Rough Draft Honeymoon Plans

Although it would be just awesome to go to Europe and see all the castles and art that I'm just dying to experience, we've been highly considering an alternative kind of honeymoon. I learned somewhere a while back that the highest cause of death in many third world countries is bad drinking water. Paired with this bit of knowledge, we were told that to build a well that would pump clean, fresh water costs as little as $3,000. (I'm sure that doesn't include airfare or labor but that is besides the point.) Just one well can save a huge number of lives. I don't remember if it was in the hundreds, or even quite possibly, the thousands. The number slips my memory, yet I know it was astonishing.

I told Jeremy about it, and we've both been toying with the idea... of course, there are risks involved, but I think the rewards would be quite worth it. Now we just need to decide where, when, and all those other details. Oh, and HOW DO WE BUILD A WELL ANYWAY???? Any info or ideas are welcome. :)

We're Engaged!

On my 28th birthday, May 27th 2010, Jeremy officially proposed to me, even though he knew what the answer was for quite a while. :) He intentionally came home without so much as a card or flowers... and proceeded to act like it was just like any other day. I wondered if he forgot it was my birthday, and despite the fact that I wasn't expecting any sort of pricey gifts (being that I hadn't worked for a month after we lost Gavin), I still found myself just a bit dissappointed he hadn't done so much as pick up a 99 cent card! But to my delight, this was all part of his plan. After a few hours of these shenanigans, he disappeared into the bedroom and returned a few moments later with his hands behind his back, and a smirk on his face!

I knew right then, or at least, hoped i knew, what was about to happen. He pulled a tiny box out from behind his back. I burst into tears, even though we'd talked about it many times. Now we just need to decide on a date! We have so much to do... get married, have more children,... I think I need a Xanax!

I think might be the luckiest girl in the world. True, honest, mutual-respect kind of love is awesome! Not to mention, he's incredibly handsome; he's a wonderful, thoughtful companion, he's creative, he's funny, he's motivated, and the cherry on top: he's a great cook! Finally, I found myself the "keeper"... Finally, after searching for so long... I've found the one my soul loves most.

p.s. I'm not a huge jewelry freak, but I have to say, the ring is gorgeous!

p.p.s. If you want the long, unedited, tear jerker version, visit my blog, Letters to Gavin... there is a link to it on the top right side of this blog... and find the post titled "Crooked Souls". I would not recommend this site for young children; it can get intense.

Gavin Kent Binder... born Friday, April 30th, 2010

Our son Gavin was born on Friday morning at 9:16 am. He is more beautiful and perfect than our wildest dreams. He couldn't stay with us because he was born too prematurely, but we had two hours with him before he went to Heaven. He weighed 15.5 oz. and measured 11 inches in length. On Saturday, we had a little gathering with friends and family, and we released blue and white balloons into the sky. We know he is up there now, playing with his balloons. We hope you'll help us to pray for him. We appreciate all your love and support.

WE ARE HAVING A SON!! :)

Baby Names

Well, we have to wait til Monday now to do the ultrasound, but we FINALLY settled on some names!

If its a she, her name will be Jemma Eve Binder.

If its a he, his name will be Gavin Kent Binder.

And if baby #2 down the road happens to be the opposite gender, then whew! We are officially done picking out names forever!! The baby's room is actually getting under way now... its cleaned up and the monkeys are already dancing on the walls. :)

at the ghetty museum in february 2010... santa monica, ca

in our new apartment on moving day... mesa, az... home sweet home!

at becci's first (and Jeremy's 1,087th) Phoenix Suns game, march 2010...

Baby Binder will have a first name tomorrow!

Tomorrow is the big day, our mid-term ultrasound! The best mid-term I will ever take in my life :) We'll find out the gender. If its a girl, she will finally have a name. And if its a boy, well, we'll see... we haven't agreed on a name yet for a boy... and more people think its a boy than a girl, but everyone has their two cents to throw in about that! Finally, we'll be able to start painting and decorating the nursery, (which is currently looking more like a storage unit, don't tell the baby!) and buying clothes! The baby is kicking a lot now, and I felt the first kick through my skin with my hand yesterday. Mostly they are just feelings inside... but with the baby having nearly reached its final birth length, it has some serious legs in there! The next half of pregnancy, the baby mostly just fattens up. In the meantime, here are a few new pics of mommy and daddy. Check back tomorrow for the third photoshoot!!