12 weeks

12 weeks along and growing each day!

A Homemade Triathlon

As many of you know my husband is a huge fan of triathlons. We have attended many of his races and Ristow is quickly becoming a huge fan as well.

This past weekend I went outside to find a race about to start in my backyard. Christopher had set up a "Tri" for Ristow. The swim was running through the sprinkler, the bike went across our driveway and the run finished up the hill. Ristow was so excited and proudly displayed the race number Christopher had written on his upper arm, and ofcourse his age on his leg as per proper triathlon protocol ;)

Here are a few pics from the day. Ristow ended up running his "race" about 10 times and then wanted Christopher to do it with him. They make a great team. I love my boys!

The Big News!

The other reason why I haven't been posting quite as much is because I have been waiting. Waiting for what you wonder....... well waiting for the day I had my doctor's appt and got to hear my new baby's heartbeat! That's right world. Another McClintock is on the way.... watch out!

After two years of trying we are so excited to announce that we are expecting our second child December 8th. I am 11 weeks pregnant and praising God. At 11 weeks the baby is the size of a fig.

We have been able to share the great news with both of our families and felt like it was the right time to share with all our friends too. We recently told Ristow and he is very excited, he was running around the house with his hands on his face yelling "oh my goodness, I'm going to be a big brother!"

In fact in March he asked us why he didn't have a brother or sister and he decided he would pray for one, right then and there he prays to God for a sibling, it was so sweet. That next Sunday I had a weird feeling and took a pregnancy test, well what do you know, a baby was on the way!

Ristow also talks about what he is going to teach the baby and about how it is growing. He is going to be such a great big brother, as long as the baby isn't born on his birthday (Dec. 2nd) I think he would have some serious issues with that, since he talks about his birthday all year long and makes continuous plans for it. ;)

I have a lot less nausea than when I was pregnant with Ristow and am feeling pretty good. Again the joy overcomes the nausea most days and I celebrate this next stage in our life!

Please pray with us for the safety and development of this new life and know that we are thankful for all of your love and support.

My Hiatus

I apologize for the month hiatus from my blog posting. This last month has been very introspective for me and I haven't had many times where I have felt like posting all my thoughts.
Today, however, I have two fabulous boys in my life telling me how beautiful I am and what a great mom I am. How could I not feel beautiful and full of love and life, so much so that I need to let that feeling escape my fingers onto the computer screen.
This past weekend Christopher treated me to a night away for Mother's Day at a four star hotel, which was so wonderful. It was a blessing for my parents to watch Ristow. And while I adore my son and love being his mother, being alone as husband and wife was a much richer gift on Mother's Day. I am so thankful to have a life where I am appreciated and loved so dearly. It is the days like today that I need to write down and look back at often, especially days where I feel like the worst mom or my least favorite person. I will remember this feeling and cherish it because it is truth to me and a reminder of how God feels about me each day no matter what.
I am thankful!

Easter Pictures

What a great Easter we had. The last picture is Ristow impersonating the dinosaur egg that he found at the egg hunt.

Scripture

I am so truly blessed. This past Holy week has been so powerful for me and the Lord has met me in so many different ways. I am so thankful for a saviour who sacrificed it all that I may be set free from sin and know God in such a real and intimate way. I have recently joined a women's bible study called His Word meant for Me. It looks at 12 different verses and really digs in to scripture and what God has to say to us individually.
This past week was Ephesians 3:17-19
" I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God"
Each time I read it and meditate on it, God has revealed even more ways that he loves me and all that he wants me to know in my heart about Him.
Thank you God for loving me so deeply. I pray that this scripture touches your heart today.

The Big Race!

Today I am so proud of Ristow. This morning he had his first Race!

After watching Christopher run in numerous races and get medals and t-shirts, Ristow has been begging for his turn to do a race. We have run family races in the front yard with homemade bib numbers and trophies, but this was his first real race that he was signed up for.

There were three levels of race... the bunny 1/8th mile, the greyhound 1/2 mile and the cheetah 1mile. We initially thought Ris would do the bunny, it being his first race and all, but quickly learned that he was about to prove to himself that he could do the 1/2 mile. He was so excited! He got up at 5:30am because he was ready to race!

When the horn sounded, all the kids took off. Ristow did great, he only stopped a couple of times, but never gave up! (can you tell I am excited for him by all the exclamation marks I am using)

I ran along with him for encouragement but he saw me as competition and kept a pretty quick pace. Poppy came with us to the race and snapped some great pictures. He also was the cheering squad with signs and lots of "Go Ristow"s. Ristow really enjoyed all the attention and people cheering for him.

We had so much fun this morning, I definitely foresee more races in Ristow's future. Before we were home he was already asking when his next race was, and I thought Christopher was addicted to racing. It is in Ristow's blood and today was the first of many great race experiences for him!