The Beginning

Last night's doctor's visit provided the following information:

• I'm 1cm dilated (will need to get to 3-4cm before hospital admittance) - hey, progress is progress.
• Doctor was concerned about my high blood pressure, which ironically went down during the visit (maybe sheer relief that the check was over), but asked me to come in on Friday to recheck before the weekend.
• Doctor is concerned that baby is "a big baby" and has scheduled an ultrasound for Friday at 2:30p to verify size and birth-ability. - which means we'll get to find out for 'certain' baby's gender among other statistics about baby. And my biggo stomach is "all baby" according to the doctor which is crazy to think when you see my stomach.
• There's a chance that pending upon blood pressure counts and "big baby" status we'll be having baby this weekend - after being admitted into the hospital upon the ultrasound. - But again, they may let me keep going if all is "normal for delivery."

And then again there's always the chance of having baby prior to Friday depending on how quickly I advance in dilation. So in other words, all this to say... the end is quite near. And we're all excited here. =)

What We've Weathered.

I got up this morning with intention of checking the weather report prior to popping into the shower. Our room felt a bit warm and I wanted to know if it was weather related or inferno within me related. Sat down at the computer, as usual, but this time the familiar pictures captured my 6am mind. I watched the honeymoon pictures interlocked with seasonal pictures, wedding pictures, California pictures, Cheddar pictures, and so many more memories. And a flood of joy filled me.

A few weeks ago Matt and I were out on a semi-routine walk. I was feeling whale-like and inactive, Matt finding joy in the joy I received from the walk (AKA he did not want to go, but went because it made me happy and therefore was happy because I was happy). We walked along sharing the day with each other and enjoying the random silences that we also shared with each other. Then Matt piped in, "So I've been thinking and I'd like for us to plan to go out to California. I want to meet your grandma and see the beach, and the church, and the places I've seen in the photos." Could he have said 'I love you' any stronger? His heart just poured out in a few thoughtful sentences. And I must confess, that really meant the world to me that he wanted to meet my family more. "We'll have to check where we are financially," he went on "but I'm thinking if we plan far enough out then we could bring the baby to go meet your Grandma."

Those words flew through my thoughts as I watched how far God has taken us. I was reminded of being nearly engaged to Matt during the last California trip. And the joy on our faces during the outside pictures after our 'I do's. We had no idea what we were getting into, and we still don't, but I've never been more sure of forever in my best friend's arms.

I can easily fall into a pattern of complaining and focusing on how much plans are not what I had imagined since I was a child regarding being a stay-at-home-mom instantly and all the other naive imaginings that will drift away as reality is born. And it's in those complaining and incontent times that I really need someone to holler, "Are you serious?! Look what you have!!!"
Selfishness is such an easy trend. "I want it all, I want it all, I want it all and I want it now," familiar commercial jingles about electronics and food come to mind. But God just caught me this morning before starting the normal routine of, "so this is life," and reminded me of the blessing.

I have never felt such joy in life as I feel today. Each day that passes is a new day to be married to my best friend. And I can honestly say that I love him more today than on our wedding day. I mean seriously, who else is going to be there to sing Celine Dion songs in the car like Jr. High protegees at the top of our lungs because we are both comfortable enough with each other that we can be silly in front of each other? Who else can help set me straight when I'm way out in left field? Who else pursues me because he wants to know me more? Who else is there to make royal mistakes with, cry with and then later laugh about the mistakes with? No, my sweet friends, Matt is not perfect - and neither am I. But I really can't put into words the absolute joy of being married to your best friend - morning breath and all. I am overjoyed with all that God has brought us - even the trials - and can't wait for the joys that God will bestow upon us in the future.

A co-worker asked me last week if Matt was my first love. "You know, I guess he is because he really defines love in the most real way I have ever experienced. I honestly can't say I experienced the depth of a true love prior to him." And the only way he can do so much and be so much to me is because of how hard he tries to be like Jesus. Because I know that Matt does not complete me, he's no where even close. But Jesus completes me and it's Christ in him that floors me as well. Matt compliments me far greater than anyone will even compliment me - after all one we have become and no man can separate that. Oh but you should see that man on fire for Jesus. Who could not want to be married to him?
-No wonder I'm head over heels for him. -

Prepared

Silently we sat on the couch soaking in the Sunday football game when the familiar voice broke the silence, "Start having contractions. Let's get this baby."

- we're ready.-

16 Days in Counting

Welp friends. I have dropped. Not the ball. But the baby. Breathing a bit better today, which is nice because I haven't been able to experience the joys of dropping with this wonderful cold I've had for almost a week. The good thing is that the puking only lasted for one day (last Saturday), but I really have been missing my left nostril. It's nice that it's back for at least a visit today.

Christmas was wonderful. It was such a blessing to get to wake up at your own house and just stay there. That's right, my wonderful family came to us this year - in light of current circumstances. It was nice to get the early afternoon to just hang out with Mom and Dad. Jes and Nayt showed up around 3 and we ate at 4pm. Overall, it was a really relaxing day of no-shoes, dog petting and laughing. Such wonderful memories. "Everywhere you turn there's some kind of baby toy," mom commented as she happened upon the newest set of baby bathtub toys given us by a sweet lady at church. Tis true, friends, Matt and I are baby-ready. Matt said in the car on the way home from a quick visit to his family last night, "We're ready for the baby. Well, ready as not ready can be ready." He's got a point there. We're as ready as unready can be!

Got to hold John last night at the in-law's as I watched the family open the gifts from Matt and me. John was crying in Matt's arms. "John doesn't like me," he announced to the family. Matt handed him to me and he instantly calmed down. "That's not even fair!" said Matt. "He knows she's a mom," piped in Ellen to relieve Matt's conscience. I kinda felt bad. I didn't do anything he wasn't doing. John just got quiet for me. The poor little gass-y fellow was trying to "work it all out" last night. According to Ellen this is a daily occurrence for him. He and I enjoyed some good snuggle time on the couch. He's a good snuggler that sweet little one. It was nice to have a snuggle friend after a long, but good day. - Looking forward to meeting our little one. -

I'm just taking a quick break here at work so I better get back to things here. I get to make up my own hours for today as I finish paperwork. So far I'm one of one here at the building, but afterall it's 7:30am. I got here at 5:30am after waking up at 4:30am and feeling as rested as usual. I just headed on in with hopes of getting home around the time that Matt wakes up and just in time for lunch. With a quick after-lunch nap I'll be good for the rest of the day. I thought this sounded like a good alternative to taking a vacation day that I could have otherwise taken when our baby chooses to bless us with their in-arms presence.

Alrighty, so have a good morning friends and I'm back to the "grind" here at the dead, but productive office. - Oooo, signs of life are heard down the hallway. -

Carrying Forward to the Sides

You know, I just think it's a bit funny how angle is everything. For example, compare the 9 month picture to the Christmas ones. Those pictures were taken on the same day, but it looks like the nine months picture contains much more baby. Again, angle is everything. And no one can really describe what the angle's like looking downward at your own belly - especially as it forms differing shapes throughout the day. There's the hour-glass figure, the straight pointing out, the best described as looking like a "butt" figure, the lopping to one side figure, the rounded figure and then the side-to-side figure. And it's entertaining because sometimes I wonder if there are two in there by how much space appears to be occupied by two huge bumps. My brain gets baffled at what that second huge bump is when the doctors have declared the baby to be head-down for the past 3 weeks. Maybe it's knees all crushed in there. That could explain some painful ribbed experiences. But anyway, the shapes are fun. And despite the discomfort, I do have to say that the unpredictability of the belly angle is quite fun too. Today this shirt looks like it fits, but in 20 minutes it looks like I'm cramming myself into the very shirt I plan on dressing baby in upon delivery. - Anyway, just finding small joys in the midst of this otherwise trying last countdown.

From the Three... er... Four of Us

A few Christmas shots ...

in front of our tree.

Dakota wanted some holiday cheer.

And let's not forget her favorite toy!

"Can you get her to sit in front of you?"
"Of course, but not facing the camera."

=)

A semi-Dakota -facing-the-camera pic.

Final Cut

Last one of these.

And this time with my Matt.

- 9 months prego.-

Revolving

"Four weeks" to go friends. Today marks nine months. And n one week our little one could show up at any time and be considered full term. Kinda neat, huh?

Last night Matt and I played Mary and Joseph in the live nativity. Matt dressed in about everything he could find and freezing to death - me in two shirts and a couple pair of pants with no gloves and warm as usual. Sometimes the inferno within is beneficial.

Had lunch yesterday with a few old and one current co-worker. Kinda funny how that helps classify me as being old. The career-jobs are the ones where the co-workers do things outside of the office for the sake of having a social life. Outside of college social lives revolve around co-workers, churches and families. And to prove myself old I was the first to show up and the only one to show up unfashionably late. I was hungry. We don't mess around with the lunch times here. =)

Today marks another obedience training class - second to last - and soon the rush from service to dog social time will be complete. I think Matt and I both are ready for it to be done. Dakota's done well and we've been given tools that we can use. We've found some united lingo and learned some of the basics that we were messing up on. But really I think we've come to a point where we're not interested in having a dog-show trained dog and the classes are leaning a bit more toward refining skills that we find unnecessary for our daily lives with our doggie. We just wanted basic training and basic training helps. And those we have received. So now obedience training is becoming a bit more of an obligation than a help. But we only have two more weeks including today so we'll be good. Never thought 8 weeks could feel so long though. Matt and I look forward to the days of non-2pm commitments on Sundays.

"Are you ready for the baby to come?" I feel like everyone I pass is asking these days and I'm sure it won't stop until I pop. I'm not exactly sure what to respond. It depends on the person I guess. Afterall, who is defining "ready?" According to the baby magazines Matt and I read in the baby Dr. waiting room to kill the time my house is far from baby-proof and sterile enough. According to other generations we have WELL more than we could ever need. (I agree with them). And yet Matt and I still have a few more things we would like to get before baby comes - a few more spoilers. If baby came home tomorrow, we would have more than enough to survive for a couple of days. But as for the nursery, we would like to get the crib up at some point and some of the odds and ends put in appropriate places prior to the greatest distraction of our attention moving in. So technically we're good. Non-technically, we'll get there. And magazine technically, we'll never be there... EVER (and we don't want to be). My house will never be a Lysol wiped fortress. Instead, a family will live here. And coffee table corners will still sting and our baby will not grow up wrapped in bubble wrap. =)

Okay, off to church. have a great Sunday all!

Announcing John Alan and such

Yesterday at 3:45pm ish our nephew came into this side of the world. John Alan weighed in at 8 lbs 6 oz. and 20.5 inches long. He came out with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck so he was blue and had some bruising on his face. But as time progressed his skin turned more and more pink and his heartbeat was strong. Ellen is also doing well. She obviously was exhausted, but really did a fantastic job keeping her cool through the almost 12 hours of labor.

As for us here on the home front, Matt and I are playing Mary and Joseph this weekend at the church's live nativity scene outside. And we'll probably end up going to help Rodger at his work Christmas party for all the foster care kids.

When asked last night by the newest Mother in our church how I was feeling, my honesty was revealed. It's a bit less comfortable now and I look forward to sleepless nights with baby on the outside as opposed to the current arrangement. Ellen and Ron kept making comments that "this will be you soon" while Matt and I were visiting prior to labor. Yes, I can agree with them. But no I don't really want to think about it. It's like that marathon run, you really don't want to think about how much it will hurt at the end, you just know you'll push through it as it comes. If I would have thought of that time at the end of the tri-athlon when I wanted to puke on the road during the start of the last mile while training I think my motivation would have been altered. So why dwell on the means of childbirth. For pregnancy is not had for merely the roller coaster of labor, but for the joy of holding the child at the finish line.

So yeah, just trying to keep my eyes on the prize with each leg cramp, back ache, nauseous moment, exhaustion, and much etc.

But you know... being able to address our baby as a Rachael or a David and knowing that Matt and I are Mommy and Daddy - the default- for that little one will totally be worth it all.

Matt and I decided that we're going to finish our prep for the baby at the start of the year. At this exact moment we have just about everything that we need to bring home baby so we're in the clear in case baby comes a bit early. But we figured after Christmas we'd evaluate what all we still wanted before baby comes.

Dakota appears to be adjusting well to the baby things as they slowly spread about the house. She's had some time to smell things and begin to be comfortable with new things. We have 2 last dog training sessions with her before we settle in for the dive into parenthood. Matt and I go to our last childbirth class on Tuesday and we get to have a tour of the delivery/nursery/mother unit of the hospital we're planning to deliver in. I'm looking forward to the tour - labeling me a dork.

Funny story, when walking through the emergency room after last week's childbirth class the receptionist in the ER asked with this huge smile on her face, "going to the fourth floor" (Labor and Delivery). "Huh? Oh no, the car," came my response. Matt and I laughed about it in the hallway after we got out of earshot. So apparently I'm looking a bit larger lately. Or as some may say.. "a bit ripe." I'll have to ask Jenney to take a picture this weekend so I can share with Renee and Aunt Yvonne what everyone else sees on a regular basis and says won't last til January 11.

Baby's doing well with a consistently strong heartbeat. Baby's also in the head-down position, which means more pressure on my bladder, but less surprise bladder assaults. So now when anyone pats my belly they're patting baby's feet and butt. And for all the medical people I am not effaced or dilated - which is a good thing for one who doesn't want to be in labor on Christmas. =)

In conclusion - all's as well as it can be in our home.

How about you?

Forum of Uneventfuls

All of my dreams last night regarded labor. Guess my brain was working out childbirth class. We're now halfway through Childbirth classes. And my dreams revolved around non-gory thoughts like the beginning hours of mild contractions filled with character and laughs (or so it's said). And in my dreams Matt and I were unprepared, yet prepared and just waiting in eager anticipation. Last night on the way home from the class we discussed getting the car seat installed in the backseat of my car soon. Just in case... And it hit me that in a few short days I'll be down to a one-handed count of the weeks left before we are due. "Wow, once we get to five weeks that's going to fly. I mean 6 weeks feels long, but something about 5 feels quick." I commented to the Popsicle riding shotgun. "It's already quick," said the 6 week-out church planner, "especially when you think of all the stuff we have planned for the next weeks." "Yeah, after Christmas we'll be two weeks out," the words fell out but the reality of that experience still foreign to me. "And Ellen's due next week (Wednesday)," his words hit the still air.

Matt's headed to a Spartan (Michigan State) basketball game with his Dad tonight and he'll return tomorrow some time. I've got another late night to put in at work, but I don't really mind it because Matt's gonna be gone. It'll also feel good to be completely caught up with work. Hopefully I won't be there too late. But thank you cards await me tonight when I get home and I'm hoping those will be enough to keep me from going completely insane from the silence. I may need to get creative tonight. =)

For Jes, Matt's t-shirts no longer fit well at all. Most of the big shirts I find myself stuffing into with hopes that the tops of my pants that automatically roll down due to my low-rider baby will not be seen due to the centimeter's hang-over of shirt to the top of my pants. In fact most shirts I am fearful of stretching out due to the "eleven pound baby" that Matt finds to be a funny joke. "Or have it your way," he said last night after his umpteen joke about us having a huge baby, "seven pounds." It's sad to watch my pregnancy clothes that used to be "so big" slowly shrink to an un-fit-able shirt. And that "winter coat" raincoat that I got in it's oversized and only $6 glory from the thrift store now has a whoppin' 2 centimeters left in it before I pop out of that one too. Bummer, man. Bummer.

Yes, world, there is more to my life than pregnancy - for those of you who are getting tired of reading prego posts. But you must know that in the "real world" I don't talk too much about pregnancy and, therefore, you all get this wonderful forum of uneventful events. Oh lucky you!

Okay, off to work now.
Take care, all.

Engulfed

Yesterday night I stood on the curb and watched a church woman's house burn. The flames engulfed the house, flaring out of control and destroying everything. Smoke could be smelled for miles as it poured from the house. And the sermon of gratitude from the morning took new shape as this woman stood in utter shock. I had nothing to offer this woman but prayer. She repeated for a while that the last thing she was doing in the house before going to the evening church service was cross-stitching Christmas presents for her grandchildren. "I don't even have my medicines or cold creme." Then she explained to the fire marshal, "It's like my brain's just gone. I'm not even making sense."

Thanksgiving is a season not of turkeys and cranberry sauce, but of gratitude for all that we have. There was a horrible loss of all possessions, "I only have the clothes on my back," the poor woman said regarding the next few days stay in a hotel. A friend quickly ran to her house to gather extra pajamas and Pastor reassured that anything she needs will be paid for by her church family. "I lived there for 30 years," came an unreal-to-me realization that past memories were gone. And nothing that could have been said on that curb would have changed the fact that everything was gone. Everything was gone.

So does this woman have nothing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving? Everything is gone. Value is held in all kinds of things and I have absolutely no idea what it would feel like to watch so many blessings that were given instantly taken away. Yes, this woman has friends and family to hold her through her loss (Thank you, God). But I really can't imagine what it would feel like to be put through such a test of gratitude.

It was amazing to witness the Body of Christ working last night, embracing a sister in the midst of tragedy. It was awesome to see the Body of Christ doing what the Body of Christ should... praying and standing beside this sister when all the neighbors had gone inside and the flames were but rubble. And as can be told through the rambling of thoughts and the smell of smoke in my hair, I am still at a loss for complete thoughts and well-poised words regarding the magnitude of thankfulness required even in utter tragedy. How can one produce such gratitude in the midst of loss? Only through the blood of Jesus.

So please take a second to say a prayer for this fellow sister in Christ as she comes out of her shock and lets go of what has been taken. Please pray that she is able to continue to be surrounded by those who love her as she takes healing steps. Please pray that she is able to embrace a greater gratitude for Jesus Christ despite the difficulty and how easy it is to doubt God in all this. Please pray. Prayer has an even greater impact than we will ever know.
thank you.

Accomplished

Tomorrow's 7 weeks until due date.

And I'm still able to get up off of the floor...

awkwardly, but that's still an accomplishment!

Not sure when it happened, but no I can't see my feet when standing.

(thanks mom for asking. hehe.)

Take care, all!

just another friday

It feels like years have passed since the alarm went off at 4:30 this morning. Dakota's road-kill with eyes open position spoke volumes to my inner core. Surprisingly despite the time, I was able to find some productivity stored in the depths of my character that outpoured through group note after group note from 6-7:30 this morning. At 10 my body decided it was time for lunch. And now at 12:30 my body has decided it's time for a nap. So with a jolt of a froo-froo coffee drink from downstairs (the last of my allowance money) I find myself once again trying to spur on to productivity. Only this time my rebellion kicks in. So Sara Groves is helping to refocus and put me back in the zone I found myself in this morning. Blessed am I, my first intake no-showed. Now hopefully my second intake will no-show and I can find myself homeward bound after only putting in 9 hours of work. What was once a personal attempt to complete "all my outstanding paperwork" has melted into a realistic goal that is being played out differently than the initial attempt. Another quiet Friday, me and the janitor competing for the longevity award (only he appears to have more life than this carcass) and the regular 3 dedicated individuals in the office - 2 newly hired. How everyone else appears to pull off their workload and a 40+ hour Monday through Friday shift without being in existence on Fridays still remains a mystery to me. But alas... back to the repetitious soul-sucking of the office - brightened a bit by Sara Groves' melodies that cut through thick Friday drag and ironically sing out about, "freedom..."

Baby, Youth, Danielle, and Alien

We got a new (to us) swing last night for baby. Twas fun to go pick it up and promptly put it in the living room upon getting home. This weekend we'll get a crib. YEAH! It's white and free. And that is overwhelmingly awesome!

Matt and I have just been recouping from this weekend. Wonderful weekend, but man I tell you it was tiring. I think I got 11 hours of sleep over the youth weekend part, which is semi-doable without another live to attempt to sustain. The youth appeared to enjoy the weekend, be challenged in their faith, and desire change in their walks with God. So it was a highly successful weekend.

I got to hold Danielle again on Sunday. Funny but holding that little 5 week old is so precious on two levels... 1. she's absolutely adorable and 2. it still blows my mind that someone so small is inside of me.

Alien movements have been quite the normalcy. You should see my stomach go crazy at different times in the day. It's hilarious! And Matt appears to be enjoying all the activity. Though I must admit, the hip and back assaults can be sometimes painful.

So yeah.. that's us. We're doing great. 8 weeks to go! So how are you? What's new?

Sports Car

Driving home from an errand last night I heard the sounds of a wholed muffler and gas-eating engine passing my car. I turned and looked out the window, giving the other driver the attention they desired when they "altered" their car. And I found great enjoyment as a 4 door sedan with glowing track light under the car and new barrel exhaust pipe passed me filled with four teenage boys. I mean come on man, almost 8 months pregnant, Chevy Cavalier with Celine Dion blaring me was more of a sports car than them.

=)

People entertain me. Especially as the child wasted half the gas tank by revving the engine at the stoplight. Clearly if the child had paid for his own gas for more than the last two weeks conservation would have quieted that engine a little. =)

I love it.

Kitchen Delight

Now that it is more predictable and more felt from the outside world, here's Jes enjoying a good kicking. This is the first time she felt her new niece or nephew moving.

(Thanks again for the picture Mom.)

Check out her face. I love seeing that delight.

Crossing the Threshhold

Wanna know something cool?
9 weeks to go. And looking at the calender this afternoon I realized the following things are happening before the baby comes:

1. This weekend (Nov 14-16) youth retreat - Discipleship Now
2. Following weekend (Nov 22) - hang out with mom and jes and make Christmas decorations
3. Nov 23 - church baby shower
4. Nov 25 - childbirth classes begin
5. Then - Thanksgiving in Michigan and NFL hall of fame
6. Next weekend (Dec 6) - celebrate Mom's b-day and Cinci baby shower
7. Wednesday Dec 10 - welcome our nephew to the world.
8. Next weekend (Dec 12-13) - live nativity scene
9. Dec 16 - Childbirth classes end
10. Next weekend (Dec 20) - FREE!
11. Dec 21 - last dog training class.
12. Next weekend - Christmas
13. New Years - no work (we probably won't even stay up til midnight on the Eve)
14. Next weekend (Jan 3) - FREE!
15. Next weekend (Jan 9-11) - my due date.

That's right, friends, totally cool! And just think how quickly that all will fly and yet how much joy and laughter will be had over the next 9 weeks prior to the start of parenthood for Matt and me. Granted, baby could pop up any time to add to the festivities, but we're hoping to make it to January (or at least I'm hoping because Matt thought it'd be cool to have a Christmas baby). But for once, little one, don't listen to your father.

Alrighty, back to what I do best...

eating a snack.

G'mornin' Ya'll

Well, dear friends, this morning is another fabulous Friday. And why are Fridays fabulous? Because they seem to come quicker and quicker lately. It's been surprising to me how quickly these past few weeks and months have flown. And I must be honest here... I'm really enjoying that aspect. See, when you're waiting in excitement and anticipation for a baby (just ask Matt, he can testify), the waiting can be fun, but so can be the receiving. As the days pass and I pass by the nursery I wonder about baby. Will she be a she or he be a he? What color eyes and hair? Will baby have Matt's nose, my nose or a combo of both? Cone head? (Hey, our niece pulled it off and she's a cutie now). Will baby be a smiler? A clinger? As active as baby has been inside?

Obedience training is going well with Dakota. Sometimes she is a selective learner, but she is trying and I'm sure she's enjoying the fruit of her labor. (Do you want a treat?) We've gotten a greater distinction between speak, sit and lay down. Though sometimes she decides to sit and lay down with vocals (which is not atypical for a husky). I think the biggest improvement is the consistency and intentionality of training her from Matt and I. She's a good girl and I'm looking forward to obedience class on Sunday.

Tonight Robin and I get to hang out. I'm looking forward to trashing our kitchen tonight as we attempt to make an edible-looking birthday cake for Jes' birthday celebration tomorrow. I told Robin to be prepared to get dirty because I'm a messy baker. "I know," came her instant I've-lived-with-you-for-a-year-and-know-all-too-well-your-baking-habits response. "We only have one apron so you're going to be out of luck," I told her. "What are you talking about? You should be the one who's afraid." So apparently she is already planning her tactics to acquire my apron. Hehe. This should be quite fun!

Matt's 10-page "short" paper is due Monday for his class. This is the first and last of his semester papers here in the first semester of his seminary degree. Matt is really looking forward to the semester's end as we both count down tests, exams, and paper. That 6 week break will be well-deserved for Matt and highly enjoyed by all. (Let alone the normal joy of the holidays and the new joy of our soon-arriving baby).

So yeah, things are humming along with life and all. Work helps me look all the more forward to a 2 month break devoted solely to family. Church is going well. I'm still looking for my spot to serve and grow at church, but I'm confident that some day I'll find it. Until then, I keep popping around the church and being involved in various ministries. i was thinking how quickly this past year flew by in reference to Matt and my first year of marriage. Odd to think of celebrating 2 years of marriage in 10 months from now. Odd in a cool way, not in a "I didn't think we'd make it this far" way. Looking forward to the arrival of our nephew in 33 days. Really looking forward to Thanksgiving in Michigan and going to the NFL Hall of Fame around Cleveland-ish with Matt "on the way back" after Michigan. Looking forward to finding out if our fireplace can burn wood, Saturday afternoon with the family, seeing Iowa at church on Sunday, tonight with Robin, snuggling with Dakota (when she's cooperative), and that feeling of freedom as one leaves the Friday parking lot in pursuit of the weekend.

So g'mornin' ya'll and I hope things are going well with you. Hopefully you have found life's little joys to enjoy. Have a good one!

A Slice of Something...

Well, this should make things very interesting, very fast. We should expect to see some change... yes friends, change like we never saw it before. But I have a feeling we're going to miss the America that was which has been exchanged for an American in which such a small portion of the liberal population believes. I certainly will confess that I am not desiring of such changes that have been declared as "good" from our soon-to-be President and I wonder how many others, beyond the Christians I have spoken to recently, will be added to that same category. It is quite disappointing that so many claiming "Christians" could ever vote for things that are so far from the Truth. It'll be very interesting over the next four years to find out just what slice of something has been elected. But I'm not thinking it's the slice of heaven that the media portrays. (Then again why should we expect a media who has continually lied in the past to be telling the truth now?)

Guess Christ-followers are going to learn a big lesson in respecting authority while politely and devoutly disagreeing with each decision. Wonder where that'll put true Christians in this country?

On the bright side... Christianity has always grown in oppression. So when we all have prayed for growth of the Christian church and the true believers of the Lord, God's answer was through an increasingly struggling country. So be it... all for the Glory of God.

Flyin' Fall

Good morning all. It's so nice to wake up in the "fall back" as opposed to the "spring forward." Yeah, one more hour of sleep is quite nice. It's given me a bit of extra time this morning to come to a couple of realizations and looking forward to a couple of things today.

1. We're starting obedience training class with Dakota today at 2pm. I'm looking forward to spending some time investing in our dog's character and also helping her to be less psycho on the lead. This is an 8-week training class teaching the basics with some other beginner and non-puppy dogs. I'm actually looking forward most to spending time with Matt in working with our doggie that he loves so much (not to imply that I don't love her, but just that she' totally Matt's dog due to the way she has adopted him).

2. I was looking through my calender today and realized that today marks week 30 of pregnancy (as you can see from the baby ticker above) but in other terms that marks 10 weeks until the baby's due date. That blew my mind. 10 weeks out, friends! Wow. That's coming quite fast. Not a bad fast. Just whew! Fast! I remember counting down the wedding. And now my planner has the baby countdown going. It's crazy to see the things we plan for and have planned for come and go with such speed. Before you know it the youth weekend will be here and then the baby shower and then Thanksgiving and then child birthing classes start and then the baby shower with mom and then Christmas and then baby's right around the corner. It absolutely blows my mind. And crammed into all that we get to welcome our nephew into the world on December 10th (Ellen's being induced). And there's the live nativity scene. And so much more to look forward to as the days go by.

Yesterday as Matt and i walked through the mall I said, "You know hunny, it's kind of crazy to think that in just a couple of months we're going to be carting a baby around." "Yeah," Matt said, "Only we probably won't be at the mall." (Typical rational thinker.)

Matt's getting excited and it comes in his tone of voice, his eyes and his incorporation of baby in his sermons. Baby is on his mind. And he's excited. And it's really neat to see and hear.

3. Iowa's coming to Ohio next weekend. I'm so thrilled! It feels like years ago that Renee moved to Iowa, when it's only been months, but I look forward to giving her a hug and seeing her with my own two eyes next weekend. it's an absolutely wonderful joy to have ended our last conversation with, "Welp, see ya next weekend." We should totally end more conversations like that. =) It's funny how much Renee has become a normal part of my thoughts that passing her old house randomly on a short-cut brings back memories of going for a walk about the neighborhood with Ivan, Emmett and Renee. We were talking about life as it was handed to us. And it's just so fun to think of what life has handed to us since that day. - Look forward to seeing my friend.

Well, Matt's up and I'd like to make him breakfast when he gets out of the shower so I better go. I hope this post finds you all doing well.
Thanks for caring to read my rambles and I look forward to reading yours. =)

Take care.