So, we had another appointment to see Little Girl yesterday. But she wouldn't let us see her very well. No matter what the ultrasound tech tried to do, she wanted to stay curled up in a little ball, knee to nose. We did get another very clear picture confirming that we are indeed having a girl. And after much deep and uncomfortable poking and prodding, we were finally able to visualize all parts of the heart (unlike the last appointment), and her heart looks great.
So, as Little Girl continued to be uncooperative, the tech asked us who she gets this stubborn streak from. Brent and I said, simultaneously:
Me: "Me"
Brent: "Her"
The tech laughed, saying that most of the time couples try to pawn the stubborness off onto their spouse. But I'm not afraid to admit it.... and Brent isn't afraid to point the finger because we both know it is the truth ;-)
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Friday, April 08, 2011
Nomenclature (noun): name, designation; the act or process or an instance of naming…
Many of you have been asking about names, and we wanted to make sure we fulfill your requests. So, here are our top names, in no particular order. All have some special meaning to us and are just very very beautiful.
Abilene (nickname “Abby”; named after our fondly remembered 12 hour drives through the flat nondescript infinite landscape of Texas)
Aoleon (unfortunately often mispronounced, but still a top contender; possible nickname “Leon”; Brent likes the tomboy-ish nicknames)
Rozaysha (more popularly spelled as “Rosacea”; we went back and forth between Rosacea and Edema, and finally decided upon the former)
Aluminum (this one has special family significance, just ask Susan [mother-in-law] or Brent; nickname “Al” or “Lumi”)
Chavalita (the name with the most profound meaning of them all, means "little girl" in Spanish. Very deep and profound. We are particularly proud of this name option.)
We don't know what the middle name will be, but it will probably start with the letter "i". Given the abundance of first name options beginning with "a", her initials are likely to be "A I R", which we think is absolutely fabulous. We can then encourage her to live by the Air Jordan slogans "I believe I can fly" and "Become legendary" in accordance with her initials. This will be great! How many children do you know that have their own slogans?!?
(As a side note, our #6 name choice, which could still make it back into the top 5, is the name "Facetious".)
We hope you love the names as much as we do!
Jess and Brent
Abilene (nickname “Abby”; named after our fondly remembered 12 hour drives through the flat nondescript infinite landscape of Texas)
Aoleon (unfortunately often mispronounced, but still a top contender; possible nickname “Leon”; Brent likes the tomboy-ish nicknames)
Rozaysha (more popularly spelled as “Rosacea”; we went back and forth between Rosacea and Edema, and finally decided upon the former)
Aluminum (this one has special family significance, just ask Susan [mother-in-law] or Brent; nickname “Al” or “Lumi”)
Chavalita (the name with the most profound meaning of them all, means "little girl" in Spanish. Very deep and profound. We are particularly proud of this name option.)
We don't know what the middle name will be, but it will probably start with the letter "i". Given the abundance of first name options beginning with "a", her initials are likely to be "A I R", which we think is absolutely fabulous. We can then encourage her to live by the Air Jordan slogans "I believe I can fly" and "Become legendary" in accordance with her initials. This will be great! How many children do you know that have their own slogans?!?
(As a side note, our #6 name choice, which could still make it back into the top 5, is the name "Facetious".)
We hope you love the names as much as we do!
Jess and Brent
Thursday, April 07, 2011
the cat is out of the bag
So, it is harder and harder to keep it quiet, and we've decided to finally inform the masses. We had a wonderful appointment with our doctors yesterday, and were able to see clearly that we are the parents of a seemingly healthy and normal baby girl. We couldn't be more excited. Here is her close-up:
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Listening
"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak."
--Epictetus
I can go days without talking - totally absorbed with work, husband out of town, lost phone.... add them together, and I am without words.
I can also talk too much - meeting up with old friends, interviewing for a job, nervous chatter,... leads to some verbal excess.
I can also go days without listening - again, absorbed with work, absorbed with self, pretending.
I don't think, though, that many have ever been accused of listening too much. I know I haven't. I want to do more of this, more listening - to others, to God. I am thankful for a career path that teaches me to listen, to truly listen, with my ears, my eyes, my heart... to give my time to those who just need an extra minute or so to make themselves understood. Loving where I am and what I am doing. Learning to listen.
--Epictetus
I can go days without talking - totally absorbed with work, husband out of town, lost phone.... add them together, and I am without words.
I can also talk too much - meeting up with old friends, interviewing for a job, nervous chatter,... leads to some verbal excess.
I can also go days without listening - again, absorbed with work, absorbed with self, pretending.
I don't think, though, that many have ever been accused of listening too much. I know I haven't. I want to do more of this, more listening - to others, to God. I am thankful for a career path that teaches me to listen, to truly listen, with my ears, my eyes, my heart... to give my time to those who just need an extra minute or so to make themselves understood. Loving where I am and what I am doing. Learning to listen.
Monday, October 19, 2009
NLC 2009 in Chicago
No description needed... the picture says it all...
We ran into some fellow UofAZ alumni!
The Aphasia Laboratory in Chicago
at the pier
The Water Park
The Fridriksson's
Friday, September 25, 2009
sure is good to be runnin' again
I have a little "flair" on my car - a Hilton Head Island magnet, a UGA magnet, and a 13.1 magnet of which I'm pretty proud. That is the distance of a half-marathon, and I ran one in Atlanta nearly 2 years ago with my friend Colby. I am proud b/c .... well, that half-mara nearly killed me.... and I did it as a plus-size gal.... scoring one for the big girls.
So, I'm driving along today, on the way back from Charleston, and I see a sticker on this woman's car. 52.4 it boasted. 52.4! Seriously!?! You ran a double marathon? You couldn't even stop at 1 full marathon? Or 1 and a half? You went for a double??? Crazy. My 13.1 lost a little of its luster as she passed me on the interstate.
But, it got me to thinking. I'm ready to train for another event. The dissertation experience was incredibly hard on my body. I mostly paid for it in pounds. And I'm ready to lose them. So, I'm putting it out there....
I am going to train for the Nashville Country Music Half-Marathon. It will be April 24th, 2010. No, I don't particularly like Nash-vegas. No, I'm not a country music fan. But, it has gotten good ratings and it gives me about 7 months to train.
Anyone want to join me???
http://nashville.competitor.com/register/
So, I'm driving along today, on the way back from Charleston, and I see a sticker on this woman's car. 52.4 it boasted. 52.4! Seriously!?! You ran a double marathon? You couldn't even stop at 1 full marathon? Or 1 and a half? You went for a double??? Crazy. My 13.1 lost a little of its luster as she passed me on the interstate.
But, it got me to thinking. I'm ready to train for another event. The dissertation experience was incredibly hard on my body. I mostly paid for it in pounds. And I'm ready to lose them. So, I'm putting it out there....
I am going to train for the Nashville Country Music Half-Marathon. It will be April 24th, 2010. No, I don't particularly like Nash-vegas. No, I'm not a country music fan. But, it has gotten good ratings and it gives me about 7 months to train.
Anyone want to join me???
http://nashville.competitor.com/register/
Sunday, September 13, 2009
forgiveness
“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”
~ Lewis Smedes
~ Lewis Smedes
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 03, 2009
Hilton Head Island, soon to be my home away from home
The week before graduation, Hilton Head was calling my name!!!! My wonderful husband rented out a condo for (part of) my graduation gift, and I spent an entire week there, with a collection of friends and family coming and going as they pleased. It was wonderful.
To see more lovely pictures, go to
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20988&id=1583256152&l=0e60b897bb
Monday, July 27, 2009
After the dissertation defense
My wonderful prof threw a party for me after the oral defense of my dissertation. The defense was... well, it was rough. My work was laid out in front of all of us, and we picked it apart and discussed all of the mistakes and shortcomings for a couple of hours. I was so glad my best friend was there, b/c he helped me to see it through his perspective.
Mine - I sucked. This was horrible. They hated it.
His - They asked you questions, and you just kept answering girl. You knew studies, authors, etc. You rocked it.
The end result was a "Congratulations Dr. Richardson" from my wonderful committee. And then it was time for the gathering. Dr. Bothe's daughters picked out the decorations - fun red and black balloons, a UGA-themed cake, etc. So cute. Friends and family gathered to happily chat and eat. The evening ended with almost everyone gathered around the piano singing tunes from The Sound of Music. Perfect.
More pictures to come!
Mine - I sucked. This was horrible. They hated it.
His - They asked you questions, and you just kept answering girl. You knew studies, authors, etc. You rocked it.
The end result was a "Congratulations Dr. Richardson" from my wonderful committee. And then it was time for the gathering. Dr. Bothe's daughters picked out the decorations - fun red and black balloons, a UGA-themed cake, etc. So cute. Friends and family gathered to happily chat and eat. The evening ended with almost everyone gathered around the piano singing tunes from The Sound of Music. Perfect.
More pictures to come!
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Afterglow
"Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.”
~Theodore Isaac Rubin
~Theodore Isaac Rubin
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Monday, July 06, 2009
Problems
“The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem.” ~Theodore Isaac Rubin
So true - seemingly smooth waters make me nervous...I always expect problems, know they are just under the surface, and am never surprised by new events, turmoil, etc. That doesn't make it any less tiring, but it certainly is no longer surprising. And in those times, I go to this verse:
"Consider it pure joy my brothers [and sisters] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~James 1:2-4
I recently learned something new about this verse. I used to think you were supposed to consider it pure joy because of the problems, and WOW that's hard - how do you even do that?. But I missed a word - it never says "because" - the verse says "whenever" or "when" - When I face trials of many kinds, I'm to consider it pure joy, to count my blessings, during the trial. That I can do, believing that there is a purpose, believing in his promise in Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope a future"
So true - seemingly smooth waters make me nervous...I always expect problems, know they are just under the surface, and am never surprised by new events, turmoil, etc. That doesn't make it any less tiring, but it certainly is no longer surprising. And in those times, I go to this verse:
"Consider it pure joy my brothers [and sisters] whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverence. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." ~James 1:2-4
I recently learned something new about this verse. I used to think you were supposed to consider it pure joy because of the problems, and WOW that's hard - how do you even do that?. But I missed a word - it never says "because" - the verse says "whenever" or "when" - When I face trials of many kinds, I'm to consider it pure joy, to count my blessings, during the trial. That I can do, believing that there is a purpose, believing in his promise in Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope a future"
Saturday, July 04, 2009
He can't say no
I'm sitting here working at a friend's house. It is nice and quiet. Everyone is outside playing on this beautiful Independence Day. It sounds like their little boy (Drew) is the activity director, and everyone, including my husband, is following directions.
Brent walks in to check on me and to get our dog (Cash) some water. As the door opens, I hear the little boy say something about him coming back out and playing. Brent answers something to the effect of "I'll be right back out. Just don't throw that ball for a few minutes - Cash needs to rest but he can't say no to a ball. He'll chase it no matter how tired he is."
I don't know why, but that one phrase stuck to me. He can't say no if you are throwing a ball or a frisbee. He doesn't know how to say no.
Oh, how I wish I didn't know how to say "no" to God when he keeps throwing things my way - opportunities for witnessing, opportunities for growth, wisdom, etc. But unfortunately, I'm much too good at negating or resisting his will.
"No, I don't want to share your word with that person right now."
"No, I don't want to let someone else into my life - you may have sent them my way, but it is to hard to trust people and let them in"
"No, I don't want..."
"No, I..."
Praying for less no's. Praying that I'll do his will no matter how tired, how weary, how cynical. Praying, however odd it may seem, to be more like Cash in this regard.
Brent walks in to check on me and to get our dog (Cash) some water. As the door opens, I hear the little boy say something about him coming back out and playing. Brent answers something to the effect of "I'll be right back out. Just don't throw that ball for a few minutes - Cash needs to rest but he can't say no to a ball. He'll chase it no matter how tired he is."
I don't know why, but that one phrase stuck to me. He can't say no if you are throwing a ball or a frisbee. He doesn't know how to say no.
Oh, how I wish I didn't know how to say "no" to God when he keeps throwing things my way - opportunities for witnessing, opportunities for growth, wisdom, etc. But unfortunately, I'm much too good at negating or resisting his will.
"No, I don't want to share your word with that person right now."
"No, I don't want to let someone else into my life - you may have sent them my way, but it is to hard to trust people and let them in"
"No, I don't want..."
"No, I..."
Praying for less no's. Praying that I'll do his will no matter how tired, how weary, how cynical. Praying, however odd it may seem, to be more like Cash in this regard.
Happy 4th of July!
May we remember today that freedom is not free
May we remember today that the liberties we take for granted were bought with hard work, sweat, and blood
May we remember today the vision of our founding fathers
In remembering, we will look around with new eyes
Appreciating those freedoms
Honoring those who fought for them
Thanking God for His blessings
Friday, July 03, 2009
The fool in me...
“I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries”
~Theodore Isaac Rubin
Feeling very much like the fool in this description lately, trying to reconcile with these many aspects. And certainly feels like there is just not enough of me to go around, to please everyone...and in the end, I please no one. I don't know if this is part of transitioning...there is so much of it going on right now. The end of a HUGE chapter in my life, the beginning of another, moving, new job for husband, preparing to expand our family, etc. I am having a hard time living up to my own expectations, and have no doubts that I'm not living up to expectations of others.
So, going back to the basics. God, marriage, career, and let the other pieces fall where they may, all the while learning to not berate myself when I feel too much, talk too much, cry, etc. Embracing my fool.
~Theodore Isaac Rubin
Feeling very much like the fool in this description lately, trying to reconcile with these many aspects. And certainly feels like there is just not enough of me to go around, to please everyone...and in the end, I please no one. I don't know if this is part of transitioning...there is so much of it going on right now. The end of a HUGE chapter in my life, the beginning of another, moving, new job for husband, preparing to expand our family, etc. I am having a hard time living up to my own expectations, and have no doubts that I'm not living up to expectations of others.
So, going back to the basics. God, marriage, career, and let the other pieces fall where they may, all the while learning to not berate myself when I feel too much, talk too much, cry, etc. Embracing my fool.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Transition
So much going on in life right now. As a coworker said aptly, I never do anything halfway.
That includes life changes.
I remember, it seems like just months ago now, but it was actually 2 years, when I was trying to survive comprehensive exams and move at the same time. Torture, it was horrible, crazy, etc. Think I would have learned...
But I did not. Or, more specifically, the situation prevented me from applying my new knowledge.
In December, I landed this amazing job at the University of South Carolina, to begin in August. Ever since then, I've been in high gear, finishing up my dissertation. Meanwhile, Brent looked for and successfully landed an amazing job in Columbia, to begin...well, this Monday.
So, once again, we had to move while I am trying to survive dissertation. Brent took the bulk of the responsibility. But, last night, it came down to the wire - the movers were coming in the morning, there was MUCH left to pack, I had a migraine and didn't get home until ~ 9 anyway....not a good situation.
I called my family, just trying to force a little labor out of the little brother...and before I know it, all of my brothers, and an extra soul, show up at my house, and begin a packing frenzy. It was amazing....family is amazing...sometimes (well, maybe most of the time) we drive each other crazy...but when it comes down to it, we are here for each other. Thank you Greg, Josh, Jonathan, and Ashley for helping Brent and I survive the madness.
I packed up my belongings for the next month or so into my car. Brent heads to Columbia to unpack tomorrow. His new job and new life begins on Monday. My dissertation wheels keep on turning...please keep me in your prayers...I'm so sleep deprived, sunlight deprived...I have a permanent eye twitch - stress or strain, I'm not sure...I'm isolated, out of necessity...and am in desperate need of the strength to keep going ... there is no time for slowing down, no room for error.
I am looking ahead, am believing that I will finish, that I will successfully defend, that I will, in fact, graduate...and then transition again... a new city, a new career, a new body of research to learn, new people to meet (that is the hardest part for me)....
The new stuff is exciting, scary, nerve-wracking. Transitioning away from the "old" is hard, sad, burdensome...especially when I can't spend my last few weeks hanging with my favorite people...
oh, change....I've never been a huge fan. But like most things in life, you come along, whether we are ready or not.
That includes life changes.
I remember, it seems like just months ago now, but it was actually 2 years, when I was trying to survive comprehensive exams and move at the same time. Torture, it was horrible, crazy, etc. Think I would have learned...
But I did not. Or, more specifically, the situation prevented me from applying my new knowledge.
In December, I landed this amazing job at the University of South Carolina, to begin in August. Ever since then, I've been in high gear, finishing up my dissertation. Meanwhile, Brent looked for and successfully landed an amazing job in Columbia, to begin...well, this Monday.
So, once again, we had to move while I am trying to survive dissertation. Brent took the bulk of the responsibility. But, last night, it came down to the wire - the movers were coming in the morning, there was MUCH left to pack, I had a migraine and didn't get home until ~ 9 anyway....not a good situation.
I called my family, just trying to force a little labor out of the little brother...and before I know it, all of my brothers, and an extra soul, show up at my house, and begin a packing frenzy. It was amazing....family is amazing...sometimes (well, maybe most of the time) we drive each other crazy...but when it comes down to it, we are here for each other. Thank you Greg, Josh, Jonathan, and Ashley for helping Brent and I survive the madness.
I packed up my belongings for the next month or so into my car. Brent heads to Columbia to unpack tomorrow. His new job and new life begins on Monday. My dissertation wheels keep on turning...please keep me in your prayers...I'm so sleep deprived, sunlight deprived...I have a permanent eye twitch - stress or strain, I'm not sure...I'm isolated, out of necessity...and am in desperate need of the strength to keep going ... there is no time for slowing down, no room for error.
I am looking ahead, am believing that I will finish, that I will successfully defend, that I will, in fact, graduate...and then transition again... a new city, a new career, a new body of research to learn, new people to meet (that is the hardest part for me)....
The new stuff is exciting, scary, nerve-wracking. Transitioning away from the "old" is hard, sad, burdensome...especially when I can't spend my last few weeks hanging with my favorite people...
oh, change....I've never been a huge fan. But like most things in life, you come along, whether we are ready or not.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Aphasia Awareness Month
June is Aphasia Awareness Month. Just hearing that, seeing that, brings about different thoughts.
Wonderful that someone, somewhere is trying to educate the world about aphasia, trying to raise awareness.
But, I haven't seen an ad, commercial, anything about aphasia. Is there value in assigning a "purpose" to a month if no one, no organization, is going to try and fulfill that purpose?
My heart is heavy about this because I know so many individuals with aphasia who I care for deeply - both the individuals with aphasia and their families - and I so wish that the world would be more aware of their struggle. Fighting tooth and nail with insurance companies for speech-language services, searching for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions when the doctor says "oh, this is as good as he is gonna get", traveling across the country just to try and find an intensive aphasia therapy program that is worth the thousands of thousands of dollars they require... it goes on and on.
If I could capture the spirit of these individuals, the drive, and bottle it up...wow, the world would be a different place, a better place.
Learn about aphasia today. Learn about the definition, the causes, the types, etc. Develop awareness. Seek out individuals with aphasia, if you know of any in your sphere, communicate with them. I doubt you will walk away from that experience the same person you were before. Check out www.speakingofaphasia.blogspot.com for some insight into this communication impairment.
Wonderful that someone, somewhere is trying to educate the world about aphasia, trying to raise awareness.
But, I haven't seen an ad, commercial, anything about aphasia. Is there value in assigning a "purpose" to a month if no one, no organization, is going to try and fulfill that purpose?
My heart is heavy about this because I know so many individuals with aphasia who I care for deeply - both the individuals with aphasia and their families - and I so wish that the world would be more aware of their struggle. Fighting tooth and nail with insurance companies for speech-language services, searching for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th opinions when the doctor says "oh, this is as good as he is gonna get", traveling across the country just to try and find an intensive aphasia therapy program that is worth the thousands of thousands of dollars they require... it goes on and on.
If I could capture the spirit of these individuals, the drive, and bottle it up...wow, the world would be a different place, a better place.
Learn about aphasia today. Learn about the definition, the causes, the types, etc. Develop awareness. Seek out individuals with aphasia, if you know of any in your sphere, communicate with them. I doubt you will walk away from that experience the same person you were before. Check out www.speakingofaphasia.blogspot.com for some insight into this communication impairment.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
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