sequal

To reiterate my last post:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/11/28/blackfri.irpt/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

Three violent deaths in two stores marred the opening of the Christmas shopping season Friday.

A Wal-Mart employee at this Long Island location was killed in a rush early Friday morning.

In the first, a temporary Wal-Mart employee was trampled to death in a rush of thousands of early morning shoppers as he and other employees attempted to unlock the doors of a Long Island, New York, store at 5 a.m., police said.
In the second, unrelated incident, two men were shot dead in a Toys "R" Us in Palm Desert, California, after they argued in the store, police said.
The toy company and authorities said the California shootings had nothing to do with shopping on Black Friday, which is historically one of the year's busiest shopping days.
The Wal-Mart worker, whom authorities did not identify, was 34 and lived in Queens, said Nassau County police Detective Lt. Michael Fleming.
"This was utter chaos as these men tried to open the door this morning," Fleming said.\Video showed as many as a dozen people knocked to the floor in the stampede of people trying to get into the Wal-Mart store, Fleming said.
The employee was "stepped on by hundreds of people" as other workers attempted to fight their way through the crowd, Fleming said.
"Several minutes" passed before others were able to clear space around the man and attempt to render aid. Police arrived, and "as they were giving first aid, those police officers were also jostled and pushed," he said.
"Shoppers ... were on a full-out run into the store," he said.
The crowd had begun forming outside the store by 9 p.m. Thursday, Fleming said. By 5 a.m. Friday, when the doors were unlocked, there were 2,000 or so shoppers, many of whom "surged forward," breaking the doors, he said.
The man was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Others in the crowd sustained minor injuries such as sprained ankles, Fleming said.
A 28-year-old pregnant woman was taken to a hospital, but "the baby is going to be OK," Fleming said. She was to be released later in the day, he said.

after giving thanks....

a random thought Susanna and I have been discussing:

why do people, after spending an entire day giving thanks, go out and shop like crazy immediately afterwards? It just seems a little contradicting to me.

how disturbing is it that the U.S. has one whole day set aside to be thankful, and the following day set aside to buy, buy, buy.... This might just portray our character a little too much.

With the upcoming addition to our family, I have been really thinking through "holidays" and how I want to spend them and what traditions I would like to create for us (didn't really realize how much freedom there is in this!). Seeing how the majority of Christians I know celebrate Halloween in one way or another, the stressfullness (not to mention gluttony :) jk) of Thanksgiving, and the frenzy of presents at Christmas time...this time of 'celebration' is not incredibly glorifying to God. I'd rather spend the night of "Halloween" alone with my kids making caramel apples and watching an old movie together (this is one of my favorite memories growing up), I'd rather give to those in need than buy unneccesary toys and gifts for people who don't "need" anything. However, I contradict myself at the same time as I remember the excitement of waking up with the whole family on Christmas morning and the surprises in my stocking...do I want to deprive my kids of these memories? Or do I wish to instill new ones? This is a dilemma currently as I have not come to a decision. But I think what is most necessary is a balance as we attempt to glorify God while loving others at this time of year....

meeting baby for the first time.

Yesterday was our first appointment, and it was so amazing! We saw the baby and the heartbeat for the first time, it is finally sinking in that we'll have a little one in 7 months. It literally took my breath away seeing how tiny it is but it already has a beating heart and limbs, just shows how amazing our God is. The whole idea of life is unfathomable.

Our doctor confirmed that I am 8 weeks 3 days (which is further than I thought, yay!). The official due date is now June 20, 2009. June is a great month, as we don't have anyone in our family born in June, also it's the beginning of summer here so that'll be a very fun time for us all (not to mention I get to enjoy the 4th of July without working a 13 hour shift!). I'll just be working in another sense, which I don't mind at all! Maybe family will want to come down for the 4th now, since it's the best time to be in Lake City :)

Anyway, just wanted to share the good news that everything is going well and healthy with the baby. You can see the head of the baby up at the top left, and the umbilical cord (which isn't connected yet) is right above its arm.

whoever thought to call morning sickness morning sickeness must have been a guy...

Currently I'm stuck on the couch enjoying the view of snowy mountains outside. It's so warm and sunny that massive piles of snow are falling off the roof and I can't help but wish someone was standing under them. During the brief moments when I'm not feeling pukey, I am trying to catch up on homework and pack up our house! Jordan signed the lease today, and we got the ok to move whenever (which is a lot sooner than I expected). But thankfully there is no rush so I can take my time. I feel a rush to get out of this place though as its smelliness is a lot stronger to me these days and it's getting dark and dreary with the sun setting at 5 PM. The new apartment has tons of windows and is fresh, clean and new with high vaulted ceilings...I am so thankful for God's provision! I did not expect something this great and I do not deserve it one bit!

.spring, in the dead of winter.

Why I say that is all the change and new life taking place in our life (and a lot of other people's lives around us!)

Jordan and I found out a few weeks ago that we're going to be parents! It's still early, so we're just waiting and praying, but I definately feel the effects of a little fetus growing in my belly. Our first appointment isn't until Nov. 11, (happy birthday Caleb!) so we'll keep you updated.

In regards to having a baby, we'll be out of a place to live within 8 weeks (it's odd, but our landlord doesn't allow children as well as pets???). After only a week of a little anxiousness and wondering where we'll live, God provided a great place for us! It's another apartment, but it's much more spacious and new, and bright...Jordan will also be able to keep his dog with him! What a huge blessing!

At the moment, we are enjoying time with my Mom, Mary Kate, Abi, and Micah...it's so great having family around and makes me a little homesick. They came up on Friday in time for my birthday and they're staying through tomorrow.

This month is promising to be a busy one as we have 2 weekends taken up with youth activities, Thanksgiving with Susanna(huzzah!), and moving!

Just a side note, when I said new life taking place in ours and other's lives...I meant it. There are currently 6 women just in my town who are pregnant, and 2 cousins, a sister and sister in law, and Jordan's sister just had a baby. I have a theory that God is in the process of creating a new generation to take over the world.