going to be a family of 3...

So, if you weren't at Northside Methodist on Christmas eve, or if we haven't personally told you already, you probably don't know yet that John and I are expecting! I am due July 21st, so we are just about into the 2nd trimester. We were in Atlanta for Christmas and therefore able to share the news with friends and family, which was great, some the reactions were priceless...I think my favorite was John's cousin, who was confused for a minute when we showed him the ultrasound picture, and when it clicked, just shouted, "No Shit!" It was pretty funny because he was one of the last to know, so we were all waiting for a reaction, and we got one! If you were at Northside on the 24th, specifically at the 7:00 service, then you would know that Mike, my father in law, who is a music minister there, announced the news from the lectern just before the service started...yeah, wasn't expecting that, so it was a tad embarrassing. But, I cant blame him, he's going to be a grandfather for the first time, so he's excited. Other than this big news, we are doing great up here in the northeast. The snow and ice are pretty constant, which we dont mind at all...John has gotten into the shoveling, which I dont mind AT ALL! This semester John has actually gotten a Research Assistant position at school, which will pay for tuition, provide health benefits, and pay a stipend every month. It is a huge load of our shoulders financially, and he is really excited about it...so, it's just another confirmation that we made the right decision moving up here. And, as for my work, I actually had to get a new job in November because the school I was at in Hartford was in despair. The verbal abuse I suffered every day working there was not worth the money I was making. So, thankfully, a woman I worked with told me about her son, who is a principal, was looking for a language arts teacher, which is not normal in November, and I was able to interview with him and he offered me the job on the spot. I really like my new school, they are supportive and it is a healthy environment; I can actually teach. That's the short version of what's been going on. One of my new years goals is to start updating here more often, at least once a week...so today is Wednesday, hopefully by next Wednesday, you will have another update. Here is a picture of the ultrasound, it's not very good yet...I will definitely post another one later. When you look at it, the baby is the blobby looking thing to the left of the black circle...the picture didnt upload correctly, sorry! Hopefully you can figure it out, if not ask someone who's been pregnant before!