Stickers

Who knew stickers could be so much fun??  Happy FIVE months, Samuel!

Down he goes...

Here is a short video of Samuel's first fall. Daddy thought he could balance sitting up on his own. Let's just say Daddy was wrong :)

Baby Update

I'm back!

I cannot decide if I'm going to stick with the blogging thing or not, so anyone who wants me to...speak up! Anyways, I thought I would keep a log of my growing belly, but I haven't exactly been good at taking pictures. As of today, I am 25 weeks and 6 days pregnant! WOW! So hard to believe. We have decided on a name: Samuel David Hartman. We were gonna go with David Randall Hartman, III; but, one night Randy couldn't sleep and woke up telling me that he felt that he was "told" the name should be Samuel. Pretty cool considering I used to like the name and he didn't, and that the name means "heard of God" and that's basically what Randy did to come up with that name. Anyways, I hope it fits the little man...who may be called Sam but NOT Sammy, please :)

He is quite the kicker these days, and I could have been certain he was doing flips the other night! So far all is well and healthy. I feel great and I hope it keeps up. I'm trying to walk pretty regularly so I don't gain toooo much weight, but I have definitely been enjoying some extra food here and there.

One realization I have had that has humbled me is getting my bridesmaid dress for Michelle's wedding (for those of you who don't know I am matron of honor on October 22nd. Good thing her dresses aren't orange or I would look just like a pumpkin) Anyways, at the beginning of summer I measured into a 4. They wanted me to get an 8 but I said make it a 10. WELL...the 10 is already too tight thanks to the cumberbund (sp?) with boning, so my newest dress size for this wedding is a 14. THAT was a humbling moment.

My wonderful mom came in town to paint the little man's room, which is easily going to be the nicest room in the house (of course :) ). My aunt helped her too, and the brown/gray walls (I call it mushroom) will be great with all of the bright colors we are using. My three favorite items will be: the crib Jodi and I used painted yellow, the homemade quilt to be sewn by my mother-in-law, and the fabulous yellow and white chevron curtains my precious Anna Grace is making.

Here are some pictures for you all to enjoy:

*Randy wanted Henry in every pic, hehe. And, you can look at the frames I placed on the ledge to eventually put different artwork in. That never happened and so now there is a long candleholder which I love, and I am hoping to get a moon-shaped table to go against that wall with a lamp.

Barrrely starting to show at 17 weeks.

19 (almost 20 weeks) and wearing maternity clothes.

Henry is going to LOOOVE Samuel.

25 weeks (horrible pic, I know) and getting way out there!

I'm growing by the minute these days, and my students just love asking me questions about my baby, touching it, jabbing it, saying hi to Samuel....anything and everything! Also, it has been a great "conversation starter" with some of the refugee women I come in contact with because they each have about 11 children, so they just LOVE that I'm pregnant!

GREAT News for the Hartmans

So, I know I have 2+ months to catch you up on, filled with things like: the Country Music Half-Marathon, Easter weekend in Ohio, Randy officially being a FOURTH year Dental Student, beginning of summer, family lake trip at Tim's Ford, a visit from Rob, Jen and crew, Matt and Kari's wedding, and home renovations.

But before I recount the last two months, let me explain why I have been on a blogging hiatus...

I'm...

PREGNANT! It's true...and most of you already know! This coming week marks 13 weeks, with the due date being December 28th. It will be an exciting Christmas at the Hartman home. Randy and I are so excited and thankful for such a blessing from God. There are so many thoughts, fears, emotions, anticipations, etc. about raising our first child. I cannot wait to see Randy as a dad (Happy first Father's Day to him by the way). We are both extremely blessed to be surrounded by support from family and friends who will help guide us along the way. Mom and Dad, I hope we can provide a home for our child with as much love and happiness as you made for me and Jodi. At this point, the best support we can get is prayer...please pray for the health and growth of our child, and for Randy and I to raise a joyful child with a heart for the Lord.

Spring in the Bing

It has been one busy spring, and I have not been a good blogger. When the weather gets this warm, I just don't think to spend the time to update this thing...but for those of you dying to know what our life has been like the past month, here you go:

First, we had a party!! Not us, me and the girls from Girls Club threw a going away party for two amazing women heading out to the Middle East to serve as disciples of Christ in one of the darkest countries on earth...and that is why they are going there: to reach the unreached. Their role in the community? One is a doctor and one a nurse practitioner. Anyways, they are amazing and it was the Burundi girls' idea to have this big ole party and they did ALL the cooking. Oh, and it was a surprise!
Handmade banner and streamers decorated the Hebron house.
Party hats, and one random stowaway baby girl, were included.
A botched attempt at getting their faces :(
Yummy...on the menu? Goat, rice, African donuts (don't remember the name) and chapati (definitely didn't spell that right, but the most delicious tortilla like thing ever), Oh, and cabbage- African cuisine ALWAYS has cabbage.




Me and Susan, isn't she the cutest little thing ever? Last weekend I got to carry her around the neighborhood tied to my back with some fabric wrapped around then tied :)
The gang minus me. We will miss you, Michele and Stephanie. "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings good tidings, who proclaims salvation, and who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"" Isaiah 52:7

Other things keeping us busy this spring....hanging out with Henry, the 100+ lb. puppy.
We brought over some neighborhood kids to paint and goof off. Meet Rosa...
And Mohammad...
And Sammy...

Randy played a trick on Frank and locked him in Henry's dog cage.
We got a porch swing that we are currently in the process of staining.
I bought two pieces of yard sale furniture that will need to be refurnished/repainted. Fun projects for the summer!

And I finally got around to painting this 70's style sideboard for the dining room.
Finished product.

Not pictured: Binghampton Bayou Bash

My dad came into town (missed you, Mom) to visit us and it happened to be the day of the Bayou Bash: all you can eat crawfish and cornhole tournament. The "reluctant in-laws" (that was their team name) did well but didn't take home the prize...my dad of course was disappointed in this seeing as he really likes to win. We got to spend the rest of the short weekend with him and loved having him visit. Next time, we will hopefully have longer and I won't have to be in a bad mood from running an 11 mile run (of which Randy and my dad randomly drove by and yelled "Run Faster!!"...bad move, boys!)

And, of course, with the warm weather, we have been playing in the park. If you live in Memphis, come visit Binghampton park on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon...I guarantee you you won't be bored :)
Americans vs. Africans soccer game.



Happy Spring! There is less than two weeks until my Half Marathon, so you will hear about that soon. Hope you all take time this Holy Week to read and meditate on the Word. Thursday we will be attending our 3rd Seder Feast and then be spending Easter with family :)

10

I ran 10 miles this morning. And it was a PAIN. Seriously, every bone in my body ached. But, I was so proud of myself (and my awesome running partner) when it was finished. For those of you who know Memphis and where I currently live, we ran down N. Parkway to the Pyramid (which is basically the Mississippi River a.k.a. the end of Tennessee) then over to Poplar where we ran all the way back. Geez, it hurts even to relive it in writing. Too bad I have to run 11 next weekend.

Anyways, I thought I'd do a top ten since I ran ten miles and I am way behind in blogging:

1. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I have had two huge prayers answered the past couple of weeks, the first being that my Pa is now recovering after having some very scary days in the hospital. He is in rehab to get his strength back but they think he will go home this week, which is incredible!

(Here he is behind my mom...he is about to turn 84 years old, or 85? I don't remember)
2. Jacob Daniel Hartman was born on Monday of last week, and mom and baby are healthy and great! Isn't he precious? I haven't gotten to see him in person yet, but can't wait until we can. He is a pretty special kid to have Dan, Jenna, and Luke as family. We can't wait to love on our little nephew. As Mamaw says, the Hartmans are now past having enough to form a basketball team, so she is now hoping for a Hartman football team!
3. We did 3 things over Spring Break that I am proud of....we completely redid the landscaping in our front yard; super organized and condensed our closet; and painted a credenza I had bought off of Craigslist for our dining room.

4. WE HAVE GRASS! Who would have thought it would be such a happy thing to say you have grass in your yard? Well, for those of us who live in dirt/mud, it is about the happiest thing to happen to your lawn (especially if you have a dog).

5. Henry is officially the slowest dog in the neighborhood, I don't even know why I try anymore. note: Randy would like for me to mention that his dog is "slow" in the context of running, not his mental capabilities.

6. Giving up sweets has been really, really hard. Especially those days when it was so warm and everyone wanted to go get ice cream. It has been a very good reminder of what this time of the year is for in getting our hearts and minds ready to celebrate Easter Sunday.

7. The refugee girls from Girl's Club planned the sweetest going away party ever for two girls in the neighborhood who are leaving soon to preach the gospel in Afghanistan. What a special night! I am so thankful for the work that will be done in God's name thanks to these two disciples.

8. We are anxiously awaiting and praying for our nephew (yes, another boy) who wants to come way too early. Hang in there, Reed (and Jen)...we cannot wait to meet you! One more boy to join the Hartman football team. Gosh I hope I don't disappoint the family one day!?!

Another baby I cannot wait to meet? Audrey Belle, who should be born this week! :)

9. I booked a flight to visit my bestie in SAN DIEGO! I cannot wait. T minus 4 months Kelsa!

10. For the first time in my teaching career, I am excited about teaching next year. At this time of year I am usually nervous and scared about the upcoming year, but this time I cannot wait to have another year of teaching the little kiddos at my school. Looks like Elementary School is where I need to be!

Why?

This is the question I have asked myself numerous times over the past several weeks...WHY? But despite my doubts, I "drank the koolaid" and decided to register to run the Country Music Half Marathon on April 30th. You see, it has always been a dream of mine, a "bucket list" if you will, and so many people in my neighborhood are doing it that I jumped on the band wagon. Now, for those of you that think I literally just signed up and that's it, you will be happy to know that I have been training. I have been running about 5-6 days a week and have gotten up to a SIX mile run. That's more than I ever did when running Cross Country (contrary to what my coaches probably hoped I did). So here I am getting up at 5:20 am to run with a 100 lb dog who is as slow as they come. Luckily, when I run in the afternoons I go with my friend Sarah and her dog who keeps Henry running like a champ. The long runs I have done on Saturdays, and I have yet to do any other exercising like crunches, push-ups, etc....I guess I should be starting that soon.

Anyways, another WHY question is WHY do I always choose desserts to give up on Lent? The answer is simple: because it is the hardest. Harder than coffee, harder than Facebook, texting, etc. Just plain hard. But I do it because it helps me remember that I am not the one in control, it is God, and he is really the only thing I need. I can do without desserts for forty days and it WILL NOT KILL ME! After all, we rely way too much on getting our comfort and satisfaction from food therapy, retail therapy, massage therapy, you name it, while we should be relying on God to be the source of fulfillment. So goodbye, sweets. But you better believe that tomorrow, Fat Tuesday to those celebrating, I will be living it up with the sweets!

On the agenda? El Toro Loco for some Mexican (Randy is giving up cokes so he will throw several back with his mexican food) and then YoLo for ice cream! Good thing I'm training for a marathon, right?!