40 Days of Prayer - Day 1: God's Gift

I know, it's the middle of July and I've got Pandora doing rounds of Christmas music, but I can't help it! I've got visions of a newborn dancing in my head and it just fills my heart with all kinds of happy. Isn't our Savior so good and wonderful to bring about such goodness?! I've been praying about how I may serve the Lord and grow closer to Him, while still remaining mindful and intentional in my relationship with Him. I've decided that during this time of pregnancy I need to set aside a time (40 days) to reflect and pray purposefully and daily about the joys and struggles of life. I've been encouraged by another friend Hannah, to pray for her and the babies growing in our bellies! I hope this will be a time of encouragement for those of you who read this as well. So let me tell what's been going on lately....

I've been reading through the book of James and I'm reminded of this verse in chapter 1: 16-17:
^"16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. ¹⁷ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." 


Father, 
I thank you for your goodness that you've given us. Goodness that none of us deserve. Thank you for loving me enough to send your one and only Son to die on a cross for my sins. Thank you for blessing me with a wonderful, hardworking husband, who continually proves himself by serving us day in and day out. Thank you for a family that continues to support and love us no matter we need; families that put You first and lead us the best way by serving You, we hope to be shining examples of Your love just as they have. And thank you for bringing about this precious life living and growing inside me. You are good and the fact you sent your Son to die for me is more than enough proof. Thank you and praise be to You alone. 
Amen.  
  
**Next day here**

Preggo Stats--Week 17

How far along: 17 weeks

Total weight gain: -2 lbs more! Yep that's a total of a 7 pound loss! I asked the doctor if this was ok and she said that it's normal for a plus size gal to lose weight (first with the nausea and vomiting in the first trimester and then it can continue if you're eating healthier and aren't eating meals like you used to) good to know and thanks doc!

How big is baby: The size of an onion!

Maternity Clothes: Yes!

Sleep: Still really weird dreams and the sleep has been off and on for being good and bad.

Best moment this week: Hearing the baby's heartbeat again at the doctor's office, this time it was much louder and stronger, still going 160 bpm!

Movement: Still awaiting to feel the flutters. Nothing yet, but hopefully something soon!

Food cravings: Vegetables: corn, peas, asparagus, squash, carrots, salads, etc.

Food aversions: None really, still no processed foods.

Gender: We'll find out in 3 weeks!!!

Labor signs: None

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Eating deli meats for lunch on a sandwich!
What I'm not loving: The heat! It's crazy: last weekend we were in the triple digits and have been topping the 90s this week!

What I’m looking forward to: Feeling the baby move

What I'm loving:  The hot tub! We got it going and don't worry, we monitor the temperature and the time I'm in there so I don't "cook" our little one, but the jets in the tub have helped my back and feet!

Milestone(s): Starting and hopefully finishing our basement within the next week!

Baby's Deveopment - Week 17

Lately we've been getting more and more excited around here! Why?! Well #1 supposedly, around 18-22 weeks, and even as early as 16 in some women, the baby will start to move, flip, kick, etc. So I've done my homework and in several mommy-to-be books and sites it discusses how you may think it's just gas but it really could be the baby moving! I'm not sure what all I've been feeling, but I sure am ready to feel those flutters! Hopefully we'll be feeling them soon, move baby move!

Courtesy of The Bump at http://pregnant.thebump.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/17-weeks-pregnant.aspx

Pregnancy, Babies, & Modesty

I recently read another blogger's thoughts on motherhood and modesty at "Our Nest in The City and I'm very impressed with Emily's bravery at voicing this concern. As a soon to be mother I adore the pictures my husband and I take every Wednesday/Thursday to document our growing baby, however, I find it highly ironic that women who support modesty have no problem whatsoever shedding the clothes for a nearly nude pregnancy photo shoot or picture. I'm not here to argue what is or is not considered beautiful. However, I wonder at what point is it acceptable to simply throw away the clothes and let it hang out so to speak? I can still see a beautiful belly bump picture with your clothes still covering your body.

And while we're on the topic, if Adam and I find out we're having a girl, our standards will not change simply because she's a little girl. In particular, when we've stopped by the clothing sections at various stores lately, we've noticed the plethora of baby bikinis for little girls. What happened to a one piece???? The world wonders why little girls want to grow up  so quickly and why they aren't appearing their age, it's because the advertising industry, Hollywood, and the television industry all shout that its perfectly acceptable to grow up quickly and become women faster than they're supposed to be. So, to get to the point, this may just be my conservative voice coming out, but I refuse to lower my standards on modesty simply because it's cute and I'm pregnant.

Preggo Stats--Week 16

How far along: 16 weeks

Total weight gain: still at -5 lbs (going to the doctor next week so we'll see how this changes)

How big is baby: The size of an avocado!

Maternity Clothes: Yes! I bought a few new shirts, but would still like to my hands on another pair of shorts.

Sleep: Still really weird dreams and the sleep has been off and on for being good and bad.

Best moment this week: My best friend got married and I was the matron of honor!

Movement: Still awaiting to feel the flutters. Nothing yet, but hopefully something soon!

Food cravings: Meat: seafood (crab) and ribs!

Food aversions: Processed foods (still)

Gender: We'll find out in 4 weeks!!!

Labor signs: None for a while!!!

Belly button in or out: In

What I miss: Being able to sleep on my stomach
What I'm not loving: The heat! It's crazy: last weekend we were in the triple digits and have been topping the 90s this week!

What I’m looking forward to: Feeling the baby move!

Milestone(s): Actually looking pregnant! I feel like you can really tell we're starting to grow in this picture!

Baby's Development - Week 16

This past week has been crazy busy! My best friend announced three weeks ago that she'd be getting married on the 30th of June which left me searching for a dress and anything I could do to help her out! I am happy to say that the wedding was beautiful and went off without a hitch! It was a beach wedding so I was concerned about whether or not I could handle the heat, but thankfully, the sun was setting and the heat was dying down so I was able to do my job as the matron of honor! Baby Davis did just fine, too and rather enjoyed himself/herself! This week our little bun has made it to 16 weeks and is the size of an avocado, as always read on for more!

4th of July

I don't normally write posts like this but I couldn't help myself. Maybe it's because I'm pregnant and my hormones are kickin', but I'd like to think it's also the government teacher in me that cannot take this comment lightly. Here's what I'm referring to:

A friend of mine on facebook said the following:

every year i am morally conflicted on the fourth of july.

"there are two great lies that i've heard:
the day you eat of the fruit of that tree, you will not surely die
and that Jesus Christ was a white, middle-class republican
and if you wanna be saved you have to learn to be like Him

my first allegiance is not to a flag, a country, or a man
my first allegiance is not to democracy or blood
it's to a King & a Kingdom"
(derek webb)

My response to that was: Really?! You're morally conflicted?! Let me help you out, Luke 20: 20-26 says:
²⁰ Keeping a close watch on him, they (i.e., the scribes and chief priests) sent spies, who pretended to be sincere. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said, so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. ²¹ So the spies questioned him: “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. ²² Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
²³ He saw through their duplicity and said to them, ²⁴ “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription are on it?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
²⁵ He said to them, “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”
²⁶ They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.

It's pretty clear that the Lord does not declare that any man or woman's allegiance must be to a ruler, what He says is that what you owe him is to be rendered. Jesus does not say to worship Caesar. Therefore, my allegiance is first and foremost to God and to follows his command that whatever government I live under, I must be responsible and pay the taxes required of me. And secondly, I am 100% thankful that this is the country the Lord allowed my ancestors to come and live. I am 100% thankful that I live in a democratic country which allows comments like the one this person has written and even my own ramblings on this blog to be published thanks to freedom of speech and the press. And I am, above all else, 110% thankful that I live in a country that promotes freedom of religion where I am able to worship and praise my God the way I wish. So really and truly, I am not morally conflicted and there's no reason anyone else should be either because obviously if this is the land God wants you to be to serve Him you'll remain and if it's not, then He'll lead and direct you elsewhere; and wherever you end up living, "Give to Caesar (any government authority) what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."