I woke up late last night to go to the bathroom. Nothing new since I really don't have a bladder anymore. But this is what I come back to when I lay back down in bed.
Michael: (holds me super tight and speaking very lethargic and worried) Where did you go?
Me: I just had to go to the bathroom. But don't worry. I am back now.
Michael: Oh. So Good. I really like it when you come back.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Just a SIMPLE Reminder
This is from a book my friend was reading. She just posted this one page story on her blog and I thought it was great. This isn't meant to bash any American or anything, I think it is just a nice simple reminder about priorities in life. And as I like to keep things simple, I thought this was perfect. I do believe there is a different goals people have in this life, so the point of this is just a simple reminder about what we are fighting so hard in life for.
A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.
“Not very long,” answered the Mexican.
“But then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the
American.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his
needs and those of his family.
The American asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs … I have a full life.”
The American interrupted, “I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help
you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat.
“And after that?” asked the Mexican.
With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second
one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise.”
“How long would that take?” asked the Mexican.
“Twenty, perhaps 25 years,” replied the American.
“And after that?” the Mexican asked.
“Afterwards? That’s when it gets really interesting,” answered the American, laughing. “When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!”
“Millions? Really? And after that?”
“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends.”
A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.
“Not very long,” answered the Mexican.
“But then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the
American.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his
needs and those of his family.
The American asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs … I have a full life.”
The American interrupted, “I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help
you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat.
“And after that?” asked the Mexican.
With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second
one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise.”
“How long would that take?” asked the Mexican.
“Twenty, perhaps 25 years,” replied the American.
“And after that?” the Mexican asked.
“Afterwards? That’s when it gets really interesting,” answered the American, laughing. “When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!”
“Millions? Really? And after that?”
“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends.”
A LOVE LETTER TO DETROIT
This short article is so beautifully written about Detroit, and maybe more of the attitude we need to have about Detroit.
Surprise, surprise: Detroit got yet another version of rock-bottom news, hardening that looming sensation that the city is just some abandoned movie set.
Frankly, that was my gut reaction when I became a Detroit resident in 2005, and that was before the auto industry went bankrupt. Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick went to jail, and the city lost a whopping 237,500 residents in the last decade.
Yet during my four years living and working downtown before leaving for graduate school, I fell deeply for Detroit’s big-town amenities, small-town intimacy and raw possibility.
Detroit has big challenges. Population loss is discouraging. But it’s not the end. Detroit needs believers, investors and entrepreneurs. Detroit needs to seize this opportunity to redefine itself.
And for what it’s worth, Detroit, you can add two more to your census this July. My wife and I are proudly moving back.
Bradford Frost
Somerville, Mass., March 23, 2011
Surprise, surprise: Detroit got yet another version of rock-bottom news, hardening that looming sensation that the city is just some abandoned movie set.
Frankly, that was my gut reaction when I became a Detroit resident in 2005, and that was before the auto industry went bankrupt. Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick went to jail, and the city lost a whopping 237,500 residents in the last decade.
Yet during my four years living and working downtown before leaving for graduate school, I fell deeply for Detroit’s big-town amenities, small-town intimacy and raw possibility.
Detroit has big challenges. Population loss is discouraging. But it’s not the end. Detroit needs believers, investors and entrepreneurs. Detroit needs to seize this opportunity to redefine itself.
And for what it’s worth, Detroit, you can add two more to your census this July. My wife and I are proudly moving back.
Bradford Frost
Somerville, Mass., March 23, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
WE ARE JUST RIGHT
I love how every couple is so different. You look at some of those couples and are just like, YES, they are so perfect for each other, two of a kind. Those couples that are so much alike, love doing the same things, interested in the same things, can paint together or go skiing together. Well that is NOT Michael and I. At least from the start. I look at us prior to being married and even in the beginning and it is actually funny how this all worked out JUST RIGHT. Let me give a few examples.
This is US!
HIM: Prefers the suburbs
HER: Prefers the downtown of a city or a field of wild flowers =)
HIM: Would prefer a steak house or a sports bar for a burger in fries
HER: Would prefer an ethnic restaurant where you sit on the floor and eat with your hands
HIM: Watching UFC or going to a pool hall would be a good night out
HER: A hole in the wall packed salsa club would be a good night out (NOT him)
HIM: Enjoys some good college football for entertainment on a Saturday afternoon.
HER: Enjoys some live local acoustic music at a cafe on a Saturday afternoon.
HIM: Chocolate Frappucino from Starbucks
HER: Fresh organic fruit smoothie from a one of a kind coffee house
HIM: hoodie, jeans, baseball hat, and sneakers. Thats all you need.
HER: skirt, tank, knitted hat, and bare feet. Thats all you need.
HIM: Beer
HER: Mango juice and malibu
HIM: A burger and fries
HER: avocado, tomato, cucumber salad.
HIM: Football and MMA
HER: Soccer and Running
HIM: BLAST the music in the car
HER: turn it down
HIM: Ribbed potato chips
HER: The not ribbed potato chips
HIM: Relaxing would be watching a good T.V. show and a coke
HER: Relaxing would be going outside on the grass with a blanket and lemonade
HIM: Buys books full of the history, dates, names, and places of an historical event
HER: Buys books about a personal story and the feelings of one person or one family who lived through that event
HIM: Shooting Action movies or "Anchorman"
HER: NOT shooting action movies and NOT "Anchorman" humor
HIM: walk on the sidewalk
HER: walk on the grass
HIM: makes a decision on facts, numbers, lines, and a very good reason
HER: makes a decision on a, "I just have a feeling"
HIM: A clean house means everything is scrubbed, vacuumed, and dusted
HER: A clean house means everything is picked up and put away
HIM: Loves using electronics and updating electronics
HER: would prefer to mix cookie dough with her hands and use a flip phone
HIM: night person (before marriage) morning person (after getting married)
HER: morning person (before marriage) night person (after getting married)
HIM: likes 70 degree weather or air conditioning with a coke
HER: likes a long long run in 90 degree weather
I just realized that I could keep going on and on with our differences. But I LOVE IT. I love how we are so interested in so many different things. I realized today that it is working so well. Earlier today, Mike went with me to the most "organic" cafe we have been to yet with live music and right now I am watching TV with him right now. And I realized. He enjoyed the cafe with me so much and I really love cuddling up to him and laughing with him at a TV show when he laughs. Ive learned that what is important to show love in marriage is to show care for what the other cares about. Mike is way more quick to be interested in a soccer game I like, picnic, an ethnic restaurant, and he will take his history type book to a coffee shop. Today I thanked him for coming out to the cafe with me, and he told me that he would do anything to just be hanging out with me. When he sees a knitted hat or a skirt in a store, he points it out to me.
Earlier in marriage I refused to watch TV with him and I told him it was a waste of time. Now, I actually enjoy being next to him on the couch when he is so relaxed. It makes me more relaxed. And we actually found a few TV shows we both enjoy. And I enjoy listening to him after a UFC fight night telling me every thing that happened in each fight. I LOVE when he tells it all to me.
Of course we have learned we cannot ask each other to be part of all our likes. No way would it be fair for me to ask mike to go on an "enjoyable" 6 mile run when its 95 outside and I will never make it through one of his books full of dates. And when it comes to deciding to live in the suburbs or an apartment on main street in the city, we just leave that one up to Gods direction.
So I love our differences. It really has blended us and works so well together. I am thankful it has made us closer because I think we decided to let each other enjoy what we each enjoy and enjoy those things along with each other.
Yeah, we arent always perfect at this marriage thing, but Id have to say, we are just right for each other.
This is US!
HIM: Prefers the suburbs
HER: Prefers the downtown of a city or a field of wild flowers =)
HIM: Would prefer a steak house or a sports bar for a burger in fries
HER: Would prefer an ethnic restaurant where you sit on the floor and eat with your hands
HIM: Watching UFC or going to a pool hall would be a good night out
HER: A hole in the wall packed salsa club would be a good night out (NOT him)
HIM: Enjoys some good college football for entertainment on a Saturday afternoon.
HER: Enjoys some live local acoustic music at a cafe on a Saturday afternoon.
HIM: Chocolate Frappucino from Starbucks
HER: Fresh organic fruit smoothie from a one of a kind coffee house
HIM: hoodie, jeans, baseball hat, and sneakers. Thats all you need.
HER: skirt, tank, knitted hat, and bare feet. Thats all you need.
HIM: Beer
HER: Mango juice and malibu
HIM: A burger and fries
HER: avocado, tomato, cucumber salad.
HIM: Football and MMA
HER: Soccer and Running
HIM: BLAST the music in the car
HER: turn it down
HIM: Ribbed potato chips
HER: The not ribbed potato chips
HIM: Relaxing would be watching a good T.V. show and a coke
HER: Relaxing would be going outside on the grass with a blanket and lemonade
HIM: Buys books full of the history, dates, names, and places of an historical event
HER: Buys books about a personal story and the feelings of one person or one family who lived through that event
HIM: Shooting Action movies or "Anchorman"
HER: NOT shooting action movies and NOT "Anchorman" humor
HIM: walk on the sidewalk
HER: walk on the grass
HIM: makes a decision on facts, numbers, lines, and a very good reason
HER: makes a decision on a, "I just have a feeling"
HIM: A clean house means everything is scrubbed, vacuumed, and dusted
HER: A clean house means everything is picked up and put away
HIM: Loves using electronics and updating electronics
HER: would prefer to mix cookie dough with her hands and use a flip phone
HIM: night person (before marriage) morning person (after getting married)
HER: morning person (before marriage) night person (after getting married)
HIM: likes 70 degree weather or air conditioning with a coke
HER: likes a long long run in 90 degree weather
I just realized that I could keep going on and on with our differences. But I LOVE IT. I love how we are so interested in so many different things. I realized today that it is working so well. Earlier today, Mike went with me to the most "organic" cafe we have been to yet with live music and right now I am watching TV with him right now. And I realized. He enjoyed the cafe with me so much and I really love cuddling up to him and laughing with him at a TV show when he laughs. Ive learned that what is important to show love in marriage is to show care for what the other cares about. Mike is way more quick to be interested in a soccer game I like, picnic, an ethnic restaurant, and he will take his history type book to a coffee shop. Today I thanked him for coming out to the cafe with me, and he told me that he would do anything to just be hanging out with me. When he sees a knitted hat or a skirt in a store, he points it out to me.
Earlier in marriage I refused to watch TV with him and I told him it was a waste of time. Now, I actually enjoy being next to him on the couch when he is so relaxed. It makes me more relaxed. And we actually found a few TV shows we both enjoy. And I enjoy listening to him after a UFC fight night telling me every thing that happened in each fight. I LOVE when he tells it all to me.
Of course we have learned we cannot ask each other to be part of all our likes. No way would it be fair for me to ask mike to go on an "enjoyable" 6 mile run when its 95 outside and I will never make it through one of his books full of dates. And when it comes to deciding to live in the suburbs or an apartment on main street in the city, we just leave that one up to Gods direction.
So I love our differences. It really has blended us and works so well together. I am thankful it has made us closer because I think we decided to let each other enjoy what we each enjoy and enjoy those things along with each other.
Yeah, we arent always perfect at this marriage thing, but Id have to say, we are just right for each other.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
funny argument
my husband and i get along really well for the most part. of course we disagree, which is good cause that would be very unhealthy if we didn't have confrontation in our marriage. and we have also had big fights, but being in our third year of marriage, our communication has improved dramatically. its really awesome how much better it is. he is much more patient and calm then he used to be and I don't hold things in as much.
anyways, we had an argument today. which i am looking back on two hours ago and it is absolutely hilarious we argued about this. we were on a walk and at a red light in a small town. The crosswalk sign had the little red hand up. so of course, my safety husband did not want to cross the street. but i noticed there were absolutely no cars coming, so i tried to cross. and he told me i couldn't until the little walk signal came on. i got so upset and frustrated, and somehow it turned into this big argument because i wanted to cross right away. i actually cried. hahahaha. i actually cant believe this happened when i think back to it. but its REALLY funny now and we are both very over it.
its a beautiful day for a walk today!
anyways, we had an argument today. which i am looking back on two hours ago and it is absolutely hilarious we argued about this. we were on a walk and at a red light in a small town. The crosswalk sign had the little red hand up. so of course, my safety husband did not want to cross the street. but i noticed there were absolutely no cars coming, so i tried to cross. and he told me i couldn't until the little walk signal came on. i got so upset and frustrated, and somehow it turned into this big argument because i wanted to cross right away. i actually cried. hahahaha. i actually cant believe this happened when i think back to it. but its REALLY funny now and we are both very over it.
its a beautiful day for a walk today!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Appointments!
I am 39 weeks pregnant and my husband has made it to every midwife appointment with me. I love it!
good morning husband
This morning my husband was very tired. While still in bed he said to me, "If I don't get food right now, you will be the worst person ever."
He was so cute though when he said it and his awesome wife made him a very good breakfast. Now he's a happy man today!
He was so cute though when he said it and his awesome wife made him a very good breakfast. Now he's a happy man today!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
senior year
Last night Michael and I went to my sisters Senior Variety Show. It was a lot of fun. Lots of talent and cheesiness. Brought back good memories of high school. Two things I realized when I was there.
1. I don't like to clap. I have always known this, but I realized it again when i found myself being the one who just slapped my knee a few times after a performance. Weird.
2. Crowds are frustrating and people seem to be intentionally in the way when you are pregnant and have to pee. People were lucky I didn't get mean; especially during intermission.
It was a good night!
1. I don't like to clap. I have always known this, but I realized it again when i found myself being the one who just slapped my knee a few times after a performance. Weird.
2. Crowds are frustrating and people seem to be intentionally in the way when you are pregnant and have to pee. People were lucky I didn't get mean; especially during intermission.
It was a good night!
Friday, March 11, 2011
safari
so when we were in Africa Daina's aunt paid for us to go on a safari. i just found a video on of my teammates made of it. Totally never watched it and I'm happy I found it today. It brought back good memories and Mike talking about the delicious meal we got. =)
http://vimeo.com/8885954
http://vimeo.com/8885954
yes please
yes please. this is a closet turned into a craft area or it could just be an office area. brilliant idea.
sometimes
sometimes i want to have the cutest little house or apartment and just decorate all the time and go to coffee shops all the time and bake really yummy food. but sometimes i just want to be in the poorest place and eat rice and beans and hold hurting people. but then most of the time i realize that having the perfect little cute house and life really wont make me happy. i may have it one day, but i cant depend on it to make me feel warm inside all the time.
sometimes i want to live right in the heart of a city where i can walk right out of my apartment and there is people everywhere and i can walk or take the subway to get to any place i need to. but then sometimes i just want to live where i can be barefoot all the time and have a really big garden......ahhhhhh.... this is my mind. its gets exhausting sometimes.
sometimes i want to live right in the heart of a city where i can walk right out of my apartment and there is people everywhere and i can walk or take the subway to get to any place i need to. but then sometimes i just want to live where i can be barefoot all the time and have a really big garden......ahhhhhh.... this is my mind. its gets exhausting sometimes.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
protesting military funerals or feeding people!
Right now, something HUGE is happening in Detroit. Something that will be a privilege to live through if you live there. Right now Detroit is desperate. The past years Detroit has reached a place of hopelessness and brokenness. But something amazing is happening. I know a pastor who has been part of huge revivals in other cities and said that in Detroit he has never seen such a huge revival done by God in his whole life. Within this week around 10,000 people from about 500 churches of all denominations are uniting in prayer for the city. Then on Easter day the city will see what prayer has done to unite the churches in the city to take action. It will start with prayer walks in the city in mass amounts. The churches will be setting up free medical and dental clinics for those who cannot afford health care. They will be making meals for people in the masses, spreading the love of Jesus and caring for peoples physical needs as well. This is huge, and I cannot wait to see it happen. I don't live in the city right now but I am pretty darn close to it. It is a beautiful thing to see the church do what God wants it to do. First depend on prayer, so that any action being taken is not of mans will but Gods will (cuz man can only do so much on his own), and then, take action, depending on prayer.
I am so sick of hearing about the stupid things in the church like Christians protesting military funerals or burning Korans. Seriously. If we are gonna make a statement, lets love people. That's what scripture tells us to do. And thank God, the churches in Detroit have decided not to argue with each other about little denominational differences, but used their time better to pray together, become One church, and help a city that so desperately needs the Lord. Its time that people start to see Jesus in the church they way he was meant to be seen. And that is Love for people. YAY for Detroit. Be ready!
The churches have put together a website that makes it easy for people to join what is happening. It has videos of what is going on, the vision, events, etc. Take a look at it. Its awesome. http://eachtoday.com/home/
I am so sick of hearing about the stupid things in the church like Christians protesting military funerals or burning Korans. Seriously. If we are gonna make a statement, lets love people. That's what scripture tells us to do. And thank God, the churches in Detroit have decided not to argue with each other about little denominational differences, but used their time better to pray together, become One church, and help a city that so desperately needs the Lord. Its time that people start to see Jesus in the church they way he was meant to be seen. And that is Love for people. YAY for Detroit. Be ready!
The churches have put together a website that makes it easy for people to join what is happening. It has videos of what is going on, the vision, events, etc. Take a look at it. Its awesome. http://eachtoday.com/home/
Monday, March 7, 2011
size is relative
remember going back to your old elementary school, and it is a million times smaller than you remember? and its because back then you were a million times smaller. Well... that is how I feel about my pre pregnancy clothes now that I am 38 weeks pregnant.
belly button continued
Like I said earlier, my husband wants my belly button to pop out during pregnancy so bad. It still hasn't. =) And he is very disappointed. He has realized that it is not going to pop out on it's own, so the other day, he decided that it will probably happen because our son (inside the womb) will kick my belly button from the inside to make it pop out on the outside. yeah ok.
But i do have to admit, the other morning I was laying in bed and the little boy kicked me so hard; and to be honest, I had to check to see if he kicked my belly button out. He didn't.
But i do have to admit, the other morning I was laying in bed and the little boy kicked me so hard; and to be honest, I had to check to see if he kicked my belly button out. He didn't.
Awkward!
YESTERDAY--
Michael (to me): See, you are awkward, and I am just cool.
TODAY--
Me: Emily, I'm just in a funk.
Emily: Why?
Me: (I name a lot of reasons)..and also, I don't know what to talk to people about. Since the world race, I am so socially awkward.
Emily: Oh yeah, I forgot that about you.
CONCLUSION--
I am officially an awkward person. YAY!!!! Leave it to the people I love to let me know that. =) =)
Michael (to me): See, you are awkward, and I am just cool.
TODAY--
Me: Emily, I'm just in a funk.
Emily: Why?
Me: (I name a lot of reasons)..and also, I don't know what to talk to people about. Since the world race, I am so socially awkward.
Emily: Oh yeah, I forgot that about you.
CONCLUSION--
I am officially an awkward person. YAY!!!! Leave it to the people I love to let me know that. =) =)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
What Love Really Means
I love this song. And the woman's voice is one of my favorites. It is just the sweetest voice.
Friday, March 4, 2011
this is it
so this is what my husband is going to school for, this is what he is going to school to try and help stop. it might get pretty intense, but God has set his heart towards it.
http://vimeo.com/12027064
http://vimeo.com/12027064
A Mix of Stuff
Everything seems to be moving foward. Mike got offered a few other jobs, but decided to go with a serving job at a steakhouse because it will be the most flexible with school and he will only be working some evenings there and then hes gonna stay at the gym which has been a great flexible job so far. In the next few days he will be signing up for classes which is so exciting. Since we have been married we always have known he wanted to go back to school but he was very wise and waited till he knew what he was meant to do. It is going to possibly be a long road of school for his final goal, but we have started with the first step and Ive never seen him more motivated and patient. We are so thankful for the race because in a few ways it really helped him realize what he wanted to do instead of going for something just because it would be a good job. Hes so happy and I know he is going to make a difference. =) =)
We are almost 38 weeks pregnant now! I cannot believe it. My dang morning sickness has started again and its hard to keep stuff down, but with 2 weeks left I shouldnt be complaining too much. We are so blessed to have a tax return this year. We are going to give in and use a little of the money to go away for a few nights just the two of us. It is MUCH needed and will be so nice to do before the baby comes. The hotel we are staying at looks amazing, and we are praying hard that somehow they will see my huge belly and upgrade us to the rooms that have a private heated pool in them. What a dream that would be for this pregnant lady, but too expensive. Who knows, anything can happen.
I am so thankful for this past month. We have been stretched again in our faith, because when things seemed impossible we had to keep believing that God would provide again, and he has, in so many ways. All of this has really made Mike and I so close. SO close. We have a whole knew level of friendship. I feel like instead of letting all the stress and unexpected change get between us we totally just lean on each other. I have so much more respect for him watching how he deals with hard and stressful times. He goes about it in so much integrity and patience. He has been taking such good care of me and every day he holds me so close and lets me know how much he loves me and how pretty I am. I feel so loved and am thankful that our baby is coming when our relationship is at its best.
We are almost 38 weeks pregnant now! I cannot believe it. My dang morning sickness has started again and its hard to keep stuff down, but with 2 weeks left I shouldnt be complaining too much. We are so blessed to have a tax return this year. We are going to give in and use a little of the money to go away for a few nights just the two of us. It is MUCH needed and will be so nice to do before the baby comes. The hotel we are staying at looks amazing, and we are praying hard that somehow they will see my huge belly and upgrade us to the rooms that have a private heated pool in them. What a dream that would be for this pregnant lady, but too expensive. Who knows, anything can happen.
I am so thankful for this past month. We have been stretched again in our faith, because when things seemed impossible we had to keep believing that God would provide again, and he has, in so many ways. All of this has really made Mike and I so close. SO close. We have a whole knew level of friendship. I feel like instead of letting all the stress and unexpected change get between us we totally just lean on each other. I have so much more respect for him watching how he deals with hard and stressful times. He goes about it in so much integrity and patience. He has been taking such good care of me and every day he holds me so close and lets me know how much he loves me and how pretty I am. I feel so loved and am thankful that our baby is coming when our relationship is at its best.
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