Today...

...My mom hits the road; traveling the Alcan from Haines, Alaska through Canada, past Mount Rushmore, through Omaha and then settling in south west Michigan. Prayers please for her safe travel, as she is traveling alone in a u-haul. I am excited for her to get back. I think I will be able to see her around the middle of May. :)

...I find out when/where my Uncle Gary's funeral is taking place. He passed away last week, after suffering a stroke, among other things. He would be stuck in a hospital bed for life, not being able to do much of anything by himself. Last week, he chose to move on from here, because being bound to a hospital bed was no life to him. He was a part of a motorcycle gang called the Iron Coffins for about 15 years. He always had ideas of how to improve or fix anything and everything, and he had a wealth of random knowledge that no one could beat. He was only in his 60's and he will be missed, and he won't be forgotten, how can you forget someone with so much passion for what he believed in?

...I resume tutoring a 4th grade boy who is struggling in math. His parents want him to be ready and prepared for middle school. Tutoring will probably last all summer long. I guess it is up to me to help him along that multiplication and division road. (It's a long, tedious, and frustrating road for him. I hope I cna turn that around over the next few months.)

...I smile. Eloise is on her way, and even though I am not the healthiest I could be today, and she is making me uncomfortable, I thank God for blessing Ted and I with this baby and look forward to the day she will be here!

33 Weeks and Counting!

I am uploading a pic of me taken this morning by my lovely hubby (thanks!) before I came to work. At 33 weeks, I am finally feeling the "effects" of having 20-some extra pounds around my midsection. Yesterday I subbed, and by 1:30pm I was ready for a nap and my back and feet felt like I was 100 years old. Ted explained this by, "Well there's pregnant and then there's super-pregnant." I am assuming I have entered the super-pregnant stage. :)

This week Ted and I built the crib and changing table! we were so proud of each other because we worked together, me reading the directions and handing out pieces and Ted wrenching them together. Usually when we build stuff we end up fighting or getting frustrated at each other because the we messed up on the directions or something....but not this time! It was fun to build the crib and really, really easy. :)

Here are some pics of the nursery so far...we don't have shades on the window yet or any decorations, but all of the "big" stuff is FINALLY done. We have only been talking about painting and furniture for forever! :)

New Pic!

Finally, I posted a new pic of my ever-growing belly! Just look to the right, and you will see me. :)

The doctor says everything is right on track and both of us are looking good and healthy! yay!

I'll Pass...Thank you!

Yesterday, I took a drive to Gaylord because I was assuming that the new Meijer had finally opened there, and we are in the need of lots of household/upkeep type items that Ted and I would like to get for a good price, while at the same time not selling our soul to Wal-Mart. Sorry Wal-Mart, but we just don't like you and your practices.

But, when I got to my destination, the Meijer was definitely not open. Luckily for me my trip was not wasted because there happens to be a Kohl's and an Old Navy right across the street. :) Nothing at Old Navy will fit me right now unless I buy large or x-large and then I wouldn't be able to wear it after Eloise is born, so that was a no go. But, I did find a cute little tee-shirt for Eloise that was on sale (as if she doesn't already have enough)!!

At Kohl's I was seriously tempted to buy lots of other 'must-have' items for Eloise, but then I felt silly because with two baby showers coming up there is no need for me to keep buying her stuff she might receive from others in the coming weeks.

I did get the idea to buy a new outfit for ME though! I was thinking about Easter, and church and the get together afterward and realized that I have nothing cute that fits me. I have pants and jeans and tee's and such, but nothing super cute and spring-like. First, I looked at the Maternity section. That made me want to go home right then. I don't know who designs maternity clothes, but as the months pass Ted and I have noticed it is hard to find "normal" clothes. I think,for some reason, maternity designers think that pregnant women need bigger than normal decorations plastered all over their shirts for their bigger than normal bellies. NOT TRUE!

So, I skipped that section and went to the area I usually find stuff in. I found a brown skirt that doesn't have a zippered waist and so it will work before AND after the baby arrives. And, since dressy shirts are made longer and drapey-er these days, (sorry, I am really bad at describing clothes and what they look like), I found a shirt that accents my belly and keeps me looking like a normal in-style person. I also bought a necklace to match.

I was surprised that Ted didn't seem to mind, in fact he was happy I bought something. Even though we don't have much money and our #1 car is headed to the grave (slowly, but surly) Ted knew that I was running out of clothing options and it just makes a girl feel good to look fabulous in something new! :)