Girly girls!

We're having a GIRL!  Which is equally exciting and terrifying.  Growing up I wasn't much of a girly girl so I'm quite curious as to what this little one will be like.

This?  Tough, plays in the dirt, climbs trees, proud of her 'battle wounds' (basically...little Tallie)

Or this?  A princess, paints her nails, wears pink all the time, wants to be a ballerina (like my sister Beth)

Either way, I'm sure this is going to be an adventure...raising a girl seems out of my comfort zone.  SO thankful God knows what He's doing!

I feel pretty! Oh so pretty!

There are few times in my life where I can look back and say I felt 'good' about how I looked.  I've always been critical and had a hard time seeing the positive things.  I've never felt super feminine or 'girly' or 'pretty'.  Even when I would get compliments or honks or whistles, I figured those people had pretty low standards ;)

Now that I'm almost 23 weeks pregnant and my baby belly is making an official appearance...I have to say, I've never felt more PRETTY!  I've never felt more feminine or girly than right now.  (I realize that may change when I'm 40 weeks pregnant ;)  But for now...I'm completely enjoying my reflection and the way growing a baby has changed my appearance.  I'm in awe of my body and how God has made it perfectly to create life inside me.  I'm humbled to be used in His Creation process.

Each little kick and movement I feel reminds me of the miracle taking place in my 'baby bump'.  So incredibly blessed to be gaining weight as I love and protect this little life inside.

15 weeks!

Psalm 139:13-16, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

I continue to be amazed at the marvelous work being completed inside of me!  This baby, who is such a mystery to me, is completely known by our Creator!  I can’t even feel it moving around yet, but it DOES move!  It shies away when it’s poked at, it turns its head from bright lights…so incredible!  I can’t wait to see what God does with this little life.  I can’t wait to meet him/her! 

Trying to take one day at a time and just enjoy each moment of these 9 months.  Excited for the future, but still very much wanting to live in and enjoy the present.  Blessed and humbled by this opportunity to participate in creation with Elohim (the Creator).

My favorite old lady.

Today would have been my Grandma's 95 birthday.  This is her walking up her driveway towards the house my grandfather built and where the two of them retired to.  (Yes, it's a little creepy that I found this image on Google maps and continue to go back to it...but it feels somehow more 'real' than an ordinary photograph where she's smiling.  This one feels like she really IS just getting her mail right now!) I used to live with her in this house and we had so many good times together! So today on her birthday I'm remembering all our laughs and games and fruit picking expeditions...and looking forward to seeing her again! Love you, old lady!

"Please help my family..."

I gave a man $4 today. He was standing on a street corner with a sign. I couldn’t really read the sign, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t want to drive by him when I have $4 and not feel some amount of compassion. I rolled my window down and said ‘hey’ so he walked over. I gave him the $4 and said, ‘Enjoy the sunshine!’ He looked right in my eyes and I realized what a beautiful man this was! We just had this moment…him humbly taking the meager amount I could offer and me looking into the eyes of someone God created. I felt so connected to him and to my heavenly Father, our Creator, in that moment. I don’ t think I’ve ever given someone money without being blessed infinitely more in return.

Who cares about the Olympics?

The Olympics should be a time for countries to put their best effort into the games, but also encourage and support the other competitors who are also doing their best! Whoever wins the medals, that individual has worked their butt off to get to that spot…can’t we be happy for them? Who cares where they’re from?

I have been super proud of NBC for giving a well-rounded perspective of the games. (I’ve discovered that not to be the case in other countries) We’ve seen touching stories of athletes from many different countries, not just our own. And I WANT to hear the stories of ALL the athletes, not just the ones from my country. That way I can be super happy for the girl from Slovenia…the only competitor from her country…when she gets gold! No, an American didn’t get gold, but this girl brings life and hope to her entire country as their sole representative…I wouldn’t want anyone to win but her! That’s awesome!

This year I feel like my newsfeed has been blowing up with articles and posts basically saying “My country is better than your country”. Who cares? We’re all watching to see dreams made, records broken, new heroes emerge… I get that you’re proud of your countrymen, but seriously…try to have a little class when you show it!

Ambitions

Things I don’t want in life:

A bigger house

A nicer/newer car

Extravagant vacations

A better paying job

Newer furniture

A well-padded savings account

Things I do want in life:

A happy husband

A worn out Bible

An empty basement/attic (less stuff)

A generous heart

Enough kids to fill our home with laughter and silly craft projects

To not be comfortable

To always be open to the next thing: a move, a baby, a job change, a new ministry

To risk big enough that it’s scary

For my life to not make sense to outsiders looking in