Just an update

Life has been wonderful! Steve and I are very happy and LOVE where we are right now. I am still feeling sick with the pregnancy, but the closer I get the more I don't notice it. I'm just so excited to have Levi that the sickness doesn't bother me as much.
The past couple weeks have been miserable. The weather has been AWFUL and sometimes I can't remember why we chose to stay in Alaska. First, it was so cold that it was painful to go outside and our cold snap lasted longer then ever before. Then, everything melted and froze again during the nights so this week our streets have been very scary and the wind has been pretty bad. Schools were canceled 3 days in a row. There were never than many in service days when we were in school!!!

But, with all that going on... we have been doing great! Levi is extremely active all the time and although its painful at times, I love it.
Just last night Steve was trying to feel him moving around and he was being pretty still when all the sudden he kicked (or punched) 4 times in a row really fast! It was incredible. Who knew something so small could be so strong?

Then, today we went and had a 3d/4d ultrasound!!! We actually got to see what Levi is going to look like! It was amazing. And honestly, he looks just like Steve. I know that may sound funny but his nose, mouth and even long legs and big feet are all like his dad:)

So, he looks great! Everything looks normal (except his feet may be a little big for his body but that's alright) and he is growing quickly! He is running out of room fast and I am predicting we are going to have Little Levi sooner than we had expected!!!

He is perfect! Look at that little face.

Levi is more of a night owl so he was trying to sleep the whole time.

Levi Stretching: poor guy doesn't have much room.

This is our favorite! Look how precious. He is perfect! And look at that big foot!!!!

The Holiday Season

Well, a lot has happened during this season already and we're just getting started. First, I would like to clarify that God is better and bigger than anything I could ever imagine and that He has been so faithful to us. 

We went through a hard first season of marriage. Living arrangements were pretty difficult and with our baby boy on the way, finances were a big stress. It really affected me with some pretty nasty migraines and complete exhaustion all the time (emotionally and physically). But, nevertheless we continued to seek God and tried to have as much faith as possible, even though it seemed impossible at times. And though God didn't answer every single one of our prayers the moment we asked, our needs were met, we learned a lot and as time went on... our prayers were answered. :)

Right now, all I can really say is God is great. 

The best news is that we finally got into our own place. If you have heard the story, it was completely from God. If you haven't, here is what happened: 

We found this incredible place that seemed so perfect. It was pretty expensive but a good location and newly remodeled. I put in our application and we were disappointed to find out we were second in line and the couple before us decided to take it. We thought for sure that was the place and that it could have even been from God. However, when we first found it we did pray "God, if this isn't the place for us, intervene and make it impossible to get." That is what we did. So, when I didn't hear back from the landlord, I decided to just email her to make sure it was taken. When I did, she replied and said yes but to check out places in Independent Park. 

Now, I knew that was a good area and a PERFECT location. However, I also knew that most places didn't take dogs. But, just out of curiosity I went to the wonderful craigslist and typed in "Independence Park." An add from two weeks before came up and that was it. It was pretty disappointing but I decided to email the lady and give it a try. In the past, most places on craigslist were rented within 2 days so I was pretty positive this would be taken also. But, to my surprise I received an email back the very next day that it was still available and to call her. 

So, on Wednesday (the day before thanksgiving) I decided I would call her and check it out. I figured it wouldn't work out and it would be a waste of time. I almost talked myself out of going when Steve calls and says he's getting off work early so we should go look together. I couldn't say no. 

When we walked it, we knew it was perfect. It was a one bedroom which we had not wanted but the location and price were absolutely perfect. Plus, the size of the one bedroom was large enough for a crib and I'd rather have one big bedroom than two tiny ones. 

That night, we prayed about it and emailed the lady with our decision. We emailed her the application and she ran the credit check. A couple hours later she said the place was ours. 

Thursday, (thanksgiving) we spent time together, ate a wonderful meal and really experienced "thanksgiving" like never before. We went home and packed. 

Friday, we got up early and hit some sales. At 11 am we met our landlord, wrote a check and got the keys. By 5 pm that night, we were completely moved in:) 

We have learned so much in our first five months of marriage. First, patience is a virtue. Second, God is always faithful. Third, we can get through anything together. And last, our strength is in God alone and as long as He is first... we have nothing to worry about. 

22 Weeks of Pregnancy

Well, I am 22 weeks along which is very exciting. My belly is growing quickly and my back is definitely feeling it. 

A couple weeks ago we were really seeking God about our baby's name. Names are extremely important to us and we just knew God had a special name for him. We didn't want to pick a name because we like the sound of it but because it is what God wanted him to be called.

We prayed a lot about it and we prayed the God would reveal the name to us. A couple days later, a woman came up to us at church and prayed for us and for the baby. She immediately gave us a name that God had told her which was unusual for her she said. She told us to pray about it more and see what God revealed to us. We did just that. At first, we weren't sure about it. But as we read more about it and prayed, it felt very right. 

Originally, we weren't going to tell anyone our name until he was born... however, with this name we just got too excited and couldn't keep it in. 

Our baby boy's name is: Levi Abner James Hanks.

and we love it:) 

Baby Hanks

Today was a wonderful day! Not only did we get to see our baby moving all around in my stomach today... but we found out the gender. I am very happy and blessed to say ITS A BOY!!!!!
We are so thrilled and blessed! We have a happy, healthy, 19 week old baby growing big and growing strong!
I have been feeling him for a couple weeks now. It is surreal. Not only did we create this human being but now I am starting to feel it! Steve hasn't gotten to experience this amazing feeling yet but he will soon! There have been two times where he may have felt a little kick but I'm sure in a short time that he wont be able to stop kicking.

The ultrasound was great! At first, He was extremely hyper and trying to do little flips. His arms and hands were moving all around and he couldn't hold still. But then, before we knew it... He was fast asleep and did not want to be moved. He reacted to the pressure but holding up both arms in front of his face and turned away. It was cute but a little annoying for the doctor trying to get measurements.
But, needless to say... he is healthy and that's all that matters.

This is his face with his little arms in front.

This is proof its he's a BOY

I hope you enjoy these videos!!! It was a lot of fun to see our baby so active!
I know the second video is a little scary looking, his mouth is open and he doesn't look very much like a human..... but I know he'll be a lot cuter by the next time we see Him!!!

New Exciting Times

We have had a very very exciting couple of months lately and things just keep getting better and better. 

Right now, Steve and I are looking for an apartment. It is hard because apartments are so expensive for what you get. So we are praying and having faith that we find one that is safe and has a good price. God has never let us down and we know he always answers our prayers. We just can't wait to get into our own home that we can start decorating. 

Steve and I have been busy. We just got a golden retriever puppy. His name is Edgar and he is wonderful. Although he is only 8 weeks and tests my patience a lot, we love him a lot and have tons of fun. He is very laid back and likes to sleep a lot (except at night of course). The last few nights have been okay but for a while we were getting up every hour. Now, I think Edgar is getting a lot more comfortable  with us which is helping him sleep. But that has been our biggest thing lately, he's our baby and takes up a lot of time like a baby:)

Speaking of babies..... the pregnancy is going great. Although I am feeling sick a lot, have bad headaches regularly, and don't have an appetite at all... I'm happy and knowing that there is a baby inside me makes it all worth it. We recently had an ultrasound which was just amazing! We got to see Baby Hanks move A TON! Baby was doing back flips and everything. We got to see the spine, arms, legs and even eyes and mouth. It was incredible and very emotional. We got to hear the heart beat too:) It was wonderful. 

The due date is April 11, 2009. 1 day before Steve's 19th birthday! 

I am technically 12 1/2 weeks along. They don't count pregnancy by conception, instead they count from the last menstrual cycle so although I have told ever Dr. that conception could not have happened before July 18 it doesn't change it so oh well. I have learned to accept and ignore it. I know the truth. Steve knows the truth. And God knows the truth. That's all that matters. And really, it makes sense... I am about 10 weeks along so the dating is only half a week off.  Oh well.

Baby Hanks is a little over 2 inches long and weighs a little more than half an ounce. :)

We will get to know the sex in November or December. We are very exciting to know because we wont have to call it "it" anymore.

We do have names picked out but we have decided not to tell anyone until birth. We think it will be fun and make it a nice surprise, plus we don't want other people opinions to change our minds on what we like. 

So anyways, I am very very happy. I have a wonderful husband who I am still madly in love with, an awesome dog and a baby in my belly!!! I am blessed. 

More Wedding Photos

Here are some of our favorite pictures from our wedding day. Hope you enjoy!

First week of marriage.

I'm sitting here in our new place with Steve and I'm thinking about how awesome God is and how blessed I am.

We have been married one week and it has bee the best week of my life. I often wonder why we waited as long as we did to get married because we are so happy. Every day gets better and better and I am so glad that Steven James Hanks is my husband forever.

This week has been hectic, emotional and fun!

The wedding was perfect. It was everything I could ever hope for and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. The week leading up to our day was stressful of course but in the end, it was all worth it. The first thing God did was bless us with beautiful weather. The whole week before the wedding was terrible and they predicted rain all weekend. And even up to an hour before the wedding, the predictions were right. But right before the ceremony began, the sky cleared up and was beautiful the rest of the weekend. Wow. God is good.

After the wedding ceremony, we had a fun reception full of fellowship, dancing and lots of sugar!!! We got amazing pictures with the best photographer in the world: Shalem. And after the reception we went to Beluga point for more pictures. They turned out better then i could have imagined.

Then we headed to a cabin in Girdwood where we spent a wonderful weekend. It was all perfect.












So here I am, happy and completely blessed.
God is awesome, faithful and never ceases to amazing me.
I guess to sum up this week, I would have to say: I am more in love than ever, happier than ever and wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world than right here, with my husband.