Why I will never forget the past 3 days

Chicago was amazing! I realized what a country girl I really am as we walked through the city at night. It was all so beautiful to me! I couldn't believe that people would just walk by the store fronts and not stand there in awe at every thing to see.

I've never been in a Nine West before. I stood in front of the glass separating me from thousands of shoes and I whispered, "Dave, it's all shoes. A store full of cute shoes!"

He was a patient man through out the trip! Very, very patient. :)

It was so wonderful for us to be together. It was so different for us to be able to focus on each other instead of tending to a million other things calling out for our attention. It just meant the world to me to be able to do this. I am beyond thankful that Dave's mom was willing to stay with the boys so that we could indulge in this sweet time away (She did my laundry and dishes too!).

We loved riding the train.

Once we were in the city we walked all over and it felt so good!

We had a beautiful hotel room,

tasted the best food,

saw gorgeous sights,

loved Shedd aquarium,

got a little bit freaked out at the 4-D movie experience at the aquarium,

Cracked ourselves up over how often we thought about, and brought up, the boys,

Kept saying, "Oh, Jay would LOVE this" or "That little boy looks just like Noe!" and "Doesn't that remind you of K?" Notice the little bag of bath tub toys we purchased at Shedd Aquarium. It strapped nicely to the back of our back pack. Couldn't stop thinking about them.

Missed them, because they are a part of us, but enjoyed every single minute of "just us".

Oh, and the Cheesecake Factory?! One of my new favorite places on earth. :) Wow. Seriously.

So, obviously there is alot I could write about. I will never forget our time away.

But there was one little surprise stop we made before we even got on the train to head into the city Thursday afternoon which out shined any memory we could've made on the trip. And I can not go on without telling you about it. Because I just can't. Nope. I would have writers block if I tried.

It wasn't a surprise stop to me or Dave, we had planned it weeks ago. We planned our trip around it. This trip was originally a celebration of our eighth wedding anniversary. But it truly became a celebration of life. New life.

A beating heart that brought tears to my eyes.

Before heading out to Chicago, we stopped at my doctors office. I had an ultra sound which confirmed that I am 8 weeks pregnant with a healthy baby.

So as we sat on the train next to each other we held hands and quietly talked about the possibilities, about our thankfullness, our relief.

As we walked through the streets of the city, and in and out of shops, our minds were never too far from the child we have yet to meet, but feel very hopeful that we will.

As we passed by restaurant after restaurant Dave continually laughed at the look of longing on my face and we giggled over the familiar symptoms which plagued me. 'Casue really, I am hungry all the time. And it makes us laugh.

I certainly know there are no guarantees in this life. I know. Because of our miscarriage last year, I have spent some anxious moments in prayer. I have struggled to hold on to hope.

I also know that we will be okay no matter what happens. I know that as I closed my eyes and just listened intently to the sweet music that was that heart beating I felt a peace and deep thankfulness from somewhere deep inside of me. Some where that has known hurt and disappointment as well as the deepest kind of joy.

And I pray that, Lord willing, we will learn, grow, and blossom into a family of 6 this fall.

My due date is October 22nd.

Oh, and because I'm sure most of you really came by to see if I chose toothbrush or cute shoes, I solved it by wearing some comfy and cute flats and packing the tooth brush. :)