In honor of Memorial Day...

Thank you to our troops past and present. God Bless you and your families this day and every day!!

20 weeks!!

How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom, and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.)

A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats her entire body to protect her skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.)

Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.


How your life's changing:
You've made it to the halfway mark — Congratulations! The top of your uterus is at the level of your belly button now, and you've likely gained about 10 pounds. Expect to gain an average of about another pound each week from now on. (If you started your pregnancy underweight, you may need to gain a bit more; if you were overweight, perhaps a bit less.) Make sure you're getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of your red blood cells that carries oxygen). During pregnancy, your body needs more iron for your developing baby and the placenta, and to keep up with your expanding blood volume. Iron-rich foods include lean red meat, poultry, fish, lentils and other legumes, spinach, and iron-fortified cereals.

If you haven't already signed up for a childbirth education class, you may want to look into one. Whether you're a first-timer or a pro, you can benefit from a structured class that helps prepare you for the rigors of labor and delivery. Most hospitals and birth centers offer classes, either as weekly meetings or as a single intensive, all-day session. Ask your doctor or midwife for a recommendation. At 37 weeks, you'll be considered full-term, so plan to be done with classes by then.

TGIF!

Thank Goodness it's Friday...it's been a crazy week. Lucky for us, the office is closing early today. YEA!!

Tomorrow, my friend Marcy is coming into town and we will be spending the day together, I can't wait!! Not 100% sure about what we'll do, but who cares, we'll have fun no matter what!

Tomorrow marks the 20 week mark...I can't believe I'm halfway through. This Thursday, we'll have our ultrasound, so I'm excited to see this little one! I'm hoping to get some good pictures to show everyone.

Still haven't felt little one move, but it maybe moving and I don't even know either. The books say as early as 18 weeks and sometimes closer to 24 weeks. I also have a lot of extra "padding" so maybe it'll take me awhile to longer to feel it too!

Have a great weekend everyone!!

The Next Survivor Show

Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks.

Each kid will play two sports and either take music or dance classes

There is no fast food.

Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean,
correct all homework, and complete science projects, cook, do
laundry,and pay a list of 'pretend' bills with not enough money.

In addition, each man will have to budget in money for groceries each
week.

Each man must remember the birthdays of all their friends and
relatives, and send cards out on time.

Each man must also take each child to a doctor's appointment, a dentist
appointment and a haircut appointment.
He must make one unscheduled and inconvenient visit per child to the
Urgent Care.

He must also make cookies or cupcakes for a social function.

Each man will be responsible for decorating his own assigned house,
planting flowers outside and keeping it presentable at all times.

The men will only have access to television when the kids are asleep
and all chores are done.

The men must shave their legs, wear uncomfortable yet stylish shoes,
keep fingernails manicured and eyebrows groomed.

During one of the six weeks, the men will have to endure severe
abdominal cramps, back aches, and have extreme, unexplained mood swings
but never once complain or slow down from other duties.

They must attend weekly school meetings, church, and find time at least
once to spend the afternoon at the park or a similar setting.

They will need to read a book and then pray with the children each
night and in the morning, feed them , dress them, brush their teeth and
comb their hair by 7:00 am.

A test will be given at the end of the six weeks, and each father will
be required to know all of the following information: each child's
birthday, height, weight, shoe size, clothes size and doctor's name.
Also the child's weight at birth, length, time of birth, and length of
labor, each child's favorite color, middle name, favorite snack,
favorite song, favorite drink, favorite toy, biggest fear and what they
want to be when they grow up.

The kids vote them off the island based on performance. The last man
wins only if...he still has enough energy to be intimate with his spouse
at a moment's notice.

If the last man does win, he can play the game over and over and over
again for the next 18-25 years eventually earning the right To be called
Mother!

After you get done laughing, send this to as many females as you think
will get a kick out of it and as many men as you think can handle it.

I am a #4

Birth Test  

Let me know your number.  Once you have discovered your Birth Number, forward this email to the rest of your friends, including the one who sent
this to you.

Put your 'number' in the 'Subject' and pass it on!  Have fun!

Our Birth Date describes who we are, what we are  good at, and what our inborn abilities are.  It also points to what we have to learn and the challenges we are facing.  To figure out your Birth Number, add all the numbers in your Birth Date together, like in the following example, until there is only one digit.

A Birth Number does not prevent you from being anything you want to be, it will just color your choice differently and give you a little insight.

                                      Example:  March 20, 1950
                                            3  + 20 + 1950 = 1973
                                             1 +  9 + 7 + 3 = 20
                                                     2  + 0 = 2

Keep going until you end up with a single digit number.
2 is the Birth Number to read for the Birth Date in the example.

#1 THE ORIGINATOR
#2 THE PEACEMAKER
#3 THE LIFE OF THE PARTY
#4 THE CONSERVATIVE
#5 THE NONCONFORMIST
#6 THE ROMANTIC
#7 THE INTELLECTUAL
#8 THE BIG SHOT
#9 THE PERFORMER

# 1 - THE ORIGINATOR - 1's are originals.  Coming up with new ideas and executing them is natural.  Having things their own way is  another trait that gets them labeled as being stubborn and arrogant.  1's are extremely honest and would do well to learn some diplomacy skills.  They like to take the initiative and are often leaders or bosses, as they like to be the best. Being self-employed is definitely helpful for them.  Lessons to learn: Other s' ideas might be just as good or better;  and to stay open minded. {Famous 1's - Tom Hanks, Robert Redford, Hulk Hogan, C arol Burnett, Wynona Judd, Nancy Reagan, and Raquel Welch.}

#2 - THE PEACEMAKER -  2's are the  born diplomats. They are aware of others' needs and moods and often think of others before themselves. Naturally analytical and very intuitive, they  don't like to be alone. Friendship and companions hip ar e very important and can lead them to be successful in life; but, on the other hand, they'd  rather be alone than in an uncomfortable relationship.  Being naturally shy, they should learn to boost their self-esteem and express themselves freely and seize the moment and not put things off. {Famous 2's - President Bill Clinton, Madonna, Whoopie Goldberg, Thomas Edison, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. }

# 3 - THE LIFE OF THE  PARTY - 3's are  idealists.  They are very creative, social, charming, romantic, and easygoing.  They start many things but don't always see them through.  They  like others to be happy and go to great lengths to achieve it.  They are very popular and  idealistic. They should learn to see the world from a more realistic point of view. {Famous 3's - Alan Alda, Ann Landers, Bill Cosby, Melanie  Griffith, Salvador Dali, and Jodi Fos ter}

# 4 - THE CONSERVATIVE - 4 's are sensible and traditional.  They like order and routine .  They only act when they fully understand what they're expected to do.  They like getting their hands dirty and working hard. They are attracted to the outdoors and feel an affinity with nature. They are prepared to wait and can be stubborn and persistent.  They should learn to be more flexible and to be nice to themselves. {Famous 4's -  Neil Diamond, Margaret Thatcher, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tina Turner, Paul Hogan, and Oprah Winfrey }

# 5 - THE NONCONFORMIST - 5's are the explorers.  Their natural curiosity, risk taking, and enthusiasm often land them in hot water.  They need diversity, and don't like to be stuck in a rut.  The  whole world is their school and they see a learning possibility in every situation.  The questions never stop. They are well advised to look before they take action and make sure they have all the facts before jumping to conclusions. {Famous 5's -  Abraham Lincoln, Charlotte Bronte, Jessica Walter, Vincent Van Gogh, Bette Midler, Helen Keller and Mark Hail.}

# 6 - THE ROMANTIC - 6's are idealistic and need to feel us eful to be happy.  A strong family connection is important to them.  Their actions influence their decisions.  They have a strong urge to take care of others and to help.  They are very loyal and make great  teachers.  They like art or music. They make loyal friends who take the friendship seriously.  6's should learn to differentiate between what they can change and what they cannot. {Famous 6's - Albert Einstein, Jane Seymour, John  Denver, Meryl Streep, Christopher Columbus, and Goldie Hawn}

#7 - THE  INTELLECTUAL - 7's are the  searchers.  Always probing for hidden information, they find it difficult to accept things at face value. Emotions don't sway their  decisions.  Questioning everything in life, they don't like to be questioned  themselves.  They're never off to a fast start, and their motto is 'slow and steady wins the race.'  They come across as philosophers and being very knowledgeable, and sometimes as loners.  They are technically inclined and make great researchers uncovering information. They like secrets.  They live in their own world and should learn what is acceptable and what is not in the world at large. {Famous 7's - William Shakespeare, Lucille Ball,  Michael Jackson, Joan Baez, Princess Diana, and Vince Riccia rdi}

# 8 - THE BIG SHOT - 8's are the problem solvers.  They are professional, blunt, and to the point, have good judgment and are decisive.  They have grand plans and like to live the good life.  They take charge of people. They view people objectively.  They  should learn to base their decisions on their own needs rather than on what others want. {Famous 8's - Edgar Cayce, Barbra  Streisand, George Harrison, Jane Fonda, Pablo Picasso, Aretha Franklin, and Nostradamus. }

#9 - THE PERFORMER - 9's are natural entertainers.  They are very caring and generous, giving away their last dollar to help.  With their charm, they have no problem making friends and nobody is a stranger to them. They have so many different personalities that people around them have a hard time understanding them.  They are like chameleons, ever changing and blending in. They have tremendous luck, but also can suffer from extremes in fortune and mood.  To be successful, they need to build a loving foundation. {Famous 9s - Albert Schweitzer, Shirley MacLaine, Harrison Ford, Jimmy Carter, and Elvis Presley

Calmness in our lives...

CALMNESS IN OUR LIVES

I am passing this on to you because it definitely works, and we could all use a little more calmness in our lives. By following simple advice heard on the Dr. Phil show, you too can find inner peace.

Dr Phil proclaimed, 'The way to achieve inner peace is to finish all the things you have started and have never finished.'

So, I looked around my house to see all the things I started and hadn't finished, and before leaving the house this morning, I finished off a bottle of White Zinfandel, a bottle of Bailey's Irish Cream, a package of Oreos, the remainder of my old Prozac prescription, the rest of the cheesecake, some Doritos, and a box of chocolates. You have no idea how freaking good I feel right now.

Dancing with the Stars and GIRL power!

I really hope she wins tonight...she is FANTASTIC and she deserves it!

Monday Ramblings

The weekends go by WAY too fast!

Saturday, I ended up working for almost 5 hours.  I don't like to do it every weekend, but it's a busy time for us, plus the overtime is nice, so I don't mind too much.  Stopped at the store and brought frozen pizzas for dinner.  Yum.  Just vegged out for the rest of the night.

Sunday, got up to go to church.  As I said in yesterday's entry, I went but didn't stay.  I ended up coming home and going right back to bed...I had a headache and my stomach was a little out of sorts as well.  After I got up again, I had some lunch and then headed out to visit Grandma as well as Mom and Dad.  Grandma started her exercise class last week so she filled me in on that as well.  After I left her place, I stopped by Mom and Dad's and brought her laundry to them, since they were just getting back into town.  Made Nachos for dinner and made Lasagna for this week...YUM!

Then it was to bed...thank goodness it's a shortened day this week!  Early out on Friday! YEAH!!

I went to church...

but I didn't stay there...oops!

Got there and wasn't feeling all that hot...plus, I'm feeling very lost in the church lately. There are some issues going on and I'm feeling torn about staying or going somewhere else. So, I left.

I'm sick of tired of the stress that the place can bring sometimes!

19 weeks!!

How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing 6 million eggs in her ovaries. They'll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she's born.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.


How your life's changing:
You're just a week shy of the halfway mark. You may notice some achiness in your lower abdomen (perhaps extending to your groin) or even an occasional quick, sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides, especially when you change position or at the end of an active day. This is round ligament pain, and it's caused by the stretching of the muscles and ligaments that support your growing uterus. It's nothing to be alarmed about, but if the pain is persistent and continues even when you're resting, or is severe or accompanied by cramping, call your practitioner.

You may also have noticed some skin changes lately. Are the palms of your hands red? Nothing to worry about — it's from increased estrogen. Patches of darkened skin are also common during pregnancy. When they show up around your upper lip, upper cheeks and forehead, they're called chloasma, or the "mask of pregnancy." You may see these splotches on your arms or other areas that have been exposed to the sun. Your nipples, freckles, scars, underarms, inner thighs, and vulva may also darken during pregnancy. That darkened line running from your belly button to your pubic bone is called the linea nigra, or "dark line." All of this darkening is caused by a temporary increase in melanin, the substance that colors your hair, skin, and eyes. For most women, these darkened spots will fade shortly after delivery. In the meantime, protect yourself from the sun, which intensifies the pigment changes. Cover up, wear a brimmed hat, and use sunscreen when you're outdoors. And if you're self-conscious about your "mask," a little concealing makeup can work wonders.

OUCH!!!

What Language Should you Learn?

You Should Learn Chinese

Surprised? You shouldn't be - Chinese is perfect for an ambitious person like you. You're a natural entrepreneur, and a billion people are waiting to do business with you!

What Language Should You Learn?

What does your Tast in Music Say About you...

What Your Taste in Music Says About You

Your musical tastes are upbeat and conventional. You are an easy going, optimistic person. Family and friends are very important to you. You enjoy caring for and helping other people. You thrive in a tranquil environment, and you do your best to keep things peaceful. You enjoy your life. You have your priorities straight.

What Does Your Taste in Music Say About You?

Tuesday

This is one of my least favorite days of the year.  Partially because I don't fully understand the situation.  11 years ago today, Bill's mom was taken tragically from this earth in a horrible automobile accident.  I won't go into details here, but the story definitely takes your breath away at how awful some people can truly be.

I can't even begin to imagine being 20 years old or 14 years old (that's how old my SIL was) and know that your mother will never come home again and you never had an opportunity to say good-bye.  Not seeing you accomplish certain things or share your joys with you or to help pick you up when you are down.  

God, please watch over Bill and Melissa today.  Help them get through this day!

It will change your life...

 We are sitting at lunch when she casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says, half joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?" "It will change your life," I say, carefully, keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on the weekend, no more spontaneous vacations..."

But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my friend, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in child birth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will be forever vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never read a newspaper again without asking "What if that had been MY Child?" That every plane crash, every fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.

I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for child care, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting, and she will think about her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my friend to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonalds will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive friend, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years -- not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.

I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My friend's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the ways she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is always careful to powder the baby or never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my friend could sense the bond she'll feel with women throughout history who have tried desperately to stop war and prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future.

I want to describe to my friend the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.

My friend's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I say finally. Then I reach across the table, squeeze my friend's hand, and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. The blessed gift of God and that of being a Mother.
        -Author Unknown

Happy Mother's Day!

To all the moms, grandmas, great-grandmas!

18 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.


How your life's changing:
Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline increase. Look for specially designed maternity clothes that can accommodate your expanding belly.

You may have heard that you should avoid lying on your back during your last two trimesters. Here's why: When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein (called the inferior vena cava) that returns blood from the lower half of your body back to your heart. Lying on your side (or even partially tilted to the side), particularly your left side, prevents this compression and improves your blood flow. Try placing a pillow behind you, or under your hip or leg for comfort.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during your second trimester your blood pressure is probably lower than usual. Don't spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

If you haven't already, you'll probably have an ultrasound done sometime this trimester (usually between 16 and 20 weeks). This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby's growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you're working with is accurate, and see how many babies you're carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking her thumb. Bring your partner along, and be sure to ask for a printout for your baby's first photo album!

We're Registered!

Although it might be a little early, we registered last night at Babies R Us. We're getting together with the inlaws this weekend, so we figured if they ask the question we can respond with YES! :) We had fun although it was a bit overwhelming. We still might make some changes, but it's a start.

Mother's Day Plans?

What does everyone have planned?  Saturday, we are heading out to my in-laws for a Mother's Day and birthday celebration.  My BIL turned 21 on Wednesday, so we're having a party for him.

Sunday is church and it's bell choir Sunday.   Then, we'll probably take lunch over to Grandma and spend the day with her too.  

Whatever you do, hope your day is a happy one!!!

Happy Birthday Matt!!!

He is the big 21today!  Must call him tomorrow morning to see how he's doing! :)

Met with the HR person to discuss my maternity leave

I met with her last week to get some basic information about maternity leave and what my options were.

I get 7 weeks paid leave...5 at 100% and 2 at 75%.  After that, I can use my remaining vacation time, which I still have over 2 weeks!  

I'll meet with her again closer to due date so I can finalize everything and fill out the necessary paperwork.

Monday Ramblings

The weekends go by WAY too fast!  Ugh...

I was so proud of myself for getting so much done on the scrapbook over the weekend.  Now I feel pretty confident about getting the rest of it done in time for the reunion.

Yesterday, after church, I had to do some shopping for my hubby for work.  Afterwards, I came home and vegged out on the couch for awhile and then worked on the apartment a little bit more.  I've got more energy these days, so I keep trying to do little projects here and there.

Now it's Monday....another long week ahead of us!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Wowser....

I went to two crops this weekend...Friday night at my church and last night at Archivers. In the past two days, I have completed...40 pages!! I was working on the reunion album and I'm now up to 2003! Only 5 more years to complete! This just might get done by June 21, the '08 reunion!

On a side note, I did buy some pregnancy scrapbooking supplies! Once the reunion book is done, that's my next project! :)

17 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Your baby weighs 5 ounces now (about as much as a turnip), and he's around 5 inches long. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.


How your life's changing:
With more weight up high and out in front of your body, you may feel a bit off-balance as you walk around. Store away your high heels and wear low-heeled shoes to reduce your risk of taking a tumble.You're likely to feel protective of your tummy, and that's good. Trauma to your abdomen could be harmful to your baby and dangerous to you, so be sure to buckle up when you're driving. Keep the lap portion of the seat belt under your belly and very snug across your hips for maximum protection.


An easy way to keep track of the nutrients you need "I made a simple chart of the basic food groups and posted it on the refrigerator. At the end of the day I checked off what I had eaten. Then, for my bedtime snack, I tried to pick something that would fulfill whatever category was lacking — yogurt (or a bowl of ice cream!) if I needed more dairy, for example, or an orange if I needed more fruit." — Anonymous

TGIF

Thank goodness another weekend is here!!  I can't believe it's May already! Tomorrow, I'll be 17 weeks along.  Still no feeling the baby yet, but I'm sure it'll be any time now.  

Tonight, I have a scrapbook night at church.  We haven't done one in awhile, so we're due for another one! :)  Tomorrow, I'll be working for a few hours and then I'll probably head out to a scrapbook store and work some more.  I need to finish the family reunion album before June! Ack!!  We started with 1987 and I'm up to 1995.  Only 12 more years to go!  Ha!

Sunday, I'm going to another church to hear a friend preach...she is a member of our church, but she is a seminary student.  It'll be exciting to see her!

Hope everyone else has a good weekend too!

How can April be over already?!?!

2008 is just flying by and before I know it, it's going to be October! Ack!!!

May is going to be busy with birthdays and get-togethers and such. Pretty soon it's going to be Memorial Day weekend!

Young Boy at Church

One Sunday morning, the pastor noticed little Alex standing in the foyer of the church staring up at a large plaque. It was covered with names with small American flags mounted on either side of it.

The seven year old had been staring at the plaque for some time, so the
pastor walked up, stood beside the little boy, and said quietly, "Good morning Alex."

"Good morning Pastor, what is this?" he asked the pastor.

The pastor said, "Well, son, it's a memorial plaque to all the young men and women who died in the Service."

Soberly, they just stood together, staring at the large plaque.

Finally, little Alex's voice, barely audible and trembling with fear, he asked, "Which service, the 8:45 or the 10:30?"

Every Woman Should Know

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
 
enough money within her control
to move out and rent a place of her own,
even if she never wants to or needs to...
 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
 
something perfect to wear if the employer,
or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .
 
a youth she's content to leave behind....
 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
 
a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to
retelling it in her old age....
 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .....
 
a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..
 
one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...
 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ....
 
A good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...
 
eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal,
that will make her guests feel honored...
 
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE
 
a feeling of control over her destiny...
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
 
how to fall in love without losing herself..
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
 
how to quit a job, break up with a lover,
and confront a friend without ruining the friendship...
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
 
when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
 
That she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature
of her parents..
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
 
That her childhood may not have been perfect...but it's over...
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
 
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

How to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW..
 
Whom she can trust, whom she can't and why she shouldn't take it personally...
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
 
Where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... Or a charming inn in the woods..
when her soul needs soothing...
 
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
 
what she can and can't accomplish in a day...a month...and a year...
 

Little Zachary

Little Zachary was doing very badly in math. His parents had tried everything... Tutors, mentors, flash cards, Special learning centers. In short, everything they could think of to help his math.

Finally, in a last ditch effort, they took Zachary down and enrolled him in the local Catholic school. After the first day, little Zachary came home with a very serious look on his face. He didn't even kiss his mother Hello. Instead, he went straight to his room and started studying. Books and papers were spread out all over the room and little Zachary was hard at work. His mother was amazed. She called him down to dinner.

To her shock, the minute he was done, he marched back to his room without a word, and in no time, he was back hitting the books as hard as before. This went on for some time, day after day, while the mother tried to unders tand wh at made all the difference.

Finally, little Zachary brought home his report card. He quietly laid it on the table, went up to his room and hit the books. With great trepidation, his Mom looked at it and to her great surprise, little Zachary got an "A" in math. She could no
longer hold her curiosity. She went to his room and said, "Son, what was it? Was it the nuns?"

Little Zachary looked at her and shook his head, no. "Well, then," she replied, Was it the books, the discipline, the structure, the uniforms? "WHAT WAS IT ALREADY?"

Little Zachary looked at her and said, "Well, on the first day of school when I saw that guy nailed to the plus sign, I knew they weren't fooling around"

Stayed in bed for most of the day

I went to a scrapbook day yesterday and today I'm paying the price. My head is all stuffed up, I'm coughing all the time and generally feel like crap!

Didn't go to church today. Not like anyone really missed me there! :)

16 weeks

How your baby's growing:
At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.


How your life's changing:
Have people been telling you how wonderful you look? The "glow of pregnancy" is real, thanks to increased blood flow to the skin. You may be enjoying yourself more, too, now that your hormones have stabilized and nausea has eased up. You're also probably less anxious about something happening to your baby (the risk of miscarriage drops dramatically after the 14th week) which likely adds to your overall sense of well-being.

Soon you'll experience one of the most wonderful moments of pregnancy — feeling your baby move. While some women notice "quickening" as early as 16 weeks, most don't until about 18 weeks or more. If this is your first baby, don't be too anxious — you may not be aware of your baby's movements until 20 weeks or so. The earliest movements may feel like little flutters, gas bubbles, or even like popcorn popping. Over the following weeks they'll start to feel unmistakably like kicks.

TGIF

I'm so ready for the weekend.

I have an all-day scrapbook day tomorrow and I can't wait!! :)

Went to the doctor today

To make sure I was doing everything I needed to. This crap has settled into my chest and makes me feel like crap.

It's a virus, but in the meantime, they did all of the stuff that they were going to do for Monday's appointment, so YEA....no need for an appointment!! :)

Next appt is May 29th and it's the 20 week ultrasound...BUT...we aren't going to find out!

This is no fun!!

Being sick that is.

I was home sick today with a lovely cold/flu mess. Started feeling crummy late yesterday afternoon. Came home and was FREEZING cold...ending up going to bed about 7:00 with a fever of 101. Slept on and off for most of the night, but woke up this morning looking for the bus that hit me.

Slept most of the day...hopefully I'm doing better to head back to work tomorrow.

Happy Birthday Dad!

today, Dad is now the same age as mom! Happy birthday you old fart!!

This is about right...LOL

You Should Live in the Suburbs

Like many people, you like the city - but you don't want to live in it. For you, the suburbs is the perfect compromise. You can enjoy the city as much as you want, but you have a quiet, safe neighborhood to come home to.

Where Should You Live?

Hee hee...i like this...

Your Slogan Should Be

What Happens in Jenn, Stays in Jenn

The Slogan Generator

Update....

Mom is recovering nicely...little impatient, as she feels better, but still can't do much.

FIL goes in on Tuesday to remove the skin cancer from his shoulder. After that, it's just following up every so often and he's good to go.

Thanks for the prayers!

15 weeks

How your baby's growing:
Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

See what your baby looks like this week.

Note: Every baby develops a little differently — even in the womb. Our information is designed to give you a general idea of your baby's development.


How your life's changing:
You've probably gained about 5 pounds by now (a little more or less is fine, too) and are well into the swing of your pregnancy, but you may still be surprised by an unexpected symptom now and then. If your nose is stuffed up, for instance, you can probably chalk it up to the combined effect of hormonal changes and increased blood flow to your mucous membranes. This condition is so common, there's even a name for it: "rhinitis of pregnancy." Some pregnant women also suffer nosebleeds as a result of increased blood volume and blood vessel expansion in the nose.

If you're having amniocentesis, it'll most likely happen between now and 18 weeks. This test can identify hundreds of genetic and chromosomal disorders. If you're getting very anxious while waiting for the results, it may help to know that most women who undergo amniocentesis get good news about their babies — bringing welcome relief from their worries.

Don't be surprised if you and your partner are feeling a little stressed out these days. Many pregnant couples worry about their baby's health and how they'll handle the changes ahead. But with physical discomforts on the wane and energy on the rise, this is also a wonderful trimester for most women.


Take to the waters "Our community pool offers water aerobics. This is a great way to add some variety to your workout. I take my older children with me and let them swim while I exercise!" — Heidi

I feel the earth move...

under my feet!  LOL

There was an earthquake this morning in downstate Illinois.  It registered about 5.2 on the richter (sp?) scale and it could be felt for up to 450 miles away.  We didn't feel anything.

Did any of you?

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

You Are a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

You life your life in a free form, artistic style. You are incredibly creative and at times, quite messy. Deep down, you are a kid at heart. And you aren't afraid to express it. Your best friend: The Grilled Cheese Sandwich Your mortal enemy: The Club Sandwich

What Kind of Sandwich Are You?

The City Walk personality test...

What Your City Walk Means

You are optimistic and hopeful. Sometimes you do get disappointed by expecting too much. You are generally confident and friendly with strangers. You are well mannered and sociable. Money is fairly important to you. You aren't super greedy, but you enjoy spending money on yourself. You enjoy the world around you, and you thrive on new environments. You can be easily surrounded by natural or man made beauty.

The City Walk Personality Test

Mom's surgery

went well and she was home by 2:00 this afternoon. When I talked to her later in the evening, she had managed to get upstairs (by crawling...lol). She had been walking on it a little bit, using her walker.

I'm going to visit her tomorrow night for a little bit.

TAX DAY!

Who got money and who had to pay?

If you received money, did you put it away or spend it? Did you use to catch up bills or have play money?

The Keys to Life

The Keys to Your Life

Anything good that comes in your life will come from your own self reflection. Don't rely on other people for advice. They will harm you more then help you. Anything bad in your life comes from sinking to the level of those around you. Remember to lift people up, and refuse to participate in anything petty.

The Keys To Your Life

14 week doctor appointment

Had an appointment this morning...still not 100% sure why they wanted to see me, but that's ok. I thought that I was going in for the AFP screening as the doctor and I talked about. Turns out, they don't do that until 16 weeks. Anyways, I got to hear the heartbeat for the first time!!! :) That made the appointment that much better! I had seen it on the ultrasound at 8 & 12 weeks, but this was the first time to hear it. Going strong at 163.

I go back in 2 weeks for the blood test and they'll check my thyroid levels again, just to make sure everything is good.

Prayer requests

Ok, there are a few of them..

1)My mom - She is going on Wednesday for surgery on her right foot. She has a hammertoe (her second toe crosses over her big toe) plus a bunion on that foot, so she is getting that all fixed. Since she's in a job where she's on her feet all day (teacher)... she will be off of work until May 19th. Then she'll teach for another 2 weeks before summer vacation.

2)My FIL - Found out last week that he has skin cancer. It seems as if it was caught early, but we are waiting for the biopsy results to find out the severity and the course of treatment. I haven't told my folks yet, I didn't want them to worry before mom's surgery.

3)For my friend Becky - She is actually a friend of a friend but we got to know each other pretty well through Jill. I got an email from Becky yesterday asking for sponsor's for her as she's walking in the Walk for Diabetes in memory of her husband. He passed away a few weeks ago after complications from diabetes...and he was only 28 years old. They weren't even married for 5 years. It just breaks my heart that such a young life was cut short. I ask that you keep her and her family in your prayers as she tries to move on from this tragedy.

Ditched church today...

Wasn't feeling all that great and honestly, didn't feel like going. I'm Sunday School coordinator yet, there are no kids, so why bother?? If people don't like it, tough!

Went to Babies R Us

To look around and get some ideas about patterns and things I would need.

I'm really digging this bedding set...especially since we don't know if it's boy or girl.




I like this for the car seat and stroller...

Some of these are actually true...

This is what Jeff Foxworthy has to say about Chicago .

If your local Dairy Queen is closed from September through
May, you live in Chicago

If someone in a Home Depot store offers you assistance and they don't work there, you live in Chicago

If you've worn shorts and a parka at the same time, you live in
Chicago .

If you've had a lengthy telephone conversation with someone who dialed a wrong number, you live in Chicago

If 'Vacation' means going anywhere south of I-80 for the weekend, you live in Chicago .

If you measure distance in hours, you live in Chicago .

If you have switched from 'heat' to 'A/C' in the same day and back
again, you live in Chicago .

If you can drive 75 mph through 2 feet of snow during a raging
blizzard without flinching, you live in Chicago .

If you carry jumpers in your car and your wife knows how to use them, you live in Chicago

If you design your kid's Halloween costume to fit over a snowsuit, you live in Chicago

If the speed limit on the highway is 55 mph -- you're going 80 and
everybody is p assing you, you live in Chicago

If driving is better in the winter because the potholes are filled
with snow, you live in Chicago .

If you know all 4 seasons: almost winter, winter, still winter and
road construction, you live in Chicago .

If you have more miles on your snow blower than your car, you live in Chicago

If you find 10 degrees 'a little chilly', you live in Chicago .

If you actually understand these jokes, and forward them to all your
Chicago friends & others, you live or have lived in Chicago .

Why, Why, Why

Why, Why, Why ?
do we press harder on a remote control when we know the
batteries are getting dead?

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they
know there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four
billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why doesn't glue stick to the bottle?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when
you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word ! 'lisp'?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the
bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes
that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with
their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it
down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your
firsttry?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

When we are in the supermarket and someone rams our ankle with a
shopping cart then apologizes for doing so, why do we say, 'It's all
right?' Well, it isn't all right, so why don't we say, 'That hurt, you stupid idiot?'

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's
falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in
summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

Early night tonight

I've had a headache for most of the day. It felt like a tension, migraine, sinus headache all rolled into one. Since I am pg, I didn't want to take any medication until I called the doctor. Yes, I know, I'm paranoid. They did tell me that I could take Extra strength Tylenol. So, I did that before I left work. Just had some dinner and now I'm off to sleep!

happy birthday momma!

Today is momma's birthday. This is the most stressful time of year in my parents house. You see, mom is 13 DAYS older than dad...and he loves to take these 13 days and give her so much crap! :)

What Flavor Gum are you?

You Are Fruit Flavored Gum

You are quirky and independent. You don't tend to follow any one style or rule book. You are a mix and match type of person, and you draw inspiration from many sources. While you're definitely a bit unusual, you get along well with other people. You're eager to welcome anyone into your world. You are not judgmental at all. You form close bonds with your friends, and your relationships tend to be very secure. You hold firm to your beliefs and values, and you don't let anyone talk you into compromising them.

What Flavor Gum Are You?

Show off your ta-ta's!

All for a good cause of course!



Take a visit over to Sarah's page for more details!

Happy Birthday Aunt Kay!

Today is my aunt's 65th birthday. We celebrated with her a few weeks ago when she came up with Grandma and Grandpa.

13 weeks!

How your baby's growing:
Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

How your life's changing:
This is the last week of your first trimester, and your risk of miscarriage is now much lower than earlier in pregnancy. Next week marks the beginning of your second trimester, a time of relative comfort for many women who see early pregnancy symptoms such as morning sickness and fatigue subside. More good news: Many couples also notice a distinct libido lift around this time. Birth is still months away, but your breasts may have already started making colostrum, the nutrient-rich fluid that feeds your baby for the first few days after birth, before your milk starts to flow.

Any big plans for the weekend?

Anyone doing anything exciting?

Me, not so much...working on spring cleaning in the apartment.

Never let others tell you who you are!

(This came from a bulletin off of MySpace...just wanted to share here)

A lot has been said about the United Church of Christ lately, especially Trinity UCC in Chicago. Much of it has been narrow and distorted. We prepared this video to tell the broader story of who we really are.

One of my favorite episodes of the View...

This man defintely has my vote now!

april fools day

anyone play any good pranks on others?

Baby Update

Yesterday was my doctor's appointment. I got to see baby on the screen, moving around. Still hard to believe that lil bugger is inside of me! :-)

Doctor also tested my thyroid levels and didn't seem overly concerned that I haven't gotten an appointment with the endocrinologist yet. I will defintely work on it for next time.

Next appt is April 14th!

Hey Chicago...

whadda say...the Cubs are gonna win today!

(well, providing the game isn't rained out...lol)

Today is opening day at Wrigley Field!  GO CUBBIES!!

Another quiet weekend

Didn't do much of anything either day. Saturday, I did work to clean out my wardrobe and GET RID OF CLOTHES.

Sunday was church and then went grocery shopping. Came home and passed out because I was so tired. Spent the rest of the day doing much of nothing! :)

Doctor's appt tomorrow, i will update when I can!

The nephews

on Easter sunday...aren't they handsome???

Should You Vote Republican or Democrat?

Your Vote Score: 32% Republican, 68% Democrat

While you don't always agree with the Democrat party, it's a pretty good match for you. Do be sure to research each candidate. A liberal Republican or independent candidate might fit you better at times.

Should You Vote Republican or Democrat?

What's your DJ name?

Your DJ Name Is:

DJ Smokin' Sound

What's Your DJ Name?

Trying not to get overwhelmed

but it's not working.

I'm starting to worry about being able to handle raising a child and keeping up with our expenses. My mind is racing non-stop. For so long, I never thought that I would be able to have a child, so I pretty much just settled on the fact that it would be just me and my husband (and for awhile, I wasn't sure if that would stick).

I'm just stressing over nothing, I know. But how do I make my brain stop?!?!?!

What Kind od Cake are you?

You Are an Ice Cream Cake

Surprising, unique, and high maintenance. You're one of a kind, and you don't want anyone to forget it. You're fun in small doses, but it's easy for people to overdose on you!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

played hooky

started out with a nasty headache, so i called into work.

we ended up going out to my inlaws for the day. on our way there, got the oil change done for my car and then later in the day, i took my car for the emissions test. whew...that's done.

hope everyone had a good day!

If you think getting up on Sunday morning is hard,

Then try raising from the dead.

HAPPY EASTER TO ALL OF YOU!! CHRIST IS RISEN!!

Today, is church and then dinner at mom and dad's (or Nana's house if you ask my nephew). It's a small gathering, but a yummy easter dinner with all of the fixings! YUM! :-)

Saturday...

We had our Easter cantata this evening and as our choir director said "We have some church up in here!" It was a very comtemporary cantata which some people may not like, but it was cool nonetheless.

Tomorrow, we are doing two pieces with handbell choir along with our choir and the congregation. ..we're gonna rock the house! :-)

A good one...

A stranger was seated next to a little girl on the airplane when the
stranger turned to her and said, 'Let's talk. I've heard that flights
go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.'

The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly and
said to the stranger, 'What would you like to talk about?'

'Oh, I don't know,' said the stranger. 'How about nuclear power?' and
he smiles.

'OK,' she said. 'That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask
you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same
stuff - grass - . Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns
out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do
you suppose that is?'
The stranger, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence,
thinks about it and says, 'Hmmm, I have no idea.'

To which the little girl replies, 'Do you really feel qualified to
discuss nuclear power when you don't know shit?

First Day of Spring...

And we are under a winter storm warning....gotta love weather in Chicago!

Oh goody...

First day of spring and we have a winter storm watch. Joy!

Easter Quizzes...

You Are a Speckled Egg

Artistic, alternative, and not exactly buying into this Easter thing.

What Kind of Easter Egg Are You?

You Are Peeps

You're the type that's more likely to play with your food than actually eat it.

What Easter Candy Are You?

How's your Spelling?

Your Spelling is Perfect

You got 10/10 correct. Your spelling is excellent. You also have a great memory and eye for detail.

How's Your Spelling?

Everybody dance now!!

I still have the mental image of my three year old nephew standing in the middle of the soccer field (aka gym floor) and singing that song. Oh yes, right in the middle of the soccer game...that would be him. Those poor soccer moms didn't know how to react!

We had a nice spa day and it was very relaxing! This woman also does "pregnancy spa treatments". Yea, I'm so looking her up in the summer time!

Told one set of great-grandparents

Last night, we went to dinner at Mom and Dad's house. Grandma and Grandpa and my aunt are up visiting for the weekend to celebrate Gma's birthday.

Me: "Gma, I was wondering if you could make another baby blanket?"
Gma: "For who?"
Me: "ME!"

She was very shocked and excited! I thought it was a cute way to tell her and she and my grandpa are very thrilled with their fifth great-grandchild!!

Now, it's off to a spa day!! YEA!!

So bad...yet so funny!

>>> Atlanta Airport
>>>
You gotta love this one even if you've never lived in the South.
Some of you will enjoy this more than others... Southerners can be so
polite!

Atlanta ATC: "Tower to Saudi Air 511 -- You are cleared to land
eastbound on runway 9R

Saudi Air: "Thank you Atlanta ATC. Acknowledge cleared to land on
infidel's runway 9R - Allah be Praised."

Atlanta ATC: "Tower to Iran Air 711 --You are cleared to land
westbound on runway 9R."

Iran Air: "Thank you Atlanta ATC. We are cleared to land on infidel's
runway 9R. - Allah is Great."

Pause...

Saudi Air: " ATLANTA ATC - ATLANTA ATC"< BR>>>>
Atlanta ATC: "Go ahead Saudi Air 511."

Saudi Air: "YOU HAVE CLEARED BOTH OUR AIRCRAFTS FOR THE SAME RUNWAY
GOING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. WE ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE.
INSTRUCTIONS, PLEASE."

Atlanta ATC: "Well bless your little hearts. And praise Jesus. Y'all
be careful now and tell Allah "hey" for us -- "

How would you handle this?

Very touching...please read till the end.


Let's see if you send it back. We all know or knew someone like this!!

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,

I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'
I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks. < /I>

They really should get lives. He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!' There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football He said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the hug e stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious
muscles with this pile of books everyday! He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..
When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days.

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!' He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.
' Thanks,' he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began 'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through
those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends...

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story. I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. 'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse .

God puts us all in each others lives to impact one an other in some way.

Look for God in others.

Never Let Go

Hubby showed me this last night...LOVE it!!

Looking forward to this weekend

because my grandparents and aunt are coming up and Saturday morning, the "girls" are having a spa party at my mom's house. It should be alot of fun and there are no boys around to drive us crazy! Ha ha.

First baby gift...

I got my first baby gift earlier today from a co-worker. She is addicted to scrapbooking just as much, if not worse than I am! LOL

Anywhoo, I received a mini-size paper pack, couple sheets of stickers and some ribbon! I'm so excited!!!

Told some more people today

about the newest member of our family. I am currently the Sunday School Coordinator at church. Today, I told my pastor that as of June 15th, I will be resigning. I know that I couldn't the program the time and dedication that it needs especially so close to my due date. Of course I will be glad to help them after baby if I feel up to it!

She was a little disappointed at first until I told her my reason! Then, she was totally cool with it!

Happy Birthday to Grandma!!!

Today, my grandma is 85 years old. HOLY CRAP!

I find myself very fortuante to still have 3 living grandparents and be 30 years old. I cherish every single moment I have with them, because I know that it can be gone in an instant.

When they go, I of course will be saddened, but I will also have joy in my heart, because I know that they have all lived full and wonderful lives!!!

My only selfish request is that they will make it to October to see their newest great-grandchild!!

Our family is growing by two feet!!

Yes, you read that correctly! DH and I are expecting our first baby, due October 11th! This wasn't quite planned, but not yet a surprise either. We haven't been preventing for awhile and all of our tests were coming back with no problems, yet month after month...nothing.

I'm excited, thrilled, nervous and freaked out all in one. We had our first ultrasound earlier this week and got to see baby!! Heartbeat is 154 and so far everything looks good! Our parents are all estatic! I'm feeling ok...just really run down and a little queasy from time to time. I've learned that if I stay ahead of it by eating, I'm better. Since I was on Weight Watchers before, I'm going to do my best to keep eating as healthy as I can. Of course, I'll give into my splurges every once in awhile!

Devotion - March 7th

Stillspeaking Lent Devotional: Friday, March 7
March 7

Visionary
Revelation 11:15-19

Quinn G. Caldwell

Reading this Bible passage, you might need to be reassured that no, you're not stoned (though some have argued that the author of this passage was). This is The Revelation to John, the book with the trippiest visuals in the whole Bible. There are a mighty whore, an evil dragon, a celestial mother with starry hair (she fights the dragon, naturally), giant insects, bowls full of plagues, hordes of angels, plus a new heaven and a new earth. Whoa.

What to make of it all? Obviously, it's about the end of everything you know. Beyond that, it's hard to tell. Some say it's a plan for the "end times." Some say it's a coded diatribe against the Roman Empire. I say that spending too much time thinking about it misses the point.

Better to just groove on the imagery. Think of it as some crazy artwork that regularly comes to life and rearranges itself. Don't analyze, just react. What do the images proclaim about God? What would it feel like to actually see the Temple up in the sky surrounded by thunder and lightning? Sit with it. Stretch yourself. Spend some time imagining the unimaginable. And let it get you ready to ask yourself the real mind-bender: at the end of time, if all this comes to pass, how will it be good news?

Prayer: O God, grant me visions this Lent. Show me a world beyond anything I can imagine. Make me ready to hope in things so wonderful only you could conceive them. Amen.

March 6th

Heartburn
Revelation 10:1-11

William Green

God makes things possible, not easy. Faith can be hard, doubt real--"sweet as honey in my mouth, but... my stomach was made bitter".

The book of Revelation shows this. Written for early Christians facing persecution, its puzzling symbolism is often code language drawing on imagery from the Hebrew Scriptures known to believers but impenetrable to imperial authority. The fundamental message can be summed up in two words: "God wins!"

But before the last trumpet sounds marking this final triumph, the good news of Christ is judgment against all that violates the love of God. We're better with the love part of this than the judgment.

We're not asked to be judgmental. We're asked to be honest. The "sweetness" of faith becomes bitter when we consider all that ignores or denies God's justice and mercy. Remembering that we ourselves are complicit in this, we can confront it more credibly in the world around us. Self-righteousness is hard to take.

Honest faith aims to tell the truth because it is less concerned about feeling good than turning to God, however we feel. Inspired by the love of Christ, we try to live true to that, knowing no failure can ultimately block its victory.

Prayer: Eternal God, lead me to look beyond how I feel to who you are, and to trust your love which embraces us all, now and forever. In Jesus' name. Amen.

March 5th

Our Best Hope
Psalm 146

Christina Villa

"Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help," advises this psalm. "When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish."

This sobering reminder--"there is no help... their plans perish"--is not about the hopelessness of it all, though it might sound that way if you're flipping through the psalms looking for uplift. It's not that there's no hope. It's that there is only one source of it: "Happy are those... whose hope is in the Lord their God... who keeps faith forever." Hope is not a thing of a thousand varieties; you can't choose what color and size you want it in. It only comes one way. That's why it's so easy to invest it in the wrong thing. We're used to having 112 kinds of toothpaste or dog food to choose from, so we feel we ought to have some choice in the important matter of hope. But this Psalm says we don't. Theologians speak of misplaced hope as "idolatry," a word that makes it sound more satanic and exceptional than it really is. We have all had the experience of hopes dashed and trust betrayed. Yet hope is a thing we need to survive. Hang on to it, says this Psalm, but put it in the right place.

Prayer: Dear God, please help me keep hold of hope today; help me keep hold of you. Amen.

Devotional...3/4

Continue in Strength
Colossians 1:9-14

Martin B. Copenhaver

When we think of people who need our prayers, our thoughts most naturally turn to those who are experiencing some kind of challenge or hardship. But here Paul is offering prayers for those whose faith is already strong and whose lives are already bearing fruit. These are prayers of thanksgiving, to be sure, but also prayers that they may continue in strength. After all, a strong person is no less dependent on God's grace than is the person who is weak. The difference is that the strong person's need is less evident and may seem less urgent. But all of us rely on God's grace in every hour. God did not create us like a clockmaker creates a clock. Rather, God creates more like a musician creates music. If God did not continue to breathe through us, we would cease to breath, as surely as a cello would cease to make music if the cellist walked out of the room. If God did not give the continual gift of faith, we would descend into despair. The strong have no claim on any strength independent of God--it is a continual gift only from God's hands. So when we pray, our prayers may go first to those in obvious need, but then they are to encompass all those who stand in need of God's gifts, and that is each of us, both the weak and the strong.

Prayer: Dear God, be with me when I am weak, so that I might draw on your power, and be with me when I feel empowered, so that I might always remember that you are the source of all power. Amen.

Nice relaxing weekend

where we did absolutely nothing!

As a late Valentines treat to ourselves, we got a hotel room for the weekend and just vegged out, doing as little as possible. Saturday, we went window shopping at the mall which was across the street, but the rest of the time, we just hung out, watched movies, and ordered room service. It's been awhile since Bill's been off an entire weekend, so it was nice to getaway for awhile!

Now back to the Monday morning...yuck!

March 2nd...

Blessed Trial
John 9: 1 - 41

Anthony B. Robinson

Well, now, here is a strange thing. A man blind from birth is given his sight by Jesus, and what happens? Does everybody get happy and life get good? Not quite. The man's neighbors don't know him. His parents don't want him. The people in charge at the synagogue think he is uppity and give him the boot. Getting healed doesn't always ensure getting welcomed. At least sometimes, the blind who see and the dead who are raised aren't entirely welcome in a world that may prefer to be blind to God and dead to true life. To be blessed by Jesus can lead to trials and tribulations, which is John's way of talking about the cost of discipleship. But Jesus will not leave those he has claimed as his alone or bereft. As this wonderful drama ends, Jesus finds the once blind, now seeing man, who has come to faith by what he has suffered for Christ.

Prayer: Can I know you, Jesus, without sharing in your suffering, without in my own way sharing your cross? Help me to follow you even, especially, when it's hard. Amen.

Lenten Devotional...3/1

Anointing with Oil
Psalm 23

Donna Schaper

My son nicked himself the first time he shaved and it bled and bled. He was embarrassed because he had picked the first day of school to try the razor on himself. I recommended a little oil of eucalyptus. He said no, loudly.

Whenever my children got a "boo boo", I would apply cream from the magic ointment called Bacitracin. They had no idea how boring it really was and considered it the magic oil.

I love the free "cream" section at the duty free shops at airports. I anoint myself with frequent samplings.

When we speak of our Shepherd anointing our head with oil, we can either say no thank you; I'd rather suffer alone in my own little adolescent prison. Or we can say thank you to the magic of our hurts being healed. We can even understand the universe as a place of free anointings, minute by minute. That is the image David puts before us in the psalm we love so much. "My head is anointed with oil, and my cup runneth over..."

It is an image of abundance, free and pouring out like a river from the great heart of God.

Prayer: Dear God, during this Lenten journey, help me hold on to you so closely that I do not hold on to anything else too closely. Amen