Happy Belated Anniversary!

So, not only did I not post on time for Derrek's birthday but I'm 12 days late posting for our anniversary. As of October 14, we've been married for two years. Both of us, in a loving way, say it seems much longer than that. I can hardly remember life before Derrek and his kids and I'm sure that's why it seems that way to him too:) You know, because it's been like heaven for him.

Everyone tells you the first year of marriage is much harder than you think it's going to be and that was VERY true. In fact, our first year lasted a little longer than that factoring in the step parenting situation and the difference in our past relationships. However, I have to say it has made it all that much more fulfilling in the end. Learning (the hard way) how to be part of a team like this is the best feeling I've ever felt. Maybe it's because it's such a miracle that two people can live in the same (tiny) house addressing issues of the past, raising step children, having children together, planning our future among it all and holding down two jobs we care about all while speaking two different languages, that's a huge accomplishment that we can be proud of together! We are the epitomy of freakin' Venus & Mars and we're still here and I'm still madly in love. He's creative, dedicated, loyal, a great cook, a passionate father, goofy, hilarious on pain medication, and, even considering he speaks Martian most of the time, there's no doubt in my mind he was made for me.

Our most recent pic that you've seen before (Octoberfest).

Our first anniversary in Colorado.

The last night of our honeymoon.

Our first steps as a family.

The beginning.

Can I Kick It?

Oh man, the magic of Blake’s soccer games is quickly fleeting. Just a month ago, he was out for blood, remember? Now, all he cares about is that he’s the guy that gets to kick it in once it goes out of bounds. As you can imagine, the ball goes out of bounds about every 10 to 15 seconds. As soon as the ball has made contact with the line, Blake’s hand is straight up in the air and he is running towards the coach shouting, “Can I kick it in?! Can I kick it in?! Can I kick it in?!” He still played a great game but if he only understood he had a better chance to be that kid to SCORE if he didn’t kick it in, we’d be better off. Okay, maybe I’d be better off. Oh well. Whatever, right? Here are some pics.

Band Night

On Friday, the middle school band had “Band Night”. They had to go to the high school football game and sit by the high school band. The high school band sits in the end zone very, very, very far away from the bleachers. Most parents thought that they would get to see the kids perform in some capacity at half time so we, of course went to the game. I brought the camera and waited for a good shot of her. She even told me “flutes are on the front row”. Well, they didn’t perform at halftime. So I took this picture instead.

We're Still Here!

I have no idea why updating my blog has been so difficult in the last week but I think about it all the time! Soon, I'll have pictures of the baby's area of the kids room that we are diligently working on. Three kids in one room is tough. It's given Derrek and me a new obsession to somehow get ourselves into a bigger home (whether we add on to this one or find a new one). We've picked a fantastic time to be obsessed since no one's really loaning money to people that can put about $1 down but we're focused on the task. Derrek hasn't really been feeling well and I think it seems worse than it is because he really expected to be completely on his feet by now. He was warned but I don't think he really believed it. The kids are getting ready for Halloween and Cash's arrival. We've had a soccer game for Blake and tomorrow night Ashley starts playing on a local volleyball league. Cash is still happy to be where he is and making no efforts toward the exit. My doctor told me Friday that as far as she can tell up to this point, we should have a relatively normal labor and delivery. Currently, neither of us would like to induce for any reason but that could change in a week or two. I hope to have a sonogram if I make it to the due date just in case he's a big boy. I may want to get him out of there at that point. Then again, maybe I won't want to know! But seriously, that counter thing to the right is freaking me out!!! I never thought I'd be so close!

My goal and promise this week is to get pictures up! The kids' room, soccer, volleyball, my belly, maybe even Derrek if he'll let me. Just don't give up on us!

Visitor from the Empire State

About 5 years ago, Chris started a project in upstate New York for his uncle, Phillip. Over the course of almost a year, Derrek and Patrick took turns working on the job with him. They have a million wild stories (on and off the job) and it turned out to be kind of a nightmare of a project but they made some great friends while they were there. One of those friends, Scott, was in San Antonio for a convention (he sells apples) and made the short drive to the Burg to see Luckenbach and hang out. Chris, Derrek and Patrick have all met and married their wives since they saw Scott last and probably calmed down a bit! Scott was really fun to be around and I wish I could have spent more time with him to get to know him but I had to pick up Ashley from the dance! It's such a blessing to reunite with friends like that and luckily we got a couple of pics to capture it.

First Dance

Ashley had her first dance tonight at the middle school. I think it was more fun than she thought! Here she is waiting for her ride. And apparently, you don't wear a dress to a dance anymore. I was ready to go shopping!

We got Blake in a pic too to show off his new sunglasses he picked out at Root!

37 Weeks

So I should have a picture to go with this but I don't. I will try to post one soon. Just wanted to give everyone an update: nothing's happening. I know this is normal and ideal but you know, I've been pregnant so long and now I'm at the end-ish and I've gone to half of my childbirth class (the remaining 4 hours are tomorrow) and it's really tough to not be anxious. Especially now that we're in the safe zone. Oh well. I know he'll be here VERY soon and I'll be mad I didn't just kick back and relax since I don't have an infant to tend to.

Octoberfest

The first weekend in October means Octoberfest in Fredericksburg. There is an unlimited stream of German beers on tap, live polka bands playing all day long and our city's finest sporting lederhosen. Here we are last year when I could fit into my dirndl:

Here we are this year. Sean bought his lederhosen and Willa's dirndl in Austria last year.

Soccer Saturday

I missed the game, due to said Childbirth Class but Derrek got some good action shots and then Ashley got some goofy poses after the game. Unfortunately, I can't upload the action shots! My computer is acting screwy. Maybe it needs a blogging break? I'm going to miss his game next week too because of the class butI love his soccer games! We've still got at least 3 or 4 more after that, thank goodness!

Happy Belated Birthday, Honey

Holy cow, I'm a bad wife! Derrek's birthday was the same day as my shower last weekend and he didn't get a proper post! He really didn't even get a proper gift. The only gift he got from me ON his actual birthday was that I agreed to name the baby Cash. That's right folks, the babies name is going to be Cash Leo Penick. We've gone back and forth for a long time. I've always liked the name Cash but I loved the name Leo (after my uncle Butch). My other problem with Cash as that an aquaintance had a boy a month or two ago and she named him Cash. It just felt like a strong name and I didn't think it was as neat with two of them running around in this small town in the same grade (I know there are many more Cash's out there). So, I found out that that family is moving out of town so my argument was leaking really quickly. Anyway, Derrek has been so excited about this name and it has been so fun calling him by his name for the last week!

The day after his birthday (Sunday), the kids and I took him to Kerrville for some treats and dinner. He used some of his birthday money on architecture books & we got him some CDs and a t-shirt. The t-shirt says "Cash" and he was so pumped. I have no pictures from dinner because we went to Mamacitas and they sing to you and that is Derrek's hell so we all three had to PROMISE that we would not act all birthday-y in the restaurant.

Wednesday, after our follow-up appointment with Dr. Vick in San Antonio ("everything looks good"), we did a little more shopping with his birthday money and here he is all decked out in his new gear.

I still need to get him something! Poor guy. He's been through so much and I didn't even get him a birthday gift!

Childbirth Class

Uh, yeah. I've been trying to avoid the whole subject of "childbirth" since I got pregnant. I know there are many other women that are scared but I've been determined to stay in denial. I mean, he's got to come out somehow right? Well, of course, I was encouraged by my doctor and friends and family to attend. Derrek was sooooooooo excited about it...riiiiiiight. Our first class was on Saturday and, well, we survived! I just really didnt' want to watch alot of videos or see pictures of the actual birth of children. I'm a freak, I know. Just, ever since we had to watch that video in our 9th grade health class, I get the idea. Of course, we did watch videos and they showed a few women laboring while their husbands loved on them and massaged them and talked sweetly to them. They just would breath and sometimes moan (Derrek and I were both a little freaked out with the moaning) and rock and walk and lay in bath tubs and sit on balls. The videos did freak me out a little bit more but I'm socking those memories away like I did in 9th grade. But, all in all, it was a good experience and I know being educated is always the best plan. The one thing I know, and a thought I've tried to avoid as well, is that anything can happen during labor and childbirth and it's best to be prepared.

Derrek had to leave a little early to take Blake to his soccer game and I was left alone for the breathing techniques portion of the class. I do plan on having an epidural but, again, anything can happen so I was all ears and paying close attention. I'm also kind of dorky when it comes to being a student or being coached. She had us do an exercise to test the breathing techniques. We had to do wall sits (where you lean against a wall with your knees at a 90 degree angle) and use the breathing techniques to get us through the pain. We did it three times. The first two times, the coaches/husbands did the wall sits as well and tried out the breathing. Then the third time, all the pregos did the wall sits and the coaches coached. I was missing a coach but very determined to check out the truth to these techniques. In other words, I was focused. Oh, and I had women on either side of me that had decided they do not want epidurals. They are going all natural. I think that is awesome so don't get me wrong when I say, uh, good luck! Maybe, I'm being all Braggy von Braggenstein (totally borrowed from my friend Jenn) but I was the only prego that didn't give up on the last wall sit!!! The breathing stuff works. Did I want to pass out when it was over? Yes. Did my thighs burn more than they've burned in about 10 years (since high school athletics)? Yes. The instructor was impressed and questioned my decision for drugs. I still want them but I feel great & a little empowered now that I can get this done no matter what. Now, I can't talk about it anymore. I won't sleep tonight.