29 weeks

Wow. 11 weeks to go with this pregnancy. CRAZY. Seems like I just found out...well, seems like I just started to accept the idea is maybe more like it?! Things are going well. I still haven't gained a whole lot (though I look like I have), but again, considering I started out QUITE A BIT heavier this time, that's a good thing that I haven't gone overboard this time (yet!). My belly has definitely GROWN. I feel him moving ALL THE TIME. We still don't have a name picked out. David still wants Cameron or Jacob, and I don't want either. My middle name is Brewer, it's a family name, and growing up I always thought it was more of a boy name...so I am very strongly considering it for a middle name for our fourth-born :-). Fourth-born, hehe, that sounds funny. I just bought a package of diapers/wet wipes last week, ordered a car seat, and had my cousin pick up a pack and play @ Target that was on sale...I'm way behind on getting ready for this little one. David only has about 2 more months of work, and I'm a tad bit stressed, but I know God already knew about ALL of this, and has a perfect plan for us. I'm praying that no matter what storms blow our way I will be able to keep my faith strong and continue to praise Him. I'm hoping that our other children do well with our new addition and the transition is at least somewhat smooth. I'm a tad bit freaked out about adding a fourth child to the mix, never felt that way before though...? I have had some MAJOR pain the last few days, called my doc and explained what was going on (trust me you don't want the details). He said to stay off my feet as much as possible...I did today and it has helped a little. I'm hoping to have a 3D sonogram in the next week or two, which I never had with the other ones. While I am SUPER excited about it, it's kind of freaking me out. Why would a 3D sonogram freak me out? Not real sure, it just does. It makes me nervous?! Anyway, for the most part, things are going good, fast, but good...so thankful for that :-)

Father's Day...

Yesterday we celebrated Father's Day. It was a GREAT day. We grilled out for the family, and I know D should have gotten the day off, but who else would've been able to man the grill? Well, actually it was a double grill kind of day (forgive the dust on the grills, it's the food on this inside that counts, right?)...


As D was grilling, I noticed my poor ferns hanging on the patio...I'm watering them, I promise...is it just too hot for them, or what? I don't know what to do?!
(pitiful, is it not?)

It was SO incredibly hot, I found our pooch, Kiki, sitting in front of the fan (who could blame her)...


We had lots of food, but my VERY favorite is corn on the cob from the grill...I can NOT get enough...(we had a ton, this is actually what was left..which D finished off later)

(See the scentsy warmer in the background? I finally talked myself into getting one, and LOVE it. I am currently using Paradise Punch, I think it's the scent of the month).

Izzyboo put on a shimmery dolphin tattoo that her brother got her...


After we ate, Joseph and Izzy got out a game that we played with them...


Anyway, we had a fabulous, relaxed day...it was filled with family, food, and thanks to God (really, I ask, what could be better)...
and I tried these for the first time, they added to the day, too...


Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there!

Replenishment

In church yesterday, some of what we talked about had to do with finding replenishment in the Lord, refreshing yourself with Him. I must admit, though most of you know, I’m ADD. I love my church, and we usually have awesome messages that I NEED to hear…but sometimes, I don’t hear it all. Sometimes, my mind drifts, and I’m left with a blank spot or hole in the lesson. It’s frustrating, but I’ve dealt with this all my life, so I’m somewhat used to it. The pastor talked about how when you are hot, thirsty, dry, incredibly parched…imagine how desperate you would be and how refreshing it would be to get a glass of cold water to drink. I can imagine it. It would feel like the best thing in the world. He then said imagine yourself, thirsty…not for water, but for more…the Lord is the only thing that can quench that. It was at this point my mind started to wonder (although he did say to imagine myself …not that I wasn’t “into” the sermon, not that I wasn’t getting anything from it, because I was, that’s just what my mind does. So, it was at this point, I imagined myself sitting across from myself, like a twin, or duplicate of me. Odd, I know, but stay with me. I pictured “me” how I see myself in the mirror…normal, I guess…and then “myself” sitting across from me. I looked at myself…I looked wrinkled, saggy, dry. I looked desperate, and lost. My hair and bones were brittle. It wasn’t pretty, in fact, it was hideous. It was uncomfortable to think about, but I was facing reality. “Myself” was parched, thirsty…in the worst way. I was desperate for the Lord. I needed Him to refresh/replenish me, and ONLY HE would do. I thought about how myself, was actually…me. That was me. That. Is. Me.

I need replenishment in the Lord. A new pair of shoes, and makeup won’t do it. Time at the spa won’t do it. Self help books won’t do it. My friends and even my family won’t do it. Even my church, just won’t cut it. Nothing can fulfill me like my Heavenly Father. The true King of Kings. I imagined, as I grow closer to Him, as I learn more about Him and what He wants for me, for my life, those ugly wrinkles will fade, moisture will come back and heal my skin and hair, I will grow stronger and more beautiful in spirit. I am thankful to be reminded of this. I love the Lord, and He is a huge part of my life…but He needs to BE my life. My life and myself are not always the prettiest picture, in fact on some days, it’s the furthest thing from it…but with God in my picture, in my life, it is So much more beautiful, so much better to look at.

Heavy heart

Ok, so this is my 3rd time to start this post, but it kept getting too emotional, and I had to start over. I just want to say that sometimes this world, is a sad, harsh place. Some days your heart just breaks. Some days are just too much. I don't understand it all. But, at the end of the day (or anytime of day), I have a Father in Heaven who I know loves me, loves us all, and weather we understand it or not, has all of our best interests at heart. Thank you, sweet Jesus. My friends, my "job", even my family...they may fail me, but You never will. Life on Earth, though full of blessings, is such a struggle. Lately, the song by Casting Crowns, Praise You in This Storm has constantly comforted me. The lyrics remind me, that no matter how rough it gets, He is still there, ever present and strong, and that we must continue to praise Him. So, Lord, we praise You...though some days we are lucky if we can even get the strength built up enough to be able to do that...we praise You. Comfort us and hold us close, guide us and keep us safe, until the day comes when we are with you forever and ever. We love you and we thank you. Come so quickly, Jesus.

Praise You in This Storm lyrics by Casting Crowns

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus:]
And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to you
And you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can't find You

But as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

[Chorus]

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth