Ahhh, pregnant at last

Thank you all so much for all your love, prayers and support. So as you all know now, we got the greatest Christmas present ever this year - a new baby arriving this summer!!
So, Brian bought be a pregnancy test for Christmas. I was like a little kid on Christmas Eve because I was so excited to get up and take the test. I probably only slept 2 1/2 hours total. At 5:45AM I had to pee so bad, but I was trying to wait - you know, the whole patient thing!! So finally at 6:15AM I thought my bladder was going to burst so I got up and went to the bathroom. I peed on the stick and before I even pulled it all the way out of the toilet it had already turned +!!! There was definitely NO QUESTION!! So I run back in the room and announce the news to Brian.
So I am about 6 weeks 3 days today with a due date somewhere around August 20th (my mom's birthday!). I have my first ultrasound and OB appointment set for January 15th. The last two pregnancies I was a nervous wreck at this point. I would worry about all the things that COULD go wrong and the pregnancy would be on my mind 24/7 - not so this time. I have such a since of peace and there are so many times where I just completely forget I'm pregnant! What a huge difference! I can only say that this is because I have such great friends and family who have prayed for me so much and we have an AWESOME GOD!! Please continue to pray for us, we're definitely going to need it and you have all done such a great job so keep it up!
So far the only way I can tell I'm pregnant is that I take 11 pills a day instead of the 5 I was taking with TTC. I have felt wonderful and I really can't complain! My complexion has looked the best it has in over a year. And the best part...no more clomid!!
Thanks again for all your love, support and prayers - you guys are the BEST!!! Thanks for the comments and well wishes and for including Brian - I know that makes him feel like he's a part of it all too - too often the poor guys get left out - I'm so guilty of that.

What was your favorite Chirstmas persent?

This was mine!

Merry Christmas

The other day I printed some coloring pages off the internet about the Christmas story. The bottom of each page told a little bit about the Christmas story. So I read Olivia the Christmas story before she started coloring. Olivia's at that lovely 3 year old age where she has a question about EVERYTHING and follows up each question with WHY? I'm usually really annoyed with all her questions, but this time it was definitely a God thing!
I've heard and read the Christmas story countless times throughout my life, but when I was teaching it to Olivia it took on a whole new meaning. When I think about a lot of stories from the bible I often think back to Sunday school - you know the cutesy little stories - and Jesus was born and they wrapped him in a nice cozy soft blanket and laid him in a little cradle...Never mind that this woman who was 9 month pregnant traveled for days on a donkey! On a donkey!!! I wouldn't do that on a good day, let alone being pregnant! Then when she got where she was going she didn't have a nice little hospital room, she didn't get a doula, she didn't get an epidural....
So as I'm telling Olivia the story I get to the part about Jesus being born in a stable and she asks, "mom, what's a stable?" I told her it was like a barn - I know it was probably more like a cave in the side of a mountain, but I knew she would understand "barn" better. Olivia replies with a tone that only can imply 'you have got to be kidding me' saying, "a barn?!?"
me: Yes, honey, a barn!
Olivia: But why did his mommy have him in a barn?
me: Because that's the only place they had to go, they didn't have any family there, their house was far far away and no one would let them come in their house.
Olivia: Well, if Jesus's mommy came to our house would it be okay if I opened the door? (She got in trouble the other day for trying to open the door for the UPS guy and then opening the door for the neighbor)
me: Only if mommy says it's okay first
I know the answer should have just been yes, but I can't tell her it's okay to open the door to strangers.
So it was this conversation that just made me think a little...
The God of the universe was a helpless baby, in a cold and filthy stable. He was probably wrapped in filthy rags and he was placed in a feed trough! He was surrounded by people so heartless that they wouldn't even give up a bed to a laboring mother. God isn't some made-up super hero - if he were, he would have made a grand entrance, instead he came in to this world in the form of a baby - just like you and me, only under the most horrible circumstances any mother could ever imagine! God had all the power to make this a fairy tale story, but He didn't!
Isn't it amazing how God can use a 3 year old to make you understand and really appreciate something? I can't believe what Olivia taught me in 5 minutes that I had never learned in 29 years - I mean I knew the story, but this little princess brought about a whole new meaning and appreciation for something I just took for granted.

On Christmas Eve He was fully God; on Christmas Day He was a baby! This Christmas season appreciate the miracle of Christmas by trying to imagine the extreme contrast from the night before.

Merry Christmas

Brian's company Christmas party

On Sunday we went to Gamba in Merrillville for Brian's company Christmas party. We had so much fun!

They had a room set up just for the kids - they ate dinner in there, watched movies and did crafts. Would you look at this picture - look at all the children lined up getting ready to be served their dinner - I just thought this was so funny to see them all sitting at this formal dining table with napkins on their laps.

Santa showed and each of the kids sat on his lap and got a present.

Then the dancing began! Olivia just let loose - it took her about 2 minutes to get warmed up and then there was no stopping her until 9:30 PM - she had a blast with her new best friend in the green dress. I have better pics of her, but I know some parents don't like their kids posted on the Internet so I'm only posting the pics of her where you can't see her face. Then, the lady in the black dress taught Olivia how to do the chicken dance. Would you believe that this lady has 7 kids? Ages 12, 10, 9, 8, 7, 4, and 1! The kids were so well behaved and they actually got two pictures in front of the Christmas tree where EVERYONE was looking at the camera! I envy them so much - it was so nice to see them interact with their kids and to see that they are just as excited about their 7th child as they were their first...it just gave me goosebumps to watch them - I would love to be like them one day, but I'd be bald and in the whack-o house!

I took some video of Olivia dancing which was absolutely hilarious. The room was kind of dark so the video doesn't look too great and it's sideways and I can't figure out how to change that - if you know please clue me in! I know the video is long, but if you can get through it I promise you will be rewarded in the end - that's all I'm gonna say so that Brian doesn't kill me. I kind of got distracted and captured some other people dancing - there would have been more, but of course my battery died. Enjoy!

Patience

I've always said, 'don't pray for patience!' I feel like if I pray for patience then God will actually present me with a situation in which I need to be patient and quite frankly, I don't want to be patient! Yah, well that doesn't matter, because if there's something God wants us to learn then He's going to teach it to us!
This is what I've been dealing with! 25 months ago, Brian and I decided to ttc child #2, 25 months later we still have empty arms! We've been blessed with 3 children in that 25 months, but all have been taken far too early.
Did I mention that I'm not a patient person? Doesn't matter!! It's out of my control. But, I might be finally getting it! You see, I'm 6 days late with my period and I'm just being patient! I could have taken a pt almost 2 weeks ago, but I haven't taken one and I'm not going to for a couple of reasons.
For one, my body has been so screwed up for several months now and although my periods were becoming regular, I'm still not convinced that everything is right. I mean I feel like it is, but I don't want to get my hopes up. Well, my hopes are up, but I'm just trying to be realistic here.
Secondly, if God is trying to teach me patience then I want to show Him that I can be patient. Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God." He's the one in control! It doesn't matter if I'm on clomid if God wants to breath life into my womb He will do it with or without Clomid!! Everything is in His timing and I have to learn to be patient and know that He is in control and that He has a perfect plan - one far better than I could ever think of. So, I'm being patient and I'm waiting! If I have not started by Christmas then on Christmas Day I will take a pt - if I am pregnant could you think of a better gift on Christmas? Money can't buy these kind of gifts!
So, I'm learning patience and it's hard! Please pray for Brian and I as we grow in our faith and put all of this in God's hands.

Thank you God for always being in control. Thank you for always having my best interest in mind. Thank you for loving me and choosing me, little old me, to be your daughter. Thank you for all the people and things I have been blessed with and continue to pour your blessings on me. Thank you for never giving up on me, even in my stubbornness, you don't give up. Please bless Brian and I with the desires of our hearts - we want to be blessed with another child so much and we are just asking that you bless us with this. Give us understanding when we don't always get what we want. Help us on this path towards patience and help us to truly believe that You are who You say You are and that we just need to BE STILL!! In your precious name, Amen

Christmas cards

I had the most perfect Christmas card photo picked out - actually two! But when they were printed I didn't really care for them. I loved our 2006 Christmas cards and was trying to top them






But as you can see, the pics were just too stinkin' cute to top!





So here's the pics I was going to use this year, but instead I'm just going for a head shot with a fake smile :-)

Girls-only Christmas party

L to R: Cory, Trisha, Heather, Amy, me & Courtney

On Saturday I went to my girlfriend Heather's house in the city for our annual girls-only Christmas party. I met Heather when I lived in the city - her and her boyfriend were our neighbors and we were together all the time. One of our most favorite things to do was go to Wal-mart in the suburbs - pathetic, I know. But we were two broke girls living in the city and we just loved the bargains at Wal-mart. Heather has been throwing a Christmas party every year since then and it's always so much fun. The first couple of years Heather did a sit-down dinner, but the last few years it has just been wine and appetizers. Heather always gives us huge bags of stuff. Most of the stuff is homemade goodies - she is the one that taught me everything I know about my decorated sugar cookies!!
Heather finally got engaged to her boyfriend of 7 years and they are planning their wedding for Labor Day Weekend.
On a side note - the blond in the black dress is 5 months pregnant with her third kid - doesn't that make you sick?
Like always I had a great time.

Small group Christmas party - part 1

The small group Christmas party was hosted by the O'Neills this year. They were fabulous hosts and did an amazing job. We had filets and chicken, with lots of veggies, bread, fondue sauces, appetizers and the chocolate fountain. The only thing missing was potatoes - that would be my fault - I completely forgot to make them!


We had a great time! We played Catch Phrase - music edition and just hung out. Looking forward to next year!

Small Group Christmas party - part 2

At the first annual small group Christmas party Dawn was wearing a very cute hair piece. After I had a few drinks I pulled her hair piece out - not a huge deal, but her husband did not know it was fake and was pretty shocked. I decided to come to this years Christmas party with a hair piece of my own - it was awful!! but hilarious!

Small group Christmas party - part 3

It wouldn't be the small group Christmas party without drinks!

Small Group Christmas Party - part 4

Huck is that you?

No, it's just Tim - okay now this is two years in a row that you have ended up looking like Huck. Here's the pick from last year.

So, do you always do this, or just when you've been drinking at the small group Christmas party?

Small Group Christmas Party - Part 5

A lotta boobs!





The expectant mothers - what are they doing?



Who knows, but let's all join in!



Now isn't this fun!



What is this?



It's all air!

PARTY!!!

Tonight is our annual small group Christmas party. If you need a reminder of last year, check it out at Jen's blog. I am so excited!! It's going to be great fun. Stay tuned for some great stories and pictures - you might want to check Meg's and Leenie's blogs too - I'm sure they'll have great pics and stories.

Then Saturday night I have my annual girlfriends in the city party with my friends that live in Chicago. It's always a great time too - I'll be sure to post pics of it as well once I am able to type straight :-)

I'm off to get some much needed rest for the parties!!

Not exactly a proud mommy moment

Set the scene - Me and Olivia in the living room last night. Brian upstairs. TV on. I just got off the phone with Leenie.
me: Olivia, did you know that memaw and papaw Rees are coming to your house in 2 days?!?!
Olivia: YOU-HAVE-GOT-TO-BE-SHHHITTING- ME!!!!!!
I tried to tell her that she can't say that, but I was laughing so hard. I laughed so hard I was crying. I did manage to say to her, "Olivia, you can't say that." but it was between laughs when I could catch my breath, so I'm really not sure how much she got out of it. I finally had to yell for Brian to step in and be a parent.
I have been known to say this on occasion, but I truly can't recall when I said it last - it's not like it comes out of my mouth all the time. But I don't think I have ever heard Brian say it, so I guess I'm taking the blame on this one!
So much for bragging on her a few posts back when she talked about God! Mommy's going to have to make up for this big. I think we'll talk about the true meaning of Christmas today.

Brrrrrr

It was very cold out, but we got all bundled up and played in the snow anyway!!

Here's some pics of Miss O enjoying the snow.



Here's some pics of her building her first snowman.



Here's some pics of her demolishing her first snowman.



Here's some pics of her first snow angel - doesn't she make the cutest little snow angel?



We had lots of fun. She spent most of the time falling and trying to get back up. Here's the last pic - her cheeks are so red!!

Snow

♪♪♪♪♪♪Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling "Yoo hoo"♪♪♪♪♪♪
♪♪♪♪♪♪Come on, it's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you. ♪♪♪♪♪♪

If you live in the Chicagoland area you are probably digging out this morning. I can't believe all the snow we got! Here is a picture of Brian walking home early this morning when his truck got stuck. Can you believe all the snow?!?

Just kidding! I wish this was us! I love snow, the more the merrier - especially when I don't have anything going on. I like it when it first falls, before anyone has had a chance to disturb it. It's cold here today, but I'm hoping to go outside so Olivia and I can enjoy the snow together. I would love to build a snowman with her - our first one!! But, I don't know what kind of snow we got and how long she will be able to tolerate the cold. She'll probably be in so many layers that she won't be able to move.

If you're in the area I hope you are enjoying the snow as much as we are!

Favorite Quotes

Here's some of my favorite quotes.
"I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow." ~Maya Angelou

"Never eat more than you can lift." ~ Miss Piggy

"Happiness is like peeing your pants: Everyone can see it, but only you can feel it's warmth." ~Unknown

"Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." ~Helen Keller

"Never deprive someone of hope -- it may be all they have." ~Unknown

"See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a penis, and only enough blood to run one at a time." ~Robin Williams

Share your favorite quote(s)

Another Christmas Tree

This time of year is really difficult for anyone who has lost someone dear to them, especially when that someone is a child. I thought this Christmas was a little easier than last Christmas, but I'm finding it a little harder as it gets closer. I'm imagining how Jesse would be this Christmas - he would have been so much fun at a year and a half. He'd be walking all around and ripping presents open. None of this holds a candle to what he'll experience with the Great I am though. Could you imagine the celebration in heaven on Jesus's birthday? I bet it is awesome!! Is there a theme? You know I love themed parties!!

Today, Olivia and I visited Jesse in babyland and put up his own tree.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM HEAVEN

I still hear the songs

I still see the lights

I still feel your love

on cold wintery nights

I still share your hopes

and all of your cares

I'll even remind you

to please say your prayers

I just want to tell you

you still make me proud

You stand head and shoulders

above all the crowd

Keep trying each momemt

to stay in His grace

I came here before you

to help set your place

You don't have to be

perfect all of the time

He forgives you the slip

If you continue the climb

To my family and friends

please be thankful today

I'm still close beside you

In a new special way

I love you all dearly

now don't shed a tear

Cause I'm spending my

Christmas with Jesus this year

Copyright 1990 John Wm. Mooney. Jr.

Merry Christmas in Heaven Jesse - Mommy loves you!

My poor pathetic tree!

You guys didn't believe me when I said how pathetic my tree looked, did you? Well, I had some friends over for dinner tonight and I overhear a conversation where Megan's son is saying something like the tree is nice, but it's so tiny....I came a little closer and holding back the tears I said, "What did you say?"
Reece: (holding up his hands really close together to imply small) well, it's weally small!
me: (sobbing)
My tree is even small to a 5 year old! I know, I should be thankful that I even have tree. I am, I'm thankful that it's beautifully decorated and that I have a house to put it in and that I have electricity to run the lights...I am thankful for my pathetic tree! (Sigh)