the recovery begins.

I just realized I left you all hanging. Here is a post-knife picture of Cale...he will have to have his arm strapped to his gut like that for 6 weeks. I didn't get to see the damage, would have been cool I think, but probably sick, but still cool. The doctor in Lincoln has to change his dressing the first time to make sure everything is ok, and then he can do it himself after that. We had quite a time trying to figure out the best way to put on his shirt. hahaha. And he was also a bit concerned with how shriveled his left arm will look after not using it at all for 6 weeks. =) Probably like mine, that's what I was thinking. haha.

Anyways, its been a few days back at the normal schedule, pretty much hanging out, reading a lot, working out (more like hanging out at the racket club for an hour or so) laundry, cleaning, random errands...the best is being able to go outside whenever I want to...to the beach, ride my bike around, you know...just be outside. love it. Hang out with Ryan at night. Couldn't ask for a better schedule. =) Tonight we have a date, tomorrow we will visit some of our friends in Grand Rapids (the bros that were groomsmen and their families). Should be fun. Not quite as fun as camping in Colorado with some friends, or going to Branson with the in-laws, but I'll try to make the best of it. =)

Long Time No Post.

My lil bro, Cale, decided to make the trek up to MI this last weekend...I'll sum up the story quick-like. Last summer he broke his collar bone while he was working at Spring Hill, so he had the surgery in Big Rapids, MI because it was close to the camp, and they paid for it. Nice. But they did a crappy job and it's been bothering him this summer, so he had a doc check it out in Lincoln and said he should def have a redo...so he told the camp and they said they needed him to go to the same MI doctor for a second opinion. So he drove 10 hours for a check up, and sure enough, got scheduled for today to be under the knife at 3:30. Good thing it wasn't a big deal to stay some extra days. And I get some company for a few more days! We've been hanging out all weekend, he went up to Holland to hang out with some camp buddies on Sat while Ryan and I (Ryan) did oral cancer exams at the Relay For Life, that was awesome. Anyways, busy weekend of fun, but today in about an hour, it's time to get serious. =) Cale brought his guitar up to get some last quality playing time in before one of his arms doesn't work as well. haha. here's some pics from this morning.

My Man

Yesterday I was reading thru my friends' posts and such...Crystal was my inspiration for this post. So here it goes:

Here is my man after a long day looking at teeth. =)

And here are the cookies that I made for him when he awoke from his slumber. =)

It is fun to make things for your man...and I haven't made cookies in months I think. Probably because I'm not so much hanging out with my baking buddy, Scipp anymore. hmm. But I think those of you readers who have men should also share in the joy of serving. We would love to see what you can do! And so would the men you will speak of I'm sure. =) Makes for a fun evening. Thank you Crystal for your thoughts, always a delight to hear your words!

week 13.....

SO, one more week to tack on. 13 down, 27. wierd. I read today that "it's" the size of a jumbo shrimp. hahaha. last week was an apple and the week before that was a small fig. what's with all the food comparisons? =) At any rate, first appt is this friday am, hopefully all will go well, don't see any reason for it not to.

Does this seem like a slow-going week to anyone else?? sheeesh. We were going to have plans last night, then that got moved to tonight, then just now, cancelled altogether. Rain check. SO, what shall we do.

Ryan and I watched Kingdom of Heaven last night. Good flick. Top of the lists. Actually, I know it's in the bible somewhere about why there isn't peace over there....I've heard it long ago or read it, but I can't remember where...my guess would be Isaiah. So this morning I tried to find where it talks about their conflict and the treaty that will signal Christ's return...am I making this up?? I searched for a long time...anyone have any ideas? I would love to learn about it since it is fresh in my mind. Anyways...just a little take-home for you, if you will. let me know what you find!

Well that was an experience.

SO, this morning, let me just tell you, was not top on my fun-Friday event lists. In reading, you might sense some anger in my tone, but it's more of just a vent, if you will, in hopes that the feeling may pass soon. =) Last Friday, I went to South Shore, the gym we are members of, for a friendly aerobic step class with an invitation from a lady from our small group whom I have a lot of respect for. It was a pretty good time, although quite a bit different from my normal workout - not that I really have a normal workout, it's just that I don't hop around a step alot when I go there by myself. Mostly women in their late 30s or 40s, some even older. I was clearly the youngest. I swear there are no young people here in this town.

At Any rate, this morning, I was again supposed to meet Joy for the same class...she didn't show up. No big deal, I don't need someone there to hold my hand. And then a different lady shows up to teach the class, the one from last week was gone this morning so we got the substitute chick that teaches the evening classes. Everything started out fine, aside from no warm up, which I thought was strange, just jump right into it. Very soon we started doing these little mini 'routines' which were about 16 counts with various names like 'diagonal corner' and 'pivot basic' and 'what the crap'. Just kidding I made that last one up. And of course the techno music is blaring and her loud chanting voice commanding all these step names and counts could be heard over top of it. I'll just say it. I had absolutely NO idea what I was doing. Finally when I think I knew what was going on, the 'dance' would change to something else, and then I was lost again.

I used to think of myself as a somewhat coordinated individual, but after today, I think that is entirely false. There was no coordination on my part, just mostly a confused face and some just standing there trying to figure out what was going on. I made it about 40 minutes and then had to just throw in the towel. The room was packed with people who could have been teaching the class themselves, that's the part that stinks about going for the first time, I suppose. No one seemed to think it was a hard thing except for me, chillin in the back, totally lost.

And then to make it worse, yes it can get worse, since I was in the back, about half the moves we would turn around and face the back wall...there was no one for me to watch but the bricks a few feet in front of me, and everyone in the class, as if they couldn't see from all the mirrors, could see in person that I didn't know what I was doing. Awesome. Let's just say that I was fairly humiliated, mostly just wanting to come up with excuses for myself to justify my lack of body awareness. It was horrible. After this morning, I think it will take a LOT for me to go back to something like that....I will just stick to the normal routine to attempt to save what little face I have left. haha. And then I left a pissed off message on Ry's phone just cause I had no one to tell here at the apartment. I will be going back this afternoon to try to have a decent workout with Ryan after he gets off of work. I hope I don't see any of those ladies there. =) Really cool story, huh. Sheeesh.

New News

Is that redundant? New News. Maybe that's why it's called News, because it's new. Hm. Anyways, the weekend went well, over too quickly...check out Aaron's blog for some sweet pics his camera takes. Did some hair, that's always good. My level of hair activity significantly decreased with the change of location, so it's always good to get some regulars back. Like ridin a bike. =) I'm pretty sure you'll be able to tell in his pictures when exactly they were in Michigan because their hair is a bit shorter in the second half photos. =) Anyway, it's always good to see friends and to have company. Everyone is welcome at the Thomas Inn and Suite, should you feel the urge to travel to a new beautiful area for the weekend. I usually only need a day or so of notice. =)

Also, immediately following the departure of our Nebraskan amigos, I decided it was time to take a trip to Kentucky. I enjoyed the 6 hour drive in the bonny on Monday afternoon and spent an incredible almost 36 hours with Scott and Carissa. Love the friends that you can go 6 months without seeing each other in person and it's like you didn't miss a day. They took me to some good ol' Kentucky eatin places, and we also walked around the campus Scott goes to, very beautiful, and hit up a water park similar to Mahoney's later Tuesday evening. What a great day. Time went extreeeeeemly fast, especially since it was only one day. Then Wednesday am, I woke up at the crack and left their lovely home at 5:30 am to be back in Mich by noonish. I was pretty mad at myself for forgetting my camera and then remembering it like 45 minutes into my trip. Sheeesh. But they took some good pics whilst I was there, so that was good. That is one area of the country everyone should experience in person at some point in their life. Incredible beauty, unlike anywhere I've been before. Hills, trees, horses and cattle grazing, more trees, forests, beautiful HUGE horse ranches, windy roads thru the country. woah. There are so many places to be seen here in our country, Neb, Mich, Kent, Miss, FL, Colo, all these places I've been and not one is like the other. Each it's own beautiful. Praise God for his creation!

Speaking of creation, His human creation inside me is movin right along. =) Ryan and I enjoyed our first visit to the doctor yesterday afternoon after my return from Kentucky. I filled out tons of paperwork, received a jumbo bag full for our own personal reading, got some blood drawn, and peed in a cup. Pretty successful appointment. I did also receive a due date....Christmas Day. That's right, I said it. A little elf. hahaha. Holy crap. Kinda crazy. But the best thing about that (I think) is that Erin and Josh will be up here after his return for a little more than a week, so maybe they will get to see the little guy (or girl I suppose) before they go home. That would be awesome. Huhhh. 6 1/2 more months. That's a long time. At any rate, I was reading that it's supposed to be the size of a small fig, who knows how big that is. Seriously. But then in my email this week from BabyCenter.com it told me it was as big as a lime. hahaha. There is much going on in my body and there's no way I could ever understand it all. Again, God's creation is absolutely amazing.

So there's the current events from Michigan. If you feel the urge to pass the word along, feel free...there are too many reasons not to keep quiet! We are excited!

The weekend!

SO, just finished watching The Matrix Reloaded...or as my bro calls it 'Meatrix reloaded'. One time we were at my grandparents in Oakland's house, which is always good for a few laughs, dad told him to reload the meat tray and Evan replied 'Meatrix Reloaded'. the room bust out laughing cause it was totally out of no where, and of course it makes it funnier when grandma and grandpa have no idea what we're saying, we talk way to fast and quiet for them. Oh man. At any rate, the movie is better when you watch it again...for the 3rd and 4th time...things make more and more sense to me. Actually, normal people pick that stuff up the first time around but i am left in the dark waiting for the dvd release. Sigh. Can't wait to watch the 3rd one now. It's all coming together. Don't think I'll have time to watch it until after the weekend though...there is much to do, as we are expecting some COMPANY!!!

Sunday evening our beloved friends, Aaron and Amber, as pictured, will be going to the Winery, Tabor Hill, which is awesome and totally beautiful...giant beautiful building in the middle of a vineyard full of any kind of alky you wish and some dang sweet food. We have been saving that date night for such a time as this. Hopefully we will finish our dining in time to head back to the beach and watch the good ol' sunset over the lake. And just like that it will be time for them to take off again. But it will be awesome to see them.

That be all. Ryan and I are enjoying an oven-toasted samich and soup in honor of Aaron's upcoming visit. I hear he makes them quite often. That be all folks. Have a safe Friday night! Make good choices!

hey girl

Sorry it didn't attach for some reason last time. =)

Just chillin'

SO, today has been glorious. The sun is out, not a cloud in the sky....slight breeze, calm lake...woah. I worked out this morning for a while, then doodled on the computer for a bit, made some necessary phone calls, and then took my book to the beach and was a whale for the last hour and a half. awesome. And now I must clean up the apt...cause I'm pretty good at putting that off. I did, however, want to share this picture with you. enjoy. =)

Aw crap.

Turns out, maybe hot tubbing wasn't the best idea I could have had... This just in, if I have any pregnant readers, DON'T, repeat, DO NOT, tub. Bad idea. Here's what some experts had to say on the subject:

Is it safe to sit in a hot tub while I'm pregnant?
Expert: Jeanne-Marie Guise, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Oregon Health Services Center, Portland, OR
It's not a good idea unless you can control the temperature and set it at no more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Soaking in hot water or sitting in a hot, steamy room can make you overheat, which raises your heart rate and reduces blood flow to your uterus, potentially putting your baby under stress or interfering with normal development. And because pregnant women have a hard time cooling down, you're more likely to pass out if you get overheated in a hot tub or sauna -- an especially dangerous proposition in either setting.

Expert: Catherine Lynch, director of the division of general obstetrics and gynecology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
Hot tubs are usually too hot to be safe for pregnant women to use. We know that water over 105 degrees is damaging to developing cells. It won't damage yours, but the baby is sitting in fluid that's also going to get very warm. And extreme temperatures can damage very early embryos. So hot-tubbing in the first trimester could cause malformations in the fetus or cause you to lose the baby.

Ok I made is small so you all didn't have to scroll for 10 minutes whilst you read. SO, I'm probably the last to know that that wasn't a very bright idea...hmmm...but the good thing is that I didn't roast in it for 1/2 an hour...only about 10 min, and then swam in a cold pool for 30 min and then jumped back in to warm up for about 4 min. After doing some other research today, I found that it really takes a person's body about 10 minutes to adjust to the water's temp, and usually people get uncomfortable hot before that point, which was the case....

But enough about that. I am boiling some eggs for a snack, sounded like a good idea...so I must tend to my cooking. Thank you for your time. =)

PS, I'm 11 weeks along for people who would like a number. !!

Heavyweight Champ: MARTHA THOMAS!!

So, we've been here for almost a month, and still have no gym. We have, however, narrowed our options, with the help of the city (because there are only a few)....effective shortly after this post, Ryan and I will be members of South Shore Racket Club. Very unfortunate we don't play tennis. I will list the positives this outfit provides:

1. Location- conveniently stashed away behind Dales Donuts, which happens to be right across the street from our complex.

2. Swimming pool and hot tub to use - how very exciting since I recently learned that's the activity of choice among pregnant women.

3. Open at 5 am should there ever be an urge in the hour before dawn.

4. Free fitness aerobic classes anytime you wish to pop in.

5. Ryan and I both feel like piles since it has been 5 or 6 weeks since a decent workout.

6. Donut on the way there, donut on the way back. Excellent.

Here are the reasons, I was actually just writing this to re-motivate myself to get over there and do something with my morning... well, morningS....hmmm. Hope all is well and you are doing your fair share to maintain the bodies that we have been blessed with! Now git out there and Steel some Buns!