Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

My blogging has been non-existent because I've been wiped out by nausea and fatigue for the last 8 weeks...yes, I'm pregnant!  I think I have turned a corner now that I am nearing the end of first trimester.  This pregnancy has been extremely different from Aidan's; if it's not a girl, we will be shocked!

In other exciting news, I was recently hired by our local district to teach the 7 & 8th grade talented and gifted students.  It will be two hours a week - so perfect for this stay-at-home-mama!  I am thrilled to be working with middle school students again.

 

We spent three days last week in Fairmont celebrating Christmas with Brian's family.  It was a true reprieve and so much fun.  Each day was full of lots of games, relaxing, hot chocolate, Christmas cookies, a trip or two to Caribou, and lots of delicious food.  My mother-in-law always works so hard to make it such a perfect, refreshing time.  I am so thankful for her!  We even got to sled behind the four-wheeler (yes, I felt like I was 12 again), and Brian went CC skiing.

This was a Thomas the Train year for Aidan.  He received so many train sets and this wonderful table.  We've reorganized our playroom to accommodate the trains, and it has since become a favorite hangout.

Brian made this Christmas collage from pictures taken around our home.  However, the picture of Aidan and me is at Applebees.  We received many generous giftcards from our parishioners.  Unfortunately, Aidan had been sick for nearly four weeks so we had to cancel our babysitter that night and bring him along for a quick supper and to finish some shopping.  The entire meal he kept saying, "I go home now."  Needless to say, we are very thankful he's healthy now and are looking forward to a true date-night in the near future.

This is how I've spent too much of the last eight weeks.  Nausea and fatigue gripped me and this weather chilled me to the bone - so I curled up next to Leo.  He's so warm and his recent haircut and bath make him smell so yummy.  Brian has been the BEST dad and husband; he hasn't minded cold-cereal suppers and taking extra shifts with Aidan.  I'm so thankful for him!

Pre-pregnancy, I had sweet times with Jesus each morning before Aidan would wake up.  Lately, I've been sleeping in until I hear my little man rumble around in his crib and then try to sneak time in the Word when I can throughout the day (no,  I wouldn't recommend this!).  This particular morning, Aidan grabbed his Bible (by Sally Lloyd-Jones - it's so awesome.  Yes, I'd recommend it.) and said, "I read my Bible too, Mommy."  It was truly a sweet moment.  I pray that Aidan always craves the Word and counts Jesus his greatest treasure.

A family tradition that we'd like to start (as long as we live close enough) is to take our children to the Holidazzle Parade and Macy's 8th floor in Minneapolis.  Let's just say that it was very interesting this year - a very nauseous mommy and a sick, tired out two-year-old.  What were we thinking!?

 

 Each Christmas break we have the college students over.  This year we played Monopoly and ate lots of munchies.

On Saturday we made a very quick trip up to MSP to celebrate Christmas with my brother, sister-in-law and my parents.  We had fun stopping at MOA for just an hour to grab a few last minute gifts and, of course Caribou.  I think this picture sums up how I feel: So exhausted, but happy to have the first trimester yuckies behind me.

I've been pondering Matthew 11:30 lately, "His yoke is easy, and his burden is light."  His yoke and burden is the cross.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, "Bearing the cross does not bring misery and despair.  Rather it provides refreshment for our souls; it is our greatest joy."

My prayer for 2013 is that bearing the cross of Christ may be my greatest joy.

What is yours?