I know you all came to the blog to see a picture of me...so, here it is! :)

Just kidding! I know who you are here to see!

This is him in his car seat. It has a cover to protect him from the cold!

Video chatting with my Aunt Christy!

Ranston is here!

Ranston Keith Bryant is here!!
He arrived Monday, February 15 at 5:03 p.m.
8 Lbs 8 Oz
21 Inches long
These pictures are in no particular order and I will be posting more soon. I have had problems with our new computer when loading pics on the blog...come to find out, I just needed to be more patient! Anyway, I hope you enjoy seeing our little one!!

Stand in the Rain

Now, before you read this blog entry, please know that I'm not in a gloomy state right now. :) I posted song lyrics on my FaceBook and a few people were worried that I was depressed. No worries...I'm not!

I just heard this song (Stand in the Rain by Superchick) on KLOVE and had to post the words to the chorus.

So stand in the rain

Stand your ground

Stand up when it’s all crashing down

You stand through the pain

You won’t drown

And one day what’s lost can be found

You stand in the rain

It's been raining a lot here lately. I am not a fan of rain...I know it is necessary for crops to grow and animals to survive out here but it annoys me. I want to get from my car to cover as quickly as possible, which isn't very quickly these days. The words to this song reminded me that so many times, we want to rush to cover to get out of the rain. With our spiritual lives, we want to rush to cover. We want God to fix everything right then and make the rain stop. But He's watching out for us...Stand your ground (in Christ)...He won't let you drown!

Geaux Saints!!

I am SO excited for New Orleans!!

Even though we only lived there a short time, there is still a place in my heart for NOLA and it excites me so much for them to have such a time of celebration!! Some friends of ours are still at the Seminary there...check out Micah's blog for a sense of what it was like after the game in the "suburbs."

waiting, waiting, waiting...

WOW!! 38 weeks!! I can't believe I am so close now!

Even though I am ready for Ranston to join us, I am trying to enjoy every day of life as I know it. Don't get me wrong. I am SUPER excited to meet my little boy, MY SON!! (eek!!) But, I know that life will never be the same. I have slowed down A LOT lately and have been trying to rest. I get so worn out. But, I'm hoping to get a few things done around the house tomorrow. We'll see how that goes. Hope you all have an AMAZING weekend!!

Well...I wanted to touch base on the blog to let everyone know we are still waiting on Mr. Ranston to join us! I am finishing my 37th week and everyone has their thoughts on when he'll come. Knowing it could be any day is hard!! I don't like the build-up of anticipation. :)

Mike and I are enjoying our time together right now. We know things are about to be changed forever!!

HELP!!!

Does anyone use a MAC to post on Blogspot??

I have had the hardest time posting pictures from iphoto ever since we got our new MAC. I don't know if it is me, the computer, or what. I used to post on our MAC laptop and didn't have problems. Please let me know if you have any suggestions!

We've been so busy lately!

My mom, Nana, and sister came in this weekend to be here for my FBC Shower on Saturday. We had a great time together and the shower was wonderful! We received so many great things and can't wait for Ranston to use them all! I also had a shower at work yesterday and it was a great time! Again, we received so many great things!! It is so nice to live in an area where people love you and care about you!

I haven't had much time to blog...between them visiting and me sitting with my feet propped up! Yes, I've hit that stage of pregnancy where my feet are swelling. BUT, I've been taking my blood pressure and it has remained low. I go the doctor tomorrow for the 1st time since the swelling started so I'll make sure and mention it to her. I start my weekly visits after tomorrow!! I can't believe it!

I am trying to just enjoy the last days of it being the two of us because I know our lives are about the change more than we can imagine!!

The nursery is ready for Ranston's arrival. I can't thank my mom, Nana, and sister enough for all their help this weekend. They helped Mike and I get the nursery ready and that is such a relief!!

We finally got a dresser for the nursery!

I am so excited to have the final (necessary) piece of furniture for the nursery!

I'm sure Mike is tired of putting furniture together. :)

I've already changed the items on top a little since this pics was taken...I'm sure it will change often. LOL...

My mom, sister, and Nana will be here tomorrow night for my shower at the church. I'm so excited to see them! My mom's goal is to have the nursery 100% ready for Ranston's arrival when she leaves on Tuesday. I plan to take official nursery pictures once that is complete. :)

5 Weeks and counting!!!

While I was home (in Midland) for my baby shower in November, I had a few pictures taken of my pregnant tummy! I was just ending my 2nd trimester so I definitely wasn't at my peak size wise but it was a great chance to get some pictures!

Mike and I loving on the baby bump!

Just me and Ranston!

I've LOVED this experience!

My mom, sister, Nana and I...

The ladies loving on my bump!

I love my Nana!!

...and of course I heart my mommy!!

I'm so excited that Ranston will have my sister as his Auntie Christy!!

Even if she does spoil him!!

This was a hilarious picture to take!! I love them soooooo much!

All three of them are coming down for my shower at our church this weekend. It will be so great having all three of them at my house!! The four of us don't get to do much together so it will be such a treat!! All pictures from my Midland trip (above and others that will be shared soon) were taken by Miss Kate!! She's been our go-to photographer since our wedding!! I'm so glad she's been a part of our lives to capture so many moments!!

Coming soon!!

Pictures from our AMAZING Disciple Now Weekend!!

6 week countdown!

I can't believe I am 6 weeks from Ranston's due date!!!

I knew time would fly...but it is still a shock to me!

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The journey of my first pregnancy has been a fun one. I've always wondered what it would be like to be a part of the amazing miracle of God's creation and it hasn't let me down. To be the only one who feels Ranston's every movement right now is a surreal feeling. Part of me wishes he could stay tucked away and out of harm's way...but on the other hand, I can't wait to meet him!! and see his little face and toes and fingers and ears...

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I've thought about my New Year's Goals (I don't like the word resolution) and although I have several, many that I renew each year, this year will be the first time for this one. My main goal this year is to begin my role as "mother" in a Godly manner. I think often about what kind of mom I'll be. I have many moms to use as a guide...but I do want to strive to be the mom God wants me to be, not the kind of mom others are...

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But it is interesting to me all the moms that are in my life. Of course my own mom plays a HUGE part in my life. Without her, I would not be the woman I am today. She has ALWAYS been my biggest cheerleader. She encourages me, cheers for me, lets me talk things to death when I can't make a decision!! :) I am so excited to take some of the qualities she has shown me over the years and use them as I begin my journey of motherhood.

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Then, there are my grandmothers and the parts they have played in my life. I am very thankful to have them as my grandmothers...and that they are still a part of my life.

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I am very grateful for all the other mothers in my life...other family members, friends, mothers of friends, you all have shown me different ways to love a child. For that, I am eternally grateful! May this year be full of God's direction and guidance...

Our new toys!

For those of you who know us very well, you know that Mike and I don't always get each other Christmas gifts. A lot of times, we put our Christmas money that we receive together and get something we both want/need. Well, this year...we went all out!! We desperately needed a new computer!! Our laptop has been great and has definitely been through thick and thin with us. But, it is tired and worn out. We've debated on whether or not to replace it and I'm glad we waited. We were able to use Christmas gift money and get a new MAC desktop and it is AMAZING!!!!

Mike became a MAC fanatic when we got our laptop in 2005 and did not want to go back to a PC. I was so glad we were able to get the MAC! It does so many AWESOME things...much more than I even realize! We had a long discussion about whether or not to get a laptop or desktop...if we were going to spend that much money, we wanted to make sure we made the right choice. Although I know we'll miss having a laptop at certain times, the desktop has so much more to offer. Plus...I'm blind!! Well, close to it. :) The large monitor has been such a blessing on my eyes! Once we decided on the desktop, we found a great spot for it. This corner has been useless to us until now.

I have wanted a video camera for a while. I wanted something that used a hard drive so I didn't have to deal with dvds and all the other mess that comes with them. I've really been eyeing the Flip camera. It is small, handy, easy to use...and the quality is really good for what the camera is! No, you wouldn't shoot a movie with it or anything but it will be great to have with Ranston. And...it will fit nicely in my purse!! Hopefully soon you'll be seeing videos in my posts!

I feel very blessed this year and can't wait for 2o1o. I was sooooo ready to see 2008 go...and 2009 has been a great year!! But 2010 will be full of new adventures and blessings!

May your 2010 be full of adventures and blessings!!