Wednesday, April 23, 2008

21 Weeks



I cannot believe how big I'm getting and how quickly. Makes me a bit nervous for the summer months and how big Baby Bob will be. :) I'm definitely feeling much better overall but I'm still having to take my medicine regularly... I tried to go off it this week and had two bad days so I took it today and feel great. So much so that I went for another run which I needed. I love running and listening to worship music and after the day I had at school... I needed a chance to let out some energy and refocus.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

reality settles in

Today was bittersweet for me. We spent all day with friends which is always a fun thing to do. Today had a different spin though... the first outing with friends was saying good-bye to one of our students. He heads out to the UK for Operation Mobilization and then to Bible College. It's very exciting to see him follow this path but it's still a bummer to say goodbye. This is our second goodbye to youth in just two months with several more ahead this summer. This will be a difficult year to say goodbye to students. I feel many of these are the ones we've connected with the most over the past few years, they're the leaders... and well they're all just awesome students.

Then we had Adelina/Nick over for dinner to celebrate Adelina's birthday tomorrow. It's always great fun to be with them but we talked a bit about them moving back this summer and after the saying good-bye to David this morning it was like reality just hit... Nick and Adelina are definitely leaving. They will definitely be missed. And it just made me sad. Our first year here we said goodbye to some great friends that we had made, last year wasn't too bad, and now this year is quite similar, if not worse (as we've known these people much longer) to the 1st summer. It's the way of Hong Kong but that doesn't make it easier. I'm just trying to remember that God brings all sorts of people into our lives and for all different reasons and that we need to take advantage of those relationships, build them as strong as you can, and be the best example of Christ that I can be.

I feel bad for Izzy too, though I don't really know how much she'll really understand but 2 of her best buds leave this summer. One is heading off to college and the other is Kayla. I'm really curious to see what will happen, if she'll realize what's going on, will she keep asking for her, etc... It breaks my heart sometimes that she'll grow up in a transient culture but I pray that she will do as I wrote above.... learn to love others and give her all no matter how long a person will be in her life.

And just because this post sounds a bit depressing... there's nothing like an Izzy smile to make my day. :)

Friday, April 11, 2008

Breakdown and recovery

Well Wednesday was just one of those days. I was telling a friend that I think it's because I've been in HK too much lately. LOL In the past years, I've been blessed with a trip to visit family about Jan/Feb and then a family holiday to Thailand at Easter. This year, I started working and have not had those breaks. Sound like a good excuse? LOL

Tuesday I had a discouraging Dr appt. Nothing wrong with the baby but I've gained quite a bit of weight and the nurse insisted on telling me how overweight I was and what I should do about that. I know that I've gained some weight as it's obvious in the bulging stomach and some other places :) but I don't feel/see the other added pounds... or maybe I'm just blind to it as I was with Izzy which is a scary thought in itself. But alas... Baby Bob is healthy and kicking away and I'm watching what I eat and making more of an effort to exercise.

But Wednesday... just went downhill. I was just down I guess and a conversation just made me lose it. I was feeling sorry for myself, frustrated at some things, etc... and so I called Mike and vented and cried. It honestly felt good and I think i just needed to get some things off my chest because almost immediately after hanging up the phone... sanity returned. I realized how selfish I had been, was convicted on something that God has asked me to do and eventually excited about life. I think sometimes I know that my feelings are selfish and I shouldn't be feeling that way so I never talk about it and then instead of being able to let go of everything, it just builds.

I also decided to get back into my running routine as that (or exercise in general) has always been good for my sanity. But since I've been unable to run for 3 months and for the sake of the baby's health, I decided to go back to the Couch to 5K running plan. I was quite surprised in my ability to run, the speed at which I could run, and the endurance that I had. I ran much longer than Couch to 5K suggested which I was really encouraged by. It felt SO GOOD to get back out there and get moving and I was all geared up for last night but...

my streak ended after a mini-bus ride home from meeting with a friend. I felt just horrible and had to ask Joan to put Izzy to sleep as I could barely move without running to the loo. But I'm feeling okay today and made it on the train without fainting so all is good. LOL

Speaking of my friend... we met yesterday to plan for our Mom's group and I can't tell you how excited I am for the weeks ahead. We planned out activities for the rest of April and May... things anywhere from doing the Walk Away the Lbs DVD, to making a small scrapbook album, to a trip to the park, a Mother's Day tea, a special speaker... oh I just can't wait. Now I just pray the other Moms will be just as excited. We counted about 5 more moms who are interested in joining us so that's very exciting too.

So lots going on but how boring life would be without it. Hope you have a blessed day!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Guardian of the Keymaster

Morpheus Mike playing the Wii



Isn't this so cool!!! I LOVE it. David is a very talented artist and has been working hard to prepare banners for 'reload' our new youth ministry beginning May 2. It's theme comes from the Matrix trilogy and each adult has their own character. I'll have to download and post Mike's pic. It's awesome. So apparently I'm one of the Twins with my friend Jocelyn. I could not remember these guys from the movie so I had to google them. :) 

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Back from Camp

We came back to our place for a BBQ this morning. It's SO nice to have a place big enough to host things like this. Here we are just relaxing.
Izzy and Hunter... so cute eh?

Our group on the hike

We had a great weekend at camp but it's nice to be home and sleeping in my own bed. There's much to share but I'm not feeling so well tonight but I wanted to share a few fun pics.


Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Happy ramblings...

Well after a scary day yesterday... today was amazing. At least as far as I was feeling. :) When I got home from work, Izzy and I took about 1 1/2 hr walk, then we painted, read and I even had the energy to exercise after I put her to bed. It felt wonderful!!!! My pregnancy workout video came and while it's not exactly what I was hoping for... I do like it and will enjoy using it. I did however order Tae Bo's Postnatal workout with Shellie because I know I'll love that too.

I forgot to mention that on Sunday, I finally started feeling Baby Bob. It happens so quick that I often don't realize that's what it was until afterwards but that's okay.... I know my days will come. I'm anxious for Izzy to be able to feel Bob though... I think she'll get a big kick out of that. :) One of my students told me today that she thinks I'm having a boy. They were so cute when they realized I was pregnant... they all came running up front and just stared at my tummy.. of course telling me how fat I was getting.

I'm so lucky that I only have 3 teaching days this week! Wohoo... another festival on friday! Our youthgroup retreat is this weekend and I'm really looking forward to it. We'll finish with a BBQ and possibly swimming at our place on Sunday since the camp is just minutes away from our place.

But alas... I'm just rambling and should get to bed. Have a great day!

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Dizzy spells

Well I had quite the start to my morning. Mike took me into Sai Kung to catch the bus because I thought I was running late and i was all excited because I would actually have some time to spare and wouldn't have to run to school after the mtr. I hopped on the bus about 5/6 minutes earlier than normal, someone felt pity on the pregnant lady and gave me their seat on the 1st train. The second train is only 2 stops so I don't even bother to try and find a seat... guess I should have today. I literally came seconds from passing out. When the train stopped, I was pretty much leaning on the guy in front of me (who by the way was not too happy), I had lost all hearing and was quickly losing sight. Thankfully I rushed off and was able to just sit on the floor. I'm sure I got funny looks as tons of people passed me but I survived and didn't pass out. I still must have looked awfully pale or something because a man at the top of the escalator was trying to tell me something (like maybe the bathroom is this way or help or I don't know) but he didn't speak any English and well I certainly don't speak any Cantonese so I just shrugged and kept walking. I've got a terrible headache now but other than that I'm doing fine. It sure did scare me though... especially since I wasn't at all expecting it. I wasn't hot or uncomfortable at all... no idea where it came from.

But anyway.... yesterday we finally got Izzy registered for school. It kills me to do this but I know she'll love being around kids and if we plan on staying in HK.. it's what we gotta do. It's a local Christian school which we thought was cool. She'll be taught in Cantonese only and her second year she'll begin learning Mandarin. Crazy but I'm so excited for her and a bit jealous. I wish we could have some formal language study. The Principal was very sweet and encouraging about having an English speaker in this setting and I think it made her happy that we wanted to put Izzy in this situation.

Tonight we have small group and I'm looking forward to that... and maybe a nap to get rid of this headache but we'll see. ;) I'm going to try a new way of getting home ad hoping it won't take me forever.