Happy Birthday Keith

Keith turned 24 on Saturday so all the family headed out to the park for an alfresco lunch/ birthday bash. Here are a few pics from the afternoon....


Keith blowing out his candles. Linda made a delightful chocolate chip cake enjoyed by one and all!


The boys...Juden and Oak


Scott, Dove, and Amy Gast


Josh with his youngest Naya


Ella giving out hugs...especially for Meadow. How cute!

Up Date

All right I know I'm due for a little up date especially for my friends and family who haven't seen or heard from me in a while.
I am doing very well considering that I have about two weeks left before my due date. My midwife appointments are every week now and currently I have dilated 1 centimeter and well that's about it. I was a little discouraged but my sister-in-law made it clear to me I'm really doing well and I'm progressing and I have 1 down 9 more to go! Thanks for the encouragement Amy.
I had a church shower last sunday that was very special. We had a time of scripture reading and prayer for baby riley. Right now I'm just trying to enjoy myself and take things as they come. I am learning to be still and just relax and not obsess about the unknown. How am I putting this into practice? Tomorrow pedicure 1 p.m. Scott and I plan on spending a good portion of our weekend organizing and cleaning our apartment ...till it shines like the top of the chrysler building! This of course is a relief for me as I am starting to get irritated by all the dust.

Please call if you would like to know more of the nitty gritty emotional stuff or if you would like to be notified when the big day arrives. Your prayers are always coveted and drop me an email to let me know how you are doing if you can. I love you all. I may not be writing on my blog much more...just to warn you. Peace to you all. Aimee

Happy Birthday Dove

Dove enjoying the beginning of her family birthday party. She was so cute as she enjoyed her birthday cake and the party hats! What a sweetie!


Juden and I throughly enjoying and devouring our cake. Baby Riley seems to like cake too!


Meadow and Scott hanging out. Notice Meadow with the beautiful ribbons braided in her hair.

Class is out

Here are all the mothers to be at our birthing class. Now that we are done I don't know what we are going to do on thursday nights!

Baby Showers Bring May Flowers

Here are some pictures of the beautiful baby shower my sisters-in-law threw for me. What a wonderful day filled with words of wisdom, encouragement, laughter, good food, lovely gifts, and wonderful friends. Thank you all for making this time so very special for me. I was truly blessed!

Thursday Morning

Here is my daughter and i yesterday afternoon. I thought you all would like to see how we are growing together so nicely! I must say that I am feeling a bit more uncomfortable, but it is all for a very good cause now isn't it? When ever I feel like getting down on myself for this awkward time I try and laugh at myself and stay positive. This has really helped me get over some of the more difficult adjustments to being in the later stages of pregnancy.

Health wise all seems well. I am a little low in Iron but I've not been good about taking my prenatal vits and so I'm trying to do that everyday now and of course eating more red meat. I still walk as much as my body will allow and hanging out with dear friends and family has been a tremendous source of encouragement for me. Also a few neighbors and I are starting a community garden which will be such a joy for me as long as I can hold out! I only have about 5 weeks left but I'm trying hard not to do the count down. I know this she will come when she is good and ready.

Beauty of Motherhood

Last night I finish a book that was sent to me by my loving mother. Written in 1911, the book Mother by Kathleen Norris shares a sweet tale of a young woman and her struggle with finding her place in the world. Born one of eight children, she watches her mother seemingly struggle through life raising and caring for so many lives. She finds this a waste of time and goes to persue her own dreams, but in the end realizes the greatest woman she knows has cared for her her whole life. Very refreshing! Here is my most favorite portion of the book...

"-there's something magnificent in a woman like your mother, who begins eight destinies instead of one! She doesn't strain and chafe to express herself through the medium of poetry or music or the stage, but she puts her whole splendid philosophy into her nursery-launches sound little bodies and minds that have their first growth cleanly and purely about her knees. Responsibility-that's what these other women are afraid of! But it seems to me there's no responsibility like that of decreeing that young lives simply shall not be. Why, what good is learning, or elegance of manner, or painfully acquired fitness of speech and taste and point of view, if you are not going to distill it into the growing world?"

Once Again

My friend from college came to visit me a few weeks ago. It was so much fun to have Maria come all the way from PA to visit us. We had some fun girl times and some quality time out doors hiking, and doing some minor sight seeing. We also had a wonderful night of home cooked Greek food! This brought me back to the little flat we shared while living in Athens Greece. We would cook a lot and have some really great conversations together. I am really thankful that she was able to take off time and come hang out with Scott and I.

Well in other news... I'm over 33 weeks into my pregnancy. People keep asking me how I'm feeling and I really have nothing to complain about ( at least not that I would want to share with you all!) No really, I'm doing wonderfully especially with the help from my husband Scott. I've also been blessed with wise counsel from the beautiful women the Lord has placed in my life. One thing my mother-in-law said to me the other day was really helpful. With all of her motherly wisdom (she raised five amazing children) she told me to just relax, have fun, and enjoy your baby. I thought...Oh yeah! this is going to be fun! I do get caught up in doing things right and to be reminded of this simple truth has been invaluable.

Scott's still working hard at work but finding time to help others with house projects and getting in some time for leisure. He is so excited about our baby coming soon. He keeps saying to me he just wants to know what she looks like and how much fun it will be to finally hold her. I know that my husband will be the best father. I can't wait to see him in action.

Ella Rose

Scott and I had his niece for two days while Linda gave birth to her new little sister Naya Faith. We just loved having Ella hang out with us. Children are such blessings and Ella is no exception. I loved how she would cuttle with Scott and laugh really loud when something amused her. Now when I see her running around her house I feel a little bit closer to her and that makes me feel really good.

Again and Again

Linda's birthday was last week but since everyone was ill we went out this weekend. It was nice to get out and enjoy some fellowship with all the family here it chattanooga. Now we are just waiting for babies to be born. My friend Kelly was due yesterday but I haven't heard any news on if her little girl has taken her first breath. Linda is due any day and we are hopefully awaiting the turning of her little girl so that birth will be more comfortable for both her and Linda. I'm getting bigger of course. I've been trying to eat anywhere between 80-100 g of protein each day. I know this is a lot but this will help our little one grow...I will be 29 weeks on wednesday which is exciting and I'm still feeling really good for the most part.

I must admit though that I have been doing a lot of reading and research about the birthing process and I'm trying hard not to freak out. Its hard for me to trust that everything is going to work out and that I'm not going to be tossed about having things done to me that will harm me and my child. A few people warned me not to get overly consumed with this part of birth but alas I have succumb to it! The cool thing is that God doesn't let me get too far with my vain thoughts. On feb 8 I had a pretty hard day and when i opened my devotional this is what I read....

"Do not look forward to the changes and chances of this life in fear. Rather look at them with full hope that, as they arise, God, whose you are, will deliver you out of them. He has kept you hitherto; do you but hold fast to His dear hand, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand, He will bear you in His arms. Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow. The same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow, and every day. Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations." ~Frances de Sales

Again I am reminded...again and again I am reassured of the truth i try to live.

In other news...we are doing some major cleaning and organizing, we plan on buying a bunch of organic beef from a local farm, I plan on going to a family Chiropractor the last two months of my pregnancy to help ease back pain and getting ready for labor, scott continues to do side jobs but is learning to take time off to...play some golf! (He's really good too!) And we are getting more involved in church activities and fellowship which has been a good stretch for us. Also my brother and his wife will be going to Japan on Friday...I think their really excited.

a pinch and a punch for the first day of the month

My Uncle Harold used to say that... i've been urged to jot some things on our blog, i'm always so reluctant and usually find something else to do. Maybe it's cause it all seems so technological and i have no idea who in the world is going to read it, it seems a bit strange, but i'm trying not to think about it, here i go getting all wordy like i knew i would instead of just getting on with it. Well, i've been asked to share thoughts on this time in our lives. It's been marvelous, the thought of holding a child, our own child very soon simply amazes me, what else can i say, i'm overjoyed, i've been working more hours than i care to even try to keep track of. I just finished a big marble shower and now i'm in another house doing a huge tumbled marble shower and tub, slate laundry room, of course trying to work on everything at once so as not to hold up the cabinet guys and granite countertop guys. Then there's always the big house by rock city with seven bathrooms i'll be working on next. I'll be helping my neighbor tomorrow by tiling the floor in his bathroom. I think all this work is good though, it comes in seasons and i'm sure all the extra hours of pay will come in handy once we start caring for this baby. I just wish sometimes i could spend more time with Aimee and soak in each changing day, It was nice to walk in the snow with Aimee this morning, i love snow days, i decided not to rush on to work this morning, it's always 4 or 5 degrees colder on the mountain and the drizzle now could be ice up there. A working Buddy is on his way to pick me up, we'll be working in the same house today. I feel a bit safer in his big old 4x4 Ford pickup, the only thing i fear are these crazy southern drivers who've never seen snow. Well I'm off...

Some Promised Pictures

I have passed my six month marker which is very exciting and freeing.
Some of you have been curious to see how big I am getting. I hope these pictures will help.
The baby moves a lot more and as I did when I was in the womb she is kicking into my ribs.
I can hear my father say...you reap what you sow my child.
I'm loving all the energy and clearness I feel right now.
I crave anything citrus lemons,limes, oranges ect. I think it helps with my indigestion and
of course I still drink water like its going out of style!

What We Are Created To Be

I must say that there are only a handful of books that I have read in my life that have truly changed my heart and mind about the way I live my life. This book by Debi Pearl is one of those books. It is a MUST for every woman...I don't care if you've been married for years, are just starting out or still dreaming of that special someone. I'm not even done reading yet and I wish I had a copy for every woman I know. What do I love about it? Well...it's raw and filled with Biblical truth for starters, but most importantly it works. I started doing just a few of the things she mentions and my marriage has already been more of everything I need and want. This book has been a refreshing change from all the pregnancy books I've been consumed by lately, and I'll tell you what, I feel way more blessed by this then anything I've read in a long time. Go ahead give it a try...read this book....I dare you!

Nesting and resting in the Lord...

So I have officially entered the "nesting" phase of pregnancy. Things are getting cleaning and organized, thrown away, and stored properly. I must admit I love to throw things away! It's a very freeing feeling when that old bottle of suntan lotion you thought you should keep gets eliminate. Score! another clean space for me to live with. I love space and totally prefer it to stuff being shoved in every corner of my entire apartment. Also, I feel more inclined to look for a house when our little space is straightened up and ready to go. I'm trying to box things up with that thought in mind. It just makes it all so much more comforting to me.

On another note scott and I will be starting our birthing classes this Thursday. We had originally wanted to just take the classes the hospital had to offer but then decided to go with the more intense route and do the Bradley classes a few people had told us about. This class will be 12 weeks long and cover pretty much everything you could possible want...or not want to know about having a baby with the emphasis on having a natural birth. That's right you read right...a natural birth. I'm shooting for that but I am NOT opposed to having medical intervention if necessary. My reasons for having a natural birth are mainly because I am a curious cat and I want to know how bad this pain is going to be. I may sound crazy but remember i'm the girl who went to school for out door education and lived in the woods for half of my high school and college life...being chased by bears, followed by strange men, dealing with crazy campers, bad bad flesh wounds, storms, mountains, raging rivers....ect. I want to experience life... i was taught that at school so i'm going for it. Also people say recovery is easier and faster when you have a natural birth and that sounds good to me. I know i may sound a bit flippant when i speak about this but really i've done a lot of praying and thinking and I'd like to at least try. The cool thing is that I know my friends and family are supporting and praying for me and that what ever happens the Lord is with me. Also I realized a few weeks ago that my due date is also the same day as the national day of prayer! Sweet! I can't think of a better day to have my girl then when millions of people will be praying to the Lord!

Another wonderful thing that has really blessed our lives these past few weeks is the way the Lord has been providing for us. Scott and I have been a member of Samaritan Ministries for over two years now and we are reaping the benefits of being part of this organization. Since we don't have regular insurance we joined Samaritan by giving money each month to people in need. We pray for them, send a card and send a check. Since Samaritan covers births we started to receive cards and money from people all over the country. I can't tell you how awesome it has been to be so blessed. One note stood out to me..."Dear Mr. Scott and Mrs. Aimee I hope that your baby comes out well. We will pray for you. May God bless you and your family." I thought that was cute....I hope my baby comes out well too!

Its been a busy couple of weeks. well to be more accurate my days seem to ebb and flow with times of rest and peace and then filled with running errands, work, hanging out with people and playing games. In it all though, I know my life is changing and I'm not just talking about physically which is obviously the case right now but in other ways as well. Let me try and explain without being too...umm mawkish.

Generally when i go through change in my life I have a very hard time. Ask my mom she'll attest to this with a resounding YES. I don't really know exactly why i'm like this...its just me. When I get plunked down into a whirlwind of change I kick and scream (internally) and I want out, I want control and "freedom" from what every is forcing itself upon my unwilling body. I hardly ever went right to the Lord or spent time really reflecting my fears. Lately though, I feel more drawn to getting myself comfortable on our couch and really getting into the Bible and finding comfort there. Yes, I know this is a very simple thing and something I should have been doing more of years ago but hey that's how things go sometimes. Maybe I feel a bigger responsibility knowing that I've got a little baby growing inside of me. One day she'll be asking me questions and looking at my life and I want her to see the truth that I cling to. I'm not a solid person but I want my children to see Christ in me and this is the only way I see that happening.

This is meant as an encouragement to all who read and as a way for me to share my heart. I'm not about spouting out how good I am! We all struggle with what we believe and why. I want to say that through Christ we find our answers we just have to be still long enough to let it happen. At my parents farm house I was reminded of this simple and beautiful truth. My parents have sheep and they have the young ewes down in the pasture near the house. Every day I was there I went down to give the girls crackers. They would get so excited to see me and bahhh and leap up to receive my treats. Only one of the girls, Raven, would eat the crackers and then just hang out with me. The other two were too scared and freaked out to come close to me even though i had just given them all treats. So I would sit down and love on this little black lamb. She let me massage her back and head. She would get so into it that she would sway and start to close her eyes, just letting me love on her. Later that day I thought on how this event was an example of how I approach my God. Sometimes I just take what I want and run off afraid I might get hurt if i get too close or even worse I just don't care and can't be bothered with it. But sometimes like Raven, I get up close and get real still and let the Lord lavish his love on me. The thing i forget sometimes is that he actually enjoys this. It says he DELIGHTS in us! Amazing isn't it?

I'm growing!

Over Christmas I really started to show and so we decided my body was finally picture worthy! ha! I am feeling so much more alive and energetic and I am also very thankful that our little girl is healthy and growing strong. She is a pretty active one as far as I can tell and I just LOVE feeling her kick and wiggle around. Sometimes I'll just sit back and watch my belly pop out and in as she moves about. Scott has started to read more about the whole pregnancy thing. I think it overwhelmed him at first. I received so many different books from friends and family members he didn't know which one to start with! Now he is telling me bits of facts that he has been learning and I am thankful that he is able to take some time during his busy day to find out more about this amazing experience we are going through together.

Home for Christmas

Scott and I made the 11 or so hours up to my parents house in Kempton, PA for Christmas this year. Actually first we stopped off in Elmer, NJ to spend some quality time with Scott's sister Heather her husband Steve and their four energetic and lovely children. Then up to the farm house where we spent Christmas eve and the morning of Christmas day. Then down to Cherry Hill, NJ to visit with the Schimpf's and then back up to the farm late that night. Boxing day was spent with Scott's grandparents and the Suliks up at the farm. Everyone had a wonderful time except maybe Steve! My mom's parents came the next day and we enjoyed some laughs, stories, and good food. In between all of the visiting Scott and I had a chance to soak in the beautiful country air and walk the peaceful grounds of my parents property. My favorite times were spent loving on the ewes that had been born last spring, watching the deer prance about, sitting by the fire with my loved ones, and playing Apples to Apples with my parents and Scott. All in all a wonderful time spent laughing and loving.


The girls raven and lucy

Nana, Poppy and my cousin Lauren's baby Chase Bradley

Scott and his grandparents eating gift basket goodies

My Dad and Caleb Sulik going to feed the rams and levi

My beautiful parents Christmas morning

Scootonius turns 26 years old

Today is my husbands birthday! What a simply amazing and loving man! Give a shout out for Scott James Riley!! Yahooo! I love you Scott....always and forever!

December 15

"Trust also in him." Psalm 37:5

"The word trust is the heart word of faith. It is the Old Testament word, the word given to the early and infant stage of faith. The word faith expresses more the act of the will, the word belief the act of the mind or intellect, but trust is the language of the heart. The other has reference more to a truth believed or a thing expected."

"Trust implies more than this, it sees and feels, and leans upon a person, a great, true, living heart of love. So let us "trust also in him," through all the delays, in spite of all the difficulties, in the face of all the denials, notwithstanding all the seemings, even when we cannot understand the way, and know not the issue; still "trust also in him, and he will bring it to pass." The way will open, the right issue will come, the end will be peace, the cloud will be lifted, and the light of an eternal noonday shall shine at last."

"Trust and rest when all around thee
Puts thy faith to sorest test;
Let no fear or foe confound thee,
Wait for God and trust and rest.

"Trust and rest with heart abiding,
Like a birdling in its nest,
Underneath His feathers hiding,
Fold thy wings and trust and rest."

~Streams In The Desert~

I'm Sorry I Forgot

I was driving today and I was thinking about my nephew Jonathan Peter. I had written his birthday down in both of my calendars but I still forgot to call him or write a card. But though I forgot his birthday I could never forget him. If I were to describe my nephew words like caring, kind, loving, creative and joyful all come to mind. I was overjoyed to have him stay with us for my brother's wedding. And although Jonathan Peter is only 6 he was so helpful, never complaining, and always interested in what other people had to say. I was amazed by his zeal for life and the way he just loves to sing his heart out. At one point during our visit we were out side and as I sat indian style he bounced around me telling me the Bible verses and songs he was learning in Kindergarden. I remember soaking in those moments remembering how beautiful the day was as he skipped around me sharing his heart. I feel so blessed to know this child and to watch him as the Lord continues to mold and shape him into the man he will someday become. I know I may be over doing it a bit, but I'm allowed to since I'm his Aunt and I have bragging rights. Yes I may have forgotten for a little while his birthday but I could never forget him and how much I love him!