RAMBLINGS

This week has been a challenge. I have a lot of fears associated with becoming a parent. And it seems like everyone has advice. Sometimes, that's great. Other times, it's like I just want someone to listen, ya know? I have great friends and they all listen, but some people who are not as close to me, and who have good intentions, tire me out and overwhelm me with all of their advice. I knew this would happen, but it's just affecting me right now.

Greg is my rock. When I get nervous about something regarding the baby, he reminds me that God ordained this time to be THEE time for us to be pregnant. Greg reminds me that God will take care of our every need. The biggest worry on my brain right now is where are we going to live? I'm starting to have that nesting feeling that many mothers get, but I don't feel I can nest where we are because we are moving before the baby gets here. At least, that's the plan. I don't know. I just don't feel like anything is settled or calm. There is a lot of transition right now and in the months to come.

I like change. Change is good. And I feel like I'm getting closer to the Lord because I have to rely on Him more right now than perhaps I felt I had to before. I was home from work yesterday and caught Joyce Meyers on TV. I'm not a fan, per se, but I did listen to her sermon. It was all about God's love for us as individuals. She said to look in the mirror and say "God loves you." That sounds kind of "Stuart Smalley" to me, but it did stike a cord. (I didn't actually GO to the mirror, but I did say it to myself.) God loves YOU. God loves ME. So much so that he rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17).

We have a friend whose 4-year-old daughter was just diagnosed with Leukemia. She is having to undergo chemo and the whole bit. Why do people hesitate to tell people they're pregnant before the end of the 1st trimester? I mean, bad things can and do happen all the time. Sounds pessimistic, I know. But my point is that the fact that bad things happen reiterates the point to me how much we need to cling to the One who is ultimately in control. I don't know why Carlita died at 39. I don't know why a 4-year-old has Leukemia. I don't know where we're going to live in the coming months. I don't know if I'll be able to stay home with my baby. But I do know the One who knows. And He has to be enough for me.

WE'LL MISS YOU, CARLITA

On Tuesday night, my friend Carlita died. She had been battling brain tumors and they recently found more on her spine. Her daughter, Madeline (15), and her husband, Aaron, were at her side. She will also be missed by her 4-year-old son, Micah. What do you say when a 39-year-old wife, mother, sister, and friend dies at such an early age? Right now, I can only say I will miss you. You were special. Your smile lit up a room and your sense of who you were was inspiring. You had a curiosity that showed how intelligent you were. You were a Christian, but never in a disengenuine way. You had a hunger and thirst to be closer to God. And you always had a smile, even the last time you came to church, which was just a month ago. We laughed about how awesome your hot pink kerchief was! I wish I'd had more time to get to know you better. I will miss you.

FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN!!

Jojo, Jen, Weeza, Jerm, and I all went to a restaurant last night called "Fire on the Mountain." They specialize in chicken wings. The night prior, they had emailed everyone on their email list saying that on Tuesday, wings would be 25 cents a piece! WHA?? HUH?? I'm not a wing fan, necessarily, but that's cheap! Or cheep, if you prefer! And I found out that they give pregnant women FREE chili cheese fries! Don't worry, I didn't partake. It actually kinda makes my stomach turn. But isn't that cool that they offer it?! And...how would you PROVE you're pregnant? Anyway, if you have a hankering, check out Fire on the Mountain!

MY NEW NIECE!

Parker Michelle Yoo was born on June 30th. She is doing so well! She knows what she wants and she wants it RIGHT NOW. But once she gets it, she's good to go. Sounds liker her Auntie and her mom! :-) I love you, Parker dear!

1st PICTURE!

Please to enjoy!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! (yesterday)

Greg and I celebrated 10 years yesterday! Can you believe it?? I should say, Greg, CHRISSY, and I celebrated 10 years. We became a family, officially, on July 10, 1998. Chrissy was 9 years old. She was so beautiful as my Jr. Bridesmaid. She smiled the whole way down the aisle and didn't wrinkle her dress all day! :-) After the ceremony, we were all outside in the receving line. I looked down at Chrissy, who was right beside me, and she was crying. I immediately became concerned and asked, "Sweetie, what's wrong?" She looked at me and said, "I'm - I'm just so happy." That was one of the most precious moments of my life.

And here's another precious moment. I asked Greg if I could share this with all of you & he said yes. Here's what he wrote on one of my anniversary cards yesterday:

Hi mama,
I know I'm young and very little, but I wanted you to know that I love you. I'm gonna hang on real tight and grow big and strong so that I can be with you and daddy. I love you.
(heart),
B.A.B.Y.
Baby Ain't Born Yet

I'm married to the most wonderful person on the planet. I feel sorry for y'all because I got him! :-)

What. Is going. On.

I work in sales, specifically telephone sales. I sell classified ads over the phone. 95% of our business comes from people calling us to place an ad vs. us calling out. So one would think it is safe to assume that when people call us, they are doing so because they WANT to. Today, I have had nothing but people who sound anything BUT happy to call me.

It started at 8 this morning with a complaint call from someone whose primary language is not English. Apparently, they called in last week with changes to their ad. My associate read back the changes at that time, but the customer called today to say that the changes are incorrect. Oy! My associate isn't here today so I took the call. Oh man - you can be SURE that I read EVERY detail back to her. I made NOTES in the computer. I told her EVERY stinkin' paper her ad is going to be in. I read EVERY date it's running. If she calls next week saying it's wrong, I'm going to freak out!

Just now, I had a call from someone who wanted to place a garage sale ad. They usually range in price from $15- $30, depending on how many lines the ad is. Well, this ad was quite lengthy and as she spoke, I could tell she was JUST IRritated. So as we went, I tried to be extra friendly, saying things like:

Yes, we usually can't do that, but I'll make an exception for you, is that S as in Sam or F as in Frank, how do you spell that, let me read this back to you so that I'm certain I get it exactly right, etc.

At the end of me typing the ad, I told her the price would be $31. She shouted, "Forget it!"

I said, "Would you like to shorten the ad to reduce the cost because we certainly can do that."

She goes, "You cost 3 TIMES AS MUCH AS THE NEIGHBORING PAPER!"

I said, "I don't know if this helps, but it's my understanding that THAT paper hasn't raised their rates since the 80's. We hadn't either, until this January. We just couldn't continue to give away ads. We're sorry."

"WELL, THIS IS RIDICULOUS!"

I said in a very friendly, empathetic voice, "I hear that you are frustrated. What can I do to help?"

"Well, this isn't very USER-FRIENDLY."

I empathetically said, "I understand. How can we improve the process? We really appreciate your suggestions and we want to make this better for you."

She goes, "JUST FORGET IT!"

Ok. Folks, when you've had a bad day or the heat is getting to you or you've changed 5 poopie diapers or your debit card was stolen or WHATEVER the issue is that's put you in a bad mood, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE try not to take it out on a service that YOU called and that YOU want, especially when that service is REALLY trying to work with you. Remember that on the other end of the phone is a person too, just like you. Let's treat each other well. We're all we've got!

YAY!!!!!!!!!

It's amazing! It's wonderful! It's almost unbelievable!
WE'RE PREGNANT!!!!!!!

We found out on the 4th of July, which is a special day for us because that's when Greg proposed. It's also one week before our 10th wedding anniversary. I did a test the night before & it was positive. But I didn't believe it! So the next morning, we took another test. It too was positive. Greg and I sat there and stared at it.
Me: Should we believe it?
Him: I don't know. Should we get another test?
Me: I don't know. I think we can believe it, right?
Him: Yeah. I think we can believe it.
Me: YAY! Now I can cry! (tears of joy, of course)
Greg's been carrying that 2nd test around with him ever since!

We are so thankful that God has blessed us with a pregnancy. (I can't even believe I'M typing those words!) Please pray that it is a healthy, viable pregnancy and that the baby is born happy and healthy in late March! Thank you all sooooo much for your prayers and encouragement these last 2 years. We are shocked and overjoyed. Oh. And we already "know" it's a girl.