Naomi's First Day

July 3, 2009: Knowns and Unknowns

Hello Friends!

June has been a busy month for Brad and me as we continue to make preparations for both the arrival of our first child, and the
beginning of a new job. Thoughts of moving out of my parents'
(finished) basement have been put on hold for now as we concentrate on these first two priorities. The month has been one of knowns and unknowns, changing and waiting.

Our first priority over the past month has been our continuing job
interview and search process. As most of you know, we are hoping that Brad will be hired as a Young Life Area Director in the USA. Brad and I met with the leadership of Cecil County Maryland Young Life on June 3 at North Bay Adventure Camp, and Brad met with them again on June 22. Brad will have one last interview with the Chesapeake Regional Staff on July 10 to determine if he is the person for this particular
position. Two weeks ago Brad was informed that this position might not be open until the end of December, so we have now widened our search to include the entire country. We have been corresponding regularly with Regional Directors from California, Washington, Oklahoma, and Minnesota. The whole month seems to have been marked by interviews, reference letters, resumes, portfolios, applications, a StrengthsFinder quiz, and determining whether we are Otters, Beavers, Golden Retrievers, or Lions.

Our second priority (of equal importance) is preparing for the birth of our first child, our daughter Naomi Faith. As of today, our little girl is two days overdue, and does not appear to be in any hurry to arrive. During my weekly appointments, I've steadily increased in weight, dilation, effacement, and station, but still no Naomi. She keeps my body temperature hot and my hands and feet itching, and the Braxton Hicks contractions happening daily. We've attended our
Childbirth Class and Hospital Tour, picked up baby resources from the library, packed our suitcases, borrowed a birthing ball, printed our birth plan, folded our baby clothes, ordered our cloth diapers, and assembled our pack 'n' play, car seat, swing, and walker. My mom threw
us an amazing Baby Shower, and we received so many wonderful gifts for our firstborn. We've done just about everything we can think of to prepare for her arrival, but as new parents, I'm sure she'll be full of surprises for us!

Brad teases me about the “nesting” instinct of the pregnant woman, but I tell him that I've always loved cleaning and organizing. Nevertheless, my family has been generous in allowing me to clean to my heart's content. In the past month I've sorted and organized drawers, cabinets, desks, a bathroom, the kitchen, the dining room, the living room, the basement, my Dad's workshop, a walk-in closet, my Mom's craft/sewing room, and Josh's bedroom. My Mom jokes that if Naomi is any later, I'll have the entire house cleaned before she arrives! I've also busied myself with ironing clothing, folding laundry, writing lots of thank you notes, making holiday cards, and photographing my art.

While I've been nesting at home, Brad has been keeping busy outside of the house. He is spending six weeks this summer working at Antietam Recreation as a swimming lessons instructor and lifeguard. During the first week of June he ran in the Antietam Battlefield (10K) Run Through History. During the last week of June he joined Thurmont United Methodist Church in their annual four-day trip to the Creation Music Festival in Pennsylvania. He's also had a great time catching up with Mr. Bair and other friends from Boonsboro High School over late night games of Settlers and Puerto Rico. He and I also spent time with some of our former Young Lifers at the Boonsboro Film Festival during the last week of school. For our Friday date nights, he and I have been seeing movies at the “cheap theater” in Frederick. So far we've
watched 17 Again, X-Men Origins, Wall-E, and Transformers (with the Thurmont United Methodist Youth).

For both Brad and me, it's been a month of renewing relationships. It's been so fun to see our friends and family after a year apart. I've enjoyed attending Josh's baseball games, going for walks with Karilyn, Mom, and Dad, and shopping for the baby with Mom and Bonnie. Mom and I had a great time visiting “Hope Alive” together, a shelter for homeless women and their children, and were inspired by the work being done there. Mom, Karilyn, and I hope to be certified as volunteers there at next month's training session. Mom and I also had a great time at my 10-year high school reunion, where we caught up with lots of old friends and met their new dates, spouses, and children. It's been fun celebrating Father's Day and two birthdays with my family. For Josh's birthday, Brad and I took him to an Orioles game for “Adam Jones bobble-head Night,” and we were delighted to see Matt Wieters' first major league home run the same evening. Two weeks later, Josh had “Dugout Club” discount tickets to see the Orioles play
the Red Sox, and we all went again! Brad and I also had a great time dining with the Hetricks and Hamsons as we discussed life, jobs, and starting a family.

As you can see, we've had a lot of changes on our minds and hearts recently. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue waiting on our job situation and our daughter. You can pray for wisdom in the many decisions we are and will be making in the near future. By the time we
write our next update, we will probably be telling you about the joys and struggles of labor, delivery, and a new baby! Thank you for your continuing prayers throughout this summer of change.

Love always,
Jessie and Brad