Three Recommendations

Since I’m hitting a record low number of blog posts this month, I’m sharing a few things that I’ve enjoyed this winter while I couldn’t be outside.

Here are three recommendations including a podcast, a tv series, and a book.

Strangers is a podcast that simply tells other people’s stories. Each episode is independent of each other, except for a few. This means you can be selective and skip around. If you like creepy true crime type of stories, you’ll like this episode:  Do You Like My Little Lie? I’ll be shocked if you listen and don’t go back for more episodes. Thanks to a fellow teacher, Jess, who recommended this podcast.

Sneaky Pete is a television series on Amazon Prime. If you have Amazon Prime, there are a series of shows you can watch included in your membership. This is the write-up supplied by Amazon: “A con man tries to leave his old life behind by assuming the identity of his cell mate, Pete. While Pete’s family doesn’t have reason to suspect that he is not their long-lost loved one, they are a colorful group with their own secrets and lies that could make life as dangerous as the world. Executive producers include Graham Yost and Bryan Cranston.” John and I are watching this show together, and I’m confident the first episode will suck you into the season. Side note, I love having a show we watch together to end our day.

For the Love: Fighting for Grace is a book by Jen Hatmaker. This site will offer you a good taste of the book in PDF form. I first learned about Jen Hatmaker at the IF Conference with Sara a few years ago. Since then, I’ve followed Jen on social media and read a couple of her books. I blogged about her book A Modern Girl’s Guide to Bible Study in 2015. Jen’s personality is huge, and her writing is easy to read and even easier to relate with on a personal and spiritual level. This book is a perfect read as I gear up for a busy time in my professional and personal life because it forces me to reevaluate my priorities and commit to only what is “on the beam”. Jen also gives the reader permission to put things “off the beam”.

Dinosaur Party

As feared, a huge snow storm dumped roughly seven inches of snow on us Saturday morning. This required us to push Elijah’s party back a day since some family members were traveling over an hour. Thankfully everyone was flexible, and it worked out to celebrate Elijah’s birthday on Sunday.

There were lots of laughs from the littles of this party, and I love seeing these three get so excited around one another.

Everyone was so generous with thoughtful gifts for Elijah. Since most of them are outside toys or summer clothes, we’re looking forward to spring even more. Once this snow is gone, you’ll find us outside pushing a new toy truck, mowing the lawn with a toddler mower, or riding a new trike. When summer hits, we have a new sprinkler that will get lots of use. We’d love for you to join us!

For now, all those new toys and the kids play in the box.

TWO!

Happy Birthday, Elijah!

The things I love most about you include:

• The fact that you stop everything and dance whenever you hear music, no matter where we are at or how big of a hurry I might be in at the moment.
• Your laugh and open mouth smile.
• The fact that you love to be outside and still tolerate the jogging stroller when I want both exercise and time with you.
• The way you say your name. “E-lie-jah” or “Lie-jah”.
• Your love for donuts.
• The simple way you study things, especially books. I’m so thankful you love books and won’t let us tuck you in until we’ve read every single night.
• Your friendly personality. I take some credit for the fact that you’re social, but it doesn’t stop me from being thankful it’s one of your qualities.
• The love you have for your dad. We share a love for that incredible man.
• That you’re the best snuggler and always make room for me on the couch with you. I’ll watch “Sing” over and over again with you if it means I can just stare at you and count my blessings.

This list only begins to describe my love for my energetic boy. I’m so thankful to be your mom, Elijah.

Red Shoe Race Registration

Three registrations are submitted for the Red Shoe Run at the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City.

This will be my first road race of 2018, and I plan to push Elijah in the jogging stroller for the 5k. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to sit after he runs the 100-meter kids’ race prior.

If you’re looking for a way to give back this season, consider joining us. Even though the race was accidentally five miles last year, the weather was incredible. I’m looking forward to another spring morning jog with my family while celebrating the ability to give back to RMHC.

Now if only we could get some spring weather to run in during the upcoming weeks, we’d be set. A “heavy” snowstorm is predicted Friday and Saturday, and I’m nervous we will be stuck with a lot of extra food if family members can’t make Elijah’s birthday party. Let’s hope the meteorologists are wrong.

St. Patrick’s Day 2018

I’ve been to Ireland a number of times and dare I say I tasted the best Irish coffee in Iowa? John, Elijah, and I started our St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Brewhemia in downtown Cedar Rapids. Tasting an Irish coffee from a shop that brews their own beans set a new standard.

I stand by the statement that Guinness will always taste better in Ireland.

Thankfully the sun came out and we enjoyed walking around the Newbo area following our caffeine fix. People were all over and the bars and brewery were packed.

After ordering a stout from Newbo Beer and Wine, we found a place to enjoy some treats and watch the Irish dancers. Elijah doesn’t wait for an invitation when it comes to dancing, so he entertained himself.

I’m thankful St. Patrick’s Day fell on a weekend this year and we were able to celebrate as a family. Elijah now thinks we should all wear green every single day.

Spring Break

Spring break has been just what I needed and there is still St. Patrick’s Day weekend right around the corner.

• Weekend Away in Des Moines
• Knocking things off of my to-do list
• 60-min Massage
• Ice Cream and Donut Dates with Elijah
• An outdoor run in 55 degrees (to help balance out the ice cream and donuts…)
• Family pictures
• Library time with Elijah

It’s amazing what a person can accomplish with a few days off. Deep cleaning my house while listening to an audiobook made me feel extra productive.

We have a babysitter scheduled tonight so John and I can participate in Cedar Rapids Resturant Week. We dined at Cobble Hill a few years ago during this designated week, but I think we’re headed back to the Pig and Porter tonight. CR Restaurant Week goes through March 25th, so check out the participating restaurants and their special menus. Whether you get a spring break or not, these specials make it hard to pass up a night out.

A Delayed Christmas Gift

Our weekend away was a belated Christmas gift to my parents. Instead of buying them a present to put under the tree, my siblings and I blocked off a weekend on our calendars to get everyone together in the same place as our “gift”. (We did this two years ago in Coralville, and just check out those photo of me pregnant and snuggling Colin in this post.)

Upon John’s recommendation, we booked rooms at Hotel Renvovo in Urbandale. John has stayed here a few times for work in the last six months and had nothing but praise for the unique, urban farm inspired design of the hotel. If you’re a Chip and Joanna fan, you should stay at this hotel. The decor fits the area because it’s located right next to The Machine Shed and Living History Farms.

While I was worried about a snowstorm hitting the weekend of our preplanned vacation, I didn’t think about illness. Unfortunately Tony and Ashley’s family had to sit the weekend out due to the flu. They were definitely missed. Is it spring yet?!

Even though our pool time took place indoors this spring break, I just needed to get out of town to reset. Mission accomplished and I’m in a better place mentally than I was three days ago. I’m praising God for spring break and so sorry for anyone in education who doesn’t have this luxury. I know I’ll go back to school next week a better and more patient teacher.

Virtual Health Care

There are two types of people, those who rush off to the doctor the second they feel a sneeze coming on and me.

I wish I was a little more like the first type.

As I mentioned in my last post, I had a terrible cold but felt like I was on the mend. I spoke too soon. My cold turned into a sinus infection, and it ended up causing me terrible tooth and gum pain. Who knew?

I finally decided I couldn’t kick this thing on my own and told John I would go to Urgent Care the next day. He asked if I wanted to try UnityPoint’s fairly new virtual care system.

It was 10 p.m., but we created an account, entered our insurance info, and waited to be seen by the physician.

The doctor talked to me through video, asked me my symptoms, prescribed me an antibiotic, and we logged off. It was that easy.

I’m only kicking myself I didn’t log on about 10 days ago.

Thank you, UnityPoint for giving me fewer excuses not to see a physician.