Book #2

If you remember back to my rules post, I wanted to try and at least read one book a month....at least! So it's the end of January and I've successfully finished two books! Two books that I wouldn't normally read or that fit the category that I like to read in. And I really really really liked them a lot!! This book "The Hiding Place" was one of those books that I've heard about for a few years. First of all my dear friend and college roommate, Corrie, is named after the real person who this whole book is about, Corrie Ten Boom. This book takes you on a story of the Ten Boom's life in Holland during the time of WW II. This family risks their lives in order to help out their fellow Jewish neighbors and friends. They struggle with who to trust and how to keep their own family safe. Its amazing how even in the worst situations in a concentration camp how they find the good.

Changes

Well today has come and is almost gone. We've been anticipating V-day, 1-28-2010, since May when we found out we were pregnant. I seriously cannot believe I've been pregnant for 280 days!! That's a loooong time! But the doctor said we'll wait one more week and see if "mother nature takes its course", and if not make further decisions about inducing next week. I've looked up a natural labor induction techniques...some of them are kinda of weird, but I think I'll try a few :) Bryson and I are so anxious to meet our little girl!! I want to see what she is like, what her smile looks like, if she has hair yet, cuddle with her. I told her today durning breakfast it's okay to come out now :) We've set up the pack 'n play (what she will sleep in the first couple of weeks) next to our bed and I wake up trying to picture a little baby in there... we'll just have to be patient for a few more days.
Along with the big change of about to become parents, we have another change happening...Bryson has taken a job in Houston as a project manager a commerical building property restoration company!! We are sooo soo excited about this opportunity! We've been praying for about 6 months for a job for Bryson, and specifically for one before Violet is born. After his interview we were just so happy it went well, and I told him I felt like God is taking care of us. And this past Monday was his first day! It is very bittersweet to move away from Austin, our community in the Eastside, our friends, Juan in a Million, Townlake, Austin Stone Community Church, our first home, and so much more!! Even as we began to finish the baby room in our house a few weeks ago, I just had this feeling that it wouldn't be set up for long...So after Violet is born we will be packing our things and making the move to Houston. It's a little strange to move back to a town I grew up in, but kinda of cool I get to experience it now as an adult. We are really thankful to have family and friends in Houston, so we wont be alone in this new change in our life!

Last Night's Dinner

Yesterday my Husband was gone to Waco to finish up roofing a porch. I knew he'd be hungry and tired by the time he got home so I started looking for something to cook for dinner. I've been a fan of Pioneer Woman website for awhile now. She has beautiful pictures, funny blogs, and delicious recipes. I like her recipes cause she takes pictures every step of the way and then at the very end has a written recipe too. A couple of my friends have used her recipes and they are sooo sooo good!! And I've been wanting to try something. So knowing that Hubs would be hungry...I was on a search for something hearty and didn't take too long to cook. Honestly I had to stop looking at one point and get a snack because just looking at the pictures/reading the recipes I was getting hungry myself. So I came upon this:
Also know as Marlboro Mans Favorite Sandwich But now, Bryson says it's his favorite sandwich!! He loved it and we both were kept saying "this is so good!". I added garlic and mozzarella cheese. The recipe was easy and only took about 30 mins from start to finish! We loved it and will definitely make it again!

January Book

Remember how I said I was going to start to read at least one book a month? Well I finished Bruchko last week and already sent it on it's way to be read by my friend Grace...and well she finished it today. This book is really really good. I first remember hearing of it from my friend Dan Reiter in college. He was trying to tell me about how adventurous the author was and all his confidence in God throughout the book and about hammocks....or something like that but wasn't too interested at the time. Then right before Bryson and I got married he was given the book to "borrow" and well we never returned it (sorry Erin and JaLynn). I found it on our bookshelf and at first didnt want to read a "Christian missionary book" But I said at least 2 chapters decided to give it a go ahead...

It is a true story about Bruce Olson's life living with the Montilone Indians in South America. He tells about how he knew God was telling him to go to South American and his adventures on how he got there. There are many scenes in the story that are unreal that he actually survives!! It's quite adventurous story and truly a testament at how powerful Christ is even when it has nothing to do with you. Bruce goes through many many sicknesses, pain and loneliness. But in the end our plans/trials are little compared to what God has planned.

I'd recommend it for anyone to read! Its short and easy to follow. It's NOT a cheesy Christian book I first thought it was going to be. It made me think about other cultures and how little I know about the world around me. It challenged me.

Painting Party

This past weekend Bryson and I hosted a Painting Party at our house. The point of it was that we wanted to have our friends create/paint a canvas for Violet's room. We have so many friends that are like family to us and have been such a blessing in our lives. God has totally given us this community of friends here!! We wish even our friends and family out of town could of made it, but we will still be accepting paintings, if you still want to paint one :) Here are a few pics:
Just getting started

Artists

Bryson made this bird house last week and painted it at the party

The finished products


We also did a "birthday pool" to see when Violet will be born! So funny!! We'll see who wins :) Thanks to everyone who came!

Early Bird

Waking up early is something I have always enjoyed. There is just a peace, calmness to being up before any one else, the quietness at home and the outside streets. I feel accomplished when I can finish errands or "to do" lists or workouts early in the day, so then I have the whole rest of the day to play. (I still enjoy a good sleeping in, nothing to do kind of day too!)

But more in pregnancy than any other time has this waking up early thing has occurred! Mostly I'll get up to go to the bathroom and then can't fall asleep and then realize I'm hungry. I've fought this a few times and have actually fallen back asleep but most of the time I'll get up and just start my day. Luckily most of the time this has happened I haven't had to work that day, so I'll get a good nap in. Anyways this is why I post on this lovely Saturday morning at 6:28 am...I probably been up for a good hour already and have had a bowl of cereal. Thats the main reason I got up...hunger. Anyways and am thinking about attempting to fight the Arctic blast outside to get a few groceries....oh saturday.

Day #3

Today is day three of maternity leave! And so far it doesn't feel that different than just having a day off of work. I mean don't get me wrong I'm enjoying not having the responsibility of going to work, it was getting hard to be on my feet all day and bend down for the bottom shelves. Unfortunately with my job I'm not getting a paid maternity leave, because I'm part time, but officially I'm on an "indefinite leave of absence" due to if we decide I'll go back to work or decisions with Bryson's job.

So what have I been up to...actually I feel like I've been pretty busy! My goals for the week were to organize the baby room and prepare my hospital bag. But Sunday night we organized the baby room and its all set up. We are still wanting to get a few decorations up, but for the most part it is clean and about all together! Monday and Tuesday I ran errands, hung out with a couple of friends, and bought all the necessary items for my hospital bag. So it's ready to go when needed! Today we had our 36 week doc appointment (we started going weekly last week) and nothing changed. Baby girl hasn't dropped yet, so there is still time! I did lose 1 pound! woohoo! We ran some errands, started the baby book, hung out with the neighbors and I took a good long nap!

Hopefully I'll continue to stay productive, visit friends and rest when needed. After all what is maternity leave without fun :)