I won times 2!

So....


When I posted my last blog in March, my husband and I found out just how effective getting healthy can be! We found out right before I posted my last blog that I am pregnant! This has been a very, very long road for us. We tried fertility and that certainly didn't work and then we tried prayer. Good old fashioned, "When God wants it, it will happen." And that is exactly when we got pregnant!


So needless to say the first trimester is over now and that is why I am posting. Not because we were keeping it a deep secret as all of our friends and family already know. But because I was just so tired and out of it for those few months that my day consisted of work, nap, make dinner, eat dinner, lay on the couch and go to sleep again. This interrupted by Church stuff and going out when necessary. That was about it.


So now, I am in my thirteenth week. We have seen the baby on ultrasound twice! And heard it's little heart beat! I am full of energy again--so much so that Saturday I prepped my veggie garde, planted 13 tomato plants, two squash plants, 6 green peppers, 6 japanese eggplants and watered all 5 gardens. Plus a trip to the garden fest, Home Depot, and CVS. I did then take a 2 hour nap, but it was necessary as we then went out with our friends for dinner in Waltham!


I am down to barely any naps during the week but still going to sleep at a reasonable hour as before baby, I was a night owl and midnigh was my usual bedtime!


We have yet to make changes to the house but once we get going on baby room plans, I will keep you posted!!!

Our little munchkin (9 weeks)

Healthy Living Update

So I am almost done my month long healthy living cleanse and I am three and a half weeks into my workout challenge! I thought I'd offer an update to the few out there who read this (not because all of the others don't care, but because I am so horrible at updating my blog!)

Anyway here goes.
Healthy Living Cleanse:
Things have gone well. I was not crazy psycho about everything with this cleanse. I knowingly and willingly ate cake on three birthdays (bro-in-law, mother-in-law and newphew), and ate cheesecake because I went to The Cheesecake Factory and will not refrain from cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory! And I ate pizza once because I was out with my students and was not going to deal with their short attention spans while I ate a salad (real food definitely takes longer to eat!) I did subsequently find out that even though I have been in denial for years, gluten and I are not friends--not at all. Four of the five times I ate it, I distinctly remember a sinus headache coming on within the half hour. Antihistamines worked, but maybe my environmental allergies are all to blame for the pounding of my sinuses at least twice a week!  So even when I go back to eating more foods on Thursday (I'm almost there!), I will refrain from gluten as much as possible and be prepared with antihistamines just in case!

Workout Challenge:
Now this is amazing even for me! I have worked out 6/7 days a week for the last 3 and a half weeks! I am in the lead with a few others who are keeping up with this challenge as much as I am! I'm psyched! I am not always the most competitive person, but with this I will absolutely not miss a day!

So this New Year, New Me stuff is working out pretty good and I am not stopping!

Great new Blog

This is my cousin's blog! She is a sweet, wonderful, fun and talented woman who I am proud to advertise here!
www.joselinlinder.com

It is a New Year!

    Well, we made it through 2011! I can't believe the year went by so quickly! There were a
few changes during 2011 in my life:

                       We completely gutted and refinished our bathroom (well, hubby and his buddy did.) It went from this:

To this!!!! Ta-da! It is still yellow but every wall was ripped out, insulated and re-dry walled!
     

           Our dear Pastor resigned, we started the process of setting up a search and then we were introduced to the concept of an Intentional, Interim Pastor. Pastor Ron will be joining Belmont St. Baptist Church as we start the New Year and a new chapter!
            My dear McGrath Educational Center became You Inc. Educational Day Academy as we combined out two locations! With that change I went from teaching High School English to Middle School (all four subjects!!!!). What a transition but after the combining of the schools, staffs and students and getting used to a new way of doing things, the school year is going as well as can expected for a Emotional/Behavior Disability population! And I'm having fun! I actually couldn't wait to get back to school!


     I think that is it for changes....but two of those are pretty monumental transitions and I made it through!
     So now, it is a New Year and there is much to look forward to. We plan on refinishing the big mudroom in our house. Taking a big vacation (we only went to NH in 2011). Maybe someday soon we'll be able to announce that we're having a baby--but that is up to God. Hmmm...I'm sure there will be much more happening in 2012, but that is to be determined.

A time of transition.

     Our church recently lost its Pastor. There wasn't a scandal, there wasn't major chaos...in the end after all of it was said and done, it was just time to move on. Some people have left, some are thinking of leaving and some, like myself and my husband, realize that the Church is the living entity that we want to belong to. We can't go following Pastors or hoping that the grass will be greener. We must make our grass as green as we can while we are called as member of our Church.      So we had a guest Pastor yesterday, that could be our Intentional Interim Pastor. In other words, this is what he does. He helps Churches figure out who they are and where they are going in order for them to find the right Pastor. It was an exciting service and meeting afterward. My dear hubby was very patient with the hour and a half length of the meeting (I'm sure he was itching to get out of there and get things done at home!)
     Well anyway, during this time of transition, my Bible study is doing a crash course on Psalms and the subject of tonight's session is on Renewal. I find this a very appropriate topic in regards to the Church and also to things in my life. I was not hurt by the transition at Church. If anything, it made me a stronger, more active member. I would rather get involved and help mold the Church into what God wants it to be, than turn away from it and from a group of people that I have grown to care about. I am not close to many of the women my age in Church, but to the women of the generation before me, who are some of the most wonderful, caring and intelligent women I've had the pleasure of knowing!  
     Anyway, I have been hurt by some events with friends over the past year. And unfortunately, it has been compounded by someone who I considered to be my dearest friend, deciding that this past year would be a good year for her to distance herself from me and essentially end the friendship. She has done this for reasons that she hasn't expressed to me. And now she is engaged, and I can't even share in her happiness. And I probably won't be there to see her promise her life to her fiance before God. And it makes me sad. And I miss my friend.
     So as this time of transition continues, I have to find the courage to not run away and face this issue. I am hoping there will be renewal and healing as I've seen slowly happening in my Church. It is amazing how events in your life sync together for God's purpose.

Pride-I hate it.

There aren't many things I hate in life...but I sure hate pride.
  Here is the background on how pride snuck up on me tonight:
     My dear friend's baby shower is tomorrow, and I love her and her husband very much. And I love their baby girl already, even though I haven't met her yet! And I am so excited! I love blessing the people that I love! Especially the selfless, caring, sweet, wonderful people that I know! So I finish wrapping her present tonight when I get home from going out for another one of my dear friend's birthdays (busy weekend!)
     Anyway, this will not come as a surprise to those who know me, but I put together a basket for her. I love making baskets! They are so pretty and so personal because you can really put thought into what you get for someone! I have made wine baskets and "kitchen" baskets for wedding showers, a "honeymoon survival" basket for a friend (that honeymoon weekend made a baby! hehe) and I have made baby gift baskets before. Its fun for me, and I really love and enjoys watching my friends and family opening them and enjoying their gifts...and I love knowing that what is in the baskets are useful gifts. It is a way that I show my love. But I don't do it with pride, I do it with all of the love in my heart...
     Now back to the basket I made. As I sat there yesterday and put all of the gifts that I picked out thoughtfully into the pretty little basket lined with pink gingham...I thought of this couple at Church. Now, we all have them...we loath ourselves for loathing them...but we have them...those people in our lives that we secrectly compete with and secretly feel contempt for. There may be no reason for it, they may not even know you exist...but they do exist and for some reason, you feel that you must compete with them...even if you don't talk to them, or know much about them...there they are...
     So I have this couple...and I'm wrapping my dear friend's gift...and I think to myself...I hope my gift is better than hers...and this is horrible...I am not this person...I hate this part of my person...and then I think...well it has to be prettier--because its a basket...ugh...and I pray. "God, please stop the pride. I do not want to be prideful" These people don't even know I exist (by the way, I don't think my husband 'competes' with them...just I do). These people have their own life, and family and careers and everything else. This is my battle and my struggle.
     And even as I sit here, I hate myself for it. And I'm disgusted with those thoughts...and I have no idea how to get rid of them. So tomorrow, I will still probably feel it. And I'll gloat if my gift is prettier and better...and if it isn't...I don't know what...I'm competing with a person that doesn't even have me on her radar...and what's more? Its not like she is richer, or prettier, or further ahead in her career....and the things she has...I don't want....her husband isn't more successful or better looking or any nicer than mine, and yes, she has kids, but instead of focusing on having a family I got my Master's degree, because I knew I didn't want to do it in the opposite order (I don't have 'insane' stamped on my forehead).  I'm totally happy with my life, I know that God has blessed me and even just tonight I was telling my husband that I had everything I wanted and I was completely happy with out lot in life....so why do I feel these pangs of jealously and this awful retched feeling towards this poor woman?
     And the only answer I have is....the devil made me do it...do I give him too much credit? Maybe...but since there is no logical reason...and I know that I should be happy for this couple...that is my only explanation for it...so tomorrow...who knows if this pride with turn me into the vain, competitive, snot that I am right...but I hope not...I hope the hour and a half of prayer and worship before the baby shower will do me some good and snuff this out. Here goes nothing!

Oh and here is the basket I made...just cause its pretty!

Crazy Days are here again!

     It never ceases to amaze me! Christmas time rolls around and busy becomes the norm! I'm not just talking about our schedules, right ladies? I'm talking about our brains, our bodies, our everything is set to Go, Go, Go! As I'm sitting here and typing this quick little post, I have three to five to twenty things and thoughts and to-do's running through my head. From when I am going to buy so and so's present to when are the bills due to when do I need to mail in that stuff so my student loans are on forbearance until I'm done my five years teaching low-income kids....to wrap the presents, to make out the Christmas cards....and the list goes on and on and on.
     No offense to the men out there, but women are forever multi-tasking and taking on the stress of the family. Every night I come home and make dinner, make sure the bills are paid and make sure all of the mail is opened and organized. I'm not saying my husband doesn't do anything, he empties the dishes, puts the laundry away, makes sure the pellet stove is in good working order (and keeping me warm!) to many other tasks around the house. However, women do tend to bear the brunt of the multi-tasking, stressful duties around the house. Now my husband would say, but you wanted to use your bank, so you have to pay the bills. Yes, I did take that responsibility on, he is right...however, it has been four years, when will that deal end?
     My point is, for many years the woman was the homemaker. Her job was to manage the home and the children and make sure everything in the business of Home was taken care of. Now, many of us aren't just homemakers, we are teachers, doctors, lawyers, hairdressers, you name it, we are it. And because of this, there is much more stress on women today than ever before. Nevermind the fact that this world moves at an unGodly pace and there is much more stress on EVERYONE than ever before. No wonder heart disease is the number one killer of women, no wonder inferility is on the rise. We make ourselves sick with stress, and worry, and all of the nastiness that our modern lives entail.
     As a modern, working wife and homemaker (because even though I'm a teacher, I make a home as well), I urge you--all of you stressed out overworked women. Stop. Take 20 minutes and read a book. Take a bath. Take a breath if that is all you have time for. And pat yourselves on the back. Because before you know it--it will be January 1st and we will have 11 months to prepare for next year's onslaught of stress, chaos and how the heck can I buy that person a present too????!!!!!

Frustration turns into Calm

    I was just so frustrated with a situation that my husband and I are dealing with now and was ready to chop someones head off. I made a call, left a message and within a few minutes I got a call back from someone who was able to quickly calm my fears, my stress and my anxiety. I have known this woman since High School, and she was always one of the nicest, sweetest girls I know and to see her turn into this reassuring, calming, sweet women is such a blessing! I love when living angels come to us to show us God's grace and mercy! I voiced my fears, my frustrations and my concerns and my friend was able to more me towards the resolution that I felt was the leading of God! It is so amazing to feel the peace wash over you as you trust in His plan for everything!

Some things I learned

     This weekend has become a testament to the strength of love and how sincerity and strength and perseverance can push that love beyond a stumbling block to making you productive, full of joy and on the way to some good old fashioned healing and reconnecting!
     I also learned that we had WAY too much stuff crammed into my husband's closet and it felt so nice to clean it out, organize it and store it neatly in space bags (which are so fun to use!) You can actually walk in his closet now and see the floor--I forget what color that rug was!
     And I also learned that it is so special to have friends who are as excited for you as you are for yourself!

Thank you my loves for a wonderful weekend!

Prayers Please

     My best friend's family just lost their grandfather this week. He was a great man, funny, kind, sweet, loving and always their to give you a wink and nudge! What a light-hearted wonderful man he was! We knew that he was going to pass away soon and God gave her family the gift of one more week with him where he was lucid and awake and able to tell them how much they meant. Please pray for his 7 children, 14 grandchildren and countless children in-laws and others who will miss Pape's. We love you!
     Another friend is going through a crisis as well. I don't know major details because I haven't been able to get a mutual friend on facebook this week, but please just pray for her healing and comfort in this trial in her life.
     This weekend my husband and I are also awaiting big things,  please keep us in your prayers as well! (Especially on Sunday morning!)
     If anyone has prayer requests, leave them here so we can all pray together for the needs of God's people.


I hope everyone has a great weekend and we will keep you posted on the big things!!!
God Bless!

Phillipians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Heartfelt and touching blog post from a Sister in Christ

http://achocolatebouquet.blogspot.com/2010/10/take-time-to-evaluate.html

I just read this post and I know it is very meaningful in my life, so please check it out and see if God touches your heart with it too.

Hmmmm....

     Did you ever arrive somewhere, just to ask yourself "How did I get here?" This could be about a car ride, a walk, a place or a moment in your life. Lately I've been asking myself this more and more. And it isn't always a bad thing when I ask myself. It could be something as simple as having a nice lunch with a friend and you wonder, how did I get so lucky to have such a good friend?
     There have been a lot of changes in my world recently. From graduating with a Master's degree to planning a family, to even buying new furniture things have changed very rapidly this passed year. They say that the first year of marriage is hard--for us it was a breeze. They say that when you have children its hard--well we aren't there yet. But sometimes things in life can just stress a marriage out. And some days we are at that point where we asked ourselves..how did we get here? How did a silly conversation turn into a fight? How did a conversation a week ago about the dishes case the evening to end so badly? How did the traffic that we are sitting in turn into us not talking to each other through the entire store? Stress in a marriage is natural and there are ups and downs. We have been together long enough to know that sometimes we will hit a rough patch, there will be a whole week where we fight everyday and then there will be a great patch where we don't fight for months and we are so in love during those times. When we get to that point where we say "How did we get here?" Whether it be good or bad, sometimes we forget to reflect back on the journey that led us to that good point or that bad point. And we forget that we get through our bad parts and move onto those parts that make our marriage as amazing as it is.
     So I sit here in the kitchen and wonder, how did I get here? Somedays I ask Why am I so tired? or How did I get so lucky? And tonight its, why am I so tired? why am I blogging instead of cooking dinner? how did teasing become an argument? and is my friend coming to worship with me tonight? We ask ourselves so many questions throughout the day. Sometimes we need to lay it at the foot of the Cross. Sometimes we need to take a break and be mindless so we don't drive ourselves crazy with the questions. And sometimes we need to examine how we got somewhere.
     For us, we struggle sometimes because we spent two years of our marriage with me in grad school and we are still majorly getting outselves back into rhythm. We also struggle because we walked out of a "lets just live our lives" phase into "wife in grad school" phase into a "planning" phase. We really enjoyed living with the come what may attitude and now we are trying to adjust. So we struggle, we bicker, sometimes we argue. But we make up everytime and we figure it out. And once the "planning" phase is over we will be able to look back and ask "how did we get here?" and we will cherish the journey and smile.

Friends...

     It has come to my attention that there has been some drama surrounding friendships in my group of friends. I will speak to what a friend is..because I believe it needs some clarification...
      I know not of what a friend isn't, but I know a lot about what a friend is. A true friend will be your cheerleader when you need them on your side. A true friend will never say a bad thing about you behind your back--if they need to talk to you about something they always will. A true friend (like a true love) will love you in spite of your faults--they will never expect you to change who you are. A true friend is one who is there at every happy moment and every heartbreaking moment without being asked. A true friend is loyal to a fault and will never support an injustice against you. A true friend is never fickle. A true friend is hurt when you are hurt and mad when you are mad. A true friend will listen to your deepest thoughts, desires and wishes.  A true friend will go out of their way for you without a thought...and they will never point out that it was out of their way. A true friend will do all of this and never expect it in return--even though their true friends will do all of this for them as well...not because they have to, but because it is just what you do.
     There are many other things that true friends do, but they are too numerous to list. When I think of my true friends, I only count a few, but it is not the number of friends I have that matters. It is the quality of those friendships.
     I do not write any of these words to be spiteful, because if you really knew me, you know I am not, nor have I ever been vindictive. I do not write these words to hurt, because it has never been my goal to hurt anyone...I am not that type of person. If you know me, you know that I am heartfelt, true, loyal, unselfish, frugal, corny, klutzy, honest (to a fault), talkative when I get nervous, open, moral, faithful, God-loving and full of joy. I am always willing to admit my mistakes and I hate fighting (even if sometimes I do). I get over things quickly because in the grand scheme of life, those little tiffs don't matter. Our lives go by much too quickly to hold grudges, to be mean and hurtful, and to pretend. I have lost people that have meant the world to me and I thank God that I never was fake in any way to those people...I will never be fake, I will always be honest and I will always live my life with my whole heart.

Happy Birthday to Me!

     I just got home from a wonderful evening out with two of my dear friends and my lovely husband! We went to Big Papi's Grille and the movies (saw The Social Network). We had a great time and I am so thankful for the love (in all forms) that I have in my life. Another dear friend of mine was so thoughtful today and drove all the way to my house to give me my birthday present even though her day was full and she had a wedding to go to tonight.
     I love having the birthday that I have because it falls on a nice long weekend and its the day after my parents' anniversary. I will forever be reminded of the love they have for each other and that on the year that I was born I was their present to each other! (Corny I know, but even my parents say it, so it must be true!) So anyway, my birthday celebration isn't over yet! Tomorrow, my fabulous in-laws are throwing my birthday dinner (any meal and dessert I want--Seafood Payaya and Pumpkin Cheesecake!!!) Then on Monday, my best friend in all of the world (besides hubby) and I are going to lunch and the movies with another girlfriend!
     I love birthdays for many reasons, but the main reason is that it gives me a chance to take stock of where I am in my life and how far I have come. I look back on all of the years and look forward to the years to come. I don't know where we will be in 5 years....kids? a house? Who knows. I also love birthdays because I am reminded of everyone that stands beside me in this world and of all the people that love me. I know that no matter where I am in the future--or where I was in the past--those people were and always will be there for me. Thanks!!!!
"For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be."
– Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)