Saturday, February 13, 2010

Rodents and stuff like that...

So, I know it's been a while. I am Adrienne. I am the author of this blog. Just reintroducing myself, you know, in case...

The last month plus has been a whirlwind. January 12th came and went, as it does every year, but it was special, as it has been since 2007. Our friend Gina apparently launched a stealth operation prior to the holidays and the collaborative effort is beautiful! She and some other friends, and many of you, sent in pictures of ways God has impacted your lives through the story of Noah on posters or pieces of paper. They set it to music and soon, after a little editing, I will post it here. It was a true surprise and an encouragement to our hearts of the ripple effects that happen when we truthfully and candidly share our stories. Thank you all who joined in by sending pictures and your love. Jason and I were speechless...

January 12th was such an emotionally draining day, not because it was the anniversary of when Noah died, but because Jason had an interview at Compassion International on that very day. For the last year and a half Jason had launched out with a friend to start a software company. It's doing well, but anyone who works for themselves knows that the boss gets paid last or not at all. It's been a difficult time for us in many ways, but the final outcome was Jason's pursuit of another career. Well, after several call back interviews and meetings with many a team member, while we were in Arizona visiting my Gramps and my parents,

"Louie" my Gramps who is creeping up on 93 in a month.

Jason received the call from Compassion that has truly humbled us and given us a new excitement for what God has in store...

He is the new Director of the Child Survival Program which means his job is to essentially lower the infant mortality rate in 3rd world countries by working with their local communities to get clean water, medicine, micro-lending, health care, etc, to pregnant mothers and their babies. I am so proud of him I could burst! Did you know that 25,000 babies die each day around the world from preventable causes! It's mind-boggling and I'm going to help as well by contributing funds from my jewelry business, bebe & boo, to the Child Survival Program. Details to come on that...

So, anyway, back to the title of this post...

Jason and I were out on a date in January because Em was having a sleepover at her friend's house. Well, we called her to say goodnight and tell her we loved her and how much we missed her (I missed her...she was having the time of her life...). I talked to her first and she gave me the rundown of all the excitement and the fun things they had done already. Then she wanted to talk to daddy. Squeals and higher volumes came through the phone at this point and I heard Jason say, "We'll see...maybe...we'll talk about it..." Jason was smiling when he got off and said, "Sunny's hamster had babies and Em wants one...I think we should consider it."

WELL, I hate rodents. I'm not a fan. They do not get a "like" from me on Facebook or anywhere else. Come to find out, my sweet friend, Em's friend's mommy, was mortified when only after two weeks from purchasing a hamster for her daughter, out popped 8 tiny rodents. She's sweeter than I am and doesn't refer to them as rodents, but you get the gist here. She so sweetly told Em that she was more than welcome to have one once it was able to be separated from its mommy. How sweet of her to offer. (Wink. Wink. Love you, babe!)

So get this...Em gets off the phone and tells my friend that she asked her daddy because his 'maybes' mean yes but her mommy's 'maybes' take too long and usually mean no. The kid is workin' it, fo shizz.

Back to the rodent/hamster/thingy...The next day when we picked Em up from her friend's house, she lovingly convinced her "Daaaaaaaadddddddyyyyyyy" to take her to the pet shop to look at cages and supplies...you know, she wanted to be prepared just in case daddy's 'maybe' was a yes. Baby, it was looking more like a yes and all I could imagine was wafts of urine saturated cedar wood chips filling the air...ummm, freaking awesome...

Sorry, I get distracted. So, Em and Jason came home from not only the local pet shop but the library with many books about "How to Care for your Hamster" and "Your Hamster and You" and "Caring for your Rodent"...or something like that. We all hunkered down on the couch and started flipping through the books, learning all there is to know about their origin, how they became domestic pets, how they don't like broccoli, and if the babies were with their mommies too long they would become dinner, so it's important to separate them...which, incidentally, happened with Em's friend's hamster and by the time they were ready to be given away, there were 6 babies. I just don't think I'd ever be that hungry...

Now, understand, the last 3.5 years have changed my life in many ways. I am now a disease research hobbyist and am intrigued by contagious disease and its spread...In fact, did you know that the Mayo Clinic released a statement that upwards of 98% of all diseases are a result of a bacterial infection? Uh, yeah! This is why I therefore went directly to the "Diseases Hamsters Carry" section of one of the books. I was grateful they didn't candy coat what these little buggers can catch, carry or spread...

...And there it was...MY TICKET TO FREEDOM! MY OUT! MY SURE FIRE SIGN THAT OUR HOUSEHOLD WOULD INDEED NOT BE GETTING A RODENT...

After a list of some pretty grody stuff, it read:

"Note: Pregnant women should avoid any contact with hamsters."

She bawled, I'm not going to lie. She wanted a hamster not a sibling...but now she's elated and can't wait to meet her little brother or sister mid to late August. She kisses my belly every night and says "Hi!" to my belly every day. She also thinks she gets to name it, but that's another story...

So now you know...which is why I've chucked my blog for a while now because I'm not a good liar and didn't want to come out with the news until I was ready...and I knew I'd blow my own cover because I'm just that excited!

45 comments:

  1. This has to be one of the funniest entries in awhile b/c I'm laughing out loud & getting strange looks from my husband! Oh, Ade, I am so happy for you, Jason and Emily! Congratulations! Love, Dora xoxo

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  2. Congratulations!! That's awesome.. and what a great way to share the news! :)

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  3. Congratulations!! And thank you for giving me an out if my son wants a rodent in the next few months!

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  4. Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!!! Jay and I are soooooo happy for you guys!! Awesome story with the best ending EVER!!!

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  5. Congradulations and praise to God our Father! I love to check in on your blog when i get a chance and have been encouraged, inspired, and saddened by your words. Your faith is so refreshing. One day you will hear God say "Well done, good and faithful one."

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  6. What a wonderful way to share your big news! I am so very thrilled for you and your family. Congratulations!!

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  7. CONGRATULATIONS ADE!!!!!!!!! I am so so happy for you. This is terrific, terrific news! Happy & Healthy 9 months to you and I will be praying for you and that new baby of yours. YAY YAY YAY

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  8. Well you sneaky little blogger!!! Congrats!!!!! So happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  9. Yay! And I'm excited for you! Love the way you just snuck that in there.

    And I'll be a grandmama for the first time in June to a sweet baby girl. Can't wait!

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  10. i KNEW it! i wondered if that was why you haven't blogged? if you weren't ready? i am so excited for you and your family! congratulations on your little miracle of God! hope you are feeling well! keep us posted on the progress...pics and all!
    much love to you on your journey...couldn't be happier for you!

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  11. So very happy for you Ade!! :) :) Congratulations!!!

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  12. Congrats!! What wonderful news! and one day, i'll have to tell you our hamster story. good for you for having an "out"...

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  13. Tears fill my eyes with excitement for you!! Congrats on your sweet need addition soon to arrive! So so happy for you!

    And that you don't have to get a rodent as a pet! iiiiikkk!!

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  14. Yay! Congratulations! I love this story! Amazing. :D

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  15. Oh... I so love reading you blog.... and I'm so excited for you!! Congrats!!

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  16. sorry hit publish before I was finished....

    YAY!!! :) Congratulations on the baby news and also Jason's position with Compassion! What a great season you are in. Enjoy every moment - look forward to journaling with you (via blog) as much as you can! :)

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  17. Congratulations!!! I think that is wonderful new. may God bring you all the blessing you deserve.
    Michelle

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  18. Well, what a "craftily" written little post!!! Such a clever way to share the happy announcement! Congratulations on Baby and on Jason's new job as well! Blessings!!!

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  19. OHMYWORD! Praise Jesus and Baby Jesus! This is wonderful!

    And you are SNEAKY!

    xoxoxoxo

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  20. Congratulations!!!!!

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  21. God is good!
    Love your writing too -
    Gong Xi Fa Cai; for this year certainly will be beautiful :)

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  22. Congratulations! And maybe you could buy Em one of those Zoo Zoo Pet Hamsters? They move, you can get them in yellow and pink and white :)
    Loved the entry!
    Prayers will be following you all!

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  23. Beautiful! Congrats to you all. I am absolutely thriied for you. May the Lord always be glorified and may you always be blessed.

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  24. I can't believe you made me read all the way to the end and about all those rodents to tell me you're pregnant! Well done.

    I'm so happy for ya'll!

    I'm due in August too, it will be fun to follow along!

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  25. Congratulations!!

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  26. Adrienne - I have followed your blog for a very long time. Don't think I've ever commented before. But I had to this time because the photo of you with your grandpa was freaky (in a good way)! He looks so much like my grandpa (who passed many years ago). I showed my husband and even he thought I was showing him a picture of my grandpa! So glad you've had so many years with him. God bless!

    Julie

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  27. Congratulations! What a great blog to read tonight. Thankful for LOTS of good news! Hope to see you soon.

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  28. Long time lurker but I had to comment. Congrats to you and your family. I was elated to read your post! What an answer to prayer. Great news about the new job as well!Many blessings and prayers for a healthy full term pregnancy with a baby in your arms to take home for a really LONG time!

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  29. What a great way to announce it!!!

    Congratulations! So very happy for you and praying that your pregnancy is filled with joy and peace. :)

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  30. Yeah !! So happy for all of you !
    Will keep you in my prayers for a good full-term pregnancy ! God Bless !

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  31. Anonymous6:59 AM

    tears of joy here in the Chandler home! So Happy for you all!
    jody

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  32. Great story! Congratulations! So thrilled for you/ya'll. Prayers everything goes smoothly!

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  33. God is SOOOOO good! Congratulations to Jason on his amazing new job opportunity! Congratulations to the both of you on the precious little life growing inside of you! And congratulations to adorable Em for the new title of BIG SISTER :)! Blessings to your family and prayers to you as you start this beautiful new season in your lives!

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  34. Oh Ade!!! THat is wonderful! I am sitting here with tears in my eyes trying to type this. I am so excited for you guys and what a way to break the news!!!! I am praying for a healthy pregnancy and delivery! Are you going to find out what you are having? I bet Em is very excited too and I can only imagine the names she has picked out! I can't wait to hear more about your story! Tell Jason congrats and I can't wait to see Kaija!

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  35. Oh, how EXCITING!!! I am so very happy for you :o)

    I’m with you on the rodent thing…my little boy has been asking for one ever since we rented G-Force. Not gonna happen!

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  36. Anonymous3:06 PM

    YAHOOOOO!!! Congratulations, Adrienne. I can't tell you how excited I am for you guys. Love how you posted it at the very very end of your post. ;) God's blessing on this new little one. Love you, Leah

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  37. Congratulations!

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  38. Oh my gosh, I am crying for ya'll!! Congratulations!

    Baby, WAY better than a hamster!

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  39. Congratulations-- on the baby, the new job, and for not getting a pet rat/hamster!! What an exciting time for you and your family!!!

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  40. Jodie R.12:00 AM

    SO-OOOOOOOOOOOOO excited, Ade! We are thrilled for you all, and will be praying for all of what God has in store for you. Thanks for such a fun way to hear your news! That's two days in a row now of hilarious stories linked to pregnancy announcements of a couple of friends. How fun. Rejoicing with those who rejoice!!!

    Love,
    Jodie

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  41. Anonymous9:48 AM

    Yay yay yay!!!!! To tell you the truth, I was hoping that was why you had been absent for a while. Congratulations! What great news. Praying for all of you... Love, Jenny

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  42. Anonymous9:13 AM

    CONGRATULATIONS...that is awesome news. Very happy for you.

    I remember you had Em right after Will and now you will have another one right after Claire...Wish they lived closer to play together.

    Prayers to you!
    Jane in MN

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  43. THIS IS SUCH GREAT NEWS!!! Love how you totally couched it. hahaha. And congrats to Jason on his new job. That is soooooo cool. Say hello to you little bub in the tummy for me.

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  44. Anonymous2:25 PM

    CONGRATULATIONS!

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