Crazy, Busy Life

Let me start by saying that this is the first time I have been off work in the summer since 2005! I didn't just like it, I LOVED it! I was in desperate need of a break. Prior to that, I had worked full time at LifeWay while getting my Masters. Then, I moved right into a new teaching job at Sunset Elementary.

For the last week and a half, I have been preparing my classroom for this quickly approaching school year. It started like this ...



















and with the help of my wonderful husband, a few friends, and my parents; it now looks like this!








































I am missing summer already and it isn't over yet. It isn't because I don't like my job; it is because the pace of life has been slower this summer. This fall already promises to be crazy busy. In addition to his full time job, Matt had the opportunity to pick up a part time job on the weekends. He also signed up for a landscape design class. I will continue my job as a 1st grade teacher (still in my first year). Amidst all the busyness, we will also be making time to enjoy and prepare for the arrival of our baby!

Ready or not ... the crazy busy life is right around the corner.

17 Going on 18: The Pregnancy Update

This journey to parenthood is pretty incredible! I am nearing the end of week 17—almost halfway through. I can hardly believe it! I am going to share a few thoughts/reactions:

1. I am hungry ALL the time and most days eat like a champ! I am convinced that I am going to double in weight! HA!
2. I can be nausea in the morning and have these amazing cravings by lunch (Nacho Cheese Doritos, Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Burger King). Notice, none of these are healthy cravings!
3. Thanks to my friends, Jacob and Shanna, I now crave McAllisters weekly.
4. It finally happened! I am no longer comfortable in my skinny jeans! This was tragic because I was even using the belly band.
5. I didn't know trying on maternity clothes could be SO depressing ... until I found the maternity section at Target.
6. I finally think I felt Baby M on the move. Yesterday he/she must have been active because I felt several flutters in my belly!
7. My friend Melissa asked why I wasn't stressed about school starting soon. Wow, pregnancy sure has changed my state of mind (perspective).
8. I don't sleep very well at night. I am thinking this will probably not get any better.
9. Matt is super protective of me and the baby ... and I LOVE that! He is going to be a GREAT dad.
10. We find out in ten days if it is a boy or a girl! There is poll on our blog so go vote NOW!

Now I will leave you with one final thought/reaction. Today at church we talked about Psalm 139 and how much we are valued by God. "For you created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:13-14) It really struck home with me as I read about how the baby is growing and changing weekly. It is an incredible reminder that God values each one of us, even Baby M whom He is carefully knitting together day by day.

Chicago Mission Camp

Matt and I just got back from an amazing week in Chicago with the students from ClearView Baptist Church. We explored the city, ate too much Chicago-style pizza, and watched fireworks on the banks of Lake Michigan on the 4th of July. But most importantly we served and ministered to the people at Lamon Avenue Baptist Church and the Garfield/Armitage area of Chicago. Isn't it amazing that you go expecting to minister to others (and you do) but often leave having learned so much more than you feel you have given? I wish I would have taken more pictures but here are a few from the trip.