This morning

Love is patient. BeepBeepBeepBeep.... The alarm was going off for at least 10 minutes before MY patience wore out and I attempted to awaken the slumbering giant next to me... okay, he's not a giant but without the energy to even make a fist, pushing him out of bed seemed daunting as facing a giant. I tap him lightly on the back, reminding him that his alarm is blaring. After all, love is kind.

I had this morning off... I do not work today and planned to go to the pool, read my book, listen to my new CD and enjoy the sunshine. Dan, however, worked really hard last night at Firebirds, not to mention a second day full of school. Our schedules are different, but we have love. He did not envy, I did not boast.

I gently woke him letting him know what time it was (3o minutes post alarm). Love is not rude. I got up and made his breakfast, lunch and smoothie; a routine I am proud to do out of love of my husband; even if he's late 90% of the time. He's aware of his weakness and we're comfortable with our routine. Love is not self-seeking.

The house is a mess; I mean, a disaster. We've not been home, Bauer is losing hair, cobwebs are thriving and my histamines are NOT blocked making for a 15 sneeze walk down the stairs. I could not stop sneezing, itching, watering, scratching, and sniffling. I tripped on my shoes coming into the kitchen and the garbage smelled like rotten cabbage. My hair was tickling my eyes and the dog kept whining to go outside. The chore chart is collecting dust and nothing has been checked off (by either of us). Love is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

I put on the kettle for some tea, manage to burn some leftover cheese on the glass stovetop and stink up the kitchen before 8am. I dropped the tea bag in the mug and got shells in Dan's egg in the skillet. While making his lunch, I got mustard on my leggings. The dog is still whining though he is now outside and I can faintly hear the annoying noise. Dan comes down to say goodbye as he rushes out the door, we manage the 'drive safe', 'have a great day', 'I love you', 'call or text me', 'what time will you be home?'

35 seconds later; Dan rushes in, "I forgot my phone." "Where is it?" "I dont know, call it". "Here it is!" Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

I plump down on the couch with my raspberry leaf tea and turn on the news. I left the dog outside. He's an animal, he'll be fine. 2 minutes pass by and I hear pounding on the front door. Bra-less and and still sneezing, I run to unlock it and see my distraught, late, sad husband with smoothie all over his khaki pants. ALL OVER his pants; he peed blueberry. He strips down and I toss him some non-ironed khakis, promise to get the stain out of his new ones and he runs out with towels to clean up his mess...We manage to apologize and promise our love to one another.

Really thats all that matters anyway. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Baby Haller!

Today was a really really exciting today! Dan and I had been waiting till August 20th for quite some time... in fact, I havent slept in a week because I've been so anxious about it! Finally we saw our baby wiggle its fingers and toes, shake its huge Haller head and hear the thumping in all four heart chambers! We saw the spine, the stomach, a pair of kidneys, a healthy flow of blood from the umbilical cord and giggled as Baby Haller squirmed when I laughed. I cannot believe I hold a 9 oz., 6.5 inch baby in my abdomen!! He/She looks super healthy and has all working parts including a moving jaw that we saw chomping away!

Below is Baby Haller squished in my cantaloupe-sized uterus. Super cute!

We were privileged to have my mom and Zachary visit us for the ultrasound and it was amazing to see and hear their reactions. Zach noticed most obvious body parts and asked lots of questions while sitting on Uncle Dan's lap. My mom was thrilled to be able to see such vivid photos and experience her third grandbaby in this way! 19 weeks a thriving! Zach said the funniest things today including watching the baby on the screen he said, "I was on this show when I was a baby."

Dan is such a proud daddy already, taking care of me and taking care of the baby by feeding me and letting me sleep in. I am unbelievably blessed to be married to him and seeing his reaction to his baby on the screen squirming and thriving was priceless and unforgettable. Thanks for all of your encouragement and prayer as we've taken this journey... Exciting step stones to come!

Wedding Weekend 2009!

I write this post with joy and a little bit of bitterness. I am bitter because Dan and I forgot our camera on the desk at the house... which means I was out of a camera ALL WEEKEND at his brother's wedding.  The following pictures were taken by Katie Haller who is a phenomenal photographer and a wonderful sister in law. We were a little busy and did not get ANY pictures of the wedding (obvious b/c we were in it) and none of the reception. There will be many more to come because Mark and Jill's photographers were great!

Here I am airing out in the waiting area before we went out to walk down the aisle!  

Here's Jill with her super cute blue shoes and her dress airing out! She was nervous but they both did wonderful and the ceremony was beautiful at Asbury in Delaware.

The pretty chapel with pews and green accents

Dan and I at the rehearsal dinner!  It was a great dinner with a unique pasta bar and lots of treats.

Jill and Mark had their reception at the same place we did and we helped put up gorgeous lights in the reception hall... it was pretty!

Here's a pic of all the Haller women at a shower.  We had a great time!

The bride and me!  

(The pics are blurry because the quality is so high that they have to shrink into these small blog posts but you can click on them for a closer look!)