Ah...  Sunday night

For the last few weeks I have actually loved Sunday nights.
Excited for the return of the routine.

Catherine is loving pre-K.
And I am loving having free time for a bit while she's there.

So, why am I feeling such angst tonight?

I don't know.

Probably a number of things.

This week is going to be full of long days for Josh, which then also means long days for me single mom-ing it.

Plus I've got a number of things on the calendar that I'm actually dreading instead of looking forward to.

I'm struggling with writing and struggling with finding my creativity and passion.

I can't help but think about our housing situation and wonder where we'll be a year from now or what we'll be pursuing half a year from now.

Add in probable hormones and likely depression that often makes a reappearance, and you've got me tonight.

Just the sad reality.

But I know it will pass.  I will survive the long week.  And I will, once again, have activities to look forward to.  So, to cheer myself up, I'm reminding myself that Josh's Fall Break is coming up soon!  And we'll be taking a trip to one of our favorite places:  Traverse City, Michigan!

2015 Chateau Chantal in TC

2014 at our hotel in TC

2010:  our Mini-moon (mini honeymoon) in TC

It's one of our frequent destinations, but it's been awhile since we've been.  We always have our favorite restaurants and stores to visit and a great hotel right on the water.  We wander around downtown and take in the beautiful views from Old Mission Peninsula.  Fall is a gorgeous time to visit, plus we get off-season rates!

So, for now, I'll hold onto that.  It helps to have SOMEthing to look forward to.  Are you the same way?  What's coming up on your calendar that lifts your spirits?

I can't even tell you the number of times I have opened my laptop, opened up a new tab (in addition to the about 144 already open) to this blog, and tried to write.

There are so many things that stop me.  Fill in the blank with a number of excuses...

• I don't have enough time.
• I don't have enough to say.
• I don't have enough inspiration.
• I have too much to say.
• I have nothing "important" to say.
• I don't have enough focus.  Oh, the distractions, all the distractions.

But I'm getting past the excuses right now and forcing myself to post today - even if it's not that good.

Sometimes "good enough" is ok.

Sometimes "good enough" is enough.

I know my last post got a lot of attention (it's now the most read post on my blog), and I think I feel some unwanted pressure now to make the next post IE this post something just as noteworthy and dramatic.  But that's just not how I'm feeling right now.

How am I feeling?

Well, I've been feeling "off" lately.

We just returned from another massive road trip (if you follow my Facebook or Instagram page, you already know these details, right?).  It was long.  And good.

9 states in 9 days.  Slept in 7 of those states.  3,441 miles later we returned home

And it's been so hard to adjust to being back.  Back to normal life.

But getting back into the routine of pre-school and my mama's group is helping.

Josh is in his super busy season where he's doing eleven and a half hour days.  I'm having to come up with lots of things to do to get through the days.  Fortunately, this season doesn't last much longer.

We were recipients of amazing hospitality from friends as we traveled in Iowa, Nebraska, and Montana.  I got to spend a lot of time reading too, which I have only recently started really enjoying.

The Fringe Hours by Jessica Turner
Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist
And It Was Beautiful by Kara Tippetts

The trip itself was rather last-minute, and I realized in the midst of it just how unprepared we were, but I'm so glad we did it.  Gotta take advantage of the Spring Break perk Hubby gets as a teacher!

We saw some beautiful parts of our country (as well as some really boring parts, to be honest), and it was fun to see Catherine experience it.  She was 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 for our previous trips and didn't really remember them.  We all started off a little rocky, but I was impressed by how well she did.  Some times she was even content just to sit there - with no entertainment of books or toys or games!



Until the next adventure!

As a teacher, my husband doesn't do a TON of out of town travel for work, but in the last month or so, he's been gone twice for conferences.

I shared the other day about what I did while he was gone for the first trip.

Leading up to the second trip, I was completely stressed.

I don't know why.
Maybe because he'd be gone for multiple nights.
Maybe because they were predicting a blizzard just before he left.
Maybe because he was going to be gone over my birthday.
Yes, my entire birthday.

Maybe because he does all the shoveling, and I was going to be alone right after a blizzard and knew I had to find a way out of the driveway and knew I had to somehow clear the driveway for company coming over.  (Because, after all, a girl shouldn't have to spend her birthday night alone!)

Even the bobble-head owl has had enough.

Regardless, I was a mess.

The day before he was to leave we were texting.  I shared about how the weather was messing up so many of my plans and about how stressed and anxious I was feeling.

He replied,

"Don't worry about the shoveling. I messaged {insert name of man from church who has a snow plow} to see if he could check on you and plow you out so you won't have to do it.  I take care of my girls."

It was just as simple as that.
A reminder that I didn't need to worry or obsess or stress or try to control it all.
A reminder that he takes care of us.
He sees those he loves and knows our needs and provides for us.

Oh, how it reminded me of our Heavenly Father.
How sometimes I try to control it all, thinking that it's up to me to know what's going on and to try to be in charge of it all.  When really all I need to do is trust that He knows the situation.  He knows me, and he knows my needs.  And He will provide.

And sure enough.  At the perfect time, our snow plowing friend showed up and cleared the driveway.


Obviously I have no control over the weather.  What else am I trying to handle when really I need to release and let God manage it?

What might you be trying to control when you need to give it up and give the reins back to the Father?

Your job?
Your kids?
Your lack of kids?
Your passions?
Your future?
Your marriage?
Your singleness?
Your housing situation?
Your health?
Your appearance?


God, thank you that my life is in your hands.  Help me to remember that I don't need to worry about controlling it all.  Help me to give up control and trust in your provisions.

Well, I was on a blogging roll for awhile there.

Maybe it will return.  Sometime.

For now, I continue working and wife-ing and mom-ing.  Lots of learning and adjusting

Josh was off all last week for Fall Break.  He had a birthday.  We enjoyed free "hot donuts now" at Krispy Kreme "late" one night.  Because we could.



We went to Indianapolis for a mini family vacay (cross that off the summer to do list) and my sister-in-law's sister's wedding.  I cried at the wedding and danced at the reception.  I recalled my own wedding.  It's amusing how some of the details are so sketchy (Did we partake in the tradition of kissing when glasses are tapped?  Did we have anything glass at the reception?).  And some details will never leave my memory.

Catherine with her cousins

s'mores as wedding favor

We stayed at a great hotel and had dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  We ooh'ed and ahh'ed over items at Crate & Barrel, and then I informed my husband that I'm very content living a life that does not include spending $5100 on a sofa, just in case he needed reassurance.

Date Night

Catherine's birthday party is quickly coming up - less than two weeks.  So, I'll need to be thinking more about that soon.  We're having the party at a local restaurant/cafe/bakery.  I kept the guest list very short.  It will be a short and sweet - and salty - party.

But of course I can't do anything simply.  So, I plan to make goodie bags/favors for guests.

I'm currently working on a Moms Night Out for my weekly moms' group and planning our church's ladies' Christmas party.

Our washing machine quit working 2 weeks ago.  Mid-cycle.  Just to keep things interesting I guess.

We'll see what tomorrow brings.  And the next couple weeks.

Believe or not, Josh is already back to work, and the local kids are already back in school.

This summer break was the shortest ever - 8 weeks.  We are so grateful, though, for that perk of his occupation!!

About the beginning of June or so, I wrote up a little list of things I wanted to get done this summer.  How'd we do?

• Purge (still doing)
• Organize (this is really slow going, but I'm working on it)
• Decorate (work in progress, but mostly comes after the organizing; also, this is really hard to measure/assess)
• Hang pics/gallery wall (nope)
• Paint front door (I've narrowed it down to 3 colors, and really 1 I think, but it's not the same one that hubby wants, so for now we just have 3 red paint swatches taped to our front door, can you say ghetto?)

• Grill pizzas (still gotta do this)
• Dentist appointments for all 3 of us (appointments made and scheduled for this week!  It will be C's first dentist experience!  She's excited; I hope I don't make her nervous.)
• Wonderland Theater (Josh and I got to see "Paper Towns" as a Thursday matinee - when all you can eat popcorn is free, woot woot!)
• Buy a new vacuum
• Buy a dirt devil/dustbuster
• Host a yard sale (done!  times 2!)

• Go on a couples trip (Josh & I celebrated our 5th anniversary with a trip to Michigan - Saginaw, Birch Run, Traverse City)

• Go on a family trip (sorry, kid.)
• Camp in our backyard
• Use our firepit
• Make smores
• Teach C how to wipe her bottom independently (a good thing to know how to do especially considering she starts pre-school in a month!)
• Get estimates for windows (ugh.  I feel like I need to get my house organized first.)
• Stain the back deck (ahem)
• Go to the beach (we went when Josh's Las Vegas family was in town; then Catherine & I went again with her cousins and aunt)

Sadly, there was no big family road trip this summer.  But maybe we can do some little trips on the weekends.  I know things will be different with Catherine now having her own school schedule to consider, so we'll just have to be diligent to use the time we have!

Just for fun, some random things about me.  Maybe some you know, maybe some you don't.

1.  My favorite time is 12:34.
2.  My least favorite time is 12:35.
3.  I was born at 12:35 AM.
4. I think 4 is the ideal amount of children to have.
5. I can barely handle having 1 child.
6.  I'm not good with numbers.
7.  I don't like going a day without coffee.
8.  My husband and I went on two honeymoons.
9.  My husband and I had a science class together in college but didn't actually meet until years later via eharmony.  Crazy, huh?!
10.  I love Oriental food and grew up eating with chopsticks.
11. As a child, we had two different Asian students live with our family for awhile.
12.  One summer during college, I worked with foreign exchange students from China.
13.  I did 3 months of student teaching in Okinawa, Japan at the same school where my dad taught many years prior.
14.  I've never been stung by a bee.
15.  I've never been on a roller coaster.
16.  My memory is so bad I can usually watch a movie two or three times and still be surprised by the ending.
17.  Shakespeare makes me fall asleep.
18.  I wake up with a headache if I sleep in too much.
19.  I have a degree in Elementary Education.
20.  I rarely watch TV.
21.  I don't like mushrooms - taste OR texture!
22.  I wear makeup only a couple times a year.
23.  I can name all the Presidents in order.
24.  I have a collection of cookbooks but rarely cook.
25.  I'm 36 (I think - see #6 above), and I still don't know what to do with my life.

I will be the first to admit:  I have done a lousy job at keeping this blog updated.

But, as they say, "It is what it is."

Get past it.  I am.

~~~~~

My husband is a marathon runner.

Stop there.  I NEVER thought I would be married to a marathon runner.

I remember when we were dating he would occasionally run in the summer, when he happened to have free time.  I just thought, "Why???"

Even though it's not my thing, I am proud of him.  He trains.  He disciplines himself in so many ways.  He literally runs for hours without stopping.  That.Is.Amazing.

A couple few months ago, I was getting resentful about his running because it meant I was guaranteed "on duty" with the toddler*.  No other option, but me.  Stuck*.

So, a friend was gracious enough to loan us a jogging stroller.

Bingo!

(Sorry about the ginormous photos.  I have not figured out how to downsize pictures on my new lappy...)

I LOVE when the two of them can have special times together.  And no, not just because it gives me a break.


I am so blessed by a husband who is also a good father.  Every night, seriously like 99.9% of the time, Josh puts Catherine to bed.  He does the jammies, the potty, the overnight diaper, the teeth brushing, the tucking in with bear, and raffie, and big bear, and pink bear, and white bear, and polar bear, and dolly, and other dolly, and books.  SO many books.  The prayer, the singing, the rocking, the glass of water, the pink blanket, no the striped blanket, no the yellow blanket.  Ahhhh, life with a two-year-old...

Bless his heart!  He is good!!

The other day he forced encouraged me to take an evening off.  He said I should go out solo and do whatever I want - a relaxing dinner, catch a movie, watch HGTV at my mother's, sit at Starbucks, etc.

Wow.

This meant the world to me!!

I needed a break, and he knew it.

This weekend Josh and I get a break together.  Although I don't know how much of a "break" it will feel like to him.

He's got a half marathon to run.

1. I believe... in forgiveness and second chances.
2. The first concert I attended was... Johnny Cash.
3. It's important to have... friends.
4. I would love to go... back to Portland (Maine).
5. If I had more time... I'd get my home organized, but I'd need more energy too.
6. I like to... sleep.  (In case you didn't catch that whole VerySleepyGirl name of this blog)
7. Some of my proudest achievements are... student teaching overseas, moving to the west coast, and moving back home to the Midwest.
8. When I was a teenager... I made my parents' lives miserable.
9. Someday I would love to... get our upstairs bathroom painted.
10. My favorite thing to bake is... crepes currently.  Or would that be considered cooking?  I don't know.  Do you bake crepes or cook crepes?
11. What you don't know about me is... how badly I'm trying to figure out what to do with my life.
12. I once had a part-time job... babysitting at age 10.  I was so not mature enough for that!
13. I am currently working... for free.
14. My favorite celebrity meeting was... Mario Lopez!!
15. I like to drink... coffee every morning.
16. My favorite movie idol is... Julie Andrews.  "The hills are alive!!!!!"
17. My favorite flowers are... colorful and bright and vibrant and long-lasting!
18. I like to snack on... sweet and salty combos.
19. My favorite TV show is... currently Fixer Upper on HGTV.  I really don't want much TV, and we don't get HGTV, so...
20. I met my husband... officially in let's see here... um, working backwards, we were married in 2010, so... um, let's see, engaged in 2009, so 2008 I guess.  Is that right, sweetie?  (I'm not good with numbers/dates/facts)
21. I would love to have dinner with... a bunch of old friends at a backyard barbeque.  Oh, that may come true here shortly...
22. My favorite color is... blue in varying shades - mostly aqua and navy.
23. I enjoy... sleeping writing.
24. I attended... Christian schools almost entirely.
25. I am a huge fan of... Candace Cameron.
26. I collect... colanders.  For decoration.  Or as Catherine would say, "For pretend."
27. I appeared... as an extra in a movie.
28. I also collect... travel size toiletries from hotels.  Ha!
29. My favorite fruit is... fruit pizza!  No, seriously, I love lots of different fruits - honeydew, blueberries, kiwi, strawberries, grapes, bananas, peaches, etc.  But I also do love a good fruit pizza!
30. My go-to beauty product is... Burt's Bees lip balm.  That's as close as I get to "beauty products."
31. In 2009 I... went to Arkansas, Nevada, California, and Texas.
32. I recently... went through South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington for the first time.
33. I am inspired by... Pinterest.
34. I wear glasses... every day since 8th grade.
35. In 1997 I... went to New York City with my high school classmates.
36. I work out... used to work out at Curves and later a gym.
37. I'm a terrible... cook.
38. What I love about America is... how much there is to experience.
39. My secret snack... is anything after Catherine is asleep.
40. I adore... rain when I don't have to go out in it.
41. It's been a really long time since... I got my hair cut.  I was seriously contemplating pigtails the other day.
42. I'm so thankful for... a dishwasher in our kitchen.  Especially after seven years without!  Good things come to those who wait.
43. I don't want to... own a red car.  Too much attention from police.
44. I once forgot... how to spell "world."  This was last week.
45. I have... a great guy (my husband - just to clarify in case you were thinking Mario Lopez).
46. I wish I had... disposable income.
47. I don't know how to... play chess.  I once started reading a book on how to play chess.  I don't think I made it past the first page.
48. Yesterday I... ate a yummy Asian sesame chicken salad.
49. Tomorrow I... will get up and drink coffee.  The rest is uncertain.
50. I wonder... when I'll tire of chevron.  I also wonder if anyone actually read ALL 50 of these random facts.

Our next house WILL have a basement.

August 5th will be two years since we moved to this town city.

I'm getting antsy.

Again.

I keep thinking about just selling it ALL and living on the road.

Life in an RV.

Simplicity.

But, then again, an RV doesn't have a basement.

Currently reading...

• articles on how to survive a road trip with back pain

Currently eating...

• Smoked sausage roll from Rise 'n Roll

Currently drinking...

• Kiwi Strawberry Snapple - old school!

Currently missing...

•  Auntie Barb & Cousin Monique

Currently watching...

• nothing on tv, but we did just receive a mammoth antennae that will allow us to actually get local channels

Currently rearranging...

• kitchen, front room, and living room - mentally

Currently stressing...

• planning packing for the road trip

Currently baking...

• nothing; four very ripe bananas ended up in the freezer after I talked about making banana bread for days

Currently lamenting...

• the extremely short lifespan of our kiddie pool

Currently enjoying...

• www.thesaurus.com

Currently harvesting...

• spinach, lettuce, strawberries, raspberries, basil

 Currently attempting...

• to figure out multiple annoying technological problems affecting me simultaneously (computer won't charge; phone won't send pictures to email or facebook)

Currently anticipating...

• being with Roomie Sarah

 Currently singing...

• How Can I Keep From Singing

Currently dreaming...

• about space (not of the outer variety) and working at my former job (recurring dream)

Currently creating...

• margin

Thursday night.

Trash night.



"Honey, did you take the trash out to the curb?"  "Honey, can you put new trash bags in the trash cans?  Please?"

10:00  Bedtime

Routine

Routine is comforting.  But it also gets boring.  How do I find the balance?

Tomorrow is the last day of school.  Finally.

Then Routine goes by the roadside.  Wayside?  Curb?  I don't always remember quotes and phrases.

In fact my memory is sadly awful.

A new season begins:  Summer!!



Time for staying up late and sleeping in.
Time for ice cream and an inflatable kiddie pool.
Dining al fresco.
Time for adventures and spontaneity.  Vacations.  Road trips.  Making memories.
Family time.  Sunshine.  Beach time.
Sunscreen and mosquito repellant.
Maybe even camping.  Finally.



It will fly by.  No, seriously.  Summer Break is only two months this year.  That makes my heart break a little bit.  If I dwell on it it's over before it even began.

So I'll stop to enjoy it.  I'll slow down to soak it up.

I'll relish the noisy neighborhood, because it means kids are living and loving summer.

I'll appreciate the dirty laundry and dirty hands and dirty fingernails, because it means my toddler is making memories.

I'll savor the flavor of fresh fruits and vegetables, because it means the Lord has provided a bounty in our own backyard.

I'll inhale the aroma of a multitude of flowers that are mixed in the same bed of dirt as weeds that need to be pulled.

I'll pause to cherish the moments.  All of them.

Had a great weekend away with my side of the family.



Lots of relaxing, reading, and renewing.  I was away from my computer and internet and cell phone for 48 hours.  It was magnificent.

The sun was out today, and it warmed up to the 50's.  We got to play outside when we got home.  I ignored all the dirt and mud attaching itself to my daughter.  Something I really struggle with, but I just force myself to pretend it's not there.  I know it's fun for her, so I put aside my issues.

I must have picked up a cold though.  My nose won't stop running, and I feel just so run-down.  I hope to go to bed early tonight.  I have a massage scheduled for tomorrow that I have been trying to obtain for months with so many things coming up to cancel it.  So I'm determined to get my one hour of bliss tomorrow!

One more week til Spring Break!!

i'm feeling reminiscent lately...


recalling old trips,
missing old friends,
longing for warmer weather,
remembering our former house by the river.  that old house with the hardwood floors, all the built-ins, and the sun room.  oh, that sun room...

i've been thinking about purpose

and passion

and plans for the future.

my heart is antsy.

i get like this every now and then.

it's like there's some strong creative passion inside of me just desperately wanting to get out.

but i'm still trying to figure out what that passion is.

i passed on another job.

just like the last one, my initial reaction was interest and gratefulness.

but then i started thinking more about it.

i realized the mundane office tasks just didn't excite me.

and i want something that excites me.  something that i look forward to.  something that i actually want to do, rather than just doing it because i have to.

there's enough in my life right now that i do because i have to (or feel like i have to).

this is something that i've been pondering for a few months when i was asked this question:

"what in your life brings you joy?"

(sidenote:  i believe there's a difference between filling your life with joy-giving things and being caught up in a life of self indulgence.  it's the first one that i'm trying to pursue here.)

so, i'm trying to follow after activities, people, and commitments that bring me joy.

and trying to eliminate - as much as i can - those activities, people, and commitments that rob me of joy.

so, i'm curious.  if you were asked that question, how would you respond?

what in your life brings you joy?

Ok, I'll admit it:

I'm getting excited about June.  We plan on taking a Super Summer Family Road Trip.  While I know we are gonna get sick of the car, sick of the road, and no doubt, sick of each other, it will be memorable.  And I'm REALLY looking forward to being back in L.A.

It will have been four years since my last visit, and that was for just 1 night!  It was a side road trip from a flight to Vegas to visit Josh's family.

Oh man, I was just looking at pictures from that trip.  What an experience!

An injured toe, winning big at the casino ($8.04!!), family, food, friends, church, reminiscing about my California life...  The best part was getting to share it with Josh!

A lot has changed in the last four years.  This time when I return, instead of taking my boyfriend, I'll be taking my husband - and daughter!  Super excited about getting to share it with her and have my California friends meet her!  Here are some pictures from that trip - complete with nose ring - another thing that has changed in the last four years!

Had a GREAT 4 day weekend in Wisconsin!!  I love being back there.

We went with Jen and Andy and of course the girls.  It's awesome when we can borrow my folks' mini van and all ride together.  Well, except for the fact that long car trips with babies are hard, and sometimes they just take turns screaming and crying.  But other times they are quiet and content.  :)

We stayed with family friends the Kemna's the first night in Fort Atkinson where I used to live.  We actually didn't get to see any of the town, as they live in the country.  I love, love, LOVE staying with Kemnas.  Mrs. Kemna was my 1st and 2nd grade teacher, and she has long been someone I admire - largely for her amazing gift of hospitality.  It always truly feels like a retreat when I am in their home.  Such a treat!!

We enjoyed reminiscing and visiting in their farmhouse and eating ice cream sundaes on the back deck admiring the gorgeous view of farmland.  Ahhh, Wisconsin...


We then headed north to Marshfield for my cousin Leigh-Ann's wedding.  What a beautiful bride she was!


We had a nice time visiting with extended family, enjoying good food, and rocking out on the dance floor.

We also enjoyed the pool at the hotel we stayed at!  Catherine's first time in a pool.  She was a bit hesitant at first, but we all ended up having lots of fun!


Saturday we continued north to Wausau to friends Tammy & Michael's house.  Their son was celebrating his 5th birthday with a big space themed party.  Tammy did a great job planning, organizing, and throwing the coordinated party.  She also fed us lunch and dinner and let us hang out there for the day.  It was great to visit with 4 of the 5 Richmonds!


We stayed at another hotel with a pool so the babies could enjoy more swim time, and we then traveled to visit friends Sean and Ali in Chicago suburbs.  We picked up Giordano's (YUM!!), gobbled down freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, and spent a good time talking and giggling - two guaranteed activities around Seanners.


 And now back at Home Sweet Home, for at least a few days!  :)

Oh, Sunday night, how you taunt me. I loathe you. Loathe like I never knew possible.

Wow, going back to work as a new mom is super hard.

Good thing I don't loathe my job. I don't think I could keep doing it if I did.

We've had a great day together - our little family.

Josh was on worship team this morning, so he was at church for all three services. Catherine & I after our morning nap (oh, blessed tradition, how I miss you) had a hard time getting everything done and put together and were late for the third service.

We used a coupon for my free birthday meal for a late lunch at Flat Top Grill (yum, what a treat!), and Baby Girl slept in her car seat sitting next to Daddy. Afterward, Josh went to the Apple store while I fed Catherine in a comfy chair at Barnes and Noble. It was busy. Lots of people and activity for Catherine to take in. Yet I felt like it was just the two of us snuggling and cuddling and bonding.

Up next was Super Target and using a coupon for my free birthday drink at Starbucks (super fabulous - see photo!).

We didn't get home til after 5.

I got to work right away on preparing bottles for tomorrow. This is my new Sunday - Thursday evening ritual, and oh how it makes me love Friday and Saturday!!

I can't believe how much time I spend doing something related to breast milk lately. Pumping, washing bottles and pumping parts, swirling milk, mixing bottles, measuring, freezing, thawing, more measuring and swirling... Not to mention feeding Catherine. I almost feel as if all this is more exhausting than feeding her as a newborn. And THAT was exhausting!

Add in two loads of laundry, diapering (thank God for disposables!), a nap for baby, another feeding, and now Catherine is in her PlayPlace. She loves it! I realized it's been awhile since she's been in there, since we were gone most of today and all of yesterday (road trip to a birthday party in Lansing). I know what a good, laid back, flexible baby we have, and I am so thankful!

Josh is folding the clean clothes now. I'm so grateful for my hard-working husband. He has been helping so much with all the new craziness. Celebrating one year and eight months of marriage today to my favorite!

In the last 24 hours...

• I sprayed all over my baby's face with breast milk and yelled, "I'M SPRAYING HER!!!", clueless on what to do.
• I found out my big pay raise going back to work was a whopping 16 cents an hour!!!
• I tore my pants; the saddest part of that fiasco is the fact that I will still keep wearing them.
• I cried multiple times.
• I tore a piece to my breast pump.
• I got milk in the tube of my breast pump.
• I have felt incredibly overwhelmed, wondered how I can go on, and thought I might have a panic attack.
• I got word that my uncle passed away unexpectedly.

But

• I have been helped and comforted by my husband.
• I have been able to cuddle with my daughter and watch her fall asleep in her pack and play.
  
• I have been encouraged by my co-workers.
• I got a cakepop.
• I'm making plans for Spring Break.
• Tomorrow is Friday.
• I get to see friends this weekend.
  
• I remind myself (repeatedly) that God will not give me more than I can handle.
  

Hopefully the next time I post we will know whether we are having a boy or a girl! We are sooooo excited!!!





We spent a weekend in Wisconsin recently gathering and reminiscing with my family's dear friends whom we have known for 25 years. They were kind enough to throw us (as well as Jen and Andy) a little shower while we were together. We are so blessed!

I am enjoying a day at home. It's nice to be home after being gone for a few days. It makes you appreciate home even more.

This summer our living arrangements will change, and I couldn't be more thrilled. Almost six years ago I moved into the upstairs apartment of a big old house by the river. Since then I've had three different neighbors in the downstairs apartment and three different roommates with me in the upstairs apartment - the latest being my husband. ;)

We love so many things about our place. The location: we can see the river from our house, and we are right in the middle of so many things, just blocks from restaurants, theatres, cafes and just minutes away from every part of town - south side, northwest side, east side, and Mishawaka. The character: our house is 100 years old and has the architectural details that most newer houses don't have. And the price: we are very fortunate to be in a home we can afford!!

However, with our family growing this fall, we realized space is going to be tight. Therefore, we have made arrangements to rent the entire house instead of just the upstairs half. The downstairs tenant is moving out. We didn't want to leave, but we needed more space. We worked out a deal with the landlord so we don't have to pay two rents, and in a couple months all four stories from basement to attic will be ours. Yippee!