Slowing down...

The Vacation

Last week John and I were out in the Black Hills of South Dakota on vacation. It was a much needed time away - to recoup, reconnect and relax. We got to see Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, parts of the Badlands and sitesee in some of the small, touristy towns. We love the outdoors and and nature. We stayed at the Sylvan Lake Resort area in their campground in Custer State Park (we would highly recommend it). The weather and scenery were beautiful, but the company of each other was even better!

The Pregnancy

At just over 22 weeks, we had a milestone in our pregnancy on Sunday night - John was FINALLY able to feel the baby kick! It was so much fun to have him be able to experience in a small way what I get to feel all the time. John was so excited as he had just been patiently waiting for when his time would come. The miracle of pregnancy continues to amaze us both. Life has already changed in many ways with just being pregnant, we can only imagine how different things will be when the baby actually arrives. We can't wait for that time! We have been waiting for so long already it seems - and we can't wait to embrace our new role as mom and dad. What an honor it will be!

Back to School

John went back to school on Monday for a week of meetings and prep work before the kids come back next Tuesday. It's been a busy summer and I so love the predictability of John being back at school. Life slows down and things get back to "normal". We decided that we are going to put into practice some new habits this school year with what time we both wake up in the morning so we can have our quiet times and breakfast together every day. It will be somewhat of a stretch, but I am really looking forward to having that time together each morning. John will also be coaching 4 different sports this year (one each season - which are only 6 weeks long) and I am looking forward to attending the meets and cheering the North View Knights on! I am so thankful that John has had the opportunity to be involved with coaching the last couple of years at NV!

It has been the best of weeks and the worst of weeks...

After the benefit on Sunday, I came down with a nasty cold virus that didn’t really go into full force until late Monday afternoon/evening and I am still sick. I stayed home from work on Tuesday and Wednesday and am trying to make it through work today! It's going to be a long day at the office...

Anyway, so that’s the bad part…the good part it that on Monday afternoon we had our ultrasound and 20 week checkup! It could not have gone better! It was so thrilling to actually see our developing baby inside of me moving around and see all of his/her working parts! We were amazed and no, we didn’t find out the gender as planned! John asked our technician what the percentage was of people who do find out is and it’s a whopping 96% so we really are the minority! Anyway, things look great and the baby seems to be developing very well. My doctor was quite pleased and I have now gained 5 lbs! So, that puts me at 1 lb over my pre-pregnancy weight! I had to laugh at that…it’s better than nothing right? We were able to take home a couple of really great pictures – two faces pics, one profile pic and one foot pic!

What a creative and loving God we have! We are so thankful that things are continuing to go well with this pregnancy. We just can't wait to welcome this little bundle of joy into our arms come the end of December (or January even!).

The Morning After

Morning came too fast today and I still feel somewhat groggy and incoherent, but despite the tiredness, my heart it greatly encouraged this morning.

The Benefit last night was an amazing night. It far exceeded my expectations and I truly believe that it was such a blessing to my family! The night seemed to a huge success with so many people in attendance and so many wonderful items up for bid in the silent auction. It proved to be very fun as well...John and I came away with three awesome items. One item being my father's vintage vinyl album that he recorded in 1979. I have always wanted my own copy and this was my chance...we got involved in a couple of bidding wars, but eventually came out the victors and had a blast in the process! We also picked up a really nice oil painting that will be awesome in our family room. The last win was also a big one...we won 8 hours worth of house cleaning from a small group at Bloomington for use in October/November. We thought it would be a great way to prepare for the baby by having an ultra clean house! I can't wait!! John worked hard on making sure we got that one! What a great husband I have...we already started making our mental list of things we want them to do on our drive home! :)

The entertainment part of the night also proved to be a blessing as well. It was so much fun to sit back and listen and enjoy the talents of others. It was also a priviledge to lend my own voice to the night as well. It was emotional for sure, but an honor to share music from my heart to bless the Saints.

We left, weary, tired, yet greatly encouraged at 11:00pm! It was a late night, but so well worth it. Thanks to everyone who was involved and thanks for just being there! It sounds like a lot of money was raised and that will be such a blessing to my family.

It's great to be in the body of Christ.

The BIG 5-0

Happy 50th Birthday Dad!!! (even though he doesn't know about this blog...)

This is going to be a good weekend...my mom and sister made it home safely last night, today is my dad's birthday, tomorrow we will celebrate and Sunday is the Benefit!

I am SO blessed to have the dad that I do and I am excited for this milestone birthday!

Thanks dad for being such a wonderful father!! I love you!

Drop him a note today if you think of it...

mark@rockthechurch.com

Jessica's Benefit...

The benefit for Jessica will be held this Sunday on August 13th from 4:00 to 10:00 PM at Jefferson High School in Bloomington, MN. Donations can be mailed to Jessica Darling Care Fund c/o Chris and Kevin Horrocks, 13626 Upton Avenue South, Burnsville MN 55337-2129.

As this benefit for my sister draws near, I find myself fighting through opposing emotions. On one hand, I am extremely excited and encouraged that people are putting this together. I know it will bless my family indeed and hopefully be a great encouragement to know that so many people are still supporting us through this tough journey.

However, there is another part of me that is not looking forward to it at all...the heavy emotions, the many conversations that could be draining, the sadness over my sister's still present condition, and the list could go on. I know that this Sunday will be a very heavy, emotional day for my family and at times I wonder if I'll be able to make it through. Especially since I am involved with the music at the end of the night - it might be tough to get through the songs.

Pray for me, pray for my family, pray for God's blessing on this Benefit that it would not only bring glory to the Lord, but would also greatly encourage and bless my sister.

Babies, babies and more babies!!

It's an epidemic I tell you! Babies and pregnant women are everywhere....and I am one of them!

Congratulations to the Grunditz family on the safe arrival of Lucy Mae (born this morning at 6:47am weighing 7lbs 4ozs)!! We are thrilled for you and can't wait to meet her...

But seriously, what's up with all the girls being born lately? :) The baby girls are taking over the Rock!

I guess it's up to us to produce a boy, but since we're not finding out the sex of the baby, we'll all have to wait until the end of the year to see if the girl's take over can be put to a stop!

Ah, who am I fooling, girl or boy, we're just thankful to be pregnant and can't wait to be parents!

FREE...the best kind!

I love it when people offer me free stuff...for those of us on a budget, it's such a blessing and I just got blessed!

A co-worker of mine came up to me earlier this morning and asked if John and I would be able to get to Chino Lation by August 9th. She had a gift certificate that needed to be used by then and she wasn't going to be able to get there. I happily accepted!

So, between now and next Wednesday John and I can go on a FREE date! I am really excited about this...I love how God chooses to bless us in the little things of life, it means to much to me!

Taking a break...

After posting a lot the first few days of having this blog, I decided to take a little break! :) Now, I am ready to go at it again. Actually, the truth is I got busy at work and then forgot my login name/password - how silly of me. I finally remembered it today...

But, what to blog about? Well, the most exciting thing in my life today is the fact that I am wearing new shoes! I usually buy crap shoes for really cheap. Fun fashion shoes that look cute, but don't offer much for comfort. Well, now that I am almost half way through my pregnancy, I decided that I had better find some supportive shoes to be wearing at work, and fast. My lower back has been causing me a lot of aches these days.

So, yesterday I ventured over to DSW at the MOA (I love thist store), and found exactly what I was looking for. Comfortable, sporty shoes that I could get away with wearing at work. It took trying on multiple pairs and being overwhelmed by the general size of DSW, but I am happy with my purchase and have greatly enjoyed wearing them today.

However, much to my dismay, today has been nothing by rain. I went to Target over my lunch break, it wasn't raining then, but when I was ready to go back to work, it was pouring outside! So, I decided to wait it out. After about 10 minutes and still no let up, I decided to take the shoes off, put them inside my Target bag and make a mad dash for my car. I kept the shoes nice and dry, but suceeded in getting myself completely soaked. I've had to spend my afternoon drying off here at work! :)

Anyway, these are the shoes (Pony) - though mine are white, tan and grey. They are super comfy and ultra cool - at least in my opinion!