Thursday, December 6, 2012

3rd Trimester

Welcome 3rd Trimester.  Welcome to going through 3 out of 3.  It's countdown time!

Thanksgiving came and went like the breeze, Christmas will be here in a blink of an eye and then we will be on full baby alert.  Sweet friends and family are planning showers and things are coming together.  This must really be happening.

The belly is now out in full force and there is no more guessing whether Mrs. Meagan is pregnant or not.  The kids reactions at church have been very comical (as have some adults). We have decided not to find out the baby's gender until it arrives so that always leads to a fun conversation and guessing games when talking with friends (boy seems to be the guess for the majority of folks but there are a few who strongly feel the girl vibe - Evan and I have no idea)!

People keep asking us, "Do you hope it's a boy or a girl?"  All we can seem to think is "I just hope it's a human."  We aren't partial one way or another and feel excited about the possibility of both a boy or a girl.  I imagine a boy playing basketball with Evan in the driveway and a girl begging him for something silly and glittery (which he will surely give-in to).  I see either sitting behind the drums with him and equally so behind a computer (I just hope that there will be something that I can teach them too).

I often wonder about our child's personality and what they will be like.  As you surely know, Evan and I are both pretty loud and spastic so I imagine our child will either be screaming from the start of things or totally mute due to the fact it gets no word or sound in over us.

I am looking forward to seeing our child for the first time, to watching them grow and seeing what the Lord will do in their life.  I am excited to be a mom.  I am excited that the excited is getting to be more than the freak out (but don't get me wrong, there is still plenty of freak out).  My emotions have hit an all time high (God bless those around me) so I assume that this post could totally look different if I were to type it tomorrow.

So, there you have it.  There are the ramblings of my brain for this day and here is an up-to-date belly picture for those with an interest in belly pictures.





Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Share Their Journey

My blog today stands simply to send you to another blog.  Our dear friends have started the adoption process.  What could be more exciting, right?!!!   Click here to learn about them, their journey and how you can help be a part of this special families life!

http://briancassidyand.blogspot.com/p/join-our-journey.htmll

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Half Way There

Well ladies and gentleman, we are 20 weeks along in this pregnancy deal.  Also known as: half way there!

I know Evan will be glad when most of our new surprises come from his new pride and joy of a baby and not from his wife.  It has certainly been an interesting first 20 weeks and we are learning a lot.

Who knew that you could be feeling awesome one minute and be crying or puking the next?  Who knew that barbecue could become the means for a house divided overnight (I mean, I just can't take that smell right now).  Who knew that camping out and only have beef jerky and Gatorade wouldn't be the best of ideas?  Who knew that a burrito from Moe's would sound soooo good every. single. day.

Well, we didn't know, but we do now!

We have also found out that putting together a baby crib isn't as intimidating as it seems but deciding on baby colors, curtains and bedding are what turn into the daunting tasks. We know how exciting it can be to be shown an ultrasound and see that your baby is in fact starting to look like a baby and less like an alien (we are pretty pumped about that) and how much fun it is to drive people crazy by not finding out the baby's gender.  And, we know that we have a long way to go before we are "fully equipped parents" (if that ever happens).

I must say though, we have an awesome support system.  Family, friends and coworkers ask us daily how we are feeling and take whatever the answers may be with a smile.  People have showered us with books, advise and love and we are doing our best to soak it all up.  People around the church have slowly learned that there will be a new baby in the mix and are eager to congratulate us and rub my belly (which is another discussion in and of itself).

So, what is next?  Well, I have a feeling that next comes a little thing called AHHHH I'M FREAKING OUT!  Yep, that sounds about right.  We are now to the part in life where we have to start thinking about child care and insurance and how to feed a 3rd mouth.  We are to the point where things get real and aren't just cute and fuzzy dreams anymore. We are to the point where we have to be the parents and not just people excited about a baby.  I mean it is a real life human after all and not just a baby in a photograph.  It will grow and have needs and we are the ones that are in charge of taking care of those needs.  So sure, I'm freaking out a little.  I'm excited and I'm nervous and I don't want to make decisions that will lead my kid to years and years of counseling in the future.  No pressure though, just in charge of a life here.

Whew.  So here is to the next 20 weeks.  Here is to the all the things we are about to learn and all the decisions we are about to make.  Here is to the all the people that have shown me and are showing me that it is possible to not totally screw up your child or be a complete failure.  Here is to all the people that are real in sharing their experiences, helping us know how things actually go down and that it is OK to make mistakes.  Here is to becoming the parent and not acting like the child.

Lets get our prayer on people.

Belly Update.

Ma and Pa





Monday, September 17, 2012

A Kid (and not the goat kind)

Well, its true.  Evan and I are going to be PARENTS.  I know, SHUT THE FRONT DOOR, right?

I am overwhelmed, overjoyed and nervous.   The thought of parenthood doesn't seem like it applies to us.  Evan and I still act like kids so the thought of us raising one sounds almost absurd.  However, in mid March there will be an addition to our family.  We won't just be the young married couple anymore; we will be the little family.  Whoa.

Evan and I found out on July 3rd that I was pregnant.  We spent the next 24 hours in shock and going back and forth between jumping up and down and googling "what to do when..."  We have always called babies miracles but the reality of just how big of a miracle they are starts to set in when it applies to you. It was beyond hard to keep our lips sealed until we felt it was the right time to tell everyone.  We wanted to wait until things seemed to be in a pretty clear "safe zone" and until the 1st trimester was almost complete.  Well, hallelujah, we have made it to that point!

We could barely hold ourselves together when we were FINALLY ready to let the news out (it felt like much more than a few months worth of waiting). Our families and friends have screamed with excitement and jumped up and down with joy.  Some have cried and a few have beaten me with whatever they were holding due to the fact that I had fibbed to them at some point over the last few months.

So now it's preparation time. On one hand, having 6 months to prepare seems like a long time, and on the other, it seems like it might as well be tomorrow.  There is a lot we dont know.  There is a lot we are reading up on, talking to new parents about and plenty we will have to learn as it comes. But there is one thing that we do know; our lives are about to change BIG TIME.  And I'm not sad to say that I'm excited about that.  I know that "mommyhood" wont be all roses and butterflies but I do know that I am called to it.  Here is to a new adventure, a crazy ride and a lot of learning!

14 weeks and some change (and have I mentioned that talking in weeks is weird to me?).  I honestly think the tummy came in over night. What is that baby doing down there, anyway?! Weird!

And now, the feature presentation. A little video we like to call "Telling the Family" staring our parents and siblings as themselves. 

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Courageous

I Do Solemnly...


These 3 words are not usually followed by something simple or petty.  These 3 words are meant to be followed by a significant oath or resolution.  Tonight, I watched 6 men say these 3 powerful words followed by those of which made up a resolution to be Godly and faithful men to their families.  One of these courageous men was my husband.  He stood boldly in front of me and our ministers to declare what God has called him to do. To say that I am a proud wife would do a terrible injustice to how I really feel.  


These 6 men have met, studied and prayed together and have now signed a resolution promising to hold each other accountable to be the best men they can be from here on out.  They hope to add to their number of courageous men and be leaders not only in their families but to their church and community as well.  This resolution came from a study that followed the movie Courageous that came out last year. This movie showed the need for husbands and fathers to take the helm and stand out in faith for their families when it's not always easy.  Now, I must tell you, my husband is not one to do things that seem corny or cheesy or do things because they were in a movie and he usually isn't drawn to something that everyone else is doing; Evan has always stood out with his own likes and dislikes and that is part of what I love about him.  These facts are what makes his resolution to be a leader to me and our future children even more impacting.  He did not do this because it was what he was supposed to do or what was expected of him and he certainly did not do it because it was in a movie.  He did it because he truly wants to follow a call on his life and be faithful to his God and his family.  To know this desire is in his heart is an incredible testament to the man he is. 


Whether you've seen the movie Courageous or not, I hope you can grasp what a strong thing these men did tonight.  I know it moves me to be a better wife now and pushes my desire to be the best mom I possibly can in the future.  Evan, I'm proud of you and I love you more than you can imagine.  Kevin, Courtney, Dave, Adam and Jeremy, I know your wives were as proud to stand by you as I was to stand with Evan and are honored in your commitment to them and your children.  We are blessed.




cou·ra·geous/kəˈrājəs/


Adjective:
Not deterred by danger or pain; brave.






Friday, June 15, 2012

Precious Memory

Hello friends!  It has been at least 100 blue moons since I've blogged (now is that a country statement or what?).  I am proud to announce that my husband is working hard for the spouse of the year award and I now have my own computer thanks to him.  This means that #1, I don't have to beg to use his computer when we are at home anymore and #2, I once again have the means to blog.  I am feeling pretty pumped about these realizations. In other news...

I started a new book last night that encouraged me not to spend so much time wishing for the next stage of life to hurry up and get here but to, instead, make a conscious effort to enjoy each stage of life (after all, it's the only time I'll be here). It suggests to take in an appreciation for each thing and event around me before it all passes me by. Obviously, the writer of this book has been reading my cards! I often try to hurry through whatever is on my plate because I'm looking towards something bigger and better on the other side. Then, when I get to that side, there is something bigger and better beyond that.  Priscilla Shirer has a point, I'm going to look back and realize I missed all the good things in the midst of trying to get to the future.  So, in light of this advise, I thought I would share with you one sweet sweet event from this stage of my life that I know I will look back on for the rest of my life and think of with joy.

This past weekend, my precious Sister-in-law, Genae, was married to a wonderful man.  I was lucky enough to be the Matron of Honor for the occasion.  Genae and Jake met on The World Race (which many of my previous posts have centered around) and were soon engaged to be married after returning back to the States. I had a blast preparing for Genae's pre-wedding events and it was great fun decorating the reception venue and eating together with her new family and friends at the rehearsal dinner.  The thing that was pure magic and keeps me in awe, however, was the wedding itself.

So many people concentrate on the reception; the after party.  While this is not a bad thing necessarily, I can say that "Genake" (my pet name for them as a couple since it rolls off the tongue so nicely) truly spent their time planning the ceremony.  Their time was spent working on their special service and what it would represent to their lives and to all those who would whiteness it.  The day of the wedding turned out to be rainy so the location for the ceremony was changed to the reception venue, and I must say, I can't imagine it turning out any more perfect.  Before the wedding party came in, those in attendance stood and spent time in praise and worship together.  During this time the bride was giddy with anticipation and down right excited to get up the isle (the couple chose not to see each other before the ceremony so she was ready to see her man).  After the family was seated, Jake stood under a doorway with the minister and looked like he was about to hurt himself craning his neck to see his bride.  I think if Genae would have waited one more minute to come down the aisle he would have just left his post and sprinted to the back of the room to find her (but of course, he didn't).  The wedding party took our places and then it was time.

Genae looked like Audrey Hepburn as she came down the isle arm and arm with her father.  It was a good 5 minutes before Jake realized the minister was even talking; he was too busy trying to figure out if this girl wearing white in front of him was even real.  His look of excitement, disbelief and pure love was almost more then I could handle (I'm sure you can hear me squealing like a teenage girl in the wedding video at my reaction to him).  Instead of Genae's father immediately taking his seat, they were all joined at the alter by the mother of the bride as the minister gave the gospel message.  This is the point where I was almost knocked over by the Holy Spirit.  To have the couple make a day that is so much about them, totally and utterly about the God they serve, was incredible.  Only God knows the hearts that were moved as each person took in the message of the God who brought this couple together out of His of love; His love that is so great that it even sent a son to die and rise again for each person in attendance at that very wedding.  Then, much to Jake's surprise, the brides grandfather, aunt and uncle, brother and sister-in-law and church all stood up and spoke out as those who brought her to the alter to give her away.  What's that about being raised by a village?  Then, the father of the bride prayed a prayer that sent nothing but chills over my entire body as he released his daughter over to the man that would be her husband.

Pause, ok, if you weren't/aren't moved by this point in the wedding service, I must say, you need to wake up!  The Holy Spirit continued to move as the minster read from the book of Ruth (found in the Old Testament of the Bible) and showed clearly how this marriage between husband and wife is so much like the commitment of the bride and groom to their Savior when they took Him into their hearts long before.  We saw how much it also mirrors the commitment they made to serve God's children and follow His calling to be missionaries on the World Race.  I kept thinking throughout the message what an impact these comparisons were making on me and how I could only hope others in the room were listening and being impacted greatly as well.

The wedding party was more than blessed to be able to lay hands on the couple and pray over them while a beautiful song was sung by a groomsmen and then wrapped up with a prayer over the lives of Genae and Jake that could have only set the devil on his backside.  Their future children, future struggles, future decisions and their current hopes and dreams were bathed in words that were directly received by the one true God.  And, of course, the memories don't stop there. Old lyrics from a song that Genae once sang in church were presented to the couple as a momento from the pastor who has been so touched by those very words over the years. When the couple finally exchanged rings before the big kiss, you could feel the anticipation in the room from those who supported them in saying "I do." And, if I recall correctly, Jake let out a pretty big shout when the time came for him to kiss his new wife.  I smile to think about the feeling of joy that rushed through the atmosphere at that moment.

Of course, the first dance made me cry (even though I listened to their song over and over again the week before in hopes I would not cry my eyes out as they danced to "True Companion." No such luck).  The food was delicious.  The speeches were fun.  The hugs and laughter were heart warming.  The cake was gorgeous.  And most of all, the couple was stunning.  They appeared as if they had stepped out of a movie. They were wrapped in love by not only those in the room who came to share in their day but undoubtedly by the God whom they love so well.  I can't put in to words how it felt to be a part of such an incredible service that sought to show Christ's love.  I cant describe the love I have for the newly married couple and the respect I have for them for being so bold and determined to share their faith. I can't describe the chills I felt over my body time and time again throughout the entire day.  I won't soon forget the day I was able to be the Matron of Honor for Genae and Jake Morris and I thank them for allowing me to be such a big part of it all.  I'll never forget how God was honored and His message was spread to dear friends who may and may not know him.  I'll never forget what a special family I have. And hopefully, I'll never rush through such events looking for something in the future when the present is obviously so precious.