Fun in the Sun

Jess and I had a fabulous time in FL at the end of May. We went to Sarasota, Long Boat Key, and Cape San Blas. We were able to visit with Jess's brother Sam and our sister in law Erin for a night/day and it was so great to see where they live and just spend time with them. We were lucky enough to spend a couple of nights at a resort in Long Boat Key to have a romantic get-a-way for our anniversary. We then went to Cape San Blas which is special to us due to us getting engaged there, spending some of our honeymoon there, celebrating our year anniversary there, and now our two year anniversary. We were such beach bums throughout the entire week and loved every minute of it. We both really felt we were able to spend much needed time together talking, being lazy, and laughing together.

Here are a few pictures from our vacation.

Ringling Brother's Museum in Sarasota

My sister in law Erin
Long Boat Key at the Resort





Cap San Blas, FL

My sweet husband

20 weeks pregnant- still in at the Cape




Love,
Rachel

Baby Rainer's Nursery

Before Jess and I found out we were having a boy, I of course had been looking on the internet for both girl and boy baby bedding. I had found a few girl nursery sets that I really liked, but there was only pattern I liked for a boy. Once we found out it was a boy, I kept going back to the baby bedding I liked on line to look at it. I found out they were going to discontinue it, so Jess and I talked about it and decided we would go ahead and purchase it. I felt like I was a kid in a candy store when we went to go get it, ha. I still love it and can't wait to have his nursery ready.

We didn't get the hot air balloon bed skirt, we got a striped bed skirt that matches the other side of the bumper and quilt.

2 Year Anniversary

Jess and I celebrated 2 years of marriage today. We stayed at home tonight and ate a home cooked meal and watched Marley and Me. I love lazy evenings at home with Jess. (We pretty much celebrated our anniversary in FL when we were on vacation, so I wanted to stay in tonight).
It seems just like yesterday we just moved here to NC and started our life together. I have learned so much from Jess over the past 2 years and am so thankful for his selflessness, hard work ethic, patience, outgoing/fun personality, giving heart, positive attitude, and his love for the Lord. I strive to be a better person because of him.
I can't wait to see what else the Lord has in store for us. We have so much fun together, so I can only imagine it is only going to get better. I know my love for him will also grow when I see him with our baby boy. He is going to be the best father.
I am so thankful for a Father that knows best for my life and perfectly matched me with someone that lifts me up, makes me want to be a better woman, and pushes me to be more like Christ.

I love you Jess!

Love,
Rachel

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