Introducing...

{Insert sono pic here when you finally get the gumption to do it!}

Jacob William Evans

Jake is due to arrive to our family on February 18th. However, due to my previous experiences with preeclampsia with both Joey and Andy we expect to see him much (but hopefully not TOO much) earlier than mid-February.

Many people have asked (or probably wondered) why we decided to find out this time if we were having a boy or a girl. The short answer is that due to my history and the complications surrounding Andy's birth (short version-he was born at 33 weeks, his umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck 3 times, he was born a dark blue color, and they spent more than 7 minutes working on him before he began to breathe on his own. His Apgar scores were 0,1, and 3. Yikes. Now you know what I have had a hard time writing his birth story and it's never published on my blog), we wanted this baby to be named before his birth so that those of you that are pray-ers can pray for him by name. Now, don't get me wrong. Daniel and I believe that God hears our prayers regardless of whether we pray for Jake by name or not. But...as humans I feel that we attach ourselves better to people, babies, whatever if we know their name (you know, like your mom would always tell you not to name that stray puppy so you didn't get attached to him because you weren't allowed to keep him). So, we are asking that you pray for both Jake and I during the remaining weeks of my pregnancy. Please pray that my blood pressure continues to stay where it is (right now it's VERY good) for many, many more weeks. We're hoping to keep Jake "cooking" until sometime in January (34-38 weeks). Also please pray for Jake...that he continues be healthy and to grow (maybe even a tiny bit faster than "normal"!). One of the biggest assets Andy had in his corner when he was born was that he was bigger than "normal" babies his age and his lungs were developed enough since he was so big. Had he, and his lungs, been smaller he would have had many more complications. So far, things are looking really good and we appreciate your continued prayers and thoughts.

So...there you have it. Another boy in the Evans' house. I think I'm going to have to do something drastic around here to even out the testosterone a bit. :o)

a long-overdue wordless wednesday

Breakfast

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Food Blogs

I've totally gotten into food blogs lately. I really like The Pioneer Woman and Brown Eyed Baker. What's your favorite food blog? Any others I should check out?

The Cat's Out of the Bag

Well...this Mama's going back to work. There, I said it. No, I don't really want to and yes, I'd rather stay at home. But I'll be frank (yet somewhat private/vague). We're struggling. Big time. And we have been for a while. We've thought and prayed a lot. And short of selling our house or cars(neither of which would help us out all that much anyway), we've decided this is what we need to do. Daniel and I always make decisions based on what we feel is best for our family. And while I'd rather have my children at home with me everyday, we both really feel that being able to better provide them with basic necessities (and happier, less-stressed parents) is more important at this point.

So..I'm looking for a teaching job. It's a little harder this time around (something about the economy and budget cuts and cutting teacher positions...). Ideally, I'd like to go back to my old school. Right now they're scheduled to lose six positions at that particular school. We'll see. I'm also thinking about getting my Special Ed. certification. That would allow me more job opportunities as I could teach either General or Special Ed and, if I did Special Ed, I could teach at any grade level. In the meantime I'm looking for some kind of tutoring position somewhere that can get us through the summer. My mom has (very graciously) offered to come stay with us and keep the kids until we can find a more permanent child-care arrangement. That puts me at ease a little. I've never wanted my kids in daycare and now, having a preemie, I'm going to be even more picky and where they are and who they're with. Hopefully we can find an in-home situation or an affordable/reliable nanny.

So please join me in prayer. Please pray:
*that I (quickly) find some kind of tutoring position to help ease some of our financial stress
*that I find a teaching position for the Fall in the right place doing the right job (whatever that may be)
*that I pass the Special Ed certification test the first time around
*that after the job situation is settled that we may find just the right person to care for our kids.

Many thanks!