Hurt and Pain.

In the past couple of weeks I have heard of many people that are hurting. Bad. A friend of mine from work lost her husband very unexpectedly on Jan. 20. He left behind my friend, their young sons (7 and 2 years old) and a baby in the womb that he never knew about. Yesterday an instructor at Abigail's school gave birth to a stillborn son. She was 6 1/2 months along in the pregnancy, due just weeks after me. My mom taught with the dad for years and Colin taught with the mom for a couple of years as well. This was their first child. Another family at HC is struggling while waiting to find out if a brain tumor is malignant or benign at this point. They have three young boys. Another friend lost their job this week...after working there for 20 years.

So much pain and hurt. Big hurt, not just day to day aches. Life changing hurts. Colin and I are blessed. It's terrible that sometimes it takes big events such as these for me to realize or remember that. I look at my children, possibly after just yelling at them, and realize how blessed I am. We are healthy. We are a strong family. We have jobs, a house and security right now. I am thankful. I am blessed.

Please be in prayer for those who hurt right now. And say a prayer of thanks for the blessings so many of us have.

A Little Update

A busy week and an unmotivated mother equals a lack in blog posts. Sorry. Here's a little update for you!

ABIGAIL:

She's doing great in school! We got her report card last week and really couldn't ask for more from her. She enjoys school for the most part and is usually eager to go. She's been going to speech one a week at school for her stuttering and we've definitely seen an improvement (the whole stuttering thing is bizarre anyway!). She's eager for Johanna to come, but I also think that it will be a big adjustment for her...one that she isn't necessarily anticipating.

She came home with her "Writing Journal" the other day. In it was the sweetest page in the whole world. She wrote "I love my dad" and drew a quick pic of Colin. Adorable. Priceless. On the fridge. :)

HENRY:

Henry is also doing well in school. He also enjoys it and really likes the two mornings that he gets to go. He's still going to private speech therapy once a week and though he's making great improvements, he still has some things to work on. He's in love with Gracie and tortures her daily. He and Abby have been playing really nicely most of the time (and at each other's throats the other times) so he really misses her when she's at school. He's ready for Johanna to come, but has said that "Abby gets to hold Johanna Mathilda Mulder because she's a girl and I hold Joshya (that would be Joshua) cause he's a boy." It'll be interesting to say the least.

COLIN:

Colin's work-out, school, dad routine continues daily. This past Sunday he participated in his first indoor triathlon (at MVP) and took second place! He's really enjoying our membership there and taking full advantage of it. HPS is restructuring again next year and we ask for prayers. A job is pretty secure, but there's a big chance he'll be switching positions and/or building again. We support the restructuring, but change is always hard. We are extremely thankful for his job in this economy though!

BETHANY/JOHANNA:

We're progressing well. :) I'm less than 7 weeks from the c-section date and feeling more and more physically ready daily. Overall I feel good, just have the normal aches and pains of pregnancy coupled with no more room for this child in my belly! At my routine appointment today I had lost another pound in the past two weeks. I initially lost 14.5 pounds and have only gained 4 pounds back...what in the world! I surely did NOT do that with the other two kids. I blame it on basically being a vegetarian this pregnancy. Johanna is growing well though, so there isn't cause for concern.

We'll be busy the next couple of weeks...but I'll try to get some more entries on here...hopefully with more pictures!

54 Days

54 days until Johanna will be here.
I'm freaking a bit.
Okay, a lot.
Lots to do.
Maybe I should do some of it instead of being on the computer.

History

Colin is the history buff. This year has been a history teacher's dream. Any year there is an election there is so much to cover and great history to learn about. This year is something special. It doesn't matter if you voted for Obama or not. It doesn't matter if you have the same beliefs as him or not. It is so awesome that we have our first black President, that our nation has progressed to this form of equality, that our nation can come together, regardless of race. I'm excited to watch the whole Inauguration. It's moving to see what an impact this has on so many people. This is history and to me this is exciting, moving and just plain incredible.

Sledding!

Today was sledding day at my parents' house! They have a big snow pile from plowing that is fun to climb to the top of and sled down. They have a small hill then to continue down...ending in the pond which no one has thankfully ever gone in! The kids had a blast, especially Abigail who could have stayed out there all day! Even Joshua got in on the action for a few short minutes. :)