it all started with...

It all started with us thinking it was time to get out of the "renting world" and start the home buying process. Soon after we found the house we thought would be a perfect starter home. Over the past 6 months, we have had several small/ moderate sized projects to better suit this house for us. It started with that...However, we now have a much bigger issue on our hands....WATER! it seems to be everywhere...in the walls, in the carpet....ughh! I wish we would have known this 6 months ago BEFORE we bought the house :(

It seems like once we think we have figured out what the source is or the locations of the water damage, we find more and more! The stress of all this has been a bit too much for this pregnant lady to handle. Once we find the exact sources of where the water is coming from we can move on to the plan of knocking down walls/ killing mold/ and re-doing the walls. hmm....  :/

I find myself constantly wishing we would have made a different decision. What if we would have just been patient and kept renting for another year (or two)...or what if we would have just gotten a new townhouse? Life would have been easier then right? or...why does it seem like everyone else's house does not have big & expensive problems (especially so soon). The grass always looks greener on the other side. And we cannot turn back now!

The stress+ fear+ sadness of all this has led me to TRY and remind myself that we will be taken care of...some way, some how... God is going to keep us in his arms and carry us through this tough time. Its hard to believe at times, but that is where my faith needs to step it up.

Hopefully all of these water/home issues get fixed in enough time to prepare for baby's arrival. ;/

Having faith...

Last Monday we had our first ultrasound for this precious baby of ours!! I was nervous to know if everything was ok with "it" but very excited to see "it" as well! It was so neat to see "it" move around so much, suck "it's" thumb, etc! It is such an incredible thing to know thats our child in there! The one we love so much already! We also found out that this "it" was no longer an "it" but a baby girl!!! It has been so fun to give a little more identity to this little gymnast!

Her face (side profile)

Her little foot! 

My 20 wk prenatal appointment was not until Thursday, so we had to wait until then to know if their was anything abnormal with the ultrasound. I have seen so much hardship with chronically ill children, it is hard not to worry. At the appointment, the midwife said that everything looked healthy with baby EXCEPT that she only had 2 vessels in her umbilical cord. That means she only has one artery and one vein (where 99% of other babies have 2 arteries and 1 vein). She said we should not worry too much and that our greatest concern would probably be growth in the last few weeks of pregnancy. She also said that there was a higher chance of other anomalies because of having a 2 vessel cord. So...she referred us to get a level 2 ultrasound at a high risk pregnancy center to look further into the baby's health.  After waiting 5 days (which seriously seemed like a year) we got in for the 2nd ultrasound. And...we got good news!! They did not see anything else wrong with her and just stated that at 30 wks and on we will be watching her growth and heartbeat even more closely to make sure she is getting enough nutrition or if she should come meet us a little early! Sam and I are so relieved that they did not find anything else wrong with her!

My faith has been tested this past week... and the prayers from others seriously gave me the peace I needed to make it through the last few days!

On another note, last night was my first night off of orientation at my job! Ahhh...I was on my own & It was a crazy night. I never felt like I was caught up as one thing after another kept happening. But hey, thats what I want/ need in a job right?! I just hope as the days/ weeks go on that I continue to get more confident and grounded in what I am doing so the nights go a little smoother!

Our home projects are continuing...and this current one is a bit more major! Sam and my dad knocked out the walls in our ever so small/ poorly designed bedroom closet. Previously, there was one small door to get into the narrow closet space, so really we could only reach what was in front of the door. They are going to alter it in several ways and make it so we can actually fit most of our clothes in it (instead of using all 3 bedroom closets for our own clothes!) So right now, the room is a disaster, the baby's room is stuffed with all of our bedroom furniture/ clothes, and we are residing in the basement for the next few weeks...Which thankfully is not as creepy as I thought it would be.

The current state of our closet

More updates to come!

...Im off to enjoy this beautiful day with my precious boy (Theo) at the dog park!

-Christina

Long time...

Its been a long time since I've update on here...mostly because I've been super busy, but also because for the longest time I couldn't share one of the biggest occurrences in my life (being pregnant!) Thus, it was hard to say anything at all, when that was what has mostly consumed my mind the past few months!

Today I am 19 weeks along, and am feeling bigger and better than ever! Every day brings a full load of wonderful emotions (only a few fearful ones present.) How is it possible that you can already love someone so deeply and never even officially "met" them yet? I have always wanted to be a mother, and to finally be able to experience ALL that motherhood entails is beyond exciting to me!

Our baby this week! 

We find out in one week if this little peanut is a boy or girl (or if my husband and others' suspicion is true that there are 2 in there.) It is amazing that I have already almost forgotten the horrible sickness I experienced from week 6-12 ...I guess that's why people keep having kids even through the rough pregnancies.

Sam and I have been trying to get done as many house projects as we can while we still have "time" to do them, and it has kept us busy! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being uber productive and bettering things, but it will be kind of nice to have a reason NOT to be able to do these things.

I have been in my new job for over a month now, and am so thankful everyday to be able to be at a place where I can say I AM HAPPY! I love what I do, and work with some amazing people! What a blessing it has been to get this part of my life FINALLY squared away :) I learn so much each day that I am there and get a new perspective from so many of the patients! What a refreshing thing!

I miss seeing my friends as much as I used to. I wish we all didn't have to work so much and that I could just have all of them live on my block. I guess its part of the business of life and getting older, but can't I just have my weekends back like when I was 21? However, it does seem that distance does make the heart grow fonder and appreciate people so much more for who they are and what we have in our friendships!

Even though I am not letting myself "bake" in the sun like my hear so desires and has every other summer in the past, I am still trying to enjoy every bit of this beautiful season! I don't want it to slip away! However, I would not complain if we jumped right to Dec. 18th :)

Ill keep updating on the upcoming pregnancy journeys and baby! Until then, I think its time this tired girl starts making her way to bed :)

-Christina Joy

Waiting for this month to be over...

As nice as may is (or is supposed to be) weather wise, with promises of warm weather and outdoor activities... I would be just fine if we went ahead and skipped right to June! Sound like a plan? I know I should probably not waste the remaining 28 days away as each day is indeed a gift...but... I think I just might break the rules and keep wishing!
Here are just a few reasons why:

1. I can get out of this rut that they call a job and finally get back into the fast paced hospital! I didn't realize how much I miss having co-workers... Until I had NONE! I am excited to return to the floor at St. Johns hospital that I left a little over a year ago! I love the people that work there and the hospital system is quality!

2. My body will hopefully give me a break and not be sick so much!!! Maybe the warmer weather will help?!! who knows?

3. It's my husbands birthday the June 3rd. I love birthdays. A lot. I think I may even love his birthday more than he does! Either way, he gets to be treated like a king all day!

4. June 6th is our two year anniversary! Sometimes it feels like 20 years, but I wouldn't have it any other way!! I'm so thankful for the man I was blessed to share my life with, especially at such a young age!

Is it June yet???

Christina

"Heaven is for real..."

I love reading...alot.
I never used to. However, in the last several years I have found reading to be a great stress reliever/ relaxing activity.
I usually have a few books lined up or on the waiting list at the library. Once one is done, it is on to the next one! 99.9% of the time, they are dramatic fiction novels or an occasional memoir.
However, this week I read one of the most moving books I have ever encountered...and it was NON-fiction!
If you haven't heard of the book called Heaven Is For Real, you should check it out AND read it. It is amazing. Most (if not all) of us have lost someone we love, and this book spoke to my pain in that area as well as many other aspects of my life.
I cannot put into words how amazing it was. It changed me. It helped heal me. It reminded me to have a childlike faith.

http://heavenisforreal.net/

I am in love...

I am in love...

with Vinegar.

Several months ago me and a dear friend of mine were talking about the multiple uses for vinegars and how natural and wonderful it is. I was very hesitant as to its actual capabilities... not to mention the very unpleasant scent of it.

Fast forward to my NOW, and I found myself buying a big jug of vinegar at Target as a more thrifty option to clean our floors between the pine sol. In the mean time I have fallen in love:

It is a GREAT cleaning agent for not only the wood floors, but all the floors.

The [metal?] around the faucets in the shower have residue on it that wont come off no matter what cleaner I try. Vinegar, made it shiny all over again!!!

My dishes were giving sam and I a real headache because our semi-hard water was leaving a nasty residue on all of them. I tried EVERYTHING {or so it seemed} reading the forums, and trying all the tricks and products that others recommended. This last week, I was just going to try to add a lot more vinegar {about 1 cup} verses just a little bit to the dishwasher {just to try one last time} and our dishes came out cleaner than I have seen them in years!!!

Not to mention that you can find a 2 qt jug of it for under $2.

I have since resorted to using vinegar on most of my cleaning. With just Sam and I {and our 8 lb dog} our house doesn't get THAT dirty, just the minimal stuff and lots of dust on our wood floors. So vinegar has been a GREAT and MUCH MORE NATURAL way of cleaning! Needless to say, I have moved past the smell that I once detested. I actually do not mind it anymore.

I think I am going to explore all the types of vinegar and the different uses for them. Oh what an exciting journey! {Seriously!}

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN....[MY LIFE]

As the past few weeks have gone by, I have felt so many different emotions that I myself am not even sure what to do with me.

For one, my heart has been breaking...for what has recently happened in my own life as well as all the hardship that is in so many peoples lives around me. From 'Joe Shmo' down the road, to clients, and to people across the globe...there is so much pain and suffering. It just doesn't seem right. I wish I could do more to help.
...I have to admit, sometimes I feel kind of silly (& guilty) feeling sad sometimes because I know there are people going through much worse things, and I feel like I should just "get over it" and be grateful for all of my blessings...And then I try and remind myself, its OK to be human! I guess in order to heal and grow people must FEEL and COPE and be willing to LEARN from what life throws at us.

I know it may sound a little nuts...but I cant even express how much I love my dog. He is such a great little companion and brings so much joy to my life. I am all around a big animal lover (and non animal eater) but there is just something so extra amazing about our little Theodore. Some times he is just what I need to get through the day :)

{Our Theodore}

I love our new home. To have a new place where Sam and I can make ours and start building years of memories together is so incredible. The stress and excitement of all the small [and BIG] projects is exhilarating to me. I am not sure if Sam appreciates all the tasks that are on our To Do list, but I think he appreciates it in the long run nonetheless. Due to the fact that I love cleaning so much, I actually enjoy all the extra space I get to clean too (Im serious!)

Here are some pictures of our home:

{Where I get to cook!}

{Sam's guilty pleasure...The map}

{Our room}

{Living Room}

{Guest Room}

{Basement Family Room}

{Spare room and most importantly, MY CRAFT ROOM!}

There are so many little thoughts and changes in my life, but I won't bore you with them :)


As I live each day, I've just been reminding myself who is in charge, and who I live for. Everything seems a little less complex and chaotic after I remember that. So here I go reminding myself of it once again.


-ME

new theme song?

I wish this could be my theme song 
[If I could let go of some things] 
Maybe I will try a little harder to make sure it is.

"My List" Music Video

"My List"

By Toby Keith

Under an old brass paperweight is my list of things to do today

Go to the bank and the hardware store, put a new lock on the cellar door

I cross 'em off as I get 'em done but when the sun is set

There's still more than a few things left I haven't got to yet

Go for a walk, say a little prayer

Take a deep breath of mountain air

Put on my glove and play some catch

It's time that I make time for that

Wade the shore and cast a line

Look up a long lost friend of mine

Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss

Start livin', that's the next thing on my list

Wouldn't change the course of fate but cuttin' the grass just had to wait

'Cause I've got more important things like pushin' my kid on the backyard swing

I won't break my back for a million bucks I can't take to my grave

So why put off for tomorrow what I could get done today

Like go for a walk, say a little prayer

Take a deep breath of mountain air

Put on my glove and play some catch

It's time that I make time for that

Wade the shore and cast a line

Look up a long lost friend of mine

Sit on the porch and give my girl a kiss

Start livin', that's the next thing on my list

Raise a little heck, laugh 'til it hurts

Put an extra five in the plate at church

Call up my folks just to chat

It's time that I make time for that

Stay up late, then oversleep

Show her what she means to me

Catch up on all the things I've always missed

Just start livin', that's the next thing on my list

Under an old brass paperweight

Is my list of things to do today

Onward...

Life throws a lot of curve balls at us, thats for sure...
Some times we are blessed with wonderful things and other times a whole lot of heart ache.

Speaking of which, the I have been pondering the following questions lately:

How do we continue on with daily life when we are feeling so blue? Especially when everyone around us seems so happy? 

I guess there will always be someone in a different place in life, filled with more hardships and sorrows or seemingly happier than you. I think this is something all of us deal with. But every person's feelings and situation MATTERS. Nothing is insignificant. By the strength of God we are able to continue on this journey and strive to take life's "curve balls" as a teachable moment. 

How do we share our joy with others without being insensitive to where they are at? 

I think you should be grateful for the mountain you are on if you are experiencing a high moment in life. But I think empathy and sympathy as well as being conscious of your word choice can be more powerful than you know. 

So how do we move on from something that seems impossible?  I think you just live one day, one hour, or even one minute at a time...whatever you can do.

ciao

rhythm156

Dreamt about for years on end
Just how perfect those traits would be
How a person could possess a love so strong
For something so perfect...
All the hopes and wishes for what is to come
Linked to you.
Your heart beating strong,
A miracle indeed.
The ride is not always smooth, they say.
This is proven true,
Up down and around...
God sent His little angle to take you to Him
For I guess it is there you belonged
Forever I will feel that rhythm
Will I hold those memories
And will I search for peace
Love you.

[graciejoy]

Waterproof mascara

As I was nearing the end of my weekly grocery shopping trip, I remembered I needed to get new mascara... Lets just say the selection at Cub foods was not flourishing and the prices were quite higher than usual. In order to not spend a ridiculous amount of money on mascara and throw off our grocery budget, I resorted to buying "Falsies waterproof mascara." I thought, hey, how bad can it be? Little did I know how awful it is to take it off and deal with the stickiness that it brings to my normal [and not sticky] lashes. I then had to go buy eye makeup remover (which I have never bought before). Im tempted to get a new one even if i am only half way through the tube, but I know Sam would not approve. It now takes me much longer to get ready and deal with these dang eye lashes. ugh.

Word to the wise, unless its your wedding day, you are attending a funeral, or plan to cry a lot, steer clear from waterproof mascara and skip the hassle! Not to mention that it is not that healthy for the lashes we strive to grow and flourish.

Lesson for myself: Spend a few extra dollars or drive an extra mile to get a better deal on a good mascara that washes OFF :)