I think I can, I think I can...

*choo-CHOO!!* Okay, I'm sure you get the point, but I'm feeling a little like the little engine that could. I've always looked up to that little engine, anyway. So, I'm almost at the top but still chugging along as the load is getting heavier...Once I get over that hill it should be coasting after that for a while, right? (some wishful thinking never hurt anyone, right?) Okay so I'm still pregnant, which is okay since I'm not quite due yet. Still anticipating labor and all that goes along with it. Still hoping my baby is born so healthy and cuddly. Still trying to finish everything. Still doing the laundry, the grocery shopping, the doctor's visits, etc. and not really minding. Watching our cat, who just had kittens 2 weeks ago, adjusting awkwardly to being a mother and empathizing. When they cry she tries to pick them up but never quite gets the hang of it, then looks pityfully at us as if to say "please help me bring them back to the basket!" Weird to say of a cat, but I understand how she feels having been there before.

So, I think I can, I know I can.

And now I wait.

In excitement.

In anticipation.

In awe.

Life is good.

Pickin' peaches

Forgot to log our annual u-pick peach excursion...this year it was extra grumpy because Mal had a UTI and does not deal well with not feeling good, hence the barely gotten pictures that were proceeded by growls of disgust from the grumpy party. The peaches were very delicious, though. It was worth putting up with grumpo!

Because You Loved Me

This song came to my mind today. I have been thinking about "missionary work" or basically just plain letting people know that you love them. I never realized how much this song spells out the way to show love in action. Wouldn't that be wonderful if we fulfilled our life's mission so fully that people remembered us in this way...because we loved them.

For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful baby
You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through through it all


You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me


You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you


You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me


You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You've been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you


You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'coz you believed
I'm everything I am
Because you loved me


I'm everything I am
Because you loved me

Homeowner Finds Hidden Room

Did anyone see this? Wish I could upload the WCTV clip...No autographs, please.
HA!

Homeowner Finds Hidden Room

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Mini-vacation

My mom called on Friday from work and was in desperate need of a Memorial day 3-day weekend excuse for a vacation. Nowhere in mind to go, just "let's go!"....so, we came up with going to St. Augustine/Jacksonville for a little shopping, gaming, swimming, all around get out of town but not too far adventure! We had a lot of fun to say the least. It was definately nice to get away. Mallorie had a lot of firsts, including learning to swim. She did such a good job!! I never knew I could worry so much, though! Other firsts include riding the go-kart, playing mini-golf, and seeing the beach (we did take her as a baby, but I don't think it counts). She was really excited about the arcade, too(I'll add some pictures of the arcade later from my phone). She's an air hockey pro! Really she does very well for her age at all of the things we did. She has really gotten to be very fun...just in time to go through all the baby stages again with another! Honestly, I think Mal will help me out a lot this time with the new arrival. Anyway, after we exhausted all of our coins at the arcade, we had about 750 tickets to show for it. Mallorie got some "noise putty" with 125 of them. The entire trip anytime wqe got in the car she'd say, "Want to play the pootin' game?!" Then we would take out the poot sounding noise putty and laugh away to our next destination. Definately the perfect addition to a Stansel fam vacation...anyone who knows us very well would agree I'm sure.

Another chapel update

This picture does the steeple no justice, but here is a picture nonetheless. I drove by it today just as the crane was placing it on the top of the chapel. I had to do a U-turn because I was truly in awe. Heavenly Father has been so gracious to us. The scripture about Heavenly Father preparing mansions for us above came to my mind. I can't hardly wait to see exactly what that means...let us always remember to keep our treasures in heaven.

In preparation mode

4 years ago I was dramatically plunged into the world of motherhood with what Dr. Karp calls a baby with poor self-calming ability and a challenging temperment. He adds that these babies turn into great children(of which I can concur), but I'm glad he offers insight into how to deal in the mean time! Although I am 4 years way too late for Mal, we did survive. I just don't particularly want to be as ill prepared this time as last time. Thanks to a friend for letting me borrow this book, I read it from the time I got home that day, into the wee hours of the night, and Mallorie watched movies the next day until I had finished it. Yes, I was enthrawled...very interested and open to knowledge of what could prepare me for what is ultimately the unknown. That's also why I don't read much because when I pick up a book I have this intense drive to finish it instead of enjoying it (luckily that is with exception of the scriptures). Anyway, I would definately recommend this book to any mother even if your baby has the most delightful new baby personality. It seems like more than just a racket at least! I will try it as soon as I get the chance and give a report. I have also been wanting a double jogging stroller and have been diligently searching for the best deal on craigslist and amazon and other places. Finally the other day I saw one close to where we live that was a very expensive one when new and good quality. It matched all my needs, wants, and was in my price range! So after Joe's and Mal's approval, we are new proud(not in a bad way though!) and appreciative owners of a double jogging stroller by Baby Jogger. Mallorie loves it, we've already been out walking with it a few times...believe it or not I was able to jog for about a minute each time, don't really want to push it right now though. So, with all hopes of baby being happy and mother being back in...well, just in shape, ha!...I hope I'm not just hoping. Usually when I'm determined I can accomplish what I need to with a lot of help from above. Labor and delivery? I'm just gonna wing that! Thinking too intensely about that just leaves Joe and I with high blood pressure and anxiety:P I know there's still over 2 months until Brianna is here, but I'm getting pretty excited. These months are going to go by fast and I want to be as prepared as I can. That(preparedness), paired with faith, should be a good combination. Joe and I have grown together so much these almost 6 years we've been married. Here's to many more years of growth and love with our growing and loving little family.