tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20179625458267515872024-03-19T03:34:25.413-04:00Memorable Scenesfrom Real Life with Casey & CristinaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05182805920026927384noreply@blogger.comBlogger128125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-83195662946716887422017-04-27T09:35:00.000-04:002017-04-27T09:37:39.817-04:00Psalm 116, a Journal EntryPutting me in my place, so to speak. I feel ashamed of my thoughts, and even words, about you lately - feeling like you hear, but don't answer - or, do so randomly. But, in spite of my FEELINGS, the TRUTH is:<br>
<br>
"I love the LORD because He hears<br>
& answers my prayers." (Ps. 116:1)<br>
<br>
So, the natural response is:<br>
"Because He <i><b>bends down & listens</b></i>,<br>
I will pray as long as I have breath!" (Ps. 116:2)<br>
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Maybe it's like last night, getting Gracie to bed. We left and she cried and cried, even though everything was okay. We need her to trust us and rest. We were intently listening and watching her on the monitor, and hearts ached to hear her cry, but we knew what was best, even though it felt to her like we weren't listening, or didn't care. Maybe it felt random, but we knew exactly how long we'd let her cry before we came to comfort and reassure her. Eventually, she did settle down, and she's learning to sleep in her crib in her own room. It'll probably be a battle again tonight, but she will learn to trust us that she's safe. That's beautiful. Thank you Father. I have SO MUCH to learn. So much more of my trust to give you. I'm sorry for doubting you - your heart - when:<br>
<br>
"How kind the LORD is! How good He is!<br>
So merciful, this God of ours!<br>
The LORD protects those of childlike faith...<br>
Now I can rest again,<br>
for the LORD has been good to me..." (Ps. 116:5-6a, 7)<br>
<br>
What should I do?<br>
<br>
"I believed in you,<br>
so I prayed,<br>
'I am deeply troubled, LORD.'<br>
In my anxiety I cried out to you..." (Ps. 116:10-11a)<br>
<br>
"What can I offer to the LORD for all He has done for me?<br>
I will lift up the cup symbolizing His salvation,<br>
I will praise the LORD's Name for saving me.<br>
I will keep my promises to the LORD in the presence of all His people...<br>
I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving & call on the Name of the LORD.<br>
I will keep my promises to the LORD in the presence of all His people,<br>
in the house of hte LORD,<br>
in the heart of Jerusalem." (Ps. 116:12-19)<br>
<br>
"He has saved me...<br>
And so I walk in the LORD's presence as I live here on earth." (Ps. 116:8a, 9)<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg927MThBEgMhTkynAcybwMixIWir5hVnkaopeft4ADvEb5vdPzTI3UoH7bYhdRxH8yNCraAzX_A6RAXkUM6qbqsRSkHlBxPbNDrISB89At_BNcAfuIpsH4ETo5L-6E5694eWIDF7pAhH/s640/blogger-image-1535129225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpg927MThBEgMhTkynAcybwMixIWir5hVnkaopeft4ADvEb5vdPzTI3UoH7bYhdRxH8yNCraAzX_A6RAXkUM6qbqsRSkHlBxPbNDrISB89At_BNcAfuIpsH4ETo5L-6E5694eWIDF7pAhH/s640/blogger-image-1535129225.jpg"></a></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-14384215290534447202017-01-19T18:04:00.000-05:002017-02-10T07:16:35.183-05:00On Infertility<br>
<br>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kCY5u2nRqnU/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kCY5u2nRqnU?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
The other night I watched <a href="https://youtu.be/kCY5u2nRqnU">this video</a> about infertility in the church. Dr. Best describes what infertility is, what couples struggling with infertility should do, and what the church should do to care for those couples. It's a 15 minutes worth spending!<br>
<br>
What drew me to the video is our own struggle through several years of longing for children but waiting for the Lord to answer that prayer. I hesitate to even call it "infertility", though by medical definition (more than one year of trying but unsuccessfully conceiving) it was, because I know so many people have struggled longer, tried more avenues, or even found out that they could never become pregnant. Nevertheless, the struggle was real. Enough that even now that word is a painful one. So I watched the video to see what she would say to the me of a year ago. And, to see what I should say to my friends and my future friends who will struggle with this, too.<br>
<br>
What most struck me was her reminder that children are a BLESSING from the Lord. They are a GIFT. Now, I already believed that. I look at Gracie, and even in her name, I'm reminded that she is a GIFT. But, Dr. Best followed that logic out---if children are a gift, then it means they are not, as we often presume, deserved. Even though our culture, and even our churches, well-meaning as they may be, talk about children as if they just fall into the laps (or wombs?) of couples who just decide they're ready, it's just not the case.<br>
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The Lord opens and closes the womb. He gives gifts. Really good ones. But since He's the gift-giver, He also gets to be the one who decides WHEN and TO WHOM those gifts are given. Throughout our time of unfulfilled longing for children, what we came back to time and time again was this promise: "No good thing does He withhold from the righteous." What a painful, but sweet lesson to learn. So, now, as we care for our gift, our Gracie (grace=gift), we still cling to that promise. Because there will be a million more instances of having to trust in God's heart of love for us, and His desire to bless us, and His perfect timing, even when it looks to us like the answer comes too slow. Lord, help me. Even as I type, I feel the anxiety of "what could be". Trust Him. Trust Him. Trust Him. Soul, believe this. He IS good.Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-17780951923771749142016-12-29T10:44:00.001-05:002017-03-20T09:00:24.872-04:00Unless the LORD builds the house...<div>
1 Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unl<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">ess the LORD watches over</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mqcWAyPGCBqZ-XFz43cvAcaxwhQeAjthE9NklmNnfd7UQbP7bFbUVtIEKOHC5RuASgXs_vYLYJ-MmmpMFwbcq6nslS3C1ZUCk_npFTGEegAB-Ko9euvbaf7amiog_3EesqYv0GUS8YSz/s640/blogger-image-903275216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9mqcWAyPGCBqZ-XFz43cvAcaxwhQeAjthE9NklmNnfd7UQbP7bFbUVtIEKOHC5RuASgXs_vYLYJ-MmmpMFwbcq6nslS3C1ZUCk_npFTGEegAB-Ko9euvbaf7amiog_3EesqYv0GUS8YSz/s640/blogger-image-903275216.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. </span></div>
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2 It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, <span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep. </span></div>
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3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. </div>
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4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. </div>
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5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:1-5)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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The first night home from the hospital was pretty terrifying. In the hospital, nurses come in the room every few hours and they're never more than a phone call away from coming to help you in between. You don't even think to check baby in the night because all the medical resources in the world are on the other side of your door. Then, you come home to your house and everything once familiar is now scary. Is that bassinet really safe? Is the temperature too cold? Too hot? How will we know if she stops breathing in the middle of the night?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Fortunately for us, we have the most amazing friend who do things like drive to your house at 10:30 that first night to let you borrow their "is baby still breathing?" monitor. Also, more so, we prayed till we couldn't think of more words. Because monitors really only bring so much reassurance. We ingested massive amounts of scripture, lots of psalms. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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Psalm 127, though familiar, became dear in a fresh way. We could stay up all night worrying over her, but would it do any good? Unless the LORD watches over a city, its watchmen stay awake in vain. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The next morning, on the way to that first pediatric appointment, Casey and I reflected on some ways God had cared for us on that first scary night. We remembered psalm 127 again, and for the first time, it made absolute perfect sense to me that the second half of the psalm is about children being a heritage from the LORD. I honestly think that psalm is for new parents! It's like, hey, stop worrying about this little girl as if you love her more than the LORD. Don't you remember he's the one Who gave her to you in the first place? A heritage from the LORD. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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And, remember this God is the same God of psalm 121, who never sleeps. He watches over all three of you while you all sleep. He guards your life. He guards hers. And so it goes, we keep meeting God in the scary hard places, and it's not the way we'd choose, but it is good. Thank you Father. </div>
Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-85736480364360358532016-12-19T09:22:00.001-05:002016-12-19T09:24:30.497-05:00Desperate<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR59CzOBailEHCCX1-5juU6iPDo2Jt_4g2JuzeG_jcFBDssbdrH2LvMKFE-6x-TCfSQWUaIbTCi_UwrawYkeptZ8IFOPpN0pRn2WAZSILgX9mMTwegi2231B08EXk9_gc-tZolggcQKQ-2/s640/blogger-image-313225047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR59CzOBailEHCCX1-5juU6iPDo2Jt_4g2JuzeG_jcFBDssbdrH2LvMKFE-6x-TCfSQWUaIbTCi_UwrawYkeptZ8IFOPpN0pRn2WAZSILgX9mMTwegi2231B08EXk9_gc-tZolggcQKQ-2/s640/blogger-image-313225047.jpg"></a></div>Desperate. That is the word of the week. <div><br></div><div>Desperate for some sleep, yes. For a hot shower. For a massage maybe?</div><div><br></div><div>But sooo much more, desperate for God. Desperate for all of who Jesus is to be lived out in me. Desperate for the Holy Spirit's power and love and joy and peace to rule me. </div><div><br></div><div>Desperate for knowledge I don't have. For energy I don't have. For love I don't have. For the fight I don't have in me. So desperate. </div><div><br></div><div>But He keeps saying, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5)<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div> Thank God. Because I am poor. It is so clear now. </div><div><br></div><div>And He keeps making the kingdom show up. He keeps giving Grace. His people keep bringing food and texting at the right moment and giving advice and praying and offering living words from His word. He is sustaining. I've been Elijah out hiding in the wilderness and He keeps sending ravens to feed me.</div><div><br></div><div>"Open wide your mouth and I will fill it." (Psalm 81:10)</div><div><br></div><div>It hurts. My pride. My heart. My eyes, from crying. But He's doing surgery on my heart. And I'm trying to quit fighting Him and fight against the lies instead. The ones that say he isn't listening, or doesn't care, or is getting tired of my neediness. </div><div><br></div><div>I think maybe that's really his favorite thing for me to say. "I need you. I know you are good, and I want you. Please give me you."</div><div><br></div><div>Even typing it, I'm afraid. That it's gonna run out -his Grace, his patience. So I'm praying this for me:</div><div><br></div><div>"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." (Romans 15:13)</div><div><br></div><div>Please, pray it for me, too. I'm desperate for you to keep walking with me. </div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-738060253686519112016-12-09T13:53:00.001-05:002016-12-16T15:51:48.435-05:0041 weeks (from the hospital bed) - from last Friday 12/9<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 41 weeks (as of Friday)!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>A jackfruit??? Basically, baby size. </span></span><div><span style="line-height: 23.8px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Total weight gain/loss? </b>Enough. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? 😂</b></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> 4:15 a.m. Is evidently some kind of special time because I keep waking up then. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Hearing that baby is looking good, BUT it's time for her to come out. </span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Symptoms? </b>Yup. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Food!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Anything that might lead to indigestion or other adverse side effects. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Y'all know. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs? </b>Yup. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Ouuut. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Food. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> She's really coming soon. Oh my! Also, food haha. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Hello! Labor. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"></span><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bump? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtvmwRhqPLzlve6BXMPLCcmf6Df29QvNM6DJYrqJKnLRamijjvPf2NILXgj-PxCrnzJImy2oMxLQiO1wbcn5sfl6DcA7EE7pHzw2BDKgNqgBku4RpYwMndFjwYIQVPat_VKMbT1uCQdDy/s640/blogger-image-2060398183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWtvmwRhqPLzlve6BXMPLCcmf6Df29QvNM6DJYrqJKnLRamijjvPf2NILXgj-PxCrnzJImy2oMxLQiO1wbcn5sfl6DcA7EE7pHzw2BDKgNqgBku4RpYwMndFjwYIQVPat_VKMbT1uCQdDy/s640/blogger-image-2060398183.jpg"></a></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></b><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-40678509111592013622016-12-02T10:33:00.001-05:002016-12-02T13:03:31.156-05:00Happy due date!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 40 weeks (as of Friday)!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>A pumpkin, or a watermelon. </span></span><div><span style="line-height: 23.8px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Enough for a small human to be nice and comfy 😂. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>Should read: one pair of yoga pants, and a handful of shirts long enough to look semi-appropriate with said yoga pants. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Not as long as I'd like, but still happening, so I'm thankful. It's hard to nap because my mind is going-going. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Really enjoyed our appointment this week. Casey came, our midwife was great, and we are getting so close. </span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Symptoms?</b> Exhaustion. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>I don't know! Whatever doesn't lead to indigestion. I've eaten a lot of chicken noodle soup this week. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>See above: foods that lead to indigestion. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Y'all know. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs? </b>No...</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Ouuut. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Food. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> This Thursday we'll either being seeing baby via ultrasound, or in our arms. Either way, we get to see baby again for first time since July's anatomy ultrasound!!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Hello! Due date!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"></span><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bump? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRJC2yvdW5OjAmUVINTHaw2khS7amPnsrspjYc-nAlCWWzneqHvI-uj_Rr9wPfTBio2GkiGtUo0_enyBFGbhT2PopKt3WT2p3ZS2or5OWQj4lnwUHeYm1MmXJmku6L-RVvieCXHdS2Nyu/s640/blogger-image--1850863526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPRJC2yvdW5OjAmUVINTHaw2khS7amPnsrspjYc-nAlCWWzneqHvI-uj_Rr9wPfTBio2GkiGtUo0_enyBFGbhT2PopKt3WT2p3ZS2or5OWQj4lnwUHeYm1MmXJmku6L-RVvieCXHdS2Nyu/s640/blogger-image--1850863526.jpg"></a></div><br></div></b><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-67260197146078370372016-11-25T10:07:00.001-05:002016-11-25T15:59:16.719-05:0039 weeks and counting...<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 39 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>A mini watermelon, or a small pumpkin. </span></span><div><span style="line-height: 23.8px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Healthy gain. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>Yup. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Not as long as I'd like, but I also got in a couple naps this week, so that was nice!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Strangers are excited to talk with me about baby. In a gas station yesterday a lady told me I looked adorable and that we're gonna have so much fun being parents. 👊🏻👨👩👧</span></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Symptoms?</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Still in extreme nesting mode. I dusted. I despise dusting. 😂</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Well I'm not sure we can accurately assess this with Thanksgiving happening, but I did eat my slice of pumpkin pie AND dad's (for breakfast). </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Same old...Grease.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Yes, the baby has one. 🤓</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs? </b>No. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Ouuut. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> I think just easy mobility. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Been looking more forward to experiencing this with God and Casey. It's gonna be tough, but it's gonna be an adventure we won't forget. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Car seat installed ✔ New smoke alarm installed ✔ Bags packed ✔ </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"></span><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bump? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTma6WiJPOqXEMNOovGDRsY3ep5IWd_AM_tLG57ATUI05mxRuSnYtkXY5H37Air03fsA9GhS9T2CwbaUMFxMpUfvmxH75w65FHT_zcxvoqgVMj3o6eOGRsokWWNXslTf9GEnobLq39sP74/s640/blogger-image--16753188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTma6WiJPOqXEMNOovGDRsY3ep5IWd_AM_tLG57ATUI05mxRuSnYtkXY5H37Air03fsA9GhS9T2CwbaUMFxMpUfvmxH75w65FHT_zcxvoqgVMj3o6eOGRsokWWNXslTf9GEnobLq39sP74/s640/blogger-image--16753188.jpg"></a></div></b><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-17769354994475946292016-11-17T11:17:00.001-05:002016-11-19T11:47:58.069-05:0038 weeks! The final countdown...<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 38 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>A leek,o r a winter melon. Where do they come up with this stuff!?</span></span><div><span style="line-height: 23.8px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Healthy gain. </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>I just don't wanna talk about it anymore. 😁</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Tricky, but enjoyable. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>When mom called to see if she could come help 27th a few more things around the house. ❤</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9xnpYLHmcSGdNDUm7yqJIvfDaOGIIjl-vKoE5Wzwnpst74mFJG0NdWhaXqQPxblxj4Ju_wAnCh2Hum01qKkZrGljDWUuH0yc8UEX0XCHJC9jhmeOh9v77gfv66VzK4tHTNRDuyFShkwa/s640/blogger-image-1958683891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9xnpYLHmcSGdNDUm7yqJIvfDaOGIIjl-vKoE5Wzwnpst74mFJG0NdWhaXqQPxblxj4Ju_wAnCh2Hum01qKkZrGljDWUuH0yc8UEX0XCHJC9jhmeOh9v77gfv66VzK4tHTNRDuyFShkwa/s640/blogger-image-1958683891.jpg"></a></div><br></span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>Lots of moving around in there (her). Extreme nesting mode (me). Stressed (him - probably mostly due to me - sorry buddy). Also, this 😂:</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT0Lkrv5P47bQFOdSdrRrV2NS_64AruJjiGdWYxNX5HPWaG1OkSYxMm5SK3BfTKj9fQpbbkfY8Ic9afMqdtdnMEvL9-PeN7pwLsf_1wX3Y618Z6ihkUaFhp3D258J1ttbpvmZu72isYG0/s640/blogger-image--177161613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghT0Lkrv5P47bQFOdSdrRrV2NS_64AruJjiGdWYxNX5HPWaG1OkSYxMm5SK3BfTKj9fQpbbkfY8Ic9afMqdtdnMEvL9-PeN7pwLsf_1wX3Y618Z6ihkUaFhp3D258J1ttbpvmZu72isYG0/s640/blogger-image--177161613.jpg"></a></div><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>I had 3 scones one day. Also, a serious craving for key lime pie. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Grease. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Well let's just say there's a lot of pink in that nursery, so... Hope they were right. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> Not yet. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Ouuut. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Thinking my bed was comfortable. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Getting car seat installed and bags packed. Also, the other side of labor 😬😱</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Strangers are officially concerned I'm going to "pop at any minute". 😩. We took our preparing for labor class ✔ </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"></span><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bump? </b><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZWH4o9md_OXiJoFwBwotRJ2zZm-RPgiUdrnZ_D4aPTeckvrCml6FyDLQRHj2KudWAAK5pv_70x0q1hS_gfHSi1oYItw_SpD0Le3rByEkG2t1Z1OlY3Ht0kfZt3VooZlstkv5Sq2cUyBz/s640/blogger-image--1765226497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZWH4o9md_OXiJoFwBwotRJ2zZm-RPgiUdrnZ_D4aPTeckvrCml6FyDLQRHj2KudWAAK5pv_70x0q1hS_gfHSi1oYItw_SpD0Le3rByEkG2t1Z1OlY3Ht0kfZt3VooZlstkv5Sq2cUyBz/s640/blogger-image--1765226497.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div></div></div></div></span></div></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-68249889846319395152016-11-13T10:57:00.001-05:002016-11-13T10:57:31.045-05:0037 weeks, eek!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 37 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>Swiss chard (i know, what?), Or a large cantaloupe. </span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Healthy gain. </span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>What did people do before yoga pants, really?</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Intermittent, but enjoyed 😁</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Grandma Joanne and Aunt Krysi helping me set up the nursery last Saturday + Grandma Pam helping me clean this house this weekend! </span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>Yup. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Harris Teeter had Breyers ice cream b2g3 free. Need I say more?</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Still true: I still eagerly await the day I can eat a bojangles kids Supremes meal with fries, mountain dew, and honey mustard. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Das HAS to know by now it's a girl :)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> Nope. But those Braxton hicks though...</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Ouuut. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Normal clothes. Getting in and out of bed easily. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Preparing For Labor class this Monday 😮</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>We're under a month from due date!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"></span><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bump? </b><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsonoALRvsb3EFvcvEq6fJcENJJOj-sIITnspKeUYbxpznqTbwoFN7s3DdnXCS9FncJgVpwi_BnFH1PKIhbXVw1YNy0lv6W4utdJBb_-Zg9qQCcVarC1Gc8NUnkmWpDHnRulIFMvh_oOE/s640/blogger-image-973760879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsonoALRvsb3EFvcvEq6fJcENJJOj-sIITnspKeUYbxpznqTbwoFN7s3DdnXCS9FncJgVpwi_BnFH1PKIhbXVw1YNy0lv6W4utdJBb_-Zg9qQCcVarC1Gc8NUnkmWpDHnRulIFMvh_oOE/s640/blogger-image-973760879.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div></div></div></span></div></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-45488653714763314582016-11-04T09:15:00.001-04:002016-11-05T08:56:20.157-04:0036 Weeks (9 months!?)<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 36 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>Romaine lettuce, or a canary melon, whatever the heck that is 😂</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Definitely gaining, but beyond that, don't know. </span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>I bought some more pants this week, and a couple new shirts. #lifechanging </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> So many weird dreams. Leopards and cheerleaders and doors that won't lock. What?</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Did I mention the new pants?</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>It's weird to experience pain in places you didn't even think about before.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Me and ice cream 🍦 are still bff's. I'd like to recommend Breyer extra creamy vanilla. So good. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>I still eagerly await the day I can eat a bojangles kids Supremes meal with fries, mountain dew, and honey mustard. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Das HAS to know by now it's a girl :)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> Nope. But those Braxton hicks though...</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Ouuut. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> T-shirts. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Hospital tour Tuesday. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>9 months!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"></span><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bump? </b><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYdi0hkeOiVDj39YolzmfNG9Wl1lQNNr8Z8afRGmsu18gWDtC6nCME0eUJwgx53FQtOto4rraUni4cu086k-gRFfUZiglu-SF4OWRPLn0TnLH0RzWmyGT2_86fZUuJDSCzcXvch7WxxBR/s640/blogger-image-1489997463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBYdi0hkeOiVDj39YolzmfNG9Wl1lQNNr8Z8afRGmsu18gWDtC6nCME0eUJwgx53FQtOto4rraUni4cu086k-gRFfUZiglu-SF4OWRPLn0TnLH0RzWmyGT2_86fZUuJDSCzcXvch7WxxBR/s640/blogger-image-1489997463.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div></div></span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-51653459652551115082016-10-29T20:28:00.001-04:002016-10-29T20:28:22.388-04:0035 Weeks!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 35 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>A honeydew 🍈, or a pineapple 😍</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Happy to say I don't even know.</span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>Pajamas? </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> So many weird dreams. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Pep talk from the doctor, hearing her heartbeat, and realizing we're now in the every week appointment stretch 😮🙏🏻🎉</span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>Discomfort. Everywhere. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Me and ice cream 🍦 are still bff's. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Grease. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Don't tell dad, but it's a girl. (He seriously has to already know though). </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> Nope. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Ouuut. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Just easy mobility I guess. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Seeing her out here. ❤ </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Got the "when to call the doctor" list and phone #s. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"></span><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Bump? </b></span><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvwVtxoS2R5WiLoq6YETiSx8C46bwNPYlPDIaM7doSAAHRftfXmXrH2f_wWZaKdkVy3l7YjMrhdmv4f_jIZcrtyJ3srQqW009Jgp9M41sUJeQSAJAqKexUXcjdbr9avI-9b6q70A0MYCc/s640/blogger-image--1961929394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvwVtxoS2R5WiLoq6YETiSx8C46bwNPYlPDIaM7doSAAHRftfXmXrH2f_wWZaKdkVy3l7YjMrhdmv4f_jIZcrtyJ3srQqW009Jgp9M41sUJeQSAJAqKexUXcjdbr9avI-9b6q70A0MYCc/s640/blogger-image--1961929394.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div></span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-77686814410279115032016-10-22T07:13:00.001-04:002016-10-23T08:37:23.086-04:0034 Weeks - a melon<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 34 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>Cantaloupe, or a honeydew 🍈 😍</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Happy to say I don't even know. </span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>So necessary. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Well, it's Saturday and I woke up before 6 😭</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Sleeping through the night in the middle of a cold. That was a serious answer to prayer y'all. </span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>Achiness. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>All the carbs. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Same old, same old. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Don't tell dad, but it's a girl. (Although not sure hope he doesn't know by now). </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, not yet!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Ouuut. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Just easy mobility I guess. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Shower with my church fam today ❤ </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Mmm... Nothing I can think of. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"></span><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Bump? </b>I woke up like this.</span><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o3d17FT0CTi1lyQKI6sdrjyEigwltK1gVLoMVxfmbcY2yWOWHDQGP-zREq5vn7P3XZ4kGVpK2mY28VG3D1Ld6Qn-tVmRi-WhDOut88ay0Kwpur2ohUTGz6L3YXYD-ljQyRSSi_aIs4Co/s640/blogger-image--1773131327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2o3d17FT0CTi1lyQKI6sdrjyEigwltK1gVLoMVxfmbcY2yWOWHDQGP-zREq5vn7P3XZ4kGVpK2mY28VG3D1Ld6Qn-tVmRi-WhDOut88ay0Kwpur2ohUTGz6L3YXYD-ljQyRSSi_aIs4Co/s640/blogger-image--1773131327.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div></div></span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-78543343482089688532016-10-15T15:05:00.001-04:002016-10-15T15:05:39.212-04:0033 weeks. It's a pineapple!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 33 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>Pineapple, or a head of lettuce.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Still steadily gaining :)</span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>So thankful to be able to go through all the cold weather clothes that friends are letting me borrow. What a blessing. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Interrupted, but still, lovely. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Mountains with Love for a "babymoon". #thankful</span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>Achiness. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>All the bread. Sweet, savory, sweet again. Milk, whole please. Ice cream. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Whatever gave me the worst heartburn ever Tuesday night. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Don't tell dad, but it's a girl. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, not yet, but I'm thankful that at this point labor wouldn't be the end of the world. Can't believe we're that far along. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Out. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> It is hard to change positions. Like sitting to standing. Laying down to anything else is like a workout. :)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Life with her out here!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Doctor says head is definitely down. Getting ready... </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Bump? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA84g8350GAnl3h2JQlhoYb1-cLJDZbBP1f2uELpviF-GOp9KtAaLUQ12z-hat0T6fNtMOA_37Myr5q5aPDSwRMu6_fSDJtGVRZxG_fKQlQLTLMraFv011r7bdbwSXbFEnLqojvkQ01f_/s640/blogger-image-2084050402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA84g8350GAnl3h2JQlhoYb1-cLJDZbBP1f2uELpviF-GOp9KtAaLUQ12z-hat0T6fNtMOA_37Myr5q5aPDSwRMu6_fSDJtGVRZxG_fKQlQLTLMraFv011r7bdbwSXbFEnLqojvkQ01f_/s640/blogger-image-2084050402.jpg"></a></div><br></div></b></span></span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-38991464612966305672016-10-08T11:17:00.001-04:002016-10-08T11:54:30.039-04:0032 Weeks!<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 32 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>A jicama! 😂 Or, a half gallon of milk. How healthy. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Fewer clothing options. </span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>See above 😀</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Definitely waking up more. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Super squirmy baby. But shy (or stubborn), I guess, because daddy doesn't get to feel it very often. </span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>How have I ever worn flats?</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Ice cream is my BFF. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>I think the fruit phase has passed. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Don't tell (grand) dad, but it's a girl. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, not yet! And preferably not till after our preparing for labor class!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Out. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Comfortable pants. And shirts. Yup. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Mountain trip with C. "Babymoon", if you will. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>First shower tomorrow yay. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Bump? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Fg5sbTVV-wGUOEy6Y44vqcL_MS1jWd-63p2061OKeKAIn9OoUAVt0mmmIDuTA-WGZ4gj8GvvBoSB0jVhsDsXQ-0nhNxBrD_4gwspLuasEzALQfLzqgmFvaFufgPOoTK9BHMWqleqfkCF/s640/blogger-image--1246815921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Fg5sbTVV-wGUOEy6Y44vqcL_MS1jWd-63p2061OKeKAIn9OoUAVt0mmmIDuTA-WGZ4gj8GvvBoSB0jVhsDsXQ-0nhNxBrD_4gwspLuasEzALQfLzqgmFvaFufgPOoTK9BHMWqleqfkCF/s640/blogger-image--1246815921.jpg"></a></div></b></span></span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-20104705019166839682016-10-02T12:39:00.001-04:002016-10-02T12:58:14.949-04:0031 weeks- coconut or butternut squash?<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 31 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>Butternut squash (how fall like), or coconut. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> No loss.</span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>Yup.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Necessary. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Making room in baby's room by finally having a yard sale and getting rid of some stuff. Then getting a pedicure afterwards when my feet were aching. </span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>My feet, my back, all achy. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Currently, chocolate cupcakes with that classic store bought icing. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Too much grease still. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Don't tell dad, but it's a girl. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, not yet!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Out. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Comfortable pants. And shirts. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Seeing her face. More imminently, mountains soon!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>It's a month of baby showers...</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Bump? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfNaODrvCMQr4ZQtvimZ1sTtNKm1ZQwZHkfcXF-dbq-_30GiKvFNdBTP9-FISIHfZPFcGxkTwj1Kh1_jS56dP21znv3dHDlag9PNKbHjVwlOUsX5ZN-FaX2upWUWbcTZMAOW3tohMAA71/s640/blogger-image--1175802614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfNaODrvCMQr4ZQtvimZ1sTtNKm1ZQwZHkfcXF-dbq-_30GiKvFNdBTP9-FISIHfZPFcGxkTwj1Kh1_jS56dP21znv3dHDlag9PNKbHjVwlOUsX5ZN-FaX2upWUWbcTZMAOW3tohMAA71/s640/blogger-image--1175802614.jpg"></a></div></b></span></span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-61140644126598248962016-09-24T12:29:00.001-04:002016-09-24T12:29:56.326-04:00Hello little cabbage! (30 weeks)<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 30 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>We have a "cabbage" patch baby! </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Healthy.</span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>Between borrowing from friends and mom and dad and Danni buying me a few things, I've spent almost nothing. #blessed</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Definitely waking up at least one or two times a night, but generally getting decent sleep. #thankful</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Getting kicked hard enough to say "ow!?"a couple times. </span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>My feet though. Killing me. But, amazing hubby rubbed them, twice. He's a good one y'all. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Sweet tooth is back with a vengeance. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Fewer than the first 29 weeks, but still greasy = unappetizing. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>Pretty much everyone in the world knows now but grandpa Wase. Good luck there. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, thank goodness!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Out. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Comfortable pants. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Doctor appointment this week and then we'll finally be doing every other week. A month is too long to wait to hear that heartbeat. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>I mean, we only have two months to go. It's getting real. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Bump? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxutR5sSw6-PnDldPEKKorMaEN094QUPFkyaNbgQlEmog_urcJgwi1XhOXFOM2ZcYlkK6Kh0vweYKUtJpexvU4_3Oa_gw2eCRAY5Bp4QS6BOnOL1abZ_aKVK7_-3j01U45V4rIs8Rar0r/s640/blogger-image-1671435837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxutR5sSw6-PnDldPEKKorMaEN094QUPFkyaNbgQlEmog_urcJgwi1XhOXFOM2ZcYlkK6Kh0vweYKUtJpexvU4_3Oa_gw2eCRAY5Bp4QS6BOnOL1abZ_aKVK7_-3j01U45V4rIs8Rar0r/s640/blogger-image-1671435837.jpg"></a></div></b></span></span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-26508239818155761502016-09-18T10:51:00.001-04:002016-09-18T10:51:14.136-04:0029 weeks. Butternut squash or large water bottle? Take your pick.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 29 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>Casey's app says butternut squash (awww), mine says extra large bottle of water 😂. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Healthy gain. I'm really thankful God has helped me not worry about this too much. Just try to eat healthy and help baby grow. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>The struggle is real. Just when things are fitting, I think I'm outgrowing them. #ineedsomeyogapants #realbad</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Just tossing and turning. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Is it lame to say paying off student loan? But it's something we've prayed for and longed for, especially pre baby's arrival, and God provided! </span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>Sitting in any position is pretty uncomfortable. Makes meetings and that football game I went to with dad... Different experiences 😀</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Mmm... Ice cream still. Ice cold water. Fruit. Haven't changed much. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Fatty, greasy, fried stuff. Same same. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender? </b>It's getting harder to not slip with grandpa Wase. Eek. 11 more weeks 😬</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, thank goodness!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Out. Totally weird. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Sleeping on my back. And Bojangles Supremes and fries. 😪</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Seeing our families enjoying little butternut squash. Oh and #babymoon ! (Good excuse for a mountain weekend). </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Final monthly appointment next week, and then we're down to every other week. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Bump? </b>Getting ready to go to baby's first state game!<div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDpwMgASQczau4QUIZQ1B9EYPU5HpdDILIz_HW7eErP3PbuMfOQTahw0AM7rgfIcNQe6f6B7KgVAuqLDFgb3VNtq7QD_W-7lX5sNltq4uAYpJX09PdVcjWb6PjY2iHCIoBKZoeJlZBc6Z/s640/blogger-image--1486107700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDpwMgASQczau4QUIZQ1B9EYPU5HpdDILIz_HW7eErP3PbuMfOQTahw0AM7rgfIcNQe6f6B7KgVAuqLDFgb3VNtq7QD_W-7lX5sNltq4uAYpJX09PdVcjWb6PjY2iHCIoBKZoeJlZBc6Z/s640/blogger-image--1486107700.jpg"></a></div></span></span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-5507238664468124992016-09-10T09:57:00.001-04:002016-09-10T09:57:03.953-04:0028 weeks with our eggplant-cucumber<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 28 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>Casey's app says eggplant, mine says cucumber. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Healthy gain 😁</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>It's not maternity, but I did buy two pretty fall color cardigans and I feel better about life. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> The interruptions have begun again. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Passing my glucose test. Hallelujah. </span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>Well, turns out I have iron deficiency anemia, oh boy. So I get to take an iron supplement twice a day. That explains Some fatigue and fast heartbeat :) Praying that the iron doesn't make me sick like it did in the prenatal vitamin first trimester. We'll see!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Pumpkin spice... Ooh wait, that's just normal. Ice cold water still. This week, citrus. I dunno. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Fatty, greasy, fried stuff. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender?</b> Grandma Pam finally knows! What a relief! Grandpa Marty still wants to be surprised in December, so keep it quiet with him. His lack of Facebook presence should help. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, thank goodness!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Neither?</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Sleeping on my back. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Shower fun. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Depending on your source, we're now in the 3rd trimester 😮</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Bump? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV-FVES-ZNWsxKIBlZUPzJ4hbSGTirlJ6lvmF6Vvy0-EpzLsLAf95ybQKGwKZgw1lHGrDERa3kYUvwhxxVpbJewCt12RLty1zc4nKUMVdte1J4eIkHjFvutPEDqaMN5SH1CWmW2pR-24Q/s640/blogger-image-1243526835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUV-FVES-ZNWsxKIBlZUPzJ4hbSGTirlJ6lvmF6Vvy0-EpzLsLAf95ybQKGwKZgw1lHGrDERa3kYUvwhxxVpbJewCt12RLty1zc4nKUMVdte1J4eIkHjFvutPEDqaMN5SH1CWmW2pR-24Q/s640/blogger-image-1243526835.jpg"></a></div></b></span></span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-79916511836206319772016-09-03T10:05:00.001-04:002016-09-03T10:05:41.525-04:0027 weeks: the little cauliflower/eggplant<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 27 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut? </b>Casey's app said cauliflower, mine said eggplant. Mmm... That sounds good. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Healthy gain 😁</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes? </b>Target is amazing. They're the only ones who make maternity pants that have elastic built into the sides versus those terrible elastic things that are supposed to cover your whole stomach and suffocate you in the process 😂</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Body pillow is legit. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b>Wal-Mart baby clothes clearance section. The cuteness! </span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms? </b>I think that whole going back to not feeling great in the third trimester it's real. Haven't felt great last couple days. Third trimester is upon us. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>I'm undecided as yet whether it's providential our terrible that Wendy's is running their $0.50 frosty promo right now. Cold creamy things and fresh tasting things are what I want right. Also ICE COLD water. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Still not smart to eat fried/greasy food. One day, bojs, one day. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender?</b> Still a secret for Grandma and Grandpa Wase, so shhh...</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, thank goodness!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out? </b>Another week and we might be out. Weird. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> Sleeping on my back and not aching 😊</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Seeing that face in person! Getting glucose test over this week. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Think we're settled on a name. But we're not telling. Sorry. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Bump? <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgvGsix8_Wmo2hK-a60nr1RYZb4GA60tGhZub0lbLfrqMODv7BjHDA6YBg9BIzmVrY1Gp10qfAv1ZIVziZw4-nlGOdDnRBFidpOdW06RsEMvmFdtijsSVBuNJdaR5Znf2dyD6ceIDI69O/s640/blogger-image-2022319553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgvGsix8_Wmo2hK-a60nr1RYZb4GA60tGhZub0lbLfrqMODv7BjHDA6YBg9BIzmVrY1Gp10qfAv1ZIVziZw4-nlGOdDnRBFidpOdW06RsEMvmFdtijsSVBuNJdaR5Znf2dyD6ceIDI69O/s640/blogger-image-2022319553.jpg"></a></div></b></span></span>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-16921200069518761832016-08-28T16:17:00.001-04:002016-08-28T16:17:45.189-04:0026 Weeks for Baby A<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 26 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut?</b> The size of a scallion (length wise I'm guessing), or a chuck roast 😂</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Gain. We'll leave it there.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> Between 2 friends' loans and a couple shopping trips I can now happily report I have clothes that fit :)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> Been using the body pillow Kelly loaned me. It's interesting. I think I like it. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b> Casey and I picked out a few outfits for baby. First things we've specifically bought for this little one. </span><br><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms?</b> Um... Nothing I feel like sharing? Just... Go read a pregnancy book. They're fairly accurate :)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings? </b>Grapes! Red grapes. And ice water. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions? </b>Sadly, chick-fil-a is back on the banned list :(</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender?</b> Still a secret for Grandma and Grandpa Wase, so shhh...</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, thank goodness!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out?</b> We're still in, barely. Didn't you want to picture my belly button? Ew.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> The beach. Oh wait, you meant in regards to pregnancy? Well...More clothing options. That's about it. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Next appointment and hearing that heartbeat again. Kicks every day. Seeing Casey take care of baby. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones? </b>Nothing this week I don't think. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Bump? </b></span></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="line-height: 23.8px;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8UyYQsjccVeOVJSHCK31mNVSJKwtbpsQAtQ22jCJ9p9YSt1OEUhfwOjVt0p-sW9X_kA-VREx1E_MXJLoQbU00qST2Lohx_97hxSpA08kGenzFNmz2ZXTzZC-js37hzHnsMM8j92R888J/s640/blogger-image-530083600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8UyYQsjccVeOVJSHCK31mNVSJKwtbpsQAtQ22jCJ9p9YSt1OEUhfwOjVt0p-sW9X_kA-VREx1E_MXJLoQbU00qST2Lohx_97hxSpA08kGenzFNmz2ZXTzZC-js37hzHnsMM8j92R888J/s640/blogger-image-530083600.jpg"></a></div><br></b></span></span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-79557068698573201412016-08-20T13:08:00.005-04:002016-08-20T16:19:48.621-04:0025 Week Update: Cauliflower/Rutabaga<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusBeKIfqCc41-AbCwMbv4xIuI039ADWZsX3zrlbLWHESQxCNVdqZHq4glFIjI7dcmD6tSoXv3DJBdN0iJoTLCz-wl_y8vdWMuc7sBRWW6repG2kT4nuEm_ravxl37dNAKq8u65W8o83mK/s1600/cauliflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusBeKIfqCc41-AbCwMbv4xIuI039ADWZsX3zrlbLWHESQxCNVdqZHq4glFIjI7dcmD6tSoXv3DJBdN0iJoTLCz-wl_y8vdWMuc7sBRWW6repG2kT4nuEm_ravxl37dNAKq8u65W8o83mK/s1600/cauliflower.jpg"></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How far along?</b> 25 weeks (as of Friday)</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>How big is the peanut?</b> The size of a cauliflower (or Rutabaga if that's your thing)</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Total weight gain/loss?</b> Gain. We'll leave it there.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> Yes! (when I packed for the beach 2 weekends ago, normal clothes fit. By midweek at the beach, nope!)</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Sleep?</b> I'm getting it, and I'm thankful (even if it doesn't ease the back aches)</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Best moment this week? </b> Hearing Lil Cauliflower's heartbeat at the checkup (going strong in the 140's!) and hearing that we're right on track with measurement.</span><br>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Symptoms?</b> Um...belly, check. Peeing, check. Tired, check. Tears, check. Anything else?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food cravings?</b> Mostly just fresh things---fresh veggies, fresh fruit, fresh ICE CREAM bahaha.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Food aversions?</b> Greasy food (I miss you Bojangle's, and I promise to make it up to you one day!!!)</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Gender?</b> Still a secret for Grandma and Grandpa Wase, so shhh...</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Labor signs?</b> No, thank goodness!</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Belly button in or out?</b> We're still in, barely. Didn't you want to picture my belly button? Ew.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I miss?</b> My favorite jeans. And Bojangle's. And Mt. Dew. I'm done crying now.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>What I'm looking forward to?</b> Seeing Lil Cauliflower!!! Also, being done with the glucose test (next apppointment, bleh.)</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Milestones?</b> Mmm...we're in month 6. We know gender. I've officially "outgrown" my normal clothes. What else to say?</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: SofiaProLight, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.8px;"><b>Bump?</b> Yup! The last week or two is the first time that random people have said something to me about being pregnant, so I know it's for real noticeable now...not just doughnut belly anymore :)</span><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OBuXuu_x_wJc2KND-azYAQYPNa0s2PX0k4pBJW2rkE2QxjOChCAB0kI5uJlT6gHry012TdxsNZ_efrGld_iepJkjbsnrgiHcB3IdkOdahFvNWDFgTZUq_068WMfuDJ-qh3aelkBoT6-n/s640/blogger-image-1176797443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9OBuXuu_x_wJc2KND-azYAQYPNa0s2PX0k4pBJW2rkE2QxjOChCAB0kI5uJlT6gHry012TdxsNZ_efrGld_iepJkjbsnrgiHcB3IdkOdahFvNWDFgTZUq_068WMfuDJ-qh3aelkBoT6-n/s640/blogger-image-1176797443.jpg"></a></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-21640854008310918432016-07-16T09:22:00.001-04:002016-07-16T09:22:26.297-04:00"Oh, we're halfway there, oh, living on a prayer!"Yesterday marked our official halfway point in our pregnancy. Naturally, we celebrated with a slice of carrot cake topped with a "1/2" candle that I found in Target's clearance section (reason #34567 why Target is the best store ever). Then we tried really hard to stand still with our hands on the belly to see if we could feel anything. Nothing yet. Patience (we get to see Baby A again on Monday eeek!!!)...<br />
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Yesterday was also a big day for our adoption. Our agency's policy is that if we haven't matched with a birthmom/baby by the time we're 5 months pregnant, they put us on hold until our bio-baby is 6 months old. We got official word at 2:54 p.m. yesterday that no match has been made thus far. So, we know that we'll be on hold until at least June of next year.<br />
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There's so many emotions going on with all that. I know, you say, "You're pregnant! Of course there's emotions!" Ok, you're right. There are. But I do think there's layers of emotions that we wouldn't otherwise have if we weren't simultaneously pregnant AND pursuing adoption. A little relief that we won't have 2 newborns at the same time. A little disappointment that we won't meet our adopted child for at least another year. A tinge of doubt that maybe we messed something up in the process. A flicker of hope because we know God really is the One in control. "All the feelings," as they say.<br />
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When we found out on April 1st (Yes, April Fool's Day. See, God is funny!) that we were pregnant after several years of not getting pregnant, and deciding to go ahead and pursue adoption (something we'd always wanted to do, but had planned to do post-bio-babies), we were...surprised. A little confused. We were 2 weeks out from our final home visit and adoption approval..."Why Now God?" was a real question---not because we weren't happy. We were! Just...we don't get the inside scoop on what God's doing, and we were...confused.<br />
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For about a week, we wondered and prayed and asked advice about whether to even continue with our last home study appointment, and felt like God was leading us to go ahead and continue the process. We did, we got approved, and we only needed to make a profile book about our family to show prospective birthmoms. Boy, this last step seemed like it took forever!!! (Kinda 'cause it did...) But in June, we finally finished it with about a month to spare before we'd be put on hold by our agency.<br />
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All during that book-making process, we were, again, wondering and praying and asking advice about whether to even continue the process. Is it crazy to set yourself up to have 2 newborns at the same time??? We actually got to ask a couple who experienced that exact thing, and they said "Yes! It IS crazy, but it's worth it..." Honestly, during the process, I don't know that we were ever SURE one way or the other what God wanted for us, BUT we knew that we trusted Him to make the right decision. So, we took a step of faith, we made our book, we put ourselves out there, we set ourselves up for possible craziness. And, as you see, He said "Not right now."<br />
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All along I've told people that God knows the timing of when our adopted child will be born. That hasn't changed. All that's changed is that I THOUGHT I knew when it was going to happen, and I was wrong. I FEEL like I know now...I feel like maybe we're halfway through the adoption, too. Like maybe it'll be another year and a half before we met our next little one. But, honestly, I just don't know. I kind of hate when people turn things into cliches like "I don't know what the future holds, but I trust the One who holds the future." But, it really is true. Pretty much all of this has been a walk of faith. And it seems God isn't done teaching us about that yet. We're going out like Abraham to that place God is calling us to---we just don't know exactly where it is or when we're gonna get there. Til then, we trust Him.<br />
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In this whole process, the message of the song "Oceans" has been a recurring theme. It seems every time we were at a crossroads emotionally or financially, this song would come up. So, I thought I'd post it here:<br />
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Excited to meet Baby A in December, and excited to meet Baby A #2 whenever the Lord decides...<br />
C&CCristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-15367427681744533572015-12-12T08:00:00.001-05:002015-12-12T08:00:57.430-05:00Coach<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNVAya_S9JoZdWyfXdQDqSR8RL9E4eIQxqW6UzidP7jXOUBsuQmCEfLT2woWAByOOSPrXzDIQUqsYjX1kAcHjEWM33suR01qkZmjoZsecotZs5eUv8IpGLz-8DiI9ggzxNEteJTf2V7Vm/s640/blogger-image-576998732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNVAya_S9JoZdWyfXdQDqSR8RL9E4eIQxqW6UzidP7jXOUBsuQmCEfLT2woWAByOOSPrXzDIQUqsYjX1kAcHjEWM33suR01qkZmjoZsecotZs5eUv8IpGLz-8DiI9ggzxNEteJTf2V7Vm/s640/blogger-image-576998732.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Thursday afternoon, I was watching the Southern Middle Panthers take on the Mcdougle Middle Mustangs. The team was struggling at one point and I noticed the coach call out some instruction to one of his players. It seemed like it was probably some instruction he'd already given a few times to this player, who rolled his eyes, shook his head, and muttered something to his teammate. I thought, "Oh, buddy, that is just not gonna work out for you." <div><br></div><div>If for no other reason than he'll pull you out of the game if you won't follow his lead, you should submit to your coach. But beyond that, <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">it's just not smart to disagree with your coach, who knows you, and can see the game with an outside perspective. He's the coach for a reason. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Isn't it the same with us and God? Isaiah 28 explains how God is like a farmer with us, careful to plow and sow and harvest at just the right time. So why is it so hard for us to wait on His timing? Do we think we know better? That He is somehow not competent to run our lives? He is competent.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Isaiah 28:29 reminds us that He is, "The LORD Almighty, wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom." He knows how to coach us.</span></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-69389650913823179402015-11-08T12:39:00.001-05:002015-11-08T12:39:29.516-05:00God either counts faith or trespasses<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxeMXbFVcbhyF2Q9lSNP0zF3ThqLW6OOqNHM7AiIkP9ijOJiHTXB-kmhYv9UzSMPVaXd4rLjblgNIdf76PsidU8TB-3_TNTuMg1YWM5EHZ86phzx2sqG6HEiQ4VvhZe9m3ttZhN4LzwAF/s640/blogger-image--1776704237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxeMXbFVcbhyF2Q9lSNP0zF3ThqLW6OOqNHM7AiIkP9ijOJiHTXB-kmhYv9UzSMPVaXd4rLjblgNIdf76PsidU8TB-3_TNTuMg1YWM5EHZ86phzx2sqG6HEiQ4VvhZe9m3ttZhN4LzwAF/s640/blogger-image--1776704237.jpg"></a></div>I read something the other day that kind of dumbfounded me:<div><br></div><div>"that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, <i>not counting their trespasses against them</i>, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:19 </div><div><br></div><div>Of course, I'm glad God is not counting trespasses against those in Christ, especially me, but I wondered, "<i>How?? How can He just not count them?</i>" </div><div><br></div><div>After a few days of some Mary-style pondering in my heart, I could only conclude that I didn't understand, but I was thankful. Then, searching for this passage about Abraham's faith in God's promise, I realized a connection that took my breath away:</div><div><br></div><div><div>20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,</div><div>21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.</div><div>22 That is why <b>his faith was "counted to him as righteousness</b>."</div><div>23 But the words "it was counted to him" were not written for his sake alone,</div><div>24 but for ours also. <b>It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,</b></div><div><b>25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification</b>. </div><div>Romans 4:20-25 </div><div><br></div><div>So, I realized, God will count one of two things- our trespasses, or our faith in Christ. One leads to death, our deserved wage. One leads to life, a gift of Jesus' righteousness. </div><div><br></div><div>Here's what I've found:</div><div><div>6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:</div><div>7 "Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; </div><div>8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin." </div><div>Romans 4:6-8</div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2017962545826751587.post-60729558882990843222015-10-12T19:37:00.001-04:002015-10-12T19:37:07.037-04:00Renewing Our VowsBrett came over Saturday night and helped Casey put together the humongous desk that he bought. They couldn't fit it in the door Tuesday when he brought it home, so the only thing to do was take screws out and bring it inside in pieces. Kelly was at a wedding vow renewal, so we got to talking about that whole concept --- why people do it and that sort of thing. I didn't know what I thought about it.<br />
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Sunday night we had a special baptism and singing service at church. I listened to Allie share how God connected the dots about Jesus for her several years ago, and how she's given her life to Him. I listened to Brett ask her some questions like 'Did she believe Jesus's life and death and resurrection was enough to cover her sin and give her new life?' And 'Did she want to commit to following Him forever?' It all felt very wedding-y. It was beautiful, and we all cried for joy. And I was thinking about my own baptism, and the day that I first gave my life to Jesus. How He won my heart over. I couldn't help but think of my own vows to God.<br />
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Andrew got up to lead music, and he said the band had been praying that all of us would, in a sense, be "baptized" that night---renewed. And my heart leaped a little...renewed...like renewing your vows. And we started singing. And...have you ever sat down to a meal, not realizing you were hungry, but once you started eating, you realized it was the best food you'd ever tasted? That's what it was.<br />
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We sang song after song---all my favorites. I kept waiting for a song I didn't like to come up, but it never happened. And I knew---God directed the night for ALL of us, but I couldn't help but think, "He KNOWS these are my favorites." And I sang them...I had to...I sang them to Him. I couldn't help but think, "Is God...am I...are we renewing our vows?"<br />
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We sang how "There is Power in the Name of Jesus...to break every chain"....and I confessed that I want to believe this! I need to believe this! In fact, what I wrote on my paper is, "It is <b><i>Time</i></b> to believe God for..." For people in my life that I want to be <i>free</i>. For my own<i> freedom</i> from guilt and fear.<br />
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Then Andrew said something about being controlled by love, and of course, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 came to mind, "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all; therefore all have died; and He died for all that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised."<br />
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It was the beginning of the answer to my prayer...<i>freedom</i> is being controlled not by guilt and fear, but by the love of Christ. So, we sang about His love for us. What would it be like to be ruled by love instead of guilt and fear? It sounds like cold water in the desert. So I did, and I am, begging God to help me believe His love for me. To be controlled...compelled by that love.<br />
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And, Casey tells me He's going to answer that prayer because, well, it's what He wants, and He's the one who gave me that desire in the first place. And...I am stunned. And <b>hopeful</b>. It's been twelve years, and some days I honestly wish I had more to show for it. But apparently God isn't done yet. He still wants me. Even when I am faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.<br />
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<br />Cristinahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10745013690733263411noreply@blogger.com0