Archive for October 2011
Monday Ain’t so Bad
Posted on: October 31, 2011
- In: Life
- 8 Comments
It’s Monday. Typically I am not a fan of Mondays. You know, since it’s the ruiner of the weekend and all. But this Monday is an exception.
Julia went to school today in her pajamas. And it isn’t because I am that kind of mom {though I am}, but because they are having a pajama party today.
Then I realized, if Julia gets to spend the day in her pjs, shouldn’t Hannah and I also?!
Take that Monday!
- In: Life
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“My sister has been 3-4 cm dialated for weeks.”
“I’m hoping you don’t deliver until 11/11/11.”
“Ha! That baby’s not coming soon. Watch, you’ll be five days late.”
Twice last weekend, I started having regular contractions. When I woke up early Sunday morning with contractions every 3-4 minutes, I just knew Joseph was coming. But he didn’t. I’ve been reluctant to write about it, or frankly even share it with friends, because my heart just hasn’t be in the right place.
As my EDD rapidly approaches, people’s words become arrows that pierce my heart. Jokes about being late hurt. Stories of moms who started labor time and time again before actually going into active labor hurt. My heart hurts. With a million other true pains in the world, mine seems so trivial, but it’s where I am. Longing for this race to be done and to finally meet my son.
I woke up in the middle of the night, unable to settle back into sleep. I opened my Bible and read ::
“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:5&8 {NLT}
I poured out my heart. I hid away in my God, for He IS my refuge.
It might be a long week. It might be a long two weeks. But I am choosing to put my trust in the Lord and wait quietly in Him.
What’s your Friday Joy?
In Everything Give Thanks
Posted on: October 26, 2011
- In: Life
- 4 Comments
My friend, Leah, told me about this one woman’s photography challenge of taking a photo a day during November of all the things she is grateful for. While I’m not quite up to the task of posting everyday once Joseph is born, I thought it was a really awesome idea to post some pictures throughout November. In fact, I thought I should even get started now.
– I’m thankful for this festive mug I stumbled across at Hobby Lobby. Every time I see it, I smile and remember to give thanks in everything.
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
Have you met my good friend Pinterest? What’s that? A website can’t be a friend? Au contraire. Pinterest has been a great source of inspiration for me over the last couple of months.
1. Joseph’s name banner
2. Dry erase message board for the girls
3. Race bib display
4. Major awesome onesie for Joseph
5. Fall mantle decorations
6. Quote for the girls’ room {I printed out and framed}
{Pinterest via Jayme Roth Coonce}
7. S’mores, oh the s’mores
{Pinterest via Molly Weesner}
8. Peanut butter ice cream
{Pinterest via Mandi Holcombe}
9. Cloth Wipes
10. Yummy, yummy pancakes
{Pinterest via Tammie Mosley}
How has Pinterest inspired you lately?
Visit Amanda at Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
A Boy’s Room
Posted on: October 24, 2011
- In: Life
- 10 Comments
All the finishing touches have been added to Joseph’s room. His diapers are all stuffed, cloth wipes are ready, and we just got some new-to-us clothes. All we’re waiting on now is him. In the mean time, I thought I’d show you his adorably cute room.
In the bottom right corner, you can see Joseph’s carseat just chillin’. I’ve been debating on when to put it in the van. Seems a little weird to drive around with an empty carseat, but then again, I’m not know for being normal…
Despite how large those picture frames really are, they seem dwarfed by the size of the wall. Oh well. The frame from left to right :: 20 week ultrasound picture, “YOU ARE LOVED”, and Julia’s {quite successful} attempt at writing Joseph’s name.
Leaving Behind the Grumbling
Posted on: October 18, 2011
- In: Life
- 18 Comments
As I round out the end of this pregnancy {just over 2 weeks till EDD}, I’m finding myself grumbling a lot more. Joseph is determined to already prove he is different from his sisters, and as such, has brought on some random, highly uncomfortable, end of pregnancy issues I never dealt with during my previous pregnancies. But really, I have so much to be grateful for, that grumbling just doesn’t seem right. I loved Alicia’s gratitude post and thought I’d do my own.
1. Cooler weather {specifically cooler nights} and being able to leave our windows open.
2. Good friends who threw a Dr. Seuss themed baby shower for us.
3. Jonathan’s new job – Oh yeah, did I forget to mention Jonathan got a new job? Well, he did. And now he’s working two days from home {score!!}.
4. My daughters – Their lives, their laughter, their overwhelming love for each other.
5. Starting my Bible Study Fellowship class last week.
6. Having the energy to make homemade bread {I highly recommend this recipe}
7. My mom and her mothering {even when you’re nearly 30, it’s still nice having a mom who looks after you}.
8. Getting all the finishing touches taken care of in Joseph’s room.
9. Listening to the girls sing.
10. Julia’s constant request to hear David Crowder Band How He Loves Us – and the reminder of just how much He really does love us.
What are you grateful for this week?
Visit Amanda at Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.
Is It Time to Call It Quits?
Posted on: October 12, 2011
- In: Life
- 10 Comments
I clearly remember hitting a point in my pregnancies with Julia and Hannah where it was challenging to actually be around people. Doesn’t that sound awful? But, it’s true. I didn’t want to be around anyone. I just wanted to bury myself away and sleep until I went into labor.
I’ve officially hit that point again.
The difference between pregnancy 1, 2 and 3 is that you get less and less of a choice to hide away. Kiddo 1 and 2 simply won’t allow it. And while my natural instinct is to crawl into my bed and stay there until Joseph arrives, Julia and Hannah are helping me put on my game face and face the world. It’s good for me. It’s good for our family. Well, so long as I have my coffee.
So, is it time to call it quits? Not quite. But please excuse me while I drink another pot of coffee in hopes of waking up.
- In: Life
- 11 Comments
I came home from the store on Wednesday to find a nice little UPS box on my porch. When I opened it up, this is what I found ::
My friends, Leah and Amy, got me a rockin’ cool post-pregnancy gift. It’s a water belt used for running. You can’t see in this picture, but in addition to the awesome water bottles, there is this front pocket for your ID, keys, phone, etc. It’s a runner’s dream. Now I am even more super excited for my first post-Joseph run!
Then yesterday, I posted this picture with the caption “For all you curious minds, here’s my octo-mom rivaling, are you over due, must be twins, huge 36 week belly” ::
It was my tongue in cheek way of poking fun at all the crazy comments I’ve gotten lately. Because, dude, they have been rolling in daily. And while the comments are more face in palm than hurtful, reading so many sweet comments from my facebook/twitter friends really made my day.
Then, to round off the day, I scored us a free Domino’s pizza for dinner last night, thanks to Jill. And who doesn’t love free pizza and a night off from the kitchen?!
What Friday Joys do you have to share?
- In: Life
- 2 Comments
My brother, Jesse, recently became a Scentsy Consultant. If you knew Jesse, that sentence would have you rolling on the floor with laughter. He’s a military guy, through and through. After serving several years as an officer on a nuclear submarine, he’s now an instructor of Electrical Engineering at the US Naval Academy. Not exactly what you picture when you think Scentsy Consultant. But, he’s really getting into his new adventure, and I wanted to spread the word.
If you’re unfamiliar with Scentsy Candles, they are a wickless alternative to traditional candles. I first heard about them in Fall 2009 when I saw some in my gym’s locker room. The next year, a girlfriend hosted a Scentsy party and I bought a plug in warmer. I was hooked.
What I love about the plug in, is that it acts like a nightlight for our bathroom {or kitchen}, while providing all the benefits of a candle. And while it might seem small, the scents that I have used always smell really great, without being over powering. Scentsy has tons of different scents, ranging from Baked Apple Pie to Clean Breeze and Flirtatious {a personal favorite} to Hemingway {a manly cedar like smell}.
This month’s feature item is the Snapshot full size warmer. It’s has an adorable photo holder for your favorite picture {a really cute gift for a grandparent}. If you order in the month of October, you’ll receive 10% off.
As the holidays are approaching, Scentsy makes for a wonderful and easy gift. Or, if you’re like me, you just keep it for yourself so you can enjoy the smell of pine trees without the real tree mess.
Go check out Jesse’s site :: Scentsy Candles
If you’re in the Annapolis area, he will gladly help you host a party. Or, if you’re interested in a party but not nearby, he can hold an online party for you.
For more Things I Love Thursday, visit Jill at Diaper Diaries.
***Disclaimer :: All opinions about Scentsy are my own. In exchange for writing this post, Jesse gave me “coolest sister ever” status. Oh, and a replacement plug for the one that I broke during our move. But, I would have written the post just for the status.
- In: Life
- 5 Comments
I love to read. Love, love, love. However, that hasn’t always been the case. I remember pitching a fit in 7th grade when my mom made me read “Little Women”. Clearly, she didn’t realize how long that book was and that it had no pictures and that it was written so, so long ago. Pure torture to my pre-teen self. I begrudgingly began reading.
And I loved it.
From that moment, my life was changed. I read every book I could get my hands on.
When we had Julia, I was convinced that to make a reader, you need to read to your children. So we read. A lot. Know what? That girl wants to read all.the.time. She’ll even chose to read over watch television. Be still my grateful heart.
About three weeks ago, Julia’s preschool sent home flyers for Scholastic Books. I remember Scholastic from when I was little, but hadn’t looked into it until we got the flyer. I think I circled every item on the flyer. And then I realized I could order from their website. Whoa. My first go ’round, I had over $100 worth of items in my cart. Jonathan had to remind me that we didn’t need all those books right now and would have plenty of chances to buy them in the future. I whittled down my list to under $70 {really, that was getting it to the least amount – books are addicting}.
We got our order this week. While I set aside a majority of the books for Julia’s birthday and the girls’ St. Nicholas gifts, they did each get a book when the order arrived. They were thrilled. And frankly, so was I. I’m hoping that with the help of Scholastic I can help the girls grow into having a deep love of reading.
Have you ever ordered from Scholastic? How do you encourage reading for your children?
Visit Kristen at We Are THAT Family for more Works for Me Wednesday.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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