Wednesday, September 2, 2015

BIG Update!

Wow it's been too long since I've updated this. I promise this will be a good one and worth your read! Summer is about over, the days are quickly getting shorter, and the academic year has begun. A lot has changed, in a good way, since some of you last heard from us. John no longer works for the mine. We decided that it wasn't the best place for him to be and an opportunity to work for the gun shop full time pretty much put a kaboosh on the cost analyst job. So he's been working as the business manager for the shop all summer and continues to love it! The tourist season has kept him and the other guys quite busy, working 6-7 days a week, and brightening lots of customers days with new firearms, bows, and machine gun time. John does all of the bookkeeping for the business so he's able to use his great skills and enjoy the accounting side of things. He's learning a lot about smaller businesses and we have both gained a greater appreciation for small local business.

Em helped out a little over the summer by selling tours on the docks in-between summer school. She taught P.E. for a summer program through the school district. Between that, the docks, the pool, and hiking she stayed busy enough, but not too busy. She spends a lot of time hanging out at the shop to visit John and the others and just to hang out. John got her into archery this summer so that she could learn to shoot bow and take advantage of the great range here in Juneau. Not to mention she's not shooting rifle or pistol right now. She's still has a lot to learn, but has enjoyed it more than she thought she would.

July 4th, John's dad came to visit and we got to take him all over Juneau. We went on some beautiful hikes, fishing, and sight seeing. August was an even busier month for the two of us. Summer school ended, however we had visitors from the beginning to just last week. We had an excellent time and loved having Em's parents and our friend Todd from Nevada in town. We got to take them to Tracy Arms and see whales, bears and huge glaciers caving. We also took them hiking all over and even saw some black bears up close while they fished for salmon. We did a lot of fishing with Todd; he and John caught a few great salmon that we are excited to get back soon. Hal still wins with his first catch though; he caught a starfish right off the bat lol, but don't worry he threw it back :)
Two redneck boys livin in a man's world, so they think ;)

At the top of Mount Juneau soaking it all in, and resting :)

What an adventure! Over 3,500 feet elevation climb from sea level.







Rainbow over Herbert Glacier!




So now it's September, the school year has begun and normal life (as we know it) proceeds. Em is working as a paraprofessional at a middle school in a Developmental Education Classroom. She's bummed to not be teaching, but excited to be working with the students she is. She gets to go to the pool and help with adaptive PE every day for at least one of the students and at times two or three of them during the school day. It turns out this year is a good year for her to be less busy and have less stress. She is taking two early childhood classes online to expand her credentials, but she still won't be nearly as busy as she is used to being.

But for the biggest update and change this year, and why less stress is good as well as why she got into archery, we have an announcement for everyone! Some of you already know, but many of you don't. John and I recently found out that we are going to have a baby! No we're not adopting another dog or cat, we are actually pregnant with a two legged human child. Can't believe it? Neither did we. After 8 years of understanding that we couldn't have kids and writing the idea off, we were surprised to find out that we were pregnant. Em was so shocked that she took another test 3 days later and another (from another company) a few days after that just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. We went to the doctor to find out we were 7 weeks pregnant with our little peanut and skyped our parents a few days later. Both of whom are SO excited and dying to know what it is. We are now a healthy 18 weeks pregnant (as of yesterday) and both doing great. Keep your eyes out for more specific updates, but for now we wanted to let all of our friends know that we are actually going to have a baby! John is going to have a little hunter by his side and Em can't wait to have her yogi and swimming partner ;) We have gotten over much of the shock and begun the practical planning side of things, however we still often shake our heads and go "I can't believe we're actually talking about this" or "wow this is actually happening". So now well into the second trimester the excitement grows and the adjustments begin. We talk to the puppies and TJ all of the time about having a baby and let them get close. We are starting to rearrange the house and bring in a few babyish items to begin the transition period for all five of us. You'll have to stay tuned for more updates :) For now we are happy to finally share the news with everyone and look forward to sharing more updates with you!
The first test 
 9 weeks, celebrating with a hike to the glacier :)
 Our little seven week peanut!
 15 weeks at the top of Mount Juneau. That was a heck of a hike and we had to keep taking breaks to make sure my heart rate didn't get too high. Totally worth it thought!
Our little family of four and a half :) in front of Herbert Glacier at 14 weeks. 10 mile walk round trip!

Happy Human Parents to be!

Turns out I was probably pregnant when I walked for my master's :D
18 weeks and SHOWING in my new rocking chair from daddy John and Mr. Moose from Grandma Janey ;) 

4 comments:

hutmj said...

It's just wonderful. You and John will be wonderful parents. Let us know what our next Great Grandchild will be. Love you

Family Reflections said...

I can't tell you how exited I am for grand baby #9! Not to mention another trip to Alaska! Love you 😍

Unknown said...

Awesome blog guys💭 Hope to see more adventures and glad you are here☺

Unknown said...

Awesome blog guys💭 Hope to see more adventures and glad you are here☺