Thanksgiving day

I can't believe it's already Saturday and therefore our Thanksgiving break is nearly over! The weeks just fly by these days, it seems, and I feel that before I know it I will be giving birth, then as quick as that, Lou will be walking, talking...going to college! Well, I should have time to cherish the moments, but I will need to be really careful to because life truly does zip on by.

Thanksgiving has always been pretty big with my family. My aunt is a caterer so the past few years we've had the big meal at her "manor" which is this restored 1930's little hall up in Monroe. Our family is notorious for preparing WAY too much food, which is fine because then everyone gets leftovers. We had fun visiting, dancing, and playing with the kids.

The Coast

I have many pictures to share from my last week. I tried to condense them down but I ended up taking quite alot. Since I'm just relaxing now at my grandma and grandpa's while Mike does hw, have the time to sit down and upload them. Enjoy!

Our first day in Oregon was pretty grey, here is Haystack Rock

I always have to have one of these close-ups, it's just standard :)

This is the dairy farm where my mother-in-law grew up. It was so good to look around the place and to meet more of the Hurliman side of the family

Grandma showing us pictures of her trip to Switzerland (Mike should have more pictures of her, for some reason I just have this one)

We weren't expecting such a striking sunset after the cloudy day, but then the next day...

...was beautiful!

ahhh, so nice

Mike skipping rocks on the beach

Who doesn't love the ocean?

Look at those waves! You probably can't see, but there are some surfers taking advantage of them out there.

Kathy & Haystack

The three of us :)

If not for those pesky truck tracks, I might have really loved this picture

Kathy & John

Can't wait to take you, Louisa!

Brief break

Tomorrow we are headed down to the Oregon coast to visit Mike's grandma for a few days. I am looking forward to getting some nice fresh ocean air and meeting grandma for the first time. It will be a little while before I post again, but I'm sure I'll have some nice photos to share!

Have a blessed week!

Strange dreamin' and another belly picture

Ohh my dreams seem like they've been let loose into the very depths and corners of my imagination. I've always had pretty vivid dreams that I could easily remember so at first it wasn't so odd to be dreaming alot. But lately they've taken me on a roller coaster ride of emotions. So last night I dreamt that the baby's hand started to be pressed up on my belly. We were like, "wow that's so cute and amazing!" but then she actually STUCK out her hand out of my belly button, then the other one came out and we were touching and holding her little hands as they poked out. Then, she suddenly sucked them back in and there was some amniotic fluid on my belly. Gross and weird, I know! So I'm sure they are only going to get more real as I get closer to delivery day and maybe beyond that. Additionally, both Mike and I talk in our sleep so that makes for good stories when we wake up in the mornin'.


Well here is an updated picture of Louisa growing up in her mama's belly. We are getting close in a way, I feel like February is just around the corner! I think I'm really looking bigger. Last night we went dancing and people were looking at me strangely like, what are you doing here you pregnant lady? (Well, maybe not but that's what it felt like...)



So the angle isn't good (not very flattering either) because Mike took it while laying down. The poor guy is taking a nap because he worked vigorously to finish a big paper that was due Thursday (he did a great job on it though, trust me I edited it :) Sorry honey for posting this picture but you look so darn cute that I can't resist!

Thanksgiving

Going along with the homily our priest gave last night at mass, I would like to list some things I'm grateful for. First, some unlikely things that he mentioned:

Dirty dishes - because it means we have enough food to eat
Dirty laundry - because it means those we love are nearby
Complaints about the government - because it means we have the freedom to speak our minds.
Energy bills - because it means we are warm

You get the idea...
I thought it was nice to remember that despite the problems that arise in my life, I have SO MUCH to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of year. Christmas will always be #1, but Thanksgiving really gets to the heart of my faith. It is all about being grateful for who God is and for all that he has blessed me with. More than anything, it is the Eucharist, because it is access to God incarnate. Nothing is better than that! I am thankful that I was given the gift of faith and that I have the opportunity to freely practice that faith. Along with religious beliefs, I have been given a sweetheart of a husband who I never have to fear will abandon me. My family -which now includes Mike's family who is a great blessing as well- I am extremely thankful for.And what about dear friends who encourage me and love me for who I am? Finally, there is this sweet baby that I can't wait to meet that God has chosen to bless us with - goodness how thankful I am for her!

Again, this post stems from last night's excellent homily, where we were encouraged to recall all that we are especially grateful for this past year. I felt my heart praising God for everything he has done for me. I have never been so happy or grateful than I am right now in my life. This is truly a most blessed Thanksgiving!

Siestas and snacking

I've been sleeping, alot. Probably too much. For example, I slept in this morning 'till 11:40! Yikes. Granted, we did stay up late last night, but I got in a three hour nap yesterday so I really shouldn't have been that tired. Then, I even took another nap this afternoon! I am starting to feel drowsy early in the evening and in the morning it takes me a while to get up, it's a very slow process consisting of getting up, eating, watching some t.v., going back to sleep, then finally actually waking up with a shower. I'm sensing that the solution to this might be getting more exercise. But then again I'm not sure, maybe my body really does need the extra sleep and I should just go with it. I mean, I am grateful that I am actually able to get in the napping because I know this will not be the situation for much longer....

***

Also, I've really noticed lately that my appetite has increased. I don't know if I'm just eating the wrong types of foods (maybe too many carbs) but I feel hungry alot these days. And more cravings are popping up. Last night I was desperate to have sorbet. It was about midnight! I hardly ever stay up that late...but I was and I got hungry. Thankfully I have a very loving husband. But throughout the day I seem to get hungry super fast after I eat. I do want to be careful though because right now I am right on target with the weight gain and I would really not like to gain too much extra poundage.

The Great Quilting Experiment(s)

Well, for the last week I've been conducting quilting experiments. See, now that I am done with the patchwork for my baby quilt, it has come time to do the "quilting" part. I'm shaking in my boots because I don't want to mess it up! The quilting experiments are prepping me before I start the real thing.

To do much of the quilting, other than straight lines, you need to do "free motion sewing." This basically means you drop down the feed dog and you let loose - like drawing with stitches. I have never done this before so it felt really weird and difficult at first. One reason is because since you are you controlling how fast the fabric goes through, it takes practice to get the stitches even manually. Once I got the hang of it I made this little square. Mike observed that it could be a pot holder. (I think it's a bit small though)

Then, I searched around for another project to do that would give me practice. I made these baby bibs. I like the way the sheep one turned out much better. On the second one, I was going for straight, diamond lines, but it turned out a little more...abstract. I added the heart which I think makes it cuter, but I'm still not entirely happy with it. But! Practice makes perfect! There are so many lovely designs....hearts, vines, flowers, geometric patterns, etc. etc. I am excited at the prospect of trying new ones and creating my own too.

I hope to get started and even finish my baby quilt this week so I can take it home for Thanksgiving...wish me luck!

In other non-quilting news, my dear friends here in Pullman threw me a baby shower yesterday. We had a fantastic time! And, although Mike probably wouldn't like me to advertise this fact, the shower was meant to be for both of us so he was there too :) I thought it was sweet because although other guys said they were going to come, he ended up being the only guy there. (And the one who took the photo)...


(The pretty cake was courtesy of Dani!)

St. Martin of Tours

Saint Martin with the beggar

The saints have been a new introduction to my life since I became Catholic. I remember thinking the "Saints" were either just a football team, or vaguely had something to do with the Catholic church. Since then I have become very fond of these Christian "super heroes" as my aunt calls them. Their lives testify that holiness can be achieved on earth. The lives of the saints are so rich and varied, there are whole volumes written about the canonized saints, not to mention all the saints who we will not know until we are in heaven. I just love that it's possible for anyone to find a saint that they can identify with, with their struggles, weaknesses, and personalities. I am so glad that we have saints to look to when we need help. In the earliest days of Christianity, saints were declared usually through popular demand, meaning a crowd of people would appeal to the church that a particular person was so holy, and associated with miracles, that they deserved to be declared a saint. After a while the Catholic church developed a more thorough way of investigating that person's life before officially making them a saint. Christianity is enriched by the communion of these saints, those still on earth and those in heaven. This is a comforting thought to me, because again, these people not only preached the message, but THEY LIVED IT, and have made the world a better place for everyone in the process.

This thought was sparked by the beginning of the month being All Saints Day (Nov. 1) and also because yesterday at mass we learned that it was the feast of Saint Martin of Tours. I didn't know much about him, so I did some reading and found out that he was also a convert to Christianity. Since his father was a military man, he too had to be in the Roman army. However, his heart was calling him to become a monk, and he longed to be able to pray in solitude with God. Eventually he was permitted to leave the army, and was able to live his life as a true servant of others. There is a story of how he was riding on a blustery winter day when he passed beggar, half naked and freezing. Moved with compassion, he ripped his gorgeous Roman military cloak in half and gave it to the man. Later he had a dream of Jesus wearing a half a cloak. St. Martin, by popular demand (this used the be the way that bishops were chosen as well), he became a bishop, though this was not necessarily what he wanted to do. Martin wanted to be a servant of God so he obliged the people. The rest of his life was not easy, he endured alot of resistance, especially because at this time, though Christianity was no longer illegal, there were many different heretical groups popping up that were threatening the true message of Christ that needed to be preserved. St. Martin lived and died a true servant of others. He would often wash the hands and feet of his servants, when it was supposed to be the other way around.

All in all, St. Martin, along with all the other saints, are an inspiration to me to be less selfish and more giving to others and to God. It's not an easy thing, especially when I get wrapped up in my own life and desires. But I know that true joy and peace come only when one is able to come out of selfishness and enter into communion with others and with God!

Red Sweater

This post doesn't really have much purpose. It may even have a little vanity involved, so just beware :)

See, this morning I picked out one of my favorite sweaters from my wardrobe. (Side note, last night I organized our closet. It goes; sweaters, shorts sleeve/long sleeve, dresses. Mike: sweatshirts and sweaters, short sleeve/long sleeve, suit...ahhh I love the organization!) Crazy enough, this red sweater actually belonged to my great grandma, who we called "Gummy". So, I looked in the mirror and thought, wow my belly looks pretty cute in this sweater. I just love the gold buttons and red is my absolute favorite color to wear.

Later, I remembered that I bought egg nog last night and got all excited to put it in my coffee. The holidays are really coming up aren't they? By the way, my husband has NEVER tried egg nog! Crazy man!

The story of the pearl earrings

One lovely Christmas a handsome gentleman thought he would buy pearl earrings for his sweetheart. He purchased them and gave them to her at their family Christmas party in Pittsburgh. His sweetheart was delighted, though it gave her heart a bit of a jump because the box resembled a ring box. That day would come later, mind you, but this would have been quite a shock at the time. His sweetheart wore these beloved pearls for a whole year, taking care to keep them safe, because though she tried as she may, she had a clumsy way of losing small pieces of jewelry. Probably by a small miracle, these earrings did make it to the next Christmas, again spent in Pittsburgh. One day while riding in the family car, she was carelessly twiddling with her earrings when one fell to the floor! She realized this, thankfully, however; the search yeilded no fallen earring. Upset, the sweetheart had no choice but to leave the earring in Pittsburgh, though she suspected it was still somewhere on the car floor. All year she would be sad by the fact that her handsome gentleman had bought her something so nice that she had lost. Then, one day well past that day, out of the clear blue, she recieved a call telling her that the pearl earring had been found!! This was good news indeed and it was only a matter of time before the pearl earrings were reunited- at last, almost a year later, and just in time for Christmas

The end

Baby showers are....

Alot of fun! Thank you Jessie, Aubri, Kristina, and Stevie for hosting it! It was so good to see you all, and you did a wonderful job with everything from the delicious cheese cake to the adorable decorations. (I loved the plates, that's why I'm including a picture of them) Louisa has some adorable outfits now that I can't wait to have her wear. *And Sarah, we were all sad you weren't there, but thank you for your gift! That will come in handy for sure!*

The rest of my time back home was very nice as well. I was able to spend at least a little time with many of the people I love. Mom, dad, Katelyn, Dusty, mom and dad in-law, grandma, grandpa, aunt Ginnie, friends, and even Fr. Joseph (well, I saw him at liturgy anyway). I am grateful for the loving support that we have, and it makes me really happy and reassured that our baby will be well loved! If only every child that were born could have this...although we do believe that every child is loved by God.

Oh, and my husband had to leave last night for his flight this morning for a job interview! I am so nervous for him, but I know he'll do great. He will be back later tonight...can't wait.

Joy and Pain

Went to the baby doctor.

Everything's great.

Gaining weight.

Heard the heartbeat.

Thank you Lord Jesus for this baby.

The only bad part of the day was my mom describing in great detail the pains of labor. I suppose I should thank God for the bad as well as the good, yes? :/

Are you ready for this?

I have to admit I was a little surprised by these pictures. I didn't think I looked so big! But maybe that's how it is when you look at yourself in the mirror every day so you don't see the gradual change as clearly as others maybe do or that becomes more evident in a picture when you haven't seen one of yourself for a while. But of course I am happy - she continues to grow! And like Mike said in his blog entry, her movements are becoming stronger every day. It's amazing how little time it's taken for her to really make her presence known. I was reading a book in a coffee shop this morning, leaning back in a chair when she started kicking and I swear if someone glanced my way they would have seen her!

Tomorrow I am headed home for a few days for my doctor's appt. and to visit with friends and family. I am looking forward to it, though Mike is staying here. We will be apart for 5 days, eek! If you wouldn't mind, please say a little prayer for a safe trip and that I won't be too sad being away from my other half.

P.S.
The picture is taken in another location because I re-arranged our living room, so the other spot is no longer accessible :) ...Just in case you were wondering

Happy [Belated] Birthday Kristina!!

Happy birthday to my dear friend Kristina! I am so sorry yesterday passed by without at least a call from me. I hope you had a great day and I can't wait to see you this weekend!

Love you!

Knitting party

Last weekend, it was seeing friends and carving pumpkins. This weekend it was having friends over for a knitting party. Several girls had expressed interest in either learning to knit or crochet, so I finally organized a get together. I was happy because I learned to crochet, (sort of, it didn't come very easily to me) and got to teach others how to knit based on my basic knowledge (I have only made scarves.) In conclusion; yarn + friends + tea & dessert = a lovely evening, and a good start to November