Lub Dub Lub Dub

Today was my very first baby appointment. :) After taking down every detail of my family history, I was examined and I was able to hear my precious little baby's heartbeat for the first time! The midwife was able to pick it up almost instantly (whereas that does not always happen this early on). I was thrilled and a huge grin also covered Jaron's face. Our baby has life and is steadily developing into the little person he/she will one day be. I look forward to meeting this tiny person as each day passes. I pray each day that each stage of the development would go as God designed it to go without any issues/complications. I know that I'll give this child all my love no matter what happens or how it looks when it comes. 
May 13th doesn't seem so very far away because I'm enjoying each day that goes by with this special life that continues to grow more each day inside me. I know that I won't always be content...;) I know that in 5 months or so I'll be aching to just be able to hold little Horst in my arms rather than my ginormous belly. ;) But until then, I pray that each stage proves to be a blessing. <3

Explosion on the Home Front

I've been bursting at the seams LONGING to share the beautiful news that Jaron and I are expecting a little Horst Jr. come May!! We both kind of wanted to wait a while to share simply because of complications that can arise, but the very few people we did tell just couldn't keep the great news to themselves, so last night we gave up trying to hide the news. I'm 9 weeks along and very blessed to have life growing inside of me... My first appointment is October 25th and I'm looking forward to hearing my little one's heart beating out the cry that there is in fact life in my womb!! :) Rejoice with me on this glorious news! Also, pray that the pregnancy is healthy and as uncomplicated as possible. 
Blessings!
~Crystal-mom-to-be-Horst

Wisconsin Surprise

This past weekend, Jaron and I made our way out to Wisconsin to visit his family. Little to his brother's knowledge, we planned for a few weeks to surprise him for his birthday--August 2nd, and it certainly worked. He was so pleased to see us when we arrived...and a bit confused...lol. We all had such a fun time together for 3.5 days...walking around Madison, playing games, mini-golfing, eating out, eating in, eating.... lol. It was so nice to have us all together for the first time since December 2008. That's not to say that we haven't seen his parents or his brother since then...it's just not all at once. We had an amazing time altogether and I'll post some pictures from the weekend as soon as Jaron finishes editing the ones he took. 

Until then, here's some pictures that Jaron's mom took:

The gang (excluding Jaron's mom who took the pic)

Jaron and I "sharing" a cinnamon roll at the Farmer's Market that they had in the middle of Madison on Saturday

Jaron's brother, Brad and his girlfriend Kristen eating the Wisconsin's famous Cheese Curds (ie: cheese that squeaks while you're chewing it)

More pics to come...

Treasure Hunt?

So, after three long night shifts in a row (filled with emergencies galore!) I came home last night to a neat surprise from Jaron.... a small note on the front doorknob..... he was sending me on a hunt which took me from one clue to another from the upstairs, to outdoors in our shed, to the basement, and back around and around again. Each place I was sent had another clue as to where to go next... I ended up getting a bag of Reese's (which is every girls' dream!) and a $10 bill to treat myself to dinner somewhere while he was gone at worship team practice. It may not seem like anything amazing to any of you, but for me it meant so much to know he had been thinking about me and planning this throughout the day for me as a way to release the tension I'd been experiencing. It worked. I found myself wondering what the next clue would lead me to in the house... I found myself laughing as the clues revealed inside jokes we share. It was a beautiful and meaningful gesture that helped me relax and leave work AT work.

Sometimes it is the simple things that make the biggest difference in someone's life. Is there anyone you know and care about who needs a simple gesture that shows that you care? Don't be afraid to do it for them! They'll remember it forever!

><>CH

Catching Up

So, this past weekend was just wonderful and spent with many different friends. :) I have so many friends and am so blessed by the fellowship we all share. On Saturday, Jaron and I went out to see a movie with Jeff after which we joined a small group of 4d-ers at the Cline's house for their picnic. In the evening, we (along with many people we knew who went) watched the fireworks display at the Shillington Community Day.








As the thundering booms echoed across the park, I imagined what it must have been like to be at a battlefield with those deafening cracks jolting everyone as they exploded. I'm so proud to live in this country for the heritage that it has is one of strong people standing up for what they know is right and true. Granted that has not stayed the way it was first begun, but I still can't imagine being anywhere else. 
 

Sunday, Jaron and I spent the afternoon at my parents and then the Brown's home for picnicking.

Monday was amazing day spent with just my best friend in Dorney Park. Jaron and I still managed to get toasty despite applying sunscreen. A lot of the day was spent in the water park due to the inferno-temperature records. We still had a great day together and it was well-worth it! An amazing weekend spent with so many friends making one memory after another. I love seeing how each week plays out and look forward to many more throughout the summer. Stay cool everyone!