Radical

I started a personal journey recently. It was to look at Jesus and all his attributes and try to become more like Him. My first attribute was focus. He was so focused on everything. He focused on what His mission was while He was here, to stay true to who He was, to stay in prayer to His Father. I mean everything He did, He was focused. Even when they took Jesus away to start His journey to crucifixtion, He was focused. I am sure He may have been nervous, maybe not, but it didn't seem that way in scripture when I read it this past week. He knew what He had to do and He did it. Even though it was terrible, He was glad to do it for us. That is some kind of love!!

The next way I am going to try and be like Jesus is to be Radical. Jesus was a radical man!

He went against a lot of things and people. Just calling Himself the King of the Jews was a huge deal back then and was not looked nicely upon, yet He did it anyway. He didn't care. He was who He was and He was going to tell everyone (thank goodness He did). He talked to people He shouldn't have talked to. Pastor Scott talked about Him talking to the Samaritan woman at church this Sunday and how Jews just didn't do that. But Jesus did! He did things he wasn't "supposed" to do. That is the awesome thing about Jesus. He was willing to stick out. He was willing to go against the norm. He was willing for people not to like Him. He wasnt willing to compromise who He was or why He was on Earth. Boy am I thankful for that.

So I asked myself. How can I be radical here and now? For one I can go against the norm just like Jesus. I can make sure everyone knows what I believe and why I believe it. Now, I dont mean going to the street corners preaching to everyone that drives by. The people I am in contact with everyday should know I am a Christian by the way I live. They should know I am different and that I am not willing to compromise who I am in Jesus for anything. That also means they should see that I really do love them and that I am not a judge of them. Jesus loved, not condemned. If the King of Kings lived that way, that sure is how I should live. Its not my place to judge only love. I think its important to keep those we love accountable to their lives and how they live, but not judge. There is a huge difference. I hope all those around me see that. I hope they see a difference in me. I hope they can see my love for Jesus and want that in their lives too.

How will you live radically today?? Maybe its talking to a stranger. Maybe its showing those around you your love for Jesus and living how He did. Whatever it is, live radically. Not to be glorified, but to glorify the King. To live like He did.

Hope your day is great!

15 weeks, 25 more to go

So, I was blogging about each week the week after (so like i would blog about week 14 when I turned 15 weeks) so I could tell symptoms from the weeks etc. That was getting confusing to others and a little to me. So I will blog about the current week I am in. I will be referring to our baby as Peanut since we dont know yet the sex. Pregnancy Highlights: Fruit/Veggie: Apple

Baby Changes this week: Our baby is now 4 inches long!!! It weighs about 2 1/2 pounds Peanut is moving amniotic fluid through his/her nose and respiratory tract, which helps Peanut's lungs develop. Peanut's legs are growing longer than his/her arms now and he/she can move his/her joints and limbs! Although Peanut's eyelids are fused shut, Peanut can still sense light. Peanut if forming taste buds this week as well.

Gender: Still dont know. We wont know until 20 weeks, which is the first week of May. The heartbeat is in the 140s right now, so that suggest boy to me, but who knows :)

Movement: I think I have felt movement a couple times, but I cant tell if that is the baby or something else.

Sleep: I am sleeping pretty well. Maverick can get restless at night and move a lot in his cage which wakes me up. I can usually go back to sleep quickly. I am feeling a bit more awake now.

Symptoms: I have been having some pains here and there which didnt really concern me. On Monday, I got the same pain at the same time, except this time it lasted about 1 1/2. I had an appointment on Monday anyway for my 4 week check up. There is no concern. The reason for the pain is not a harm to the baby at all and fixable. Hopefully it will stay gone. (Not going into to much detail. Some things are just better left unsaid :)

Daddy Update: Aaron is doing well. Yesterday he said it still doesnt seem real to him. He can hear the heartbeat and see my belly growing a little bit, but its still so surreal. He is going to be such a great father. He is very patient with me through my emotions and aches and pains :) I cant wait to see him hold our little one!

News: All is well with baby at 15 weeks!! :) The heartbeat was in the 140s and everything looks good right now. I go back at 19 (almost 20 weeks) for my 4 weeks check up. I begged them to do the ultrasound to find out the sex then since I will be almost 20 weeks and they said no, I HAVE to be 20 weeks (which I think is a little dumb, Ill be 3 days away, but whatever). So I will have to go back the next week for the ultrasound. I also cant just wait to go back until 20 weeks because that will be 5 weeks between appointments it I HAVE to go every 4. Anywho, that is ok. Not really that big of a deal in the scheme of things. Just anxious to know if I am picking out boy names or girl names. I am not showing to much right now. Some days you wouldnt know I was pregnant unless you knew me. I am ready to show but at the same time its ok because I am staying healthy. I have gained 5-6 pounds right now. I am supposed to gain 4-5 more by 20 weeks (in 5 weeks). Everything is going well so far though!! Thanks for all your support.

My mom, Aaron's mom, my sister, and Aaron's sister got to hear the baby's heartbeat yesterday too. My friend Christina at school had a home heartrate monitor from when she was pregnant. It was really cool to let them hear it as well. I just sat there and listened to it. It is really amazing to hear that little heartbeat beating inside you!!! Such a blessing and miracle from God.

Well, I hope everyone has a great day! See you next week at 16 weeks!

Mommy to Be!!!

14 weeks and counting

Pregnancy Highlights: How far: 14 weeks Fruit/Veggie: Lemon (not sure how it went from a peach to a lemon, that seems to get smaller to me, but thats what it says :) Baby Changes: This week my baby learned how to squint, frown, grimace, pee-pee, and maybe suck his/her thumb. His/Her kidney's are producing urine now. During this week my baby was 3 1/2 inches long and the size of a lemon - about 1 1/2 ounces. His/her arms are now in proportion to his/her body. He/she is developing ultra-fine hair called lanugo all over their body. My baby starts to make bile this week and its spleen will start helping to make red blood cells. My baby's arms and legs are more active this week as well.

Gender: Just a healthy happy baby is all we want. If we could choose gender, again we would choose a boy, but we will adore a little girl.

Movement: I am not sure. I have felt a few things that I think could be the baby but I dont know. It is really subtle so I just can tell yet but I am ready to feel the baby move :)

Sleep: I am actually more tired this trimester than first which is strange! I am sleeping well just still tired! I am starting to feel a little more refreshed as days go by.

Symptoms: Still feeling so blessed because I feel great. I can eat anything and feel good! I am really blessed!

News: We go to the doctor in week 15 on March 29th. I really hope we hear the heartbeat. I am sure they will listen for it. No ultrasound as far as I know. Our next one will be about 20 weeks and hopefully we will find out the gender then!!!!

Aaron and I are staying very busy! We are really excited. Although I know it will go fast it still seems so far away until September. We are enjoying our time with just us now though. We know we wont get that again. We are taking a little mini-vacation in April so that will be nice.

I am trying to keep up with my walking and eating healthy and drinking lots of water to keep weight gain at the right amount. It is hard to not just eat everything you want. It is hard not to say "Im pregnant, its fine". But i know I will thank myself later when I dont have to lose a bunch of ice cream/junk food weight. Weight gain so far is 4-5 pounds, just depending on the day :) I am still not showing very much but a little bit! :) It is excited!

Have a great week!

Focused

I have been a Christian a long time, for 18 years. I have been through a lot with my Savior. We have had ups and downs (because of me and my stubborness). I truly want to get deeper with God. I dont want a surface level relationship with Him. I want to go deeper daily. I am not satisfied with anything else. I want to know him more and more and more.

I think a good way to do this is for me to truly become more like Jesus. I think the only way to do that is to really know who Jesus was and is. I am going to focus on his attributes and look at how I can apply it to my life and how I can live like He did. I want to know Him so personally it radiates from me. I want to know as much about Him as I can. I am going to share this journey with you not so I can be glorified and people can look at me and say, Oh what a good Christian. Honestly, I could care less. I do want people to know I am a Christian but not because of the words I write on some blog but by the way I live my life.

The first attribute that came to my mind when I thought about Jesus was focused. He was so focused!!! He came to earth for a reason and he accomplished that. He did not waiver or stumble. He stayed focused on what He was here for and accomplished this! He knew He would come to die but stayed focus on why He came and what His coming would accomplish. He never sinned and was one radical man!!

How I will apply this to my life: First of all, I am going to stay focused on learning more about who Jesus was and how I can live like Him. Second, I am going to focus on my daily actions and how those around me benefit from them or do not benefit for them. I need to also stay focused in prayer. Honestly, prayer is a difficult thing for me. Not because I dont believe God is there or hears me but because I get SO distracted. My mind starts going a million miles minute and before I know it I am not praying but planning out something in my head, or thinking about a list of some kind of things I need to do, etc, etc. I really want to work on remaining focused on prayer and during prayer. I think prayer is the only way to really get closer to God. It is our only way communicate with God and you can not get closer to someone without communication. I think not only trying to live like Jesus but focused prayer will be the key in going deeper than I ever have.

Where do you need to focus?? What is it in your life that you are distracted by??? Is it a person, a job, material things??? I hope you can focus just like Jesus was focused!

I hope your day is wonderful and FOCUSED :)

Blessings In Disguise

So, I have been really thinking about blessings lately. The Lord keeps showing me this concept over and over. I think I forget to look at the blessings God has given me in my life and I take them for granted. I either think I did something to earn it or I just dont think about it. Lately, I have tried to look at everything in my life and realize that it is truely a blessing from God. It is by nothing I have done but simply God.
I really believe in this verses: Matthew 7:7 - 11 (NLT)
"Keep on asking, and you will recieve what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." I dont think if you ask for a million dollars you will necessarily get a million dollars. I think this is talking more about blessings. Blessings come in material things but also in non-material things. Things like love, forgiveness, honesty, wisdom, family, joy, peace, a chance to have a relationship with God, and for me a relationship with a wonderful man and a baby growing in my belly. All of these are blessings that I take for granted at times. I am working hard to see these blessings daily and be thankful for them always!!!
I am also working hard to be thankful to go for each material blessing I have as well. I have so much compared to some people. I have food in my pantry and I know where my next meal will come from. I have a big, nice warm bed with sheets and a warm blanket in a locked, nice, safe house. I have furniture to sit on and a tv to keep me entertained. I have a washer and dryer so I can have clean clothes. I have two nice, safe cars for transportation. I could keep going. Not because I am rich but because I have been richly blessed and I am chosing to see all of my blessing! I have SO MUCH! I am thankful for SO MUCH as well!
Our youth group is doing the 30 hour famine. Children all over the world have nothing. No home, no food, a lot of times no clothes. Our students are raising money to feed 10 children around the world for 1 year. They have so little. I know this will make a HUGE blessing in their life. over 900 million people go hungry every year. WOW. What blessings we have!!
What are you blessed with today? Really think about it and be truly thankful!
How can you bless someone else today!?!?

13 Weeks - My peach

Pregnancy Highlights:

Week: 13

Fruit/Veggie: Peach

Baby Highlight: Fingertips have formed on our baby's tiny fingertips. His/her veins are visible through its very think skin and his/her body is catching up with his/her head (which is a third of her body size now. If we are having a girl she has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries...crazy!!!! Our baby is almost three inches long and weighs nearly an ounce.

Gender: Healthy baby! still want a boy but would adore a little girl!

Movement: None yet but I am hoping in week 14 of 15 it will start!

Sleep: I actually feel more tired now than in the first trimester. Supposedly, it supposed to be opposite but I feel more tired now.

Symptoms: I had one case of feeling sick on spring break but that is it. Still feeling so great and so blessed!

News: We have a doctors appointment next Tuesday March 29th (15 weeks). I doubt we will get an u/s but i would love it if we could find out the gender next week but I am not counting on it so that I wont be disappointed if we dont do it. I cant wait to hear that little heartbeat again though!!! I have gained between 3-4 pounds right now.

We have 26 more weeks until our due date and until we meet baby Webster. I had a very interesting dream last night about that day and lets just say I hope it doesnt go like my dream :) I had bad wedding dreams before our wedding and it turned out great so I think thats whats happening :)

This week is swamped for me. I have something everynight this week. At night I will be resting a lot to make sure I stay healthy and keep our little peanut safe and healthy as well!

We bought a new car. We were going to wait until August to get one but this was a great deal and we need something safe for peanut. Peanut will come home in a Chevy Equinox now.

Hope your week is great and you enjoy reading this!

12 weeks

Pregnancy Highlights:

Week: 12

Fruit/Veggie: Plum

Baby Changes: Our baby's fingers will soon open and close and toes will curl. His/her muscles will clench and mouth will make sucking movement. My baby will even move if I prod my stomach but I wont be able to feel it yet. His/her intestines are protruding into its umbilical cord right now and will move into its abdomin this week. Its kidneys will also start working now. The babys nerve cells are growing rapidly and synapses in our babys brain are forming. It has a human looking face (which we have seen now :) Its eyes and ears are exactly in place now. Our baby is just over 2 inches long and about half an ounce.

Gender: Honestly now, I just want a healthy baby whether boy or girl. I will love whichever we have and this baby is already such a blessing.

Movement: none yet but I sure am ready to feel the baby move!

Food: Im still craving chips and salsa and Mexican is hitting the spot right now :) My goal after spring break though is to find healthy things that I crave for baby and me!

Sleep: I am still sleeping well so far and still a lot. I am not as tired as I was in general as before but if I keep myself busy all day I am wiped at the end of the day.

Symptoms: I am truly blessed. I have not had any major symptoms besides some cramping and sharp pains (stretching). I have felt great and have been able to eat anything. Right now I have gained between 2-4 pounds. It depends on the day and what I ate the day before :) I am right on track for the amount I should be gaining.

News: We are have been thinking of some names. We have a few for each gender that we really like but will probably think more seriously once we know the gender. We will announce our choice once we know for sure what the name is. I have been looking at nursery bedding. Thats hard too because we dont know gender but I have picked out several I like for each. I am excited to be able to start buying clothes, registering, and all that jazz, so I am just ready to know...boy or girl!! :)

What do you think I am having????

See you next week!

Mommy to Be

Baby:

Birthday Surprise

Well, my birthday was extra special this year. I had a normal work day at school (kids werent there so that was good). I had to run by wal mart on my way home (at least once a week for me). I decided to get a pregnancy test. I knew in the next few months it would be possible that I would be pregnant. So I got the test and as I was leaving Walmart I thought, I am curious. The test was negative. I thought "Hmm...alright no big deal." I went on my happy way out to my car.


I got into my car and looked in my bag to get something and pulled out the pregnancy test one more time (not sure why) and saw it was in fact positive. "What?? Is that for real??? Oh my word, I think I am pregnant!!" So I continued home and got two more positive test. "I thought, wow I am really pregnant!!"


Aaron was at the church working on some stuff with a student. We were planning on going out to eat that night. He said he would be home about five. Five was way to long from when I got home (about 3:15). I wanted to tell him THEN!!! I had bought a book in December called "Becoming Dad". I knew it was a posibility we would be getting pregnant soon and I wanted a special gift for him when it happened. So I had it wrapped and ready to go whenever that happened. So when he got home I was ready to give it to him.


He first let me get my beautiful new floor lamp for my birthday. I then told him I had something for him. He wasnt sure why :) (watch my video on facebook) He was in shock too!!! (it had been only a month) We then proceeded to my birthday dinner and then told our parents via Skype that night and called our immediate family.


We are expecting our first baby!!! We are so excited and could not be more thrilled! I have been blogging since week 6 and will continue to do so. I will be uploading the last 6 weeks of blogging soon.


We will hopefully find out April 27th what we are having. :) We have said we want a boy, but we both just really want it to be health! I cant wait to meet our little one and share this with all of you!
I am 12 weeks along right now and I am due September 19th! Hope the next 28 weeks fly by! :)


Bye for now!


Mommy to be :)

11 Weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How far along: 11 weeks
Fruit/Veggie: Fig

Baby Changes:

Our baby is almost fully formed!! That is crazy! Our baby can now open and close his/her hands into fist. Tiny tooth buds are forming under his/her gums and their bones are hardening. Our baby can kick and move around. Our baby is growing fingernails, hair follices, and ovaries (if its a girl). Our baby has tiny buds for ears, nasal passages, a tongue and a palate, nipples and individual fingers and toes!

Gender: Still hoping for a boy!

Movement: None

Food: Again salty foods, chips and salsa/french onion dip, crunchy food, some candy this week

Sleep: Really tired this week

Symptoms: Monday I was still having pain so I went to the doctor. We heard a heartbeat!!! It was really cool. They also did an ultrasound to make sure everything was ok with my pain and it is! The baby is just moving up and on the right side of my body so it is causing discomfort. They u/s tech "guesses" its a girl. We will see. I know I still want a boy, but I know I will love my daughter just as much!!!

10 Weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:
How far along: 10 weeks
Fruit/Veggie: Kumquat

Baby Changes:

Our baby is a little over an inch long and weighs a quarter of an ounce. They are swallowing fluid and kicking! Their vital organs are in place and working! It has a heart beat as well! Limbs and hands can bend now. Its spinal cord is now visable. Lots of changes and growing!!

Gender: I really want a boy. I know I will love a girl, but my heart is set on a boy. Aaron also wants a boy.

Movement: None yet :)

Food: Salty, Chips

Sleep: Getting a lot of it!! I am starting to feel more tired in the mornings than usual, even after a lot of sleep.

Symptoms: Not to many this week. Around Thursday I had some sharp pains and tenderness in my lower abdomin. I called the doctor and I call back Monday if I still have this problem.

Only 30 more weeks!! :)