Baby Names

We thought we would put a few of our favorite baby names out there for the vote. Not that we are going to do what the outcome says (in fact we may be convinced to do exactly the opposite). Just thought it would be fun.





Duran Duran's video for Rio doesn't inspire the wholesome, down-to-earth image we'd like for a name -- Tyson.

Teen Mom

Sixteen and Pregnant, Teen Mom - both some of my newest closet reality tv obsessions thanks to my friends Alicia and Sarah. I look forward to catching up with these girls every week and must say I have become quite the fan. So when I had my own teen mom experience a couple of days ago I couldn't help but share the drama with you.

This week I decided to go with Tyson on his work trip to bustling southern Illinois for a few days. While trying to burn a couple hours on my own in a small town of 2,000 I stumbled upon a thrift store. After a bit of worthless browsing I exited and sat in my car for about 10 minutes as I used my gps to find anything that I might be able to do for the next bit of time.

Suddenly there was a knock on my window and I looked up to see an elderly woman smiling at me. As I rolled down the window she asked me if I was pregnant and if I needed any maternity clothes or baby clothes. At first I was thinking how nice it was that in a small town like this a lonely lady just wanted to talk and I was happy to be nice and give her some company. As she kept on talking I soon realized that her motives were not as I first suspected. She was there to lend support to me. She thought I was a teen mom! She gave me directions to her church where they have abstinence counseling and a room set up for "girls like me" to pick out maternity clothing and baby items. She assured me that they would take care of me through support groups and some free ultrasounds. She really wanted my phone number so she could come and drop off some of her baby's clothes to me (I took hers instead). As I sat there and she kept on going on and on about her youth pastor I felt shocked. Part of me wanted to scream - I am 28 and married and have my own business! But another part of me, the part that won over, touched my heart. I hid my wedding ring from her view as I thought about how hard it probably was for her to approach me, and how her intentions were really pure. The last thing I wanted to do was embarass her or discourage her from approaching someone who really did need her help.
So I just kept my mouth shut. Finally she finished and I drove away - a bit shocked (and excited to watch Teen Mom that night.)

Blog Revival and Christmas 2009

It's that time. With a baby just around the corner we've decided it's time start using our blog again to keep family and friends informed about what is going on in our world. To start here are a few pictures of Christmas 2009 at the Ward household:

Here is our Christmas tree. I know it is kinda sad, but we love it. I have always had a really hard time spending money on something that is just going to die and make a mess. This is the closest we have come thus far to having a tree. Maybe next year once we have a kiddo, but I seriously doubt it.
Ours was made two days before Christmas out of Green posterboard from the dollar store and a lot of strung popcorn - my very favorite thing on a tree.

We woke up in the wee hours of Christmas morning - 9am - to open presents.

And here we are sporting our favorite Christmas presents - real luchador masks that my brother Robbie brought us from Mexico. I am now on the lookout for stretchy pants to complete the outfit so we will have stellar halloween costumes this year. Maybe our baby can be one of those crazy midget monkey things from Nacho Libre.


And here I am counting our change (it was the end of the month) as we started our first Christmas tradition - Go out to eat Thai on Christmas day. I am already looking forward to reliving the tradition next year.

Presserfoot

My sister Rian and I have started another blog (I know, I don't keep up with this one so why do I need another one). The idea of this blog is an online sewing group. Once a month we start a new project and help one another along the way with how-to posts. I love having a place to post my projects and get feedback. I am more motivated to sew when I know others will learn from it or be inspired by it as well. In the last 2 months that I have had this blog I have already sewn more than I had the entire year before.
So, if you sew and want to be a part of it just shoot me and email or comment. The more the merrier.
Click here to see the blog!

Starstruck

I just returned from my third trip with the Children's Miracle Network. We went to Disney World in Orlando and then to Washington D.C. Once again it was a wonderful and rewarding experience. I will be posting more photos and details of the kids on my photo blog.
On Tuesday we had the opportunity to meet the president. After shaking his hand and watching him interact with these special needs children I must say that I was a little starstruck (much to my conservative husband's dismay). I was so impressed by the presence that this man had. He was wonderful with the kids and even had a question and answer session. The best questions were if they could play on this playground (which he let them do), and my favorite was the young boy who asked the president what his plans were for helping to improve child healthcare in this country - a huge issue for all of these families.

Here are just a few of the photos from the white house: