Theraflu

This morning I woke up fully intending to go to church. As I was getting ready my body felt achy, I had awful chills, a headache, and stuffy nose. So, when Jason came home he made me some Theraflu which I had never tried before. The box has great claims of reducing flu like symptoms, but boy does it taste rank! However, the citrus smell is deceiving. It tasted like warm NyQuil and bitter lemons....yuck! I hope the great claims on the box come to pass soon.

Staff Christmas Party Progressive Dinner

Last Friday night was our Staff Christmas Party Progressive Dinner. It is always a lot of fun. We went to Bonna's house for appetizers, our house for crock pot soups, and then the the Feasel's house for desserts and games. There were four games we played (Yahtzee, Scrabble, Skip-bo, and Apples to Apples) in 1/2 hour segments. Each player kept a score card for the games and added them up at the end. The grand prize was 4 movie passes to the movies, and coupons for popcorn, along with 4 DVD's and movie candy. Brenda won that prize! Jason won the next prize which was the 4 movie passes and coupons for popcorn. Then there were about 12 other prizes the people with the next highest scores chose from. It was such a busy week that Brenda nor I had time to shop for the prizes. I have the most amazing and wonderful mom, as she was the one who spent Thursday shopping for us. Jason and I hauled chairs from school and tables from church, as we took out some living room furniture to fit every one in our house.

Jason and I spent Wednesday and Thursday evening getting ready. We felt like mechanics being under the tables to secure the wrapping paper.

Tana made a really YUMMY french bread with spinach, butter and garlic!We were SOOOOOO glad Kristina could make it! I sure miss her.

Let the games begin (and desserts)!

A Big Sigh...

I haven't created a new post in a while, because Jason and I have had a hard time dealing with our recent loss. The hardest thing was dealing with the shock, which left a painful sting. After the D&C, I went back to work quickly so I could get back into a routine. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to walk through. When I stay busy, I am okay....but the loss still hits me in quiet or down moments.....in the middle of the night when I roll over, seeing another pregnant woman in the grocery store, etc. When my heart gets troubled, I am already thanking the Lord for the blessing of the baby that he will someday give us. Jason said when he found out the news he went for a very long drive, cried, screamed, yelled and was okay. It has been a bit harder for me, and still is at times. My doctor is amazing! She said I am one of her healthiest patients and she was confident that we should be pregnant very soon again. One of the things we did find out was that the hives were not in any way linked to the pregnancy (great news!) like the allergist thought they were. We decided that next time we are going to wait until we are through the first trimester to share the news. In talking with others our loss seems very common, in that it has happened to a lot of other people. So, thank you for such comforting comments, prayers, cards, gifts, hugs and shoulders, and for caring.

Blessed Be Your Name

Today was my 10 week appointment. Sadly to find out, the baby passed away about 2 weeks ago while in my tummy, due to fetal cardiac arrest, meaning that the heart stopped beating. Early tomorrow morning I have a D&C. Our hearts have been shattered through this news today. However, we have a peace and hope as we trust in the Lord. Even in this circumstance, though the Lord gives and takes away, out hearts will truly say, "Lord blessed be Your Name."

Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving weekend was a wonderful time that we spent with family and friends. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of Thanksgiving day, as I was really nauseous. We had the big dinner at our house and the normally delicious aromas of food cooking turned my tummy upside down. Ryan, my brother, who is also a full time student at PSU was able to join us. He hasn't been able to be with us on Thanksgiving for a few years due to work and his practicum schedule. After dinner, he and Jason put Christmas lights on the house.

For about 8 months Jason and I have been saving, researching the consumer reports, and pricing flat panel t.v's. A few weeks ago we ordered our 46 inch t.v., and it arrived this weekend. We were so thankful that Ryan was home to help Jason with the wall mounting and installing (I can't lift too much right now). We put the t.v. in our bedroom across from the bed. We had the perfect wall space. We were going to put it in the living room, but it is what you call a "great room." Currently when we watch t.v. we have to have it up pretty loud as there aren't a lot of close walls for the sound to bounce off of....and where the currently t.v. is in the living room will be the same side of the house where the nursery will be located.....we didn't want to disturb the baby with the loud television.
Getting the wall mount level was a little tricky!
Ta-daa! All finished! We totally LOVE having the t.v. in our room. Ryan brought home his gaming system and in the evenings we have had a blast playing family video games. We hooked up our blue-ray player to the tv, which makes you feel like you are in a theater when you watch the movies....the picture is amazing! I also have been wanting an artificial tree for the bedroom in addition to the real one we have in the living room. We got a great deal Friday on this 7 1/2 foot tree.

The Nutcracker

On Sunday afternoon Jason, Brandon, Kristina, and I went to the Nutcracker. It was all sold out and was a wonderful show, not to mention that students and friends we knew performed in the ballet. Then we went to the Ikola's for dinner and exchanged Christmas gifts.

I got country/shabby chic home decor, which I absolutely LOVE.

Brandon got golf goodies.

Kristina got a red pillow to match her house and snowmen bowls.

Jason got golf and Sudoku puzzles.

Who Are You?

Okay, this might sound strange, but we have noticed a reader from a connection in Owosso, Michigan reading our blog. In the comment section, can you please tell us who you are.....we are curious?