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We were Heather's guinea pigs for maternity photos. She did such a good job, I had to brag on her. I love the collages that she did for us. Check out her website and blog!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Photography
We were Heather's guinea pigs for maternity photos. She did such a good job, I had to brag on her. I love the collages that she did for us. Check out her website and blog!
Ready to Be a Parent? Funny...
I had to post this!
FOLLOW THESE 14 SIMPLE TESTS BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO HAVE CHILDREN.
Test 1 - PreparationWomen:
To prepare for pregnancy:-
1. Put on a dressing gown and stick a beanbag down the front.
2. Leave it there.
3. After 9 months remove 5% of the beans.
Men:
To prepare for children:-
1. Go to a local chemist, tip the contents of your wallet onto the counter and tell the pharmacist to help himself
2. Go to the supermarket. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home. Pick up the newspaper and read it for the last time.
Test 2 - Knowledge
Find a couple who are already parents and berate them about their methods of discipline, lack of patience, appallingly low tolerance levels and how they have allowed their children to run wild. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's sleeping habits, toilet training, table manners and overall behavior.Enjoy it. It will be the last time in your life that you will have all the answers.
Test 3 - NightsTo discover how the nights will feel:
1. Walk around the living room from 5pm to 10pm carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 4 - 6kg, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly.
2. At 10pm, put the bag down, set the alarm for midnight and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 11pm and walk the bag around the living room until 1am.
4. Set the alarm for 3am.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2am and make a cup of tea.
6. Go to bed at 2.45am.
7. Get up again at 3am when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs in the dark until 4am.
9. Put the alarm on for 5am. Get up when it goes off.
10. Make breakfast.Keep this up for 5 years. LOOK CHEERFUL.
Test 4 - Dressing Small Children
1. Buy a live octopus and a string bag.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the string bag so that no arms hang out.Time Allowed: 5 minutes.
Test 5 - Cars
1. Forget the BMW. Buy a practical 5-door wagon.
2. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
3. Get a coin. Insert it into the CD player.
4. Take a box of chocolate biscuits; mash them into the back seat.
5. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.
Test 6 - Going For a Walk
Wait. Go out the front door. Come back in again. Go out. Come back in again. Go out again. Walk down the front path. Walk back up it. Walk down it again. Walk very slowly down the road for five minutes. Stop, inspect minutely and ask at least 6 questions about every piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue and dead insect along the way. Retrace your steps. Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbours come out and stare at you. Give up and go back into the house. You are now just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.
Test 7 Repeat everything you say at least 5 times.
Test 8 - Grocery Shopping
1. Go to the local supermarket. Take with you the nearest thing you can find to a pre-school child - a fully grown goat is excellent. If you intend to have more than one child, take more than one goat.
2. Buy your weekly groceries without letting the goat(s) out of your sight.
3. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys.Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.
Test 9 - Feeding a 1 year-old
1. Hollow out a melon
2. Make a small hole in the side
3. Suspend the melon from the ceiling and swing it side to side
4. Now get a bowl of soggy cornflakes and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon while pretending to be an aeroplane.
5. Continue until half the cornflakes are gone.
6. Tip the rest into your lap, making sure that a lot of it falls on the floor.
Test 10 - TV
1. Learn the names of every character from the Wiggles, Barney, Teletubbies and Disney.
2. Watch nothing else on television for at least 5 years.
Test 11 - MessCan you stand the mess children make? To find out:
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains
2. Hide a fish behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flowerbeds and then rub them on clean walls. Cover the stains with crayon. How does that look?
4. Empty every drawer/cupboard/storage box in your house onto the floor & leave it there.
Test 12 - Long Trips with Toddlers
1. Make a recording of someone shouting 'Mummy' repeatedly. Important Notes: No more than a 4 second delay between each Mummy. Include occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet.
2. Play this tape in your car, everywhere you go for the next 4 years.You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.
Test 13 - Conversations
1. Start talking to an adult of your choice.
2. Have someone else continually tug on your shirt hem or shirt sleeve while playing the Mummy tape listed above.
You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.
Test 14 - Getting ready for work
1. Pick a day on which you have an important meeting.
2. Put on your finest work attire.
3. Take a cup of cream and put 1 cup of lemon juice in it
4. Stir
5. Dump half of it on your nice silk shirt
6. Saturate a towel with the other half of the mixture
7. Attempt to clean your shirt with the same saturated towel
8. Do not change (you have no time).
9. Go directly to work
You are now ready to have children.
FOLLOW THESE 14 SIMPLE TESTS BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO HAVE CHILDREN.
Test 1 - PreparationWomen:
To prepare for pregnancy:-
1. Put on a dressing gown and stick a beanbag down the front.
2. Leave it there.
3. After 9 months remove 5% of the beans.
Men:
To prepare for children:-
1. Go to a local chemist, tip the contents of your wallet onto the counter and tell the pharmacist to help himself
2. Go to the supermarket. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home. Pick up the newspaper and read it for the last time.
Test 2 - Knowledge
Find a couple who are already parents and berate them about their methods of discipline, lack of patience, appallingly low tolerance levels and how they have allowed their children to run wild. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's sleeping habits, toilet training, table manners and overall behavior.Enjoy it. It will be the last time in your life that you will have all the answers.
Test 3 - NightsTo discover how the nights will feel:
1. Walk around the living room from 5pm to 10pm carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 4 - 6kg, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing loudly.
2. At 10pm, put the bag down, set the alarm for midnight and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 11pm and walk the bag around the living room until 1am.
4. Set the alarm for 3am.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2am and make a cup of tea.
6. Go to bed at 2.45am.
7. Get up again at 3am when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs in the dark until 4am.
9. Put the alarm on for 5am. Get up when it goes off.
10. Make breakfast.Keep this up for 5 years. LOOK CHEERFUL.
Test 4 - Dressing Small Children
1. Buy a live octopus and a string bag.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the string bag so that no arms hang out.Time Allowed: 5 minutes.
Test 5 - Cars
1. Forget the BMW. Buy a practical 5-door wagon.
2. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
3. Get a coin. Insert it into the CD player.
4. Take a box of chocolate biscuits; mash them into the back seat.
5. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.
Test 6 - Going For a Walk
Wait. Go out the front door. Come back in again. Go out. Come back in again. Go out again. Walk down the front path. Walk back up it. Walk down it again. Walk very slowly down the road for five minutes. Stop, inspect minutely and ask at least 6 questions about every piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue and dead insect along the way. Retrace your steps. Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbours come out and stare at you. Give up and go back into the house. You are now just about ready to try taking a small child for a walk.
Test 7 Repeat everything you say at least 5 times.
Test 8 - Grocery Shopping
1. Go to the local supermarket. Take with you the nearest thing you can find to a pre-school child - a fully grown goat is excellent. If you intend to have more than one child, take more than one goat.
2. Buy your weekly groceries without letting the goat(s) out of your sight.
3. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys.Until you can easily accomplish this, do not even contemplate having children.
Test 9 - Feeding a 1 year-old
1. Hollow out a melon
2. Make a small hole in the side
3. Suspend the melon from the ceiling and swing it side to side
4. Now get a bowl of soggy cornflakes and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon while pretending to be an aeroplane.
5. Continue until half the cornflakes are gone.
6. Tip the rest into your lap, making sure that a lot of it falls on the floor.
Test 10 - TV
1. Learn the names of every character from the Wiggles, Barney, Teletubbies and Disney.
2. Watch nothing else on television for at least 5 years.
Test 11 - MessCan you stand the mess children make? To find out:
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains
2. Hide a fish behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flowerbeds and then rub them on clean walls. Cover the stains with crayon. How does that look?
4. Empty every drawer/cupboard/storage box in your house onto the floor & leave it there.
Test 12 - Long Trips with Toddlers
1. Make a recording of someone shouting 'Mummy' repeatedly. Important Notes: No more than a 4 second delay between each Mummy. Include occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet.
2. Play this tape in your car, everywhere you go for the next 4 years.You are now ready to take a long trip with a toddler.
Test 13 - Conversations
1. Start talking to an adult of your choice.
2. Have someone else continually tug on your shirt hem or shirt sleeve while playing the Mummy tape listed above.
You are now ready to have a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.
Test 14 - Getting ready for work
1. Pick a day on which you have an important meeting.
2. Put on your finest work attire.
3. Take a cup of cream and put 1 cup of lemon juice in it
4. Stir
5. Dump half of it on your nice silk shirt
6. Saturate a towel with the other half of the mixture
7. Attempt to clean your shirt with the same saturated towel
8. Do not change (you have no time).
9. Go directly to work
You are now ready to have children.
God's Perfect Timing
I had this in my inbox this morning. God has such perfect timing, I really needed this message right now. I need to stop worrying about planning and schedules, only God knows what is next for me!
What Does God Know about You? (Part 2)by Rick Warren
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
God knows everything about your faults and failures, and your feelings and frustrations, and he also knows what your tomorrow holds.
God knows your future. We’re all interested in the future. It’s interesting to me the things people will use to try to figure out what’s going to happen next: astrology, horoscopes, reading tea leaves, consulting with people, bio-rhythms.
But they’re going to the wrong source because the only one who knows what’s going to happen next is God.
The Bible says, even before you were born, God knew all of your future (Psalm 139:16, Jeremiah 29:11). This means God sees your tomorrow, today. He already sees the things you’ll face.
The fact is, God is not limited by time. He’s able to be in the past, the present, and the future all at the same time. Think of it like this: if you were in the Goodyear Blimp looking down on the Rose Parade, you could see the beginning of the parade and the end of the parade all at the same time.
God, from his perspective, can see past, present, and future all at once. That should give us great confidence in God. It’s comforting to me that he knows everything that is going to happen in my life. He not only knows about the future, he’s there in the future. He not only walks with us day-by-day, he can also walk in our future.
God is already prepared for everything you’re going to face – tomorrow, next week, or next month. What the future holds may surprise us, but it doesn’t surprise God. Nothing ever catches him by surprise, or makes him say, “Oh, really?!”
Next month or next year you may be faced with a crisis, and you may ask, “What’s happening? Where is God?” God’s been there all along, preparing. He’s already in your future and he’s prepared for everything.
If I know that God knows all my tomorrows, today, then I should ask him for advice. He knows what’s going to happen: “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own” (Jeremiah 33:3 MSG).
The things you don’t know, God can tell you about. He’s not going to lay out your whole life all at once, telling you everything that will happen in your life. If he did, you’d likely get very discouraged or prideful or both. Instead, he gives it to you a little bit at a time.
It’s like this, when you’re driving up a mountain on a curving road and you’re caught behind a slow car, you may think, “If I could just see around the curve, I’d go ahead and pass this guy.” If there were a helicopter above, the pilot could let you know if there was another car around the curve. From his perspective, he could help you out.
The same is true with God: from his perspective, he knows everything that’s going to happen, so you can ask him for advice.
Here’s what I’d suggest, when you get up in the morning, go over your schedule with the Lord. Pray, “Father, you’ve already seen this day that I’m about to experience. You know ahead of time every interruption I’m going to face, every cranky person in the office, every flat tire, every traffic jam, every missed plane, when I’m going to spill the coffee on my suit. You’ve already seen it all. Would you, right now, give me the strength to cope through this day, the strength that I need for today.”
What Does God Know about You? (Part 2)by Rick Warren
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
God knows everything about your faults and failures, and your feelings and frustrations, and he also knows what your tomorrow holds.
God knows your future. We’re all interested in the future. It’s interesting to me the things people will use to try to figure out what’s going to happen next: astrology, horoscopes, reading tea leaves, consulting with people, bio-rhythms.
But they’re going to the wrong source because the only one who knows what’s going to happen next is God.
The Bible says, even before you were born, God knew all of your future (Psalm 139:16, Jeremiah 29:11). This means God sees your tomorrow, today. He already sees the things you’ll face.
The fact is, God is not limited by time. He’s able to be in the past, the present, and the future all at the same time. Think of it like this: if you were in the Goodyear Blimp looking down on the Rose Parade, you could see the beginning of the parade and the end of the parade all at the same time.
God, from his perspective, can see past, present, and future all at once. That should give us great confidence in God. It’s comforting to me that he knows everything that is going to happen in my life. He not only knows about the future, he’s there in the future. He not only walks with us day-by-day, he can also walk in our future.
God is already prepared for everything you’re going to face – tomorrow, next week, or next month. What the future holds may surprise us, but it doesn’t surprise God. Nothing ever catches him by surprise, or makes him say, “Oh, really?!”
Next month or next year you may be faced with a crisis, and you may ask, “What’s happening? Where is God?” God’s been there all along, preparing. He’s already in your future and he’s prepared for everything.
If I know that God knows all my tomorrows, today, then I should ask him for advice. He knows what’s going to happen: “Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own” (Jeremiah 33:3 MSG).
The things you don’t know, God can tell you about. He’s not going to lay out your whole life all at once, telling you everything that will happen in your life. If he did, you’d likely get very discouraged or prideful or both. Instead, he gives it to you a little bit at a time.
It’s like this, when you’re driving up a mountain on a curving road and you’re caught behind a slow car, you may think, “If I could just see around the curve, I’d go ahead and pass this guy.” If there were a helicopter above, the pilot could let you know if there was another car around the curve. From his perspective, he could help you out.
The same is true with God: from his perspective, he knows everything that’s going to happen, so you can ask him for advice.
Here’s what I’d suggest, when you get up in the morning, go over your schedule with the Lord. Pray, “Father, you’ve already seen this day that I’m about to experience. You know ahead of time every interruption I’m going to face, every cranky person in the office, every flat tire, every traffic jam, every missed plane, when I’m going to spill the coffee on my suit. You’ve already seen it all. Would you, right now, give me the strength to cope through this day, the strength that I need for today.”
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The Waiting Game
Well, still no Boston. I am 37 weeks which is technically full term, but still no progress except he has dropped since last week. Dr. said his head is "right there" and really low so I am just waiting. She won't do an ultrasound to check size, I am only measuring a week behind now, but I swear this baby is at least 7lbs if not more! I am completely burned out at work and everything else. I am so tired of people asking "so when is your last day?" Well whenever he decides to come out! At this time, I do not have the convenience of a schedule or planned delivery and doubt if I will. I guess people just assume that everything is scheduled now. I would love to have a couple of days off before he gets here and make sure the house is clean and in order, and get the dogs to moms, but that isn't going to happen. I still have to get the car cleaned out and the seat installed, get a diaper genie and a monitor but I think those are the only major things we still need to do.
It is still hard to believe we will have a baby within the next 2-3 weeks! So many things have changed and will continue to change. Some good, some bad. I have been surprised at how the pregnancy has already changed some of my relationships. I expected a change when he got here, but not during the pregnancy. Kyle and I have definitely become closer and i'm sure we'll continue to. He has been so great with everything, I know he is so ready for Boston to be here!
I can say it has been a good 2-3 months since I have seen some of my girls, gone to dinner, or let alone talk to some of them! I know everyone is busy and I am really not trying to be selfish, but I could use some girl time every now and then. I really appreciate all of you who do continue to check up on me, it really means a lot! On the other hand, I have become closer to others and have been in contact with new friends that give me lots of encouragement which is greatly appreciated!
I guess that is just part of life....
It is still hard to believe we will have a baby within the next 2-3 weeks! So many things have changed and will continue to change. Some good, some bad. I have been surprised at how the pregnancy has already changed some of my relationships. I expected a change when he got here, but not during the pregnancy. Kyle and I have definitely become closer and i'm sure we'll continue to. He has been so great with everything, I know he is so ready for Boston to be here!
I can say it has been a good 2-3 months since I have seen some of my girls, gone to dinner, or let alone talk to some of them! I know everyone is busy and I am really not trying to be selfish, but I could use some girl time every now and then. I really appreciate all of you who do continue to check up on me, it really means a lot! On the other hand, I have become closer to others and have been in contact with new friends that give me lots of encouragement which is greatly appreciated!
I guess that is just part of life....
Sunday, January 25, 2009
The Nursery is Complete!
We got the glider on Saturday. I love it! The nursery is finally complete. It is very "matchy-matchy" but that is just how i am! Now we are just waiting for Boston....
Monday, January 19, 2009
36 weeks, no progress...
Heather took a few belly pics a couple of weeks ago. She has more on her blog if anyone cares to see them.
Well everything looked fine at the doctor this morning. I managed to only gain almost a pound! That's the good news, the bad news is I'm not dialated AT ALL! His head is down which is good but his butt and legs are still at my ribs. He has no room to drop, so I guess I will still have trouble breathing and eating for the next 4 weeks! I am still measuring 3 weeks behind, I really wish she would do an ultrasound b/c I so want to know how big he is now. My biggest fear is going to or past my due date, going into labor and pushing only to realize that he is too big and I have to have a C-section! I just need to stop worrying and let him decide when he is ready. I will technically be full term next week. Woohoo! God give me patience!
I must brag on Kyle as he has been great the whole pregnancy and putting up with my complaining a lot here lately. I love you so much and thank you for being such a great husband!
Thursday, January 15, 2009
SO busy...
Sorry I haven't posted in a while. Life is a roller coaster these days. Kyle finally got home yesterday, only to leave for Fayetteville today, but he will be home late tonight thank goodness! Amy had baby Stella yesterday morning, I can't wait to meet her. I am a bit jealous just because I don't know how much longer I have and the waiting is killing me! Everyone says "enjoy this time without the responsibility" but I can't help it. I get checked on Monday so we will see if any progress has been made by little man.
Work has been unending chaos for me the past couple of weeks and has no signs of slowing down until I go into labor! I have to work right up to the end and have so much to do! Needless to say I am not enjoying the added stress and at this point I am pretty careless about everything. All i want to do is sleep because I am so tired, but cannot get comfortable enough to do so. Not to mention the fact that I have to get up to use the bathroom at least every two hours!
Anyway, enough complaining. I have a pregnancy massage scheduled for tomorrow and I am super pumped! I'm pretty sure it won't be as good as the "real thing" b/c I can't lay on my stomach, but any relaxation at this point is better than nothing, right?
Speaking of my anticipation, here is a list of things that I cannot wait to do in the near future:
God sure is teaching me some patience right now!
I can't wait to....
Be done with the whole labor process
See what Boston will look like
Hold Boston for the first time
See Kyle's face when Boston arrives
Wear normal, cute clothes and high heels again
Believe it or not, workout...
Sleep on my stomach
Have a glass of wine and a hot bath
Walk normal again
buy some Spring clothes, I am loving all of the bright colors
have a TAN!
bend over
put my socks/shoes/tights on without getting out of breath!
There are plenty more, but I have to get to work!
Work has been unending chaos for me the past couple of weeks and has no signs of slowing down until I go into labor! I have to work right up to the end and have so much to do! Needless to say I am not enjoying the added stress and at this point I am pretty careless about everything. All i want to do is sleep because I am so tired, but cannot get comfortable enough to do so. Not to mention the fact that I have to get up to use the bathroom at least every two hours!
Anyway, enough complaining. I have a pregnancy massage scheduled for tomorrow and I am super pumped! I'm pretty sure it won't be as good as the "real thing" b/c I can't lay on my stomach, but any relaxation at this point is better than nothing, right?
Speaking of my anticipation, here is a list of things that I cannot wait to do in the near future:
God sure is teaching me some patience right now!
I can't wait to....
Be done with the whole labor process
See what Boston will look like
Hold Boston for the first time
See Kyle's face when Boston arrives
Wear normal, cute clothes and high heels again
Believe it or not, workout...
Sleep on my stomach
Have a glass of wine and a hot bath
Walk normal again
buy some Spring clothes, I am loving all of the bright colors
have a TAN!
bend over
put my socks/shoes/tights on without getting out of breath!
There are plenty more, but I have to get to work!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Hospital Wreaths
I made these wreaths to take to the hospital when Boston and Baby Stella arrive. I have made them for my other friends before, but it has been a while. I made them both to match their nursery colors. Baby Stella will be here on Wednesday if not sooner! Who knows when Boston will decide to come, but at least we are prepared!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
34.5 week update
Well we went to the Dr. yesterday and everything went well. Just a regular check-up. I asked her how long she would let me go before inducing and she said only after my due date unless I am having problems! I am 34.5 weeks and only measuring 31 weeks! I can't help but wonder if I measure smaller b/c of my short torso. She didn't seem concerned, but I hope he is growing okay because I am definitely putting on the pounds! I am still confused about what his size is b/c when we had the 4D ultrasound, the tech went on and on about how big he was and would be! I start going to weekly appointments now and she is supposed to check me next time for dilation. I really thought he might come soon, but maybe I'm wrong....At most we have about 6 weeks left! Whew!
On a funnier note...I had to go to a construction site yesterday for work. I wish someone would have had a camera. Imagine me 8 months pregnant waddling around a muddy construction site in a hot pink hard hat! It was quite a sight!
I took Kyle to the airport this morning. Lets hope I keep my sanity until he gets back on Wednesday. Taking care of two dogs by myself is hard work these days.
I went to the mall and Walmart today. Let me just say I will NEVER go to Walmart on a Saturday again! Everyone seemed so rude and I am worn out!
I think I finally have almost everything I need for the hospital stay so I can start packing my bags. I have never been admitted to the hospital in my entire life, so this is all new to me. Any mommies out there with tips on what to pack, let me know~
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Murphy Must Know...
Murphy has been acting quite strange the past few days. He has been sleeping more than usual and just moping around a lot. He curled up against me on the couch last night and laid his head on my belly which he has never done before. And the last couple of nights he has gotten up at 2am to go outside and dig in the mud! He normally sleeps through the night and knows better than to be digging in the mud. I guess he knows somethings up and some changes are around the corner. They say animals can sense these things, so does that mean Boston will be here sooner than I think or is it all in my head? I feel so bad for Murphy, he just looks so sad, I wish there was a way to communicate to him that things will be okay. He is such a big baby and always wants all of the attention and I guess he knows that won't be the case when Boston gets here. It seems that Maverick is oblivious to anything, but it is probably just his unsocial personality. He has gotten a lot better with me lately, letting me pick him up and sit in my lap for a while. Murphy seems a bit leery of Boston's room, he rarely goesin there when we are there, maybe it is because that side of the house has been shut off for so long...Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions or thoughts on dogs and new babies I would love to know.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Random Babble...
Sorry no pictures this time...I will try and get a belly photo up this week, but I have a lot of apprehension on taking pictures of myself these days! All has been well so far with the pregnancy, however, I can finally say I am getting miserable. I think the issue I am having is that I have lost total control over my body. It has been such a slow transition up until Thanksgiving and now it seems like a roller coaster that will never stop! A lot of my maternity clothes are starting to be tight and it is at least a 30 minute fiasco every morning trying to find something that I feel remotely decent in or that doesn't emphasize my huge belly. I vow not to buy any more maternity clothes though b/c it is so close (i hope). I guess people will just have to get used to seeing me in the same things over and over. I am quite disappointed as I bought some really cute dresses, maternity and non-maternity to wear with leggings and boots, but I look like a cow in them! Kyle says I look "more pregnant" in dresses, so I know what that means! I go to the Dr on Friday and I think she will do the first "check". I have been having quite a few contractions during the day but nothing painful yet, just uncomfortable. His movements have become more uncomfortable than anything lately. Probably because he is getting bigger and running out of room. I swear I feel like he is trying to crawl out of my belly sometimes! We had our childbirth class all day on Saturday and it gave me some comfort as well as anxiety about what is to come. But i can say that I am ready, even if I don't feel prepared. My friend Amy, who is 3 weeks ahead of me is having her baby next Wednesday! That has really put time into perspective for me, that literally he could come any day. I have a feeling he may be stubborn and not want to come out, but Kyle doesn't think I will make it past this month. We'll see...
On another note we had a great New Years Eve. We went to dinner and saw the movie Marley and Me. Let me just say I loved it and anyone who an animal person should see it. I read the book on our honeymoon and knew what to expect, but the waterworks still came, I was almost uncontrollably sobbing in the theater! I tried to prepare Kyle but I don't think that he realized how the movie would "hit home" with us. It seems like we are at that same point in our lives and Marley reminds us SO much of Murphy (thank God Murphy isn't that destructive)! I love my dogs so much and I hope and pray about the transition that will take place when Boston comes. Murphy has been with me through so much and I can say that he is the most unique and special dog that I have ever had. Don't get me wrong, all of my dogs have a special place in my heart, but Murph is my big baby! We came home and loved on our dogs and watched the ball drop. I can't believe I made it to 12:00!
I don't have any New Years Resolutions as I feel I have enough on my plate right now. I'm never any good at them anyway. I am looking forward to becoming a mom even if most days I feel unprepared and overwhelmed. Of course, I want to become closer to God and bring up Boston in a church family as that is something I didn't have growing up. I'm also looking forward to sharing this time with Kyle and am excited about the changes that are coming our way and how we will grow closer as a family. Kyle leaves this weekend to go to Jacksonville Florida until next Wednesday for sales meetings. Pray that I don't go into labor while he is gone!
On another note we had a great New Years Eve. We went to dinner and saw the movie Marley and Me. Let me just say I loved it and anyone who an animal person should see it. I read the book on our honeymoon and knew what to expect, but the waterworks still came, I was almost uncontrollably sobbing in the theater! I tried to prepare Kyle but I don't think that he realized how the movie would "hit home" with us. It seems like we are at that same point in our lives and Marley reminds us SO much of Murphy (thank God Murphy isn't that destructive)! I love my dogs so much and I hope and pray about the transition that will take place when Boston comes. Murphy has been with me through so much and I can say that he is the most unique and special dog that I have ever had. Don't get me wrong, all of my dogs have a special place in my heart, but Murph is my big baby! We came home and loved on our dogs and watched the ball drop. I can't believe I made it to 12:00!
I don't have any New Years Resolutions as I feel I have enough on my plate right now. I'm never any good at them anyway. I am looking forward to becoming a mom even if most days I feel unprepared and overwhelmed. Of course, I want to become closer to God and bring up Boston in a church family as that is something I didn't have growing up. I'm also looking forward to sharing this time with Kyle and am excited about the changes that are coming our way and how we will grow closer as a family. Kyle leaves this weekend to go to Jacksonville Florida until next Wednesday for sales meetings. Pray that I don't go into labor while he is gone!
Friday, January 2, 2009
Lessons in Contentment
by Rick Warren
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:11 (NIV)
*** *** *** ***
Here are four steps to develop contentment in your life.
1. Stop comparing yourself to others. When you compare your life with someone else’s, the only place it can lead is toward discontentment. There will always be people who appear to be better off than you, but you don’t know their real circumstances.
I recall counseling a husband many years ago, and he said he wished his wife could be more like so-and-so, and he named a woman in our congregation. What he didn’t know is that the woman was a functioning alcoholic causing incredible heartache and stress for her family and for her husband.
That’s why the Bible teaches it is unwise to compare (2 Corinthians 10:12).
2. Be grateful for who you are and what you have. Learning to be content requires that you stop any “when and then” thinking – “When I am ___________, then I’ll be happy.” (You fill in the blank.)
The reason we fall into this trap is that we may actually be content for a little while but it won’t last. But, more than likely, someone else or something else will come along and drain the contentment from your life.
But listen, you are unique. God created you to be like nobody else, so why would you want to be anyone else. God is perfect, and you were his perfect choice to be you. Understanding that is a huge step toward being content with your life.
And then look at all the things God has given you. So often we allow what we don’t have to so dominate our focus that we forget the many wonderful things we already have, not only material blessing, but far more important things, such as family and friends.
3. Give yourself to others. If you will begin giving yourself to others, sharing what things you do have, sharing your time and your talents, you will find yourself learning to be content. Helping others will give you an appreciation for what you have and who you are, but more importantly, you will find yourself growing content. Why? Because God designed us to serve and share with others, and until we do that, we will feel great discontent.
4. Focus on things with eternal value. The real secret to becoming content is to focus on the things that have eternal value. It may be a familiar teaching to you, but Jesus said we should store up our treasures in heaven, and not on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV).
Think about the things in your life: What will last forever? What will last at least for your lifetime? What will last a few short years, or months, or days? Based on eternal value, what things are most important in your life? Where – and with whom – should you put your most time and energy?
By re-organizing your life around eternal priorities, you’ll find yourself growing in contentment as you live according to God’s design and purpose.
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