Friday's Happy News

So, I don't know about you, but I don't like watching the news or reading the news, because it usually depresses me. Like today, for instance, I heard about an 11 month old baby who was beaten to death by a 9 year old boy while attending an in home day care. How does that happen?
So, I've decided that each Friday, I will share a Happy News story, courtesy of HappyNews.Com
So, Here's Today's Story

"By Associated Press
Updated: 8/27/2007

NEW YORK

An 8-month-old boy received five organs in a complex transplant for a rare gastrointestinal disease and is ready for the next step — learning to eat, his doctors said Friday.

Elijah Moulton is doing well after receiving a liver, small bowel, pancreas, colon and stomach during the seven-hour procedure July 10 at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York-Presbyterian, doctors said.

He was born with total intestinal atresia, a malformation of the entire gastrointestinal tract that makes eating impossible.

Dr. Mercedes Martinez said at a news conference Friday that the boy would probably be moved to a rehab center on Monday, where he will spend as many as six weeks learning to eat. His release was delayed a few days because he was having difficulty breathing.

''He's doing so well right now,'' Martinez said. ''He's gorgeous. He's looking around and smiling.''

Organ rejection and infection were the biggest complications the baby faced during the first six to 10 weeks after surgery, she said.

The organs came from one donor, and all were kept together as one unit, with connections intact, the hospital said.

The head surgeon, Dr. Dominique Jan, performed the world's first successful intestinal transplant in 1991, involving two organs. As many as seven organs can safely be transplanted at the same time, he said.

''By transplanting several organs at once, we can give children with serious intestinal malformations or infections hope for a healthy future,'' he said.

Elijah's parents, Heather and Brad Moulton, live in Lewis, several hours north of New York City. He has a brother and sister, ages 5 and 3."

Thankful Thursday

Wow, you guys, it's been a great week so far. The day care kids have been a lot mellower, the week has been going fast and we have a three day weekend coming up.

I am thankful today for such a variety of things:
- Subway Subs, which have been my craving this pregnancy...and they are soooo good.
- Caffeine free Pepsi, another treat.
- My friend, Andrea, who sent me a box of Fairytale Brownies as a special treat because she knew I had had a tough month or so. And oh my goodness they are SOOO YUMMY!
- Tuesday's In Other Words quote that really, really spoke to me.
- Getting to learn today about the humanitarian crisis in Burma as well as about nobel peace prize winner, Aung San Suu Kyi, whose efforts for peace have been thwarted due to the military regime keeping her imprisoned. Want to know about Burma?
I will write a blog post about it soon.
- Keeping in touch with Invisible Children people, has given me another opportunity to help out. The Mountain West Road Crew team that I helped plan a screening for last year, is on the road again beginning this September. They drive around in a van and this time they are coming out for their schools to schools program. They will be speaking to many schools in the area and rely on people like me for a place to stay, shower, eat. They will be here the last weekend in September, and I have offered my home for them. My couch pulls out into a sleeper. All I need to do is find an inexpensive sofa sleeper mattress if I can. There are two 20 something girls and a 20 something guy, who was on the team last year. So the gals can have the bed. And the guy can sleep anywhere right? That's what guys do. SO, I am so thankful to get to help out again. Because I am so passionate about Invisible Children and all of their efforts.
- And focusing on the condition in places like Uganda and Burma make me realize how truly blessed I am to live where I do...to have a home, to have three meals a day, to have medicine, to have a car, to for the most part, compared to their lives, have safety. I am so thankful.
- I am also thankful for all of those who have been praying for me and the hubby and the job situation. I know God has something wonderful in store and your prayers are such a blessing.

Happy Thursday Everyone.

In Other Words

"Under the banner of God, victory is always assured; but apart from it, defeat is a certainty. When the banner of God's rod was not held high, Amalek prevailed.
You can't do battle against the flesh under your own power."

~ Kay Arthur ~
Lord, I Want to Know

In the Ladies Bible study that I was blessed enough to attend on various Thursday evenings, we did a study on the names of God.
One of the names of God, is YHWH Nissi, which means Lord my Banner.

I found my old study guide sheet for that name of God and wanted to share some of it with you. Please note: I am paraphrasing my study guide, but these are not my words. The study sheet was written by Sharon, my Bible study leader. I also realized once I was finished, that this is very long. I apologize, but I think it's worth the read! ;o)

The Israelites had started on their journey, but they were thirsty and found that there was no water to drink.They became frustrated and irritated and began to quarrel with Moses and said, "Is God with us or not?"
God wasn't angered by this. He knew that they had a lot to learn. But God proved His presence and provision, by having Moses strike a rock allowing water to gush forth.

After that, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. Moses said to Joshua, "Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands."

So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered and Moses, Aaron & Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but when ever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. Then Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone & put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron & Hur held his hands up-one on one side, one on the other-so that Moses' hands remained steady till the sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write this on a scroll as something to be remembered and make sure that Joshua hears it, because I will completely blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven."

Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD." Ex:17:8-16

There are two words translated banner in the OT. This one –Nes- is the most significant of the two. It literally means that which shines or that which is lifted up. The nes was a banner raised on special occasion and always on some elevated place or object used as a rallying point to call the whole people together to hear some vital message or to assemble for some important action.

Moses named the altar of thanksgiving, after the defeat of Amalek, YHWH Nissi. The altar was a memorial that YHWH enabled HIS people against their foes. Therefore announcing that the LORD HIMSELF is the rallying point for HIS people and thereby kindle hope and effort in difficult/impossible situations.

The battle and the altar announced that GOD HIMSELF is the banner/ that point to look to for enablement and deliverance. Since the battle with Amelek directly follows YHWH's giving them water from a rock we see GOD bring the point home by repetition. When a need arises reach out to GOD for supply, enablement and protection.

But it wasn't long after the battle that was won, that the Israelites became discouraged again. They were hungry and thirsty. They spoke against GOD and against Moses and said, "Why have YOU brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert? There is not bread and there is no water! And we detest this miserable food."

Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them and they bit the people and many Israelites died. The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us." So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD told him to put a snake on a nes and lift the nes up in the sight of the people so when they were bit they could choose to look at it. If they had been bitten and then looked to it they would healed and not die of the bite.

Here we think of judgment but do you see that the LORD in great love/ yes, I said love - sent more on top of their present heavy struggles for the purpose that they come to the end of themselves and cry out (reach out Act 17:26,27) to GOD their NES! The rally point/ their source of supply

You may ask how I can say it was love, not damning judgment. What GOD told Moses to do proves GOD's motive of love. GOD told Moses to make a snake and put it up on a NES (lift up the NES in the sight of the people) Anyone who is bitten can look at it and live..

If one would only choose to believe looking would help & look at the snake they would be healed. But that would take faith for it sounds ridiculous! (But GOD loves to use foolish things to confound the wise and asks that we walk by faith)

GOD says that these things happened for our learning (I Cor 10:6,11) For GOD was painting another picture. JESUS explains that picture in Jn 3:14, 15 "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert so I must be lifted up that everyone that believes in ME may have eternal life.

When we focus on the difficulties/ problems / our now situation we have taken our eyes off JESUS. HE is our Shepherd and without HIM we get lost real quick. HE calls but we don't often listen. HE must keep us close to protect us from all the dangers in the world therefore we must learn to focus on HIM. Lam 3 speaks loudly on the subject of what happens when we refuse to do this & I suggest that sometime you prayerfully read through.

Lamentations 3:39-41
39 Why should a living man complain,
A man for the punishment of his sins?
40 Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the LORD;
41 Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven.

LIFT UP YOUR HANDS! LIFT UP YOUR HEARTS TO THE LORD, OUR BANNER!


Side note: I really needed this study today. My hubby and I are dealing with some stuff right now...mainly worry wanting to sneak in and discourage us. We are job searching and it has been rough. This was JUST WHAT I NEEDED today. Thank you Loni for today's quote! God Bless you!

My Weekend

On Saturday night, we took the kids to a shopping center up north a bit that has been hosting family fun nights for the past 9 weeks. Too bad we just found out about it on its last night. It was pretty neat. There was a free bouncy slide, free cotton candy, free balloons and face painting and then a free movie that they showed outside on a big screen. Saturday night's movie was Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and we didn't think it would keep the miss' attention, so we didn't stay for the movie. But in the past weeks, they showed various animated movies, so that would have been fun.
We weren't there for very long because we got there close to closing time, but the miss still had a blast. The mister enjoyed it too. He loved kicking his little feet in the umbrella stroller and watching everyone. He is a people watcher like his mommy.

Here's the miss hugging Maggie Moo


We didn't get to stay for long, because we got there late and the miss was NOT ready to go back home. She asked to go into a store, so we hit up Pottery Barn Kids. She loooooved the store. She enjoyed playing with some of the toys and puzzles that they had out. And the mister fell in love with a really neat rocking horse. HE LOVED IT! Too bad it's $100...Are you kidding?!?!?!?




Let's see, what else?!?!
Oh, I successfully made some curtains for the miss' room. It was my first attempt at curtains, and I think it went well. There will be a picture at some point, once her room is presentable.

Oh and the miss has a favorite dress of the moment.

She loves it! Oh and that's her Cenquin that she is holding. Yes, a cenguin, which she says starts with a puh puh P, Cenguin. :o)

Psalms Sunday - Psalm 42

Good morning -
I am sorry that this didn't post last night. I know we are in different time zones and I like for this post to be here when you wake up and look for it. Hopefully you didn't wait too long.

So, today we are starting Psalms Sunday with Psalm 42. This Psalm begins the second book of the Psalms, which ends with Psalm 72. They are the Psalms about the redemption of God. And this Psalm was written by Hezekiah for the sons of Korah. You can learn more about Korah and his sons in Numbers 16.

Here is the Psalm:

1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?[b]
3 My tears have been my food day and night,
While they continually say to me,
“Where is your God?”

4 When I remember these things,
I pour out my soul within me.
For I used to go with the multitude;
I went with them to the house of God,
With the voice of joy and praise,
With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast.

5 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.[c]

6 O my God,[d] my soul is cast down within me;
Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan,
And from the heights of Hermon,
From the Hill Mizar.
7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;
All Your waves and billows have gone over me.
8 The LORD will command His loving kindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my Rock,
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.


I must say, I love the first two verses of this Psalm, because they are from one of my favorite worship songs. "As the deer panteth for the water, So my soul longeth after Thee. You alone are my heart's desire And I long to worship Thee. You alone are my strength my shield, to you alone may my spirit yield......." I almost recorded myself singing it for you, because I just love it THAT much. But, I didn't.

Lately, I believe that I have been feeling like this Psalm. I had spent a month or so, so busy that I wasn't leaving time for God. And I can feel that distance and it hurts, it really does. I have witnessed how it has affected my moods, my patience, my relationships. It seemed like I would become saddened more easily. I longed to go back to that time when I was so close to Him. When I would talk to Him many times throughout the day. I longed to go back to when I had quiet time with Him several times a day. When you have periods of time in your life when your relationship with God is a huge focus and then you go through some time where there is a big distance between yourself and God, it is so apparent.

I am slowly starting to get back to a place where I am closer to God. I am trying to discipline myself to have time in the Word, to make it a point to attend church every Sunday. To watch what things I do and look at, that could be taking away from my walk.

I have missed that closeness with God.

When I read over some interpretations of this Psalm, I found a gal who spoke about how Hezekiah uses the word thirst, not hunger. When he says, my soul thirsts for you.
When you are thirsty, you need to quench it right away. You want something to drink and you want it NOW. You need it. It is hard to be parched. I think that is different than hunger. With hunger, even when we have hunger pains, we can kind of still go a bit without satisfying them, if we need to. I think that's how it is when we start distancing ourselves from God. We can feel the hunger pains, but we are busy with what we are doing, and we distract ourselves. But finally that distance brings us to a point of extreme thirst. We need to stop what we are doing, and we need to drink. We need our God right NOW. There is no more waiting...no more distractions.

Lord, my soul is thirsting for you. Come and fill me.

"You alone are my heart's desire and I LONG to worship you."

Quick Picture

So the miss decided to forget the toy and play with the bag her kids meal came with instead.

THE RETURN OF PSALMS SUNDAY

I have been missing this. And in my walk, I need this. So, this Sunday, August 26th, Psalms Sunday will return with Psalm 42.

If you are new to Psalms Sunday this is how it works:
Each Sunday there will be a new Psalm to read and discuss. For now, we will go in order and not skip around, beginning with Psalm 42.

If you participate, all I ask is that you share what the Psalm meant to you. Maybe there was a verse or two that spoke to you. Maybe the Psalm made you think of a story you would like to share with us. Maybe you would like to paraphrase the Psalm. Or maybe you would like to do an in-depth word study. What you write, what you share is up to you.

Write your post on Sunday and sign the Mister Linky. Try to visit all the participants if you can, so that together we can share and discuss the Word.

So I will see you here on Sunday, August 26th, when we read and discuss Psalm 42.

I've Always Been a Chevy Fan Until Today

So, I love Chevy, I do. But tonight, we had a flat tire. Thank goodness the car was parked at home. Thank goodness we weren't on the side of the freeway with both kids in the vehicle. Because, chevy placed all the stuff for our jack, under the back seats. So, we had to remove both car seats to get to them. I mean, it's not like we don't have a huge back area...plenty of "trunk" space. And it's not like the jack is HUGE. But for some reason, they thought it was smart to place it under the back seats.
THAT was thought up by a man, I tell ya.
Anyway, we got it changed, which was an experience, because between the noth of us (hubby, me), neither one of us had tire changing experience. LOL!
So, the hubby is now on his way to the store to get new tires. We needed new ones anyway.

Tiny Baby Flip Flops

The miss, my almost four year old daughter, is obsessed with flip flops. I think it's because I pretty much wear them all the time. And one day we were at the store and she told me that she wanted flip flops like mommy. So she has a couple pairs of flip flops.
Last night, we were talking about the baby. I asked her if she wanted to watch the baby come out of my tummy when it was time. And her face lit up and she shouted, "yes".
She then mentioned that Kate, my best friend and photographer, would be here and would take pictures of the baby. I was impressed that she remembered that Kate was here when I delivered my son. But I guess she can't forget that Kate takes pictures, since everytime she visits, she takes tons of pictures of my family.
She then mentioned that the baby will have tiny baby feet and tiny toes and that "she'll", she is determined that I am having a girl, wear tiny baby flip flops.
Yep, she wants us to buy the baby flip flops to wear after being born.

Okay, Let's Go In Reverse

So, I had an ultrasound today to determine how far along I really am. With this pregnancy, it's been weird. My periods were very irregular. The last period I had was at the very end of May, but then I bled again two weeks later. And then I didn't have another period after that. So, when I found out I was pregnant, and they asked me the first day of my last menstrual period, I said the one in May. I thought the bleeding in June was breakthrough bleeding from the pill I was on, but not taking well.
But when we did the ultrasound, which was done internally, it became apparent that the baby was not 12 weeks along. And the 3 times we measured it, it came out the same...8weeks 4 days.

So turns out I am not almost 12 weeks along, as I thought, I am only 8 weeks along. Crazy huh?
The baby is due on March 26th.
So, why do I have a belly already?

Finally Friday

It's finally Friday. It was a busy week. I finished up my Photoshop class and started another one. I have 4 chapters to read over the next 2 days and an assignment due today and tomorrow, but I am so excited, because I am going to learn flash and dreamweaver and some more web design stuff. YAY!

Oh, and last night, I finished my third blog design for Kristen at Diary of a Shoe Addict. So you'll have to check it out.

And I have started on my next one, which I know I will have so much fun with.

I have an extra day care kid well...just today, yesterday and next week. It is the older sister of the 4 year old I watch. I believe she is 6 or 7. I was worried that it would be harder, because she doesn't nap...and bickers with her younger brother. But actually, she has been making things around here easier. For instance, right now, she is in my daughter's bedroom...helping her clean it up. She saw how messy it was, told the miss that she should keep her room clean and got her to start picking it up with her. She is also good at helping me keep an eye on the kids when I run to the bathroom or something. Maybe I should hire her. LOL

Well, that's it for now. Nap time is officially over. All the kids are awake, so my break has ended.

Hopefully now that my horribly time consuming Photoshop class is over, I will be able to blog everyday now, like I used to. I really have missed it. I hope all of you have a wonderful FRIDAY!

So Tired

Phew, I am finally done. I just now, at 10:35 P.M., turned in my last assignment for my Photoshop class. It was such a time consuming class. This is the first class I have taken so far in my program that really wore me out. But, I also have a lot going on right now and I am still feeling my 1st trimester fatigue.

Poor Kristen, a blog design customer, has been having to deal with a servicer who has been very late in getting things done. I promise Kristen, if you are reading this, I will be emailing you your design tomorrow.

I unfortunately don't have a break from classes. My next class, which is advanced web scripting, including java and dreamweaver, starts tomorrow. And, I never bought my textbook. It completely slipped my mind. That is so not like me. But again, there has been so much going on right now. My hubby separates from the Air Force in September, so we've been dealing with going back and forth between should we move, should we stay. We've been searching job ads. I've been looking into short term insurance for us, since once he leaves the Air Force, we will no longer have benefits. So, it's been a crazy time.

Tonight, my midwife came out for an hour or so to meet with me and the hubby. She answered a lot of questions, gave me a wealth of information and made me excited to have my child at home. I had my first two in the hospital.

With my oldest, an almost 4 year old girl, the miss, everything that could possibly go wrong in a labor went wrong. First of all, we were military at the time and for each appointment, I had a different doctor, so that I could meet them all...because it wasn't certain who would be the one on call when I had the baby. So that was weird. It was like at each appointment, I had to go over stuff that I previously went over, but was new to them. I was induced, because she was late. I had wanted to do it naturally, but the pitocin just made everything so hard. By 6 or 7, I got an epidural. I had forceps used in my delivery and it was all so rushed. The communication with the doctors and nurses was horrible. They kind of demanded what needed to be done, without really talking about it with us or explaining it. In a way, it was kinda scary. I bled a lot, I had a 3rd degree tear. And, I ended up having a spinal headache because the epidural was administered incorrectly. They punctured a hole in my spinal area, so fluid was leaking out and it was the WORST headache known to man. So then I had to come back to the hospital to take care of that. I also ended up with a horrible kidney infection as well.

Fast forward to the mister's birth. He is the little guy who just turned one last month. He was born in a different state, but still military. At the military hospital where I had my appointments and birth, they did have midwives on staff. I fell in love with and saw one of them for a few appointments, but then she went away, either on deployment or vacation and I never saw her again.
I was 4 days late with the mister. My water broke, gushed, at home at around 11:30 or so. When I got to the hospital, the doctor there, to deliver the baby, was some guy who I had never met before. That was kinda weird. My nurse was wonderful though. My contractions were intense. They were right on top of each other, with no break. And I had back labor as well. I was in a lot of pain. Thankfully, from my Bradley classes with my first, I understood where in labor I was. I could tell when I was in transition. I got to the hospital at around midnight and had the mister 3 hours later. I knew I was progressing quickly, but when I told the nurses, I got the impression that they didn't believe me. But then they checked me and realized that I wasn't lying. I had an epidural, which I must admit I was afraid of, because of the experience I had with the miss. But, I was in pain. It never worked in time and I felt all of my contractions. It did numb me for the actual pushing and delivery however.

Since this is my 3rd baby and I am having it close to the mister. I am confident that my body will know what to do and remember and that it will go pretty quickly. I know that I can handle labor without meds, but will definitely need help with relaxation and different positions, which I will have the luxury of having. I did tear with the mister as well. And I talked to the midwife about that as well. She said that if I do a water birth and or get into a different position to deliver, that I should greatly reduce my risk of tearing. In the hospital, I would never be allowed to deliver in a different position.

Having births at home is safe. My midwife is certified and has done 179 births since being a midwife. However, she had to apprentice, assist and train for many years. So she has been involved in hundreds more. She has only had to call 911 3 times. Once for a baby who just had severe respiratory problems. One for a mom who was hemorrhaging while delivering a placenta and once for a mom who had a baby wanting to come out feet first.

Safety, mine and the baby's, is her number one priority. She is very well trained. She has to be.

It will be nice to be at home, in the comfort at home, with a midwife who knows me...with the same midwife who has done all of my prenatal care. With the midwife who will assist me with positioning and things to help ease my pain. Who will allow things to progress naturally. Who will not be so eager to grab the forceps.

A lot of the time, hospitals rush it and rush it. Our bodies were designed to give birth in a natural way...progressing naturally. Sometimes, when too much focus is put on how quickly we progress or administering pitocin to speed things along, the body is taken out of its natural course. And then problems arise. And too many c-sections happen....Really.

I know I have some concerned friends who feel that a hospital is safer. But if I am low risk and healthy, there really is no difference...unless there was a life or death or real serious incident. In which case, I could be at the hospital in 3 minutes with an ambulance here in 45 seconds. But I won't be needing that. I'll be fine.

Okay, I am done rambling. I really need some rest.

Pictures As Promised

I promised GG some pictures. And I was supposed to bring the camera with me to the ice cream shoppe, where we took the kids as a special treat for the miss..that she earned. But, I forgot the camera. So, when we got home I took some pictures. The kids were antsy though, so I was surprised that they came out as well as they did.
So, here you go.....

We didn't do it!!!! We're Innocent

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11 Weeks and a little baby bump!

Happy Friday

It's Friday!!! And I am sooooo happy about that! Today is my 5th wedding anniversary. And I think we have only been able to celebrate..one, maybe two, anniversaries together, because he always seemed to be sent somewhere around our anniversary. Last year, I was in Arizona visiting family, while he was away at some class for the month of August. So, tonight we are going to try to go out to eat, with the kids in tow, because I forgot to try to find a sitter. We are hoping that with tons of snacks for the mister and bribing with the miss, that it will be an enjoyable dinner. Then, we will rent a movie, put the kids to bed and cuddle on the couch.

I just hope I won't be tired tonight. I am going to try to stay relaxed, upbeat and fed today, so that I can keep my energy for tonight.

And tomorrow, the hubby is going to take the miss to her gymnastics class for me and bring the mister along too, and he has ordered me to sleep. So, I will take him up on that offer, definitely!

So, the miss is so excited about the pregnancy. She was only two years old when I was pregnant with the mister and I don't think she really understood. But now, she knows that there is a baby in mommy's tummy. I have a little magazine type thing that shows pictures of the fetus from conception to birth, and she has been asking to look at it over and over again. By looking at it, she gets to see images of the baby at each month of the pregnancy. And yesterday, I was laying down and she came over to me and put her hand on my belly. I bet she'll love it once she can start feeling the baby kick and stuff. She does refer to the baby as..."she". The miss is determined that I will be having another girl. Anyway, I think it's going to be very fun going through the pregnancy and watching her excitement at each stage.

The Army post out here, where I will go for my OB care and to have the baby, has a Big Brothers/Big Sisters class for ages 4 and up. So, she'll be 4 in a few months and I am thinking I will take her to the class at some point before the baby comes. It is on a Saturday for a couple of hours. They go over things like, how to hold a baby...and how to help mommy out. And at the end they get a little certificate. I think she'll love it.

Well, that's it for updates for now. I have a huge final project due tomorrow for my Photoshop class and I am working on a blog design as well. So, I am a busy bee on top of my horrid 1st trimester fatigue that seems lately to be sucking out my motivation to get things done around the house...including stuff for my class and what not. But, a few more weeks, and I will be in the 2nd trimester and life will be grand.

Have a great Friday!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Talking to Grandma

Thankful Thursday

So much to be thankful for:

I am thankful for my hubby. I don't think I tell him enough either. Last Friday, I was having a rough day with the day care kids. Somedays I think I am running a zoo and not a daycare. When he got off work, he made a special trip to the store to bring me home a dozen purple roses, my favorite. When he gave them to me, he told me that he wanted me to know how much he appreciated all that I do and that he felt he didn't tell me enough. And he also wanted to help make my day a little brighter. And since I've been tired lately, since I am in my first trimester, he has been helping a lot in the evenings...cooking dinner or playing with the kids. It's been so nice.

I am thankful for my little mister's smiles. They just melt my heart. He is so happy and always smiling and giggling. Sometimes, on the tough days, just getting one of his smiles or sloppy kisses, is all I need to get me out of a grumpy mood.

I am thankful for my daughter's energy. Although, it's tough somedays to keep up with her, she just has this energy and excitement about her. She brings so much fun and so much laughter. I love it!

I am thankful that my cramping has subsided. At the beginning of the week, for 2 days, I was having some painful cramping, that had started to worry me, but since then, it has gone away. I can't wait for my first doctor's appointment so that I can hear the heartbeat and know that the little life inside me is doing well.

I am thankful for Vita-T. It is the Iced Tea vitamin water. I am not a big water fan, but I love this stuff. It's water, vitamins and tea all in one. And I think it is mighty yummy.

I am thankful for the cooler days we have had lately....and for the rain. I love the rain, and our dead grass has needed it badly.

I am thankful for my best friend, my Kate. She was out here visitng last week, and we were able to spend a little bit of time together. We have also been trying to keep in touch more, and it's been wonderful. We've had some great conversations. I am so thankful for her.

And last, but most importantly, I am thankful for all the ways God has been shouting at me lately. Over the past month or so, He's been kinda on the back burner. I've just had so much taking up my time, and I wasn't making the time for Him like I should have been. And so He's been showing Himself in many ways. And I love that He does that. Even when I distance myself, I can still feel Him and hear Him. I know how much He longs to spend time with me. And I love that about Him. He seeks me. He calls after me. And He does it with love and gentleness. I am so thankful for my God.

So Blessed

So, I took some time to blog surf today. I visited Amanda's blog, and came across a video that not only made me teary eyed....but reminded me just how truly blessed I am. You see, I am apparently very fertile. I have had two kids already, and am 9 weeks pregnant with my third. And I feel guilty now, for feeling a bit worried, overwhelmed and maybe not as joyous as I should have been, after finding out last week that I was pregnant.

I know that there are so many people out there who want to have a child...who have been trying and trying to have a child.....who have been spending so much money to try to have a child.

I am so blessed. And of course I know that, but after watching this, it just kinda made me realize it even more.

Here's the video: