A friend has this on her blog and I thought how fitting it is for today's thoughts:

Some people charge through life mistakenly self-sufficient while others cower at the site of their own shadow. I however would rather trust in the Lord. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

So the decision has been made after much prayer and searching...we are trusting in Him to provide our needs as I stay at home with our two children next year.  I did not sign my contract next  year.  I will endeavor to care for and teach our children the fear and admonition of the Lord as we do fun activities.  Jason and I feel confident that this is the right decision and that the Lord will bless us as we are obedient to Him.  Please pray for me as this is something very new to me (I've worked since I was 16). 

I will need prayer to be able to plan activities with other stay-at-home moms, to adequately prepare Emma Grace for what a 3 year old is supposed to know and be able to do, to get out and get exercise and mommy-time, and the most important to lead our children in a godly example from day to day.  I truly covet your prayers and would like for it to be known publicly that I need any godly wisdom and advice from moms who know what it is to do these things already.    My ears are open!!

Stay tuned on Friday for what the Dr. says tomorrow at my weekly appointment about progress on this new life preparing to be born in a matter of days...

After an uneventful Dr. visit yesterday, I see that the time is drawing near on the calendar for me to get my bag packed and prepare things to take to the hospital for both the baby and myself.

My blood pressure was 120/60.  Baby's heartbeat was around 142, and I'm measuring perfectly.  I have, however, gained about another 3-4 pounds in two weeks, so either this young man is BIG or caffeine free Pepsi and Sonic ice weigh a lot b/c I ate a good bit of it before the visit.    Still haven't gained more than 20 pounds, so that's good.  Just have to keep it in check the last 5 weeks.  No protein in the urine this time and his head still appears down. 

I go back in two weeks (at 36 1/2 weeks) and my cervix will be checked then and every week thereafter.  I feel that at that time maybe I will be dilated some; things just feel different and my hips are already spreading!

Heading out to Lake Lure for Girls' Weekend tomorrow, so this is my last chance to travel!  I hope I can sleep some even in another bed.  Thanks to my church family--I can definitely tell that someone has been praying for me to get some rest as I have slept SO WELL the last 3 nights since I shared with Sunday School and evening worship on Sunday.  :) 

Lastly, congratulations to my coworker Jessica Stack and her  husband Lance who delivered their twin boys yesterday afternoon!  Boys--what a heritage!  May you be blessed!

This one goes out to my sister, Kaye, who reminds me to update my blog!!   I am currently 33 1/2 weeks, so we have 6 1/2 weeks left and counting!

The 32 week Dr. visit last Wed. went well...nothing abnormal.  All signs are good: blood pressure was 112/80, a little protein in the urine but nothing they worry about this far along, belly measuring exactly 32 cm, baby's heartbeat was around 138 or 140.  Everything seems to be progressing nicely and I go back again April 9th (a week from today) for my 34 week checkup.  They won't start checking my cervix until week 36.

I will tell you sleeping has become harder to come by, seeing how I have a rib ache on my right side when I lay on the right side.  So I can't breathe if  I lay on my back, too big to lay on my stomach, and the only other option is my left side (which gets numb after 4 hours in the same spot!).  I'm still at work until the little man decides to come, so it looks like the alarm clock and blankets and pillows may have to move residence to the couch or recliner in a week or so.  I will try to hold off, but sleep is becoming much too important in these last days.

I will tell you all that my ankles did not swell at ALL last week when I was home on spring break, so that makes me know that sitting in my chair with feet down all day is the reason for the swelling.  I have 15 eighth grade parents in today back-to-back for IGP (Individual Graduation Plan) conferences for High School, so there's little time to "put my feet up" and I definitely can't take a nap like I did last week. 

Actually, I didn't nap but 1 or 2 days last week while we were home b/c I got ALL MY SCRAPBOOKING DONE!!!!! YEAH!  It was a very productive week in the nursery thanks to my sister Kaye and Jason putting up the border in Emma Grace's room on my birthday the 22nd.  She moved into her new room on Tuesday night, the 25th, and has been there ever since.  The nursery needs some boy pictures hung and a twin bed put up in there, but those are the 2 things left to do.  Everything else is ready!  Praise God!

Well, I'll end this epistle right now.  Keep us in your prayers and pray that the labor and delivery go well, whenever it occurs!  Blessings to you all!

It seems a while since I've written, so just to update...

We're back from Orlando (Jason and I) and we feel so blessed to have been able to sit under the teaching of R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, Sinclair Furguson, Steven Lawson, and C.J. Mahaney!  It was a fast and furious 3 days, but we really enjoyed being with adult interaction and being so spiritually fed. 

The pregnancy is going well--our little man seems to be more active in the lower region of my tummy these days, so maybe that's a good sign that he's moving head down for the last 8 weeks!   I have felt a lot more movement--this is very comforting to me and I don't mind a bit!!  We're still contemplating a name; we will probably be at the hospital and still contemplating!

Most of you probably don't remember this, but it was a year ago yesterday that I underwent a D&C for miscarriage.  I remember it as a sad time and a time that the Lord held us gently in the palm of His hand.  We just continue to pray that the Lord will remove any fears and doubts planted by Satan about this new bundle of joy that is sure to arrive in the next 2 months!  On a positive note, I turn another year older tomorrow!  Yeah--34!!  Much happier birthday this year!

Well--if you look at the nursery and who is currently still sleeping on the crib mattress in her toddler bed, you will see that we do NOT appear ready for a new baby. Hopefully next week while I am on break and after my sister Kaye helps Jason this weekend to hang the butterfly border in Emma Grace's "new" room, we can begin to transition her to her "new" bedroom, which she really is so excited about!!!   I don't think it'll be a problem, just needs someone who can stand on a ladder and who can lift heavy furniture--neither of which I can do.

I go back to the Dr. this Wednesday morning, so I will update when I return to work the following week.  Continue to lift high the praises and prayers for us!  Thanks!  Love you all!