Seven Quick Takes – Was This Week 12 Days Long?

 Here’s a quick rundown of a few things going on in my head. (Click the logo to visit the host.)

1.
More things people have Googled to get to R&R.

-cheek pinching old aunts
-cheez whiz flavored chapstick
-how to handle your wife

2.
If we’re keeping track of pregnancy bloody noses, I’m up to 4 now.

3.
Today is also my first day wearing my Bella Band (<- That’s a link). The instructions show the first stage of wearing the Bella Band at 18 weeks. I’d like to argue that Miss 18 Weeks doesn’t wear jeans to work every day. At least 4 times yesterday, I reached down to unbutton my jeans and realized they were already unbuttoned. Sitting in jeans, even with a slight belly, is just not comfortable. My mom bought me a black Bella Band with lace along the bottom… so it just looks like I’m wearing a long camisole under my sweater. And now I can unbutton my jeans, forego the belt, and be sure that my jeans don’t fall down. These things are great. I think I may need to get a plain white one too. Highly highly recommend it if you’re pregnant.

4.
What belly? You don’t have a belly! Yes, I do. If I can’t button the jeans that were my “fat jeans,” my belly has definitely changed. Stephen and I will be taking weekly pictures of my belly so we have a fun “flip book” at the end. Unfortunately we didn’t start until week 10… we really should have started at week 9. This is was I looked like on Monday, at 10 weeks and 1 day. (Sorry about the red eyes. I’m not fancy enough to fix that.)

5.
I spent a good chunk of time the other night packaging and addressing books for the swap. I’ll take them to the post office today during lunch, so be watching your mail boxes! My original plan was to just draw names and titles and randomly assign them. Then The Rocket Scientist suggested that I just walk over to the stack of books I have on my desk and assign them according to their placement in the stack. Good idea! So you’ll get the book that was sitting underneath yours on the stack. I will post the assignments later next week so you can see the assortment I got. I figured I’d wait to post them so it would be a surprise when you get it in the mail.

6.
I hope you’re enjoying Our Story. I hadn’t intended for it to be several parts written by each of us, but that’s where it’s headed. I guess it’ll be nice to have a detailed account of how we met written somewhere. Now WordPress, if you die and go tp internet Heaven, please keep my story in a safe place. Thanks.

7.
I got a cute pregnancy book in the mail the other day. I assume someone ordered it from Amazon because it was just a book in an envelope. Here’s my question: Who sent it? I’d like to thank you properly! I started reading it yesterday on the way home from work (we carpool) and got about 4 pages into it before I realized I can’t read in the car without feeling like dying. I’ve been writing notes for a pregnancy book of my own, this book is similar to what I had in mind.

Have a great weekend, all!

“What’s Your Story” – Part 1B

My intention was for Stephen to write his side of Our Story and then I’d follow with my side. However, after reading his post I realized that I didn’t need to clear anything up. He did a really good job of telling the story. But then I got to thinking… part of his post is about how he got there. About where he was in his life to lead him to that little house on Duval. So I thought it would be fun to tell you about my story and how God very specifically worked in both of our lives to bring us together at the right time. So that’s what I’m going to do.

I was a party girl in high school. It’s not something I’m proud of, but it’s the truth. When I went to college, it seemed like a natural transition. I went out a lot and drank a lot. That was my life and I liked it. I thought I was happy and I thought that’s the life I was going to lead. Then one Sunday my friend Lyndsey and I were sitting in church (we still went to church, you see… we thought it was normal to party on Saturday and worship on Sunday) and they announced this conference called Passion. We thought it sounded fun and decided we’d go. It was not a normal decision for us. I have no reasonable explanation for why we went on that trip except to say that God wanted me there in a big way.

I could make this into a really long story but that would be more like my testimony than the story of how Stephen and I met. Let’s just say, my life was changed. We came back to Austin and decided to live a different life. Then a problem presented itself. Lyndsey graduated. I was entering my junior year of college with a lifestyle change… without my best friend and her support. What’s a girl to do?

I DO NOT KNOW HOW THIS HAPPENED but I decided I was going to join a community group. There was a meet and greet after service one Sunday night to talk to different community group leaders. I went… by myself. I remember talking to two leaders. One was a single guy that was leading an all male group, I was not invited. The other was a young couple. They seemed nice. They seemed fun. Luckily I didn’t know they were Aggies or else I may not have liked them! (Texas joke, sorry.) I got the information about their group and decided I would join. Once again, let me point out… by myself.

I arrived late the first night because I couldn’t find the house. I literally showed up, couldn’t tell if I was at the right house, went home to Mapquest it, and then came back. I remember little bits of the night, but now a whole lot. It must’ve been enjoyable because I went back the next week. And that’s when I met them. The Steves. The first Steve I had briefly met the first week. He was one of those outgoing types that knew everyone. He brought his friend Steve. My Steve. We were hanging out and mingling and eating all the delicious treats the Amber had put out for us and this Steve came up to me and said, “Hey, don’t I know you from somewhere?” Um no, nice line dude. “No, I don’t think so.” Hmm. “Oh, well I’m Steve.” And then we had a conversation that I don’t remember. Not because I was dazed and in love and knew I had just met the man I was going to marry. No, I just don’t remember it because it was probably pretty boring. There was a lot of small talk that night.

Oh and also… in my defense, I didn’t think my outfit was inappropriate. I was probably coming from yoga or on the way to the gym. (I did healthy things like that back then.) If you know me at all, you know that I never wear anything that could even be considered  slightly scandalous. If I knew that the dudes would be looking at my legs, I wouldn’t have worn those shorts. And also in my defense, my legs are like 8 feet long, they are hard to hide.

Then came the next week. I don’t remember much of it except that this Steve fella was hanging around me a noticable amount. And then when he left, he turned around to me and said, “Bye Chelsea.” I knew. I knew he liked me.

After community group I went home and “friended” a few people I had met the past couple weeks. The Steves were included. It was that night that I sent a message to Stephen saying that I liked him better without his beard. His facebook showed a gruff adult with a thick beard. Not my preference. Apparently in dude langauge that means “I like you.” Which is fine. I didn’t at the time, but it didn’t hurt that he thought that.

I don’t know if people talk on AIM anymore but back then, that’s what we did. We added each other on AIM and started chatting each night. FOR HOURS. We talked about everything, including important things like “Do I have to call you Steve? Can I please call you Stephen?” and “How tall are you?” Once I learned that I could call him Stephen and that he was taller than 6 feet, I knew this was going somewhere. He was fun and friendly and cute. Although I had only seem his twice and I wasn’t sure I remembered what exactly he looked like. Do you know how that goes?

So anyways we chatted for hours and both knew that something was happening. It was the year the Astros were in the playoffs so I invited Stephen over a few nights to watch the games. (Apparently he could care less about baseball… but you know what? If you want to be with Chelsea, you have to make room for some baseball in your life. The end!) He stayed into very very late hours and we talked non-stop. We had a talk about “us.” We knew things were headed somewhere fast. I wasn’t opposed to it but it was scary. This wasn’t just some guy. This was a good guy. A good, cute, polite guy that seemed different. And I knew that if we started dating, that would probably be it… forever.

I told him I’d like us to be friends for a month before we tried dating. Deep down, I knew that was ridiculous. Plus, how would it be any different than the faux dating we were currently doing. Two weeks later, I decided I was ready. I knew this guy was it. I knew that I’d never be single again. It was scary. Very very scary. But thrilling. That was October 20, 2005. I met his mom on Halloween. He met mine a week or two after. Things were moving quickly. In December 2005, I knew I was in love.

And that’s how I came to meet my boyfriend. Next I’ll tell you how I made him my husband.

“What’s Your Story: Part 1”

(Many of you asked me what the story is between Stephen and me. How we met, dated, etc. This is Part 1  of Our Story, written by the wonderful man in my life, Stephen. Enjoy.)

Let me tell you a story about love.  It involves the truly fun time Chelsea and I had getting to know and grow with each other into this thing we’re going to call adulthood (even though we don’t feel like adults really). 

Now to tell you the truth, I never really had a known direction in my life and for the most part still don’t.  But 5 years ago I after busying myself with working, school, dating and just hanging out with friends, I finally decided to follow my heart’s calling and truly get reconnected with a church.  After months of looking, it took one sermon by Brad Cauley to make me commit to the Austin Stone Community Church and there I was, lonely and busying myself with going to church on top of all the other things.

*Now listen, if you are going to church and feel lonely at that church, it’s because of one thing, and I guarantee the guy at the front has been telling you how to fix it the entire time; they do at every church I’ve been to…JOIN A COMMUNITY/SMALL/LIFE GROUP*

I never listened… joining a community group seemed alienating and outside of my comfort zone; but that tug in my heart kept telling me that there was something more to get out of church and that maybe one of these groups would be the way.  Thanks to a job change opportunity that freed up my weeknights, I thought to ask a good friend of mine, who usually knows what’s going on, if he knew of a community group I could join that had no girls in it because I wanted to pursue God and not have girls distracting me from why I was there.  Sure enough, my friend invited me to the ONLY coed college-age community group the church had… and what happened?  I sat there the first night and the only thing I can remember is constantly looking at this girl and thinking, “she has some nice legs.”  (don’t blame me, Chelsea decided to wear cheerleading shorts to a bible study!) 

If you ask Chelsea, she’d say I hit on her the first night with the line “You look familiar, are you taking any government classes this semester?”  BUT I contest this, as she really looked like someone who was in several of my government classes, and if you know me at all, I’m awkward; it just seemed like a good question at the time.  For me, I hit on her come week #2…broke into one of her conversations and made a point to say goodbye to her by name when she left (big for me since I’m terrible at remembering names, honestly I thought her last name was Rosenberg for 2 months). 

And what do I see when I get home that night?  A Facebook friend request!  Little did I know Chelsea also asked other people to be friends at the same time, but at the time I thought she was totally into me.  She even wrote on my wall, “I like you better without the beard”  (I had a beard in my profile pic) and THAT told me that I really made an impression on her with my goodbye ;^)  Actually it didn’t, but it did get us started in talking online. Chelsea confirmed I was taller than her and I confirmed that I liked her for more than her legs.  Within the week we knew we liked each other a lot.

Since we were both in the community group to pursue God, Chelsea didn’t want us to start dating immediately in case it didn’t work out and one of us would have to split from the group due to awkwardness that could occur.  I agreed and laughed to myself, knowing that I wasn’t going to let my membership in any group get in my way, and within a week we were dating!

Now as we grew with our community group, people eventually found out we were dating, but the funny thing was that we were so comfortable together that anyone who met us as a couple thought we were together for years already.  Chelsea’s friend even put me in her phone as “Chelsea’s Husband.” 

It was such a great feeling to be with Chelsea.  There’s the saying that where men fall in love faster, women fall in love deeper; well I would say that’s half-true.  I definitely fell in love with Chelsea even though I didn’t know it yet, you know… still being a kid and all and not knowing what those choices and feelings were.  Chelsea had a realization that she loved me while watching The Family Stone (no relation, she was just thinking about it since the movie’s a love story). 

I would have to say that to this day, Chelsea and I have only gone a total of 7 days without seeing one another since the day we met and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I know a lot of people don’t have that blessing, but I believe that how Chelsea and I met was a work done by God.  My life worked in a way to make it to a community group that Chelsea was lead to in the same way. 

That is how I came to meet my girlfriend.  Next time I’ll tell you how I made her my wife.

Ten on Tuesday (19)

This batch of questions comes from John at Fatherhoody and his wife. You’d think that his wife was the one with all of the dessert related questions since she’s pregnant. You’d be wrong though. All John. Enjoy!

1. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Peanut butter and chocolate from Baskin Robins. It’s the best. The best of the best. From the grocery store? Java Chip Starbucks ice cream. Mint chocolate chip. Any fudgy chocolatey thing. And of course Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla.

2. What is your earliest memory?
Oh goodness, I don’t know. I was 6 when we moved to our new house so I’m trying to focus on memories in the old house. I remember riding my bike in our cul-de-sac. I remember one New Years Eve… this is a popular story in our family. My parents have always thrown a NYE party (except last year because my mom was sick and Avery was just born). It was the day of the party and my parents had moved the furniture out of the way in the living room. So my little sister and I took that opportunity to twirl. You know what I mean. Arms out, spinning until you see stars, giggling the entire time. Well my sister lost her balance and fell and knocked her head on the entertainment center. My brother, who had been ignoring us the entire time, got a spanking. Apparently my dad freaked out and just assumed Justin had done something wrong. Ha. Lindsay ended up needing stitches on her forehead. I’m the only one who came out of the event unharmed.

3. What is your earliest memory of a dessert?
Tis the beginning of the odd questions. I’ll do my best to answer them seriously. My first memory of a dessert is making chocolate chip cookies with my mom. We would cut open big paper grocery bags and line the table with them and put the hot cookies on top. I also remember one of my sister’s early birthdays. She got a Cookie Monster cupcake and she ate it in her high chair and turned her whole face and hands blue.

4. Do you have any recurring dreams?
Nope. I have lots of dreams. Especially now, with pregnancy. But none that repeat.

5. Have you ever dreamed about dessert?
I’m sure I have but I can’t remember any.

6. What is one thing (aside from a cell phone or computer) that you cannot go the entire day without?
My initial reaction right now is: a toilet. And food. Other than that, I think I could go one day without just about anything.

7. What is one dessert you could go your entire life without ever having again?
COULD? Oh plenty. Baklava, bread pudding, anything with raisins, lemon pies, any of those fruit tarts with the glaze on top that taste sugary and cheap, and cream puffs.

Gross.

8. If you could go on vacation tomorrow, where would you go? (Assume someone else is footing the bill, but within reason…so “the moon” won’t work)
Someplace warm. Mexico on a cruise, probably. I think all-you-can-eat fits into my life style right now. Although if someone else is paying I should choose a more expensive trip. Probably Italy or Greece. Mostly for the food, but also for the sights.

9. If you could have any dessert tomorrow, what would you have (assume someone else is buying it for you. Within reason though, no “gold sprinkled ice cream cones.”)
Chocolate mousse cheesecake with strawberry garnish. Or any variation of any of those. Chocolate cheesecake, chocolate mousse, chocolate, mousse, cheesecake with strawberries, chocolate covered strawberries, you get it?

10.  What was your first impression of your significant other? If you’re single, what was your first impression of your best friend?
My spouse? Wow… that was a line. (During the Q portion of the Q&A, many of you asked about our story. I owe you that.)
My best friend? I thought she was cool and confident but I didn’t really like her. It took us a few months to be friends. She still really cool, but not nearly as confident as I had thought. I always tell her she needs to work on that part.

11. What is your first impression of dessert pizza? (Personally, I think it’s weird. I love dessert but I don’t want any on my pizza.)
It was my favorite part of Cici’s! My dad and brother LOVED going to Cici’s because they could eat themselves stupid. My sister and I would dramatically groan, “NOOOOO. Not Cici’s!!” Now I like it because it’s cheap and I love pizza. Even mass produced pizza. Did y’all know their buffet is $3.99 right now?? Hello!

Your turn! If you have a batch of questions to submit, send them to me at chelsea(at)rootsandrings(dot)com.

Things That Will Make You Smile

If you remember, the big plan of the weekend was Stephen’s trip to buy his bike. It’s been a long time coming and the build-up on Friday night felt like Christmas Eve. He and Lauren’s husband met up for the big purchase while Lauren and I had a plate of crappy Migas and chatted for hours on her couch. It was a successful day for all. Minus the whole Migas catastrophe.

Isn’t it pretty? He looks so slick!

Sunday we slept in and then went to church at 11:00. Approximately 17,000 people called me Mommy or Momma. Afterwards we all came back to my parents’ house for some tacos (my current obsession) and to stare at Avery. Lucky for us, she was in an especially excited mood and was smiling each time we stuck our tongue out. Check it out, it’ll melt your heart.

Just makes you want to squeeze her cheeks!!!

That’s about all I’ve got to share with you this fine Monday. Oh, I won a giveaway on DebbieQ’s blog! And since it involves food, I’m pretty much the happiest person on the planet!

Ten on Tuesday questions are posted. If you’re a newbie, click the button on the right sidebar that says “Ten on Tuesday.” This is a very, umm,  interesting batch of questions. Have fun with it!

Seven Quick Takes – What a Week!

It’s been quite a week here at R&R and, boy, am I glad that my secret is no longer a secret. It sure was tough to keep that underwraps for so long! And now it’s time for my weekly ramblings. Click the logo to visit our host.

1.
Sometimes I take off my wedding bands (I have two) and only wear my engagement ring. I like the simplicity of it.

2.
On Wednesday night as I was recovering from The Migraine From Hell, I asked Stephen if he’d make me something to eat. Enjoy!

C- Stephen, will you make me some mac and cheese? I’m starving.
S- Sure.
C- Thanks. I think I want the Kraft Scooby Doo shapes.
S- Okay.
(pause)
S- Wait. Is that the kind that involves boiling water?
C- Yes. They all do.
S- No, some are in cups and go in the microwave.
C- That’s Easy Mac. I don’t want Easy Mac. I want the real thing. But it’s okay, right? Haven’t we been over this whole “boiling water” thing before? You know how to do it.
S- Ugh, yeah. But I just never know when it’s boiling. There’s little bubbles and big bubbles and I just never know!!! UGH. I’ll figure it out.

(10 minutes passes. Stephen returns holding the mac & cheese box.)

C- Is there a problem?
S- I just want you to know that this isn’t as easy as it looks.
C- But… yes it is.
S- No. Look here on the box. At the top there is a picture of water, milk, and butter…. which would make one think that you combine all of those at the beginning.
C- Oh gosh. Is that was you did??
S- No! Well I started to. But after I put the milk in the water I just knew it didn’t look right. These instructions are awful!
C- Did you read them?
S- No. Well, now I did.
C- Do I have permission to blog about this?
S- Yes.

3.
#2 even makes me laugh. Every time I replay it in my head, I laugh.

4.
If there are any Houston bloggers out there that would like to get together for a brunch tomorrow in The Woodlands, there are a number of us gathering. Get in touch! We’re going to eat Migas and tell the Canadians all about it. I’m still having a hard time with their “What is queso? Is it like Cheez Whiz?” question.

5.
You know how when you’re pregnant you become really sensitive to smells? You know how my office is about 6 feet from the men’s restroom? I have NO idea how I have yet to vomit during this pregnancy.

6.
Stephen is buying a bike this weekend. He’s been saving and saving so he could buy himself a nice road bike. I’m really excited for him but I’m choosing not to think about the price– which is the equivalent of like 3 or 4 car payments. I know it’ll be worth it for him to have this and I’m excited him to develop this new hobby.

7.
Things I’m currently obsessed with: apple juice, Life Savers Sour Gummies in Wild Berry flavor, root beer floats, Taco Bell Crunchy tacos, hot chocolate, and any food you talk about. And sleep.

Introducing: The Pregnant Pause

If you follow me on Twitter (or know me in real life) you know that yesterday I experienced my worst nightmare. I had a migraine and because of this baby growing inside me, I’m not allowed to take my drugs. Migraines are awful even when you have drugs, they are pretty unbearable if you can’t take anything. I’m sorry but one regular strength Tylenol may as well be a sugar cube.

I’d like to introduce to you a new “feature” here on Roots & Rings. It’s called the Pregnant Pause. Basically it means that I need a day off of blogging because I’m tired, sick, or too fat to reach my laptop. I’ll post a picture or a fun pregnant fact on these days.

So welcome to the first ever Pregnant Pause. It’s a special one because it’s the Hurstling’s blog debut.

That blob on the left is our baby. We’re hoping the little one chooses to become a bit more human looking for the next ultrasound. Say hello!

–We are thoroughly impressed with your comments yesterday! Seriously, there were so many good ideas! Thanks y’all!

There Are No Losers In This Post

I assume you all know at this point that Biggest Loser isn’t on until the Olympics are over. So obviously, this isn’t a Biggest Loser post. We do have some very important business to cover.

Before I get into the true point of this post, we need to quickly chat about the Book Swap. I still have a book or two trickling in each day. I’m assuming that everyone has at least put their’s in the mail at this point? Yes? No? Please let me know if I don’t have your book. I have 14 books in my possession and I’m pretty sure there were a few more of you that were hoping to participate. I don’t want to make any of the assignments until I have all of the books. 

Received books from: Nora, Rachel, Alyssa, Alice (Mom), Taryn, Kathleen, Abby, Stephany, Debbie, Jen, The Rocket Scientist, Bonnie, Rebecca, and Chelsea (obviously)

Okay, moving on. Very important business to discuss today! Let me first introduce you to my parents.

This was the night we announced our pregnancy. It was pretty emotional. They are already grandparents and have already tossed and turned over the decision of what to go by. They’ve decided to be Nana and Gramps.

They aren’t the problem. Here is the problem.

Well, okay, she’s not the problem. She has the problem. This is my mother-in-law and she doesn’t know what to go by. A few people have jokingly asked if I’m going to have my blog readers give me input on our baby’s name. The answer is no. Not even a little bit. I love y’all but that’s just too much. But we would like input on this decision. Obviously my mother-in-law will have the final say but we need some brainstorming. “Grandma” is good, but we were hoping for something else. Something cute. Something fun.

Here are some things you need to know. Nana is taken. Stephen and I have grandmas that go by “Grandma” and I have a “Meme.” Of course that doesn’t mean we CAN’T use those, but why use the same name if you can come up with something else? Her name is Maureen. My vote is for MooMa but she hates that name with a passion, so you better come up with something better. We’re counting on y’all. No pressure… but we want to hear the perfect name.

Ten on Tuesday (18)

This batch of questions comes from Miss Debbie at My Thoughts Exactly. She’s a fellow Texan which makes her cool by default.

1. If you could open any type of store/place of business (money is no obstacle), what would you open?
A used bookstore slash bakery. It would be awesome. I’d have big comfy chairs and delicious chocolately things. And there would be wi-fi, you know, for the bloggers. I have dreams…

2. If all jobs paid equally, what occupation would you want? Why?
Stay at home mom. Duh.

3. If you could be any animal in the world, what would you pick? Why?
A dog. But not a dog with an owner that makes me run a lot. That’s not fun. I’d want to be a dog with an owner that lets me sit on the couch and give me delicious treats all day. Or one of those owners that actually cooks for me.

4. If offered one “service” free of charge, which would you choose? (chauffeur, maid, personal shopper, chef, etc.)
This is probably the easiest question ever. Maid. Hands down. Although in September I may choose a nanny instead of a maid. Maybe a nanny who cleans while the baby is sleeping. Yes. Perfect.

5. What is one habit, no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem to break?
Chapstick. Although in my defense I’ve never actually tried to quit. Everytime I think about trying to quit, I quit thinking about it.

6. What is one thing that no matter how many you own, you still love to buy all the time?
Undies.

7. Out of all the game shows (past and present), which would you want to be a participant on and play?
Wheel of Fortune. I watch it almost every day and I’m awesome at it. I mean that in the most humble way possible… I’m like, really good at it.

8. If you could play the lead role in any movie that’s already been made, which movie would you pick?
Well I’m a horrible actress so I’m not so sure. Assuming I’d be as awesome as the lead role was? Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia because she gets to eat delicious food the entire time and it was okay for her to gain weight.

9. Name 5 things on your bucket list (things you want to do before you die).
I don’t really have a bucket list. I can’t think of anything that would make my life complete. I wouldn’t mind going to Europe, having absolutely no debt (including mortgage), seeing all of my children have children (not actually witnessing it… just being alive for it, thank you), becoming a better baker, and writing a book that I’m proud of.  

10.  Which one of your birthdays was the best? What did you do that day?
Every birthday is great. I love birthdays! One year when I was little I got a bike and I remember being so excited. Then when I was 16 I got a car. Plus, turning 16 is like the coolest thing ever.

Sorry my answers were short today. I didn’t get home from Bible Study until 9 and I’m very very tired. I’m looking forward to reading yours though, I like these questions.

Also- all of you Beth Moore lovers… go to my blog-friend Pippy’s blog to enter her giveaway for Beth’s new book. Click here.

Maybe I Am Sort Of A Baker

Settle in, y’all. This is a good one.

I have this blog friend named Taryn who likes to post about cakes and breads that she makes. She recently made a king cake in celebration of Mardi Gras. I saw her tweet about it and considered making one for our trip to Galveston last week. But then I saw that it’s not actually a cake but a bread and it involves yeast. Yeast = time and attention and details. Now I’m not necessarily scared of yeast, but I prefer not to use it if I don’t have to. Which is why I normally just make beer bread if I want homemade bread or burn my finger making chocolate cupcakes if I want cake.

A month or so ago she wrote about this book that she uses to make bread. It’s called The Bread Baker’s Apprentice. You can read a post about it here if you want. She made baguettes and cinnamon rolls and they both look amazing.

It got me thinking, maybe I could do that. Maybe I could make some sort of fancy schmancy bread thing from scratch.

She posted that on January 18. About ten seconds after I closed her post I realized that I had made something from scratch. Just a quick week before that on January 12 I found out that I had my very own little bun in the oven.

(I’ll pause and let you breathe….)

My fingers are literally trembling with excitement as I’m typing this. I’m so excited that I can finally tell you all about this! Especially after the whole Fatherhoody post when so many of you thought I was hinting. Trust me, if I knew you were going to suspect something from that post, I would never have posted it. It was definitely not a hint! In fact, the reason I’ve had so many guest posts lately is because ALL I can think about is that there is a human being in my uterus and I didn’t want to slip and ruin the surprise. That, and well, I sleep all the time and have no time to blog.

I didn’t want to keep the secret for this long but I needed to. Stephen and I took a week to soak in the news together. It was a long week. Then we planned an evening out where we needed to stop in on a bunch of family members to share the news. See how excited Avery is to have a cousin?

Then we had the task of telling certain friends and family. There were certain people we wanted to tell in person. News like this is big. Slowly we saw everyone we needed to see. The last batch was over the weekend in Austin. A couple that we love dearly was going to be in town for the Austin marathon so we made it a point to go to Austin and get our whole college group together. Little did they know, we had an agenda. Friday night we gathered and announced our news. And now we’re letting the world know.

A little Hurstling is on it’s way… scheduled to be here around September 19!

Here are a few pictures of how we announced to people. These are the frames we gave our parents. I will NEVER forget the looks on their faces.

To siblings and close friends we gave them one of these bibs and if we mailed it to them, we included a picture of me holding the pregnancy test:

So that’s my super exciting baking news! Of course we’re thrilled. A bit nervous, still sort of in shock, wondering if it’s all real. But ultimately we are praising God for this blessing. Now if anyone knows a good, free nanny… hook me up!

(Ten on Tuesday questions will be posted this morning. They may already be up, just click the ToT button on the right sidebar.)