Grand Rapids...Here We Come!!

We have been counting down the days, and the time is finally here!! Kenny Chesney is coming to Grand Rapids for a concert! We went to this concert last year and had a blast, so we couldn't wait for the 2008 tour. Our only concern was that I was seven months pregnant, and our baby might not like the noise, or country music, for that matter. Well, after the doctor reassured us that it would be fine, we packed our overnight bags and cowboy hats, shipped Grant off to Kevin and Mindy's, and headed off. Needless to say, the concert was so much fun!! Leann Rimes was there with Kenny and she put on a great show. Jennifer Nettles, from Sugarland, made a surprise appearance, and sang my favorite song, "Stay". The concert started at 7:30p.m. and went until 11:00p.m.! That made for a long time standing on my swollen feet, but it was worth it. The baby DID NOT like the bass, I think it scared him to death, poor thing. But I was not the only pregnant woman there...there were pregnant women everywhere! One even had on a tank top that said "Baby's 1st Kenny concert"! So, we made it through and had a terrific time...I'm crossing my fingers that I will be able to make it to his August 2nd concert at Ford Field!! Since I'm due August 10th, that's a long shot, but I guess a girl can hope, can't she???

Time Is Flying By!

I know, I know...I am the most delinquent "blogger" on the planet! My mentor, Becky, is probably so disappointed. Anyways, this picture is of my pregnancy at week 28...um, two weeks ago. I am feeling great and loving every minute of being pregnant! Our son is on schedule and growing fast! The doctor has informed me that I grow BIG boys, whatever that is supposed to mean. Should I be nervous?! I also went to the hospital for my glucose tolerance test and RH negativity shot, and all went well with those. I really believe God has truely blessed us with this pregnancy...not only to let us go through the experience again, but to make it so wonderful and enjoyable! I am trying to remember everything about it. I know they say 'hindsight is 20/20', but I can honestly say with all my heart that God's timing is perfect! Not that we all don't know this fact already, it's just that in the seven years that I prayed and begged God for another child, there were many times that I questioned His judgement. So I continue to be thankful and cherish every day!!

Remembering My Mom on Mother's Day

Most of what I know about my mom comes from stories people have told me, as my actual memories of my mother are few. I remember she used to play "school" with me. She would even pack me a lunch in my lunchbox as if I were really leaving the house for school. I remember trips to Jelicho, TN to visit my grandparents. I remember going to Camp Dearborn with our family in the summer. I remember driving to Florida for family vacations. I remember my mom taking care of me when my cousin Jason pushed me off our back porch and knocked out some of my teeth. I do not know if these are memories of the actual moments, or me just remembering from pictures I have seen or stories I was told.
For some reason I do remember the day my dad told me and my sister Kim that my mom had died. I remember we had been staying with our sister Peggy at her little brick house in Wyandotte, and we were in the backyard when my dad come back from the hospital to tell us the news. Why I remember that some thirty-two years later I do not know. I do not remember what my mom's voice sounded like, what her cooking tasted like, or anything about her being sick.
I know my mother was one of seven children in her family. She has four sisters and two brothers. I know my mom did not have a middle name. I'm pretty sure she liked to bowl. I know she liked younger men, because she was ten years older than my dad.(Way to go dad!) I know she attended Gilead Baptist Church, and was very involved. I know she loved the Lord, and prayed for her unsaved family and friends.
I know my mom loved my dad. I know my mom loved her kids (my brother - Mike, my two sisters - Peggy & Kim, and me) I know that my mom worried who would help take care of her two babies (me and Kim) when she was gone. I know my mom knew the importance of me and my sister attending a christian school, and I thank my dad for knowing the importance also.
It's funny, because I usually have different feelings every year on Mother's Day. I remember a few years back going to my mom's grave with Amy and just breaking down because I missed her. I wanted her to know Amy and her grandson. I used to question why God would allow a four year old boy to lose his mother, but like a lot of things in life it's all about perspective. God's grace has been more than sufficient. He has taught me so much through the loss of my mother, and His blessings have been to many to count. He left me in the care of a loving father, who continues to amaze me by his selflesness and love for his family. He has given me wonderful relationships with my brother, and sisters. Best of all, He brought a beautiful woman into my life to be my best friend, my wife, and the loving mother of our son, Grant.(Soon to be sons, no we dont have a name yet!)
Happy Mother's Day, Mom. Thank you mom for loving me. Thank you for starting to instill the truth of God's Word in me at an early age. Thank you for caring about me, and worrying if I was going to be okay until the day you died. I love you, I miss you, but I look forward to seeing you again. We have a lot of catching up to do.

"Barefoot & Pregnant" (and loving it!)

Whoever it was that coined the phrase, "Barefoot & Pregnant", must have meant it as a positive thing - not in a negative way, like some people think. Don't knock it until you've tried it! Although I am definitely a 'shoe fanatic', I decided to follow the old saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans" (In this case, it was in Virginia). My moms neighbor, a young mother of 5, only wears shoes when going to the store. I swear I witnessed her coming out of their church barefoot! I thought this behavior was odd until I threw caution (and my shoes) to the wind! At 23 weeks pregnant, all I have to say is "Barefoot & Pregnant" is the way to go!

Cowboy in Disguise??!!

Who would have guessed it?? Our son is a "closet cowboy"! Yes, I am talking about Grant...The one who hates to get dirty and lives for anti-bacterial. He jumped into 'country life' with both feet and loved every minute of it! Grant did "chores" every day - feeding the horses and sweeping up the barn - and took it very seriously. He was continually reminding me to avoid the 'G.H.T.'s' (Ginormous Horse Turds) - like I could miss it :) He even met Daniel, a 'barefoot friend' from 'up the road', who taught him to lasso the dogs as they tried valiantly to escape, and identify animal droppings (something everyone should know, apparently). I became a little nervous when he started telling Grant about his hunting weapons, but besides that it was wonderful seeing Grant come out of his comfort zone - even if I did have to hear more about manure than I ever cared to know!!

The Kowalski's Have 'Gone Country'

I know it will be hard for most of you to believe...that's why we have pictures to prove that the Kowalski's can be 'hillbilly's' with the best of them! We have just returned from visiting my family in Virginia. The weather was great and our time there was very relaxing. We became friends with the horses, dogs and cat. We learned to never go down the driveway without having horse treats in the car. They are very spoiled and will actually put their heads in your car window! Tim never ceased to be amused when a horse insisted on practically climbing in my lap through the window. I, on the other hand, enjoyed them much more when they weren't slobbering on me!

Gram's Surgery is a Success!

The surgery was a 'go' on April 2nd. The doctor said everything went just as planned and there were no surprises which was a huge blessing! They removed the upper lobe of her right lung where the mass was and also her lymph nodes as a precaution. She was in ICU for a couple of days then was moved to a regular room. Hopefully she will be coming home soon but they have to be able to manage her pain before she does. (They did not break her ribs, but they had to 'stretch' them during the surgery - doesn't that just sound painful?!) Overall, the surgery was a complete success and she is well on her way to recovering completely. Thank you to everyone who has prayed for her during this trial in her life. I'll make sure to keep updating as she progresses...