summer reading: recommendations, please

Now that I found out that I'll have a week vacation at the beach this Summer, I'm already trying to decide which books to take with me. I have a very bad habit of getting excited about starting a new book and buying it before reading other unread books we already have at the house. I guess I'll always have something to read though! 

Possibly making my bad habit even worse, I wanted to ask you what your favorite books are so I can add them to my list! My favorite author is Francine Rivers and I actually have one of her books at my house now ready to read. (P.S.-If you've never read "Redeeming Love," go buy it. Now!)

Here are the books I have waiting at home to read:

Not purchased, but on my Amazon wish list: 

 So, what are your recommendations? What should I add or take off from this list?

the graduate

After finally finding my missing camera, I can post some pictures from Will's seminary graduation on May 24th. (Sorry Will for blaming the missing camera on you. Let's just blame it on pregnancy brain.)

Will Kassner, Master of Divinity --- Woohoo!

Will and his good friend Josh. We've all been friends for so long and it was exciting to see them graduate together.

Look at that smile! 

This is when all the professors prayed over each graduate

I am so proud of my husband. He started seminary the Fall semester after we got married and has been working hard ever since. He took 8 classes since January this year in order to graduate in May and made straight A's in all of them! It's been a long 3 years for both of us, but very worth it. I can't wait to see what's in store next.

Weekend Recap - Mudbath

We had a pretty low key week and weekend. It was much appreciated (by me) after our busy weekend last week. On Saturday I went with my parents to our favorite fabric store in Memphis to try and find fabric for Baby K's nursery and bedding. I think I may have found some that I like, though I did leave the store more confused than before I got there! My parents are also using our old crib at their house for when Crew is there. I'm excited about the fabric that Mom has picked out and can't wait to see the finished product. After the fabric store we (my Dad) drove to Southaven to Old Navy. This is the only Old Navy with maternity in the area. I was excited about going, but was a little disappointed at their small selection. I did get 3 basic tanks and some shorts that I'm sure will be worn a lot this summer. Thanks, Mom!

When I came home Saturday (which had been a pretty rainy/stormy day), I found Will outside wood-working in his "man cave" and a VERY muddy Remi. Boys!

We didn't make it to church Sunday because I didn't feel well Saturday night so I got rested up that morning. We were able to run some errands that afternoon. Below is a tank and shorts I got at Old Navy. So comfy! 

One errand that we ran was to JC Penny because we had a gift card. Will was in desperate need of some new Sperry's so that's what we were on the hunt for. Well they didn't sell Sperry's so Will was able to find these shoes that he now loves. If you know Will, you know this is a milestone. He loves Sperry's. Loves. So to get him to venture out to anything besides that is a pretty big deal. These are perfect summer shoes and are super cute (...or whatever manly word replaces "cute"). Even better that we only spent $4.63 on them after the gift card! He did say that he still has to replace his Sperry's though...oh well.

Last night we went to some friends' house for grilling out. It was a perfect end to the weekend and the countdown to Friday is officially on!

21 weeks

How far along are you?

21 weeks! I can't believe it

How big is Baby?

He's as big as a pomegranate - He weighs 3/4 of a pound and is about 10.5 inches long - He's developed eyebrows and lids - His digestive system is producing meconium

Weight Gain?

As of 20 week appointment, I have gained a total of 7 lbs. (1 lb. a week since 16 weeks)

 Gender?

A BOY! Crew William Kassner

Maternity Clothes?

Yes - about half and half. Some days after I've gotten dressed our bedroom looks like a tornado has gone through it with all the clothes on the floor. I've gotten pretty frustrated the past week over non-maternity clothes that I thought would fit, but just didn't. 

Stretch Marks?

No

 Sleep?

It's been so-so. Definitely still better than a few weeks ago, but I wake up with sore hips from sleeping on my side so much.

Symptoms?

Shortness of breath - I can just be standing in the kitchen cooking and have to sit down because I feel like I have to catch my breath. Such a weird feeling!

Sore hips/shoulders in the mornings from sleeping
So thirsty at nighttime!

Other than that, I'm feeling great!

Movement?

ALL. THE. TIME. I love it. I feel him moving around all day when I'm at work. Will and I laid in bed the other night I just felt all his little (strong) kicks and punches. He finally showed off when Will felt my belly and even let my Mom feel him kick this week! I was feeling my belly for him the other day and it felt like he was stretching or something. It wasn't a kick, more like just a steady movement across my stomach. So crazy thinking about how active he is in there! Sometimes I can feel where he's at on my belly because one side or area feels really hard (& hurts a little!) - like I have a 6-pack! I can tell that he wakes up with me every time I get up for a bathroom break in the middle of the night. When I get back in bed, he's kicking away and it takes him a little while to go back to sleep, like me!

Food Cravings/Aversions?

I craved a ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins last Friday only because someone at work mentioned one and then I had to have it. We went and got a really small mint chocolate chip cake after work that day! I've also been going through 2 lbs. of strawberries a week.

Labor Signs?

No

Belly Button in or out?

In - Though it looks much different than it did pre-pregnancy

What I miss?

Nothing, really -- maybe fitting into clothes!

What I am looking forward to?

Finally found out that I get to go on family vacation this Summer! I was unsure if I would have any vacation days, but luckily I do! The only thing I'm not looking forward to that week is Will being out of the country in Africa. He'll be going with a group from our church, coming back for 5 days and then going to China. I know he is looking forward these exciting opportunities, but me and the dogs will sure miss him! Hopefully being at the beach in SC will take my mind off of worrying about him being gone!

Also looking forward to meeting Crew! After reading Tiffany's birth story, I just got more and more excited for October to be here so we can meet our sweet baby!

Best moment of the week?

Feeling such strong kicks and punches on a regular basis now & starting to notice his sleep schedule or what makes him active

Seeing my brother-in-law and sis-in-law while they were in town last weekend
We got our jogging stroller!

Daddy’s feeling?
"Feeling great! Love feeling Crew kick and excited to take him for a jog in the new stroller!"

In case you missed it:
Click here for other bumpdates!

Weekend Recap - Memorial Day

Wow. What a weekend. I know I say those exact words basically every week, but I mean it this time. I am WORN OUT. I feel like we went non-stop all weekend long.

Friday night was such a special night because Will got his Masters Degree from seminary! I am so so proud of him! There will be a whole post on this later this week, but here's a pic for now!

Will's older brother and sister-in-law came in town for Will's graduation weekend so on Saturday-Monday, we spent time with them. We love when they come in town! We spent Saturday by the pool and indulged in some Memphis favorites - Corky's BBQ and Jerry's. YUM.

Will's graduation present from his parents was the jogging stroller he wanted for himself and Baby K. We're so excited and can't wait until there's a baby in there...not a dog! Ginger approved of the stroller and really enjoyed being pushed around like a princess!

On Sunday after church we went to the zoo. It was hot and crowded. I feel like we walked 10 miles...though I know that's not technically correct! I could just feel my hands and feet swelling with all the heat. I definitely got my exercise for the week! Regardless of my complaining, we had a great time with the family. Luckily my sweet husband was there to carry my bag (or myself) and walk at a snails pace with me towards the end! I was dragging! Our zoo visit was followed by Huey's and Sheridans. Yum!

Matt and Jeana had to drive back home early yesterday afternoon so we met them for lunch at Newk's before they left. Yesterday afternoon was spent recovering from our busy weekend. I was (and still am) so tired. My family came over last night and my dad made his famous homemade pizzas. 5 of them, to be exact!  They were so good as usual. 

I am looking forward to just a 4 day work week!...especially after all the food we ate this weekend. WHEW!

I had to share this IG picture from last week. We got Remi and Ginger a new bag of dog bones. Remi was pouting because Ginger's bone was somehow better than his...even though they were the exact same! So dramatic!