this world

(this is one of those posts that is mainly for me but if it encourages you then Amen)

I am up early again. I really do like the still, quietness of the morning. And I am wide awake, so its not like I am out of be begrudgingly. I woke up to check on Nate because he has a fever and I thought I heard him. I then stirred the oatmeal that was in the crock pot. Then I went back to bed for about 60 seconds. I got out of bed because my mind was racing with what I need to buy the kids for Christmas. So, I sat down with pen and paper making a short list for each of them, things for their stockings, ideas for gifts, plus a few things that I have already bought.

I then put down my pen and grabbed my Voices from the Past devotional. This has been so great for me lately. Today was on prayer. As I then prayed, adoring God for being King of Kings and Lord of Lords as well as being my Father, I was truly humbled and grateful. So after making Christmas lists and after praying for my mom and my friend Shana with preterm triplets, my mind went straight to "This world has nothing for me..." I could not remember who sang this so I went to google and found it was one of my long lost favorite bands Caedmon's Call. The following words to the song say: And this world has everything, All that I could want and nothing that I need!

In so many ways we are beyond blessed to live in America. But in so many ways it is also a curse. Our minds are easily distracted by what we think is important and what we think we need. I will pray now for all of us desiring so much to raise our kids to Love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength that we will be able to reach their hearts with what is truly important--the things that are on God's heart!

where we are

What time is it? I think it's 6:40am. And I think I have been awake since around 4am. I don't sleep anymore. 6 hrs seems to be my limit. I am sure this is my body getting ready for baby but I still have 10 weeks! I am officially 29 weeks and she is scheduled to arrive via c-section at 39 weeks--January 12, 2012 or 1/12/12 which I think sounds like a really great day.

We are in Mobile. My mom's cancer has spread and she started radiation this week. We are not going to be able to travel anymore for a few months with the pregnancy so it was a good time to come on down and visit. Plus, Chip had to come for work, which is always nice. And since we were only 3 hours from Chip's parents, the kids are spending the weekend with them before we head back home. I don't like them being away from me for that long--3 nights is a long time! However, Robyn and I will get some one-on-one time with my mom, (I thought I was going to sleep in), Chip will watch the AL vs LSU game with some old buddies, and the kids get to see all of their grandparents which really is a treat for everyone.

27 weeks

Sporting a comfy outfit today while just being at home doing school. I thought the outfit showed off my belly quite well for a picture. I will be interested to see what I am measuring at my next appt (Oct 31). At 24 weeks I was on track. Not so sure anymore. I am "mostly" all belly. But, dang, what a big belly it is!

Philippians 4:8

At my mom's group at church we have a time of scripture meditation. This week's verse was Psalm 139:23-24---Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Rather than meditate on that (rebellious) I saw Philippian 4:8 on the bag of the girl sitting in front of me. Usually when dealing with anxieties you can stop at "If anything is true..." So that is what I did and this is what I wrote. (FYI: my anxiety is in light of not having maternity insurance. This is not something we talk about but it is real and it is where we are.)

Phil 4:8
I have many anxieties on me. There is no room for anxiety if I am trusting whole heartedly in Jesus. For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans for a hope and a future. I don't know how we are going to pay for this baby. What is true? 1) I can pay what I can pay. The rest will be on a credit card. 2) It costs a significant amount. 3) We are getting a significant discount by paying cash. 4) We are having another baby. 5) I allow the strain of how to pay for it overshadow the joy she will bring. 6) I rob God the joy of this blessing. 7) I give Satan the pleasure of victory. 8) I stop this now!
Thank you Lord for the truth.

a big day

Streed is 2 weeks from being 7 years old and he lost his first tooth. He has been talking about it being loose for a few weeks now. Chip was home this morning. He and Streed decided it was time for it to come out now. It was quick and painless because it was super loose. I think it feels better now that it is out than it has felt the past few days.

Happy Monday

Ella took this picture last month. She occasionally hijacks my camera and ends up with some good shots. The pic is representative of what I am about to do. Nate is at preschool and the other two are at their co-op. This is my first Monday ever to have a day to myself at home. I am about to eat breakfast in silence. Then I will begin cleaning and straightening to music. I am looking fwd to this day. From what I figure, I will only have this luxury until mid-December when they are all out of school. By the time they all go back will be be in major baby prep-mode. So, here's to three months of Mondays where Mama can relax and regroup for the start of another busy week!

States and Capitals

For the past five weeks of school we have been "learning" and memorizing the states and capitals. So far we have learned the New England states, the Mid-Atlantic states, and the Southern states. In college, Chip and I (and Uncle Nick) had Economics together. Our teacher always gave extra credit on tests. It was always 5 questions. It was always the US states and capitals. I never really learned that in school apparently. And, during that whole semester, it never occured to me to study them and earn easy points on each test. Maybe knowledge of the the above scenario should have prepared me for the below conversation I had with Streed just this week, 5 weeks into school.

Me watching news.
Me: Streed come here and see this.
Me: Look, Harrisburg, PA is flooding.
Streed: Is that in America?
PAUSE
Me: (handled well) WHAT? WHAT HAVE WE BEEN STUDYING? THE US CAPITALS. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. YES, ITS IN AMERICA.

Baby girl is 5!

Ella turned 5 this week. Jill said it seems like she has been 5 for a while. That is probably true. She is rather grown up in some ways for her age. We celebrated for a few days. Some friends came over for dinner and presents a week early becaue they would be out of town the next week. They brought kitchen items to go with the kitchen we bought her. She was sad at first when she opened their present because we had not given her our gift yet. But Chip quickly brought it in from the garage and ALL THE KIDS were thrilled!


We had her real party the Sunday of Labor Day weekend. Poor planning on my party but I was planning around big brother's baseball schedule and wanted the party close to her actual bday. It was a sweet small party but with big fun! The big hit was Chip making shaved ice for everyone. (He helps out a friend at a shave ice stand ocassionally and brought some of the equipment home).
Originally the party was going to be at a pool. The weather was questionable so we changed it to our house. After shave ice, slip-n-slide, playing in the hose, eating and gifts, we all headed to the pool anyway and finished up there with cupcakes. She had a blast which is really the point!


And because we have out of town friends and family, she also has enjoyed receiving mailed presents and cards for a week. In the mail she got a Cinderella barbie, a necklace, a Crayola set, fun kitchen accesories and some money.

another girl

So we found out we are having another girl! This brought mixed reviews from all those attending the ultrasound. Nate quickly said, "I wanted a boy! We already have a girl!" Ella was thrilled! Streed had said all along that he wanted it to be a girl but once he found out it was he was a little disappointed. They are all on board now I think. Not that it matters what they think or what they wanted. I really could have gone either way. I wanted Ella to have a sister but would have enjoyed her being my little friend too. The baby looks healthy. She does not move a lot. In the ultrasound she had one hand behind her head and one leg tucked under her body. We almost did not find out the sex because of how she was laying. I hope she stays laid back after she exits the womb. Mama is tired!

truth

I know I should update. And I will. The truth is, I prefer the comfy chair in Chip's office, which means his computer, which means no pictures. So, when I post, which may be tonight, just know that I am sacrificing by sitting in a hard kitchen chair at my 5 year old laptop that I cannot move because there is no battery life and it must stay plugged in at all costs!