Friday High Fives

I promise to have a bit more creativity running through my veins next week, but this week, I'm just limping toward that finish line. Can anyone else relate?

This week I tip my hat to the following smile makers:

• The return of Parenthood. Please don't make us take a break like that again mid-season, producers. I missed you, Bravermans. And if you happened to watch it last night, I'm guessing you were right there with me and my happy tears and giggles as one by one the siblings showed up to rescue Julia in her solitude. Man, I wanted to join their dance party! That family, they just get it. Like, really get it.
• The official kick-off to Shamrock Shake season, what, what! I love those little bundles of chilled, green goodness. And for those haters out there who scoff at its ingredients...take it elsewhere. I ain't hearin' it. These suckers come around once a year and I'm indulging. PS...there's apparently "yoga mat" chemicals in your beloved Starbucks' drinks, so let's call it even, shall we?

• An impromptu dinner with our brother-in-law last night. It was the first chance I've had to really hang out with him outside of a family gathering, so it was nice to be able to chat more one on one. He's pretty cool. I think we'll keep him;)
• Roadtrippin' it this weekend. Snow, just chill out for one weekend, okay?
• Fresh fruit. I'm loving it during this pregnancy. I've never been one to eat much fruit on a daily basis outside of bananas and my smoothies, so this has been a fun change and the healthier of my cravings.
• Extra cuddles with Wrigley this week. He's been clinging to my side more than usual and this fur mom is soaking it up.

• The Hubs being a rock star at his job in 2014. He's cranking out some killer work and even going above and beyond to help some friends. I think I'll keep him too.
• My mom's oral surgery went well and is healing nicely.
• Getting my hair done. Apparently prenatal vitamins can make your hair grow rapidly. Great for your hair. Bad for your roots. Yikes.
• The Divergent trilogy. Starting the 2nd book tonight!
• Brainstorming baby names. The possibilities are endless.
• Receiving this text and photo from a dear friend, Soles, last night...

 

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Overjoyed

Today is a good day. I could care less that it's yet another day with negative degree wind chills (only today will I not care of such things). Today is the day that I can shout it from the mountain tops that one of my absolute favorite people on the planet is having a baby. Woohoo!! So glad the cat is out of the bag.

My friend, let's call her T-Payne, is only 3 weeks behind me on this journey and I could not be happier. Going through this journey for the first time is amazing and scary and confusing and mind-blowing, and to be able to share all of our questions, joys, nausea, etc...has been a blessing.

I cannot wait to hear as their details unfold, i.e. boy versus girl, registry choices, etc... I can promise you that if they are blessed with a girl, this self proclaimed "Aunt Britt" will be stock piling hair bows to be smuggled into the little one's hair when mom isn't looking! Maybe her stance on all things girly has changed, but in the past she swore her daughter would never wear bows, etc... I'm determined to preform hair bow ambushes every chance I get (sorry in advance, T). I will make sure some of them have Gamecocks on them though. And some Bulldogs too. Citadel Bulldogs, that is. Sorry, S-Payne.

To T-Payne, her hubby and step son, I've told a hundred times and I'll probably continue to tell you, but I'm so happy for you. I'm so happy you found each other and that now you're going to create this little person who is perfectly you (both of you). Praise the Lord for letting us walk this journey together. You're going to be an amazing mom. You already are, actually, so this will be a fun transition. Can't wait for Kickoff in Sept! I'll have my poms ready!

Bring on Baby Payne!

A Girl, a Glove, and a Harsh Winter

Have you ever found yourself driving down the road where you can't really pull over, and you're suddenly struck by a MAJOR case of nausea and you contemplate getting sick in your glove because the only other option is your purse, and, well, that can't happen? Yeah, me neither. I was just asking for a friend.

So, that sort of sums up the first half of my day. Let's hope the 2nd half doesn't involve any gloves or handbags as emergency barf bags. I don't think that's too much to ask really.

On the bright side, it's another -20 wind chill sort of day in good ole Illinois. One would think I'd have gotten used to this by now. I can say with utter confidence that I have not. And if that day comes, just end it all for me, please. I NEVER want to get used to these ungodly temps. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to live in them, but I certainly don't want to have them be so common that I'm un-phased.

And that, my friends, is all the creativity that I have in this nauseated, frozen brain of mine. Sorry. Hope your day is better than mine:)

Done and done.

Friday High Fives

Shhhhhhh...I'm cheating a little on this one seeing as how it's Monday. Who cares? We can make our own rules on Mondays., right? Right.

This past week/weekend, I salute the follow mood improvers:

• A little high school-esque date night of burgers and fries and heading to the movies. I was so excited that the minute the Hubs got home from work I told him not to sit down because we were leaving in 5 minutes. I'm pretty sure it was the promise of a milk shake and burger that lit my fire. I'm rarely that motivated these days.
• Consuming quite possibly the best burger, fries and milkshake I've ever eaten at none other than Steak 'N Shake on said date night. I blame pregnancy. I was beyond in love with my meal and if that's wrong, I don't want to be right. The sad part about that meal was that is was 10 times better than the two nice meals we had at Pearl and Merrill & Houston's last weekend and was about 1/8 of the price of each. Step it up, Merrill & Houston's and Pearl!
• Some pretty amazing Olympic women figure skaters. Those ladies were impressive and made up for the struggles that the men faced last week.
• My amazing Hubs for being so supportive during this pregnancy journey.
• Piggy's new, fabulous hair cut. He's so fresh and so clean, clean.
• One of Tim's good friends being able to bring their new baby home from the NICU.
• Learning a little bit of history via the Monuments Men during our movie date.
• Breakfast with my family for my mom's Bday yesterday.
• Seeing our little bean move around like a maniac on an ultrasound. He/she moved non-stop and even took a few gulps of fluid as we watched. This baby and process has constantly kept me on my toes and thrown a few scares in the mix, but every single time it makes us worry, they take a look inside and it's still growing and moving like a champ. If this is any indication of the future with this kiddo, he/she is going to give us a run for our money! No doubt.
• Knowing that in a few days we'll get to embark on the Freiberg siblings' weekend. I've never gotten to tag along on this outing before, and I'm excited to have some family, fun time with our nephews, niece and my sis-inlaws! Next year there'll be one more cousin to add to the fun.

I hope y'all had a great weekend!

Sercies

It has been a great few weeks of mail delivery in our little abode. Isn't it glorious when you get something other than a bill in the mail? It just takes your day to a new level.

Thanks to some people who really must love us, we've been blessed with a few sercies lately (if you aren't familiar with a "sercy", you can also call them "prizes" like one of my BFF's, Tracy, calls them;). And for those asking "what the heck is a sercy?" It's any sort of unexpected gift that makes you smile. You know, those "I saw this and knew you had to have it" out of the blue gifts. Aren't those the best?

From a fantastic "kiss me" bib for Small Frei to winter boots for our little Piggy, Aunt Tracy has made our day twice via the postal system. The bib was our first baby gift and we love it! And to see a package addressed to our pup turned this very rainy, icy day into a much brighter one. I mean, how cute are these gifts?

Cue the "mama stickers" from The Patricks. Although I'm not quite ready to go public with my "bump" pictures, we've already had fun with them! Once I look less beer-belly and more mom-to-be, we'll share some pictures. Until then, here is what the stickers look like in action on a random momma. Thanks, random momma, for sharing your belly with us.

And then one day "Ziggy" (nickname, not real name, so don't panic), otherwise known as "Small Frei", got his/her first Valentine's Day card in the mail from Grandma and Grandpa Frei! There was a sercy inside and although Ziggy campaigned hard to put said sercy to use immediately, his/her dad said we had to wait. Man, being a parent is tough stuff making wise decisions before the bean is even here.

So, thank you, sercy senders, for brightening our chilly days over here. You've made us smile with your thoughtfulness and you've kept our paws toasty, our future onesies clean during meal time and our bumps numbered.

Who can you send a sercy to today?

Strength

Today is the final radiation treatment for my teammate at work. After months upon months of weekly chemo treatments followed by daily radiation treatments, she has made it to this first finish line. She is one step closer to being a breast cancer survivor.

She is the epitome of strength and courage. If she's been scared, as I'm sure she has, it's never once graced her determined face. She's consistently shown up to work when the rest of us would've probably made the decision to take an extended leave of absence or at minimum called out sick when the treatments were getting the best of us. Not her. She's tough. She was going to live her life and she has.

She's faced this challenge  struggle  devastating news  obstacle battle with a spirit of hope, courage and positivity. I've never once heard her complain. I'm honestly not quite sure how she's done it. As a bystander, I've gotten to see cancer a little more closely than I had before. Watching someone go through the stages of hair loss can be a life lesson in itself, but watching someone own it and make the best of it, can also be inspiring. It definitely makes you second guess your petty stance on "bad hair days". And watching someone face this disease head on like a victorious champion before the treatments even started has taken inspiration to a new level in my book.

Cheers to our fighter, our champion and our inspiration today. Today is your day. And I pray that thousands of tomorrows are your day too.

Dreaming of Warm Places

Today, while the snow pounds the ground outside of my window, I dream of warm places. Non-white, fluffy places. Places where the sun is so bright that sunglasses are mandatory and crispy, red shoulders are a risk you're willing to take.

 

I dream of 90 degree days when the local dairy farmers toss icy, chocolate milk from their parade floats, and most of the outfits lining the street are made up of red, white, and blue sundresses and tank tops.

I dream of a swim-up bar (while not pregnant, of course) and a tasty "Dirty Banana" smoothie while the music plays at just the right decibel. Every stressor you had before you boarded that plane and hopped in that pool suddenly seems less important than the decision of which beverage you'd like to try next.

 

I dream of outdoor meals with friends where the sun shines from every direction and you wish you had nothing else in life to do but to sit right there. Forever.

 

I dream of summer thunderstorms. I crave the days of slightly open windows with the smell of rain and the sound of thunder. Ominous clouds call out to me on days like today.

 

I dream of beaches. Enough said.

 

And tubes being pulled behind boats where the genuine laughter is the loudest you've heard it in a long time. And where "okay, one more time" makes you feel like a little kid again regardless of your age.

I dream of fairs and festivals and hats that keep the sun out of your eyes.

 

 

 

I dream of fair food and deep fried picnics while listening to live music. 

Maybe even a little touch football in your cowboy boots and seersucker dresses.

 

And outdoor dates with a hot guy.

 

 

 

 

And neighborhood get togethers with bright clothes and your besties.

 



 

 

And, lastly, I miss the fun and joy and exploration that only summer can bring.

Check your cares at the door and hop on the fast slide. It'll take your breath away.

 

Love is All Around

Can anyone name the movie of which this post's title is from? Anyone?

I love to love Valentine's Day. You will NEVER find me mumbling about it being a "Hallmark holiday" or a manufactured day for everyone to run out and spend money. Never. And I honestly feel bad for the people who truly believe that. It makes me sad. When someone, anyone, gives you an opportunity to go a little overboard one day a year, why not take it? What's lost if you do participate? Absolutely nothing. The people in your life feel loved. You get to brainstorm ways, above and beyond the average day, to make those around you feel special, etc... It's a win-win.

While picking up donuts for my office this morning as a little treat, I overheard the cashiers  complain about the silliness of the holiday. Helloooooo? Do you not see me, a paying customer, giving your store some of my hard earned cash because of this so called "silly day"? After they bashed the day and the fools who spend money on it, they handed me my donuts and said "Happy Valentine's Day to you." Hmm, for some reason their well wishes felt a little hollow, but I smiled and politely said "and to you!" No one was raining on my parade, said the woman carrying out a dozen sprinkle donuts.

And in Valentine's Day fashion, I figured I'd give my special love bugs a shout out today like I did last year here:

• To my Hubs, thanks for being my Valentine over the decades. What started in 1997 has grown over time, and where there were two people, now there are three and I'm so glad you'll be our Puppy Daddy and Baby Daddy;) Thanks for loving me through ups and downs, smiles and tears, hunger and mood swings, etc... "We're the three best friends that anyone could have..." 
• To my family (immediate, extended and by marriage), thanks for being you. You crazy people, you. You have helped form me and guide me and your blood is my blood. If I could've hand picked you all, I would've done it the exact same as the Lord above chose.
• To my fur baby, Piggy, I love when you wake me up for drinks of water at 12:45am and again at 3:45am because it gives me extra time throughout the night to remember that I love you. Let's try and move those reminders to 7:15pm and 9:30pm though, okay? Love you, momma.
• To my beautiful friends, we've seen each other through single times, engaged times, wedding times and now baby times. There are no words for how excited I am to experience motherhood with you all. You're amazing mommas, and future brides (Soles), beautiful women of faith, and I'm a better person for knowing y'all.
• To our future Small Frei, today your Daddy got you your first onsie for Valentine's Day that says "Made in Rockford". It's the cutest thing ever and I know you'll love it as much as I do. Thanks for allowing us to be your parents (although I'm pretty sure someone else had a hand in deciding that you'd be ours). We promise to not screw up more times than we get it right (I pray). And although I cannot see your face, I know I love it already.

Happy Valentine's Day, Loves!

I hope someone makes you feel special today with their words, a hug, special treat, or maybe even just a smile.

You are loved today and every day.

Education Soapbox

I make no apologies for my brief rant that is about to unfold in front of your eyes. Sorry, I'm not sorry.

I work in higher education and have for over 12 years now. I myself have a college degree and highly recommend the same to anyone else who will listen. Today while sitting in a meeting, we were informed that our local, public district "showcased" a new pledge last night on the news. What was this pledge they're promoting, you may ask? I shall tell you.

They've asked all of their freshmen high school students to take an oath to graduate high school. GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL. While I get what they're trying to accomplish, hearing about this news feature made me extremely sad and angry.

#1, WHY isn't this a given? Why do we have to ask our children, the future members of our society and workforce, to promise to finish high school? I mean.... C'mon people, that should be a given! I knew kids who skipped class, rarely did their homework, and yet, still managed to stay in school, graduate and beyond. You did not want to be THAT kid who dropped out or flunked out. No way. Why is this sad state of affairs news worthy?!

#2, WHY are we not asking them to pledge to go on to some form of post-secondary schooling? Whether technical or career training, a 2 year degree, 4 year or a Master's, WE need to ask more of our children. If we don't, who will? Their manager at the mall? Doubtful. Kids needs to be challenged, not asked to do the bear minimum that is required of them. What type of example are we setting here?

In a world and society that is constantly changing and advancing, only those with an education will succeed. People complain and tote bumper stickers raging against the "1%", but guess what, who do you think makes enough to help support the cost of the social services it takes this country to feed those who aren't working? It's the educated. Don't get me wrong, I'm a bleeding heart and I want people to get the help they need and I know that some hard working folks just don't make enough to keep their head above water, BUT the help they need can be eliminated by a quality education. There ARE jobs out there. We just don't have qualified people to fill them. When less than 50% of our community has a high school diploma or GED, and less than 7% have some form of college degree, it'll be hard to make the changes that people want to see around here. YOU MUST be the change and a high school diploma just doesn't cut it anymore sadly. I wish it did, but it doesn't.

Don't have the funding to go to college? There are thousands of people like me who get up every morning and go to work to find the funds that can and will afford you an education. You just have to apply. We're waiting for you. We're all desperate for you. Generous donors have stroked the check and banked on the hope that you'll attend and give their hard earned dollars a new life.

Don't pledge to do the minimum. Please. Pledge to do more. Be more. You can do it, even if no one else is telling you that you can. I'm telling you that YOU CAN. I've got your back!

I Am Second

And this, ladies and gents, is what an ideal Bachelor should look and sound like in my humble opinion. Especially compared to what we've witnessed this season.

I may not have loved how much emphasis ABC has put on Sean and Catherine's "waiting for marriage" and flashes of their honeymoon suite, but what I DO love are Sean's words, honesty, integrity and commitment to his faith.

If you watched their wedding on TV with the rest of us, you probably were drawn to Sean's father like a moth to a flame. At least I was. For those 30 minutes during the ceremony, his earthly father made our heavenly Father outshine everything else during those two hours. It's rare that you get that much Jesus on prime time TV and I was so impressed and amazed. Their family love for their faith is something to respect and hope for in our growing family.

If you have a few minutes, give this video a watch. It's the first time that we get to see a Bachelor completely stripped of the limelight and cameras. It's just Sean, a chair, and his testimony. It's honest and it's refreshing.

Imagine how different this world of ours would be if everyone was second.


http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/sean-lowe/