Its bedtime and I just want to do a quick blackberry blog from bed. Some notes of importance:
* Faythe & Jimmy got officially married at the courthouse today and it was really sweet. There official ceremony is in April but today was just cute. Nick was the best man and our pregos were the bridesmaids.
* Speaking of my awesome hubby... hes done with his three day conference and hes being awesome of course. He just went out at nine oclock to get me ice cream. ahhhh....
* I am officially backing brooke on american idol.
* Kalle is on her first trip back east and im trying really hard not to be jealous. I know Ill see some family soon though when Glory comes... so Ill be okay.
* Speaking of our little girl... the other day I had a small freak out and decided Im not totally sold on the name Gloriana. Were still calling her that for now but be warned... if we see her and thats not who she is, dont be scared.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
glory girl update
I think she's in until the 14th. So... phew, plenty of time to get ready. We did get a really beautiful picture of her though. I can't get over how much she looks like Elias and how much she looks like her dad. She has his lips, nose, and forehead:)
On a ridiculous note - Faythe's fiance, Jimmy, just made me watch a video online called 'extraordinary breastfeeding' about two sisters who were still breastfeeding when they were five and seven. It was hilarious and disgusting all at once. If you're up for it, look it up on youtube. I hope I'm not offending anyone who breastfed their kids through elementary school - it just really threw me off.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
interesting update...
So the few friends we have in the greater Puget Sound have persuaded me... that last post really deserves a follow up. I didn't expect for it to ring true and be funny to so many people - but I'm glad others can delight in my insanity. Like my last post said, I was dead set on staying out of the hospital unless I was POSITIVE that I was in heavy labor, and thus - they'd go ahead and start my c-section. On Thursdays our house had the distinct pleasure of being graced by the presence of Shawn & Kalle - they come and spend the night with us because it's more convenient for Kalle's work and that way Nick has a partner for man night. So - on Friday morning the girls and I headed to the gym with Kalle and we all went through the weight-training circuit that I used to do with Regi in Charlotte & Kal still does three times a week. Needless to say, it kicked my butt and while I felt like everything I did was safe for pregnancy - it started a nice round of contractions going. I was able to function with them throughout the day, but around two p.m., I got a little nervous and decided to call my doctor.
My doctor, the aforementioned dark angel of false hope (who was positive I'd be in labor by next week), was out of town until Sunday and her nurse encouraged me to come on into the hospital once my contractions were ten minutes apart and I couldn't walk or talk through them. While I could still do that - they were fairly regular, but I decided to hold strong. The last thing I wanted was to go to the hospital & get sent back home. Around four p.m., I couldn't walk or talk through them - but still I wasn't going anywhere. I decided to delight in spending time with Elias cuddling and silently working on my quilt for Glory. Nick noticed that my countenance had changed and that every few minutes my eyes were welling up with tears and he suggested we go in to get checked - but I held off. By around seven that night - we put Elias to bed and when I kissed him goodnight, for whatever reason, I just lost it - and starting crying my eyes out. I think my tears were mostly about my physical pain, but mixed in were some strong feelings about having a good idea that the next time I saw my son - he wouldn't be my only child. Also, there was some sadness about missing my family & feeling really ill-prepared for the impending hospital visit.
Since the contractions were only getting worse, we quickly threw some stuff in a bag and decided to head that way. Kalle & Shawn were still in the area, so they followed in their car while Faythe & Jimmy stayed to protect a sleeping Elias. We didn't tell the girls we were going because we didn't want to get their hopes up and get them all in a tizzy & we just called Josh and Gibson and told them to be on alert for my mom & Katie so if we had to quickly go into surgery, they'd all be awake. For some reason our trip to the hospital was VERY sitcom-esque and having Kalle & Shawn there only made it funnier. (look for some quotes at the end) By this point, my pain was INTENSE - worse than anything I had during labor with Elias... but of course, the nurses thought I was a whiny, indulgent, sick-of-pregnancy freak who was trying to just skip her last few weeks of gestation. This misconception was only aided by the fact that my contraction belt monitor wasn't registering my contractions for the first hour I was there - until finally I held it on my belly and sat in the exact right position to show the nurse how strong (and PAINFUL) they actually were.
At that point, without seeing the doctor, the nurse decided it was too early for Glory to come and that this was officially pre-term labor brought on by extreme dehydration & elevated keytones from not eating enough during the day. I tried not to get discouraged as she gave me a shot of turbutelene to stop the labor and began my discharge. Thankfully, this medicine is freakishly close to heroine, and was quite the fun experience. The nurse had warned us that it might make me jittery, she failed to mention that it would make everyone of my extremities have seizure-like spasms and it would also induce intense vomiting. Fun all around. By that point, all dissapointment had dissipated and I just wanted out of the hospital bed - out of the hospital, forever. So we were allowed to head home with strict instructions that I get some food pronto and stay well hydrated. I go back Tuesday & Wednesday for more doctor's appointments. Agh - we'll see.
Now for the funny parts...
*On the way to the hospital (which only I had been to, not Nick) we pulled in about five WRONG parking lots and after freaking out about where to park, realized the hospital has valet parking for such occasions.
* Upon finally getting into the hospital - we found a wheelchair - that went about .000001 miles an hour, so after about 10 minutes and only moving five feet, I jumped up and walked to labor & delivery.
* We had to wait in the waiting room for about 45 minutes and Nick and Shawn had to go downstairs to check us in, so Kal & I stayed and worked on the contractions. I couldn't stop saying "my butt is falling off". For some reason - my butt hurt really bad, like lower back contractions.
* Upon finally getting into a room, the first question the nurse asked me was, "So what makes you think you're in labor?" For some reason, we thought this was hilarious because OBVIOUSLY my butt was falling off and I was in intense pain.
* I didn't want to call any friends in case we had to go home, but Shawn was on the phone with some random person we didn't even know and he said "Yeah, we're at the hospital with Jessi & Nick - they're having their baby. You know, she's been pregnant for a while". Hilarious.
* When I found out my cervix had UN-dilated by one centimeter I said "If I had a gun right now, I would shoot my cervix". To which Shawn responded, "That would definitely make it bigger". Classic.
I'm hoping this shot keeps me good for the next few days because I'm not sure I can handle that shot again and I know that it takes the jaws of life to open my cervix, and thus, move up my c-section. Pray for me - and my husband, that these next two and half weeks would be as pain-free as possible and we'd have tons of time to prepare for Glory and appreciate Elias.
My doctor, the aforementioned dark angel of false hope (who was positive I'd be in labor by next week), was out of town until Sunday and her nurse encouraged me to come on into the hospital once my contractions were ten minutes apart and I couldn't walk or talk through them. While I could still do that - they were fairly regular, but I decided to hold strong. The last thing I wanted was to go to the hospital & get sent back home. Around four p.m., I couldn't walk or talk through them - but still I wasn't going anywhere. I decided to delight in spending time with Elias cuddling and silently working on my quilt for Glory. Nick noticed that my countenance had changed and that every few minutes my eyes were welling up with tears and he suggested we go in to get checked - but I held off. By around seven that night - we put Elias to bed and when I kissed him goodnight, for whatever reason, I just lost it - and starting crying my eyes out. I think my tears were mostly about my physical pain, but mixed in were some strong feelings about having a good idea that the next time I saw my son - he wouldn't be my only child. Also, there was some sadness about missing my family & feeling really ill-prepared for the impending hospital visit.
Since the contractions were only getting worse, we quickly threw some stuff in a bag and decided to head that way. Kalle & Shawn were still in the area, so they followed in their car while Faythe & Jimmy stayed to protect a sleeping Elias. We didn't tell the girls we were going because we didn't want to get their hopes up and get them all in a tizzy & we just called Josh and Gibson and told them to be on alert for my mom & Katie so if we had to quickly go into surgery, they'd all be awake. For some reason our trip to the hospital was VERY sitcom-esque and having Kalle & Shawn there only made it funnier. (look for some quotes at the end) By this point, my pain was INTENSE - worse than anything I had during labor with Elias... but of course, the nurses thought I was a whiny, indulgent, sick-of-pregnancy freak who was trying to just skip her last few weeks of gestation. This misconception was only aided by the fact that my contraction belt monitor wasn't registering my contractions for the first hour I was there - until finally I held it on my belly and sat in the exact right position to show the nurse how strong (and PAINFUL) they actually were.
At that point, without seeing the doctor, the nurse decided it was too early for Glory to come and that this was officially pre-term labor brought on by extreme dehydration & elevated keytones from not eating enough during the day. I tried not to get discouraged as she gave me a shot of turbutelene to stop the labor and began my discharge. Thankfully, this medicine is freakishly close to heroine, and was quite the fun experience. The nurse had warned us that it might make me jittery, she failed to mention that it would make everyone of my extremities have seizure-like spasms and it would also induce intense vomiting. Fun all around. By that point, all dissapointment had dissipated and I just wanted out of the hospital bed - out of the hospital, forever. So we were allowed to head home with strict instructions that I get some food pronto and stay well hydrated. I go back Tuesday & Wednesday for more doctor's appointments. Agh - we'll see.
Now for the funny parts...
*On the way to the hospital (which only I had been to, not Nick) we pulled in about five WRONG parking lots and after freaking out about where to park, realized the hospital has valet parking for such occasions.
* Upon finally getting into the hospital - we found a wheelchair - that went about .000001 miles an hour, so after about 10 minutes and only moving five feet, I jumped up and walked to labor & delivery.
* We had to wait in the waiting room for about 45 minutes and Nick and Shawn had to go downstairs to check us in, so Kal & I stayed and worked on the contractions. I couldn't stop saying "my butt is falling off". For some reason - my butt hurt really bad, like lower back contractions.
* Upon finally getting into a room, the first question the nurse asked me was, "So what makes you think you're in labor?" For some reason, we thought this was hilarious because OBVIOUSLY my butt was falling off and I was in intense pain.
* I didn't want to call any friends in case we had to go home, but Shawn was on the phone with some random person we didn't even know and he said "Yeah, we're at the hospital with Jessi & Nick - they're having their baby. You know, she's been pregnant for a while". Hilarious.
* When I found out my cervix had UN-dilated by one centimeter I said "If I had a gun right now, I would shoot my cervix". To which Shawn responded, "That would definitely make it bigger". Classic.
I'm hoping this shot keeps me good for the next few days because I'm not sure I can handle that shot again and I know that it takes the jaws of life to open my cervix, and thus, move up my c-section. Pray for me - and my husband, that these next two and half weeks would be as pain-free as possible and we'd have tons of time to prepare for Glory and appreciate Elias.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
slowly taking the ride to crazytown
DISCLAMER: This post is long, all about pregnancy and the insanity of women, and does include some graphic content toward the end. Read at your own risk.
There is just this point in pregnancy - for me at least, around 35-36 weeks - where you hit all out insanity in your mind. Faythe, our awesome assistant & friend, and I joke about it constantly. You get to this crazy place where you're pretty convinced that at any moment you're quite likely to go into labor or you're possibly already in labor. Even though all reason is against you and all normalcy tells you otherwise - you're almost positive that you're at least nine centimeter dilated and the baby is pretty much hanging out between your legs.
I suppose for women with high-risk pregnancies or just extremely sane demeanors - this isn't a problem, but for the rest of it - it's inevitable. Let me give you some examples... I remember the night I took my pregnancy test for Elias - with my mom and sister, so excited and so scared and so excited all over again. While I was sad I wasn't with Nick, in hindsight we all agreed it was better because they just freaked out with me and Nick's calm demeanor may have frustrated more than encouraged me. Thankfully - Katie and Mom weren't all giggles and grins... my mom came through with some sound advice. We had just figured out my due date online and she very sternly told me - "You need to remember to just add two weeks to this date...you don't want to keep thinking you're in labor at the end, going to the hospital and getting sent home." ha ...
So Elias was due February 5th, and naturally I began to imagine him here by the 19th, right? THEN CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHY I LEFT A WEDDING EARLY ON DECEMBER 14TH - POSITIVE I WAS IN LABOR? I went as far as to address the bride & groom on my way out, telling them... "I really do wish I could stay, but I've been having contractions all night and I'm pretty sure he's coming!" I'm an actual freak of nature. In my own defense, however, women in my family have a crazy propensity towards Braxton hicks contractions (false labor) - which start for us around six months and don't really let up. These suckers often hurt, badly; the only problem is they don't actually do anything to your cervix.
My madness with Elias only continued... I went to a movie on Christmas Night - I had forgone all traveling in case I suddenly pushed out my son, and began timing my Braxton hicks - sure I needed to go to the hospital. And my mom, well I have to rat her out... the one time I did finally get the guts to go to the hospital and did inevitably get sent home, my mom and sister were right there with me - convincing my midwife I truly was in labor. I had to feel proud of my mama bear when midwife Betsy simply said, "I could tell she wasn't in enough pain when she called to say she was coming into the hospital" and my mom retorted, "WELL, I talked to her just before that and trust me she was in PAIN. And why didn't you tell her that over the phone before she came up here and we drove from out of town?!” That was on January 26th. I love the women in my family, they are amazing.
So the point is... this pregnancy, I'm trying VERY hard to keep my wits about me. Sure I asked them to check for dilation at my first OB visit when we got here, but only because it had been such a strenuous move. And yes, I did wake up Tuesday on our last day of vacation this week with a contraction so hard I began to pack and flutter about the hotel room - trying to figure out how quickly we could get back to Puyallup - ferry & all. (I did stop after a few minutes & thankfully, I didn't wake Nick up) Faythe is keeping me in check and the girls aren't assisting my insanity in the least... being that they've never given birth before and aren't having any contractions yet, each time I'm in pain one of them simply suggests that I probably just need to pee. I fully intend on using this line when they're in labor.
Here's my point - I'm taking the blame fully off myself and placing it on the medical community. Last night as I lay in bed from 3am to 6am with contractions, I slowly reminded myself time and again - you aren't in labor - you aren't due for three more weeks. It is not time. Do not ask your OB to check your cervix tomorrow - you are not dilated. And then... what did that rascal gyno do this morning - "Well good morning Jessi! I was thinking - let's check your cervix real quick, that’s such a big girl and you have such a heavy schedule. Ooooh, looky here! Two centimeters dilated and nearly totally thinned out! I wouldn't be surprised if you're not pregnant by this time next week! I don't think you'll need that appointment next Wednesday, will you?"
Sorry lady, I just don't buy it anymore. I know you really won't do this c-section till Glory can wave at us or my water has broken in three confirmed locations at least. I also happen to understand very well that you are the dark angel of false hope and I'm just going to sit back and relax. No more crazy talk for me. Right?
NOT on my list of things to do:
Pack and obsessively repack for the hospital because I used my robe this morning and it needs washing. Shower thrice daily just to be sure I’m clean in case I go into labor. Stockpile batteries & nipple cream. Take castor oil, insert primrose oil in a place I shan’t mention, or force my husband into relations with me in the hopes that I can induce labor on my own.
DEFINITELY on my list of things to do:
Perhaps get some baby stuff ready – like an infant car seat… Maybe, if I feel like it… when I get around to it. Spend a lot of time with Elias. Pray for and write to my Glory girl. Take Tylenol PM nightly to ward off any middle of the night contractions that would lead me to insanity. Plan on seeing that sweet little babe on the date she is definitely scheduled to get cut out – and not a second sooner.
There is just this point in pregnancy - for me at least, around 35-36 weeks - where you hit all out insanity in your mind. Faythe, our awesome assistant & friend, and I joke about it constantly. You get to this crazy place where you're pretty convinced that at any moment you're quite likely to go into labor or you're possibly already in labor. Even though all reason is against you and all normalcy tells you otherwise - you're almost positive that you're at least nine centimeter dilated and the baby is pretty much hanging out between your legs.
I suppose for women with high-risk pregnancies or just extremely sane demeanors - this isn't a problem, but for the rest of it - it's inevitable. Let me give you some examples... I remember the night I took my pregnancy test for Elias - with my mom and sister, so excited and so scared and so excited all over again. While I was sad I wasn't with Nick, in hindsight we all agreed it was better because they just freaked out with me and Nick's calm demeanor may have frustrated more than encouraged me. Thankfully - Katie and Mom weren't all giggles and grins... my mom came through with some sound advice. We had just figured out my due date online and she very sternly told me - "You need to remember to just add two weeks to this date...you don't want to keep thinking you're in labor at the end, going to the hospital and getting sent home." ha ...
So Elias was due February 5th, and naturally I began to imagine him here by the 19th, right? THEN CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHY I LEFT A WEDDING EARLY ON DECEMBER 14TH - POSITIVE I WAS IN LABOR? I went as far as to address the bride & groom on my way out, telling them... "I really do wish I could stay, but I've been having contractions all night and I'm pretty sure he's coming!" I'm an actual freak of nature. In my own defense, however, women in my family have a crazy propensity towards Braxton hicks contractions (false labor) - which start for us around six months and don't really let up. These suckers often hurt, badly; the only problem is they don't actually do anything to your cervix.
My madness with Elias only continued... I went to a movie on Christmas Night - I had forgone all traveling in case I suddenly pushed out my son, and began timing my Braxton hicks - sure I needed to go to the hospital. And my mom, well I have to rat her out... the one time I did finally get the guts to go to the hospital and did inevitably get sent home, my mom and sister were right there with me - convincing my midwife I truly was in labor. I had to feel proud of my mama bear when midwife Betsy simply said, "I could tell she wasn't in enough pain when she called to say she was coming into the hospital" and my mom retorted, "WELL, I talked to her just before that and trust me she was in PAIN. And why didn't you tell her that over the phone before she came up here and we drove from out of town?!” That was on January 26th. I love the women in my family, they are amazing.
So the point is... this pregnancy, I'm trying VERY hard to keep my wits about me. Sure I asked them to check for dilation at my first OB visit when we got here, but only because it had been such a strenuous move. And yes, I did wake up Tuesday on our last day of vacation this week with a contraction so hard I began to pack and flutter about the hotel room - trying to figure out how quickly we could get back to Puyallup - ferry & all. (I did stop after a few minutes & thankfully, I didn't wake Nick up) Faythe is keeping me in check and the girls aren't assisting my insanity in the least... being that they've never given birth before and aren't having any contractions yet, each time I'm in pain one of them simply suggests that I probably just need to pee. I fully intend on using this line when they're in labor.
Here's my point - I'm taking the blame fully off myself and placing it on the medical community. Last night as I lay in bed from 3am to 6am with contractions, I slowly reminded myself time and again - you aren't in labor - you aren't due for three more weeks. It is not time. Do not ask your OB to check your cervix tomorrow - you are not dilated. And then... what did that rascal gyno do this morning - "Well good morning Jessi! I was thinking - let's check your cervix real quick, that’s such a big girl and you have such a heavy schedule. Ooooh, looky here! Two centimeters dilated and nearly totally thinned out! I wouldn't be surprised if you're not pregnant by this time next week! I don't think you'll need that appointment next Wednesday, will you?"
Sorry lady, I just don't buy it anymore. I know you really won't do this c-section till Glory can wave at us or my water has broken in three confirmed locations at least. I also happen to understand very well that you are the dark angel of false hope and I'm just going to sit back and relax. No more crazy talk for me. Right?
NOT on my list of things to do:
Pack and obsessively repack for the hospital because I used my robe this morning and it needs washing. Shower thrice daily just to be sure I’m clean in case I go into labor. Stockpile batteries & nipple cream. Take castor oil, insert primrose oil in a place I shan’t mention, or force my husband into relations with me in the hopes that I can induce labor on my own.
DEFINITELY on my list of things to do:
Perhaps get some baby stuff ready – like an infant car seat… Maybe, if I feel like it… when I get around to it. Spend a lot of time with Elias. Pray for and write to my Glory girl. Take Tylenol PM nightly to ward off any middle of the night contractions that would lead me to insanity. Plan on seeing that sweet little babe on the date she is definitely scheduled to get cut out – and not a second sooner.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
happy.valentines.day.
I just have to take a quick second and blog-praise my husband. I literally don't think I've ever felt so known and loved by him, and by the Lord through Nick. This has been such a beautiful & memorable day. We woke up, went with Elias to church, ate lunch with Kal & Shawn and then drove back to Puyallup. He's been planning this getaway weekend for a few weeks and he hasn't told me anything - except for a few quick jokes about us going camping, which I knew could absolutely not be true.
First - we started our hour long car ride and he allowed me to read a new book he'd taken me to get yesterday, which he usually patronizes me for (he'd rather talk - understandably). Then, about an hour into our ride - we experienced a first together which made me fall even deeper in love with the Northwest. We drove our 4Runner straight onto a FERRY! You can do that! You just drive your car right onto a massive boat and take a quick ride across the Sound to an island that is an entire city! Of course we had to climb out of our car and go explore the top of the ferry - which was so nice and had such fun amenities like a coffee shop & wireless internet! You would think this was my special trip in itself, but I was suprised to find people do this everyday! They live on the island and work in Seattle, and the whole ride - car and everything - costs like $6. Seriously. I'm not hard to impress, obvi.
So then we get to the BEAUTIFUL Whibley Island and I thought it was going to be a deserted small town type of thing, and instead it's an island with several REAL cities! They have nice parts and normal parts - schools, hospitals, dairy queens, and car dealerships! I'm sorry - I just can't get over this phenomenon. So our little part of the island is a small town called Langley and we're staying at The Inn at Langley which is just undescribable. All the guest rooms are facing the Sound - with breathtaking views and private porches. Personal fireplaces, amazing spa-like bathrooms, & one whole side of the guestroom is just massive windows to take in the beautiful view. And - personal spa robes. Did I already say that?
Nick hadn't stopped at just bringing me to such a great place - he had also packed my favorite Carr's crackers & caffeine-free Diet Coke, rented several DVDs, AND brought snacks. So we've already explored Langley and had an amazing dinner - whlie having an amazing conversation about his new vision for his life ministry - none of which I've heard before and all of which I loved. Now I'm going to go enjoy him and our porch and our last little getaway before Glory.
I do HAVE to say - I miss Elias but it's so great to have Faythe, Jimmy, Debi, & Miles so willing to play with him for the next 36 hours and it's alot easier to leave him knowing I'm about to be a nursing mom again with no husband alone time on the horizon. But - when we get home, I'll tell him all about this and encourage him to visit the Inn at Langley for his honeymoon.
I'll leave you with some pictures of our sweet little inn I stole from the website. I really can't say enough how loved and known I feel. That my husband would plan all of this because he knows me so well - means more than any words, more than any gift, more than jewelry or perfume. I love that he and I are so in tune and enjoy the same things and agh... I just can't get enough of him. Thanks Lord for such an awesome man.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Domestic Bliss.
For most people, Saturdays are relaxing and the day off... around New Beginnings - we're with the girls all week long, all day long - so Saturday are more of a catch up/clean/reorganize day. Usually Nick has to go to Costco & Fred Meyer to buy groceries, the girls are given deep cleaning chores on top of their daily tidying chores & I just sort of fill in the blanks with Elias. Last night on our way home from a fun group date at Jason & Kelly's, I started making my to-do list on the blackberry & I just decided to be uber-ambitious. The girls are just starting to get used to my goal setting/list making personality... but it makes me feel better if I think of everything possible I'd like to get done... shoot for the best and try not to be dissapointed with myself if I don't get it all done.
So on my list was:
buy books for our getaway trip
take the girls to church (we're still trying to find a good one for them)
clean upstairs
costco
dshs forms
elias food
laundry
organize office
pack
I also knew that our quilting teacher was coming for a three hour session (yes, the girls & I have taken up quilting - and I'm right in the middle of the cutest, sassiest pink polka dot/leopard quilt for Glory you've ever seen), and I really wanted some good quality time with Elias before my getaway with Nick tomorrow. So we started the day, I asked the Lord for lots of intentionality & energy - and got it all done! Somehow I found time to work on my quilt, clean the downstairs with the girls, wash every peice of clothing that Elias & I have, pack for the trip, go through about ten boxes of donated baby girl clothing to salvage for Glory, setup & organize my office, buy books for our trip, organize Elias' closet, take the girls to church, set up the calendar for the month, assign chores for the week, make Elias' schedule for while we're gone, wash & iron our sheets, and help take care of the random dog we're all dog sitting! Nick cleaned our entire upstairs of the house, took Elias to Fred Meyer, did his laundry, packed, organize & unpacked even more, AND we both got tons of quality time with E!
I'm not sure how the Lord accomplished it all through us, but I know we're both pooped & ready to spend some quality time together resting and enjoying each other. Our goal is to get away one weekend a month, but with Glory due in a month - we know it's going to be a long while before we're alone for a few nights to ourselves - so while it's hard to leave Elias until Tuesday... it's much needed. Nick has been awesome in planning this little retreat - I know we're going somewhere awesome where I can read and relax alot but that's about it! We'll leave after church tomorrow and be back Tuesday afternoon - so you can pray for us while we're gone... that Elias does really well & the girls do well & that we're able to just be away and love on one another.
I can't wait! Pics & stories to come. Jess.
So on my list was:
buy books for our getaway trip
take the girls to church (we're still trying to find a good one for them)
clean upstairs
costco
dshs forms
elias food
laundry
organize office
pack
I also knew that our quilting teacher was coming for a three hour session (yes, the girls & I have taken up quilting - and I'm right in the middle of the cutest, sassiest pink polka dot/leopard quilt for Glory you've ever seen), and I really wanted some good quality time with Elias before my getaway with Nick tomorrow. So we started the day, I asked the Lord for lots of intentionality & energy - and got it all done! Somehow I found time to work on my quilt, clean the downstairs with the girls, wash every peice of clothing that Elias & I have, pack for the trip, go through about ten boxes of donated baby girl clothing to salvage for Glory, setup & organize my office, buy books for our trip, organize Elias' closet, take the girls to church, set up the calendar for the month, assign chores for the week, make Elias' schedule for while we're gone, wash & iron our sheets, and help take care of the random dog we're all dog sitting! Nick cleaned our entire upstairs of the house, took Elias to Fred Meyer, did his laundry, packed, organize & unpacked even more, AND we both got tons of quality time with E!
I'm not sure how the Lord accomplished it all through us, but I know we're both pooped & ready to spend some quality time together resting and enjoying each other. Our goal is to get away one weekend a month, but with Glory due in a month - we know it's going to be a long while before we're alone for a few nights to ourselves - so while it's hard to leave Elias until Tuesday... it's much needed. Nick has been awesome in planning this little retreat - I know we're going somewhere awesome where I can read and relax alot but that's about it! We'll leave after church tomorrow and be back Tuesday afternoon - so you can pray for us while we're gone... that Elias does really well & the girls do well & that we're able to just be away and love on one another.
I can't wait! Pics & stories to come. Jess.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
the silver lining
I just put my son to bed without reading to him, or spending our usual thirty-minute cuddle time on the comfy brown chair upstairs. I hope he doesn't flunk out of kindergarten.
All is moving along at New Beginnings... Nick and I are truly starting to get settled which really makes a massive difference in how we function as house parents. Our upstairs is slowly becoming our haven and I notice that we're going up earlier and earlier each night. It's good for the girls too... to have some autonomy and not have us breathing down their necks telling them it's bedtime.
Faythe's fiance, Jimmy, arrived yesterday from England and we couldn't be happier for her. They'll have the next two months together here and then right after their wedding they move back to England to live on a YWAM base there. I must say, as a brit, he is a little disappointing. His accent is far less thick than mine (thanks Kal & Stace) and I think Faythe said he doesn't even like tea. Regardless, we're trying to show him some true American hospitality and Nick is making him Shepherd's Pie tonight for dinner.
Over the past two weeks - there's been this sense (at least in my mind) that the ministry is somewhat under attack. From my illness, to random illnesses with the girls, to Elias' behavior - things have just felt a little hard, but in the past few days I've been seeing life for more of what it truly is. I definitely believe in spiritual attacks and I believe in encountering the enemy - but in general, I think life separated from Christ, in a fallen world, is the big enemy. I just AM 36 weeks pregnant and on my second pregnancy in two years - that just does make you tired and sick and achy. Elias just IS a one year old who happens to spend all day with two parents who love him a lot, and that makes for slack discipline sometimes and pissy babies. The world in general can just look very drab & grey without Christ. And I think He's been showing my heart how much it is OUR choice to see the silver lining.
For the most part, I don't get into silly sayings like that - but the silver lining, the bright side, the lemonade... is usually hiding so cleverly in grim humanity. It looks like our husbands, or our dust covered bibles, the coffee cup, and the friends name in the cell phone you've been dying to call. Our Savior, in His grace - not only loved us enough to redeem us and adopt us into His family... He also made it enjoyable and placed the silver lining in everything. We've been given these eyes to see God's blessings, almost like xray vision, and it's our choice to wake up and live like the chosen ones that we are.
All is moving along at New Beginnings... Nick and I are truly starting to get settled which really makes a massive difference in how we function as house parents. Our upstairs is slowly becoming our haven and I notice that we're going up earlier and earlier each night. It's good for the girls too... to have some autonomy and not have us breathing down their necks telling them it's bedtime.
Faythe's fiance, Jimmy, arrived yesterday from England and we couldn't be happier for her. They'll have the next two months together here and then right after their wedding they move back to England to live on a YWAM base there. I must say, as a brit, he is a little disappointing. His accent is far less thick than mine (thanks Kal & Stace) and I think Faythe said he doesn't even like tea. Regardless, we're trying to show him some true American hospitality and Nick is making him Shepherd's Pie tonight for dinner.
Over the past two weeks - there's been this sense (at least in my mind) that the ministry is somewhat under attack. From my illness, to random illnesses with the girls, to Elias' behavior - things have just felt a little hard, but in the past few days I've been seeing life for more of what it truly is. I definitely believe in spiritual attacks and I believe in encountering the enemy - but in general, I think life separated from Christ, in a fallen world, is the big enemy. I just AM 36 weeks pregnant and on my second pregnancy in two years - that just does make you tired and sick and achy. Elias just IS a one year old who happens to spend all day with two parents who love him a lot, and that makes for slack discipline sometimes and pissy babies. The world in general can just look very drab & grey without Christ. And I think He's been showing my heart how much it is OUR choice to see the silver lining.
For the most part, I don't get into silly sayings like that - but the silver lining, the bright side, the lemonade... is usually hiding so cleverly in grim humanity. It looks like our husbands, or our dust covered bibles, the coffee cup, and the friends name in the cell phone you've been dying to call. Our Savior, in His grace - not only loved us enough to redeem us and adopt us into His family... He also made it enjoyable and placed the silver lining in everything. We've been given these eyes to see God's blessings, almost like xray vision, and it's our choice to wake up and live like the chosen ones that we are.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
and... she's back
So it took me over a week to write another blog, but what a week it was.
My strep turned into pneumonia sometime over the weekend and it truly put me out of commission. I've spent the last few days feeling guilty for not being a better mom, wife, and house-mom to our girls but I'm feeling better every minute and I'm really thankful for God's grace.
Several updates - Elias' birthday party is tomorrow and we're so pumped! Thank you so much to friends and family who sent him such awesome stuff! Stace sent a stuffed animal that we've had to confiscate from his crib TWICE in the middle of the night because he'll stay up till 2 in the morning talking to it. Nick's dad sent him a 'pajama-gram' with some sweet footed jammies (complete with back-butt flap) and his name embroidered on them. My mom sent some amazing scrapbook pages for his 1 year old scrapbook, plus books and cds to listen to at night. His Nana Owens & Uncle Anthony sent some awesome rain boots and bath toys! Nick and I have officially still not bought him anything - but his scrapbook is underway and I feel good about that.
Another tidbit about Elias... just to make you smile. We've had to start putting his diapers on backwards because we've had two occasions where he deemed himself the picasso of poop. Just picture him playing in his crib quietly, us running in shocked, and throwing away alot of crib bedding. I'll let you fill in the gaps:)
Another update... we have a permanant assistant on her way! About two weeks ago, we were all sitting at a staff meeting when I received an email from and old South Carolina friend, Lauren Hogan, letting us know she was available and kind of in a good place to move. Long story short - the Lord confirmed it to her, and us and our first question on her "phone interview" was, 'so how soon can you be here?!'. We're trying not to inundate her and rush her... but we're so excited to know we'll be covered when Faythe makes her trip across the pond after her wedding. Speaking of Faythe - God is really blessing me through her. It's such a joy to have a friend living in the house and a partner in ministry that knows this ministry like the back of her hand. She's taken extremely well to Elias and we're hoping her fiance, Jimmy, isn't too jealous when he moves here this week.
... So I started wriitng this blog two days ago and JUST got back to writing it tonight. The birthday party was a huge success - Faythe, The Musicks, The Eisenharts, Cowans, & Stinsons all joined the pregger girls and us for a fun little soiree. The girls helped me hang streamers, Nick made gourmet grilled cheese sandwhiches with havarti, gouda, & cheddar cheese and Kalle made Elias his own personal cake. Nick only let Elias eat about 1/3 of it and I think one of the pregnant girls polished it off as soon as Kalle left. I'll leave this New Beginnings inhabitant unnamed, but we constantly joke that we're going to get her a t-shirt that says "Are you going to finish that?".
Lastly, I have to say I'm having a nice little bout of homesickness today - Elias' birthday party was bittersweet, as I would have loved to have my sister, Mom, and our whole set of family/friends here but I know we'll be together for the party that really matters in eternity. I made Elias a scrapbook for his birthday and dedicated several pages to family & friends, and one whole page to explaining why we had to move - even though we were leaving the most amazing support system ever. I pray that one day when Elias looks back on that book - he'll see the Lord's strength shining through those words and he'll be proud of us for stepping out in faith to follow what God said was right for our family.
Doing the scrapbook was really sweet for me - finding letters I've written to Elias since before he was born and throughout his first year. Seeing pictures of him with our family and friends, putting in letters my sister wrote him before he was born, reading what Nick had to say to him. In all my digging, my favorite find was a journal entry I'd written the day after Glory was conceived. I had detailed my day before - thanking the Lord for each hour, even the midnight pregnancy test Nick and I had taken just before we made her:). It was obviously negative. On the next page, I was trying to praise Him through my dissapointment in the negative result but told him - His timing was most important, when Elias was ready, when we were ready - when our family was ready. His timing is always perfect and I'm getting really excited about this addition to our family.
Lots of picture updates to come... our harddrive is about to bite it so I need to borrow a computer to upload some pics.
This week should be much calmer so I promise there will be more blogging.
My strep turned into pneumonia sometime over the weekend and it truly put me out of commission. I've spent the last few days feeling guilty for not being a better mom, wife, and house-mom to our girls but I'm feeling better every minute and I'm really thankful for God's grace.
Several updates - Elias' birthday party is tomorrow and we're so pumped! Thank you so much to friends and family who sent him such awesome stuff! Stace sent a stuffed animal that we've had to confiscate from his crib TWICE in the middle of the night because he'll stay up till 2 in the morning talking to it. Nick's dad sent him a 'pajama-gram' with some sweet footed jammies (complete with back-butt flap) and his name embroidered on them. My mom sent some amazing scrapbook pages for his 1 year old scrapbook, plus books and cds to listen to at night. His Nana Owens & Uncle Anthony sent some awesome rain boots and bath toys! Nick and I have officially still not bought him anything - but his scrapbook is underway and I feel good about that.
Another tidbit about Elias... just to make you smile. We've had to start putting his diapers on backwards because we've had two occasions where he deemed himself the picasso of poop. Just picture him playing in his crib quietly, us running in shocked, and throwing away alot of crib bedding. I'll let you fill in the gaps:)
Another update... we have a permanant assistant on her way! About two weeks ago, we were all sitting at a staff meeting when I received an email from and old South Carolina friend, Lauren Hogan, letting us know she was available and kind of in a good place to move. Long story short - the Lord confirmed it to her, and us and our first question on her "phone interview" was, 'so how soon can you be here?!'. We're trying not to inundate her and rush her... but we're so excited to know we'll be covered when Faythe makes her trip across the pond after her wedding. Speaking of Faythe - God is really blessing me through her. It's such a joy to have a friend living in the house and a partner in ministry that knows this ministry like the back of her hand. She's taken extremely well to Elias and we're hoping her fiance, Jimmy, isn't too jealous when he moves here this week.
... So I started wriitng this blog two days ago and JUST got back to writing it tonight. The birthday party was a huge success - Faythe, The Musicks, The Eisenharts, Cowans, & Stinsons all joined the pregger girls and us for a fun little soiree. The girls helped me hang streamers, Nick made gourmet grilled cheese sandwhiches with havarti, gouda, & cheddar cheese and Kalle made Elias his own personal cake. Nick only let Elias eat about 1/3 of it and I think one of the pregnant girls polished it off as soon as Kalle left. I'll leave this New Beginnings inhabitant unnamed, but we constantly joke that we're going to get her a t-shirt that says "Are you going to finish that?".
Lastly, I have to say I'm having a nice little bout of homesickness today - Elias' birthday party was bittersweet, as I would have loved to have my sister, Mom, and our whole set of family/friends here but I know we'll be together for the party that really matters in eternity. I made Elias a scrapbook for his birthday and dedicated several pages to family & friends, and one whole page to explaining why we had to move - even though we were leaving the most amazing support system ever. I pray that one day when Elias looks back on that book - he'll see the Lord's strength shining through those words and he'll be proud of us for stepping out in faith to follow what God said was right for our family.
Doing the scrapbook was really sweet for me - finding letters I've written to Elias since before he was born and throughout his first year. Seeing pictures of him with our family and friends, putting in letters my sister wrote him before he was born, reading what Nick had to say to him. In all my digging, my favorite find was a journal entry I'd written the day after Glory was conceived. I had detailed my day before - thanking the Lord for each hour, even the midnight pregnancy test Nick and I had taken just before we made her:). It was obviously negative. On the next page, I was trying to praise Him through my dissapointment in the negative result but told him - His timing was most important, when Elias was ready, when we were ready - when our family was ready. His timing is always perfect and I'm getting really excited about this addition to our family.
Lots of picture updates to come... our harddrive is about to bite it so I need to borrow a computer to upload some pics.
This week should be much calmer so I promise there will be more blogging.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
better late than never?
So this week was supposed to be full of different exciting and monumental occasions - and I'm afraid one suprise event trumped them all. Thursday the 31st was Elias' first birthday, our first visit from a friend, AND the Lost Season 4 premiere. (I was obviously much more excited about the first two than the latter... but you know) Around Tuesday, my respiratory system got hit with a massive monster infection and by the time I went to the doctor on Wednesday, I was a huge mess. I was also supposed to go on my first Mars Hill Women's retreat today - but at home I sit. Surrounded by tissues.
So... Elias' first birthday wasn't quite what I envisioned. My mom called me first thing that morning to wish him happy birthday and at that point I was still in bed and hadn't yet told him myself! So many friends & family called to love on him, but I couldn't even call them back or pick up the phone because I had no voice. Sweet Stace (WHO IS OFFICIALLY A NURSE - CONGRATS) sent him a package all the way from Charlotte and Nick had to call to thank her:) So... the birthday wasn't what I hoped it would be, but we knew it was going to be a little bit low-key anyhow since he is only one, doesn't know or care to open presents yet, and we are having an actual party next week so we didn't want to confuse him. I did get an awesome video of him eating his first cupcake, but I can't get it off of my phone! AGH!
Secondly... Stephanie, one of my best friends from college, came to visit us on Thursday and she's been incredibly patient with me and my illness. I'm afraid I haven't been able to show her much of Puyallup, Tacoma, or Seattle - but she's been so sweet and content to just see what our life is like here. Also by here, I mean - within the walls of our big farmhouse. It's been interesting to have an outside friend here visiting and to see what it does to my heart concerning ministry. This is such an different way to serve for me - because there is no public display, no one to say you're doing a good job or to criticize you when you're not. When people visit, however, it can feel a little like a test - and then I have to remember that God has never been a professor grading exams, and neither is Stephanie.
All that being said - we still have a few more fun days with Steph and we have a birthday party for Elias to plan for next Sunday! Updates and pictures to come!
So... Elias' first birthday wasn't quite what I envisioned. My mom called me first thing that morning to wish him happy birthday and at that point I was still in bed and hadn't yet told him myself! So many friends & family called to love on him, but I couldn't even call them back or pick up the phone because I had no voice. Sweet Stace (WHO IS OFFICIALLY A NURSE - CONGRATS) sent him a package all the way from Charlotte and Nick had to call to thank her:) So... the birthday wasn't what I hoped it would be, but we knew it was going to be a little bit low-key anyhow since he is only one, doesn't know or care to open presents yet, and we are having an actual party next week so we didn't want to confuse him. I did get an awesome video of him eating his first cupcake, but I can't get it off of my phone! AGH!
Secondly... Stephanie, one of my best friends from college, came to visit us on Thursday and she's been incredibly patient with me and my illness. I'm afraid I haven't been able to show her much of Puyallup, Tacoma, or Seattle - but she's been so sweet and content to just see what our life is like here. Also by here, I mean - within the walls of our big farmhouse. It's been interesting to have an outside friend here visiting and to see what it does to my heart concerning ministry. This is such an different way to serve for me - because there is no public display, no one to say you're doing a good job or to criticize you when you're not. When people visit, however, it can feel a little like a test - and then I have to remember that God has never been a professor grading exams, and neither is Stephanie.
All that being said - we still have a few more fun days with Steph and we have a birthday party for Elias to plan for next Sunday! Updates and pictures to come!
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