Things I am thankful for

It seems like I have a lot more to be thankful for this year than ever before. I am thankful for this entire year, as we would probably not be pregnant with these twins if things had not worked out how they did. I am thankful that we lived in Charlotte until 2 days ago, as it gave us a lot of alone time to enjoy being a couple. I am thankful that we went to Zlin and had an awesome time and made some awesome friends over there. I am thankful that we are having TWINKIES in the next 2 months. I am thankful that my parents and family graciously let us stay with them when we are in Greenville (especially my parents, who are letting us live with them now). I am thankful for all the prayers and support of our friends and their friends. I am thankful that God is in control, even when I can't see how. I am thankful that I have had so few problems with this pregnancy, as God did not have to be this good to me. I am thankful that Jeremy loves me more now than ever before, and that he is BEYOND excited to be a daddy soon! I am sure that there is more that I cannot think of now, but it definitely has been on my mind the last two days. I am trying not to complain about being bored while sitting at home, so I have a lot of time to think about things I am thankful for. I am also thankful for everyone's responses to this blog...I would do it even if you didn't respond, but I am thankful that you do:)

Lots of stuff, little time!

Well, a lot of stuff has happened since my last blog...no I have not had the babies yet...thank goodness. I have had a baby shower, seen our friends from Slovakia, received dr's orders to not work after Thanksgiving, hired 2 new people at work, and gained 5 more lbs! So, I kind of knew that the dr's orders were coming, so I have been trying to get ready for that possibility at work. Thankfully, by working until Thanksgiving, I will still have insurance when the babies are born (as long as that is in January, which we are expecting). I hired 2 new people early at work, so that I can hopefully had them somewhat trained before I go out at Thanksgiving. I am very nervous about not being there this Christmas, but let's face it, the babies are WAYYYYYYY more important than the job. Last week, we got to see the Sheppersons, who were in town from Slovakia. It was funny, because their baby Hampton (who is 1 1/2) loves Jeremy. He remembered him from 6 months ago when we visited them in Slovakia! Jeremy is so good with kids though, that they all love him. He is going to be a great dad! Last night, we had a baby shower given by our old homegroup. I shouldn't say "old," because we are planning on rejoining them when we move back to Greenville in a few weeks. It was really great fun, getting to see everyone. One of my favorite parts was listening to the results of the game the guys played. They had to finish the rhyme for a list of nursery rhymes...such as "Hey diddle, diddle, the ___ and the fiddle." Almost none of them got it right...most of them said "Hey diddle, diddle, the MAN and the fiddle." So wrong, but yet so funny! We got such good gifts too. Our babies are already beyond spoiled! Today, we went to our Dr appt to have the glucose test, and ultrasound and an office visit. The lab tech called in with the flu, so I had to starve until 11:45 to get the test done at the hospital. I told them I did NOT want to reschedule, so I would go wherever to get the test done. Of course, I said that not knowing that I would be stuck 5 TIMES total to do the test (it's only supposed to consist of 2 sticks). My veins are impossible, which I told them ahead of time...but once again, I did not want to reschedule. What is the point...get stuck a few times today, and then have to get restuck a few more times when I reschedule the test....no thank you! I'd rather just have all the sticks today!

So, on a much brighter note....the babies are growing like weeds in there! Gabe was 3lb, 2oz and Graycen was 2lb 6oz! She is growing right on target, but he is a little on the hefty side! Our tech took some 3D pictures for us, which were SOOOOO cute. I will try to download them to jeremyandamber.myphotoalbum.com tonight, so you all can see! Graycen looks more like me, and Gabe looks like a mini-Jeremy! It was fun, and they were really cute. My cervix is shortening still...down to 2.12 from 2.88 3 weeks ago....so that is why I can't work after Thanksgiving. At least I was warned about this last visit, so I had 3 weeks to prepare myself for the news. It's just really hard to think about not working, when I know that they need me there. But, first things first...these babies supercede any work responsibilities! So, keep praying for the babies and me to be healthy. Also, pray that Jeremy finds a good job with benefits that start in February (this would take a lot of stress off of him)!!

Somewhat successful talk with regional

Well, the talk about moving to Greenville was somewhat successful today. My Regional wants me to stay with the company, and understands that I have no support system in Charlotte, so she is willing to try and work with me if I want to go back to Greenville. She can't promise me a manager's position, as there are only two and they are filled, but a lot of things can happen in the next few months (ie, someone may move). She did say that she would have some kind of position available for me if I wanted to stay in Greenville permanently. It was a difficult conversation, as I have worked really hard to get where I am. I feel like I am risking a lot by telling her I may not come back to Charlotte, but my heart is in Greenville. I did tell her that if Jeremy was unsuccessful in finding a good job in Greenville, we would probably come back to Charlotte. But, if we do that, Jeremy would have to be a stay at home dad, which he doesn't really want to do. He would be great at it, but its not his top choice. So, we are really praying that he gets a good job in Greenville, with insurance, quickly. Any ideas are welcome at this point. Thanks for the prayers, and please keep them coming!

Need extra prayers tomorrow

Tomorrow is a day that I have not been looking forward to, the day I talk to my regional manager about possibly transferring back to Greenville. I am really nervous, because I want her to say that it is a possibility, but I know that the likelihood is slim. Our H.R. department and my regional are already trying to help me stretch out my vacation time and FMLA until the babies are born, but I am probably going to be "checked" out of my job after my FMLA and vacation expire. So, I am very grateful that these babies will be born within that timeframe, but I am nervous about afterwards. My regional has said that although I will be "checked out" (aka--unemployed), they will not fill my position while I am gone if I am going to come back. So, the tricky part is, does that still stand if I want to transfer back to Greenville, and not stay in Charlotte? I am really nervous about asking, but I know it will never happen if I don't ask. Please say extra prayers tomorrow concerning this specifically. On the bright side, the babies are moving around like crazy now!! They like to kick and punch a lot, just like their daddy (little karate kids already). We can't wait to go back and see them again on the 17th!!!