Blogging...

Someone please tell me when I am going to have time to blog again?! Addison was two months old on Wednesday and I am hoping that soon I will have some time in my (I mean Addison's) schedule to blog again! I'm looking forward to reconnecting with all of my blogging buddies! :)

Addison Grace Weinberg

Addison Grace was born on October 8, 2008 at 3:46 p.m.. She weighed 8 lbs 12 oz. and was 21 inches long. To see pictures of our new baby girl go to:

http://addisongraceweinberg.shutterfly.com/

We are so very blessed!!!

CUBS...

I HATE BEING A CUBS FAN!!! That's it, that is all I am going to say right now b/c I am to upset to write anything more about it!! Really...can we PLEASE start playing some baseball before it's too late again!

I Wonder...

What my baby looks like? Will she have blue eyes or brown? Will she have Rick's adorable dimples or my freckled face? Is my baby really a girl??? I hope the ultrasound was right, otherwise my son will be going home in pink clothes!!!

I wonder if my baby will be cute when she is born or will people just tell me she is cute and really think she looks like an alien? I know that no matter what she looks like I am going to love her with all of my heart!! I can't wait to meet my precious baby! I have three weeks left until my due date, but something inside of me tells me that she is going to be born before then. We will see! A good friend of mine reminded me today that God already knows her birthday & he planned for her to be born on that specific day! I think that is so awesome!

I can't wait to meet you baby Addison! I already love you more than words could ever express!!!

Epidural?

Yesterday Rick and I attended a 7 hour birthing class!! I didn't think I was going to make it through! There was so much information to take in, but I am still so glad that we went.

During the class one of the things the instructor, who has also been a Doula for 18 years talked about was the option for an epidural. I personally don't handle physical pain very well, so early on in my pregnancy I had decided that I was going to ask for an epidural no matter what during my labor. Now after this class and hearing about all of the side effects for both me and my precious new baby I don't know what to do! I guess I will try to handle labor the "natural" way and if I can't bear it anymore I will ask for one.

To all of my educated mommy friends, what are your thoughts on epidurals and did any of you have them during labor? If you did have one, what was your experience?

It's Been Awhile...

It has been over a month since I last blogged! I wanted to be really good at blogging and posting pictures this summer, but it hasn't worked out as I planned.

First of all we still don't have internet at our house!! We ordered the bundle package from AT&T which includes cable, phone and Internet, and when the guy came to install the phone and cable LAST MONTH he said that there were too many people with AT&T Internet in our area and that we would need to wait to see if a line opened up! WHAT?!!! I've never heard of that before!! After MANY frustrating calls to AT&T we have decided just to find another provider for our internet. Unfortunately, it is not cheap to just order internet. Hopefully SOON we will be able to have it up and running so I don't have to rely on the Library to get online!

On a happier note...I will be 34 weeks along in my pregnancy tomorrow and I am getting so excited to meet my precious little girl! She is so active inside my belly and the last couple of days she has had the hiccups on and off throughout the day (my Dr. said this is normal). Yesterday our crib got delivered and now we just need to find the time to set it up. The directions say that it takes an hour and 1/2 to put together! WOW, this is quite the project!! Hopefully after I get Addison's room set up I can take some pictures and post them.

Well...I'm off to a doctor's appointment now. :)

No Internet!

My blogging and internet use has been put on hold the last couple of weeks due to the fact that we aren't going to have internet hooked up until this Wednesday. The only time I can get on the internet is when I am visiting my mom or I run to the library. I don't know what we did in life before the internet!! I feel so disconnected from everyone. Thankfully I only have three more days without it!

I have a ton of pictures to post and lots of stories to share, so check my blog in a couple of days.

Moving Day!

Rick and I moved into our new place today! It's nice to have a home again! I am exhausted and ready to go to bed so I will post pictures and blog more at a later date.

Oh, and did I mention that I never want to move again when I am almost 7 months pregnant!!

Three Years!

Today is my three year wedding anniversary! Wow how the time has flown by so quickly! Rick is the love of my life and I am so glad that I waited for God to bring him into my life! There were times when I wondered if I would ever get married and why God was waiting so long to bring the right man into my life. Now I look back and smile knowing that he was preparing Rick and I for one another.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband and best friend Richard Weinberg!! I'm looking forward to MANY more incredible years together!

Sweet Home Chicago!

Rick and I are back in Chicago! YEAH! This past week has been super busy as we are trying to find a house quickly. I thought this would be the fun and easy part of moving back, but it is quickly turning stressful and frustrating instead of fun. Please pray that we find a place to live soon!

Rick started his new job today. I talked to him an hour ago and he absolutely loves it! Of course it is the first day, but it's a nice change to talk to him at work and hear him sound happy.

I'll keep everyone posted on our house hunt. Hopefully I will have good news to share in the next couple of days.

Lots of Packing!

Packing, packing, and more packing! Those are my plans for the rest of this week! I wish I could be like I dream of Jeanie and just blink my eyes a couple of times and have my whole apartment packed and cleaned!

Yesterday while I was packing I was getting really tired and I started repeating the Bob The Builder chant, "Can we fix it?" "Yes we can!" Only I was saying, "Can I do this?" "Yes I can!" Hey, whatever keeps me motivated, right?!

A week from today the movers will be loading the truck and the next day we fly back to Chicago to start a new chapter of our lives.

We're Moving!!

Yes...it's true!! I am so excited! Rick found out on Monday that he got a job in Chicago that he really wanted! God is so GOOD!! We are moving to Chicago (west suburbs) on June 24th!! I can't believe my dream to move back has finally come true! Now my sweet little baby will grow up knowing her grandparents! That was really important to me. Not too mention I will get to see the sun A LOT more often in Chicago and also we will finally be able to afford to live in something other than a small apartment. All I can say is THANK YOU JESUS over and over again!

Right now...I am in panic mode b/c I have so much to do in a matter of 13 days! Whoa! "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!" Thank you to all of my wonderful friends who have been praying for God's direction and guidance in my life. Our prayers have been answered!

Please Rescue Us!!

Something is really wrong with this picture:

I am sitting at my desk at work sipping on some hot chocolate with my space heater blasting on high!! Excuse me, what month are we in?!!! I absolutely HATE the weather here in Seattle! It is 52 degrees and raining today! The sad part is I just checked the 10 day forecast and it doesn't get over 60 degrees for the next 10 days! Not to mention there are only 2 days in that forecast that say we may get some peaks of sunshine here and there.

God please rescue us from this place! I feel like I have put in my time here! In July it will be two years that I have dealt with the clouds and rain in the Pacific Northwest! The punishment needs to end!!!

Pictures From California!

I am finally posting pictures of me with my short hair-cut and my pregnant belly. These are a few pictures from our trip to California we took a couple of weeks ago for my brother Mark's graduation. Unfortunately, we are learning how to use our new camera and none of the pictures turned out super great (not very clear). Hopefully, I can post some more pics soon with a closer view. Until then here are some not so clear shots - Enjoy!

This is my family with my brother Mark who graduated from Claremont University with a PHD. in Philosophy (I did not inherit those brains!).

This is Rick and I on the Santa Monica Beach (I think using the flash would have helped! oops!).

This is us out to eat at Tony Roma's to celebrate my brother's graduation.

This is me sitting down on a swing with some sparkling apple cider trying to cool off from a 104 degree hot California day!

Rick and I after eating at a Chinese restaurant in Ontario, CA.

My silly husband posing at the Getty Art Museum.

Me at Sea World looking at the Killer Whales.

Sick Day!

I am home sick today with a sore throat and congestion. No fun!! I wish I could take something to help me feel better, but being pregnant limits my over the counter medicine choices! I have been drinking a lot of herbal hot tea (which makes me have to get up and pee every 20 minutes!), and sucking on honey lemon throat drops, but that is the extent of my relief from pain.

Do any of you reading this have any home remedies that help with a sore throat and congestion? I'll take any suggestions I can get!!

WE ARE HAVING A....

GIRL!!!! I can't believe it!! I was sure it was a little boy! I guess my intuition was wrong!

I am so excited b/c now I can start buying all of the cute girly things I have wanted to buy and resisted since we didn't know for sure what we were having! YEAH!

Boy or Girl?!!

Today I have an ultrasound appointment at 1 pm (PST) to find out what gender our baby is! I am so excited!! I think it is a boy, but that is just my intuition and I know that I could be wrong! I'll blog again later today to let everyone know what we are having!

***On a side note I have a bunch of pictures to post online from my trip to California. Hopefully I can get them posted sometime today or tomorrow.

Prince Caspian Movie

Last night Rick and I went to see a pre-screening of the Chronicles of Narnia movie, Prince Caspian. I highly recommend this movie. It was absolutely incredible! Every time I see Aslan, (the lion who represents Jesus in the movie), I am brought to tears. C.S. Lewis is one of the most talented authors ever published, and Walden Media did a terrific job making this book into a movie that nobody will want to miss seeing!

The highlight of the movie for me was when Aslan talked to Lucy in the forest (don't worry I'm not giving anything away). I felt like he was talking directly to me. His words are full of wisdom and conviction. I found myself wishing during the movie that I could run up to Aslan and wrap my arms around his mane just like Lucy did! This movie made me fall in love with Jesus more. There aren't many movies out today that you can say that about! Definitely go see it if you get a chance.

On a side note...Rick and I leave for vacation tomorrow. Yippee!! We are going to LA, San Diego, and Palm Springs all in the span of 9 days! I can't wait for some sun and warm weather!

Mother's Day Card

I know many of you have probably seen this video clip on you tube, but I laugh harder each time I watch it, so I thought I would post it on my blog. Happy Mother's Day!!

Here is the link to the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhcA4Ry65FU

Hope & A Future....

Last night as I was doing my devotions I came across a verse that has been highlighted in my Bible since high school. We are all very familiar with this verse as most of us heard it quoted many times upon graduating both high school and college. The verse I am referring to is Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

I read this verse along with verses 12 & 13 and peace came over me in such an amazing way. I always thought of this verse for others, specifically seniors who were graduating and stepping out into the real world, but this verse is meant for all of us in whatever season we are in right now. I know as Rick and I seek direction for our future this verse gives me comfort and hope. God has plans for all of us to prosper and he gives us hope and a bright future. I will end my post today with the entire passage I read last night, verses 11-13. Hopefully it will bring as much hope to your day as it has to mine.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29-11-13

Discouraged

I don't have much to say today. I actually feel very discouraged. You know those times you go through when you wonder if God is listening (which we all know he is at all times!). I am going through one of those times in life right now. As most of you know Rick has been looking for a new job for about 5 months now. I get excited every time he has an interview, and then for some reason or another that door will close and it doesn't work out. We have been praying and asking God for direction, but so far we have gotten no answer. I panic sometimes b/c I'd like to make any big move soon before our baby is due! I have to remind myself that God knows all the details and right now I must have faith, even if it is as tiny as a mustard seed!!

Pregnancy Question?

Last weekend I bought some really cute maternity clothes for the summer. I decided to wear one of the outfits on Sunday to church and came to the realization that I am VERY WHITE!! As you know we don't get much sun in this part of the country and of course tanning beds are a big no, no for pregnant women. So yesterday while I was at Target I bought a bottle of sunless tanning lotion thinking that I could at least get some color that way.

Here is my big question...is it okay to use sunless tanning lotion while you are pregnant? There is not warning on the bottle. I tried to ask my question on Google to see what answers I got online, but I was so confused after reading all of the info. Some women say it's fine, and others say it is harmful to the baby. I probably should just call my doctor and find out directly, but I thought I would see If any of you had input or an answer to my question.

Goodbye To My 20's!!

Today I say goodbye to my 20's! The last decade of my life is filled with memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life! Although my first thoughts when looking back on the last 10 years are mostly happy times; there have been times I didn't think I was going to make it through! Thankfully during those times Jesus carried me through!

A part of me is sad to say goodbye to my 20's (as silly as that sounds!), but the other part of me is excited for what God has in store for my life in my 30's. HE has already created a beautiful miracle inside of my womb! I will get to meet this precious baby when I'm 30! I'd say I'm off to a great start!

Goodbye 20's...hello 30's!!!

Trust

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I memorized this verse as a little girl in Sunday school. With each passing year this verse becomes more real to me. It has become my life verse. Even now in the midst of all of my questions for the future I cling to this verse.

I choose to trust God with all of my heart!!

Pictures Coming...

Last weekend Rick and I went up to the annual Tulip Festival in Mount Vernon, Washington. We had a blast! We even borrowed a friend's camera to take pictures so that I could post pics of my new hair cut. I'm just waiting to get the cord to the camera so that I can upload the pictures to my computer. Hopefully I will be able to post the pictures by tomorrow.

It really stinks not having a camera right now! I know for sure I will have a new one by the end of this month. It will be nice to be able to post more pictures on my blog!

Hair Change...

I woke up this morning nervous as ever! I have a haircut scheduled for 2pm today. Now normally this would not be something that makes me nervous. The reason for the butterflies in my stomach today is that I have decided to cut my hair short again. I love my hair long, but I'm ready for a change. Not too mention that after washing/drying/flat ironing my hair it takes me about 45 minutes in the morning. That is a lot of time every other day dedicated to hair!

Hopefully it will turn out great and I will be happy with my decision. My fingers are crossed!!

My New Nephew!

My twin brother Justin and his wife Andrea had their sweet baby boy today.
His name is Parker Dean Lathrop. He weighed 7lbs 4 oz. and he was 19 3/4 inches long. I'm waiting for Justin to send me pictures so I can post them for the world to see!

It's times like these that I am really sad that he lives in Dallas and I live in Seattle! Someday (hopefully) we will live close by each other again.

Welcome to the world Parker!!

Maternity Clothes?!!

It's official .....I no longer fit in my pants! I'm 13 weeks and my baby bumps is becoming more defined! On Sunday my sweet husband took me shopping for maternity clothes. I was excited about all of the fun clothes that I was going to buy!! The first store I walked into at the mall was Mimi Maternity. I saw this really cute summer dress on a hanger as I walked in the store entrance. I was so excited I found something so cute, and then I looked at the price tag. The dress was $109.00. Are you kidding me?!! I can buy a lot more that just a dress with $109.00. The start of my fun shopping excursion turned sour quickly. I decided to check out department stores thinking they may have cheaper prices, and some of them did, but with the price reduction went the cuteness!! Sadly, I left the mall that day with a Jamba Juice and no clothes!

Okay...so a question for all of you mom's out there. Where did you buy your maternity clothes? Is there a place where I can buy CUTE maternity clothes at a fair price? I heard Old Navy has a maternity section at some of their stores, but the one by me doesn't. Any suggestions?

It has been awhile

since I last blogged! It's amazing how busy life has been over the past week. I really can't believe that today is the last day of March! I am officially in the second tri-mester of my pregnancy! YEAH! Rick went with me to my doctor appointment on Friday and he got to see our baby on the ultrasound. I can't believe how much he/she has grown since our last months appointment! Now instead of looking like a kidney bean...our baby actually looks like a human being! I can't wait until I get to hold that bundle of joy in my arms!!

So on another subject...have you ever lost something and gotten really frustrated that you couldn't find it?!! I am in that predicament right now! Rick and I have lost our camera in our move. We have searched every box in our apartment and still have not come across it! Last weekend we were on a hike and I saw the most beautiful lake with the mountains outlining the sky, and I thought this would be such a great picture, and then I remembered our camera was M.I.A.! I just don't get where it could have gone! Hopefully for my birthday at the end of next month I can get a new one. Especially since this is a pretty significant year to have a camera!! OK...now that I have cleared my mind of that frustration I can move on (at least for now).

I'm off to enjoy a chocolate shake from McDonald's. Go Cubs!! Let's get an opening day win!! :)

Feeling Better!

Yesterday was the first day I did not feel nauseous all day!! YEAH!! It was such a great feeling! I was even hungry for dinner, which has been the first time I have really wanted to eat anything for dinner since finding out I was pregnant. I am hoping that I am over the horribly nauseous phase of my pregnancy. I go for my 11 week ultrasound a week from today! I can't wait! Hopefully my baby will look more like a person this time and less like a kidney bean! =)

This weekend I went shopping for an Easter outfit. The problem is I am not quite big enough to wear maternity clothes, but all the cute skirts in the juniors department just make me look like I need to get to the gym and do some sit-ups! The nice thing is I found some cute tops that are baby doll dress style so I may be able to cover up my stomach by wearing one of those tops.

I'm looking forward to actually looking pregnant in the next couple of months. I know all of you ladies who are pregnant or have had children are saying....just wait!! That's the response I am getting from my friends around here who have kids.

Pretty soon I will start posting pictures of my baby bump. I am going to print them out after I have my baby to keep as a memory.

When Will it Stop?!!

I am so tired of feeling nauseous!! When does this stop in pregnancy? I've heard some women have it all the way through their pregnancy and some feel much better after their first trimester. I am praying that I will only feel this way through my first trimester. I have three weeks left to go!

I know I am supposed to be eating healthy for my baby, but the only thing that even appeals to me at this point is potato chips and pretzels. How's that for healthy! I did eat a banana this morning, so that was good for me. I can't wait until I get to the point where I don't feel like I have the flu all of the time and I can actually eat food with substance!

American Idol Recap

I have been watching American Idol from the beginning, you know the Kelly Clarkson & Justin Guarini days! In my opinion this season # 7 has been the best so far! I have a hard time deciding who I really want to vote for each week. Last night it was Brooke White hands down. Her version of "Let Be" was absolutely amazing. I still think despite David Archuleta forgetting the lyrics to his song that he did a good job vocally (until the end), and he will definitely NOT be voted off tonight. There are way too many girl's in this country that will see that NEVER happens!

The one thing that frustrated me last night or should say really ticked me off...was Simon Cowell and his comments to both Paula and Ryan. I hate how he disrespects Paula (even if she is a little flaky most of the time). I also don't like that he assumes Ryan is gay. I'm really hoping that is not true! I can see how some would wonder in that the guy has never really had a girlfriend since he has been in the spotlight over the past 7 years! I'm just going to believe he hasn't found the right GIRL to settle down with!

All in all it was a good night of performances. Oh except for Kristy Lee Cook's country version of "Eight Days a Week"! I almost had to change the channel. Unfortunately, I think that cost her this competition. I wouldn't be surprised if Kristy was voted off tonight. We'll see what happens in the result show tonight!

My Twin

My twin brother Justin flew into Seattle last Wednesday for a youth conference. It was so nice to see him!! It has been 8 months since I last saw him. I miss living close to Justin! We have so many fun memories growing up together! Of course being a twin we have a special bond with each other that I just can't put into words. I hope someday we can live close to each other again!!

I took pictures while he was in town, but I had to take them on a disposable camera b/c Rick and I lost our digital camera in our move last month! =( As soon as I get our pictures developed I will scan them and post them on my blog.

I'M PREGNANT!!!

I am finally allowed to tell the world my good news!! I am 8 weeks pregnant and the happiest woman alive!! I had my first ultrasound last Friday and the doctor said that my baby had a strong heart beat and everything looked great! Thank you to all of my friends and family for praying for Rick and I over the last year to be able to conceive. God has answered our prayers!! I'm officially due October 11, 2008. I have so much to look forward to this year! Please keep praying that our baby continues to develop into a healthy and strong boy or girl.

Amazing!!

All I have to say is WOW!! Our God is truly AMAZING!!!

The Sheep and the Goats

Today in chapel the speaker talked about the story of The Sheep and the Goats found in Matthew 25. Now this story has always been one of my favorites! I remember in high school our youth group did a human video (remember those days!) to the Keith Green song about the Sheep and the Goats. I think I actually had to be a goat in this particular human video. I love the message in this story it is so clear what our assignment is here on earth...to serve others and reach out to those in need. Jesus said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

As I was listening to this message I was reminded today that I need to be reaching out to others more. When I was the Outreach Pastor in Denver it was really easy to reach out to others b/c that was what I did day in and day out! It seems like over the years I haven't been as motivated to reach out. Why is that? I love Jesus with all of my heart, but I have lost the sense of urgency I once had to reach those who are in need. My prayer is that the fire I once had will be reignited! I want to serve those in need in any way that I can. I may not have a big group of people to help me do an outreach, but I can surely go out on the streets and feed the homeless. I'm getting excited just thinking about the ways that I can be a Sheep and make the King proud!!

I copied the story of The Sheep and the Goats below just in case you wanted to read it today.

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.


"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'


"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'


"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'


"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Stinky Smell - HELP!

I need a place to vent and let out my frustration, so today I am going to use my blog as my outlet. As most of you know last weekend Rick and I moved into an apartment on the Northwest University campus (where I am employed). When we first moved in I noticed a faint garlic and spice smell, but I just figured it was left over from the tenants who lived there before us. After we were completely moved in I sprayed the entire apartment down with Febreeze and lit candles in every room. At the time it seemed like it had gotten better, but then dinner time came around and the smell became so repulsive that I actually had to get out of the apartment for a few hours!

After doing some under cover investigation at the school I found out that a Korean couple lives in the apartment below us. Now the only reason this solves the mysterious smell is b/c there is a certain spice they are cooking with every evening that is coming into our apartment through the vents. I really don't know what to do about this situation! I want to walk down to the apartment below us and kindly ask this couple if they could refrain from cooking with this certain spice b/c it makes me sick, but #1 I don't want to offend them or their culture and #2 I just don't have the guts to do it! Hopefully with the temperatures warming up a bit here in the Pacific Northwest I can keep the windows open all evening. Do any of you have advice on ways I could clear up a really BAD smell?!! Bethany...I know you are the queen of cleaning supplies - have you used any good are fresheners that eliminate smell & not just cover them up? I'm desperate!!

The Cost of Beauty!

This morning while I was getting ready for work I realized that I desperately need to get my hair cut and highlighted again. The problem is that the people I trust the most with my hair are the most expensive!! It's really hard for me to pay $100 (sometimes more) to get my hair cut and colored. Is that too much? What do those of you reading this blog pay for your haircuts and highlights? I went to this beauty school to get my haircut and colored a while back and the girl did a good job, but the problem was It took her over 4 hours to do my hair. I promised myself I would never go back to a beauty school again to get my hair done!!

I am going to do some research online today and see if there are any first time customer coupons for any of these salons. Sometimes you can get some good deals when you try new places! Hopefully I can find a good salon at a good price! =)

Moved In!

We are finally all moved in!! I didn't think that was ever going to happen! Saturday was a very LONG day!! We did have very nice weather for our move, so that was good. I have spring fever right now BIG TIME!! I am ready for 60 and 70 degree weather and sun! The good news is...that Spring is just around the corner.

I am actually too tired right now to write much more, but I just wanted to let everyone know that our move went well and we are now living in an on campus apartment for a very short time! :)

Moving Saturday!

I am absolutely exhausted!! This past weekend and yesterday I have been packing and sorting through all of our stuff for our move on Saturday. I know moving is hard, but I thought it would be easier this time b/c a lot of our stuff is still packed and in storage. It's amazing how much we have accumulated over the past year and a half that we have lived in this apartment!

The good news is that we will be completely moved by Saturday and then Rick is hitting the job market hard! For those of you who don't know, this move we are making is a temporary move. We are hoping & praying that Rick finds a new job somewhere close to family and that we will be moving again by early summer.

I am excited to see what God has next for us. This is going to be a great year of change! :)

Summer Vacation???

Rick and I started planning our summer vacation and we are down to three choices. Over the past two years our summer vacations have been to Chicago to visit family and friends, but this year we wanted to plan a romantic get-away for just the two of us. So here are the three places we have narrowed it down to:

1. Cancun, Mexico (Riviera Maya) - this is where we went on our honeymoon!

2. Jamaica

3. Caribbean Carnival Cruise

So now it's time for your votes...which place would you rather go on vacation? Maybe you have been to one of these places and recommend one over the other. I know they are all wonderful places, but I'm curious where my friends and family would choose.

We're Moving!!

I wish I could say that we were moving out of the state and close to all of our friends and family, but unfortunately, we are only moving 10 minutes from our apartment. To make a really long story short, our apartment complex has been bought by a company who is going to turn our apartments into condominiums. So in short we are being forced to move. The nice thing is that we get $500 towards our moving costs b/c of the short notice.

Over the last week I have been frantically searching for an affordable apartment close to work. The only thing I came up with in our price range was ghetto apartments that were built in 1972 with all of the orange and green kitchen appliances to go with it! YUK!! After praying with some close friends about our search, I received an email from our housing office at work (Northwest University) telling me that there was a married housing apartment that just opened up and it would be ready by February 1st (today!). Now these apartments are not the most glamorous on the market, but they are nice and the price is absolutely INCREDIBLE!!! :) Not too mention I could walk to my office from my home! What an answer to prayer!

I'm kind tired of living in apartments and I am really ready to be in my own house, but I know shortly Rick and I will be moving (out of state, hopefully) and into a new home! It's funny how God takes us through seasons of life, but with each turn we grow, learn, and trust that he is still the FAITHFUL God he has always been!

Prayer Request

I thought I would post my blog today as a prayer request. Rick and I are really seeking God right now for direction. We both feel like God is getting ready to make some BIG changes in our life. My prayer is that we would be obedient children and wait for his direction. Will you pray for us please?

"This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." Isaiah 48:17

Heath Ledger

Yesterday I logged on to yahoo to check my email and saw the headline that read "Heath Ledger is dead at age 28." I was so shocked and sad all at the same time. I'm sure most of you reading this right now ( if anyone still reads my blogs) has heard of his death either on the Internet or on the news. I don't know why I am sad about this I mean I never personally knew Heath Ledger, but I guess sometimes I catch myself thinking of celebrities as fictional characters alone, and in reality they are REAL people with REAL souls. Although I may not know the eternity of Heath Ledger; I know that Jesus loves him just as he loves you and me. my heart is stirred to pray for celebrities who have filled their lives with temporary joy and if they are not reached with love of Jesus before it's too late, their eternity is going to be a horrible realization that there is more to life than what money & fame can buy!

Rick's Birthday

Today is my hubby's 29th birthday! I love celebrating birthdays!! I could spend hours in a party store picking out streamers and balloons that match! I guess I just like to decorate and to celebrate of course! Okay, I just got the song..."Celebrate good times, come on" in my head!! I think I roller-skated to that song all through my junior high years! Anyway...tonight Rick and I are going out for a nice dinner and if it's not too late we may catch a movie before the night is over.

Yeah for birthday fun!!

God's Voice???

This morning while I was praying and doing my devotions I felt this voice inside speak something to me. It is something that for a long time I have been praying and asking God for. I immediately began to thank God for His blessing that is soon to come, but in the midst of my rejoicing I started to wonder if that was really God or if it was just me wanting to believe so badly for this prayer to be answered. I have faith and believe that God will answer my prayers, but how do we as Christians know if it is really God speaking to us or our own positive faith inspired feelings speaking to us?! Is it wrong to ask God to confirm what we feel he was speaking to us? Does asking for a confirmation from God demonstrate a lack of faith on my part?

My Catholic Church Experience

This weekend Rick and I attended a christening service for a friend's baby at St. James Parish in Seattle. Now I have been to two Catholic wedding's and a Catholic funeral, so I sort of knew what to expect at the service. As we walked into the HUGE and I stress huge b/c I have never seen a Catholic church this big in all of my life....I was waiting for the Pope to walk in! Anyway, as we walked into the service I was overtaken by the beauty of all of the pillars and stain glass everywhere. The organ was playing loudly and the congregation begin to sing in unison a song I had never heard before.

I stood there looking around (like a child at a museum), and I wondered how many of these people around me really know what a relationship with Jesus feels like?!! I know that there are many Catholics who have a loving relationship with Jesus and have asked HIM to be Lord of their lives, but I also know there are many that just make Sunday morning Mass there routine without any emotion or connection made during their entire time in church. As I had that thought I begin to pray for those around me, and then it hit me it's not just people in the Catholic church, but people in every church around the world that need to know Jesus as their personal Savior! Even people in Assemblies of God Churches (the denomination I grew up in) there are "lost" people who make Sunday services a routine and never really connect with God!

Since attending that service on Sunday I have a renewed desire to pray for the who don't know Jesus and for those who have grown complacent in their walk with the Lord. May we hunger and thirst for Jesus more and more each day!!

I Miss My Husband!!

Well I made it another night without my hubby! Rick has been gone on a business trip to Mexico since Monday morning. At first I thought I could stay by myself while he was gone, but the first night he was gone I slept with the living room and hall lights on. Every time I heard a noise my heart would start race and I would start praying. Last night wasn't as bad b/c I think I wore myself out the first night with my lack of sleep. I don't know how wives who have husbands who travel every week do it. I guess with kids it wouldn't be as lonely, but maybe I'm wrong. I think it is just hard all together! I really miss my husband!!! The good news is Rick is being sent to Australia in March and I get the honor of going with him on this trip! He will work during the days and I will visit the Kola bears and kangaroos! :)

Tonight I am going to head up to Snohomish, Washington, which is about 45 minutes from my apartment to stay with my brother and his family. I love my nieces and nephews, and I know we will have a lot of fun together. The bad part is going to be the commute into work tomorrow on the express way! I am going to have to leave by 6:15 a.m. to make it to work on time! Two more days and Rick will return. YEAH!!!!

A New Year's Commitment!

I'm not big on New Year's Resolutions b/c it seems that every year I make one I seem to lose my motivation about the time February rolls around. It's more like a one month resolution! Ha! This year I want to make a New Year's Commitment! A renewed commitment to live my life as Jesus commanded and to reach out to people with His love! I love to do outreach, but for some reason since I have moved to Seattle I have not had the drive I used to have to tell people about Jesus! I want to make an impact in this world for Christ! I want to see soul's saved, hearts mended, sicknesses healed, and peace restored to everyone in this city that God has strategically put me in! 2008 is going to be an unforgettable year!! My mission is outlined in a well known scripture found in Isaiah 61.

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor

Isaiah 61:1-3