Looking for ideas...

I'm officially 4 1/2 months!! I'm excited, but the thought that now I have to find a crib, changing table, breast pump, stroller, car seat, play yard, (and I'm sure lots of other things), has made Jeff and I a little nervous. We're working really hard at getting completely debt free (minus the first mortgage), so the thought of purchasing a bunch of baby stuff is somewhat discouraging to our "gazelle intensity"!!

I'm looking for ideas on what things we can safely purchase at garage sales (we've started putting cash in an envelope for our garage saleing adventures), what we MUST buy new, and things that we can simply do without! Since I'm starting on the mommy-thing a little later than most of you, I'm excited to see what you have to say about baby gear! I'd also like to know of brands that are reliable and specific brands to stay away from...

We had a very relaxing Resurrection Day. It was wonderful to spend the day with fellow Christians who are of the same mind and heart. Jeff and I relaxed in the afternoon and enjoyed the Easter musical in the evening at our church. I'm very thankful that the Lord has provided this place of worship for us as well as the Christians who make up the body!

I'm looking forward to what you have to say!! :-)

4 month check-up

I had my 4 month check-up today and received great news! Although this wasn't a sonogram day, we did get to hear the heartbeat and "heard" movement. The nurse explained that when we heard certain bumps that the baby was moving, even though I can't feel it just yet...Baby's heartrate was 154, while at 12 weeks it was 164, and at 9 weeks it was 182. Never before would I have thought that everything would hang on something as "simple" as a heartbeat! It really gives new meaning and understanding to the references in the Bible of the "heart." For example, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life." Prov. 4:23.

The nurse measured my belly and said that I am measuring at 18 weeks even though I'm only 16 weeks. No problem, just information!

The best news of the day, however, is that I've only gained 1 pound in 4 months!!! I was half-way anticipating a gain of 8-10 pounds. I'm so hungry and I feel like I eat a lot, so 1 pound was a pleasant shock! (I'm sure it will all come eventually, but for now, I'm excited!) :-)

Thank you, everyone, for your prayers...

A new look and an update...

Well, tomorrow I will be 4 months pregnant! Today I went through a bunch of borrowed maternity clothes and picked out some pants and jeans that I'm going to start wearing... My clothes are just too tight and uncomfortable. It's time for a new look!! :-)

Jeff and I have decided we're not going to find out if it's a girl or a boy...He wanted to know and I didn't, but neither of us had any solid reasons, so we're not going to find out. It's funny to hear people's opinion on this...some people are such planners that they would die if they didn't find out! Others, like me, think it's such a great surprise! We've started tossing around some names for boys and girls. I think we've settled on a girls name, but we've agreed to not tell anyone else. A boys name on the other hand has been very difficult... we don't have any possibilities at this point! Being a teacher and trying to pick out a name is pretty difficult! Many boys names that I think of or read remind me of a current or former student. Sometimes those memories are good, but sometimes they aren't!

I've been feeling some flutterings as of late... about every other day or so... I think I might be feeling baby moving, but it's hard to say! I'm anxious to ask my ob on Monday when I go. Generally, I've been feeling really good! Most of the time I have a really good appetite, but have to watch what I eat. I've had troubles with heartburn pre-pregnancy, and it's starting to flair up a little now. As long as I keep acids to an absolute minimum and only drink water, I seem to be okay without any meds. I can definately feel my muscles stretching! Some days after school, my back aches a lot, but once I lay down for an hour or so, I feel better. Jeff has been so kind! When I come home from school and lay down and sleep for 2 hours, he gets himself some dinner and just lets me sleep! I don't know what I would do without him!

Speaking of sleep... it's almost 9:30 and I'm ready to go to bed!

News, News, Glorious News!

It's been a long road, directed by the will of the Lord and in His complete control. The journey is far from over...rather, it's just beginning! Jeff and I are excited to announce that we are going to have a baby! We found out Jan. 10th (the day after Jeff's 30th birthday) that we were expecting! Because of past miscarriages, we have kept it to ourselves and family for the last 7 and a half weeks, but now I'm 13 1/2 weeks and we have seen baby's hearbeat 3 different times and have confidence that this baby is developing very normally. We are due Sept. 13th!

We are so very thankful to the Lord for all that He has taught us in the last 10 months. We are also very thankful for all of you who have been praying for us. We know now, more than ever before, that we serve an awesome God who knows the beginning from the end. If you think of it, please continue to pray for us!

YEAH!!

Whew! Has it been long enough???

I know, I know... when my mom is telling me it's time to update my blog, then it really is time! It was a rough fall and blogging really fell to the wayside... I'm feeling a little more with it now and after visiting with a dear friend, I've decided that I really need to stick with it a little more! (Thanks, Val!)

So, on my mind recently has been God's control over every situation in my life. I've been known to be a bit of a control freak, so it's been difficult to let go of situations. But my security has been in knowing the nothing I go through in my life is unknown to God. He has filtered every situation through His ultimate plan for my life and has "worked (it) together for good." Rom. 8:28

That's all for now... I'll be back soon!

Fall Photos

As Jeff and I walked back to our car today after the KU/KSU game, we absolutley had to stop and take a couple of shots... The colors in the leaves were amazing! To set the stage, the weather in Lawrence, KS today was 73 and clear skies... it was fantastic!

As the sunlight filtered through the yellow leaves, it created an amazing glow... I'm not sure I captured it, but it was stunning!

Here is a shot from on top of The Hill at KU... this is looking south in Lawrence.

Jeff found this leaf and liked it... it certainly is brilliant!

I like these.... enjoy!

Happy Autumn!

My friend/cousin Angie sent this to me.... I thought it was very insightful! Enjoy! :-)

Being a human being is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff-- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

(P.S. Thanks to Anna for the inspiration to play with colors and fonts! How cool!)