deep thoughts

Just some 'deep' thoughts from Heather:

Recently, someone at our book study mentioned that she feels like being a mom/ wife/ homemaker takes so much energy out of her that she doesn't feel like there is time left for the other things and she asked the group if any of us feel the same way. And all, I can say is YES! YES! YES! There are so many things out there that I want to do, and sometimes feel pressured to do, like volunteering, social events with friends, and visiting family. Although, these are all great things.. I'm realizing that I can't do everything that I want to do even if my schedule is open. I feel like I must cut back on my activities (especially those with specific times). Last week, Wendell, Harlie and I hardly had anything on our calendar and it was one of the best weeks we've had in a long time. Why? Because I wasn't forcing two kids out the door to get somewhere at a certain time. We actually had a few mornings where we had nothing to do so we got to take our time, play, and just be a fun family. So, although most people are complaining about the sun going down early, I'm almost enjoying it because it makes me slow down and go home.

On another note, I thought I would report that I have my second ever 5k coming up in December. I ran one in August of 2008 after Phil and I started running and now being post baby then I'm getting back in the swing of it. Although, I can run the 3 miles, I am quite slow still. And, I still have about 10 pounds to lose to be pre-pregnancy so I think that's part of why I'm still slow. With winter coming though, I don't expect to improve my time too much and at this point, I just hope to not gain too much weight. On a good note, I can squeeze (literally) into my pre-pregnancy jeans so they will fit once I stretch them out a bit : ). Hopefully, I'll feel comfortable with going clothes shopping soon. I'd really like some new jeans and shirts but don't want to buy something that won't fit in two months.

One last thought. $$$ Why is it that every time about this time of year, we have no money? Phil works Friday night football to help pay for Christmas but the money is gone before we even start shopping. And he videotaped UNI football games this year to bring in extra $$$. It doesn't help that we've had unexpected car repairs, vet bills, and basically no pay check from me due to maternity leave but still.. every year we seem to have this? Instead of seasonal affective disorder, I think we have seasonal money disorder.

I suppose that's enough deep thoughts for now. I hope that everyone enjoys the Thanksgiving holidays and takes time to appreciate all the blessings God has given us .. like little babies and warm weather!

nothing

So I really have nothing to post about. I see that I haven't posted in awhile but I don't have any new pictures, video's, exciting stories, or drama in my life. We've been traveling a lot and last week we were busy with various things but really nothing too exciting. Wendell did get Harlie to laugh a couple of days ago playing peek-a-boo but I didn't get it on video nor has she repeated it since. Work hasn't been going so great but I have hopes that it will improve. Wendell and I continue to have our issues but it's getting better as well.

So I really have nothing to post about. Tomorrow is a new day and I'm sure I'll think of about three or four things to tell you.. so until then. Good night.

Halloween 2009

First we had to carve the pumpkin...

Then we had to get dressed up... Wendell was pretty brave going up to the houses but was awfully quiet when he said "trick or treat". Thankfully he had his younger cousin there to help him out.

And of course, enjoy the candy!

good books

For whatever reason, I like to keep track of books that I enjoyed reading. So here are some of the "good books" that I have read recently. Let me know if you have any recommendations as I like checking out different books.

Fiction
Home Another Way by Christa Parrish
Mudbound by Hillary Jordan
Between Here and April by Deborah Copaken Kogan
All the Way Home by Ann Tatlock
I'll Watch the Moon by Ann Tatlock
Things We Once Held Dear by Ann Tatlock

Nonfiction
Labor of love: a midwife's memoir by Cara Muhlhahn

work update

A lot of people keep asking me about work so I thought I'd post an update. I start back to work part time this week. Although it's been a crazy last 9 weeks, it has been nice to just sleep in when I can and go to bed when I want. So starting Thursday (tomorrow) night, I go back in at 10pm and start up the old routine. On a good note, I will be getting 8 hours of sleep (assuming nothing goes wrong in the night) so that is nice. I think it will also be nice to get out of the house a bit and have some time where I don't have a child demanding my attention constantly. A little bit of freedom, I guess you could say. As far as breastfeeding, I will probably have to pump at work when I first get up but I don't think that will be a major issue since I do have my own bedroom for privacy and I'm already used to pumping. Phil says that he's ready to get up with Harlie in the night.. some nights she sleeps until 6am so maybe she'll start doing that more. (of course it would only be appropriate if Phil had to get up at least a few times in the night so he knows what I've been going through : ) And so far, Harlie has taken the bottle just fine so that's good too.

Anyways, I work one night this week, two nights next week, and will continue that until the end of November when I officially go back full time. My only worry at this point is that we have a new "client" since I've been at work so hopefully I can get into a good routine with her and all goes well with the change. Sometimes I don't like change, but I know it's necessary and usually turns out just fine. Another not so fun thing is that means the boring old meetings start up again and I have to make them up which means watching a video (usually 2 hours long). If I can find a babysitter then I might see if I can go the real meetings then I don't have to worry about the make up meeting.

On a very good note, I'm officially done teaching CPR/First Aid! I am so glad that I don't have to do that anymore. It was good for the time I did it but I'm ready to be done. If I need extra hours then I'll just pick up a shift - which means no prep work, no standing in front of people, and doing the the same training over and over. Finding a babysitter and setting up times/schedules was a lot of extra work for a simple training.

I guess another good thing is that I'll be getting back into a routine. Work also helps me appreciate the nights I'm home and the mornings I get to sleep in. So work, ready or not, here I come!

two pea's in a pod

Yesterday was Harlie's 2 month appointment and she's weighing in at a whopping 14 lbs already. Today I took some fun pictures of her and realized that I had a similar picture of Wendell. So here are my two pea's in a pod. Note: Wendell is 3 months old in his picture and is also about 14 lbs.

cause and effect

dessert anyone?

cause

effect

just rockin' -n- swingin' all night long..

just a snoozing my life away..

God is good.