I thought this was great...

This was sent to me from a dear friend in Tulsa...

Before I was a Mom: I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.I never thought about immunization.Before I was a Mom:I had never been puked on.Pooped on.Chewed on.Peed on.I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.I slept all night.Before I was a Mom:I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests. Or give shots.I never looked into teary eyes and cried.I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.Before I was a Mom:I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.I never knew that I could love someone so much.I never knew I would love being a Mom.Before I was a Mom:I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.Before I was a Mom:I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

10 and Half Weeks To Go!!!

I am really starting to come to the realization that I will be here (Nebraska) the next two months until the baby arrives. So in order to salvage my sanity I went ahead and signed up for 5 childbirth/care classes! I am sure this seems a bit extreme to anyone reading this blog, but I need things to fill up my time and the HOT Nebraska summer. (anyone that knows me I am sure this doesn't come as a suprise) Typically I would just find another job or coach more, but I think it's time I just focus on myself and this beautiful baby blessing. So here are the classes I signed up for...Just the Facts on Labor class on July 28th, Christian Lamaze-Prepared Childbirth that begins June 30th, the Breastfeeding 2-week Series starting on August 4th, Infant Care and CPR-3 Sessions that begin August 5th, and the Birth Center Tour at 5:30 p.m. on August 7th. ha ha ha Can you tell I am a first time mom at 30?

Everyday the baby is kicking harder and harder. I have beome a little more clumbsy and I would forget my head if it weren't attached. My mom is coming from Colorado on Saturday...moms have a way of just making everything a little brighter. (dads are pretty great too :-)

So Blessed!

Thank you so much to everyone who attended the Baby Shower/End of the Year Ajax Party last night!!! It was so much fun to see everyone again. It's really hard to believe I won't be coaching next fall. I also want to thank everyone for the wonderful baby gifts, cake, and food! You have no idea how it blessed me. I may be a little biased but I truly think the Ajax players and parents are some of the greatest people I have ever been associated with during my coaching career. I will post a few pics from the shower in the next few days, for now I would just like to bask in the memories of our last game as the U-12 CSA Ajax!

Some of you may ask...how is she going to survive without her sidekick Al? Well...he doesn't know it yet, but I do need a partner for my birthing classes! ha ha Wouldn't that just be a hoot! Once again thank you, thank you, thank you, if my little one ends up half the children you have raised I will be one successful mom. Please stay in touch with me via blog, emails, and a good old fashioned phone call. I have loved on your daughters so much (ok..ok..tough loved :-) I would really like to know where life takes them. For those of you who have offered to babysit, you may actually regret that.... Coach

Pictures from our trip to Canada

For all of those who believe Canada is 3 degrees year around, I am hoping these pics dispel that myth :-) These pics were taken just a few days ago outside of Travis' house.

The shortest job I have ever had...

On my return yesterday from High River, Canada, I received a job offer letter from Sodexho at 8am. I immediately called Travis and we were both overjoyed. We finally had a plan and I would be moving in 2 weeks. However, by 4pm yesterday I no longer had the job. By far the shortest job I have ever held! The company was informed by their HR department that the proper steps had not been taken to hire a foreigner. These steps can take anywhere from weeks to months. So quite honestly now we are completely back to square one.

We both were crushed.... It looks like I will be staying here throughout the rest of the pregnancy. I am trying to keep my stress levels down for the health of our baby but in situations like this it can be very difficult. Needless to say it looks like I will be spending the rest of the pregnancy here in the States. I know God has a plan, I just don't understand what that is quite yet. I am really trying to stop worrying. I have to tell myself to relax, breath, and stay positive.

So for all of those who are wondering...is she moving? Is she having the baby in Canada? The answer as of June 18th is...no I am not moving, and I most likely will have the baby right in Lincoln. Please keep us in your prayers!

Patience is really not one of my finer qualities!

Last Friday around five I finally heard from Sodexho (international food company). They want me to start part-time as soon as possible in Calgary. A lot of logistical paperwork has to be completed in the next few weeks. So I am trying not to get my hopes up until we are in the moving van crossing the border. (but at least they called and we are back on track)

In the meantime, I am headed to visit Travis this Thursday through Tuesday. We haven't seen each other for two months and I am having a hard time being patient.

Over the weekend my cousin and I visited Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. We had an absolute blast!!! We left at 8am on a Saturday and got back home at midnight on Sunday. It was so beautiful. I learned a lot and we laughed 90% of the way. (pictures to follow soon) The baby kicked me 50% of the way especially after I downed a root beer on the drive home.

We are just waiting...and waiting...and waiting.

The baby should be here in 89 days and still Travis and I have no idea whether he/she will be born in the US or Canada. I am flying up to High River to visit him the 12th-17th. We haven't seen each other in two months so the days until the trip are crawling by... Good news is the baby is doing fantastic! We just had our 7 month check up and the doctor said the baby is "right on track" and couldn't be more healthy. (what a relief)

So I have started this blog in order to stay in touch with both friends and family from Canada and the US. I guess in a way this is a modern day diary. I am not really good at writing in baby books so I figure this is something our baby will have as they get older.