Promise

I have finished "Night" and am left speechless. Although rather short, there is so much depth, and it leaves me with the following thoughts:
           * I can't get over the brutal truth of what Weisel went through as such a young boy. I think about myself in my teen years and all of the "struggles" I had. I thought they were the end of the world, but are absolutely NOTHING compared to what his family struggled through.
          * I have such an ache in my chest for him as he described the changes he went through every day. I couldn't imagine standing back and watching SS guards torture my family members. I can't completely put myself in his shoes, as I am so fortunate to have the life I do and have never had to endure anything that compares to him, but to say I admire him is definitely an understatement. I could hear him replying back to me that he is no hero - but I, along with many others I'm sure, beg to differ.
          * I can't say I regret my childhood - because I had a pretty good one. I can't go back and change anything about my teen years in order to make up for Weisel's anguish, but I can do something for my future, as well as my children's future. I am going to make a promise right now to myself that I will:
Look at the positive in every situation
Complain less
Show my feelings to loved ones more often
Think before I speak
Love with all that I have
Try my best - no matter what I'm doing
Laugh until it hurts
Smile more
Dream BIG

I challenge you (my readers:) to make a promise to yourself of things you are going to work on. I am going to really make an attempt to remember these every day... every moment I feel that I can't do something... every moment I start complaining... every moment I think I am at the end of my rope... every moment I want to just break down and cry... I am going to remember the promise I made to myself today. (I hope you do too ;)

Saturday Adventure

Because Marcus is working, I have today to do whatever I please... SO I chose to spend my day going to the movie theater to see "Water for Elephants" (being I finished the book in 2 days :) and then hitting up Barnes & Noble to check out a new book. The movie was very good btw, and was surprisingly very similar to the book. In my opinion, books are always better - I think it's because I have to use my imagination to get a picture of the atmosphere and events going on. I find myself diving into a good book and creating a mental image of the characters and their surroundings. In a movie, all of that is already done for you.
I had such a hard time finding a new book, hence my two hour adventure in B&N. I scoured the fiction shelves and did not find anything  enticing for me, so I wandered over to the nonfiction section. I have been interested in history lately, and I think my diversity class I'm teaching has something to do with that. I have found myself scanning different websites to gather information on the Underground Railroad and Abraham Lincoln. (I think I'm more intrigued than my students... ;) I came across a book based off of the conspiracy of Abraham Lincoln's death, but couldn't bring myself to pick it up, as I have done quite a bit of research on Mary Surratt and am dragging Marcus to see the movie "The Conspirators" tomorrow. I watched the history channel not too long ago and it was an hour long documentary on Abraham Lincoln and his assassins. I also felt I couldn't read such a long book in one day before seeing the movie, so I chose to work my way through the history shelves. I came across the book "Night" by Elie Wiesel. This book is a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and I can only be excited about the feeling I get when I think about the depth of this book. Elie Wiesel was a teenager when he and his family were taken from their home to Auschwitz concentration camp. This book is his memory of his journey through an awful time in history and I can't imagine that I would be anything short of amazed.

I was also inspired by my friend's blog. She had a post about the book "The 5 Love Languages" by Gary Chapman. I had been informed about this book last summer and just never picked it up and took a look at what it had to offer. Ultimately, it speaks about the different languages of love. You have to figure out what your language is as well as your spouse, significant other, etc. Once you do that, you can better understand that person and what they need to feel loved. The 5 love languages are: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. Marcus and I have been married close to 1 year, and while this past year has been a welcomed learning experience that I honestly cannot complain about or wish to trade in, for that matter... I can't help but be intrigued as to what I can change to make him feel more loved, more often. I am excited about the journey this book will take me on to really reflect on myself as a wife and I can only see positive results! I will be sure to keep everyone informed of my divulgence into both of these books... off to read :)

NEWS :)

As I said in my last post, auntie KT will be closer to us soon! She is planning on moving down here to Omaha, transfer to UNO, and go to school!! Oh yes, AND live with us :) Marcus and her have been talking constantly lately and he is so excited to have a piece of family closer! (so excited, he's even built a wall downstairs for her room!)

Here are a few pictures of his handy work..

It will be so nice to have family down here with us, and Baby A :) We're EXCITED Katie!!

More baby bump pictures :) 23 weeks yesterday!

Easter Remnants

As we near another Easter, I can't help but be somber that we won't be making a trip home to see family. I don't think there has been an Easter that I haven't spent with my family, so 2011 is a new experience for me. I can't help but be emotional that our nephew, Olen, is getting baptized this Saturday and Marcus and I will not be there :( For a second, it makes me question the direction we have chosen for our lives, as well as our little one on the way. What is it going to be like not having Baby A's grandparents around at the drop of a hat - as well as their aunts and uncles? (I am happy to say auntie KT will be around... more on that later) I question these things and my decision to move myself and Marcus down here - so far away from our families. Pretty soon, it won't just be Marcus and myself, and that changes things.
But, back to Olen... I apologize for my rambling. M and I wish we could be at Olen's baptism, as he is such a special part of our lives, but I'm hesitant and sad to say that "it's life." We will be thinking about Matt, Kim, and Olen all day Saturday, wishing we could celebrate with them, and generating ideas on how we can make it up to them!
I found an old picture of Marcus' and my first Easter together as a couple... or should I say family? We had just gotten Kdawg, and we brought her home for the holiday. (and of COURSE - it won't let me upload) Sorry!
I can't help but love the Easter holiday and as my sister says - "They don't recognize Easter ?? That has got to be a sin or something" :) (in reference to me working Friday and Monday) Easter has always been such a fun holiday for the Plaine family - I still remember when Corey would involve himself in the annual "Easter Egg Hunt". He found all the difficult eggs ;) What a guy!
I just want to say Happy Easter to everyone who reads this and I hope everyone gets to spend time with their families. Time goes by way too fast, and it's my "remnants" of Easter that will keep me smiling this Sunday - when I'm so far away from my family :)

Inspired

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.


I read this quote today and thought it really fit for my life, as well as those around me. Life is something that we are blessed to have, and we need to embrace every day as if it were our last. I was talking with my sister-in-law just a few minutes ago and she was talking about how she was young and this is the time in her life to do things she may never do again. So - Katie.. my advice to you is: You ARE only young once and you need to fly by the seat of your pants every now and then. It's important to not have regrets... so make a decision and don't look back :)


Alright, enough of that inspirational talk :) Our nursery is coming together and here are a few pictures of the progress... as you can see - Kdawg had to be in the picture too :)

Envision

Today, I am 22 weeks. It's crazy to think that I have 18 weeks left of this pregnancy. School is going by sooo fast every day and before I know it, I will be sitting at Graduation for my students! Soon after, it will be August and this baby will be arriving - and our lives will forever be changed. I keep thinking of how great a father Marcus is going to be, and it always puts a smile to my face. Can't you just picture him wrestling with his son, or telling his daughter that she can't date until she's 35 because he knows what boys are like ;) Yep, makes me smile every time. That kid is going to have him wrapped around their finger.

I am so freakin' excited to say that Marcus and I have FOUND A DAYCARE PROVIDER!!! I was incredibly worried that we wouldn't find a daycare provider that would EVER compare to my mother... which, nobody will ever compare to my mother, but we found one that's pretty close :) I'm excited that I paid the deposit today for her to hold our spot and that we found someone who does teachers only :) I am going to have summers off with our little one and not have to pay for daycare - I am so fortunate!

Alright, that is my thoughts for today.. I am going to sign off with a few 22 week pictures - I was told today at work that I have "popped".. which, yes, I have within the past 2 days. AND this baby is practicing to be an acrobat I think... :)

Picture Perfect

I have a few pictures here to show everyone :)

Bouncer

Matching swing

Our bedding came!!!

LOVE IT :)

We are pretty excited that things are coming together! That's all we really have for today :)

Home

It is so good to be home in Omaha :) I think Marcus is pretty excited, as well as Kona! We got my car unloaded (it was packed) and went to get groceries. Marcus has been working hard putting together our bouncer and swing that I got for my baby shower... they are both very nice! He's also had fun looking through the other gifts as well :) Our crib now has a mattress and just needs the bedding - which should be arriving TOMORROW :) Everything is starting to fall into place.. now it's just to find a daycare!
This baby is currently doing somersaults and every time I get Marcus worked up to come and feel, he/she stops! Guess who the baby is taking after?! (haha)
My vacation was amazing! One of my classmates got married last night and it was a blast to see some of my classmates again! Time flies by :)
It's back to work for me tomorrow - I am extremely excited to see my students and get back in to my routine! The remainder of the year is going to go by soo fast... along with a lot of activities!

I'm just going to end the post with a quote that I think is appropriate:
“This is my wish for you: Comfort on difficult days, smiles when sadness intrudes, rainbows to follow the clouds, laughter to kiss your lips, sunsets to warm your heart, hugs when spirits sag, beauty for your eyes to see, friendships to brighten your being, faith so that you can believe, confidence for when you doubt, courage to know yourself, patience to accept the truth, Love to complete your life.”

News from Minnesota

It's been a while since I've updated - which is NOT LIKE ME :) I have been on Spring Break since last Friday the 1st. I drove up to Moorhead that night and stayed with my brother. On Saturday, my in-laws, Teal and Chasidi, and myself took Olen to watch his mama skate in the roller derby bout. I had a BLAST watching roller derby!! On Sunday, my mother-in-law and sister-in-law hosted a baby shower for me. I got some really nice gifts and had some nice visiting time with the family :) We also decorated onesies, which is what these next pictures are of:

Courtesy of April - Deb's request

I then got to babysit my nephew for a little bit on Monday before I came home to Hallock.. he is the CUTEST boy I have ever met :) Here are a few pictures!

I am now home in Hallock spending time with my family, which is a blast! Marcus is missing me I think ;) Last night, I was laying on the couch and our child was kicking up a storm. Caitlin came over and felt faint kicking.. she was pretty excited :) Oh what Marcus will have to look forward to when I come home - unloading my packed car... and his baby kicking :)

I am 21 weeks tomorrow - and I have a few recent pictures from last week of my growing baby bump...