Where Did 2008 Go???

My how time flies! I cannot believe today is the last day of 2008...

Over the past year, I've continued to stay busy with real estate, closing somewhere around 18 transactions. I didn't exactly meet my personal goal but considering the economy, I suppose I should not be disappointed.

Brian continues to steadily and diligently work out of the home and has made great progress on some of his newest projects. (One of those projects was babymaking--just kidding!!!) We decided just after Easter that we were ready and open to becoming parents, and the Lord allowed this to happen at the end of April!

During the Summer, we started visiting Churches in Chapin and feel that we were led to Chapin United Methodist. We've been attending Church there but are still members of First Baptist of Columbia. After much thought and rationalization, we feel this was best for our family due to the distance. We truly are blessed and more than thankful for the friends we've made at FBC over the past 4 years. Those friends will remain close to our hearts and we get together as much as we can. Hopefully, when Cannon arrives, I'll be able to see "my girls" more often!:)

My 10 year high school reunion was in August, and even though it was great fun, those of us on the planning committee were happy to see it come and go! It was enjoyable catching up with so many people, especially since I'm in contact with only about 4 "old friends" from North Augusta High.

In November, we took an overnight vacation to the mountains of NC, which was much needed! Brian and I had great fun just goofing off and not working! It was more than refreshing.

In 2008, we traveled to visit Brian's mom in Princeton, WV 4 times! I think that's a record! I'm not sure how often we'll go up in 2009, but maybe Grammie Powell can come down "South" more than she was able to in 2008:)

This past year, I was able to see my nephew, Dylan, play in his first football game--proudly might I add :-). My niece, Shelby, had her third dance recital in 2008, and I loved every minute of it! She always shines!!!

My family continues to do well (with the exception of Grandpa and Parkinson's as well as the other ailments that go along with it.) PRAISE GOD that Mom FINALLY got a day job after 21 years of working day and night 12 hour shifts. It's done her body so much good to get on a routine!

This was a busy year but nowhere in comparison to what 2009 holds...

This year, I'd like for us to grow closer to the Lord and for us to learn to be the parents we are capable of! Hopefully, we'll finalize our house plans and perhaps get started on lining up things on the construction end late in 2009... I will continue to sell real estate in 2009 and have 4 listings lined up for the month of January. (I pray that the market will bounce back for the sake of my clients!)

Photo Shoot

We had our "Maternity Photo Shoot" two weeks ago. I wanted to wait as long as I could but was so worried that I'd go into labor and have to do it at the hospital...needless to say, these are at 36 weeks!

Anyday now!!!

Well, it's been about two weeks since I went to my Doctor's appt and they seemed to think Cannon would arrive "anyday"!!! It's apparent that he will not be a Christmas baby! I only wish I knew when he was going to enter this world as well as how I'll know! I am so so so curious as to what will happen first--will my water break or will I start having regular contractions?

One thing is for sure, this is truly a test of my patience.....the other night, I just started crying because I can feel his little feel moving and I want to touch them and kiss them so badly!!! I am so excited to finally meet him and to kiss his little lips!

Brian is excited, too! Last night, he bought him this really cool rainforest mobile that plays Beethoven, Bach, and Mozart. We had to get out of the house so we went to see the new Tom Cruise movie and then stopped at a few places at Harbison.

Thanks for keeping us in your prayers during this special time! :)

Humpty Dumpty has a home...

Cannon's room is finally complete. I found this precious Humpty Dumpty back in September but didn't purchase it....Then, in November, I went back and it was still there so I knew it was meant to hang in Cannon's room. I know he'll enjoy looking at his soon-to-be friend!

Dum-Dums and Labor

Did you know that sucking on a dum dum is supposed to help with childbirth? There's a pressure point at the roof of the mouth that's connected with childbirth....I'm going to buy some tomorrow!

Today's class at LMC went very smoothly and Brian and I feel more prepared than we imagined. The instructor was so gracious to offer her time to us as well as her experiences as a labor and delivery nurse of 12 years. At any rate, I am still intending on having a medicine-free birth experience but DO realize that I may really need some relief. I cannot imagine the pain of childbirth, but want to experience it before I tell myself that I cannot handle it! We'll see how it goes...

Our Lake Lure Getaway

I'm behind on my blogging! This picture is from our overnight trip to the Mountains of NC. Lake Lure seems to be "our spot" and the funny thing is that we didn't mean to end up here. We left late Friday afternoon (sometime mid-November), slept in an "economical" motel, and got up early Saturday morning and started driving and here we were....Right back at Lake Lure--the same place we went to for our 3 year anniversary as well as once when we were dating and I was living in Greenville (way back in 2003)! Funny how that happens!

Ashley called this our "Babymoon"! We really had fun talking and spending the day together. We played a game of checkers at this old, country store (Brian won) and even had a picnic lunch right at the base of the Chimney Rock Park....Brian said he scored extra "points" since all of these women were pointing us out to their husbands as we were enjoying the scenery and our curry chicken salad sandwiches! :-)

Christmas Pictures 34 Weeks

Shane came over today after work and took some pictures for us so we can make our Christmas cards! Bentley and Winston were bribed with treats but got pretty tired of the photo shoot after a few snaps.

Getting Ready for Class....

Tomorrow, we are going to the "Your Special Delivery" class at Lexington Medical Center from 9-3! Pray that they don't show any videos or discuss blood, etc. since my sweet husband may pass out--hence the reason he is not going to be in the delivery room on the special day.

We are excited that the time is just around the corner and we'll be able to meet this gift from above. Sometimes, I feel bad because Brian doesn't get to feel this amazing little being move around morning, noon and night. It's such a miracle that this baby is a part of both of us and at the same time is going to be so different! I cannot wait to see who he acts like and sounds like. :-) I hope he gets his Daddy's intelligence and maybe he'll get my "social" ability to talk to anything and anyone. :-)

I've started feeling a bit of nervousness about the eminient birth of Cannon, and even though I'm reading everything I can get my hands on, I realize that there's nothing that can quite prepare us for the big event. I've still got lots of questions but try not to bombard my doctors all at once but rather only ask the most relevant ones for the time being.

This Monday, I will have my 35 Week check-up and they'll do another ultrasound. Last Monday, I went in because I've been having these weird weightlessness/numbness bouts. The doctors did a US and sent me to have an EEG (this was fun since they taped all of these sticky things all in my hair). At any rate, they wanted to be sure my brain was functioning and that I wasn't having some type of seizures. I don't know if my brain has ever functioned correctly--haha. I don't know what the Neurologist found on the test, if anything, but if I were a betting woman, I'd say the feelings of numbness are because Cannon is getting very BIG! He was weighing about 5lbs 8oz. last Monday. The amnio fluid was on the low end as well, so this is something they'll keep a close eye on....Carrie, the Ultrasound Tech said that if it keeps going down, this would be a cause to induce....so, maybe we'll have a Christmas baby.

Brian made a prediction the other day that Cannon is going to make his arrival on Dec. 22nd! We'll see! At any rate, it's too funny because Brian told me the other day, "Kara, that's so weird because I can see where your old body was......" He's amazed at how the body can accommodate a baby. :-)