Because I am pregnant...

• I cry over anything and usually will every single day, sometimes over the dumbest things like a commercial. 


• I am paying much more attention to a political race than I ever have before.


• I am also paying much more attention to things that I know will affect my child someday.


• I see the value in spending hours of research on a product for our little guy that I haven't even met yet.


• I am obsessed with boy names.


• I am constantly trying to dig up old childhood songs from my memory bank and sing them aloud at will.


• I touch and rub my belly and smile.


• I smile and nod at other pregnant women and revel in this kinship I have with these complete strangers.


• Tyler and I love talking about deep issues and conversations that we'll have with our little guy in the future... or even silly things, such as if our kids will trick-or-treat or not. 


• If it's even possible, I think I love my husband a little bit more.


• I am trying to strengthen my relationship with others.


• I am finally becoming aware of all of my gifts and am gathering them up to share with him.


• I forget a lot, and have 'slippery' hands (constantly dropping things)


• I pee A LOT.


• I am thankful that God has His hands over Tyler and I and our boy.


• I am still married to control, but am having an affair with flexibility…and plan to leave control for flexibility one day.


• I am striving to be a better person.

And just for kicks and giggles (and because it's been a while...) here's a new belly pic for you.

23 weeks.

I'll be back soon...

Life is a whirlwind right now, and I haven't had time to sit and process everything, but I vow to do this soon.  I have tons of things to share with you, including lots of baby pics, new decor items around my house (including my fabulous stripes in my kitchen!), and some other randomness. Don't give up on me yet, my friends... I'll be back soon.

8 things.

8 things that make me happy, in no particular order.

8.  Fall weather, and all that entails.  (To name a few: high school football, pumpkin flavored everything, cold weather, sweatshirts, blankets and fireplaces)
7.  Campfires.
6.  Spending quality time with friends and family.
5.  Feeling my baby boy kick me.
4.  Being active... spending time outside, walking, and working out.
3.  Weekends and relaxation.
2.  Starbucks.
1.  A sense of security.

What about you?

(Post idea from Angie)

Overcome.

Tears are streaming down my face tonight as I watch this video and am reminded of God's continuing faithfulness and grace.  It infuriates me to hear of all of the church "catastrophes" going on - pastors having affairs, the Catholic church fiasco, the entire Ted Haggard ordeal (whom I love and admire greatly), Ray Boltz announcing he is homosexual, Mike Guglielmucci's big lie... I could go on and on all night.  My heart breaks for these people that are so broken and empty that they have to live their life so full of deceit.  Yet at the same time it infuriates me to see these things happening.  I am constantly reminding myself that they are human and just as prone to sin as anyone else.  So why does it hurt so much more to watch these things happen?  To witness "yet another" affair, another homosexual, another lie.  Because they are our role-models?  Because they are our leaders?  God, have mercy on us all.

I ran across this video tonight on Ross Parsley's facebook, and had tears streaming down my face.  Through it all... through the pain, the shame, the hard times... We will overcome.  I am honored to have known these guys, served alongside them in ministry, and have been apart of this church community. 

We WILL overcome... by the blood of the lamb, and the word of our testimony.



Here's the song if you want to hear the entire thing:

Ladies and gentlemen...

Wow, how exciting.  The ultrasound this morning was amazing - the last time we had one was at 9 weeks so you can imagine how much has changed since then.  At 9 weeks his legs & arms were just forming, but enough that I could see them moving around, and now at almost 19 weeks we were able to see everything about our little guy... his kidneys, organs, heart, bones, fingers, toes, heart, brain, spine, etc.  I have heard it said a million times how having a baby is such a miracle, but that is definitely something you never understand until you're there and experiencing it.  It is truly a miracle.  God is soooo good!

Baby is doing good and measuring right on track, a few days early but nothing huge.  My new due date is February 18, but that seems to change everytime I go in.  :)  My placenta is measuring thin so I have to go get an ultrasound every 4 weeks to monitor that and make sure it doesn't get too thin.  If it does, I'd be put on bed rest.  It is supposed to measure over 2 inches thick and mine is measuring at 1.25 inches, so they are watching it and we'll see how I am at the next appointment.  Other than that - all is well!  Baby is great and did so well while we were there, he laid still so we could get all of his measurements and then once she tried getting a profile shot, he was being a little booger and running from her.  Taking after his daddy already... hehe ;)  Just kidding.

Here's a few pics!
Profile, from the side

Looking at us! 

The money shot!  (He is going to kill me someday for posting this online!  Oh well.)


My first baby purchase!  I can't wait to wrap my little guy in this... it is sooo soft!  It says "Thank Heaven for little boys".

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for all the prayers and support!  We are super excited and feeling so blessed.