The Lowell Family: August 2008

So . . . I think my goal for blogging will be every other month because I don’t always seem to have time every month and it’s just about 2 months to the day.

We’ve been pretty busy since I last wrote. At the end of June, Justin and I went to Hawaii (just the two of us) and had a blast. We stayed in Waikaloa on the Big Island and it couldn’t have been a more beautiful place. We swam and snorkeled a lot, visited a botanical garden, swam with a sea turtle, did some night snorkeling with about 12 manta rays (one of the most amazing experiences ever!), visited a volcano and some amazing waterfalls, and just had a great time all around. At the end of July our family went on a cruise with the rest of the Rizzo Clan; thank you Papa Tony! We had so much fun spending time and catching up with the family. Jack ate tons of fruit and French fries and our waiters seemed to become especially fond of him; they always brought him a fruit cup as soon as we were seated and brought an abundant supply of cookies for his dessert. Needless to say, Jack knew who his friends were and also seemed to have fun entertaining our family at meal times.

I had a two day cheer camp with the cheerleaders the day we got back from the cruise. I am so impressed at how well the girls work together, get along, and help their teammates who may be having difficulties. Practices started the following week and we’ve been having practices Monday through Thursday; Jack comes with me and snacks, plays with cars and balls, runs around, and entertains the girls while I coach. He’s such a good boy! So, as of now, cheer and naptime seem to take up most of our days because of the time schedule we’re on right now.

Jack is growing like crazy and is just as cute as ever. He’s gotten so much better at building Lego towers and loves playing with cars and balls. It has become almost an obsession of his. He likes helping with everything even when it not that great of a help and he has now figured out how to work his CD player. I’ll be somewhere in the house, hear his music playing, and then go into his room to find him dancing; it’s so cute! He’s talking more and although he doesn’t usually say “no!” (he just shakes his head) he is definitely gaining an opinion. We love him to death!

Justin’s still working full-time and resumes school in just a couple of weeks. He’s taking 19 units (12 is considered full-time) so it’s sure to be a busy semester. He’s currently working with his uncle on his days off getting a rental property fixed-up and ready for new tenants. Even after his long days he is willing to come home and help me with dinner, Jack, laundry, etc. just to make my life a little easier. I love and appreciate him soooo much and I hope he knows that. He’s just an amazing man and father all around.

Justin and I just celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary on July 31! Can you believe it’s already been four whole years? We went to Ruth’s Chris for dinner and then he surprised me and we went to see The Phantom of the Opera in Downtown San Diego. It was amazing! I loved it and I’m pretty sure he enjoyed it too.

In addition to normal everyday life, we’re currently looking for our first home and we’re praying that we find the right one for our little family before the market starts to rise too quickly. It’s proving slightly difficult to find one that’s in just the right location with the right amount of space, for the right price. However, we have a great realtor and he’s helping us out quite a bit. We’ll let you all know if we find one!

I think that about sums up our lives right now except . . . we’re pregnant! I’m currently about 11 ½ weeks pregnant and we’re so excited! I’m thinking it might be a girl, but who knows—we’ll be happy with either as long as the baby is healthy. I’m totally starving and nauseous all of the time and completely exhausted, as well. But other than that it’s all good; we’ve already been to the doctor and there’s a heartbeat (only one!), the baby’s moving around like crazy and we’re due February 26!