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