We picked up Noah tonight. We met my parents about halfway between in Portland, a little over an hour drive for us. He was thrilled to see us until we put him in the carseat to leave. The rest of the ride home was filled with him either crying or being crabby and angry. Unfortunately, it does usually take a day or two for him to get over his attitude of feeling like we "abandoned" him with Grampa and Gramma, even though he has the time of his life there. Hopefully tomorrow will run smoother than tonight.
Yesterday morning I spent in triage at the hospital. No, I wasn't having false labor or even thought I was in labor (though it would be nice...) I woke up and started to eat a bowl of cereal. Out of nowhere I developed this massive headache and started seeing small white spots all over. The headache was something my doctor had advised to watch for. I was supposed to ride into GR with Tim so that I could drop him off at work and then spend the day visiting people and getting last minute things I need for when Ellie arrives. Since Tim was supposed to be at work before my doctor's office even opened, I decided to call the hospital's birthing unit. After explaining the situation I asked if I could swing in and have my blood pressure checked, decided that if it was normal it was probably some worse than usual pregnancy headache and I could still go in to GR for the day.
We got to the birthing unit and the very nice nurse took us into triage where she then hooked me up to the fetal monitors and the blood pressure cuff. Explaining we would probably only be there for a few minutes, she took my blood pressure which turned out to be great. Ellie's heart rate was also holding steady in the mid-140s. The nurse then left to call my doctor.
She came back and explained that my doctor wanted me to remain hooked to the blood pressure cuff for a short amount of time to check it at certain intervals to monitor it to make sure it stayed low. She also said that since my bloodwork and protein test were now considered "old" (they had been taken 2 weeks before!) I had to get new ones. And I couldn't leave until the results from my bloodwork were processed.
What became a "few minute" check turned into two and a half hours. Tim and I watched "Good Morning America" and after that was done we switched over to the "Today Show" (of whose morning team I really do not like but they were interviewing Whitney Cerak and her family and the VanRyns so I did want to see that.) We watched Ellie's heartrate and the computer also monitor my contractions, which I was glad to see that my pain was actually registered as contractions - they're just not regular yet so they're not "real." The nurse came back and said they had to see Ellie's heartrate accelerate about 15 beats and stay that way for about 15 beats a certain amount of times before I could leave. They wanted to make sure her nervous system is mature by her moving causing her heartrate to go up to make sure everything was working together. This wouldn't usually be a problem except that Ellie had already had an active morning and was at that point sleeping, or at least resting. As soon as the nurse left, Tim tried singing to my belly. I have to confess I grew quickly annoyed by not being in the mood to hear "Row row row your boat" sung at my stomach. So I did what I thought would work. I began to move and sway my stomach as jerkingly as I could from side to side. That did it! Tim told me Ellie was going to be mad at me but I told him as long as her heartrate went up I didn't care where or how hard she wanted to kick me.
Finally, after getting the bloodwork results back and finding everything looked good, seeing an accelerated heartrate a certain amount of times and watching my blood pressure continue to actually lower while we were there...they let me leave. Along with a plastic bag containing the jug in which to collect my urine for 24 hours. Oh, the joy. So while everything else is looking good, I now wait until Thursday to see the results of my protein and whether it is still high like last time.
By then I will be 37 weeks and hopefully she decides to come soon. I don't know how much longer I can wait!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Relaxing Week
I figured I would blog more this week, having more free time to do it with Noah being gone. I guess there just hasn't been much to blog about.
It has been a very relaxing, and at times boring, week. I'm starting to really miss Noah, especially when I call my mom and can hear his little voice in the back. She said yesterday was a hard day for him in that he was highly sensitive and emotional and seemed to be asking about us a lot. I guess the time limit on all of us missing each other is 5 days, which is the longest we've ever been apart. So we might end up getting him tomorrow. We're going to play it by ear.
I got all of Ellie's stuff set up and clothes washed so she can come now. If only it worked like that. I do still have to pack our suitcase but I figure that part is easy, especially since I realize how much I overpacked the first time around. There are splashes of pink around now, between receiving blankets and clothes and whatnot. Tim is almost adjusted to it.
It has been a pretty non-eventful week. Tuesday night I visited with Stephani while the guys went and played basketball. I was able to fulfill the small part of me that once dreamed of being a teacher by helping her grade papers. Last night we bought the carseat (well, we picked it up but my parents technically bought it for us as what would have been a "shower" present if I had any- thanks Mom and Dad!) After we met Matt & Jeana at Barnes and Noble to visit. They asked if we wanted to go to Target and help them start a registry. They're going to do the Babies 'R Us one on their own but wanted to ease into the big store by doing a smaller one and having some help. So over to Target we went. Let me tell you, it is actually harder I think doing a registry for a child who will be about a year and a half because Tim and I were racking our brains trying to remember what they're using or are interested in at that age. Also, it's so much different with adopting from another country because we were saying, "No you won't need bottles because most kids don't usually use them at that age still" and then finding out that in China they don't wean their babies off bottles at as early of an age as we do and so she probably IS still using one. But it was fun and it reminded me of some last minute things I still need to pick up, which I will do today when I head into Grand Rapids with Tim. I'm going to drop him off and visit people, run errands, etc.
Then tonight we have a date! Probably our last one before Ellie is born.
I read an incredible book yesterday (yes, I did have time to read a whole book in a day...) It's called "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's fiction, but it gives you a ton of things to think about regarding God, the Trinity, where is God when bad things happen, etc. It was a book I'm recommending. Go read it. I think you can read an excerpt online at www.theshackbook.com.
So that's about it. We'll get our son back this weekend and then I'll continue to wait somewhat impatiently until this little girl decides to make her entrance.
It has been a very relaxing, and at times boring, week. I'm starting to really miss Noah, especially when I call my mom and can hear his little voice in the back. She said yesterday was a hard day for him in that he was highly sensitive and emotional and seemed to be asking about us a lot. I guess the time limit on all of us missing each other is 5 days, which is the longest we've ever been apart. So we might end up getting him tomorrow. We're going to play it by ear.
I got all of Ellie's stuff set up and clothes washed so she can come now. If only it worked like that. I do still have to pack our suitcase but I figure that part is easy, especially since I realize how much I overpacked the first time around. There are splashes of pink around now, between receiving blankets and clothes and whatnot. Tim is almost adjusted to it.
It has been a pretty non-eventful week. Tuesday night I visited with Stephani while the guys went and played basketball. I was able to fulfill the small part of me that once dreamed of being a teacher by helping her grade papers. Last night we bought the carseat (well, we picked it up but my parents technically bought it for us as what would have been a "shower" present if I had any- thanks Mom and Dad!) After we met Matt & Jeana at Barnes and Noble to visit. They asked if we wanted to go to Target and help them start a registry. They're going to do the Babies 'R Us one on their own but wanted to ease into the big store by doing a smaller one and having some help. So over to Target we went. Let me tell you, it is actually harder I think doing a registry for a child who will be about a year and a half because Tim and I were racking our brains trying to remember what they're using or are interested in at that age. Also, it's so much different with adopting from another country because we were saying, "No you won't need bottles because most kids don't usually use them at that age still" and then finding out that in China they don't wean their babies off bottles at as early of an age as we do and so she probably IS still using one. But it was fun and it reminded me of some last minute things I still need to pick up, which I will do today when I head into Grand Rapids with Tim. I'm going to drop him off and visit people, run errands, etc.
Then tonight we have a date! Probably our last one before Ellie is born.
I read an incredible book yesterday (yes, I did have time to read a whole book in a day...) It's called "The Shack" by William P. Young. It's fiction, but it gives you a ton of things to think about regarding God, the Trinity, where is God when bad things happen, etc. It was a book I'm recommending. Go read it. I think you can read an excerpt online at www.theshackbook.com.
So that's about it. We'll get our son back this weekend and then I'll continue to wait somewhat impatiently until this little girl decides to make her entrance.
Monday, March 24, 2008
He is Risen!
Easter was this past weekend. It was an interesting weekend for us overall. Easter didn't seem like Easter so that made it kind of weird. We also attend a chuch that isn't very traditional since they're trying to focus more on relationships than religion and reaching unchurched people (which is what the church should be doing) so that makes things feel different as well. For example, while in Grand Rapids we were used to attending a Maundy Thursday supper, Good Friday service and Sunday morning services where people would greet and respond with "He is risen!" "He is risen, indeed!"
Thursday night Tim read to Noah out of one of his children's Bibles the stories of The Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane. Even though Noah isn't totally grasping these things yet, it's important to us that we are starting these traditions and talking to him about God and Jesus at an early age.
Friday Tim read about the cross. Before bed, Tim and I read together (well, I read out loud while he rubbed my back and listened) from the book of Mark. I had just randomly picked that book to read from, mainly because I had opened to it. Neither of us must have read the story of Jesus being arrested from Mark, though, because while reading we both were taken by surprise. Mark 14:50-52 says this:
"Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind."
I stopped reading as Tim stopped rubbing my back and said, "What?! I have never heard that before!" It is so random you wonder what - if any - is the significance of it? Tim thought it was interesting how all the disciples deserted Jesus and yet this young man stays with him, that is until he is seized...in which case he takes off and leaves the garment in their hands pretty much. After discussing it a little bit, as well as laughing at the fact we've never noticed it before, we moved on and read the rest of the events that happened that significant Friday.
My parents came on Saturday afternoon bearing gifts galore for Noah and Ellie. I thought Tim was going to have a stroke when he looked around and said, "Look at all this pink. I've never seen so much pink." After opening gifts and Noah playing hide-and-seek-the-plastic-Easter-eggs with my dad and Tim, we grabbed a pizza and took it to my parents' hotel room. Everyone but me played in the pool. I took pictures. I think we're going to look into swim lessons for Noah. He kept climbing out and jumping back in (with either my Dad or Tim catching him of course.) My mom said, "I think even if no one had been there to catch him, he still would have jumped in." He would have. I know this because last summer whenever we went to the beach we had to have a hand on him at all times or else he would have run straight into the water without us. This year we're investing in a life jacket...and possibly swim lessons....and probably just a plastic pool in the backyard where I can monitor him a little easier.
Sunday morning was church. We went to the early service. Well, Tim had to be at all three, but the rest of us went to the early added service, mainly because it was a Panera breakfast. Not just bagels either - muffins and yummy pastries were there as well. Unfortunately, it was the one morning that week that Noah decided to not wake up before 7:00am so we had to wake him. We told him "Happy Easter" as we turned on his lamp and started pulling his blankets off him. He responded with "No happy Easter." Yes, that's our cheerful child. Now he knows what we feel like when he wakes us up. Tim told me later that he said, "He is risen" to a couple people. He stopped when all he got were blank looks and "um, yeah" as a response.
My mom is reading a book right now called "Pagan Christianity." I'm not quite sure all it's about but I know that she and some friends are thinking about just starting a kind of home church to meet with each other. She made a point of telling me last week that the community group Tim and I are in is more of what a church is supposed to be than what church services are. I was a little, nervous maybe?, of how she would respond to the service since she's been reading this book. While we were leaving she said, "Well, I can see things in your church that the "Pagan Christianity" book talks about, but if I was going to attend a church I would want it to be like your's. It was a very good service and I liked the music. Your friend, Stephani, has a beautiful voice." I guess I'll take that as a good thing overall. It's just very different for me to see my mom with all these new opinions.
So anyways, after they checked out of their room and Tim finished his part in the last service, we went to Bob Evans for lunch. That's right - no cooking or cleaning for us on Easter this year. I think that is what also contributed to it not feeling like Easter though. Afterward we came back to our place, I packed a suitcase for Noah, and my parents were off - taking Noah with them. I thought it would probably only be until Friday but they said they want to keep him until Sunday. Fine by me! This will be the longest we've ever been away from him though. It's usually just a few days, or a weekend. Not 8 days! It has been so quiet around here today that I keep thinking I need to check on him in his room, then I remember he's not there.
Well this has been a very long post. I have a doctor appointment this afternoon so we'll see if the blood pressure is still down. I was lectured by 2 nurses at church yesterday - separately - on how I need to continue to take it easy and rest because preeclampsia could come on suddenly at any time, especially since I'm already borderline. One of them, our friend Josh who is also in our small group, said that I need to stay away from foods high in salt and I should limit my carb intake. I told him I don't really like salty foods, so that part is not a problem, but we might have a problem with the carb intake side of things. So far today this child has been extremely active and I feel like my internal organs are sporting bruises as a result.
Thursday night Tim read to Noah out of one of his children's Bibles the stories of The Last Supper and the Garden of Gethsemane. Even though Noah isn't totally grasping these things yet, it's important to us that we are starting these traditions and talking to him about God and Jesus at an early age.
Friday Tim read about the cross. Before bed, Tim and I read together (well, I read out loud while he rubbed my back and listened) from the book of Mark. I had just randomly picked that book to read from, mainly because I had opened to it. Neither of us must have read the story of Jesus being arrested from Mark, though, because while reading we both were taken by surprise. Mark 14:50-52 says this:
"Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind."
I stopped reading as Tim stopped rubbing my back and said, "What?! I have never heard that before!" It is so random you wonder what - if any - is the significance of it? Tim thought it was interesting how all the disciples deserted Jesus and yet this young man stays with him, that is until he is seized...in which case he takes off and leaves the garment in their hands pretty much. After discussing it a little bit, as well as laughing at the fact we've never noticed it before, we moved on and read the rest of the events that happened that significant Friday.
My parents came on Saturday afternoon bearing gifts galore for Noah and Ellie. I thought Tim was going to have a stroke when he looked around and said, "Look at all this pink. I've never seen so much pink." After opening gifts and Noah playing hide-and-seek-the-plastic-Easter-eggs with my dad and Tim, we grabbed a pizza and took it to my parents' hotel room. Everyone but me played in the pool. I took pictures. I think we're going to look into swim lessons for Noah. He kept climbing out and jumping back in (with either my Dad or Tim catching him of course.) My mom said, "I think even if no one had been there to catch him, he still would have jumped in." He would have. I know this because last summer whenever we went to the beach we had to have a hand on him at all times or else he would have run straight into the water without us. This year we're investing in a life jacket...and possibly swim lessons....and probably just a plastic pool in the backyard where I can monitor him a little easier.
Sunday morning was church. We went to the early service. Well, Tim had to be at all three, but the rest of us went to the early added service, mainly because it was a Panera breakfast. Not just bagels either - muffins and yummy pastries were there as well. Unfortunately, it was the one morning that week that Noah decided to not wake up before 7:00am so we had to wake him. We told him "Happy Easter" as we turned on his lamp and started pulling his blankets off him. He responded with "No happy Easter." Yes, that's our cheerful child. Now he knows what we feel like when he wakes us up. Tim told me later that he said, "He is risen" to a couple people. He stopped when all he got were blank looks and "um, yeah" as a response.
My mom is reading a book right now called "Pagan Christianity." I'm not quite sure all it's about but I know that she and some friends are thinking about just starting a kind of home church to meet with each other. She made a point of telling me last week that the community group Tim and I are in is more of what a church is supposed to be than what church services are. I was a little, nervous maybe?, of how she would respond to the service since she's been reading this book. While we were leaving she said, "Well, I can see things in your church that the "Pagan Christianity" book talks about, but if I was going to attend a church I would want it to be like your's. It was a very good service and I liked the music. Your friend, Stephani, has a beautiful voice." I guess I'll take that as a good thing overall. It's just very different for me to see my mom with all these new opinions.
So anyways, after they checked out of their room and Tim finished his part in the last service, we went to Bob Evans for lunch. That's right - no cooking or cleaning for us on Easter this year. I think that is what also contributed to it not feeling like Easter though. Afterward we came back to our place, I packed a suitcase for Noah, and my parents were off - taking Noah with them. I thought it would probably only be until Friday but they said they want to keep him until Sunday. Fine by me! This will be the longest we've ever been away from him though. It's usually just a few days, or a weekend. Not 8 days! It has been so quiet around here today that I keep thinking I need to check on him in his room, then I remember he's not there.
Well this has been a very long post. I have a doctor appointment this afternoon so we'll see if the blood pressure is still down. I was lectured by 2 nurses at church yesterday - separately - on how I need to continue to take it easy and rest because preeclampsia could come on suddenly at any time, especially since I'm already borderline. One of them, our friend Josh who is also in our small group, said that I need to stay away from foods high in salt and I should limit my carb intake. I told him I don't really like salty foods, so that part is not a problem, but we might have a problem with the carb intake side of things. So far today this child has been extremely active and I feel like my internal organs are sporting bruises as a result.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Time Out
Yesterday Noah was playing with his little Noah's Ark toy and animals. He put all the animals in the ark and then I saw him peek in and get this little look on his face.
"That's one. That's two. That's three. Time out," he said as he counted on his fingers. I wondered who he was talking to. I soon found out.
He pulled out a zebra and walked over to the dining room chair. He pulled out the chair and put it against the side of the fridge. This is where he goes when he is in time out.
"Time out chair," he told the zebra as he set it down in the middle of the chair. He then walked over to the microwave and (although he can't reach it on the counter) he put his hand in the air and acted like he was pushing buttons (which is where we set the timer.) "Two minutes."
He then came over and sat next to me on the couch and continued to play with the other animals, glancing up at the zebra every once in a while. He never actually got him out of the chair, though and after asking him questions I found out the zebra was in time out because he didn't listen and obey.
They really do pay attention to everything, don't they?
"That's one. That's two. That's three. Time out," he said as he counted on his fingers. I wondered who he was talking to. I soon found out.
He pulled out a zebra and walked over to the dining room chair. He pulled out the chair and put it against the side of the fridge. This is where he goes when he is in time out.
"Time out chair," he told the zebra as he set it down in the middle of the chair. He then walked over to the microwave and (although he can't reach it on the counter) he put his hand in the air and acted like he was pushing buttons (which is where we set the timer.) "Two minutes."
He then came over and sat next to me on the couch and continued to play with the other animals, glancing up at the zebra every once in a while. He never actually got him out of the chair, though and after asking him questions I found out the zebra was in time out because he didn't listen and obey.
They really do pay attention to everything, don't they?
Thursday, March 20, 2008
No Bedrest!
Yea! I just came home from my doctor appointment for the preeclampsia tests checkup. My blood pressure was 118/70! That is down quite a bit from last week's 149/86. She did say that my protein is on the high side of normal, which isn't great although it's not high enough to signal preeclampsia which is good. They are going to be keeping a close eye on my blood pressure though since the protein is high.
God answers prayer!
God answers prayer!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Honesty Can Hurt
Tim and I were watching a show the other day when this lady with skinny toned arms came on the screen. I turned to him and said, "My goal/dream for the summer is to have toned arms. I need you to help me."
He simply responded by saying "As long as your arms don't get more muscular than mine."
"No, no," I said. "I don't really want big muscle arms, just skinny toned arms."
"Your arms are never going to be skinny," he said matter of factly.
I gaped at him. "What?" I can't believe my husband just insulted me.
"It's not in your genes. Think about it. Have your arms ever been super skinny like what you want them to look like?"
I tried desperately to pull up a memory. As if he could read my mind he added, "Besides when you were 12." There goes that one.
He went on, "I'm not saying you can't have toned arms or that you shouldn't try. I'm just saying that you need to be realistic in what you're working for. And that woman on the screen is not built like you. She has twig arms and looks too skinny. But you can and should try to work your arms still. They just probably won't end up looking exactly like her's."
One of the things people hate about my husband is that he can be brutally honest. It's one of the things that draws me to him though. I don't want someone to sugarcoat things or flatter me to be on my good side. I want truth from my friends, from my family members. That's what he gives me.
Even if it hurts sometimes.
I'm still going to work for those arms too. He's just made me more determined.
He simply responded by saying "As long as your arms don't get more muscular than mine."
"No, no," I said. "I don't really want big muscle arms, just skinny toned arms."
"Your arms are never going to be skinny," he said matter of factly.
I gaped at him. "What?" I can't believe my husband just insulted me.
"It's not in your genes. Think about it. Have your arms ever been super skinny like what you want them to look like?"
I tried desperately to pull up a memory. As if he could read my mind he added, "Besides when you were 12." There goes that one.
He went on, "I'm not saying you can't have toned arms or that you shouldn't try. I'm just saying that you need to be realistic in what you're working for. And that woman on the screen is not built like you. She has twig arms and looks too skinny. But you can and should try to work your arms still. They just probably won't end up looking exactly like her's."
One of the things people hate about my husband is that he can be brutally honest. It's one of the things that draws me to him though. I don't want someone to sugarcoat things or flatter me to be on my good side. I want truth from my friends, from my family members. That's what he gives me.
Even if it hurts sometimes.
I'm still going to work for those arms too. He's just made me more determined.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Yea for the Nashes!
Matt and Jeana are our friends I mentioned yesterday with the very exciting news. I have mentioned them before in previous posts and their wait in the adoption process with China. Yesterday they received the big phone call and today they accepted the referral for a beautiful little girl in China! You can see pictures and find out more information by following this link:
http://www.youbelong.net/emma
We are so happy for them and they should be bringing her home this summer before the Olympics!
http://www.youbelong.net/emma
We are so happy for them and they should be bringing her home this summer before the Olympics!
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Random random
All sorts of things going on here. I'm getting another niece in July. The Ross cousins are starting to become a little more evened out. By the end of July there will be a total of 5 boys ranging in age from almost 8 years to about 8 months and 3 girls with the oldest at just over 3 years and the youngest being a newborn. I also found out some good friends of our's, Jack and Kelly, are also expecing a girl in late July. Little girls are popping up everywhere!
I had my 34 week checkup yesterday afternoon. My measurements and weight gain are good, the heart rate is good...my blood pressure is not so good. I have to be tested for preeclampsia next week so I am a little nervous about that (probably not helping the blood pressure go down at all.) My friend, Sara, from our small group came over this morning with her daughter, Laine. Laine was born 8 weeks early due to Sara having preeclampsia (Laine is now over a year old) so Sara was asking me questions and telling me about her experience. At least I am at a point in my pregnancy where if Ellie had to be delivered early, I am already only 6 weeks out. We - Tim, me, my mom and a couple others - have a feeling she will be coming in early April rather than late since the only "cure" for high blood pressure in pregnancy is delivery. So yikes! Lots to do still and who knows? I could be on bedrest as early as next Thursday afternoon.
Some good friends of our's received some VERY exciting news today but I won't share until they say it's ok. I will say it was the highlight of my day, if not my week.
Some other good friends, Tim and Christina, announced this week they will be moving to Ohio as early as June. That is exciting too, although Tim and I will miss them. We do feel like God just seems to be opening all doors for them to go so it is hard to not be excited for them and this new journey they'll be entering. They'll also be moving down near both their families and it's pretty close to where Tim's parents and Randy and Deidra now live, so we know we'll still see them quite a bit throughout the year.
Noah has been acting up with Tim being gone this week. I mean, Tim is here, he just has been working from early morning until dinner, coming home for about 15 minutes to grab a bite to eat and then he takes off again for another side job until around 10 or 11:00. Tonight is his last night (yea!) so we are looking forward to him being home tomorrow evening to actually put Noah to bed after playing with him for a bit. The funny thing is - Noah is good for me when it's just the two of us at home. It's when Tim is here that he gets the attitude. Tim has to work Saturday as well, so I am looking forward to Sunday afternoon and a chance for us all to relax and be home together.
Well, that's about it. Just a quick little random update but now I'm thinking of heading to bed. I was going to try to stay up until Tim got home tonight, but unless he makes it home by the time I get done brushing my teeth I don't think it's going to happen tonight.
The youtube video below is not really a video - it's just a still picture of a band called Band of Horses while a song plays. The song is a favorite of mine at the moment. It's called "No One's Gonna Love You"(More than I do.) I first heard it on an episode of Chuck (one of mine and Tim's new favorite shows - SO funny!) and love the song. Also - if you're ever looking for a song to get you out of a funk and put you in a good mood, I suggest Paolo Nutini's "New Shoes." Another favorite.
I had my 34 week checkup yesterday afternoon. My measurements and weight gain are good, the heart rate is good...my blood pressure is not so good. I have to be tested for preeclampsia next week so I am a little nervous about that (probably not helping the blood pressure go down at all.) My friend, Sara, from our small group came over this morning with her daughter, Laine. Laine was born 8 weeks early due to Sara having preeclampsia (Laine is now over a year old) so Sara was asking me questions and telling me about her experience. At least I am at a point in my pregnancy where if Ellie had to be delivered early, I am already only 6 weeks out. We - Tim, me, my mom and a couple others - have a feeling she will be coming in early April rather than late since the only "cure" for high blood pressure in pregnancy is delivery. So yikes! Lots to do still and who knows? I could be on bedrest as early as next Thursday afternoon.
Some good friends of our's received some VERY exciting news today but I won't share until they say it's ok. I will say it was the highlight of my day, if not my week.
Some other good friends, Tim and Christina, announced this week they will be moving to Ohio as early as June. That is exciting too, although Tim and I will miss them. We do feel like God just seems to be opening all doors for them to go so it is hard to not be excited for them and this new journey they'll be entering. They'll also be moving down near both their families and it's pretty close to where Tim's parents and Randy and Deidra now live, so we know we'll still see them quite a bit throughout the year.
Noah has been acting up with Tim being gone this week. I mean, Tim is here, he just has been working from early morning until dinner, coming home for about 15 minutes to grab a bite to eat and then he takes off again for another side job until around 10 or 11:00. Tonight is his last night (yea!) so we are looking forward to him being home tomorrow evening to actually put Noah to bed after playing with him for a bit. The funny thing is - Noah is good for me when it's just the two of us at home. It's when Tim is here that he gets the attitude. Tim has to work Saturday as well, so I am looking forward to Sunday afternoon and a chance for us all to relax and be home together.
Well, that's about it. Just a quick little random update but now I'm thinking of heading to bed. I was going to try to stay up until Tim got home tonight, but unless he makes it home by the time I get done brushing my teeth I don't think it's going to happen tonight.
The youtube video below is not really a video - it's just a still picture of a band called Band of Horses while a song plays. The song is a favorite of mine at the moment. It's called "No One's Gonna Love You"(More than I do.) I first heard it on an episode of Chuck (one of mine and Tim's new favorite shows - SO funny!) and love the song. Also - if you're ever looking for a song to get you out of a funk and put you in a good mood, I suggest Paolo Nutini's "New Shoes." Another favorite.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
I Didn't Know He Would Cry So Much!
No, not Noah. Tim. This week he is pretty much gone more than home. Hey - I'm not complaining...the work is nice to have back! I'm just getting used to feeling like a single parent for the week and am so thankful that I am not one all the time.
Tonight I was feeling sentimental so I broke out our wedding DVD and watched it. It was just a handheld camera by my grandpa, so there are lots of shadows and the sound isn't always the best...but I'm so thankful to have something to watch from our ceremony.
The actual ceremony (we did a slideshow beforehand) opened with Deidra singing "Ave Maria" and our wedding party walking down. Tim was up front with the pastor who officiated, Bill Blue - my old youth pastor and the father of one of my best friends. He was crying as soon as the first bridesmaid/groomsman couple came walking down the aisle. Then came three more couples followed by our ring bearer - Tim's nephew, Cameron - who had fractured some bones in his foot the week beforehand and had a slight limp. He still was adorable. Our flower girls and ring bearer were supposed to walk up only to the front row and then sit with their parents; we didn't want them standing up front during the entire ceremony. While watching Cameron walking up the steps, handing a ring pillow to Randy (the best man), walking down and then realizing he wasn't supposed to do that and walking back up to get the pillow and down, you can hear one of the flower girls having a breakdown. Yes, my 3 year old cousins, who the night before and all morning couldn't get enough of their baskets and pretty dresses and were soaking up attention everywhere, barely made it down the aisle. Gabrielle took off like a rocket and raced down the aisle to her parents. Racquelle threw herself down in the middle of the aisle and screamed until someone came to get her. Oh, well, it provided laughs.
Switch music to "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini." I chose to walk down to this song in honor of my grandpa in a way that no one but the female members of my family would recognize. The song is played by a music box in the movie "Somewhere in Time" - an old family favorite because it was filmed on Mackinac Island. My grandparents lived in St. Ignace during the warm weather months and so we spent much of our childhood summers in St. Ignace and the surrounding areas. My grandfather had passed away almost 2 years previous to my wedding and it was a way for me to remember him and have him a part of a most important day even though he couldn't actually be.
Anyways - cue "Rhapsody" and enter me and Dad. I was somewhat crying as I hobbled down the aisle. Yes, hobble. In all my intelligence leading up to the wedding I had decided to have an itty bitty plantar wart removed from the ball of my foot. All I could think about was how I didn't want to go on my honeymoon with this almost invisible wart in a place where no one was going to look anyway. I also didn't want to experience my wedding night with this thing attached to me (as if Tim would even be paying attention to the bottom of my foot.) So the Wednesday before the wedding I went in to kind Dr. Maskill - who I will say did try to talk me out of it until after the wedding but I ignored him thinking it couldn't be that bad - and sat there silent and in intense pain as he held liquid nitrogen against it. Three days later I was still somewhat hobbling in pain if too much pressure was put on the ball. I think by the end of the day my foot was somewhat numb overall.
Tim continued to cry as I came up the aisle. He also cried as Bill began the ceremony. Then again after lighting the unity candle. I think once he realized we were close to the kissing part he got himself together.
I watched myself on the DVD and realized what a goofball I looked like that day. I think I was so nervous I couldn't keep my head on straight. I looked around at people on my side of the church, my bridesmaids, Bill and occasionally at Tim as Tim looked directly at me the entire time. I made silly faces a couple times and had a big cheesy grin on my face the rest of the time. I wonder if he realized that day what a nerd he was marrying!
Ah, well. What do you do? Almost five years later and we're happier now than then although at that time I didn't think we could be more so. Every year for our anniversary we have always been blessed enough to be able to travel around the date and we usually just end up saying it's our way of celebrating. The first year we went to Cancun with my sister and brother-in-law the week after our anniversary. The second year we went to Mackinac Island to attend a "Celebrate Your Marriage" conference. The third year we were in Florida the weekend after our anniversary because Tim was a groomsman in a wedding. Last year was our first actual planned specifically anniversary getaway and we went to Chicago to see Frank Lloyd Wright's studio, house, and the Robie House. This year we are going to be traveling again. We'll be in a gorgeous part of Virginia where Tim's cousin is getting married on our anniversary - May 24. Yes, we'll have a one-month old daughter at the time, but we don't want to miss it and, quite honestly, the younger they are the easier they are to travel with because they sleep all the time!
I can't wait to celebrate our anniversary and look back on what we have encountered in our marriage and how God has grown us.
Tonight I was feeling sentimental so I broke out our wedding DVD and watched it. It was just a handheld camera by my grandpa, so there are lots of shadows and the sound isn't always the best...but I'm so thankful to have something to watch from our ceremony.
The actual ceremony (we did a slideshow beforehand) opened with Deidra singing "Ave Maria" and our wedding party walking down. Tim was up front with the pastor who officiated, Bill Blue - my old youth pastor and the father of one of my best friends. He was crying as soon as the first bridesmaid/groomsman couple came walking down the aisle. Then came three more couples followed by our ring bearer - Tim's nephew, Cameron - who had fractured some bones in his foot the week beforehand and had a slight limp. He still was adorable. Our flower girls and ring bearer were supposed to walk up only to the front row and then sit with their parents; we didn't want them standing up front during the entire ceremony. While watching Cameron walking up the steps, handing a ring pillow to Randy (the best man), walking down and then realizing he wasn't supposed to do that and walking back up to get the pillow and down, you can hear one of the flower girls having a breakdown. Yes, my 3 year old cousins, who the night before and all morning couldn't get enough of their baskets and pretty dresses and were soaking up attention everywhere, barely made it down the aisle. Gabrielle took off like a rocket and raced down the aisle to her parents. Racquelle threw herself down in the middle of the aisle and screamed until someone came to get her. Oh, well, it provided laughs.
Switch music to "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini." I chose to walk down to this song in honor of my grandpa in a way that no one but the female members of my family would recognize. The song is played by a music box in the movie "Somewhere in Time" - an old family favorite because it was filmed on Mackinac Island. My grandparents lived in St. Ignace during the warm weather months and so we spent much of our childhood summers in St. Ignace and the surrounding areas. My grandfather had passed away almost 2 years previous to my wedding and it was a way for me to remember him and have him a part of a most important day even though he couldn't actually be.
Anyways - cue "Rhapsody" and enter me and Dad. I was somewhat crying as I hobbled down the aisle. Yes, hobble. In all my intelligence leading up to the wedding I had decided to have an itty bitty plantar wart removed from the ball of my foot. All I could think about was how I didn't want to go on my honeymoon with this almost invisible wart in a place where no one was going to look anyway. I also didn't want to experience my wedding night with this thing attached to me (as if Tim would even be paying attention to the bottom of my foot.) So the Wednesday before the wedding I went in to kind Dr. Maskill - who I will say did try to talk me out of it until after the wedding but I ignored him thinking it couldn't be that bad - and sat there silent and in intense pain as he held liquid nitrogen against it. Three days later I was still somewhat hobbling in pain if too much pressure was put on the ball. I think by the end of the day my foot was somewhat numb overall.
Tim continued to cry as I came up the aisle. He also cried as Bill began the ceremony. Then again after lighting the unity candle. I think once he realized we were close to the kissing part he got himself together.
I watched myself on the DVD and realized what a goofball I looked like that day. I think I was so nervous I couldn't keep my head on straight. I looked around at people on my side of the church, my bridesmaids, Bill and occasionally at Tim as Tim looked directly at me the entire time. I made silly faces a couple times and had a big cheesy grin on my face the rest of the time. I wonder if he realized that day what a nerd he was marrying!
Ah, well. What do you do? Almost five years later and we're happier now than then although at that time I didn't think we could be more so. Every year for our anniversary we have always been blessed enough to be able to travel around the date and we usually just end up saying it's our way of celebrating. The first year we went to Cancun with my sister and brother-in-law the week after our anniversary. The second year we went to Mackinac Island to attend a "Celebrate Your Marriage" conference. The third year we were in Florida the weekend after our anniversary because Tim was a groomsman in a wedding. Last year was our first actual planned specifically anniversary getaway and we went to Chicago to see Frank Lloyd Wright's studio, house, and the Robie House. This year we are going to be traveling again. We'll be in a gorgeous part of Virginia where Tim's cousin is getting married on our anniversary - May 24. Yes, we'll have a one-month old daughter at the time, but we don't want to miss it and, quite honestly, the younger they are the easier they are to travel with because they sleep all the time!
I can't wait to celebrate our anniversary and look back on what we have encountered in our marriage and how God has grown us.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Stressful Week Ends With Good News!
Crazy start to the week. I won't go into the details but let's just say that Tuesday night and Wednesday morning I was starting to doubt God again. It's so easy to do when you feel hit from every direction - especially financially. Thursday afternoon we had an unexpected blessing which helped. That day Tim also met with a painter in Grand Rapids who is looking for subcontractors. It was a brief meeting and then a quick phone call to find out some more information, but it wasn't until Friday afternoon that they actually sat down with each other and really talked/went through an interview process - for an hour and a half! It ended with Tim accepting the position and we are extremely excited about it. This means consistent work and good pay with Tim working on higher end homes, which has always been his dream. By doing more in this line of houses it actually allows him to learn more techniques and not feel like he's hit a glass ceiling which was kind of where he was at currently. He starts March 17, which is perfect because he actually does have work this week.
Saturday night I was really in the mood for a summery type meal since the sun was so nice and bright that day (although temperatures were freezing!) We made hamburgers (never as good cooked on a stovetop as they are on a grill), baked beans, corn and cantaloupe. I thought it was funny as we were sitting down to eat because I looked at the cantaloupe and thought about a recent sermon series at our church on blessings (you can check out the podcasts at www.thejourneycc.com if interested) and about how we had been blessed that week. Also, after sitting down, I heard what song was playing on the iPod. I had put on Caedmon's Call's "Long Line of Leavers" which I don't think I've listened to in years. The following lyrics are to the song and they fit how I felt in earlier in the week:
"Prove Me Wrong"
Sometimes I fear
Maybe I'm not chosen
You've hardened my heart like Pharoe
And that would explain why
Life is so hard for me
And I am sad that Esau hated
Crying against what's faded
Saying, "Father, please...
Is there any left for me?"
(chorus)
Cast all my doubts
Please, prove me wrong
Cause these demons
Can be so headstrong
Make my walls fall
Please, prove me wrong
Cause this resentment's been building
So burn them up with your fire so strong
And if you can before I bail
Please, prove me wrong
I fear maybe this is all just a game
And our friends and our families all play
To harness the young
And give some comfort to the old
(chorus)
(bridge)
Don't let my doubts prove true
Draw me close and hold me near to you
Keep me strong until the day you...
(chorus)
I thought that was just funny because this week He did make my walls fall and prove me wrong and I am thankful for that.
So that's about it here. I woke up sick in the middle of the night - sore throat, runny nose, headache...all that fun stuff. I have a feeling Noah might be sick as well because I can hear him waking up right now and he's crying and that is not normal for him. He also woke up once in the middle of the night crying and asking for water...so hopefully this will be a relaxing day for us both. Thankfully, I don't have to watch Emma today (she is sick as well) so we can lay around all day in our pajamas if needed.
Saturday night I was really in the mood for a summery type meal since the sun was so nice and bright that day (although temperatures were freezing!) We made hamburgers (never as good cooked on a stovetop as they are on a grill), baked beans, corn and cantaloupe. I thought it was funny as we were sitting down to eat because I looked at the cantaloupe and thought about a recent sermon series at our church on blessings (you can check out the podcasts at www.thejourneycc.com if interested) and about how we had been blessed that week. Also, after sitting down, I heard what song was playing on the iPod. I had put on Caedmon's Call's "Long Line of Leavers" which I don't think I've listened to in years. The following lyrics are to the song and they fit how I felt in earlier in the week:
"Prove Me Wrong"
Sometimes I fear
Maybe I'm not chosen
You've hardened my heart like Pharoe
And that would explain why
Life is so hard for me
And I am sad that Esau hated
Crying against what's faded
Saying, "Father, please...
Is there any left for me?"
(chorus)
Cast all my doubts
Please, prove me wrong
Cause these demons
Can be so headstrong
Make my walls fall
Please, prove me wrong
Cause this resentment's been building
So burn them up with your fire so strong
And if you can before I bail
Please, prove me wrong
I fear maybe this is all just a game
And our friends and our families all play
To harness the young
And give some comfort to the old
(chorus)
(bridge)
Don't let my doubts prove true
Draw me close and hold me near to you
Keep me strong until the day you...
(chorus)
I thought that was just funny because this week He did make my walls fall and prove me wrong and I am thankful for that.
So that's about it here. I woke up sick in the middle of the night - sore throat, runny nose, headache...all that fun stuff. I have a feeling Noah might be sick as well because I can hear him waking up right now and he's crying and that is not normal for him. He also woke up once in the middle of the night crying and asking for water...so hopefully this will be a relaxing day for us both. Thankfully, I don't have to watch Emma today (she is sick as well) so we can lay around all day in our pajamas if needed.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
A Little Bit of Everything
We've had a random past couple of weeks. Last week we spent in Ohio at Tim's parents. He worked on his brother's house while Noah and I were able to do some fun things throughout the week. Deidra has started working part-time at their church and so Tuesday I baby-sat Wyndham, which was fun because she and Noah got along very well the entire week. It was great. Wednesday we accompanied Deidra and Wyn on their weekly playdate with a couple other women and kids from their church. We attended storytime at the library (which Noah only had the patience to last for about half of - so we went and read books and did puzzles in a different area) and then on to McDonald's for lunch and to get energy out in the playland. On Thursdays my mother-in-law watches Wyndham and so we took the kids and ventured up to Canton. Since I'm not having any showers with this pregnancy she wanted to still get some clothes for the baby just as she would any of the others, so we hit Old Navy and Gymboree and scored some good deals. We followed with lunch at Chick-Fil-A. Can I just tell you this is my favorite fast food restaurant and it makes me so sad that we don't have one around here. It is needed! Friday was just a play at home day and Saturday we took off.
It was a nice time. Deidra and I spent the evenings together as the guys would head back to the house to do more work after dinner and putting the kids to bed. They usually wouldn't be home until late. Noah also did great during the car rides to and from, so that is always a bonus.
My parents loved their cruise. My mom spent this week saying "A week ago on this day I was in _____________" (fill in blank with itinerary.) They debated leaving everything here to go start a kayak rental shop on some random island. I'm glad they had fun.
We have had many friends going through some rough times recently with family or relationship issues. It was a heavy week while in Ohio and receiving news of different things. I really feel as if satan is hard at work - and I have to admit that I have felt attacked by him this week as well in mine and Tim's lives after arriving home.
Tim and I have a big decision to make that I won't discuss now, so please pray for clarity and God's wisdom for us.
To end with, here are a couple belly shots that my friend, Christina of Grace Designs Photography, took of me while I was in my 7th month. They're funny to look at now because I feel about twice the size! I had a check-up on Tuesday and everything is looking great - my blood pressure is a little high so they're going to keep an eye on it, but after some of the stressors in our life I actually had a feeling it would be high. Jeana accompanied me and Noah as Tim was working and she enjoyed hearing the heartbeat and was a big help with Noah since he becomes very concerned when the doctor comes in. Just 7 more weeks to go!
Monday, February 25, 2008
I Love This Man
It could be that I'm extra-hormonal, or just having been through everything we have in the past few months I'm more sensitive...but I don't think I have ever loved Tim more so than I do now. He amazes me with his strong faith, positive outlook on life and our future, encouragement, crying shoulder, and sensitivity. He doesn't complain when he is asked to rub my feet or back and loves to spend the evening with his hand resting on my belly waiting for a hello kick from our daughter. He is fantastic with Noah and is the one that gives him a bath and puts him to bed at night. He is able to sense when I am tired and encourages, if not orders, me to go rest for as long as I need.
Our first home was an apartment, but this was the first house we bought less than a year after we were married. Mayfield Avenue, Grand Rapids. We had great neighbors. 
And our first "child", a chocolate lab we named Pippin. Unfortunately, a doctor encouraged us to get rid of him after I started having breathing problems a couple years later. Looking back, I don't think it was due to him at all...but he is with a fantastic family now and I think with how much we've moved around since then that it was probably better for all involved. I do miss him.
We were lucky to celebrate our first anniversary with a trip to Cancun. My sister and her husband were going down for her belated graduation gift from our uncle and they asked if we wanted to come along since it's a suite condo. I had been a few years before for my graduation gift and was thrilled to go back. We had a great time...and apparently gained some sunburn.
Waiting for the arrival of Noah Edwin. Tim was the textbook father-to-be that day: timing contractions and getting frustrated if I didn't let him know when was starting so he couldn't time correctly, taking pictures (surprisingly this is me before the epidural and I'm smiling), and waiting nervously.
I will never forget this first time he held Noah (thank you to whatever nurse snapped this shot) or the first time he saw him. He cried so hard I was actually jealous that I couldn't match him. 
Another day he cried much harder than me: Noah's dedication. He sang "Holy is the Lord" by Andrew Peterson and although he had practiced numerous times at home, I don't think the lyrics hit him until he was singing it in church staring at Noah in the front row. If you've never heard the song - go find it. It's on one of the City On a Hill CDs. It conveys the story of Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac and what he must have felt that day, yet still being faithful in obeying and as a result God does spare Isaac. Randy (on guitar) and Deidra (on piano) did a great job covering for him until he could pull it together enough to finish the song.
Now we await the arrival of Eleanor. I am excited to be going through this process with him again. I can't wait to see what is in store for our family over the coming years.
I love watching his interaction with Noah and how much Noah absolutely can't get enough of him. I know that the dynamics of our family will change after the baby comes, but I am glad that Noah and Tim already have a closer bond than Noah and myself so that I do not feel too much like I am betraying him with another child. Not to say that Noah doesn't love me, but when both Tim and I are home - his preference is Tim and I am fine with that. It hurt at first when he would hurt himself and cry for Tim instead of me...then I realized how cool that must feel for Tim to be the one who can give him comfort after two years of Noah preferring me. I can't wait to see how he does with a daughter.
Yesterday at church Tim was on the worship team. He sang "Everlasting God" and during the song I looked at him and my heart swelled with love. I am so blessed to have found a soulmate that I can walk this life journey with. I couldn't have dreamt of anyone better suited for me and able to challenge me in the ways he has.
Our wedding day, May 24, 2003.
Our wedding day, May 24, 2003.Our first home was an apartment, but this was the first house we bought less than a year after we were married. Mayfield Avenue, Grand Rapids. We had great neighbors. And our first "child", a chocolate lab we named Pippin. Unfortunately, a doctor encouraged us to get rid of him after I started having breathing problems a couple years later. Looking back, I don't think it was due to him at all...but he is with a fantastic family now and I think with how much we've moved around since then that it was probably better for all involved. I do miss him.We were lucky to celebrate our first anniversary with a trip to Cancun. My sister and her husband were going down for her belated graduation gift from our uncle and they asked if we wanted to come along since it's a suite condo. I had been a few years before for my graduation gift and was thrilled to go back. We had a great time...and apparently gained some sunburn.Waiting for the arrival of Noah Edwin. Tim was the textbook father-to-be that day: timing contractions and getting frustrated if I didn't let him know when was starting so he couldn't time correctly, taking pictures (surprisingly this is me before the epidural and I'm smiling), and waiting nervously.I will never forget this first time he held Noah (thank you to whatever nurse snapped this shot) or the first time he saw him. He cried so hard I was actually jealous that I couldn't match him. Another day he cried much harder than me: Noah's dedication. He sang "Holy is the Lord" by Andrew Peterson and although he had practiced numerous times at home, I don't think the lyrics hit him until he was singing it in church staring at Noah in the front row. If you've never heard the song - go find it. It's on one of the City On a Hill CDs. It conveys the story of Abraham being asked to sacrifice Isaac and what he must have felt that day, yet still being faithful in obeying and as a result God does spare Isaac. Randy (on guitar) and Deidra (on piano) did a great job covering for him until he could pull it together enough to finish the song.Now we await the arrival of Eleanor. I am excited to be going through this process with him again. I can't wait to see what is in store for our family over the coming years.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Hit By A Flashback
I went to Meijer the other day with the goal of purchasing two items: diapers and tortilla shells.
While standing in the diaper aisle debating between Pull-Ups and regular diapers, the intercom song slowly started drifting through my ears. It was unique...easily recognizable...and brought back memories of my second grade dance recital. I wanted so badly to take out my cell phone and call my cousin, Jamie, who was in dance with me that year and who I can still laugh about the song with. Alas, my cell phone is a piece of junk and as soon as it hit analog inside Meijer it died.
I stood in front of the Pull-Ups section, slightly hypnotized and wishing there was someone I could share the moment with. Oh, the memories. A neon pink crop tank top, bordered with neon green sparkles, matching neon pink and green bordered skirt layered ever-so-awesomely over bright green spandex leggings that only went mid-calf, bright green fingerless gloves and all of it topped off with the same green sparkly beaded headband that we used to wrap around our half-pulled up side ponytails.
And the song that we danced to?
While standing in the diaper aisle debating between Pull-Ups and regular diapers, the intercom song slowly started drifting through my ears. It was unique...easily recognizable...and brought back memories of my second grade dance recital. I wanted so badly to take out my cell phone and call my cousin, Jamie, who was in dance with me that year and who I can still laugh about the song with. Alas, my cell phone is a piece of junk and as soon as it hit analog inside Meijer it died.
I stood in front of the Pull-Ups section, slightly hypnotized and wishing there was someone I could share the moment with. Oh, the memories. A neon pink crop tank top, bordered with neon green sparkles, matching neon pink and green bordered skirt layered ever-so-awesomely over bright green spandex leggings that only went mid-calf, bright green fingerless gloves and all of it topped off with the same green sparkly beaded headband that we used to wrap around our half-pulled up side ponytails.
And the song that we danced to?
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
I Found It!!
Have you ever experienced that nagging sensation when you hear a song that you have heard it before but can't figure out where? When Tim McGraw came out with "When the Stars Go Blue" I knew I had heard it before and it wasn't actually his song. For over a year I have searched my brain for it and come up with nothing.
Tonight I finally googled it. Brilliant. Why didn't I think of that a year ago?
I discovered that I knew it from Bono (from U2) singing it with The Corrs. Whew. There is one more thing I can cross off my list. I also discovered that about 5 other people have remade the song since the original in 2001. It is a good song. If I could sing, I would remake it.
I love music. Tim and I have such an eclectic mix of CDs as well as music on our iPod. I have tried to convince him to like older rock music, like The Doors or Led Zeppelin. He tolerates it but wouldn't voluntarily listen to it. He also is not a fan of The Beatles...that drives me nuts. Who DOESN'T appreciate The Beatles???
One of my favorite albums from last year (well, I bought it last year - I think it came out in 2006) was Bebo Norman's "Beneath the Dreaming and the Coming True." It is such an incredible CD. Lyrics are great, music is fantastic...Tim was not thrilled when I chose to use a gift card on it because there were other CDs he would have chosen first. He will admit now that it is his favorite Bebo CD.
My other favorite from last year (again - I believe it came out in 2006, but Tim gave it to me for Valentine's Day in 2007) was Corinne Bailey Rae. Wow, can she sing. Noah likes to listen to that one as well.
Actually, there are all sorts of good songs and artists I like. I love how, no matter what mood you are in, there is music to go along with it. It's kind of like you can easily find a soundtrack for your life. Mad? Try hard rock. Maybe a little Linkin Park (in high school I liked listening to Korn while angry.) Feeling nostalgic? Break out the music from your childhood. I, personally, love to flashback to the 80s and 90s...maybe a little New Kids on the Block or early Madonna. "Oh oh oh oh oh. Oh oh oh oh. Oh oh oh oh oh. The right stuff." Are you calm, peaceful and content? Throw on the classical. My favorite piece is "Claire de lune." Maybe you want to dance around the house while cleaning? That is when I break out the Justin Timberlake CD and start bringing sexy back to cleaning (or so I think.) Frustrated in life? Break out some worship music and remember God's promises. I have a worship playlist on the iPod with a mix of songs I sought through to find specific ones that have meaning to me or lyrics that have spoken to me in the past.
Music for the mood. What kind of music do you enjoy?
Tonight I finally googled it. Brilliant. Why didn't I think of that a year ago?
I discovered that I knew it from Bono (from U2) singing it with The Corrs. Whew. There is one more thing I can cross off my list. I also discovered that about 5 other people have remade the song since the original in 2001. It is a good song. If I could sing, I would remake it.
I love music. Tim and I have such an eclectic mix of CDs as well as music on our iPod. I have tried to convince him to like older rock music, like The Doors or Led Zeppelin. He tolerates it but wouldn't voluntarily listen to it. He also is not a fan of The Beatles...that drives me nuts. Who DOESN'T appreciate The Beatles???
One of my favorite albums from last year (well, I bought it last year - I think it came out in 2006) was Bebo Norman's "Beneath the Dreaming and the Coming True." It is such an incredible CD. Lyrics are great, music is fantastic...Tim was not thrilled when I chose to use a gift card on it because there were other CDs he would have chosen first. He will admit now that it is his favorite Bebo CD.
My other favorite from last year (again - I believe it came out in 2006, but Tim gave it to me for Valentine's Day in 2007) was Corinne Bailey Rae. Wow, can she sing. Noah likes to listen to that one as well.
Actually, there are all sorts of good songs and artists I like. I love how, no matter what mood you are in, there is music to go along with it. It's kind of like you can easily find a soundtrack for your life. Mad? Try hard rock. Maybe a little Linkin Park (in high school I liked listening to Korn while angry.) Feeling nostalgic? Break out the music from your childhood. I, personally, love to flashback to the 80s and 90s...maybe a little New Kids on the Block or early Madonna. "Oh oh oh oh oh. Oh oh oh oh. Oh oh oh oh oh. The right stuff." Are you calm, peaceful and content? Throw on the classical. My favorite piece is "Claire de lune." Maybe you want to dance around the house while cleaning? That is when I break out the Justin Timberlake CD and start bringing sexy back to cleaning (or so I think.) Frustrated in life? Break out some worship music and remember God's promises. I have a worship playlist on the iPod with a mix of songs I sought through to find specific ones that have meaning to me or lyrics that have spoken to me in the past.
Music for the mood. What kind of music do you enjoy?
Saturday, February 16, 2008
I'm COLD!
We went down to Grand Haven's main street (Washington) this morning to view the "Ice Fest" and find out what it's all about. Basically, it's some small ice sculptures in front of the stores and you can watch the ice sculptor at work. After only being out there for about 20 minutes we came back home with red cheeks and noses. Now, 20 minutes after arriving home, my cheeks are still fairly numb but my ears have reached the tingly thawing out feeling. It's a beautiful morning though - thanks to the awesome sunshine I have felt so deprived of recently. Talk about Vitamin D deficiency...and I can't even "fake bake" to make up for it. So I just turn on a hot shower and pretend I'm in the tropics.
Speaking of tropics, my parents are leaving next week for a 7 day cruise in the Caribbean. I'm so happy for them (although slightly jealous that they will get to experience a week of sunshine, warm weather, and yummy food.) It has always been my dad's dream vacation, and since he turned the Big 50 last month, they saved up to be able to celebrate in a big way. My mom turns 50 in another three years and they will celebrate that by going on an Alaskan cruise, which is her dream vacation. My mom for a few months was quite nervous about the upcoming cruise and the possibilities of running into an iceberg. I told her the chances of that happening in the Caribbean have to be pretty slim to none. When I talked to her this morning she sounded pretty excited about the trip so I'm glad she is conquering her fears.
We had an uneventful Valentine's Day. Both of us kept forgetting about it completely and by the time dinner came around (spaghetti) I had put a candle in the middle of the table and we used cloth napkins to at least make it seem as if we tried. We have had many romantic Valentine's Days and we didn't feel bad for taking this year off. It was kind of nice, actually, not worrying about what to get each other or trying to find time to get a card or stressing about finding a baby-sitter, etc. As we cheesily told each other later "Every day is Valentine's Day with you." Don't worry, we don't really speak to each other like this seriously.
I'm convinced Noah is going to be a worship leader or Christian artist someday. He picks up on songs so quickly and can sing right along with them...although not every word might be understandable. He can carry the tune almost perfectly - much better than me, his non-musical mother. =) I love music...I just wasn't blessed with the gift of singing voice.
Eleanor seems to be doing well. She's quite active and I have the unfortunate habit of waking up at 4:00 in the morning at least 3 times a week and not being able to fall back asleep. This makes for a very long day. I just finished my 30th week and when I look at how busy our March is I know the time is going to fly until she arrives! I am still reading lots of books about natural childbirth and am feeling so wonderfully confident about it. It helps that my friend, Kelly, is also trying it this time around so we can bounce our thoughts and resources off each other. Tim is very encouraging and told me the other night that he is positive I'll be able to do it. It helps to have a supportive husband. I just tend to shut out the negative comments from people and focus on the positive support I have received from others who have done it.
My faith continues to be stretched and grow. I think the hardest thing of the past few months' struggles was stepping away from the "safe" faith that I grew up with and learning about so many qualities and characteristics of the Lord that were never much discussed. This has been difficult for me because for the past 27 years I have walked the same path of beliefs, being lukewarm in my faith. Not to say I don't strongly believe...but I've never really been challenged. Now I am studying and reading and loving the God who I am coming to know more and more as Father rather than just that guy up in Heaven watching over everything. I am trusting Him more readily and giving up the control I thought I had in my life. Difficult? Absolutely. Rewarding? Most definitely.
Speaking of tropics, my parents are leaving next week for a 7 day cruise in the Caribbean. I'm so happy for them (although slightly jealous that they will get to experience a week of sunshine, warm weather, and yummy food.) It has always been my dad's dream vacation, and since he turned the Big 50 last month, they saved up to be able to celebrate in a big way. My mom turns 50 in another three years and they will celebrate that by going on an Alaskan cruise, which is her dream vacation. My mom for a few months was quite nervous about the upcoming cruise and the possibilities of running into an iceberg. I told her the chances of that happening in the Caribbean have to be pretty slim to none. When I talked to her this morning she sounded pretty excited about the trip so I'm glad she is conquering her fears.
We had an uneventful Valentine's Day. Both of us kept forgetting about it completely and by the time dinner came around (spaghetti) I had put a candle in the middle of the table and we used cloth napkins to at least make it seem as if we tried. We have had many romantic Valentine's Days and we didn't feel bad for taking this year off. It was kind of nice, actually, not worrying about what to get each other or trying to find time to get a card or stressing about finding a baby-sitter, etc. As we cheesily told each other later "Every day is Valentine's Day with you." Don't worry, we don't really speak to each other like this seriously.
I'm convinced Noah is going to be a worship leader or Christian artist someday. He picks up on songs so quickly and can sing right along with them...although not every word might be understandable. He can carry the tune almost perfectly - much better than me, his non-musical mother. =) I love music...I just wasn't blessed with the gift of singing voice.
Eleanor seems to be doing well. She's quite active and I have the unfortunate habit of waking up at 4:00 in the morning at least 3 times a week and not being able to fall back asleep. This makes for a very long day. I just finished my 30th week and when I look at how busy our March is I know the time is going to fly until she arrives! I am still reading lots of books about natural childbirth and am feeling so wonderfully confident about it. It helps that my friend, Kelly, is also trying it this time around so we can bounce our thoughts and resources off each other. Tim is very encouraging and told me the other night that he is positive I'll be able to do it. It helps to have a supportive husband. I just tend to shut out the negative comments from people and focus on the positive support I have received from others who have done it.
My faith continues to be stretched and grow. I think the hardest thing of the past few months' struggles was stepping away from the "safe" faith that I grew up with and learning about so many qualities and characteristics of the Lord that were never much discussed. This has been difficult for me because for the past 27 years I have walked the same path of beliefs, being lukewarm in my faith. Not to say I don't strongly believe...but I've never really been challenged. Now I am studying and reading and loving the God who I am coming to know more and more as Father rather than just that guy up in Heaven watching over everything. I am trusting Him more readily and giving up the control I thought I had in my life. Difficult? Absolutely. Rewarding? Most definitely.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Gung Hay Fat Choy!
Yesterday we went to Matt & Jeana's to celebrate Chinese New Year. What fun times. It will be so much more exciting next year when we celebrate because then their daughter will be here with us! (They are adopting from China and this should be the year the referral comes.) For now, it was our family and Jeana's parents, grandparents, brother and his family. I was completely exhausted by the end of the day but it was completely worth it. Noah had so much fun he decided to not take a nap (not fun for me) but was the life of the party. Jeana's brother has 2 very well behaved daughters, who are 8 and 4 years old, so an active 2 year old boy running around was quite the change for her family to observe. We're glad we could provide the live entertainment. =)
The table was nicely set. Everyone had chopsticks (mine were stolen by a certain toddler and used to stab at his food.) The kids received fun little "take-out" boxes that had cookies, a tiny plastic saki cup, a red Chinese envelope (containing $1 - I wish we had more traditions like this!), a paper-accordion Chinese dragon (you can see Sydney in the picture pulling her's apart), and Noah's contained a dinosaur (he was thrilled.)
This is part of the reason I think naptime may have been skipped and pure silliness taken over: a blue sugary drink from the Asian food market. He loved it...obviously.
Tim (in festive decor) and me (looking very tired and pregnant) towards the end of the evening. Red shirts were as Chinese as we could get for costume - the hat is Matt's.
Noah "playing" the Wii with Jeana's dad. He thought he was so good at the golf games.And on other very exciting new year news: Tim landed a part-time job on Friday! He was offered the position on the spot and accepted. The guy was extremely impressed with his presentation (which most likely he was the only one who actually had one for a part-time painting job.) It's great because they're going to work around each other's schedules so that Tim can still do his own small business and continue to grow that. I am so glad because three and a half months with a total of 4 weeks of work can come to an end. We are so thankful to everyone who has been an encouragement and support to us during this challenging time. We have learned many valuable lessons that will be applied from this point on (such as getting our "3-6 months emergency fund" together as quickly as possible, God really does provide in ways you don't see coming, and it is better to stay strong and faithful than waiver in your trust - I learned that the hard way.) The past week has been the crescendo of emotional and spiritual stress for me. I thought things couldn't get any worse...they did. Then that very same day, after - as silly as it sounds - I actually shut myself in the bathroom and yelled at Satan out loud to leave me alone and that I wasn't going to let him steal my joy or have power over me anymore, God started opening doors. Our marriage has grown leaps and bounds. Our faith has been challenged and strengthened. We have ended the week feeling renewed, refreshed, and hopeful for our future. We also covered the top of the fridge in white paper and started writing Scripture verses on it to remind us of God's promises for us as well as those that instruct us on how to be.
Gung hay fat choy indeed - happy new year!
Friday, February 08, 2008
Listen up young punks and daredevil drivers...
To those of you who find it exhilirating to cut people off while driving, run red lights, and make turns when you're not supposed to...you need to stop.
When you are waiting to turn left at a red light and it turns green, it is your responsiblity to WAIT for those coming from the opposite direction (who legally have the right-of-way) to go through the light first and then make sure it is clear before you turn. This means that if it is 2 lanes, one going straight through the light and one turning right...you DON'T go. You don't speed through, cut them off and then laugh hysterically.
Maybe you do this because you think it's cool. Maybe you do it to feel a rush of adrenaline. If you want a rush, go drink a Mountain Dew or something from Starbucks. Don't put the lives of others at risk. Because it's not cool.
Let me give you the perspective of someone in the opposite car. While you're laughing at your daredevil antic, I am wearing my brakes thin by trying to stop suddenly and wearing my nerves thin by preparing myself for an accident. I am in the car with my two and a half year old son on the driver side of the van, whom you would hit if you were turning left and didn't time things the way you had hoped. I am 7 months pregnant with a much bigger than usually belly and fearing for my unborn child's life if I was to hit the steering wheel. Do you want that guilt on your shoulders if you hurt someone in my vehicle because you were trying to make your friends laugh or scream in delight/fear?
If you think you're old enough to drive a car then start being mature too while you're at it.
Start using that brain in your head and stop putting the rest of our lives (as well as your own) at risk.
When you are waiting to turn left at a red light and it turns green, it is your responsiblity to WAIT for those coming from the opposite direction (who legally have the right-of-way) to go through the light first and then make sure it is clear before you turn. This means that if it is 2 lanes, one going straight through the light and one turning right...you DON'T go. You don't speed through, cut them off and then laugh hysterically.
Maybe you do this because you think it's cool. Maybe you do it to feel a rush of adrenaline. If you want a rush, go drink a Mountain Dew or something from Starbucks. Don't put the lives of others at risk. Because it's not cool.
Let me give you the perspective of someone in the opposite car. While you're laughing at your daredevil antic, I am wearing my brakes thin by trying to stop suddenly and wearing my nerves thin by preparing myself for an accident. I am in the car with my two and a half year old son on the driver side of the van, whom you would hit if you were turning left and didn't time things the way you had hoped. I am 7 months pregnant with a much bigger than usually belly and fearing for my unborn child's life if I was to hit the steering wheel. Do you want that guilt on your shoulders if you hurt someone in my vehicle because you were trying to make your friends laugh or scream in delight/fear?
If you think you're old enough to drive a car then start being mature too while you're at it.
Start using that brain in your head and stop putting the rest of our lives (as well as your own) at risk.
Monday, February 04, 2008
If You're Looking For...
We have many friends in the West Michigan area that have their own small businesses and are very talented in what they do. I thought I would stick their names and websites on here in case anyone is looking for something they can offer.
PAINTING & HOME RESTORATION
Naturally, I'm going to put my husband's small business first. He does painting, handyman work, flooring, trimwork, custom designs, design consultations (for those who just aren't quite sure what color or finish to go with), etc. He is passionate about what he does, loves going to work, has been blessed with a talent I don't have, and we would of course welcome your support and business. He does free estimates and gives a 3% referral commision (from labor costs) to any jobs you help bring his way. You can check out his blog at:
http://www.rossrestorations.blogspot.com/.
PHOTOGRAPHY
We know so many photographers and I hate that in reality...they're all competition for each other. However, they all kind of have their own areas of expertise so I will include what I think they're best at in case you're looking for something specific.
My friend, Christina, enjoys taking pictures of kids, pregnant women, and has done families as well. You can check out her blog at: http://www.gracedesignsphotography.blogspot.com/ or click on the link to the right under the blogs I read.
Our friend, Jeana, does not have a website. She has assisted in weddings, taken kids pictures (including Noah's), senior pictures, and is great at capturing nature. She does it more "on the side" of the job she already has, so her prices vary depending on what you're looking for. She is in Muskegon and you can comment if you want information on how to get a hold of her. At the moment, all money she earns from her photography is going straight to their adoption fund.
Coastline Studios, owned by our friend, John, does photography and videography. He has done weddings, family portraits, and commercial work (a lot for Cornerstone University.) His website is: http://www.coastline-studios.com/.
Noah's "One Year" pictures were captured by Lisa, who owns Elite Photo Design. She mainly does weddings, bellies, babies & kids. You can see her work at http://www.elitephotodesign.com/.
Quite a few posts down I posted some photos from Cornerstone's Alumni weekend that were taken by Mindy. Her website is http://www.thisphotostory.com/.
INTERIOR DESIGN
The wife of John, who I mentioned earlier owns Coastline Studios, is Amy. She is an interior designer and her website can be viewed at http://www.refreshdesign.net/.
Margaux is an interior designer that Tim has started working with in East Grand Rapids. You can view some examples of her work at http://www.mdrake.com/
CUSTOM METAL WORK
Our friend, and Tim's business partner, Tim has a passion for custom metal design. He has really taken off, thanks to the website Etsy, and even sold a guitar shaped table to Barney's of New York that is now displayed in their brand new location in Las Vegas. You can find more information on him and his work at http://www.timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/.
CHURCH
If you're looking for a church where the focus is more on relationships than religion - relationship with God first as well as others - and is someplace that is casual and come as you are, then check out The Journey Community Church in Muskegon. You can find service times and more information at http://www.thejourneycc.com/. This is where Tim and I attend and we absolutely love it and are passionate about their vision and what they're doing in West Michigan.
So if you're looking to support any local artists or small business owners and have a need for any of the above services, make sure to check out some of the above mentioned. Of course, I know there are tons of others in the area (hello, Grand Rapids is a pretty big place!) but naturally I am biased in supporting the people we know! We have had experience with everyone mentioned and that is how I am able to recommend them after being pleased with the work I have seen.
PAINTING & HOME RESTORATION
Naturally, I'm going to put my husband's small business first. He does painting, handyman work, flooring, trimwork, custom designs, design consultations (for those who just aren't quite sure what color or finish to go with), etc. He is passionate about what he does, loves going to work, has been blessed with a talent I don't have, and we would of course welcome your support and business. He does free estimates and gives a 3% referral commision (from labor costs) to any jobs you help bring his way. You can check out his blog at:
http://www.rossrestorations.blogspot.com/.
PHOTOGRAPHY
We know so many photographers and I hate that in reality...they're all competition for each other. However, they all kind of have their own areas of expertise so I will include what I think they're best at in case you're looking for something specific.
My friend, Christina, enjoys taking pictures of kids, pregnant women, and has done families as well. You can check out her blog at: http://www.gracedesignsphotography.blogspot.com/ or click on the link to the right under the blogs I read.
Our friend, Jeana, does not have a website. She has assisted in weddings, taken kids pictures (including Noah's), senior pictures, and is great at capturing nature. She does it more "on the side" of the job she already has, so her prices vary depending on what you're looking for. She is in Muskegon and you can comment if you want information on how to get a hold of her. At the moment, all money she earns from her photography is going straight to their adoption fund.
Coastline Studios, owned by our friend, John, does photography and videography. He has done weddings, family portraits, and commercial work (a lot for Cornerstone University.) His website is: http://www.coastline-studios.com/.
Noah's "One Year" pictures were captured by Lisa, who owns Elite Photo Design. She mainly does weddings, bellies, babies & kids. You can see her work at http://www.elitephotodesign.com/.
Quite a few posts down I posted some photos from Cornerstone's Alumni weekend that were taken by Mindy. Her website is http://www.thisphotostory.com/.
INTERIOR DESIGN
The wife of John, who I mentioned earlier owns Coastline Studios, is Amy. She is an interior designer and her website can be viewed at http://www.refreshdesign.net/.
Margaux is an interior designer that Tim has started working with in East Grand Rapids. You can view some examples of her work at http://www.mdrake.com/
CUSTOM METAL WORK
Our friend, and Tim's business partner, Tim has a passion for custom metal design. He has really taken off, thanks to the website Etsy, and even sold a guitar shaped table to Barney's of New York that is now displayed in their brand new location in Las Vegas. You can find more information on him and his work at http://www.timothyadamdesigns.blogspot.com/.
CHURCH
If you're looking for a church where the focus is more on relationships than religion - relationship with God first as well as others - and is someplace that is casual and come as you are, then check out The Journey Community Church in Muskegon. You can find service times and more information at http://www.thejourneycc.com/. This is where Tim and I attend and we absolutely love it and are passionate about their vision and what they're doing in West Michigan.
So if you're looking to support any local artists or small business owners and have a need for any of the above services, make sure to check out some of the above mentioned. Of course, I know there are tons of others in the area (hello, Grand Rapids is a pretty big place!) but naturally I am biased in supporting the people we know! We have had experience with everyone mentioned and that is how I am able to recommend them after being pleased with the work I have seen.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Like ME??!!
I have rarely heard - except from some of my family members - that Noah looks like me. Most of our friends, and strangers we come in contact with who feel free to give their opinion, say how much he looks like Tim. Well, apparently the look-a-like meter disagrees. I still don't see it, but it was fun to try!
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