Me so hungy (this isn't a typo, it's a quote)

So we just had our second department meeting this week (that's one more than usual) and once again we went over our allotted time. I am all for clarity and team solidarity. I am not for having people ask questions and talk just to hear their own voices.

Breakfast is only served till 9:30am so I missed it. I am so darn hungry!!!

Anyways, just thought I would get that off my chest.

Liz, Eleanor, and I will be going camping this weekend. Therefore, it is with excitement and curiosity that I approach this new experience.
This will be Eleanor's first time sleeping somewhere else. For that matter it will be our first time sleeping somewhere else since she's been born.

We plan on driving to 11 mile canyon this afternoon and spending the night. Saturday we will hopefully do some hiking, climbing, swimming, eating, and relaxing.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Eleanor had her last appointment with her midwives yesterday. She weighted in at 10lbs 11.5oz and measured 25inches long. Her head also grew 1/4 of an inch.
She seems to be very healthy.
She continues to be content and a joy to be with all the time.

Hope to continue this trend of updates and random thoughts.

My stomach is full of excitement and no food,
Jeremiah

The girl with kaleidoscope eyes

I know it has been a while since my last post, in fact it's been over a month. Sorry but when you have a baby, a full time job, and love to be outside you'll understand that blogs get the back seat.

Eleanor is 7 weeks old today. She is getting so big so fast. We have our next appointment tomorrow so I will have to write another post to tell you her stats but last time she was 9lbs 12oz and 23inches long.

She loves to bounce and climb. The other day she used my belly button as a foothold. Less than 2 months old and she already knows that using your legs in climbing is more important than your arms. What a champ.

She has started to smile, which is the best thing ever! However, I still can't help but wonder what she thinks about or if she loves me. I wonder how far she can see and what it's like to ride in a car or the stroller. When she sees tree branches over head mixed with blue sky and occasional traffic lights does it all appear clear? Or does everything look like she's looking through a kaleidoscope?

Shane Barnard wrote a song titled Amazing. The song is about our infatuation with God, the love story and courtship with our creator. If you haven't heard it, you should.
In a lot of ways it reflects not only how I feel about my Lord but also my daughter and wife.

Verse 1: It’s amazing to see you. It’s more amazing to get to know you. Are you for real, a constant question in my mind... It’s amazing to me, that this love could be reality...

Chorus: It’s amazing, so amazing, oh amazing. You’re amazing to me.

Verse 2: Oh my heart beats for your affections... And my ears burn for your voice

Please forgive me if this is not completely coherent

Eleanor is a mere 3 days old and I couldn't imagine loving anyone else so instantly and completely.

Thus far she has been pretty easy going, which Liz and I both appreciate. However, she definitely likes to sleep more contently during the day and be more fussy at night. So we get sleep when we can and consequently it's funny how our lives mirror that of our newborns. We eat, we sleep, we go to the bathroom.

It's been fun to talk with our family and friends about everything that's going on. My family will be coming out in August and Liz's parents have been here for about two weeks already. They have been an amazing help and have really lightened our burden.

To everyone that has sent us notes, to our family and friends, and to all of our visitors... thank you!
We really appreciate.

I will try my best to keep this blog up to date.

Smitten,
Jeremiah

The waiting is over

I am insanely proud to announce that Eleanor Ruth Dickson was born at 4:39am mt on 7-11-07 at 9lbs and 21 inches.
She was born naturally without the assistance of medication and delivered by two certified midwives at our home.

Besides the normal fatigue and pain Liz is doing great. Over the last 48 hours I have found a new appreciation and admiration for Liz. It was simultaneously the most amazing and hardest event I have ever seen/been apart of. To see her strength in the midst of extreme doubt was truly humbling. At the same time to see someone you love more than your own life, many times over, in so much pain was ultimate form of torture.

Both Eleanor and Liz are resting now but we would love for you to come meet her (provided you're healthy). Please give us a call to set up a time.

We love you all and appreciate your prayers more than you will ever know.

Proud Daddy,
Jeremiah Dickson

The waiting is the hardest part

I'm pretty sure that having an infant is going to be ridiculously hard but waiting for one to arrive is not awesome.

Liz's due date was yesterday. Or maybe it's Thursday (one of the other dates we were give at one point in time). Or maybe it's sometime in July?!? I've come to the conclusion that due dates are just educated guesses.

Everyday I walk into work and hear a collective, "I was hoping you wouldn't be in today." Believe me when I say that I would like nothing more than miss work to spend time getting to know my daughter and support my wife...

But it's become painfully obvious that we cannot rely on educated guesses to schedule our lives.

Please pray that Liz would be comfortable in this uncomfortable time. That we would be patient. That the labor and birth would be free of complication and problems. That our daughter would be healthy in every meaning of the word.

With great anticipation,
Jeremiah

A watched pot

It's hard to be patient at this point in time after so many weeks of anticipation.
Liz is still very pregnant.

The other day she was able to enjoy the sun with our friend Sarah White by her apartment's pool. However, Liz enjoyed it a little bit too much. She didn't wear sunscreen and got fantastically burnt.
She's now my pregnant lobster wife.

I think besides the sunburn we're pretty much ready to do this thing. Liz went to her midwives appointment today and everything seems to be going well. I wish you could see how beautiful my wife is right now. A picture doesn't capture it. She's going to be a great mom. So everyday I go to work hoping to get that call but alas today doesn't seem to be the day.

Still waiting,
Jeremiah

A reel problem

Today I bought a reel cut mower. For those of you who don't know, this is the type of mower that has curved blades on a reel that are propelled by pushing it forward.

I thought to myself... This will be good. Our lawn isn't that big, we won't need to buy gas, and I can get some exercise.

I could not have been more wrong.

Our lawn is bigger than I thought when coupled with how poorly the thing actually cut and it was harder to push than I thought.

I am going to give it one more try because I think it's worth it but I'm fairly confident by this time next week I will be the owner of a gas powered mower.

I am open to thoughts, comments, and suggestions on this one.

Not hacking it,
Jeremiah

Known the knowledge

As I confirmed my choice to grade my exam today my heart almost leaped out of my chest and hit the computer screen in front of me.

I really don't get nervous, it's an odd sensation. I have to say, not a fan.
With everything going on in my life right now it was hard to stay positive and think that I was going to pass but...

I PASSED!!!

Praise God for intercession and for all of you who prayed for me to this extent. I am blessed to be able to turn more of my focus on my wife.

Gratefully relieved,
Jeremiah

PS Side note - Looks like I'll be leading worship for the evening service at our church on July 1st and July 8Th.

Knowing the knowledge

I take my series 6 licencing exam this Thursday at 9am mt (that's less than two days from now).
I've been taking practice tests and I wonder if they are giving me false confidence. I've been doing well but I'm not sure if I'm learning this stuff or if I am memorizing the tests. Needless to say, I am very nervous.

Work is pretty slow right now so it's my hope that tomorrow will provide me will lots of opportunities to study more. I don't think I will ever feel prepared for this one but I want to put forth my best efforts.

I would really appreciate your prayers that I would be diligent, that I would soak up all the information that I need, and that I would pass with flying colors.

Sweating bullets,
Jeremiah

Mission accomplished

All in all, it was a pretty good weekend.

I was able to relax, study, watch a movie with my fantastically hot and pregnant wife, I played some pretty good volleyball today, and we went to church.

Yesterday we saw Pirates of the Caribbean at World's End. I haven't seen a movie in a while and typically I'm pretty easy to please. This latest instalment is much better than the second edition but not as good as the first one. I really wanted to see it to gain some closure. However, it makes me wonder if they will make another one.
I'm sorry that I'm not much of a movie critic.

Fellin fine,
Jeremiah

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times

Right when I walked in the door yesterday my supervisor called me over to her desk, not awesome. I didn't do anything wrong but there was confusion on an item I had been working on. The rest of the day, I was behind the eight ball.

When I walked in this morning I was glad it was Friday but kind of fearing what type of day it would turn out to be. I logged on and found over 50 items in my queue.
However, I've been able to work my queue down to 4 items. Excellent.

I am excited about the weekend and the potential to spend some time relaxing, studying, going to see a movie with my uber hot wife, going for some walks, and playing some volleyball.
Hope you all enjoy the weekend as much as I intend to.

S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y... NIGHT,
Jeremiah

Our house is a very, very, very fine house

By popular demand, here are some pictures of our new place. Enjoy!

http://bethel.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2026942&l=2fe8a&id=63803488

Cheers,
Jeremiah

I know no one cares but

So I'm watching the Stanley Cup finals and I can't help but cheer for the Ducks. They finish their checks, they play hard, and they have awesome facial hair. The Senators are a bunch of flopping punks.

Alas, no one really cares. There will forever be a disconnect between the general public and hockey.

I was introduced to and followed hockey ever since the 3rd grade. However, it wasn't until my sophomore year of college that I played on my first team. The Paul's basically taught me everything I know about playing the sport.

It's sad that something I enjoy so much will never be understood or embraced by my friends and family that didn't grow up watching/playing this awesome sport.

Go Ducks,
Jeremiah

Assuming

It's been brought to my attention that I have not been fully forthcoming with describing our new house/location... (Thanks Honja)


So here's the scoop. We used to live in the northeast part of Colorado Springs. Here's a map http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?searchtype=address&country=US&addtohistory=&searchtab=home&formtype=address&popflag=0&latitude=&longitude=&name=&phone=&level=&cat=&address=&city=Colorado+Springs&state=CO&zipcode=80923
We bought our townhouse in December of 2004. I don't know how long this link will work but you can check it out at www.6428cavalrypoint.com. It was two levels with a huge 2 car garage attached. Great place, bad location (for us). We sold our house and closed two days ago.

Liz looked for a house to rent in downtown Colorado Springs for quite some time. Finally we found the house we're living in now. The owners and property manager are Christians, the owners did home birth also, and they used the same midwives we're using. What a blessing!
Our new address is 909 E. San Miguel. Here's another map. http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?formtype=address&addtohistory=&address=909%20E%20San%20Miguel%20St&city=Colorado%20Springs&state=CO&zipcode=80903%2d2631&country=US&geodiff=1

Our house is in an area called the north end. Downtown is where our community is located so it's nice not to have to drive 30 minutes to get to our favorite places.

Our new house is 1,600 sq ft. It has a main level that has a kitchen, living room, bathroom, baby's room, and our bed room. The basement is finished and it has a large den area, storage room, two bed rooms, and a bathroom. It doesn't have a garage but it does have a nice front and back yard with some awesome trees.
We will post pictures asap. Hope that helps. Let me know if you want to know more.

Keeping you in the loop,
Jeremiah

Sold

Today we closed on our house.
It was an awesome combination of relief, frustration, sadness, and excitement.

The pessimistic side of me expected something to go wrong that would result in our buyer walking away. So it was a great relief to finally sign the papers and be free and clear of that obligation and debt. Praise God that everything went smoothly.

Over the past month everyone, and I mean everyone, put their hands in our pockets and pulled some money out of the deal. But there is really nothing we can do. We don't have the time or resources to fight any of the charges that left us with next to nothing at closing. It's a blessing that we even walked away with anything.

We cant help but feel a little bit sad to see our first home be sold. We've spent the better part of our marriage at that townhouse. It was a great house (even though we really didn't like the location) and we hope that the new owner will enjoy it as much as we did.

Finally, we're so excited and content with where God has us right now. We love being downtown and everything seems to be falling into place. The basement is a little bit overwhelming right now (that's where we have placed all of the misc items) but we're making our way through everything.

I hope that you've enjoyed these updates and I'm sorry that I haven't been able to write individual messages, emails, or posts. I'll keep blogging if you keep reading.

Homeward Bound,
Jeremiah

We are blessed, sore, and moved

What can I say, we're done. Well, sort of.
We started at 9am on Saturday. Our friend Ryan loaned us his moving truck and we had 11 of our friends show up to help us. It was a perfect combination of friends from Bridges (the Young Adult group I used to work with) and friends from our small group (couples from our church). We moved everything (not dishware/china) in two loads.

As of last night we are completely moved out of our townhouse. It has been cleaned and we go to closing tomorrow. Now we only have the task of unpacking and organizing. Thankfully Liz's mom is here. What a blessing!!! However, I must say it makes for a fun combo of my wife (who's very pregnant) and my mother-in-law (who has a broken foot). But we really couldn't have done this move without her.

It is nice to hear the leaves instead the aluminum garage doors of our neighbors flap in the wind. It is nice to be at the park to play volleyball in 5 minutes instead of 30 minutes. And it's nice to see my wife get excited about being downtown.

Praise God for family and for friends,
Jeremiah

For your information

Liz is very pregnant, my test is right around the corner, our closing is coming up quick, and we move this weekend!
Life's crazy but when isn't life crazy?

We're about to have a baby!!! I'm pretty sure that's not going to be easy. And that's a life long commitment. I cannot wait to be a dad but I know it's going to be hard and demand my time and attention in ways I haven't even experienced yet. But James says to consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds.

Praise God that I was able to move my test back a little bit. However, I'm fully aware that after my series 6 I have to start studying for my series 63. I also know that it will not end there. I will not be satisfied with maintaining the status quo. I crave leadership. No matter what job I'm in my natural tendencies drive me into leadership. So, after my series 63 I will be applying for a program called Edge. This program places you on a fast track to supervisory rolls. James also says that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

We recently found out that we're being hit by all sorts of fees and charges to close on our house. Although I feel defeated in this financial adventure. I realize that all of this will help me become more mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I am not sure how the move will unfold this weekend but I do know that not having to work on Monday is the coolest thing ever. Hopefully we will get everything done so we can enjoy our new house starting this next week.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, ask for it, because God gives generously to all without finding fault."

Lord, give me wisdom so I can be faithful with each of these events you have laid before me.

In His Rest,
Jeremiah


P.S. If you have thoughts/comments please post a reply. You don't have to have a login name/password. I know that more than just David Morrow reads this blog.

No modesty

Last night as we were waiting to say goodbye to Brian and Kirsten, Davis was playing. She had a dress on and she kept lifting up, above her head. Hilarious! Brian and I just looked at each other and laughed. Then he told me an excellent story.

The Beatty's had a Dalmatian named Hannah. The other day Brian let Hannah out to go to the bathroom. Davis and Brian went outside. At that point Davis decided that she needed to go to the bathroom too. So she pulled down her pants and went on the front lawn.


I cannot wait to laugh with and sometimes at my daughter!

With anticipation,
Jeremiah

Go big or go home

So we don't really know how to take things, "one at a time."
It seems as though all of life's big events always seem to converge for us.

I walked in May of 2004, we got married in August, moved to Colorado Springs in September, got my first real job in November, bought a car later that month, Liz got her job in December, and by Christmas we bought our townhouse (closed on the house, decorated, and moved).

Right now I am starting out in my new job, we're selling our house, renting a place downtown (if everything works out we'll have a lease this weekend), and having a baby.

It's amazing how preoccupied we can be with life. If everything is going OK (average) I have a hard time remembering to acknowledge God for all that he has done, or is doing in my life. However, if things are going great or when all of life's events seem to converge I am fully aware of the presence or need for God. I guess I'm pretty thick headed.
Nevertheless, I am taken back by God's provision in our lives and by the current situation we have found our selves in.

Over___
Whelmed,
Jeremiah

Sweating wontons

Today Liz and I saw David graduate from Denver Seminary.
We are so proud of him and were honored that he would want us there. Really, any chance we get to hang out with the Morrows we take.

Tangent: After the ceremony Denny and Pat took a group of us out to PF Changs for a celebratory lunch. Needless to say the food was great and I ate too much (thanks Denny and Pat). After lunch we drove back down to the Springs and I played volleyball for a little while. I felt like I could sweat wontons. Awesome.

Anyways, congrats Morrow. We're excited to see how God will use this education through you to further His kingdom in the future.

Intellectually, a midget compared to David Morrow,
Jeremiah

Hurry it's heavy

Well, it finally happened.
After all the dust from the counter offers settled we are under contract. Our buyer is from North Carolina and is a teacher. Our closing date is the 30th of this month. So, the stress of getting a contract is over. Now the stress of finding a place to rent, moving, and closing on our house begins. On top of all that goodness, I have to study for my series 6.
Have you ever seen that guy holding the earth on his back? He has out stretched arms and his muscles are rippling.
I'm kind of like that guy but instead of muscles rippling, my face shows the strain of trying to suck in my gut. Of course I'm kidding but it does seem like we don't know how to "do" anything in small doses. We got married in August of 2004, moved in September, I got my job in November, Liz got her job in December, and we bought our townhouse in December as well.
In the midst of all of this craziness God has given us amazing peace.
Please pray that God give us the strength to persevere.

Go big,
Jeremiah

Let's all make fun of me

In my job at T. Rowe Price I am on the phones for about 4 hours of the day.
We often get transfer calls from other departments.
The other day I received a transfer call in my typical phraseology, "hello ma'am, what can I do for you?"
However, instead of calling the individual ma'am, I called her "mom."
As soon as this happened my co-worker next to me stood up immediately and told each of my team members. I went to ask my supervisor a question and he was listening to the call, laughing.
Later that day I received a transfer call from Adam Frieg, one of my good friends from church that also works at TRP. I placed him on hold to find out the answer to his question. At that time, the same co-worker that got up to tell my team about the "mom" call, he emailed Adam while I was on the phone with him.
Hopefully you've said or done some stupid things, so I'm not alone.
If you haven't you can just laugh at me.

Speaking slowly,
Jeremiah

Yo Yo's were fun... When you were 9 years old!!!

So, many of you know that Liz and I are trying to sell our townhouse. You can check it out at http://www.6428cavalrypoint.com/
We received an offer yesterday (we countered) and today we received a counter offer (the counter to our counter). Tomorrow we will counter again (counter their counter to our counter). However, the market is so bad and our neighbors have sold so low we're not going to be making any money off of this "investment." In fact we're fighting tool and nail to keep as much of our down payment as possible.
I think one of the hardest parts of this whole thing is trying not to please people.
When it really comes down to it we need to do what's best for ourselves despite what others might think. It's tough because we love and value the opinions and advice of our friends/family.
Please pray that God would give us wisdom and peace about this decision.

Back and forth we go,
Jeremiah

Kind of like getting dumped

Recently we've found out that two couples we love very much will be moving to the midwest this summer. I can't help but feel like we're getting dumped.
"It's not you, it's me."
Usually this is the punchline to a breakup but right now it's more of a condolence for myself.

The Beattys and Morrows have been awesome friends and we're going to miss them tremendously.

The Beattys will be moving to Illinois where Brian will be the new communication director at a church in a Chicago suburb. Kirsten will be looking for teaching possibilities while she continues to be a great mother. Brian has been my friend, co-worker, and in a lot of ways my mentor. Kirsten has been a great encouragement and friend to Liz and myself. Yesterday she threw Liz's baby shower. The ways that they have supported and loved us have been amazing. We'll miss them.

The Morrows will be moving to Minnesota where David will, no doubt, find an amazing job. And Erica will be able to have the support of David's family and her sister in raising their little girl. David has been my sounding board, roommate, groomsman, and my best friend (besides my wife). Also, the relationships between Erica and Liz has been one of the most natural, beautiful, and loving relationships I've ever seen. We love them so much and we're beside ourselves thinking about what life is going to be like without having them in close proximity.

So as far as getting dumped is concerned, it always hurts.
It hurts even more when you care for the person.

Hoping it's you, and not me,
Jeremiah

Walk before crawl

I am studying for my series 6 licencing exam.
There seems to be a lot of jargon that I don't know. I am trying to retain as much as I can. But I can't help but feel like I'm being asked to walk before I crawl.
The study material assumes a certain level of financial education. So needless to say I am somewhat handicapped with my Biblical and Theological Studies degree.
It's funny because this licence is a requirement for my job but I fail to see where and when this knowledge applies.
Se la vi.
Please pray that I am diligent in my studies and that I am able to retain the information.

Hardly: Studying,
Jeremiah

Burnt Tortilla

Many of you many know that I am 25% Mexican (Liz likes to tell people I'm half Mexican).
Growing up I would help my mom make different Mexican meals. It is one of my favorite memories.
I still enjoy Mexican food very much. It's pretty much my default. If I'm hungry and don't have anything made or planned I will make something with a southwestern kick.
Today I did not pack a lunch for work so I went home. I didn't really have anything waiting for me, I just didn't want to spend money. So I looked around and decided to make quesadillas.
In the process I inadvertently burnt the edges of the tortilla.
There is nothing like burnt tortilla. It reminds me of home and my mom. It's a smell that gets in your skin and stays with you all day long.
Hopefully you have smells, sounds, or images that can transport you to a place/time.

Blessings,
Jeremiah

Sisyphus

This might seem melodramatic but sometimes I feel like Sisyphus.
I don't feel like this all the time. And generally I would like to think that I am an optimist. But there have been times and events in my life that have lead me to think of myself as this Greek character.
Most recently work has been the large boulder I have been tasked with rolling.

First let me explain a little bit about what I do.I process transactions. Transfers, redemption's, purchases. I receive this work via phone, mail, and fax. I have a work container called a queue and this is where I receive most these transactions (mail and fax).
I work hard and try to get things done but at the end of the busy day even though I may have processes many transactions because of incoming work flow the number of items in my queue either stays the same or increases.
Please do not get me wrong. I am very grateful for my job and I do enjoy it. I understand that the daily routine that I just mentioned is indicative of the position.
So, for right now, I am the smiling T. Rowe Price Sisyphus.

Keep that boulder rollin,
Jeremiah

Heart Strings

It's amazing to me that God has created each of us so uniquely. There are a few things that are tied directly to my heart.
I've always loved music. The rhythms, beats, melodies, harmonies, runs, breaks, and lyrics. They all speak to me. I feel blessed that God made me in such a way that my passions ultimately end in the worship of my creator.
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:14

Praise God,
Jeremiah

Proverbs Prayer

Solomon prayed for wisdom and it was given to him (1 Kings 3:1-15). Whenever I read or think about Proverbs I am convicted. We can learn a lot from the wisdom of Solomon but one theme seems to always hit me square between the eyes. Diligence...
This permeates every aspect of my life. I have always been a good starter but a poor finisher. Whether it's projects around the house, reading the word, or writing new posts for this blog. I always seem to fall short because I am not diligent. I do pray for wisdom. But today my prayer is for diligence.

"Lord, help me to be more diligent. Help me to finish the things I have started. Teach me your ways and your paths. Give me the strength to follow you because I know it's not easy. Too often I try and do things on my own. I want to know, hear, and follow your voice."

Blessings,
Jeremiah

Newbie

I thought I would give this blog thing another chance.

Sophomore year of college I was taking Christian Theology from Greg Boyd. Throughout the semester we were required to respond to articles/essays via blog. After posting a new thread on foreknowledge a classmate called me a retard. Hopefully this will result in less name calling.

Here's hoping,
Jeremiah