Xmas in SC v.2

Happy Birthday Dad! Wish we could be there today, but alas tomorrow will have to do. We can't wait to see everyone...and all the snow! We'll be anxiously tracking the flight status today to be sure that the mess up north hasn't created any significant delays for tomorrow's travel. Hopefully our direct flight, will make things that much easier.

We have continued to receive more holiday packages. Here we are opening some from Mom/Dad Redmond that have been under a tree for a few weeks. Thanks for the books and Gone With the Wind ornament...I added it to the tree.

I didn't take any pictures of all of Aaron's presents from his kids...but as usually there were a lot. Several gift cards, baby items, and cookies, snacks, and of course the holiday mugs. It amazes me that people always do so much for their kid's teachers - especially given the current economy.

I also received an anonymous gift - Franklin Covey calendar inserts...I suspect maybe from the Mason/Collins gift exchange. So whoever gave me those, thanks! They will work in a binder that my sister Leigh gave me for graduation. I am quite excited about getting to use them in the new year, especially because I will need to be super organized in the year to come - more on that later...

Speaking of work...this week the Commish announced that all employees would have to take a 5 day furlough to absorb additional budget cuts...ouch! While he was sure to communicate that this shouldn't be the end...at least I have a job (and a spouse with a job) which will make absorbing the cut possible. And, since we have till May to use the 5 days, this should actually help me avoid having to use all of my sick/annual days for the maternity leave.

We also received our first baby shower present last week. The Redmonds/Losinski's have planned a baby shower on Sunday afternoon. However, since we are flying to/from MI this year, my Gma's sister, Mary Jean and family opted to mail the package to us in SC (thanks!). Here are some pictures of what was included...several outfits in different size ranges which is awesome, home-made blankets and booties. The booties were so cute and I can hardly believe that soon Beck will be here to fill those cute little shoes. Thank you...I love it all!

Well today we'll be cleaning, packing, and anxiously waiting for the clock to tick by so that we can fly home to MI tomorrow. To everyone reading, Happy Holidays! We are so blessed and excited just to have the opportunity to be spending the holidays with family and friends. We hope that this finds you equally blessed and happy. Cheers.

Xmas in SC

I know, I know...as my dad pointed out it's been awhile since my last post. So here goes...

Not a whole lot new to report. Saturday morning I baked a lot...church windows, Carmel corn, chili in the crock pot, and sugar cookies dough. On Sunday several gals from work came over to make cookies to exchange for gift giving. This is a tradition we have all been at for about 4 years now. It is fun to hang out with the girls, drink (well, for them), listen to Christmas music, whine about men, decorate/make cookies, snack on meatballs and spinach artichoke dip and just enjoy the day. I didn't take any pictures of us actually decorating or making cookies, but here is a pic of the results.

Then it was back to the grind on Monday - no day off as usually as I have to make up all those holiday hours I will take next week. Lots of unrest here at work lately...as budget cuts, politics, and bad press fill us all with a certain sense of doom. Oh well, it is a pay check and despite the usually slack during the holidays I am busier than normal dealing with hot political issues.

Here are some pics of the house all decorated for Christmas...although it is hard to get in the holiday mood when the weather here has been in the 70's! I guess I shouldn't complain as most folks I know from the North are sick of the snow and ice already.

For several years now, my mom/dad have been giving me Gone With the Wind ornaments. This year we purchased a smaller fake tree to display them on. We still put up the old tinsel tree too with all the other ornaments and color wheel.
We've received a few presents in the mail since we will be flying to/from Michigan this year. Here are some new shoes that Aaron's mom/dad sent for him. Thank you!That's it for now. Can't wait to go home for the holidays to see family and friends...only 6 more days till we fly to MI!

Thanksgiving weekend

We started the morning off by talking to mom and dad Redmond and my sister Erin. We couldn't figure out how to employ three-way calling, so we did the next best thing and called everyone to talk to one another on speaker phone. Aaron of course thought it was ridiculous. We had a nice rest of the Thanksgiving day this year...spending it with our friends the Weidners. Scott made the turkey and most of the sides, while we brought the green bean casserole and pumpkin pie. We had a lot of food for 4 people and two kids!

The guys enjoyed checking out the ads for black Friday. There was talk of Aaron going to get a new TV, but (as I expected) he didn't make it up in time for the sales.

Yesterday we spend the whole day in our pajamas...although we were fairly productive. We cleaned and put up the xmas decorations (inside and out) and watched a couple of episodes of the Sopranos. It somewhat worries me that I think Beck may be more likely to recognize Tony Sopranos voice then either of ours. Aaron even downloaded a Christmas cd for me to listen to while cleaning to put us in the mood. It was a very nice day.

In other good news, I passed all my glucose tests this weekend (despite the temptations with yummy food). In fact, since started to test on Tuesday, I have only gone over on one reading. I think that is pretty good...I must admit there is also a part of me that hopes that perhaps the Doctors will see what I have been able to do with diet and put an end to all the testing in time for Christmas travel.

Not sure what the rest of the weekend has in store...maybe a movie or some shopping. We truly are blessed and thankful for everything we have. We can't wait to see our family and friends soon!

Weekend Update

Haven't updated in awhile...not a whole lot going on. Today is my youngest niece's Birthday - so Happy Birthday Isabel!

Today we hung out at the Weidners and watched U or M get killed by Ohio State. It seems it isn't a good time for Michigan sports as we also sadly looked on as the Chippewas recently fell to Ball State despite a great season.

My birthday present from Aaron finally arrived - beautiful earrings, shown here.

Aaron had a couple of baby showers this past week at work. I made a baby quilt for one in flannel materials in the jungle variety. The picture makes it hard to see.

And lastly, I have really been making an effort lately to plan our meals with weekly grocery list and menus. I recently made my first roast in the crock pot. I have to say I was quite proud of the end product. It was way yummy!

Sadly this might be the last I see of mashed potatoes for awhile as I recently found out I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I have a meeting on Tuesday to meet with a nurse to discuss my diet and whether/how I will have to monitor my blood sugar from this point forward. Wish me good luck!

8 Things

This is a shout out to my friend Kristen...I still read your blog!

8 TV shows that I watch:
1. Sopranos on DVD
2. The News
3. Days of our Lives on my Mondays off
4 - 8. Just ditched cable so that's about it....

8 Favorite Restaurants:
1. Allens Root Beer Drive-In (in CW)
2. Moes/Yo Burrito
3. Monterays
4. Lexington Wings and Ale
5. Olive Garden
6. Carolina Deli
7. Schulers
8. Cafe Strudel

8 Things That Happened Yesterday:
1. I was born...29 years ago
2. I went to work
3. I talked to family and friends...who I miss!
4. I felt my baby move in my belly
5. Went to dinner with my hubby
6. Had a fire in our fireplace and watched an episode of Sopranos
7. Counted my blessings
8. Listened to the rain

8 Things That I am Looking Forward To:
1. Xmas at home with family!
2. Getting to see, smell and hug my baby
3. Going to a craft fair today
4. Finding out what Aaron got me for my bday when it comes in the mail
5. Monday off of work
6. The Future
7. Hugging Aaron when he gets up
8. Finally finishing my current book and starting another

8 Things on My Wish List:
1. Visiting Ireland
2. An easy delivery
3. Peace
4. To move back to MI some day
5. A healthy baby
6. Patience and Understanding
7. More time
8. Unlimited (free) airfare to visit the people I miss (Amen Kristen - I agree!)

8 Things I Love:
1. Mac and Cheese
2. Warm socks
3. Hanging out with my Fam and Friends (cooking, playing cards, eating, dancing, anything)
4. Freckles and red hair
5. The smell of laundry or fresh baked bread
6. The fall
7. My house
8. The silence that comes with being content

8 Things I Can’t Stand:
1. People who are closed minded
2. Pollution, tree stumps, and apathy
3. People who don't know how to merge onto the highway
4. Feeling helpless
5. Waiting
6. Watching someone I know/love suffer or cry
7. Being so far away
8. The feel of wet cotton

Feel free to share your 8's.

Rick in SC

Here is the belly picture I have been promising to post. As you can see it is really starting to get bigger.
Here is a picture of me opening my birthday present from Rick and Linda. A baby album and pages from creative memories.

Here we are eating our healthy dinner of 5 Guys Burgers and Bojangles french fries. We rounded it out later with Cold Stone ice cream for dessert. Healthy huh?

Here we are playing Pinochle. Aaron took a real shine to the game after he started winning.

I had a Doctor appointment yesterday. This appointment consisted of another ultrasound to check out Beck's heart - which they couldn't get a good look at last time and the glucose test. Everything looks good. I have gained 5 pounds, Beck now weighs in at 1.5 pounds, blood pressure and all of that looks good - but, I failed the first glucose test. Now, I'll have to go back and have the four-hour test. Hopefully that goes well. It is scheduled for Tuesday next week, so we'll let you know...

Surprise!

First things first, I have to establish a nickname for this baby, because writing about him/her without being able to refer to a particular sex/name is becoming way too difficult. So, for no other reason other than it was on our originally name list (prior to finding out the sex) and quickly vetoed by family and friends, for the purposes of this blog, let’s call him/her “Beck.”

Okay moving on…I feel like I need to get this out, before it starts to become routine – although I am not sure how this feeling could ever be considered routine! Beck is moving all around! It is unbelievable, exciting, and scary all at the same time. I have been feeling Beck for probably a month now…the difference as of late, is that I can actually see Beck kicking. It is so wild! And that anyone would ever refer to this feeling as a flutter or quickening is beyond me. In talking with my old boss she likened it more to a muscle twitch, which I think is a much more accurate description at least of the movements that existing about a month ago. Now we are entering the stage of full-on kicks. It just amazes me. And to think of Beck in there…somersaulting or kicking or twisting or whatever just blows my mind. Even Aaron has been able as of late to see and feel Beck…although his patience wanes…he too has been able to occasionally catch a glimpse.

As for my burgeoning belly…it’s growing. Will post an updated pictures soon. Besides all that, I am feeling good. I go in on Monday for the glucose test, so hopefully that turns out okay.

In other news, Gpa Rick (Aaron's dad) surprised Aaron and came down for a quick visit this weekend. Aaron was really funny about it. His dad arrived at about 9:15 pm on Friday night and Aaron was really stunned...and then, much to my surprise, he started picking up the house!

Yesterday we just hung around the house in the morning and then visited Wings and Ale of Lexington (one of Aaron's favorite local bars) for the best chicken wings in the world and the MI game. I swear we ate like 100 wings between the 3 of us. We then ventured downtown to visit a bike shop and a couple of college book stores. We swung by a friends to pick up their copies of the Sopranos (which Aaron and I are really into now) and then of course Krispi Kreme for dessert. Our friends were also nice enough to give us their old rabbit ears, so now we actually get three of the main local chanels (NBC, CBS, and something else) - so we watched more football and played Pinochle last night. It's been a really nice visit so far.

Not sure what we'll do today, but I will try to get some pictures to post. I am always hesitant with the boys since they are so averse to picture taking and scrapbooking. Oh well, I will be that person today and make them pose for at least a couple of shots...

What do you know?

The poster on the wall in our computer room reads...

Some Politicians don't know much.
They don't know what it's like saving for both and education
and an electric bill.
They don't know second mortgages, second shifts or second hand.
They certainly don't know the price of
Macaroni and cheese.
Or how tough it is to find a good job.
Or how tough it is to lose one.
At the end of the day, the health care problem isn't crying in their laps.
The economy isn't asking them for
A new pair of sneakers.
Violence isn't attending the same schools as their kids.
You see, some politicians don't know any of these things.
It's up to you to tell them.
PLEASE VOTE!
Let the politicians know what's really important.

Happy Birthday Moms!

Happy Birthday to all the Moms out there!

Well, as my sister said, October starts the endless birthday/holiday season in our lives...and with that a number of women’s birthdays in the next few weeks, including: Sister Leigh (28), friend Megan (27), Mom Redmond (1), Mom Mason (12), etc. So with limited financial resources, I began to start thinking about what I could do to show my appreciation. As I began to think about the role that these women play in my life, I realized that they are all mothers (among other things). So I looked up "moms" in an internet search and began to find a lot of good quotes. Here are just a few….

"By and large, mothers and housewives are the only workers who do not have regular time off. They are the great vacationless class."-- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

"A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take."-- Cardinal Mermillod

"A mother is not a person to lean on but a person to make leaning unnecessary."-- Dorothy Canfield Fisher

"I really learned it all from mothers."-- Dr. Benjamin Spock

"If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylum would be filled with mothers."-- Edgar Watson Howe

"Whatever else is unsure in this stinking dunghill of a world a mother's love is not."-- James Joyce

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother."-- Lin Yutang

"My mother had a great deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it."-- Mark Twain

"To describe my mother would be to write about a hurricane in its perfect power."-- Maya Angelou

"Over the years I have learned that motherhood is much like an austere religious order, the joining of which obligates one to relinquish all claims to personal possessions."-- Nancy Stahl

"Youth fades, love droops, the leaves of friendship fall; a mother's secret hope outlives them all."-- Oliver Wendell Holmes (1775-1817)

"A mother's hardest to forgive. Life is the fruit she longs to hand you, Ripe on a plate. And while you live, Relentlessly she understands you."-- Phyllis McGinley

"Men are what their mothers made them."-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Never say anything on the phone that you wouldn't want your mother to hear at your trial."-- Sydney Biddle Barrows

"An ounce of mother is worth a ton of priest."-- Spanish proverb

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."-- Theodore Hesburgh

"Children are the sum of what mothers contribute to their lives."-- Unknown

“A mother is a person who seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie.”-Tenneva Jordan

“I know how to do anything - I'm a Mom.” -Roseanne Barr

One-Eyed-Willie

Tonight I decided it was high time that I carved my pumpkin - especially with Halloween just days away. Now I typically go with the standard Jack-o-lantern face...this year I had intended to mix it up a little, but alas it still wound up pretty standard looking.

Here is me in the act of carving...I nicknamed him "One-Eyed-Willie."

So while I carved, Aaron slept on the couch...is there an equivalent for scrooge at Halloween?

Here's the finished project.

In other news...our friends the Weidners have been so nice in giving us boxes of their old baby clothes and goodies for the new edition. I swear that between family and friends this kid will be set till he/she is at least 9 months old...Hint hint for all those folks out there thinking of buying clothes.

Recently, they dropped off a swing. We are so lucky to have such generous friends. We'll be celebrating their birthdays at their house this Saturday...after trick-or-treating on Friday night of course. Happy Halloween!

Reality Check

My sister turned me on to another blog awhile ago. It is all about parenting/Detroit.

A recent post struck a nerve. Maybe it’s because (as Aaron would say) I am more emotional these days. Maybe it’s because I know so many teachers and understand the impact that school/education can have. Either way…it struck me.

How sad...how truly depressing this is…especially since the school has only been closed for a few years. That this could happen in such a short time…what an incredible waste of resources. Now, I don’t know maybe this school was condemned or had some structural issue that caused it to be abandoned. Either way, I find it ironic that just yesterday when I picked up my absentee ballot and began doing research to prepare to vote…one of the issues on the ballot is a school bond referendum. Lexington wants to build something like five new schools to the tune of $300 + million dollars. I know the economy in Michigan sucks and everyday it seems like so many people are leaving the state to find jobs…moving to places like Lexington where we have to build new school to keep up with the population growth (800 more new students this year alone). I get that.

What is so hard to swallow, is the idea that we can just let this happen to an area – a whole downtown. Detroit is such a fun city, with so much potential. But, rather than spend time and money to restore this city to what it once was, we take the easy way out and abandon it…build more subdivisions and cut more trees. I hate it. When will we realize that this isn’t the answer? I don’t claim there are easy answers to what are a host of reasons behind this problem, but surely just leaving isn’t the answer either.

I was struck the other day too when Aaron (that’s right, my husband) was chatting with his brother about politics and the upcoming election. Soon the conversation turned to taxes and what did my husband say…“taxes aren’t bad, they’re what fund schools and government programs.” I nearly fell out of my chair. Here I thought he was at least a little conservative – certainly more so than me. I am still shocked.

I am also still in shock about his decision, or at least indifference, to the decision to cut cable. Well, earlier this week on my way home from work, I get a call from him…“I am on the couch, looking at a blank screen and drowning my sorrows in M&Ms.” Sad. So, we ate dinner, watched a movie, I read and he graded papers. That doesn’t sound like a wasted night to me. We’ll see how today (especially Saturday College Football) goes…

It's beginning to feel like fall...

Well so far so good...we actually still have cable as so we are relishing in what might be our last few days. Although, we did have a very productive weekend.

On Saturday we visited a garage sale in a nearby neighborhood and picked up a jeep umbrella stroller for $4. While we realize it may not be used for awhile, we couldn't pass up the deal. I also received a whole box of cloths from a friend of mine - so, we should be covered for the period of 6-9 months for the baby. In other news, we also finally figured out how to put the crib together so that the sides are able to move up and down. Actually, Aaron's dad found the internet site and Aaron found a similar set of crib instructions. Either way, we are happy to have it done.

Saturday we went to a Halloween Party of a friend. It was a great time. I was put in charge of desserts, which were fun to make. As pictured, the kitty litter cake came out much better this year (thanks to the food processor that Gma gave to us). It was hit!

I also made a batch of cupcakes that Aaron and I had fun decorating to look like eyeballs.

Aaron actually bought a Halloween costume online this year, but it didn't arrive in time. So, we improvised by visiting the local goodwill/consignment shops. As you can see we did pretty well in coming up with a suitable costumes. We like to say he went as a dork.

I went as a farmer, seeing as the overalls are about all that fits from pre-pregnancy days. We will dress up again this Friday for a Halloween party with our favorite local band. So look for more pictures of the costumes to come.

On Sunday we spend some time around the house...marking things off the "to-do" list. Once we finally figured out how to get on the roof, Aaron painted the dormers, which were starting to chip. I painted the bed - from red to white. The bed will now be moved into the computer room to make room for the crib in the orange room.

Today I have a lot of errands to run...one of which is to get my absentee ballot so that I can vote in the election. I'll have to get up-to-date on the local candidates first. One thing I have learned over the years (especially in my job), is that locally elected officials have a lot of power to change your life...from school board members to city council members - so don't forget to get educated on them as well. And, at the very least register and "rock the vote!"

No more magic box….

Well we did it! No more television for the Masons. I have been meaning to try this for quite some time now and finally 1) convinced Aaron, 2) got up the nerve, and 3) shut off the tube, got off my lazy butt, and took in the converter box.

Why might you ask?…here are just some of the reasons:

1) I hate Time Warner!, always have…it’s a racket what they charge, that they won’t sell packages with ala-cart options, and dealing with service people stinks!
2) It’s expensive – cable alone was costing us nearly $70 a month…that’s $840 a year…that’s a lot of dough.
3) It was making us fat and lazy! We found ourselves beaching ourselves on the couch and watching television just to watch it…watching reruns we’d seen a hundred times, watching Judge shows, watching crap. Hopefully now we will read more, spend more time outside, eat at the dining room table opposed to the coffee table, and generally be more productive people.
4) Aaron might not agree with this one, but I do. With a baby on the way…how much would we really watch? And, as we attempt to be responsible parents and raise a well adjusted, smart, creative, individual…is a television the best influence? While I realize that there are strong arguments for and against this and several schools of thought, here is one recent article that I found on the topic…Others have also offered good commentary when it comes to the downfalls of television…Barbara Kingsolver in “Small Wonders” and Jensen in “The Culture of Make Believe.”

Now this is not to say that we won’t also watch movies or even old sitcoms on DVD – we will. In fact, we just signed up for NetFlix. But, hopefully this will limit the amount and types of show we do watch. And besides, you can stream a lot now on the internet or better yet read things in the newspaper or books.

I am really hoping that we can stick to this and be more productive as a result. I am also really hoping that we’ll save some money. I have been warned about the detox process that comes with this type of life changing event. I have been told by friends who have gone through it themselves that we may fight a lot for the first week or so. So, pray for us during this our time of need. We have a whole list of things to accomplish with the house this weekend, so that should help. There is also a lot going on in the area this time of year. We’ll keep you updated on the status.

Halloween is almost here...

It was a nice relaxing weekend. Aaron had Friday off so I met him at the State Fair for lunch. Although the corn dog and elephant ear tasted good, I am not so sure it agreed with the little one. Friday night we met some friends at a bar to see our favorite local band, Lundy, perform. As always, it was fun!

Saturday we just hung out around the house. Sunday was very productive as we ran errands, mowed the lawn, rearranged furniture, and tried to put the crib together. But alas, without instructions and not much else to go on, Aaron and I are at a loss. We'll take another stab at it next weekend.

Today I tackled Grandma Alice's famous sugar cookies. It is always a lot of work, but well worth it. I packages some up to take to work for a bake sale and also made sure Aaron had enough for each one of his kids.

We're looking forward to a Halloween party this weekend and will be sure to post pictures of our costumes. For those that are interested, here is how the belly is shaping up.

It's a....

Nope sorry can't share those details. If you want to know whether it is a boy or a girl you will just have to call or email one of us.

Today was the big day...the ultrasound with anatomy scan. But, not everyone wants to know the sex so we can't post it here. What we can post are some pictures from the ultrasound.

Here is the first shot...at 7 weeks.

The rest are from today's ultrasound visit...

Here you can see a foot.

Here is a good profile.

Here is the face.

We're told that everything looks good. The baby is at 11 ounces and moving around lots - although I can't really feel anything for certain yet.

We'll keep you posted.

Day 2

Gma and Gpa used the laptop computer to check out the blog and menu for Cafe Strudel. This morning we enjoyed a yummy breakfast at Cafe Strudel.

Gma enjoyed the grits.

It was a beautiful day again today and after breakfast we drove around downtown Columbia to see the capital and my workplace. We then headed back home and picked up a Sunday paper along the way. Gma and Gpa enjoyed reading the paper while Aaron graded papers.

We then headed back into West Columbia to show Gma and Gpa where we first lived. We stopped at a great antique store and looked around.

Before heading back home we had to stop by Krispy Kreme to get our dessert. We had dinner at the Old Mill Pizza buffet and played a game (Like Minds). Now we are enjoying the baseball play-off games. We have had a great time visiting with Gma and Gpa and will be sad to see them leave tomorrow!

Gma & Gpa Mason Visit

Gma Char and Gpa Jack arrived on Friday at 3 pm. After a quick tour of the house with Aaron, Gpa and Aaron went to the Happy Butcher to pick up some steaks for dinner. We then cooked red-skinned mashed potatoes (which Gpa was happy to find were mashed by hand) with asparagus. The rest of the night we just visited and caught up with each other. And...ate some of the sweets that Gma brought...On Saturday we enjoyed a nice breakfast of egg bake and banana bread before heading out to the Congaree Bluegrass Festival in Cayce, SC. There Gma and Gpa tasted their first boiled peanuts. As you can see they didn't think they were half bad...well, Aaron and I certainly helped. It was a beautiful day! After that we headed to Swansea to visit Aaron's school. Gma enjoyed seeing where Aaron works. We then headed home to catch some football.

We visited the famed Shealy's for a dinner of fried chicken, pork rinds, green beans, corn, rice and hash, and a huge dessert bar. We left stuffed!

Now we are back at the house. Gma and I worked a little bit outside only to come back in to see Gpa and Aaron relaxing (a.k.a. sleeping). Now we are watching more football games and hoping that Aaron's bet this weekend will pay off.

Tomorrow we are headed to Cafe Strudel for brunch and then maybe downtown to see the sites. We'll post another update with more pictures tomorrow.