water house update - dun-da-dun-da-DONE!

Sorry its taken so long for me to post a fun update of all the changes to our renovated house. I was really hoping my good camera would have turned up by now. So, again- forgive the quality in the video and pics. But you'll definitely get the idea. Splendidness. (note: we're not done decorating at all yet...)

Christmas update

These pictures are all off my iPhone, cuz I've lost my camera somewhere in our house remodel. So sorry ahead of time about the quality.

We're still enjoying Christmas break- we both have one this year. It's been a few years since neither of us had to work between Christmas and New Years, and this year we got to start vacation 2 days BEFORE Christmas even got here! -Thanks to the snow storm that barreled through the midwest Christmas Eve and Christmas. Just wanted to update real fast...

We went to DesMoines and my (Reed side) family gathered at Bridget and Zach's house. There was Wii, eating, chatting, Christmas eve services, snow, and a lovely Christmas morning together.

^- Charlie got the complete Beatles box set for Christmas. (he picked and bought that gift months ago, but to his credit didn't open it until Christmas morning!)

Then we ventured through the wilderness (that is Iowa corn fields in the dead of winter) during an ice/blowing snow storm on Christmas afternoon.

We made it safe and sound to Waterloo, and joined the rest of the family (Johnson side) for a cozy evening of gifts, games and dinner.

Elliott and Emma loved their rocking chairs from Grandma and Grandpa!

Charlie was stoked about getting the WHOLE set of miniature NFL team helmets.

Today we got to spend some time with Nana and Grandpa again. This is a very specail four generation picture.

It's been a very relaxing holiday with the we-us'ez.

Now on to skiing.

GO _________! (my favorite football team!)

Charlie and I got to go on a date to the once every four years match-up between Bengals (Charlie's favorite team) and the Vikings (My/our, also favorite team). I for one was a little torn about who to cheer for, but Charlie found what his true colors were- Orange and black. Although he still cheers for the vikings in any other game. we had seats in row 10 and Charlie's right foot and my left foot were on the 50 yard line! SWEET!

And I caught a football! :-) (after Charlie tipped it my way).

Skol ____ (vikings?)!!!

Pictures from Thanksgiving in AZ

If anyone is interested I posted an album to facebook. Check them out here.

It was a great time.

project water repair (update)

Well, I thought it'd be nice to finally post another update since the things happing this week are exciting and fun- you can actually see it start to come together!

UPSTAIRS BATHROOM:

(new vanity roughed in, tile on floor, tile on shower walls)

DOWNSTAIRS BATH:

(new lights in, tile on floor, tile in shower, vanity roughed in)

BUT- for a few more days we'll be living in our organized (?) chaos. I don't think we'll miss this at all...

As I type our new CARPET is being installed- today marks the end of our 40 days of sub flooring. Yippee!

I think we'll be nearly done on Friday! (I'll post again when there's interesting anything)

God with me

This has been a hard week for me emotionally. I feel blind-sided by the tears and grief. The day after thanksgiving was Bennett's due date, November 27. So, Thanksgiving day and the day after, came and went - we were in AZ. It was a great time together, filled with relaxing and family. The thought of the special day crossed our minds but didn't really evoke any emotions or feelings then.

Wednesday, the day after we got back, I opened the mail to find a large anesthesia bill - just now being sent from the birth June 30! That felt really inconsiderate to me, sending the bill so late and the week of my baby's due date at that! Painful.

The day after Thanksgiving last year we found out we were pregnant with our first baby, Ruttigar. (Who died January 11, 09) That loss, although somewhat easier than the second, crossed my mind.

I'm not sure how to say this (with GREAT fear of it being taken the wrong way) but there's other factors that have made this season hard (but joyful!!!). Several of my most precious, dearest friends and little sister are more than half way through their pregnancies. These babies have been longed for and we've prayed for their lives, for years in some cases. So to say I'm happy about it- THRILLED and elated even - would be an understatement. Really.

But I must admit that now, more than when they were in their first trimesters, it's tougher to see them. (I mean, I love to see their just popping, darling bellies); but it's hard too. I wouldn't call what I feel jealousy, or bitterness, etc. Just sorrow I think. (Girls- you know who you are! I need you in my life and I need to see you and be with you- PLEASE don't stay away because of this; I want to be happy and celebrate with you)!!!

We do want a baby. It's something you could pray about. But for whatever reason God has not given us that privilege yet (well, living outside the womb anyway). (And Charlie would say- If you think about it from a big perspective- it really hasn't been that long). BUT- it feels like eternity to me. Each day I want/ache for a baby more. And to have yet another negative PG test this week just SUCKS!

I'm trying my very best to stay balanced, focused, stable, and hopeful. But it's not been easy for me this week. I want God to be enough. I want to stand on his promises.

At small group last night we sang Christmas songs. Joe printed out the word to the carols I would always sing by heart. For the first time I really read what one of the stanza's was saying. It hit me perfectly, and describes my hearts prayer in this tearful, tough season.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer Our spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, And death’s dark shadows put to flight.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

God with me.

this makes me laugh

I think it's my favorite "short" -go big blue bird dude! For the Birds