Holidays with a Twist & Pregnancy Update

It was a banner year for the Wieck family as we spent Thanksgiving... wait for it... Together!  In Iowa!  This was a first since 2001.  [That's a first in 12 years, math people].  Because of how the basketball schedule worked out, Justin was off from Wednesday-Saturday.  Last year Justin was in Montana, the year before that we were in South Dakota, before that I was in Minnesota, the year before that we were in Las Vegas... And I can think of Illinois, Kansas City... and even out of the country!

We decided to fly home because it is too long of a car ride for being this pregnant AND trying to entertain the toddler.  We had a great time celebrating with both of our families and although it was a quick 2 1/2 day trip it was so much fun to have Jordy spend time with his cousins!  He talks about them constantly and we feel bad that he so often misses out on a lot of grandma & grandpa time.

Eating breakfast with Jackson

Snack with Owen

The final twist is that while we got a Thanksgiving in Iowa, we will be cozying up and spending Christmas in Jamestown since we are so close to our due date.  We are kind of excited to be able to have our own little family traditions just the 3 us and have Jordy experience his stocking and Christmas at home AND not having to travel 700 miles [one way] in the winter!  Yet it's bittersweet to miss out on being together with family, especially our cousins and grandparents whom we only see at Christmastime.

Of course this isn't our first January baby, and the Christmas we spent together in Aberdeen waiting for our baby was one of the best Christmas's ever and one we'll never forget!  Usually Justin and I don't exchange Christmas presents [and honestly...parents of the year... didn't get Jordy anything last year, either!] but we decided to do some little stocking stuffers just to have something to open here with Jordy.  We are trying to budget wisely for 2 kids in daycare AND majority of my maternity leave unpaid (!)

And although I said I wouldn't... we decided we are going to do a little birthday party for Jordy!  I mean, the kid's favorite song IS Happy Birthday, after all!  So Dad is 100% in charge of pulling this one off.   We will be inviting.... who else!  The basketball team!  We are just going to do cupcakes after a game and hopefully we can get the guys [make them?] sing Happy Birthday to him!

Since there's only 4 short weeks left until Baby, it's time to compare pregnancies!

Here I am at 35 weeks with Baby #2:

Here I am at 37 Weeks with Jordan:

Not the greatest quality but I don't have hardly any bump pictures this time around [lazy!]  I am however, approximately 18 pounds lighter this time around.  You read that correctly!

I attribute this to the following facts:
(a) I was in much better shape overall when I got pregnant the first time
(b) I am constantly in motion chasing around a toddler and can't lay around on my couch all night when I get home from work
(c) I am on prescription medication for my nausea so I feel better this time and probably more active, and not living on Sprite, chocolate shakes, and Arby's (practically all I could eat for awhile the first time!)

This pregnancy I have actually been much sicker overall, like getting up in the middle of the night to get sick and pretty much feel narcoleptic much of the time.  So the medicine is a dream come true!!!  With Jordy I drank little to no caffeine whatsoever and this baby I have a coffee every day and whenever I feel like it, a Pepsi!

Getting everything wrapped up at work, this time feels CRAZY! I felt a lot more prepared last time, even though it was my first year as a school principal; and this time is my 5th year of teaching... Perhaps it's just still getting used to being new, too, that it seems overwhelming.  [Maybe a difference between a Catholic school system vs. a public school system, too?]

The basketball schedule is also MUCH different.  Practices here are much later into the evenings and never at the same time in Jamestown than they were at Northern.  Also the game schedule sucks.   At Northern, they were always womens/mens and they were ALWAYS Friday/Saturday (and home Saturday night after an away game).  Since November, it's been: Justin gone from Tuesday-Sunday (@ New Mexico, then 2 games in Nebraska) to playing Tuesday, Friday, Sunday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday <<<break for Thanksgiving, we traveled the whole time>>>,  Justin gone Thursday-Sunday in Iowa.  

While it sounds understandable why we have nothing set up for Baby yet :), I am focusing on enjoying these last few weeks!  Jordy has just been absolutely awesome lately!  He is in a great mood and talking more and more and more every day.  His new favorites are "Come here, Mommy/Daddy", "I want Daddy's gym,"  and "I like it, Mommy, I like it!!!"  And at night I have been getting "I want to snuggle Mommy."  Isn't that the best!!!  Despite the craziness of basketball, he loves "the guys" and has no clue if we win or lose -which is awesome!  He brings us both so much joy each day and we are really looking forward to giving him what I consider the ultimate gift - a sibling!!!  I love seeing and feeling Baby moving all around and while I'm slightly terrified to have to go through another surgery & recovery, I'm told it's more manageable the 2nd time around. And of course this baby will be worth it just like the first!

Will try to keep up on the once per month blog, so until then when we become a family of FOUR!, never be too busy to count all your blessings!!!!

Confessions of a Wife-Mom-Teacher-Perfectionist

I went to a conference for teachers a few years ago.  (Actually for my friends in the education world, they call them "trainings"~ but I avoid this term as it makes me feel like a dog at puppy class.)  Anyway, the opening icebreaker thing was to describe yourself in 5 words.  Mine was "Wife, Mom, Educator, Friend, Perfectionist."  I was the only one who didn't use a complete sentence, and I was the only one who said wife.  My 'partner' that I shared with before we shared with the group {we all know all these things work!} said she found it interesting I described myself in terms of relationships with others.  Well that comment ought to get you thinking!

I take my relationships pretty seriously.  In fact, to me, they are my life's work.  Justin's health and happiness directly affects mine.  Jordy's health and happiness directly affects mine.  Same with my students, students' parents, and colleagues at work.  Which is why I both love and hate being a teacher all at the same time.
[Aside: I could've easily added "Sister" to this list.] 

I LIKE doing a good job.  I am special education teacher.  My students have disabilities ranging from autism to ADHD to emotional disturbance to specific learning disability to cerebral palsy.  Some co-exist with speech language impairments or oppositional defiant disorder and some are just what we call in the biz NCD, Non-Categorical Delay, which is a fancy way to say "We don't know!"  Almost without exception, they struggle on their tests, frustrate their classroom teachers, and can find it hard to connect with their peers.

Beyond these challenges alone, budget cuts, lack of information, introduction of new educational policy (Grrrrr Common Core), and constant changes to diagnostic procedures and special education law increases the work load to the point of overwhelming!
(Oh... and apparently regardless of your years of experience actually working with students and the fact that you went to undergrad at a major Big Ten University with an outstanding College of Education which ranks in the top 20 nationally AND have a Master's in Educational Leadership from one of the best private schools doesn't make you 'qualified' when trying to get a teaching license in a different state, but I digress).

I've always been unable to "leave work at work."  Seeing student's progress makes my day.  Working collaboratively with their teachers so they experience success makes me happy.  Getting to know their parents and their wants/needs for their kid brings me fulfillment.  Going above and beyond and doing what I think is best to develop the whole child, as a student and person, motivates me.  Which by the way, is not required by the law... there really is nothing special about special education . . . unfortunately, we're just "required" to provide SOME "educational benefit" within our limited resources, not required to offer what's "best."

  Today, I kind of felt like that guy in Office Space... you know, you work every day with no feedback, but where you feel like if you do something wrong, you have 8 different bosses telling you about it:

Of course, I DO care :)  But I like this clip because I feel like I'm doing the right thing...  hearing differently frustrates us perfectionist people!!!   So maybe, it turns out, it was more like I was this guy today:

Justin accuses me often a being a perfectionist.  When we decided it would be a good idea for me to get back into teaching in our new city, it was because we thought it would be good hours based on our family's crazy schedule and provide me time off with our kid[s] in the summer.  Honestly, making it to the daycare by 5:00 PM has been a struggle!  There is always something to do, something to plan, a meeting to go to, another meeting to prepare for!  You'd think after 6 years I'd have it all together, but learning a new school, and how much the kids change presents new challenges and new learning with each position.

AM I do the right thing?  I don't know!  [I think] I advocated for myself and one of my students today.  It was nothing if not interesting!  But it was short moment... a snippet of my day.

I also received a nice E-mail from a parent, and a student solved their first subtraction problem correctly.  It's easy to forget that the blessings usually always outnumber everything else!

And tomorrow is FRIDAY! :) :)

Never be too busy to count all your blessings.

Guest Blogger Day!

It's been a little over a month since Karna and I returned from our mission trip in Peru.  We had a meeting at the church a little while ago and shared some of or story at church on Sunday.  It's actually still kind of hard for me to talk about it.  Partly because of the overwhelming part of the whole experience, partly I'm sure due to pregnancy hormones, and partly because I still don't really believe that I did something like this.

As many of you know, I do not get the pleasure of being a "glowing" pregnant person.  I look like a beach ball (or beached whale) at around 9ish weeks and have been sicker than a dog for about 4 months.  So, traveling internationally in and of itself was quite the accomplishment, much less leaving my 2 best guys for a whole week, and working in impoverished conditions.

Thankfully, I did drop enough hints to my philanthropic minded mother in law and somehow she was crazy enough to come with me!  It was nice to know that if I was going to hurl or have diarrhea or just needed a nap that I had a family member there with me :)

Karna really took the project on 100% and even got the Iowa City community involved, especially in her church.  She tagged along almost 100 pounds of donations to Peru!  And then she had the chance to share her experience at church as well (funny enough, we didn't know that each of us was speaking to our church on the same Sunday!  God is mysterious, eh?)  Well you know me, I went up there and winged it!!!  But Karna had some great talking points that she sent me and I hope she doesn't mind me sharing.  I think it really captures the transformation of an experience like this.

Enjoy!

NOTES FOR SUNDAY:

My name is Karna Wieck and my husband Jeff and I joined St Andrew about 2 years ago and let me say I never thought I would be up here talking, so bear with me as I'm a bit nervous.  I think I'd rather be doing a children's sermon.  But, God is always knocking on my door trying to get me to go out of my comfort zone, so here I am.
Jeff and I were both Lutheran for many years, but many things at St. Andrew Presbyterian church attracted us to keep coming back to "visit".   We didn't realize it I'm sure but God was leading us to this place where we started to feel comfortable.  I can't tell you how many times on Sunday morning we joked in the car and said well are we going to be Lutheran or Presbyterian today as we approached the corner of Melrose and Mormon Trek.  We both had been Lutheran for a LONG time. But what we were looking for at this point in our lives was right here and I feel God was knocking on our door so we finally answered.
So many times I've gone out of my comfort zone and put my trust in God.  When something is new or I'm put in a difficult situation, or just doing something because I really want to but have no idea how,  I just say a prayer in my head and see where God leads me.   That's how I approach life and how I approached my mission trip to Chimbote.
So my thoughts were,...others have done this, so surely I can too, right?  After researching the web site for an organization called "Friends of Chimbote" I said yes to going on a mission trip with my daughter in law and a group of Catholics from Jamestown, North Dakota.
With 2 suitcases packed of suggested items to bring and leave there (90 pounds), as I left for my flight to Lima I started to get nervous.  After one night in Lima we took a 7 hour bus ride to Chimbote and I had plenty of time to look out the window and see how the people live.  The beauty of the ocean on my left and the mountains on my right yet sadness is what I saw.  Extreme poverty everywhere..it didn't seem real.
When we got off the bus in Chimbote we were greeted as if THEY were there to serve us. Hugs and kisses on the check and offering to carry our luggage and serving us supper.  The next few days we met lots of people as we walked the streets of Chimbote and learned about all the work being done there.  (Soup kitchen, daycare, preschools, social workers medical staff, churches, trade schools and even a hospice center. ) They welcomed us with open open arms and I fell in love with the people, especially the children yet my heart was heavy.  As we started going in their homes and helping them it really hit me as I felt guilty that we were not doing enough and again it didn't seem real.  How could God let this happen.
Then about mid week and several days of going to church with them, handing out stickers to children and coloring with the them my  heart did not feel so heavy and I felt JOY in my heart.  I realized we (and many others before us) were giving them HOPE.  Working side by side with the social workers and my new friends from North Dakota and Peru, we saw many sad situations but we also made many people happy just by being there.  As I walked down the street one day and looked up at the mountains and then at the homes I smiled and thanked God for his presence in Chimbote.  You could see it everywhere, especially when you smiled at someone and they gave you one back.  Although they truly appreciated having us rebuild or repair two homes and deliver beds and stoves to 25 homes what they also REALLY appreciated was our time with them and some of the little things we did.  Somebody cares.
As I think about my experience in Peru and here at St. Andrew I see similarities.  I thought of part of a bible verse. " For it is in giving that you receive...."  I learned so much from this trip and I want to thank you for your support and prayers while I was there.
If anyone wants to hear more about my trip, I have a book with me that has lots of pictures and stories that go with them that I'm happy to share.  We are also sending backpacks to the children in Chimbote so more can go to school.  Thank you for that.
I'd like to end with reading a quote that is framed and on the wall at the mission site in Chimbote.   It has special meaning to me whether I'm in Chimbote or Iowa City as I feel God's hand at work in both places.
 "I slept and I dreamt that life was JOY, I awoke and saw that life was service, I served and saw that service was JOY."

Lastly, I know a mission trip isn't for everyone.  Justin has made it very clear he won't be joining me in Peru :)  But one thing we learned there is that you don't need to do that to be of service to others.  Jesus himself never traveled more than 200 miles from the place he was born!!!  But we ALL should open our eyes to the needs of our community and be willing to share what we have been blessed with!  Make it a great week :)

18 months old!!!!

Jordy turned 18 months old on July 8.  I cant hardly believe it!  We just had our check up this week since I was gone for the past 10 days.  I felt a little bad getting behind on his appointments but Justin assured me that is indeed a dumb thing to worry about!

We have a new doctor for Jordy so it was his first time meeting him and he said that he walks/runs great and seems to have great motor skills.  That made Coach Wieck very happy.  Daddy also got to experience the "lay down ON TOP of your child" during the shots this time.  Justin actually felt horrible because Jordy thought they were playing and was laughing up a storm.  So I'm sure those suckers hurt with his legs all tensed up.  He rebounded quickly!

He is 90th percentile for both height and weight.  He is officially MORE than half my height!  The only things he can't reach in the kitchen are the upper cabinets!

Here is our little cutie watching one of his Baby Einsteins!

 

He still doesn't really watch anything else on TV (besides the occasional Wheel of Fortune... yelling out D! D! D!) but he has been 'noticing' it more so we are keeping it off.  The other day a commercial came on where someone slapped someone else in the face and he about had a cow ("Mommy!! No No No!!!").  If you really just looked for it, it is shocking and annoying how much violence there really is on TV, even commercials!  Although he did stop everything when he heard Daddy on the news last night and was pretty excited to see his picture!  Here's that link in case you missed it!

Our boy is growing so fast, here's his little update:

Diaper size: 6

Clothes size: 2T

Sleeping:  Went through a tough phase but now seems mostly back to normal.  Naps are actually going great.  Takes him a little longer to wind down at night (it does not get dark here until about 10:15) and he has been walking about 5:30 am (ugh!).  But overall a great sleeper:) And still in the crib, thank God he hasn't figured out to get out of there.

Other accomplishments:  We've counted at least 60 words this little bugger says on a pretty regular basis.  He is putting 2 words together!  Some favorites are "no, me and mine!"  His newest words are "pool" and "wet"  and "Look!"  He also mimics everything, so watch out.  He can name just about everyone in our family.  He is VERY interested in what belongs to someone else "mommy shoes"  "grandpa truck".  Pretty excited and does a happy feet dance when you get him something he wants (legos out, drink of milk, whatever!)

And I'm not sure if we'd call this an accomplishment, but he is pretty good at throwing a little tantrum!  He kind of yelps like a scared puppy and throws his hands on the floor. So dramatic.  And annoying.

We did get the green light to start potty training, since he does tell us "poop" and "potty" and appears to know where it goes (other than a diaper) but we're not in a big rush.  If he tells me he has to go I put him up there but that's about as exciting as it's been.  Justin informed me that it's probably due to the "fresh air" of why he "goes" on the potty, not because he's figured it out.   

Other than that we are just enjoying the pool on our deck, taking walks, and having some family time every once in awhile.  The NAIA schedule is quite different than Division 1 or 2 in the summer and for that Jordy and I are thankful!  We know as far as a coach's family we have it made right now, so just loving the rest of summer before we ALL start a *new* school year.

Home Builds

Our mission group fundraised over $60,000 and thus we were able to buy the materials to build TWO houses in Chimbote as well as purchase and deliver 24 beds and stoves. Through Friends of Chimbote: Father Jacks mission, the families in need work through social workers and are on a "list" for receiving items purchased through different groups like ours. There are over 100 people on a list for home, bed, stoves, and more. 

We split into 2 groups for the home build. The first day was mostly tear down of delapitated shelter.  It's really indescribable the conditions the family was living in. The family was Clara, Miguel, their 6 children and one on the way due this month. The next two days were installing the studs, bamboo rods, and attaching estera walls with wire. We searched the neighborhood for bottle caps to act as washers to secure the nails (the trash on the street is also indescribable, along with the dogs/dung). Estera is a woven reed or hay type of material. Refer to the pictures, it's hard to describe exactly what it is. Luckily we had the funds to provide a roof that was metal rather than estera to keep the rain out. The previous estera was completely molded. We built three bedrooms onto the existing "galley kitchen" in quotes because there are no lights, stove, running water, appliances of any kind... A few Tupperware and cups with a 5 gallon plastic tub to collect water. Anyway, the walls created three separate bedroom spaces and a small living space. Then we had the privilege to deliver 2 beds an donated some sheets, towels, toothpaste toothbrushes and dishes. We got to return this morning and the priest blessed the home. The entire group was in tears!

It was a bittersweet feeling leaving, because Clara was so thrilled and appreciative but it felt like so much more was left undone. 2 beds for 8 people, dirt floor, contaminated water. But it was more a feeling of hope and fresh start. The family will continue to work with their social worker with upkeep of their house and beds (they are not allowed to sell their bed) and to find a source of income. 

Each delivery of bed or stove to other families was unique!  Each had a story. This afternoon we rented a couple buses to take some families to the Vivero, basically a fun park/play place. It will be nice to spend some time with them somewhere they don't normally get to go!

The front of the house we rebuilt 

Putting up the roof

Bamboo rods, framing the bedrooms

Cleaning out the girls bedroom

The kids (minus one). I hung out with them outside the house. Wendy is 17 and wants to be a teacher. We spent a lot of time with a Spanish-English dictionary.  She is a quick learner and was patient with my poor Spanish!  Although they were all pretty excited with what I did know. We also went through their new coloring books an said the Spanish and English word for each animal. I am pretty attached to them:) PS- Sergio is wearing a Hawkeye hat, thanks Jason Gulbranson!  They each have one to represent our beloved Iowa!

Regular street view. The houses in the background are 100% estera.

We travel to Lima tomorrow then fly out at 2:00 am. I am looking forward to seeing my baby boy and hubby!

Quick Chimbote update

Have been so busy an way too tired to blog everything!

The 2nd day a group of about 6 of us went to visit the hospice. Hospice is unique here because culturally the philosophy is that pain and suffering is natural at the end of life; and of corse te Hospice philosophy is to make as comfortable and pain free as possible an preserve dignity during last days if life. When we first arrived a woman was recieving her sacrament of Last Rites. She passed away and casket came in and casket came out. Burials are very fast in Chimbote because there is no embalming process. Then the family usually had about a month to save for a funeral. At the hospice we helped cut and fold gauze for dressings (in the states they come in pre packaged sterile bandages) and helped to lotion the skin of some residents. It was an indescribable experience for me because I originally planned to go to the school but at the last minute decided to try something a little different. I'm glad I did. I am not sure yet why I witnessed what I did but I know it was some reason. I will update more later on the house building!

Me and the kids after church. 

First full day in Chimbote, Peru

Yesterday we left Lima about 10 am for a long bus ride to Peru. It took about an hour to exit a city of 10 million!  Then another 6 hours up the coast of the Pacific to the city of Chimbote, a town of about 300,000. We were pleasantly surprised with the conditions of the bus!  I was expecting like rickety scary Indiana Jones bus with stray chickens clucking around:) It was a beautiful comfortable chartered bus. The volunteer coordinator for Friends of Chimbote, a 24 year old new college grad from Manchester, England, met us in Lima and has been assuring and translating for us. My college Spanish is coming in quite handy. I am so happy with all I remember and all I can understand!!!!!!  I don't conjugate many of the verbs correctly but people can understand what I'm getting at:):):);)

Here are so photos from the bus trip and first arriving in Chimbote

When we arrived the Chimbotanos were so welcoming and sweet, giving lots of hugs and kisses as we got off the bus and carrying our luggage. We are staying on the actual mission grounds in dorm style rooms. (None of the Chimbotanos live at the mission, they live in the barrios, except Maruja, the head cook, and Jaime, an older mentally retarded person). We have a bed, nightstand, lamp, and locker. Here is Karna sorting through her 95+ pounds of donations!

These beautiful crosses were made by Karnas father. Made with nails. I love them!!!!!!!!

Today we had opening prayer and breakfast. We eat all of our meals in the "Gringo room."  So far we've eaten spaghetti and garlic bread, rolls, eggs bacon, fresh fruit, BBQ chicken, rice, frenchfries, a broccoli chicken stir fry and green beans. They know what gringos like to eat!!!  Then we had an orientation, which was 5+ hour tour of the barrios of Chimbote with Katie, Fr Jack, and Jorge the Director of ACAF (social programs). 

I am even more excited and energized after learning more today. What drew me to Father Jacks mission is looking for more than just straight charity. I passionately believe that nothing is ever free, and simply giving money away is further handicapping. Friends of Chimbote has a strict policy that donations not be given directly to Chimbotanos. The mission is to transform the lives of the poor through education. Not just classroom education... There is daycare, early childhood, school tutoring, parenting classes, marriage support, drug rehab, vocational training, job training, and the newest program is micro lending... In short, for graduates of the "programs", a loan to start a business so they can use skills to make their own income.  WOW. There was cosmetology class, seeing/clothes making class, cooking/baking class, computer classes and more. Lucrative business possibility in Chimbote is the idea. Again, the testimonies of the adults in the classes so moving. And of course we visited the youth centers, and the barrios. The level of poverty was astounding. I was absolutely moved to tears. Here are the last photos of the day and hopefully I will blog more detail tomorrow. We start building homes tomorrow!!!!  Oh and I can't forget we spent some time in the school this evening(they go until 6 since siesta is 1-3) and they loved our photos of Jordy and Justin and singing songs with us. Hasta mañana, buenas noches!

The classes: