Texa-fied

Well folks . . . we did it. We crossed that Mississippi, traveled through Arkansas and down into Texas. "Home" is now the lovely Limestone Ranch of Austin, Texas.

We were greeted warmly upon our arrival - by warm, helping hands, and yes, 95 degree weather. A great moving crew had the truck unloaded and into our new apartment in about one hour. We were so thankful for their help. In the past week we have been putting some things in their place and well, just stepping over and around other things.

We are overwhelmed by the love shown to us by our new church home, the Round Rock church of Christ. We have experienced a lot of love in the past week. Today we received a "pounding". For the Aussie readers out there . . . fear not for our lives. A "pounding" is simply a showering of goods. In this case non perishable food items. We are well supplied and extremely thankful. We have already been guests in people's homes here. Nothing sweeter than Christian fellowship. Jason's family has also traveled to see us already. They are enjoying a four hour drive to see us much more than the 12 hour drive to Memphis.

We continue to adjust to our new surroundings, new relationships, roles and so on. This week both Jason and I get to participate in Champs Camp - a summer outreach program for the Round Rock community. Jason is a team counselor/leader for about 12 fifth graders. I'm designated to crafts. We are really excited about the opportunites that have already presented themselves, and those that we don't know about yet.

Without a doubt we greatly miss life in Memphis. Ironically we are back in the place we tried to start our life in the US almost six years ago. It is humbling to see how in a way, God has brought us full circle. We remember who were were six years ago. We thank God for who and what we have become in the past six years. But we also ask Him to do much more in and through us now and in the future.

We have a new address - you can find it on facebook, or email me and ask for it: firstnamedotlastname@gmail.com :)

And here is baby Girl at 31 weeks . . .

Oh the places you'll go . . .

Tonight we are spending our last night in Memphis as Memphians. Quite honestly it is a sad time for us. Memphis has been more than kind to us for the past five years and five months.

Sure we're not truly 'Memphians' by birth, but we have lived here for all but one year of our 6 years and five months of marriage. So it has largely been our life together. In fact on our recent trip to Jamaica, when people asked us 'where are you from?', for the first time, both Jason and I were able to respond, 'Memphis' without the usual stammering, stuttering or awkward side glances to each other. Strange how that happens right as we are preparing to leave.

As I have shed tears of sadness over leaving our home and life here, I also remember similar goodbyes I have said in Australia, Canada and Japan. And I am reminded how richly God blesses us wherever we go through relationships. And this is not going to be our last transition or time for painful goodbyes. I pray that in those times, I can remember that it only feels so bitter because we tasted what was so sweet.

I plan to reflect more on our time here. But I just wanted one last chance to blog from home before we crossed the Mississippi tomorrow.

28 weeks and other news

Here I am at around 28 weeks . . .



To mark 29 weeks this week, I will semi-retire myself. I finish up working in the Memphis office of Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Until we leave the US in October, I will continue to manage files and existing clients and will be an outside sales agent. This is a win-win situation for both parties.

To mark 30 weeks, we will finish day two of our drive to our new home in Austin, Texas. For four months, we will serve with the Round Rock church of Christ before they send us to begin working in Wollongong, Australia.

I truly didn't plan on having such dramatic 'week markers' at this point in our pregnancy!

Austin will be a new life for us in many ways. We will have a new focus as we transition to full time ministry. We look forward to the opportunities that will present themselves. We'll have a new circle of friends. We'll have a new amount of down time to spend with each other. In addition to interning with the Round Rock church of Christ, we will also continue to fundraise. If you haven't visited in a while, check out www.aussiemission.com

Placenta Previa Update

Well for the entire world wide web - here is an update on the position of our baby's placenta. (its really her organ afterall!)

A follow-up ultrasound today showed that the previa is no longer complete, but partial. We're looking at the positive side of this - it HAS moved some. From my understanding, a partial previa slightly lowers the risk of complications, and slightly increases our chances of having a natural birth. At this point, however, we must still prepare for both possibilities - natural birth or c-section. So, we wait.

I have an appointment scheduled with an OB in Austin who comes highly recommended. We look forward to meeting him. In the back of our minds we still hope to use the Birthing Center. But we both feel a lot of peace as we wait, and are confident that we will be in good hands either way.

And today I fell a little deeper in love with our daughter. We so enjoyed watching her perform for us. Her little mouth was opening and closing, she sucked her thumb and was chomping on her foot throughout the procedure. You'll laugh that we asked 'is she still a girl?' Of course, we know that would not have 'changed' but with all the girl stuff we have, I had this nagging fear that maybe they had made a mistake. Thankfully, yes, she is 'still' a girl.

And here she is -- foot in mouth:



We love this picture.

As we learn more, we will share with you. In the meantime, we thank you for your continued prayers for a healthy third trimester, for our baby's development and growth, for the big life changes we are making in the next couple of weeks and months, and for our hearts as we prepare to become parents.

Missions Interest Group

Over the past 5 and a bit years, we have enjoyed meeting with friends in Memphis who share a passion for missions. We've enjoyed sitting a the feet of many seasoned missionaries. We have seen several come and go. We have friends we met at these nights who are now serving God in Bolivia, Italy, PNG, Cambodia, within the United States, and other places I am sure to be forgetting. Others are in different stages of preparing for missions -- team formation, fundraising, vision casting. Soon we will have friends in even more corners of the world - Rwanda, Angola, Togo, Peru . . . perhaps New Zealand and Asia.

For the last MIG of this school year, Ileene and Evertt Huffard prepared an awesome Arabic feast. And feast we did! We enjoyed a great time of sharing, prayer and fellowship after the meal.



We will miss our times with people like this. I believe that God has used these times to shape us and lead us on our journey towards Wollongong, Australia. And I am confident that He will continue to allow these people to encourage us even when we are scattered throughout the world. God is good!

Park Avenue Baby Shower

We were showered with love and gifts for our baby girl again on Sunday. Park Avenue threw a wonderful baby shower for us. We are so blessed by the love and generosity of so many people. And what amazes me is the outpouring of love for us and our child that they will soon send on our way to Texas and then Australia.



We have many adorable outfits . . . perhaps we can outnumber diaper changes with outfit changes! Maybe not, but it could be a close call.

Wow ! ! !



The more baby stuff we accumulate, the more we anticipate her arrival. At the same time though, we realize that this is a truly special (and short) time where her place is to grow within me. Her arrival will be here before we know it.

Our life is extremely busy right now. Our days are literally packed full between work, fundraising, meeting with people for the last time, packing, cleaning etc. We did manage to reclaim our living room from the books and boxes. It might just be for a short time but it sure looks a lot better than it did.

Missions Resource Network Annual Dinner

On April 18th, our team joined three other mission teams, MRN staff and supporters in Dallas for the annual MRN benefit dinner. Jason's family also drove from Abilene to have lunch with us. We enjoyed our time together, and our time with our team mates, and meeting other people in the same preparation process as we are in right now.

God continues to encourage us through many people.

Here is a picture of our team taken that evening.

Showered with love

Pregnancy is full of surreal moments for me. Mostly in the fact that this is actually happening to US. It was surreal when staring at three positive pregnancy tests, and surreal during the weeks that I KNEW a life was growing within me, but there was no physical evidence (well . . . aside from gagging and sleeping!)

Surreal to create a baby registry, to buy baby clothes, to play with names, to see her ultrasound picture on our refrigerator every day. Surreal to be startled by my profile in a mirror! Surreal but wonderful.

Tonight my co-workers showered us with love, blessings and gifts for our baby girl. I am overwhelmed by their excitement and generosity. It was surreal being the guest of honour at a baby shower!








These girls deserve extra credit. They're sharing the office bathroom, and putting up with not one, but TWO pregnant gals in the office!

Almost 26 weeks

Not quite Paradise . . .

Well, its that time again. Time for boxes, and packing tape, u-hauls and goodbyes. May 29th we will load up the truck and head for Austin, Texas to spend around four and a half months with our overseeing congregation - the Round Rock church of Christ.

We expect a time of growth and rich fellowship while with them. It still hasn't quite hit me that we will also welcome our first child into our family during this time. This could be some level of denial because all signs (increasingly) point to 'child within'. Seriously, she is already so fun to watch on the inside . . . and we can't wait to have her in our arms. We know that we, and she, will be greatly loved on in Texas. We pray we can give and love on others, too.

Our plan is to leave the United States from Memphis. In October, we plan to come back 'home' to Memphis, enjoy a week or two here, and then head down under to join our team mates in Wollongong.

These are surreal times. Sure wish Myron or Kenrick were around. . . packing would be a whole lot more fun with a little Jamaican cheer!

Memories from Paradise

Memphis to a piece of Caribbean paradise in just 2 hours and 47 minutes. Our time in Jamaica was everything we expected - pure R&R and a little bit more . . .

Upon arrival in Jamaica we were taken to the concierge lounge where we learned that we had been upgraded to the River Suites - a new room at Sandals Negril - and that our butler would soon be arriving to take us for in-room check in. Our room was gorgeous, the view - spectacular.






And Myron and Kenrick, our butlers . . . what can we say? Before this week, I was always a little weirded out by the whole butler thing, but not anymore.




They were great. Anything we needed, they were right there with it, or even a few steps ahead of us. Every morning, our beach chairs were set up under a palm tree, with a "Reserved for Mr & Mrs Whaley" card, towels and a cooler of drinks. And this is pretty much where we planted ourselves for the entire vacation. I am pretty impressed, if I do say so myself, at the way I "landed". I tend to be a little like a bird, "flying" here and there, either in my mind or body. It is hard at times for me to just land, settle, relax. But not this time . . . I did well. I had "landed" within an hour of being on property.






Our days consisted of reading and sleeping on the beach chairs, and swimming in the lazy river pool or the Caribbean. I was a beached whale in its truest form. :) We did take a couple of walks down the beach each day. We had a cell phone to call Myron or Kenrick if we needed a snack, or wanted to make dinner reservations or anything else. Whatever we ordered arrived within 5 minutes with flair and a smile, and often carried on their head.












It is sad, but true, that all good things do come to an end. But the renewal we received, and the good time we had being together in such a beautiful place, will be one of the sweetest memories I have of our life together pre daughter.

Beautiful Saturday

I wish I had a picture of the beautiful spring day we woke up to today. I went for a walk this morning. It was cool, but sunny and not a cloud in the sky. Beautiful.

Today we also began our child birth classes. We chose to enroll in a Bradley Method class here in Memphis. Our instructor has had both a hospital and a home birth. I first talked with her when I was only 5 weeks along in our pregnancy. She has been a great resource for us already, and what I appreciate most about her is the way she presents information. She does so with conviction, yet with understanding that we will make the decision that we feel is best for us. She encouraged us to go ahead and enroll in this class even though we might not get to have the birth experience we are hoping for. She has stressed the importance to be as mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for both a natural birth AND a surgical birth. She helped bring me out of the pit I felt I was in when we learned that a c-section was a possibility by reminding me that 1) it could change, and 2) if it didn't there are things I can do to have the best possible surgical birth and recovery. And she has graciously allowed us half tuition as we will be here for only 6 of the 12 weeks, and has even contacted Bradley Method instructors in Austin who would be willing to take us on for the last 6 classes. We are not die-hard-must-do-it-one-way-birthing-kind-of-people but we are excited to learn what we can.

And happily, tomorrow, we get to fly out for Negril, Jamaica. We are headed back to Sandals Negril for one last travel agent hurrah! We get to stay for $25 per night - all inclusive. That, along with a frequent flyer ticket, and an amazingly cheap ticket for Jason can't be beat. I think the maternity beach clothes might be more expensive than the trip itself. I spent the last three weeks or so trying on my summer clothes each week, thinking (in vain) that they would 'work'. Well...lets just say they didn't 'work'! :) We are SO looking forward to getting away. By no one's fault other than our own, we have been so outrageously busy. The R&R is much needed, and what better place to get it.

Over the halfway bump . . . pun intended

At just over 22 weeks, it is pretty clear now, even to strangers, that there is a child within. I continue to feel good. Many of you have expressed your concern regarding the news we shared a few posts prior about the placenta previa condition. Your concern and prayers mean a lot. Thank you for praying. We ask that you continue to do so. It is essentially just a waiting game at this point. An ultrasound in about 5 weeks will give us a better understanding of how things might play out. So while we don't have any updates - we are glad to share that so far things are going well, I feel good, and there are no complications.

This situation, along with just the fact that a life is growing within me for which Jason and I will be solely responsible calls me to greater faith. Greater than I have, and greater than I anticipated needing. Welcome to parenthood, huh?

I love to feel her move. At night she is particularly active and wild, which is fun . . . to a point. :) In the mornings, she wakes up slowly as if to say 'I shouldn't have stayed up so late'. I tend to agree.

For the sake of my sanity, I have pretty much filed away my pregnancy books. I used to pour over them but it just wasn't working out to be good for my mind! I do read the 'what's happening with baby' each week but that is about as far as I go. I have not read much though about the kind of father-to-be dilemma/rivalry that seems to be going on as portrayed in the images below.

Awwww

While Jason was in Belize, I hit some outlet malls and found some sweet baby girl clothes. Many people have cautioned me to not buy a lot of clothes. But these were all on sale, and I picked up a variety of sizes - some 12 months, even. It is fun to receive cute clothes for our baby girl but also fun to pick out some things for her myself. It could get dangerous if we make a habit of being apart!




And Jason's gift to her was this onesie from Belize (below). We thought it might be useful in broaching the topic that we might want to give our baby girl a few days with just her parents holding her before passing her around and around.



We can handle being the ugly ones! :) And I know, I know...many a baby has survived being passed right after birth. But we're first time parents so we're allowed to have a few neurotic ideas, right?

Its a . . .

"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

. . . .

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting"

Since learning that we were pregnant, I have meditated daily on Psalm 139. The verses above are particularly special to me. It is a little ironic to me that those last verses are part of this psalm. I read it and feel like it is part of a letter reading, 'Dear Nicole. . . ' I need both of these reminders. Daily. Ok . . . hourly. Lately . . . every few minutes.

And now the news you have all been waiting for. This week we learned that we are going to have a baby GIRL. What a blessing to raise a daughter! We are so delighted. We dream about the sweet little girl within me. We enjoy talking and singing and reading to her. Her Dad beams with pride when he sees her push my belly out with her still tiny limbs. She already makes us laugh and her Mama cry (pregnancy hormones!).

Thank you God.

Not to take away from such wonderful news, we do have a prayer request. Along with revealing a healthy, active baby Girl, the ultrasound also indicated a condition called placenta previa. In a nutshell this carries some risks and possible complications with an ultimate outcome of a c-section at 37 weeks. To say the news 'blindsided' us would be an understatement. We had planned on using a birthing center in Austin. We were so excited about this option as it seemed to be the middle road between a hospital birth and a home birth that we were hoping for (and that didn't exist in Memphis). However, should the condition remain unchanged, that will no longer be an option. It might seem odd to say that there is a small element of 'grief' as we adjust to preparing for a birth that might be quite different from what we had anticipated and hoped for. Not to mention some anxiety and fear. There are much greater things to grieve and fear, so forgive the overall insignificance of this situation. I hesitate to share those feelings but hey, its my blog!!! :) And it is an honest feeling. I pray for a greater focus on the healthy baby girl we have! Oh, and forgive me, but I am declining any and all labor and delivery stories right now! Its just not a good time!!! I'll let you know when you can bring those on!

The situation will be reassessed at another ultrasound at 28 weeks (about 2 months from now). In the meantime I have to limit physical activity. No running, no excessive work outs, no lifting and so on. It is rather strange to shift from a smooth pregnancy to having to be so careful.

I guess the lessons of parenthood begin early. We're learning that its not about us and what WE want. And that WE are not in control. I've also learned that you do in fact let go of some of your 'dignity' as you have kids. Here I am on the world wide web sharing news of my placenta and cervix. Apparantely not much is sacred!

We do ask that you will join us in praying that the condition will naturally correct itself. Pray that in 7-8 weeks, the placenta will move upward and allow for a normal delivery. And in the meantime please pray that my heart will be filled with peace and not worry. And join us in prayers of thanksgiving for the daughter God has given us.

Snow Day

Snow days are awesome! On Friday, March 7th (ironically the beginning of 'Spring' Break for many), it snowed about 5-6 inches in Memphis. It was absolutely beautiful . . . and probably the best snow I can remember in our six Memphis winters. It always seems to make me a little giddy. I was so excited to wake up and look outside this morning. Everywhere we looked was covered in a blanket of clean, white snow. It was pretty warm today though, so the snow is quickly melting . . . but not before we, and others, got out and enjoyed it a little.

Here's a few pics of the snow along with some others to document the growth of baby Whaley. Enjoy!

Friday night as the snow was really setting in


This snowman was not the work of our hands. Whose belly is bigger?


See . . . I'm not the only one who gets a little giddy


Out for a walk in the neighbourhood

February 15th 2008

We usually celebrate the anniversary of our first date (which was February 15th 2001), instead of Valentine's Day. The good thing about this is that 1) we don't have to worry about Valentine's Day crowds when we go out to eat, and 2) Valentine's Day is a good reminder in case we might forget about the anniversary of our first date. Good thinking Jason.

Seven years ago found me at an Italian Restaurant at the top of Mito Station . . . I remember it like it was yesterday. This year we celebrated at Bombay House here in Memphis.

Life is good. Thank you God for the blessing of my husband.

Wigglins' from the Whaley within

Today while some 27,000 feet in the air, enroute to Memphis from Austin, Jason and I were able to experience (together) some wiggles from baby Whaley. I am so glad he was able to feel the baby moving as I really thought we would wait a while longer before he could experience it, too. I've been feeling this for about a week now and it was my first time to be feel the gentle 'kick' with my hand.

It was a wonderful moment to wrap up a wonderful weekend with our overseeing and supporting congregation. The Round Rock church of Christ will be partners with us as we serve God in Wollongong. We are in complete awe and humbled with such gratitude at how God has worked to bring our family and the body at Round Rock together in this way. They blessed us this weekend with fellowship, love, food, prayer, study, hugs and an obvious and genuine excitement about what we believe God has been calling us to.

It will bring about some changes for our family in the upcoming months. More on this past weekend and these changes later. Right now, I just want to be thankful for what we experienced this weekend.

January Happenings

Just a quick update to let you know we are still here and doing well. A quick pregnancy update . . . I have reached 13 weeks, feel great, feel less tired, and have heard that little heartbeat twice. Many told me, (and I once believed whole heartedly), that "skinny people didn't show early especially with their first pregnancy". While it might not be evident to all yet . . . let me assure you that this baby IS growing and we, at least, can tell. Of course, this is all normal and good, so we are thankful for my health and the baby's healthy development to date. And what kind of mom-to-be would I be if I didn't post our very first ultrasound (taken at week 8) picture of Baby Whaley?


In January we enjoyed a team retreat. The eight of us shared a great cabin at Paris Landing. Unfortunately, the retreat took place in the midst of extreme fatigue for me, so I did a lot of napping. And I believe that certain team members captured many of my naps on camera. I do wonder when these might surface!!?? But I did manage a game of football (Darian's planned activity), enjoyed a bonfire, lots of good food, and toasty delights inspired by the Griffiths. We enjoyed relaxing, worshipping together, playing games and just being together.

Jason serenades the kiddos . . . .

And draws with them . . .


Shawn & Kendra . . .

Corey & Emily . . .

Us . . .

Fireside treats . . .


As each month comes and goes, though, our three families feel greater pressure with regards to fundraising. We are currently in Abilene, Texas. We presented last night to about 25 people who were interested in our plans for Australia. This group blessed us with their prayers, encouragement and shared their gifts and resources with us. On the 29th of this month, we will spend the weekend with the Round Rock church of Christ in Round Rock (near Austin), Texas. We will continue dialoguing with them about our plans and their involvement. We have already been so encouraged by the elders and ministry staff there.

I made the decision not to go to Belize with Jason at the end of March. It is an extremely remote area and it was advised that I not go. I will really miss Jason, and miss having such a great experience together. He will do a great job because he loves people so genuinely and I believe that they will see the love of Christ through him. While he is gone, I will visit the Howards in Georgia. It has crossed my mind, however, that time at the Howards might not be any safer than being in remote Belize! In past trips to their home, I have been subjected to the following . . . (while not in these pictures, I have in fact conquered each of them)





I'll be pulling the 'I'm pregnant' card this time, though! :)

Today is Super Bowl Sunday. The half time show is on right now. I wish I knew a little more about American Football than I do. Really, I enjoy Super Bowl Sunday for the good food and down time!