The Swarrell Life

I am very excited to move into our new house. Very. Excited. We have a meeting to work through a few things with our builder, but overall it has been a good thing. I miss having my own space with my wife, for many reasons. One reason is that she and I have our private life and I miss that. We visit our house now and again to drop something off or check in with a contractor. Here are some pics of (in order)my beautiful pregnant wife, our new patio and back yard (sans lawn), kitchen cabinets and living area...fun!

Well, maybe in other rural areas too. I love that I can drive down the road and have to watch for cows. I find it refreshing and funny at the same time. I also love that I live in Baker City, where I have met some of the most amazing people. I remember having great friendships when I lived in Seattle, but they were based on everything being okay. We dealt with problems and issues, but in a more detached sense. Here, I have been challenged to deal with things in a very direct and real way, since these things are happening in my life and in those around me. I thank God that I have these people and issues, as it will make me a stronger person.

A little more info with a couple of pics... I have now felt our daughter kick on a number of occasions, what an amazing thing this all is. There is a life in Autumn's belly... We are getting the name question now, but so far we are holding fast and not revealing our choices. The truth is that we do not know what her name is for sure yet. We have a few picked out that we like, but I think that she will pick her name all by herself. We'll know what it is. We have steered her to a few choices, based on our perceptions and desires, be she will ultimately tell us who she is. We have selected these names based on popularity (common is bad, but so is weird), the sound (some names flow, some just sound funny) and association (do not name the kid after something popular or notorious, or a disliked relative). Other than that, we have been bouncing the names back and forth. We'll see which one sticks. By the way, our little nameless girl is about the mass of an ear of corn.

Here are some pictures of some of our friends who ran the 5k this last Saturday, forgive my misspelling: 1: Amy & her daughter Brooke 2: Amy & Jason 3: Casey & Kirsten 4: Karlynn & her daughter Kailey

What amazes me is how close we are to becoming parents. I suppose we already are, in a way, but I think you know what I mean. Autumn pointed out that we are only about 16 weeks from having our daughter. Wow. One thing people ask me is if I am ready. Am I ready? Does it matter? She's coming whether we are ready or not. I am pretty thrilled to have her join us. I can only hope that I am up to the challenge of being the husband and father that I have been created to be. A note to new fathers: If your pregnant wife walks up to you, DO NOT say, "Holy Cow!" while pointing at her expanding belly. That's a bad idea. Very insensitive. Learn from me. Bad husband. I think my wife is so incredible. Obviously it comes out in bad ways some times. Her baby bump is growing, as you can see, she is looking more and more like the watermelon smuggler that she is. I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do. peace. By the way, Autumn ran a 5k last weekend with her BFF Beth. Did I ment...

This past weekend was Miner's Jubilee which is probably the busiest weekend for the Elk's Drum and Bugle Corps. Aaron played at the bronc riding on Friday night, the parade on Saturday and the bull riding on Saturday night. It was one of the nicest Miner's Jubilee weekends we've had in years. So often the temperature soars to the high 90's or higher but this weekend the temperatures stayed in the 80's. Even though Aaron played quite a bit, it was a very relaxing and enjoyable weekend.

My wife is beautiful. The fact that she is pregnant only points to the beauty that is always in her. It is simply manifesting itself it one more wonderful way. I take so many things in my life for granted, especially the good in the people that are around me. My wife is around me more than anyone else. I take her granted more than anyone else. She deserves more than I give her. She is amazing and I love her very much. As of this week, we are at the 23-week mark. The folks at the Baby Center say that the baby is about the mass of a large mango. See above pictures for more graphic details. We are taking a birthing class at the hospital. It is very good and there is a TON of information. Also, as we look online and read more it is apparent that we do not know enough. There is so much to think about in regards to the well being of our daughter. On a side note: I am SO excited to meet her!

Bigger Forehead = Bigger Sunburn. 'Nuff said

Here are a few random pictures from our weekend in Spokane, Washington with our good friends, the Treece family. Kyle and Michele have been our good friends since before Autumn and I were even together. Gabi and Bella are there tow beautiful daughters. We had a good time walking around Spokane and just chill out with good friends!

Well, my wonderful and beautiful wife of almost three years is about 22 weeks pregnant right now. By the way, she looks fantastic! I know that the belly is starting to get heavy, I am so impressed that women walk around with that heavy thing for months! Too many donuts and I get tired just standing up! According to the baby center (www.babycenter.com) , our little girl is about the mass of a spaghetti squash. Have you seen one of those? Heavy! She is starting to look like a human too!

This video will make you say, "hmm". Story of Stuff

S cripture 2 Corinthians 5:15 And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake. O bservation I think that whether you are a Christian or not, dying to yourself is necessary to being a good friend, spouse, or family member. I think that it is most important in my marriage, but also has ramifications in all of my relationships. I means that I listen without prejudice, I speak with sincerity, and put others' interests before mine. Ouch. A pplication I know that this pregnancy can teach me all kinds of things about dying to myself. It seems like I am getting the easy road and I need to take advantage of that by devoting my energy to helping Autumn get through her struggles. P rayer Dear God, help me to die to myself so that I might live in the moment of each relationship that you have given me. Amen.

I can see how easy it is to not write on a regular basis. But the fact of the matter is that repetition can make a good thing indispensable. Blogging is the journal that I never write, so it is important that I keep writing. Originally this was a way to keep every one updated on the progress of the baby, but there is enough going on in our lives that it has become a way of keeping track of where we have been and where we are going. It will be fun to read this in a few years. We spent a great weekend in Spokane, Washington with some really good friends. I had not seen them in over a year. Their daughters are growing so fast that I can not believe they are four and almost two years old. Gabi and Bella are beautiful kids, in the way that growing children always are. Perfect? No, but they are beautiful nonetheless. It is funny because Gabi, the older of the two, played a role in me and Autumn getting together in the first place. I had visited our friends when their first child was born and...

We have been worried about the dog making the adjustment when we move. For the last couple of years she has had Duke (Autumn's parents' dog) to hang out with in the pen all day. what happens when she is in a new yard all to herself? We have thought about getting another dog, but a new dog and a new baby? I dunno if that is the answer. Also, I worry about the dog being jealous of the baby. Meanwhile, here are a couple of pics showing just what is cooking in the Swarrell life, including a vicious game of Bocci for Lee's 59th Birthday. There was a lot of yelling, whooping and hollerin'.

S cripture 1 Corinthians 10:13 Every temptation that has come your way is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your power to resist; at the time you are tempted he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out. O bservations A scripture like this can tend to make a person feel guilty, but I think that a better way of looking at it is to think of it as an encouragement. You can resist, because you will not encounter any temptation that you can not resist. It may take outside help, but you can do it! It also makes us responsible for giving in. A pplication Find out where I am giving in: in context of yesterday, it would be to fight the temptation to be a bad listener and the temptation to not say how I feel. So today, I will be a better listener and express how I feel. P rayer Dear God, thank you for my family, especially my wife and daughter. Help me to listen to those you have put ...

Our daughter is now as big as a carrot, according to The Baby Center . Autumn thinks that she is feeling the baby kick now, which is just AMAZING! I still am amazed that a person is forming inside of Autumn. What a weird and wonderful thing! Wow!

S cripture (Phillipians 2:10-11) The Humbled and Exalted Christ Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. O bservation How am I using Jesus as a role model? Am I putting God before myself? No. A pplication Practice listening: It is unselfish and takes the focus off of me. Practice Self-disclosure: Honesty is the best policy and it also demonstrates care f...

I did not know what to put in the title. Sometimes my mind tends to go in all kinds of directions, without any pattern. I am constantly tired these days and I am not sure why. I get up early to study, but I am getting seven hours of sleep or more. I think that it is frustrating for Autumn because I do not have the enthusiasm to do much. I can understand her frustration. To top it off I am grumpy because I feel tired and she ends up having to deal with that too. And then there is the assertiveness issue. Why, in the face of opposition, do I find it so hard to express how I feel? At least once a day I find myself trying to justify my choices because I am afraid to say that I made the decision because . It is a matter of honesty, which I appear to have a problem with when it comes to expressing myself. Needless to say, this has consequences in my marriage and other relationships. Maybe writing it here will help me stay accountable. Maybe not. Thanks for listening. P.S. I have added a dail...