1. Did you see Lilly Pulitzer is coming to Target? Oh, be still my heart! The line debuts April 19, right before Hudson's due date. I think some cute new clothes might be the perfect post-delivery pick me up.
2. We R Memory Keepers announced their Fuse tool this week, which lets you "weld" pockets into plastic page protectors or combine pockets for a flip book or water fall effect.
3. I loved this brief post from LifeYourWay.net. (Yes, pun intended!)
4. I'm saving up for this darling "cat lady" bundle from Studio Calico's new SevenPaper line.,
5. I'm currently addicted to Zulily.com. I wish I had caught onto this website years ago, but I always thought it was just baby stuff! Now that I'm having a baby, I came back, and I found that there is SO much more!
Friday, January 9, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
New Year's Resolutions for 2015
We might be a week into the new year, but I still wanted to share my resolutions for 2015. I'm keeping it short and simple this year. I just don't think I have the time or energy to do anything major this year. So instead, I chose a few projects to work on and a few habits I'd like to form. Ideally, the projects will be finished before I start my maternity leave in mid-April, and the habits will be well-established before Hudson arrives a few days later.
1. Daily Bible Reading
I'm using the YouVersion app to help me keep this goal. I've chosen a few reading plans so that I spend about 20-30 each day reading Scriptures and devotionals. I'm really enjoying the balance between having a plan and having some variety. Currently, I'm reading an Overflow devotional from Hillsong United, a study on radical prayer, a set of 100 essential Bible passages, and a one year reading plan that pulls from several difference Once-A-Day Bibles.
2. Pray more.
With a baby on the way and my life about to change forever, I need to get into a consistent pattern of prayer. I pray at various times throughout the day, but I would like to get to the point where I consistently pray at the same times every day.
3. Declutter
Every closet in our house is full of stuff. I want to empty out at least one of them so Hudson has room for all his stuff. The closet in his room has held our Christmas decorations since we moved in. My plan is to clean out the office closet, move the Christmas decorations in there, and have Hudson's closet ready for all his clothes and toys long before we need it.
4. Finish A Clash of Kings.
I have been working on this book for nearly a year. I just want to finish it!
5. Be caught up on my Project Life album.
I'll be honest. I did not even one complete layout in 2014, so I'm calling 2014 a wash and starting fresh with 2015.
1. Daily Bible Reading
I'm using the YouVersion app to help me keep this goal. I've chosen a few reading plans so that I spend about 20-30 each day reading Scriptures and devotionals. I'm really enjoying the balance between having a plan and having some variety. Currently, I'm reading an Overflow devotional from Hillsong United, a study on radical prayer, a set of 100 essential Bible passages, and a one year reading plan that pulls from several difference Once-A-Day Bibles.
2. Pray more.
With a baby on the way and my life about to change forever, I need to get into a consistent pattern of prayer. I pray at various times throughout the day, but I would like to get to the point where I consistently pray at the same times every day.
3. Declutter
Every closet in our house is full of stuff. I want to empty out at least one of them so Hudson has room for all his stuff. The closet in his room has held our Christmas decorations since we moved in. My plan is to clean out the office closet, move the Christmas decorations in there, and have Hudson's closet ready for all his clothes and toys long before we need it.
4. Finish A Clash of Kings.
I have been working on this book for nearly a year. I just want to finish it!
5. Be caught up on my Project Life album.
I'll be honest. I did not even one complete layout in 2014, so I'm calling 2014 a wash and starting fresh with 2015.
Monday, January 5, 2015
What I'm Cherishing Right Now
Yesterday morning, I woke up at 12:15 p.m. because Trevor needed to shower in the master bathroom. I had slept for nearly twelve hours with just one potty break in the middle of that time. That sort of sleep has been rare since I hit the second trimester. Sleeping like that was simply glorious.
I won't be able to do this when Hudson arrives.
Last night, I went to Publix by myself, without a list, and just wandered the store, picking up whatever looked yummy and figuring out what we would eat for the week as I went. I utterly failed at making a plan as I went, and I ended up having to make another trip to the store again tonight.
I won't be able to do this when Hudson arrives.
Tonight, I went to Babies R Us to pick up gifts for a couple baby showers I'll be attending in the next few weeks (yes, all of us are having babies at once, it seems). I spent 45 minutes wandering the store, and unsatisfied with what was left on my friend's registry, I went to Carter's to pick up a clearance outfit to round out her gift. While I was there, I noticed they had BOGO 50% off shoes next door at Shoe Carnival, so I popped in there for a good hour and walked out with three new pairs of flats for work.
I won't be able to do this when Hudson arrives.
When I got home from shopping, I played Candy Crush on my phone for awhile while Crookshanks snuggled on my lap. I'm cherishing these nights when he can jump on and off my lap whenever he pleases, with no baby crying for my attention or already occupying my lap.
I won't be able to do this when Hudson arrives.
Though we planned this pregnancy and very much wanted this child, I am so cherishing these last few months of freedom before we meet him. I'm doing my best not to wish away this time, to truly enjoy feeling his little wiggles at night. This stage won't last long - I've really only been able to feel him moving for a few weeks. Once he joins the outside world, I'll have him home with me for eighteen years. While I can't wait to see his face or hold him, each time I feel him kick, I know...
I won't be able to do this once Hudson arrives.
I won't be able to do this when Hudson arrives.
Last night, I went to Publix by myself, without a list, and just wandered the store, picking up whatever looked yummy and figuring out what we would eat for the week as I went. I utterly failed at making a plan as I went, and I ended up having to make another trip to the store again tonight.
I won't be able to do this when Hudson arrives.
Tonight, I went to Babies R Us to pick up gifts for a couple baby showers I'll be attending in the next few weeks (yes, all of us are having babies at once, it seems). I spent 45 minutes wandering the store, and unsatisfied with what was left on my friend's registry, I went to Carter's to pick up a clearance outfit to round out her gift. While I was there, I noticed they had BOGO 50% off shoes next door at Shoe Carnival, so I popped in there for a good hour and walked out with three new pairs of flats for work.
I won't be able to do this when Hudson arrives.
When I got home from shopping, I played Candy Crush on my phone for awhile while Crookshanks snuggled on my lap. I'm cherishing these nights when he can jump on and off my lap whenever he pleases, with no baby crying for my attention or already occupying my lap.
I won't be able to do this when Hudson arrives.
Though we planned this pregnancy and very much wanted this child, I am so cherishing these last few months of freedom before we meet him. I'm doing my best not to wish away this time, to truly enjoy feeling his little wiggles at night. This stage won't last long - I've really only been able to feel him moving for a few weeks. Once he joins the outside world, I'll have him home with me for eighteen years. While I can't wait to see his face or hold him, each time I feel him kick, I know...
I won't be able to do this once Hudson arrives.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
24 Weeks!
As of New Year's Eve, Hudson is viable! Medical personnel can save him if he would be born after this point. It certainly wouldn't be easy or ideal, but I take a lot of comfort in knowing we have hope now. His lungs will be developed enough for him to breath on his own when he reaches 27 weeks. That will be January 21. I will be so excited when we reach that milestone.
Hudson is now over a foot long and weighs more than a pound. He's becoming more and more active each day. He is still most active overnight, so unless I'm waking up at night, I don't feel him that much. I was able to feel him really stretch out a couple days ago - a few little kicks along my right side and some little flutters just above and far below my belly button. I can only imagine that he was lying in a transverse position and stretched out his arms and legs as far as they could go. It was pretty amazing to feel him moving in so many spots at once. I can't imagine how those expecting twins must feel.
I am still feeling really well. I did catch a cold while I was in North Dakota this past week, though. It was pretty miserable until I found out I could take Robitussin that doesn't contain alcohol. It made a huge difference in my comfort level. I am still coughing a lot, but I am feeling loads better now that I am home in my own bed.
Our next checkup is Wednesday. We will actually be at 25 weeks at that point, but my schedule and the midwives' schedules didn't match up during the holidays. This will be a fairly brief appointment, but our 28 week appointment will be fairly lengthy. I'll have the glucose challenge for gestational diabetes, complete my FMLA paperwork with the midwife, have an ultrasound to check my placenta (the anatomy scan showed a partial placenta previa), and discuss our birth plan. It will be over an hour, maybe longer. I'll probably take a personal day that day so Trevor and I can work on the nursery if I'm feeling up to it after the long appointment (and gross glucose drink).
Today, Trevor and I are taking care of about a million little things before I start school again on Monday. I'm co-hosting a baby shower next Sunday for a friend who recently moved into our neighborhood, so I'm working on decorations between loads of laundry, and Trevor is getting some painting done in the nursery so I can start organizing it in the evenings after school.
Here's to a great first full week of 2015!
Today, Trevor and I are taking care of about a million little things before I start school again on Monday. I'm co-hosting a baby shower next Sunday for a friend who recently moved into our neighborhood, so I'm working on decorations between loads of laundry, and Trevor is getting some painting done in the nursery so I can start organizing it in the evenings after school.
Here's to a great first full week of 2015!
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Mary, Did You Know?
{"Mary, Did You Know?" performed by Pentatonix}
This is not my favorite Christmas song.
It just never appealed to me. It's dark, it's really dramatic, and it talks a lot about the grown up Jesus at a time of year that I just want to think happy thoughts about the adorable baby Jesus in the manger.
But this year, it means something different to me.
Instead of the dark song I heard in the past, I hear a couple powerful reminders that have made me stop and reflect throughout the Advent season.
The first is of the amazing potential each child has. Mary knew she was going to give birth to the son of God, but did she really understand all that he would do? Could she have ever fathomed that we would still worship him and follow his teachings more than two thousand years after she gave birth to him? I find myself wondering what my own son, due in April, might accomplish with his life. The possibilities are endless. Trevor and I have no way of knowing what he might grow up to be, but we hope we can support our son, no matter what he chooses to do with his life.
The second reminder is of Mary's incredible sacrifice. I'm learning with each aching joint, each stretching pain in my growing belly that pregnancy is no easy thing. It hurts! And I'm not even close to giving birth yet. Mary went through all this because God asked. Did she understand what those those nine months would entail? Does any woman really understand what she is getting into before she's pregnant? Going through a pregnancy I was more than ready for, a pregnancy I very much wanted, has not been easy for me. I cannot imagine what it would be like to go through this not because I wanted to, but because God wanted me to. Was it easier for Mary because she knew she was doing God's will, or was it a struggle because she hadn't asked for a child yet?
Christmas is very different for me this year, and I'm so glad I've had these chances to stop and pause throughout the past month to reflect on what that first Christmas might have really meant for Mary --and for what it truly means for us as followers of Christ.
Instead of the dark song I heard in the past, I hear a couple powerful reminders that have made me stop and reflect throughout the Advent season.
The first is of the amazing potential each child has. Mary knew she was going to give birth to the son of God, but did she really understand all that he would do? Could she have ever fathomed that we would still worship him and follow his teachings more than two thousand years after she gave birth to him? I find myself wondering what my own son, due in April, might accomplish with his life. The possibilities are endless. Trevor and I have no way of knowing what he might grow up to be, but we hope we can support our son, no matter what he chooses to do with his life.
The second reminder is of Mary's incredible sacrifice. I'm learning with each aching joint, each stretching pain in my growing belly that pregnancy is no easy thing. It hurts! And I'm not even close to giving birth yet. Mary went through all this because God asked. Did she understand what those those nine months would entail? Does any woman really understand what she is getting into before she's pregnant? Going through a pregnancy I was more than ready for, a pregnancy I very much wanted, has not been easy for me. I cannot imagine what it would be like to go through this not because I wanted to, but because God wanted me to. Was it easier for Mary because she knew she was doing God's will, or was it a struggle because she hadn't asked for a child yet?
Christmas is very different for me this year, and I'm so glad I've had these chances to stop and pause throughout the past month to reflect on what that first Christmas might have really meant for Mary --and for what it truly means for us as followers of Christ.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
20 week update
Sorry this ended up so long! I realized I hadn't really updated since I announced our pregnancy on the blog in October! Since so much happens in the second trimester, I had a lot to say today! I'll try to update a little more regularly from here on out!
I'm nearly seven weeks into the second trimester and I'm feeling great. The nausea is gone, the fatigue is pretty much gone, and my food aversions are mostly gone. We drove past a barbecue restaurant a month ago, and the smokey smell actually appealed to me for the first time since I found out about the pregnancy. I actually shed a couple tears! Chicken and anything grilled turned my stomach so badly until I finished the first trimester. Those first ten weeks of pregnancy symptoms were the worst!
At 15 weeks, we paid a visit to Baby Dimensions, an ultrasound boutique in Newnan. They are able to discern gender at 15 weeks in most cases. Since we couldn't wait to find out and start prepping the baby's nursery, we went in as soon as we hit 15 weeks. Our baby was quite obviously a boy! Apparently, that part of the anatomy is a bit, um, out of proportion at that stage, so it's quite easy to see on an ultrasound!
The 16 week appointment went quite well. The midwife was able to find the heartbeat with no problem. Because my ten week ultrasound (an emergency one due to major pain) showed an anterior placenta, it had been tough to hear the heartbeat at all our previous appointments.
Around 17 weeks, I started feeling the little guy wiggling around a little bit, especially when I was excited or had just eaten. Since hitting 19 weeks last week, he has been noticeably wiggly each evening. On Black Friday night, he started wiggling as soon as I laid down to go to bed, and each time I woke in the night, I felt him wiggling. When the alarm went off on Saturday morning, he was wiggling again! I guess this means that he is, unfortunately, a night owl like his parents!
Feeling movement was a huge milestone for me. I am a worrier. I have been looking forward to feeling movement since the moment I found out our baby was on the way. I craved the reassurance that he was still there, and still doing well. Knowing that he's going to be active sometime in the evening definitely helps keep me calm (babies are most active between 9PM and 3AM, on average).
We have made a lot of preparations for his arrival lately. Trevor fixed the drywall tape and nail pops in the room that is about to be his nursery. Trevor also started painting the room and his dresser (the cheap Ikea dresser I used when we first moved to Georgia and soon found wasn't able to hold adult denim without bowing the drawers). We have his crib and mattress, and they will be assembled as soon as we're rid of the futon that fills his future room. We've also purchased some clothes, some cloth diapers, and his crib comforter (which we know he won't use until he's a toddler, but we wanted to use it to choose paint colors). And of course, we completed our baby registries so our families could use those to shop from this Christmas.
Our 20 week appointment included the big anatomy scan, where they check to see that the internal organs are there and that the limbs look normal. Our little guy is perfect, they said. I was warned that I would feel a lot more movement after the anatomy scan. I was surprised that it took just a couple days for me to feel the first movement that really caught me off guard! Baby boy is definitely growing big and strong. Movement still isn't consistent, but it's getting more frequent and stronger.
I'm nearly seven weeks into the second trimester and I'm feeling great. The nausea is gone, the fatigue is pretty much gone, and my food aversions are mostly gone. We drove past a barbecue restaurant a month ago, and the smokey smell actually appealed to me for the first time since I found out about the pregnancy. I actually shed a couple tears! Chicken and anything grilled turned my stomach so badly until I finished the first trimester. Those first ten weeks of pregnancy symptoms were the worst!
At 15 weeks, we paid a visit to Baby Dimensions, an ultrasound boutique in Newnan. They are able to discern gender at 15 weeks in most cases. Since we couldn't wait to find out and start prepping the baby's nursery, we went in as soon as we hit 15 weeks. Our baby was quite obviously a boy! Apparently, that part of the anatomy is a bit, um, out of proportion at that stage, so it's quite easy to see on an ultrasound!
The 16 week appointment went quite well. The midwife was able to find the heartbeat with no problem. Because my ten week ultrasound (an emergency one due to major pain) showed an anterior placenta, it had been tough to hear the heartbeat at all our previous appointments.
Around 17 weeks, I started feeling the little guy wiggling around a little bit, especially when I was excited or had just eaten. Since hitting 19 weeks last week, he has been noticeably wiggly each evening. On Black Friday night, he started wiggling as soon as I laid down to go to bed, and each time I woke in the night, I felt him wiggling. When the alarm went off on Saturday morning, he was wiggling again! I guess this means that he is, unfortunately, a night owl like his parents!
Feeling movement was a huge milestone for me. I am a worrier. I have been looking forward to feeling movement since the moment I found out our baby was on the way. I craved the reassurance that he was still there, and still doing well. Knowing that he's going to be active sometime in the evening definitely helps keep me calm (babies are most active between 9PM and 3AM, on average).
We have made a lot of preparations for his arrival lately. Trevor fixed the drywall tape and nail pops in the room that is about to be his nursery. Trevor also started painting the room and his dresser (the cheap Ikea dresser I used when we first moved to Georgia and soon found wasn't able to hold adult denim without bowing the drawers). We have his crib and mattress, and they will be assembled as soon as we're rid of the futon that fills his future room. We've also purchased some clothes, some cloth diapers, and his crib comforter (which we know he won't use until he's a toddler, but we wanted to use it to choose paint colors). And of course, we completed our baby registries so our families could use those to shop from this Christmas.
Our 20 week appointment included the big anatomy scan, where they check to see that the internal organs are there and that the limbs look normal. Our little guy is perfect, they said. I was warned that I would feel a lot more movement after the anatomy scan. I was surprised that it took just a couple days for me to feel the first movement that really caught me off guard! Baby boy is definitely growing big and strong. Movement still isn't consistent, but it's getting more frequent and stronger.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Friday Five: 5 Ways We're Celebrating Advent
1. I printed these cute cards to add to our advent calendar. We have a box with little drawers that we refill with chocolate each year. Since our baby will be on solid food by this time next year, I'm starting to think about what kind of treat we can put away for him!
2. Elf on the Shelf. Our elf is named Hermione (yes, another Harry Potter name, just like the cats). My mom, sister, and grandmother also have elves, and we try to trade pictures of the elves regularly during the season. We tend to go for funny and cute, but Nicole goes for diabolical. She draws her inspiration from Silence of the Lambs and Saw.
3. I'm creating a December scrapbook mini album. I did one the first year Trevor and I were married to document that first Christmas, and I'm coming back to this project five years later to document our last Christmas before baby. I'll share more about that album as I get further into it. Being pregnant means it's hard to plan anything, or guarantee that anything will be done!
4. We're giving to an Angel Tree family. Our community group chose to help a family of six children between the ages of 4 and 12 this year. Trevor and I aren't able to give a lot this year, but I've raided my stash of new-in-package Thirty-One items and we caught a good sale at Carter's, so we were able to provide some nice gifts to three of the children without spending a lot. If you want to do the same, your local Salvation Army can help you find a family in need of help this holiday season.
5. I'm reading a couple different devotionals right now. I'm doing a YouVersion 14 day reading plan on prayer, as well as The Purpose Driven Life 40 Day edition. I'm also reading through the New Testament Epistles and Acts on YouVersion, but because that is an 85 day plan, I'll barely make a dent before Advent is over!
2. Elf on the Shelf. Our elf is named Hermione (yes, another Harry Potter name, just like the cats). My mom, sister, and grandmother also have elves, and we try to trade pictures of the elves regularly during the season. We tend to go for funny and cute, but Nicole goes for diabolical. She draws her inspiration from Silence of the Lambs and Saw.
3. I'm creating a December scrapbook mini album. I did one the first year Trevor and I were married to document that first Christmas, and I'm coming back to this project five years later to document our last Christmas before baby. I'll share more about that album as I get further into it. Being pregnant means it's hard to plan anything, or guarantee that anything will be done!
4. We're giving to an Angel Tree family. Our community group chose to help a family of six children between the ages of 4 and 12 this year. Trevor and I aren't able to give a lot this year, but I've raided my stash of new-in-package Thirty-One items and we caught a good sale at Carter's, so we were able to provide some nice gifts to three of the children without spending a lot. If you want to do the same, your local Salvation Army can help you find a family in need of help this holiday season.
5. I'm reading a couple different devotionals right now. I'm doing a YouVersion 14 day reading plan on prayer, as well as The Purpose Driven Life 40 Day edition. I'm also reading through the New Testament Epistles and Acts on YouVersion, but because that is an 85 day plan, I'll barely make a dent before Advent is over!
Monday, December 1, 2014
One of those weekends...
It's been one of those weekends around here. Seriously. If you're married to a pilot, you know that the number one rule is that if something is going wrong, your spouse is out of town. Rule number two is that if it's a holiday, he will almost definitely be working.
On Thanksgiving Day, Trevor had to leave the house at 1 p.m. to commute to Fort Lauderdale for work. So, at noon, he said, "Let's call my parents quick." He called, and I stepped towards the phone to say hello only to realize it's not on speaker, it's on Facetime -- and I am a mess! I was still in my pajamas, bathrobe, and glasses. My hair hadn't been brushed yet, either. Truly, a mess. I squeaked out "Happy Thanksgiving! I'm not Facetime ready!" and ducked out of the camera's sight for the rest of the conversation.
We quickly scarfed down our meager Thanksgiving dinner of mashed potatoes, turkey breast, stuffing, cranberries, and apple pie before getting Trevor on the road in a hurry. Of course, as I'm sitting here in a total state of mess, Crookshanks started heaving...a lot. I thought for sure he was going to blow chunks, but he didn't. I gave him a ton of hairball treats and prayed that he would start to feel better. Instead, I found a pile of foamy cat saliva on the floor next to the Christmas tree. Fantastic...
Fast forward to the next morning. I was - once again - a total mess. Because it was Black Friday and I do not shop on Black Friday, I had no intention of going anywhere. Before I finished my morning cup of coffee, I heard a shrill beep from downstairs. It took a few minutes of careful listening to determine it was the carbon monoxide detector in the kitchen. I pulled out the step stool and pressed the reset button, hoping to buy myself some time. The beeping ended, but not without causing me some serious worry. Where could I go for safety with two cats on a holiday weekend?
I hopped in the shower because I desperately needed to clean up (pregnancy will do that to you). I pondered the huge list of things I would need to pack if the beeping started again, and wondered how I would handle the litter boxes, which I am not allowed to touch while pregnant. I started to think I wouldn't be able to get out of the house with even the basic necessities if it came down to it. I started to worry that if we went to someone's house, Crookshanks would be barfing all over their house from his treats finally working.
And then it struck me - why was I worrying? Worrying would not help me control this situation. What could help, though, would be appealing to the one who IS in control. I spent the rest of my shower praying over our house, our baby, and the cats.
Shortly after I got out of the shower, Trevor called and let me know that our house isn't hooked up for gas. The only thing that would set off the carbon monoxide detector would be if a car had been left running with a closed garage door! Since my car was definitely not running and his car was gone, I was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief. He suggested I change the batteries, though, if the beeping began again.
On Saturday afternoon, I decided it was finally time to venture out and do some shopping. I got showered and dressed. I was all set. However, I couldn't find my keys. Trevor was the last one to drive my car, so I checked the kitchen, the living room, his desk in the office, his night stand, and his dresser. No luck. I checked my purse just in case pregnancy brain made me forget they were in my purse. Again, no luck.
So, I did a second round of the house, just to be sure, but this time praying the prayer I learned in our marriage prep classes with Father Tom: Tony, Tony, Come around. Something's lost and can't be found. Something told me to check the car. They weren't in the ignition or the cupholder. I checked the backseat. I looked up from the backseat and saw something on the trunk of the car. My keys were sitting atop the mail that had come on Wednesday while we were out!
Yep, it was definitely one of those weekends...but both of the big potential catastrophes were averted by taking the time to pray. God spoke to me in a big way by answering my prayers this weekend, and I hope I won't forget the lesson God was teaching me: prayer really does change things!
Edited to add: It's Sunday afternoon as I write this, and Crookshanks still hasn't passed his hairball, but it sounds like it will be coming out soon. He's making more, um, productive noises now that he has had three sets of hairball control treats in the maximum dosage!
On Thanksgiving Day, Trevor had to leave the house at 1 p.m. to commute to Fort Lauderdale for work. So, at noon, he said, "Let's call my parents quick." He called, and I stepped towards the phone to say hello only to realize it's not on speaker, it's on Facetime -- and I am a mess! I was still in my pajamas, bathrobe, and glasses. My hair hadn't been brushed yet, either. Truly, a mess. I squeaked out "Happy Thanksgiving! I'm not Facetime ready!" and ducked out of the camera's sight for the rest of the conversation.
We quickly scarfed down our meager Thanksgiving dinner of mashed potatoes, turkey breast, stuffing, cranberries, and apple pie before getting Trevor on the road in a hurry. Of course, as I'm sitting here in a total state of mess, Crookshanks started heaving...a lot. I thought for sure he was going to blow chunks, but he didn't. I gave him a ton of hairball treats and prayed that he would start to feel better. Instead, I found a pile of foamy cat saliva on the floor next to the Christmas tree. Fantastic...
Fast forward to the next morning. I was - once again - a total mess. Because it was Black Friday and I do not shop on Black Friday, I had no intention of going anywhere. Before I finished my morning cup of coffee, I heard a shrill beep from downstairs. It took a few minutes of careful listening to determine it was the carbon monoxide detector in the kitchen. I pulled out the step stool and pressed the reset button, hoping to buy myself some time. The beeping ended, but not without causing me some serious worry. Where could I go for safety with two cats on a holiday weekend?
I hopped in the shower because I desperately needed to clean up (pregnancy will do that to you). I pondered the huge list of things I would need to pack if the beeping started again, and wondered how I would handle the litter boxes, which I am not allowed to touch while pregnant. I started to think I wouldn't be able to get out of the house with even the basic necessities if it came down to it. I started to worry that if we went to someone's house, Crookshanks would be barfing all over their house from his treats finally working.
And then it struck me - why was I worrying? Worrying would not help me control this situation. What could help, though, would be appealing to the one who IS in control. I spent the rest of my shower praying over our house, our baby, and the cats.
Shortly after I got out of the shower, Trevor called and let me know that our house isn't hooked up for gas. The only thing that would set off the carbon monoxide detector would be if a car had been left running with a closed garage door! Since my car was definitely not running and his car was gone, I was able to breathe a huge sigh of relief. He suggested I change the batteries, though, if the beeping began again.
On Saturday afternoon, I decided it was finally time to venture out and do some shopping. I got showered and dressed. I was all set. However, I couldn't find my keys. Trevor was the last one to drive my car, so I checked the kitchen, the living room, his desk in the office, his night stand, and his dresser. No luck. I checked my purse just in case pregnancy brain made me forget they were in my purse. Again, no luck.
So, I did a second round of the house, just to be sure, but this time praying the prayer I learned in our marriage prep classes with Father Tom: Tony, Tony, Come around. Something's lost and can't be found. Something told me to check the car. They weren't in the ignition or the cupholder. I checked the backseat. I looked up from the backseat and saw something on the trunk of the car. My keys were sitting atop the mail that had come on Wednesday while we were out!
Yep, it was definitely one of those weekends...but both of the big potential catastrophes were averted by taking the time to pray. God spoke to me in a big way by answering my prayers this weekend, and I hope I won't forget the lesson God was teaching me: prayer really does change things!
Edited to add: It's Sunday afternoon as I write this, and Crookshanks still hasn't passed his hairball, but it sounds like it will be coming out soon. He's making more, um, productive noises now that he has had three sets of hairball control treats in the maximum dosage!
Thursday, November 20, 2014
30 @ 30
I see a lot of lists of things to accomplish during a certain year of a person's life. I felt like 30 was the perfect time to start doing these lists of my own. Obviously, since my birthday was over two months ago, I'm already in progress on several of these goals. I don't think I'll be doing monthly updates like I did with the "Before 30 Bucket List" (I'll be posting a wrap-up of that list soon).
1. Organize my craft room
2. Hit Gold status on my Starbucks card.
3. Create an awesome nursery for Stormageddon.
4. Write at least 12 blog posts a month.
5. Do a December Daily.
6. Catch up completely on Project Life.
7. Survive labor and delivery of Stormageddon.
8. Finish the assortment of projects I already have in progress.
9. Start a scrapbook for Hudson and keep it up to date for his first year.
10. Bake a batch of cookies each month.
11. Clean out my dresser drawers and closets.
12.Go to Pure Barre four times a week once the doctor clears me to resume exercise after Stormageddon's birth.
13. Read two books a month.
14. Read the New Testament.
15. Host a Christmas cookie exchange.
16. Finish my home management binder.
17. Complete and order the pregnancy journal I'm making on Shutterfly.
18. Create 52 scrapbook layouts.
19. Host a Christmas party.
20. Reach my preferred minimum personal volume with 31 each month.
21. Earn level one Ready, Set, Sell kits for each season with 31.
22. Clean out my 31 stash.
23. Have two 31 parties a month.
24. Go home to North Dakota twice.
25. Paint canvases for decorating our house.
26. Make all of our 2015 Christmas gifts for friends and family.
27. Have a family photo shoot.
28. Do a maternity photo session.
29. Have a newborn photo shoot for Stormageddon.
30. Finish our wedding scrapbook.
1. Organize my craft room
2. Hit Gold status on my Starbucks card.
3. Create an awesome nursery for Stormageddon.
4. Write at least 12 blog posts a month.
5. Do a December Daily.
6. Catch up completely on Project Life.
7. Survive labor and delivery of Stormageddon.
8. Finish the assortment of projects I already have in progress.
9. Start a scrapbook for Hudson and keep it up to date for his first year.
10. Bake a batch of cookies each month.
11. Clean out my dresser drawers and closets.
12.Go to Pure Barre four times a week once the doctor clears me to resume exercise after Stormageddon's birth.
13. Read two books a month.
14. Read the New Testament.
15. Host a Christmas cookie exchange.
16. Finish my home management binder.
17. Complete and order the pregnancy journal I'm making on Shutterfly.
18. Create 52 scrapbook layouts.
19. Host a Christmas party.
20. Reach my preferred minimum personal volume with 31 each month.
21. Earn level one Ready, Set, Sell kits for each season with 31.
22. Clean out my 31 stash.
23. Have two 31 parties a month.
24. Go home to North Dakota twice.
25. Paint canvases for decorating our house.
26. Make all of our 2015 Christmas gifts for friends and family.
27. Have a family photo shoot.
28. Do a maternity photo session.
29. Have a newborn photo shoot for Stormageddon.
30. Finish our wedding scrapbook.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
29 best moments
Last year, when I turned 29, I started planning a series of posts related to my thirtieth birthday, with the intention of starting to post them about a month before the big day (September 15). Well, just before August 15, I found out my baby is on the way, and I basically became worthless for several months as morning sickness and fatigue ruled my life. Now that my energy is coming back and the nausea has subsided, I'm planning to revive the blog, share those planned posts, and create some new content to share as well.
1. Seeing the Biltmore Estate
2. Hearing "Welcome Aboard!" when I was hired at the middle school
3. Eating Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream with my parents at the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain
4. The night Crookshanks climbed into my lap for the first time ever
5. Celebrating Friendsgiving with Jennifer and Justin the night before Thanksgiving
6. Meeting baby Austin and celebrating Thanksgiving with him and his parents, Mike and Brittany
7. The night Rachel was in town and we ate at both Yeah! Burger and Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
8. My first trip to the Newnan Jimmy John's location - I'd been waiting four years for it to open!
9. Being home for Christmas in North Dakota
10. Celebrating New Year's Eve with Jennifer, Justin, and Rachel at our house
11. When Trevor returned from training for Valentines Day
1. Seeing the Biltmore Estate
2. Hearing "Welcome Aboard!" when I was hired at the middle school
3. Eating Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream with my parents at the Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain
4. The night Crookshanks climbed into my lap for the first time ever
5. Celebrating Friendsgiving with Jennifer and Justin the night before Thanksgiving
6. Meeting baby Austin and celebrating Thanksgiving with him and his parents, Mike and Brittany
7. The night Rachel was in town and we ate at both Yeah! Burger and Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream
8. My first trip to the Newnan Jimmy John's location - I'd been waiting four years for it to open!
9. Being home for Christmas in North Dakota
10. Celebrating New Year's Eve with Jennifer, Justin, and Rachel at our house
11. When Trevor returned from training for Valentines Day
12. When the blossoming pear tree started blossoming in the spring
13. The night Trevor came home from training for good
14. The moment I realized I was done with telling myself "No" and "Maybe later" when it came to getting or doing the things I really want
15. My first Pure Barre class in May!
16. When one of my students started calling me "Mama" and said he couldn't drop out of school because "I would miss you because I love you."
17. The last day of school
18. My fourth Pure Barre class, when the manager/instructor complimented my form over the speakers!
19. Flying home to see my family for the first time in six months
20. Seeing the Badlands with my family and Trevor
21. Praying together with some of my dearest friends at the Women's Night of Prayer at church
22. Celebrating Steve and Nelcia's wedding with the newlyweds, Nick, Jorge, Dane, and Anu
23. Starting school and returning to the same school for the first time in my teaching career
24. Seeing a Braves game followed by a Weezer concert with Dave and Trevor
25. Finding out the next afternoon that Stormageddon was on his or her way
26. Having a DQ Blizzard on Miracle Treat Day in honor of my co-teacher's son, a former Miracle Child of the Year
27. Celebrating Trevor's 32nd birthday
28. Sharing the news with our families that Stormageddon was on the way
29. Seeing Stormageddon for the first time at our 8 week ultrasound
14. The moment I realized I was done with telling myself "No" and "Maybe later" when it came to getting or doing the things I really want
15. My first Pure Barre class in May!
16. When one of my students started calling me "Mama" and said he couldn't drop out of school because "I would miss you because I love you."
17. The last day of school
18. My fourth Pure Barre class, when the manager/instructor complimented my form over the speakers!
19. Flying home to see my family for the first time in six months
20. Seeing the Badlands with my family and Trevor
21. Praying together with some of my dearest friends at the Women's Night of Prayer at church
22. Celebrating Steve and Nelcia's wedding with the newlyweds, Nick, Jorge, Dane, and Anu
23. Starting school and returning to the same school for the first time in my teaching career
24. Seeing a Braves game followed by a Weezer concert with Dave and Trevor
25. Finding out the next afternoon that Stormageddon was on his or her way
26. Having a DQ Blizzard on Miracle Treat Day in honor of my co-teacher's son, a former Miracle Child of the Year
27. Celebrating Trevor's 32nd birthday
28. Sharing the news with our families that Stormageddon was on the way
29. Seeing Stormageddon for the first time at our 8 week ultrasound
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