Valentine’s is great today because I have gotten so much candy and cake and soon will get ice cream! I have saved some of the candy for later. I like it that the hospital makes it a fun day! And its so pretty outside.

Yeah, its been a while. I’ve felt bad about that but I’m glad I’m back. I haven’t actually been completely gone, I have continued to read everyone’s blogs.

I got sick last night. Ugh. Funny thing was that it seemed to be the same stomach flu thing I got last year about this time. Although not as bad. I didn’t go to work today. I’m glad to be feeling better this afternoon. Although its hard to not get too close to Nolan. He doesn’t understand. How do you explain to a 7 month old why you can’t hold him as much?

Mike has been sweet though. He has taken care of Nolan and went and bought me soup and crackers. What a good hubby!

Hopefully more blogs to come!

I haven’t written in a while. Shame on me. I don’t do it because I don’t think I have anything phenomenal to say. But I was reminded tonight that this is more about sharing life together and knowing how each other are doing. You might not know how I am doing.

I am doing very well. Maternity leave continues to be busy. I love it. Nolan gets upset or has gas more frequently and I am trying to figure out what foods to take out of my diet. But otherwise, its so much fun hanging out with him. He grows everyday and everyday I think he is cooler and cooler. Still can’t believe he’s ours.

I’ve been exercising quite a bit, which feels great. I’m not enjoying this tremendous heat though. Sawyer can’t handle it when we run, therefore, we can’t go as far when he is with me. I like my dog. I have enjoyed spending time with him too. And I’ve also enjoyed swimming laps with Mike. Never knew that I could actually swim. Although please don’t critique me, that would not be pretty.

I am so excited about going to the beach on Saturday! Its going to be so awesome with some of our closest friends. Its like going with your other family. And now that we have so many kids, I think its even better. It reminds me of growing up with the family that was my family’s best friends. The boy, Brandon, is my age and the girl is Karey’s age. We took beach trips together too. So much fun! We also took baths together. I wonder if we’ll someday be putting Nolan and Camryn in the bathtub together. The weird thing is that now we are my mom and dad though. I guess this is what they felt like back then.

I was enjoying watching Heroes with Mike until the bootleg cut off in the middle of episode 3. Bummer. Now I have to wait until Aug. 28th to rent episodes 3 and 4. Then the bootleg will pick up with episode 5. One of the great things about Mexico. You never know what you’ll get.

Last week I got to spend alot of time with my family. That was cool. I especially enjoyed time with my brother and blessing him by cleaning his house and buying him dinner for his birthday. Spending time with him makes me miss him, if that makes sense.

That’s the gist of me right now. We’ll be missing those not with us next week!

I have been blessed to receive a lot of gifts recently.  Its great to receive gifts that you expect but even greater to receive unexpected gifts.  This happened to me on Sunday.  A couple at church surprised me with a Mother’s Day gift, a bottle of Mary Kay body wash, my fave scent in a cute little bag.  I was thrilled that they had thought of me, especially when I am sure that they had plenty of others to think about.  Then again, that afternoon, a close friend’s mom surprised me with a cheerful cookie jar filled with biscotti.  I might see this woman three times a year yet she thought about me on Mother’s Day!  And the last surprise was a expecting mother card full of sweet and encouraging words from a neighbor. 

I don’t think there is anything better than being thought of and being made to feel special.  And it reminds me that I can do that for others as well.  I buy gifts but almost always its because I am expected to.  But how easy and fun it is to buy a gift for someone “just because”.  Or to give someone an “out of the blue” card.  I want to do this more often.  I know that supposedly this is a specific love language that people just naturally have.  But that doesn’t mean that I can’t pursue to love in that way as well.

Thanks to all of you for loving me in your own special way!

I get nervous about blogging. Mike, my husband whose blogs are almost always perfect, says that it doesn’t have to be a big deal. That the point is for people to know me better. That doesn’t take the pressure off. I suppose its because here is an opportunity to actually have a say-so in what people think about you. I know you are supposed to be yourself and yourself is enough. But I don’t know very many people who could truly say that they don’t care what people think of them. I want people to like me and think I am interesting. I think part of this tendency is ok but it can go too far and be all-consuming. Its really nice and comforting to remember that God made me just the way He wanted me, that I am perfectly made in His eyes. He says that He formed everything about me, He personally knit me together in my mom’s womb. He made me fearfully and wonderfully made, that I am wonderful because He made me.

I guess I’ll try to remember that when I’m stressing myself out, trying to write a witty and thought-provoking blog, something that you will like and post comments about. Truthfully, I haven’t done a very good job relaxing with this one. Maybe next time.