Don't deny it- it happens to you
Love the bookcase & seat combo, all made from 3 bookcases
I may have to try this soon, minus the mushrooms
A simple tutorial for cloth napkins
Love this outfit combo
100 Ways to Make Your Marriage ROCK!
Can I share a secret with you guys? It’s getting harder and harder to get things accomplished. Or at least the motivation to get things done is getting harder to come by. I’ve been completely exhausted in the evenings and finding that I could go to sleep by 8:00. As soon as we get in bed, my head hits the pillow and I’m SOUND asleep. With less than twelve weeks until my due date, I’ve really got to get moving! And to top it off, my schedule is changing!!! Instead of working three mornings a week, I’m going to be doing two evenings for a few weeks. I’m not exactly thrilled about it, but work is short staffed in the evenings. This may mean more morning time to get things done, but I don’t think that its going to help my motivation.
I *almost* accomplished all of my goals for last week. Losing one of my mornings off for my glucose test took away from my time to get things done. This week I’m on a normal schedule, but have to meet with a dietician for the gestational diabetes, have the pest control people come do their quarterly spray, and take my car to get serviced. Which combined, takes up A LOT of spare time I have.
Goals for 2/26- 3/3
Household organization-
-Finish cleaning the kitchen
-Call and schedule painter
-Clean all blinds downstairs
-Replace light bulbs in upstairs hallway This will have to wait for another week or two. My step stool is currently being utilized for other purposes. No big deal
Reading list-
-Finish A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Marriage-
-Read Bible together 3 nights during the week. We’ve really got to make this a priority again. We’ve been so busy lately, Joe’s had to work late, and the excuses continue. No more!
-Spend time together, away from computer, tv, etc. I guess you can say we accomplished this. The time was spent trying to figure out what meals we normally cook that can be adjusted to fit the diet I need to follow in order to keep the gestational diabetes under control.
Nursery/Baby-
-Visit with dietician to get a plan for handling gestational diabetes
-Put away things in nursery as thank you cards are written
Health/Mental Well-Being/Prepping for Natural Birth-
-Relaxation & Visualization techniques 2 times, 30 minutes each
- Workout at least twice
-Drink 4 glasses of water, 4 days during week (I’m really bad at getting my water in. I need to hang out with my friend Rebekah to overcome this problem). FAILED again. Got pretty close with most days ending at 3 big glasses.
Life in general-
-Write to our Compassion child
-Get car serviced
-Write at least 1/2 of thank you notes
As I was working out at the gym one evening a few weeks ago, I decided I didn’t want to listen to music so I instead plugged my headphones in to the the tv jack. What did I proceed to watch as I worked out? Food Network. What show was on? None other than the Queen of Excessive Butter herself, Paula Deen. This was no ordinary episode either. This was her CHOCOLATE episode. Holy fountain of yumminess.
The Queen was making her recipe for Chcolate Explosion Cheessecake. Since I had forgotten to pick up a towel, I found I could only keep one hand on the treadmill because the other one was picking my drooling jaw up from the ground.
People, this recipe is INSANE. Graham cracker crust. Gooey chocolate layer. Caramel layer. Cookie dough. Cheesecake. Chocolate ganache. That is SIX layers of sugary, luscious, taste bud bliss. And I’m not one that gets excited over a Paula Deen recipe….ya’ll. In fact, I try to steer clear of her recipes.
As the days crept by, all I could think about was this cheesecake and how I wanted some. I was even willing to sacrifice the time to make it. (Allow yourself two days)
{SCREECH} Everything had to come to a halt though. I had a failed 1 hour glucose test that had to be repeated…but for three hours. I needed to make sure I didn’t have gestational diabetes. So I made a pact with myself that if I passed my test, I’d make the cheesecake.
The week came for the 3 hour test, and I was determined to have at least a bite or two of this cheesecake. The timing was perfect. Even if I failed the glucose test, I could still make the cheesecake, have a tiny portion, and “unload” the remainder on others. Joe, too, could have a small amount, though not much. The recipe has a lot of egg in it and I don’t care to poison my husbands already allergy crazed body.
So I took the 3 hour glucose test, made the cheesecake, and then learned that I failed the test and would need to see a dietician. But thats ok, we’re not going to tell the dietician that when I have to see them this week to make sure I can control gestational diabetes with diet alone.
And just so you know, we enjoyed our little bit of chocolately cheesecake goodness. And the rest of it has either left our house or is finding a new home today.
(I did make a few adjustments to the recipe. I made Dolce de Leche and used it instead of caramel, I also cooked the cheesecake in a pan of water so it didn’t crack on top, and cooked it for ~25 minutes longer than the recipe called for)
I was really bummed yesterday when I got the phone call from my doctor’s office letting me know that I had failed my 3-hour glucose test. I felt like a complete failure to our little guy. I knew genetically I was set up for it-a lot of the women in my family have had it. But it still doesn’t take away the sting. I want to protect my son with every ounce of my being. I don’t want any harm to come to him, before he enters the world or after. I know God’s hand is in control, for that I am thankful.
But I can’t not begin to tell you how blessed I feel. God gave me the most incredible husband on the planet. Joe is amazing. He’s incredibly supportive. He listens to me through the blubbering, tearful sobs when I feel like a failure and reassures me that I am not a failure and that everything will be ok. He’s stepped up so much lately and helped me with things I normally do, even though he’s been incredibly busy himself. When I’m stressed and in pain, he calms me and helps me relax. He reminds me that God is in control and that by putting my trust in Him, I have nothing to worry about.
I love you Joe, so much!
I’ve been dealing with quite a bit of insomnia here lately and its really beginning to drive me crazy. People, I need my sleep! Its happening a few times a week and there is little I can do right now to change it. Normally something like melatonin could come to my rescue, but until baby boy makes his appearance, its out of the question (and probably still out of the question once he arrives). I have no problems falling asleep. In fact last night I could barely hold my eyes open at 7:30. The problem is that I’m waking up around 1 or 2 in the morning and can’t fall back asleep!
In the meantime, I’ve found some useful things to tackle while I’m bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, while staying quiet enough not to disturb Joe’s much needed sleep!
-Menu planning
-Bible reading
-Praying
-Reading magazines I rarely have the time to read
-Reading books (except Joe’s using my Kindle right now, and I don’t want to search for it on his nightstand in the dark)
-Sweeping the floors
-Searching for nursery decor
-Goal setting, either for the day or week
-Surfing Pinterest
-2:00 am snacking (usually this is something like a banana)
So, for now, at least I’m accomplishing something…even if it’s not sleep!
And now that I’ve taken a moment to regain the ability to at least type…
How far along? 28 weeks!
How big is Baby L? The size of a rutabaga, 1.5-2.5 inches
Name? Still don’t have one! Ack! We’ve narrowed it down to a few, but haven’t committed to one yet.
What we’re looking forward to most? So many things! I have my first baby shower this weekend, thanks to some wonderful Sunday school ladies! Meeting our little guy in 12 weeks or so. I’m also on pins and needles waiting to hear back from my 3-hour glucose test I took this morning, which I won’t find out the results of until tomorrow.
What we’re reading/how we’re preparing? Joe is reading Bringing Up Boys and I’m reading A New Mother’s Journal. We’re also working on relaxation techniques, visualization, etc. And of course, spending time in prayer!
Other? Sleep is getting harder. There have been two nights within the last week where I’ve found myself wide awake. All the main elements to the nursery have been put together. Now we’re working on getting all of the cardboard and styrofoam out of the house! I’m also looking at decorative elements, though there won’t be many. The curtain fabric is purchased, just need to make the curtains next month. Baby boy is kicking a lot more and it is so much fun! We’re working hard to prepare our house for him!
If we ever move, I need a house with one of these!
Cool kitchen gadgets, some I have, some that I'd like to have
Wow, this looks so good!
Be still my heart... An incredibly fun, bright laundry room!
Mupcakes!
In less than 48 hours, I will step into a territory I never imagined I’d get to…the third trimester of pregnancy. Years of infertility left me with the fear that my turn my never come. Of course I always prayed and trusted that God would provide if it were His will, but still that fear resided deep within. Right now I’m feeling completely in awe of God’s blessing on my/our life. I cannot wait to meet our little guy in a few short weeks. Each time I feel him moving inside, I am more and more thankful for this gift we’ve been given.
As excited as I am about bringing our little guy into the world, I’m feeling an equal amount of anxiety. It isn’t anxiety about how we’ll handle things or if we’ll be good parents. I’m sure those feelings may arise later. Right now I’m concerned about preparing our home for him. I know I will accomplish the important things and everything else really isn’t important in the big scope of life!
Right now, however, there are things on my “to do” list that I need to get accomplished, for my mental well-being. My house is not organized, which, for me, is a sign that I’m not organized. Or at least thats how I feel! I have too much mental clutter!!! There are so many things going on outside of pregnancy and goals that cloud my brain, too many distractions, unnecessary adult drama, etc. This past week I accomplished one thing on my goals list. One out of nine. Normally I would be frustrated with myself. But last week was an exception to the rule. Life happened, and I needed to let it happen. I lost a lady that impacted my life and my family’s life in a big way. I needed to take the time mourn and take the time to celebrate. And thats what I did. I also realized that I need to take it a little easier on myself, especially for my emotional well-being.
Throughout everything, Joe has stood by my side, encouraging and supporting me. I wish I could write it all out here, but let’s put it like this- don’t bother entering your husband for the Husband of the Year competition, because mine will embarrass yours!
As I thought about making my goals list for this week, I contemplated just posting the same ones I did for last week, since I didn’t really accomplish anything. But as life happens, certain things take precedence. I may have a lot on my list for this week, but its important for me that I get somewhere in my goals. I mentally need to feel accomplished!
Goals for 2/19-2/25
Household organization
-Break down and haul away remaining cardboard and styrofoam from all of the nursery furniture (believe me, there is a ton!)
-Clean living room
-Clean kitchen
-Replace lightbulbs in upstairs hallway
-Make monthly menu for March
Reading list
-Finish reading A New Mother’s Journal: God Knits and Weaves Psalm 139:13-15 (a book on loan from one of Joe’s colleagues)
-Pick a new book and start reading. The only requirement is that it has to be unrelated to pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, or becoming a mom. I’ve read quite a few of these lately and I need a change for a few days!
Marriage
-Read Bible with Joe 3 nights during the week
-Spend quality time with each other, away from tv, computer, and other distractions
Nursery/Baby
-Dust blinds
-Remove all things not related to the baby!
-Search for decor if time permits
-Attend class at pediatrician’s office (Joe’s office, of course!)
-Take and hopefully pass my glucose test – Failed my test, totally bummed about it too!
Health/Mental Well-Being/Preparing for Natural Birth
-Workout at least twice, aim for three times – Only managed one 5 mile walk.
-Work on relaxation and visualization two times, 30 minutes each – Relaxed once
-Take a relaxing bath!
Life in general
-Prepare and deliver dinner to friends who recently had a baby
-Make a Paula Deen recipe if I pass my glucose test! – I made it, even though I didn’t pass my test
-Enter reward points on My Coke Rewards
I’ve not checked my weekly baby info on websites such as The Bump or Baby Center this week. In fact, this week has been a blur of emotions, both good and bad. Yesterday morning, while I was back home, one of my neices needed something so I ran it to her school. As I walked in the school, a familiar face was sitting in the hallway-one of my best friends from high school (she’s a teacher there). We’ve not seen each other since my wedding almost four years ago. It was so so good to catch up. In fact, she is pregnant with her first, having a boy, and due the day before we are. So of course we had tons of stuff to talk about!
A week ago I realized that 27 weeks (what I am now) would be the final week in my second trimester. For some reason it just dawned on me that in a few days I will be in the third trimester. I feel like I am SO far behind! 90 days left until my due date-thats what my little ticker says. 90 days. Thats honestly not a lot of time! The nursery still has a long way to go. I worry about things like “what if we don’t get our carseat”. The house still needs to be completely reorganized. Its getting there, but I still feel like there is so far to go! What if we can’t decide on a name? Will we get things accomplished like “will the house be painted by then” or “will the bathroom wall be fixed” or “will we have time to get more flooring up in the attic”? Some days I feel like I am treading water. And thats not encouraging since most people have said during your third trimester its harder to get things accomplished.
For now, I’m going to take a deep breath, spend some time in prayer, and trust that God will see us through and everything we need to get accomplished will!
The lyrics of Nichole Nordeman’s song “Legacy” are so fitting today:
“I want to leave a legacy, how will they remember me?
Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough to make a mark on things?
I want to leave an offering
A child of mercy and grace who blessed Your name unapologetically
And leave that kind of legacy”
As I look back over the past few days, my mind has been flooded with memories of a woman who devoted her life to sharing the love of Christ with everyone she encountered. A woman who gave everything she was and had to those around her. A woman who touched the lives of so many people! Ms. Betty was more than a neighbor to us, she was a friend and very much a part of our family.
In the 18 years I had the privilege of knowing her, she left an incredible impression, not only on me, but on those around her. At 80 years of age, she still worked full-time cleaning homes. As a result of her continued work, she was able to share the love of Christ with so many people in so many ways. Her daughter and grand-daughter commented last night that you could never tell her you needed something, because if you did, you would never need that thing again. She always gave, and I never recall her ever taking.
When I was younger, our church wanted to start an AWANA ministry. Betty suggested starting a van ministry, going into her/our neighborhood, and bringing children to church every Wednesday night. A lot of times these kids came from families that didn’t want to go to church, and quite honestly were glad to have the kids out of the house for the night. She led the charge, starting out with one church van before a second van had to be added. It wasn’t long before she started using her personal van as a third means of transportation. But Betty didn’t just try to minister to the kids, she also worked on the families, and helped win a few to Christ.
I remember her house being the bus stop meeting place. We’d all go into her house in the mornings to stay warm. If we hadn’t had breakfast, she fed us. If we were thirsty, she would give us a drink-which she fully stocked a fridge in her garage with sodas for anyone that wanted or needed a drink. As I got older, she was an encourager and a listener. Every time I would visit home, we would visit with each other. She was always excited to hear about what was going on in my life, and most recently was beyond elated to find out we’re expecting a little boy.
Her love for others had no boundaries. She ministered to kids, to families, to people of other faiths, to drug addicts….all to share the love of Jesus Christ with them. If someone she knew had a need, she would try to help out. I was told last night of a lady who Betty helped tremendously lately. The lady has cancer, and my understanding will probably not make it. Instead of exchanging gifts with someone at Christmas, she gave to the lady in need, and challenged many others to do likewise. Because of this, the lady was able to pay her bills, and her children were able to have a Christmas.
Most people knew Betty for her pound cakes. During the holidays, she would make ~30 pound cakes to deliver to those around her. I’m fortunate that I’ve not only been on the receiving end of her cakes, but also fortunate enough to have been given her recipe when Joe and I married. (I also have her chicken casserole recipe, that Joe and I are both huge fans of.)
An unexpected death to those of us here on earth, but not an unexpected death to God. He has a date and time for all of us. Betty lived her life ready to worship Jesus. And as someone told her daughter yesterday, Betty woke up Sunday morning, went to church to worship the Lord. By that evening, she was worshipping with the Lord.
I share all of this not just to tell you what a great woman Betty was, and how much she wanted to share Jesus with every one she encountered. I share it for other reasons…
This lady has left a legacy unlike many others that I’ve known to go before her. She didn’t just call herself a Christian. She lived out loud what it meant to be a Christian. She never stopped sharing her faith. She wanted to make sure those around her would join her in heaven one day. Betty gave selflessly to everyone she encountered. She gave of her time, she gave of her resources.
I want to live a life like that. I want others to see Christ in me. I don’t want to hide what I believe behind a shield. I want my friends, family, and everyone to know the love and promises the Lord has given to us. I want to be able to give of myself, my time, my abilities, my resources. The day the Lord has chosen for me, I want to be 100% ready! But when I go, I want to leave a legacy for Christ.
