Flashcards and a 10 month old

So, I got this bright idea that I needed to start working on numbers, colors and shapes with my 10 MONTH OLD!  I know...really?!?!  I just want to teach her so many things...I can't wait. 

So, we are working on colors and the circle shape and numbers 1-5.  Ava sits in her highchair and we go through our flashcards.  She seems to enjoy it.  I don't know what or if she is understanding any of it, but it is still cute and fun to see her smile at the pictures and giggle at mommy as I make the sounds and stuff. 

She also watched the Aristocats the other day and I kept saying "cat, cat, ccccat."  She is trying to say it.  It is pretty adorable.  She also will clap her hands sometimes and say "glab, glab, glab."

Still no "mama" or "dada" discriminately..waiting, waiting...oh so patiently waiting on that. 

She enjoys a song sung by Israel Houghton, called, I have a Friend in God.  She gets a smile to spread across her face when it comes on and she starts to clap.  So precious!

Forgiveness

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for the do not know what they are doing."

Luke 23:34

 

Forgive them...this was Jesus Christ's request on the cross...I am left speechless. 

 

Jesus asked our Father, in heaven to forgive us-He desired, longed for our forgiveness, all while being mocked, beaten, scorned, discredited, persecuted...crucified on a cross.

 

I will never understand this.  I can't believe this.  I am overwhelmed by this.  Why, Jesus?  Why do You love us so much?

 

If Jesus can forgive me while being nailed to a cross, why do I have such a hard time forgiving others.  I have NEVER been put through what Jesus was put through.  I have never had to endure anything like that.  Yet, I cannot forgive others with the love of Christ. 

 

Jesus sets a good example.  He shows us that what seems impossible is possible.  Because I am pretty sure that I would have seen forgiving us as an impossible task if I were the one dying on the cross.  He shows us the richness of His mercy and grace, the capacity of His amazing love, that my King would die forgiving me. 

I love You, Jesus. 



Wimpy Christian

"But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified and their shouts prevailed.  So Pilate decided to grant their demand.  He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, and surrendered Jesus to their will." Luke 23:23-25

 

 

I am a wimpy Christian.  I can't help but wonder if I would have surrendered myself to the crowd for fear of standing up for what is right.  I would like to tell myself that I wouldn't but I don't know.  I think about now and how I rarely stand up for what I believe for fear.  Fear of what others might think, what I might look like, losing friends, losing popularity, looking stupid and naïve.  It is so sad, but it is so true. 

 

 

I have heard sermons lately and read scripture lately that have discussed taking a stand and not being a wimp.  Then I look at Peter.  He loved Jesus.  He wanted Jesus to cleanse all of him, not just his feet.  He took an ear off a soldier who was arresting Jesus.  He truly loved Jesus, and yet, he denied Him three times.  After those denials, he felt horrible.  He wept.  He couldn't believe he could treat the Son of God that way.  Yet, there was still so much hope and so much courage built up for him.  He went on to be a courageous warrior in the fight for God's kingdom. 

 

This gives me hope.  I am not a natural born leader.  I am not a naturally fearless person.  But with God, His strength, His power, His love, His encouragement, and His guidance, I can be a courageous warrior like Peter in the fight for God's people and His kingdom.  I want to be that...Lord, help me to be that.

 

Dear God, I come before you today embarrassed of my timidity.  I am ashamed of how quiet I have been when it comes to standing up for You.  Lord, I want to be unashamed when I stand before You. I don't want You to look at me and ask me why I didn't take a stand.  Father, I know that taking a stand doesn't have to be something loud and forceful.  I know that You desire Your people to take a stand in a peaceful and loving way.  Father, give me your strength, encouragement, wisdom, guidance, courage, and love to shine like a star, to be light on a hill, and to not lose my saltiness.  Father, I love You and I want to please You, but I can't do this alone.  I need You.  Amen.

21 Weeks

21 weeks!

How far along? 21 weeks and 0 days

How far to go? 133 days to go
Due Date: February 24, 2014 ( will C-section a week earlier)
 
Baby? Butternut Squash 10.5 in. Sally probably weighs about 1 pound now.  Baby could  be described as the size of a small doll.  Sally should have eyebrows, eyelashes and maybe some hair on her head.  She can perceive light and dark. She can hear my voice and heart beat, my stomach noises. She is also having fun learning about her new experience of touch. 
 
Maternity Clothes:  maternity pants and maternity shirts, leggings and regular shirts.     I need to go get a few things. 
 
Stretch Marks:  not yet that I can see!

Pregnancy Symptoms: I can feel my pulse all over the place, achiness in my lower abdomen, backache, bigger appetite, breathlessness, big belly, hot flashes, little indigestion

Sleeping:  I am sleeping with the Boppy pillow to my right and a smaller pillow to my left. 
I only sleep with one blanket and sometimes I don't even use that.  I get so hot at night. I like to sleep in tank tops. This week I have had a few nights where I got the urge to "nest" and woke up in the middle of the night and got to work. 

Best feeling this week: Sally seemed more active and I could feel her more. 
 
Movement: Yes, Sally moves with light little kicks and stuff.  Sometimes they are hard to differentiate from other things going on in your body.  I think I have felt hiccups a couple of times, too. 
 
Cravings/Aversions: I really wanted the ready bake cookies, mandarin oranges, Froot Loops

Belly Button: In...but belly...sticking way out!
 
What I miss:   Honestly, margaritas and sushi  
 
What am I looking forward to:   Seeing what Sally looks like and what she and her sister have in common.  Will they have anything in common?  Will they look anything alike?  Will Sally resemble her mommy more than her daddy?  Who knows?!?!?!

Scary Scary Spider

Today, my niece Ashleigh, Ava and I went to the Spirit Halloween store to look at costumes for Miss Ava.  Poor thing had no idea what was in store.  Ashleigh was holding her and there was this huge (fake) spider that jumped out at her.  She was terrified.  She jumped and started crying pitifully.  Then all she wanted was mama.  She wouldn't let Ashleigh hold her from that moment on.  I felt so bad for her.  I couldn't snap a picture of the scary, scary spider and thought it would be cruel to torture her just for a photo op.  So, this is a picture less post.  From that moment on, Miss Ava was Miss Grumpy.  She wanted only mommy and she desperately needed some serious cuddling and nap time.  I hope when we walk around with the kids on Halloween she can handle all the spooky things.  She has me a little worried after the episode with the spider.  Poor little thing!

I have never met a Pumpkin I didn't like

 

Hodges Family Farm and Pumpkin Patch

 

 

Oh, what a fantastic day!  We got to visit a pumpkin patch with grandpa and grandma.  Grandpa took these amazing pictures!  We had so much fun!  We were quite pleased, not to mention, surprised at how cooperative our little pumpkin was. 

 Ava was so adorable (if I do say so myself) with the sunflowers.  We have a few pictures of her trying to eat those.  I don't have those or even half the pictures on here because my dad took like 156 pictures. Haha!  But we had to keep pushing them away from her mouth.  There are a couple where they tickled her and she looked like she was about to sneeze. 

 

 

 

 We couldn't believe how well she sat on top of this pumpkin unassisted.  She was having so much fun showing off for grandma and grandpa.  She was clapping and blowing kisses during these pictures. 

 

 We also got a few super cute pictures of the 3, I mean 4, of us. I keep forgetting I have my own little pumpkin growing inside me.  Although, how could I forget?  I look as big as a barn!  Anyway, Curtis and Ava look adorable.   

 

 

I feel incredibly blessed.  Blessed that we were able to do this today and that I  have a dad who takes such great pictures and parents who are so willing to go on little jaunts with us so we can capture the sweet moments and begin making memories!  I feel blessed that we had the means to be able to get ourselves to the pumpkin patch and pay for our pumpkins.  I know that sounds  silly but I forget the simple things so much that God and His kindness has blessed us with.  Most of all, I am blessed to have a healthy, happy family.  Thank you God for all the kindness You have showered on us. 

20 weeks HALF WAY THERE!

How far along? 20 weeks and 0 days ITS THE HALF WAY POINT!


How far to go? 20 weeks and 0 days

Due Date: February 24, 2014 ( will C-section a week earlier)

Size of baby? Mango (6.5 inches and .10 oz.) also could be about the length of an eggplant

Maternity Clothes: maternity pants and maternity shirts, leggings and regular shirts.

Stretch Marks: not yet that I can see!

Pregnancy Symptoms: I can feel my pulse all over the place, achiness in my lower abdomen, backache, bigger appetite, breathlessness, big belly, hot flashes, some dizziness, light headaches, pronounced veins, exhaustion

Sleeping: I am sleeping with the Boppy pillow to my right and a smaller pillow to my left.
I only sleep with one blanket and sometimes I don't even use that. I get so hot at night. I like to sleep in tank tops.

Best feeling this week: Being able to eat food and not pay for it later.

Movement: Yes, but Miss Sally moves few and far between.  It worries me sometimes because I start thinking something is wrong.  However, it is probably too early to be feeling her constantly. I will try and save my concerns for around 28 weeks where the kick counting needs to be starting ( I think).  But, in the meantime, I will just hope and pray that I will start feeling her more and more and the kicks I get won't be questionable. 

Cravings/Aversions: SWEETS!  Texas Roadhouse green beans, mashed potatotes and brown gravy.

Belly Button: In...but belly...sticking way out! Someone asked me today if I was expecting.  I told her I was.  She asked me how far along I was.  I told her 20 weeks and she said I was so small.  I love that girl!  Quite frankly, I think I look as big as a barn in the front and back. 

What I miss: I still miss My grandpa and I always will. I also miss being able to shove whatever I want in my mouth.  I miss sleeping on my belly. 

What am I looking forward to:   I am still trying to get a vision for Sally's room.  I have no idea what to do.  I am also anticipating meeting this sweet girl, of course.  The reality is setting in that there is another baby on the way.

I have had days recently where I am not sure I can handle 2 little ones.  Ava wears me out, but I am trying to chalk it up to being exhausted from the pregnancy.  I know God can give me the strength to do this!