IT'S A...

So the day finally came! I don't need to tell you how much I've been anticipating this day for quite some time now. And even though I'm only 16 weeks, I somehow (successfully) persuaded my doctor to allow his ultrasound tech (who is fabulous!) to do a little "peeksie" and see what she thought we were having. I was so nervous lying there! And it seemed to take forever...the little one is allowed to have it's privacy and all, but come on already! So knowing that my boys were "detected" seconds after we started our search, I knew we must be in for something different! And I was right!

So with that said, may I announce that the Barlow family has successfully turned the tide...and we are expecting a GIRL!!!!!! I had to write that in pink...just because I can!

We can't imagine how life shrouded in pink will change our lives. Up until this point, all we think about is boys, boys, and more boys (and it's not just counting my boys...on my family's side there are 14 grandsons and only 6 granddaughters)! But we are so excited to add a new dimension to our family...and I'm already planning out her dance lessons, prom dresses, and wedding reception! And did I mention the shopping we'll get to do?! Gracious Be!

I do have to say that this little girl is coming at a good time. With our move happening only four days from now, the thought of leaving everything I know will only be supplanted with the thought that I have something sooo exciting to look forward to.

Something new, something different, and yes, something PINK!

Saying Goodbye...

Someone once said that one of the hardest things to do in life is to say Goodbye. Someone once also said that "friends are more important than life itself" (an inside joke, of course)! But all joking aside, I have to say that I second both statments...whole-heartedly. Cuz with a group of friends like Jeff and I have made over the years in Dallas, they don't make leaving "home" and saying Goodbye very easy. Me and the Ladies (Nikki, Jenny, Shelley, Kellie, Amber S., Heather, me, Anne, Nicole, and Dawnelle). We missed having Sharalyn and Ben Edmunds, Haley and Nick Young, and Julie and Bill Sivley there, as well.

This past Friday, my sister-in-law, Anne, put together a goodbye party for Jeff and me. It was so thoughtful and well-organized and (almost) ALL of our friends were there, which meant the world to us. We had dinner "family-style" at the wonderful restaurant, Maggiano's, and ate to our heart (and stomach's) content! I don't think I've eaten that much in months! The food was divine, but the company and entertainment were even better. We left feeling loved and knew without a doubt that we had made our mark here in Dallas, and would surely be missed.

Shelley and Len TannerTy and Amber Wardell The best friends a girl can have...(Jenny, Anne, Kellie, and Heather)

Amber and Barry Shelton
The boys...Len Tanner, Cameron (my bro) and Brent Rottweiler

The ever-hilarious Steve Frederick, and Ty Wardell.Nikki Rottweiler and Nicole HoaldridgeNicole and BJ Hoaldridge
Thanks to ALL for a wonderful evening! And thanks, as well, for the darling goodbye notes and "travel gifts" each of you gave to our family. It will make the trip cross-country a little more bearable. Please know time and space will not take away how important you all are in the Barlow family's lives.

Goodbye Texas...Hello Florida!

So if any of you thought our last "big announcement" was shocking...wait until you get a load of this!

After a year of trying to either sell or rent our home, we have FINALLY found some renters to call this place their own.

Wow! Yippee! Hallelujah!

I can't even begin to tell you what a relief this is for Jeff and me. Needless to say, it's been one heckuva crazy, long year! It's not every day that someone is hit on one side by a failing housing market, and on the other side by a failing mortgage industry. But for the past year, the stress of those two factors combined, has been extremely draining.

So, with someone to take over the house for us for a year, Jeff accepting a new job (he'll be working from home as a loan officer) and a parents' unbelievable offer to house us as we get back on our feet...we are off to Jacksonville, Florida for the unforeseeable future (we are hoping to work in a Master's degree for Jeff within the next year or two).Now many of you must be saying...yeah, yeah, yeah, we've heard this all from the Barlows before when they told us they were moving to Utah. Be assured, we are really out of here this time. In fact, we'll barely have time to get the word out to everyone before the dust from our moving truck has settled...which, by the way, will be less than two weeks from now on Saturday, the 27th!!!

In the beginning, the thought of leaving here caused a small emotional breakdown on my part. I mean, how can I leave all my friends, my awesome doctor, Garrett's amazing school and teacher, and my ward and the calling I absolutely love!? But the more Jeff and I thought about it, the whole idea became nothing but a "no-brainer" for both of us. Jacksonville, where my parents live, is a wonderful place. My parents have been living there for the past 8 years, so it's become my home away from home. And, with my little brother Craig and his darling wife Cassie living in Gainesville going to dental school at the University of Florida, which is a little over an hour away, the thought of leaving Cameron and Anne and the kids becomes only somewhat bearable.

There is no telling what our future holds at this point. Jeff and I have mapped out what we call our 3-year plan, with the most important goal of Jeff becoming a true Gator and earning his Master's degree at UF. What a dream come true for him (becoming a true Gator, that is!). We tell ourselves that we'd give anything to be able to come back here once we have reached our goals, but we are also being realistic that that just may not happen. Tear, sigh.

So, with that said, let me take this time to tell all my friends and wonderful ward members how much I am going to miss you all. I've learned from your examples and friendship so much more than you'll ever be aware of. I truly feel as though I've become a better person by living here with you in "Zion."

Anne, Jenny, Kellie, Nikki, Heather, Sharalyn....it's been a wonderful ride for me. Each of you have been there for me when I really needed someone. I can't imagine my life without you all.

At this point, I have tears streaming down my face, so I'll leave it at this...Please don't forget about the Barlow family. If we are lucky, we'll be "home" soon.

Some happy news

Well, I guess it's finally time to share our big news. This is not to say that most of you don't know it already, but I have to make it official sooner or later, and now that I'm officially out of the first trimester, I guess now is as good a time as any. So...with that said, Jeff and I are expecting our 3rd baby!
We don't know what it is just yet and I obviously have my suspicions, but I've been wrong both times before...so I'm resolved to not get my hopes up either way and be happy with whatever we get! I mean seriously, could I not be happy in getting another Garrett? Or Isaac? Ok, maybe the latter has it's reservations :) ...but there is just something about a baby boy that gets me every time. Then again, in theory, I would love to have a girl. I mean the shopping alone would be a dream! So like I said, as long as its healthy, right?

Speaking of healthy, I just went and saw my Dr. on Tuesday and got this ultrasound. They did some specific testing to make sure that everything is on the up and up (my doctor is so protective and proactive...love him!). So far, so good. But the picture doesn't do this little miracle justice. Seeing the little guy (sorry, it's all I know) move about and kick his legs is amazing. And the heart beat!? A miracle. I'm still in awe that I helped make Garrett and Isaac...so seeing this happen again is awe-inspiring. The spine, stomach, and brain all look perfect! And look at the length of those legs! A wonderful Barlow trait!

I'm actually feeling pretty good about 80% of the time now. And at least this time around I have an appetite...although I'm not so sure this will remain a positive in the end! Isaac's pregnancy was very different. I was sick until 19 weeks and even at that point the thought of food made me sick. So I'm grateful for the recent bout of energy and calmer hormone levels (and so is my laundry room!). And yet throughout it all, Jeff has been so amazing. He has stepped up so much the past 3 months...I so appreciate it. With all that we have on our plates right now....selling the house, showing the house, Jeff's job in dealing with a slow mortgage industry, Garrett starting school...I couldn't do any of this without him! So I hope he knows how much I love and cherish him. Ever the empathetic and doting "Love!"

I'll continue to keep you all posted just as soon as we know whether or not Copeland Davis or Lola Tate will be joining our family (note: we reserve the right to change the names...but if you know Jeff and me, that is not highly likely!) in early March 2009.

A memorable lunch date

Last night, as Garrett was going to bed, he broke down for the second time since school has started saying that he really misses ME while he's at school. As much as I love to hear that, it just breaks my heart. I know it's a long day at school and these little Kindergartners are just thrown into the system with no ramp up time. So to appease Garrett's tears, I asked him if me coming to eat with him during school lunch tomorrow would help break up the long day. He smiled and thought that it was a perfect idea. So did I!

In fact, I remember when I was in elementary school, parents could only come on certain days to eat with the students. Now, parents can literally go any day, every day! Those few times my mom or dad came and ate with me are wonderful memories. So I was hoping that Garrett would think the same.

And I think he did! Garrett, Isaac and I had a wonderful lunch today! It was so fun to see Garrett walk in so quietly and obediently to the lunchroom and then to see his face light up when he saw us. We dined on Garrett's favorite meal: chicken nuggets, fries, and apple slices. Isaac was a little crazy during the meal...but that's to be highly expected. I'm not sure how often we can make it over there to share in Garrett's day, but it will definitely be something we all look forward to whenever possible.