Memories

Today seems to be a day for remembering fun events and friends from my past.

For the past four years, my friend, Angie, and I have gone to Czech Days in Clarkson to judge the Friday night talent show with our friend, Kristi, who grew up there. But because Kristi got married and moved to Germany, we aren't doing it this weekend. I'm kind of sad because I LOVE Czech Days! The food is always so delicious, the talent show is really entertaining and the fun with friends is the BEST!

This morning Kristi sent me four e-mails full of photos from the past 4 Czech Days and it really brought back memories. My favorite memories are of the beer garden, the scotcheroos and the absolutely wonderful conversations and laughs around the Vavrina kitchen table. I think I'll make scotcheroos this weekend for old time's sake.

Angie, me and Kristi with members of the Czech band.

Kristi, me, Angie and another girl judge the talent show in 2009.

Then over the lunch hour I went to a Spring Salad event at the Servants of Mary motherhouse near my office. It was a wonderful time with delicious salad, but I was so happy - and surprised - to see the moms of my two best friends from my early grade school years. Laura Reznicek and Sarah Peters were my friends who loved animals and loved art. We were in Brownies and 4-H together and spent a lot of time at each other's houses. While our friendships faded around 6th grade, I still have fond memories of them and of the time we spent together playing.

Laura lived on an acerage and had bunnies, cats and ducks to play with. We swam in their pool and played on their playground equipment. At Sarah's we swang on the swing in their basement, and made chocolate-covered bananas. I remember one time the three of us painted our faces. Laura and Sarah painted their faces like clowns and I painted mine brown so I could be Michael Jackson. :)

It's a slow afternoon at the paper - most Fridays after production are slow - so I was looking on YouTube at NKOTB videos. That brought back memories from my childhood and my friend Erin Kinney ... and then memories of the NKOTB concert I went to with my sister and friends in 2008. Funny how something I loved so much as a child still makes me happy as an adult.

New kids, from left, Jon, Jordan, Donnie, Danny and Joe at the Nov. 2008 concert in Omaha.

Me and my friends (plus sister, Alicen, and cousin, Kristi) after the NKOTB concert.

So, I hope this blog takes you back to times of fun, times of happiness, and times of innocence.

Enjoy your weekend.

7 weeks

It's official!!!! I'm a mommy!!!!!!

I'm pregnant ... finally ... seven weeks along! I wasn't sure if I was going to break the new so soon on my blog, but I'm excited (Jason too) and I want to celebrate this baby's little life so far.

Last week we had our first ultrasound and saw our baby's heart beating like crazy! It was so surreal (still is) to see a baby growing in MY tummy!

I've been dealing with pregnancy symptoms - nausea, fatigue, breathing issues - but I'll take them all (and more) because they mean I have life inside of me.

I really cannot believe the clomid worked. I also think getting regular adjustments from my brother helped, too, as well as all the prayers from so many family and friends.

Our baby (we're not going to find out the sex) is due Jan. 30.

The other good news is that Jason has decided not to go to Winterset afterall. He told his boss that he wanted to be near me throughout the pregnancy and Jason was told there would be other opportunities for him here in the Omaha area.

Jason's giving me progesterone shots (200 mg) twice a week, which will help us avoid miscarriage.

Miscarriage - That's one of the reasons we were hesitant to tell people. Most people don't find out they're pregnant until they are about 8-10 weeks along, but we found out at 4 because I was being monitored so closely. While we're not telling everyone (just close family and friends), I want to celebrate this baby's life even if it means we might have to mourn "publicly" later. I have confidence in my doctors and in Jason's progestrone-giving skills that I will carry this baby full term.

We are just so incredibly excited and so grateful to God for his desire to have us bring a child into the world.

Thanks for your continued prayers.