The tradition lives on...

Four years ago this Christmas a tradition was started between Josh, myself and Damian Barnette. The tradition is seeing a movie Christmas night. The past three movies have been Sweeny Todd, Valkyrie and Sherlock Holmes. This years pick was "True Grit" and there was a new and very much welcomed addition this year, Danielle. It was a great movie and Josh and I are now excited to view the original "True Grit". We look forward to continuing this tradition for many more years to come. We also hope to enjoy the company of Damian and Danielle for years to come as well. Looking forward to tradition 2011.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

This weekend the Burke family kicked off the holiday season with the annual Fredericksburg Christmas parade. We got to hang out with the Garman and Fauth families. We have officially declared a new tradition. Josh and I decided that we will get to the parade early to get good seats, then after the parade is over we will eat downtown. We did this Saturday with the Garmans' and it worked wonderful. We ate at one of our favorites Bangkok Thai then by the time we finished, the traffic was all cleared out of town it was great. We had a great time. Then it was on to Sunday. We greatly enjoyed hanging out with some of our favorite people the Sperlazzas' and Dowker. Since the majority of the construction is done at the Burke home we can now have guests over again. It was great to have these friends over for French Dip Sandwiches and a day of football. This is where things get bad and then ugly. If it wasn't bad enough that the Redskins failed miserably, then the 4pm game had to come along in which the Cowboys won and that is never pretty. However that evening Josh and I finished the evening on a good note by watching one of our favorite holiday movies "The Family Stone". We watch it every Christmas season and we love it. Overall good weekend and we are looking forward to the remainder of December 2010.

New Fall Tradition....

This year due to our new addition to the family Josh and I decided not to attend any Halloween parties. Therefore, we volunteered to babysit. This allowed us to spend some quality time with our niece and start a new tradition. We had a bonfire on the back deck, we roasted hot dogs followed by eating dinner around the fire. For dessert we made Smores, which was especially exciting because Sydney had never had one before. They were so yummy as usual. Ainsley was a trooper as well and sat with us around the fire, she loves watching bright lights so the fire was her favorite. It was a great time and we have officially decided to make it an annual event.

Date Night Numero Uno!!

Saturday night was the first of I hope many date nights. Josh and I decided to leave Ainsley with my parents and go out for a movie. We were planning on going to Wendy's for dinner (my favorite), however once Jonathan Burke heard that he quickly made fun of us so we changed our plans. We were going to see "The Town" at Muvico, great movie by the way. So we decided to splurge and eat at the little VIP lounge. This turned out to be quite the expensive date and I pray there are not too many more of these financially speaking. Overall it was a great time, I was able to spend a nice evening with my best friend, see a good movie, eat good food and Ainsley did great. Oh last but not least we ran into Bud and Lisa Thomason and that is always a treat. So date night number one was a success.

Two Weeks of Whirlwind....

I don't even know where to begin my head is still spinning. The last weekend in August we decided to squeeze in our maternity photo shoot with Lindsey Quann and boy are we lucky we did. Baby Burke was due to arrive September 16, ,2010, but surprise plans changed. My first day off work was August 31 and I had big plans for the next two weeks. I had lots of things to finish tying up before Ainsley's arrival. September 1, 2010 I had a doctors appt, at the appt Dr. Hines informed me that I was 2cm dilated and that I more than likely had two weeks to go. I left the appt not feeling great, but I had a few errands to run and I was meeting my mom that night to go to the grocery store. I was going to start preparing meals to freeze for the week the baby arrived. After running a few errands I came home and totally fell asleep I did not feel well at all. Needless to say I did not go to the grocery store. I made dinner for Josh and myself and my mom stopped by to fold some laundry for me. Around 7pm I started having irregular contractions they were not consistent so I figured they were Braxton Hicks. I was pretty uncomfortable, but I just kept truckin. Josh and I went to bed at 10:30pm and I had a lot planned to get done for the next day. Little did I know that at 10:45pm my water would break. Definitely a weird sensation! We immediately got up and called the doctor and my contractions were immediately 3 minutes apart. We were instructed to go to the hospital and boy was I thankful I had the bags already packed.

We arrived at the hospital around 11:30pm and I was 2min apart and 5 cm dilated. The contractions were pretty intense but with Josh's help I was able to get through them. However, an hour later I was 7cm and they were 1 min apart. At this point I was very uncomfortable and due to the length of the contractions I was getting no break. I chose to get the epidural so I could rest and so hopefully I could stop shaking. Our parents arrived at some point during all of this and they were obviously excited to meet their grandbaby. The epidural was wonderful, but I then required pitossin because my labor slowed down. Labor eventually picked back up and at 5:55am I was ready to push. Josh was the most wonderful coach ever, I could not have asked for a better help. I pushed roughly 20 min and our baby girl Ainsley was born at 6:21am. She was 6.2lb and 18 inches long. When her head popped out, she immediately looked at Josh he was so excited. She was so tiny and I was in awe of God's little miracle. We spent precious time with her just mommy and daddy before anyone else met her.

From that point forward I feel like my life has been a blur. The Mary Washington experience was a good one. We had lots of visitors, that we appreciated. Adjusting to all the newness was a little overwhelming, we were tired obviously and we definitely wanted to get back home. On Saturday the 4th we were discharged and able to bring our little girl home. This whole experience has been an emotional roller coaster, but I would not trade it for the world. Josh and I love her more than we can ever express in words and we are so grateful to the Lord for her health and the smooth labor. I could not have asked for things to go more smoothly with my labor and I truly am grateful to the Lord.

We are also so grateful to our family and friends for the help and support you have given. So many have helped with getting her room ready, helping us get our house in order, preparing meals and so much more. Thank you so much.

Leaving Much Like I Came

I started working at Bethany Christian Services in September 2003. When I came to Bethany I was in a tiny office off Little Page Street downtown. Daily there was no one in the office the majority of the time except myself. Today is my last day at Bethany and it is truly bittersweet, and it ends much the same way I started. At around 3pm I was the only one in the office finishing up a few last minute tasks before I leave for good. I have worked at Bethany for the past seven years as a pregnancy counselor. Helping women and families who are in need of positive options for their unborn children. Pregnancy Counseling has been a good match for me and I could not have seen myself doing anything else for the past seven years. Though I will miss Bethany I truly look forward to what God has in store. I hope to live every day to the fullest and not take any of the time I have to spend with my precious daughter for granted. The past seven years have flown by and I know Ainsley's little life will do the same. I am sad to close the "career" chapter of my life, but I am so excited to start the next chapter. I have been blessed to be able to serve women and children for the past seven years. Now I look forward to serving my husband and daughter and hopefully raising Ainsley to where she will seek to ultimately serve the Lord, but to also serve people.

Thank You Is Not Enough

Josh and I through this whole pregnancy experience have been overwhelmed with God's goodness to us. For the most part the pregnancy has gone smooth, my health has remained stable and really I have had no major complications. Back in March we made the decision to renovate the spare room and the living room as well. These decisions were some what necessary. Our spare room which would be the baby's nursery did not have proper working ventilation and we technically had two living rooms, so the upstairs one has become a dining room. Josh's dad stepped right in helping with the renovations, building etc, along with several other people. We can't say thank you enough for the help with the building side of things.

I know people must think I am a broken record because I am always writing these long posts thanking various people. I hope it will be a true reflection of how grateful I am to those individuals and ultimately God who has provided the help we need. Due to Josh being so busy with renovations the outside had needless to say turned into a jungle. Our grass was almost two feet high, the house needed power washing, the weeds needed to be pulled on top of the various other indoor things we still need to finish. This week proved to be very productive and we have many people to thank.

It started Thursday when Damian called and offered to come and cut our grass, huge help. This was followed up by the blessing tidal wave on Saturday. My mom and dad put a small work crew together to come declare jihad on the outside. HUGE help! The crew consisted of my mom, dad, Kevin D, Cierra, Tori and Charlie McElvy. The overall of what was accomplished was: house power washed, weed eating, back deck and furniture cleaned off, carpets laid in the basement, curtains ironed and the nursery finished being organized. Due to all this help it also helped Josh get a jump on getting the crown molding for the dinning room started and it allowed me to organize a few things I had been wanting to work on but did not have the time.

All in all Josh and I just want to say a huge thank you. Our house outside no longer looks like Sanford and Son and we no longer dread walking outside. We are grateful for everyone who has helped with all the recent projects, but this weekend was especially helpful and we are appreciative.

We've come a long way BABY

Finally, the nursery is done. Only a few minor things left like hanging pictures, curtains and that is pretty much it. Josh and I seriously don't want to embark on anymore home projects anytime soon. Josh hopes to finish up with the dining room very soon and then a break is in store. We were talking last night and we both said we can't believe how far the house has come since we purchased it 5 years ago. The bathroom has been completely redone, our bedroom painted and crown molding, lots of out door projects (though you would never know now!) We joke that our yard looks like "Sanford and Son". Then all the projects that have been done this summer with the nursery and dining room. We are looking forward to being finished and not having to come home to painters plastic being on the floor. Mostly I think we look forward to having people over again. Josh and I love our friends and the relationships we have built over the years and we LONGGGG to have those long time friends and new friends over soon!!!

Then last, but not least I have to say a HUGE thank you to my husband most of all and then to all of the many helpers. Josh has seriously been working every weekend since March on some sort of house project. He has sacrificed Triathlon season and his usual daily work out regimen. I am sure there is more of this to come as we both enter parenthood, but I am super thankful for him. We can't even begin to repay or thank everyone that has been sooo helpful. Our parents who have spent countless hours working on various things (cleaning, building, painting, brainstorming, moral support etc), Kevin D - demolition, Damian and Jonathan - various projects, Gerry Slack - complete HVAC renovation, Amber Slack - amazing paintings in the nursery, Charley McElvy - painting trim, My brother - yard work and several others, if I forgot anyone I am sorry. We are just overwhelmed with everyone's help and generosity. We look forward to welcoming our little girl home.

Were almost done!!

This is going to be a quick post. However, I have failed on my promise of blogging more. I can't believe how busy things can get. Well basically the nursery is almost done. We started back in March and boy has it taken a while, but the finished product is within reach. I will post a picture of the room in March and then some recent pictures. Again it is not completely finished, but almost. Paintings on wall will be finished this week, carpet goes in Saturday, touch ups every night this week and furniture begins to be set up next Sunday. Almost there. We are also almost done with our dining room project. Yes, the nursery turned in to a two room project. In the end it is worth it, because now we can have more people over for dinner than two!! Can't wait to show you the finished nursery project.

Happy Birthday!!

Yesterday, June 18, 2010 was my 29th birthday. I had the day off work so I pampered myself which is something I don't do often. I took time to do a manicure/pedicure, watched a movie, went and did a little shopping (mostly for Josh's birthday!!) and then met up with Jonathan and Josh up north for my Birthday dinner. Jonathan treated me to Sweetwater Tavern. It was good favorites. I got to meet a few people from Josh's new job as well as enjoy some tried and true friends. Kevin Dowker was in the mix and it was a joy to have him present. I have to say that Kevin is one of my and Josh's closest friends and we truly appreciate his friendship. Michelle and Rick, friends from Josh's last job were also in attendance, along with Leah my new "melting pot" partner!! I had a great time. It was a good dinner, gluten free dessert (warm flourless chocolate waffle) and great fellowship with family and friends. Josh of course had to sneak a present in there and spoiled me with a new "flash" for my camera. All in all it was a great time.

Has it really been five years??

October 22, 2010 will mark Josh and my five year anniversary. It doesn't feel like it has been that long, however it also doesn't feel like I have known Josh for 14 years. We weren't sure what we would be able to accomplish for our anniversary this year due to the baby being due to arrive the middle/end of September 2010. So we decided to sort of celebrate early. Josh and I haven't had a vacation just the two of us since our honeymoon, so we decided to take a quick weekend trip to DC. I honestly have to say it was one of the best trips we have ever been on. Neither of us wanted to come home. We got to do so much, but yet it was relaxing at the same time. We got a great deal on our hotel, I did not think staying in the city for four days for under $400 was a bad gig. The Capitol Hill suites was a good experience. We got to experience a few things in DC that we had never seen before. You would think growing up in Virginia, DC would be the last place you would want to go but there was so much we had not done before. The Holocaust, Ford's Theater, Spy Museum and the Botanical Gardens were all things one or both of us had yet to experience. I do have to admit the decision to walk all the way back to our hotel from Ford's theater was a bad choice. It was such a beautiful day though we could not resist. Let's just say toward the end of the walk my top shirt came off and my under shirt was lifted to expose my very "hot, round" belly! I was tempted to pull and Annie Garman and poor my water over my head, but I resisted. I am definitely thankful for the time Josh and I got to spend together. It was nice just to relax together, just the two of us with no chores, no projects and no major renovation construction in the background.

Baby Burke...

I will try to sum up the past four months of our lives. In January Josh and I found out I was pregnant. This was a little bit of a shock to us but all in all we were thankful. I had major sickness in the beginning of the pregnancy to the point that I decided during that time I was not having anymore kids!! Finally the sickness went away and I developed a low blood pressure issue, so we closely monitor that. I am roughly 22 weeks along and we found out two weeks ago that the baby is more than likely a girl. We are doing the nursery in Dr. Seuss and will be excited once we can start decorating. Currently the nursery is a construction zone due to it not having proper working ventilation and the floor was caving in on it. Josh is in frantic mode and is working quite diligently to get it finished before the baby's arrival. We have somewhat determined a name for the baby and are deciding whether we will share it or keep it secret until she arrives. We are thankful for so many people who God has put in our lives to help us on this journey. We have already been showered with so many things that will prove helpful once she arrives. We have greatly appreciated the guidance and wisdom given by so many on parenting advice etc. We are looking forward to September and Baby Burke's arrival and pray the Lord will give grace and wisdom in how to raise this little one.

We're Back!!!

Well a lot has happened since September 2009 the last blog post. Let's see, well we finally finished the bathroom renovation. Feel free to stop by and take a peek. We went to Maine in October with Kevin Dowker and it was a blast. I unfortunately lost all my pictures due to our computer crashing but all in all the trip was great. Other than that I think those are most of the updates.... Oh wait I guess there is one other important update. Josh and I found out we are expecting our first child. January was quite the whirlwind. We found out the middle of January and everything has been a blur since. My due date is September 16, 2010 and so far we have been told Baby Burke is a girl! She is already quite the little star, there are roughly 125 people coming to her baby shower!! Josh is frantically renovating her room and we have had quite the star cast of helpers. We are so thankful for Josh's dad, my dad, Jonathan, Damian, my mom, Kevin D, Gene White and Gerry Slack. These people have been life savers in helping us get our little girls room complete before her arrival. Just a quick plug for Gerry Slack he will be opening his own HVAC company soon and I am sure he would appreciate your business. He completely renovated our current HVAC system and Burke Manor is now the Arctic Tundra. I will try to keep this as updated as possible.