I’m am stuck at home today not feeling well and there is no way I’m taking a picture of myself in the current state I’m in (nasty hair in bun, hubby’s sweatpants & t-shirt, no makeup….you get the picture).
So here is an example of how big I am:
Ok…maybe not THAT big. But sure feels that way!
Our baby girl is approx. 4.75 pounds and around 18 inches long. She’s basically the size of a cantaloupe for those of you that understand the fruit comparisons. I still don’t get it.
As soon as I’m feeling better, I will post an actual picture! But hooray…we’re 34 weeks today. 6 Weeks to go!!
Just when I think my pregnancy will never end, here are a few things I try to keep in mind:
Elephants are pregnant for 2 years.
I’m only pregnant for 9 months.
A lot of species give birth to a dozen or so babies at one time.
There’s only one inside of me!
My baby will not have hooves.
At least until she turns 13.
So yeah. It COULD be worse.
Ok…maybe not terrified. But honestly, they are difficult for me. Most churches have moved away from Sunday School, and focus more on Small Groups/Life Groups/Community Groups…whatever you may call them. I think this is awesome. I truly believe that it is so important to have people you can pour into and vice-versa. Hear me out…I think they are extremely important.
However, I’m terrified of them. I just simply don’t like them.
Oh….and why do all of our church graphics for small groups have to have people holding hands?? What group of people actually sits in a circle and holds hands?
Anyway…
Being a pastor & pastor’s wife, as hubby and I are, we draw a lot of “attention” from people who attend the churches we work for. Sometimes good attention and sometimes bad. But there is something about the pastor that people are drawn to. And they think the pastor’s wife is absolutely holy & perfect. Oh my…if only they knew.
All that to say, it’s difficult for me to be vulnerable. It’s hard to open up. It takes a lot of trust and many things for us to feel completely comfortable to talk about deep spiritual things going on with us, especially to people who look up to us so much.
We have some amazing friendships that we sink into so comfortably and can openly share anything. Most are either fellow pastors & wives, or are friends/family we have known for a long long time. I’m so thankful God has placed those people in our lives. I really think we’d be lost without them.
How do you allow yourself to open up and be vulnerable to a new group of people?
If you are a pastor’s wife, what’s the best way for you to find “community” and relationships and actually be able to let your guard down?
Before getting pregnant with our little “oops” baby, I didn’t think much about all that goes into building a little life and how amazingly detailed and out of our hands it is. I was in my little bubble of thinking I wanted to be a mom, and have lots of babies and pregnancy would be perfect and wonderful. It never crossed my mind that some women can’t get pregnant. I never thought about all the women out there who have carried babies, and lost them. And I had no idea how much you fall in love with a tiny little life when it can barely be seen with a microscope. The second that pregnancy test says “pregnant” or shows a plus sign, you are forever changed.
From the beginning, I promised myself I would never let the fear overtake me, knowing that God is completely in control. If he wanted me to have this baby, I knew I would. He gives and He takes away. I just prayed that I would be the best mother I could be and the best influence on this little life, even if anything were to happen.
We have had no scares in this pregnancy. We are immensely blessed. Yesterday at our check up, the doctor said we have a “textbook baby” and she is absolutely perfect. I pray that she continues to grow for another 6 weeks, and is perfectly healthy. And I pray that this continues to help me see how blessed we are, and do all I can to pray and love on those who have not had the easy ride we have.
My heart breaks now every time I hear of a sweet mother who has lost or miscarried a baby. If you have been on the joyous side of motherhood, or hit absolute rock bottom – know that God is in control. He is the maker of all things, and the ultimate comforter. For all you moms and soon to be moms, I am praying for you today and my heart is full for the blessings that God gives through the gift of children.
I’m working to start getting things ready to pack for the hospital. Yup, I’m a planner and this must be done soon as to not stress me out!
I go on maternity leave in a couple of weeks (at 36 weeks), and want to pretty much have everything ready to welcome baby into the world by then so this tired mommy can rest and relax for a few weeks. That’s the goal at least. So I have starting thinking about what I’ll need to pack to take with me to the hosptial and thought I’d ask advice.
What are some “must haves” to take?
What should I get to wear post-baby? I’ve been told a robe & pjs, but what is best and will be most comfy for me?
Anything I should prepare for that they might not tell me?
I don’t want to pack up our entire house as if we’re taking a 3 week trip, but I do want to be fully prepared. I always appreciate the help! 
So many times when we find ourselves in the midst of a tragedy, we (as humans…and sinners) want to broadcast what we are doing to help. We proudly march up to the front of the church to drop off our money and hope that people will see how many zeros there are on the check. Something I learned from Jesus:
Matthew 6:1 “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
With the terrible tragedy that has hit Haiti, I ask you to do something to give to these innocent and hurting people. Do your part. Whether it is through a financial support, prayer or going to help out in some way.
I encourage you to let this be a reminder to you that there are hurting people all over the world. Don’t let it take an earthquake or some kind of disaster be all that brings you to help out.
Pray about it, seek God and how He would have you to get involved. Ask for a pure heart, and then give out of a pure heart. Don’t boast in what you were able to do, but encourage others through the purity of giving to give of themselves as well.
When your Father sees what is done in secret, He will reward you.
And that is the sweetest reward there is.
The hubs and I got away this weekend to enjoy a little time together before the baby comes. It was a brilliant idea, and we had a great time shutting off from the world and just enjoying one another. Since our 2 year anniversary will be when I’m about 38 weeks/miserably uncomfortable/ready to pop this was also to celebrate our anniversary.
Friday I took off from work a little early and we headed south down the coast. We stayed in place right outside of Carlsbad, CA. We spend the evening roaming around, had dinner at a really cool little pizza place and just enjoyed some time together. Saturday we hit the outlet malls…which of course was my choice
Saturday evening we headed home to stay the night so we could get up super early and do the church thing on Sunday. Right after church we headed to the desert. We stayed in a really great resort in Indian Wells, CA (Palm Springs/Palm Desert area). The drive through the desert was gorgeous and there are tons of resorts in the area so it’s super nice. We checked in and took advantage of the pool. They had a slide so Brook fought off the kids so he could play. Shocking huh? 
Pizza in bed, 2 hours of Jack Bauer, homemade cookies, and a very relaxing evening in! What a wonderful weekend we had. I’m so thankful for the time that we had to spend together and enjoy the little bit of time we have as just the two of us!!
Brook James…I love you more than you know baby!
Today the hubby and I take off on a little mini vacation to enjoy our last little bit of time together alone before the baby arrives! I’ll be taking a little break from the world, but I’ll be back Tuesday to tell you all about our amazing trip!
Yup…and I’m as big as a house. And look like I haven’t slept in weeks. Ahhhh the joys of pregnancy….
32 Weeks!
My husband and I are victims of overworking ourselves, being too busy and having no time for ‘us’. It’s really heartbreaking. We went through a time in our lives where we were both without jobs for several months. Although it got a little stressful at times, it was the best time in my life. We spent all of our time together, we slept in, we enjoyed one another and we focused on US. Looking back on that time, I couldn’t be more thankful for it.
Now we both work very busy full time jobs, and we see each other for a few hours a night after work and don’t have much time to really focus on our marriage and each other. Heartbreaking I tell ya!
So this weekend we are doing just that. We are taking some time for US. We are getting away, we have no plans (well…we kinda have plans, you know I can’t be THAT spontaneous!). I like to call it a babymoon, but it’s really an us-moon. I love my husband more than anything in this world, and pouring into our relationship is my number one priority. Even through all the business of life, it should always be.
I encourage you to take some time with your spouse and turn off from the world, and focus on one another!
