Weekend Review

This weekend was busy and really fun. We went out to dinner on Friday night with Morgan, Eric and their boys. We were planning on going to Bible Study after that, but Mark's back started hurting really bad and I was so, so tired. I can't believe how tired I get now. I had tons of energy the first trimester, but now I am always tired. Weird. So, on Saturday, we woke up and debated over whether we should go to lunch or breakfast. We debated that until breakfast was no longer an option. We still didn't know what we wanted to do, so we went downtown to the Farmer's Market to look around. We didn't buy anything (except a cup of coffee for Mark), and after that we walked around downtown, window shopping and having fun. I had forgotten that it was St. Patrick's Day, and it was funny to see all the people out partying downtown...even though it was 11:30 in the morning! Mark and I used to be huge partiers, so it felt so good to NOT be part of that! I was wearing a dress that made me look really pregnant, and Mark said he was so proud to be with me. We just felt like such a family. After that we went to lunch at Tres Hombres for yummy chicken salad things and then we went to Barnes and Noble to browse for books. My former roommate and bridesmaid, Annie, works there and we stopped to say hello. It is so funny to see friends now, because they all say hello and then glance down at my stomach. Not like I blame them..I am starting to look a little different! I feel like I am so fa, ugh. I don't feel like I look pregnant...just bigger!! Mark keeps telling me, "You look so pregnant. People do not think you are just fat. You look beautiful..and pregnant!" I know I need to just get over it. Anyways, after going to Barnes and Noble, we went over to my mom's house. She gave us money to go buy stuff to make dinner, so Mark and I made dinner for her and we spent all afternoon and early evening there. It was great! I can't wait until it gets a little warmer, so we can go swimming. I love my mom's pool!! On Sunday we went to Church and it was so, so nice to be back!! I realized how much I missed everyone while I was in Texas, and it just felt so good to back. I had to work in the nursery during worship, but I didn't have to during Pastor Scott's message, which was great. His message was totally timely and helped me a lot with some issues I am going through right now. I didn't have school of leaders, and Mark's was cancelled, too. But, Pastor invited Mark to sit in on School of Leaders 3, so Mark went back to church for that and had a great time. When he got home, we went to Trader Joe's for groceries, and somehow managed not to buy everything in the store. Then, we went over to California Pasta Production to get dinner for our friends Leslie and Keith, who had a baby about two weeks ago. We went to their house to drop off dinner, but no one was home. So, we left a message on their answering machine, saying that we had dinner for them. But, by the time we got home, we had been smelling the delicious pasta, Cesar salad, and garlic bread for so long that we couldn't stand it anymore...and ate their dinner!! We figured if they called, we would just go back over and buy them another dinner. Thankfully, they never called, and it would have been a waste if we hadn't have eaten it! After dinner, we watched some shows on the Travel channel, which gave both of us the travel bug majorly. I really, really want to go somewhere for my 25th birthday, which is at the beginning of June, about 2 1/2 months away. I'll be about six months pregnant. We don't want to go somewhere far away, maybe Monterey or San Francisco. I'm thinking San Fran because we haven't gone there on a vacation together, and I love it!! Today, i woke up at 9:20, only to find a message from my midwives saying I was late for my appointment this morning. This morning?! Today?! Whhhhaaatt? I thought it was for tomorrow! I immediately called them and made an appointment for tomorrow. I looked at the card that the gave me that had my appointment on it, and I realized that even though they had circled "Monday" they wrote down, March 20th at 9:00 am. So, it wasn't really my fault. The receptionist gave me the wrong date. All I had in my head for the last month has been "9:00 on the 20th." Whoops. Now, my twin brother is coming to pick me up and take me to lunch before I drive him to the airport in Sacramento. I'm going to miss him, as he's going to Texas for a couple months to help my sister and her husband out with the baby and their landscaping business. What a great family I have!!

Loving Life

After I write my last post, Mark called me (this is Wednesday night) and tells me he hurt his back at work. I was so worried for a minute, because back injuries can be so bad and they effect you so much. But he told me it wasn't so bad, but he was having spasms and he had to deal with all the worker's comp stuff. That was at 4:00. He didn't get home until 7:30!! He had to fill out tons of paperwork, talk to his bosses, go to the doctor and get a prescription filled. I was so, so happy that he could walk around and lay down and be somewhat normal. His doctor said he pulled a muscle in his back. So, Mark is on what they call "light duty" at work. All he is doing is stuffing envelopes for 8 hours a day. I think this is hilarious, except that Marks hates it. He said he would much rather doing his physically hard job. So, remember my wonderful mother in law that I was talking about? She just got even more perfect! I have really been wanting to get closer to her, and spend more time with her because I have always loved her and she gives us so much!! So, I have popping up into her house (we live in her backyard, basically... so I have no excuse!) to chat with her. Yesterday Gidget had wandered into her house to say hi (her new favorite activity). We talked for a while and then she said she needed to go to Costco and invited me along. All I have to say is that among other things, we walked out of there with three different kinds of yummy extra sharp cheddar cheese! I think it was about $30.00 of Irish cheddar. I said we needed some cheese, so she insisted that I get three kinds to try out. Hilarious. She also got ingredients to make a really steak dinner. I hadn't had steak in weeks, so it was really yummy. After Costco, she said (and I quote) "Well, I think it would be fun to buy you some maternity clothes! Where should we go?" And I really didn't want to go to Motherhood, so I suggested we look in Old Navy because all of their clothes look like they could maternity anyway (long, and empire waisted). I found so much cute stuff, including two adorable dresses I will definitely be able to wear for a long time. She bought me like 10 tops, and three sweaters. It was so awesome. She is beyond generous. I had such a good time, and I felt so blessed. Then, when Mark got home, we all had dinner together outside in the gorgeous weather. I think In-laws are really such a blessing. It is interesting to know that you are part of a whole other family, and Mark's family really couldn't be more different than mine. But, I love it. It strange at first, when we just dating, but now I feel like part of the group and I can't wait to bring our baby into the mix. That baby is going to be loved by so many people!! Both grandmas are in town, and I know they will fighting to spend time with the baby. I don't think Mark and I will have a hard time finding a babysitter :) Wanna know something cool? We got our tax return today and we were thrilled. I love being married! We have never got close to this much from a tax return. Very nice. And I don't even have the shopping bug, because I took care of that yesterday. So, that's a good thing! And one other good thing: because Mark is on light duty, he can only work 8 hours day, and today is getting home at five. Yesterday it was4:00. I tried having Mark take a picture of my belly, but it just looked silly. I am barely showing and I just look..bigger. So, maybe in a few more weeks. Tonight we are going to our awesome Bible Study at our pastor's house and I am really excited about it! Basically, life has been really good and I am just so happy, right where I am, doing exactly what I am. Yeah!!!

Busy Day

So, I woke up at 9:30 this morning (it feels so good to be able to sleep in again!), and immediately got into the Word. Of course, this was a great decision and I immediately felt like my day was going to be awesome. How could it not be? The Lord created this day! After that, I went and chatted with my amazing MIL for a while, as I have not seen her since I got back. I love her so much!! She helps us out so much and she is just about as loving and giving as a person can be. I am so blessed to be in her family, and I am so happy that she will be a grandma to our children. I know not everyone feels this way about their MIL, but I am so, so blessed in that area!! After that, Morgan and the boys picked me up to go to Story hour at Barnes and Noble. Katie and Sam were waiting there, and we also saw Jenna and Elliana. We all had a good and hectic time at Story hour, as all the kids want to play with the train table at the same time. I love hanging out with Morgan and her boys, and no matter how often I see them, they always seem to be a little older, a little cuter and...just so much fun! Judah talks so much and asks the greatest questions. Samuel is turning into such a little boy, instead of a baby and he is so happy! I love all my friends and their kids. It makes me so excited for our baby. After story hour, Morgan, Katie and I headed over to Morning Thunder Cafe for lunch/late brunch. We met two other women from our cell group, Jodi and Jolene, both who have 2 children each. So, our party in total was five adults, seven children (nine including the baby in my tummy and the baby in Jodi's!). Unsurprisingly, the hostess didn't look exactly thrilled to see us. But, we didn't have to wait long and I was so excited about breakfast. I had 2 eggs and toast, with some potatoes. I have been craving eggs, but I never want to make them myself. I have been wanting to go out to breakfast all the time, but it rarely happens. Morning Thunder is a really yummy restaurant and breakfast is their speciality. I think everyone really enjoyed their food, but I doubt we'll go back in such a big group. The waitress was super nice and efficient, but the staff in general seemed a little wary. Not that I could blame them! The kids were definitely antsy and hungry. They calmed down for a while after the food arrived, but as nap time approached there were tears all around, and some tense moments as all the mommies tried to juggle their kids and the food. I was glad that I was there to lend a hand. After a lunch like that, I have no problem imagining going out with my baby. One baby? Difficult sometimes, but...seven? If I can sit through a lunch like that and not be stressed at all, I know I will be fine when my baby gets a little fussy or whatever in public places. I had a great time seeing all my wonderful friends ad eating my yummy eggs. After that, Morgan dropped me off at home and I worked in my front garden for a while. I am planting all sorts of flowers and some strawberries in the flower beds I'm creating. The weather is so, so amazing right now. Everyone in Chico is out and about, because the weather is so freaking beautiful. It has been around 78 or 80 degrees all this week. But, soon enough, summer will be here and we'll be sweating through the 110 degree summer. At least all you can do at that point is swim or sit around in the air conditioning. And I like both of those. Hopefully Mark will get home soon..He has been so busy this week. Ugh. He worked 16 hours yesterday, AND they called him in on Sunday afternoon. It is just frustrating because he is always gone, and it just doesn't seem like the money's worth it. I don't know. I just need to be patient and steadfast. Everything will work out. I just miss my husband!! Since I got back late, late Saturday night, he has had to work on Sunday, he got home just in time for cell group Monday and then we went to sleep an hour after we got back, and yesterday he didn't get home until around 10:00pm (he got to work at 7:00 am). So, today, we are going to go for a walk, go grocery shopping and just hang out! He is such an amazing husband and provider and never complains. I should learn from his example, I know. So, today has been so much fun. I wish I had more pictures to share, but I don't. But, there will be more soon!

Okay, I'm back at it again!

So far, March has not been a good blogging month for me. Not at all. I guess March hasn't been the best month for me, period. I am so happy to be back home. It was really hard for me to be away from Mark and my life here, but I am proud of myself for getting through it. Everything seems a little crazy in my life right now. I have SO MUCH that I want to get done, and I want it done right away! But, I need to be patience and I know we will take care of everything we need to do. I am just so aware that this is our last time alone as a couple, and I want to enjoy it, and enjoy my pregnancy. At the same time, I am so excited about this baby and I want to be as prepared as possible. I want to do so much on our house before the baby comes and I am frustrated because Mark has no time to do it. I can't really do anything involving lifting or anything strenuous (right now I have placenta previa and I've been told to basically not lift anything). Mark works at least 50 hours a week, and our Sundays are usually completely taken up by church (which is a good thing). So, we have one day a week (Saturday) to hang out and to get things done. Usually we end up just hanging out and putting off our chores...what can I say? We love being together and it's hard to be disciplined enough to choose work over fun. But, it is time to grow up and just be more disciplined in every area of my life. I am taking the first step towards a disciplined life by re-devoting myself to reading my Word every day, no matter what. I has been a priority in my life for a long time, but on my trip, I just kinda stopped. I just started to feel really sorry for myself and didn't feel like I should have to do anything I didn't feel like doing. But, I should feel like reading the Word!!! I need it, more than I need to eat. I think my selfishness has been getting in the way of my relationship with God. So, I spent today repenting for my selfish behavior and trying to do everything in my own strength. I know I have been holding myself back in my walk with the Lord and I am so tired of that nature!!! I just want to be such a testimony to what the Lord can do. I want to be so filled with the Word of God that my ministry will just blossom. I haven't been blogging much because I haven't been proud of myself or the way I was living my life. No, I didn't do anything crazy or really "backslide", I just let my fire burn out a little. I have been so stressed out, with a variety of different issues, and I have been fighting and struggling, all in my own strength. I mean, some really, really hard stuff is happening in my family right now, and I have always tried to play the peacemaker. I just felt like everything was falling apart. I just didn't want to go to God with my problems. Make sense? Yeah, it doesn't make sense to me either. But, anyways, last night, I was reading my word and right now I am reading Matthew. I have read the whole New Testament before, and I now I am really trying to study the Bible, and really read it through very slowly and truly understand what God is saying and how it applies to my life. My whole church is doing this, and I know it is impacting everyone. Anyways, I turned to the verses I was to read today, and I just started crying when I realized what verse it was. The Lord always gives me exactly what I need! This is one of my favorite verses, and it was so timely that I can't even describe. Mt 11:28-30 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Since reading this, and talking to my wonderful cell leader (who is basically my pastor), I have just truly given up all my worries to God. I have no control over this stuff. It is not up to me! What is up to me is the decision to turn to God and rely fully on Him. I need to concentrate on Him, and get my everything from him. After spending so much time taking care of my sister's baby, I learned what a blessing servitude can be. I liked pouring into other people, and I felt good. I want to concentrate on spending time in fellowship, building relationships with the Lost and most of all, seeking the Lord everyday through my time in prayer and in the Word. And one more goal...blog everyday to continue to share my journey with you guys! I really will blog again..i feel so much better. Oh, and a belly picture soon to come (even though I am barely, barely showing).

Only 2 more days!

I have to admit, I am so excited to be going home on Saturday. I cannot wait to see Mark, to sleep in our own bed, to see all my friends and hang out with my dog. It's funny how much I miss that little Pup. And I want to sleep in as late as I want! I only have about 26 weeks of unlimited sleeping left and, darn it, I want to enjoy it! And I know that once I'm very pregnant, sleeping gets really hard and sometimes nearly impossible. So who knows how long I really have? Anyways, things have been good here...just tiring and slightly stressful. I just long for some privacy and the comfort of my own surroundings. Only one more full day of babysitting and then on Saturday afternoon I fly home! So, sometime next week I am going to take a belly picture to show everyone. I am showing slightly, which is fun. I just can't wait to feel the baby move! I know I have a little more to go before that happens, but I know it will be awesome when it does. Okay, I have decided that big cities scare me. Seriously, someone is murdered every night here. Just yesterday, police found two babies that had been murdered and put in garbage bags and then left under an apartment building. It horrifies me and the news is full of murders, rapes, theft at gunpoint, and so much other stuff. I guess in a city this big (2 million people) that stuff just happens, but I am so glad I live in a small city where a murder is still really big news. And the death penalty is huge here. It seems like they kill people for a lot of stuff here. And as my brother in law said "If you get put on death row in Texas, you're not going to sit in a jail cell. They'll definitely kill you, and pretty quickly." Ahhh! I don't want to seem naive, but I guess the world is a lot harsher and more dangerous than I thought. I think I am just hyper sensitive to it because I'm going to be a mom, and I know all moms worry about their children's safety. So, anyways, am so grateful that I have been able to spend time with my sister and her family. I know they needed me and I has been such a blessing to do this for them. And I got to spend so much time with my rockin' oldest sister, whom I love so much but rarely get to see. Next time I see her will be in the summer for my baby shower (whenever that will be).

Sorry About My Disappearance!

I usually try to blog every day, but everything has been different now that I'm in Texas. Sorry, guys! I'll get back to almost everyday again, I promise! Basically, I'm with the baby from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and I can't really write a blog during that time. This visit has gone by pretty fast and I am happy that I am returning home soon! I have really had a good time, and my sister and brother in law have been great hosts. I have been really tired the whole time, and the morning always comes way too fast! Also, some days it is hard for me to really find time to make anything to eat, so that doesn't make me feel any better. Every time I look at food, I am just not excited. Nothing sounds good. Nothing. Even junk food and desserts aren't appealing. I have been eating the smallest portions because I feel like I get full so quickly. But, I am chugging along and feeling more and more pregnant every week. I can't believe I am almost 14 weeks! I can't believe how fast the time goes. I finally caved and bought some maternity clothes here. I got a pair of jeans and two cute tops. I don't know I didn't buy the jeans weeks ago!! They are so comfy and of course you can't tell they're maternity. I love wearing jeans again!! I feel like I have some style back. So, life here hasn't been too exciting, except that I have got to spend tons of time with my gorgeous niece. And I have been enjoying a bed to myself, although I would glad trade it for a bed with my husband. I miss him so much!! I never want to be apart from him for this long again. Although, I know there are people who have spouses in the military who are going through much more than me. I am just so grateful for my life back home, and since I left, I feel foolish for ever taking anything for granted. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder. And my husband has been doing so much for us since I have been gone. he has taken care of so much around the house and yard, and figured out a lot of stuff for Medi-Cal and...he got my car working and legal! For those of you who don't know me in real life, I haven't had my car for like...six months. It's a long story, but basically we had about five different things we needed to do to fix it and get it legal again. And he has been working on his truck, which is awesome. So, we no longer have to drive the hand me down granny car that was very nicely given to us by his grandparents. Now I get my own nice, relatively new car and Mark gets to drive his truck again. Yea!! I have freedom and mobility again!!!! Yes!!! It's just another reason I can't wait to go home. So exciting!