I am filled with immense gratitude today. It is amazing to me that I have been given so many blessings in my life. Simply being born into my family was a tremendous blessing. The love that I share with my parents, siblings, and extended family members is truly unique.
Today started out with an amazing blessing. My mom had planned to come down and just help me do things around the house. The simplest chores have me overwhelmed these days and because she loves me, she spent her day off driving to Orlando and cleaning toilets. My sweet sister surprised me by joining my mom and folding all my laundry and hanging with my children so I could go potty with the door shut and take the dog to the vet. She also brought me homemade hummus and homemade Oreo cookies. Both were delicious. Mom brought a cooler of homemade food from Dad: lasagna, meatballs and sauce, split pea soup, and chicken noodle soup. He spent the weekend cooking some of my favorites so my freezer is full for baby's arrival. I am crying just writing about my love and gratitude for my sweet family.
About lunchtime, Jared called with what he said was amazing news. I really had no idea what it could be. He proceeded to tell me that his company is trying to be more competitive with salaries in order to reduce turnover and develop longer-term employees. He stated he was getting a significant raise and I was a little surprised because he was just promoted and I felt that raise was significant. He received nearly a 30% raise today! I was crying instantaneously. We have been working hard to budget and prepare for our future. With a new baby coming in a few weeks, we were getting a little nervous about what would really happen if I did not go back to work. It just seemed impossible for me to quit completely. Well, now I can check that worry off my list. Today's experiences reminded me that when you act in faith (in our case, having another baby when it logically and financially didn't seem possible), the Lord is ready and waiting to bless you. I am extremely grateful to Heavenly Father. I know that He loves me, He knows me, and He is looking out for me. My cup truly runneth over.
Monday, January 21, 2013
Sunday, January 13, 2013
I Get a BABY at the end...
Nevertheless, I am about to complain about pregnancy. You've been fairly warned.
I am so tired. I feel like a zombie. I walk into rooms and can't remember why. I get heartburn from drinking water. I am in constant pain and feel like an old, arthritic woman every time I get up. I hobble and I waddle. Today, I was told, "Sister Krause, you're huge!" Direct quote. Seriously, I know I"m huge, I'm the one carrying all the extra weight. The rub there is that I've only gained about 25 pounds so far, which for me is not a whole lot. My sweet boys make me feel cute, at least. Jared only has compliments and today Grayson told me how pretty I looked on our way to church. All four of them love to touch my belly and feel the baby kick. Grayson and Landon also love to smooch my belly, which always turns into them blowing raspberries on my belly. It's super cute.
It's not all bad, but it has been extremely difficult this time around. At 8 months pregnant, I am still throwing up. What is that?! Despite all my complaints, the truth is I need to knock it off because I GET A BABY AT THE END! That is the greatest blessing and that is not lost on me. Ultimately, I am grateful for all my mindlessness, discomfort, and pain. I just hope the next 6.5 weeks don't feel like a lifetime.
Yesterday, my mom and two of my aunts, Aunt Margo and Aunt Teresa, came over to help me recover our dining room chairs. Having them here was balm for my soul. There's something about a hug from your mom. If I could get a couple more in the next several weeks, I think I can make it.
I am so tired. I feel like a zombie. I walk into rooms and can't remember why. I get heartburn from drinking water. I am in constant pain and feel like an old, arthritic woman every time I get up. I hobble and I waddle. Today, I was told, "Sister Krause, you're huge!" Direct quote. Seriously, I know I"m huge, I'm the one carrying all the extra weight. The rub there is that I've only gained about 25 pounds so far, which for me is not a whole lot. My sweet boys make me feel cute, at least. Jared only has compliments and today Grayson told me how pretty I looked on our way to church. All four of them love to touch my belly and feel the baby kick. Grayson and Landon also love to smooch my belly, which always turns into them blowing raspberries on my belly. It's super cute.
It's not all bad, but it has been extremely difficult this time around. At 8 months pregnant, I am still throwing up. What is that?! Despite all my complaints, the truth is I need to knock it off because I GET A BABY AT THE END! That is the greatest blessing and that is not lost on me. Ultimately, I am grateful for all my mindlessness, discomfort, and pain. I just hope the next 6.5 weeks don't feel like a lifetime.
Yesterday, my mom and two of my aunts, Aunt Margo and Aunt Teresa, came over to help me recover our dining room chairs. Having them here was balm for my soul. There's something about a hug from your mom. If I could get a couple more in the next several weeks, I think I can make it.
30 of 30 Things
Just realized I have one thing left. Since I can't start and not finish, I must tell you what I hope to be remembered for. I'm supposed to come up with 10, but I'm not sure if that is going to happen.
This question makes me think about my sweet Nana, Grace. I remember her for her kindness, her cute laugh, her thoughtfulness, her silly rhymes and phrases, her delicious meals, her love of and dedication to family, her love of and dedication to the Lord, and that being with her always felt like home. I would like to be remembered for the same things.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Happy New Year!
The New Year is starting off right in the Krause Haus. Our landlord is in a particularly generous mood and agreed to put in a working dishwasher. After a year a half of hand washing dishes, this is a luxury I miss very much. Very excited to have a few extra minutes throughout the day. Also found a sweet deal on some mildly used fencing on Craigslist so I can finally fence in the entire yard and let the boys run wild and free outside instead of in. Here are a few highlights from 2012.
Landon's little personality continues to come out. He is pretty hilarious. If he is teasing you or knows he's doing something he shouldn't, I'll hear "Ha-ha," kind of like Nelson from the Simpson's, coming from across the house. He loves to laugh and has the best manners. Here he is getting tickled by cousin Lyla's curly ponytail.
We enjoyed a few visits to Disney World thanks to Norb and the Cottles. Very good times!
Jared got a new job working at Symantec. He started in January 2012 and was promoted in October 2012. We have been truly blessed in this area of our lives. The week of Father's Day we surprised him with lunch and IBC Root beer.
We thoroughly enjoyed our Orlando Science Center Annual Pass this year!
Jared traveled to San Diego for Gordon and Morgan's wedding. We missed him, but he had a blast.
Jared and I celebrated 7 years of marriage at Universal's Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Ethan started preschool and played soccer this year. He has made some great new friends and is becoming more and more independent. He is even starting to button his own shirts. He had a lot of excitement this year for sure.
Grayson's vocabulary truly improved and he continues to be my sweetest, snuggliest boy. He also learned to go potty like a big boy this year and can't wait to go to school and play soccer like his big brother, Ethan.
We are expecting our fourth baby and she is a girl! Very excited about this one. Here I am at 32 weeks. Baby girl should be here sometime in the next 8 weeks. 2013 is bound to be as adventurous, rewarding, and exhausting as 2012 was. My cup truly runneth over.
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