Burdens & Blessings

Giff and I have had a lot going on in our lives this past month. Some good, some bad. I feel like God is really trying to teach me something right now with all the trials and tribulations we have been faced with. Let me explain....

First, Giff lost his job right before Christmas. It was a job he truly enjoyed and loved, but the company went bankrupt. So, he has been earnestly looking for another job that will fit our needs, and anyone who understands the job market right now, knows how tough this has been on him. There is a job in the works for him right now that he is very much looking forward to. So, I pray that it works out!

Second, our lease is up on our townhouse in mid February. Which means, in the next few weeks, we have to move. This has been particularly difficult, because we need Giff to be able to show proof of income on a new leasing contract. We have spent endless weekends looking for a new apartment, with 2 bedrooms I might add, and have seen only a couple that we are interested in. Once Giff has a job nailed down, we will immediately sign a new lease, but until then, we are stuck.

Third, I am 8 months pregnant with our first baby. That, in itself, is stressful. But, with job and money issues and trying to find a new place to live, has just added to the stress level.

And, last but not least, our dog, Hitch, had to be put down this past Tuesday. He became very sick with parvo, and there was nothing we could do. Hitch was only 9 months old. This has been a rough week.

This picture is of Hitch when we first got him at 6 weeks old. He was so cute. We will miss him.

But, through all of these things, there have been many blessings...

-God has continued to provide for Giff and I in many different ways. We somehow have kept up with all of our bills, including the hospital and doctor bills for this baby. We have always had plenty of food at our house. Family and friends have given us so many great things for our new baby.

-We have started attending a new church that we really love and hope to get involved in.

-The birthing class we are taking has been such a fantastic reminder of what God's role should be in our lives. It has helped me focus on what we do have, and be thankful for it. It has also helped remind me that God will not leave our side and he is in control.

-Baby Christian is doing awesome! My midwives confirmed that he is in a head down position! He is very active and I got to see him sucking his thumb at my ultrasound on Wednesday! It was the sweetest thing!

-I had a baby shower at work this past week, and got so many things I needed for baby Christian! It was a great time and I thank God so much for providing these things to us. Honestly, I didn't know how we were going to afford to get everything we needed before Christian's arrival. But, I feel like we have almost all of the necessities. I also have another baby shower coming up in February. =)

Here are a few pics from the shower:

Life can be so challenging at times, but I realize how much I really do have. I have the love of awonderful man! It seems these hard times just bring us closer. I have this beautiful baby boy growing inside me! And, I can't wait to meet him for the first time! I have a family who is always there for me, and is willing to help in whatever way they can. What more can you really ask for?

I heard a song on ksbj this morning that always keeps me going through stressful times. The song is "I Will Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns.

"I will praise you in this storm,

and I will lift my hands.

You are who you are,

no matter where I am.

And, every tear I've cried,

you hold in your hand.

You've never left my side.

And though my heart is torn,

I will praise you in this storm."

I will keep singing this song over and over again until this storm has passed....

The new and improved rocker!

Before:

After:

This is the rocker that my sis picked up for Giff & I at a garage sale a few months ago for $75! We had it re-upholstered in chocolate brown micro suede. We also had it cut down so that it looks more modern. I think it turned out great! In the stores, this chair would go for over $500, but after the original cost and the re-upholstering, we only spent $275 on it! Yay! One more thing that I can check off the list! :)

First Birth Ministries

The past 2 Monday nights, Giff and I have attended our birthing class. We still have 5 more classes to go, but I feel like I have learned so much already! We are taking our classes through First Birth Ministries. It's a Christian based organization dedicated to the preparation of couples approaching childbirth using biblical principles. It's an alternative to Lamaze or Bradley classes. So far, we have been reading a lot of scripture. God tells women in the Bible that childbirth is supposed to be painful. But, maybe not as painful as the world tells us it is. Through faith, we can prepare, plan and work towards a labor that is manageable, beautiful and spiritual. As Christians, we have to rely on God through time of pain, and he will not leave our side. In fact, we can grow even closer to God as a result of ultimate submission to him during labor. God designed our bodies to give birth. The more we learn, prepare and pray, the less fear we will have during labor, as we know that our bodies are doing what they were meant to do.

The class also emphasizes a natural childbirth approach. They don't expect that every woman will be able to go without pain medication or that c-sections aren't possibilities, but they are teaching us everything we need to know to have as natural a childbirth as we feel is right for us. We have learned several breathing techniques so far that will help us control our breathing when contractions become unbearable. We are in the process of learning how to completely relax our bodies from head to toe, so that we can rest comfortably in between contractions, and so that we can let our bodies work efficiently during contractions. In our upcoming classes, we will be learning different positions we can get into during labor to help bring the baby down and hopefully shorten the amount of time we are in labor.

I am becoming so excited to have this baby, although I know labor will be difficult. I feel that these classes are truly preparing Giff and I to have the best possible birthing experience. Christian, we are ready and waiting for you to join us!

31 weeks

So, although I'm not too fond of how this picture looks, I decided it's about time to show my baby bump. I am 31 weeks along and still feeling great!