Saturday, November 13, 2010

Wil Kenneth - Nov 2nd











Birth story to follow soon....

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Can't get focused...



"Even in her thinking place, she still couldn't get focused."

Well, I don't want to make any promises, but I'm going to TRY to make an effort to blog more often. Even if it's just once a week, I'd be happy with that! The problem is that my husband takes the laptop to work with him, so the only time I would be able to do it is in the evenings or on the weekends! Not to mention that he's usually using the laptop for his sports things, or lesson plans, or even things for coaching basketball. Then, if he's not on the laptop, I feel guilty for being on it because thats time we could be spending together. Basically the perfect scenario for blogging is if he's playing with Matthew (like right now), not here, or watching something on TV that I'm not interested in. Because, sorry blogging friends - but my husband takes priority over blogging :)

So, if you couldn't tell...I'm having a hard time being focused today. I have this free time to blog since Shaun is upstairs (probably fell asleep since Matthew is now down here, unless Shaun is playing with trains or puzzles - haha) but yet I can not quite figure out what to write about...

Sure, I could write about the fact that my due date for baby #2 was and my doctor wants to induce me on Wednesday, which I'm not thrilled about c
onsidering I'm a huge advocate for natural birth. I almost feel like God wants me to go through the experience of getting induced so that when I'm a doula (taking classes in March), I can speak to other women about it from my own point of view. Wow, I'm really staying positive here, aren't I? I think a little too positive. Part of me want to argue with my OB about being induced, but I know she is the professional and I do trust her. So, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE pray that this baby decides to come before Wednesday! I do have an appointment again on Monday to test the baby's heartbeat for 15 minutes and test me for contractions too. The most annoying part of not having this baby (besides being excited every time I get contractions then being disappointed when I realize they are just braxton hicks), is feeling like I'm ready for the birthing process one day, then the next day I'm really nervous and scared, and back and forth.
Okay, so maybe I do have a lot on my mind right now, but I'm just kind of tired of talking about the fact that I'm past my due date now.
Anyways,
Because I love pictures, here are some randoms since I haven't posted any lately:

- Shaun and I on our anniversary date in August
Matthew's new fascination - rides like these...he says "coins please" and..."ride?"



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

"Come, Holy Spirit"

A few weeks ago, Pastor Ken challenged us to pray a simple prayer each day..."Come, Holy Spirit". When I pray this, I get such a peace and I hope that the rest of our community will remember to pray it as well!

Today, er...yesterday, was my due date (the 26th) - My new prediction/s...Well, Friday would be nice because Shaun would have the whole weekend to be with us, then a whole week off, plus another weekend - But, I'm thinking November 2, 2010, will be the day. Why? well, only because on the 3rd, my OB would like to induce me. I'm hoping the baby will take that as a threat and come out before hand! Preferably labor would start anywhere from 9am till noon and maybe have the baby around 3 or 4, because it would be really nice to have the morning to relax and then have the evening for visitors to come! Hey, I can dream, cant I? :)


Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Things I want

Well, we found a house to rent and we are hoping to start moving our stuff over next week. Here's some inspirations I would love to use to decorate:

Love this bedroom. Its so clean and simple but yet elegant and somewhere you want to be. Very relaxing!

















left: perfect decor for fall! We don't really have a foyer, but I was going to put the couch so that there's a 'walk way' behind it when you first walk in the front door.


left - a mirror I REALLY love from Target.
































above - IF IF IF this next baby is a girl, this would be the perfect room! I LOVE purple and its got great accent colors and designs!

Right - a pillow I really love from Wal Mart!

Okay, well I don't want to spend all day on here daydreaming about things I can't have (yet). Shaun says that AFTER we move in and get settled I can start buying a few things at a time that I like. I guess I will just have to be patient :)

Friday, June 25, 2010

changes


So many things going on in life...I'm more excited than overwhelmed right now, but I feel the stress starting to creep up.
1) Shaun got a full-time teaching job for the fall!!!!!!!!!
- for those of you who don't know us personally, we got married in August of 2007. My husband was in school still but I decided not to waste my money on school if I didn't know what I wanted to do as a career (I now know I want to be a doula). So we got married knowing we would only have one person's school debt to pay off instead of 2, plus my husband has always been very good with money. He had saved up enough from his high school/ early college years that we could afford to get married and also had a good paying part time job. It was a little difficult, Id be lying if I didn't admit that, but well worth it. Anyways, he graduated December 2008 (4 months after our son was born). He worked 3 months (March-May) at an urban school in Cleveland at an after school program (along with his previous part-time job). When he didn't find a job that coming school year he got offered the job as the head teacher of the after school program. He did that for a year (still, along with the part-time job at Progressive Insurance). It was really tough for him. The kids were very disrespectful and he felt like he was babysitting more than teaching. So when school ended this year, honestly I was a little worried he wouldn't find anything again, or at least not something he would really enjoy.
-How he got the job for the fall:
I was at a baby shower sitting by 2 girls I've met before but did not know very well. They both teach (or taught) at a Christian school kind of in the middle of nowhere. They were saying that the only male teacher at the middle school was moving up to the high school so the school was looking for another male teacher. They got Shaun in for an interview which went pretty well. Even though Shaun (or should I say 'we') have promised to use the gifts God has bestowed on us for His glory, teaching in a Christian school just wouldn't be Shaun's passion. He would really love to use his career as a mission field. There are a lot of kids out there who have really hard home lives, or are just searching for something Greater than themselves. I'm not saying he's going to be preaching in the classroom, but actions speak louder than words and if any of the kids find out he's a Christian all he has to do is show by his actions that living for God instead of yourself is well worth it! Anyways, At the interview at the Christian school, there was a man there who is on the board (of Agape Christian) but is the principal of a public middle school, again, out in the middle of nowhere. He liked Shaun so much that he asked the Christian school if he could interview Shaun for a position open at the middle school and he called Shaun. I am so amazed how God worked all of this out! The principal called him, and Shaun didn't even apply to that school, plus - he doesn't even have a degree for the position they needed to fill (Technology teacher)! They had an interview and Shaun said he was willing to take some classes and the principal said Shaun can work along side the math teacher and social studies teacher and maybe even take over one of those if the position eventually opens up. So, they offered Shaun the job yesterday and he said YES!!! Like I said its in the middle of nowhere. I mean NOWHERE! Amish country. All they have there is a giant cheese factory.

okay, I'm going to have to finish this post later. Enjoy what's here so far!

Friday, April 2, 2010

Easter outfit

Matthew seemed to go through shoes really quickly in his first 5 months of walking (11 months - 16ish months). My in-laws bought him his first pair at Stride Rite. A really nice (kind of expensive) pair of brown ones with a little bit of black in them. They were perfect because he could wear them with anything black or brown. Well, about a month after having them we lost one of them. Most likely from him thinking they were toys he could run around with. We still haven't found it to this day (he is 20 months old now). Then I bought him a really cute pair of blue ones at Target which he only wore for maybe about 2 months before we lost one. I did find it in my car about a month ago when I was cleaning it out, but now they don't fit anymore of course. Does anyone else seem to have this problem??
I then bought him a new pair of blue ones at Target although they're not as cute as the first blue pair. He has actually had those ever since (6 months now?). However, those would not look good with his fancy Easter outfit, so my mother-in-law bought him a pair of brown shoes. Im pretty sure these are the shoes.




Anyways, I CAN NOT wait to put his Easter outfit on him. It looks something like this, but I will probably post pictures of him actually wearing it soon. The only difference with the outfit is that our tie is more of a blue color and I think the vest is more vintage looking. And the pants were the same color as the vest, but I think we are going to put navy colored pants on him because the other ones were a little big.






Those of you who have kids - are you doing Easter outfits this year?
Do you yourself as an adult still buy something special for Easter? I think I am going to wear a dress or skirt instead of pants.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

'baby on board'

We are officially telling everyone that we are expecting again!
I am due on October 26 which means I am about 8 weeks along! I have known since I took the pregnancy test almost 4 weeks ago and slowly over time I just couldn't keep my mouth shut anymore. I didn't tell any of Shaun's extended family or people at church, only people at work and a couple friends. But now, if we have mutual friends, I give you permission to tell whomever you want. I will write more later, I'm just too tired to concentrate right now (surprise, surprise)!

Monday, March 15, 2010

What really matters

My sister was talking to me about how much she misses the way everyone at college was more outgoing in their worship. That really challenged me to think about why I'm not more outgoing in my worship lately. I cant remember the last time I regularly raised my hands during worship every week and just totally focused on God during that time. Lately I find myself trying to close my eyes and focus on the words but then I realize I'm thinking about something silly like what we're going to eat for lunch, or even things that have already happened like what I ate for lunch the day before. Anyways...Ive been trying more lately to read my Bible daily, but I could be better with my prayer time. I still feel like it's hard to focus on God throughout my day, but what really matters is that I'm trying, right?

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Newlyweds


Thanks for sharing this Sara!! :)

1. What are your middle names? Mine is Ann and his is William.

2. How long have you been together? Our first date was in November of 2005. We liked each other before that, but both of us had just broke up with our ex boyfriend/girlfriend.

3. How long did you know each other before you started dating? 2 months

4. Who asked who out? He asked me out of course

5. How old are each of you? I'm 23 and he is 26

6. Did you go to the same school? No, I grew up in Concord (Riverside High) and he's from Mentor.

7. Are you from the same home town? Nope, see above.

8. Who is the smartest? He is, definitely.

9. Who majored in what? I dont have a degree, but aspire to be a doula soon. He has his bachelors in Middle School Education (teaching) and is going to get his Masters in Gifted Education.

10. Who is the most sensitive? Me, no question there.

11. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple? Las Vegas almost a year ago (Matthew was 6 months old).

12. Who has the worst temper? Me. We're both very stubborn, but he can remain calm and I blow up easier

13. How many children do you want? 3 or 4.

14. Who does the cooking? Mostly me, but he cooks when he has to.

15. Who is more social? Both of us, but usually at church he's the one talking to people 1/2 hour after the service is over and Im ready to just go home.

16. Who is the neat freak? Neither of us! We have a messy apartment, although he cares more even though he wont do much about it.

17. Who is the most stubborn? mm...its pretty even. We both are able to pick our battles though.

18. Who wakes up earlier? Him, but mostly cuz he has to for his new teaching job, which is not good because Matthew tends to wake up whenever Shaun gets up.

19. Where was your first date? He would say Chipotle. But Bravo was our first official date!

20. Who has the bigger family? Immediate family is me, extended family is him. His family is huge. But, I have one more sibling than he does.

21. Do you get flowers often? on special occasions.

22. How do you spend the holidays? Oh goodness. We try to do both, but luckily our families live close to each other and everyone gets along so sometime one of our families will invite the other one over.

23. Who is more jealous? Why would we be jealous?

24. How long did it take to get serious? A few months, I guess. We decided to wait to say "I love you" but he told me he loved me before I thought he would.

25. Who eats more? Probably him, I have this thing where I dont think I should be eating as much as my husband.

26. What do you do for a living? I work in child care and he's a teacher.

27. Who does the laundry? We each do it at my in-laws house. I'm sure mostly my mother in law and Shauns great aunt who lives with them does it, but I usually try to get it started if we bring laundry over there.

28. Who's better with the computer? It depends, but usually him.

29. Who drives when you are together? Generally him; I prefer not to drive his car and he prefers not to drive my car, so it usually depends on who's car we have to take.

30. What is your song? We have two, 'God Blessed the Broken Road' by Rascall Flatts and 'The Luckiest' by Ben Folds. Those were the 2 first songs we danced to at our wedding.



quiet place

"Dear Lord, help me know You are good. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Mark 6:31, "Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'" (NIV)


(http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com)


Monday, March 1, 2010

Today's Devotion

Taken from http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com

"God is glorified through His people, and trying to shake off the personality with which He created us is dishonoring to Him."

Lord: "Allow us opportunities to use our talents for Your glory and the good of the people around us, both those who are part of Your body and those who do not yet know You. Let our uniqueness be a light for You in the darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

February Pictures

Matthew playing in the snow for the first time!


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

mini vacations

What things did you and your spouse like to do while you were dating? Do you still have a regular date night, or occasional get-away?

My hubby and I like to go on mini-vacations. When we were dating, we went to Buffalo a couple times to visit some friends of his and we went up to Niagara to go sight seeing (and gambling). After we got married we went to Niagara, just the 2 of us, and 6 months after we had Matthew we went to Vegas with his parents. We've also been to Pittsburgh just for a weekend (to watch the Indians play there), and we've been to Columbus a few times (although most of those were to visit friends). We are planning a trip to Windsor in March. I told him that I would like to visit a bed and breakfast, or tour spot in each state, starting with the states around us. We are going to Windsor first because his parents got 2 free nights there, and they are giving us one of them. Im always sad to leave Matthew, but I enjoy time away too. Maybe we'll have to take one more get-away later in the year before we have another baby. We do have 2 local weddings this year, and 2 in Florida (one of them in which i am a bridesmaid for my cousin Brittany). Brittany's sister is getting married in September, so Ive heard . . . but I dont think we'll be able to go. I was thinking a good time to go down there before Britt's wedding would be May, or August. No other months work! Anytime before May would be not enough time to prepare, but maybe April would be possible...June and July we have a wedding here, and July is Matthew's birthday. August might be good because it would be before Shaun starts whatever full-time teaching job he will have. Im thinking it would be either just me, or all 3 of us. I dont think I would want to go by myself with Matthew (considering hes never been on a plane before). September wouldn't be good because of Shaun's future job, and Octobers not good due to certain reasons. November is Thanksgiving and December is Christmas. Britt's wedding is January 23rd. Well, so in conclusion, May or August would be good months. I guess I should figure all this out soon! Im looking forward to all the mini-vacations we will take this year!

(" Dear Lord, show me ways to nurture friendship with my spouse, so we can continue to enjoy each other through the passing years.
Is there anything you can take out of your life to allow space for your friendship with your spouse to grow?")

Monday, February 22, 2010

Music

Just curious:
Who did you look up to in your youth? Was in a celebrity, or musician? Or someone you knew? Why did you look up to them or want to be like them?

For me, I really wanted to be in a rock band which was pretty uncommon for girls. I don't remember too many girls in rock bands when I was growing up. Especially not in the Christian music industry. Sure, ther
e was Jackie Valesquez, and Amy Grant etc...but they definitely dont count! It wasn't until around my senior year of high school that the band 'Flyleaf started to become big, then Fireflight, and now Im really into Lights (not Christian...more of an electric style). I was really into music when I was in high school. I was always looking for new bands to discover, making mix Cds and going to concerts a lot. But when I started dating/ got engaged to Shaun I lost my love for music. I think maybe its because we dont listen to a lot of the same bands, or maybe it wouldve happened regardless of my surroundings. But anyways, Im starting to get back into it a little bit. My mom took me, my sister and her boyfriend to see Owl City (touring with the band Lights) in Columbus a few weeks ago, then my friend Andy talked me into going to hear his band Dolson (which Ive heard in the past but it had been years), and now I just purchased tickets to go see Copeland for their last tour (very bittersweet) :( . . . When we went to my friends show, my mom bought the other bands CD's too which she let me put on my ipod. They are really awesome! (Green River Ordinance and Sleeperstar)

Well, off to probably take a nap!!
Have a great day everyone!

Friday, February 19, 2010

talking the talk, and walking the walk

"Dear Lord, give me the strength and faith to keep praying for my child. Help me understand, though it might take years, You are a God who hears and answers the prayers of a praying parent. In Jesus' Name, Amen." (taken from http://proverbs31devotions.blogspot.com/2010/02/wandering-children.html)

I made a commitment to start praying for my future children when I first got married and when I got pregnant and had Matthew it was so cool to pray specifically for him (and the future kids too still). I know this doesn't mean that all with go perfectly with parenthood, or that my kids will only make the best decisions. But I pray specifically that they will make friends with people who are also Christ-followers. People who strive to serve Christ better, that can be an encouragement to my kids. I pray the same for any one else I'm praying for, because I think that the friends you make are an important factor in who you are. I also pray for their future spouse to be not only a Christ-follower, but to be COMMITTED, and PASSIONATE about their faith in Jesus. I also realize that no matter how much I pray for them, the more important thing is that I am a good example of what a Christian looks like. An everyday Christian, not just a Sunday Christian. Therefore, I do make sure I pray for myself as much as I can!


Thursday, February 18, 2010

I want this kitty =D



Domestic Short Hair-orange, Tabby - Orange

Medium Adult Female Cat

Click to see
full size

Domestic Short Hair-orange Picture Domestic Short Hair-orange Picture Domestic Short Hair-orange Picture

More About Baby Cakes

THIS PET WILL BE AVAILABLE AT OUR ADOPTION CENTER AT 36370 VINE STREET ON FRIDAY (4-8) AND SATURDAY (NOON-5:00). ADOPTIONS ARE ON A FIRST COME, FIRST APPROVED BASIS. WE ACCEPT CASH, VISA, MASTERCARD AND DISCOVER. ADOPTION FEE FOR ALL ADULT CATS ONLY $20. CAT/KITTEN ADOPTIONS CAN ALSO BE DONE BY APPOINTMENT THROUGHOUT THE WEEK. EMAIL US IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN A CAT OR KITTEN ADOPTION APPOINTMENT. Hi, my name is Baby Cakes. I am about 5 years old and was rescued from an Overcrowded Shelter. I am a tad shy, however, once I know you, I will follow you everywhere!!! Oh, I love cheek rubbings – my eyes close and the purring begins. If you are looking for a big Ol’ lap cat – look no further. Here I am! By the way, not only am I a great cat, All Orange Females are not very common. I get along very well with other cats and children – children like to pet me! I have been tested Felv negative, de-wormed, flea treated, UTD on shots, and spayed. My adoption fee is only $20. NOW AVAILABLE, QUALITY LOW COST PET VACCINE CLINIC SPONSORED BY THE ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER THE FIRST AND THIRD TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 4:00-7:00PM AT THE CENTER, 36370 VINE STREET EASTLAKE. SERVICES PERFORMED BY A LICENSED VETERINARIAN. LOW COST PACKAGES AVAILABLE. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

One down, 39 to go

Well today, it was a little hard not to go on Facebook this morning. Luckily I wasn't home all day, and wont be home all day until Monday. I work/worked Tue, Wed, Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun...Off again Monday (hopefully). Its just rough because usually I'm just watching my friends baby, Kellen on Thursdays, but she needed to switch to Wednesday. I was excited to get the day off on Thursday but a lady from work called me and was in desperate need of me covering her shift..Which actually worked out, but now I don't get any time off till Monday. I'm going to try not to let Blogging be my new Facebook for now, because if I did that, then what's the point? Shaun (my husband) has stepped up to the plate, and recommended we read and pray together every evening when Matthew goes to bed. This has been something both of us have wanted to do regularly together, but it never became a habit. If we can do it for 40 days, we should be able to do it longer, right?!

Okay, well off to the banks website to finish writing everything down that we've spent so far this month. Dave Ramsey would be very disappointed we haven't been keeping track!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Lent / Cleaning

Well, I've decided to give up Facebook for Lent once again. I did it last year without even peeking once! Shaun was so shocked, haha! Im hoping this will not only allow for more time in prayer and in God's Word, but also more time for cleaning! I made a cleaning list for myself a while back, but its been hard to follow because the way I set it up was to clean a different room every day. We have 6 rooms in our apartment and I chose Monday through Saturday to clean (resting on the sabbath). I think its a pretty good plan, but if Im not following it, and the apartment is getting messy, it would look pretty silly to only have one clean room. So I normally just clean a little bit in each room which tends to get frustrating because after an hour, it doesnt look like I did very much. Anyways...Im going to be off on Thursday so I think I will do a little bit in each room, then work on Matthew's room. Its actually not as bad as it's been in the past, but I'd really like to clean out the closet, clear off the futon, organize his dresser, and dust/vacuum.

Anyone have any tips on keeping a clean house?! :)

P.S. I have decided to give up TV/Computer time for the first hour after getting up and the last hour before bed.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

confused

I am confused. Emotionally, physically, spiritually...as a mother, as a wife, as a Christ follower, as a friend etc...
hmm...where to start....

First of all, Matthew has been SO EXTREMELY crabby the last 3 days now. He is currently crying in his crib (which doesn't usually happen at bedtime), but I refuse to get him up because as soon as I do, I know he will start throwing things and hitting me. Is it really worth it? I think he's been so crabby because he's trying to get over a cold, he's been trying to poop (has always had a hard time), and keeps getting hurt (got a bloody/fat lip at my parents yesterday, and today ran into the wall and hit his head pretty hard). Not to mention, he hasn't been taking good naps lately. Im So drained I want to cry right now. Our apartment is SO messy and I have no energy to clean it. Im not pregnant this month, yet again and Im starting to lose my positive attitude about eating organic (The Maker's Diet).
A good thing: I have been working out a lot lately and have finally lost 15lbs since June (25 total since I had Matthew a year and 6 months ago). More 'bad' things: We do not have the money for me to go get new clothes, and we are WAY over on our food budget this month since I have started eating organic/healthier (partly cuz I still have to buy all the unhealthy stuff for Shaun, ie pop tarts, lean pockets, etc..), but he refuses to eat healthier. He says when something medically goes wrong with his body then he will consider it. Its frustrating me so much that he doesn't care about his body, or about the possibility of future medical bills. Oh yeah, did I mention my car broke down on the highway the other day? yet another expense...

and...Matthew is STILL screaming in his room. I need a vacation. By myself...no one else. Just me and God. a nice refresher...oh well, a good cry will have to do for now.

P.S. sorry for being a 'debbie downer' but blogging helps me to get my frustrations out and clear my head.

Now, just have to figure out what to do...
clean? (its not going to clean itself and I dont have a maid)
relax and watch a movie
take a bubble bath (even though our bath tub needs to be cleaned very badly)
get Matthew up and hope he will just cuddle with me and watch TV
scrapbook in silence or with music
read a book

I hate making decisions.