The New Toy

My husband was blessed with a nice little holiday bonus. That sounds weird. He has only been employed in the "real world" for a little bit over five months and I keep forgetting that we are real grown-ups now (not that every real adult receives a bonus -teachers most certainly do not!). Anyways. Of course we put most of the $ in the bank, but I did agree to one special purchase.

What was that special purchase? First, I'd like you to consider what most guys would buy? A plasma TV. An Xbox. A Nintendo Wii...something of the electronic variety. NOT my husband (I'm sure he wouldn't mind any of that stuff though). My husband decided to splurge on something he has wanted for a long time. He found himself a great deal on Craigslist. He bought a....

CELLO

Yes, a cello. AND he has been playing it almost non-stop since he purchased it just about 24 hours ago. Watch out Yo Yo Ma (or whatever his name is)...here comes Jonathan Hook:)!

State Champs

I have hardly written a thing about coaching volleyball this fall. It's just one of the many reasons I haven't been a very good blogger as of late. Here's a brief update...

I coached at LC high school, which was a bit of a change since I grew up as a panther. The first time I wore the orange and black it was a bit strange, and it was even weirder the first time we played Mead. It wasn't too difficult to make the switch, though, once I got to know the coaching staff and the girls. They are an awesome group of ladies and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to coach there! During the regular season I worked mostly with the JV team and with the varsity setter. Then as we rolled through the play-offs I worked with the varsity team. Not only did we win the GSL, but we won Districts, Regionals, and we swept State. Wahoo! Of course I can't really claim any of the success for myself:), I was just glad to be a part of it. I know that many people coach their entire lives and never earn a state championship, so it was especially sweet to experience it during my first year at LC.

It's Official...

I am pregnant! I know. You are surprised, but you're not really that surprised:). It is incredibly overwhelming, exciting, scary, terrific, terrifying news! I'm just thankful that we'll have until May to let it all sink in:). I'm sure as the belly starts to grow and I actually feel something moving inside of me (besides just that bloated, nasty feeling), it will start to sink in.

I'm officially 13 weeks and 4 days pregnant. For those of you who have experienced pregnancy before, this means something to you. If you are like me just over a month ago, you have no idea how to think in "weeks". My due date is May 9th (one day before Mother's Day - I might actually be a mother on Mother's Day this year - wow!). That means I won't be able to finish my first year teaching here in Spokane. Although I'm bummed about that, a few coworkers have told me that I planned it just right since I'll be getting out of the last month teaching 6th graders. Maybe it'll turn out to be for the better:).

I have been very blessed so far on this journey. I've only thrown up and experienced nausea a handful of times. My biggest complains are just that I have to wake up ALL the time in the middle of the night to pee. That plus general exhaustion at all times & the sensitive sense of smell (while teaching 6th grade - not the best combination) have been the worst parts. Compared to others I really don't have much to complain about.

I'm hoping this will be the last set of big news for a while. Moving from Australia & Colorado back to Spokane, living with the in-laws, starting two new jobs, buying our first home and finding out we're pregnant has been a little much all at once. Here's to a really long, uneventful, relaxing fall & holiday season!