Mission Accomplished

There is such a sense of accomplishment when it comes to a completed project. I've been working on this one for over a year now. Longer process than I cared for but I'm pleased with the finished product. WCSG's website now has Ecards for holidays, special occassions, and general nature shots. Check them out for yourself @ www.wcsg.org/family/ecards/

On the other hand I have a really big project in the hopper. We are midway through the list of work projects with our junior high youth group to earn money for our missions trip this summer. It's been a learning experience for all us. The students are learning how to work, we're learning about motivational speaking. My favorite phrase from tonight came from my husband to one of the boys weeding a garden "Laying down isn't the most effective position to get this job done." It's gonna be a long haul to get to Indiana.

No Place Like Home

Spent a long weekend at my sister-in-laws house outside of Indianapolis. Travel is always an adventure in our life. I'm realizing that my son is more and more like his daddy everyday - they are both serious home-bodies. Ryan does fine on the travel, but sleeping somewhere else is always a battle. After 3 nights with lots of interruptions and not so much sleep - it's good to be home and in our own beds. A full night sleep felt great.

The big excitement of the trip was the severe weather than flashed through Indiana and most of the central states on Sunday night. As the tornado sirens blared we rushed to empty the hallways coat closet to make room for 4 adults our 3 kids who were currently sleeping while we debating about yanking from their beds to huddle in a small dark space. We were all a bit relieved as the sirens stopped and the kids still slept. I was a nervous wreck at that point, thanking God for living in Michigan where we have a basement and little severe weather to to contend with.

On a happier note - the Children's Museum of Indianapolis is fantastic. We spent almost 4 hours there and hardly got to half of the exhibits. I can't say I would suggest going on a Spring Break Saturday when the NCAA Final 4 is in town... it's a little bit busy then.

Great Weekend

I had an excellent weekend with family and friends. Andy and I joined 3 other couples in Indianapolis for the Big Ten men's basketball tourney. I almost made it through 4 games on friday. It was a little bit much for my pregnant body to handle sitting that long in one spot. Making wise choices for an unsettled stomach isn't that easy when picking from concessions food either. But they were good games and hanging out with good friends - catchin up, laughing, making fun of each other...

Not only did we get to hang out with friends, we stayed with my sister-in-law and her family. Got some great time to hang out with my niece and nephew and play. They are growing up so fast. I'm excited to head back there in a few weeks with Ryan for a longer visit.

Also the joy of travelling 8 - 9 hours in the car without entertaining a toddler was quite relaxing.

Public Failure

I hate being wrong in any situation. I'm sure you are all surprised by that! Yet there are fewer things that bring humility than public failure, missing a mark, royally messing up a project. Hate it when that happens. It wasn't intentional. It wasn't anything that will damage the cosmos. Yet it was enough to once again remind me of my humanity, my limitations, and need for greater knowledge.

God teaches lessons in different ways. He used an old friend Evette yesterday that I hadn't seen in years at the right moment for the right purpose. He is good. He's using my blunders today help me learn. Wish I was a quicker student on this life thing.

Only So Much One Body Can Do...

So, today was my first day back to the pilates workout group since I morning sickness started. It was a different video than we were doing when I stopped so that's always a challenge to figure out which way which part of your body is suppose to be going.

It's a good thing it's good friends I do this thing with otherwise the humiliation of standing there winded and in discomfort would have been overwhelming. I can only image how the humor of the workout will continue to increase as my center of gravity continues to stretch outword.

I Missed It

Little bummed, no a lot bummed that I missed my son's 2nd birthday party yesterday. I spent all of friday night enjoying what the flu could do to my body and saturday trying to move the party to my in-laws house...

I got to enjoy video and digital pictures of much of the activities, but it's just not the same. It didn't make a difference to him, but it did to me. The important thing is Ryan had a good time, family was there that loved him, and all's well that ends well.

Yuck Mom Stuff

I was fully initiated as a mom last night... I've now experienced what it is like to have a child with the stomach flu and everything "fun" about it as a mom. YUCK! We've survived. Watched lots of movies this morning and pulled out everything yummy to entice eating - popsicles, soda, little noodle soup, juice, etc...

I'm now celebrating naptime and hoping that this evening goes a bit easier.

Hard to believe

Time is this fickle thing that goes at a rate that we can't control. I've hit this contemplative mode as I get things put together for my son's 2nd birthday party next week. It's hard to believe that it's been two years since I met my little fella. I remember thinking the first 3-4 months would never end (sleep depravation will do that) and the rest has been a blur.

God is so good to us. Each moment precious. I think of all the moments I wished away, to hurried through - what a waste. Each day is a gift, with lessons to learn, laughs to have, and memories to make. My choice what to make of those moments...

Olympic Addiction

I love the Olympics. One of the great days in history is when they changed the winter/summer schedule so I can now get a Olympic fix every 2 years instead of 4 years.

I have to admit though, I'm disappointed in NBC's coverage this year. Since I don't have the expanded cable stations, I only get the 8 - 11pm highlight coverage of the Olympics. Not nearly enough to feed my addiction.

Oh well. Maybe in 2 years I'll splurge for 2 weeks and get real cable to watch the whole thing. It's extortion, a conspiracy between NBC and cable companies...

Unsure what to say

I can't say often enough that I'm glad the the Holy Spirit interceeds on our behalf - taking the groanings of our hearts and bringing them to the Father. On days when we cannot find the words to say, the ways to explain, God already knows and hears our hearts cry.

You know it's bad when...

I know for sure that I am a clutz, spill-prone, or whatever you want to call it. It was confirmed and made worse when I got up from dinner last night wearing more of my food than my toddler... How embarassing. Now I know why Andy can't take me anywhere.

One more day

One more day checked off the 280 day pregnancy check list and one day closer to being done with morning sickness. I long to feel better.

One more day closer til my brother-in-law leaves for Iraq again. He just got word that he's headed back this fall for another short tour of duty. He won't be at the same base he was at 2 years ago, because that one was attacked and closed. I'm proud of him, yet it's still disconcerting. Can't imagine what his fiancee thinks.

One more day closer til heaven. I've been thinking about that a lot lately. It's getting closer, but what am I doing to help people get there...

Heartache

I'm rather stunned and devastated at the news of changes taking place in life and how that affects dear friends that I've known for almost a dozen years. Change is a reality. Some is easier than others. I ache for the pain and uncertainty that is coming their way, but know and trust that the God who has been so good to them so far has something great in this plan.

If I truly believe that God is good, He is good regardless of the circumstance, and when the situation is beyond my understanding/comprehension. He is good all the time. It is impossible for His nature to be anything else.

Procrastination

Over the weekend and this morning I finally started tackling those jobs I've creatively procrastinated on for quite some while. The jobs always seem so overwhelming so it seems easier to put them off. The reality of it is that the jobs really weren't that tough and really didn't take that much time/work to accomplish.

That said, my accomplishments have created new jobs and awareness of other procrastinated tasks. It never ends. The big job is clearing out the spare bedroom/catch all room to make room for Ryan's big-boy room. We always fill the space that we have, and now I need to "un-fill" some room to accommodate the growing family.

What Is Old Is New Again

My energentic toddler has decided for the second day in a row to not nap. Crushing to a mom trying to get stuff done or take a nap herself.

However, we have found the joy of old musicals - namely "Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang." I've never seen this energetic little boy so captivated for such a long period of time. Thank you Chitty for coming to the rescue and introducing my son to the world of old musicals.

Some day I may regret this discovery...

Motivation

Maybe I should attribute it to a gray winter, being pregnant, an overwhelming to do list, or life with a toddler... but I am seriously lacking motivation. The mounting list of things to accomplish don't seem to help the motivation factor to get my butt in gear and get stuff done.

I need to get to the point where determination creates my motivation rather than my emotions. Fickle whims can't dictate my life. Running that race that Paul talks about requires endurance. I keep trying to make my own endurance rather than getting the IV feed from heaven.

I survived

And I'm better for it! It was a beneficial visit to the chiropractor last night and I was able to get some relief. I get to go back on wednesday for round 2. I have to admit that the deafening sound of my neck cracking seemed to last forever, even though I know it only lasted a couple of seconds.

Here's hoping for continued results.

Giving In

I called and scheduled an appointment with a chiropractor. I've never been and I've always been a bit nervous about having my back contorted, cracked, and popped. Don't get me wrong, there are good chiropractors (brother-in-law is), but just getting there is the issue for me. Headaches and backaches finally pushed me to do it, but I'm still nervous.

Thank You Eve

We read in Genesis that pain in childbirth is part of the fall. After experiencing morning/allday sickness once again, all I can say is... It's a good thing heaven is heaven. Otherwise I'd have to hurt Eve for her choice.

So much new, so much the same...

It's a new year, and again it will take me 2-3 monthes to get the right number on my checks and other written documentation. I finally got to the point that I didn't have to think twice about the year section and it's another calendar flip. The saga continues.

It's a new year, and again I'm excited and daunted by what lays ahead this year. I know that God is good and gracious and has great plans for me and my family. I know that if I'm watching, God will give me great opportunities to show myself faithful and true to Him - with the possibility of encouraging others to live for Jesus Christ. Exciting and daunting.

It's a new year, and again I'm pregnant. I'm expecting #2 sometime early August. I'm excited and daunted. I'm excited that God has blessed us with another child. I'm daunted about making it through the morning/all day sickness and life with a toddler and a newborn. Mothers have been doing this for thousands of years so I know that I'll survive. Exciting and daunting.