My mom: "Jen, why don't you update your blog. A lot has happened."
Me: "I know, Mom. I'll get to it soon."
One month later....
My mom: "You really need to update your blog."
Me: "Maybe this week."
Two weeks later....
My mom: "Jen, your blog."
Me: "Tomorrow."
Stay tuned to see the surprise ending to this thrilling story.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
North Carolina
This photo just about sums up our vacation in North Carolina with my family, from June 13 to June 20. We had a great time!
After the disappointing job news from the previous week, I was in need of a vacation! Jason and I had not taken a week off together since we went on a cruise with his family in March of last year. And, it was Ben's first vacation. Of course, like his mom, he loves the beach. Well... at least he liked napping at the beach. He wasn't so much a fan of the sand and the crashing waves. Every time I tried to stick his feet in the ocean he cried. But, we did find out that he loves swimming in the pool. And what's cuter than a 6-month-old in swim trunks?
I am so thankful to my parents for providing us the opportunity to take such a wonderful vacation. We could not have done it with our own means. It was also great to spend some family time together, especially since my brother has officially moved to Colorado. I know Ben is going to miss having his Uncle Matt around. Well, I guess we'll just have to go out there for a visit :)
You can check out more photos from our trip here. I'm missing the beach already!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
A Confession
"Bitterness is a habit that can seriously hinder our spiritual journey. When life becomes difficult, when it doesn't seem as if God is providing for our needs, when we're not getting what we want when we want it, we have a decision to make. We can hold onto our faith and trust that God has an answer in mind, or we can gripe and moan and complain and let our souls become embittered. Expecting an oasis, but finding a bitter stream? Don't lose sight of the grace of God." (Penelope J. Stokes, Beside A Quiet Stream)
Confession:
I've been wading in the bitter stream. I found out yesterday that I did not get a school counseling job that I really wanted and thought I should have got. I had all these plans of what would happen after I got the job. We could move out of our little apartment we've been trapped in for three years, look for a house, Jason could explore other career options, etc. In a nutshell, we could move on with our lives! But, wait. Not so fast, Jen. Your plans are on hold.
Not only was a disappointed about not getting the job, but I felt personally rejected because I had worked as an intern for the school for the past year. Now I am questioning myself and my abilities. Do I even have what it takes to be a counselor? How do others really perceive me? Am I capable? Will I ever make it to where I want to be? I feel like a failure.
On top of that, I'm also guilty of coveting what others have. Terrible, I know. I look at most of my friends my age, employed at a job of their choice, living comfortably on two nice incomes, buying homes, and enjoying the freedom that comes with financial security. Meanwhile, I feel trapped by a lack of resources. Jason always reminds me how blessed we are compared to the majority of the people in this world, and I know it's true. I have no right to complain. All of our needs are provided for and we are blessed with family who help provide us with even more. But I still get sucked into the "poor me" mentality, wishing we could afford more and do more. It's a terrible, awful flaw of mine - this obsession with wanting more - one that I need to change. I know that life is not about the things we have, and I don't want Ben to be taught that way. Still, it is something that I am struggling with.
I'm hoping I'll read this post in the future and think to myself, "Why did you ever doubt? Oh you of little faith. Didn't you know that the Lord would provide?"
But first, I'm going to get out of this bitter stream and search for an oasis in the grace of God, which I desperately need.
Confession:
I've been wading in the bitter stream. I found out yesterday that I did not get a school counseling job that I really wanted and thought I should have got. I had all these plans of what would happen after I got the job. We could move out of our little apartment we've been trapped in for three years, look for a house, Jason could explore other career options, etc. In a nutshell, we could move on with our lives! But, wait. Not so fast, Jen. Your plans are on hold.
Not only was a disappointed about not getting the job, but I felt personally rejected because I had worked as an intern for the school for the past year. Now I am questioning myself and my abilities. Do I even have what it takes to be a counselor? How do others really perceive me? Am I capable? Will I ever make it to where I want to be? I feel like a failure.
On top of that, I'm also guilty of coveting what others have. Terrible, I know. I look at most of my friends my age, employed at a job of their choice, living comfortably on two nice incomes, buying homes, and enjoying the freedom that comes with financial security. Meanwhile, I feel trapped by a lack of resources. Jason always reminds me how blessed we are compared to the majority of the people in this world, and I know it's true. I have no right to complain. All of our needs are provided for and we are blessed with family who help provide us with even more. But I still get sucked into the "poor me" mentality, wishing we could afford more and do more. It's a terrible, awful flaw of mine - this obsession with wanting more - one that I need to change. I know that life is not about the things we have, and I don't want Ben to be taught that way. Still, it is something that I am struggling with.
I'm hoping I'll read this post in the future and think to myself, "Why did you ever doubt? Oh you of little faith. Didn't you know that the Lord would provide?"
But first, I'm going to get out of this bitter stream and search for an oasis in the grace of God, which I desperately need.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
If you don't have Facebook
For those family and friends who read this blog and do not have Facebook, either:
1. Get a facebook account and add me as a friend! OR
2. Go to this link to see the pictures of Ben I posted from last month: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025510&id=178200865&l=9e0e1a9b11
1. Get a facebook account and add me as a friend! OR
2. Go to this link to see the pictures of Ben I posted from last month: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025510&id=178200865&l=9e0e1a9b11
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Happy Birthday Daddy!
For Jason's birthday on Monday, I had Ben dressed in a home-made "I love Daddy" onesie when Jason came home from work. But, I think Ben gave Jason the best gift of all - baby laughter!
Monday, May 04, 2009
So advanced
From the beginning, Jason and I have liked to think that Ben is advanced for his age. Really, what doting parent doesn't? We took him to the doctor today for his four month check-up, and as I laid him on the examination table he was squirming around and rolling from side to side. The doctor looked over and said, "Wow, he's pretty advanced. I think you're going to have an early crawler and walker. You'd better watch out!" She also stated that the control he has over his movements is more like a six-month-old than a four-month-old. So, it's not just my rose-colored mommy vision - Ben really is advanced! Or so I'll keep telling myself.
He's also on the large side for his age, but not off the charts. He is now 26" long and weighs 16 lbs. 4 oz., which is about the 75th percentile.
Other developments over the last month: he is reaching for everything and trying to put it in his mouth, he can roll over both front to back and back to front, he smiles and laughs a lot, he is crying less, and can play by himself. Sleep on the other hand is still not under control. Most nights he wakes up every 4 hours or so. There have been a precious few nights he has slept for 7-8 hours in a row. I'm hoping to work on getting him to sleep through the night this month. Actually, I NEED to... for my own sanity.
Here are some recent photos:
Get those toys!
Who? Me?
I'll be crawling sooner than you think!
He's also on the large side for his age, but not off the charts. He is now 26" long and weighs 16 lbs. 4 oz., which is about the 75th percentile.
Other developments over the last month: he is reaching for everything and trying to put it in his mouth, he can roll over both front to back and back to front, he smiles and laughs a lot, he is crying less, and can play by himself. Sleep on the other hand is still not under control. Most nights he wakes up every 4 hours or so. There have been a precious few nights he has slept for 7-8 hours in a row. I'm hoping to work on getting him to sleep through the night this month. Actually, I NEED to... for my own sanity.
Here are some recent photos:
Get those toys!
Who? Me?
I'll be crawling sooner than you think!Oh, my baby boy. Where is the time going?
Monday, April 06, 2009
From a couple weeks ago
Me and my baby
It's true - he is!
The Robb great-grandchildren. At least Ben will have close second cousins.Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Ben rolls over
Jason and I were so excited when Ben rolled over for the first time last week. After he did it once, he just kept rolling and rolling. We were proud parents. Many more milestones to come!
Monday, March 23, 2009
3 months old
My baby is already three months old. Unbelievable. He is becoming so much more alert and is very interested in the world around him. He loves to play on his play mat and in his bouncy seat. He also loves to smile! He has such a heart-warming little smile.In other news.... I am now five weeks from being done with my internship and less than two months away from graduating with my Master's. It has been almost a three-year journey to get to this point, and I am so ready to be done and move on to the next phase. I'm not yet sure if that will be full-time employment, part-time work, or just staying home with Ben, but no matter what I do, it will be so nice not to have to worry about school for a while. Did I just say "for a while?" What am I thinking? Perhaps a doctorate is in my future? We shall see...
Anyway, here are some more photos of Ben from the past week. He is such a cutie, and photogenic like his mom :)
Friday, March 13, 2009
Great-Grandparents
March 15, 2009
Last weekend Jason and I took Ben on his first trip to Ohio. Ben met my Nana and Papa, his great-grandparents, for the first time. My aunt Carol was also there visiting from Montana and my brother came down too. My Nana was so excited to see him and was always asking to hold him. The photos of him sleeping in her arms bring tears to my eyes. It was so sweet to see those two together.
However, Ben was not so sweet when we were trying to get pictures with Nana and Papa after church. He was screaming, and Nana was telling him to "Shush" in the only picture we have. Oh, well.
We are so blessed to still have so many of our grandparents around. All four of Jason's biological grandparents have met Ben. I hope that Ben has the opportunity to know each of them. My paternal grandmother, Margaret Walter, passed away seven years ago today. I will never forget the day, the "Ides of March," when she went to be with the Lord after a short battle with bone cancer. Grandma Walter was one of the greatest spiritual influences in my life. I am so glad that Ben has grandmas that will be the same to him.
Here are photos of Ben with the Robb and Decker great-grandparents.
Grandma Decker
Grandpa Decker
Grandma Robb
Grandpa Robb
My Grandpa Walter and "Grandma" Linda are the only two great-grandparents Ben has yet to meet. They spend the winter in Lakeland, Florida, but will be coming back at the end of April. Ben should get to meet them in May.
Family is very important to both Jason and me. We love our grandparents and wish we were able to see them more often. Ben is a lucky little boy to have 8 wonderful great-grandparents who love the Lord and have passed on that legacy to their families. We are eternally grateful.
Last weekend Jason and I took Ben on his first trip to Ohio. Ben met my Nana and Papa, his great-grandparents, for the first time. My aunt Carol was also there visiting from Montana and my brother came down too. My Nana was so excited to see him and was always asking to hold him. The photos of him sleeping in her arms bring tears to my eyes. It was so sweet to see those two together.
However, Ben was not so sweet when we were trying to get pictures with Nana and Papa after church. He was screaming, and Nana was telling him to "Shush" in the only picture we have. Oh, well.
We are so blessed to still have so many of our grandparents around. All four of Jason's biological grandparents have met Ben. I hope that Ben has the opportunity to know each of them. My paternal grandmother, Margaret Walter, passed away seven years ago today. I will never forget the day, the "Ides of March," when she went to be with the Lord after a short battle with bone cancer. Grandma Walter was one of the greatest spiritual influences in my life. I am so glad that Ben has grandmas that will be the same to him.
Here are photos of Ben with the Robb and Decker great-grandparents.
Grandma Decker
Grandpa Decker
Grandma Robb
Grandpa RobbMy Grandpa Walter and "Grandma" Linda are the only two great-grandparents Ben has yet to meet. They spend the winter in Lakeland, Florida, but will be coming back at the end of April. Ben should get to meet them in May.
Family is very important to both Jason and me. We love our grandparents and wish we were able to see them more often. Ben is a lucky little boy to have 8 wonderful great-grandparents who love the Lord and have passed on that legacy to their families. We are eternally grateful.
Friday, February 20, 2009
2 Months
My baby boy is 2 months old today. Some of the things that ran through my mind...- Being a mom has taken me to new levels of love, fear, appreciation and exhaustion.
- Watching Jason with Ben has been amazing. I always knew he would make a great father, and I am thankful every day for the dad and husband he is.
- I have had to redefine my definition of accomplishment. There are many days when the dishes don't get done, dinner comes from the freezer and my schoolwork falls by the wayside. But, I know that I have accomplished the most important task - meeting all of Ben's needs and showing him that he is loved.
- I will never take sleep for granted again. After eight weeks of waking up every 2-3 hours, the last two nights Ben slept for a stretch of 5 hours straight. Hallelujah! I feel refreshed, at least for today.
- I wish our parents lived closer
- Is it wrong of me to want to make out with Ben's face? It's just so scrumptious!
Happy 2 month birthday, Benny. Mommy loves you!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Look at me!
I think I might have the cutest baby ever. I have taken thousands of pictures of him in the last two months. This Saturday he will be 8 weeks old. I can't believe it!
Next week I have to start working on my internship hours again. First of all, I don't know how I'm going to get up at 6:30 am, and second, I don't know how I'm going to leave him for 20 hours a week. He's just so precious!
Next week I have to start working on my internship hours again. First of all, I don't know how I'm going to get up at 6:30 am, and second, I don't know how I'm going to leave him for 20 hours a week. He's just so precious!
Developmentally, Ben has been a lot more interested in the things around him lately. He has started smiling socially more andmore. He also loves watching anything colorful that moves. Of course, mommy and daddy's faces are his absolute favorite to watch, but he loves his toys too! Here's a video I took a week or so ago showing his amazing cuteness and talent!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
25 Facts
There's a survey going around Facebook where you are supposed to list 25 random facts about yourself. Since my blog is linked to my facebook, I figured why not kill two birds with one stone and post it here first. Every time I see one of these posts, it is reminiscent of those "survey" forwards I used to fill out in high school. I actually just looked at my email and I still have several that were forwarded to me years ago. It's pretty funny see what people said about themselves back then (Liz, if you are reading this, I have one from you from November 18, 2000. Do you recall your "fave day of the year?"). I'm sure one day I'll look back at this list and laugh at the ridiculousness of some of my responses, but here I go!
Also, let me say, I am only doing this #1- because Ben is sleeping, and #2- it's 3:00 in the afternoon, I don't work, and nothing good is on TV for another hour.
So, here are 25 random (aka carefully thought out) facts about me:
1. I'm ready for winter to end. Not a fan of the cold.
2. Being a mom is more challenging than I ever thought.
3. I love my son more than I ever could have imagined.
4. Whenever I grocery shop at Meijer, I immediately look at the "you saved" line at the top of the receipt. I make it my goal to save at least 30% from my total bill.
5. Sylvester Stallone once put his arm around me.
6. I can't wait until the day I own my own washer and dryer.
7. I still don't get why people in Michigan say "beach" when referring to lakes. To me, the only true beach is next to the ocean!
8. Speaking of which, I love the beach and everything about it.
9. Now that I'm thinking about the beach, I'm itching to go on a vacation!
10. I've been driving the same car since high school (oh, my little Kia Sephia...)
11. I'm picky about my ice cream - none of that cheap stuff - give me Breyers!
12. I think I have a relatively high pain tolerance.
13. I'd rather watch the movie than read the book.
14. After giving birth, my nails suddenly became strong and long. I love it!
15. Also, a week after giving birth, I weighed 10 lbs. less than I did before I was pregnant (thank you, gall bladder).
16. I can't wait to finish my master's in May.
17. My husband really is my best friend.
18. I have been known to make brownie batter just to eat, not bake.
19. I do love to bake, but don't particularly care to cook.
20. My eyesight is terrible. Without my contacts I can only see things 6 inches in front of my face clearly. I would love to get laser eye surgery someday.
21. Even if I had money, I would still shop the sale racks.
22. I would love to plan a wedding again.
23. I can't remember the last time I used a credit card. Cash or debit only. Debt free is the way to be!
24. I think NASCAR is ridiculous.
25. I want to be more like Jesus.
Okay, it's now more than an hour after I first started this post. Granted, Ben did wake up, I fed and changed him, and put him back to sleep, but these things take me way too long! I think this is the last facebook forward I succumb to for a while!
Also, let me say, I am only doing this #1- because Ben is sleeping, and #2- it's 3:00 in the afternoon, I don't work, and nothing good is on TV for another hour.
So, here are 25 random (aka carefully thought out) facts about me:
1. I'm ready for winter to end. Not a fan of the cold.
2. Being a mom is more challenging than I ever thought.
3. I love my son more than I ever could have imagined.
4. Whenever I grocery shop at Meijer, I immediately look at the "you saved" line at the top of the receipt. I make it my goal to save at least 30% from my total bill.
5. Sylvester Stallone once put his arm around me.
6. I can't wait until the day I own my own washer and dryer.
7. I still don't get why people in Michigan say "beach" when referring to lakes. To me, the only true beach is next to the ocean!
8. Speaking of which, I love the beach and everything about it.
9. Now that I'm thinking about the beach, I'm itching to go on a vacation!
10. I've been driving the same car since high school (oh, my little Kia Sephia...)
11. I'm picky about my ice cream - none of that cheap stuff - give me Breyers!
12. I think I have a relatively high pain tolerance.
13. I'd rather watch the movie than read the book.
14. After giving birth, my nails suddenly became strong and long. I love it!
15. Also, a week after giving birth, I weighed 10 lbs. less than I did before I was pregnant (thank you, gall bladder).
16. I can't wait to finish my master's in May.
17. My husband really is my best friend.
18. I have been known to make brownie batter just to eat, not bake.
19. I do love to bake, but don't particularly care to cook.
20. My eyesight is terrible. Without my contacts I can only see things 6 inches in front of my face clearly. I would love to get laser eye surgery someday.
21. Even if I had money, I would still shop the sale racks.
22. I would love to plan a wedding again.
23. I can't remember the last time I used a credit card. Cash or debit only. Debt free is the way to be!
24. I think NASCAR is ridiculous.
25. I want to be more like Jesus.
Okay, it's now more than an hour after I first started this post. Granted, Ben did wake up, I fed and changed him, and put him back to sleep, but these things take me way too long! I think this is the last facebook forward I succumb to for a while!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Poor baby
Maybe I'm a terrible mother, but I love hearing my baby cry! Sometimes I won't pick him up right away just because I like to watch him. I think it is adorable when he flashes those gums with a wail that makes you think he's been starving and neglected his whole life. Now, before you go reporting me to CPS, know that I do take great care of my baby... I mean, how could I resist that adorable face?
Friday, January 23, 2009
Whirlwind week
The past seven days have been pretty eventful to say the least. Here's the story...
It started off when Jason and I headed to Canada for a baby shower and to visit his family last Saturday. It was Ben's first trip outside of Jackson, and our first trip with the new "reliable" car we bought last month (a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe). The day was cold and snowy, but we left early to get ahead of the weather and allow plenty of time for travel. We were on the highway rounding Ann Arbor when all of a sudden our car just stopped accellerating. Jason pulled over and tried to get us going again, but it just wouldn't accellerate. We decided to call AAA. Two phone calls, forty minutes on hold, and two hours later our tow truck finally showed up. Let me say, it is not fun being stranded on the side of the highway in a snowstorm with a newborn as semi trucks pass within inches of your vehicle. We were towed to a garage with no mechanic on duty and were left without transportation. We called Jason's uncle to come pick us up, but meanwhile the snow storm was getting much worse. There were so many accidents that he couldn't make it to us. We had to get a taxi ride to a hotel down the street where we spent the night. Our sister-in-law Audrey was able to pick us up the next morning and take us to Jason's parents. The shower was moved from Saturday to Sunday, and luckily most everyone was still able to make it. We ended up spending a nice weekend with Jason's family.
(Turns out, the garage our car was towed to is not too great. They charged me twice what our garage here does just to run the diagnosis on the car. They also lied to me about what other garages charge for the same services. The mechanic was rather rude on the phone as well. I'm sure we were overcharged for all the overall work too. I will be writing a not-so-nice online review.)
In addition to the car trouble, my body has been giving me trouble as well. Since July I have been having problems with my gall bladder, but because I was pregnant they could not do anything. The past couple weeks I have been having more attacks. Last week I had a really bad attack and was sick for three days, barely able to eat, which is not good when you are nursing a baby. So, I called the surgeon. I was scheduled for a consultation on Wednesday and had surgery yesterday to remove it. They did laproscopic surgery, which is an outpatient procedure that involves four small incisions. I am sore today, but feeling okay. My mom is here to help and Jason took off work. The hardest part is that I'm not allowed to pick up Ben for two days. Even when I will be able to pick him up again, I probably won't be able to hold him across my stomach for a while. I already miss cuddling with my baby! He's so precious!
It started off when Jason and I headed to Canada for a baby shower and to visit his family last Saturday. It was Ben's first trip outside of Jackson, and our first trip with the new "reliable" car we bought last month (a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe). The day was cold and snowy, but we left early to get ahead of the weather and allow plenty of time for travel. We were on the highway rounding Ann Arbor when all of a sudden our car just stopped accellerating. Jason pulled over and tried to get us going again, but it just wouldn't accellerate. We decided to call AAA. Two phone calls, forty minutes on hold, and two hours later our tow truck finally showed up. Let me say, it is not fun being stranded on the side of the highway in a snowstorm with a newborn as semi trucks pass within inches of your vehicle. We were towed to a garage with no mechanic on duty and were left without transportation. We called Jason's uncle to come pick us up, but meanwhile the snow storm was getting much worse. There were so many accidents that he couldn't make it to us. We had to get a taxi ride to a hotel down the street where we spent the night. Our sister-in-law Audrey was able to pick us up the next morning and take us to Jason's parents. The shower was moved from Saturday to Sunday, and luckily most everyone was still able to make it. We ended up spending a nice weekend with Jason's family.
(Turns out, the garage our car was towed to is not too great. They charged me twice what our garage here does just to run the diagnosis on the car. They also lied to me about what other garages charge for the same services. The mechanic was rather rude on the phone as well. I'm sure we were overcharged for all the overall work too. I will be writing a not-so-nice online review.)
In addition to the car trouble, my body has been giving me trouble as well. Since July I have been having problems with my gall bladder, but because I was pregnant they could not do anything. The past couple weeks I have been having more attacks. Last week I had a really bad attack and was sick for three days, barely able to eat, which is not good when you are nursing a baby. So, I called the surgeon. I was scheduled for a consultation on Wednesday and had surgery yesterday to remove it. They did laproscopic surgery, which is an outpatient procedure that involves four small incisions. I am sore today, but feeling okay. My mom is here to help and Jason took off work. The hardest part is that I'm not allowed to pick up Ben for two days. Even when I will be able to pick him up again, I probably won't be able to hold him across my stomach for a while. I already miss cuddling with my baby! He's so precious!
So, this past week has been kind of rough, but I'm hoping the next few weeks will calm down. I have to go back to my internship next month and hope to enjoy my time at home until then. Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and prayers. Even though we have faced several obstacles in the past days, Jason, Ben and I are extremely fortunate to have wonderful family and friends to support us. Thank you all!
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