Monday, October 31, 2011

Oh Monday....

Tonight, this will be short and sweet....I've had a few pieces of Halloween candy and will soon require a piece of fruit, something not from the candy family :)

This week has been a wonderfully simple one. I have been busy in the kitchen making soups, baking crackers, baking pumpkin bread, and loving all my time in the kitchen. I've noticed that my cleaning habits have become a little more intense lately, as I was scrubbing base boards because I was convinced they were SO dirty! My husband has been laughing a lot lately about my cleaning habits, especially when he saw my wishlist to complete before our little man gets here!

I can't believe that tomorrow is the beginning of November.....time is flying by. I love this time of year, all the warm cups of tea, festive decorations, and joyous memories. I am finding that with the our current economic situation, my husband and I are focusing more on the traditions and the meanings of the day than the distracting elements that take away from the genuine, heartfelt memories. As it is, we have decided to not do Christmas presents this year. It will make it easier on all of the family, including the extended family members.

And now, my husband and I are already looking forward to picking out our Christmas tree, baking cookies for the neighbors, seeing the lights glisten in our little downtown, cooking up a turkey feast, and making some homemade decorations. Just talking (nor writing) about it makes me so very excited for these coming months.

After the holidays, the memories continue with the arrival of our little man.

Everyday miracles.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Pregnancy Photo....and a Happy Halloween!

First of all, Happy Halloween everyone! (Now, we are not big on celebrating Halloween, I like to think of this as a Fall celebration and a kick-off to my favorite time of year!).


Here is the 23 week photo. This little guy is growing everyday, and I love to see my belly get bigger, knowing he is safely tucked away, warm and cozy.

My husband and I will be carving pumpkins this weekend and roasting pumpkin seeds. I've got plenty to do, but I keep reminding myself exactly what my husband says....to relax and trust in the Lord. All in God's timing.

Everyday miracles.

Monday, October 24, 2011

On This Monday....

The highlight of this week was without a doubt, hands down, bar-none, finding out we are expecting a little boy and seeing his sweet, sweet little face. Once I was told everything looked great, and that all appendages and inner workings were in their designated places, and that he seemed to be just fine, I knew I could sleep for weeks. A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders, our little man was perfectly and wonderfully made.

A few people have asked if we have a name picked out yet. We had tossed around a few in the past, and oddly enough, none of the names we originally liked will be his name. My husband and I have settled on Allen James (or AJ) for short. Allen is my father's name and James is my husband's family name, as both his dad and he share it. I believe we will be hard-pressed to change this....he will be named after some wonderful, honest, Godly men.



In other news, I have been keeping with the new motto of "Praying like Crazy" especially in regards to provisions and work. I am still lost as to what exactly God wants us to be doing, but I am praying everyday that we are doing what He wants us to do. Just last week, I found that our health insurance premium is going to be raised another 50%, a hike that we cannot afford. I have been looking into other options, but I won't be accepted by other health insurance companies due to my pre-existing condition, ahem pregnancy. If something can't be figured out soon, I will be forced to cancel our insurance, but I don't know what else to do.

Only God does.

Daily life is definately a walk in faith, through each second of everyday. But I still believe in those everyday miracles. I have to.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Without Futher Ado...

We are happy to introduce....


Our Son! We found out yesterday that our little bundle of joy is a little man!

We feel so blessed!

Monday, October 17, 2011

A Little Monday News....

So, in keeping with the new tradition of weekly updates, here it goes.

Right now, the wind is howling outside, bringing in the promise of a chilly Fall. We should be seeing much cooler temps here tomorrow, and I am giddy thinking about all the wonderful aromas wafting through the house. Tomorrow will be sugar cookies cut out like pumpkins and ghosts, along with chicken tacos on homemade tortillas.



I love cooking. I love baking. I love being in my kitchen. But something I love more--cooking alongside my husband. He has been helping me so much in the kitchen, keeping me company. I feel so blessed just knowing he wants to spend time with me.

We are still praying and seeking out God's will for much of our lives. My husband and I both became enthralled with the notion that we are somehow in control of our lives, when we both know better. God is the only one to have complete control, and since we have been left wondering many how's and why's in life, we realize how much we need Him. So here we wait, praying, believing, asking.



Just last night, we unpacked our groceries, and as I stood with full cabinets, I felt a surge of overwhelming gratefulness. We have full cabinets (again) and so many go without this basic need. I get to look through cookbooks and plan meals, when too many adults and children fall asleep hungry. Sure, I have things on my wish list, but our basic needs are being met. Clothes are clean. Baths are given. House is warmed. Food is cooked. Love is bountiful.

I will continue to ask the Lord for those things which we need. And I pray knowing that will all things, God's perfect timing will result. Patience is necessary, and there is no better one to wait on than the Lord.

Everyday miracles.

Monday, October 10, 2011

A Little Note....To Myself

I have been thinking about this for some time now, wondering if I should proceed with doing posts such as these. And after much thought and consideration, I believe I am going to go for it.

Once a week, I thought I would start posting about whatever is meandering amongst my brain, whatever may pop into my mind. With so much going on these days and the baby on the way, I want to commemorate every day right now.

Let it begin....

The past couple of months have not been the easiest, but they have been the most rewarding. There has been some hubbub with the husband's job, and unfortunately right now, we are in some kind of limbo/holding pattern. I'm not sure if he has a job, but we are trusting God to provide for our needs. In the past few days, I have seen my flaws in my faith, as I failed to ask God for a specific need, thinking that I had to pray a certain way and not be too demanding. Whelp, I realize now how little I was trusting God, and how greatly I devalued the capacity and power of God.

We have some expenses coming up that I am not quite sure how they will be paid for. There are a few needs that need to be met, some bills that need to be paid, some maternity clothes to buy :)

Normally, I would be fretful over how all this will happen, but now I am trying my best to let go. To let go to my old ways, to change my mindset, and to believe that my current problems are none too small for the Maker of the Universe.


So here I am, trusting, waiting, praying. Praying Like Crazy.

There is beauty all around me. I am lucky enough to have my husband safe at home. The baby is growing happily and healthily, and the weather is beckoning for colder nights. Everyday miracles....they happen all the time.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

20 Week Photo-Op


I've made it halfway!!! Yeah (insert minor freak out moment, especially as I realize soon life will change in a few short months!). With every wiggle and every squirm, I feel as though life is quickly becoming more and more fulfilled. At first, I kept thinking that the bump wasn't really growing, but yesterday at my appointment with my midwife, my belly grew 7 cm!!!

Everything is all right on track, the belly is growing and the baby is plenty strong. I don't have any weird cravings at this point, just trying to eat right and get enough rest. I happen to be one of those go-go-go people who tries to do it all.

And now, not so much.

Little by little, it will all get done. Little by little, I will accomplish what I wanted to do. And little by little, I will learn to slow down, to stop and relish this time.

Before I know it, there will be a little person to care for.