For This Child I Prayed

For this child I prayed…Klayton Matthew! Yes, you read right we are having a baby boy! I am so surprised, I’m not surprised that I am having a baby, I’m surprised that I am having a boy-all along I kept thinking that I was having a girl. It’s kind of funny though when I do think about things, during the last couple of weeks Joseph and I both had this nagging suspicion that just maybe we were having a boy! Also, even though I have been thinking girl, the name Klayton seemed to be more natural for me to say!

My dad was able to come up and go with us to the ultrasound, that was really special! I must admit, my tummy always gets very nervous before an ultrasound and it was a little nervous; but as soon as we entered the building I had such peace-from the Lord-that things were okay and there was no reason to be nervous! As soon as we stepped back to the ultrasound room, I informed the tech that I wanted to know if we would be having a boy or a girl and in my mind I was silently informing her that I had all day if baby wasn’t going to cooperate! She then asked if we minded an intern doing the ultrasound and that she would finish up and double check the interns work-we were fine with that. The intern was able to take lots of pictures of baby’s heart, kidneys, spine, blood flow, bones; but no picture that could tell us the gender! It was funny every time she would go and try to take a peek my baby’s little hands would cover the very thing we needed to see-apparently, baby already knows that some things are meant to be private! Finally, when she was done taking all of her pictures she went and got the regular tech. Once the tech stepped back into the room, she double checked everything and baby had turned; but was still not making a reveal as to gender. I really wanted to know the identity of my baby and I just kept praying…baby was still unwilling to make the reveal. The tech told me that she had a few tricks up her sleeve, so she took the Doppler like crazy on my belly and you could see baby flailing around! Baby turned in such a way, where we were able to get a peek at the backside and see the very thing that made it very evident that we were indeed having a boy-Klayton Matthew! Joseph and I just looked at each other in wonder, we were surprised-not disappointed and I don’t think we really knew what we should be thinking. To be honest, it all just felt very surreal to now know the identity of this baby that is in my belly…my little boy, my little man, my child, my Klayton-wow!
After we left the office we made all the phone calls and sent text messages to all our family and friends! We then went to the mall, to purchase Klaytons first pair of jeans-ended up buying 2 pairs and my dad and sister each bought him a top! As we picked out clothing it was crazy to think that again we now know who we are shopping for and that someone will soon fill those tiny clothes! We then also went online and ordered his take home outfit! So crazy!
Later after my dad left we decided to head to Target and start a baby registry. I have a card that expires soon and wanted to use it because it was redeemable for a $20 gift card if we created a baby registry! So after we created our registry we spent the gift card on baby clothes…so take a peek at baby Klaytons first outfits!

Then as the day drew to a near all I could do was peer at the ultrasound pictures in wonder-I am going to be the mama of a little man! Even now, I am asking Joseph to help me learn to relax and let my boy be a boy because I know me and I can be quite the overbearing mother hen! Aw, I can’t wait until October and I long to hold my Klayton Matthew in my arms! I love him so!

10 on Tuesday

1. Well, it looks like you can now leave comments on my posts! Yay!!! I think it may have been the background I was using!
2. Today, I am going to begin my themed 10 on Tuesday...the theme, money saving tips!
3. Laundry detergent, can you believe that for the 1st time in 2 years I will be making this purchase?! When I use laundray detergent, I only ever use 1/2 of the amount that is indicated! I do laundry as of right now once a week for 2 people-this may change once we have baby! But, it makes the expense of laundry detergent go a long way!
4. Buy in bulk whenever you can afford it! Last night, I purchased 107 ounces of pizza sauce for $7.00! Sometimes buying in bulk takes a little extra work as I will have to divide the sauce into containers so it doesn't spoil and freeze it. But, sometimes the extra work is worth the savings it brings!
5. When I grocery shop I just shop for dinner and breakfast. Lunch is always leftovers from dinner the night before!
6. Traveling, we do alot of this! Whenever we have to pay for a hotel out of our own pocket, we use hotels.com or choicehotels.com! By using these sites we can earn free nights...I think if we stay one more night through hotels.com our following stay will be free!
7. Swap services! This is one that I would like to do in the future when baby comes! Every couple wants a date night; but doesn't want the added expense of the babysitter, so find a friend that has kids as well and agree to babysit one anothers child once a month so you can have a date night!
8. Pay attention to store specials. Wal-mart is not always cheaper! Once a week, one of our local grocery stores has milk Monday so this is when we buy our milk-its always cheaper than anywhere else in town! Alot of times stores do the same special during a particular time of month-when this time comes I am always there and ready to stock up on much needed items that can be stored!
9. Lower your monthly bills. Once in awhile its good to look around and make sure you really are getting the better deal. I do this once in a while and I always find a way to lower my bill or a better plan! We recently switched cell phone providers, simply because we were able to lower our monthly cell phone bill, plus get double the minutes and many more features-a new savings of $30.00 each month!
10. Use cash, keep a list and don't buy unnecessary items!

Sunday, Monday...Happy Days

Sunday-church...it was a good day!
Monday-we go home...it will be a good day!
Tuesday-errands, maybe scrapbook...it will be a good day!
Wednesday-church...it will be a good day!
Thursday-visitation...it will be a good day!
Friday-the big reveal, baby ultrasound...it will be a HAPPY DAY!!

A Photo Memory

Oh no! A black cat...does that mean bad luck? Haha! I don't think so! This was my cat, Moonlight! I was browsing through my parents pictures that have on their computer and I came across my cat who we had his entire life, 1992-2007! I remember wanting a cat so bad; but my parents said no. However, I remained persistant...I would cut out ads in the paper that were giving kittens away and I would tape these ads to my dads desk. In the evenings I would practice writing out names that I liked for cats and when we would go grocery shopping, I would tell my mom that I was willing to give up my weekly treat and use that money for cat food instead! My parents weren't cat people and I don't know why or how I ever got the notion in me to want a cat so bad! Well, finally after what felt like years of wishing and hoping for a cat-my dad told me to come along and visit a coworker of his. I wasn't to thrilled; but I went and I'm glad I did! When we got there we were taken into a barn and were shown kittens! I was so excited and a little nervous! There was a little black kitten, with little hair by each of his ears; but was so cute and friendly-he was sitting on my dads shoulder! And here introduced Moonlight to my life!
The first night home with my new kitten kind of made me nervous though! I ended up knocking at my parents door in the middle of the night because I didn't know how to get the kitten to stop climbing up the Christmas tree! I remember the days of how my brother really loved Moonlight and wanted to play with him; but didn't seem to know the appropriate way to play with him, so he would put the cat in a trash can and would walk away with several face scratches from an angry cat! I remember how you would always find Moonlight on top of a blanket, sitting in the windowsill, stealing your seat! I think he had a pretty good life! And I think he gave me some of my most favorite memories...
I think pets learn to love their families as well. I remember the last time I was home with my parents, even then it seemed I knew that would be the last time I would see Moonlight and it seemed he knew that as well. I remember the day he died, he waited for my parents and siblings to wake up to tell them goodbye. Moonlight is now in a box-he loved boxes-buried in my parents front yard...

Preggo Friday

Baby Progress:
Your baby is now roughly the size of a bell pepper. She is about 5 1/2 inches long and weighs almost 7 ounces now!

If you are having a boy or a girl, it is now obvious, if he or she isn’t curled up and hiding during the ultrasound.

Your baby’s skeleton, which up until this point has been made up of flexible cartilage, is now hardening into bone. Myelin, a protective covering around her nerves, has begun to form. Myelin plays an important role in the communication between neurons and it will continue to develop through her first year of life.

At 18 weeks, your baby’s skin is still thin and transparent, so to help protect her, something called the vernix caseosa develops. This is a greasy, cheese-like substance that not only insulates her developing epidermis and dermis from the amniotic fluid; it also makes her nice and slippery for an easier delivery!

My Progress:
How far along? 18 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: +5 lbs.
How much does baby weigh?
Symptoms: Pregnancy brain, emotional, backaches, dry skin, snacky all the time!
Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything.
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: Pretty good if I don't have to make those frequent potty breaks!
Best moment this week: letting myself be completely and utterly excited!
Food cravings: milk shakes, fries and root beer.
Food aversions: chicken!
Gender: hopefully, this will be discovered on May 28th!
Labor signs: way to early for this.
Belly Button - in or out? in.
What I miss: Cherry Coke-though I must admit I can drink caffeine; but its my goal to make it through with very little caffeine and if I give in to the cherry coke, I will fall very fast!
What I am looking forward to: May 28th and discovering if my baby will be Jacinda or Klayton.
Milestones: signed up for the birth class we will be taking in August!

Excitement...Thursday Update

Do you know what its like to be excited; but then get really excited? Then almost feel like you shouldn't get to excited?! Well, that is where I am right now. This whole pregnancy I have just been cautious with my feelings; but then this week its as if all caution has been carried away with the wind! I am just utterly and completely excited! I look at my belly and wonder is there really a baby in there and is my little "Firefly" really okay; but then I remember last Friday when I heard my "Firefly's" heart beat and even the quick "love taps" could be heard through the doctors doppler! There really is a baby inside of me and even though I'm the one carrying the baby it feels so surreal at times that I just can't wait until the 28th when we find out baby's gender...maybe it will make it feel even more real to me! I don't know! I know I'm crazy; but this is a part of my life that I have dreamed for and waited for...a part of my life that I always wondered if it would come or not and now its here! The Lord has been good-He has blessed me beyond measure...I pray that I never forget the days of waiting for Him to perform this blessing and that I will never take this blessing for granted because it was, "for this child I prayed."
This week has not been full, Joseph and I are at my parents dog sitting and here so Joseph can preach for my dad while he is gone on vacation. I really am thankful for this time to not have much to do, I needed to relax-I had a baby scare last week; but as you read baby is fine...I'm just on some antibiotics and needed the rest this week. I was really hoping to make it through this pregnancy with no meds or sickness, so I am a little disappointed at this turn of events. But its best for baby, if I didn't get it taken care of I could have been at risk for preterm labor. Okay, so seriously how did I get back to talking about baby? I'm supposed to be talking about this week! Where is my mind??! Anyway, the week has been nice and relaxing; but tomorrow begins the fun-GARAGE SALE! Am I really that excited about the garage sale? No not really; but I will be if we sell everything and make a bucket full of money! Seriously, I do not know how Joseph and I accumulate so much! Its also been fun to watch my parents dogs...though we will see what my parents will think when they come home and discover we have changed the dogs names! haha! Its kind of funny because this afternoon Joseph was on skype with my brother and my brother commanded his dog Gabe to sit; but he was ignored! I then told "Gaber" my given nickname for the dog to sit and he did! Then everytime Caleb called out to "Gaber" the dog would respond; but would not to his given name of, Gabe! So, I'm getting a kick out of this just thinking about it; but you may not be, so I will move on!
Monday we go home and I will try to make the days pass until my ultrasound, cleaning house to prep for Joseph's parents coming to visit on the 31st! I do not know why; but I feel a deep necessity to have my apartment as clean as possible when company comes. Unfortunately, cleaning seems to be a neverending task! But, we will see how clean I can get it for them and you know it needs to be really clean because I need to prove to his parents that their son did marry someone that actually does know how to care for her home and husband! haha! Actually, I do this even when my parents come for a visit and they saw my room when I was growing up and I will probably do this when our friend, Kenny-who is blind comes for a visit! Yes, I am slightly crazy! But, please keep that to yourself!
Okay, well I really had fun tonight doing this post!

Blog Ideas...

So, I would really like to have more blog followers because I love to blog! I want to keep the personal going with my blog; but I also want to attract followers that won’t get bored with the personal. Mmm, how to do this-I have ideas and they seem good; but are they really?! Mmm…yes I realize I have now said this twice. Okay, well tell your friends about my blog and watch for changes that will be taking place in the coming weeks!
My ideas:
10 on Tuesday-I sometimes have a really difficult time coming up with random thoughts for this one! So, my plan? Each week, I will have a theme for it such as…money saving tips, date night ideas for you and your honey, grocery shopping tips, etc!
Wedded Wednesday-I love doing this one and sharing my special memories of Joseph and I; but frankly I am beginning to run out of good ideas for each week. So, I will be talking about wedding questions, marriage questions and whatever else relates to marriage each week while pulling in the wonderful examples that Joseph and I are in our marriage! I know don’t laugh to much! But, seriously being a missionary’s wife, ladies often talk to me about things and I want to approach those issues!
Thursday Update, Preggo Friday-These posts will definitely remain the same! They will be my personal posts!
Photo Memory-If I have internet access I would really like to do this one, but just be forewarned as with the rest of the week-I don’t always have internet access so I might get behind.
And I would really like to receive comments from my readers; but can’t seem to get my comment box to work properly. Mmm…=)

10 on Tuesday

1. Currently, Joseph and I are in Iowa dog sitting! My parents are on vacation, so we are here not only to watch the dogs; but so that Joseph can also fill the pulpit for my dad.
2. I'm really getting excited about Friday the 28th! I really can't wait to find out my little "Firefly's" gender! I just hope baby cooperates.
3. Speaking of baby, please pray for me as I had an issue last Friday that required me to be seen by my doctor. Baby is fine, I just have some things that need to be taken care of with antibiotic. I was really hoping to make it through the pregnancy without meds, so this was disappointing; but necessary-its best for baby.
4. Friday and Saturday, we will be doing our yearly rummage sale. I really hope we get lots of business and make lots of money! Yes, I am greedy!
5. Last Saturday I attended, Tastefully Simple/Scentsy/Diva Girl Purse Party all combined! I didn't even glance at the Tastefully Simple-its bread mixes,etc. Diva Girl Purse Party was selling a diaper bag that matches my duffle bag set-very tempting to purchase; but I said no because I just couldn't see myself paying $48 for a diaper bag! I did spend $25 on Scentsy products though and can't wait to get them! I bought a plug in candle warmer and 3 bricks of wax! I'm really excited to try it out, the wax can be used again and again-when I'm done burning it for the day I just pour it back into its mold until next time! I will let you know what I think!
6. Pray for Joseph, he is going to start booking meetings for next Spring! Were looking at being out west, Arizon...California and anywhere inbetween!
7. Joseph and I signed up for a birth class session that is in August! I am excited and Joseph hopes that they don't talk about anything in appropriate.
8. Okay, so I really need to recommend the Ooey Gooey Caramel Brownie Blizzard from Dairy Queeen especially if there are alot of soft brownie chunks in it-its delicious, in fact I could eat one right now...
9. Friday was exciting! I got a hair and eyebrow makeover. During this makeover the power all over Tea went out and stayed out for most of the day! But, Suzie at Artist did a great job in spite of not much light...especially doing the brows with very little light!
10. Last but not least, please remember to vote in my poll, What Am I Having?! Please vote and vote only once!

Preggo Friday; but on Saturday

Baby Progress:
Your baby is now about the size of a turnip! She is roughly 5 inches long and weighs 5 ounces now. That's even more than the placenta weighs.

Though no new structures have formed this week, she has developed fat deposits under her skin that will account for about 2-6% of her total body weight at her time of birth, just 23 weeks from now!

Her skeleton, which up until this point has been made up of flexible cartilage, is now hardening into bone. Another exciting event…her sense of hearing begins to develop this week!

My Progress:
How far along? 17 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: +5 lbs.
How much does baby weigh?
Symptoms: Pregnancy brain, emotional, backaches, dry skin, snacky all the time!
Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything.
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: Great!
Best moment this week: hearing baby kick!
Food cravings: milk shakes, fries and root beer.
Food aversions: chicken!
Gender: hopefully, this will be discovered on May 28th!
Labor signs: way to early for this.
Belly Button - in or out? in.
What I miss: Cherry Coke
What I am looking forward to: May 28th and discovering if my baby will be Jacinda or Klayton.
Milestones: baby's heart beat is now in the high 140's!

Thursday Update

Okay, so here it is Thursday and why am I so excited? Well, today was the last day that I had to wake up early-tomorrow I get to sleep in! I have been substitute teaching kindergarten all week long...its kind of worn me out! Apparently, I am no longer made to teach-its hard to believe that I used to do this everyday for the 3 1/2 years before I was married! I have officially decided that subbing is what fits me best because even those kindergarten kids are cute-they are not as cute as I once found them. And I definitely don't find it cute anymore to see how far they can push the substitute teacher and believe me they may be little and they might not be as smart as a big; but don't let that fool you-they have tricks up their sleeves and their ready to try them!
Tomorrow I get to get my hair cut and colored-my hair so needs a makeover! So excited-I love a new hair cut, it makes me believe that I can do my hair and it actually look cute! That is until it starts to grow out and the truth is revealed-I don't really know how to do my own hair and it never looks cute!
I was thinking about this yesterday, why do I blog? It probably seems silly to some; but if you know me, you know that I am very sentimental and a scrapbooker that takes pictures of everything and almost anything! Blogging is just another way for me to capture my memories, its almost like scrapbooking to me and sharing my memories with my blog followers! It also will help me to be able to go back and recall things vividly because they are now written!
Its been raining so much here the last few days and I really need the sun to come out. I don't think the rain helps when I am worn and tired. Tomorrow they say the weather is supposed to be in the 70's I sure hope it is! I could really use some fresh air and being able to open my windows. It would also be nice not to have to turn my heat on during the night-it has felt like winter in our apartment the past week. Ugh!
We are still apartment hunting and it just seems to keep hitting a brick wall. Every apartment that has been in our price range is either full with a waiting list or has raised the rent to a place that is above our price range. Maybe the Lord is just trying to teach us to be content with where we are and with the things we have. I think though this is a lesson that will take a lifetime to learn! Please just pray that if its to be God will open the right apartment for us!
I am looking forward to seeing my parents this weekend and spending some time with them before they take off on their vacation...its a vacation right mom?! I bet she is looking forward to their hotel stay with a jacuzzi-I would! I hope they do enjoy their time, I think they deserve a much needed break away from things!
Okay, well my time on here is complete...I hope to bring you a Preggo Friday update tomorrow; but it might have to wait until Saturday since I have limited internet access at home! Have a happy Thursday!

Wedded Wednesday

(Reminder: Please read the facts in my post previous to this one and vote in my poll at the right!)

When we met: February 22nd, 2007
When we became a couple: April 1st, 2007
When we became engaged: July 9th, 2007
When we married: January 4th, 2008

So, I left you last week with my 1st conversation with Joseph. So, where did that awkward conversation lead? Well, it lead to us going on Friday night with a bunch of teenagers to Denny's! That night was so fun and great! We were all laughing at the stories Joseph and I had to share about pranks we did at college! I remember leaving Denny's that night thinking, "he seems nice, mmm?" That Saturday brought a snowstorm and I found myself spending the weekend with a family from the church so I would not get snowed in at my apartment!
Sunday, I ended up going to both church services in the morning. Our church currently has two services because we can't fit everyone in the sanctuary in the mornings. I saw Joseph; but we only exchanged a simple greeting. After the morning services our associate pastor invited me to lunch with the church staff and missionaries. I ended up sitting with our associate pastor and his wife...Joseph did to! I don't remember everything that was said; but there is one part of the conversation I vividly remember. Our associate pastors wife, Mrs. Holso, had just discovered that Joseph likes shoes, so it went something like this:
Mrs. Holso, "Did you know Kendra likes shoes?"
Joseph, "oh yeah."
Mrs. Holso, "You like shoes and Kendra likes shoes, you should take her to Norway with you."
Me, I simply covered my face and slouched in my chair with utter embarrassment.
But, in spite of this conversation Joseph and I were still able to talk comfortably. Even that night after a girl in our church asked him if he had a girlfriend and when he replied no, right in front of me she told him, "Kendra doesn't have a boyfriend, you should get together with her"! Even after that we were able to still talk! Some of the embarrassing moments though I must admit were beginning to really get to me. So much so, that after church on Sunday night a friend of mine called and invited me to go with the young married couples to dinner and I just knew what they were up to-they had invited Joseph as well. I was beginning to get really sick of the looks, the comments etc.! So, when she asked me I curtly replied with a no and promptly hung up the phone. I then sought the family I had been staying with for refuge and I ended up going to Denny's with them and apparently the church staff once again and all the missionaries. So, the very thing I was trying to avoid could no longer be avoided another evening of smiles, awkward looks and who knows what else would be in my future! But, really it ended up not being so bad!
Mmm, I wonder what would be the thing though that would bring Joseph and I together, once again I ask you...come back next week for the rest of the story!

4 Facts to Help You Decide

Please read the following facts and cast your vote in my poll, "What Am I Having" on the right! The big reveal is May 28th...will I be having a Klayton Matthew or a Jacinda Danielle?!
Fact #1: Babys heart rate, 1st visit 102
2nd visit 169
3rd visit 160's
4th visit 150's

Fact #2: Some people think they can predict the baby's gender by the how the mother is feeling during pregnancy. So, throughout this pregnancy I have had very little nausea...it comes and goes, sometimes its even days before another wave of nausea comes. But, during my second trimester, I have had basically no nausea. I just tire easily during this pregnancy, am very sensitive/emotional.

Fact #3: I do not more than the other of spicy or bland foods. Some things I can tolerate spice on and others I cannot.

Fact #4:

10 on Tuesday

1. Please vote in my poll, "What am I Having?" You can read the facts on the post below this one and then cast your vote! Once again we get to find out if we are having a boy or a girl on the 28th of this month!
2. On the note of baby, I really think my belly had a growth spurt yesterday! As I was getting ready for bed, I looked down at my belly and immediately to Joseph who was just staring at my belly! I told him what I was thinking and he was in total agreement because it appeared that way to him as well!
3. This week I am teaching Kindergarten! Brings back memories of my teaching days!
4. Looking forward to Friday-I'm getting my hair done, cut and color! That is what I'm working for this week as I teach! My hair is in desperate need of a makeover!
5. Saturday, is the purse/taste of home/scentsy party that I am really looking forward to!
6. Saturday, is also when we will head to Iowa for a couple of weeks.
7. At the end of the month Joseph's parents will be coming for a visit! Hopefully the weather will cooperate and by cooperate I mean, warm up! Ugh! Doesn't the weather realize that in order to bring those May flowers it really needs to warm up?!
8. A week from Saturday is my garage sale, which reminds me, I better make a phone call to get it put in the paper!
9. I'm thankful for my husband, since I am teaching this week and he is left at home he is trying to help me out with things! Yesterday he did the dishes and cleaned our bedroom! I love him!
10. Wow, this post really came easy to me today...apparently my brain is choosing to work today!

The Facts

These are the facts, for those of you that don't want to just guess in my poll, "What Am I Having?"

Fact #1: Babys heart rate, 1st visit 102
2nd visit 169
3rd visit 160's
4th visit 150's

Fact #2: Some people think they can predict the baby's gender by the how the mother is feeling during pregnancy. So, throughout this pregnancy I have had very little nausea...it comes and goes, sometimes its even days before another wave of nausea comes. But, during my second trimester, I have had basically no nausea. I just tire easily during this pregnancy, am very sensitive/emotional.

Fact #3:

Preggo Friday happening on Monday

Baby Progress:
Get ready for a growth spurt. In the next few weeks, your baby will double his weight and add inches to his length. Right now, he's about the size of an avocado: 4 1/2 inches long (head to rump) and 3 1/2 ounces. His legs are much more developed, his head is more erect than it has been, and his eyes have moved closer to the front of his head. His ears are close to their final position, too. The patterning of his scalp has begun, though his locks aren't recognizable yet. He's even started growing toenails. And there's a lot happening inside as well. For example, his heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, and this amount will continue to increase as your baby continues to develop.


My Progress:
How far along? 16 weeks!
Total weight gain/loss: +4 lbs.
How much does baby weigh?
Symptoms: Gassy (ew), pregnancy brain has settled in already, very sensitive, backaches, dry skin, snacky all the time!
Maternity clothes? Pretty much everything.
Stretch marks? nope
Sleep: Great!
Best moment this week: hearing baby's heart beat! it was in the 150's!
Food cravings: milk shakes, fries and root beer.
Food aversions: chicken! this completely shocks me, chicken has alwayes been one of my favorite meats!
Gender: hopefully, this will be discovered on May 28th!
Labor signs: way to early for this.
Belly Button - in or out? in.
What I miss: Cherry Coke
What I am looking forward to: May 28th and discovering if my baby will be Jacinda or Klayton.
Milestones: making it 16 weeks!

Mother's Day

Yesterday, was Mother's Day and according to my husband, I am now a Mommy who deserves to celebrate! So, my wonderful husband bought me Ruby stud earrings and took me to lunch at the Outback Steakhouse! I was thinking about this, so many times when a pregnant woman is spoken of, she is referred to as a "mom to be"; but really, since life begins at conception...you become a mom when a life is conceived. I may not be physically raising my child; but already the choices I make effect my child. I have an important task approaching me...child rearing! At church the choir sang, You Were There and it speaks about the time even before the mother knew the child and how they were already there for that child. God picked me for this baby that is in my tummy...I am the one God has been preparing to raise this child, this gift from God. Much of who I am, will be invested into this child, yes they will become their own person; but what they become is affected by who I am, what I bring to them in their spiritual life, mental life, emotional life and even physical life. As I drove to the grocery store the other day, I noticed a group of kids probably around 10-11 years old playing, when I looked at them I thought someday this baby is going to be that 10-11 year old playing tag with their friends! What will my child be like then? Will people frown when they see their children playing with my child, or frown when they see my child coming their way? Or will people smile when they see my child playing with children, will they smile when they see my child coming their way? But, more importantly when God looks at me, raising this gift from Him, will He smile or frown? I pray and am seeking already to be that mom that God smiles at and I am already discovering that the task will put me on my knees in prayer daily!

Preggo Friday

So,this will not be my normal pregnancy update since I'm doing it from my phone and I have no clue as to how to upload my 4 month pics and transfer my progress reports. So, my 4 month pics and progress report will come later! But, I am now 16 weeks and feeling great! I don't know what I'm supposed to feel like but I don't feel pregnant-maybe this is why the 2nd trimester is known as the pregnancy honeymoon!
I had my 2nd prenatal visit this morning! I haven't gained anymore weight since my last visit! So it's all baby except for those 4 lbs I gained in my 1st trimester! My doctor says my weight is fine! During this visit we heard baby's heart beat and this time the heart was beating in the 150s rather than the 160s like it had been; but again this is all still very good! I love hearing my baby's heart beat, it's a reminder that baby is okay and that God is performing a miracle within! We are still so excited!
The date is set, May 28th! This is when we hopefully discover if we are having a boy or a girl! I will put a poll on the page soon to record votes as to what you think we are having! I really pray that baby cooperates and lets us know..Joseph says that if the baby's legs aren't open it will be obvious to him that we are having a girl-because girls are to be modest at all times! Otherwise if baby doesn't let us know what he or she is this could just merit their first spanking! I'm kidding on that last line okay! I love my Firefly and just want to know if the proper name is Klayton or Jacinda!

Wedded Wednesday

When we met: February 22nd, 2007
When we became a couple: April 1st, 2007
When we became engaged: July 9th, 2007
When we married: January 4th, 2008

11 months start to finish of our courtship! Wow,kinda crazy! I remember on my birthday, my friend Michelle took me to lunch and I was moaning to her, how I was only 5 years from being 30 and there was no prospect of a man for me to marry and I didn't think it possible to ever happen! Who knew, but the Lord that in just 2 weeks time I would be meeting Joseph! I actually saw Joseph on February 21st, the start of our church's missions conference; but I avoided him like he was the plague! I wanted to be married so bad; but I wasn't desperate and I wasn't about to appear desperate and talk to the single missionary at the conference. Then the 2nd night of the conference he was chatting with some of the teenagers that I was close to and I got pulled into the conversation. I tried to ignore the sudden attention I was getting from people-the very thing that I had wanted to avoid and the very reason I did not want to talk to him...the raised eyebrows, the thumbs up signs, the cheesy grins! But, nonetheless I was enjoying the conversation that I was having with Joseph and the teenagers! But, where would this night and the rest of the missions conference take us...come back next Wednesday and find out the next part of the story!

10 on Tuesday

1. Okay,so lets see how this works. I am trying to post from my cell phone. Mmm, I think it might take a little more time since the keypad is much smaller.
2. I passed my written exam so that I could get a drivers license since mine had expired. I was so nervous! After all it has been 13 years since I've had to do such a thing. I missed 5 questions; but I still passed!
3. Friday is my next prenatal visit and tomorrow I will be 16 weeks! I'm just a few weeks from getting to find out what we are having! Yay-so excited!
4. Since we've been home nothing exciting has taken place. I wish this post could be full of earth shattering excitement; but that's just not my life.
5. I have discovered that Joseph and I eat out entirely to much. If we would cut back on this luxury we could save so much! We are going to attempt to treat ourselves only on special occasions or for an occasional Sunday dinner.
6. Garage sale time. It's that time again for garage sales and the chance to find some good deals! It's also the time for Joseph and I to once again clean out our stuff and get rid of things we no longer use, so we can be the ones getting money from the good deals were selling!
7. I'm excited to have been invited to a purse/taste of home/scentsy party! I'm especially anxious to check out the product Scentsy-i have heard so much about this candle, air freshener, car freshener company! I hear such rave reviews from my friends and I hope to have my own rave review!
8. Joseph and I have been apartment hunting. Our rent goes up in August and we kinda need to get a bigger place and it would be nice to have some extra amenities in our apartment, like a dishwasher, dryer/washer. Unfortunately, everything in our price range is unavailable. Hopefully, someone will move out and we can move in! Or maybe someone will say, "let me pay your rent for a year!"
9. It has been so beautiful outside lately! I'm loving it! And I will even love it tonight when the rain decides to come and pitter patter against my window pane!
10. Well, it's time to play Mario on the Wii with my husband-happy Tuesday!