does this remind you of....

the wolf in Neverending Story?

likes and dislikes

Thought I would share my cravings and repulsions.

Can't eat/drink enough:
-tabouli
-oranges
-fruit juices
-wheat saltine crackers
-any kind of salad
-applesauce
-chicken nuggets
-french fries
-pizza

Have no desire to eat/drink:
-coffee
-chocolate
-ice cream


Really, my cravings depend on the day and hour but these are the ones that seem to stick.

bummer

I'm bummed because we went to our first "doctor's" appointment today in hopes of having a sonogram and hearing the baby's heartbeat. That did not happen. It was really anti-climactic as they drew blood and then had us meet with an obstetrician expert (she took a med., family history, and went over lots of little goodies that she gave us i.e. pamphlets). We are set to have our first sonogram in two more weeks (Oct. 14th). I can't believe I have to wait that long. It is going to feel like forever (esp. since I am so tired and sluggish).

I'm pretty useless these days as my energy is waning. I try to do stuff when I have energy but it is so short-lived. Sweet David has been ultra helpful around the house that barely can get cleaned. I spend a lot of time being thankful for cable t.v. since that is what I watch most of the day. I do manage to teach my classes but try to sit while I do that as much as possible. Also, I am going to the gym to sit on a "relaxed" bike for 30 minutes. I can move while sitting and it gets anxious and restless energy out of me. I tried to walk on the treadmill and it made me feel nauseous and like I had feet of lead. Thanks for all of your prayers.

not a moment too soon

A couple of weeks ago we found out that I was pregnant by 5 weeks. We were going to keep it on the down low until our 1st dr's appt but decided we could not wait that long. Besides, I wanted people praying for that appt with us. So, now I am waiting for the 30th when we find out if everything is ok so far. I will feel like it is real then when we hear a heartbeat. As the days go by, more of the shock and denial wear off and excitement comes to take its place. I can't wait to have more energy to accomplish all the things I would like to get done before May. May! What a great month to have a baby. David and I will be finished or finishing our semesters teaching and will have 2 and half summer months to get used to the new addition. A week before I found out I was pregnant I met with the doctor we will use. I was hoping to find someone who was laid back and not prone to freaking out or freaking patients out. She is just that. A laid back Christian woman who was kind and understanding and also willing to listen to what plans we were hoping to implement (within reason, of course). I love how the Lord just planned this all at the right time. As seen in the post below, we have just gotten a house...and not a moment too soon.

our new home

two weeks later...

My head is spinning with all that has happened in the past couple of weeks. First, we moved and did our best to rest, get boxes unpacked in our living areas and clean our last apartment. We were both exhausted and David began to get sick. We had our garage sale the next Saturday (Aug 30th) and it went well. My parents came into town just in time to help us with unpacking, sorting furniture in the two other bedrooms and minor repairs. Then I had my parents and uncle Joseph, aunt Hannah, and cousin Fadi come over to avoid Gustav. I was a bit freaked that Katrina would happen all over again. I was so worried to see my parents have to go through what they already had. Anyway, I decided not to obsess over the news and it helped. They left yesterday to find electricity, no flooding, and very slight damage (Praise the Lord). When they left my friends Rachael and Jamie and their two kids came for a night on their way home from northern Arkansas--also fleeing the hurricane. Today, I'm home and have no motivation or energy to do anything. I am getting over a nasty cold (that David denies passing to me :) ) and am looking forward to a relaxing weekend. we'll see...

Coming soon: pics of our new house (I need to find the wire that I use to connect the computer to the camera--sigh).

we've gone country (she said with a twang)

We've moved this weekend and we are so glad to be winding down in this process. Packing up was stressful because we were moving towards chaos in our apartment and in our routine. Now, it is much more satisfying to unpack because 1) we have so much more room to hold the boxes that cramped our style (literally) in our old place and 2) we are moving towards order and routine (two things that I have come to greatly appreciate).

We had a lot of happy helpers on saturday and we have been endlessly thankful for making something that could be so hard so much easier. It was hard to move on saturday and have a sunday of rest while looking at all the things that needed to be done. Nonetheless, we rested. Good thing too, because we have been working almost every second we are at home to restore order.

We are so thankful to the Lord for answering prayers and providing us with a home that we feel is too good for us. We are so thankful for our parents who the Lord used in providing for us. Last but not least, we are so thankful for the support (physical or emotional) that our friends and family have given. It means a lot to see other's enthusiasm. Also, we are really glad to have had our first visitor, my dear friend, Elizabeth Scaife.

I want to post pictures of our house (I got some great ones) but won't be able to post them until we get our internet service transferred.

I think it is funny that we now live in Brandon. It is such a different subculture than Belhaven. I have often commented to David that Belhaven neighborhood is overrated and that there is this air of intelligentsia. Belhaven is so proud of itself and that bugs me, even as a resident. So, I like that this is absent in Brandon. But in its place is something kind of foreign to me. I haven't figured out how to describe it yet.

Come see us!!

some memories from our apartment

rest

Today it is a lazy Sunday afternoon where the lamps inside are on and outside everything is gray. The rain is even lazy in that it falls lightly. If you aren't outside it would seem like it was January. We just finished our "stroll" with Cora and have enjoyed a nice cup of coffee. Mmmmm. So nice. On this day of rest that we were mercifully given I am working (ironic choice of words) on giving my mind rest as well as my body. I am purposefully trying not to think about our new house, moving, work, or anything of the like. Which means that when we go to Barnes and Noble tonight I will not pick up one decorator/landscaping/remodeling book while there. Strictly "light" stuff. My mental exercises on our new house and moving have become nearly an obsession. My planning will keep me awake at night. Not because I am anxious but because all the possibilities and potential excites me. It can be so fun to plan but it is getting a bit tired, hence the brain hiatus. I even refuse to plan the week because the list will get longer and my brain will take that information and work on it furiously until I have a plan that will get it all done. I will do that but it will wait until tomorrow morning. Just thought I would let you know.

moving

As I pack up our stuff I think back on when we first moved into this apartment of ours. I remember David and I (engaged to be married in a month) painted the rooms. Overwhelmed (a feeling that grew to be quite familiar in the months to come), I sat on our stairs, lost in thoughts (more like fears) about what the future would bring. Would we be happy? Would I be a godly wife? Would David be what he promises to be? Will I be good enough? Will David love me? Will I love David? Will we make it financially? Will one of us die young? Will one of us have an affair? Will one of our children die young? Will we even be able to have children? There were no guarantees, no assurances. No amount of time would have helped those feelings of fear and mistrust subside. I just had to make the leap of faith that is marriage. And I did. (It was a good decision, in case you were wondering). We are moving into a new house and a new chapter. We will, once again, paint our walls. I fear those same overwhelming emotions that took over over two years ago will resurface. I keep telling myself that this is different. It's the truth. I am married and quite comfortable with my groom. Moving into a house is far less scary than marrying a man I knew for 8 months. Anyway, I just thought I would let people know where I am emotionally on this move. I am very ready to have the space of our new home. We both love the house and got a nicer house than we thought we could. But with all the positive, I have a remnant of hesitation (as I have with any decision of magnitude).

Definitely more exciting than scary, though. By the way, anyone want to make some money painting our walls? Seriously, let me know.