The Best News Ever-Just got even better!!!!

I am now in my 20th week of pregnancy and last night we had our ultrasound!!!! Our little darling was not turned at the best angle for us to see the face or get many photos, but we are overjoyed & completely thrilled to inform you that our beloved baby is a BOY!!!!!! We are absolutely thrilled at this wonderful news! Woo-hoo!!!
The Tech said our baby boy weighs 13 oz and has a heartrate of 148.
Here are a few photos from the ultrasound…..COMING SOON.....(drum roll please!)..…Baby BOY Banks!

Isn't he absolutely amazing!?!?!?!?!?! I am completely in love with our little guy! Oh and you should have seen Andrew's GIANT smile when the Tech said "It's a boy". He is SO happy!
Everything is progressing well & normally, but we ask that you please continue to Pray for Baby Boy Banks as he continues to grow & develop and for a safe delivery & birth as well.
Thank you!! - With Love, from the proud mama

WIND CHILL

Okay I am starting to loath the words "WIND CHILL".
For me, these word are starting to become as negative and horrible as words like: "terrorist", "diet", and "kidnapper". That is how much I detest the freezing cold wind chill we have here in Mid-Michigan.
Today on my way into work the radio said it was actually 9F out, but due to the wretched wind chill it felt like -15F. Today our wind chill high for the day is suppose to be a balmy -10F, wow warm-NOT!
This week I must say though, even a wind chill high of -10F is warmer than last week. I don't remember the actual temperatures but I do remember, as the sting is still on my cheeks, our highs with wind chill were either -24F or -25F each day. Can you believe that?!?!? The air and wind truly hurt your skin.
For all of you down South or out Southwest, would you PLEASE send some warmth our way? We seriously need to unthaw around here and fast!
Thanks so much for listening, I will get off my soap box now. LOL! Have a great day!
Shivering cold & Stepping down-Shannon Marie

My Mom

In the 2am hour of 1/6, we received the horrible phone call that Emily and my mom died. We learned later that it was her heart.
My mom's name is Laurie Marie (Schneider) Thompson and she was 51 years old.
This was completely out of the blue and a devastating shock. The showing was on Thursday, which was extremely difficult and funereal was Friday, which again was very difficult.
We are doing better now, but some days are harder than others and I am not sure it has really sunk in completely yet.
Looking back on my mom's life, I have 2 main things that I think were neat about her.
1. She was not a flashy or showy person. She was content to be where she was in life, but she always seemed glad to hear what other people where doing even if it was something like planting their garden, making plans to remodel their home, or telling her about a vacation they just returned from, she was glad to hear what others had going on.
2. When I was little my mom always made time to play with us. We played Barbies, Smurfs, Cabbage Patch Kids, My Little Ponies, Kitchen, and Care Bears. These are some of my fondest memories of my mom and I really appreciate the time she took to play with us.
I know in her own way, my mom loved me (and all of my sisters) very much.
Thank you for all for the support, prayers and love you have shown to Emily, Andrew and me since my mom's death. It has been amazing and overwhelming, and I can't thank you enough.
Sincerely,
Shannon
This is mom, Gpa and Gma-7/08

This is many of our family members-8/06

L to R, here are mom, Aunt Cathy, Gpa & Aunt Julie-8/06

This is mom, with her granddaughter Jorja, her mom, and her nephew Chas-8/06

This is mom with her dog, Charlie-12/07

The BEST News EVER!

It is time for some good news, and YES, the most exciting news we have to share for 2008 & 2009 is that we found out that we are expecting!!!

We are absolutely thrilled to let you know that we are eagerly awaiting the birth of our bundle of joy in June of 2009!

Below is a photo on the day (10/4/08), we found out. Can you tell we are excited?!?! (We had to take it of ourselves so it isn’t the best), but we are so happy!!!

This is a photo of me at 15 weeks (12/22/08), 1/2 way through my 4th month.

This photo is on 1/5/09, the start of my 17th week/5th month. So far I am still in my regular clothes, though Andrew did take me maternity clothes shopping on Saturday!!!

Everything is going well, but we ask for you to join us in prayer for the continued growth & health of our darling baby and for a safe delivery. Thank you!

We'll keep you posted on any important new news! Happy 2009! We just can't wait for June & our baby to arrive!