facial hair

Haven't posted in a while and don't feel like I have anything exciting to say! This blog of mine cracks me up anyway because all the people that read it I either talk to on a regular basis or they follow me on facebook so I feel like I just repeat myself! haha. oh well i guess it just gives me something relaxing and mindless to do when i have nothing else to do.

Went to the doctor yesterday. very short and quick visit. heartbeat was 154bpm. And i go back on Feb. 26th to find out the gender! I am SO STINKIN excited to find out. Im tired of saying "baby." I want to say brother or sister or call this thing a name! Which brings me to the next frustrating subject. We have 2 very precious baby girl names picked out (or atleast I think they are cute...some of my friends dont act like they think it is too cute...but oh well.) But we CANNOT find a boy name that we agree on. I have 4 or 5 boy names that I really like and Jeff does not like any of them. Grrrr. So if this baby is a boy we are just gonna call him "man child" or something. kinda impersonal to me.

Colin still seems to be doing good in his school. He is always clean and content and happy when I pick him up. He talks about his teacher and friends alot and is constantly singing songs and such that he has learned. So I can't complain! He likes it so I like it. And I JUST love how close it is to the house. So super convenient.

I am about to start going through Beth Moore's "To Live Is Christ" study with a friend. Really excited but also a little nervous. I'm going to be honest and say that spending time reading my Bible and studying has NOT been frequent lately. I think it will be a hard transition, but a necessary and beneficial one. I'm also going to have to figure out the best time of day for me to do this. I don't know if it will be easier to wake up earlier (already not a fun process lately) or wait till Colin goes to bed (which has been my nightly and involuntary crash on the couch session). But I am really excited to do this and learn more about my God!

So things are going good at the Notelpats household. We only get sad that we can't see our families in Arlington more than we do. We haven't seen either of our parents since Christmas (which I guess was only a month ago...but it seems like a long time ago). And it is hard for us to come there since Jeff kind of has to "work" on Sundays. Looking forward to seeing our families soon.

So I will leave you with an funny conversation I had with one of my students....

Student: Mrs. Stapleton, how come Mr. Jeff has hair all over his face and you don't?

Me: Because Mr. Jeff is a boy and I am a girl. When boys get to be grown up they grow hair on their face. Girls don't do that.

Student: ......(after about 20 seconds of silence).....Well then why does my grandma have some hair on her face? She is a girl.

Me: ..............uhhhhhh..........

hapnins

so I am exhausted getting back into this school routine after 2 blissful weeks off....and the dreadful cold is certainly not helping. All I want to do is snuggie it up! Thats what I get for buying the "cute" peir and beam house. it is very drafty! oh well...

colin started his new school and he loves it! he really has adjusted very well. hasnt really cried much at all! And he already seems to be benefiting from it. Just from 4 days of being there he is just talking up a storm. Using these HUGE sentences and telling me all about what he did during the day. Sentences like, "I like school. I go to school and paint. I play with my cars." When I picked him up today he said, "C'mon mommy lets get my backpack and lunchbox!" As my mom and uncle would say "He's a pretty fart smeller." (if you switch the beginning letters its 'smart feller.' hehe)

yes I am very pleased with his school. i've already had a few well meaning people try to tell me negative things about the place. but there isnt a perfect place and as long as he likes it and is thriving there, then i am happy. and....just to do a quick vent... i know i am young and a 'kid' to some people. but i am a grown woman/mommy and i am capable of making decisions for my family. k i feel better now! lol

i am SOOOOO very excited that this is jeff's last semester. i think i am more excited about him graduating than i was for ME to graduate. i'm just ready for us to have a 'normal' family schedule. for us to go to bed and wake up at the same time and for me to actually spend time with him at night instead of having to leave him alone to write a paper or go to the library. and hopefully this semesters classes will be 'lighter' than last semesters. it was really fun to see him do youth ministry stuff over the christmas break and he was so much better at it simply because he had time and could focus on JUST that. excited to see what next year brings with him being 'full time' at it.

little baby is still cooking! i think i might have felt some rolls in there (not kicks...more like a flip or something!) it was cool. not for sure thats what it was, but i'll just pretend it was! i go back to the dr for my 16 week check up on the 28th of Jan. then at the end of Feb. we'll find out if this little thang is going to be another rowdy boy....or a bossy little girl like me. jk....i'm not bossy. :)

we are really happy that we moved here and feel so at peace that this is the right place for us. but its hard to keep friends here cause they keep leaving! first daniel and mary, now jenni and tim, eventually jeremy and danielle, and then eventually sheryl and kyle! i just hate it. and jeff has made a TON of really really good friends at ETBU that have left or will leave when they graduate. its just hard.

there are some FABULOUS couples at church that are so good to us and invest themselves in our lives (which we love them for it) but they are not our age. We need those "older" (and i don't mean old) friends, but we also need friends in the same 'stage of life' as us. Especially since working with youth means we dont get plugged into a group of people our age. We do have them, it just seems like its a revolving door of friends and that takes me on an emotional rollercoaster when i start to get attached and then have to say adios! and i am HORRIBLE about staying in touch with people that i really DO want to stay in touch with....even my dear friends back in Arlington! I guess that could be new years resolution is to try to stay in more contact with the friends I love. I'll try!

Well I hope everyone stays warm in this devestatingly cold weather. Everyone put your snuggies on! (have you noticed i am a snuggie fan?)

the year in review

The Year in Review...again.

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?

bought a house!

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

i don't usually make resolutions. i don't think they are bad, but i don't think resolutions should be reserved for just the new year. i am more likely to keep a resolution if God has convicted me of something rather than doing a traditional resolution just because.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes! Taylor

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes

5. What countries did you visit?

none

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

a school-free jeff!

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Oct 3 - sister passed away and may 15 - move in date for the house

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

i think more than buying a house its been learning to balance my money with a mortgage payment and just live/spend differently.

9. What was your biggest failure?

i probably spent more time on the computer than with my son. :(

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

nothing serious. just sinus sickness. and IBS! haha

11. What was the best thing you bought?

my new blow dryer! it cuts off about 6 minutes of drying time because it is so powerful!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

jeffs for perservering! there were many times that he wanted to drop out this semester because it was REDICULOUSLY too much work. but he kept going. And still made every effort to be the husband, father, and youth minister that he needed to be.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

sometimes our youth. they are good kids that just make stupid choices sometimes. and it frustrates me when i see such potential and those choices screw things up. i also am appalled at the amount of trash-talk and gossip that goes on in the youth in general.

14.Where did most of your money go?

mortgage and childcare

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

finding out i was pregnant

16. What song will always remind you of 2009?

"I Will Rise" by Chris Tomlin

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? happier
ii. thinner or fatter? fatter- but i have an excuse
iii. richer or poorer? neither, we just are using our money differently

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?

spent more valuable time with Colin...more time talking to him.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?

wasting time

20. Did you fall in love in 2009?

yes, i always fall in love with jeff and colin as we grow closer. and i fell in love with a little gummy bear on the sonogram screen!

21. What was your favorite TV program?

The Office!

22.. What was the best book you read?

The Shack!

23. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Chris Rice. he wasn't really new, but i had just forgotten about some of his older cds and they are awesome. such great lyrics

24. What did you want and get?

a deck

25.What did you want and NOT get?

a shed for the backyard

26. What was your favorite film of this year?

The Blindside

27. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 26. we actually made an offer on the house around that time.

28 What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

just being content and thankful. when you spend most of your prayer time thanking you find yourself asking for less and less. i am learning that.

29. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

wow...fashion has gone down the drain for me. i'm just a jeans and t-shirt girl. i do have some really cute maternity clothes that i am excited to wear as soon as i am showing more.

30. What kept you sane?

understanding more that Christ's love is not conditional. it does not depend on what i do but what he has already done. kinda takes the pressure off!

31. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

hmmm.....i guess Kirk Cameron since I got to meet him. I just respect alot of what he does and stands for.

32. What political issue stirred you the most?

i have no idea. i really don't pay attention to that kinda stuff.

33. Who did you miss?

my sister

34.. Who was the best new person you met?

sheryl! what a great friend and such an example of someone who thinks of others all the time. and its been fun to find out that we must be long lost sisters cause we are exactly like....from looking alike, to being carpet nazis, to needing our early bedtimes!

35. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:

This is something I knew but actually got to experience this year. God is good all the time. Even when life punches you in the stomach he is still the same God as he is when life makes you smile. I've learned not to even place my identity in the "bad events" that have happened to me but to place my identity in him. its not about me and what has happened to me. its about God being good ALL the time.

36. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:

Theres a peace I've come to know, though my heart and flesh my fail
Theres an anchor for my soul. I can say it is well.

37. The best thing you discovered this year?

skype!

38. The best thing you lost?

well i'm about to lose my babysitter for colin. she just is too tired and worn down from her shoulder to take care of colin anymore. she has been such a God send and I am sad to not be able to use her with the next baby.

39. What are you glad to leave behind from 2009?

the first trimester of this pregnancy...yuck.

40. What are you looking forward to in 2010?

meeting colin's brother or sister. figuring out how to be a mommy of 2!

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Wednesday, Dec. 30th. 2009

Outside my window... wet (what else is new in East Texas) and cold. I am definitely SICK of cold weather. I have never been a fan of the cold. I am SO ready for spring. Ready to open my windows, have a cheaper electric bill, and let my boy play outside!!!

I am thinking...that this break has really spoiled me. It is going to be SO hard to go back to work on Monday. I have really really enjoyed my time with Colin and I will be sad to drop him off on Monday morning. :(

I am thankful for...the fact that I passed my glucose test this morning! Yeah!

From the learning rooms...i choose to not go there in my mind just yet.

From the kitchen...just got a HUGE amount of groceries yesterday. Nothing is better than a stocked fridge and pantry. grilled hot dogs tonight! Got to eat them before the buns go bad.

I am wearing...jeans, t-shirt, and chuck taylors

I am creating...a "potty chart" for colin to keep track of when he goes and doesnt go.

I am going...to get Colin (and baby) into a new day care. this is the best day care in town and they just so happen to be in the moving process. they are moving to a building that is RIGHT around the corner from us...like literally 1 minute from our house. Just heard back from the director and she has a spot for Colin and has baby on the list for the fall. So I am going to there open house on Sunday to check it out and all that. Im excited that they can help with Colin's potty training.

I am reading...well my mom is finishing up "Forgotten God" by Francis Chan and then she's sending it to me. So that is my next read.

I am hoping...to keep this baby inside me as long as possible. i am high risk for pre-term labor again. but surely it will be fine. i was only 5 weeks early with colin so it wasn't a dangerous early. hopefully this one won't be dangerous either.

I am hearing...HGTV and colin playing with his legos.

Around the house...a mess! Since Colin has been home during the days we have been pulling out all the toys and dirtying up all the dishes!

One of my favorite things...when Colin says, "I wanna hold you, Mommy."

A few plans for the rest of the week...clean the house today, youth lock-in tomorrow night (I'm only staying til a little after midnight!) then enjoying my last few days off.

A picture I want to share... well really a video of colin's talent on the drums! click the link below.

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=393136785242&ref=mf

baby and Christmas

How far along: 10 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: almost back to original weight. had lost 7 pounds to begin with and now I've gained 5 back.
Maternity clothes: Just a few elasticy pants. And there are about 3 or 4 maternity shirts that don't look too awkward on me.
Stretch marks: nope.
Sleep: depends on the night! Already starting to have to get up and go to the bathroom in the night. If I don't get up in the night I am about to bust when my alarm goes off!
Best moment this week: well it was techinically last week (Friday). But I got to have my first sono. I was so relieved to see that everything was good...and to see that there was only one! Jeff has been really wishing for twins!
Movement: no
Food cravings: fried chicken, cheetoes, mac n cheese, pb and j sandwhich (not any of that together...that is just a list of things.)
Gender: don't know! Either would be so so so great!
Labor Signs: nope!
Belly Button in or out: in
What I miss: being able to wait to eat when I'm hungry.
What I am looking forward to: going to the doctor again on the 28th. might have to get an early glucose test though when I go back since I am high risk for gestational diabetes again. If they dont do it then, they will do it at the next appointment! Guess its good to find out as soon as possible though!
Milestones: baby has heartrate of 171 bpm!

Have a VERY busy next few days.
-Tomorrow: class christmas party and then staff christmas party in the evening. Colin also has jammie day at his school. Wish I could go! He will be so cute.
-Friday: Last day and early release. Then Youth Progressive Dinner in the evening. My house is providing the main meal! Gotta feed 30ish youth spaghetti. That could be dangerous. Think I'm going to tell them to go eat on the deck so they don't get it on my carpet! haha.
-Saturday: nothing
-Sunday: Jeff is "off" from church but that night we are going to our age groups Sunday School party. Should be fun!
-Monday: our family Christmas at home (just us),and looking at Christmas lights downtown
-Tuesday: head to A-town

Well I am about to go brown about 6 pounds of beef for the youth party. Better get started! Hope everyone has a blessed Christmas!

what i use when i want to write and don't know what to write about...

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY Monday, Dec. 7, 2009

Outside my window... very stinkin cold. makes me want to stay inside and bundle up on the couch!

I am thinking...about Christmas presents for people....that's as far as I have gotten is thinking about it. Wish I was a better gift giver. I want to give people meaningful gifts but never know what to do.

I am thankful for...Jeff's semester from heck almost being over!

From the learning rooms...going okay. We are learning about ordinal numbers, blending sounds, wants vs. needs, and water.

From the kitchen...well I was going to go to the grocery store today because we have NOTHING. But I was too lazy and I realized we really don't have any money left! So....we ordered pizza....with the money we do not have. haha!

I am wearing...jeans and a long sleeve white tshirt under a red marshall mavericks t-shirt.

I am creating...a little grape sized baby in muh belleh!

I am going...to try potty training again with Colin over the Chrismas break. I think the week after Christmas I am going to devote that entire week to getting him on a schedule, wearing undies a little, etc.

I am reading...i wish i could say the bible...but I would be lying. Should get back on that.

I am hoping...this cough that I have had for 2 weeks goes away VERY soon.

I am hearing...the backyardigans and colin singing.

Around the house...upper part of the house...pretty clean. downstairs...not so much.

One of my favorite things...being able to wear jeans to work until Christmas break!! yeah!

A few plans for the rest of the week...go observe at another school tomorrow morning. Wed-work and church. Thursday - work. Friday - no work! go to Dr Lin and get a sono!

A picture I want to share...I just have to show off Jeff's photography skills cause I think he is really good. He took pics of my friends baby girl.

funk/baby/ear piercing

just thought I'd write about a few random things today.

I am having kind of a funk day. One of those days where I am just bummed. A large percentage of that is knowing I have to go back to work tomorrow. I have SO enjoyed just being with my family and not feeling overly exhausted by normal routine expectations. Part of it is a missing Erin thing. Most days I am fine and at peace. Every once in a while it just hits me like a punch in the stomach. But really...its just a bummer for me and others that are left behind. For her? She has nothing to worry or be upset about it! She is in the presence of God. (Not that she ever really did worry or be upset! ha!)

I am almost 8 weeks pregnant and really looking forward to my doctors appointment next Friday (the 11th). Praying all is good and healthy. Sometimes I don't feel or look pregnant and that makes me a little nervous, but I am sure it is fine. I have felt a little more sick with this one than I did with Colin, but its still not really that bad. Just a little queasiness when I get hungry.
I am very excited about adding to our family. I can't wait for this baby to just be here and to see Colin be a big brother. I just hope he is nice! Sometimes he can be a toot.

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about how I respond to God. I feel convicted about my lack of response to him and his love. We talked about a verse in sunday school today that I thought was REALLY cool. So...I will share.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but my ears you have pierced
burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require. -Psalm 40:6

I read that and thought, "What the heck does that mean about ear piercings?" Well I found out. Back in the day slaves were not required to be slaves forever. Its not like they were born into slavery and had to stay that way until they died. They had a certain time frame and then they were to be released. However, there were some slaves that CHOSE to stay slaves for the rest of their lives because they trusted and respected their master and knew they would take good care of them. If the slaves agreed to that, the masters would pierce their servants ear as a sign that they desire to be bound to their master for the rest of their lives. Jeff just informed me that this is called a "bond servant." (Lots of you probably already knew this, but I didnt! So I am excited.)

Anyway, it made me start thinking about my life. I have made that decision to be bound to Christ and to be under his care for the rest of my life. However, bond servants had a symbol to show the world that they had made their decision. People could tell by looking at their pierced ear. I hope and pray that people can tell that I am bound to Christ just by knowing/seeing me. Do I do enough/say enough/love enough? Or do I just fill my day with gossip and meaningless talk. Do I stay quiet about the one I have bound myself to and trust? Do I genuinely love people or do I judge or just wish they would go away? Its something to think about and makes me more aware of my actions and attitudes. If Christ is my master and I trust him completely with my life, then my response should be a changed life that is bound to him and obedient to him. And everyone should be able to tell that.