Baby Update {40+ Weeks}

So, I've kind of been a big bundle of emotional dynamite since Tuesday came and went with no signs of sweet babe's arrival. Good thing I have such an amazing husband. He's had normal ole' Margo for the past eight months, but then psycho, plump, pain in the (sensor) Margo made an appearance four weeks ago. Tyler has managed to love me despite my marathon pity party that begins the moment I enter the fourth floor elevator after each Tuesday afternoon doctor's appointment. He loves me even though I built a replica of The Great Wall of China out of pillows straight down the middle of our double bed. And I think what he loves the most is to hear me whine about all of the comments I've been getting from people - "You know, Margo, that baby will come out if you just eat cornflakes for breakfast, take a hot shower at nine, go for a two mile walk, eat a bologna sandwich, watch The Three Amigos, do a back flip, go for another two mile walk, but this time walk backwards, eat some shrimp alfredo and have tons and tons of sex."

I'm so blessed to have a have a husband who loves me through all of my emotional ups and downs.

It's Vacation Bible School week at church, so I've spent every afternoon and night this week at work watching four months of preparation unfold into a smooth operating program for three-year-olds through fifth graders. We have 400 kids in our building each night, learning all about how God is WILD for them. It's been so exciting to see all of their energy each night, but it leaves me one tired momma. Since I've been at the church a lot in the evenings, Tyler and I spent the morning together. Here are some photos of our day:

Fixing to go to the mall to look for some new sneakers and then go to lunch.

My hospital bag is all packed and ready to go. Callie the Cat thinks she is going too. Silly cat.

Here is Tyler and his brand new left shoe!

The first tomato of the season is here! What it lacks in size, it makes up in taste.

Halloween Weekend

Tyler and I had an eventful weekend. Friday night was out church's annual Simply Fun Fest. This event is open to the entire community and the admission is only the cost of one bag of candy per family. It's a pretty sweet gig for families. I was a ladybug.

Then on Sunday night, we had our Halloween Party with the high school students. There was a gigantic bonfire, costume prizes,  sugar cookies and s'mores. Tyler was a Tonka Truck (costume made by his lovely wife).

We also had a photo booth where the kids could get their picture taken by my friend, and professional birth photographer, Stacey (she did not photograph any births at the party; mainly just non-pregnant high schoolers). You can check out Stacey's website here. I had fun making all sorts of props for the students to use in the photo booth. Here are a few of them:

 

Even more exciting than the photobooth and sandwich sized s'mores, was the sermon Tyler preached about how we don't have to be afraid of evil things, because the enemy has been defeated and Christ has risen victorious. Holla! I had the lyrics from "Shout Unto God" by Hillsong playing in my head all weekend:

The enemy has been defeated
And death couldn't hold You down
We're gonna lift our voice in victory
We're gonna make Your praises loud

Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
Shout unto God with a voice of praise
Shout unto God with a voice of triumph
We lift Your name up
We lift Your name up

I love that the psalms of David tell me that I have nothing to fear, because God restores me, leads me and comforts me (even after I watch movies that give me the heebee-jeebees, like the Exorcism of Emily Rose). Isaiah writes, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mind. When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned' the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior." (Isaiah 43:1-3). Yes Sir! - That makes me feel so good!

How was your Halloween weekend? Did you score some delicious treats? What was your costume?

My Husband the Preacher

I am awful when it comes to any kind of public speaking. I get so nervous when I have to talk to large groups or people I don't know. My knees knock and my feet sweat and my Texas drawl suddenly increases by 50% and I sound like a complete idiot. Sometimes I even swallow my spit wrong and end up choking in mid conversation. It is ridiculous and always happens at the most inopportune times.

My husband, however, is a preacher through and through. He is incredibly good with words. I think I frustrate the tar out of him when we get into fights, because I try and resolve things by ignoring him and cleaning things. My method of conflict resolution does not fly with my preacher husband - we have got to talk it out until we have fixed the situation. I so appreciate his ability to articulate emotions so clearly; it makes our marriage better off because of it.

I love listening to him teach. Sometimes super smart people are horrible communicators, but I think Ty is the exception. Since I oversee the early childhood ministry at church, I hardly ever get to hear him preach or teach at church on Sunday mornings (I am too busy dealing with whatever crisis is happening in the early childhood ministry - exploding poop, broken check-in systems, mommy-missers, etc.). But I truly get to be Tyler's first audience! He often has me proofread his class handouts or evaluate his sermon's introduction. Sometimes I am not very helpful, but I am so glad he values my critiques. Or maybe he is just looking for some extra kisses from his Sweets to keep him going while he has to spend all day studying...Either way, I am happy to help!

Never heard Tyler teach? Look at this blog post he just wrote about men that suffered by proclaiming the name of Jesus and you'll understand why I think he is so great.

Lazy Sunday Night

Tyler is studying for his Tuesday class and I am looking at all of the cute things I want to buy on Etsy, catching up on blogs and eating a drumstick. What a great end to an eventful Sunday morning that involved my cute pink blouse and some puke.

A Toast to Marriage

So Tyler and I have both been sick since we got back from CIY on Saturday. It's Thursday and I still have yet to go to the grocery store. I have had such little energy and grocery shopping takes a lot of energy. Okay, I know that's not really a good excuse, but I have literally gotten home from work each day and slept. Sudafed makes you sleepy. Last night I thought I could muster up enough strength to face County Market and while I was getting ready to leave a huge storm rolled in. We're talking massive downpour. There was even a thunderstorm watch in effect for Champaign County until 10:00 p.m. So, my shopping trip was a no go. I searched our cabinets and the fridge for something to make for dinner and "AH HA!" -- I found pasta and Ragu. Perfect! We'll have spaghetti! But what good is spaghetti without a side salad or garlic bread? Salad was not an option and there was no Texas Toast in the freezer. So I grabbed a couple slices of wheat bread (that may or may not have been expired) and stuck them in the toaster. I slapped some butter on it and was getting ready to sprinkle some garlic salt on it, when I thought I had better wait, because I don't think sprinkling garlic salt on toast would magically make garlic toast. I hollered at Ty, who had been diligently working all day on his final paper for summer school. Right when he walked into the kitchen, he immediately made fun of the toast, saying "it's like we're having breakfast and dinner" (see picture of mocking, below). I laughed out loud. I was just trying to do like my southern mama taught me and complete our meal with some colorful sides. As you can see, there is not much color happening on that plate (although, he hadn't topped his noodles with Ragu yet). I really, really love my husband. He is allowed to make fun of dinner, because of the hundreds of times he has praised me for making delicious meals. We both laughed intermittently between bites as we forced down our bland supper. Hey, one bad supper a year ain't bad.

He Made It!

Here are some pictures of the traveling man's return. I got him a jar full of treats and a new book as a welcome home present. I also made him his very favorite meal - stromboli! He brought me a cool shirt with a beaver on it! He got it at Roots, which he described as the Canadian equivalent to GAP. It came in this really cool recyclable bag. Canada is so green. Ty said that there are even rules as to how long you can leave  your car idling. Way to go, Canada!

Sugarbritches!

His jar of treats and his new book.

Neat-o shirt.

Traveling Man

Ty has been in Toronto, Canada leading a high school mission trip for the past 11 days. He should be pulling in at the church in the next 15 minutes, so I'm leaving right now to go pick him up. Eeek! (Pictures coming soon).

Portaits of a Home

This is my entryway. I just love it.  This piece was a Salvation Army rescue. We use it as a credenza to drop mail, hold keys, store table linens, house scarves, stash candles, etc.  I got the lamp base and shade at Target (tar-shay boutique, as my mom and I call it). The boxwood topiaries and brown iron bird are from my new favorite place to rummage through and find deals - Tuesday Morning. They have a lot of crap, but also a lot of neat items. They have really cute inexpensive tea towels - oh how I love tea towels.The green birds are from Pier 1. My BFF Laura got them first and then I decided I had to have them too! The photo was a Christmas gift from my Uncle Tom. He is a stellar  photographer.

That is me and my favorite tea. My former professor, Linda Lawson, got me started on this tea. I never knew I liked tea until I tried PG Tips. Just add a little bit of milk and sugar (okay, I add like 2 whole tablespoons of sugar) and it is warm and delightful. And it's caffeinated! Finally, a caffeinated beverage that I enjoy that's not Dr. Pepper. I feel really grown up drinking it. I always want to like coffee, but I never do. Drinking tea and carrying around a travel mug makes me feel like an adult. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because I'm such a kid when it comes to drinking - I love root beer and apple juice, but can't manage to swallow coffee or wine. Or beer. Yack! You can find PG Tips in the International section of your local grocer.

Say hello to Callie the Cat. She is so darn cute. This is how she lays on the floor all the time in the spring and summer months. I think she sprawls out like this to enjoy the heat while it lasts. In the fall and winter, she sits with all four legs underneath her chubby belly to keep her warm. But in the hot months, she cuts loose and suns belly up. When you walk past her, she meows, which in cat, translates "stop and scratch my belly."

There is my sugar britches. He is working so diligently to complete all of his summer school assignments before he leaves for Canada tomorrow. This is where Tyler spends most of his time after work and on his days off. The boy loves to study. He's the smartest boy I know. And I am so proud of him for being half way through his Masters. Study your heart away, my sweets. I'll see you when it's dinner time.

Monday, Monday

Today was super busy, but productive. I usually have a hard time being productive when the weather is gorgeous out. It can sometimes be hard for me to be motivated to work 9 - 5, but I had plenty of items on my to-do list: sort VBS decor items from last year, return emails, prep for Sunday, order supplies off Oriental Trading (this always takes a ridiculous amount of time, since the internet at the church blows.) Ty and I left work around 6 and headed to the mall. Tyler only goes to the mall once a year; maybe twice if he has an eye doctor appointment. He's been on a mission to find some new sneakers. He finally found a pair he likes at Track 'n Trail. They don't have laces. I told him that he looks like a space man robot. He doesn't care. I like that about him. While at the mall, I went to Ann Taylor Loft to look around, which can sometimes be a big mistake, because I just end up feeling sad that I can't afford anything in there and then I feel stupid for being so materialistic. Ugh. Fashion. Here is a little something I came home with. Yippee! Then I dropped Tyler off at the bookstore while I made a trip to Wal-Mart to get the rest of the VBS supplies we need for the decorating meetings. It feels good to be so ahead and it's only Monday.

Independence Day

This weekend was perfect. We had a wonderful visit with Tyler's family. They left this afternoon after a full weekend of swimming at Sholem Aquatic Center, perusing the Urbana Farmer's Market, playing in our clubhouse and watering the garden with sweet Camryn Grace. Look at this sweet girl...

Tonight, after a much needed afternoon nap, we celebrated the 4th by going to the movie store and renting Independence Day. I have such a vivid memory of going to see this with my family when I was a kid. I remember, we went to the riverwalk and then to the IMAX to watch see it on the big screen. And...to my brothers shame...I fell asleep. You might be thinking, "how does a 10 year old kid manage to fall asleep during the coolest movie of 1996, projected on a 60x80 ft. screen, with a 15,000 watt digital sound system?" Well, I was running a fever. I think the fever started mid enchilada at dinner time. I also ruined Jurassic Park for the family. I cried during the first dinosaur scene - you know, the one where the cup of water trembles, because the giant tyrannosaurus rex is getting ready to eat a man off of a toilet. It was a very traumatic time for me. In my defense, I was only 7. What were my mom and dad thinking?


Anyways, back to tonight, before we went home to watch ID4 (oh yeah, I said it), we went to America's Favorite Drive-In for some a chocolate sundae and a cherry limeade. We drove to the THIS IS IT parking lot to get a prime spot to view the Parkland College fireworks. We were just far enough away to enjoy the show without all of the crowds, blasts and firework debris. Even better, there was no traffic. Sonic tastes much better when you're watching pretty things blow up in the sky. Especially if your favorite boy is by your side.

Fantastic fourth.

Oh, and check out Greg Boyd's thoughts on patriotism in the church in Relevant Magazine and QIdeas.org. It's good stuff.