A Wife Loved Like The Church

Jonathan and I went to Minnesota this weekend for a conference on being an organic church. We drove up there on Friday and came back super late Saturday.

From the beginning, we informed our other passengers that we’d need to stop quite often, since at this stage I can’t stay in one position too long. The ride up was without problems. We stopped several times and while I felt a little sore when we arrived, for the most part all was good.

Coming back however, not so good. Every thing stared off right. We drove about an hour and a half before stopping at Cabela’s to eat and walk around. Cabela’s is a man’s playground. I’ve never seen so many stuffed animals, camo and guns in the same place. And for dinner, I even ate a bison burger. I must admit, I’m a little ashamed of myself for that, because I really love buffalo and felt kinda bad for eating one.

Anyways, we got back on the road, stopping on one more time before we got home. Apparently, this is where I went wrong. In my head I knew we should have stopped more, but since I didn’t have to go to the bathroom I figured this was no point.

Well, last night when I was getting ready for bed, I realized my feet were really tingly, sorta like when they’ve been asleep and are finally waking up. I look down to see that my feet are swollen to twice their normal size! Holy cow. I made Jonathan take pictures (although, sadly I’m not posting them, because it’s slightly embarrassing) and I couldn’t stop laughing for a good 5 minutes. I propped my legs up for a while and then went to sleep figuring that they’d be back to normal by this morning. It looks like I was wrong. While they aren’t nearly as bad as last night, they are still pretty swollen, and the bad part is they are starting to really hurt. It’s a bit painful to walk around. I’m hoping that resting them today will help with the swelling and pain. We’ll see!

This week has been the week from, well, you know where. Not in my personal life, but in my work life. I guess when you work in HR you sign up to work with a bunch of 50 year old who act like they are 12. So, be warned all you who are thinking of applying for my job…

Because I have barely had a lunch break in the last 3 days, I have a ton of pinned up thoughts circling in my brain, so this blog might not make any sense.

Thought 1 – Ben Harper came out with a new cd, Lifeline. Jonathan and I picked it up last week and it’s really quite excellent. It’s a move away, in my opinion, of the white album on Both Sides of the Gun, but not the slow, emotional verses of the black album. He’s thrown in some pretty awesome cords that seem to be a throw back to canjun music. I’m not sure it’s my favorite cd yet (not much can top Welcome to the Cruel World), but it’s Ben, so I don’t complain.

Thought 2 – Jonathan, the love of my life, is now the household handy man. For a week and a half now we’ve had no access to our main bathroom, because we’ve deciced to redo the floor. Leah suggested that I have a written contract that the bathroom is completed by October 1, which might not be a bad idea… But in all reality, I think Jonathan wants it all done more than I do. Plus, it doesn’t help that I can’t do anything but say “ooh” “aww” and give words of encouragement. However, I can say that if I don’t see the inside of a Lowe’s or Menard’s for the next year I’d be quite alright with that.

Thought 3 – I love my job. I really do. But I will be so very happy when I don’t have to work here anymore. If there is one thing that I have learned while working here, it is, we will forever be stuck in 7th grade. If you didn’t like your middle school years, too bad, because adult world is no better. Did you feel awkward, feel outcasted, feel like no one understood you when you were 12? Well, I hate to break it to you, but it doesn’t change much just because you got a college education and decided to join the “real world”.

Thought 4 – Jack is nuetered.

Thought 5 – Jonathan and I started our birthing class last week. I don’t think anyone has said two words (except during the first ice breaker game) since the class started. Jonathan and I cannot handle this type of silence. I think I’ve started laughing at just about everything that goes on in the class. Not because it’s funny, but because there is so much tension that laughing is the only way I know to cope. Look, I’ve no doubt that pushing a 7 lb baby out of my body is going to be a very hard and difficult process, but seriously, isn’t funny when our instructor sits on a stool, graps her ankles and pulls her legs up to her ears to show us how to push during labor? I mean, come on people, that is a classic!

Thought 6 – Fall is approaching. I love the fall. It is my favorite time of the year for so many reasons. First, the cool weather is amazing (more so now that I’m pregnant). Second, fall means holidays. Fall is the first reminder that Thanksgiving and Christmas are going to be coming again once more. And that to me is one of the most important things about fall. 🙂

Thought 7 – Third trimester. Ugh. I love being pregnant. It’s been a real blessing and I am truly so very thankful to the Lord for what He’s doing. But at the same time I think that I’ve come fully into to my third trimester. My body hurts, constantly. And the super cute pregnant clothes that my friends so graciously let me borrow aren’t fully covering up my tummy any more. In several tops the bottom of my belly is hanging out. Hmmm… maybe if I was European I could get away with that look, but not so much here in Iowa. It might be time to use the last of my Kohl’s gift card to get a few more tops.

Thought 8 – Sleep is nice. I don’t always get it, but when I do it’s heavenly. In fact, I think I might take tomorrow off just to sleep.

Today started like every other work day. I woke up, got ready for work, ate some breakfast and walked to my bus stop. And that is where every thing went wrong.

I’m sitting on the bus, reading one of my baby books, when I started to feel a little queasy. I figured it was because I was reading and riding (not that I normally have motion sickness), so I put my book away. Then I started feeling warm, so I took off my cardigan. My head starts swimming, and I realize I’m sweating profusely. My palms are so wet, pools of sweat have formed. My face was wet to the touch, wet like I had just gone running. Now I begin to freak out. It’s all setting in that I am about to pass out.

Now I grew up with a mother who is a nurse. I’ve never shied away from blood, guts, vomit, etc. As soon as I realized what was happening, I tried to put my head between my legs and take deep long breathes. Ok, first off, being 28 weeks pregnant and putting your head between your legs on a bus, is like making wine out of water, it would be a miracle.

Then BAM! Before I know it, I’m coming to. It’s was like I was waking up from some really strange dream. I had no clue where I was, what was going on. I tried to remain calm. I realized no one had noticed, so all I needed to do was get off the bus as soon as possible and get some fresh air.

As soon as I left the bus, I called my mom. She told me to call Jonathan and go to my doctor immediately. I called Jonathan. By this point all common sense had been cast into the wind. I begin crying hysterically, which freaks Jonathan out. Between broken sobs I managed to tell him what happened and to meet me at the hospital. As I’m walking to the doctor’s I meet my boss. Again, common sense is no where to be found, and I managed to get out “Going to hospital. Not coming in. Call you.”

After an hour, Jonathan and I are seen by a nurse. Then half an hour later by a doctor. During this whole time Jonathan is doing his best to keep me from crying, assuring me that everything is a-ok.

By the end, it turns out that my blood pressure was a bit low, and I was partially dehydrated. Baby Dubya’s heart rate was between 140-150 (which is perfect). She had been active after breakfast and even shortly after the whole incident. Even now, she’s bopping around. So she is perfectly healthy and has no clue what happened.

Wow, so that was my day. I am thanking my Lord that everything is fine. Even in the midst of a emotional shake down, He was right there, continuing to guard my child and me.

It has arrived.

Yesterday Sonic had training day and put all their menu items at half price as a means to generate buzz and business.

I had a combo with a cherry limeade for $2.30. It was delicious. Every single bite.

I could even go back today….

To melt a microwave?

Just one. Me.

I tried popping some popcorn for my afternoon snack. I was standing in the breakroom listening to the pops, reading the newspaper, when I smelled this really awful smell. I turned around and smoke was billowing from the microwave. I opened up the door, only to find that the plastic on the inside of the door was melting.

I had one of my co-workers come see it, when next thing I know everyone is yelling at me to leave. “Sarah, what are you thinking?! You can’t be in here with these fumes! Leave!” So, I spent the next hour avoiding my office until I got the clear from everyone. The microwave was hauled off on a cart headed for the dump. It was like a funeral procession as everyone came out to see what was happening, and I just stood in the hall with my hands in my pockets saying “I didn’t mean to, I swear.”

And what makes this all so funny, is that Jonathan and I bought this new kind of popcorn and I swear every time I make it something goes wrong.

The popcorn burns.

The popcorn never pops.

The bag is burned so bad there is a hole in it.

Or, the microwave melts.

First, let me just say “THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!” to all of my wonderful girlfriends who have generiously let me borrow their preggo clothes. I can’t even begin to tell you guys how great it is to a) not spend a ton of money on a whole new wardrobe, b) actually have clothes that aren’t being held up by hair ties.

Something that I have come to realize is that I really do like being pregnant. Of course, I think it does my self-esteem wonders when Jonathan tells me how beautiful I am every day. Plus, it’s a perk when you have super cute clothes to wear everyday instead of your too-tight-pre-pregnancy clothes. So, all in all, I’ve not had major issues with my expanding form.

However, I will say there have been a few things I didn’t bargain for. One of those being a change in my ring size. Now, I will be honest in saying my fingers are small. I’m not sure why they are, but it seems to be a family thing. My mom has small fingers, my grandmother had small fingers, and so do I. Now, I should also note that not my whole finger is small, just the point before and after my knuckle. The knuckle itself is the size of Texas, literally. For that reason, I have always had some struggle with my wedding rings. They fit fine once on my finger, but sliding them over the knuckle takes some force. But, I’ve never worried about it since I never usually take them off.

Well, last week I realized that my rings were beginning to hurt my finger. Actually I noticed it a while ago, but sucked it up and wore them anyway. But last week I couldn’t take it anymore, I took off my rings (and several layers of skin around my knuckle!) and have been wearing them around my neck. I’m feeling rather naked without them on and have started wearing some blue ring I found buried in my jewelry box. I’m really hoping this was a ring that Jonathan gave me at some point so that I can at least still say that I’m wearing a ring my husband gave me.

I think I might endeavor to buy a nice silver ring for the future. But still, I am in shock at how chubby my fingers have gotten. My sister-in-law, Shelly, was joking with me last night and said “Well, I’ve always wondered were skinny people put their extra weight. Not their butt or thighs, but apparently their fingers!”.

I’m a day dreamer by nature. I loved “playing” softball because it meant I could go day dream in the outfield for most of the game. On the few occasions that a ball came my way, my head was so far in the clouds I forgot what I was even there to do.

I grew up day dreaming about a variety of different things, that changed, literally, on a moments notice. For years I dreamed of backpacking through Europe, sleeping in parks and living as a hitchhiker. One day my brother, Jesse, and I picked up a hitchhiker and I was so scared that I decided I could never actually ride in a car with a total stranger in a strange country. So quickly my hitchhiking through Europe dream was over.

Oh, by far my best day dream (and actually night dream) revolve around me being in the CIA. I think it would be the coolest thing to be a spy, speaking ten different languages, being in really intense situations and relying only on your wit to get you out. Obviously, I watched way too much James Bond as a child, and frankly would be terrified to rely on my wit alone to help me in out of anything.

All through my formative years, I really had some extravagant dreams. I had new ideas popping into my head by the minute, and every time I decided that one seemed worthy of pursuit, I would declare my self to have “officially decided” on the matter.

Then I grew up. Sort of.

I still day dream, but I’ve realized that my day dreams are a lot less glamorous than when I was a kid. For example, when we lived with the Abdos last summer I fell in love with their front loading washing machine. Not sure why, but man, that thing was awesome. When we moved into our house I literally would day dream while I did laundry about owning a front loading washing machine (see, not so glamorous). At any rate, we just bought a new washer and dryer from J Box. He needed to get rid of the ones he couldn’t put in his new place and we needed a replacement for ours. And the best part is, the washer is a front loader. 😉

Oh, imagine my excitement! And while a front loading washing machine isn’t nearly as exciting as say, hiking through Yellowstone (again, another childhood day dream), it still is a dream come true.

An email between my friend, Jen H. and I made me think about package deals in marriage and family.

Before I got married I would Google different sites for way sweet travel deals. I would see some ticket to Europe for $400 and think “Wow, how sweet would that be? Go to Europe for 400 bucks!” Now I see that and I double it. Going to Europe for $800 isn’t as sweet sounding of a deal as $400. Not that I have room to complain. I’ve traveled more since I’ve been with Jonathan than I ever did single. But still, when you double everything it sorta knocks out the whole “sweet deal” that you find.

Then I thought how hard it is to visit our family and friends outside of Iowa (because of the whole doubling thing), and realized we should be advertising ourselves as a package deal. Listed below are just of few options that you, my beloved out-of-state friends and family could purchase.

“The Windham Duo” (available for a limited time!) – for the low price of gas money, a spare spot of floor, some blankets and a chew toy, you could purchase Jonathan, Jack and myself for a weekend (or week!) of pure Windham madness.

“The Windham Package” (coming late November) – for the low, low price of 3 plane tickets, an entire room for all our stuff, and patience to deal with two sleep deprived adult, you could purchase a week with one incredibly cute girl.

“The Windham Clan” – for those out there willing to splurge on a little something more, you will get the “package” plus Jack, for an extra fee of doggy treats and a big back yard.

We are now standing by for orders.

So, our lives aren’t really boring.

Last week Jonathan and I were interviewed by this girl, Kate, from the Press Citizen concerning the cost of having a child (hospital stay, buying items, etc). Here’s the link to the site: Parents prep for birth.

There was only one disappointing part of the article. We spent the majority of the time expressing to Kate our beliefs on God, who He is in our lives and how that effects how we will raise our kids. Yeah, that didn’t get written. But I had a feeling it wouldn’t. When Jonathan and I walked away from the interview all we could do was pray that at least Kate understood what we said, even if it never went to print.

It’s a little strange to read about ourselves through the eyes of someone else. We explained to Kate about some hardships we faced over Christmas, and while I know my heart and what God has done for me through that time, it’s awkward to see it written and to wonder how others will take it. When something effects you deeply, it seems a little trite to sum it up in less than a paragraph. Maybe the section should have said “…she worried that maybe it wasn’t God’s plan for her to have children. But that doesn’t make God any less worthy of her praise.”

Part of me wants to help explain the situation, to explain that God is a good and faithful God, and that while I doubted where I thought my life was going, I never doubted Him. But alas, that can’t be expressed.

And so I will need to rest in knowing that we shared our faith with Kate, even if it was Kate alone. And we either planted a seed or watered one. From here only God can make it grow.

I have made it almost a month without a single post. Nothing that exciting (or exciting enough to write on a blog) seems to be happening right now. But never fear, I’m sure my life will be filled with enough sleepless nights and poopfilled drama to keep you all entertained come winter.

This last weekend, Jonathan and I celebrated Anniversary Extravaganza 2007! I had Monday and Tuesday off, because we were planning a trip out of town that fell through. So we took Sunday and my two vacation days to spend together. I’ve come to the conclusion that I enjoy having vacation at home much more than going some place. We were never rushed, and really the only concern we had was how long to stay at the pool before we went out to dinner.

Well, to give a play by play synopsis of our AE ’07, here goes:

Sunday: Jonathan got this book “Oddball Iowa” from Chris Biang a few months back. We’ve never really looked through it, but gave it a whirl. We drove to Dyersville to visit the Field of Dreams. Luck for us, the last Sunday of every summer month the “Ghost Players” come out of the field and have a little show. We made it just in time to see some really old men (some have been doing this since the movie came out in 1989) pop out of the corn. It was fun, and something completely different from what I imagined. For some reason, I really thought they’d be like baseball players, but they just had some beer guts and threw the ball to little kids. All the same, we agreed with when Baby Dubya is older, we’ll have to take her.

Afterwards, we drove to Dubuque and took Jack to PetSmart. Then took a scenic drive down the Mississippi before heading home.

Monday: We got up kinda late and headed over to the Mall for Chick-Fil-A’s breakfast chicken biscuit (yummy!), and cruised around the mall for a few hours. Of course, we found ourselves (like always) at Barnes and Noble. Around noon we went to see The Simpsons. Oh man, this was a funny, funny movie. However, if you go see it, keep in mind that it’s a movie and doesn’t have the same censorship as T.V. All the same, it was pretty entertaining. Then off to home we went, for a nice long nap (for me!) while Jonathan put up the mini blinds in our dining area. When I woke up, I was way excited to see the blinds (as this has been something I’ve wanted done for a long, long time!), and I was floored to see that my wonderful hubby bought be 24 red roses (1 rose for every month we’ve been married). 🙂 Man, they are simply gorgeous.

We spent the late afternoon at the Coralville pool (note to self: pool, bathing suit and large crowds does nothing for yourself esteem when you’re pregnant). Jonathan feel in love with the big slides, and I was rather dissapointed that I couldn’t go down them. One of the best parts of pools is when they have water slides. 😦 But oh well, maybe next summer.

Tuesday: We built some shelves in the garage, went downtown for some personal time with God, then watched a movie while we ate dinner. Last night we did a major overhaul in our garden.

**Random side note: Does anyone else have massively overgrown tomatoes?! Seriously, our tomato plants have vines that are 6+ feet long. I’m not even kidding. We had to cut them out of their fencing, buy some trelice and cut off a ton of vines. They have gotten so long they are taking over. I know it’s good and all, but man, the plants are dying because they’re too heavy. We ended up throwing away a lot of fruit because they were rotting. Bummer. But all I think we’ll still get a good group before the the end of the season.

**Random side note #2: Wilson’s Orchard opens today. In fact, I even had a dream about it last night. It was a weird dream, so I’ll spare you the details, but still, I’m way happy for some pick your own apples. Jonathan and I might try to go this weekend to get some apples for dessert on Monday.

Well, hopefully something really fun and blog worthy will happen this month so I can actually have something fun to write about.