Counting my blessings

It's been a rough day, or at least it has felt that way to me. But I need some perspective, so I'm remembering a few things I'm thankful for:

1. The way my friends love Hannah. They are good to Isaac and I as well, but they are so very good to my girl. I know they love her and she loves them right back.
2. My family. I still get sad at how far we all live apart, but I love them and appreciate more and more the ways they have shaped me into the person I now am.
3. My in-laws. I couldn't ask for more love, understanding, and sacrificial support....and I definitely don't deserve it.
4. My neighbors. Quirky (aren't we all?). Very helpful. They've gotten me into my locked house, lengthened the life of our vehicles, mowed our lawn, watched our dog, the list goes on....
5. Money. It never seems as if there's enough. But I still get to stay at home. Thank you, God.
6. Isaac's job and his hard work to do it well and provide for us. That isn't mentioned enough.
7. Modern conveniences. Many things may have broken down in the last several days, but I HAVE them, and don't necessarily NEED them.
8. Twizzlers pull-n-peel. Petty, yes, but very delicious.
9. The plethora of parks in our town. Vickie came over (see #1) so I could get out for a bit by myself...and I just sat in the sun at one of our beautiful parks.
10. Puzzles-what I brought with me for #9.....I love the way it relaxes me, yet exercises my brain at the same time.
11. Our dining table and patio. Nothing spectacular, but the conversations that have taken place have been good, challenging, enlightening, entertaining, and memorable.
12. Tonight's opportunity to ask Hannah for forgiveness. I've been very impatient with her and it's not all her fault. It's a reminder of my shortcomings and need for Jesus.

A must see

Hannah and I spent a couple hours at the pool with LoLo on Saturday. And we've discovered that H is quite the dancer and entertainer. LoLo posted it on her blog here. A bonus if you can identify what song she is dancing to. =)

I haven't tackled the first floor windows yet, but I was hosting my book group, so suddenly I felt the drive to clean, clean, clean!
Here's my list of accomplishments for the day:
-read a chapter of our book
-read the comics with Hannah
-swept and mopped the entire house
-dusted & straightened (with Hannah's help)
-2 loads of laundry
-made peanut butter scotchies for the book group
-washed, dried, and put away the dishes
-mowed the lawn
-watered the garden and plants
-swept the patio
-showered
-bathed Hannah
-scheduled the refrigerator repairman
-quick trip to Walmart-quick and Walmart usually don't go together, but today must have been my day!
-filled gas tank-even went inside to get my favorite Polar Pop
-and STILL managed to complete 85% of my daily puzzles!! (gotta keep my priorities straight)

I do realize that this list is nothing to some of you overachievers. But at times, I guess it just takes the knowledge that people will be coming over to see my mess to move me to do something about it.
I'm pooped.
Good night, Internet.

Isaac is gone for two weeks to "write a small book so he can get a floppy hat." Or to finish his thesis...however you want to look at it. He's promised to post his progress daily on his blog.

Since he's been working non-stop....the basement while he was home, and now deep into his books....I feel like I need to pick up the pace around here while he's gone. So today, I started washing the windows. Turns out I don't fully know what I'm doing, but I still managed wash all the 2nd floor exterior windows. It was a very good thing Vickie stopped by or I would have flooded the house. So now onto the first floor tomorrow....

Playing Tag

Laurie tagged me, and this gives me something to post, so here goes:

My Joys:
*Hannah
*Anticipating baby #2
*Spending quality time with people I love.

My Fears:
*Money. Yuck. Still trying to be a better manager of it.
*Wasting my life on petty, temporary goals.
*Being too much of a know-it-all that I push people away.

My Goals:
*Accept myself as God does.
*Love and care for my family and friends.
*Running another marathon....Chicago 2009.

My Current Obsessions/Collections:
*'Crosswords, sudoku, and cryptoquip....no big surprise to anyone, I'm sure.
*Waffles. Not very healthy, the the waffle iron is rather dangerous, but oh the heavenly breakfasts I'm having!!!
(update: I sadly had to throw it away. Supposedly it's a fire hazard when the plug is VERY warm to the touch and the entire appliance exudes a burning rubber smell....)
*My coupon collection....I know, no surprise here either.

Random Surprising Facts About Me:
*My blood type is B negative.....I know, shocking, huh?
*I really, really dislike seafood.
*I don't know....I'm probably more of an open book than I care to admit.

Alright...now it's my turn to tag 4 people:

1. my sisters
2. my childhood friend Jen, from Iowa.....I think you might read this periodically. =)
3. Babs (Sorry, Vickie. I stole a tag from you!)
4. Steph

Emma Kay Forman

Yesterday, we spent a good chunk of the day waiting for her arrival.....and here she is!
7 lbs. 12oz. 19.5 inches long. lots of dark hair!
Congratulations, Chris and Gretchen!

The new parents....



Uncle Isaac delivering food.....


Her first bath...

Her daddy admiring her soft hair.

11 weeks

Dear baby,
This week was technically our first meeting and I was so very excited and relieved to see your heartbeat. I will continue to pray that you will grow to become a healthy little one.

You have a big sister who, for a few months now, has been praying you would come....and is honing her teaching skills. I'm pretty sure she feels the urgency to learn everything there is to learn. "Why?" and "How come?" are her favorite and most often asked questions.

Your daddy is also preparing for your arrival. As I write this, he is finishing our basement...so you and your sister have a space to play and that we can have room for your nursery. So far, I'm just trying to feed you the right things....and trying to stay away from the wrong ones...which is harder than I'd like.

There will be many more people to introduce you to and and even more things to tell you. But for now, I just want you to know you are loved and we cannot wait to meet you.

Love,
your mama

Just call me fashionista

I'm not much of a trend setter. In fact, once I find a shirt I like, I usually just buy that same shirt in several colors. I usually start liking whatever the "new" thing months or even years after it's been around.

Over the past year, I've dreadfully noticed how the 80's styles are coming back. But I've recently discovered how much I loved a specific style of shirt. It reminds me of my favorite outfit in junior high. I LOVED this burgundy and black striped shirt with black leggings I bought at Maurices. I think I also had a green and navy striped one as well....Paris Sport Club. Do you remember it? Designed for daring teenage girls like me.

So here's the official shirt of the summer for me....I already have one in grey and black. I know, so very adventurous of me. But I even bought leggings! Now I just have to muster up the nerve to wear them.