Checklist

• Christmas decorations put away? Done!

Almost.

I have some new organization proposals for my husband when he gets home tonight involving new homes for our boxes of holiday decorations. I'm not sure what he's going to say, but hopefully my plotting will work.

The rest of my checklist for the week?

• As You Wish with Mindy and possibly Amanda - I'll be making a frame for Andrew's ultrasound picture (did I mention Bean's name is Andrew?) :)
• Celebration dinner for Amanda - Starbuck's newest store manager!!!
• Amanda over on Thursday to prime Andrew's nursery.
• My room cleaned before we head out to San Diego for New Year's weekend.
• Time to rest!!!!! This should probably be at the top of my list.

Ooooooh baby!

I guess it's time to get started with our baby preparations now that the holidays are over. We need to register for our little guy, which will be fun and overwhelming at the same time. I visited Buy Buy Baby early on in my pregnancy with my friend Ashley, and when I said "I really have no idea what I'll actually need," she responded "You'll need everything."

Great.

It's gonna be so weird looking at different kinds of pacifiers and bottles... pee-pee tee-pee's and toys. Adam and I also have a really interesting history when it comes to registering... maybe things will go better this time around. :)

Next will be painting his room, which I'm not allowed to do. Amanda has volunteered to prime the room, and then we'll have to figure out what we're going to do and how it's going to look. We've looked a little bit here and there, but now it's decision time, which is a little scary!! Thankfully I'm still really energetic and my work craziness has subsided a bit. It's hard to imagine how all of this stuff will get done in time - and yet, it feels so far away! I'm officially in my 6th month, which makes me feel like I'm really far along, and at the same time I still have months to go. So weird. I guess I'll just take it one step at a time. :)

Oh, and I love all my Christmas presents, but the one I've used the most so far is my wonderful pregnancy pillow that my husband got me. I kept saying I wanted one and never bought it - he finally just did it for me, and it's seriously the best thing ever. I use it to sit on the couch, to sleep, to relax... you name it. He's such a great husband!!! Now, if I can just get our little guy to squirm and kick when Daddy wants to feel him. He seems to get super active whenever it's just me, and as soon as Adam's hand hits my stomach, he stops. The turkey!

It's gone!

My waistline is officially nada. Disappeared. I feel Bean moving under my ribcage now, although I think his feet are still facing down, cause he still kicks around my bladder. I keep looking at his face and it seriously is just so cute. I'm so excited to meet this little guy. At the same time, I'm pretty happy that we do have a baby, and that he's well cared for right now with little inconvenience to myself... I know that won't always be the case. :)

Adam and I are just waiting to get through the holidays, and then we can get started on baby stuff. We have a list of names that we've been considering, but even that is pretty much on hold until January. It does help that we haven't been able to do much to prepare yet - it gives me something to do with myself next semester.

I had my first ever studio recital this last weekend, and I can say that it was a huge success! All of my kids did really, really well! They each had solo pieces to play, and most of them played duets with other students. They did really well at performing their own songs, as well as playing well with their duet partners. I couldn't have asked for a better outcome! Adam took some photos that we'll give to the students, and Amanda was there to help with pretty much everything. I also wore my maternity dress for the first time - kinda random, but it was fun. :)

It's a.....

Boy! As most people know by now. :)

We are so thrilled to see our little man, and to know that he's healthy, and crazy active! He just simply wouldn't hold still during the entire exam. He also had one of his feet buried in his crotch through most of the exam, so finding what we really wanted to see was difficult. After some clever maneuvering on the part of our u/s technician, he finally obliged and we got a great view of his cute little toosh and... well, he's a boy! :)

After the high of finding out the sex, I had to step on the scale. I looked at the number, and seriously almost started crying... I think the only reason I didn't was because I had just had some of the best news of my life right before. I'm officially 10 pounds heavier than I ever have been - 15 of which have been gained in the last 4 weeks! I had no clue... my scale is broken at home, so I was in ignorant bliss. My doctor didn't mention anything about it, so I was a bit surprised - I finally said "Uh, by the way... have I gained too much weight?" He looked at my chart and said "Yes... yes, you have!" Since finding out, I've gained a total of 25 pounds - unbelievable for someone who spent the first third of it throwing up almost everything I ate. I have no clue how I managed to pack it on so fast, but apparently I'm choosing all the wrong foods to eat. :) So, besides obsessing over my little boy, I'm also freaking out about how I'm going to lose all of this weight after the baby comes!!

Ugh!!! Other than my weight explosion, everything looked "normal" which, like my friend Noelle, is my favorite word to hear. So, now we have to pick a name, register, visit the hospital, do a childbirth class, fix up the nursery, and countless other things before this little guy arrives. We're super excited, and we're so grateful for all of the love and support everyone has shown us in the last few months. We love all our family and friends so much and just know God has used each and every one of you to bring us encouragement during this time. :)

Pretty paper...

Adam's asleep on the couch, and I was going to take my own Sunday nap, but I was pretty caught up in the book I was reading and couldn't put it down. So, now I'm up and feeling restless... and posting on my untouched blog!

We're hosting Thanksgiving this year, and honestly we really enjoy it. I love all of the busyness and preparation - well, maybe not all of it. I hate cleaning my house, but I love the tradition and the holiday feel all over everything. The one thing I'm doing this year that I'm having mixed feelings about is that I'm using paper plates and napkins, and plastic cutlery. On the one hand I feel liberated of the only thing that sullies this great holiday - the clean-up. On the other hand, my table is going to look pretty dull. I would love to us this occasion to get out the china we got as wedding gifts and polish the silver that I inherited from my grandmother, but not this year! I think the benefits will outweigh the costs significantly. At least, I'm trusting that they will.

Also, I discovered the Bean really loves quiche... random, but true. I ate a huge piece this morning for breakfast, and I could literally feel this little peanut doing somersaults and flips in my belly. I guess Bean likes eggs... or spinach...

I'm also happy to report that I'm actually kind of showing now. I'm not just feeling huge and bloated all the time for no reason! There's a bump that is starting to protrude in my lower abdomen and the maternity jeans I ordered could not be more perfect in their timing or their fit.

Baby!!!!

Since I last posted a bunch has changed for Adam and I! I don't want to pretend that I'm going to be "much better about writing in my blog" cause I just know it probably won't happen. :)

We're planning on doing some pregnancy photos at some point. I think I'd like 2 sets - one at the end of my second trimester and a set shortly before the baby's born, and since I'm married to a photographer, it shouldn't be too much of a problem!

We're gearing up for Thanksgiving and an insanely busy Christmas season. We're having family and friends over for Thanksgiving and plan on eating tons of food, watching White Christmas and some football, and then heading over to Dan and Nila's house (the Whitlatch's) for dessert and cards. Black Friday is definitely on the agenda this year! I tend to be a lot more productive early in the morning - I think right now my best hours are between 6am-10am. And there are a few things we're watching for, like a Tivo, some kind of HD camcorder, a blue-ray dvd player... all that fun stuff. :) Afterwards, we get to celebrate our niece's 4th birthday!! She's getting sooooo big... and way too smart!

I have tons of concerts, rehearsals, recitals, and parties to go to this year. I'm having a Christmas recital for my students on the 19th, and I'm participating in two "concerts" in vocal ensembles as well as 4 piano performances or recitals. Absolute craziness.

BUT the most exciting thing is that we learn whether our precious Bean is a boy or girl on December 8th! Should make Christmas shopping a lot more fun. We're hoping our parents can be there for the big ultrasound, but we're thinking of keeping it a secret from everyone else until Christmas. We'll see. I'm just happy that I get to find out the sex immediately! I don't think I could've handled waiting a few more weeks to find out!!!!

Wait... I have a blog???

Yes... Yes, I do!

So, Adam and I went to the marriage retreat this last weekend, and let's just say that it was definitely God's time to say "Ok, Jenn. Enough is enough." I find myself being picked up out of my life of apathy and new life is being breathed into my lungs and my moments. Let me just say that today I am more grateful for His mercy and grace than I ever have been... and more aware of how little I deserve such kindness and love, which in turn makes me even MORE grateful than the moment before!

There are a few things that He's calling me to do, and I'm finding it difficult to let go of these "idols" or "addictions" if you will. So prayer is appreciated.

Sorry this is a bit random. It's because I have a very full mind and heart, and I'm listening to some great music!

Random

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtDRoSIndpQ

Enemies

I read this today and was so moved by it. It's the biggest lesson I've had to learn over the past year. Praying for people who have hurt me, or who have hurt those I love... it's one of the hardest things to do, and yet it's definitely the most heart-changing. God brings me alongside Him and shows me His love for me and for others. He gently and lovingly reminds me that He called me to Him, even when I wanted nothing to do with Him. He rescued me, and tells me to pray for others that need rescuing as well.

"The first thing we are called to do when we think of others as our enemies is to pray for them. This is certainly not easy. It requires discipline to allow those who hate us or those toward whom we have hostile feelings to come into the intimate center of our hearts. People who make our lives difficult and cause us frustration, pain, or even harm are least likely to receive a place in our hearts. Yet every time we overcome this impatience with our opponents and are willing to listen to the cry of those who persecute us, we will recognize them as brothers and sisters too. Praying for our enemies is therefore a real event, the event of reconciliation. ...There is probably no prayer as powerful as the prayer for our enemies. But it is also the most difficult prayer since it is contrary to our impulses." ~ Henri Nouwen

Spring Cleaning

I've started in on the kitchen today. I'm hoping to go room by room, doing a semi-annual deep clean of the whole house. I haven't really taken the time to do a full on spring clean before, so while the task seems a bit overwhelming, it seems like the weather is just right for it. :D I've told myself that a part of it is starting flower in our little pot by our front door and possibly starting to grow an herb plant or two.

Also, I've been learning to knit and crochet. My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was little, and said that she didn't like knitting because it was too unforgiving. She was right. Knitting is really fun, but you have to be really careful, whereas if you make a mistake crocheting, you can just rip out however many stitches and pick up from there. Everything I've made so far looks like crap. :D

Very Enlightening...

So, I've read a few things this week by a Christian artist. I don't listen to Christian music much because... well, I'll just be honest and tell you all that I think most of it is crap. Even as I write that I can just see the raised eyebrows and slight frowns that appeared on all of your faces.

Anyways, I'll try not to allow my imagined impending doom to distract me from finishing my thoughts... A couple of posts that this guy wrote got me thinking - A LOT. He was talking about something random, and then he happened to slip in a comment about the Holy Spirit and said "it/she".

............

It bowled me over. I stopped reading right there and stared at those two little words for a moment. Then I hit google and asked "Is the Holy Spirit female?" Can I just tell you how many links popped up??? I'm not wanting to debate this or really get into it, but I'll just tell you that I've always believed that God, in a sense, is not really gender-specific... in that I don't believe that He is strictly male. After all, He created us in His image - male and female, He created us! So... whatever. I was taken aback, and I'm honestly still processing it. The other thing I read was a post about "Our Jesus". He talks about how his Jesus is different from my Jesus or your Jesus. He used his friend's Jesus as an example. His friend's Jesus says that the most important thing is to love God and love people. His Jesus also says that it's ok to execute justice and sometimes hurt others when they've harmed you. On the other hand, while our artist guy's Jesus also says that the most important thing is to love God and people, his Jesus also says that you should bless those that curse you, and always do good to others.

So... lots of Jesus's?? Jesus is one man. One man. He is a person with a specific personality and experiences and ideas. His post did make sense though, on a certain level. For those of you who have gone through "Fundamentals of the Faith" you might remember a little exercise that asked you to describe how you see God. Do you see Him as more loving (Big Teddybear) or do you see Him on His throne, executing justice? We, with our finite understanding, can't comprehend all of who God is, and He isn't a Big Teddybear, nor is He an aloof Dictator, careless of His subjects. I remember learning that I really related to God as a distant, righteous King, but not my loving Father. That really effected my relationship with Him. I was afraid to approach Him, and lived in denial. I lived a life that didn't reflect Him, and yet I was too paralysed in fear and self-loathing to ever approach Him with confidence. God used His gift of grace to show me that He loves me. He loved me when I didn't even care about Him, let alone me living in fear, wanting to love Him... wanting to believe that He was good. I always wanted to know God as a gracious, merciful Father, but I didn't see Him that way for a long time. I suppose that's what this guy was talking about. Maybe he was referring more to His teachings and different parts of Jesus's personality that we connect with.

These thoughts aren't nearly finished, and if you'd like to contribute by adding your own, please do! This is just the first thread of many to shape my thinking as time goes on, and I'd be happy to hear from anyone that may have this more figured out than I do, or those of you that may have a different perspective.

Stepping Out on a Limb

I've been married for over 5 years now to a totally great guy. Our date night last night consisted of a free dinner (hurray gift cards!) and a crazy competitive game of Super Mario Bros. 3. Adam had like 10 guys, and I had to restart about twice. :( I used to be sooooo good at these games! What happened to me??

This morning I went out on a limb and bought Adam real breakfast food. He's not a breakfast kinda guy, and requested chicken nuggets from Wendy's for breakfast.......... I made the decision to surprise him with an open-faced omelet from the Coffee Shop by Agritopia. It was a mild success, in that he didn't curse me as I walked through the door. He actually thought that I went to Filiberto's at first. Haha! Anyways, he didn't hate it, which gave me the courage to think that maybe I could experiment with different breakfast food ideas in the future! Maybe he wouldn't hate a quiche or Eggs Benedict!! I'll probably end up experimenting for a few weeks, and we'll go back to leftovers and the occasional bagel. :D

Jonah Days

I'm reading Anne of Green Gables for the second time in my life, and I have a whole new appreciation for it. I feel like Lucy Maude Montgomery peeked into my window while I grew up and wrote about me - well, mostly the part about being imaginative, getting into trouble, not focusing on work, daydreaming... all that stuff. :)

Actually, as I'm reading them, I find myself still doing those things! I'm going to step out on a limb and tell you all that I'm absolutely convinced that I'm a little girl inhabiting a woman's body. My poor husband!!! I daydream ALL the time, I am usually off in some other world while washing dishes, vacuuming, blow drying my hair... I have fantastical daydreams, concocting whole novels - truly epic novels - in the course of a week whilst doing chores, making dinner, during the occasional lesson. Hehe. :D

I also confess that I have the "girlish" habit of talking to myself. I like to play my part in these dramas unfolding in my brain. I have imaginary conversations with real people in my life - in fact, if you're reading this, I've probably had conversations with you that you've never participated in!!! Lucky you!! It's especially funny when Adam or Scott come home unbeknownst to me, and I'm just chattering away to no one... they think it's really hilarious. I'm sure it is. :) ESPECIALLY when I'm using an accent - let's face it, British accents are so much more romantic than American accents!

So the "Jonah day" reference is also from Anne. She used the phrase to help her describe a really rough day. I've been having several Jonah days for the last week or so. God has seen fit to allow me to endure some pretty rough trials. Some things are just sort of swimming around me... they sort of have something to do with me, but not really.... and then last night, it became very personal. It's so humbling when confronted with sin and having to deal with the consequences. In reading In Light of Eternity, I had visions of being persecuted for my faith, rewards in heaven, encouragement in fellowship here... and all of those things are possible and good!!! They're just not the reality in my life right now. I hope for Heaven, and I hope that everyday I'm reaping rewards, but these hardships are the consequences of sin, which is definitely not nearly as heroic as being wronged for the sake of my beliefs!!!

*sigh*

But, I'll remember to " Count it all joy, when I encounter trials of all kinds, knowing that the testing of my faith produces perseverence..." I long for Heaven even more today than I did yesterday. I am more grateful for the cross and for grace today than I was yesterday. Thank you, God!!!

140 Points

I don't have any pictures to offer up at the moment! And, I feel guilty about that, because I know that blogs are rarely entertaining without pictures. I don't usually write clever, or insightful things, so... oh well.

Adam and I had the priviledge of seeing the Suns play TWICE this last week. I don't always love sports, but it was definitely fun watching two live games - Two live games in which they scored 140 points! I'm not even going to mention the fact that they lost yesterday... that fact is blotted out of my mind forever. We used one night to hang out with friends, and the other night was officially a date night. We don't take official "date nights" very often, so when we do, they're always crazy fun. Also, if you're ever downtown for a Suns game, I have to say that Stoudemire's (so cliche) is actually not a terrible place to eat. It wasn't expensive and the food wasn't horrible! Just an fyi.

The Dawn Treader

I have to say that I am falling in love with C.S. Lewis all over again. I am re-reading the Chronicles of Narnia series, and am loving every word. One of my most favorite childhood memories is when my mom would read these out loud to us. I was so captivated by and in love with Narnia and was always so sad when Aslan told someone that they couldn't go back.

Growing up, my favorite book was The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. I haven't finished reading the whole series yet, but so far my favorite has been The Dawn Treader. I actually cried while reading the description of the country beyond the sea. Since I've been contemplating Heaven so much recently, and what's to come, this book really hit home as I read about the highest mountains, covered in green and waterfalls. How beautiful. I can't wait for Heaven, and our perfect fellowship and homes that God is preparing for us. It gives me such joy, and purpose to live in obedience.

I have to say that I didn't have a great vision of what Heaven would be like for a long time. I had this image of the largest crowd of people imaginable all dressed in white, singing the same three lines of music over and over again for eternity. Most of you know that I love to sing. It's one of my favorite things to do in the world. But the idea of singing for eternity like that... I can't say it was all that appealing. God overhauled that image with one amazing sermon, and countless conversations since then - all of these changes have made me long for Heaven in a way I never thought I would. It makes living in this imperfect world so much more bearable. I was so touched to read about Lewis' hope as he described a majestic land with more greatness and beauty than anything we've ever seen or imagined.

25 Things - I guess I have to, since so many other people are doing it....

1) I love to do nothing.

2) I love popcorn with seasoning salt and lots of butter!

3) I love to pray. In fact, I tend to not read my Bible and just pray... so bad, I know.

4) I never walk my dogs. MAINLY because they love to drag me down the street!!! I'm a wimp.

5) To-do lists have changed my life.

6) I respect my husband more than anyone else in the whole world. He works harder than anyone else I know.

7) I watch movies while I clean - that is to say, I have them on in the background... typically a musical so I can belt it out like Barbara Steisand or Julie Andrews.

8) I secretly want tatoos. I secretly want to be a rock star!

9) I love teaching and playing piano. I HATE practicing piano.

10) I've read Jane Eyre 8 times. I've read all of Jane Austen's books twice and have promised myself that I can read all of them again each year.

11) I play World of Warcraft and am a huge closet gaming NERD. (I blame it on the homeschooling.)

12) I really enjoy walks and hiking.

13) I want to go to Europe someday - especially Austria, Germany, and Switzerland.

14) I try not to care about politics, although I find myself getting into it. I hate it though because I just know that when I get to meet Jesus, I'm really not going to care about whether or not I was an american, or a conservative, or whatever. I just want to learn how to love people... seriously.

15) If I had to live or die for a particular political issue, it would be abortion, one of the greatest human rights issues. I also believe in international aid, and support Harvest of Hope. Check them out!

16) Adam and I buy powerball tickets when it goes over $100 mil. Don't worry, if you know me, you'll probably get something. :D

17) I hate scary movies. I watched The Shining in college, and it freaked me out so much that I slept with the light on for months... no joke. In fact! My brother and I were watching tv one day and an ad came on for a showing of that movie, and I actually started crying. A little over the top, but seriously... that movie disturbed me!!!

18) My passion is very short lived, yet very powerful. I love something with all my heart and soul for about a week, and then move on to something else.

19) I love very green landscapes.

20) My favorite songs by Kristie Braselton are Take My Life, Let Us Run, and I, the Mountain.

21) I love depressing music. The more depressing, the more I love it.

22) I used to tell people that my dream job was to sing back-up for Sarah MacLaughlan. Then I heard her live album and realized that I couldn't because I can't even scream as high as she sings.....

23) I've learned that it's ok to love popular things.

24) I once had the first three chapters of Philippians memorized... but a lot of it is lost now. :(

25) I usually pray for really general things, like asking God to humble me... and He definitely answers them! It's just, those lessons take a long time. Recently, however, I was sitting in church, and Justin Marshall was talking about how God waits for us and longs to be with us. That's always something I have a hard time understanding, so that morning I found myself asking God to show me that truth. I asked Him, in a sense, to prove it to me. Later that afternoon, I got an email from a friend talking about God's jealousy for our worship and love, and compared it with human longing for relationships. It was the first time ever that I felt like God really, truly was there and loved me and wanted me to know Him more. It changed my whole life.

That's all! Thanks!

Sugar-free

I'm writing an informational post to let you all know about the discoveries I've made regarding the world of sugar-free desserts, drinks, and foods. If you should ever embark on a South Beach diet, or something like it, here are a few good tips for you!

Best sugar-free dinners:
"fake" shepherd's pie
wings (homemade sauce... I can email the recipe if you're interested)
london broil with tomato relish (I have Adam to thank for this one)

Best sugar-free desserts:
sugar-free jello pudding packs (HOLY crap these things are addicting)
Murray's sugar-free cookies (so far I've tried their oreo cookies and chocolate dipped graham crackers, and they're amazing)

Can't live without:
sugar-free coffee creamer - enough said.
tea & coffee
vanilla coke zero


So, that's what I've found so far. It actually hasn't been too difficult. I encountered major temptation last night at church after having been there all day. All I wanted to eat was a big piece of chocolate cake!!!!! How can you curb a craving for the yummiest food in the world, I ask you??? It took a few sugar-free cookies, and lots of water... but I made it through. :)

Living... Without Guilt

Is it possible? Well, yes! But, I'm kind of a guilty person. I apologize for everything. This can be quite the problem when trying to diet! Tonight, I had breaded boneless wings. If I was going to be guilty about anything I've eaten so far after being on this diet, I think this might have to be it. They were freaking good though!!

So, tomorrow... rather than sulk and be all mad at myself for slipping, and eventually giving up on the whole thing because I can't do it... I'm going to eat a lot of non-fat, no-sugar things! No matter how devoid of taste these things may be, I will eat them, and be happy about it!

I'm writing this for everyone to read so that you all can ask me if I'm making sure that I don't let a little cheating now and then get me down. Buhbye guilt!

Oh, by the way, Adam has lost almost 10 pounds. Much like the typical male, all he had to do was think to himself "I'd like to lose some weight!" and it magically fell off overnight. :D

Lost

I think it's almost wrong... the amount of excitement that I feel about the season premier is what some might call "over the top". I have been rewatching season 4, and trying to dissect episodes to see if I can find missing clues, etc. Yes, I'm obsessive.


Also, I thought I'd let you all know that I've officially migrated from being a "Jater" to a "Skater". That's right, folks.


Sawyer and Kate forever!

Welcome to the family!

This is my family. :) Me, Adam, my parents, Bud and Jamae, and my brother and his future wife, Scott and Mindy. We had a wonderful time hanging out this holiday season, and it's such a blessing to see our family growing. We all got a chance to spend time with Mindy and get to know her, and we're looking forward to the wedding in October!

Congrats you two! We love you!

New Year

Hey all!! So, I got off the bandwagon with blogging, and I'm not going to post much today, except for some pics highlighting things that I've been meaning to blog about and I haven't!!!

Cooking with Mom Christmas morning.

Christmas with the Whitlatch's

Hanging with the 'rents.

Kristie, I see your Hope and Inspiration, and raise you one "Hope in a Jar".