The Growing... Acker Family

In my last post, I announced that we are expecting another one! I am now 8 1/2 weeks (around 2 months pregnant) and I am just so excited! It's really nice with the 2nd one because time does not go by slow because you have another one to entertain you and love on! And wow....is Grayson growing. He just amazes us and we just sit and watch him play as I am sure most parents do. This is such a neat age where he is just taking everything in and he is starting to express his own personality. He is also just so sweet about the baby....he gives my stomach kisses and says...."Baby brother 'n' sister!" He does not mean two, we have already had our first sonogram and there's just one! Ha! Ha! I think he just knows it will be one or the other. Joey wants a girl and I don't care, as long as it's healthy. It would be nice to have one of each but at the same time, I have enjoyed having a little boy so either way is fine with me!

I think my main concern is TAKS season as a first year counselor who coordinates all the testing for around 670 kids. I was reading ahead in My What To Expect When Expecting book last night and I was reading about absent-mindedness....so that worried me a bit! But I kow if I try my best and put my faith in God, he will get me through it! He is amazing!!

We go back to the doctor December 8th and I will be around  11 weeks! I am so excited and hopefully I will be able to hear the heartbeat, we did get to see it at our last appointment at 6 weeks almost 7 on the sonogram! We probably won't bring Grayson to an appointment until we find out what it is....it's hard for that sweet 2 year old to keep still forever while we wait at the Dr.'s office!! We will keep you posted and please keep us in your prayers for a healthy pregnancy and baby in June!

Pumpkins and Pregnancy

This has been a crazy past week in the Acker household!! Grayson had swine flu! He recovered! I took a couple of pregnancy tests and they were positive! We are so excited! Grayson will be a big brother and great one at that! I am still early, so we are in that strange, worried stage. With Grayson I waited awhile before we said anything and it probably is good to do that! But Joey told some people at work and I did not want it to spread around and not come from me. We know what could happen and it's something we discussed. If something happens, we will just have that much support to get through it and if everything is healthy and normal, then everyone just found out earlier! I started feeling a lot of nausea and saw some changes in my body....and took some. We were not expecting this because we had stopped trying for awhile but I guess what they say is true...."It always happens right when you stop trying."

We are filled with joy but I have been feeling a couple of things like...."How can I love another one as much as I love Grayson?" Is that possible? I want everything to be equal and fair...so there's a whole bunch running through my mind! Of course, family asks....You want a girl, right?" Personally, it does not really matter to me. I will be happy with either one. I love boys, they are fun. It would be nice to have a girl but I would not be sad if I didn't have one...Joey might be!

But I will definitely keep you posted on the pregnancy!

Here are some pics from our Acker Night of Lights. We always go to my sister's and we set up a table with lots of candy, Big Money gospel tracts, and bibles to give out to kids. It was awesome... a lot of kids were like..."Oooohhh, can I get a Holy Bible?" It was awesome and it went great. Grayson, Liv (my niece, and Vann (my nephew) had a blast!

 

What do you do when you have the flu? Why... Arts and Crafts!!

We found out Grayson has the H1N1 flu yesterday. I was very surprised and it had been something I had feared since it came out! He started with a slight fever but was playful so I thought he was just fighting a little bug off or something. Joey's school nurse at his school told me to just take him to the dr. to see and I am glad that I did. Last night was tough but today is much better and I pray that he gets through it in the next couple of days and is back to normal! So since we pretty much have to quarantine ourselves at home, we have kept busy by watching movies and doing arts and crafts, which Grayson loves!

Also,  I am posting some of his pictures at the pumpkin patch from last weekend. Unfortunately, he did not look at the camera much because we had just gotten finished taking pictures in downtown Rockwall and Harry Meyers Park....so he was done!

House Stress!

So we have had our house on the market since the beginning of August. We knew it was not a good time and it was actually a spur of the moment type thing. It went kinda like this:

Joey:Hey I feel like we need to sell our house.

Melanie: Okay, sure.

Joey: Well we need a realtor.

Melanie: I'll find one and call one today.

So as you can see it was very NOT planned out. We have lived in our house for 3 years and we had it built. It is a beautiful house. We have 2 extra rooms and a 2nd living room/dining area we really don't use. We definitely have space with just Grayson and we don't want anything Bigger than what we have now but we just want something more custom. When we had the house built I was the only one with a full time job and Joey was a junior in college and we had just gotten married so getting into this house was a blessing.

But we just have felt some frustration with the process and there are days where I just love our house and although our neighborhood may not be perfect(some people don't take care of their yards and stuff) I want to stay here. But we have a contract until January and I feel like our house is not as cozy as it used to be. Plus trying to keep it neat at all times with a 2 year old is a bit of a challenge.

I have been frustrated but I know God will allow to happen what He wants to happen. So I am really trying to lay all my stress down in front of him and just have faith that what will happen is His will.

Here is one of Grayson's recent pics with our fav photographer Laura!!

Back To Reality for the Acker Family!!

Wow! This summer has flown by! I can't believe it is already mid-August and that means back to school! It is back to reality for our family......back to our regular schedules. We are sad that we don't get to be together every day but at the same time we're ready to have a schedule again! I started my new job at Warren Middle School 2 weeks ago, so tomorrow will be my 3rd week. I like it so far. It's nice to have more flexibility and to do what I have worked so hard in grad school for. Many have asked if we are still going to try for a baby...the answer is yes.....but we are going to try next summer/fall. If it surprises us and happens...it's cool but we would like to wait for two reasons. One, I am trying to get the hang of this new job and two, our house is up for sale. If it does sell we will be staying at my sister's in Travis Ranch until we get somethings built or find something.....so I would rather not bring a new baby and be trying to move all at the same time. The whole house thing is really driving me crazy. We had an open house today and there were some people that looked but ????. Not knowing is what bothers me most, I am happy with staying here if it doesn't but it's just hard waiting for 6 months wondering if we'll be moving or not.

Joey goes back to work tomorrow and Grayson starts school and at a new daycare called Noah's Ark. We loved Barnyard but it's out of the way for us in the morning, we heard that Noah's Ark was good and even though its older, they have really neat programs. They have Baby Can Read and a bunch of other neat programs so we're excited and I know he will love it tomorrow because he is so social.

Grayson's 2nd Birthday is also planned and ready, it's not until September 18th but since we are doing it at Chuck E Cheese (yes...I never thought I would have one there) I had to get everything planned and reserved early. We could not do it at home because we have to keep it nice and most people come to look on the weekends so we couldn't really have it at home. Speaking of his birthday...we were so sad we had to cancel his session. Our photographer Laura who we LOVE is on maternity leave early so Lauren (Joey's sister) and I took Grayson to the Forney park and took some pictures of our own....I think they turned out pretty good!

Well I am going to get everything ready for our journey back to work....I hope to put some pictures up of my new office for those who have asked!

Changes! Changes!

Here's some pics of Joey and I on a date night/witnessing at the Harbor and a pic of Grayson and Joey before going out and about!


Summer is coming to an end and I am feeling bittersweet about it. I have enjoyed every minute with Joey and Grayson and being able to sleep late and cook more for my family. On the other side, I miss being on schedule and I know Grayson really misses school and we just miss the routine...plus it seems when you stay home you spend wayyy more!!!
Our family has had a lot of changes this summer and we have really felt it has been all led by God. We have grown so much as a family and Joey and I have grown so much as a husband and wife in our relationships with God. It has been so amazing to see all that he has shown us and how it has changed our lives in just months. He has been so good to us....now for the changes! No...I am not pregnant (that I know of!) but there are some big things happening in our lives. We have put our house up for sale. We decided a week ago. we had talked about it but 2 sundays ago Joey said....I feel like we need to move....so I said okay and we called a realtor and now we have a big FOR SALE sign in our yard. The housing market really stinks but we just felt the need to do it. If it doesn't sell maybe God wanted to show us to be more thankful and appreciate what we have because fixing up the house has made me feel that way! On the other hand, we have been looking at some neighborhood in Forney (Fox Hollow and Devonshire) and a couple random ones in the Rockwall/Heath area in case it does sell. We really love Forney because we both work here. But like I said it's in God's hands and we're just going to go where he leads us.

The other big change is that I got a job as a counselor at a middle school. I did not even apply and it just all happened within a week. I am definitely nervous but I feel God has a purpose for me there. I am going to miss my old school and teaching Kindergarten so much but I am excited about this new step in my career.

So its been amazing to see how God is working in our lives and we can't wait to see what God has in store for us next!

A Disney Trip and a Spoiled Baby

Joey and I enjoyed a lovely trip to Disney World for our 3 year wedding anniversary. We were gone for 4 days. And guess what???? Grayson did not go...I know its shocking, whoever heard of parents going to Disney World without their baby? Well, most of the things are for ages 4 and up and gets grouchy at our usual NorthPark trips so we thought we would not push it. It was a tough trip because it was our first time without Grayson! Everytime we saw a blonde haired and blue eyed boy, we would comment on how much we miss that little rascal! Yet it was a lot of fun for the two of us to relax and relive our Honeymoon which we had there. Joey had asked me where I wanted to go...anywhere really but I just wanted to go back to Disney World. It's so magical!!! Ha! Ha! Our resort was beautiful which was on Disney property, so it was an extra special stay!

So many have asked where Grayson Luke stayed. Since my mom (Mimi) was working and Joey's mom is a teacher as well and lives 3 minutes from us, he stayed with her (Nana) and Joey's sister Lauren (Lala). He loved it! He got to swim, do art, eat at Chick Fil A and Cici's and got to play and watch 1101 Dalmations (his big new fascination). On our way home on the plane I kept thinking when he sees me he will be so happy he will hug me and never let go! Well, that was not exactly the story! He smiled and then kept looking out the window at the planes! Ha! Ha! He did cry when he had to leave his Nana's!

Last night, we went to my parents and he had fun. He loves going to his Paw-Paw and Mimi's because he gets to see all his cousins and he loves seeing all the animals! He had a lot of fun....I will have to post some pics later!

Well, today has been tiring and its only 12:20 p.m.!!! We decided on getting laminate floor where our linoleum (yuck! thats what we got when we had our house built)! We are really excited. We had been thinking about putting our house up for sale for awhile but the way the economy is, we think its best to try to make an investment! We'd rather wait some years and gain some than to lose a lot. We are really happy with our house we have plenty of room (2400 sft) but there are times where we'd like to be in a nicer neighborhood but Joey put it well. He said you can't bring it to heaven and its nicer to live simple and to be more free (like have a lot of extra money to just do what you want) than to try to keep up....someone will always have something nicer and I truly agree with him!!

Wow! I have written a short novel for you all, I will leave you with some pictures! We are off to swim!

It's Summer Time!

I am so excited...summer is here! I am so sorry to most of you that try to see how we're doing through this! As I have said before...I am really bad at keeping up with this! This school year was wonderful and very fast. I finished a semester of my counseling internship, had a wonderful class, and got teacher of the year at my school which was a huge shock because our school has amazing and deserving teachers! Joey's 1st year of teaching was great and I am so proud of all that he has accomplished. He visited California this past May to minister to people and learn more about evangelism which he feels is God's calling for him!
Now to the best part...Grayson!! He is growing so fast and it is so true when people say that it goes by so fast. It truly does. He is just our pride and his personality just shows more and more each day. He is a very assertive toddler and he is very orderly. He cracks us up. He likes things a certain way and knows what he wants yet he is so loving and sweet.
Joey, Grayson, and I will be off all summer long together and we are so excited! I have been trying to find cheap, fun activities for Grayson this summer to keep him busy because he is used to having so much to do at school. Joey and I are excited to have our 3 year anniversary in Disneyworld! It will be so hard because it will be our first time away from Grayson! But we decided that at his age there's really not much for him to do there and it would be nice to have a little break for us. We have also decided to try to start trying for another baby so we'll keep you posted on that!

Our Easter Fun!

This Easter was so much fun! Grayson could do so much more than last year, he could actually get eggs! We went to my parents on Saturday for a Easter egg hunt and lunch. It was so much fun since they live on land and Aunt Cindy and Granny filled probably over 100 eggs for Grayson, Olivia (my sister's little girl who is almost 2), and Vann (my brother's little guy who is almost 1). Grayson had a big Easter party on Thursday at Barnyard (his school) and an Easter egg hunt so he had a lot of practice before hand! He kept shaking eggs to find the ones with money and he got so many he was able to fill up 2 baskets all by himself (really!)
Easter Sunday, we went over to Joey's parents and he re-enacted Easter egg hunting for them!
Let's just say, Grayson was SO spoiled over Easter! He got so many baskets and things from so many people!
Saturday night, Joey and I went with Lauren (Joey's sister) and Dusty(Lauren's boyfriend) all went to a new place called Shenanigans in Rockwall. We went bowling, ate, played games, and rode go carts. It was a lot of fun to go to a place that has Everything in one location!
Here are some pics from Easter weekend! Enjoy and I hope you all had a blessed one, as well!

I've been bad at this!

Well, I was checking on here to see when the last time I put a post was....since I know we have family around the country/world that check up on us on here. When I saw that my last post was in January, I realized that I am pretty bad at this whole blogging thing!

Wow, a lot of things have been happening since then! Our family has been very busy and Grayson has been growing sooo much!

At his last 18 month appointment, he weighed 30 pounds and measured 32 inches tall! Everywhere we go, people ask how old he is or try to start talking to him like he's a "big kid." I have to tell them...."He's only 18 months, almost 19." He has been talking A LOT and labels everything. Even Joey and I's things....he'll say Momma's and Daddy's. He LOVES reading and his new favorite book is, "Go, Dog, Go!" We read it 2-3 times a night and then he'll go back through and he will "read" it back to me. He has been running and climbing a lot too and has been very social.

Last weekend, he got his first haircut at Cool Cuts for Kids in Rockwall and got a new spikey do! Its too cute!

Joey has been busy and he's still at Rhea and loves teaching PE. He will be going to LA next month to do some ministry training and ministry work on Hollywood Blvd. I think it will be an awesome experience for him and we are really blessed and looking forward to his experience there.

I am STILL in school. I am finished with all my classes but I am completing my internship semester 1 now and I will have part 2 in the fall. I have applied for some counseling jobs but realized I want to stay in Forney because I love it and my school is amazing. I am just putting it in God's hands! I am still teaching Kinder and I love it! Yet I am ready for summer!! I am so excited Joey, Grayson, and I will be off all summer long together! You can't beat that!

Joey and I have also been discussing our next baby and when....we are thinking next year but we want to see what path my career will take first!

Here are so Easter pics of Grayson and I will TRY to get on more often to update everyone on everything!!

Growing Grayson!

Wow! Have things been busy lately! Grayson is growing so fast and is amazing us with all the new things he is learning to say and do! There are some things we are trying to get used to! He has begun to throw fits lately and has begun to "cheese" it for the camera BIG TIME as you can see in the pictures! He is also learning to brush his teeth which is so funny because he ends up getting it on his shirt rather than his mouth! He will be 16 months old tomorrow!!! It is amazing how fast it all goes by!
Joey is doing great and he is really enjoying teaching PE at Rhea which is a new school here in Forney. He will start taking piano classes at Eastfield to have something to enjoy in his spare time. I think he is so talented and I think it will be a fun way for him to still do his music.
I am doing good! I just have 2 semesters left of my master's program. I am taking my comps January 31st and I am soooo nervous! My kindergarten class is fabulous and wok is going good! I love my school but I have been thinking about whether or not I will try to get a counselor's job for the next year. I am just praying about it all because we have also been talking about when we want to try for another baby!
Speaking of babies, Grayson does not seem like one anymore, he is such a big boy! He is still at Barnyard Private School in Forney and he loves it! He usually runs to me when I pick him up but yesterday he looked up at me and smiled and kept on playing! I must admit my feelings were a little hurt but it also made me feel good that he is so happy there, they really keep him busy!
Here are some pics of him "cheesin" it and riding his Daddy's old bike from when he was Grayson's age!