More Up North

who loves the swing??

play time!

bucket boy

father and son

Mommy and son

a different view

Living in community has been a good experience thus far. It's funny though how everyone asks, "So how is living in community going anyway?" Sort of that- now that you're actually doing this crazy thing, it can't be working- can it? To which we all respond- it's going really well, we're enjoying it! We all get along really well, and everyone seems to do more than their share in house duties, etc... It's great to see us work out our selfish desires for the greater good of the house- and to be submissive to Christ's calling. We aren't doing these things perfectly, but are doing them- which makes it easier to forgive one another when we fall short.

Living with another married couple- Chris and Leigh- has been an experience too. It's so interesting to see how they interact with one another- deal with conflict, demonstrate their love and affection... etc... None of these things have been negative- but just very different than how David and I do things. Sometimes I do get jealous. Chris and Leigh are actually quite romantic- On date night they go to nice restaurants, or when date night occurs at home, bring champagne and chocolate covered strawberries up to their room. It was their 2nd anniversary this week and Chris bought Leigh a dozen beautiful red roses which are carefully displayed on the dining room table for all to enjoy- he cooked a delicious dinner for her and tonight is taking her to Coach Insignia- the 2nd highest restaurant in the US located at the top of the Renaissance Center. I am so excited for them and it has been really fun to celebrate in God's uniting of two very special people who love one another very much. I feel so grateful to be part of the celebration.
David and I are the opposite. David doesn't like to celebrate holidays- no Valentine celebrations- and we'll be apart for our 4th anniversary in June- (we were apart last year too). When I bring these things up to David he says things like, "You don't even like to dress up and go out to expensive restaurants! And you would rather save the money from flowers!" And I know that it's true. I would rather save our money and travel if possible. He also says things like, "You're a hippie, and hippies don't do stuff like that!" :) Also, I always feel guilty spending lots of money on things because I think of all the people who live in poverty and if we redistributed our money there wouldn't be poverty- and so I feel an inherent responsibility to redistribute. So I guess in some ways I am grieving the call we have received from Christ to live frugally (even though I sin against this call a lot). So I am not sure why I feel jealous. Do I really want David to take me to a fancy restaurant for dinner?
In contrast, the thing that David and I do very well is travel together. I have loved our adventures- taking a 24 hour bus ride from Nogales to Fresnillo and a 35 hour bus ride from Mexico City to Guatemala City. We have traveled around Spain twice. Been to Jamaica and around the US. I love experiencing the world with David. It's what brought us together- our greatest thing in common. So I guess as we have settled down into medical school and having children (which has kept me from traveling to Haiti and Honduras with him) we have to find ways to connect and enjoy new adventures where we are. Does that mean the traditional dinners or a night at dancing? I am not sure. But I think I am longing for something. As we grow into our roles as parents and more stable adults, it will be important to keep the romance without the extravagance. Has this been a transition for those of you with kids? How did you make sure to keep the romance? (And I don't mean- you know- I mean just spending quality time together!)
Anyway, living in community is cool and it has been changing me.

Have you heard?

Bentley is going to be a BIG brother! Yep- you heard it first here. :) Well, not really- since most of you know. :) I was originally given Dec. 19 as a due date, but now it's Jan. 3. Either way- I am happy to be pregnant again. I haven't been sick- just tired- so that's good. Bentley is getting really excited to be a brother- I just know it! So anyway, there isn't much to say- just join us in praying through the 1st trimester. And here are pictures to prove I am pregnant!!! 

The official pee stick I took a few weeks ago!!! Thanks to the DOLLAR STORE!
The Ultra Sound picture from yesterday- it's not as good as Bentley's was- we decided they used the lower grade- subsequent children model! 

Big Brother to be!!! 
How cute!

Family pics

My cutie pie

Reflections on my Mom :)

Becoming a Mom has been amazing. The last nine months have been the best. Anyway, I just wanted to reflect on the great things my mom did for me that I hope to do for my children:

-Eating Lucky Charms together
-Remembering her making delicious dinners for me and always valuing sitting at the dining room table for meals
-Going to the mall to find outfits- even when she didn't have much money we found great things together
-Playing card games like cribbage
-Going to the movies together- we LOVE watching movies together
-My mom has this really welcoming voice whenever I call, "Hi Doll!!!" or "Heeeyyyy!!!" She always makes me feel like she's excited to hear from me.
-We enjoy taking walks together and having great conversations
-I love that I can tell my mom anything
-Whenever I am with my mom I always feel like she wants to be with me and she makes me feel special.

Every child longs to be close to their mother. They want to feel like their mom values and adores them.
So I hope to show Bentley and my other children that they are so special to me and that I love and adore them. :)

Happy Mother's Day, MOM!!

moving in...

We moved into our place on Saturday. It went really well. We had SOOO much help. Friends from church arrived at Matt and Lisa's at 10:45 AM to unload all of their things, and then we drove over to our house (about a mile away) to unload all of our things. Matt and Lisa's things were in storage in Ypsilanti- so we shared a moving truck. It worked out really well. The hardest part is getting everything unpacked! I am past the point of being overwhelmed. The kitchen things are mostly put away... our bedroom is closer too... and the bathroom is done... we're down to all the random things.... which is why I am taking a break and writing this blog instead of working! Saturday night we all went and got tacos in Mexicantown. They are sooo good! You can get a taco for a dollar... and they're so authentic! Yummy!So anyway, it's been good. It's fun to wake up in the morning and have breakfast with lots of people around and to just know there's someone to talk to most of the time. :)
Alrighty, well I better get unpacking. Pictures to come soon!

swine flu blah blah blah

The BBC just put out an article about how this things is bogus. Of course they can't say that though! I don't even know why I am posting that- it's not like I have to convince any of you! But just in case...

Anyway, the issue now isn't about people dying of this ridiculous flu, but that the Mexican economy is tanking.... which is a big deal because now we're talking about 100 million lives.