Markets Closed = Zoo

Earlier this week, Stephen told me the markets would be closed today, due to Good Friday, so he suggested that we go to the zoo. I just renewed our membership, so it sounded like a good idea. I sent my good friend Mandy, a text, asking if her family would like to join us. It wasn't until I was getting us ready to leave this morning that I remembered that it's Spring Break for most of the city. Hmmmm, could be busy!

However, we decided to still stick it out and I'm glad we did. Yes, it was insanely busy when we got to the zoo at 10:00, but we got one of the last parking spaces, I'm sure. Mandy and her family were just a few minutes behind us, but had to park a long ways away, not even technically in zoo parking.

Although the zoo was filled with people, the weather was a perfect 62 degrees and sunny. I've found over the last 3 years while going to the zoo regularly that 60 degrees is the perfect temperature for the animals. They're all out and active. During the summer time, it's too hot for many of them, so most of the time, they are sleeping. Which is boring. And I've also found that the girls don't see the animal we're looking at, unless it's moving.  Although, I was proud of Avery, as she found these tiny brightly colored frogs in a habitat behind glass today, and they were not moving.

Both girls had a great time with their little friends, until Avery fell apart when she fell down and scraped her knee. It was clear that it was time to go home and take a nap. However, both girls fell asleep in the car on the way home and did not transfer to their beds to continue their naps. Sigh. You can't have it all.

It was a good day.

Oh, and I forgot my camera, so I didn't take any pictures. Oops.

One Year Ago Today...

With good friends, Nathan and Katrina

Friends in Florida...

While in Florida, we visited with friends.  Our good family friends, Rick and Colleen came down to Florida for a few days.  They used to be our neighbors when we lived in Omaha, starting when I was 3 years old!  I think it's great to have friends who have known you for so long.  And now, it's so great for them to be able to meet and get to know Avery.

Grandpa, Aunt Kris, Stephen

Rick

Dad and Stephen, after Stephen beat Dad and Rick at poker and gave his winnings to me!  I'm still deciding what to spend the pot on...

After Rick and Colleen went back to Omaha, we drove about an hour away to visit our old youth pastor and his wife and 19 month old, Jayden.  I hadn't seen Tweit and Jolynn for several years, so it was fun to catch up!

Tweit and their dog, Autumn

Jayden and my Dad - Jayden loves to read books, so here he is, climbing up next to my dad to read a story.

Dad and Jayden, reading

Jayden jumping on Dad - this looked painful (for my dad), but he's a tough guy, so Jayden had fun!

Jolynn, Tweit, and Jayden

Thank you so much for having us over, guys!  We had a lot of fun with you.  Isn't Jayden adorable?

143 Million...Minus One

My friend Becky and her husband, Mark, are going through the process of adopting a baby boy from Ethiopia.  Since this is a very costly process, they are selling reusable grocery bags to help raise money.

Go here to read all about it, and if you feel led to, please purchase some bags to help them out.

She is also having a giveaway for the bags, if you want to enter that.  Go here to see what to do!

The Cuteness is Too Much to Handle...

Last week, we traveled to New York City to visit our good friends, who had twins exactly a month before Avery was born.

Avery got to fly on an airplane for the first time!  And, it couldn't have gone any better.  She was an angel.

I love this picture because Avery's are so crossed ~ it cracks me up!

Noah, Ava, and Avery

On Friday, all 3 kiddos took a nap together in one of the cribs.  Avery slept awesome.  I think she liked having another warm body by her!

We walked to Madison Square Park one day and went to The Shake Shack.  Yum!

Okay, prepare yourself.  The following pictures are TOO CUTE.

Avery ~ what a big girl already!

Noah, a.k.a. Nathan Junior

Smiley Ava

Avery, Stephen, Me, Forrest, Katrina, Ava, Nathan, Noah

We had such a fun time in NYC!  It was an awesome time with our best friends.  Here's to hoping we continue sharing our lives together for years to come!

*All of the good pictures were taken by Katrina!

Visitors...

Great-Grandpa John

Great-Grandma Nancy

Great-Grandpa Dallen

Great-Grandma Glennis

Uncle Erik and Aunt Julie

Great-Aunt Kris

Great-Grandma Colleen

Angie and Carissa

My Night/Morning...

Well, it's 7:42 on Saturday morning and I have been WIDE AWAKE since 4:00 am.

I did not fall asleep until 1:15 or so.

That's maybe 2 1/2 hours of sleep.

I finally got out of bed at about 5:30 and decided to play an online game or two. At about 6:20, I had a really strong Braxton Hicks contraction (not abnormal), followed by a text from my soul sista, Katrina (who, as you remember is pregnant with twins and is due 5 days after me) that said, "Water broke! Pray for us!"

As I was still contracting, I waddled to the bedroom to inform Stephen of all the excitement, and texted Katrina back that we are so excited they're having their babies today! And then we prayed.

That is Reason #1 why I love being married to my Huzz.

Then, we were just laying there, reflecting on the fact that this is going to be us in the next few weeks, when I had another Braxton Hicks contraction, just 8 minutes after the previous one.

Hmmm, that's weird.

I switched positions and we continued to talk in bed.

I had another one after that, just seven minutes later.

Now, in our birthing class, Nurse Chris told us that if we have 4 BH contractions in an hour before our 37th week to call our doctor because we could be in preterm labor.

Then, I decided I was hungry. I had been up for almost 3 hours, after all!

So, I waddled to the kitchen to make a PBJ sandwich and had another contraction, which was just another 7 minutes after the previous one.

Well, I decided that I'd eat before calling the doctor because I was starving.

I ate my sandwich and have drunk about 18 ounces of water. I don't think I've had anymore contractions.

I do think that I couldn't sleep and have been wide awake because of Katrina. Maybe I've been having mild contractions because of her, too. I don't know...it's weird.

In any case, I don't think I'm in preterm labor right now. I have my next doc's appointment on Monday afternoon, at which they'll be "checking me" for dialation and fun things like that from now on. Yippee!

Nathan and Katrina, we love you and are thinking about you and praying for you and those babies today! We are soooooooooo excited!

For later on today, I'm looking forward to watching the Huskers beat Iowa State! Game starts at 11:30 central time. GO BIG RED!!!!! Hopefully, that won't put me into labor!

PS - Huzz is not happy that the Huskers game is IN HD on Fox Sports and the CU game is NOT IN HD, even though it's the local game. Haha. Just shows you that CU fans are not as loyal as Husker fans!

Weeks 25-26...

It has been a crazy couple of weeks! I went to two baby showers (not my own yet) and had my 10 year high school class reunion in one weekend. Then, we moved into our house. We have been very busy unpacking and buying furniture and organizing things.

I am exhausted. That could partly be due to me starting up my third trimester exhaustion phase, too.

I will be posting pictures of the past few weeks soon, but for this post, it's all things baby.

Baby Bruce is the size of a large eggplant now!

The picture above is last week. The picture below is me, today, at 26 weeks.

This week, I have been really surprised at all the movement Baby Bruce is making! I can now feel Baby moving, no matter what position I am in, even when I'm walking around. Also, the little peanut is clearly very acrobatic, as I can see and feel that he/she is rolling and flipping around in there. It's a weird feeling, and my belly looks even weirder! Sometimes, Baby makes my tummy kind of lopsided when i'm sitting or laying down.

Also, I think I may be starting mild Braxton Hicks contractions, as sometimes, my belly gets very hard and tight for a minute or two. And yesterday and today, my stomach muscles are spasming like crazy! It just means that I'm growing, I guess.

What to Expect When You're Expecting tells me that Baby's eyes are beginning to open. Also, he might respond when I put a flashlight up to my belly, so I'll have to try that!

I have noticed the Baby kicking a lot when I eat spicy food. I love spicy food. Do you think Baby likes it, or kicks me because he's mad? I think it's because he likes it. Haha!

We are enjoying living back in the Mile High City. When the Rockies score 7 or more runs, we can "Run to the border", if you will, and get 4 tacos for $1.00. That's right. One dollar. (With the purchase of a drink.) I love the Bell's hot sauce. We are watching the Rockies on t.v. right now, as they're playing the Pirates again, and fortunately, we are winning 7-1, in the bottom of the 7th.

Tonight is Taco Night!

On a very serious note, please, please, please say prayers for our dear friends, the Stroups. Amy is pregnant with twins and due about a week and a half before me. They found out yesterday that they lost one of their precious girls. I am just heartbroken and distraught for her. I saw her blog entry before I went to sleep last night and just could not stop thinking and praying for her all night. Most of you readers know them, so I hope you'll feel led to pray.

I will be back soon with more updates. I promise they will be more frequent, now that we finally got my laptop to work on the wireless network!

So Much to Do...

I am extremely grateful because I don't have to work on Friday or Monday, so four day weekend, here I come!

However, the time is packed, my friends.

The teachers got paid yesterday, so we all make the obligatory trip to the bank to get some cash today. Every month when I get paid, we need to go in and take out enough cash to pay our rent and our driver. Today will be the last time we withdraw money for our driver. We are firing him and here is why:

1. It's a lot of money and we don't use him enough to justify keeping him. It was great when Huzz was going to work everyday, too, but he's not. It seems quite extravagant, especially when times are tough.
2. He has become increasingly lazier during the last few months. You would think that since he's hardly working for us that when he does, he would be on top of his game. But he's not. When he takes us somewhere, he leaves until we call him to come back and get us. This would be all well and good if he was within 5 minutes away, but it's not uncommon for him to be 15-20 minutes, so we are left standing outside, waiting for him.
3. His driving makes me sick. Literally. I seem to get carsick every time I ride with him now. I know that my condition is the main reason for this, but seriously, his driving is erratic, at best. He slams on the brakes and takes turns really fast and cuts people off. Not only am I sick by the time I get to our destination, but I'm also exhausted from all of the intense big P's I'm sending up the whole time.
4. Speaking of slamming on the brakes, his brakes have been rubbing raw and squealing (I've never heard brakes squeak this loudly before) for over 6 weeks now and he hasn't gotten them fixed. A little bit of a safety concern, there.
5. Secret reason: I am hoping that with the money we'll save from 2 months of not paying the driver, we could maybe go someplace during the last two weeks we're here, just for a few days. However, I know Huzz is probably just thinking, "Look at all the money we'll save!"

So, once we get the money, Huzz is going to let him go. We have arranged to have one of our friends nearby just in case Mr. Driver has a raging fit. He has exhibited some anger issues in our presence before, so we are taking precautions.

Anyway, tonight, Matthew and Sonia have invited the group over for shepherd's pie and apple crumble. Yes, please!

Tomorrow, we are going to the store to get all items needed for the Italian feast I will be making for 3 other couples on Saturday night.

And on Saturday morning, I am going to put all my trust in Him and get my bloodwork done for my pregnancy. I'm nervous because:

1. I don't speak Russian
2. They do things very differently here in the medical world than they do back home.

Sorry about the lists today. I like them.

So, Saturday night, there will be dinner for 8 at our apartment. I've helped my mom countless times with dinner parties, but I've never done one myself for more than 4 people.

No dishwasher = really fun times after everyone has left!

Probably church on Sunday morning. If not, it is because we'll be going to see Big Almaty Lake with our friends. We're trying to organize a trip there, but don't know which day it will be yet.

Anyway, an event-packed weekend! What are you all up to this weekend?

Lovely Jane...

Dear Friends,


Our dear family friend, Jane, has left this Earth. And right now, she is dancing with Our Father!


I do feel so badly for Jane's husband, Mel, and Jane's mother and rest of her family that is still here. Their lives will have a hole that Jane has filled for so many years.


But, I am also happy for Jane. She has suffered through years of pain and misery and frustration with her body.


I read this post from Beth Moore about Life and Death recently. Please read it because it phrased so perfectly what death is like for Believers.


Please lift up Jane's family on Tuesday, as they celebrate her life.

Big P's Needed...

I had a dream last night about our good family friend, Jane. Jane has had MS for as long as I can remember, but I think she's only in her very early 60's. I dreamt that I was at a Starbucks and Jane came in (walked in, not wheeled in) with her mother and her baby in a baby carriage. I said hi and held the baby. In real life, Jane does not have any children, which is why I was really excited in the dream. That was about it. Just a snippet.

When I woke up this morning, I checked my email and my mom had written to say that Mel (Jane's husband) had called to say that Jane is in the hospital and has been comatose for 30 hours. He is just praying that the Father would bring her Home, as she has been completely bed-ridden for the last 4-6 weeks. Her quality of life is nothing now.

Mel and Jane are such strong Believers and their trust in Him is so admirable. I know Mel will be heartbroken without his Jane, but I know he also has full confidence that Jane will be spending forever with our real Father and he will see her again soon.

Please keep Mel and Jane in your thoughts and big P's. They are dear friends to our whole family.

Huzz and I are off to go on a city bus tour today - double decker! We were planning on going to the Prince's Islands today, but didn't get up early enough. We are being very lazy!

I will try to post later tonight about some more things that we've been doing during the last few days.

Hope you all are having a great weekend!

Billie Visit #2...

Sonia, R'iordan, and I went to visit Billie today, since we had the day off from school for Nauryz.
Billie modeled the purple baby booties that I made for her, perfectly!

And the pointy hat, too!

She has changed so much during the last four days, it's unbelievable! She is just beautiful and should be going home with Mommy tomorrow morning.

Heeeeere's Billie!...

On Thursday evening after work, we went with Matt & Sonia to see Rick, Katy, and baby Billie at the hospital.
We were there about 40 minutes and she was wide awake the whole time, looking around. She got passed around a lot and just went with the flow. She cried once and sounded so cute!

Ooh, Stephen is comfy-cozy!

Proud Mommy and Daddy with their new baby!

Congratulations, Rick & Katy!

She is absolutely beautiful!

Baby Update...

Of course, within minutes of posting my last entry, Sonia came and told me she had received a text from Rick that baby Billie had been born!

She was born at 8:50 a.m.

She weighs 3.2 kilos. That's 7.06 pounds!

Don't know how long she is.

Guessing she has dark hair!

Hopefully, we'll get to visit this afternoon.

Spoke Too Soon...

The weather forecast said it was going to be rainy all week ~ typical spring time weather, right?

Last night, I woke up a couple of times, due the noisiness in our bedroom. The rain was so loud on the galvinized overhangs, it sounded like people were running around out there!

When I came out of our apartment building this morning on my way to work, it had just started snowing. Big, huge, wet flakes. Luckily, I was prepared for rain, so I had my umbrella.

Ella, ella...

It is 4 hours later and it has been snowing hard ever since. Still huge, fluffy, wet flakes. I didn't think it would stick because it's so wet, but it has and I think we have about 6 inches! We are talking snowflakes the size of quarters, people. I wish I hadn't forgotten my camera again on the dining room table. I am so forgetful lately!

When I met up with my friends this morning to go to work, I found out that our friend, Katy, went to the hospital this morning because she thought she might be in labor! Very exciting! She was scheduled to have a C-section next Wednesday (been postponed three times, now!) so we're thinking that even if she is having false labor, they might just go ahead and do the C-section. So, we might be going to the hospital after work to visit.

We haven't heard anything yet, so we'll play it by ear. Sooooo excited for Katy and Rick!

New Year's Eve...

For New Year's Eve, our good friends Karl & Kelley Marie invited us up to Denver to their house, along with Kyle & Alexis, and Erik & Julie.

We had a great time. We ate a ton of cheese fondue....mmmmm, cheese. I made queso dip. I LOVE queso dip, don't you?
We also played Trivial Pursuit! That was a ton of fun, which I NEVER think that Trivial Pursuit is a lot of fun.

Unless I win.

And Alexis and I did win.

Actually, the game went on for so many hours that by the time we quit at 2:00 am, Alexis and I had the most pie pieces.

Alexis also wrote about New Year's Eve here, so you can see pictures from my favorite part of the night: when I read Hannah "Goodnight Moon."

We also had a lot of fun watching the little ones play. Karl & Kelley Marie have a two-year old, named Christian. He is all boy and is very busy! A little friend of his and his parents came over for a couple of hours. You could tell Hannah was a little bewildered.

And Stephen and I were amazed at the cars from Cars that Christian had. Remember the days when you dragged the car backwards on the floor to make it go?

Now, you just shake the car and it goes and makes noises! What will they think up next?

It was pretty funny because the little boys were shaking EVERY car that Christian had to see if it would go.

We had a lot of fun, and since we're all in our late 20's-ish, we were in bed by 2:30...Except for the boys, minus Stephen.

The boys went in the hot tub for a while.

When we all woke up the next morning, sweet Kelley Marie made a huge breakfast for everyone!

Thank you so much! We had a ton of fun. It was one of the most fun New Year's Eves I have ever had!

Christmas in Colorado...Part 4...

We met another new little baby, while in Colorado. This is Jonas. He was born at the beginning of December to my friend from high school, Seth, and his wife, Amie.
He was just a little snuggler! Here he is, nestled with Nathan.

Awww, isn't he tiny? Again, I LOVE them when they're this small!

A few of us got together to meet Jonas, including our friends, Chris & Amy and their little guy, Micah.

Micah entertained himself while we all visited. What a good boy!