Quiet Weekend

We've had a much needed, VERY quiet weekend. I love it. Last week was a bit nuts at work, so I needed to be far away from that place this weekend. Got to see a few sweet girlfriends on Friday night and they came to my house so I didn't even have to go out.
Yesterday we didn't have any plans except for Saturday evening church... and we used a gift card at the Red Stag Supperclub afterwards. This morning after an extra hour of sleep, we walked to Caribou & McDonald's (Dan's favorite thing to do!).... and enjoyed a small treat, and then we've been home with NO COMMITMENTS all day long. I did manage to get groceries and Target sundries, but now am home for the rest of the eve, unless we join friends for the Vikes/Pack game.

I am the kind of person that continually thinks of projects I should be doing. Rest doesn't necessarily come easy for me. And yet, I crave it and it feels so good when I do it. Sometimes I wish I could totally shut my brain off and ignore the to-do list. But usually I feel much better if I get some of those things done so it's a toss up - ignore the list and feel guilty, or do the list and feel relieved. The things on the list are usually things that can wait, but they will have to be done sooner than later so in my brain, it's more relaxing to get them done sooner than having them hanging over my head for later. The person I live with is the opposite - bless his heart - and it's a good balance for me, that's for sure. He gets them done, so really it all works out in the end. We just approach things in a different light. So with being in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy, I'm having to tell myself a bit more often to take a load off, to sit down, to lie down, or plain old just take a nap! I love the excuse of pregnancy - maybe it's something that should rub off on life even when I'm not!

Speaking of, here's 29 weeks pregnant.... looking forward to hitting 30! Dan and I decided the other night that we're really excited to meet this little girl and be able to use the name we've given her :). Can't wait for 2010!

We Rest On Thee

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.

Yes, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation!
In Thy dear Name, all other names above;
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise;
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.

MEA Break

I love sunny crisp days in October, and I love the break that comes part way through the month thanks to being in education. Dan and I didn't make any out-of-town plans, but we really wanted to enjoy and make the most of our long weekend here in Minneapolis. The list included..... painting and cleaning the office - done. Painting the baby's room - not done - but the paint is purchased. Cleaning out the garage as it had become a holding tank for some rocks, cardboard boxes, and trees (yes, trees)... done! Using a 25% coupon at Marathon sports for Dan's running shoes - done. Grocery shopping for the week - done. Church on Saturday night and open house for friends - done! We even got a nice dinner in Saturday night with Kurt, Kristi & Suz at Pizza Nea..... really nice evening. Sleeping in to no alarm and any needed naps throughout the weekend - DONE! As you can see, quite successful if you ask me. It's 5:30 Sunday evening and I still have a few things that I'd like to accomplish, but the number one goal is to be mentally ready for the week ahead so I'll try to chill out and rest up for the remainder of the evening.....and looking forward to a good week ahead.

36 Years.....

Yesterday was another birthday milestone for yours truly. It really was a great day! I worked, had fun at school with people that I enjoy, got flowers from my main man, and enjoyed our usual Monday night workout at the gym. Then Dan and I cleaned up and headed down to Dinkytown to our new favorite place, the Loring Pasta Bar. Such a unique, cozy atmosphere and great food to go with it. Dan and I loved every minute of it. He was great to me and we enjoyed a great evening out!

I am so thankful for life, for people in my life, for the upcoming changes and addition to our family in the next year, and a chance to continue to trust God for our day to day provision. 36 is a good number of years. I love birthdays.

My First Baby Shower

My College girlfriends got together this morning - the four of us lived together our Senior year and they've been awesome friends over the years.... 3 of the 4 of us are pregnant and the 4th has a 9 month old! I love these friends..... and am so comfortable around them. We had brunch, talked all things baby, and even opened a few presents. I'm so excited to meet this little girl..... here is the belly pic at 25 weeks!

Faith vs. Reason

From the Valley of Vision this morning:

I thank thee for showing me the vast difference
between knowing things by reason,
and knowing them by the spirit of faith.
By reason I see a thing is so;
by faith I know it as it is.
I have seen thee by reason and have not
been amazed,
I have seen thee as thou art in thy Son and have
been ravished to behold thee.
I bless thee that I am thine in my Saviour,
Jesus.

Official End of Summer

Even though I've been back to work for a few weeks, tonight feels like it's officially the end of summer. I think it's been one of my best summers yet - and for no particular reason. Just a lot of rest, time with Dan, time with friends, time to prepare for a baby, and time to read! I suppose the key word in all that is TIME. I'm thankful for it.

This photo really does describe my summer - just a bit of a belly, my shortest haircut in quite awhile, time with family in Nebraska, and a good amount of time with my camera!

I'm looking forward to the coming school year, and it'll challenge me in good ways. Some added responsibility at work, some tight time lines to get things done before the end of December, and some change in personnel in our office will combine to cause me to rely heavily on the Lord and to do my best at the work I've been given.

We ended the summer with a patio night at Pizza Luce tonight with good friends... and it's back to school in the morning!