Here are a few more...

These ones are from my mom.

Gotta love this bib:

Yes, there were other people at my shower besides me. :)

Wow, that worked fast...

Moments after posting my last blog, I received these from my sister:

You may not be able to read it on this little picture, but that bunny says "Rae" on the front of it. JP's sister Lisa found it.

Here is the book Alyssa made:

Some of the pretty decorations:

Thanks for the shower and the pictures, Auntie Amber!

Showered

I was going to wait until I had pictures to post anything about my first baby shower, but since I forgot my camera and am at the mercy of friends and family for copies (HINT, HINT), I decided to go ahead and post before it lost its timeliness!
First of all, a HUGE thank you and lots of love to my sister, Amber and my friend Alyssa who put the shower together. They did a beautiful job organizing and decorating (can't get enough of that pink), cooking and preparing, hosting and cleaning up afterwards. I WAS AND STILL AM SO BLESSED BY ALL YOU TWO DID - THANK YOU. Alyssa also put together a beautiful personalized scrapbook...that was super special.
To everyone else who came and showered us - thank you all, as well. JP and I are both so overwhelmed by all of the stuff we received! Besides all of the cute little outfits, booties, and necessities (like bath items and blankets), we were blessed with our high chair, strollers, car seat and pack-n-play - four HUGE gifts in my opinion. We could have this baby right now and be just fine - we are not lacking anything. And I can tell you right now - little Rae is going to be one of the best dressed little girls around with all of the gear she got!
It means a lot to us that you all would love on our baby like that, someone you haven't even met yet. And it gets us even more excited about her getting here (getting OUT!) and introducing her to all of these people that love her so much.
Thank you for showering us with so many blessings.

Baby Update

The latest on the baby is that everything is still going well. I am in my 31st week (8th month) and have gained 15 pounds. Doc says that is healthy. Baby is kicking and moving all the time - she's probably about 15 inches long and 3 pounds at this point. She can turn her head from side to side, follow light with her eyes, and even has dreams now.
From now on I go to the doctor every two weeks instead of every month. My last day of work is December 23rd...and then I'm a full-time homemaker! Crazy, huh?
I praise God that I'm feeling better than ever right now. I'm not tired, not sore anymore, not unbearably huge, and I sleep remarkably well (as long as the tums are on the nightstand!). Thanks to everybody who has been praying for me and Israel - it is really working!

P.S. We are JUST about finished with the nursery! Stay tuned for photos soon!

Scott & Ala'a

If you guys want to read a great, encouraging, moving story - read on.
It's about a soldier named Scott (a friend of a friend) who brought something more from Iraq than just pictures of his comrades and desert sand.

Click here for the written story.
While you're there, click video to see the edited video version than ran on TV last night.

Click here for a slideshow of Scott & Ala'a, complete with unedited raw video of their adventure.

One Year of Malachi

Of all the things to be thankful for, our neices and nephews are right up there on the top of the list. What a way to celebrate Thanksgiving, then, than to simultaneously celebrate Malachi's first birthday!
Turn your back for two seconds and they've grown more than you can imagine.
Happy Birthday, Malachi. Your auntie and uncle love you so much.

Thanksgiving

When I think about and remember how
There was no way out and You rescued me
There's no reason why You loved me then
And You love me now
'Least no reason I can see

You had always been my closest friend
Even though I'd never defended that
I was so far away, as far as ever I could stray
But You were there to bring me back

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR THE GRACE THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US
We could ne'er repay, but from my heart I'd like to say
That I thank You

There's so much to learn about how to turn
All Your words of life that burn in me
Into a living fountain flowing deep, and flowing clean
So that all can come and drink

But I know You're right there, willing to prepare
This open heart of mine to carry on
To the place where I can be Your servant
Be Your friend
One that You can depend on

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR THE GRACE THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN US
We could ne'er repay, but from my heart I'd like to say
That I thank You

Birthing Classes

Tonight JP and I went to our first childbirth preparation class. Those of you who know JP can just imagine how thrilled he was/is about that! Sitting still for 2.5 hours is hard enough when he's doing something he enjoys...much less doing something like watching videos of (generally unattractive) women giving birth in 1986. (Note: I think they use unattractive women in those videos on purpose, to keep our "weaker brethren" from stumbling if you know what I mean!) :)
The one good thing that came out of the night was that JP changed his mind about wanting me to do an all-natural childbirth. After watching that women go through labor without pain meds, I think he realized it's not so much about being weak as it is about being miserable when you could very well be happy and enjoying yourself through a majority of labor.
We have three more sessions. I think he'll make it through. In the meantime, I like the fact that he's required to play with my hair, massage my back and caress me as "practice" throughout the night. :)

Nephew #3

It is my extreme pleasure to announce that my brother Micah and his lovely wife Missy will be having another BOY in April!
They just had the ultrasound today - Zachary Aaron Harpel is due April 24th!!!!!!

If he's anything like his big brother Malachi - look out world! You're about to experience a cuteness overload!

It got me

The stomach bug that has been going around my family finally got me today. I have been in bed all day, with exception of trips to and from the bathroom.
It's terrible. I woudln't wish it on anybody.

Micah Snags the Big One

My brother, Micah, got this big ole' 9-point buck with a bow and arrow this weekend! He was so excited - we all were! Micah has not had the best of luck in hunting this season...he'll sit in his stand perfectly quiet all day and not see one deer, only to hear that someone else saw multiple deer from the same stand the very next day.
This time he hadn't even made it to his stand. He was walking there when he spotted this beauty.
Congrats Micah! Just don't make me eat any of it!

Texas

I just got back from a quick weekend trip to Texas. My long-time friend Nicole and I went down to visit our long-time friend Bethany who moved down there a while back. Nicole is also pregnant, so it was kind of a "last chance" effort to get to see Bethany's life before ours change so drastically!
We had a lot of fun - it was a very fast trip, but not overly scheduled, so we were able to enjoy each other's company. We got to sample some real Texas Mexican cuisine (yum!) and did a lot of shopping. Our only qualm was that we were hoping for sandal weather, but it was only mid-sixties during our stay.
I forgot my camera, so I'm waiting for Bethany to send me some of the pictures she took. Pressure's on, Bethy! :)

Solong Suzuki

Last night we sold our Suzuki Intruder. Blame it on the pregnancy hormones - I tried to be strong but started bawling when the guy rode away on it.
This is the bike I gave JP as a wedding gift. We had many a romantic ride on that bike, many a fun time. But with the baby coming (and given JP's accident) we knew it was time to let it go for a season.
JP joked that never before in the history of man has the husband had to be the strong, sane one when giving up a bike. :)
Goodbye, dear Suzuki. We'll ride again, someday!

Latest Pics of the Cutie Pies

Malachi - 11 and a half months! He'll be one on Thanksgiving day!
Beautiful Ava - nearly 6 months old! Check out those eyes!
Elijah - getting smiley at 2 months! Them are kissin' cheeks!

It's going around

Seems the stomach flu is going around the Harpel household. I was home from work yesterday caring for JP, who was convinced he was going to die. Turns out my brother, his wife & child, my mom and my dad are all dealing with stomach viruses.
The good news is the bug leaves as quickly as it comes. The bad news is...its misery while you're enduring it.
Please pray for my family and for the rest of us...that we wouldn't catch it.
I'll also pray for any of you out there who may be dealing with it!

Faith Hill Ticked Off

Did anybody else see this on the Country Music Awards last night?
Faith Hill thought she was a shoe-in for female vocalist of the year. I guess it caught her off guard when the spotlight turned on Carrie Underwood.
Watch Faith's reaction - she's on the left.

VOTE TODAY!!!!!

POLLS OPEN 7AM TO 8PM!!!! IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE - YOU HAVE TIME!!!

While I'm on the subject, I'd like to put in my two cents and encourage you all to vote "NO" for the transporation amendment.

Here is the actual amendment:

"Sec. 12. Beginning with the fiscal year starting July 1, 2007, 63.75 percent of the revenue from a tax imposed by the state on the sale of a new or used motor vehicle must be apportioned for transportation purposes described in section 13, then the revenue apportioned for transportation purposes must be increased by ten percent for each subsequent fiscal year through June 30, 2011, and then the revenue must be apportioned 100 percent for transportation purposes after June 30, 2011.

Sec. 13. The revenue apportioned in section 12 must be allocated for the following transportation purposes: not more than 60 percent must be deposited in the highway user tax distribution fund, and not less than 40 percent must be deposited in a fund dedicated solely to public transit assistance as defined by law."

At first glance it sounds good: 100% of auto sales taxes goes to transportation.
But if you read closely you'll see: Section 13 says NO MORE THAN 60 percent must go to roads/highways...and NO LESS THAN 40 percent must go to public transit.
So potentially, 0% could go to roads and 100% could go to buses, light rail, etc. It's misleading. Plus take into consideration that if 100% of these funds go to transportation, taxes are going to increase in other areas where these funds are currently helping out.

My two cents worth.

Get Out The Vote!!!

I hope all of you are planning to get out and vote tomorrow!!!

If you WEREN'T planning on it - please reconsider. Being able to vote is part of what being an American is all about. It is a right that our ancestors died for. It is so, so, so important - especially among the people of God.
If you think our nation is screwed up and you don't vote, you are partially responsible. Vote your values!

If you click on the WCCO link on the right sidebar, you can find a voter's guide link that will help you out a lot. You can enter your address and get a sample ballot of just exactly who will be on your ballot. From there you can research the candidates based on information they provided themselves to the website. The voter's guide will also tell you where your particular polling place is. Polls are open in Minnesota from 7am to 8pm tomorrow. If you're not registered, don't let it stop you! Just show up with a photo ID and one other sort of address verification...like a bank statement or a utility bill.

PLEASE VOTE!!!

Euthanasia

THIS BREAKS MY HEART:

_____________________________________________

Obstetricians call for debate on ethics of euthanasia for very sick babies
by Sarah Boseley, health editor
Monday November 6, 2006
The Guardian

Doctors involved in childbirth are calling for an open discussion about the ethics of euthanasia for the sickest of newborn babies. The option to end the suffering of a severely damaged newborn baby - who might have been aborted if the parents had known earlier the extent of its disabilities and potential suffering - should be discussed, says the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in its evidence to an inquiry by the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, which examines ethical issues raised by new developments.

The college says the Nuffield's working group should "think more radically about non-resuscitation, withdrawal of treatment decisions, the best-interests test and active euthanasia as they are means of widening the management options available to the sickest of newborns".
The inquiry is looking into "the ethics of prolonging life in foetuses and the newborn". Euthanasia was not originally on the agenda, because of its illegality. But the RCOG submission has persuaded the inquiry to broaden its investigation, although any recommendation favouring euthanasia for newborns is highly unlikely before a change in the law.

The college ethics committee tells the inquiry it feels euthanasia "has to be covered and debated for completion and consistency's sake ... if life-shortening and deliberate interventions to kill infants were available, they might have an impact on obstetric decision making, even preventing some late abortions, as some parents would be more confident about continuing a pregnancy and taking a risk on outcome." It points out that a pregnant woman who discovers at 28 weeks that her baby has a serious abnormality can have an abortion. Parents of a baby born at 24 weeks with the same abnormality have no such option.

There are enormous social, emotional and financial costs involved in caring for a profoundly disabled baby, the submission adds. If a mother really understood the "real, life-long costs" of caring for such a child and understood the slim chance of being fully recompensed by the state, "perhaps she might feel differently about aggressive resuscitation and treatment of her premature baby. Perhaps her doctors might as well," says the submission.

Euthanasia for very severely disabled newborn babies suffering from specified conditions is permitted in the Netherlands. Some suspect that "mercy killing" probably occurs in the UK. But medical advances which have enabled very premature babies to be kept alive at only 24 weeks gestation - little more than half the expected time in the womb - have led to a presumption that every technological intervention will be used to keep the baby going at all costs. In the case of Charlotte Wyatt, the parents vigorously opposed the doctors' wish to be allowed not to revive her through the courts. The child, now three, survived, although severely disabled and now in care.

The UK Disabled People's Council yesterday rejected discussion of euthanasia for newborn babies. "It is not for medical professionals or indeed anyone else like families to determine whether someone else's quality of life will be good simply on the grounds of impairment or health condition," said its parliamentary worker, Simone Aspis.

___________________________________________

WHAT IS OUR WORLD COMING TO?
I am saddened beyond words at the thought of this.
Imagine; your baby is born with a birth defect you didn't know about. It is severe and will cost you time, money and energy. Had you known your baby would have been this sick, you would have aborted it. What an inconvenience. What a pain in the neck. I don't want to deal with this. Just let the baby die.

Or you could be like the father of this man, Rick Hoyt:

Rick's doctors said he would be a vegetable the rest of his life. They told his parents to put him in an institution. But his parents saw something in Rick - he followed them with his eyes. He laughed a jokes.
Now at the age of 43, Rick can communicate through a computer. He went to school, has his own apartment, works a job. And together - with the support of his amazing father - He has participated in 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. Their best time in the Boston Marathon was only 35 minutes short of the current record - for someone NOT pushing a wheelchair.
Rick would have been a candidate for Euthanasia. Watch this video and tell me if that ever would have been a good idea.

We've Moved

Glad you found us! :)

TODAY IS THE BIG DAY!!!

Before I go to bed tonight, I am going to be officially switching Pipes' Dreams to The Charlebog.
Please write this new address down!!!!

http://thecharleblog.blogspot.com

Tomorrow morning when you wake up, that will be our new site. http://pipesdreams.blospot.com will no longer work!!!
I hope you'll keep reading! And to those of you who have links to this blog on your blogs, I would love it if you would update your templates to reflect the change as well!

Thanks!

Borat - DO NOT GO SEE IT!!!

Last night, JP and I took a friend and my brother to a free advanced screening of the new film "Borat." We were excited about going - Borat is an offensive character played by comedian Sacha Cohen, but he's pretty darn funny. However, we had no idea what we had gotten ourselves into and I would recommend that NOBODY GO SEE THIS MOVIE.
We were expecting the movie to be offensive and cross a few lines, but there were a couple scenes - two in particular - that were so crude, so gross, so vulgar, that it ruined the entire movie. And one of the scenes was sooooooo long. I had to keep my eyes closed through it and have JP tell me when it was okay to open them.
There is also quite a bit of Jew bashing in the movie.
I was so disappointed, and I know of quite a few people who have been excited to see this movie...so I just wanted to give you all a head's up. If anything, wait till it comes out on DVD so you can fast-forward through the crude spots.

The Patriotic Side of Sears

I checked this out and it is true:

"I assume you have all seen the reports about how Sears is treating its reservist employees who are called up? By law, they are required to hold their jobs open and available, but nothing more. Usually, people take a big pay cut and lose benefits as a result of being called up...Sears is voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for all called up reservist employees for up to two years. I submit that Sears is an exemplary corporate citizen and should be recognized for its contribution.
I suggest we all shop at Sears, and be sure to find a manager to tell them why we are there so the company gets the positive reinforcement it well deserves.
Sears needs to be recognized for this outstanding contribution and we need to show them as Americans, we do appreciate what they are doing for our military!"

Deer Opener

Saturday is firearms deer hunting opener in the state.
Here's a little something to make you hunting types drool:

This lady - Deb Luzinski - took down this 24-point buck with a bow and arrow last week. It could be the biggest non-typical deer ever killed by a female bowhunter in Minnesota. That's one big buck for such a little girl.
Luzinski's a member of a group that helps control the deer population. She says she was just looking for a doe when she came across this monster.

Baby Update - AND - Please Pray

I had my 7 month checkup today and everything checked out just fine! I gained another 4 pounds last month...which puts me at 14 total so far. The doc said that as long as I keep on track with this (and don't have any crazy abnormal swelling or anything like that) I should end up right around the average 25 pound mark when all is said and done.
I was also tested for gestational diabetes today and praise the Lord, it came back negative. Baby Rae is around 2 pounds now, and she is very active.
That is the praise report!

Here is the prayer request:
Last month, my doctor was unable to make my appointment due to a family emergency. Today I found out why: he and his wife lost their 9 week old baby girl to SIDS.
They have six children: One biological son and 5 adopted kids. This was their most recent adoption. Dr. Spencer (who is a Christian and works in a Christian clinic) had been giving free care to the baby's biological mother during her pregnancy because she was a minor and from out of state, had no insurance, had other kids, etc. Toward the end of the pregnancy she asked him if he and his wife would just adopt her baby, and they agreed. They got to be there for baby Magdalene's birth, Dr. Spencer cut the cord and everything. They took her home when she was just 12 hours old.
I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child. To go from kissing your sweet newborn goodnight...to her being gone the next morning...would simply be unbearable. A miscarriage would be hard enough, but this is a baby they held and kissed and cared for 9 weeks.
Obviously they took it pretty hard. Dr. Spencer said it was the worst day of his life - and that he wouldn't wish it on Hitler. At the same time, he was very strong in his faith...praising God that his little girl didn't have to struggle through this world. She got to go straight to Jesus.
His wife took it even harder. Her brother was murdered 20 years ago, and with this recent loss she became quite angry with God. Her heart has since softened and she is just thankful that they got to be the ones to care for Magdalene while she was here. Dr. Spencer's sister is an atheist, and he said he's been able to have some really great conversations with her about the Lord as a result of this tragedy.
"Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning." The pain we experience during this breath of a life is nothing compared to the eternity Dr. Spencer and his family get to spend with Magdalene.
Please keep the entire Spencer family in your prayers. Their remaining 5 kids range in age from 2 years to about 12 years, so this is bound to be hard for them to deal with and understand. And thank God for the hope we have as believers. Losing a child is something you think you'd never get through - and without God, you probably wouldn't. But Jesus offers a hope that is to beautiful to be described.

Still Here

Pipes' Dreams was experiencing some technical diffculties today. I finally figured it out and we are back up and running. Thanks to all of you who checked today and cared enough to wonder what happened to the blog. :)
We have not moved to TheCharleblog yet. I intend to make the switch this weekend - probably Saturday afternoon. Stay tuned!
Remember - the new blog address will be http://thecharleblog.blogspot.com. Write it down so that when the change happens you know where to go!

Funny

Rebellious Child

I have been reading a book on child training called, aptly, "To Train Up a Child" by Michael and Debi Pearl. (visit their website at www.nogreaterjoy.org - lots of great parenting insight!)
Recently I read a bold statement that really stood out to me. This is not a direct quote, but the "jist" of it was that even if a child is perfectly obedient in everything except for ONE SINGLE area...that child is COMPLETELY rebellious in his or her heart.
Imagine - your child obeys absolutely everything you say except for one thing. Maybe he gets up out of his bed when he's supposed to be sleeping...or perhaps she doesn't come the first time she is called. To almost anybody, that would be a wonderful child. Yet because there is one area in her life where she CHOOSES whether or not to obey, she is rebellious all the way through. She does not respect you completely. She makes her own decisions.
That is a bold statement, but I hope you can see the truth in it.
The same thing goes in our lives. If there is just one area in my life where I decide whether or not I'm going to do what the Lord tells me, I am rebellious through and through. I do not fear the Lord. Obedience is every time...not every time I feel like it.
Lord, help me to obey You every time, because I love You and I want my children to love and revere You.

The Charleblog

Effective very soon, "Pipes' Dreams" is going to be undergoing a change. Instead of being my personal blog, JP and I plan to make it more of a "family" blog...with both of us posting thoughts and updates. We call it "The Charleblog." You can see the change in the header already.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
One week from now, our web address will change from this current address to http://thecharleblog.blogspot.com. I'm not changing it just yet, so everyone can get the update.
JP is looking forward to joining the blogger world. While he probably won't post as much as I will, it will be fun to hear his thoughts from time to time. Hopefully it will keep things dynamic.
I'll post reminders as the date gets close for us to change our address.

Here She Goes Again...

...Stepping on toes and offering no apologies.

Everybody needs to check out this article posted on World Net Daily.

Excerpts to perk your interest:
"A new study from the Mayo Clinic has concluded that there is 'a measurable and statistically significant' connection between the pill and pre-menopausal breast cancer, re-enforcing the recent classification of oral contraceptives as Type 1 carcinogens."
"Dr. Kahlenborn focused on the younger, pre-menopausal women who had been on the pill before having their first child. He found 21 of 23 studies showed a connection between the pill and cancer, something that certainly should be alarming women.
"However, as Andrea Mrozek, manager of research and communications for the Institute of Marriage and Family Canada, noted in an article:
'Perhaps it is because the pill has long been the darling of feminists – a veritable icon of female empowerment. In some circles, suggesting the pill might kill you is seen as tantamount to issuing a press release that women belong in the kitchen.'"
"A woman's lifetime risk of breast cancer was one in 22 in the 1940s, but by 2004, it was one in seven."

HEED THE WARNING, friends. Birth control has not set us free.

Elijah & Me...Getting Crazy

More Bloggers

Thanks to Deb, I am now aware of a few more blogger friends of mine out there in webland (See righthand sidebar). I'm hesitant to call you all "friends" since you never told me that you had blogs to begin with. But I have decided to put my hurt feelings aside and add you all to my sidebar nonetheless.
HOWEVER, what is up with nobody posting WHO THEY ARE on their blogs? Do you just expect people to be able to read your minds and figure it out? That's why blogger invented these handy things called PROFILES. You fill them out...put your name, interests, a photo or some other distinguishing object on them...so that people know who you are when they come to your blog.
I was able to figure out who a few of you were (Traci, for example), but I still have no idea who "Seeds of Change" is. And Molly, I know you have a blog out there somewhere, but I can't figure out which one is yours!
So please, everyone do me a favor. Go to your blogger sign-in page and click "Edit Profile." Add your name and some distinguishing tidbits, maybe a photo. That way I, and everyone else, will know who you are for future reference.

P.S. Molly & "Seeds of Change"...I will add you to my sidebar once you identify yourselves! :)

P.P.S. You guys all know I love you.

Happy Belated Anniversary

I didn't get on the blog yesterday...thus this wish is one day late:

A very, very happy Anniversary to JP's parents, Gail & Larry Hyster (aka, GG & Lar Dog)!
We love you guys - and we're so blessed to have you in our lives.

The Dawning

by George Herbert

Awake, sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns,
Take up thine eyes, which feed on earth,
Unfold thy forehead, gathered into frowns,
Thy Saviour comes, and with him mirth.

Awake, Awake,
And with a thankfull heart His comforts take.

But thou dost still lament, and pine, and cry,
And feel His death, but not his victory.

Arise sad heart; if thou dost not witstand,
Christs resurrection thine may bee,
Do not by hanging downe breake from the hand,
Which as it riseth, raiseth thee.

Arise, Arise;
And with His burial-linnen dry thine eyes.
Christ left His grave-cloths, that we might, when greif
Draws teares or blood, not want an handkerchief.

Watch The Greg Behren Show on Thursday!

A friend who used to go to my dad's church (but now lives on a YWAM base with her husband in Texas) is going to be on The Greg Behren show tomorrow! Normally, I wouldn't promote stations other than channel 4, but this is an exception. :)
Apparently Cally filled out some form online about being a disorganized person. The show called her up, flew her and her husband to LA, and the rest is for you to see. Part of the teaser reads: "Robert's so tired of Cally's dumpster-diving clutter, he's literally drawing the line – down the middle of their bedroom!"
Watch the teaser here. It's called "Greg Cleans Up Your Act."
THURSDAY @ 3:00 PM ON CHANNEL 5
Those of us who know Cally know she is a bargain raider...always looking for cheap - or free - stuff anywhere she can find it to use either now or later, as gifts or crafts...basically whatever! She is the goodwill queen.
Per my friend Priya (who told me about the show): There was a guy on the show that gave her some advice. She took the advice and has started a small ministry/business with the Father Heart Maternity gals on the YWAM base. The show flew her out again for a follow up and that show will air later in the month. I think she's going to write a book..about being resourceful and using cheap/free things to care for your household. This is something she's wanted to do..and it's crazy how God is going to make it happen!!!
It should be interesting and fun, so if you're home tomorrow afternoon - tune in!

Side Effects Include....

I'm watching TV as I sweep my living room...
Does anybody else think its weird that a side effect of AmbienCR (sleeping pill) is next day drowsiness???
Doesn't that defeat the purpose?

Anyhow...that's all.

The Proof

My tummy has really started to pop the past few weeks. I went to the doctor yesterday and I have now officially gained 10 pounds!!! One month ago I had only gained one pound. That means I gained 9 pounds in 4 weeks. Yikes.
I have 4 months left - I'd better start pacing myself!
Baby is healthy and right on track. She was being feisty during my appointment yesterday. When the doctor was trying to find her heartbeat, she kept on rolling over and kicking at the microphone. :)

Winter is Coming

This is a picture of what happened to my umbrella on the way in to work this morning. Winds were gusting SUPER strong as rain mixed with snow came down. I only had to walk across the street from my parking lot to my work place and in that minute's time, the wind completely destroyed my umbrella.
Hang on, Minnesota. Winter is coming!

Fall Camping Trip '06

We just got back from our annual fall Harpel family camping trip. It was a little different this year as the entire family couldn't be there (Amber & Pete took the new baby to meet his other grandparents in WI and Joe had to work), but we still had a great time. We went to Itasca State Park and it was gorgeous. We had a very beautiful, very secluded group campsite miles away from anybody else. Malachi stole the show again (what a sweet baby!) and Caleb and Sadie had the time of their lives! It got REALLY cold at night a couple of times, though.
Here are a few of the many, many pics from the weekend.

Kitchen Before and Afters

We have finally "finished" remodeling our kitchen - a project that's been in the works for about six months or so. Slowly but surely, it has all come together! All we have left (no telling when it will happen) is to get some new countertops and EVENTUALLY we'd like to get new appliances in black. These ones are a bit archaic.
Here are some before and after pictures. The before pictures aren't actually that great - by the time we took them we had already stripped the lovely blue and pink flower basket striped wallpaper and taken apart some of the cabinetry. But you get the idea.

Before:



And after:

A few of my favorite things

Malachi, 10 months

Ava, 4 months

Elijah, 2.5 weeks

Double Standard

Today I was reading follow-up reports on a gruesome story out of Illinois. A 24-year-old woman killed a 23-year-old pregnant woman and her unborn baby, then killed the woman's three other children. Among other charges, the murderer has been charged with "intentional homicide of an unborn child."
Tell me - what makes this crime a murder, but abortion a "choice?" What is the difference between killing a baby via medical procedures and via an act of violence? I suppose the major difference (most would argue) is that the mother didn't want her baby dead. So then are "wanted" babies human and "unwanted" babies not human?
Our nation holds a ridiculous double standard when it comes to human life. We will call this situation exactly what it is - the murder of an unborn child - but will never own up to the human lives that are lost every single day to abortion. There is no difference. All of it is murder.

Date Change

I just got a call from my doctor. He said everything looked great with the ultrasound. BUT they discovered that I'm actually about a week further along than they had originally thought. I'm actually at 20 weeks instead of 19.
That means my due date has changed to JANUARY 31, 2007. Mark your calendars! :)

Meet Israel

We had our first ultrasound today and IT'S A GIRL!!!
This is Israel (you can just call her "Rae" or "Rael" for short). She is healthy and beautiful. I can't tell you just how thrilled we are - I am crying as I type this. Never in my life could I describe the amazement of watching your unborn child on a TV screen, moving around, sucking her thumb, looking healthy and strong. It was absolutely breathtaking. I can't even begin to imagine the wonder of finally holding her in my arms.
Thank you, Jesus, for our beautiful daughter and for keeping her healthy and protected. We are amazed and so thankful.

P.S. Look - she has JP's nose!!!

First Pictures

Elijah John Peterson


Check out that hair!!!

The champion and the proud father

Grandma and Grandpa

I could stare at that sweet face all day


FYI - Amber and Pete have set up a blog to keep everybody up to date on Elijah: http://petersonposse.blogspot.com

Welcome Elijah

At 10:35 pm on September 7, 2006, we welcomed Elijah John Peterson into the world!
I swear, that was the #1 most amazing and miraculous thing I have ever seen or may ever see in my life.
Amber was amazing. She had to push for 2 hours, which went by quickly for me but I'm sure felt like an eternity to her. She really was a champ.
Sweet Elijah is 7 lbs, 8 oz (big boy - especially to come out of Amber!) and has a full head of dark hair. He is very, very cute - and I don't just say that as a proud Auntie...he really is cute!
Pete also did great. Both of them were running on little sleep since Amber had been up since 5:00 am. Plus Pete had started his day not feeling well. I think he's feeling a whole lot better now. :)
I’m so happy I got to be a part of that experience. It was so great. I didn’t get home until midnight, though, and had to BE AT WORK at 5:30am. I’m going straight home for a nap today.
Check back later for pictures!

Here he comes part 2

11:43 am
The latest is that they had Amber skip her 10:00 am appointment and go to the hospital. Her contractions are not very strong right now. We're praying that things will pick up so that they won't have to induce her later tonight. They typically won't let you deliver any later than 24 hours after your water breaks.
Pray for Pete - he was staying home sick from work today to start out with and, needless to say, is not feeling well at all. Pray that he will feel better so he can enjoy this amazing day!

Here he comes...

7:07 AM
Amber's water broke early this morning - I was the only one awake that early for her to call! We could have a baby as soon as today, so put your prayer caps on! She has a doctor's appointment scheduled at 10:00 am, so we'll find out more then. Right now she is at home with the beginnings of contractions, though they are still few and far between.
I'll keep you posted! :)

Crikey! Crocodile Hunter Dies

This is sad news. The man famously known as "The Crocodile Hunter" has died in a freak accident with an animal NOT usually deadly. Steve Irwin was doing an underwater shoot off the Great Barrier Reef when he swam to close to a sting ray, and it stuck him with a barb in the heart. He was 44 years old.
His wife is now left with an 8-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son. She must have been quite a woman to stand by her husband with type of career he had. I can't imagine kissing my husband goodbye every morning, wondering if he'd survive his latest bout with some deadly creature.
You can read more about his life and death here.