The End of an Era

Adam and I sold the Focus today! Actually, it was Adam who did the work, but we said goodbye together. It's a huge relief, since it's been such a tough winter car and we've needed to sell it, but yet - it's strange to suddenly be without this huge part of our lives. For five years, it's been the only vehicle we've owned, so it's gone everywhere with us - whether we've been alone or together. We have driven to Red Lake in it countless times, jammed a Christmas tree in it and driven three hours, blasted Sublime and 311 through its speakers on the way to the North Shore, gotten lost in it, fought in it, laughed (a lot), transported Monty around and let him stick his head and floppy ears out the window, visited friends and family. It's been good to us. It has kept us safe - probably thanks to the clip-on visor angel Mom gave us (blessed with holy water) - through many frightening, snowy trips. I am thankful. May it bring good memories and safe travels to some other young hopefuls.

Again I've missed my blog, and everyone else's, but I've been waiting for a time when I don't feel so tired. I think I'm just going to feel tired for the next few months, with my job and pregnancy. So I'll write anyway! It may sound kind of strange/loopy, but I'll just write. Too many good/happy/funny things surround me every day to keep quiet!

All has been well with my pregnancy - I feel very blessed. The reality is hitting both Adam and me, though, as I get bigger and the date gets closer ----- . This is really happening! It's crazy, the mixture of emotions. Mostly excitement. Today in the mail I received a St. Gerard medal from my mom. She has been wearing one, to help protect my pregnancy, and I told her I'd like one, too. Here is the prayer that came with it:

"...before you were conceived, I wanted you.

...before you were born, I loved you.

...before you were here an hour, I would die for you - this is the miracle of life."

-Maureen Hawkins

Go Vikings

and mismatched rain attire. I love going home. Oh - and the picture would've been better thirty seconds later, when I swapped the blue knit hat for a neon orange one. Hunting season, ya know.

Hello! Oh, does it feel good to be awake early on a Saturday morning. I am on my school alarm clock schedule, so I was "up" a little before five. I love the experience of not having anything I HAVE to do on a given day.....I'll forgo more sleep just for that. So I'm trying to catch up on e-mails, on blogging (so much for good intentions lately, huh?!), and on exercise. It's getting light out, and a walk sounds beautiful.

Halloween was fun. Not as many trick-or-treaters this year, so Adam and I ate plenty of our own candy, but still fun. Watched Halloween H2O. Not super-impressed, but it's kind of necessary for me to watch something scary on the holiday.

As far as baby news ---- all is going well! I had my ultrasound last week, and I found out we're going to have a little boy :) (I think it's funny I feel the need to add the word "little" ---- ! But I do.) I feel definite kicks and nudges now, especially when I eat Life cereal. Especially the cinnamon kind. I pretty much have to get a box of each, regular and cinnamon, each week at Luekens. That's been my main craving. No aversions, no surprise there. ! Oh - and pizza rolls I'm really liking these days.

I'm going for my walk because otherwise, very soon, it won't happen.

Happy Saturday, All!

Adam at Bemidji State Park a couple of weeks ago, after our second picnic. We want to continue to go there, at least until there's a lot of snow, just to watch the way everything changes according to the season.

Me this morning, happy because it's Friday and because I'm getting bigger! The strangest, most amazing thing, the way my body is changing.

Apparently my baby can hear things now. Good thing it can't comprehend the nasty names I was called this week at school..... :) I'll share an example.

Student: "Asshole."

Me: "Um, you need to leave."

Student: "What? I said 'a-hole'!"

?

Twins are playing and I think winning. So far. Damn Yankees, though.

Happy weekend!

Surprises

-I forgot to set my alarm Wednesday night and woke up at 5:50-something the next morning. My carpool arrives at 6:15. I made it.

-I made spaghetti last night and it was better than it's ever been. I credit my new cast iron pan.

-Adam's cooking dinner for us right now. I hear fish frying.

-I laughed today when my kids were being naughty. It was at the tail end of a very bad day, and I couldn't believe how crazy they were being, and I just absolutely couldn't help it. I think it lightened the mood.

-I perhaps felt my baby move. Or I have gas. Kind of hard to tell when first movements are described as "gas bubbles". Regardless, I'm beginning to be more aware of the fact that I'm toting this little person around with me to work every day. It's becoming comforting, an odd sort of companionship. I also notice that I stop to breathe more, to try to calm myself --- . I love it.

--My carpool planned a Caribou Coffee day tomorrow, when usually it's pretty haphazard and all but one of us has coffee (mine decaf :), or tea) already if we stop. So it's set. I'm excited.

-And ------------- Adam came running into the kitchen when I got home this afternoon with - a dozen roses!!!! And a chocolate bar. I am blessed.


Happy Friday, All!

Taco pizza, Qdoba, lots of reading, lots of napping, dishes and laundry, an early morning walk. Not exactly what I had planned for my day, but a good day nonetheless.
Goodnight!