When's Tenley Coming?

The question of the day right?


Well, Jared and I just got back from our appointment with the Dr. and if nothing happens before Thursday night we will go into the hospital Thursday at 10:30pm.  They will give me a medicine that get's me ready to be induced and then Friday morning they will start with the Pitocin that will actually induce labor.   Sometimes people go into labor just after getting the medicine that I will get Thursday night and some get Pitocin for two days before they have a baby.  So it is still anybody's guess when this little lady will show up.  


It still doesn't seem real, but it is becoming more clear that this is going to happen. :0)


Anyways that's an update on Tenley's arrival.  We will update things on Facebook as far as when she gets here.

Waiting

(More Duke & Tenley Love) 

Well Tenley's due date has come and gone...no real surprise.  I have been planning from the beginning to go late and my life has taught me that God's timing is far better then anything I could think of so it's ok.  I think people around me are more anxious then I am.   Sure, I am excited to meet the little one, but I don't feel anxious or annoyed or anything that she isn't here yet.  It is what it is, and I'm just going with the flow.  I appreciated being able to be outside on the long weekend and not in the hospital, spending time with family, and obviously Duke is loving the extra days of being the only kid.  I mowed the lawn yesterday and enjoyed not having to schedule it around when Tenley was sleeping.  Jared and I have enjoyed sleeping in and relaxing in our quiet home.  So things are great.  We are ready when she is ready, but she's on her own time...I like that.  Also, I am able to get more things done for my real estate business which is good.  And most importantly I have the "I'm pregnant" excuse for a little longer to eat ice cream, brownies, and whatever else - cause as my dad said "no one's gonna tell a 9 month pregnant lady they can't"... PERFECT - I'll take advantage of that :0)


I was going to post a picture of me and pictures of Tenley's completed room, but again I can't find the cord to hook the camera to the computer...oops.  I seriously have looked everywhere, Jared can't find it either.  This could damper putting some pics of Tenley on here too.  So sorry...no pics right now.


Anyways, I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!  I hope you all told someone that you are thankful for their service for our country.  


I have a dr appt today where they are planning on doing a test to make sure everything is ok with Tenley and we will talk about if/when I will be induced.  


Oh other exciting news: Duke wend stand up paddleboarding this weekend...he's so adventurous! haha.


Have a great day!

Let It Go

There are a few things in my life that have made me a better me and made life easier in general.  I think it was during Semester At Sea that I first had this realization - it's something that you always know and might even say a lot but actually implementing it into your life is seriously life changing.  It was later reinforced in my life when Jared and I lived in Seattle.  It was so beaten into me in Seattle that it is definitely part of my life now...not just something I think about and try to do...usually it's just part of my life and I am thankful for all the hard lessons that has made this part of my life.

Know what you can control and what you can't and let go of the things you can't.

There are so many things in life that people get upset about or anxious or worry about that they have no control over.  Do what you can, but beyond that you can't control it so stop trying.  Luckily I know that God is ultimately in control and so I just have faith that he will use things in my life in some positive way.  I might not see it right away, but that's ok I just need to keep trusting, having faith and going for it.  Worrying to me is pointless it does nothing but ruin the moment at hand.  As long as you are prepared for whatever it is in any way you can then that's all you can do.

I am a very organized person, but I am also a go-with-the-flow person and laid-back.  If I know things need to get done and I can do them, then it drives me crazy to sit back and wait for someone to do them, or not just get it done.  If, however, there is something going on that I can't control then I am perfectly happy to sit back and go with the flow.

It bothers me so much when people complain and have negative attitudes.  One of my "favorites" is at restaurants - people get so upset with servers and if the food isn't brought out when they think it should be or something is not cooked right, or they are out of something.  - Who cares, is this seriously something you want to waste your time and energy on.  I am sure the people at the restaurant weren't waiting for you to come in so they could ruin your day.  You can control how you react to the situation, and if it's really bothering you then don't go out to eat.  You don't need to ruin someone else's day.  And most importantly you complaining or being rude to that person isn't going to change the situation - you are just bringing down another human being, and why would you do that...seriously.

Negative people really bother me, they bring me down and I think it's usually because they are insecure, need to prove something to the world, and don't realize what they can control and what they can't.

Sometimes I lose sight of controlling what I can control and need to relax ... this is when Jim Brickman comes into play, and other music.  Music is a big part of my life and I have playlists for all differnt moods and situations.  One of my playlists helps me to remember and realize the important things in life and let go of the rest.  I am so thankful to have learned this lesson - it wasn't easy it took getting a lot of punches in the face, but my life and stress has gotten 1000 times better after truly implementing and believing this.

(this Zac Brown Band song isn't really even on my playlist that I just spoke of, but I like the chorus and it goes with what I am saying)

"Keep your heart above your head and your eyes wide open, so this world can't find a way to leave you cold.  And know your not the only ship out on the ocean, so save your strength for things that you can change, forgive the ones you can't, you gotta let 'em go."
 - Zac Brown Band - Let It Go

I truly believe that you can choose to be happy and enjoy something everyday.  It is a choice - maybe you are in a bad spot or have to go do something you hate, prepare a special treat for yourself or a reward for later that day or week, something to look forward to.  Or bring something with you that will make you smile, wear a new pair of socks that make you happy - Control what you can.  Life is to short to let other people control your happiness, don't be a victim.

Going Out Week

Last week I declared it "Going Out Week" to celebrate the fact that we can go out whenever we want to because we have no kids.

This was Jared's dream come true - I knew he would love it which is 98% of why I declared the week so.  He loves going out to eat, but as previously stated in this blog we hardly ever do.

• Monday we went to 84th Street Pub & Grill - great place for burgers and in my case grilled cheese sandwiches.  We got dessert too and it was glorious!
• Tuesday we went out to eat with our friends Nate and Bethany to Brick Road Pizza in East Town - again Fabulous, then we continued the night with some Mini Golf at Craig's Cruisers (I won) and capped off the night with Ice Cream from Houseman's.
• Wednesday I told Jared I couldn't take all this eating out, but he took me to the Old Time Diner in Hudsonville and it was just what I needed.  It is a small hometown restaurant and they served breakfast all day, so I got french toast, hash browns, and hot chocolate...mmmmmm.
• Thursday I really couldn't take eating out anymore so I was going to have cereal before we headed out and then just nibble on Jared's meal.  We tried to gather friends to go out to eat with us, but they were all busy and it ended up that Jared had to do some work from home, so we ended up just going out for ice cream.
• Friday to cap off the week of GOING OUT we headed to Chicago for the night.  Duke and I picked up Jared from work and went to Chicago.  We stayed at the W Lakeshore which is right on the lake looking over Navy Pier. We walked and explored Navy Pier and ate from little restaurants along the way.  Duke had a great time as like 22 people stopped to pet him, ask what kind of dog he was, how well behaved he was etc...just another day in the life of Duke.  We were able to go swimming in the hotel which was AMAZING all this baby weight just lifted right off of me, I wish I could walk around in a pool all day!
• Saturday we had big plans to go walk around Millennium Park, play, and relax, but it was raining so I laid in bed drifting in and out of consciousness and Jared lounged and watched tv.  We got room service and it was a great relaxing morning.  OH, duke got treats delivered to him on a pillow too...spoiled doggy.

Duke wasn't the only one spoiled - when we got to the hotel this flower and note were waiting for me from my hubby :0)

Overall it was a GREAT week.  We are trying to cherish these last days with just our family of 3.  I know Tenley will be a great addition, but I will miss these days. I don't like the end of things so I get sad thinking about it, even though I know I will be happy with what is to come.

Not Much Going On...Yay

Lately Jared and I have been busy, but not overly busy - which has been great.  A few of his commitments are done, so that has freed up a couple nights of week just to hang out and get things done.  


We started Geocaching and I think it could turn into something we really enjoy - Duke LOVES IT...he just gets to run around wildly in the woods while Jared and I wander, seemingly aimlessly at times, to find the cach.  


I am also looking forward to summer when there are all the outdoor festivals, farmers markets, and art shows.  We love going to just wander around art fairs, watch parades, and participate in community events.  


In a couple weekends is the Grand Haven Kite Show - which I think is super fun!  Go to the beach and watch people fly huge kites.   I love flying kites, my dad always had some trick kites so we would fly them on the beach all the time...I should really get back to doing that.  


Life has bee pretty relaxed lately, hanging out with friends and playing games, taking naps, and going fun places with Duke.


I feel like everything is in order as much as it can be for Tenley.  Yesterday I had a moment of terror in which I thought...we are having a kid!  The moment left as quickly as it came and I was greatful, no sense in worrying about it now...it's going to happen.  


Jared and I enjoyed what is sure to be one of our last Saturday mornings of laziness and sleeping in.  Duke woke up last, of course, and slithered his way up the bed to be cuddled while we all just laid around - it was great.   I'm gonna miss that.  

Well that's about it, nothing too exciting here, but I am glad about that...the calm before the storm probably.