Reflections on a Rainy Day

Well, although I have mixed feelings about not having gone into labor yet, I am glad that Eli hasn't come for the sheer reason of Dan's ability to go on the Senior High Youth Retreat. I know he's been wanting to go and as a leader and friend to many of the kids, his presence was desired. He's on his way home as I sit here and write this now.

I had a very nice weekend with Maremy (Mary and Jeremy, my sister and brother-in-law). Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous in Roslyn, so Mary and I took a walk in the cemetery near their home basking in the glorious sunshine. If today was nearly as pleasant as yesterday was, we would be doing the same thing again. But as it is, it's a gloomy rainy day; perfect for staying in, resting or getting things done around the house.

I still have two weeks to go, and while on some days, I am more than eager to go into labor and have it done with, there are days when I am glad he hasn't come into the world. The silence and solitude can be restorative. However, after a while, the "restorative silence and solitude" can turn into lonliness and restlessness. Still, my arms ache to hold our little son and to see his big wide-set eyes looking up at me recognizing my voice and being comforted by my presence. I am learning what it means when they talk about the bond between mother and child. I think I will learn it even greater when I see him and hold him.

I was talking with Tiffany, my youngest sister, the other day about the relationship between mother and daughter and how one will never need her mother like she did when she was a child until she gets pregnant with her own child. Then, all of a sudden, the bond between mother and daughter strengthens more than it's ever been before. After relaying this comment to Mom, she kind of chuckled and said, "Whatever it takes." I'm sure that's not the most comforting thing I've told Mom. I think a lot of it has to do with my perception. A young man once told his parents, "You know, the older I get, the smarter you guys get." In actuality, I suppose with age, the parents are getting wiser. But the things the boy remembers his parents saying when he was a child suddenly begin to make sense. His parents aren't wiser now because he suddenly gets it. He is becoming wiser and realizing that his parents aren't so bad after all. Personally, I've always been one to think, I can handle it. But now that I'm about to become a mother, I realize that, although I believe in the providence of God to plan these things according to what I can handle and His perfect plan, I may not be able to handle this on my own as easily as I once thought. My one desire: that my Mom lived closer.

The New Rebel

I like what GK Chesterton has to say on this point:

The new rebel is a skeptic and will not entirely trust anything. He has no loyalty; therefore, he can never be really a revolutionist. And the fact that he doubts everything really gets in his way when he wants to denounce anything. For all denunciation implies a moral doctrine of some kind and the modern revolutionist doubts not only the institution he denounces, but the doctrine by which he denounces it. Thus, he writes one book complaining that imperial oppression insults the purity of women, and then he writes another book, a novel, in which he insults it himself. He curses the Sultan because Christian girls lose their virginity, and then curses Mrs. Grundy because they keep it. As a politician he will cry out that war is a waste of life, and then as a philosopher that all life is a waste of time. A Russion pessimist will denounce a policeman for killing a peasant, and then prove by the highest philosophical principles that the peasant ought to have killed himself. A man denounces marriage as a lie and then denounces aristocratic profligates for treating it as a lie. He calls a flag a bauble and then blames the oppressors of Poland or Ireland because they take away that bauble. The man of this school goes first to a political meeting, where he complains that savages are treated as if they were beasts. Then he takes his hat and umbrella and goes to a scientific meeting where he proves that they practically are beasts. In short, the modern revolutionist, being an infinite skeptic, is always engaged in undermining his own mind. In his book on politics he attacks men for trampling on morality, and in his book on ethics he attacks morality for trampling on men. Therefore the modern man in revolt has become practically useless for all purposes of revolt. By rebelling against everything he has lost his right to rebel agains anything.

This life's dim windows

“This life's dim windows of the soul
Distorts the heavens from pole to pole
And leads you to believe a lie
When you see with, not through, the eye.”
-William Blake

I apologize that this post has nothing to do with anything that we have posted up to date, but I just couldn't help myself. In our news section, there's a link to a news story which I affectionately refer to as Racist Soup. The jist of the article is that homeless Jews and Muslims are being discrimanted against by soup kitchens in Europe who offer free pork soup.
Now maybe it's because a few people in the world would consider me a traditionalist, but isn't it rather sad that someone who is trying to help is being reprimanded for not being diverse enough? Politicians are saying that they must end the disbursement of "Racist Soup." Why not end the hate and the stupidity and commend these individuals for doing something about the problem.
This is just about as stupid as prison inmates demanding Cable TV. Gen and I don't have cable and we have jobs and are productive members of society.
How pathetic a time we live, in which we fail to see this life with our Conscience, the way God intended, but with our Eyes.
I say if I offer you something for free, take it or don't take it, but do not dare tell me what I should offer. Where's the sense of gratitude? My parents taught me when I was young to say thank you and show gratitude. When is this "modern" world going to catch up?

My Dear Pregnant Husband

Bare Belly

This post is for you, Autumn.
I hope no one is offended by this picture of me and my growing belly. This was taken on the 18th, before he dropped. Eli is still hanging on although he continues to drop and leave me in pain as my body adjusts to the separation of joints and as muscles and ligaments loosen to allow him through. Every day, we wonder if today is the day. And every night, we go to bed wondering if tonight is the night. But still he holds on. He's waiting for the perfect birthday. (His Mommy hopes that it's before Lincoln's birthday.)

Wendi's Shower

As I mentioned in a previous post, there are three of us in our Home Fellowship that are pregnant and due in February. Becky, Wendi, and myself. Becky is due on the 6th, I'm due on the 12th (Lincoln's birthday), and Wendi is due on the 22nd (Washington's birthday). It's a race to see who will deliver first. It's fun to have others to go through the excitement and anticipation of a new baby with me. Becky will be delivering her third child, her only girl, at this point. For Wendi and me, it's our first time and they are both boys.

Wendi's mom is an extremely crafty and artistic woman. My mother would love her. She caters for teas and sews and embroiders and makes all sorts of fun things. When she threw a shower for Wendi, everything was perfect and delicious. I wished I'd thought to take a picture of her tea cup and tea pot collection. My mom collects them too. Wanda said she had 200 tea cups! There was quite an assortment.

Getting Ready For Baby

I finally made it into work to gather my things, say my goodbyes (knowing that I'll still be in touch), and finish up some things that were left undone since my sudden and unexpected departure. I was lucky enough to have come on a "Town Meeting" Day, which is an office-wide meeting to discuss items of relative importance. On those days, the whole office (those who can make it) enjoys lunch together which usually includes heckling at one another (all in good fun). We've had some very interesting conversations around the tables on these days. It's always something to look forward to. We're often joined by missionaries who are either departing to the field, arriving from the field, or just visiting. On this day in particular, Chrissy Ludlum was with us as she had just been accepted to start support-raising to go to Ireland for five years. Luke Herron was departing for an 8-month stint with the Irish Team.

My dear friends from the World Harvest Mission Sending Center were kind enough to make me a "Diaper Cake." Non-edible. (See below.) It was decorated with toys and other fun baby things. It was adorable!




I thought I would include this picture of Eli's dresser. I thought it was cute.


Since the shower, things have had to move around a bit. We're getting rid of our bassinet since we have no place to keep it and we don't really need it since we have the pack 'n play up in our bedroom now. Those things are real lifesavers, I tell you what. Whoever invented it -- or I suppose perfected an already existing invention -- is probably making a killing.

On Saturday, my sister, mother, and mother-in-law threw me a baby shower. It was great. I seriously had so much fun. Many worlds collided (in a good way) as friends and family all got together for lunch and a good time.


Look at all those gifts! I absolutely was blown away at the generosity of so many people. We are one blessed couple, that's all I have to say. And we owe it to no one but the Lord. It's only through Him that others are able and inspired to give like they have been doing. We have some great friends.


My sister, Mary, holding our cousin, Laura's son, Luca, with our cousin from the other side of the family, Brooke, next to her. I'm so glad that aunts and cousins from both sides of the family could be there, coming from PA, NJ, VA and NY.


Cousin Laura and Aunt Janet

Here are more pictures of our Gregson Christmas.


No need for words...


Mom and Dad (aka Nana and Papa)


...getting ready for grandparenthood.


Dan is such a ham.


"Geniene, act excited."

A Very Gregson Christmas

Because I was in the hospital up until Christmas Eve getting treated for kidney stones and injected with steroids as my body had started to dialate, we, obviously, didn't make it to upstate New York to spend Christmas Day with my family. On Tuesday, however, they all came to us - including my brother Tim and his wife, Melissa from Aurora, IL. We had a great time together as we always do. Christmas really is the best time of the year...at least when family is nearby. Here are some completely wacky and some not-so-wacky pictures of the Gregson Christmas.

The score of Stainers' Crucifixion


I think I'll take this one into the delivery room with me and laugh my baby right out of me.


The lovely fair maiden, Tiffany.


Scary....

Becky's Shower

On Monday night, we threw my good friend Becky Sorensen a surprise baby shower. This will be her third child, but first girl. (Lord willing the ultrasound tech wasn't mistaken!) We are all so excited for her. We held the party at Linda Scotto's house. Becky thought she was doing a Pampered Chef party, but as it turned out, instead of raking in the big bucks we all would have spent on kitchen items, she received baby girl things! Here are some of the pictures of the evening.




I actually had a better picture of Jill, Chrissie, and Sheila, but I thought this one was funny. (Ha! They didn't actually think I'd put it up!)

There are three of us in our Home Fellowship who are pregnant and are due in February. This is a picture of us at Wendi's house on the 16th of December. The one following is of the three of us at Linda's house on Monday night. Notice how much bigger we all are?

Nesting

This is the result of hard work on Tuesday. I finally figured out the puzzle that is now our nursery. It needed to accomodate guests (hence the futon) and the baby. It's tight, but it works. We still need wall hangings to absorb noise and create a more comfortable atmosphere. I noticed while I was in there that everything echoes. The poor baby will scream when he hears his own cry bounce off the walls!


As you might have read in a previous post, Dan's co-workers threw him a surprise Baby Shower. One of the gifts we received was the most adorable pair of cowboy boots.



A couple months ago, while out shopping for Christmas presents, we ran across a hook with the letter "E" on it. It was just a couple bucks and it was perfect for Elias.

We are more than excited for this little guy to join our lives. He will be a handful, we know it, but he will be a joy, nonetheless.

Gen's Words...

Dan is showing me how to navigate through this blog stuff so that I can keep it up-to-date. So far, I think I have the basics down. I hope to be diligent in this to keep our friends and family updated. I can't wait to take pictures of little Elias and post them for all to see.

This Thursday, I should be off bedrest. But to be honest, I've taken the liberty to consider this week "close enough." I've finally finished the nursery!! I'll try to upload a picture and post it tomorrow. It was quite difficult to fit everything in the smallish room as we have to keep our futon in there for guests. We have family and friends coming into town this weekend and someone will need to stay with us, so I'm thankful that I got it done today. I really didn't think I'd get it done...EVER.

I eat anitpasta twice just because she is so nice.

Making pasta at Christmas-time is our one and only Christmas tradition. Can a tradition be made after doing it twice? Maybe next year, Elias can help...

Current Happenstance

Seeing as how I started this site to keep people current on what's going on, I figured it was probably time to write about our happenings.

Last Thursday the good people of Simpson Senior Services under the leadership of my boss, Allison, threw a baby shower for me. This being a total suprise to me was partial orchestrated by the beautiful Geniene Simrak.

Among the treasures that were given were a pair of cowboy boots for Elias and a Dragon puppet. I can't wait till he and I can play together. He can be the cowboy and I'll be the dragon and Geniene can be the fair Maiden.

Well thank you to my friends at Simpson Senior Services and God bless.

Great News!

If you have been to this site in the very recent future you would have noticed the addition of a "great news" section. This is not designed to be news that will change your outlook on life or even give you warm fuzzies. The idea is that you will see some of bizarre subjects that are making headlines in the year 2005. Take this article for example. A guy and his broad write up a list of mandatory functions that each must adhere to before they get married of their prenups and then he divorces her in secret. Now if I had Gen sign a prenup that she was to polish my shoes and iron my shirts and wash my car, she would have given me the peace sign while the door closed behind her.

Maybe my problem is that I'm attributing this apparently not-so-commonsense to people that have none. Now it is true that she and I do have God and we have love and we are living for God and that changes our perspective but I think even if she wasn't a believer that getting her to sign a prenup would be like trying to fit a sea lion into my pocket.

Anywhoo, enjoy the news and if theres something funny that I'm missing let me know.

Peace, love and carrot juice,

Dan

So long 2005

So here we are in the year 2006. 2005 is now a thing of last year. Soon enough we will start to hear kids mention how things are, "So 2005!" For those of us who are older I will translate. That's lame! Who knows, they are probably right. But whatever.
The real issue of January is that of the New Years Resolution. Of which, I have none, nor do I have a desire to make one. I would and I'm sure Gen would too but for the fact that we are going to have a baby in a month and we don't think that New Years Resolutions are really all that hip any more. You know what? New Years Resolutions are way to 2005. If they weren't then maybe we'd be interested.
Last year we made our resolutions and well we've been there and done that and we are moving on.
So I guess you could say that we have resolved to move on from 2005. But please don't put it that way cause then we are right back where we don't want to be.
Anywhoo. God bless and hope you have a great new year.