Walking on Broken Glass: The Sequel

Poetic Justice, I call it.

So, the other day, I was waiting patiently at home for my beloved, sipping on Ocean Spray's White-Cran Peach juice...from one of the glasses that hails from another post. I reached for the glass and it tipped only slightly and ever-so-softly "tinked" on the side of the projector. I caught it. Whew. Enough "glass drama" for the week, I didn't need another break...or White-Cran Peach juice on the projector. Jim would have a reason to be upset about that one!

Relieved, I brought the glass up to my lips and before I could indulge in the White-Cran Peachy goodness, I saw this:

Eeek! Um, not drinkin' outta that! Talk about a tonsillectomy! Anyhoo. I was shocked. I didn't even hear the thing break! In TWO places, no less! So, that's that for my Pier One, hand-blown, hand-painted glasses (on clearance.) Yes...we're still planning on using them - but there aren't going to be any "Cheers" in this house, or we'll be literally, "walking on broken glass."

From now on, I'll resort to my good ole Ball Canning Jars as glasses...I love those more anyway.

2 Things for FREE

1. IHOP is giving away a FREE shortstack (3 pancakes) today...it's National Pancake Day!
2. Fellow Blogger, Ashley at Jaded Mission is giving away FREE handmade cards. They're quite adorable and she's the arteest! Enter to win!

Two Thumbs Up

Fireproof

If you have seen it, need I say more?

If you haven't, you need to discover it for yourself. You won't be disappointed. Yes, you'll probably cry (no, you WILL cry - Katie, you were right, Jim cried, too.), but every gut-wrenching, tear-jerking tear is worth it...because this is real life.

This one, my friends, is worth owning and sharing and talking about - I'm sure - for years to come. Don't miss out. I almost did. I allowed myself to become too influenced by the "hype" and "rave reviews" and thought "I'm not going to be just another follower, another raver, another hyped up, emotional viewer." Boy, was I wrong. It's not about that at all. It's not a movie that hopes to get a crowd all stirred up for nothing or for their own personal gain. I could see that. This is a genuine reaching-out to a common, very common, issue in life. It's unavoidable. Somewhere in this film, you will see yourself. Just don't harden your heart (like I did even before I agreed to even rent it). Actually, if you go into thinking it won't affect you, think again. And keep the box of Kleenex handy. Very handy.

This isn't just for couples, either. The concept of true love can be applied to our lives no matter what...so, find a Redbox, sacrifice $1.00, and be changed.

By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.

1 John 3:16a

Pregnancy Diaries: Music to Her Ears...I Hope

It is quite possible and very likely that Josefine can hear what's going on outside of her warm little cacoon. This is intriguing to me and I wonder how distinctly can she hear? Does my voice sound like the teacher on Peanuts? Waa, waa, waa, waaa, wa. Or can she hear us singing in the choir? Does it sound like the warble, warble of an underwater sea song?

I began to think more about this last night as I was tooting along (sorry, there is no better word for it) on my bass clarinet during a concert. There were times tears came to my eyes (which is NOT a good thing when you're trying to read music and follow a conductor) at the thought that she can hear this beautiful and powerful music. Then, I was pulled out of my dreamy state and the reality-driven side of me said "No, all she can probably hear is the low, tonal vibrations of my bass clarinet. It might sound terrible from her perspective!"

On the contrary, during the handbell pieces she would bump around like I had just eaten a teaspoon of plain sugar. "Wow, maybe she likes the handbells...it's a soothing sound and might have a lullabye affect on her." Then it dawned on me, "Wait a minute...lullabye's put baby's to sleep. She definitely not sleeping! Maybe she prefers the bass clarinet rumbles to the soft sound of handbells. That's my girl!"

Either way, and I'll never know for sure, but I think it's amazing that she can experience everything I experience by way of sound. Even the hilarious ways Jim tries to communicate to her by saying "Poppy loves you!" through the imaginary microphone of my belly button. Oh. My. What a guy!

Pregnancy Diaries: Meet Josefine via Ultrasound

Click HERE to see more pictures of Josefine! :)

Walking on Broken Glass

Because we stayed up til 2 am chatting (we - maybe more like, I - like to do that sometimes), and because we think Jim might be coming down with a wee bit of the cold, we decided to sleep in until 7:30 today.

I needed the little extra snooze because I had this crazy sequence of dreams that we were being held hostage by these super emo teenagers with guns, which made for a pretty restless night. Anyway, Jim got up to get ready for work as I caught the last few minutes of shut-eye for the day. I could hear him pouring his cereal and brushing his teeth...comforting sounds that makes me know he's still there. And then I heard another comforting sound: water running, dishes clanging. He was doing his dishes! Although I don't expect him to do his breakfast dishes, I was proud that he was thoughtful enough to do them. *sigh*

Then, another sound. You guessed it. Broken glass! The first thoughts, unsanctified as they may have been, that were running through my head were: "WHAT? I can't replace those glasses! I can't believe he broke a glass! Grrr." Oh, was that my morning grumpy bear coming out to play? So sorry, I will send her back into her den.

Jim's little bear was out, too. Although his was a little more cute and cuddly, but still dangerous.

I walked out to the kitchen to find the remnants gone. No sign of broken glass. "What happened?" I asked groggily.

"I broke a glass." Jim answered with a disappointed sigh, and he proceeded to reenact the "broken glass story." My leftover hand-blown, hand-painted, got-it-at-Pier-One-on-Clearance- so-there-is-no-replacing it-glass was disposed of and gone.

"I'm sorry," I replied, remembering my hopes to use my words carefully, and I moped all the way back to my little den and cuddled up sadly in my blankets. Apparently, in all my thought about using my words carefully (which I only failed at a little), I forgot about the whole attitude thing that probably should go with it.

Jim Bear enters, stage left, sees the utter disappointment on my face, plops down on the bed and growls, "It was an accident..." accompanied by a little rolling of the eyes. Could I justify this as an apology. Not in this state. I crumble. We both begin the process of introspection and discussion, as if on cue. Man, we're gettin' good at this whole relationship thing.



In the end, we concluded with the idea that we need to love people more than things. We need to love eachother more than things. We need to view our marriage as though it was as fragile as glass. We need to cherish one another even in the little things of life.


All this to say: I haven't seen the movie Fireproof yet, and I'm not sure I want to. I'm a little hesitant because of all the hype and raaave reviews. I know, I know. You say that I should see it, and you're probably right. It took me MONTHS before I saw Facing the Giants and I ended up giving it two thumbs up. But, all of this talk about love and seeing our marriage in the right perspective and held up before God with such care, I got to thinking that maybe we should see the flick. I'm partially avoiding it because I know it will probably make me cry...and I don't like to go into something KNOWING I'm going to lose it and get all sentimental. I feel more like a comedy will do me some good...isn't laughter the best medicine? But, I'm halfway tempted to sneak out, rent it and surprise Jim with a sweet dinner and movie night with ice cream for dessert because I know that will make his day (the ice cream for sure anyway).

Much Ado About Dinner: Egg Rolls and Fried Rice

I knew you would be SO curious as to what we're having for dinner tonight. And because I NEVER disappoint, I will tell you.

Egg Rolls (a favorite from my past-time. Mom made the BEST eggrolls EVER)
Fried Rice (another favorite - it was always the side to the eggrolls)

Aaaaand, that's it.

We have so many leftovers (Veggie Pizza and Cake Mix Cookies) from the past few days that we just need to finish those off.

Now I'm going to share our family Eggroll and Fried Rice recipes with you. Enjoy!

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Egg Rolls

Ingredients:

1# ground beef
1 package of cole slaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots)
1 package of egg roll wrappers
1 egg
oil

Directions:

Brown ground beef; drain and put in a large mixing bowl.
Add cole slaw mix and well, mix!

Break egg into a small bowl.
Separate an egg roll wrapper from the stack and spoon filling onto wrapper.
Follow directions on egg roll wrapper package as to how to wrap them.
Use egg white to seal your wrapper.

Fry Egg Rolls in hot oil until brown and crispy!

It's that easy.

Disclaimer: This is ALL from memory. Forgive me if it sounds a little confusing.


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Fried Rice

Ingredients:

Rice
Soy Sauce
Bacon - fried and cut into small pieces
Eggs - scrambled
Green Onions - chopped
Packet of Fried Rice Seasoning

Directions:

Prepare Rice accordingly.
Add to skillet w/ cooked, chopped bacon, scrambled eggs and chopped green onions.
Add Soy Sauce until mixture is light brown (not too much!)

Ta Da!

Again, going by memory...be gracious. ;)

Pregnancy Diaries: Heads or Tails?

Last night, again around midnight (are we seeing a pattern here), Josefine was up and rolling around. In another attempt at recreating the amazing experience from last night, I told Jim he should see if he could feel her bump around again. He tried, and after a few loooong minutes, she bumped up a few times.

"She's saying Good Night to her Poppy!" I interpreted.

Then, all of a sudden, the kick was on the other side of my tummy, in the bottom left quadrant - the first was in the top right.

"Wow, she's really moving around!" I said as I tried to anticipate the next bump, and where exactly it would be. I placed my hand opposite of where I felt the last bump and I felt something distinctly firm.

"Jim, I think I can actually feel HER!" It was either her head or her little bum - maybe even her back. But, it was for sure Josefine, because as I pushed and prodded (gently, of course) she would change positions. Eventually, I could feel the little bumping, but not a head, bum or back. I'm assuming she inhabited the back section of her temporary home - the Uterus (that one's for you, cousin Joe) -to avoid any more disturbances from Mama. I don't blame her. :)

Pregnancy Diaries: Hop, Skip and a Jump

They call it "kicking," but I wondered last night what exactly little Josefine was doing in there.

It could have been a swinging arm, a prodding elbow or even a butting head.

When, for the first time this pregnancy, Jim and I both felt Josefine moving around, we opted for the traditional kick.

It was shortly after midnight and Jim and I had just shared a midnight snack, which included a cold glass of Raspberry Lemonade, which may have been the cause of all the ruckus in my tummy from little You-Know-Who.

"Jim, she's wide awake." I informed my groggy husband.

"Cool." was his response. He's heard me tell him what's going on in the bubble-life of Josefine before. Often, he asks "Do you think I could feel it?" and I answer "No, it's still too internal." This time he didn't ask. I think he assumed it was still "too internal."

I put my hand in the place where I felt her move the most and Bu-UMP, my hand raised up from my tummy as if she had pushed it up. "Jim! I think you'll be able to feel her! I pretty much just saw my tummy MOVE!" It was a new experience for me as well; another evidence that there is, indeed, a living person growing, bouncing and floating around inside of me.

I reached for Jim's hand and placed it where I thought she might "kick" again. No movement. I was slightly dissappointed - I knew Jim wanted to feel more a part of this pregnancy. Granted, he had already experienced a number of pregnancy events that would certainly make him feel included.

1. He's cleaned up 2 maybe even 3 pukey messes.
2. He's made a few late night trips to the grocery store because I NEEDED applesauce or strawberries RIGHT THEN.
3. He's been to both ultrasounds.
4. He's allowed me to drench his shirt sleeve in tears without even understanding why.
5. He's been forced to avoid re-heating any leftovers - the smell was just too overwhelming.
6. He's done sink-fulls of dishes - another smell thing.
7. He's even put up with the probably VERY annoying question, "Do I look pregnant yet, or still just fat?"
8. And, of course, he's listened to me say over and over "She's moving! I can feel it!" or "She's awake and rolling around!" without ever getting to experience the joy himself.

Well, last night was an exception and a sort of promise that he's not going to be on the outside of this pregnancy any longer.

"Whoa!" Jim's hand raised up from my belly and back down again as he felt the biggest Bu-UMP! I've ever felt from Josefine this whole time. Jim was elated.

"It's like Josefine is saying 'Hi' to her Poppy!" I exclaimed. And just then, he felt another smaller bump. "Confirmation!"

As 12:30 am approached, and we drifted off to dreamland, I somehow knew that Jim would probably fall asleep with a smile on his face.

To Do List

1. Do the dishes.
2. Make something scrumptious to devour.
3. Learn to do the dishes AFTER the previous meal instead of before the meal I'm dying to eat. Otherwise, I'm ever-so-tempted to forget the dishes and just dirty more dishes to make a meal out of desperation (and those are never quite as tasty). Then, I'm stuck w/ more dishes to do before each meal. I hate procrastination. It is my enemy.
4. Do the dishes.

Today I learned that...

...a fool has no delight in understanding,

But in expressing his own heart.

Proverbs 18:2

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Although, I like to think of myself as an understanding person, there are times (probably more times than I'd like to admit) when I am more bent on "expressing my own heart" than I am in understanding those around me or understanding that God's plan is perfect. I just think that I am important and so are the things I think and feel and, by George, everybody else had better think so, too. Um, well...no, Sarah. Not so much. I am a fool for thinking so.

__________

...a fool's mouth is his destruction,

And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Proverbs 18:7

__________

The words that come out of my mouth are certainly powerful. James 3 says that "if anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body..." And I know that I'm certainly far from perfect. In my quest for understaning and having a spirit of understanding, I want to couple that with kind, loving and gentle words. For "a soft answer turns away wrath. but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1.

_____________

Today, as I realized the truth of my sin, I was grieved. It's never easy to see yourself as the negative example in God's word. But, Jim reminded me today that God's word is just that, a mirror. And today is a new day to trust and believe that God will complete the work He began in me...no matter how painful it is to see the real me and change it.

How did it go? You ask. I will tell you.

J - Just in Time!

Actually we were late. We walked into the clinic 20 minutes late. Holy Cow...I was a GIANT emotional wreck. It didn't help much that I had completely (and I mean completely) forgotten that I had to play for Orchestra in Chapel this morning and basically ran out of the apartment .02 seconds after just blow-drying my hair - can you imagine the sight? Don't. I didn't even make it in time to play. Then, my dearly beloved took a wrong turn on the way to the clinic (already a tad late), and I pretty much forgot where my cool was. (Honey, forgive me!) BUT, all was not lost. We arrived in time for the tech to graciously agree to NOT re-schedule and to go ahead with the ultrasound. Phew! Of course, she had second thoughts when I melted into a puddle of tears when I returned from emptying my "blah-der." -I think she was from Romania. Anyway, all I could think while I was drowning in my tears was "I should be happy and I'm falling apart! WAAAAAHHHH!" Thanks to those lovely pregnancy hormones, I'm more of a nut than normal. And that, my friend, should scare you. ;)

O - Opportunities were few, but we were Optimistic.

Our little baby was pretty determined to stay in one place during the first 1/2 hour of the ultrasound. So content to lull around without any thought at all to the fact that we were trying to catch a glimpse of where the sun don't shine. The nerve! ;) Finally, though, only 15 minutes later, did we see catch that fateful glimpse! GIRL!

S - So Surprised and yet, so sweet!

I was sure it was a boy - but we were quite pleased at the thought of a sweet little girl! We knew right away what we would call her! It was fun to FINALLY be able to call her a her! Jim wasn't surprised at all. It was his hope that she would be a girl and he was right. The look on his face was so peaceful when we finally saw the gender. I, on the other hand, found my mouth hanging wide open!

E - Every Little Detail

Wow...it's AMAZING to see so much detail during the ultrasound! I haven't seen this baby since she was 8 weeks in the womb, and then, she looked like a little "chocolate chip" as we liked to call her at her beginnings. Now she is arms and legs and nose and eyes and knees and elbows and fingers and toes! I was in awe most of the time, but I had those moments where I was like "Weird, there's a human being inside of me!" It's a great reminder of how we are fearfully and wonderfully made and how our Creator has put us together with such perfection!

F - Flutters

When I saw her heart pu-pumping so rhythmically and peacefully...it sent my heart to flutters! I just wanted to watch and watch and watch this little baby move and stretch. Oh, and bonk herself in the nose with her knee. That seemed to be her favorite thing to do!

I - Imitation

While the tech was taking measurments of all of the baby's arms, legs and what-have-you, Jim could see the monitor. And though I couldn't see the monitor, I was quite entertained by Jim who was was imitating all of the baby's head movements when he could see it. He would cock his head when she would. It was adorable. He does the same thing with our fish! It was nice that I had an adult imitation of what the baby was doing! Oh, Jim...you're hilarious!

N - Normal Now.

Well, life is back to normal. Now we know, the news is out and life goes on. Except now, life can go on with a more feminine slant. Sorry, Jim. You are officially out-numbered. ;)

E - Extraterrestrial

And because I'm just honest like this, I have to say - as cute as I imagine little Josefine being and as adorable as those little fingers and toes were, I can't avoid the fact that, during the ultrasound, I saw the face and thought "Alien!"

Baaahahhaaaa!

Literally 12 hours from now that we have the ultrasound appointment.

Can you tell that I'm just a liiiiiitle bit excited...much?

This makes me think of a super adorable story about my amazing (and yes, I'm partial) neice, Lily. She is often telling her mom (my sis) that she wants a baby sister. The other day she told her that she wanted to name her baby sister "Loopy" because the word "Loopy" has lots of loops in it.

2 reasons that story came to mind: It's about babies and naming babies, and it contains the word "loopy" and that is how I feel. Loopy.

Me & Lil

Boy or Girl?

Tomorrow is the appointment for my ultrasound where we can tell if our baby is a boy or girl!!! 10 a.m.

Pray that this kid cooperates and gives us his/her best shot. :)

C'mon Baby, strike a pose for Mama!

So, if you haven't voted, you still have time!

Looks like we're leanin' toward the XX chromosome side of things. Well, do you want to know my vote? I'm guessing there's a little XY chromosome action goin' on in there.

The Hulk vs. The Jolly Green Giant

So, I was thinking today as I was making my Broccoli and Tortellini Alfredo (with Green Giant Frozen Broccoli Florets) for lunch that the Jolly Green Giant could SO beat up the Incredible Hulk.

Here's my logic. Seriously, the Jolly Green Giant's dispostion of well, jolly-ness would be to his advantage. I think the Incredible Hulks temper, though it's what makes him so powerful, is a great weakness in the end.

I mean, really people...the above-pictured Jolly Green Giant looks so much more calm and confident. It makes you respect him. Where the below-pictured Hulk looks like a spaz who can't control himself and it makes me want to laugh at him.

Also, the Jolly Green Giant IS a Giant, and the Incredible Hulk is merely a dude with a bad temper who morphs into a bigger green dude with an even worse temper. My apologies to Ben, my bro-in-law, for I know The Incredible Hulk was your childhood hero. And to anyone else favoring The Incredible Hulk to the Jolly Green Giant, I have more arguments as to why JGG would totally whomp on IH.

Vegetables. Yes, vegetables. I hardly think that IH is eating the right amount of vegetables on a daily basis...if at all. I'm sure he just feeds on Pizza and Mt. Dew. We all know that JGG's diet is far superior to IH, and therefore could totally take IH in a match of cricket, game of hopscotch, or a round of bloody knuckles.

Mmm...and this Broccoli and Tortellini Alfredo is delish. Bring it on Hulk.

Meet the Fish

I told you I'd post some pictures of our new pets.

Introducing Laurel & Hardy.

Laurel

Hardy

Laurel again.

Hardy again. Note the mustasche.

Just the Two of Us

A Facebook Questionnaire: I just couldn't resist.

♥ What are your middle names?

Douglas and Elizabeth

♥ How long have you been together?

Married 2 years on Dec. 30...Engaged about 5 mos prior, July 14...Started dating May 7...you do the math.

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?

3 years

♥ Who asked whom out?

Jim asked me to go to a soccer game at Grandview with his mom...our first date was chaperoned...how sweet! ;)

♥ How old are each of you?

Jim is 36 and I'm 27

♥ Whose siblings do/did you see the most?

I have step-siblings in Iowa, but the rest are in CO and CA and we only see them once or twice a year. Jim's youngest brother is in MI so we see him whenever we're out there (which is more often than CO and CA) and his middle brother is in Germany w/ the Marines...our time there might overlap and I'll finally get to meet my BIL!

♥ Do you have any children together?

Yup - about 20 weeks along! We love the prospect of seeing our family grow...we'll be the Tri-Engle family soon! Haha...I crack myself up.

♥ What about pets?

We LOVE animals...we can't wait to have a big ole cuddly dog (I want a Newfoundland and Jim wants a Doberman Pinscher) Look 'em up, they're BIG, BEAUTIFUL dogs...though I'm not as partial to the Pinscher as I would be to, say, a Rottweiler. Oh, but right now we have two Oranda Goldfish, named Laurel and Hardy.

♥ Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?

We have a goal of being in Germany someday as church-planting missionaries. We're really eager to be there, but the time of waiting (and deputation) can be trying, but Faith-strengthening - which is the thought that bears us through it all...and of course, God's amazing faithfulness!

♥ Did you go to the same school?

Well, sorta. I went to FBBC and Jim attended FBTS - which is on the same campus. That's where we met.

♥ Are you from the same home town?

Jim is from Downriver Detroit, I am from hmmm...Vancouver, WA; Eglin AFB, FL; and (basically) Southwest IA.

♥ Who is the smartest?

Who is the smartest: Jim

Who is the smart alek: Sarah

Ok, but seriously though - we both have different kinds of "smarts" and we're constantly learning from eachother! Oh, but he does have to ask me how to spell stuff...does that make me less not-the-smartest?

♥ Who is the most sensitive?

Oh, boy...hands down...me. I guess it depends on what kind of "sensitive" but, I probably won't go a week (or two) without shedding a tear about something or other. Jim tells me I balance him out in this area - but I guess it takes a spaz to do that...because I am a spaz. Jim is sensitive in really important ways though...he gets teary or thoughtful when he sees a precious father/son relationship or when someone gets saved. I may be sensitive about that, but I'm also sensitive about shopping...or whatever. Stupid stuff like that. ;)

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?

IHOP - Jim likes his "all you can eat" pancakes...and I like my hashbrowns. Village Inn is a close second b/c Jim can eat breakfast for every meal of the day.

♥ Who has the worst temper?

Haha...me. Jim is seriously the most patient person I've EVER met...hence, marrying me and creating the PERFECT balance. I'm serious, we're polar opposites!

♥ Who does the cooking?

We tag team it. Jim LOVES to cook. In fact, he's in the process of baking his famous chocolate chip cookies right now. He also loves to cook meat and such. I like to experiment w/ new things and he's never averse to trying them!

♥ Who is more social?

Um, me. Did you NEED to ask that? :) Actually, Jim can be pretty social in the right context - he's more of an observer, which is probably one thing that makes him the smarter of the two of us.

♥ Who is the neat-freak?

Jim, but he gives in to my "laid back" way of life sometimes! I like to keep things fairly neat, but I'm not a freak by any means. He's pretty relaxed, too...I like that. In fact, I need that.

♥ Who is the more stubborn?

Well, well, well...looks like I have to fess up to another wonderful, wifely trait. I'm most definitely the most stubborn of the the two of us. But we both have our areas of stubborn expertise. Jim is stubborn about things that count like doctrine and stuff. ;) I'd put up a fight about that, too...but I'm more likely to be stubborn about stupid stuff like yeilding at yeild signs correctly and using my turn-signal...or if a word really counts in Scrabble.

♥ Who hogs the bed?

Niether of us really - okay, okay, fine. I'll admit it. Me. I like to sleep right in the middle...therefore skirting Jim off to the very edge until his arms and legs are dangling off. Well, that might be an exaggeration...or not.

♥ Who wakes up earlier?

Oh, this is where Jim rocks. He's the Early Bird and I'm the Night Owl...though, again, we've developed a balance...

♥ Where was your first date?

Grandview Park Baptist High School Soccer Game and Scrabble at the Worsham's.

♥ Who has the bigger family?

If you mean siblings - me. I have 4 younger sisters, all of which have children (save for the 10 year old) and Jim has 2 younger brothers, one of which has 5 kids. If you're talking cousins 'n stuff...well, Jim's dad is the oldest of 7 boys...and two of those boys (his uncles) have, like, 10 kids. He can't even count his cousins!

♥ Do you get flowers often?

I'm all about flowers...hand-picked, store-bought, borrowed from the neighbors yard...and when Jim spends the money on something like flowers - which I agree, can be a bit impractical - I feel like he's treating me like royalty...giving me something I don't need or deserve...I enjoy a bit of superfluity at times. I guess that's just the romantic in me! I'd say if he thinks I'm worth the extra expense...bring it on baby.

♥ How do you spend the holidays?

Traveling.

♥ Who is more jealous?

Song of Solomon 8:6-7. This was the passage used in the challenge at our wedding. "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is as strong as death, Jealously as cruel as the grave; It's flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house it would be utterly despised."

Speaking of Moving It...

Last week we moved (temporarily) to an apartment in Ankeny. Jim is working hard on the rennovation of the house up north (and thanks tons to all who are helping us!)...and the goal to have it done is June. BUT, if he needs more time, he has the freedom to do so. We didn't think it terribly wise to continue living there while staining, painting, carpet glueing and other random construction things are going on - we have a third party to think about now! :) Plus, the musty construction smell was REALLY getting to me! So, we've moved and our quaint little apartment is very cozy and I'm SO glad to be able to cook again! Yay!

I'll be updating you with pictures of the house soon! So much has changed!

Pregnancy Diaries - You Got to Move it, Move it!

I'm feeling lots of movement lately...and it's so strange - but VERY distinct now! It's really fun to feel, but I can't wait for Jim to be able to feel it, too. Right now it's still pretty internal.

Just yesterday marked 19 weeks! The baby's crown to rump length is about 7 inches and he/she (we have ONE week before we find out!) weighs about 7 ounces.

We've got a couple of names picked out for a he or a she...we'll let you know as soon as we know the gender! :) Oh, the suspense!

Because I can...

...I'm changing February's name.

Jim just got his fish and it's a fat little orange one with a cute little mustasche like Guido's. We watched the two fish make friends and they seemed like the fit the personality's and looks of Laurel and Hardy...so, that's what we're naming them. Mine is Laurel February (because I still like the name February), Jim's (with the mustache) is Hardy.

Just a fishy update...

Out with the Guido, In with the February

It was mid-January. Our church was hosting a "Sportsmen's Adventure" in Huxley and our job was to bring 5 live goldfish. I was perplexed as to WHY. Were we going to eat them? Give them away as prizes? Well, I was wrong on both accounts - they were table decorations, centerpieces.

When the event was over there were several leftover goldfish (feeder fish, if you will) and they were just going to be thrown out if no one wanted to take them home. Being the animal lover that I am, I just couldn't let that happen. So we brought home 7 goldfish, 6 of which died during the next 3 days. The 7th though, was a hardy little fishy. He was orange with a black stripe down his back and a little black moustache. So, we called him Guido because he looked like he could be a part of the Italian Mafia.

Guido died on Sunday. We think he was overfed, a common cause of death for goldfish. We were sad that he died because he was entertaining and fun to watch. We got a small bubbler stone to put in his bowl and he would play in the bubbles for hours on end. And on the day of his death, he was escorted to Fishy Eternity by means of flushing and now his carcass has probably been eaten by a sewer rat. Nice.

Anyway, on to better things. Jim and I decided we quite enjoyed the little fish experience we acquired in a few weeks time and voted "yes" to starting our very own aquarium. We purchased a really-on-sale-good-deal 10 gallon aquarium at PetSmart and all the fixin's (gravel, bubbler, plants, food, water conditioner, etc). Of course, it took some studying up to know exactly what an aquarium needs to be successful...and so far, so good. We also decided against feeder fish...they're not all that healthy to begin with and will likely die within a few weeks. So, we opted for the fancy-type goldfish. I got an Oranda...and named him February. Jim will get his later this week (it's safer to stock your aquarium one fish at a time).

I'm REALLY hoping I don't kill these guys...