I had a dream!

So, I had a dream Saturday night October 27th, 2007… a metaphorical dream. My studies in psychology have led to a rather amusing muse with dreams. Albeit my own or that of others. I rarely believe in the hokey pokey interpretations and settle for the common explanation that dreams are a way in which our subconscious creatively reveals itself. Oddly though, often in a blended and mixed match kind of way.

I found myself responsible for backing a large piece of earth moving equipment out of a very tight parking space in an even more ridiculously tight parking lot. If you live in Warren I liken this to the absurd engineering that is the Bi-Lo parking lot. Anyway, I was neither afraid or hesitant as it was clear in my mind that this had to be done. There were a few others waiting on me and one assuring me. He seemed to know what needed done yet was reluctant to trade me places… happy to guide from behind and let me know that he trusted me. Strange though… I had a Kwik-Fill coffee cup in my hand? Feel free to chime in with your thoughts but it may just be that I love coffee! So with coffee (a large) in hand I put the machine, of which I was completely foreign too yet somehow knew how to shift gears, into reverse and began the journey. Destination unknown, sitting behind the wheel of a HUGE responsibility, others watching on while one sat behind assured that I could, I should, and I would while providing the grace to do so! (2 Cor. 1:12) ~ J.

The 11th Hour!

WUAH!!! Mere weeks to go (due date Nov. 22)! Here's Ash in all her bellylicious glory! The other pics are from the baby shower thrown by the church. BLANKETS seem to be the in thing to give... we've got TONS! Also, you'll note our "Babymaids". We thought... why not? Brides have bridesmaids! Introducing: Katie "Adon's Personal Stylist", Chelsea "Adon's Karaoke Coach", and Meghan "Adon's Karate Instructor"!

Sorry it took so long to get these up from the Maier Family Baby Shower held August 25th. What a suprisingly exhausting experience. Thanks for all the thoughtful gifts and to Mombo Maier and Richel for all the hardwork... and Pops for making about a million crescent sandwiches!!! Just click on the pix for larger versions.

Arrested Development!

Approx. 6.5 months! Due date is Nov. 22nd (Thanksgiving)

The fu-manchu and cowboy duds are because the church held its Vacation Bible School this past week and the theme was western! I was Sheriff Andy in the Tumbleweed Gulch drama all week. Plus, I think Ash liked the badge ; )

We're headed to OH-IO this week for a short vacation of fishing, quality time with the Maier fam, and a baby shower! Upon our return the doctor appt.'s begin on a 2 week schedule as the third trimester is upon us. NOPE, the nursery still isn't done... or even close! We don't have any baby furniture yet... EXPENSIVE! Cooper has a big comfy bed but I just can't seem to get Ash cool with the thought of sharing. Coop gets really warm at night which would be good! Anyway, Ashley has FINALLY had some pregnancy issues happen after over 6 months of pretty smooth sailing. Back pain has developed from time to time but she's doing really well despite some rough nights of not sleeping which everyone reminds us "to get used to"! Check back in a week or so for some baby shower pics!!! Love ~ J.

22/20

Ash 22 weeks / Baby 20 As you can see the physical attributes are strikingly common to the father. Bald! We had a chance of getting one of them thar new fangled 3D sonograms but were advised that at this stage of development the little dude would look pretty alien-like. That takes me back to the current shape of my own bald head... it's not round... like abnormally not round. What's up with that mom? We're hoping for a combination of our best attributes. Unfortunately, as in the Maier and Hausman men... this little guy has no chance at ever having a butt!

It's a...

It's a... BOY! We had our sonogram on July 18th and they found a winky!!! The week count is 20/22 (baby/Ash) right now. I'll put the sonogram pic up as soon as I can scan it in. Things went very well as they did a 20 minute anatomical survey. At first the gender thing was a little sketchy because he likes to move A LOT! He's been an active little bugger for about 2.5 weeks now and was all over the place during the sonogram. At the end she went back looking for the "bits-n-pieces" which came in much clearer. (Yes, there is a third grade level satisfaction in finding silly ways to say penis! Sorry mom!) We were pretty much emotionally neutral when told it was a boy. Honestly, we would've been just as happy either way. It's nice now to be one-track minded and thinking boy thoughts. NAME? Yeah, we're kicking some around. The middle name will be John (Ash's dad's first and my dad's middle). "Cale" has been a consideration along with "Jadon" but another has launched to the top. While at NYC (youth convention in St. Louis, MO) there was a worship song playing as the names for God flashed across the screen. While spelling out Adonai (Hebrew for Lord/Yahweh) each letter faded in before the next. When I saw "ADONai" it just popped... Adon (pronounced Aiden) John Maier. That could change of course but we both really like it and like how it was inspired.

17/19 36 1/2... hut hut hike!

So here's the latest:

Baby = 17 weeks / Mommy = 19 weeks

Circumference of the "baby belly" is 36 1/2 inches

So far... still very good! The baby is starting to move now a wee bit which is kinda cool (at least so I'm told). We are heading to St. Louis, MO July 8-16th for a youth conference with 15 of our students to join over 5,000 teens for a week of spiritual renewal and ministry. Hopefully upon return we will have an "anatomical survey" done to check all the wee bits and pieces ; ) YES, we want to know the sex of the baby and that will be posted as well at some point!

Reflection ~ Jesus referred to God as "Father". He also said that we are to come to him "as children". What does that say to us? What does that mean to you? I'm speechlessly overwhelmed at how reaching out to God with the same blind trust and unknowing faith that a small child reaches out to a parent has so radically changed my life. He has restored my innocence, revived my imagination, unveiled mysteries, imparted wisdom, and shaped my passion! Seek First! ~ J.