Decisions made...

I have finally decided to breastfeed. And since I bought one of these, there really is no going back now. My cousin's wife had one to sell, so I snatched it up at a rather great deal. I'm a bit nervous, since I don't know the first thing about breast feeding, but I am going to give it a shot. And if I don't like it, I'm going to try to stick with it anyway to save $. Now, if it become too stressful, of course we move on to formula. However, I have thought about it in great detail over the past few months, and right now, I'm in.

We have a daycare provider lined up. Let me insert rant here ---> Although I am completely grateful to be having this child, I am a bit stressed out about how on earth we are going to be able to afford daycare costs in addition to all those other baby expenses. A third of my income will now go to pay childcare expenses alone. That is really going to put a dent in our money. My mom keeps telling me that once our son arrives that I am not going to want to leave him. I know she's right, but like the majority of other two income families, I don't really get that choice. My income is necessary to supplement K's or else we will lose our house. (Don't see the govt bailing us out?!?!)

We have also picked our son's name. We will name him Kade Mason K... However, to protect our privacy, from this point forward you will only see me refer to him as Baby K.

Lastly, we have began to construct his nursery. We are using Rainbow fish as our theme and it is quite cute, if I must say so myself. I can't wait to put the final touches in so I can post pics for you all...

CHANGE is coming....

The election is over. I am a bit relieved and disheartened. I saw this on a church billboard and wanted to pass it on:

The CHANGE America needs is found in the BIBLE.

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

"My people" entails ALL people--Republicans and Democrats, All ethnic groups,ALL genders, ALL religions.

Will you join me in praying for our country?

Dear Mr. Obama....

Fireproof

You guys, I saw one of the best movies EVER this weekend. Here is the trailer for the movie. I hope you check it out!

Randomness....

I don't have anything profound to say. Just wanted to share some random thoughts.

-I am tired of hearing about the election. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss regular TV commercials. I know this is an important election year, and I have every intention of voting. In fact, K and I have already requested absentee ballots so we don't have to stand in line. However, I'll be completely relieved when the election itself is over.

-It's only 42 days until Thanksgiving (70 days until Christmas). Does anyone else feel as if the holidays snuck up on them this year? I love both holidays, but I am really looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. I have so much to be thankful for.

-My to-do list is getting longer and longer. I have so much to do before baby K arrives. Unfortunately, every day when I get home all I want to do is lay down. We have to put up the border for his room, clean out the closet, register...will I get all of this done before his arrival--especially with the holiday's approaching?

-I had a doctor's appt on Tues. Everything is good. I'm still not drinking enough water. What's new? If you're not a water drinker (like me) how do you manage to get enough liquids to stay well hydrated? I've been having some light-headedness and tunnel vision which Dr. R says is related to my hydration. So as I type, I'm trying to manage to chug my water bottle. Yuck!

-I read this in my devotional this morning and I thought I would share it. It is from Breaking Free by Beth Moore:

"God is not a man who lies, or the son of man who changes His mind. Does He speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19

"Can you think of a time when God proved unworthy of your confidence? If we think we've discovered unfaithfulness in God, I believe one of three things has happened: 1) we misinterpreted the promise, 2)we missed the answer, or 3) we gave up before God timed His response.

We must simply keep believeing Him, because unbelief is crippling, casting huge obstacles in the way of a victorious life. The steps we take forward with God, we take through faith. This doesn't mean He asks us to believe in our ability to exercise unwavering faith. He merely asks us to believe that He is able."

-Hope you each have a wonderful Thursday if you made it to the end of my randomness.

God's Value of Money

I received this as an email. I wanted to share it because it has a very powerful message that we all should remember during the financial crisis that exists today.

God's Value of Money
By: Vonette Bright
"...Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's
life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Luke 12:15

In these days of economic slowdowns and job layoffs, it's good to
remember the value God places on "money."

The poorest person in the world isn't the one who's gone bankrupt.
They're the one who is without God, and consequently without hope in
the world.

Some years ago, the editors of "The Wall Street Journal," made a
powerful statement. They pointed out:
"Money is the article which may be used as a universal passport to
everywhere, except heaven, and the universal provider of everything
except... happiness."

And, they're right!

You see, as Christians our happiness is centered on our personal
relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus said it best...
"A person's life doesn't consist of the things which he possesses."

Because, ultimately... The best things in life... AREN'T "things"!

First Place Goes to....

ME!!!!! I am awarding myself this blue ribbon for being the WORST BLOGGER EVER!!!!!

I'm sorry folks, things have been crazy busy for me the past few weeks. I am balancing work, school, voulenteering, family, friends, etc. I have been reading most of your blogs, but I haven't been posting or commenting. Honestly, I don't have very much to say that would interest you. My life is pretty predictable these days. My weekends are spent doing all the things I neglected to do during the week or catching up on my much needed rest.

I have surpassed the 20 week mark finally. In celebration of the 20th week, I bought something for the baby (a cute camo jacket, cargo pants, onsie, camo socks) and a card for K telling him he was half way to meeting his son. (This was a huge hit for him since he is an avid hunter. For any of you close to 20 weeks I'd recommend doing this for your daddy-to-be. You could tell K was really touched by the gesture.)

I am also beginning to really look pregnant. My friends, family, and co-workers are spoiling me rotten! The further along I get, the more random presents show up on my desk or at my house. My son has a sweet tooth, so people buy me candy often. I've also gotten a flag, picture frame, and teddy bear stating "It's a Boy!" I am so humbled by the genorisity I have received, and it's heartwarming to know my son will be loved by so many people.

That's about it for me. While you are here though, please go send these people some love:

Janna is in love!!!!
Go wish Casey luck! She is having an IUI tomorrow.
Give Courtney some encouragement. She's waiting to test again.
Hug Jill who had a snow-baby transfer a few days ago.
Alison is having a boy incase you haven't heard!
Mel is having a girl!

Thankful Thursday....

I am thankful that we have made it another day with our "son." (I'm still getting use to the idea.) I am thankful that my health has remained great during this pregnancy and that I now feel movement from baby K quite often, which reassures me all is well.

I am thankful that school hasn't been too overwhelming so far. I am thankful that I didn't wait until the last minute to start my field service time (40 hrs in a public school by mid November) and that I already have completed about 11 hrs.

I am thankful for the student I am mentoring. He's a class clown and a bit immature for his age, but he makes me smile. He's been very receptive towards me so far, and that makes me feel as if I am in the right profession.

I am thankful that Saturday, our nephew will be 13!!! We only see him in the summer time because he lives in MT, but we love and miss him very much!

I am thankful that other people have stopped to find things to be thankful for today--you know who you are :) I am thankful for the cyber friends I have made and the prayers they have lifted for me. I am thankful that I can pray for them too knowing we serve the same Higher Power.

I am thankful that Autumn begins on Monday--yipee!

I am thankful I still have 97 shopping days until Christmas!

What are you thankful for?

It's a.....

Thankful Thursday: Remembering 9/11/2001

Today is the national day of mourning. I hope we all pause and remember those who senselessly lost there lives 7 years ago today. I can still remember exactly where I was when I found out that the twin towers had been hit. I remember thinking that the beginning of WWIII was eminent.

I am thankful for our military men and women who sacrifice their lives to keep my country safe. Thank you for giving up your time with your families, for watching your children grow up by pictues while you are serving our country.

I am thankful to be an American.

I am thankful that nothing of this magnitude has happened following 9/11 on United States soil.

I am thankful for the outpouring of love we felt from other countries when this tragedy occurred.

I am thankful for everyone who stops and remembers those left behind seven years ago today.

Lest we Never Forget....

I am thankful that today is my husband's 32 bday. I don't deserve your love for me, but I am thankful for it each and every day of my life.
******************
We find out the sex of the baby on Monday! It's going to be a long weekend!

Guess the Gender of Baby K

I added a poll to the right to vote for the gender of Baby K. If you are interested in playing along, please cast your vote.

Nothing new and exciting is going on pregnancy wise. I feel great. My next doctor's appointment is Sept 9 for a check up. I am hoping to talk Dr. R into taking a peak at the baby to see the gender, but I'm not sure he will. The office policy is usually 20 weeks, and at this appointment I will only be 17 weeks. He has been known to tell patients sooner, so I am hoping that I can be one of these few. We should know by Sept 30 if we should be picking out pink or blue.

School is going really well so far. I've been trying to get organized so I don't feel so overwhelmed. I have a school lined up to begin my 40 hour field service. I have also contacted a former teacher I had growing up, so I can interview her. I am usually the typical procrastinator, but I seem to have it all together right now (which I am hoping will carry over into my teaching career).

K and I have a slow upcoming weekend. He is getting excited about hunting season--I am excited to catch up on my soaps. We may venture out tonight to my former high school's football game. What are you doing this weekend?

Busy, Busy, Busy....

Hello All! Just checking in for a quick update. Thanks Jill for checking in on me :)

The pregnancy is still going strong. My next doc's appt is Sept 9. It is just a routine check. I feel great--my morning sickness has pretty much vanished and my energy level seems to be up. On Sept 9, I am hoping I can schedule my next ultrasound so we can find out the gender. I can't wait to find out what we are having and make sure everything is still going okay.

I started back school last week, so I've been extra busy. I am taking a class that requires each student spend 40 hrs of field service time in a public school. This requirement must be completed by mid-Nov. I have been in contact with 2 area schools and I am hoping to get started on this task immediately while I am feeling so energetic. I am trying to set some short term goals so that I don't feel overwhelmed from the start. Things are going great right now.

Sorry it's been so long since I posted. I appreciate your thoughts! I hope everyone is doing okay. I will be checking in on all of you this week-weekend.

Elaine

Sigh of Relief...Everything is Fine....

I just got out of my Doctor's appointment and all is well. I had this bright idea when I got up this morning that I wanted the baby to be awake during the ultrasound, so I drank some Coke. Well...apparently a little coke to me was a LOT of coke to baby. He/She would not stay still! I didn't think the tech was going to be able to get the proper measurements for the NT test. It was so cute and funny to see him/her bouncing around... I feel so much better.

The baby's heartrate was 158, lower than last ultrasound. We have a 1 in 5825 chances of having Down's Syndrome. Dr. Wonderul assured me that anything over 1 in 300 is considered good. I have to wait for 7-10 days for all the results. My doc's office will only call if there is a problem, so let's all hope that my phone doesn't ring anytime soon...I have only gained 2 lbs, but I can't fit into any of my pants. Getting them up is okay...getting them buttoned is impossible!

Asked Dr. R about my migraines and was once again reassured that Tylenol is perfectly safe for me to take. He did say that if I continued to be anxious about taking it, to take phenegen instead. Phenegen is actually safer to take than Tylenol, according to Dr. R. It would provide me the same relief during those horrible headaches. I will try that next!

The fostering meeting went fine last night. Our agency was very supportive of the fact that we want to wait until after delivery to host a child. What a relief!

Thank you all for your prayers and support over the past 24 hrs. I am so nervous about doctor appointments--with good reason. I really appreciate all of you helping to calm my nerves.

Upcoming NT ultrasound and Fostering....

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow for my NT ultrasound and belly check. I'm always very anxious when I have ultrasounds. It's great to take a peak at Baby K, but it also makes me very uneasy until I see that all is well in the womb. I'm not so much worried that my child will be at risk for genetic abnormalties. I know that it wouldn't matter to me either way. I'm already in love with him/her.

My last ultrasound was 3 weeks ago, because my wonderful doctor wanted for me to have peace of mind. Since then, I have had 3 migraines. I have always had a history of migraines, but they have really became more frequent the last few weeks. I was hurting so bad that I finally broke down and called the doc to see if there was anything at all I could do. I was assured that Ty.lenol is safe, so I've had to lean on that medicine for relief.

Before then, I was suffering through them as I begged God for mercy on my aching head. I would lock myself in a dark room, put an ice pack on my head, and will myself to go to sleep. Some would take days to go away, but finally they would pass.

The last few headaches, I have trusted my doctor's advice and taking Ty.lenol as sparingly as possible. I haven't taken more than 2000mg (4 tablets) per migraine. It does help to relieve some of the pain/pressure. But now, I am so paranoid that I didn't just fight through them and wait them out. I am still one week away from my 2nd trimester. Should I have waited?

Lastly, tonight is our home study for our fostering classes. K and I have spoken in great detail about our intentions of fostering. This is something we are still very interested in pursuing. However, I don't feel comfortable taking in a child until after I have delivered. I am still a high risk pregnancy even after I pass the 1st trimester. Medically speaking, I just think the stress could be harmful to me and the baby. We still want to finish what we have started and become licensed. Honestly, I don't want to start over next year with the training and certifications. On the other hand, I don't know how our agency will feel about us postponing a placement until early next spring either?

I am really nervouse about tomorrow and tonight. If you have a prayer to spare for us today and tomorrow morning, I would be so appreciative.

I will update tomorrow after my appointments.

Cardboard Testimony

I saw this on my friend Mindy's blog a few weeks ago. I think it's important that we are reminded that God still answers prayers every single day. Each one of these testimonies is an answered prayer. Maybe it was a family member who prayed for them. Maybe it was a friend. Maybe it was a stranger. Maybe it was their own prayer. It's important for us all to be reminded that God's grace is sufficient for all of us. Praying that many answered prayers are coming soon. I thank God now for all the answered prayers He will give us. I claim it for me, and I claim it for you....Please watch this video. It's about 8 minutes. The last testimony put tears in my eyes...

Thankful Thursday....

I am thankful to have made it another week.

I am thankful I was able to celebrate my grandpa's 70th birthday on Saturday. I love him so much and I hope the Lord allows me to enjoy his presence in my life for many more years to come.

I am thankful that tonight is my last training in the foster parenting program. We have first aid tonight, then all the in-class hours are finished!

I am thankful that K has been so sweet to me lately. He has gone out of his way to do nice things for me, especially since I haven't been feeling so well. He is on the verge of spoiling me :) I am thankful that he has been such a big help around the house. I am thankful that I am lucky enough for him to love me.

I am thankful that my Statistic's class is over! I look forward to staring my teaching ciriculum later this month.

I am thankful that some cooler weather is suppose to be heading our way. I love the summer--but I am finding it much harder to breath this year.

I am thankful for all of you!

TGIF...

THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY!!!!!

This has been a stressful week. I think we may have finally gotten our identity theft straightened out. We closed my acct and opened a new acct. I've changed every single password both K and I own. I'm really trying to hate the sin and not the sinner, but I've been so upset with these people! You know, I don't want to get up and go to work every day either (who does, right?), but I do it.... How dare you steal from me...???

Anyway, I am over it and I think we have resolved the problem. Thank goodness for identity theft insurance too!

Go give these folks some support:
Congratulate Andrea on her new home purchase.
Courtney is feeling a bit under the weather.
Please remember Jen & Carter. They are going through a really rough time.
Give Kristen a hug.
Wish Mandy luck. She had an IUI yesterday.
Keep your fingers crossed for Searching as she awaits her job interview results.
Congratulate In Search of Morning Sickness on reaching her 2nd trimester.
Take a peak at Mel's nugget.
Welcome little Andrew to Chris' family.
Congratulate Janna on getting her applications finished and graduating from the crutches!

Have a great weekend!

Still good news...updated with picture

We had our 2nd ultrasound today. The little one was awake and kicking his/her feet. It was very sweet. The heart rate is 178. I'll put up a pic tonight of the ultrasound.

Thank you all for your prayers today!

What a crazy day.....!

We have a newbie to the IF community. Please all stop by Melinda's blog and welcome her with open arms, as I know you all will.

Secondly, I had my identity stolen last night!!! All in all, there are $1973.50 worth of unauthorized transactions on my account. Lucky for me, K manages the bank we use, so he has placed a hold on my account, but this is still very upsetting!!!! I feel so completely violated!

Lastly, tonight we have our CPR class for our fostering license. I was notified that I have to repeat my fingerprints. (The technician said I have the smallest fingers she has ever seen, and that the FBI probably thought she was printing a child.). Then, tomorrow we have our 2nd viability ultrasound. To say I am nervous would be an understatement, so I would appreciate any prayers and well wishes you could throw our way until then.

Hope you are all having a great day (better than me!)

Thoughts...

So, I have finally found enough courage to add my ticker to this page. I have made it to a milestone, 9 weeks. With my last two pregnancies, I never made it this far. That is a bit relieving, but I still have moments where the future seems so uncertain. I have been meditating on God's word regarding my doubt. I found this bible verse today, and it was as if God Himself pointed it out to me.
It is Jeremiah 29:11

I know the plans I have for you....plans for your welfare, not disaster, to give you
a future and a hope.

Per Be.th Moo.re's excerpt from today's entry of her book Breaking Free Day by Day:

We often see ourselves as having such fragile, breakable souls. We live in fear of that which we are certain and convinced we cannot survive. But as children of God we are only as fragile as our unwillingness to turn and hide our face in Him. Our pride alone is fragile. Once it shell is broken and our hearts are laid bare, we can then begin to sense the caress of God's tender care.

Wow! That spoke wonders to me heart. There is another verse that a friend shared with me about hope.

It is Romans 15:13

Now the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and PEACE in BELIEVING, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Praying for us all to hide our face in Him during times that we feel fragile. Praying that we are filled with Hope and Peace in Believing that God is in control.