BLAHHHHHH....more snow and GD tests!

Well...I am frustrated about the latest snow advisory which I saw issued this morning. I HATE SNOW! And not because it is almost March and it is still around. I hate it the moment I see it in the winter. I hate the feeling of cold and wet. But then again...there probably aren't too many out there who do like it...right? Well now that I ranted about that...on to my next subject...procrastination!

I still haven't taken my 1 hour Gestational Diabetes test. I also HATE GD tests. It really isn't in the waiting the hour after forcing myself to keep down orange syrup. It has more to do with trying to get my blood for the reason of telling me that I probably have GD again. As I am sure you can imagine...I am a glass half empty kind of gal. I don't even know if I have it but the thought that I might is quite frustrating. So...I am living in denial now! I will go...I might go...well...maybe. I will see how I feel about it on Monday. I was supposed to have it done at 28 weeks. I am now 30 and only have two more weeks until I see the dr. again. I know that I have to have it done by then so hopefully I will.

As it seems the thing to do lately...

I will tell you about how I met Sean. And I know without a doubt that God intended me to meet Sean and planned before we were even born for us to be together.

I was 17 when I started really trying to figure out the internet. I was also 17(a week from being 18)when I left my parents house. I moved in with a girl who I didn't really know too well but offered me a place to stay during a difficult transition, and I wanted to be on a destructive path. I was angry, frustrated and felt like I was waiting for my life to begin and patience was not something that came to mind.

Looking back on it, it seems so simple. God knew that I would have been so distructive that he offered grace to me once again in bringing Sean into my life. Because I was lonely I placed a "personal" ad on yahoo.com and Sean noticed it. He replied like a few others and we started talking online, then on the phone, and then met a few days later at MCC near the library. I knew that I loved him the moment that I saw him. He was so beautiful. We left MCC and went to see one of the dumbest movies I have ever seen "Meet Joe Black". I wanted to leave the movie so bad, but was nervous to tell Sean. He told me later that he spent the movie staring at me and had no clue what was going on in the movie.

We left the movie when it was over and spent the evening together. He left after hours of talking. The rest really is history. I don't really think that we spent any time apart until Christmas. He asked me to marry him about 5 weeks after we met(on Christmas Day 1998), and I said Yes. He left the next day with his family for a two week vacation to Disney.

So what do I know to be true. God is in control. Even when we look like we are totally out of control...his plan for our lives doesn't stop. I praise him for bringing Sean to me when he did. He could have allowed me much more time to "hang" myself but he didn't. I praise God that he knew what he needed in a husband. Someone who really does fill in the gaps where I have nothing. Every day is not lovey dovey but there is a strong sense of "unconditional love" that I feel especially when I know that I have fallen short. I couldn't be fulfilled as a mother if it weren't for Sean.

I am certainly blessed.

Kierstin's Dedication Day!

On Sunday Sean and I will be dedicating Kierstin at Woodstock Bible. Yes...she is 14 months old, but in all honesty this couldn't come at a better time.

As most of you know, as Christians we dedicate our children to renew our commitment to raise our children with Biblical principles. But if I was honest with you I would tell you that not only do I hardly remember K1, K2 and K3's dedication, I was just going through the motions. Doing what I knew to be right and what I thought was a "service" to the kids.

This time that won't happen.

To those watching, Kierstin's dedication will seem the same as the others(and if anyone can remember it...they should receive a reward!), but for me...this is different. This really means so much more. I can't guarantee that I won't lose it because the gravity of what is actually happening is just greater. DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?

My grandpa died last week, and is in Heaven only because someone told him about Jesus. And his love and devotion only grew because of a personal relationship with Christ. ITS THAT SIMPLE.

So here is the simple truth. If we aren't telling our kids about Jesus, who is? Who do I trust with that job if it isn't us?

So when we dedicate our dear Kierstin this Sunday, we are really standing up to say thank you to God for her, and to profess to those present that we will not drop the ball with her.

Away for a few days...

Tomorrow morning we are heading to Morton, Illinois to attend the visitation and funeral of my paternal grandfather(dad's dad). Please pray for our safety in travel and for our children who will be at a funeral for the first time. I am sure that there will be many questions that I might not have answers for. Also please remember my grandma, dad and uncles in prayer. This will be difficult for them but also a time of rememberence and celebration. I praise God because he doesn't wait to allow us into Heaven. There isn't a "30 day wait period". Grandpa is there NOW and is with his parents rejoicing to be near the creator.

I thank you in advance for your prayers.

E

Odds and Ends and a few fun things...

Thought I would do a "misc." post. I have a few new pics that I thought I would share and a good resource that you might be interested in adding to your favorites.

Here is a new pic of Kierstin. She loves that rocking chair and pushes it along the floor in her bedroom to practice walking.

And here is a new pic of Kyla and her baby in her ring sling. She loves this sling so much that yesterday she slept with it on and announced this morning "my neck hurts". I tried to explain to her that it was indeed because she wore the sling to bed but she wouldn't take the sling off and later told me that her neck felt much better. Funny... She has also taken to "nursing" her baby while it is in the sling. I don't know where she got the idea!

So according to my pregnancy calculator I will start my third trimester tomorrow. While I of course am very excited to see this pregnancy melt away, I am also realizing that there are only THREE trimesters and to be in it means you are almost done! YIKES! The best thing about a third trimester for me is Earth Mama Angel Baby's Third Trimester tea! I love it and think that when I enjoy a cup I might actually be doing something to get my body ready for labor. Chances are its in my head but hey...I can imagine! The other thing I am enjoying is going through my Newborn diapers and admiring just how tiny they are! I can't wait to try them out on Kendell, and of course take TONS of pictures.

Oh and one other thing I thought I would mention. After giving it much thought and prayer...I will not be inducing this pregnancy unless it is absolutely medically necessary. The thought of this although kinda scary, is refreshing. I have never gone into labor on my own and I really want to see how my body does when it isn't forced into labor. This means that there is a chance that I will not have my favorite doctor deliver, but I am gradually getting used to the idea. So...I thought I would let you all in on what is going on around here! Thanks for reading and leaving comments. It it great to read your comments and hear your insight!