We’re excited to share the news that Rick’s parents have been called to serve as Mission Presidents over the Japan Kobe Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Their service begins July 1st 2011 and ends July 2014.
They have been diligent in their study of the Japanese language and have been preparing for their move across seas.
We’ll miss them while they away, but look forward to our visit to Japan before Bridgette turns 2 and eating lots of sushi when we arrive!
Welcoming Bridgette Vera Zinke
4.19.2011
9:37 p.m.
8lbs 4oz
20 inches
Bridgette in her first church outfit.
5 days old.
We are smitten!
We made it another week!
I was hoping that last Sunday would be the last time I would have to go to church in a maternity dress.
I was wrong.
(I have 14 hours for that to change.)
We’re patiently waiting, enjoying our last moments as a couple and praying she makes her debut in the next few days!
All because I took 2 minutes to upload this photo and submit it to the March Baby Bump contest!
I am a member of MEDHELP, an on-line health community, where I kept track of my pregnancy the last 9 months.
I participated in forums, made friends with those also expecting babies in April and uploaded a few pictures of my bump progression.
I guess the question now is:
what will our little Zetus look like?
Vanessa as an infant:
Rick as an infant:
Is it just me, or did any of you think about this 24/7?
(Ya, it’s probably just me.)
According to morphthing.com, this is what our baby may look like: 
Rick informed me, “I’d take her, she’s pretty cute!”
or here is another option: (ha ha ha…random features selected and pasted onto a face.)
Still no sign of baby. We’ll keep you posted!
In my desperate attempt to keep my mind off my random contractions and lack of baby, I have been doing random things, like making cream puffs. 
It’s 11:30 a.m. and the door bell rings. I buzz in the unexpected visitor after looking out the window for a familiar car. Nada.
I glance down and all I have on is my robe. I thought, “Gosh, I am not expecting a package…who is here!?”
I hear a knock on the door. I look through the peep-hole and it’s my friend Ashley.
There is no shame having her see me in my garb, without make up and so forth. I open the door and greet her with a huge smile,
“TADA! I dressed up just for you!”
She hands me this cute little box and says, “These are for you! I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how you’re hanging in there….”
and I continue to open the box and my eyes grew to the size of full moons! CUPCAKES from BLOOM BAKE SHOP!! (A small-batch local, organic, and fair-trade bakery offering cupcakes, brownies, whoopie pies, etc.)
I won’t mention that I ate these cupcakes for lunch within 30 minutes.
There are so many specialty “cupcake” bake shops out there. They’re all the rage. Frankly, I have had some of these gourmet cupcakes and was never too impressed.
I have had the attitude that gourmet cupcakes are WAY over-rated; frosting that is piped a mile high, dry cake, little flavor, etc. They only thing they have going for them is that they look pretty.
Well, these cupcakes were not your traditional OVER THE TOP cupcakes that are frosted to perfection, but what I will tell you about them is this:
BEST TASTING CUPCAKES EVER!
I was sold and I plan to go check out this bakery when I need a special treat!
I love unexpected surprises from thoughtful friends. It made my day and took my mind off my discomforts.
Thank you Ashley for making my day! How did you know I love Raspberry and Chocolate together?
And sometimes you need to treat yourself to a bundle of daffodils to welcome in Spring!
While sitting in a chair in the Doctor’s office yesterday, I said, “I hope that the next time I see you is in the hospital, in your scrubs!”
He said, “How about tonight?”
I said, “It would be a miracle!”
Well, no miracles came to pass last night, but I am still in my 39th week.
It’s been an incredible journey and frankly, I can’t wait to not be pregnant anymore.
I keep telling our little lady,
“Come out, come out, where ever you are!”
Yesterday, my sister-in-law sent me an envelope in the mail with two pieces of fabric enclosed, along with a page of information about participating in the Purple Charm Quilt Project.
If you’ve ever received those emails about recipe exchanges, this is like that concept.
How it works:
I will send 2 – 6″ squares of purple (or purple in it) cotton fabric to the first person listed at the bottom of the page. (There are 3 people listed.)
Then I remove the name I sent the squares to and put my name below the person who sent me the envelope with the fabric.
Then I copy the letter and send it along with 2 – 6″ squares of fabric to 6 other people.
(Since I don’t own any purple fabric, I swung by Joann to pick up the purple/white & the green/purple fabric. I have 14 pieces of fabric cut, ready to send. )
If everyone that receives the envelope of fabric and participates, each person COULD receive 432 squares of fabric!!!
(BUT, not everyone who gets the envelope of fabric will participate, but hopefully you’ll get at least 72 squares for a lovely quilt.)
Rick + Vanessa + Bridgette + August 