Here is a brief summary of the last 12 weeks...
- Swagger Wagon: We bought a van. Yes, we caved and bought a van. It's a 2005 Honda Odyssey. We got a great deal on it because the dealer advertised the wrong price on the van and did not realize it until we were in negotiations. See picture below.
- Hospital: Teressa had some minor complications in the pregnancy in week 27 due to the placenta previa. She spent 7 days down in Evanston Memorial Hospital. She and the babies are both doing well and we are thankful for God's protection. Teressa has been on bed-rest the last five weeks and will continue the modified activity plan for the last 30 days. The key is to keep those Mini Mahls cooking'!
- Meals: We have been overwhelmed by the kindness and love shown to us throughout the last five weeks. This has tangibly been shown in a steady supply of meals. It is amazing how much encouragement a prepared meal can be. These simple acts of loving kindness have helped us so much during this time of bed rest for Teressa. We are grateful for all of those who have brought meals and for those who are still planning to do so. We are humbled by your love and care for us. Thank you!
- Showers: We have had three showers. The first shower was thrown by some friends of Teressa's. That was hosted back in KC. I was glad we had purchased the van by then. There was no way to get all that loot home in a normal car. My co-workers threw a co-ed shower in May and over 35 people attended. It was a great time and I was thankful that my mom was able to be there. We also had a shower thrown by our friends Emily, Ryan, and Mindy. For those who don't know, Mindy is the one who coined the name "Mini Mahls" That shower was a lot of fun too and coincided with a visit from Teressa's brother, Ryan and his family. The picture below is of our van loaded up after our shower in KC.
- Nursery: It is taking shape.I spent a weekend painting the nursery the wrong color. That was not one of my favorite things. Eventually, we did get the right color on the walls. I would post pictures, but Teressa has forbidden me to do so until everything is done. If you want to know what it looks like, just stop by. We are happy to show the progress we have made.
- Mothers: Our families have been incredible the past five weeks. One way their support has been seen is through their sacrificial help. Both of our moms came and stayed with us for several days. They cooked, cleaned, organized, and really made the load a little lighter on both Teressa and me. We were so encouraged by the sacrificial giving of their time. Teressa and I are so blessed to have two wonderful sets of parents who model Christ-like compassion and love.
- July 14: The planned C-section will occur (Lord-willing) on Thursday, July 14. That is exactly one month from today! We are excited to meet our son and daughter. It still feels very surreal. I walked by the nursery last night and just stood in the door frame staring. It's hard to fathom that our children will be in that room in a little over a month. We are so thankful for the opportunity to be parents. I am not so naive to believe there will never be difficult times. I am sure those dirty diapers will test my patience (and gag reflexes). Yet, I know that children are a gift from God...a true miracle. And parenting...well, rumor has it, that's a great way to get a better glimpse into God's love for his children. Can't wait for those lessons.
