New house, New job, New school

The next two weeks of my life consist of moving, starting a new job, and starting grad school. Add the baby that I am having in November and can you imagine what my score would be on a stress test?? I am going to be 45 by the time this year is over.

New House

Derek and I are moving to Raymore, MO (south Kansas City) next weekend. It was an answered prayer finding a place that is spacious enough for us to gain an office and add a nursery at an affordable price that will not require me to go back to work after our baby is born. We are renting from a couple at church who have several properties on the street so we already know a few of our neighbors.

Our new place is a townhouse, all one level, with 3 bedrooms, two baths, a kitchen, dining room, and living room. Moving from our one bedroom apartment this place feels like a mansion. Aside from the blue carpet, it really is the perfect place for us. The location is great-- we are at the very end of the dead-end street and we are the last unit, so we don't have much traffic our way. Sometimes it is hard because I want to keep up with the Jones's who have nice big houses, but I know this is perfect for us and we are very excited. We also ordered new a new Sofa and Loveseat (or mini couch in Derek's terms) and I am very excited to have them delivered next weekend. Hopefully we'll get some pictures up soon.

We chose to move south of the city in our attempt to cut down on all the driving that we do. Derek drives about 25 minutes to work, I drive about 20 minutes north to work, plus church is an additional 30 miles from home (making it a 50 mile drive from my work to church) and I will be attending school in the south too. This decision was made when gas was $3.00/gallon, so we are very happy to be cutting down as prices keep getting higher. And its hard trying to stay active in the church when it requires so much driving! We have a handful of friends in the Northland but a majority of our friends are further south so we are looking forward to being able to hang out more with friends.

My Dad feels like he will never ever get to see his grandbaby, but I kindly remind him that we will live only about 45 minutes away and that he took us kids 12-15 hours away from our grandparents.

New Job

Since we are moving south and I currently work so far north, I had to tell Dad that I couldn't work for Trickel Construction once we moved. He has hired Kristie in October and she is now ready to take over my job when I leave in the next couple weeks. Looking for a new job was majorly stressful especially knowing that I would be quitting in November, but still needing a job that could cater to my evening classes. Through much indecision and a few interviews, I ended up taking a job at North American Savings Bank in Grandview as a teller. I think I will do alright and that I can enjoy the job. My hours are 8-5 Monday through Friday and then 8-2 every other Saturday. On the weeks that I work Saturdays, I'll get one weekday off. I start on Monday, June 2nd.

New School

I also begin school on Monday, June 2nd. I will be taking 7 graduate hours in only 2 months. Things will be very busy. My classes are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 6-8:30pm and include one weekend in July. Technically I have class on Thursday evening as well, but I will log in online to contribute to discussion and to turn in class assignments. I can't help but be overwhelmed with my new schedule, but I keep reminding myself that this will only be for a couple months and when I'm done with the summer I will have 10 of the 60 hours I need to complete my Master's. At least its a start! Right now I am waiting for my FAFSA to make it to the school's financial aid office so I can get the ball rolling on getting the student loan money in and so I can buy my books. Man, are they expensive or what?!

And I guess I should mention I am actually enrolled at Avila University out of Kansas City and not MidAmerica Nazarene as I had previously been planning on. The Master's programs are similar, but the class schedules are different. MidAmerica's program is a cohort 2 year program where you and your cohort (class) move through the program together and all graduate at the same time. Their program begins each summer in June and the problem with this schedule is that after I have the baby, if I don't go back to class right away (the next week) and finish the class, then I would be behind and unable to move forward in the program until the following November. The scheduling at Avila is like that of a typical college schedule, where a handful of classes are offered I can enroll in classes (as many or as few) each semester and make sure that I meet the requirements of my program. After I take classes this summer, I will not be taking classes in the fall semester. If in the spring I feel up to taking a class or two, then I can enroll at that time. And I suppose I should also mention that I am going back to school to get my Master's in Counseling and I will also taking a few electives to achieve a certificate in Child and Adolescent Therapy.

We're having a baby!

We've shared our baby news with many, but I figured I'd put it in writing so it's out there for everyone to read, share, and pass along.

Finding Out

I was at work, working diligently of course, and something just clicked in my mind that added some signs together enough for me to begin thinking, "Hhhm... maybe." Well, then I became just so distracted I wasn't getting any work done, so I drove to the CVS in town to get a pregnancy test. Those tests are so tricky-- is there a second line or not! Since I just couldn't decide, I visited some friends who work at the bank in our building who easily confirmed the second line. So, ok... What do I do now?? Well, I needed to tell Derek.

So, I left work a little early to go shopping for some baby items, specifically an "I love Daddy" outfit. I was paranoid the entire time that I was going to run into a friend, my parents, etc. By the time I bought some things, I didn't have time to cook dinner, so I got our a bucket of fried chicken to take home. Over our candlelight dinner, I gave Derek the box and it took like 2 seconds to put it together and he was very excited. We went out and bought What to Expect When You're Expecting and determined at that time we were 4 weeks along.

Telling Friends and Family

The month of March for us is full of birthdays so we thought it would be fun to share the news with our families through birthday gifts. Forrest's (Derek's dad) was first and Derek had picked out I-Love-You-Grandpa/Grandma bibs and wrapped them up. His first words were along the lines of "What!? Really?! Are you serious!?" His parents were very excited to hear the news are are very excited to be grandparents.


My family was next with Philip's birthday. I managed to convince my family to get together early for his birthday because we just couldn't hold the news much longer! I had made a picture frame each for Uncle Phil, and Aunt Laura and Ashley, purchased a Grandparents picture frame for my mom, and for my dad I bought a tiny pair of KC Chiefs socks. Everyone opened their gifts together. Laura and Ashley screamed, mom cried, dad was grinning ear to ear, and Philip said "I distinctly told you 'No babies or houses until I get married'," but did also offer congratulations.

We waited awhile longer to share the news with others as we were waiting to be further along in the pregnancy before the major news got out. We mailed sonogram pictures to some and with others we simply called to share the good news. At 12 weeks, we began telling people as we ran into them and everyone has just been so excited.

Doctor's Visits

Our first visit was at 8 weeks. The doctor is close to Derek's work, so he is able to take a little time off and come with me. We had a sonogram that day to confirm the age of the baby. It didn't look like much, just a little peanut, but it was so amazing to see!! The sonogram confirmed the November 6th due date.

The next visit was at 12 weeks, which was also my birthday. The doctor used the Doppler to detect the babies heartbeat and again, that moment was just beyond words to describe. It was just such a loud booming noise and it was beating so fast!! It was a fabulous birthday-- to reach the 12 week mark and to hear our baby's heartbeat!!!

Our next scheduled appointment is at the beginning of June.

Other baby type news

My dad is convinced that we are having a boy and has since named our baby, Freddy. He anxiously offered to build the crib and I printed off pictures of the ones I liked. I am excited to have one of a kind furniture for our baby! Laura is convinced that we are having a girl and is dying to flood the baby with pink things and to be the cool aunt. Ashley wants to know if I have decided what sports our child will be participating in and has also compiled a list of acceptable baby names with a friend.

Mom and I have had a ton of fun at garage sales this year. We have found great deals on many baby necessities and even a few luxuries from onesies, outfits, books, toys, high chairs, baby moniters, infant seats, maternity clothes, etc. Linda (Derek's mom) purchased two shoe boxes full of baby books and I have picked out a few books like Clifford and Curious George.

We don't know the sex of the baby yet, but we will find out at either the appointment at the beginning of June or the beginning of July. Derek is hoping for a boy and I am just thrilled to be having a baby and will be delighted either way. According to the latest research about what I was eating before I was pregnant (cereal, bananas, and other high protein foods) I have higher chances of having a boy, but according to the Chinese birth predictability chart I am supposed to have a girl. I guess we'll just have to wait and find out!

A blog, finally

For the longest time I've been thinking, "I should start a blog." Wouldn't it be fabulous if everytime we thought "I should..." that it would just automatically be done? A part of me wonders if this whole blog idea will pass away such as the Xanga phase of my junior year in college, but alas, I'm here to try it again. I enjoy browsing through my friends blogs for a quick update on their lives, so maybe people are interested to read what's happening in mine. I'll admit that I'm a bit intimidated about having something super important and/or interesting to say... I'll try my best.

Derek can probably appreciate a new outlet for me to express my thoughts. I mean he always listens no matter how important a topic that is on my mind, but sometimes I know he really doesn't care, because really... who would? For example, last night I was on the topic of music artists that just won't go away (i.e. Madonna, Mariah Carey, etc.) I mean, they had remarkable careers in their time, but seriously enough is enough. Especially Madonna who is 50 years old with children old enough to watch her... do they want to see her dancing provacitvely on a music video?? Do we?? And truthfully I am suprised to see that Mariah made a comeback from her horrible rut after her movie Glitter. So I know that this isn't important information. It's just annoys me. I am curious, however, to know how the New Kids on the Block reunion tour will go.

I will do my best to contribute better material in future posts.