Ready or Not

So the past few weeks I have had my weekly appointment leading up to this baby coming.  My doctor has been amazing at working with my blood condition and with JD being gone.  We had a plan in place in case I went early and my appointments have always gone along the lines of how are things going, any questions, and closed with we will discuss more when JD is back in town.  So at my appointment today, my doctor came in and asked if JD was officially home yet.  When I said yes, her response was, "how does Thursday sound to have this baby then?" I was super surprised, we had never even discussed induction and she was suggesting August 1st, I'm not even due until August 6th.  Her reasoning makes sense, it would not be very fun or safe to go into labor when I am on Heparin, and it didn't make sense to worry about being induced if JD wasn't even in town.  We changed the date to the evening of August 4th to work things out better for my leave of absence and maternity leave so ready or not this little bug will be here no later than Monday next week, crazy!  Probably a good thing too, I have had two little feet up in my xiphoid process and diaphragm for the past 3 months and it feels like they are running out of any available space because meetings are getting more and more uncomfortable for breathing and the contractions are not making things any easier either.

JD is home!

JD has been gone for 6 long weeks in Ashland for summer rotations and is finally HOME!  Ashland is about 5 1/2 hours away, fairly close to the Oregon/California border.  We found out back in March that he would be going there so we had time to process the fact, but it didn't make being apart when I was 9 months pregnant any easier either.  While it was a hard time for both of us being so far apart, we experienced so many blessings from the experience this summer.

We had a really hard time finding somewhere for JD to stay in the Medford area.  The contacts we had didn't work out and it was getting a little stressful as his rotations got closer.  We had actually started looking at hotels at a price tag close to $3,000 when we couldn't find a place for JD to stay, but I didn't feel good about going that route and I felt pretty peaceful about the whole situation and figured we could get a better idea when we were on vacation the end of May.  After a series of events moved our temple attendance plans to a different day and two different session times, we finally got to the Medford Temple to do what would be my last session for this pregnancy-we later learned there was a very good reason that we had changed plans so many times leading up to the temple.  A temple worker ended up chatting with JD for a bit when JD asked for directions since we hadn't been in that temple before.  Those of you who know JD know that he isn't one to just strike up a conversation with a stranger, and in getting to know Brother Jorgensen, he isn't much one to do that either.  Anyway, in the course of the conversation JD brought up that we had checked out Ashland the night before since he was doing rotations there in a month and that we hadn't found a place for him to stay during that time.  Brother Jorgensen mentioned that they had once hosted a PA student in their home for a similar circumstance and if it was ok with his wife, he felt that JD staying with them shouldn't be a problem.  Turns out that the Jorgensens were the only remaining contact that we hadn't tried, having been referred by our friends Haylie and Chris Weston, JD already had their phone number, but had been hesitant to call since our friends didn't know them, but were in the same ward and had heard they might be an option.  He thought it might be awkward to call and say "Hey some people you don't know in the ward gave me your number, could I maybe live with you for a few weeks?" And yet it was in the Medford temple that they were able to meet and talk.  We left our phone number for Brother Jorgensen after our session and by the time we pulled into our parking spot in Portland he was calling JD to confirm that he could stay with them for hardly any cost at all.  JD was able to stay in their beautiful home in Ashland that was about 10 minutes from the hospital he was assigned to and walking distance to his retail sight.  When JD locked his keys in the car, Brother Jorgensen gave him a ride and let him borrow their car until I got into town.  They would often save dinner for JD and it was just a really amazing situation altogether.  It was a huge testimony builder about the power of prayer, temple attendance, and paying tithing.  I know that all of those things are very real and that blessings do come from doing them.

JD's sites were really excellent as well.  Instead of just learning about anesthesia medications, the hospital JD was at was small enough that the pharmacist was able to work JD into the operating room with anesthesiologists.  He was able to sit in on several surgeries and see the 'drugs in action' as these doctors administered the medications during the operation.  His retail site was busy and very involved with helping JD learn.  JD was able to counsel, administer vaccines by himself, and pretty much do everything within the limits of being an intern.  Hearing from other classmates that wasn't so much the case in many instances for them.  Some pharmacists invited him for dinner, one even sent JD home with a full meal for us when JD came home for the weekend.  He got to see a lot, experience a lot, and learn a lot from the rotations.  They were also very accommodating letting him work 10-12 hour shifts to allow him to come home on Fridays and head back on Mondays.

There was a lot of divine help on my end too.  For starters, this pregnancy has been relatively 'easy'.  I have felt really well.  I only had to go to the ER for a clot scare once and that wasn't too big of a deal.  I have been able to work and continue to watch friends' kids, and carry on like normal. It helped a ton to have JD home most weekends.  One of the weekends I was feeling really good and drove down to be with him and check out Crater Lake.  It was good to meet the Jorgensens and see where JD was staying.  Aimee and her friend Lisa also flew out from Utah and stayed with me for an entire week towards the end of my pregnancy.  It was so nice to have people stay with me and they even cooked and cleaned.  My ward was amazing during this time too.  They either kept me busy by asking me to watch their cute kids for a few hours, something I truly enjoy, I had the fun coast day with the Fox family, and I was also invited to several different dinners with different friends during JD's absence.  It felt good to be needed so friends could go to the temple or go house hunting and it kept me busy too.

So that is the summary of the 2013 Summer Rotation.  Thankfully next time around wherever JD gets assigned is where he will be for a full year and I will be with him wherever that is, however, this has been a good experience and an opportunity for faith and trust in the Lord to increase.  I'm grateful for all the blessings we have experienced, for the opportunities JD was given, and that this baby waited until his dad was back home to make his appearance.  JD has a week of online coursework before the semester is over so we will just be working, doing school, and making preparations for the kidlet to come.

Sand in the City

JD and I had a blast going to Sand in the City in downtown Portland.  They truck in 4 tons of sand, dump it in Pioneer Square, and then have a building contest.  There were a lot of different entries that were pretty fun.  They were on a smaller scale than what was at Cannon Beach but we did see a couple of participants that were at the Cannon festival.  Some of the fun ones that we enjoyed were Dr. Seuss, Finding Nemo, Despicable Me Minions, and a cool rocket ship castle.  After our sand castle fix, we finally used the gift card that JD won at Deschutes Brewery.  It was kind of fun calculating things out to ensure that we spent $50 before we left, which is not super easy when we don't drink alcohol.  After appetizers, soup, lemonades, main entrees and desserts we were able to spend $51.50.  It was a super fun day and it was so nice being able to spend it with JD.

A Week With Aimee

Aimee and her friend Lisa came out to 'visit' this week.  'Visit' really means it was more so to take care of me with JD being gone.  It was a really good week.  Aimee and Lisa went and did lots of fun things during the day when I was at work like Silver Falls State Park, the Gorge, and other things that a very pregnant lady who is waiting for her husband to be back home shouldn't be doing.  Then these angels would come home and prepare dinner, clean, and spend time with me.  Our weekend was a lot of fun.  We drove out to the coast and were able to enjoy Cannon Beach and Ecola State Park.  We hit the beach at the perfect time for tide pooling and got to see crabs, starfish, anemones, and other creatures.  After the coast Allie, Lisa, Aimee, and I went to the Portland temple before having dinner together.  We had a relaxing Sunday going to church and hanging out, after dinner we went up to the International Rose Test Garden.  Monday we started out the day going berry picking.  We ended up with a ton of delicious raspberries.  Following the berry farm we went down town and spent a lot of time in Powell's City of Books Store.  I am so grateful for the help I received and the friendship I have with Miss Aimee.  It was a lot of fun having time together and showing her some of the things JD and I love about Oregon.

A Virtual Baby Shower

Technology is crazy neat.  My mom and Erin were able to put together a long distance "virtual" baby shower that included family and a few friends and it turned out pretty good.  It was really fun getting to see some far away friends that I haven't been able to see in a long time.  Some statistics include: all 4 time zones were represented.  Attendees included the states of Utah, Wyoming, Oregon, Virginia, Texas, and California.  It has felt a bit like Harry Potter the past few days at my house. It started with one package and then they started multiplying.  Packages from Amazon.com, Target.com, and Walmart have been arriving via all sorts of ways and at all different times: FexEx, USPS, UPS, while I am at work, after work, and late night delivery-sometimes all three times in one day.  I am grateful for good long term friends and family and leaders who have done so much for me.  I'm also getting pretty excited to put the outfits, gowns, swaddle blankets, bumbos, books etc to good use even the diapers, wipes, and Bordeaux's butt paste to be honest though I am sure that attitude will change soon enough......but not yet. ;)

Four Years

Four years together we have been

and boy oh boy I can not help but to grin,

Oh the things we have done, the places we've been shown,

What adventures we've had, and my how our love has grown!

 

To National Parks we have gone to explore

Geysers, dolphins, cactus, gigantic trees, and oh so much more.

We have been to many temples and seen many a great site,
Lived in two states and worked hard with all our might.

We have earned some degrees,
Worked a job here and there.
We have had fun callings with kids
Teaching things like sharing and prayer.
 

We have a cute kiddo coming on his way,

Our family is growing and at the very least we must say,

What a blessing it is what a gift we've been given,

To be sealed and to love and to know what in life is worth livin.

So while four years is really quite neat, and we have had so much fun,
Each day is a blessing as we enjoy the long run.
So sweetheart, I thank you for making this journey a treat.
The two of us together is what makes life complete.

Independence Day

I testify that America is a choice land. (See 2 Nephi 1:5.) God raised up the founding fathers of the United States of America and established the inspired Constitution. (See D&C 101:77–80.) This was the required prologue for the restoration of the gospel. (See 3 Nephi 21:4.) America will be a blessed land unto the righteous forever, and is the base from which God will continue to direct the worldwide latter-day operations of His kingdom. (See 2 Nephi 1:7.)- Ezra Taft Benson

JD had the opportunity to work in the hospital on the fourth which was kind of sad, but it resulted in a rather unconventional holiday for me.  It started with attending the ward breakfast.  It was really good with pancakes, sausage, and fresh fruit and berries.  It was fun talking with friends and meeting new people.  They had a bike parade for the kids, ultimate Frisbee, and fireworks. 

The afternoon was spent babysitting for some friends while they went house hunting and afterwards we had a really good BBQ.  The evening was spent listening to tons of fireworks all over the place they were so loud and constant until who knows when, I finally caved and wore ear plugs to be able to fall asleep-Oregonians definitely love their fireworks though.

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays.  It is the epitome of summer with good food, family, friends, no work, and a time to reflect on the love that I have for this country.