People are often surprised that I say I'm feeling good. I know it's difficult to believe because the stereotype is mostly misery and discomfort in the last few weeks of pregnancy. But - I honestly feel great. Especially when I get to eat desserts.
I'm not saying I am this super woman or anything. I think the fact that I haven't had any problems is directly related to how great I feel (that and a great husband who has been very encouraging throughout the past 10 months). I didn't struggle with blood pressure, nausea, or weird pregnancy-related problems. It makes it hard to complain.
I think more than anything, I'm nervous about labor ... and parenthood. I think those two things have been a distraction to the actual discomforts of pregnancy. I just keep praying that God will equip me efficiently for the things that are coming. I know He will, but I ask repeatedly - just in case.
I rest in God's words to Jeremiah in chapter 29, verses 11-14: "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the LORD.
I will be found by you. How reassuring that is.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Baby Shower #4
My fourth, and final, baby shower was a blast. It was held in Indy, and my doctor told me to make it a "quick trip" because apparently traveling at 37 weeks is "frowned upon," but oh well!
It was a whirlwind weekend, but my two sisters and mom did a fantastic job putting it together. It was perfect. We arrived Friday night and just went to bed (got in late). Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast with my family, and then the girls went and got pedicures.
We were a riot at the nail salon. Cara couldn't stop laughing during the foot scrub, and Jamie and I looked like two waddling ducks!
The shower was really fun. I got to see a lot of people, and we played some really fun games! Plus, the desserts at Rick's Boatyard were AMAZING: key lime pie, German chocolate cake, and cheesecake. I tried them all eventually. My sisters did cupcake favors, and it was literally the best cupcake I have ever eaten. I got to take four home, and I ate them all. We got a lot of great stuff, and we were able to finish the nursery over spring break!
I didn't get to take a lot of pictures because I was visiting and playing games, but here's one of me and Jamie outside of the boatyard. I had a great time spending quality time with my mom and my sisters - so it was a great weekend.
It was a whirlwind weekend, but my two sisters and mom did a fantastic job putting it together. It was perfect. We arrived Friday night and just went to bed (got in late). Saturday morning we got up and had breakfast with my family, and then the girls went and got pedicures.
We were a riot at the nail salon. Cara couldn't stop laughing during the foot scrub, and Jamie and I looked like two waddling ducks!
The shower was really fun. I got to see a lot of people, and we played some really fun games! Plus, the desserts at Rick's Boatyard were AMAZING: key lime pie, German chocolate cake, and cheesecake. I tried them all eventually. My sisters did cupcake favors, and it was literally the best cupcake I have ever eaten. I got to take four home, and I ate them all. We got a lot of great stuff, and we were able to finish the nursery over spring break!
I didn't get to take a lot of pictures because I was visiting and playing games, but here's one of me and Jamie outside of the boatyard. I had a great time spending quality time with my mom and my sisters - so it was a great weekend.
Friday, March 18, 2011
In My Hometown
Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” Mark 6:4
The tendency in our culture has not changed much from when Jesus walked this earth. He was honored and praised in every town he visited - with the exception of his own hometown, with his own family.
Brent and I recently did a devotion on this passage. My thinking is sometimes it is hardest for the people closest to you (family) to think of you changing. They only knew Jesus as a brother, a carpenter, a son, a teenager in the village, and so on. When it was revealed that he was actually their Lord and Savior ... they are like, "...what? Are you SURE?"
They can't picture him being anything more than what they already know.
Isn't that usually what happens to people now? When people who live immoral lives change their ways, people struggle to believe it. We think there's no way THAT person is living a changed life.
Fortunately for me, my 'hometown' is much different. I spent a great deal of time changing, and I know my sisters and parents have both respected those changes and encouraged them. I send multiple emails each week asking them for support, advice, suggestions, and encouragement.
This could very well be a "girl" thing, and that is fine with me. I love the relationship I have with them. I love that I can ask them anything, and they offer Godly wisdom from very different perspectives.
I love that I still feel honored in my own hometown - even with the people that know me best (and therefore know all of my flaws, mistakes, and faults).
The tendency in our culture has not changed much from when Jesus walked this earth. He was honored and praised in every town he visited - with the exception of his own hometown, with his own family.
Brent and I recently did a devotion on this passage. My thinking is sometimes it is hardest for the people closest to you (family) to think of you changing. They only knew Jesus as a brother, a carpenter, a son, a teenager in the village, and so on. When it was revealed that he was actually their Lord and Savior ... they are like, "...what? Are you SURE?"
They can't picture him being anything more than what they already know.
Isn't that usually what happens to people now? When people who live immoral lives change their ways, people struggle to believe it. We think there's no way THAT person is living a changed life.
Fortunately for me, my 'hometown' is much different. I spent a great deal of time changing, and I know my sisters and parents have both respected those changes and encouraged them. I send multiple emails each week asking them for support, advice, suggestions, and encouragement.
This could very well be a "girl" thing, and that is fine with me. I love the relationship I have with them. I love that I can ask them anything, and they offer Godly wisdom from very different perspectives.
I love that I still feel honored in my own hometown - even with the people that know me best (and therefore know all of my flaws, mistakes, and faults).
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Are you wearing green today?
St. Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally today! It is named after St. Patrick, the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of Ireland. The day is generally characterised by the attendance of church services, wearing of green attire (especially shamrocks), and the lifting of Lenten restrictions! Did you know that?
If you gave up something for Lent, feel free to indulge today!
St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish, and the wearing and display of shamrocks and shamrock-inspired designs have become a feature of the day!
So get in the spirit, and bust out your green and shamrocks! Consider turning a boring dinner GREEN tonight! Adding food coloring to milk, macaroni and cheese, pretty much anything would be fun! Enjoy!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
March Favorite Things
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Baby Shower #3
The wonderful church/Bible study women in my life threw me & Bree a baby shower. It was extremely special to celebrate with them, and I enjoyed the time we spent crafting and talking! The hostess decided to forgo baby shower games and do a craft instead. It ended up being adorable, and we all loved it! The dessert was a pumpkin cheesecake - two of my favorite things! We also got a lot of really nice gifts, too. God has truly blessed Brent and I with a wonderful spiritual network of friends here.
Me & the hostess, Julie
My finished product, a picture holder to put in our bedroom!
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
If only Giselle pooped Reese cups ...
The dishes are dirty - three times a day - and piling up again on the counter. I think there's even some sort of plant growth on that bowl. The laundry bin is overflowing with dirty clothes. I guess if I need that sweater in there, I better smell it to see if it's acceptable to wear again. Dust bunnies are taking over my floors. Soap scum is taking over my shower. I'd love to fix that up, but it's not in the budget. Giselle is having a poop party back in her room - and it never seems to land directly on her pad. Dang - did I forget to get stuff for dinner tonight?
Do these thoughts sound at all familiar (maybe not the poop one, Giselle is a "special" dog)? I realize womanhood is special. I also realize being a woman can sometimes be overwhelming. We have houses to run, husbands to love and support, kids to take care of, pets to look after, and usually not too much time for us. I thought I'd offer a personal tip on staying sane that has worked for me, most of the time.
Contentment.
We see the things other people have, and it makes us feel lacking. We see the things society tells us we need, and we feel like we are always a step behind.
If we look at our lives, are we really content with the things we have? Or are we always looking for the next thing on our list? Sometimes the things we "need" - we don't need. We want. And I don't know if you have noticed, but the constant wishing and wanting causes me personal drama. A lot of times, I need to step back and pray, "BE CONTENT, MISSY."
Because let's face it, some days the laundry doesn't get done. Some nights we eat Arby's rather than a homemade lasagna. I probably won't get to re-decorate my bedroom anytime soon, and Giselle will never poop on her pad.
But I am blessed to have a great husband, a daughter on the way, an awesome family and friend support network, and a ton of material things that God has given to me that make my life wonderful.
I just have to remember to be content.
Do these thoughts sound at all familiar (maybe not the poop one, Giselle is a "special" dog)? I realize womanhood is special. I also realize being a woman can sometimes be overwhelming. We have houses to run, husbands to love and support, kids to take care of, pets to look after, and usually not too much time for us. I thought I'd offer a personal tip on staying sane that has worked for me, most of the time.
Contentment.
We see the things other people have, and it makes us feel lacking. We see the things society tells us we need, and we feel like we are always a step behind.
If we look at our lives, are we really content with the things we have? Or are we always looking for the next thing on our list? Sometimes the things we "need" - we don't need. We want. And I don't know if you have noticed, but the constant wishing and wanting causes me personal drama. A lot of times, I need to step back and pray, "BE CONTENT, MISSY."
Because let's face it, some days the laundry doesn't get done. Some nights we eat Arby's rather than a homemade lasagna. I probably won't get to re-decorate my bedroom anytime soon, and Giselle will never poop on her pad.
But I am blessed to have a great husband, a daughter on the way, an awesome family and friend support network, and a ton of material things that God has given to me that make my life wonderful.
I just have to remember to be content.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Give-Away Winner
Congratulations to Jamie Griffith over at Blessed Simplicity for winning the $20 give-away to any CSN store. Thanks to those of you who entered (ahem, mom and Cara). It was nice to see your favorite verses on my Facebook wall! I'll do another give-away later on down the road!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
My 100th Post Give-Away!
"She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple." Proverbs 31:22
A thought-provoking portion of my Bible study this week was reflecting on what my house says to people when they enter it. It's not about wealth and luxury but about taking care and time creating beauty in my home. The challenge was to walk through my house and write down one improvement I could make to each room. It's not about spending money; it's about spending time, effort, and care. I thought of three things I would like to do:
1. Paint rooms to add life and color!
2. Work on our office - furniture and layout need some serious attention (I found some cute desks that I might look into!).
3. Hang some homemade art in the bedroom and hallways.
This challenge came at a great time. Because it's my 100th post, and I wanted to do something fun! In celebration, I will be having a little give-away for all my faithful followers.
To enter the give-away, you can do three things:
♥ Become a follower of my blog.
♥ Leave a comment letting me know what little "home improvement" you would love to do.
♥ Write your favorite Bible verse on my Facebook wall.
I will choose a winner and announce it on Saturday morning, March 5th!
A thought-provoking portion of my Bible study this week was reflecting on what my house says to people when they enter it. It's not about wealth and luxury but about taking care and time creating beauty in my home. The challenge was to walk through my house and write down one improvement I could make to each room. It's not about spending money; it's about spending time, effort, and care. I thought of three things I would like to do:
1. Paint rooms to add life and color!
2. Work on our office - furniture and layout need some serious attention (I found some cute desks that I might look into!).
3. Hang some homemade art in the bedroom and hallways.
This challenge came at a great time. Because it's my 100th post, and I wanted to do something fun! In celebration, I will be having a little give-away for all my faithful followers.
To enter the give-away, you can do three things:
♥ Become a follower of my blog.
♥ Leave a comment letting me know what little "home improvement" you would love to do.
♥ Write your favorite Bible verse on my Facebook wall.
I will choose a winner and announce it on Saturday morning, March 5th!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
My March Verse
"'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate." Proverbs 31:29-31
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