/ demolition / carpet rip up, of the upstairs this time, which is prohibiting progress on a nursery however I have come to peace with this aspect knowing that they are not going to care nor notice what their nursery looks like the first few months of life as they will be sleeping, eating and pooping solely according to the nurse in our Infant Care class, so I say demolish away.IN PROGRESS:
(master bath where tub /shower used to be) (master bath where vanity/sink used to be)
*The house looks pretty friggin' awesome though!!!! Beautiful. It's amazing how far it's come.
(kitchen before) (kitchen before) (view of kitchen from LR before)
AFTER:
As I look back on this past year, as January 17, 2010 will mark my one year anniversary on O'ahu. If I'm honest I'm filled with a bit of frustration in that I'm still battling certain 'demons' despite my willingness to grow, change, let go. This has been a tough year (moving, quit job(s), left family / friends), an amazing year (married to an amazing man, husband, person and friend whom I continue to learn and grow from not to forget laugh with DAILY); a year filled with a couple unexpected surprises (what? TWINS?), a year of sadness and loss (you know who you are and my heart aches for you daily), a year of worry over the health and safety of loved ones (ahem,....DAD!), a year of joy (birth of Olivia my new niece) and a year of fear (excited to meet the babies but terrified about being a 'mom' and all that comes with it.)
I'm trying to be patient with myself as I know I have a tendency (or so I'm told) to be a bit stubborn but am trying to be open, accepting and come to a place of peace here on O'ahu. I'm trying....really I am. Our lives are about to be forever changed in unspeakable ways and I am hopeful I can create a safe, positive haven for our family to thrive in.
As the holidays approach I find myself in a mode of 'reflection' as another year comes to a close. I am a bit more full of angst this year as my body continues to rage from all the pregnancy hormones and as I close in on 32 weeks. A twins statistic keeps popping in my head, '50% of all twins are delivered between 34 - 37 weeks.' Gulp. I mean feasibly two weeks from now (or tomorrow, or the next day or next month) the girls could decide to make their appearance despite what we think is best. (Lesson #1 in parenthood I suppose..) Our goal is to get to 37 weeks, the week of January 11, 2010...fingers, toes, legs crossed!
(12/08/09: 8 months pregnant experiencing Braxton Hicks after a not-so-smart 2 mile walk to watch surf championships!)
All in all, as I write and reflect back on all I've just written I'm a very lucky girl. Sure times are tight and we're feeling the pinch economically and things are about to get even more interesting but as I sit back, look down and around me I realize how very fortunate I am. Sometimes simplistic gratitude gets lost on me and I get bogged down in all of life's little annoyances, hiccups or life lessons. Perhaps my new year's resolution will be to try and truly live like the fortunate individual I am...
Happy and safe holidays to each and every one of you...all the best in 2010!
PS - I'd also like to give a special shout out to JA who has been there through all the ups, downs, ins and outs of this pregnancy and all that it entails. AIYA! Uncharted territory for BOTH of us. (Emotional roller coaster to say the LEAST!) Thank you for being patient, listening, understanding, attending numerous dr's appts and for sharing your thoughts with me...you are going to be a great dad...don't forget that! I'm grateful for you...I thank you!
Posts
