A Full Week of Fun Adventures!

Whew! We've had quite the full week here at our house...

First, we were brought to TCBY after Saturday night church. This was our first visit, and I thought it was just the typical yogurt shop. But let me tell you, they have totally revamped their concept. It is self-serve frozen yogurt with about 12 flavors to choose from and then all the toppings that you can think of - ranging from crushed up candies to fresh fruit. It is amazing. For my first round, I did the whole chocolate/vanilla yogurt with tons of chocolatey toppings. Round two consisted of fruity yogurt topped with fresh fruit. Hey, it's the only time in my life where I can have two rounds of TCBY in one sitting and not feel guilty or unhealthy. And Evelyn must love ice cream - she kicks like crazy any time I eat it - must be the cold dairy. Anyways, it was amazing, and it will most definitely be a regular stop for us. And it is a great place to go with friends!

Sunday was my last morning on the worship team. It was somewhat bittersweet, but I have a complete peace about it. I have been on a worship team for churches consistently since I was 16. Wow, that's ten years. It has been an incredible ministry to be a part of. I have made amazing friendships along the way, and I have seen God move, felt His Holy Spirit pour down through musical worship. But God has now closed that door. I don't feel like I need to go into any great detail, but I fully believe that it is time for us, husband and wife, to step down. And I've come to realize that the pregnancy has nothing to do with it - we would be in the same place and feeling the same way regardless if I was pregnant or not. So I truly believe that God has closed that door for now. Will He ever open it again? Maybe, maybe not. For now, we just rest in Him and wait for Him to tell us if and when we will be on the worship team at our church.

We went to our breastfeeding class together. The teacher was a RN and lactation consultant at the hospital, and she was really sweet. She covered a lot, and I think we both learned a lot. It was good to have hubby with me, to be my support, because he is a part of this too, even if he doesn't have functioning boobs, haha! I feel motivated and excited to breastfeed, and I know I can be confident in doing it! I think it is one of the greatest things that a mommy can do for her child. I'm just praying that it all goes as smoothly as possible, and that I don't let frustrations set in, especially in the first couple of weeks.

Sunday afternoon was gorgeous. Perfect weather for our maternity photo shoot! Our dear friend, Amick Cutler, is an incredibly gifted photographer. I HIGHLY recommend him for any photos or design work that you need done. We had so much fun shooting at various locations around Pensacola. Let me just say that I probably will sound incredibly biased in the next statement, but I believe it's the truth: our photos are probably the best maternity photos I have ever seen. Ever. They are so creative and beautiful. Thank you, Amick and Christy. It was an honor to have you take our maternity photos!! I LOVE THEM!!! (you can get a preview of our photos here.)

Today I had my 34 week appointment. Everything, once again, was great. I am so thankful. My weight was up....to 162 pounds. Which means I have hit the 40 pound weight gain mark. I still have 6 weeks to go. Oh dear. Oh my. But here's good news - I don't have any stretch marks! Hooray! The doctor once again didn't seem to concerned about the weight gain, but he did think that I am retaining water, and that by my next appointment, I may lose or maintain my current weight because of the water retention. It could be water retention, (my rings aren't fitting so well anymore and my sandals leave indentations) but I'm not convinced the weight gain is all attributed to that - I think part of it has to do with the huge plate of pasta and four pieces of bread and cake that I ate last night...My hubby was more than pleased that I have gained even more weight - it puts a smile on his face every time I step on the scale. My tummy measured at 33cm, which is still on the smaller end, but is considered great! And, my blood pressure was back up to its normal 120/80. The doctor felt for where Evelyn is positioned, and she is definitely head down. He said that she will most likely not move from this position. And, I was delighted to hear that from here on out, if I were to start contracting, Dr. S would not do anything to stop it. He said that after 34 weeks, she is perfectly ready to make her entrance! Our next appointment is in two weeks at 36 weeks, and he will start checking my cervix for dilation. I cannot believe that we are already at this place - the reality is that she is coming, and coming very soon! Within the next six weeks!!!!

Last, but certainly not least, my shower is Saturday!!! I am so So So SO excited. My dearest girlfriends have been busy planning and preparing, and I know that it is going to be amazing. I think that they have been working too hard - I feel like I should be helping in some way, but they just keep telling me that all I need to do is show up. It is going to be incredible to be surrounded by those who love me, love Evelyn, and have been praying for us throughout our journey and through every step of the pregnancy.

Love to you all!!!

Her Name Means "Life"....

Five years ago, long before Michael and I started to think about "trying" to get pregnant, a name came to us. We've held on to that name since. We considered others, but we just kept coming back to the original name. I believe that name was given to us by our Savior. Little did we know back then what we were going to face in trying to fulfill our dream of a child.

Two years of "trying," two years of pain. I felt like a failure. My body was broken and it could not produce a child. Every other woman in the world seemed to be fine, their bodies worked, their bodies produced life. I felt inadequate, like a let down, especially to my husband. I questioned God every single step of the way. Every treatment cycle brought more negatives, more pain, and more money spent. I had given up hope. But we have a God of hope. He is our hope, He is our healer, and our story is evidence of that. 

So we come to the here and now, where as I sit, I can feel our beautiful unborn child move throughout my tummy. She is a miracle. She is living proof of how great our God is. And in around 7 weeks, we will be able to see her face to face, we will be able to see the gift of life.

Life.

Her name means life. We didn't even know that until we looked up the meaning after I became pregnant with her. 

Life.

How amazing is that? God knew long before she was a twinkle, a thought, a dream, what we were going to go through to get her. The very meaning of her name is the very thing we prayed for, the very thing that we spent months and months for on our knees. 

Life.

And so, I am proud to share with you, our beautiful miracle's name, given by God, is...

Evelyn Rae

Pursuit

Do you ever have a song stop you in your tracks? This one does it for me every time. Daniel Bashta released a new album last week, and I swear I could write a separate blog post about each song. The album is amazing, completely God-breathed. There were moments as I was listening to the CD that I thought, "I think God had Daniel Bashta write these songs just for me." Every single one has spoken to me. 

There is one that I have to listen to over and over. It features one of my favorite singers, Kim Walker, so of course it was going to be one of my favorite songs on the album. It came on the other day when I was driving, I hit repeat and sang along at the top of my lungs. As I sang, I couldn't help but let the tears flow. I wasn't just singing. This was my prayer, my shout to God, a pouring from my heart. 

"I will pursue You..."

We've all been guilty of it. We are on our knees during the hard times. We pray like never before, we read our Bibles. Then life takes over, things seem to be going well, and our pursuit of Him becomes second. And then something happens, big or small, and we are back at the feet of Him.

I will pursue You, no matter what - good days, bad days, okay days. 

I will pursue You - for me, for Michael, for my family, for my friends. 

"Strip everything away..."

I feel like God has been doing that in my life, especially in the last couple of weeks. Stripping down everything -  our finances, our ministry in worship, our relationships, our "normal" - until all I see is Him. A word of caution - if you ask Him to strip everything away, He will, and it will be painful. But He will make it beautiful. 

"I can't live without Your presence..."

Sometimes I think I can. I really do. I've got this, God. I can manage. 

But the reality is, I can't. No matter how much I try, no matter how much planning I do - I can't. 

I hope this song speaks to you as much as it has to me. 

Pursuit - Daniel Bashta, Kim Walker

Strip everything away

'Till all I have is You

Undo the veils

So all I see is You

I will pursue You

I will pursue Your presence

I will pursue You

I will pursue Your presence

Open my eyes

Search me inside

I can't live without Your presence

I can't live without Your presence

I'm pressing into You

So do not pass me by

I'm breaking through the boundaries

I will not be denied

I can't live without Your presence

I can't live without Your presence

I will pursue...

32 Weeks

This morning I had my 32 week appointment. I can't believe I'm here already! So exciting! 

My blood pressure was where it normally is, around 116/68, and I now weigh 155 pounds. Her heartbeat was clear and easy to find, in the upper 140s. I am measuring at 33 centimeters. 

Dr. Sontag said that I've had such a great pregnancy, and that he is happy with everything. My only question/concern for him was that my allergies have been horrible and this allergy cough has lasted four weeks now. Come to find out, it is completely normal in the third trimester to experience worsening allergies. He was able to feel her and tell us what is where, which was really fun! Two weeks ago, she was nestled in horizontally across my belly, which is why I felt so many kicks and movements on my sides. But today, her head was down in the lower left part of my uterus, and her butt was in the upper right. So that means she has moved into a somewhat head down position!!!

Everyone keeps saying how small I look for being 32 weeks, but I'm not sure if I really am. I mean, I feel huge with this belly that I'm not used to and a bigger butt and thighs and boobs, but she is measuring perfectly. Maybe it's the way I'm carrying, because I have such a long torso. Or maybe I am small. All I know is that I'm praying to not have a nine pound baby, like I was. Seven pounds would be perfect - a little peanut! 

I'm feeling great, I've just noticed in the past week that I've been getting so tired so easily. Other than that, I feel wonderful. Pregnancy has been amazing, almost easy for me. I've never felt miserable, and I have to say, I love being pregnant.

My shower is coming up in a couple of weeks and I'm so excited! It will be so wonderful to celebrate our sweet girl with the ones I love. 

Oh, and, Michael and I finished up our last prepared childbirth class Monday night. We've had a lot of fun in those classes, and we learned a lot. We ended the class with a tour of the hospital. It was so much fun - Sacred Heart is a beautiful facility, and stopping by the nursery to look at all the newborns was delightful! So, we finished class and received an official certificate of completion. Does that mean we are now certified to be parents???? Haha! Up next is a breastfeeding class and two newborn parenting classes....

God is good.

Be blessed and love to you all!

Randomness

I recently joined Pinterest, and I'm addicted. I love it!

I just looked down, and I think my belly grew over night. Or maybe it was the Five Guys burger and fries I just ate.

Lately, I'm having a really hard time with my daily time with God. I pray a lot throughout my day, but I'm finding it to be extremely difficult to have that time with Him, alone, immersed in His word.

My Boppy Cuddle pillow is a lifesaver at night. Except I think my husband feels a little replaced, or maybe more free because I'm not cuddling on top of him all night.

I have terrible insecurities about my female-friendship relationships.

My allergies have been horrible, awful, terrible. I've had a chest cough for the last four weeks that the doctor concluded is allergies. Is there any end in sight???

I am LOVING our prepared childbirth classes.

Making less money + cutting back + worrying about the financial future = money anxiety. 

I'm learning not to be a "yes girl." It is SO difficult - people pleasing seems to run through my veins.

I really, really, really miss my parents. Can you just come back to FL now?? Anytime!

Speaking of family, I look at pictures of my niece and nephews daily, and will admit, get teary. They are beautiful. And I miss them.

I'm getting so tired lately - I guess that's what happens near the end of a pregnancy!

NEAR THE END??? REALLY?? ALREADY????

We (actually, hubby) shampooed all of our carpets. They look amazing. Then our golden retriever decided to pee on them twice, out of rebellion - because she didn't want to go in her kennel. Anyone want a new dog??

I'm having a hard time picturing myself as a mommy. Obviously, I am so excited to step into that role, but what is it going to look like? I'm so ready.

I finally made the call and did it - cancelled cable television. It's a savings of $70 a month! And, I haven't missed it yet.

Hubby recently shared with me one of the sweetest things I think I have ever heard. He told me that he thought I am my most beautiful now - pregnant. Made my heart melt.  

I'm loving my job change - 2 days a week, and my pre-k kids are great, they can do so much musically!

Uh oh. My maternity pants and jeans are starting to feel tight. I'm loving the stretchy, comfy pants.

Keep praying. We prayed for two years for healing, two years for a miracle, two years for our little girl. Two years may seem long to you, short to you. It was incredibly long for us. But, we are living proof of His healing, His miracles.

I love the Milton Bakery. It rivals Krispy Kreme and Dunkin Donuts.

Four Words - STARBUCKS PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE. Need I say more??

I LOVE shoes, specifically heels. I don't wear heels too often, but I love the way they make me feel when I wear them. Dillards has an incredible shoe section, just pricey!

Revival is not a program, mission, religion, method, or a certain period of time. Revival is a man, His name is Jesus. (thank you Jake Hamilton, for that reminder.)

We will be announcing our baby girl's name soon! Stay tuned!

Right now, I want: Anything from Panera Bread, a gyro from Goat Lips deli, Ichiban sushi, Lambert's Cafe, and boiled jumbo shrimp. I'm going to do my first attempt at a shrimp boil soon - red potatoes, shrimp, and sausage. mmmm.

The latest live worship album from Bethel is amazing. I so love and appreciate prophetic worship from the likes of Daniel Bashta, Jason Upton, Jesus Culture, Amick Cutler, Bethel, etc. We need more of this in our churches!!!!

I'm trying to decide what to do with my hair - do I keep highlighting it blonde or try a darker color - brown? Do I get a cut or just a trim? Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

I have been reading an incredible blog by my friend's sister. This is an amazing story about sextuplets that were here on this earth for a very short time, the one that remained who is a miracle, and how God works through tragedy. I encourage you to stop by her blog and read her story, from start to finish. They now celebrate the arrival of their new healthy baby boy this past week.

I am so sick of the eczema on my upper arms. Please go away. Now.

My baby shower is in less than three weeks. I am so excited! My dearest friends are throwing it for me. Did I mention I am excited???

Well, probably enough randomness for now!