Jastef

We tried SO hard to not catch this nasty flu virus that was going around... but it found us. Families at church that had it were kind and stayed away till they were healthy, we brought our wipes out shopping with us and sanitizer to the park and everything. Proof that you can never do too much.

Ethan has been running pretty high fevers (until we give him Tylenol) for the past 24 hours. Scared me last night when he came in our room at 1am I asked him what was wrong and he said "I actually don't feel good" I touched his forehead and it was burning up. Took his temperature and sure enough... 104.8!! He and I were up killing the fever and drinking fluids until 4am, so it was a bit of a rough night. But, fun time together. I sang every song I've ever memorized (shockingly very few) and talked about why and how Jesus could walk on water -- Ethan is very mesmerized by that story. He was definitely not his normal self today. Laid on the couch most of the day and would occasionally decide to wander in the playroom, but only lasted about 20 minutes each time.

Rachel seems totally normal, but I noticed tonight, her cough is not sounding good. I'm really hoping she does okay at least until Saturday. She and Mommy have a Princesses on Ice date Saturday morning and I'm really hoping we can make it.

Anyway, life will be quiet and dull for us until we're healthy! Please pray that Jason and I will stay healthy.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Rachel and I took off for the day to visit some friends in San Fransisco! We had so much fun together. I rarely go places with just Rachel, so the day started off feeling a bit odd, but turned out to be such fun Mommy and Daughter time. Rachel was a little off at first. She was not happy that we left Ethan at Nana's house and she acted very out of sorts for the first hour or so in S.F -- kept asking "where's E-E?" and when I would tell her he was at Nana's house, she would reply with "I miss a brudder" (which is "I miss my brother"). Too cute, I know.

We drove in this time and made great time! Laura lives over by Golden Gate park and with light traffic at the bridge we still got there in less than an hour and a half! The weather could not have been more beautiful... When we were crossing the Bay Bridge we could see the Golden Gate crystal clearly. Such a sight! We met the girls at the best hot dog place ever. They serve all organic food and I never would have guessed organic hot dogs could be that delicious. The place is called Underdog for you yelp people out there. :)

After lunch we ventured over to a park and let the girls play their hearts out. Kind of fun fact -- its one of the same parks that I used to play at when I was as young as Rachel. Same playground and all! Jenna is 3 weeks older than Rachel, so they're pretty much at the same place in life, development wise. They were quite funny together; didn't really mind each other's company, but they weren't all over each other either. We played at the park for a while and then went to the lake and fed the ducks and then walked on the most beautiful trail through GG Park. I took lots of pictures that I'll upload tonight.

It was SO fun finally spending time with Laura. We met... I have no idea how many years ago. Our parents may have even met each other before we were born (mom, if you read this maybe you'll remember). Laura and I really haven't hung out together since I was probably 15, but have been able to keep in touch through emailing, facebook and now the wonderful world of instant messenger! :)

After our time with Laura and Jenna we drove into the business district (wasn't that a fun experience!) and picked Jason up from work. Jason's manager was awesome and let him leave at 3pm and drive home with us. Loads of fun having Daddy's company in the car on the way home. Rachel was a big hit in the office. She hasn't seen his coworkers since last July and she's changed quite a bit since then, so they were all thrilled to get the chance to see her. On the way through Walnut Creek we stopped in at our favorite restaurant P.F Changs and had a yummy early dinner. Rachel loved the alone time with us and soaked it all up.

It was super cute to see her and Ethan reunite at the end of the evening... screams of delight, arms around each other, hugs, kisses "I missed you!!" and more. Thanks to Laura and Jenna for the fun day. We're hoping to go back in April and spend a Saturday with the Dads this time.

Our kind and gracious God is, once again, blessing us with another child! Its true... I'm pregnant!! Life has been very exciting around here; the kids are both thrilled. Ethan's response was very cute -- he dropped everything, ran across the room and threw his arms around my neck and then said "Its because I prayed to Jesus about it -- I knew He would give me a baby!" Rachel obviously doesn't fully understand but she knows there's a baby in my tummy and often comes over and gives cute, gentle pats or little kisses. I'm sure it will start to really click when I'm showing. :)

Thank you to all of you who have already said you've been praying for our little one and for me as well. We really appreciate it! I've been blessed with very good pregnancies so far, but we don't want to be presumptuous, so we covet your prayers during the pregnancy.

So there's our news. Pictures and updates to follow in the coming months! -Stef... for all of us.

We've had a busy couple of weeks and are finally uploading pictures and details.... for those of you dying to know.

Last week the kids and I went to the Oakland Zoo with my Mom and the little girl she baby sits - we had a blast! The weather was amazing and it was Rachel's first visit since being a baby. She had a blast and enjoyed seeing all her favorite animals up close and personal. I think the monkeys were her most favorite. We rode the rides afterward and ended the day with many tears upon our departure.

Saturday night was birthday parties for Ethan and me, with Jason's side of the family. His Aunt Christine hosted a lovely party for us and we had a blast. We stayed way too late, but enjoyed every minute of it.

We had some long time friends from Livermore come to church with us on Sunday... such a blast to see them again! I don't have pictures from this, but we enjoyed their visit very much. After church we all, plus my parents had a yummy lunch and just a wonderful time of good fellowship.

Sunday afternoon we packed the car and ventured up to the Auburn/Grass Valley area to spend the holiday weekend with friends. On Monday Jason went skiing with the guys and they had SO much fun! I was happier to hear about the day, rather than being there. They took some spills and had fun being guys, that's for sure. I think Jase is going to download some pix from his cell phone for you all to see. We spent 2 nights up there and had so much fun with our friends, enjoyed the relaxing time and really enjoyed being out in the beautiful mountains. You can see the Sierra Nevadas from their back window (I got pictures) and its just breath taking; covered in snow and so majestic. They took the kids and I on a walk of their property line yesterday and we got to see horses, llamas and deer. So fun!

We're home now, finished unpacking, the laundry is going and we're kicking back. Hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Enjoy the pix.

 Ed(jase): Photos uploaded Wed AM :)  I didn't get too many, but we had a great time; the weather was perfect and the snow was pretty good.  I got one mouthful of snow, but we all managed to get through the day without any really  major biffs. 

Our Pastor sent this email/article out today and I wanted to share it with you all. I posted about Marion Lawrence a few days ago. He passed away on the 11th and this is his life's story... summed up.

Marion Donald Lawrence was a dedicated husband who deeply loved his church, served as an airplane mechanic in the Pacific during World War II, and was a friend to strangers. He died on February 11, 2008 at the age of 89. Born on July 4, 1918 in Vernon, Illinois to William and Hattie Lawrence, he had two older brothers, Dean and Herschel Lawrence. He graduated from high school in Vandalia, Illinois and shortly thereafter joined the Army Air Corps. He was in the service for five years, and served three of those years in New Guinea during World War II. He was given an honorable discharge from the military with a military rank of Master Sergeant. During his career with the Air Corps, he earned a number of badges including: Distinguished Unit Badge, Good Conduct Ribbon, American Defense Service Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, and 5 Overseas Service Bars.

After leaving the military, Marion went to work for United Airlines, and enjoyed a career as a mechanic for 35 years. It was during that time he met his beloved wife Nancy Wolfenden, and they were were married at First Baptist Church in Burlingame, California on August 18, 1965. It was also at this time that Marion was appointed a deacon of First Baptist Church of San Mateo. Marion continued to serve as a deacon the rest of his life. When they moved to Auburn, he ministered at First Baptist Church of Auburn, and then later served at Calvary Community Church in Brentwood.

Marion loved to serve in the church, and wanted everything he did to glorify his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While at the church in San Bruno and later in San Mateo, he taught a boys sunday school class. He continued this pattern when he and Nancy attended the church in Burlingame. There he taught a high school age class. Marion was known for calling on visitors, not only to the church, but also to the community. When he was living in Auburn, his pastor would give him a list of new visitors to the city, and Marion and Nancy would be among the first ones to welcome new people to town and make them feel at home. He brought that same warmth and hospitality when he would visit those in rest homes, and those who were sick in the hospital. Not only that, Marion and Nancy would open up their home every week for the last six years to teach and minister to people in their church.

Marion also took great joy out of life. As any good mechanic, he loved his garage full of tools, and was known for doing all of his own automobile work. He also loved to work in the yard, growing his own fruits and vegetables to enjoy. He was a man who took rest in working with his hands, and even loved to “putter around the house.” When he was not on the move, Marion loved to read.

One pastor has called deacons “ministers of mercy,” and Marion Lawrence is a man who was faithful to the calling of the deacon ministry. By his life and example, he could say along with the Apostle Paul, “Follow me as I follow Christ.” He is survived by many nieces and nephews, and though he never had any physical children, his years of investing his life into so many lives has given birth to a multitude of spiritual children and grandchildren who will rise up and call him blessed in the life to come. In the meantime, he has gone home to be with his God and Savior Jesus Christ, and what a day that was when he heard those words, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.”

We're all sickos this weekend. Not fun... but so thankful for this nice, warm weather! When Jason and Rachel wake up from their naps, we're going to walk to the park and let the kids get some sun exposure. We missed church today, which was very sad. I don't think we've missed church in a very long time - not all of us at least. The morning was very sad feeling and empty. I hate being sick. I'm so thankful for the ability to listen to our sermons online! Yay. Still not the same as being there...

I have nothing really to say, other than that. Rachel is talking a lot these days. Its been fun to hear her learn how to put 3-4 words together! Ethan told me this morning that he wants to learn how to ride tractors, now that he's three. He also told me that when he's older, he's going to ride a motorcycle just like Papa's. Mommy wasn't too thrilled about that announcement. I keep reminding myself that I probably put myself in just as much (if not more danger) when I enter the freeway in my van.

We're going to enjoy this mommy and son time and play cars. Have a great week everyone!