God is with us!

This is the tree in the lobby of our apartment building


Mike got in some good playing time with our little nephews...

The newest member of the family, and someone we couldn't get enough of :)

It actually snowed on Christmas morning, so pretty

No, I didn't eat too many Christmas sweets!

Merry Christmas everyone! As I am sitting here thinking about the last week, I am filled with a sense of love and joy. Spending time with family, being with my husband, carrying a babe...it has been all together wonderful and I am so grateful for all that I have been given. I will always remember this Christmas as Louisa's "first Christmas", I think. She is here, experiencing the world in her own way right now. And when she is finally born, I know that the familiar sounds will comfort her and make her feel welcomed in the world. What a perfect time to consider how good God is to have come as a baby, and to cherise even more the gift of new life and birth. God's plan always makes the most sense to me around Christmas time. I love this season because it comes during the "deadest" part of the year; winter. When the days are short and even though there is beauty in winter, it does cover everything with coldness and quiet. And yet Christmas is all about light, warmth, and life. It is a time to gather together, celebrate, and renew our faith. I hope you all had a beautiful Christmas, and I'm looking forward to seeing all your pictures!

100th POST!

My 100th Post snuck up on me so I didn't have time to think of anything special to do. I will go ahead with my planned post and just let you know that this is special simply because it's number 100! When I was a teacher we had root beer floats on the 100th day of school...but I'm not sure how I could pull that off with my readers. So, um, why don't you go do something special in light of Kayleen's 100th post :)

Above are some pictures I took of our new residence. (Yes, we are lucky enough to have a view of Puget Sound.) The snow makes many things beautiful, so it wasn't hard to have the pictures turn out. I am quite content here I have to say. Please get a job in Seattle Mike, please please please.....

Move #3

Seven months, three moves (and counting). We will be facing another move shortly, and soon after we will likely move once again, depending on the job situation. I suppose that's what life is like at this stage, so I might as well handle it cheerfully. Although my poor back is crying out for mercy. I really need to take it easy and not worry too much if every box is not packed (and unpacked) to my exact specifications.

The real story here was getting across the mountains in winter weather. It wasn't bad actually, despite the very real possibility of getting stuck in some sort of wind storm or blizzard or worse. My dad and cousin came over and helped like champions, loading us up in 4 degree weather! Mike and Pat worked hard too, and I feel bad for them because they are basically exhausted. Luckily, the next week should consist of relaxing and spending time with family. Oh, and Congratulations to them for graduating!!!

Still in Pullman, where the sky was so blue

Going over the passIcy waterfalls,
and Snow laden trees
So I'm happy now, being back in the city that I love. A little sore, and tired, but definitely-happy.

Happy hump Day!

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

Pslam 118

The week is halfway over. Normally I wouldn't celebrate this so much, except I totally can't wait for finals week to be done with. Also, we are moving at the end of the week. I'm not so thrilled about the moving part itself, but I am looking forward to being back home for Christmas (and beyond.) Speaking of Christmas - can you believe it's already the 17th?? How is everyone doing on that Christmas shopping? Our list was very short this year. Almost nonexistant actually, because we simply don't have any money to spend on gifts! We have some surprises for people in our family (you'll see on Christmas) which I am excited to give, but those didn't really cost any money. As for Mike and I giving gifts to one another, we consider Lou as a gift we are giving to eachother. Above all, we are just grateful to spend our first Christmas together married, healthy, and loving life.

So back to my origonal post plan, happy hump day everyone! Enjoy your day, even if you are experiencing some crazy weather like we are in Washington.

P.S. I'm sorry honey, but this is so you. Like I said, I'm grateful the week is almost over, I can't wait for my hubby to be out of school, it stresses me out!

We got ours

We got our first snow here in Pullman. I think this is the latest it's snowed in the season since I came to Pullman five years ago. But boy is it chilly! And, to make things a little more interesting, our heat went out yesterday...we noticed that the vents started to blow out cool air, even though we hadn't touched the thermostat. Later we just turned the system "off", but yet the air continues to blow. Since it's Sunday, I had to leave a message for maintenance. I could have called the emergency line, but, do you think this is a real emergency? I'm thinkin' we can tough it out until Monday. We are just bundling up, although we may have cold noses and toes. Mike gets cold faster than I do (I have more, insulation :) We'll see if it was a mistake to wait until Monday. It says it's 13 degrees out!
(*Update: actually I just called the emergency line and they are going to drop off temporary heaters...that is nice of them! Looks like we won't really have to suffer after all)

It is quite pretty though, of course. Mike got the nicer pictures, I didn't want to venture out in it! Maybe he'll have time to put some up on his blog...although he is a very busy man this week, he has a few finals plus big projects to complete. Only one more week of school before we head home!

p.S. I have WAY too much time on my hands, which is probably why I keep messing around with my blog "look." Plus it's so much fun and addicting!

Never lonely

Decisions, decisions

As we are coming to the end of the semester it's decision time, and let me tell you, it's not easy! Of course, the biggest decision is figuring out what my husband should do for employment. I know that his major (Computer Science) was a wise choice for him as far as being relevant and he has gained many applicable skills. There are companies out there who are hiring, yet it's still an uncertain job market, and he's finding that many are seeking more experienced programmers. Job hunting is stressful at any point in life, so we are trying our best to seek out every angle and remain vigilant. We at least know that we will be living in Seattle, which is a huge relief and joy for me. I wanted to be near family when Lou is born, and I simply don't consider anywhere else 'home'. Please keep this decision in your prayers. I feel that we can trust in the Holy Spirit to help guide us. We do thank God often for loving and supportive families and for the talents and skills that we both have.

As we are considering our future, I've been thinking about some of the decisions I've made in the past to bring me to this point in my life - and that is a rather interesting thing to ponder. Becoming Catholic is a huge one that comes to mind. I can't begin to describe the amount of peace and meaning this decision has brought to my life. As Advent continues, I am contemplating what it means for me to believe that the baby Jesus was God becoming man! We are celebrating something so profound and beautiful, and I am so grateful that I am able to fully believe in this miracle.

If you happen to be in the midst of making any decisions, large or small, know that you are in my prayers.

This weekend

Friday, the church was decorated:

(Mike risking his life to put up bows on the enormous tree)

A beautiful picture of the sunset was taken:

And today, is my bestest friend Sarah's birthday

Happy Birthday dear Sarah...God grant you many happy years!

More Christmas stuff!

This year I wanted to buy fancy Christmas cards and include our picture, I was even thinking professional pictures with Mike and I (They had a great deal going at this photography place in town.) I wanted to send them off with a nice long letter telling all how we are doing. I wanted this all to be done and sent by, oh, next week...I realized I wanted too much. It's expensive all the way through. Plus, just finishing with the wedding thank you cards had me a little card-writing tired. And when baby comes, I would love to make birth announcements as well. So instead, I whipped up some home-made Christmas cards using materials I already had in my scrapbooking supplies. I thought they turned out nice so you get to see pictures.

(By the way, if you happen to receive any of these cards, do me a favor and pretend you didn't see it on here :)

And, you gotta love this! It is now my favorite version of the 12 Days of Christmas.

Baby, sick hubby, snacks, and Christmas

This little bebe is getting to be quite big. I mentioned yesterday that she is really moving around, and that continues. Last night in bed she had me laughing outloud because it was like she was exploring every part of the inside of me. Ah, such a neat feeling.

Poor Mike is sick. He's got the sinus thing going. Hopefully he feels better sooner rather than later. He really has a busy two weeks ahead so it would be best if he was in optimal health.

Do you know what my favorite snack is right now? Here, I even took a picture because, mmm it's just so delicious. Everything bagel with cream cheese and tomatoes...

Finally, in other unrelated news, all the Christmas events are starting up here. Cookie making, decorating, Christmas parties, dinners, etc. I'm so excited! Frankly though, I am a little disappointed that Mike and I can't do much ourselves in the way of decorating (no Advent wreath or tree for us), because it simply does not make sense when we are moving in two weeks. Mike really had to convince me though, because I really had wished we could start some traditions now, during our first married Christmas together. Of course, it's not about the decor or other outward festivites, it's about much more than that, so I can take comfort that we can celebrate the season properly without all the "stuff". (Although next year, we will be needing at least a tree...) What are your plans for Christmas this year?
Tis' the Season!

The perfect reading

I just love being Catholic because we get to hear so much scripture during the mass. If you go to mass for three years, you will hear the entire bible!

So yesterday we had the perfect reading for my blog so I wanted to share:

"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will."

Luke 10:21-24

***

This reading, along with a few others, were the inspiration for the title of my blog. If you were ever wondering, now you know!

***

May I not fall into the pattern of trying to run the world, other's lives, and even my own life. May I remember to never 'grow up' completely, but to be childlike in faith so that I will always trust in God's providence and love for me and the world.

Things to remember

There are a few things I would like to remember about this stage in my pregnancy.

As I have been discussing with a fellow blogger, I'm discovering that pregnancy tends to be viewed a bit negatively in certain areas. Don't you think? Even in many pregnancy magazines I have picked up, women often talk of the little "parasites" that have taken up residence in their bodies, and how they can't wait until the end of pregancy. I know that the majority of mothers do love and cherise their children while in the womb...however I think it has become socially acceptable to joke in ways that sometimes diminish the wonder and gift that pregnancy is. Perhaps especially in the third trimester which is the most uncomfortable. Now, I have not reached that point yet, so I have no room to preach about not complaining about the discomforts. I would just like to say that, at this point, I feel that my life, while inconvienced a bit because of growing baby, is more glorious and exciting and wonderful than it could ever be. The suffering that I may undergo is but a small price to be paid for the gift that results. Oh, and I'm sure everyone will agree with me here. This is just something that has been on my mind lately as my pregnancy progresses. So, on to things to remember at 30 weeks:

*I am becoming slightly more uncomfortable. Lou is active as can be now, moving around so much as if she suspects that soon she will become too big to take full advantage of her living quarters. I want to remember how special this feeling is though. I can't describe the loveliness of knowing that there are two souls sharing this one body. I want to remember that now is about when they started to become painful :) Honestly, I am not complaining about it though because again, it is more of a reminder of life, and I would rather experience it than not.

*The wild dreams that have ensued. Many about baby, but also some that I couldn't describe, even if I tried.

*Feeling even closer to my husband. So, kind of like in the first trimester, I've become more dependent on him for support; physical and emotional. Our marriage is being strengthened by my dependency on him and by our anticipation over becoming parents for the first time.

*People noticing I'm pregnant in public. I am big enough so that it's mostly obvious. I could probably still just be considered a little overweight...maybe....well, anyway I don't mind the extra looks and occasional smiles.

*And finally, Fr. Steve just began blessing Louisa during Holy Communion. He just started doing it the week before Thanksgiving, and I love this! Apparently, he likes to wait until women start to show, and it's his way of acknowledging that we are indeed human while still in the womb. Do I go around telling people that my "fetus" is doing fine, thank you? No, she is our baby, and deserves the same human rights as we all do.

Well, that's a long post for you. Actually, it was more for me wasn't it? :) But thank you for reading. I am so thrilled for all of you ladies out there who are expecting, and for those future expectantee's. I know of at least three who read this blog and let me tell you, I wake up every day excited to check the internet to see what has happened!! You are all in our daily prayers.

P.S. The picture above is something else to remember...when I'm at the desk I used to like to sit close in, you know. Louisa is preventing that now, for as you can see, the little nob has started to interfere. I find this really funny for some reason.

A Christmas Novena

Our first Christmas together, Mike introduced me to the Saint Andrew's novena. One says this short prayer 15 times a day, beginning on November 30th (the feast day of St. Andrew) and continues until Christmas...

Hail and Blessed be the hour and moment in which the son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe Oh my God, to hear my prayer, and grant my desires, through the merits of our Savior Jesus Christ, and of his Blessed Mother.
Amen

"It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer...will obtain what is asked.
Imprimatur, Michael Augustine, Archbishop of New York. February 6, 1897

In the two Christmas' since then, I can attest that it has not failed. Say it along with us and see what happens. (Just be sure you say it in faith - I'm pretty sure that's the key!)

(and no, unfortunately I did not take the berry picture, the credit goes to Carol Sharp)