I'm glad

I was thinking how much I love being a Mom today. I'm feeling really glad that Mark and I had enough faith in ourselves to follow our gut when I decided to quit my job. It was and remains a painful decision, and in a lot of ways I'm still seeking peace over some of the hurt I feel about how things went down. BUT again and again I feel like my life is securely in Gods will and He has me right where He wants me. While I miss being a part of the ministry and I miss the people I worked with, even the ones that ticked me off... I know that the work I'm doing now has an immeasurable value and I would have really missed out on too much if I were still working full time. God has been so faithful to us and has provided. Mark has been able to find side work that he really enjoys doing. And just last week when thigs were looking rough we got 2 checks in the mail, one a rebate from overpaying a bill over a year ago. It just reminded me that God knows what he is doing and all things are in his timing. I'm so blessed!

Baby Owen Pictures!

Here are some pictures from the last few days...

Jason and Dee had us all over for Memorial Day. It was also Jason's birthday but he still got stuck doing the grilling. =) He did a great job and we all had a really nice time. Thanks Jason and Dee for throwing such a nice party. And happy b-day again Jason! (These pictures were taken with Mom's new fancy camera that is why they look better then mine normally do!)

Here are some pictures Mark took in the backyard with Malachy today! They are really fun! The one with Mal looking sad is because he got tired of having his picture taken. =) But then he decided he liked it again...

Fun Malachy day!

Saturday was mine and Mark's fun Malachy day! We went to Lords Park to visit the Buffalo, play at the play park, and climb trees! Then we had Subway for lunch, yummy! Next we headed off too Randall Oaks so Malachy could go feed the goats at the petting zoo. He loved that. Every animal was his best friend and his favorite animal. After that we came home for a quick rest. Then we met the Kunze's at the Pizza Pub for a fun dinner and hit up the DQ for dessert. Finaly Mark and Malachy played out side for alittle while with the Scott and the kiddos before we headed home for bed. It was a very full day! I was so glad that Mark and I could give Malachy some fun attention before the baby arrives! Here are some pictures...

Owen and I tried to join in on the tree climbing fun but we just couldn't get up in the tree! =)

I didn't get many pictures at the petting zoo because my batteries died. This is Malachys favorite goat!

Here is one of Malachy being sweet at home.

Here I am as big as a house. We took this a week ago.

Things are getting done, which makes me happy!
My house is getting more and more baby ready.
Mark has decided to stay at Willow and move in to his new position there when New Community is finished. I would try to explain his new position but it is kind of confusing to me. It seems to be a little of everything and I'm not sure of his title or anything. But it is good to know where he will be finally.
Also my baby is getting done and will join our family on Thursday!!
Mark is home for the next 2 weeks!!!!!!!! =)
So I'm feeling happy and excited for the future!

Interesting week...
well maybe not to normal people but it has been interesting to me. =)

Mark and I are getting the Malibo fixed after over 2 years of it sitting around. We are using our tax rebate thing! It should be done on Monday or Tuesday and we will be excited that it will no longer be a piece of junk in the drive way but an actual functioning car with better gas mileage then the jeep.

Also, a friend and co-worker from church came over and fixed our oven! It hasn't worked in around 3 months or so. I'm really excited it got fixed before Owen makes his arrival and we have house guests and what not. And I was touched that our friend was willing to use some of his day off to do this for us!

Mark went to a Cubs game on Thursday which is a big deal for him as you all know. I was really excited for him and glad he got to go.

Mom and I washed my couch upholstery on Monday and I feel like I'm slowly getting the things I wanted done before the baby is here crossed off the list.

Mark and I spent some time in the yard today after he got home from work. He did the most work of course. =) But we got it cleaned up enough that we don't have to be embarrassed if people come over, or if we end up having a showing.

This weekend Mark and I are doing a major basement clean up. I will be making sure all the baby stuff is washed in baby safe gentle detergent and organizing the baby stuff and Malachy clothes. Mark will be doing the hard scrub down of the floors and such. And we will both tackle the 500 toys we have down there and getting the basement ready for when Marks Mom comes to stay with us after the baby is born.

Monday I'm going to hang out with the girl friends. Thursday is my last doctors appointment before the C-Section!!

Mark is still figuring out the work thing for those of you who were wondering. But he is happy and looking forward to however the situation plays out. He feels at peace with it.

Depending on how I'm feeling and how much we get done he may start his 2 weeks on Monday the 26th. If we are able to get enough done over the next 2 weekends then he may decide to wait until the 29th to start his 2 weeks. Of course this is all up in the air because I'm at that point where I can go into labor any minute. Sometimes I wish I would so I can have my little Owen and start to recover. Other times I hope I won't because the house isn't ready. We will see what happens.

Anyhoo that is probably the extent of my update. Hope all is well with you all. =)

The waiting game

Hi Friends. I keep post poning a blog entry because I'm hoping some sort of plan will come into view and I will actually have something to post. Unfortunately that has not happened at this point. The house is still on the market with not much hope for it selling in the future. So we really have no idea where that will end up. Mark is facing a lot of changes at his job because basiclly his current job at the church will not exist in a month. Mark is thinking and praying about his options right now. We were hoping it would be easy and obvious what he should do but right now like most things in our life it seems to be a struggle to see "the plan". So we are still just rolling with it. Despite the anxitey I feel for not knowing what the future holds, I am thankful for this period in mine and Marks life. I have seen God provide for us again and again. I have seen Mark and I show eachother love and support when we were exhausted and grumpy and could have easily blamed eachother and given up. I have seen Malachy grow as a person and fall in love with being home with Mommy and I know that this time with him before our family expands has been a huge gift to me! So I guess we are still just hanging on waiting to see what the future holds and finding the treasures along the road while we wait.

Hi Friends! Life is crazy busy most days and other days insanely long and slow. I'm doing my best to keep up with it and enjoy the moments until baby Owen makes his arrival. I'm really loving my friends and family right now and super thankful for them. I'm reading Shauna's book Cold Tangerines and I feel really encouraged and inspired by it. It's really beautiful!

Bad day...week

Today has been pretty bad. I have been telling the people in my life that I'm closest to for several weeks now that this week was going to be hard for me because I knew I was going to need to rely on them a little more then normal. I didn't think it was going to be this hard.

It's a bit of a tri-fecta. The first and largest thing is that my miscarriage last year was this week. So all the Good Friday/Easter stuff brings back the memories of that time. There was so much going on this year that I feel like I haven't really given myself the time or freedom to really mourn that loss. With my hormones, the current baby kicking in my tummy and the Easter season it is all hitting me pretty hard. I feel guilty that maybe I did something wrong in allowing the doctors to do a D&C that early. Guilty that I got pregnant again so soon. I don't want to pretend like that life didn't matter. And this new little life inside me wouldn't even exsist if that one had survived. It's all very confusing. I'm not even sure whatelse to say because I can't explain how I feel to myself let alone write it down. I just know I'm sad.

The second thing... I haven't really gotten into on my blog and I don't want to say too much about it. But as far as my whole job thing goes. I think it is clear that I was unhappy and I quit. Until now I have just been sad about it. Now I'm in the angry stage and I'm pretty much pissed.

The third part of the tri-fecta this week is Mark is working a ton. I appreciate him doing it and I think he is the best husband in the world to give up his time to support his family. He has a temporary part time job at another church. Overall it is a huge blessing in our life and Mark is enjoying the challange. It just sucks right now. He is going to work early and coming home late today through Sunday. He probably won't even come home Saturday night and he does not know when he will be home on Easter but it will be well into the afernoon. And while I understand the need for him to work and appreciate his desire to do so I'm still sad. I need him this week and I don't want to do Easter without him.

I'm feeling alone and doing my best to be attentive to Malachy and not wallow in self pity. I suppose that is what this blog is good for. I can put my saddness here and hopefully not show it or pass it on to little Malachy. Who is not sad but who is loving life as he should be!

Mom and Dad did bring me Wendy's tonight and that helped! Food and good company is always is the best way to cheer me up. =) Now I just have to get through the rest of the week until I get more time with my husband.

Kim's Wedding

This photo is Mark and I after the rehearsal dinner on Friday night. Then we all went to the "boat" it was a fun night but we were pretty sleepy afterwards!
Here is Kim and Ross after the ceremony. Quiet possibly the most handsome couple ever! They both look so great!
This was the "first dance" it was a little dark because the lights were dimmed to set the mood. =)
Dad and Kim dancing.
Me and Kimmy! Please excuse my massive face, I am 7 months pregnant!
Here is the beautiful Kim and Crystal.
Kim and I with Daddy!
Kim and Ross kissing, they do a lot of this. =)

The ladies (minus a few)
The sisters (Steph, Kim, and Valerie) with Mama
Kim and I again.
Me and my handsome Man!
Kim looking beautiful before the bouquet toss.

It is very sad that I have no pictures of my little Malachy who was more then adorable! I didn't take many pictures because I was busy and I knew the photographer was doing a great job! However the few times I did try to get photos of Malachy he didn't want to cooperate. I'm sure someone got some great ones and I'm looking forward to seeing them! Malachy did a great job as the ring bearer by the way. And he did a good job chasing all the "ghost" and "monsters" while dancing at the reception. He has a great imagination and more energy then anyone else I know. =)

I hope you enjoy the pictures and I look forward to seeing other peoples as they get them posted! =)