Preparation Day

If you've been reading this blog, or My Little Loodle, you probably know that this time of year is my favorite. I start counting down the months usually when the summer season hits. For me, this is the most important time of the year; and much like everyone else, this is a time for family. My parents raised 6 children and everyone (including the 9 grandchildren and 4 spouses) will be here this year; home in Colorado, for Christmas. I am the youngest and 17 years younger than the oldest. We are Roman Catholic. Polish. And Irish. Hello BIG family!!! :D With this big family comes BIG activities. My parents usually take care of the outside lights and inside decorations (sometimes with the help of the kids if they are present). However, the one activity that is known as "Preparation Day" to me,  is the day we cut down, set up, and decorate the tree. Observe:

We walk around the property in search for "The Tree."

My father, sister and brother (pictured above), and Paul are here for this.

Then we pick the tree...

cut the tree...

measure the tree...

and cut some more.

We transport the tree to the front of the house...

take pride in our efforts... (from left: Tim, Mom, Katy, Paul, Dad)

measure the tree again...

and cut some more.

We apply the tree stand...

and then it's time to maneuver the tree extra carefully in the house in order for it to safely arrive in the living room.

After we stand the tree up, we need to center it, and then secure it with twine.

Now we are ready to begin!

LIGHTS!

DECORATIONS!

GARLAND!

After we put the finishing touch on (the candy canes), we are all set!

We are now ready for our next activity of Christmas!

...to be continued

Fall 2012

OUR FALL consisted of:

Living in a hotel for 2 months... fresh towels everyday :)

A wonderful wedding in downtown Chicago.

A new home!

A Cardinals game, treated by Paul's family.

Hermann, Missouri Octoberfest with Paul's family.

Visiting Paul's brother in South Bend.

Notre Dame (vs. BYU)

           Meeting up with some good friends and getting a
                                    tour of their school!

 

 
       My parents came to visit for a fun weekend in     October!

Another fun weekend. This time, my brother and friend came to visit in November!

Baby news!! An April baby on the way.

We had a great Fall... NOW ON TO WINTER!!

It's Official Now!

How do you go about sharing something so personal, so wonderful, and so scary? I guess I did write about the day Paul proposed to me. I did write a post the morning of my wedding. I think I mentioned how I want a van full of kiddos to take around to activities. So why is this so weird for me to write about? I guess I just need to get this over with.

I’m pregnant! 8 weeks ago I couldn’t ignore how I was feeling. I wasn’t myself for about 2 weeks and the feeling wouldn’t go away. So, on a late Saturday morning, when we were staying at my in-law’s house for the weekend, I put my foot down and told my husband that today would be the day to purchase a home pregnancy test. We arrived at the grocery store and walked straight to the designated aisle. It’s like we were on a secret mission because we didn’t want anyone to see what we were buying. I don’t know, but suddenly I felt like I was 16 years old again about to purchase woman stuff and feeling extremely uncomfortable placing it on the moving check–out thingy. Thank goodness for self-checkouts now!

Anyways, as soon as we got back to the house, I took the test and the rest is history. Well, actually, I learned that I was pregnant, I went downstairs to tell Paul, who was sitting in front of the TV watching sports center, and I told him. He says he was prepared for the news (which I think it means he was happy? Yes? :D). Well, I am now 12 weeks pregnant. My due date is April 26, 2013 and I am so glad I have 6 more months to prepare for this little one.

Last Friday, I had a doctor’s appointment and we got to listen to the heartbeat. That’s when it hit us. I have a little one inside me with a heart rate of 150!! HOLY COW! How blessed am I to be given such a gift as this? Yes, I have read up on the whole process and oh. my. goodness. Am I in for the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my life, or what?! And still, I feel so honored and humbled. I cannot tell you how much sleep I get a night and still feel so exhausted. I thought maybe I was getting too much sleep ,so for a few days I went to bed late. I caught myself falling asleep at work those days. So in conclusion, I have an 8:30pm bedtime and I wish sleeping all day was an option J

So onto our next adventure! A baby!

 12 Weeks!

The tab, “My Little Loodle” at the top of this page is to document the goings on of this miracle so make sure you check out my journey there :D

Can you believe it was only 3 and 1/2 months ago that this happened?! I can't.

Homesick Stuff

This past month has been a challenge for me. It's like the first few weeks of college all over again. I am horribly homesick to the point where talking even for 10 minutes with any of my relatives on the phone brings me to tears. It's not a homesickness for Colorado per se, although I cannot tell you enough how much I wish it were Christmas (where everyone was home in the mountains for the holiday), but more of a homesickness for familiarity and a sense of comfort with family and friends.

This clip was taken last Christmas after my family cut down the tree from our backyard (we live in the mountains so it's legal). It was tree decorating day which is one of my favorite days! Wonderful! Can't wait to be back home and with the fam. 

Anyways, getting back to the homesickness thing, I can't possibly ask you to understand unless I tell you the story of the first few weeks of college. When I left for college (from Colorado to Texas), the homesickness was a bit worse than my present predicament. I had preseason for soccer the first 3 weeks before school started and the homesickness happened to be more than an emotional strain, like it is now. I wasn't able to eat or drink (even water); and in 100+ degree heat with 2-a-days going on, it was almost impossible to get through each practice without having to sit out from dehydration or faint spells.

This particular feeling of homesickness doesn't have me on the verge of starvation or dehydration, but it has been extremely emotionally draining. Anyways, if you have any extra prayers, I would appreciate them very much. Being the youngest of six and being away from family isn't my strong point. I'm used to family being anywhere and everywhere (California, Utah, Texas, Colorado, New York... etc.) and it's been a huge adjustment for me and especially for Paul since he's the one that has to live with me and my emotions :P

IN OTHER NEWS: We are still trying to make a decision regarding a parish to commit to. We've been going to a late mass these past few Sundays about 15 minutes away (and a pretty big parish)... however, we still do not know if we want to be a part of a smaller and more personal gathering. Prayers in that endeavor are much appreciated, too :)

IN OTHER OTHER NEWS: I am getting into podcasts! My job is one that involves being on the computer and being able to listen to music if I want or even audiobooks (which I've actually done [C.S. Lewis, Anne of Green Gables, 1984, The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, A Princess of Mars, etc... Yes, when working 8 hours a day, I need some good long books]). However, I've also found this awesome podcast that was made and is recorded every week by a young Catholic couple. They are absolutely hilarious, down to earth, and very relatable. It is called "Catholic in a Small Town" and it is highly recommended by everyone who listens. I'm still in the first few episodes from 2006 so it's great having a lot to catch up with! Exciting!

ALSO: If you've noticed the other blog up by the "Home" tab called, "My Little Loodle", I am getting ready to make a pregnancy journal. I liked the name so much, I had to snag it! So don't worry if you don't see any postings in there yet. I will get to it when the time comes :)

Now to things I am homesick for:

My Mom and Dad 

My wonderful nieces and nephews 

My beautiful college friends 

College soccer and my dependable teammates. 

My wedding day. Love this man to death!

This beautiful family. No, they are not just a bunch of models sitting together; they are a real life family and I am totally related to them ;)

Snowball fights.

My "almost" Irish twin (actually we are 15 months apart but we are very close)

This whole Christmas scene.

If you have not figured out the one thing I am most homesick for.... it's MY FAMILY!!! Really, Christmas cannot come soon enough!  

Things Husbands Should NOT Say to Their Wives Volume 1

I kid you not, these were said by my wonderful husband 30 seconds apart. These are things you should never (like... EVER) say to a tired and hormonal woman who happens to be your wife (girlfriend, mother, or just a random woman for that matter):

1. "Hey, you haven't worn make up in 3 days have you?... aww you poor thing."

2. "Wow, look at you eating that Big Mac! McDonald's should base a commercial off of you!"

... He then tried to save himself by adding... "What? I was just saying that you're sexy."

He really knows how to compliment, that one. ;P

A New Home!

 This is a happy post! My husband and I have been living in a hotel room our first 2 months or marriage (talk about God and his tests :P). During that time, we went back to Saint Louis where his family lives and stayed with them before packing back up and returning to the hotel for the week. They have been so nice and hospitable throughout this entire journey of ours. Hotel living is different to say the least. One room. One microwave. One small refrigerator. And many frustrations with meals. 

NOW (remember this is a happy post) WE ARE MOVED IN... well, sort of. We still have to unpack and organize, get groceries, and clean BUT we are moved! With the help of Paul's parents, brother, and sister, the weather couldn't keep us from getting everything out of the truck and up 3 flights of stairs to this lovely abode. 

 The view when entering our home.

The lovely kitchen and dining room as you look from the living room.

The living room.

This was supposed to be the master bedroom, but we are using it as a craft/guest room.

Our room isn't as big or as nice with these windows, but it does have a bigger closet :)

It's been miserable weather here in Missouri because of Hurricane Isaac (and I cannot be more thankful that this is all we are getting compared to the poor people down south... prayers go out to them).

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the little tour. I took these on my iPod so they aren't as clear and there aren't as many but Paul and I are satisfied and excited to live here for at least another year or two.

I'll post some more pictures when we have everything set and moved. In the meantime, I hope you are all having a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Prays for you all!