Settling In...

AAHHH!!! Boxes everywhere!! We are almost done moving everything into our new place & I'm getting more and more excited to make it 'Home'! We still have to pack up the stuff we had brought with us like tv, stereo, etc... I just can't wait for us to be settled! I just thought I'd give you a teeny weeny update! We are going to have a housewarming party once we're all unpacked! So I'll keep you posted!

We're moving!!!!!

We have a new place and are moving this weekend...YAHHOOOOOOOO!!! Its only a rental and not a purchase, but its ours and that means a whole lot.

Just wanted to let y'all know that I won't be posting as much now, cause we won't have a computer!

Love you all!!

I want to hear from you...

Well as some of you know (if you've read October 7th post), Mark and I have a 'few' baby names! You also will see that they aren't all that common. But lately I've been liking a few very old fashioned names.

I would like to hear from you, the total truth, on how you feel about these names:

Baxter- Baker

Maverick- Wild in action & thought

Theodore- Divine Gift

Malcolm- Dove (which symbolizes peace)

Beatrix- Bringer of Joy

So now, let me know your opinion!!!

Challenge to myself...

The other night, my sister, my mom and I watched Pollyanna. It has been so long and I didn't remember the majority of the movie. But there was a message in that movie that really impacted me. Pollyanna shares a game with everyone she meets called the "Glad Game". When you are faced with a bad situation or with a person who tends to make you scream, instead of speaking that way about it, you choose to see what you can be glad about. Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. More times than not, my response in a situation is one of pessimism.

NO MORE!!

My challenge to myself is that I will find something in every situation to be happy about. To see the good in people instead of dwelling on their faults. To see what they could be and not what they lack. Because thats how I want people to see me.

So be GLAD!!

Faith & Love

"At the beginning of every act of faith, there is often a seed of fear. For great acts of faith are seldom born out of calm calculation. "

Max Lucado

_________________________________________________________

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.”

C.S. Lewis

Me Lately...

Last Book I read...

Last Song I listened to...

'Blue Eyes' by Lolee

Person who has been on my mind lately...

Marcie

Last Person I told 'I Love you'...

Last Movie I watched...

What I am struggling with right now...

Doubt

What I've been daydreaming of...

Everything Glorious...

Inspired by Tamara's new post, I've decided to follow suit...

1. Stranger than Fiction: In my Top 5! Its beautiful & brilliant!

It'll make you cry & laugh. Always a good combo!

2. Shoes & Feet Pics: I just love them. I think feet tell a story about where you've been and where you're going! My new house will be covered with pics of feet.

3. The Book of Ruth. I recently read a fictional novella about Ruth by Francine Rivers called Unshaken. It inspired me to dig deeper into the book of Ruth, which has been life changing. But that is a whole other post!

4. Everything Glorious by Passion. This is a live worship CD done by Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, David Crowder & Matt Redman! Its sooo good!
5. Mark. I know thats really cheese ball, right? But I am just so in love. We've been together for almost 8 years and married almost 6, and I really can't imagine my life without him. There have been some really dark days in my life where I thought I couldn't face it anymore, and there he was: courageous & strong, ready to lift me out. God has used him in my life to confront things in my life that would hurt me, to challenge me to be who I was meant to be, and most of all, to make me laugh. It has been laughter that has brought us through so much. And I really can't imagine walking this road alone!

Heaven was needing a hero...

Today I was thinking about Jachin alot. For those of you that didn't know Jake, he was one of our good friends that died in 2003. I think the reason I was thinking about him, is just all the new things that are happening in our church lately. The births of the babies especially are things that he would have loved. We watched Extreme Makeover: Home Edition tonite and it was a family who had lost there teenage son. I wept my face off. It made me miss Jake all the more. Jo-dee Messina was on the show and she sang this song:

I came by today to see you

I had to let you know

If I knew the last time that I held you was the last time

I'd have held you and never let go

It's kept me awake nights, wondering

Lie in the dark, just asking why

I've always been told

You won't be called home

Until it's your time

I guess heaven was needing a hero

Somebody just like you

Brave enough to stand up

For what you believe

And follow it through

When I try to make it make sense in my mind

The only conclusion I come to

Is heaven was needing a hero

Like you

I remember the last time I saw you

You held your head up proud I laughed inside

When I saw how you were standing out in the crowd

You're such a part of who I am

Now that part will just be void

No matter how much I need you now

Heaven needed you more

Cause heaven was needing a hero

Somebody just like you

Brave enough to stand up

For what you believe

And follow it through

When I try to make it make sense in my mind

The only conclusion I come to

Is heaven was needing a hero

Like you

Heaven was needing a hero and that's you

Pics that make me pee...

This is the number 1 funniest pic of all time. Every time I see it I laugh my head off. We were at the lake and neither Carmen or I could help Megs get her goggles off cause we were laughing to hard!!

Yes, its another Meg pic. This time, we had gone to the lake and she had swam in her clothes and this was the only thing we had to put on her...my hoodie! But its her pose for the pic that I love!!!

This is David, my new cousin-in-law, who in fact looks nothing like this at all!! I'm actually quite amazed that he can do this with his face!!

I love this one cause Mark is looking at Chris with such affection...HAHAHAHA!!!

This one is sooo funny...Devin looks like a wounded animal!!

10 Tips for Birth Coaching...

I'm soooo excited....I get to go in with Jenna when she has her baby!! So I've been researching some info and I'd thought I'd share it!!

1. Know what to expect
Labor is not the right time to be flipping through a pregnancy book or notes from childbirth classes, so bone up on your reading beforehand. And go to a childbirth class with an open mind — you'll get solid, basic information, as well as a sense of how other coaches are planning to get through the event.

2. Be ready to wait
Unlike what you see in the movies, most women labor for hours before they even go to the hospital. Indeed, many couples find it more comfortable to spend the early stages of labor at home. Besides, many hospitals won't let you check in until your contractions are regular and coming about every five minutes. So be available to do whatever your partner finds relaxing at this point, such as watching TV, taking a walk, or cuddling on the bed. This isn't the time for finishing up last-minute projects or doing household chores.

3. Be flexible
Labor strategies that work for some women might not work for your mate. Well before your baby's due date, take time to discuss with your partner her expectations and options. Later, you can take the initiative with her wishes in mind. But be prepared to change course — part of a labor coach's job is to discern what works and drop what doesn't.

4. Don't take things personally
Your partner may seem to be in her own world during labor. Giving birth is a long, hard job and some women cope by reaching deep inside themselves. And she may become outwardly irritable at times, too. She may love having you massage her early in labor, for instance, and then during transition find being touched intolerable and let you know that in no uncertain terms! It's important not to misconstrue her behavior as a rejection of you.

5. Bring a few things for yourself
Your partner is the center of attention, but you may be spending the night at the hospital, too, so don't forget to pack some things for yourself. Essentials: A clean shirt, comfortable shoes, and a sustaining snack (one with no strong odors, please!). Bring a bathing suit, too, in case you decide to join your partner in the tub or shower.

6. Ask questions
Medical professionals should, but don't always, explain what they're doing and whether it's mandatory. Don't be shy about seeking out information, whether about medical procedures or about helping your mate get more comfortable — especially if she's not up to asking questions herself.

7. Be her advocate
Only you and your partner know what you both want, but she might not be in the best condition to make hard decisions. Be ready to step in if the situation calls for it. You may need to request that her healthcare practitioner be woken from a nap, that an anesthesiologist be paged, or that a mirror be brought in. And if your partner plans to breastfeed, help make sure that she has a chance to do so soon after the baby's born, and that someone's there to help her if she's having trouble.

8. Help her stay focused and relaxed
Suggest different coping techniques when necessary, drawing on the methods you've both learned in childbirth classes. For example, suggest position changes or help your partner find something — such as a breathing pattern, your face, or even a foot rub — to focus on during the contractions, and bring her back to it whenever she starts to think she won't make it.

9. Know your limitations
A lot goes on in the birthing room. Be aware of what you're willing to do during the process, and what you want to leave to the professionals. Maybe you're comfortable cutting the umbilical cord — but not helping to "catch" your baby. If that's the case, say so.

10. Just be there
This is one of those events for which showing up is the most important thing of all. Even if you want to — or have to — leave most of the hands-on stuff to the pros, your presence matters. And no matter how you really feel, project a sense of confidence and calm reassurance: "You're doing great! Everything's going fine." There'll be time for you to unravel later.

Saving the Moo-lah!!

These are the items that I am saving for....only one comes in plus size, thats cause I'm determined!!!

P.S. I love Old Navy!!

ANNOUNCEMENT.....

Christy & Liv’s Shower

Monday, March 12th
7:00 pm
Moe’s House

(Appetizers or Desserts are awesome if you can!!)

There isn't a group gift since Christy is pretty set up already, but feel free to

go together with someone if you'd like!

Call me for more info!!

My American Idol Picks...

This is the first year I've watched a whole season of American Idol and I'm loving it

These are my faves:

Gina Glocksen- I love her voice. She's totally different than previous winners. I don't think she'll go all the way, but I really like her!!

Melinda Doolittle-This is the girl I think will win it and if she doesn't I will be sooo surprised. She has got the most incredible voice ever!!!

Sundance Head- This guy is super good and his name is Sundance...cool eh?

Chris Richardson- This guy is good too...different which is a good bonus!!

ITS OFFICIAL....

On February 25th, 2006, Ryan proposed to Leah at church in front of the whole church!!! There was a lot of cheers that morning! We are soooo excited!! Later that afternoon, the four of us (Ryan, Leah, Mark & I) went to our favorite adventure spot and took pictures...it was a lovely day!!

Aunties Eyes...

Okay, yes, i know obviously he doesn't have my eyes, as being of no blood relation to me, but

you have to acknowledge the resemblence. Now that I think about it, I think he has my nose....*wink*