where have i been?! and other random news...

Hello, little blog ... and hello, friends who happen to read my little blog!

Life has been so surprising, changing, unfathomable, and exciting lately.  Over the past four months, I feel like I've been watching someone else's life unfold, but have felt all of "their" emotions.  You see ... Matt and I found out that we are going to be parents come May 25, 2012!!

the day after we found out!

Yes!  This girl, who is continually seeking to find the object to view, learn from, and admire everyday is now gonna be a mama!  It hasn't felt real (okay, maybe being really sick and drop-dead tired) until recently when I actually heard the baby's heartbeat.  Now it's confirmed...I know I'm not just getting fat!!  It's been tough to adjust to a "me" that is different~not able to stay up as late, my energy is just not there, not feeling in control of what immediate goals we are working towards, etc~but I know in the end, this'll all be so worth it. 

So pretty much, in a nutshell...along with learning how to be pregnant (my own hormones that I've never met before!), and still shaping into what my role as a wife is, I've been working, finished up my plant class (a pre-course for the landscape architectural certificate I WAS planning to work on this winter), have gotten sick way more than I ever thought I would (morning sickness has taken its toll on me) and I'm still trying to find ways to outlet my creativity.  

Though, I haven't been blogging myself ... I've been reading through the blogs I follow every day, hoping that one day (yes, I am being a bit dramatic!) I will have the energy to at least once again, write a post!  **note: I even started voice recording my blog posts, so that I could get my thoughts out somehow!!**  I'm thankful that November was a month focused on being grateful...with American Thanksgiving and all.  Calista, Allison, and Fawne ... all wrote posts to keep me thankful.  Other blogs kept me reading for different reasons: Daily, Jo keeps me wanting to nest and shop.  Poppytalk inspires me to start projects and have an ultimate diy-christmas this year (watch for coming post!).  Cori makes me want to sharpen my photography skills.  Even though Baby Mine will no longer be kept current, they share some good ideas for baby items/advise and have some cute pictures documenting their baby's monthly growth.  Shelly's trip to Zambia served as a flash of adventure just reading about it.  Dear Baby began to open my eyes to different perspective of motherhood (I've got lots to learn!). Tereasa has the coolest methodology when it comes to treasure searching - found, free and flea!  So many great words and images that have blessed/encouraged/inspired me lately.  Now to get back on it myself!

And just for the sake up trying to 'catch-up', here are a the random updates of some other things that have happening these past few months...

We've been able to have some fun family times together.  My cousin got married in Ontario at the beginning of October, so all of my immediate family went there for the weekend.  We announced the baby news to them then.

cookies I baked to break the news to my family... all with the 'appropriate' name of course

my immediate family in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario)

had my 6th annual 'family' thanksgiving dinner with close friends ... ended up with a very blurry shot!

Hosted a bachelorette party for my girlfriend's wedding (that took place 11.11.11) ... so wish I could have been there...

you can see some of her wedding details/pictures here

Was able to get out for a "shoot" with my sister-in-law and her family for some fun Christmas photos.  They are all so photogenic ... and energetic!

Now with all of that said...I hope to be back soon to share some more!!