The VERDICT

I am being induced tomorrow morning (Thursday). I have to be there at 5:30 am, but last time Dr. A didn't show up until 9. So, that's the verdict for the day!!

Favor & Grace

No Jaxon yet. . . I'm going to the dr. this morning. Please pray that I will have favor with him and he will send me right over. I've had contractions this morning and I'm hoping that is enough for him to just say let's do it today. If not, please pray that they aren't booked up tomorrow & Friday!! ;)

Also pray that I will have grace for family. I really want him to do it today because of the whirlwind it will make with family. I won't have time to think about it all. My family won't be in town to be calling us every 30 minutes for a progress report, although Aaron's family is still in town waiting for today's "verdict". When my parents come in, I don't have anywhere for them to stay. My house is feeling really cramped and closing in on me the last few days, too. Anyway, I'm really needing grace for family right now. I just want to have Jaxon and call everyone in a few weeks and let them come down. Isn't going to happen that way. I'm just not used to family being around this much and especially with all the focus on me.

Anyway, guess I better go get ready!! Crazy to think that I could be holding my little one this evening!!!

Update

So here's what I've decided. Yesterday I was sitting on the couch just doing nothing except I guess feeling a little sorry for myself when it hit me. . . my attitude is up to me. I can either be miserable these last few days or I can be in a good mood. I've decided to just be in a good mood until. . . until whatever happens. It's a mindset even when my flesh wants to pout and mope around. But, I've changed my attitude -- I'm in a good mood and I'm waiting patiently on the arrival of Jaxon!! ;)

Pregnancy Rambles

Yes, I'm still here. . . still pregnant. . . still wondering when in the heck this big event is going to take place!! I feel like I've done everything in my power to get Jaxon here, but I'm convinced that he's just comfy!! This morning in the shower I was praying and I just had to ask God to make sure that I wouldn't be pregnant forever. How is it that this whole pregnancy has FLOWN by, but the last week seems like an eternity!!

Yes, I know Jaxon will come when he's supposed to, but doesn't he understand convenience? Aaron's mom, sister, and brother are here until Tuesday. His mom told me she's hanging around waiting on a baby. Gosh how nice it would be if Jaxon came before Tuesday!! We wouldn't have to worry about where the boys are going to go, how long they'll be there, etc.

Yesterday I went shopping with Aaron's mom. I was on my feet and walking for 12 hours straight!! My feet were killing me. My stomach muscles hurt from carrying this giant out in front. I just knew something would happen. Nothing.

I have said all along that I didn't want Jaxon to come before Black Friday because I wanted to go shopping. Then, yesterday I thought about Brandi's comment to Francesca about how it's just like a boy to do whatever it takes to get his mom flowers. I thought -- that's right. It's just like a boy to let his mom go shopping and THEN make his great debut. So, yes I went shopping and he did wait.

Maybe he's waiting on me to put up my Christmas decorations!! Yeah! Maybe that's it! Those are going up today. The boys are sorting the tree parts into different piles as I type.

Oh well. . . guess he'll just come when he comes. I go from one extreme of "I'm calling Dr. A right now and telling him let's get this show on the road" to the other of "Oh, what's a few more days really?"

One thing I do know is that I will definitely have him by this time next week . . . guess that should give me some kind of comfort. . . just a few more days.

One More Week (or less)

I'm hoping for the "or less" option!!!

I went to the dr. this morning. I'm still dilated to a 1 . . maybe 1 1/2 (like it makes a difference). He said the baby is very low (didn't have to tell me that). When he measured him, Dr. A's eyes about popped out of his head. He just said he's "good size". He's giving me another week and then I'm going to have to induce because Jaxon is getting too big. I'm so ready to have Jaxon, but I am very thankful that this time Dr. A isn't pushing me to induce.

Linda (the nurse) wasn't there today and there was another older nurse. She asked me if I was going to go natural or be induced. I told her I'm trying to go natural, but I'm almost considering inducing. She kind of chuckled and said, "Well, what's one or two more weeks?" I'm telling you, that was the last thing she needed to say to me today!!! ;) One or two more days seems like an eternity right now not to mention one or two more weeks!!

Today I was thinking about the things I won't miss about being pregnant. Here's my list so far:

* Maternity pants -- I can't keep mine up lately!
* Sleepless nights -- at least my sleepless nights will be from a baby and not just because I can't sleep.
* Painful hips -- need I say more?
* These crazy emotions -- I've had my feelings hurt more in the last week than in the last 5 years -- all over silly things, of course.
* Swollen fingers and feet -- maybe my feet will shrink back to my normal size, too.

Having listed those few things, would I be pregnant again? Absolutely.

Will I ever be pregnant again? The jury is still out on that one.

Total Surprise!

Yesterday morning, I went to church prepared to stay in children's church, but preferring to be in the service. I have been a little "on edge" lately and children's church is the last place for me to be when I'm like that! ;)

But, when I got to church, Krissy kept trying to kick me out of children's church. It didn't hurt my feelings, but she was being a little pushy about how I needed to get out of there and go sit down and do nothing for a change. But, I had my yellow team to talk to and Krissy was quick to say that she would handle it for the day. At our team pre-service meeting, Krissy told Eric & Nicole to just flow with it. . . she didn't say what "it" was. . . just flow. OK . . . not exactly how I do things, but I trust her.

So, I go to service, they dismiss the kids, I ask one last time to make sure Krissy is going to be ok and she assures me that if they need me, they will come and get me.

I'm sitting in the service when an usher comes up and tells me that I am needed in children's church. I knew whatever it was, it had to be bad. I'm walking up the aisle wondering what in the world could be going on. I get to the door of the gym and it's dead silent on the other side of it! I was a little scared and then I thought "What if the Holy Spirit came and knocked them all out and Krissy just wanted me to see it?" I just prayed real quick and asked God to get me through whatever was on the other side of that door!

I opened the door and all the kids yell SURPRISE!!! They all came running at me with cards in their hands that they had made for me. They threw me a surprise baby shower!! I was overwhelmed and shocked and truly blessed!! They had the presents all lined up and ready to go and they had a special seat for me to sit in. The kids had cookies and couldn't wait for me to open their gifts!! I had fun listening to them say "Diapers & wipes! Again?" So, here's Jaxon's loot from the day:

It totals:
398 diapers
1,071 wipes
1 bottle of lotion
6 washcloths (that have crowns and castles on them)
4 bibs
4 outfits
22 socks (11 pairs)
1 diaper rash cream
$5

After I opened my gifts, the kids spoke blessings over me and Jaxon. It was the sweetest time. They told me how much they loved me and how much fun Jaxon was going to be. I think there are two that stand out the most -- one of the boys said, "All I have to say is Jaxon, rock on!" and then one of the girls told me that Jaxon was going to follow in my footsteps and the blessing that I've been to them (my current kids), that Jaxon would be that same blessing to their kids. WOW! That one caught me off guard, but it was so powerful!!

That's not to mention all of the cards they gave me!! I am truly blessed!! Our kids are such givers and they just love to give -- even if it's a piece of paper with their drawing on it.

There is one picture that I want to share that kind of stood out to me. I was opening presents and it was inside one of the bags. It was a picture of like a storm on one side and this blue sky on the other. There was this cloud between the two with lightening coming out of it. I remember pulling it out of the bag and thinking "Well, isn't that interesting?" But, tonight as I was looking through everything, I saw it in a different way.

I had a bad case of postpartum depression after Evan. I can't describe it other than it was one of the hardest times of my life. In the last week or so, I've felt "the funk" trying to come over me. Thankfully, I recognize it and realize that I have authority over it this time! But, when I saw that picture tonight, it was like God was saying that I've been in the storm before, but this time He is going to bring light. This time will be different. How powerful of a picture to me at the current point in my pregnancy. I'm not sure if the child who drew it knows it was from God, but I'm going to try to track down who it was and make sure they know that God used them to speak to me. How awesome is that?!?!

So, it's 1 am and I'm heading to bed a blessed children's pastor and a blessed woman -- blessed above and beyond all I could ever hope, ask, or think!!

That's My Boy!!

Yesterday Payton brought home one of his papers and on it he had to list 7 things he was thankful for. Here are his 7 things (in his order):

1. Xbox
2. NFL
3. NBA
4. Brothers
5. Dad
6. Mom
7. Romo (Tony Romo)

Is that a boy's list or what? And, what's up with me being #6?!?! He said he couldn't think of the last thing and his friend suggested Romo. What about clothes, food, and shelter? Aren't those the "given answer" when you say what you're thankful for?!?! Oh well. . . I did think it was cute!

Word for Someone

A friend posted this on her blog. It was a word that Vaughn Clark (not sure who that is) gave at her church one night in October. I have read it over and over and I feel like it is for someone who reads my blog, too. I think I know who you are, but I thought others might benefit from it, too.

So, here's the word: "You need to breath fresh air in the Spirit. Take a deep breathe. Your one of those ladies that when you came in, you came in. And it was like here I am, your what I've got and I'm going with you Jesus. Don't let the enemy disappoint you and take you down. Don't let him put you off to the side. You have got to learn to walk in peace with people and do what you do because God has told you to do it. Be grateful for encouragement you have from other people, but don't let hindrances from other people stop you. You just be on about it. You have to be constant and immovable in the work of the Kingdom. When you've got help and encouragement from others, thank God for it, but when you have blockages from other people don't let it wear you out. You just go on about your Father's business."

THE ROOM IS FINISHED!!

The masterpiece is finished -- completely finished!! Things put away, clothes are hung, diapers are stacked. . . just waiting on a baby! ;)

Here's the link to the pictures:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=fyhgbqj.9a96x9j3&x=0&h=1&y=760452


If you looked at them before, not much has changed. . bedding is in, mobile is attached, and things are put away -- for the most part. I had just gone shopping that day and that's why there's stuff on the changing table.

So, now it's the waiting game. Evan asks me every day when I'm going to go pick up our baby. Boy, I wish it was that easy!! ;)

The Golden Compass

I have received an e-mail about this movie several times over and I thought I would post on here. I haven't read the books and I haven't seen the movie, but from what I read, I think we should all be careful when considering taking our kids to see this movie. It comes out on December 7th and has been made to look like the Narnia series, but it is far from it.

I am going to do more research on the subject, but I plan on having something to hand parents about the movie on Sunday. I don't think we should be Christians who get a rise out of movies and get all crazy about boycotting them. I just think we need to be informed about movies -- especially ones that are directed at our kids.

So, here's a link that a children's church curriculum writer put together:
http://truthquest.net/newsletter/newsletter-goldencompass07.html

At the bottom of the article, there are different research places to see for yourself. This week I'm planning on researching this out.

Update & Fancy Bedding!!

Less than 3 weeks. . . . less than 3 weeks. . . . LESS THAN THREE WEEKS!!!!!!!

I can't believe it's less than 3 weeks!! I had a dr. appointment yesterday. I gained 3 pounds in 2 week -- yuck! He checked me and said I'm 1 cm dilated. That kind of freaked me out because I never dilated before going into labor with my other ones. I wasn't expecting that at all. But, it is nice that the contractions that I am having are doing some good! He also said he is really low and when it does happen, it should be quick. That was good news! Do you think I can hold him to that?! WOW! Less than 3 weeks!!

On another note, I ordered my crib bedding off of Ebay. It said it was 800 thread count Egyptian Cotton. I thought "OK, whatever". I thought the shipping was a little high ($45), but some people make their money on the shipping, so I didn't really think much about it. I just wanted plain navy bedding.

Anyway, the place sent me a tracking number and the shipping place was one I had never heard of, but it said in cooperation with UPS. So, I entered the tracking number to see where my package was and it said "Cairo Egypt"!! This bedding is REAL EGYPTIAN COTTON -- STRAIGHT FROM EGYPT!! I thought it would be weeks before I actually saw it, but the UPS man showed up on my doorstep today with it!! It was tightly bundled with this string and put in this envelope. It must have cost more to ship it in a box. Anyway, I cut away the string and this 5-piece bedding is all rolled up like a sleeping bag and VERY TIGHT!! I love it and it is very soft. Just can't believe my baby will be sleeping on 800 TC sheets!! I don't even have any of those!! ;)

My Favorite 4 Year Old

Photo Caption: Mom, take a picture of me working!

Ahhh. . . at this time 4 years ago, I was sitting in the hospital with our new bundle of joy. Who knew how much fun this kid would be?!?! Who knew how silly he would be? Who knew that he would be the king of goodbyes? Who knew this kid would be obsessed with Cars? Who knew he would love football so much? Who knew he would know names and numbers of NFL players? Who knew he would be such a people person? Who knew he would be so laid back and relaxed? Who knew how much he loves to have his picture taken or take random pictures himself? Who knew how much I would love this kid? Who knew how much I would love his personality? Who knew how much I would want to be more like him?

So, today as I celebrate my baby turning 4 years old, I am so thankful that he's my kid! I'm so thankful that I get to watch him grow up. I'm so thankful that he is my favorite 4 year old!!

Creativity

"You're so creative!" I've heard that several times over the last few weeks and I have to say that is my favorite compliment. . . not necessarily how good I look or how good my hair looks, etc, but that I'm creative. I love to be creative!

I have realized over the last month or so that if I can be creative for just one hour a day, it makes my day so much better! Sometimes I sit down and plan out some cards. Sometimes I have project going in my scrapbook closet and I leave it out where I can stop by and work on it for a few minutes at a time. Sometimes I find a creative tv show and sit for an hour or so soaking it up.

My favorite creative show lately has been "Ace of Cakes". These guys are AMAZING!! They make different cakes, but they aren't your everyday kind of cakes! The other night, they made a gumball machine cake and one lady was working on a Scrabble cake. I cannot even begin to describe how much these cakes looked like the real thing!! One night they made a cake for the 80th birthday of a guy who started a local hamburger joint a long time ago. So, they made him a cake that had a hamburger (no veggies because that's how he served them) and onion rings. They made this red basket thing with the paper underneath the hamburger. Again, I cannot tell you how real it looked when they were finished!!

The creative part isn't always how the cake is going to look, but how to make it look like whatever it is. The other night, one lady was working on a slot machine. She wasn't getting the look she was going for, so she had to go back to the "drawing board" and figure out how to make it bigger so that it looked more realistic -- problem solving -- another one of my sometimes favorite things to do.

Anyway, I went to a children's conference one time and they talked about creativity and how most people don't look at themselves as creative. But, the Bible says that God created us in HIS IMAGE and let me tell you, my God is CREATIVE! Just look around you. . . He made everything and no two things are alike!! How creative is that?!?

OK, so I'm off to be creative for an hour before my day really starts (aka when Evan gets up). I'm going to challenge you to do something creative today. . . get those creative juices flowing!! ;)