Joshua James Gregory Blanchard

The Blanchard Household would like to introduce y'all to the newest addition to our family.

Joshua James Gregory Blanchard was born at 4:33 PM on February 28, 2008. He weighed 6lbs 7.2 oz., and was 18 inches long.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Labor (Daniel's Version)

Christa talking to her mother in between contractions

Yesterday, at 3 a.m. (Wednesday), Christa started to have some heavy contractions. When the time came, I went to work just like I usually do. I was in the middle of a meeting when Christa called and said that her contractions had not subsided, and that she talked to her Mom who told her that I needed to come home. I then called the midwife, who said to go to the hospital. We were at the hospital from 10 a.m. - 2p.m., at which time they sent us home to labor there (easier for Christa).

Christa and I did some walking. We even played a little putt putt at our apartment complex. We ate some dinner, watched a movie, and then headed off to bed. Until, I was brutally awaken at 3 am by Christa screaming my name from the bathroom. I found her in the bath tub, and in alot of pain. We are currently at the hospital and doing great! Contractions are doing their thing, and my hand is starting to hurt from her squeezing it! Will keep you updated!

A Moment In Life

I know it is a day early, but we will be busy tomorrow, so I wanted to wish Tiffany, a wonderful and joyful birthday!

Tiffany has been the sister that you would wish for. A wonderful cook, a great seamstress, a close companion, and a dear friend. I treasure every moment that we have spent together. May God bless you Tiffany and I love you!

Getting Ready For Baby!

We have been busy with cleaning out closets, bedrooms, and the kitchen. Now that they are all done, I spent time yesterday washing and getting Joshua's things ready for his arrival! Here are some pictures! The last picture is of me for everyone who keeps emailing me and asking for a picture of what I look like at nine months!

Happy New Year!

To see how much fun we had on New Year's Eve visit Tiffany's blog.

Daniel and I are enjoying our visit with my family. We have had alot of fun in the snow sledding with the younger ones. But I think Daniel has had enough after running into my parent's shed yesterday and making his nose swell up! Poor boy, but he is doing fine. He just has a slightly red nose! We have also enjoyed spending time with my parents and siblings, and doing alot of singing and dancing. It is sad that our time is starting to come to a close, for we go back home in three more days! :-(

We do have something to look forward to when we go back home! Baby Blanchard, which we decided to name Joshua James Gregory Blanchard, is doing great and getting big. He enjoys moving and kicking his Mommy, and jumps when he hears his Daddy's voice. Each day we draw closer to his due date, and we have 9 more weeks until he arrives (if he arrives on time)!! We are really looking forward to his arrival!

Happy New Year! May God bless you and your families this year and in the ones to come!

Having Fun!

Off To Illinois!!!

Daniel and I leave tomorrow for Illinois! We will be there for 2 1/2 weeks!! I am so excited! We are praying the roads are all clear and that we have no problems getting there!

So, we bid you adu, and may God bless you this Christmas and New Year!

Remembering...

It was a year ago today that my Dad, Rev. James M. McDonald, gave my hand away in marriage to Mr. Daniel James Kell Blanchard. It was on this day, that I took a new name.

The day flew by fast! I recall waking up, getting dressed, saying good morning to all my family members, and my two grandparents who were staying with us. Than Grace and I went with my grandparents to get our hair done. We than went to the church directly after that, and arrived just before the service began.

My Mom helped me get into my dress and all the wonderful things you do to get pretty for your big day. Then we took a couple of pictures and my dad came in to pray with me. As I sat there cuddled between my two wonderful parents, it hit me that I was leaving them. I remember my mom telling me not to cry because I was messing up my make-up.

My Mom than left to take her seat in the church. I was able to give my Dad one last hug and kiss as his maiden daughter. Then the doors opened, and Dad said, " It's time." I took a deep breath in and let it out slowly, forcing my tears to go away. As the doors opened I saw this man standing at the end of the aisle waiting for me. That man was soon to become my husband. We were about to begin a new adventure. This is the day we became Mr. and Mrs. Daniel James Kell Blanchard.

The only regret that I have about our wedding day is that I wish I could go back and spend more time with my family before everything got started that morning. I want them to know that I love each one of them dearly, and would never ever ask for a different family! God has made them so special to me and I wish we lived closer! I love you!

As for Daniel and I, this has be a year of adventure! We have had our ups and downs. Both of us would agree that we wouldn't trade those moments for anything. We have learned to help each other in everything. Today, we are both extremely blessed, happily married, enjoying life together, 6 1/2 months pregnant and waiting for our first son to arrive! God has been gracious to us!

Pictures!

Daniel and I went to get our one year anniversary pictures done, and I thought we should post some of them!

Dads and Moms (for both sides of the family), we have some more pictures on order for y'all.

IT"S A...

BOY!!!

Master Bedroom

Kitchen, Dining Room, and Office

The office is still needing some work on it, but that is what it looks like at the moment! The bedroom is on the way.

Living Room

Bathroom

He Turns 11 and A Small Update

Today, is Caleb McDonald's 11th birthday! Even though we have just moved into our new apartment, I did not want him to feel that I forgot about him! Happy, Happy, Birthday little brother, and may God bless you now and in the future.

Well, we are all done unpacking and my little apartment is all clean, but I am not at this time able to put up pictures, because our internet is having some problem and Daniel is trying to fix it! Sorry! I will try to get pictures up before the weekend is over.

Tiff, Here Is Your Update! :-)

We are moving into our new two bedroom apartment on Thursday ( I will put up pictures later!). So, we are busy packing, and we get to find out what the Baby is October 13th!! :-) I will write more soon!

A Wonderful Weekend

Daniel and I had a wonderful weekend visiting my Family in Dallas! We were able to stay at the same hotel, which gave me more time with my Family.

Unfortuantely, we have seemed to misplaced our camera, so we were not able to take pictures. If you would like to see some pictures, you can visit my sister, Tiffany's blog( itsthesimplethings.blogspot.com)!

Our Baby!

Our Life

We have finally move to Dallas! It was a long move for a short distance( 3 hours), but thank the Lord, we have made it safe and sound, and are snuggled in! We are currently living with Daniel's family while we get our mortgage settled, and find a house that we can actually call HOME!

Daniel is back at work. He is having to drive 1 1/2 hours to work, and seems longer when he comes home because of traffic(Please keep him in your prayers. He has been coming home stressed and no energy to do things). Right now, he enjoys playing with his GPS system that he just bought. He is trying all the back roads to get out of traffic, and likes to even take it with us when we go down the street to the grocery store! Such a boy who likes to play with his toys!

As for me, I am doing well. My morning are not to great, but my afternoons seem to be good! My morning sickness is starting to slowly go away. I am starting to learn that being tired is part of being pregnant, and it is ok for me to take naps! I am three months along, and our first ultra sound is tomorrow morning! :-)

Well, I should get some sleep, for Daniel is already asleep right next to me! Goodnight!

For Those Who Do Not Know!

Most of you had heard that we were moving to Tennessee, but now our plans have changed! Last Friday, we were told we are not moving to Tennessee, but to Dallas!

Our plans are to move to Dallas next Thursday, so please be in prayer as we move and get settled in!

A Bundle of Joy!!

We are proud to announce that we are adding to our family tree! We are expecting a little bundle of joy March 1st, 2008!

We are off to Illinois!

Daniel and I are off to see my family and his Grandparents! We will take plenty of pictures and post them when we get back from our trip!

Also, Daniel's job is being relocated to Memphis, Tennessee. We plan on moving somewhere between July 20th and 23rd! Please keep us in your prayers while we are transitioning to another state!

Our Saturday!

Daniel and I decided to go to Waco this weekend and tour Homestead Heritage. While we were there, Daniel met up with some friends from his childhood from when his family lived there on the weekends. We received a personal tour of not only what the vistors see, but, where the people live and what they do during the day. You can see in some of the pictures below that they were busy harvesting wheat (with a John Deere!!). We started very early and arrived home late! It was a wonderful day!

The only bad thing is that we both figured out just how much I can really do! In other words, I think I over did it. Both of us were a little disappointed that we could not make it to church today, since I was not feeling too well! So, instead of driving an hour and a half, Daniel decided we should stay home and listen to one of my Dad's sermons! And that is what we did.

Life

Ah, were does the time go??

I am doing great! The surgery went well, and my recovery was very fast(which most people say is unusual!). I am enjoying walking around and being able to clean the house and drive the car!! :-)

Daniel and I are doing well. Daniel's job is getting finished and the structures they are building are looking more and more like buildings every day!

We went to stay with Daniel's family on Memorial Day and had an enjoyable time. We will be seeing them next week and will hopefully be able to ride some horses!!

As from what I gather from my family they are doing well! I am really looking forward to seeing them in FOUR weeks!! I miss them so much!

Well, that is all I can think of right now and Daniel just called and said he is on his way home for lunch. So, I will close for now!

Oh, Mrs. Henderson, I am so sorry I missed your call!! I wanted so much to talk to you and when I heard your message, I was upset with myself! I was available (Daniel and I were just playing cards), but when the phone said it had no number, I did not pick it up! The last time I answered a no number call, it was a really weird person! Sorry!

Blessings to all!