Calling all those with opinions!

So, I am a planner. Sometimes I plan too much, sometimes I forget to plan. I am going to have a baby in a couple of months (end of May or beginning of June). I am struck by the reality that I really can't plan for everything. But that fact makes me even more determined to plan everything that I CAN!

This brings me to my point. I am working on planning stuff to take to the hospital. I have lists from a few different places - but what I'm wondering is:
What would be essential if it was you? I don't care if you have had kids before or if you just have ideas or friends that have told you stories or whatever... just tell me your ideas!


This was taken 3/23/2008

In other news: If you want to know what my Dr. appointments are like - you can go to the Knizley blog and read her account - that pretty much covers it. Although I have to say that the glucose test wasn't bad at all... the stuff I drank was like a small bottle of sprite. Not nearly as bad as I assumed it was going to be!

I am watching Jeapordy... did I spell that right? (I guess that tells you how well I will do)

Other things I am planning or not planning:
- I am hoping for certain things during labor (like no pain and very little work - HA HA HA!) but I am not really "planning" it - because it seems that most people with a plan end up being disappointed.
- How my first month after LimaBean enters the world will look.
- How we will pay for things like health ins. for the little guy, diapers, etc.
- How I will go back to work successfully
- How Micah can help with stuff around the house
- Who should come to visit, when?
Etc.

I am doing pretty well at not letting all of this stuff get to me. I am able to trust that God has a plan. I know that it will not be easy - but we are so excited about all of the adventure that is ahead of us!

Remember, I want your opinion on what to take to the hospital!!! Please respond.

Progress Report

So, I'm getting bigger - but apparently I move too fast to get a good picture :)

For all of you out there that needed to see the progress, now you have it!

I will blog again, later.

Yeah! I'm getting FAT!

I took a picture right after we found out that I am pregnant - but that was on our old camera - and it doesn't want to work anymore... so just imagine that I was slightly slimmer (although not as slim as I would like).


Here is Nov. 20th














Here is January 23rd (21 weeks)








Our little boy is making more noticeable movements and is obviously getting bigger!

Thanks for checking in :)

Sorry to be so morbid... but its real.

So, I was thinking today while I was frustrated with my wonderful husband. "What really matters?" "What would I regret if I knew I was going to die tomorrow?"

What would I change about my life?

I want to live to the fullest and I don't want to regret anything!

I want to look back on my life and remember a lot of loving and a lot of laughing... maybe even some crying. I don't want to remember the hours I have spent being annoyed with people I love (brothers, parents, my husband, and friends all fall into that category). I want my heart to be full of joy as I recall events that could have been hard but that turned out really well. I don't want to wish I hadn't stressed out so much. I don't think I will care about how hilarious some TV shows are or how long it takes for the truck to defrost. I probably won't think about how I prefer Oregon to Washington as far as gas services - because I want to sit in my car and listen to my radio while someone else pumps the fuel.

God has given me so many good gifts:

These are just a couple of the blessings in my life (my hubby and our dog).

And yet... even as I write this blog I feel lethargic and bored... I'm watching TV because I can't think of something else to do (other than housework).

So, what do you want to remember? What do you know you will regret? or at least forget?

We'rehavin'ababyitsaboy.

Boy oh Boy! It's a boy! No doubt. He is not shy about showing off the family jewels :)

We had our ultra sound today to find out if we are having a boy or a girl... I had never committed to what I thought it was, but I just couldn't imagine that it was a girl. I assumed that it was just because I really wanted to have a boy first (older brother, etc) - I am not one to believe in premonitions... but who knows. Now that I said that, it sounds like I'm the Monday morning quarterback (ya know, like hindsight is 20/20).

Anyway - we are both so excited!

AND... I just had a phone call from my future sister-in-law... that's right! Nate proposed to Heather and they will be getting married in summer of 2009!! I'm very happy for them - we all love Heather and will be glad for her to officially be a part of the family :)

January 4th, 2008

Tomorrow, I will (once again) go through the wonderful experience of filling my bladder (now more squished than before) and having someone push around on it! Yeah!

Actually, I am really excited about tomorrow's ultra sound because we will be seeing so much more than the really early one that we had at 8 weeks. I can't wait to find out if we are having a boy or a girl - to see their little arms and legs moving around - to see Micah seeing all of this... we are both excited.

Too be continued...
(I need sleep right now - we got back from Kona, HI today and the flight was a red-eye, so I am running on approximately 4 hours of sleep? Not enough at all.

Hobbies of yours...

I decided a while ago that it would be good to have a hobby. But, I can't figure out what to take up as a hobby. I would like it to be something that is easy, cheap, fun, productive (useful), can be done on the couch while watching T.V., Lua won't destroy it, I am good at it, and maybe Micah would want to do it too. Anybody have any ideas? I'm trying not to be too picky :)

What do you do with your "spare" time?

Micah doesn't read my blog...

I just thought you should all know. I still love him. Do you read your spouses blog?

Your mom.

Pretty soon... that will mean something very different to me. When I can snuggle my own little guy or girl and say "who loves you?... Your mom." :) This makes me chuckle.

So, if you haven't heard through the blog-vine, I am pregnant! Micah and I are so excited!!

I have really started to savor things that I know will be changed:
Sleep, whenever I want.
Shower, whenever I want.
Go to the store, whenever I want.
Etc. ( I know there is a lot more - but I don't want to go on and on...)

Basically, being a good parent requires you to think less about you, a lot less. What a huge lesson that God has been working in me for as long as I can remember... and it is coming to the biggest test that I may ever face. God, help me to lean on you - and to trust your way more than my own.

In my NOW, what I am dealing with is a constant reminder of the blessing that we have been given. Everytime my stomach aches or feels like it is about to reject food that has been or is being eaten... I am reminded. God has blessed us with something so precious! Lord help me not to take it for granted!

Glory

I have been trying to figure out how I could give glory to God. In general. And for specific things that He has done in my life.

For starters: God has answered some big prayers for Micah and I. These were not easy prayers that you pray and then forget about until you see an answer. These were in many ways, prayers that were on our hearts and minds constantly for the last few months. So, do we owe glory to ourselves for praying so persistantly? NO. I know that I deserve no glory for any of the time that I stressed and doubted and struggled in trusting God to do what we were hoping He would do. God would be worthy of this same glory - if He had answered with a "no" or a "wait". My circumstances don't affect what He is in character.

Giving God glory on my blog or my myspace or in conversations seems to be the only ways I can think of.

So, Glory to God for caring for us so much and for continually blessing us - and Glory to God for being the Creator, Father, Saviour, Gracious God that He is!!

How do you give glory to God?

Freedom.

After a discussion that we had at work today I was contemplating freedom. I'm not talking about American freedoms... like freedom of speech and all that. I'm talking about freedom to be REAL. Do you ever wish that you didn't have the pressures of expectation weighing on you? Do you know that you don't have to feel those pressures?

This is sort of a personal revelation for me... or maybe a re-revelation, since it isn't an entirely new thought to me. I have been given freedom in Christ to be who I am and to grow into what He created me to be. The way that plays out is astonishing to me! God wants me to take RISK - with my heart, my "self-esteem"(whatever that is), my ideas, my passions - If I never take risk, what kind of faith am I demonstrating? Well, the way I figure it is, that if I live a safe life I have not trusted God. When I do something that I KNOW I can do, I'm trusting in me, my ability. When I try to do something that I don't know if I can do (or I know I CAN'T do) I am trusting that God will guide me or miraculously give me what I need. This will seem foolish to the world - but isn't that what we are supposed to seem like to them? We have been set free to love with no boundaries and to bring glory to God!

So, how do I apply this (because I hate theories that mean nothing in real life)? Ideas? Or, how would you apply it in your own life?

what bwings us togever today...

Actually.. this is referring to Saturday. 07/07/07 will be a day of celebrating the love and commitment of our friends, Tre' & Kelly. I've been thinking about it a lot over the last few days and I just wanted to say: I love (emotionally) love (Biblical). I'm not always good at it, in fact, I'm often all of the things that LOVE is NOT: impatient, unkind, envious, proud, self-seeking, easily angered, tallying wrongs, bored with truth and excited about evil, and I don't ALWAYS protect, trust, hope or persevere. What is so amazing is that regardless of all of my failings - other people choose to love ME! Namely, Micah. I am constantly confused and amazed and thankful to realize that at the same time I was being unkind, he is loving me. During my anger, he is patient. While I am selfish he gives me more than I deserve. He helps me to see when I am more excited about evil than about truth. He enjoys protecting me whether it is from spiders or from my own negative thoughts. He hopes when I am losing hope.

Paul had a point when he said that marriage would distract us.. but I would argue that I have been refined more through marriage than through any other event or relationship in my life. Marriage calls you to lay aside self like nothing else. I don't have kids so I don't know, but it seems that with your child you are compelled to give. With your spouse, you make the choice, over and over and over and over and over. It comes naturally in certain things that maybe match your giftings or your personality... but otherwise it is not simple - that is why we VOW to do it. "I do" is a present tense - ACTION. Do you take this person to be your spouse? Is not, the same as: Do you feel emotionally in love with this person and will you try to be nice to them? It is: a question of whether or not you will put in the actions... regardless of your feelings.

TO: Tre' & Kelly
not that you have time to read this right now, but, I pray that as the wedding comes and goes you will continue to take action in your love. That your friends will be an encouragement and accountability to you in your relationship. I pray that when you struggle with differences or problems that you would take it to God, together and as individuals. I pray that your love would be a blessing to those around you and a testimony of God's grace and love. I pray that you would live many years loving and learning together. I ask that God would put you in jobs and living situations that you will be used and stretched beyond what you thought you could do. I pray for hearts that always stay soft and ready to grow.

We are so excited to be a part of your wedding... and to be your friends...

working from the airport

So, I am leaving for Reno today - for a business trip. Some find it hard to believe that someone would go to Reno for business and not really for pleasure. I will get to hang out with the people I work with (which will be fun) and with my in-laws (which will be fun).. but it doesn't replace being home with my husband and our dog. I had to be dropped off early (like 6:50am) even though my flight doesn't leave until 11-ish. So, I find myself with some time to kill, a laptop and free wireless internet. I can't work because it won't let me connect to my work server (why? I have no idea).

Have you ever watched "What Not To Wear" on TLC? I have recently become an addict. I love to watch this show. I don't know if it is because I learn anything or because it makes me feel a little better about my wardrobe when I see what some people wear! I don't want to be really shallow or too focused on clothing but it really does make a difference on how you portray yourself to other people AND in how you feel about yourself. So, I set out to find myself a pant suit that I could wear to work functions.. Mind you that I don't have a $5,000 shopping budget like the victims on this show. I find that I am cheap. I know that if I went in to a store like Nordstrom or Macy's or something I would find much nicer clothing and it would not only fit better but it would probably last longer. But hey! How long do trends really last? So.. I go to see if I can find even just a cute jacket (blazer type without the huge shoulder pads) but alas, my shoulders are too wide, or my arms are too long or they only have Hot Pink. So, I am discouraged and at the same time, I don't really care! It is a wierd job that I have - I work from home. I can wear whatever I want MOST of the time - THEN every once in a while I will need to look really nice for work. So, I feel silly spending too much money on clothes I won't have reason to wear most of the time.. get it?

Wow. I can't believe that I just went off like that about clothing. What was I saying? Oh, I don't think I have blogged about our new house! I love it! If you haven't been there yet, I am so excited to show it off! Our dog also loves the new place because she gets to be inside with use - she is so helpful in the kitchen. Not. (I couldn't resist)

I don't know what I was going to blog about when I started this - but I think I should stop because it is feeling really random. God Bless!

Married without children - Friday nights...

I appreciate the input from my friends with children (last blog entry) - I wish we got to see them more often!!

I am not in the same place in life though.. we sometimes sit around (probably even on Friday nights) and watch our dog. She is so cute! So, what about people that are in my station in life. Married without children. What is a normal Friday night? (not that "normal" really exists)

I just want to make sure that I'm not missing out on some amazing part of life that I won't be able to partake of AFTER we have kids.. Insight from any of you without kids? Even if you aren't married..

Friday night and feeling like I should be working..

This font is Trebuchet.. what is that?

So, I am watching TV but I feel like I should be doing something more productive.. like packing, or working. For the next week I will be packing and working.. packing and working.. I should say working and packing.. working and packing. Mostly working - is what I should be doing.

What are you doing on Friday night?

I'm wondering if I'm a normal 26 year old married woman.. should I be out, doing something exciting?

Tell me about your most recent Friday night.. I'm curious.

House

I have two things to talk about..
1) Don't you just love the show "House"? I really enjoy his dry, witty sarcasm. I hope to never be a jerk like him but man alive is it written well!

2) We are buying a HOUSE!!! We are so stoked. Last Sunday we went house shopping with our real estate agent, Terry. She took us to several houses we liked but we fell in love with one in particular house. With the time crunch upon us (I had to go home, pack and fly away to Reno again) we decided that we wanted to make an offer! This was a huge step and really exciting but also a little scary. (I've never spent that kind of money before!)

So, Terry went to her office and got the paperwork pulled together, we came home and I packed.. then we met Terry at the Airport Way - Sheri's - had some coffee and signed our lives away.. I mean signed the offer paperwork. I think we were probably some of her easiest clients EVER :) just guessing. Anyway, they counteroffered and we accepted their counter on Wednesday. Yesterday (Saturday) we went and watched the inspector do his thing.. He gave the house a "clean bill of health" which we were pretty certain of anyway. Now we just have to wait on the financing part of things and in about a month (give or take a few days) we will have our very own house!! Micah and I are SO excited, I hope we don't drive everyone nuts with all of our house talk... please give us grace :)

It has been a fabulous weekend home talking about house stuff.. AND we got to go meet Maddox. He is really cute! It is fun to see Kyle and Emily jumping into this new life of parenthood. From what I saw they are doing a great job of working as a team and loving on their new little guy. Way to go Mellanders!

Well, I gotta go get packing so I can fly to Reno.. one more week and then I will (mostly) be home! Soon to be in our NEW Home!

Don't you just love Hymns?

I feel like so much is happening.. and I'm in a bit of a whirlwind.. this hymn came to mind when I was reading the other morning. God is so good to meet us where we are.

BE STILL, MY SOUL
"Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine."

Thanks for reading :)

More happening than I can keep up with!

The superbowl is this weekend.. in Florida.. and I will be in Florida.. but I will not be paying $$$ to go see the superbowl! Isn't that crazy? My first trip to Florida - ever - and I happen to be going at the same time as the superbowl!

Anyway.. Just so you all know my schedule for the next few weeks..
Feb 3rd - I fly to Florida for training for my new job (less than 24 hours after my old job is done)
Feb 6th - I fly from Florida to Reno for more training
Feb 9th - I fly home to spend time with hubby, go to church, hopefully see my friends, do laundry
Feb 12th - I fly to Reno for another week of training
Feb 16th - home for the weekend
Feb 19th - to Reno
Feb 23rd - home.. to start working!
Mar 3rd - to Pasedena CA for some even that I know nothing about.

Did anyone notice that I will be gone for Valentine's Day?!?!? what were the parent-in-laws thinking?!

I'll be fine. I know Micah and I will make it through this just fine.. but I will miss him.

*Please pray for us - that we will communicate well "long distance marriage" isn't the ideal set-up
*Pray for me - that I will enjoy and be a blessing to my in-laws while I live with them for 3 weeks.
*Pray for my soon-to-be-former-boss (Shawn) that his business will flourish and that he will give glory to God
*Pray for my new job - that I will be a hard worker that excels at what I am given to do - for the glory of God

Thanks so much for all your love & prayers..
friends are awesome!

Since October...

Okay.. so things have happened since the month of October. I will try to get my life on this blog so that nobody is wondering too much :)

November:
What I remember about it was that we spent Thanksgiving with some of my family. We gathered at my aunt & uncle's house in Oregon City. I think there were like 18 people there.. family and some "outsiders" j/k.. I mean friends. The food was great.. and there was SO much of it. Much to be thankful for.. oh I'm jumping back to October for a second: Micah was hired on at the School he had been subbing for.. that means that he has medical benefits and that saves us almost $300 dollars per month! AND that means we now have dental! I'm stoked. Can you tell? I love the dentist. Do you?

Moving on..
December:
Went really fast.
We put up a tree the weekend after Thanksgiving and we hardly had time to enjoy it. We never got to see our friend's decorations.. it just seems that we were too busy! Now.. the question is, can I remember what we were so busy doing?
We had a Christmas celebration with my immediate family at Seth's house in Hillsboro - all 3 of my brothers and their "women" he he.. sounds funny. But it is easier than saying: My brother and his wife, my other brother and his fiance' and my other brother and his girlfriend! Do you see why I just say their "women"?
My parents were there too. It was so much fun to see everyone.. we were just starting to exchange gifts and the power went out! (Apparently someone thought it was a great idea to put a bunch of oil near a transformer.. so when the transformer blew the oil had to burn up before anyone could get the power going again!) So we opened presents in the dark.. lit by candles and flashlights. I loved it!
We drove down to Micah's parents' house in Reno for a week.. it was a lot of fun getting to hang out with his brother Sean some more. He usually doesn't hang out too much - I hope he knows that we had fun with him! His dad's dad was also there: Grandad Wayne. I love this ol' guy. I connect with him and we have fun - even if you have to yell for him to hear you. It was really good to see him and I wish we could see him more often!

December 2006 - January 2007:
(New Years Eve fits in both months so I had to make a new section for it.)
Dusty & Bethany and Micah & I all went to the Mellanders' house in Canby for a party. We played games and ate way too much snack food; we watched the ball drop on TV (which I have never understood); we were up until about 4:30am and then we had a "slumber party" - which we have been trying to plan for months. It was a lot of fun. We have excellent friends.

January: While in Reno during the Christmas week Micah's dad made mention of there being a job that I could do (from home) while working for his business: www.faith-based-solutions.com
We had told him several times that we wouldn't move to Reno to work for him (because Micah's career is the point - I can work wherever - so, where he goes I will follow!). This talk of working from home was new to me and so my interest was peaked. We got home and after the new year started and I couldn't get this off my mind I decided to call Mike and get some more details. It took several days to get in contact with him (he is a really busy guy). But we finally had a chance to talk and discuss things.. Micah and I talked and prayed.. I talked to the employee (Lauren) that I would be working with mostly.. Micah and I talked and prayed.. I talked to my friends and they all prayed and encouraged me to really consider it.. I talked to my parents and they really encouraged me to really consider it.. I felt total peace and excitement about this new opportunity that would work so well with the "unknown" that we have concerning Micah's career (where we will end up because of it). It seemed to answer prayers that I had praying for months concerning my current job. I couldn't stop thinking about it.. and talking about it.. and praying about it! After all of this TALKING on my part.. and some listening to many wise people I made the decision to go for it! Then came the overwhelming job of telling my current boss (of 4.5 years) that I would be leaving in 3 weeks! I can't tell you how God gave me peace and it was really easy.. I can tell you that God seemed to be working in my boss and seems to have given HIM the peace that he needed to get through the change and move forward in hiring someone to replace me. I have loved my job. I have loved working with Shawn. I pray and hope that his business will grow and succeed in ways that he can't even imagine.
But I am moving into a new chapter in my life, I am so excited and for all that I have written - I feel like I just relived 3 months... this blog has got to END!

I know I should blog..

but I can't think of anything to blog about.. sorry.