Jess's 24th Birthday

Jess celebrated his 24th birthday in April. I love celebrating his day of birth. He doesn't like to make a big deal out of his birthday, but do. We had a great dinner at Mellow Mushroom with some of our dearest friends and then everyone came over to our place to have birthday cake. We celebrated the next day too with one of his favorite dinners, cake, and presents!

Here is his Dairy Queen Birthday Cake!

I think everyone had too much fun singing Happy Birthday! Here is Jess, Brandt, and Jill. Missing is Nathan, Scott & Megan (and Silas- he was sleeping), and Laurie.
Here is the Birthday Boy and me!
He is my most favorite person in the world! I am in love!

Love,
Rachel

Easter 2009

Jess and I had plans to go home for Easter this year. A couple of days before we were to fly out, I got the dreaded call from my mom telling me my Me-Maw had passed away. I knew it was coming and tried to prepare myself for this moment, but how can you really prepare for death. My Me-Maw moved in with my parents when I was a junior in high school and have lived with my parents ever since. When I think of home the past 8 years I think of my Me-Maw sitting at the end of the kitchen table sipping on hot tea. I have such wonderful memories of her. She had the most beautiful white hair and always smelled like roses. We would watch Dancing with the Stars, Extreme Makeover Home Edition, and American Idol with the TV turned up very loudly. She always had a smile on her face while her hand cupped her ear while watching. She loved the Lord, read her Bible regularly, and was very diligent in her prayer time. She lived almost to see her 101 st Birthday! Wow, what a life. She will forever be missed.

Even though the weekend was sad, Jess and I did have a good time with my family. There was a lot of family time which I thoroughly enjoyed!

Here are some pictures from Easter Sunday.

My sister and I

Jess and I

Miss Emma Grace

My sweet parents

Love,
Rachel

Sorry for not posting 

I have so much to write about, but haven't had the time. Coming up will be pictures and stories of Jess's Birthday, our sweet baby boy, baby stuff, and our vacation. Stay tuned. We are in FL right now having a wonderful time. We feel so relaxed and are having a great time together. 

Check back in about a week or so....

New Addition to the Rainer Family

Most of you that read this blog are close friends of ours and already know that Jess and I are having a baby, but I thought I would blog about it anyway.  Baby Rainer (which Jess likes to call Jonah) is due October 13th. We find out the sex on May 14th and can not wait to know if it is girl or a boy. (The reason Jess calls the baby Jonah is because Jonah spent time in the belly of a whale [well a big fish] and Jess parallels this to our baby spending time in my belly). This pregnancy came as a little earlier than we had expected, but are thrilled and blessed it did not take us long to get pregnant. The Lord has taught us so much already through this pregnancy and we are thankful the Lord is giving us this opportunity to be parents.  The Lord has already shown us so many miracles and has answered so many prayers when we were anxious and scared about a few things. We truly have a caring and gracious God. 

The first 14 weeks I was very nauseous and tired, but this past week I have had my appetite back and also some of my energy. I am enjoying eating all the foods I once enjoyed. I haven't gained one pound yet, but feel that I will soon now that I am a bottomless pit. Everyone asks me what I am craving and I don't have one in-particular thing, except for salty foods. I have a hard time walking down the chip aisle and not putting a few bags of chips in the cart. 

Our family is very excited and we had a great time letting them in on the exciting news. We were able to tell our parents each in person, so that was really exciting. We gave each family member a baby gift to open. When we shared the news with Jess's family, Jess's mom caught on quickly and was screaming "your pregnant", but Jess's dad was speechless. He looked at Jess and I for about 2 minutes with mouth wide open. My parents were shocked as well. My sister caught on first and my mom said, "Are you serious", and then started crying. My dad couldn't quit smiling after he figured out what the big fuss was about. We are thankful for supportive parents and siblings. 

I will continue to update this blog on our baby progress. No pictures to show quite yet, since I am not showing too much right now.

Love, 

Jess and Rachel

Trip to see Family in February

We met up with my family in February for a few hours and it was so great to see them. My niece of course stole my heart once again and really can not get enough of her. Here are just a few pictures of our afternoon together.

Her precious shoes.

This picture is just the sweetest thing. Emma Grace loves my dad (Pops). She just laid her head on his shoulders peeking her head out from time to time.
Emma G. with Uncle Jess. We get to see them at Easter and can not wait!!

Putting the Pieces Together

Jess and I always have so much fun together. I love that we are a couple that does not have to go all out for a date, we can have a date right at home putting a puzzle together. We went to Target looking for a new board game, but came back with a puzzle. It was so much fun sitting down together putting the puzzle together and watching The Great Performances of David Foster on PBS. haha! I enjoy the simple things with Jess.

It only took less than 24 hours to put it together. Jess really did most of it, 3/4 of it really.

I have not posted in forever, so I thought I would do a post.

Here is a list of what Jess and I have been up to in 2009.

1. Went skiing with great friends, Laurie and Wes, in January.

2. Attended an 80's Skating Birthday Party with great friends. Jess totally took the 80's look to another level. It was quite fun!

3. Enjoyed snow sledding with the kids from work. We have had 2 good (for NC) snows this year.

4. Been enjoying getting together with friends for The Office every Thursday.

5. Jess has been playing intramural basketball most Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have enjoyed watching him and spending time with the wives on the sidelines.

6. Made a trip to Nashville to visit family. We stayed with Jess's family, but met my family in Paducah for lunch. It was so great to see everyone and make good memories!!

7. Jess and I have been spending much time planning, talking, and day dreaming about our vacation coming up at the end of May. We talk about it everyday and can't wait to get way for 9 days!!! 10 1/2 weeks away!!!

8. We went to a UNC basketball game! That was really fun! And the tickets were free. (I think we went in 2008 though) Oh well, just thought I would throw that one in there.

9. Jess and I had a competitive game of minature golf this past weekend. Even though I lost by 1 (only 1 Jess) I was a good sport and I had a great time spending a wonderful evening in 80 degree weather with my husband.

I am sure we have done much more than the 9 things I listed, but I am too tired to think about anything else. We are continuing to enjoy where we are in life and the life we are making in North Carolina. We are looking forward to summer and all the things we will experience and do during the summer months!