Baby, It's Been 20 Weeks!

Here goes - the whirlwind update before we head to the great outdoors for some well-deserved rest:
1) The house is on the market! Remember, when three short years ago, it was so exciting to be here? Well, now, it's really exciting to have the possibility of leaving! These links don't last forever (only until the house sells) but if you want to check out our Tiny House's listing, here it is!

2) The baby is growing! I can't believe that only 2 months ago, all we saw were armbuds..and now...


These were all taken 2.5 weeks ago when I was 18 weeks along. The ultrasound tech knew this little one's gender immediately, but since I want to be surprised, Eric is graciously allowing us to keep it a secret! Although, if we ever want to know, all we need to do is call... but I think we can hold out!

3) Starting to finally think about baby preparations! After 2.5 months of horrible all-day sickness with this tyke, I can finally get excited about preparing for its life with us! :) Started registering for a few items, but the list is not nearly finished!

4) And one more baby update: it's moving! And kicking and stretching and jazzercizing (I can only guess) and trying to find just a little more space than it currently has at its disposal! Eric is a little disappointed that he can't feel yet, but I'm doing plenty of feeling for both of us!

That's it for now - off to camping!

Life As We Know It...

There's going to be some changes the Casa de la Sorensen. Actually, they've already begun:

1) My energy is gone. Depleted. Non-existent. I've been sleeping 8 hours a night and napping for 2 hours every day after work. This doesn't leave much time for the rest of life to happen!

2) Food has lost its appeal. I get hungry occassionally and have been eating, but sometimes the food doesn't like to stay down. Interesting...

3) I haven't been able to work out, run, lift weights or visit the gym in over a month.I heard it might be best to take it easy.

4) My visits to the doctor have increased from once a year to at least once a month.

All of these little changes are leading up to the biggest change of all: a brand new Sorensen has joined the team! And even though you won't meet him or her for another six months, I think it'll be well worth the wait!

Three Months of My Life

Work. Work. Book. Work. Work. Work. Work. Book. Work. Work. Work. Work. Book.

Let's not focus on the work, but let's talk books!

#1: The Bible. I know, the book all "good" Christians will take with them to a desert island. However, this is the year that our church is trying to read through the whole thing in one year! Eric and I are a bit behind on the schedule, but are excited to see how far we've come already! (Have you ever really read Numbers? Wow.) To challenge us to think and not just read to be done, we bought a side-by-side Message/NIV Bible. Sometimes we read the NIV, sometimes the Message, and sometimes both. If you want a peek at the plan we're using, check it out here!

#2: Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? One of the most inspirational books to do your best and keep pushing. Hope you're up for a challenge!

#3: Less Clutter, Less Noise. You won't really love this one unless you're in church/non-profit communications, but if you are...? Look out! Great stuff.

#4: The Little Big Things: 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence. Only half-way through, but am finding great gems, like "Work Harder." Truly. It's in there. (This is a huge book, by the way. Don't let the "little" in the title fool you.)

So, if you're looking for something new to read, these are what I've been using to keep my mind occupied while off the clock.

Blogging has been tough lately - no, not because I'm trying to update with my Blackberry (although I am today) - because I'm think this being done with school and getting my bearings has been tougher than I expected. I'm very lucky to have had my part-time job turn into my full-time job as soon as I graduated, but the reality of the working life has hit me. And made me question a lot of things. So, any advice from those who've "been there, done that" would be great! (Since I'm using my phone for this, it's REALLY hard to steer clear of text-speak!)

On another note, 2010 has been dubbed "The Year of Health and Wealth" in our house. Eric and I joined a gym, got personal trainers, and are kicking it 5 times a week! Also, now that we're not paying tuition anymore, the money situation has greatly improved! Now, Eric has a great job and we were so blessed to not have any debt coming out of the education years. However, school is expensive! And now that we're not writing multiple-thousand-dollar checks to The University of Nebraska, the accounts are procreating quite nicely. House projects are coming! So, sitting good health wise (or getting there), money wise and job wise. But trying to figure out: is this it? No more adventures? Is boring the price we pay for financial and job security?

Final thought:
Beg, borrow or steal (or buy) the book "Linchpin" by Seth Godin. Amazing. Lifechanging. Motivational. (Would link to it, but don't know how from my phone. I got my copy from Amazon)

So, I'm back! (Aren't you glad?)

One Word

iPad

So, what's new...

1. Finished school. Can't believe I have a degree, but there you go.

2. Spent Christmas in the mountains. Had an amazing time and trying to figure out how to get away again, as soon as possible!

3. Did some planning. Realized that our life goals were a little unrealistic, but are shooting for them anyway!

4. Had a tough conversation. Remember that mean person? Yep, that's the one. I came out on top!

5. Was promoted! Well, technically, not really promoted. I had already worked myself into a new position and am now paid for it. This comes complete with benefits! Yay!

6. Have been working out. This time, for real. A personal trainer, a gym membership and everything. Can I just say, ouch!

7. 9th Anniversary and 29th Birthday. Yes, five days apart. (Whose idea was that anyway? Oh yeah..) Seems surreal and anticlimactic. Let's see what happens for the 10th and 30th!

8. Snow, snow, snow, snow and snow. This poor area has received THIRTY SIX inches in less than a month. My back hurts just thinking about it!

9. Taking a breath. Realized how little I had been breathing in: oxygen, relationships, relaxation, etc... Ready to get to a place of real living again.

Christmas in the Mountains

Merry Christmas everyone!

We hope you're staying warm and safe this holiday season.

After the whirlwind semester, we packed up the beasts and headed west. Skiing and spa-ing was great yesterday, but it was too overcast for good pictures. However, here's the condo area complete with a background of mountains and lots of snow...

We'll post some good slope pictures tomorrow!

Graduation

After 10 years, two majors, tens of thousands of dollars, no debt and not much sleep, we finally made it!

A Bachelor of Science in Communication, Journalism/Public Relations & Advertising Major and a Music Minor is MINE!

But I am sharing it with Eric...couldn't have done it without him!