I have finally taken the time to update our blog and decided to make slide shows of pictures and events instead of trying to post individual pictures, so make sure to double click on the slide show and check them out in full size through Picasa for your full viewing enjoyment. Also make sure to scroll down and see Ashy's one month pic's they are hilarious!

Goodbye Chicago

We feel like we have been on vacation for the last six months with all our fun trips to down town Chicago (and knowing that we were only temperary here); we shall miss you and promise to visit often.

For those of you who don't know John's work is assigning him a different/new territory, thus we are accepting a transfer to the Indianapolis Indiana area. We are so excited because we will once agian have family near by and we are able buy a house and finally settle down.

Hello Noblesville

Our New House

Some of the great features of this home are *its a foreclosure so it's 30 to 40 K less that what it would normally go for *We got it for $185,000 *5.25% interest rate *3,592 sq ft. *4 bedroom *loft overlooking entry *office area in the master *Fire Place in family room *Craft/exercise room on main floor *upstairs laundry room *3 car garage *there are two entry's into the house from the garage and one of them is a large furnace room, I plan to put the furnace and water heater into the garage and make that room a mud room with lockers, benches, and hooks, oh, the organization! *there is a second stair case in the back of the house *2 story foyer *neighborhood pool *top rated schools

If anyone would like to join us out in the land of affordable housing we would love to have you!

Mike in his Crib Tent

Michael learned how to climb out of his crib, and my boy who used to love naps and night-nights wouldn't take them anymore - like a puppy who needs to be kenneled! He is now back to his old routine.

Ashlyn at 2 months old

13 lbs 5 oz

23 inches long

95th percentile

and

sleeping 8 hours a night.

What a perfect little angel she is!

Kaitlin joins cross country

We are so proud of Kaitlin!

She joined the cross country team and completed her first race which was 1 1/2 miles.

Go Kaitlin!

*Just to update; Kaitlin shaved 4 minute off of her time from the first race to her last; she really worked hard and persevered.

Good job Kaitlin, so proud of you!

Ashlyn's Blessing Day

Ashy at 1 Month Old

Ashy at a month old, taken by Sara

My name is what? No really, come on guys!

After much agonizing over what to name our new little lady we have decided on:

Ashlyn Janette Dabbs

7lbs. 80z.

21 inches long

And mom is still agonizing. I was out voted. No really I love the name. I got tired of going back and forth with names (so many cute ones) that I decided to let John and the kids pick a name. I think Sara officially picked the name. Thank you Sara and all who partisipated.

So here's the scoop

My real due date was August 9th. My body has made much progress in the last couple of weeks in preparation to give birth so I am not to surprised that I went into labor 2 weeks early. The only surprise is that my body has never gone into labor on it's own; I have always had to be induced. Sunday morning I started having painful yet sporadic contractions, went to church, they went away. They started back around 3pm and I started timing them around 4:30. Called the Doc at 7:30pm even though they were still anywhere from 3 to 7 min apart and not consistent; she felt like she was going to fall out and they really hurt. Got to hospital @ 8:30 was dilated to a 6 and 100% effaced. Got my epidural @ 9pm by that point I was dilated to an 8. The epidural was really nice. I enjoyed relaxing and feeling no more pain as I was told that I was having a contraction. It was time to push shortly after 11pm and after two or three gentle pushes she entered the world @ 11:14pm on July 27th 2008.
She is beautiful and perfect and thankfully healthy. She nore I slept a wink the first night as she fussed continuously. Thankfully after working through what ever it was she/we slept last night and now she is a happy girl so long as the is either latched on or being held. We feel very blessed!

Dazed and Confused

After literally no sleep I think I am beginning to hallucinate. Are those flowers I am holding? I finally slept 5 hours last night out of a 36 hour stay at the hospital. It felt oh so good.

The best dad of the year award

I just have to throw in this story in praise of John.
He was leaving the hospital with 4 of our 5 kids in tow and a nurse stopped him and made the comment "bless your heart you are going to go straight to heaven." and his reply was "I am already there!" When the nurse told me this story later she said his comment made her day.
Thank you John for being such a devoted and supportive husband and father and for putting your family at the top of your priority list.

Lots of Love to go around

Deliverance!

This little girl came into the world just about 1/2 hour ago! She's a treasure and we couldn't be happier. Janette keeps saying, over and over, "It was just way too easy! I can't believe it!" No question, the whole experience has been very surreal. We haven't decided on a name yet, so feel free to send us your suggestions!

Love,

John & Janette

What a great day to play at the Lake

Why didn't we get one sooner?

First priority was to get the kids something to do while we unpacked the house so they weren't so bored. John found this trampoline on craigslist for only $30. I didn't understand why we couldn't buy the new one for $450.00? We will let you know when someone breaks a bone, yikes!

Hours of endless fun so mom can unpack the house

Happy in our new little abode!

A day at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

A day at the

A day at the Chicago Children's museum

Mike loves the water!

Future architect building a sky scrapper.

She spent and hour and a half on this.

Good work Kaitlin!

All set up to play Chess!

Go John, you did it!

After three years of hard work John completed law school. The good news is that he is employed upon graduation. John spent the summer of his 1st year trying to figure out which field of law he wanted to focus in on but nothing seemed to click. After a West Law trainning the fall of 2nd year he talked with the trainner/account manager about the details of his job and the company (Thomson) and the light bulb came on. John has had his eyes set on this ever since. There has been so much "light" around this career path and anytime we looked into another one it was filled with confution and frustration. After much faith, prayers, hard work and determination (and only one emotional break down by Janette) John was offered the account rep position over the large law firms in Chicago and just 4 days before his last final. Congratulations on finding your nitch.

Future Lawyer

Way to go dad and uncle John!