What's going on with my body?!

Being pregnant does all sorts of weird things to your body.  Probably because its not just 'your' body anymore, you're sharing it with another human being (weird!), almost like renting it out!  I guess I should consider myself lucky, considering I went over half of my pregnancy without any of the awful symptoms- morning sickness, fatigue, dizziness.  I will tell you what though, the last few months have definitely caught up with me!  My personal biggest gripes are my massive boat-sized feet, never EVER getting enough sleep, swelling of just about everything, and back pain.  Check out these pictures:

They look like they belong to an 800 pound woman

Kevin has made up some wonderful names for my clunkers:  memory foam feet, flotation device feet, and T-Rex feet, just to name a few.

Last night I made another discovery that we got a huge kick out of:

Hahaha! Regardless of the temporary discomfort that pregnancy can cause, there really is nothing better than knowing you are carrying your child and feeling them kick and grow inside your belly.  It has been an honor and a blessing....and now it's time for the little boy to come on out!

I Now Pronounce You...

Kevin and I woke up on December 18, 2010 to a very dreary, rainy day.  I couldn't help but be bummed that my dream beach wedding probably would not be happening.  At 10 a.m. we decided to set up Bay Presbyterian for me and Kevin's wedding.  I knew it would be beautiful either way, and God had a reason for this.  And looking back now, I don't think either of us would have it any other way.  Thanks to my step-dad and some family friends, the set up was beautiful!  As I got ready throughout the day, I was suprised at the amount of peace and calm I felt with the whole situation- I always felt like I would be one of those brides freaking out at the last minute, screaming and yelling at everyone.  I guess the fact that I was 7 months pregnant with the man I had been with for over 6 years sort of helped, we were ready!!

I was an emotional wreck throughout the whole ceremony!  I hardly made it down the aisle.  I knew the mix of being pregnant and getting very emotional at weddings as it was, would be a recipe for disaster.  I did my best and just tried to keep it together.  Kevin was awesome of course, making me laugh by telling me he thought I looked beautiful and he "liked my eyelashes."  (they were fake)  My brother-in-law, Rev. Matt Loveall performed the ceremony and spoke a little message about how God calls Kevin and myself to leave our families and unite as one (how appropriate)!  His words were great.  My other brother in law, Kyle, read the love passage 1 Corinthians 13 verses 1-13.  My sister-in-law, Stephanie, read one of my most favorite passages from the Bible, Psalm 139 verses 1-18.  Our singer, Todd, sang "In Christ Alone," and "I Will be Here," by Stephen Curtis Chapman.  I couldn't keep it together during that one.

Our reception was held at Cypress Woods Country Club with our closest family and friends.  The whole day was perfect and Kevin and I could not be more grateful for such an amazing celebration!  Thank you to all who were a part in attending, helping, contributing in any way.  We love you all so much and are thankful to have you in our lives!

Our wedding party: (left to right) Meaghan McGee, Emily Loveall, Miranda Christianson, Nicole Berning (MOH), Korey McGee (BM), Kipp McGee and Kenny Hollaway 

 You may now kiss your bride!

We have not gotten our professional pictures back yet, but when we do we will make sure to post more! ;)

Hello World...

Welcome to our blog! Kevin and I decided to start this because we are starting a new chapter in our lives. We have our wedding very shortly (15 days!) and on top of that, we are expecting our son on Valentine's Day of 2011. While the news of finding out we are expecting came as a shock we are thrilled and looking forward to our little blessing. 

Our story is a beautiful, crazy, unique, one of a kind tale, and looking back on past 6+ years we have been together, I am not sure there would be a lot we would change.  It is impossible to live the lives myself and Kevin have lead, and not believe in God and recognize his presence throughout.  Part of the reason for this blog is so that our child can look back when he is older and can read what everything was like before, during and after his birth. And while we will get in to how we met and the years leading up to now, we are most anxious to begin with how we came to know we are pregnant!

So how does a woman go 25 weeks being pregnant, and NOT know?  Well, that seems to be the $1,000,000 question.

It was Halloween Eve, and we were at our annual family pumpkin carving contest.  I (Liza) had not been feeling very well and knew that something was wrong.  I thought I had come down with a serious bladder infection, and the thought of that maybe I had an ovarian cyst burst (I have had a history of those in the past) had crossed my mind.  I was telling my sisters that night about how I was feeling and my older sister, Miranda bluntly stated, "I don't know Liza, that is sort of how I felt when I was pregnant."  Part of me thought there was no way, and I think the other part was just in denial.  I had very irregular periods for about a year prior, was on and off birth control, and really felt that I had not been ovulating for quite some time.  Although I was in a slight panic, I did not let it show, and Kevin and I decided to get a pregnancy test on the way home that night.

First thing I did when I got home was take the test.  A few minutes later, it came back negative "-"  I let Kevin know, and since we both felt like we were not ready for a child, we were relieved.  Still, part of me still felt this may not be right, so I checked throughout the night until bedtime, and the test still showed up negative. 

The next morning I got up early to go to work, and Kevin was up early getting ready for church.  I am still not sure what exactly it was that lead my curiousity, but I just HAD to look at that pregnancy test that I had thrown away.  I literally felt all the blood rush from my face as this test had turned from negative, to positive over night.  I couldn't believe it.  I called Kevin into the bathroom, showed him the test and I could tell by the tone of his voice that he was scared as he stated, "Liza, you're pregnant."

I took another test that morning and it came back positive right away.  I called my mom in tears, as we both knew we were capable of raising this child, but scared as hell.  So many thoughts and emotions were running through our minds, but speaking for myself, fear was the biggest.  "I know nothing about kids.."  "What are we going to do about money?"  "How are we going to raise a child?"  "What is going to happen with our jobs?"  And knowing that Kevin and myself like to have a good time and were living what you could say, the college life style, our biggest concern, "is our baby healthy?"

It's amazing what peace God has brought to us over the past few weeks.  Through prayer, thoughts, kind words and preparation, our initial thoughts of having a child have done a complete 180. I cannot wait to meet my boy, and Kevin is so excited!!  We are both so thankful and blessed to have moved at the time we did and be so close to our families.  They have been nothing short of amazing and supportive throughout it all, and we want to thank you!  And while Kevin and I were planning on getting married next October (mostly so we could save up money), we have moved the date up to December 18, 2010.  It is extremely important to us that we are a family when we bring our baby into the world. 

While this is only just the beginning, we are buckled in and ready for this ride called life.  It can only go up from here, and we cannot believed that God chose us to be parents!

Isaiah 41:10
10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.