Fall Fun!

Two weeks before Thanksgiving the weather was BEAUTIFUL in Indiana! For three days in a row, Benny and I took Andrew on a walk around AU's campus. The first day, the two soccer guys from across the street joined us, we picked up a couple of the girls I mentor on campus and we all had lunch together. The next day, we had a few more. The last day, this was the group:



It became one of those "little things turned into a big thing." We loved it!


Our smiley little boy!


Watching TV with Daddy:


Benny, Andrew and Benny's mom Kathy after the AU soccer banquet. Benny was honored for his three years of service as an assistant coach. (We're just starting to look for coaching jobs for next year for Benny. Please be praying that the Lord would lead us exactly where he wants us to serve!)


He is SO precious! :)

Paintings for Andrew's Room

When we picked Andrew's name, we decided to give him a name with a strong meaning. His name means "tender warrior." (Andrew= warrior/man and Caden means gentle/tender). Our prayer is that his character would one day reflect his name: a strong, bold leader with a gentle, tender spirit. We asked our good friend Jill Scovell to do a painting for his room that would reflect the meaning of his name, and this is what she came up with!!





She picked the Lamb/Lion combo because it reflects the perfect example of a tender warrior...Jesus Christ... the sacrificial lamb and the mighty lion. Thank you, Jill for blessing us with such a meaningful gift! (See link to the right for more of her incredible artwork!)

ANDREW CADEN BENNISON!

So most of you have probably seen some pictures of Andrew via Facebook, so there won't be an abundance of pics in this post. But, I did want to tell our "labor story" for those who are interesed:
I woke up on Sunday morning (October 3rd) at around 6 or 7 am having contractions about every 10 minutes. Because I was only 1-2cm earlier that week in the office, I knew I was going to have to contract for a while in order to make any change. So, we decided to go to church (30 minute drive). I continued to contract at church, on the way home, while eating lunch, and while trying to take a nap. I started doing some things around the house and decided I wanted to take a walk, and if the contractions got closer together after the walk, we'd run into the hospital to have one of my coworkers check me. During the walk they were around 6 minutes apart, so we got in the car and headed to the hospital. (I had called my friend Courtney to tell her I was just going to stop by to see if I was doing anything...such a perk of working in Labor and Delivery!) Courtney checked me, and I was 3-4 cm! (it was 5:30pm-ish). Our friend Cherilyn came up to the hosptial to hang out with me so that Benny could run home and grab our bags (thankfully we live really close!). I got my epidural at around 10:30pm and my doctor came and broke my water at 11:15pm- I was 5cm. At 3:45 she came back to check me, said I was 10cm and had me start pushing. Andrew was born at 4:24am!! (I was really nervous that I wouldn't be a good pusher...after 5 years of telling other women how to do it I felt like this was a performance review. I was going to be so ashamed if they had to tell me over and over, "You're doing this all wrong!" I guess I did allright...)

RIGHT after delivery!



First family photo :)


I am so thankful that my parents were able to stay with us for a few days! They were beyond helpful and SUCH a blessing!

I absolutely love this one of Benny and Andrew. They are going to be such great buddies! I am so blessed to have a husband who will intentionally love, mentor, guide, and instruct our children, and who will most importantly model and teach God's love!



One of our favorite pictures of little Andrew...



Our friend Jose came by and took some AMAZING pictures for us. Here are just a few: (Andrew is 4 weeks old in these pics)





















Today, (November 18th) Andrew is 6 1/2 weeks old. He has started smiling and making fun little noises. He has most definitely changed our lives, but we can't imagine not having him around. We prayed and prayed for him, and are soooo thankful that the Lord has given us the opportunity to be his parents!!!! We pray that we are faithful to allow Him to guide as we do our best to lead, direct and guide him to be the man that God desires him to be!

September 2010

Hello friends!
So the last couple of months have been a little busy :) and I have neglected our blog. Here's what our September looked like:

AU soccer season started at the beginning of the month! Now (November 1st) the regular season is over, and the team plays in the conference semi-finals on Wednesday. They had a GREAT season! (see link to AU men's team at right)
Benny on the sidelines during one of the first games:



At a high school football game with the Daughertys. Benny and me with Aden and Owen. We LOVE these precious boys! (and their parents :)



Benny and Owen:



Benny and I are super blessed to be able to live life alongside a great group of couples in a small group. They surprised us with a baby shower!



Jonah and Sarah



Our awesome small group!! Sarah and Jonah McDonough, Troy, Katrina and Ian Canfield, and Cherilyn, Jason and Eyla Horning!



One of Benny's favorite things to watch: Ian eating!! We love the way he opens his mouth SO wide for every bite!



Troy reading to Eyla and Ian.



The AU men's team, watching the women's game.



My incredible husband, helping the guys get warmed up:






The starting lineup:


Benny and I with Matt Young, our fun neighbor!



Some of the girls at work hosted a shower for the THREE nurses who were pregnant at the same time! Jacole (due October 3rd...the day before me!) and Courtney (due at the beginning/middle of November.)






39 week belly shots!






Andrew's Room!! The awesome painting above his crib and changer dresser was made by our good friend Lainie Deerman.


(The wall space above the organizer is being saved for two drawings that my dear friend Jill Tanana is working on!)





(There's actually a shelf on the wall to the left of the rocking chair with some picture frames...just can't see it in this picture!)

Baby Shower in Noblesville, IN

Sunday, August 27th Leslie Galema and Jess Daugerty hosted a PRECIOUS baby shower for me!

Here's the creatively decorated food table:








Opening gifts:











Leslie and Cassity Galema (Leslie's hubby Adam and Benny have been friends since 2nd grade and were college roomates.)


Jessica and Brenda Daugherty (Brenda is Jess's mother-in-law. Brenda's son Travis was one of Benny's college roomates.)


Wendy Fridley (AU head soccer coach's wife) and Sue and Katie Rocholl (Katie plays on the AU women's soccer team and Sue is her mom!)


Elizabeth, Laura and Abigail Tully (Laura and Benny are cousins)


Alison Bachtel and Betsy Reiff (two of the AU students I mentor.)


Megan Uselton (she's dating Benny's cousin Eric), Allison Jonas (married to Benny's cousin John), and Pat Jonas (Benny's aunt).



THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Leslie and Jess for hosting such a great shower and to everyone who was able to come and for the gifts. We are so humbled by your friendship and love!

Rachel's 28th Birthday

So for the record, I have the most amazing husband in the world. He did such a great job honoring me for my 28th birthday (which was August 23rd).

Sunday night (the 22nd) he made me stay in another room for a few minutes while he set up the kitchen table. What I came out to was this!


Next, he had me open the flowered box on the left side of the table. Inside was a scrapbook that he had actually started last year, and just finished last week. (He's so cute!)

The next morning (my birthday), he made me breakfast before leaving for preseason soccer training.

After training, we had lunch together and he had me open two of the gift bags. Inside were t-shirts from two really great local restaurants: Geene's Rootbeer and The Lemon Drop. I have a thing for t-shirts from local places where we live, so this was perfect!! Then he had me open one of the cards. Inside was a gift card to Target. He didn't actually load the card, but he used it to explain that he was taking me on a shopping spree there! Target is one of my most FAVORITE places...even if I am just walking around and looking, I just love BEING there. So, a shopping spree was SUCH a fun idea. (He did give me a couple of rules...I wasn't allowed to buy anything for Andrew, him, or for the house...they could only be things for ME...this was tough!)

So we left, went on our shopping spree, and then had dinner at the Olive Garden.
I dropped Benny off at soccer training, went back home and awaited the final portion of my gift.

When he returned, I was able to open a really sweet card from Alison, one of the girls I mentor. Then I opened the final bag on the table. Inside were lotions and bubble bath from Bath and Body Works. He drew me a bubble bath and then gave me a massage. How heavenly!! It was the perfect end to a really fabulous day.
Here's the table at the end of the day!


(ALSO, lovingly sprinkled throughout the day were phone calls, text messages and facebook posts from my wonderful friends and family...you guys are the best!)