful worship led by Greg.
- Seeing friend Lonnie and getting to meet his sweet girlfriend, Amber.
- We went and saw an improve show at the comedy club that Greg is involved with. It was fun to see where he gets to perform and we got to meet some other really wonderfully nice people there.
- El Matador Beach - the rock formations, the cooler weather, and the peaceful drive.
- Afternoon naps
- Walking to Starbucks AND Trader Joe's.
- Doug and I went down to Disneyland for a day. We loved our date day together. We rode rides, ate ice-cream, people watched, and stayed in a fancy hotel. We also watched the fireworks from the pool patio at our hotel. It was like a private viewing.
- We went to the Hollywood Bowl and saw John Williams and his special guest James Taylor. The music was so beautiful and the night was perfect.
- Oinkster's ketchup and Veggie Burger

Vacation:

2011-08-25T08:41:00.000-07:00

We are most excited about seeing two people we love dearly.

It will also be nice to not be 100 degree weather.

And sleeping in.

And being tourists.

And going to their church.

And eating different food.

And being able to walk to Trader Joe's.

And being away together for 6 days.

Week 25 and 26:

2011-08-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

The past two weeks:

- I have been reading lots of books, practicing breathing techniques, and learning how to relax.

- Felt lots of kicks and turns and moves. I am now usually woken up in the morning to the sweet movements.

- Found out our Doctor is moving, not until after the birth. But still, we are pretty sad he is leaving.

- Finally went to Lowe's to try to pick out a paint color for the nursery. Left with nothing and feeling a little bit overwhelmed at having to pick out another paint color for this new house.

- I turned 25. How old I wanted to be when we had our first child.

-Went maternity clothes shopping for my birthday. It is nice to have some clothes that fit now.

- Bought a birthing/exercise ball

- Have fallen even more in love with this little one and pregnancy.

It is all just so amazing.

Happy 30th Anniversary!

2011-08-21T07:21:00.000-07:00

My parents are celebrating 30 years of marriage today. I have this picture framed sitting above my kitchen sink. It sits right next to a picture of Doug and I on our wedding day. I love to think that someday our children will look at our wedding picture and think that we look so different or think that it must have been soooooooo long ago. My parents have always shown us the importance and the value of marriage. I have never had any fear that things might not work between the two of them because of how seriously and vocally they take their wedding vows and commitment to each other and the Lord. I know that it has not been an easy breezy 30 years. Marriage is not easy breezy. But they have always shown us the importance of respect, love, laughter, commitment, and teamwork in a making a marriage work. Thanks for the beautiful example, Mom and Dad! Doug and I are incredibly thankful to have your marriage to look at. We love you!

Happy Birthday!

2011-08-21T06:56:00.000-07:00

Leftover Birthday Cheesecake

My Birthday Included:

Coffee press coffee and a warm good morning greeting from the husband

An OU maternity shirt

2 episodes of Gilmore Girls

Mail from grandparents and parents

A new yellow sweater

A quick trip to Tulsa for shopping and dinner with Karen

A hour in Motherhood trying on new clothes

Stuffed Chicken Tortillas and Cherry Cheesecake

A walk around Target for two other gifts, Bossypants and a new candle

Decaf Caramel Macchiato

A two hour conversation with the Odoms

A late night drive back home

It was a very full day of lots of beautiful people. I am extremely blessed.

Baby:

2011-08-19T14:57:00.000-07:00

We took this picture as a joke before we even had a baby growing.

And now we really do have a baby growing.

And we are still so very excited.

Carrot Cupcakes:

2011-08-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

Carrot Cupcakes
From Annie Eats's
Yield: about 20-22 cupcakes
Ingredients:
For the cupcakes:
2½ cups (12.5 oz) all-purpose flour
1¼ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. grated nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
½ tsp. salt
1 lb. (6-7 medium) carrots, peeled
1½ cups (10.5 oz) granulated sugar
½ cup packed light brown sugar
4 large eggs
1½ cups canola, safflower or vegetable oil
For the frosting:
12 oz. cream cheese (not softened)
7½ tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
3¾ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt; whisk together and set aside.
In a food processor fitted with a shredding disk, shred the carrots (you should have about 3 cups). Add the carrots to the bowl with the dry ingredients and set aside. Wipe out the bowl of the food processor and fit with the metal blade. Process the sugars and eggs until frothy and thoroughly combined, about 20 seconds. With the machine running, add the oil in a steady stream through the feed tube. Continue to process until the mixture is light in color and well emulsified, about 20 more seconds. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl. Stir in the carrots and dry ingredients until incorporated and no streaks of flour remain.
Scoop evenly into the prepared cupcake liners. Bake for about 20-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in the pan at least 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the frosting, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment beat the cream cheese and butter on medium-high speed until well combined and smooth, about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract. Gradually beat in the confectioners’ sugar until totally incorporated, increase the speed and then beat until smooth. Frost cooled cupcakes as desired.

Things to be Happy About:

2011-08-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

- Homemade pizza night with our friend Justin
- The wonderful evening walks we have been able to take lately thanks to the cool down in the weather
- The pouring rain that is currently coming down
- Carrot muffins with cream cheese icing
- Having a house full of guests over the weekend. We slept in, ate breakfast together around the table, talked in the hallway, went to a wedding, had lunch and dinner out, and enjoyed being together.
- Days off at home together
- A husband that lovingly massages my back at night with a tennis ball

24 Weeks:

2011-08-04T19:10:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

This week I had the most vivid dream about you yet. You were born and then you were wrapped up and handed to me. I fed you and then an hour later, I realized that I did not know if you were a boy or a girl. I asked Doug what you were and he proudly said that you were a girl. Then Doug told me that your name was Margo. I woke up incredibly excited about the day that we get to meet you. We are over half way done with this phase. Getting that much closer to meeting you.

Keep kicking and growing. You are doing a good job growing in there!

Love,

Mama

22 & 23 weeks:

2011-07-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

I got behind on the pictures so we will just use this one for both week 22 and 23.

This week baby bump got to meet great grandma and great grandpa in Dallas. We enjoyed our little break away and we are so blessed to have such loving and encouraging family to support us through the next big life transition.

Doug and I did flips in the pool together and had handstand contests, in attempt to get breech baby to flip.

I don't think it worked. Other ideas?

We spent many many hours registering at Buy Buy Baby. I love how many opinions Doug has on things related to the baby. He loved to pick out things and had great thoughts and certain items. He would also sneak in items that he knew I would like. I am glad that it already feels like we are a team.

Our awesome neighbors passed down their old jogging stroller to us. It is fun to walk in the garage and see a stroller parked. I am excited to take baby on walks through the trials.

Nothing tastes better than an iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks.

Happy Birthday Mom!

2011-07-28T08:57:00.000-07:00

Today is my mom's birthday.

In my mind she is 40. I think she will always be 40 to me.

She has the best laugh.

She is very giving and loves finding good deals for her children.

She loves her grand babies...even the ones that are not born yet.

She is a wonderful example of the type of mom I want to be.

There are ways that I have become more like my mom the older I get.

She is the best cuddler.

And I love talking to her about anything.

Happy Birthday Mom, You are simply the best!

Coffee Shop:

2011-07-27T16:50:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we spent some time away.

We found ourselves in a coffee shop enjoying iced coffee and free wi-fi.

Doug did a little work and I played with my new camera on my new phone.

Spontaneous Date Night:

2011-07-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

The other day we were laying in bed waking up from a nap. I asked Doug if he would want to go to the big city and walk around Target and spend some gift cards. We drove over and took our time looking at all kinds of things at Target and we left with only one perfect baby girl outfit. For dinner we went to Burger Life. There are so many choices it can be a bit overwhelming, but it tastes very very good. My favorite part of the conversation was when we were talking about pretty girls and hearing Doug tell me how beautiful I am to him made me blush. I like those conversations where I feel like we are just starting to date. We ended the night with dessert drinks from Starbucks. I am so blessed to have a husband that will go on spontaneous dates with me. He takes good care of me.

21 Weeks:

2011-07-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

This week:
- I spilled blueberry smoothie on my shirt and did not notice until Doug pointed it out to me. It was hiding under the bump.
- We went on a date to walk around Target and look at baby things...yet again. While there we found this outfit and could not leave it there. If we have a daughter, this is what she will wear home from the hospital. Yes, it does have leggings and a ruffled hoodie.
- Doug worked on the yard while I sat outside and read, Husband Coached Childbirth...I have a lot of work to do to get ready for this thing called child birth.
- Spent time with pregnant sister, Christa.It is fun to think that our little one will have a cousin so close in age. Possibly only a week a part. We talked about maternity clothes, nursery's, and baby names.
- Doug's new nickname for me is tugboat.
- I found the chips in the refrigerator instead of the pantry. Even though I really really thought that I put them away in the pantry.

10 Summers Part II:

2011-07-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

2006: We were both on staff together again. I worked in the canteen and he was a counselor for our leadership development program. I had just gotten back from living in Illinois for the school year. We had done the super long distance thing for several months, so we were so happy to see each other everyday. We also had one of the most serious conversations about our relationship that we have ever had. At the beginning of the summer we were sitting on the swing outside the office and I really thought that he was going to end our relationship. He did not feel like he deserved me, was not sure if marriage was for him, and was processing a whole lot from his parent's divorce. I sat in silence because I knew that I was not going to be the one to utter the words of a break-up. I told him I would be patient and wait for him to come to some conclusions. Thankfully those conclusions were to continue dating. In fact...later on that summer he took me to the West 40, danced with me to my favorite music, and told me that he was falling in love with me.

2007: Was our last summer on summer staff. Doug was in a major leadership role and I was working with the leadership development campers. Our schedules were totally opposite, so we were able to spend minimal quality time together. We saw each other every day, but it was mainly just in passing. I would go to our good friends office and sit and cry/whine/complain about how I just wanted to spend time with Doug and I just wanted to be engaged. Justin listened like a champ and never gave in to tell me that Doug was working on a plan to propose to me at the end of the summer. Doug saved all his paychecks that summer to pay for ring, worked on his off time to create a beautiful gift for me, and never gave any indication of when a proposal would come.

2008: We got married in the chapel here at camp on May 11th. It was a perfect and beautiful day. We were in between jobs and moving so we were able to come and volunteer together for a week during summer camp. It felt really weird to walk to our cabin together at the end of the night as a married couple. Since so many summers before we had to give our goodbye's at our cabin doors.

2009: My dad has been the Family Camp speaker several times over the past 15 years. We all came together as one, big Keena family to Family Camp. It was a celebration of my mom's 50th birthday and a wonderful time of reliving so many memories as a family that we shared here during all those summers we came to family camp together.

2010: Doug was asked to speak during staff training. We drove over from Tulsa for the night and I listened to Doug speak at the outdoor chapel to the summer staff. In the back of my mind I sat thinking about how much this place means to us and how much we love to work here on resident staff someday. There were no possibilities, offers, or openings at the time. It was simply a thought in my mind. A few weeks later we were contacted about an unexpected job opening. And they wanted Doug to interview for the position. We came over for an interview, waited, accepted the job, and moved from our old jobs and old home to our new home and our new life. We were here for the last three weeks of summer camp.

2011: This weekend marks the one year anniversary of us making the big move and taking a big step of faith. Believing that the Lord would provide all that we needed and believing that this is where the Lord wants us to be living and serving. And this summer also marks the first time that it is not just Doug and I here at camp together..but we also have a little one growing inside. A little tiny person that we will bring home from the hospital to one of the most special places in the world to Doug and I.

10 Summers Part I:

2011-07-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

This summer marks Doug and I's 10th summer here at camp and our 10th summer of knowing each other. Here is a brief look back at each summer.

2001: We met for the first time. Doug was on the ropes course island and I was standing by the silver bullet slide. My sister yelled across and said, "Doug...this is Danae". We waved at each other. Then we emptied trash cans around camp together and ate at Barnett's for the first time together. I went to Tulsa once, we watched Lloyd and played Candyland. He came and visited me once, we went bowling with my friends.

2002: We both went to camp together for two weeks. Doug told me that we were going to get married someday and that I was going to wear a hot pink dress and he was going to wear camo. A helicopter was going to carry us away. I was not into this plan at all...but I did love being friends with Doug.

2003: We were at camp together for 4 weeks. There was a group of us sitting around talking about back-up plans. Doug asked if we were not married by the time we were 18, would I marry him. I laughed and said no. We also had a day where we matched without even planning it. He announced to the whole staff that it was a sign that we were going to get married. I went and changed my shirt and unknowingly crushed his heart.

2004: Was our first summer together on summer staff. My family moved away and I was going through a lot of life changes. Doug would take me to the park and listen to me talk and cry, he gave the best hugs, and he would never give me more advice then I needed. He listened and let me make my own decisions. I started being extremely aware of where Doug was at all times and secretly hoped that he would be wherever I was. I started to think for the first time...maybe I do like Doug.

2005: We started dating a few weeks before I left for the summer to work at camp. Doug decided to stay in Tulsa and work for the summer. Doug came and volunteered for two weeks and it was the best two weeks of the summer. He sent me lots of great letters and packages. He visited on the weekends. We talked about our relationship while sitting on the swing. We had our first kiss in front of the chapel. I went and told one of my good friends the next morning and she said, "You and Doug are going to get married". I nervously laughed, but knew in my heart that is what I truly wanted.

Doug's Music:

2011-07-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

Doug played some of his music at a local coffee shop on Saturday night. It was a beautiful setting and the music was wonderful. The main people in attendance were summer staff...so I think it was a fun group for Doug to perform for.

Our dear friend, Justin, made this wonderful video of the night. He captured it perfectly. Like he always does.

Recent Favorites:

2011-07-09T09:49:00.000-07:00

- Blue Bell Ice-Cream
- Parking Wars and British Cooking Shows
- Lavender Soap
- Oreo's and Milk
- The Civil Wars

20 Weeks:

2011-07-08T08:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

We got to go to the doctor today for your big scan. We saw your tiny heart beating, your blood flowing through your heart, the spinal cord, stomach, brain, and most importantly your face! We are not finding out if you are a boy or a girl until you are born, so we turned our heads during that part of the ultrasound. The doctor said that you are a doing well and growing normally. You weigh 14 ounces and you are currently breech...which made things a little difficult during the ultrasound, but we were just so happy to see your growing body. Seeing and hearing your heart beat is still our favorite part. We pray for that heart of yours a lot...and not just your physical heart.

People in public are now able to notice you. The nice man at the sandwich shop gave you a free cookie. It was specifically for you and not me. And then the nice lady at the grocery store told me that you were the cutest baby bump as I was walking by. It sure is nice to know that people can tell you are a baby and not just a few too many bean burritos.

We love you so much. Keep growing and poking my belly [I really like it when you do that].

Love Forever,

Mama

19 Weeks:

2011-07-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

I wanted you to see the new paint color in the living room, my growing belly, and my tired eyes from the past week. We have moved almost all of our belongings and so now comes the part of settling. My favorite boxes to move were the ones marked baby. We have no idea what the nursery will end up looking like. We just keep putting random things in the closet that we think we might want to use in there, so we will see what we come up with.

And my newest craving is Sonic ice water with lime.

This week, we also bought plane tickets to go to L.A. to visit Greg and Beth. We really wanted to visit them before we had a baby in our arms. Hopefully it will be easier for me to carry the baby in the belly than in my arms for this trip. We are planning lots of fun things and are so excited to get to see G & B's home. I guess some people might call this our babymoon. We are not really those people though.

Sneak Peek:

2011-07-01T07:52:00.000-07:00

New Dining Room

New Paint Color

New Table and Chairs.

18 Weeks:

2011-06-30T17:51:00.000-07:00

- We went to the Doctor this week and got to hear that sweet sweet heart beat. 150 beats per minute.
- Spent lots of time with good friends. Erin loves touching the baby bump! And, at this point...I love the baby bump pats.
- Doug has been painting nearly our entire new house. I have been instructed to stay far away from those fumes.
- My workouts have included steam cleaning carpets, carrying boxes, and making lots and lots of trips between the two houses.
- I have been feeling great. I think I could be at this stage of pregnancy forever [besides the fact that I will really want to meet this little one].
- One of the summer staffers have nick-named the baby 'little critter'.
- I am so thankful that the second trimester comes with boosts of energy...it has helped make this whole move a lot easier.

Ways Doug Loves Me Well:

2011-06-29T14:26:00.000-07:00

- Bringing me Sonic lime ice water at work.
- Rubbing lotion into my tired feet.
- I was super hot and cranky last night for really no reason. He was super patient with me. Loved me, hugged me, and gave me exactly what I needed.
- Patting my stomach any chance he gets.
- Paints his evenings away in our new house since he knows I don't like the current colors and he knows that I cannot paint due to the babe.

17 Weeks:

2011-06-16T17:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Baby,

You have been growing and changing for 17 weeks now. It is pretty crazy to think that you have been living and growing inside of me for that many weeks now. Last night as we were laying in bed I started to feel you squirm and move. Doug had been scratching my belly and I asked him if he could feel anything. He could. We both laid there amazed and overwhelmed at your first tiny noticeable movements. I think you like scratches, just like me. And I am excited to go to bed tonight hoping you are in the mood to do a few more flips and squirms.

We love you baby...More than you will ever know.

Love,

Mama

Dad's Visit:

2011-06-15T16:14:00.000-07:00

My dad came for a quick visit last week. The night he arrived we were all tired, but we ended up sitting and talking in the living room until 1:00 am. Doug and I both thoroughly enjoy talking to my dad, so I think that is why the conversation kept going and going. The fact that we only get to see him about twice a year also adds to the excitement of when we actually get to see him.

We were also able to squeeze in a visit to Chick-fa-la, the Little Debbie store, a trip to the hardware store to pick up something Doug needed, and a trip to the Naturals baseball game. It was a short and fast trip, but we are so thankful for time we got to spend together. Dad's are so wonderful.

This Past Week We:

2011-06-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

1. Took a day off together. We ate cheap Mexican food (as usual), went to the bank, did laundry, Doug fixed the car, and fixed a pair of shoes. We also took a couch nap together.
2. Said goodbye to our first week of campers and welcomed week 2 campers.
3. Drank some Braum's limeades.
4. Got the super exciting news that we get to move into a bigger house here at camp!
5. Grilled steaks with some of our good friends.
6. Had the kitchen staff over for dinner one night. We made homemade pizza and crammed 15 people into our living room.
7. Played some sand volleyball.

16 Weeks:

2011-06-08T20:22:00.000-07:00

I am 16 weeks today.

We have been to the doctor 4 times.

Heard the heartbeat 4 times.

Seen baby two times.

Have one ultrasound picture hanging on the refrigerator.

I am enjoying milk shakes and Mexican food.

I feel so so so much better than I did the first trimester.

I am working lots and lots of hours, but feeling good and satisfied.

We already have a baby pile forming in our guest room closet.

The baby bump is slowly making an appearance. It looks different at different times of the day.

We are over joyed every time we think of precious baby.

Big Smiles:

2011-05-31T17:36:00.000-07:00

Want to know why Doug is smiling so big?

He had just heard his baby's heart beat for the first time.

And seen his baby's tiny tiny body for the first time.

Baby Castle. Coming November 2011.

Random Thoughts:

2011-05-18T17:49:00.000-07:00

- I really need to do about 80 loads of laundry and put those 80 loads of laundry away. I also need to get brave and open our refrigerator and clean it out. Welcome to a busy spring [almost summer eeeek!] at camp.

- My dad is coming for a visit in a few weeks. I am excited to have him here, even if it is only for a day.

- We love watching the Oklahoma City Thunder play basketball.

- Both of our cars need work. Doug will be busy fixing them over the next few days.[ It is fun to own old cars !?]

This Past Week We:

2011-05-16T17:10:00.000-07:00

1. Doug and I celebrated our three year anniversary. He took me out to a fancy dinner and I bought him a new microphone. Doug ordered duck for dinner and I had lasagna. We also enjoyed a cheese plate and a chocolate dessert. At one point Doug made me laugh really hard and I looked up and the waiter was waiting for me to finish laughing to ask a question.

I am thankful every single day to be married to Doug. [He is just so wonderful]

2. I spent time away this weekend with a group of ladies that live here at camp. We slept in, talked and talked, ate lots of food, took a boat ride, watched cable t.v., and enjoyed getting to know each other better. Doug spent some time this weekend doing man things with some of his man friends. They ate hamburgers, went to a demolition derby, and then ate more food.

3. We watched Social Network last night. I fell asleep half way through. Doug liked the story.

4. I only get a haircut about once every year. Today was that once every year. Doug keeps looking at me and smiling. I think that means he likes it.

5. We drove into town and picked up our favorite pizza and brought it home for a late dinner. I will always love take-out pizza, especially from Fratelli's.

Day Off:

2011-05-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

- Went to birthday lunch for friend Justin.
- Did some Mother's Day shopping for some very special mother's in our lives.
- Came home and watched some cartoons.
- Fell asleep on the couch while watching cartoons.
- Took a good long family nap. Maxwell included.
- Watched Jeopardy. Almost got the final Jeopardy question right.
- Had frozen pizza for dinner.
- Talked about money, budgets, financial goals, etc.
- Then ironically spent some money on a few new pieces of clothing for me. [Doug said that I always ask to spend money on the days that he is most aware and inspired to save every.last.penny]
- Watched Dancing with the Stars
- Doug did a lot of studying/reading the Bible seeking out what the Lord says about killing enemies. A lot to chew on with the recent news.

Baby Siblings:

2011-05-02T07:55:00.000-07:00

My baby siblings are not really babies anymore.

And, as you can see they are much cooler than I will ever be.

Easter Weekend:

2011-04-28T09:53:00.001-07:00

We went to Tulsa for Easter and we got to spend a lot of wonderful time with a lot of wonderful people:
-We ate dinner with some of Doug's co-workers from the old job.
-We went to a newish friends house and sat on her deck with some of our oldest friends and some new friends. It was a beautiful evening of good conversation and wonderful weather.
- Had breakfast at the Odom's house. The boys even played some beautiful music together while the girls sat and talked in the kitchen.
- Went back to the Odom's for more fun and spent time with them and the Sullivan's. [p.s. thank you Lord for wonderful friends]
- Spent Easter with Doug's family. We got to hold a sweet baby, had an Easter basket sitting on the table, and enjoyed Aunt Kelly's brisket.
- Enjoyed time with mom Karen. Had lunch together, watched America's Next Great Restaurant, ate pizza, and talked about how people parent their adult children.
- Doug had coffee with good friend Steven.

When I think about why I love Tulsa so much I realize that so much of my love for the place are the people that we get to enjoy when we are there. We did not even get to see all of our family or loved ones this weekend. It is a blessing to have a fun place to go to and relax and be around those that we love deeply.

Happy 90th Birthday Grandpa!

2011-04-20T17:47:00.000-07:00

We Love:
- Your hugs and your strong hand squeezes.
- That you would allow us to comb your hair and play barber shop with your hair when we were young children.
- Your dedication to our family. You have driven many many miles to be present at many of our important events in our life. You being there means so much.
- Your stories and your love for dessert.
- That you read our blog!

Happy Happy Birthday! We love you lots.

Monday Thoughts:

2011-04-18T13:50:00.000-07:00

Spending time on the couchbed.

- Doug took me into town for Mexican food for lunch. It hit the spot. I had a burrito, rice and beans. And I even splurged and ordered a Dr.Pepper. It tasted so good.

- I am trying to understand Twitter. I still have a lot of learning to do.

- I am also trying to understand the Glee hype. I like when they sing songs and dance but I don't like the depressing marriage and the terrible wife.

- Maxwell and I took a walk this morning. He was tired and confused as to why we were out and about during his napping hours.

- Our couch turns into the perfect couch bed. We have been spending a lot of time on it lately watching t.v. shows together in the evening.

Letters:

2011-04-14T09:25:00.000-07:00

Dear Oklahoma,
I love you a whole lot. You have so many beautiful and wonderful things. But today, I am not happy with you. And neither is our bank account. Why did you want so much of our money for tax season this year? Let's not do that ever again, okay?

Dear Friday Night Lights,
When Doug and I went on our surprise date the other night we talked about you for about 30 minutes. The way you portray family and marriage make my heart so happy. Thanks for the good dinner conversation.

Dear Husband,
Speaking of our surprise date. Thanks for taking me to dinner and then letting us wander the aisle of Target. I enjoyed being away with just you for an evening. You are my favorite person in the whole wide world.

Today We:

2011-04-11T19:40:00.000-07:00

- Finished Friday Night Lights Season 5. It is over. And I sobbed.
- Doug made me eggs and toast for breakfast.
- Laid on the couch together the majority of the daylight hours.
- Ate pizza for dinner with friends, Justin and Rhett.
- Laundry and closet reorganizing

This Past Week We:

2011-04-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

1. Drove to OKC for a fundraising dinner. The highlight was going out for coffee with some dear friends after the dinner. We crammed a small circle of chairs into the Starbucks and talked for a few hours.
2. Slept in Tulsa. I did not even get to see Karen because we got there so late and she had to get to work before we were up the next morning. Doug went in and talked to her for a little while when we got there.
3. Spent some time with Jon Odom.
4. I saw Doug for about 10 minutes in one entire day. Then the next day was not much better due to the fundraising dinner that we hosted here at camp. To say that I am so excited that they are over would be a huge understatement. I am excited to maybe get to spend time with him before 11:30 pm at tonight.
5. Doug bought me flowers. Which he arranged. Just for me. [I think he knew I was a little needy this week with all his time away.]

The Weekend:

2011-03-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

We drove through beautiful Oklahoma and enjoyed the sunset, Subway sandwiches, and talking.

We were greeted by a happy mom and a barking dog at midnight.

Slept in, took naps, watched t.v., and talked around the kitchen table.

Ate meatball subs, coffee cake, brisket, curry, chicken soup, poached eggs, mini biscuits, and sheet cake.

Had lunch with our dear friends, Jeff and Quinlan. Then we walked to Starbucks and enjoyed coffee and enjoyed being able to walk to Starbucks.

Went to brother's funny comedy show. They made us laugh so hard. And those 'turtles' are all so nice.

Celebrated Grandpa's 81st birthday.

Soaked up the time away and the change of pace.

Packed the car, drove home, and stopped and ate dinner at the nicest Braum's we have ever seen.

Weekend Away:

2011-03-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

We have lived here for about 9 months. Since that time, if there has been a group here Doug has worked every weekend. The only weekends we have had off were due to bad weather and holidays. This weekend is different though. We are leaving tonight to spend some very much needed time away and time with family. We are so excited to be away together in the comforts of the Grandparents home. Things I am excited for:

- The five hour drive to and from
- King's sized bed
- Hot Tub
- Breakfast [Grandma's breakfast are the best!]
- Laughing at Brother Greg and his funny friends

Lately:

2011-03-18T07:42:00.000-07:00

- I have been sneezing my head off. I feel like I am walking around in a tunnel. Thank you very much Oklahoma allergies.

- Doug has been up around 5:00 am every morning to get down to the kitchen to make breakfast. The group that is here is a work-crew youth group from Minnesota. They like early breakfasts.

- Maxwell made me more mad then he ever has before. Poop was involved.

- I did not cook anything all week. Not even a bowl of cereal. This is what happens when there are meals in the dining hall every single meal this week. I am looking forward to next week of no-meals in the dining hall and cooking some at home.

- My family is global right now. On Sunday I will have a sister in China, and brother in Germany, and two parents and a brother and a sister in Turkey.

- Last night Doug and I went into town to get hot dogs. He ordered the New York hot dog and I ordered the Chicago hot dog. We each ate half of ours and then we switched. I like doing things like this with Doug.