Less Big News

Just wanted to share a couple of newsy things that--while not quite comparing with last week's big news (BABY!!)--are still pretty cool.

First up, Ministry Matters, the awesome new website for church leaders I am working on, is very close to launch now, so if you haven't seen this promo video or signed up for Beta, check it out!


Ministry Matters Preview from Ministry Matters on Vimeo.

And secondly, the United Methodist News Service did an article about the trip to Israel Matt and twelve other young clergy went on recently. This pic of Matt putting prayers (including not just his, but mine and those of folks at our church) in the cracks of the Wailing Wall was on the front page of UMC.org.

I only wish he'd let me photoshop the pic first, since seeing the tag of his translucent yarmulke drives me nuts. But anyway!

I'm still zonked out and pretty useless in the evenings, but I'll get back to the regular blogging soon, I hope. My "morning" sickness will probably last the whole pregnancy, like last time, but if I recall, the complete exhaustion passes at some point. Right? Please tell me I'm right :0)

Big News!

Our family has gotten some big news in the last couple weeks:

We're moving back to Nashville!!

We are so excited about this change, glad to be going back to the area where most of our friends and some of our family are, where I work (goodbye 50-mile commute!), and where Matt and I feel at home. Matt doesn't want to reveal the church that he's being appointed to until he's sure all appropriate parties (i.e. the people at that church) have been told, but from what we know, it looks like it's going to be a good fit. AND, it doesn't have a parsonage, which means we get to buy our own home. The church move will be in June, so we are looking at houses and hope to move in late May or early June. We are so, so excited for this opportunity.

I bet you thought our "big news" was that we are pregnant again, didn't you? 

That's what people always think when they see a post title like that.

And in this case, you would be right!

We're expecting another baby!!

We are due October 30, and are so excited for another addition to our family. I'm only 8 weeks along, but we felt ready to tell the world. With Kate, we kept it just between Matt and I for four weeks, telling family at 8 weeks and everybody else not long after that. This time, we found out literally moments before I took Matt to the airport for his Israel trip, so I just had to tell my parents and some close friends right away, at 4.5-5 weeks, or I would have gone crazy while he was gone. We told Matt's parents as soon as he got back from Israel (so that he could be there when we told them) and have been gradually letting the cat out of the bag since then.

I've been in the "exhausted" phase for the last few weeks, totally useless in the evenings and napping whenever I can on the weekends. I started feeling sick last week, and the "morning" sickness is picking up some steam, I think. I got sick throughout my pregnancy with Kate, so I would expect no less this time. Preggie Pop Drops are my friend.

Kate--to the extent she can understand--is excited about the baby. She loves babies, and I can ask her, "Kate, where is Mommy's baby?" and she'll point to my stomach (which is already pouching out a little, I think. I hear you show a lot earlier with subsequent children, but it could be just a subconscious decision not to suck in my baby-flab anymore. Who knows.)

We used this cute "big sister" shirt to share the news with the grandparents.

So in short, 2011 is going to be a big year for us!

Irish Lad and Lassies

Have I mentioned that I love minor holidays? This St. Patty's Day, we didn't do anything to celebrate other than wear green, but I do love it when everyone is wearing green, and I feel compelled to take a family photo. Here's this year's gem:

Yes, we cut the top of Matt's head off, but I thought Kate's "cheese!" was terrific.

And here's the comparison of the last three years:

I wear the same sweater every year.

My dad says we should wear orange on St. Pat's because we're Protestants, but even if we're Kelleys (Protestant spelling) rather than Kellys (traditionally, the Catholic spelling), we're still good Irish lads and lassies!  

Kate Pooped on the Potty!!

I won't get any more graphic than the title here, but she did it this morning and we hooped and hollered. Just when I was thinking how pointless it was to sit there reading Curious George to her while she just sat and went through the motions as usual and I needed to be getting ready... suddenly, success!

I figured this news was worthy of my first blog post all week! I've been a really lazy blogger lately--too busy and tired in the evenings, but I'll get back in the swing of things soon, I hope.

Part of the reason for my slacking in the blog department is that we're getting closer and closer to the launch of Ministry Matters! So if you or someone you know is a church leader, check out http://www.ministrymatters.com/ for thousands of free resources for ministry. You can sign up now to be notified when we launch in beta, and you can follow us on twitter, www.twitter.com/ministrymatters, and very soon, we'll go LIVE! You don't want to miss it.

Kate threw a block...

Kate threw a block across the family room this morning

so of course, we said "Kate, don't throw blocks!"

and I had to add, "that was a really good throw, though. Later, we'll go outside and throw a ball."

But like a dog who hears "walk" and wants to go out rightthisverysecond

Kate became quite determined to go outside right then.

And that's how we ended up playing outside in our pajamas

at 7:30 in the morning.

Rainy Saturday

It's a very rainy day here (as it was on Monday, when we took these pics of Kate in her rain gear), so it would be a perfect day for staying in, reading and watching movies, and napping--I conked out at 8pm last night, so I was wide awake at 3. But there are other things we need (and want) to do, like going grocery shopping, going to Target, and going "bounce-bounce" at the local bouncy place.

 It may be wet and yucky outside, but that just means we get to wear our cute boots and raincoats!

 And when we come back for naptime, we can rest, and Mommy can keep reading Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street (before falling asleep herself!)

And tonight, Daddy returns from the Holy Land! They wrapped up yesterday with a day in Jerusalem, the highlights of which were the Wailing Wall and all the holy sites on and near the Temple Mount. Read his write-up of the day here.

Have a great day!

Fun with Grandparents

While Matt's away in Israel (read his live-blogging of the trip), Kate is having a lot of good time with her grandparents, who eagerly take on child care for what would normally be Daddy-Daughter Days, and then some.

My mom came to stay with us for several days and we had some great girl-time, shopping and dining out. She and Kate had fun playing with the play kitchen and farm and other toys...

... and, of course, reading lots of books!

And during Kate's naps, Mom cleaned, because she just can't help herself. For the record, though, Kate and I vacuumed the night before her arrival. This was Kate winding up the cord and saying "all done fafuum!"

And now, Kate and I are spending several days with Matt's parents so they can keep her during the day and I can have a much shorter commute. They've been enjoying having tea parties...

 ... eating pastries...

 ... trying on hats ...

... and going to the park.

 They also went to the zoo to see the new elephants, baby giraffe, and Kate's "adopted" meerkat. The Daddy giraffe came right up to the edge of his habitat, which was very cool, though Kate clearly did not see it as a Kodak moment.

At some point while walking miles around the zoo, Kate discovered the pockets in her skirt, and walked around like this, leading many strangers to comment what a chill child she is! (little do they know!)

I've been chopped liver for the past few days, but that's okay. Grandparents are more fun than parents any day!