Slacking!!!

UGH! Here we are the end of January and I've only posted a couple of times. I have PLENTY of excuses- snow storm after snow storm, after ice storm, after snowstorm... I could go on. Luke and Owen (and me!) have missed 8 (yes, 8) days of school this month. Iowa, as well as the rest of the country has had a very weird and crazy winter so far. And there is still much to be had : ) The kids have loved being home- however, we just got word that they are now going until June 3rd- I haven't broken the news to them yet. I doubt this piece of information will be met with hoots and hollers of joy!
I thought I'd update on what each of the Mieska crew has been doing for the month of January.
Jeremiah: He continues to work on the basement. He's got a great plan in place and I'm hopeful his enthusiasm will continue. Steve also continues to help and he's been a great blessing to us. Work has been a bit slow for Jere since December but it's starting to pick up a bit. He's also started his 1/2 marathon training for May. We're very excited to be doing the Council Bluffs run again. Only this time I will be alone in the 5K. I don't think this preggo body will be ready for a 1/2.
Gina: Me, well I've just been working (when there isn't a snow day), baking a baby, taking care of 3 little sheep, meal-planning (we're still trying to eat from the pantry), cleaning- I wouldn't say nesting, and enjoying the time with our fairly independent family until it's all flipped upside down by a new little sheep. BAAAAA! That's me crying for help. No really, things have been going really well. I'm seeing the doctor 2 times per week now for my non-stress tests because apparently I have hit "advanced maternal age" according to my 30 year old doctor! Baby looks great and we're so anxious to meet him or her in the next couple of weeks.
Luke: Whew! That is one busy kid!!! He LOVES being outside in sub-zero temperatures and doesn't understand why it's really not that healthy. We've had many a fights when he has asked to go out with -20 windchills. It AIN'T gonna happen. Overall, he's been a great joy this winter- he's growing into a nice young man and doing great in school. He continues to be in the talented and gifted program (Lightbulbs) and thrives there. He definitely got his smarts from his papa. He's also competed in the Pinewood derby for cub scouts this month and had a really cool car (carved by Grandpa Steve). He didn't win, but says he was going for "looks" anyway :)
Owen: My sweet Opie- loves kindergarten and we can't believe he's half way done. He continually asked if he could go back to school during all the snow days. He LOVES it! He is becoming quite independent, learning to read like a champ, and also learning how to push his brother's buttons. He's my sneaky guy- but I secretly love it because he's just like me. He's been playing the Treynor Hoopla basketball program all winter and continues to grow there. He's found a sport that his older brother doesn't like so I think he knows there is no competition and he can relax and enjoy himself. He's quite the hoopsta'!
Juderbug: I could just eat him up! He's so sweet and loveable. He's 22 months now and really showing his personality. Learning to say lots of words and putting lots of words into short sentences. He tries to do EVERYTHING his older brothers do- which can be quite dangerous but he's really a great kid. He LOVES his brothers so much and they love him. He continues to go to Iowa Western Early Education Program and is thriving there as well. We could not ask for better teachers for him.
That's our month in a nutshell. I haven't posted pictures in awhile since my home computer is not working and haven't been able to download. My goal over maternity leave is to get that done- along with a nursery, laundry, reading, cleaning, etc... we'll see. Hope this all finds you warm and well for January. Pray this new little Mieska McNugget arrives healthy, safe, and SOON!!!

Oh, and a shout out to Bethanie and Barry- Jere's cousins are due any minute now with their little boy. Prayers for the Park family!!!
Much love!
G

T minus 30 days...

The countdown is officially on. McNugget Mieska should be here in approximately 30 days! It seems so far away and yet WAY TOO close. I'm/we are very anxious to meet the little babe. I've always said the last month is the hardest because one is anxious, nervous, hurting, aching, busy, sleep-deprived, etc... however, this is also one of the most joyous because one can sit back and watch the family because it will never be the same... in a good way. I had my tear-jerker moment this morning as I watched little Juderbug sitting with his big brothers- I pray he doesn't get lost in the shuffle of adding a new little person that will require so much of my time and attention. I know a time will come when Jude doesn't even remember NOT having a younger sibling, but it still makes me sad that he's losing his spot as the baby! I will have to give all of them extra loving this month- more for myself than anything :)
We are finally back to a "normal" week- after Christmas break we had another week of snowstorms and no school. It was heavenly but we all were ready to start anew. The kids need their routine as do Jere and I. We still haven't done anything to the baby's room- I'm still trying to pick out colors so that's on our list to tackle in the next two weeks. Any ideas would be appreciated. Even if McNugget is a boy I'm trying to stray from the classic blue- maybe we'll go with Green....Hmmmm.
Will post pics soon of the most recent snowstorm- Oh, how I wish I was 5 or 8 again and could play in the GINORMOUS snow drifts at our house! Have a great week.

Annual Transitions- 2010!

There is a sense of renewal with each passing New Year's Eve. A sense of re-birth, purity, rejuvenation... at least I think so. I feel re-freshed... at least I would if I weren't 8 months pregnant. So I'm pretending I'm not, for the moment, and going with this momentum of energy. I've debated whether or not I wanted to post my goals for 2010- I've decided to because I'm hoping it will hold me a bit more accountable- I also hope that by having people know my goals and watching me work (and struggle) toward them, it might encourage each of you to set and achieve your own resolutions as well.
Bring on 2010~

Personal Goals -
*First and foremost, I want to continue to grow in my relationship with the Lord. I'm shooting for 20 minutes of alone time with God each day.
*Be a better wife to my husband and mommy to my children. Exercise my patience... I think I still have some.
*Start a much healthier food and exercise regimen for me and my family.
*Recycle and Re-use as much as possible. Take on a sense of frugality. I am very much a consumers dream- I will purchase multiple products that I already have at home because I don't take the time to look for them.
*Garden and compost- Obviously this will start in the spring- I want to bring healthier foods to the table that me and my children have grown.
*Un-plug more... I spend more time than I should on the computer and facebook.

Financial Goals -
*Formulate and execute a strict plan to eliminate our current debt- We're starting Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover/Financial Peace.
*Save $1000 in 45 days! This will be a struggle- but doable.
*Conquer the coupons and deals at our stores- even if it means multiple trips. (shop less for groceries)
*Set and stick to a new monthly budget, including grocery shopping.
*Set back at least three months' worth of expenses in a separate savings account.
*Stick to our commitments at church.

So... there it is. Sounds lofty- but I can do it. I plan on referring back to this post when I've lost my momentum. A good friend recently said to me "make this an adventure for your family, see how much you can accomplish, and when you're tempted to spend frivolously think about God sitting next to you and asking if you really need this or that (McDonalds, new toy, evening out to eat)." Sounds crazy, but it works. So to you my family and friends I ask that you pray we are able to accomplish our goals. My prayer for you is that you have health, love, friendship and a relationship with God like never before. He will move mountains.
To a Joyous 2010~
G