Nate's New Hobby...

Nate has decided to take up a new hobby...Rugby. I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant at first to let him do this (like he doesn't have a choice in the matter:)). Mostly because I don't understand the game of Rugby at all. I have watched a few games and I still don't get it. In fact I find it to be a very odd game. And it scares me that there is tackling involved but no helmet or pads. The funny thing is Nate doesn't really understand the game either. He is catching on, but when he first started his coach would stand on the sidelines and tell him what to do throughout the whole game. It made me laugh because this is how I played soccer when I was little. My dad would walk up and down the sidelines and tell me what to do.

To be fair Nate really is good at the game. He is famous for his tall skinny legs that can run really fast. It has been fun to watch him play. It also is a good outlet from school for him. But I do still fear that he will get hurt because Nate's insurance isn't the best. And because that would be sad if he got hurt:).

I tried to copy some pictures off of facebook but couldn't figure out how to do it so you will have to click on this weblink to see some pictures of Nate in action. One tough dude if you ask me!

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=350466&id=505944522&l=7b79a

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=350474&id=505944522&l=7b79a

Congrats to the new Lawyer!

My sister Janelle passed the Bar!! She is now considered a genius. Congratulations to her and we are so excited and happy for her. What an accomplishment (and relief). Well done Attorney Janelle, well done. We are going to need a good lawyer if I ever make it through med school!

Per Maggie's Request...

This may be the last picture I post because the bigger I get the less cute this old belly of mine gets.

You Never Know Who is Watching...

I want to mention quickly something that happened to me the other day. I comment on it only to point out that we can never know when we are having an impact on someone else's life, and that we need to be on our toes at all time.

There is this girl Kwanda that would come to almost every group exercise class I taught at the gym...no matter what gym (we have three in the area and one is really far away) or class format I was teaching. And she would always make sure to thank me after class for the workout. Last week she came to me after class to let me know that this would be her last time because she and her husband were moving to California. She proceeded to tell me that she really appreciated my classes and would miss them a lot. She started to tear up as she told me that she had lost her job a few months back and had been having a really hard time with it. She then told me that coming to my classes really helped her get through it because she would see me working hard even though I was pregnant. She said "I know you must be tired but you keep working hard and that really helped me keep going even when I wanted to be down on myself". I was amazed I had such an impact on her.

Again I don't share this with you to brag about myself but rather to just remind us all that we can and do have an impact on those we come in contact with each day. Even when we don't realize it. We never know how much the simple things we do each day will mean to others. Hopefully you will remember this as you go about your day feeling like you do the same thing day in and day out, and wonder if what you are doing is making a difference. Because it is.

I also really appreciate the fact that Kwanda let me know how much she appreciated me. There were many days that I didn't want to be teaching. I was tired. I put on my happy face and pretended I was excited to be bouncing around like an annoying aerobics instructor. It is nice to know that our actions are appreciated every once in a while. I hope we will remember to thank those around us that do the small things that make a big difference.

The Windy City...

Nate and I took a little weekend trip with Matt and Erin Pitcher (friend's from school) to Chicago last Thursday-Sunday for the end part of Spring Break. We really wanted to go somewhere warmer, but all the warm places were too far away. So instead we picked a colder place than Des Moines, Iowa. It was a fun trip and it felt nice to get away, but I think if I ever go back to Chicago I will make sure it is in the Spring or Summer. This is the City Skyline from Navy Pier. Nate took this picture on Thursday afternoon when the weather was actually pretty nice. This would be the skyline on day 2 of our adventure. It was a blizzard all day long. Apparently the airport was shut down the whole day because it was so bad outside. We spent most of the day doing inside activities.
Yummy famous deep dish Chicago Pizza. I have to admit this was one of the best pizzas I have ever eaten. The thing was massive! Nate didn't want to get his picture taken which would explain the angry face.
We stopped in for some dessert at this diner that Liz (another friend from school) had recommended. The place is known for providing poor service. In fact our waiter warned us at the begginning of our meal that the service was a little unorthodox, and not to be offended. It has got to be a great place to be a server because you would get to say all the things you wish you could say to your costomers at any other restaraunt. Since we only got dessert (cheapest thing on the menu) our serve decided to bring some attention to us. He dimmed the lights and out came this spot light. The four of us sat there like idiots while our server proceeded to tell everyone in the restaraunt that we were the 4 cheapest people he knew. It was funny and embarressing. The picture of me is hideous but I like telling the stories with pictures and this is all I had.
We rounded out the trip with a visit to Blue Man Group. Have you ever seen them...? Kind of weird if you ask me. It was very entertaining I must admit. The trip was a blast and I wish we could have stayed a little longer. But back to life it is!

I am still anxious to take off to somewhere warm. Especially since it is snowing again today here in Iowa. Oh well, one day!

This last Saturday Ashley Rencher and Nikki Hook threw a baby shower for me. They did such a great job. Everything was so cute and perfect. Many friends came and gave me and baby so many wonderful gifts. Our baby girl is going to be the best dressed gal in town. I can't wait to play dress up with our little one! One of the games we played was the one where everyone had to guess how big around my belly is by measuring it with toilet paper squares. Turns out I am 9 squares around right now. I am keeping the 9 squares to compare it to how big I am minutes before I go into labor. I already know I am going to be huge!

I really appreciate everyone for taking the time to come and celebrate this exciting time with me.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

I only highlight my birthday because I want to make sure that my wonderful husband gets a little of the credit he deserves. To say the least he spoiled me all day long. I woke up to an itinerary taped to the door. He had our whole day planned out hour by hour. And I was not allowed to do any chores of any kind all day long.


We started off with breakfast, which was homemade by Nate. We gorged on French toast fritters, scrambled eggs, hash browns, strawberries, pineapple and orange juice. It was yummy!!!

Next we tried to play a little tennis. Unfortunately all the tennis courts were covered with snow. We ended up taking a walk around Gray’s Lake. Nate wanted to make it more of a jog, but my bladder didn’t like that idea much. The weather was amazing, which in and of itself was a great birthday present. It felt so good to be outside and not freeze. When we came back home Nate gave me the best massage ever. I beg him everyday to rub my shoulders and feet. I know he doesn’t like to do it so it was a great present for him to spend a good half and hour treating me like royalty. We just relaxed together until it was time to go to dinner. We tried out this fabulous restaurant that one of my friends recommended called Trostel’s Dish. http://www.dishtrostels.com/index.html. It is a fun, trendy place that serves smaller appetizers instead of bigger main dishes. The food was amazing! We even splurged and ordered strawberry daiquiris that were yummy too! I definitely recommend this place to anyone wanting a fun special place to eat out.

We saved dessert for home because Nate made the best chocolate cake with Oreo ice cream in the middle, chocolate frosting, and strawberries. I had no idea Nate was so talented in the kitchen. Trust me, it tasted as good as it looks.

I was also spoiled by many presents, phone calls and text messages from friends and family all day long. Thanks to everyone for making me feel special!