The Final Countdown

What a busy month December was! I had such a wonderful Christmas. I got to see our family and friends, which was wonderful to see everyone. Madison was here for a week and got to spend Christmas eve with us. Aiden loves her so much. He follows her around and admires everything she does. I love to sit and watch them interact together. Dylan also came to visit which was awesome. He doesn't care for Aiden to much. He thinks Aiden is too loud.  Aiden enjoyed opening presents but only for the bows. He didn't care what was inside. I read the true meaning of Christmas to Madison and Aiden and told them (although Aiden wasn't paying much attention) how important Christmas was and that it was not about presents but about Jesus' birthday. It's so important to both Derek and I that they know Jesus as their Savior.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14)

I am getting so close to meeting Emily. I am in my final month and I was 38 weeks with Aiden. She is so big I don't think so is going to make it to 40 weeks either. I'm pretty sure my belly can't grow any bigger. I feel her feet in my ribs and walking makes me pant. I'm glad Derek has been home to help chase Aiden with me. I have baby gates everywhere just because he's so much faster than I am now.. It's hard to nest chasing a 14 month old and being 35 weeks pregnant. I just feel blessed that I still can chase him around. I have enough energy to do basic daily chores and play with Aiden. God always provides me with enough of whatever it is that I need.

I feel like I am growing as a person too (not just physically). I am trying learn to make sure that I make time for God each and everyday to not only pray but to have a relationship with Him again. It's so important to have a quiet time with Him each and everyday. Sometimes that's hard for me to keep. Between chores, taking care of Aiden, and just plain being tired, I feel like I barely have time for myself and that's selfish of me. I need to always make time to talk to God and study His Word. I need to keep growing in Christ. Just like with any relationship, I need to keep working on it. Communication is important in any relationship.

I don't know how much I'll be blogging with Emily coming in just a few short weeks, but whenever God decides her birthday will be, I will make sure that I post a few pics. I'm going to be spending these next few weeks organizing and gathering the necessary items for our home birth. Aiden was born at our home as well so I'm not as nervous this time around. I know there is pain..some major pain, but having the freedom to do as I please while I labor and being in my home is worth it. Please pray for us to have safe and easy delivery.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

What a week...

This past week has been the craziest week. Last weekend we started getting the sniffles and slowly started sharing it with each other. During this past week, Derek, Aiden, and myself have all had a cold. Praise God we are all feeling so much better. I was so glad when I woke up this morning to have my happy baby back. Aiden is kind of a bear when he doesn't feel good, plus he's teething so it was a double whammy. I love seeing him feeling good. I don't like to see him sad and under the weather. He wants to be cuddled 24/7 and he is getting so big now and so am I. It hurts my back to carry him for long periods of time. I am so very grateful that he is walking now. It has been helpful for my poor lumbar.

Besides feeling sick, we've also been dealing with emotional issues, which I should be used to since I've been pregnant for almost 2 years straight. My grandma past away 3 years ago this month and it breaks my heart everyday. I miss her more than words can describe. She was my best friend. I've never lived more than a few minutes from her my entire life and to not be able to call her or see her is devastating. She was the rock of our family and it just isn't the same without her here. I miss being able to call her with all of my thoughts and concerns. She gave the best advice and never judged. She was comical in all that she did and when she tried to be sneaky, she always got caught. In her last days I held her and sat with her in her hospital bed and sang her songs. I talked to her about life and how much I loved her. I know how much she loved me and I know she loved the Lord. I'm so glad I got to talk to her before her final moment. I think it makes it easier for me knowing that she is in Heaven with Jesus and is at peace.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29

 
We have a busy week this week so these icy roads need to clear up fast. Madison's Christmas program is this week along with other plans. I am baking next week and need to see our midwife again. This next month is going to fly by and Emily is going to be here before we know it. We are so grateful for the children God is adding to our family.

With baking, cooking, and events, I don't know how much blogging I will be doing in the next few weeks but thank you for your continued prayers and support :) It means so much!!

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

Great start..

So far today I've had a great day, yesterday was really good too :) Aiden has been sleeping great, which means mommy is sleeping okay too. I'm getting big so I toss and turn all night. I wake up with charlie horses in my legs some nights too. Other than that, I sleep...

Derek was home yesterday. It was nice having him home. I got to take my time and do things like take a normal shower instead of racing through it before Aiden wakes up.We ran a few errands and did a few chores so it was a pleasant, uneventful day. Oh except for one thing...Aiden said Amen. He's been doing it for a few days now but I wanted to be sure. We say grace before eating every time we eat. We take turns between Derek and I and if Madison is here she usually says it. The other day while I was at my in-laws, Derek finished saying grace and said Amen then I said it. Right after I said it, Aiden chimed in with his own Amen. Everyone heard it. It was clear as a bell. It was SO cute. At first I though maybe it was a fluke, he babbles alot and really only says momma, dada, kitty, and hi clearly. But he hears us say Amen multiple times a day. We pray out loud during the day together along with saying it at meal times so I knew he would catch on but to hear him say it now at meals is the cutest thing. I pray for him to have a heart for Jesus.

I'm so blessed to have the life I have.

I get to watch Aiden everyday grow and change.

He gets more and more of a personality everyday.

Today I think it will pretty calm as well, I don't have to leave the house and Derek is working to finish a project. So it's just me and Aiden today. I cherish the moments I have alone with him because I know in just a few short weeks Emily will be here and he will have to share me more than he has to when Madison is here. I'm hoping to find a swing and a bouncer by then so I can put Emily down when he does need his mommy time. I had borrowed a swing and a bouncer and just recently had to return them. So, I have 8 weeks or so to find a swing, a bouncer, and a bassinet. Just one more thing to worry about but I know that God always provides so I'm sure it will all work out.

    ~ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:11-13

A little stressed...

These last 24 hours have been a roller coaster ride. Last night Aiden, Derek and I got no sleep. Seriously. Aiden had the roughest night he's had in a looong time. He'd fall asleep then wake up crying or whining wanting to be cuddled and sung to. I felt helpless. I tried everything I could and Derek did too. Derek saw how exhausted I was and took over and let me sleep for a few hours. When Aiden woke up this morning from the few hours he did get, he was better.

We are all so tired today. We went out at lunchtime and took Derek a coffee, which I'm sure he needed, and had lunch at my in-laws house. Aiden fell asleep on the way home. He stayed asleep the whole time I carried him from the car to the house. While I took his coat and that off and laid him in bed. It's been a few hours and he is still sleeping. I can't get anything done because I'm afraid to go too far in case he wakes up...and I am so tired myself that I can't bring myself to do any major chores today. The kitchen is clean and laundry is caught up.

Everything else can wait until tomorrow.

This whole experience has me a little worried about how I'm going to manage things once Emily gets here...I pray that once she does get here, I will have a routine down where things won't be overwhelming. I'm glad that Derek is helpful and supportive. He's a great husband :)

In the next few days, we will be receiving some news about what is going to happen with work. Things are just so slow this time of year, please pray for us. I know that God has a plan and I'm leaning on Him to provide us with our needs. He has a perfect time and place for everything and I'm learning more and more each day to trust in Him and not to stress out. Sometime I have better days than others at it, I ask for help and guidance each day. I feel so unsure of where our path is taking us but as long as God is in control, which He ALWAYS is, I know that everything will be ok in the end. Life is an adventure...I wonder where this adventure will take us...

Well I really need to either nap or do a few overdue chores before Aiden wakes up, which will be any moment now.

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

 1 Corinthians 10:31