Anticipation

Well, about a week ago I entered the nesting phase--in a major way!

Being the planner and visual person that I am, I set about making a big calendar, entering the knowns and holidays (and many family birthdays!) until the end of the year. Then, of course there's the holiday preparations. Thank you Lord both of our families do things VERY simply!

After assigning a week for each of the two kinds of Christmas cookies I'm making to share, and a number of "doubled" meals to freeze, I left the last 2 weeks before my due date to do absolutely NOTHING! I have a short list to shop for--and thankfully we can spread out that expense over the next few weeks. The big question is--WHEN IS THIS BABY COMING? :o)

Before you start to think, "my goodness woman, would you just relax!" let me assure you that my blood pressure is excellent and that there's an explanation...

A few weeks back I posted an update on Baby Adam and my most recent ECHO test (3D ultrasound). There was a little blurb on "placental lakes".

Well, I have my next appointment with the same specialist on November 17th (2 weeks from today). At that point the doctor wants to again make sure that my placental lakes aren't inhibiting the baby's growth, because that could affect his vitals and mean that they'd schedule me to be induced early. (Maybe even at 37 weeks! That's the first week in December people--4 weeks away! AHHHHHH...can you tell I'm nesting?)

:oD

So guess what was on the "schedule" for my hubby and I this weekend? Moving his office things from the 3rd bedroom into the front little nook of our room, emptying the closet and moving all of baby stuff up from the basement. WHAT A JOB!

Pete had to chuckle, walking into the room yesterday--it had been transformed literally overnight, right down to the changing table drawers being stocked with those tiny little diapers!

I'm so glad I made a few trips to the nice consignment stores in our area this summer and found some clearance sales at the outlets. AND, the fact that we didn't find out if Natalia was a boy or girl ahead of time means that we have a bunch of neutral newborn things. Now all I have to do is wash everything.

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The other thing I'm anticipating? This election being over...

We've been getting non-stop phone calls and mailings--it's a bit insane!

I plan to get out to the polls sometime tomorrow, and am thankful I have the opportunity to do so, but quite honestly I don't enjoy politics very much. I've forced myself in recent years to be more informed in the election process/candidates, but the tactics often employed by both parties and the media just frustrates me endlessly. I strongly agree AND disagree with aspects of both parties...so it's been hard not to become jaded. BUT...I do feel I've been helped by a few sources this time around.

If you haven't ever checked out Carolyn McCulley's blog "Radical Womanhood" on my sidebar's blog list, I suggest you do so. Her post from the other day "An Appeal: Don't Waste Your Vote" helped me to consider which issues should be primary when you find yourself in such a dilemma.

Regardless of who is elected (and when Adam arrives), I am confident of Who is sovereign.

Whoo Hoo!

Notice anything new on my sidebar, folks? :-)










God is faithful...He is never late.
After a year and a half of trying, we are THRILLED and couldn't wait to share our happy news with all of you.










(I'm due December 22nd...isn't that funny? Hmmm, let's see--how many birthdays CAN we cram into that crazy month?!?! Our little family of 4 will now have 3, and they all fall within 1 1/2 week's time with Christmas in the middle!)

Recommended Reading

I've been really enjoying some posts this week on the Metro Moms blog, which you can find on my side bar. (This group is a ministry of Metro Life Church in Casselberry, Florida.)

Since Monday they've been talking about evaluating our speech as mothers. Are we speaking redemptively, lovingly, defining our emotions biblically, and intentionally using our speech for biblical fellowship, etc. If you want to hop on over there and check them out, you can do so here. (I like that they're relatively short posts and only take a few minutes to read.

So often I find myself opening my mouth without thinking first. And I'm becoming ever-so-aware that I need to be more purposeful when I speak, especially when I'm disciplining Natalia.

Thank you Lord for your grace!

What's On My Sidebar

Some of you may have already perused the items on my sidebar, but in the event that you haven't, let me explain a bit.

Under my Blog Archive is my Shelfari Bookshelf. This is a way that I can share my favorite books and recommendations. There's about 50 so far. You can click on the "shelfari" logo at the top to see all the books I have added, my ratings (1-5 stars), my favorites (designated by a heart), and my reviews (if I have written one for that particular book). Or, while on my blog, you can simply pause your mouse over a book, and a pop-up window will let you read my review. To see more than the 5 or 6 that regularly appear on my shelf, click the Next button at the bottom right.

Under that are some links. Kathleen Connally has a huge collection of her personal photos--most depicting rural life. She has kindly allowed me to use some for my header and I love to just visit her site from time to time. Clicking on her name will take you there. The Crossway Church and Sovereign Grace links are great if you are interested in finding out more about the church and family of churches that Pete and I have been so blessed to be part of since 2001. The last link, Plugged In Online, is a great resource to preview the content on today's music, movies and television shows. It cuts no corners in evaluating it from a bibilical standpoint. I like to use it as a tool--not a hard and fast rulebook for my listening and viewing. Often it helps me stop and evaluate if it truly will benefit me or my family...when I may be tempted to justify my own lack of discretion and laziness.

The last few things are pretty self-explanatory. Click on any of the blog titles if you want to explore my favorites. If you are a Yahoo User, creating an Avatar is something fun. It's just one more way modern technology makes it possible to express ourselves creatively...well, the computer does it for us really.

If you know of other sidebar fun to be had, let me know!
That concludes our tour ladies and gentlemen. :-)