the joy of serving...

 I woke up this morning, and started about my day. Jeremy was off at work and I had the morning to myself. So I spent it with a cup of tea and a great time with the Lord. And I decided in that moment, " I want everything I do today to be from a heart of serving you, Lord. In serving my husband, in serving our baby, in serving those around me...it is all for you." As I was scraping gross leftover goop off from the night before's dishes, I had a smile on my face because it was such a joy to serve my husband in that. In choosing how I ate and whether or not to have that one cup of coffee (which you are allowed while pregnant), I chose "how would I best be serving my daughter in how I eat?". In putting some love into homemade Christmas presents, I wanted to serve and bless my family. It was quite extraordinary how God could take what could seem like "requirements" or "just what I'm supposed to do", and turn my heart towards a heart of longing to serve others and ultimately Him through it all, and it honestly gave me so much joy! I was excited to do each thing, as mundane as they seemed, because today, that's how I ministered. And it blessed my heart so much to bless God's, and glorify Him through it. 


I pray that God continues to turn my heart away from my selfishness, and start my day off with a heart to glorify Him, in the big and small things. But, I also realize that it's a choice. And what I love, is that the more I choose a heart of servanthood, the more fulfilled I feel... and to be honest, the way better my day goes! I've been praying about what other areas, even in my pregnancy and delivery, I can glorify God. Like how I can glorify God while I'm in labor, even if no one else sees my heart, I can still choose to glorify Him through it. I can glorify Him by not letting my human want for a "perfectly comfortable, no pain" birth to become an idol, and instead trust Him to get me through it beautifully and serve Him and my daughter through my labor. I can glorify Him in treating my body well to honor what He's given me, and also to honor my baby who depends on my body. 


Those are a just a few of the areas I want to have a heart of servanthood in, and I long for God to show me more. 


'Where you invest your love, you invest your life' -Mumford

twenty two weeks...

twist and shout...

Tonight, Jeremy felt Elsie move for the first time! There's this amazing connection that happens when you feel your baby moving inside of your womb. Every little movement is a reminder that our little one is growing and she'll be coming to meet us soon. I've been feeling her movement for weeks now, but it was still almost impossible to feel from the outside. Once I started noticing that I could feel it from the outside, I would yell for Jeremy from the next room to come and try to feel it.... but of course, as soon as he would put his hand over my belly, she would completely stop moving. Well tonight, he finally felt our little peanut moving! I love that he can feel her now too, and connect with her even more.

How we found out you were coming...

The two lines that changed our lives...

How I told Jeremy I was pregnant. Story to come...

First picture after we found out we were having you! (I was making a pretend belly at that point....it's definitely not pretend anymore).

Your excited Dad-to-be's face

That weekend your Auntie Kim, Uncle Jon, Papa Ray, and cousin Nathan came to visit us... we made this shirt for Nathan saying "I'm going to have a baby cousin", and slipped it on him when no one was looking. It took a while for everyone to notice what was on the shirt, but there was lots of hugs and excitement once everyone caught on. You're going to love your big cousin Nathan!

twenty one weeks...

  

Drum roll please...

Last Tuesday we got to see our little munchkin on 3D, and found out that 'it' is a GIRL! We are so excited, and I've already started decorating and shopping for darling little girl things! Our deal was if it was a boy, we'd celebrate with hot dogs and going to the batting cages, and if it was a girl, we'd get dessert and go shopping. And boy was it fun! It's so awesome to connect with her as a little girl, and call her by name. I've LOVED feeling her move so much. About three weeks ago I felt some faint movement like a little butterfly in my abdomen, but for the last four days it's been distinct little kicks, and it's so cute! You can't feel her movement from the outside yet, but Jeremy got to see her move across my belly the other day, and he loved it! We're so grateful for this gift, and feel so blessed by the Lord. We keep falling deeper and deeper in love with her, and wonder what she's going to be like. I feel so much purpose, being with child. Growing life inside of you is one of the most beautiful, amazing gifts...and I am so grateful for it.

Here's our video announcement of her gender::

And here's a picture of my 18 week belly (now 19 weeks) at our Doctor's appointment ::

The cutest little dress we bought her the day we found out, and Jeremy's interpretation of being a protective Daddy. 

And our little girl's name!

inspiration

During my pregnancy so far, I have found little motivation to clean, and thank God for such an amazing husband who blesses me so much and has picked up my slack! He's such a gift. Well, I remembered the other day, as I looked at the plethora of dishes staring back at me that I so desperately did NOT want to clean... that every girl just needs a few little things to make cleaning so much better...

:: Cute aprons

:: Your favorite Soap (Mrs. Meyer's 'Lavender' is my absolute favorite)

:: And some music to get your hands a movin'!

Now if I could just remember these in the future...

:: thirteen weeks

We are thirteen weeks pregnant and on my way out of the first trimester! I've already been feeling so much better, started showing a lot the last few weeks, and we bought our first baby purchase...a crib!

Baby's growth:
This week our baby is forming their vocal chords, growing hair, and clenching their fists and flexing their feet. It's already moving around like crazy, and I could swear over the weekend, when I was lying still in bed on my side, I could feel it move for the first time! It felt like a jellyfish in my tummy.

Cravings this week ::
All things Lime (limeade, lime popsicles, spicy cheetos with lime)
Carrot Sticks
& Waffles

Crazy pregnancy dreams::
Savage monkeys attacking our apartment
Going into labor at three months because my OB found a "clove of garlic" in my uterus on my ultrasound
And giving birth to a little leprechaun

Gender predictions::
Jeremy = Boy
Maggie = Girl

11 weeks!

We had our first doctor's appointment two weeks ago and found out we're due APRIL 23rd! It was the most beautiful, surreal thing to see our baby for the first time, and made us so proud as parents. Our little one was moving like crazy, perfect heartbeat, and everything looks so healthy! We celebrated the exciting day with a delicious date at The Montecito Cafe, and a night walk on Butterfly Beach. Time is flying by, and I'm trying to soak up every minute of it!

Baby's First Picture ::

“To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today”
- Anonymous

Can't wait for this...

Oh, baby, baby!

We. are. pregnant.

Two months along, and we're so excited! This little surprise bundle has come into our lives at the perfect time. God knew! It's been quite the journey so far, and already God has been preparing our hearts for our little one. Welcome to the journey!

Here is a much welcomed, and so very thoughtful gift from our friend and fellow Mama. Yuuummy!

First letter I wrote to the little one.