I have NEVER had a post delete itself before.  It happened to this one. Good grief! I don't even remember what I typed, haha!! I'm going to try to recreate it as best as I can, but I know it won't be nearly as detailed.  Let's start with Zulily.  Have you heard of them?  I joined for free last week, and each day I get an email with daily deals on already-discounted maternity clothes, very cute baby/children's clothes, and other neat items.  Anyway, all that to say, if you decide to join and you end up purchasing one of their adorable items, I get a credit for sending you. So, if you're a mom or a soon-to-be mom, this site might be for you! :) On to the Highlights post! Pregnancy Highlights: How far along :  14 weeks and 1 day today Size of baby:   The Little One is 3 inches long and the size of a large lemon. Total weight gain/loss :  Although I feel like I've gained at least ten pounds this week, I've only gai...

I'm awake. At 7:30 on a Saturday morning.  It's not important why. TheHusbandsethisalarmfor6:00andIcouldn'tgobacktosleep. *clears throat* I'm awake.  I'd rather not be.  I'd rather be curled up in bed sound asleep next to my dozing husband.  Instead, I'm perched in the office chair with a quilt wrapped around me because it's chilly (and because I'm drinking the leftover chocolate shake I got last night).  My tailbone hurts. I'm awake , but I decided, as I climbed out of bed, searched for the drawer in our dark room, found an extra shirt to put on, and walked stealthily out of the bedroom, that I'm not going to be upset that I'm once again the only one awake this early.  I thought to myself:   I'm going to use this time wisely and not waste it. So, I checked email. And, I read a blog. Next, I finished up my Highlights post for Monday (except for the picture we'll take tomorrow before church). Then, people, I really got ...

Hey y'all!   Nope, too southern. Well, hello there!   Too "awake."  Hi again!  It'll have to do. Tomorrow is the beginning of Lent.  Do you fast (give up something important to you) during this season?  Do you go to Ash Wednesday services?    The purpose of Lent is not to sacrifice something to gain forgiveness or to make up for something you've done that you think is separating you from God's love.  Jesus already made the sacrifice for us, and the price has been paid.  All that's required of us is that we accept that truly precious gift and ask His Holy Spirit to help us repent and turn away from the sin in our lives. No, Lent's purpose is to take time away from something you really enjoy, something you love, something you don't think you can go without for long periods of time, and instead, focus that energy, that time, that effort on drawing closer to Christ.  I have fasted in the past (given up sodas, telev...

Yesterday, we decided to make a surprise trip to my hometown to spend the day with my parents since my mom's surgery is today.  It was a really lovely day, and I'm so glad we were able to do that.  While trying to be a blessing to my parents, they were, as usual, incredibly generous and were an amazing blessing to us.  I am very grateful for my parents, and I see the love and generosity of Christ in them often.  What a neat thing to be able to say about one's parents.  I know God has blessed me abundantly with the parents that He chose to raise me , and I hope, oh I hope, that The Husband and I will be such a blessing to the Little One and any future siblings he/she may have.  My mom's surgery will be taking place within the next few hours.  Please continue lifting up my parents as they take the next step in this new, and often frightening, journey.  Thank you!!  Ok, here's this week's Highlights post.  The picture below was tak...

It's official.  Yesterday, I became another year older; one giant step closer to the dreaded 3-0.  I've heard great things about being in that decade... I'm just not quite ready to be released from my twenties. So, I'll start this next year of my life being thankful that I have one whole year before I officially, and forevermore, join the adult table. :D Today, although I really did know it already, I was again reminded of the fact that I have some of the greatest, kindest co-workers out there.  Eleven sweet, gorgeous ladies wrote beautiful sentiments on a lovely card, and they all contributed to a gift I have wanted and needed for YEARS. They got me a camera. A CAMERA! And a memory card.   And a case. I'm telling you.  They are seriously the BEST friends/co-workers around. So, of course I had to try it out!  I'll get better at figuring out the settings I need to use in different circumstances, I'm sure, as I learn my new camera, but I wanted t...

**Updated with picture at the end of the post.   I've been sick for the past 4 days, so I know I'm not looking my best.  There's always next week! :)** Each Monday, I'd like to do a highlights post , including a picture, summarizing the differences in my pregnancy from week to week.  I totally "grabbed" this idea from Kelly , a sweet lady whose blog I read often.  After reading her blog for years, I feel like I know her, but, alas. She did posts like this with both of her pregnancies, and I think it is a great way to jot down the things that I don't want to forget later on.  I have really, really enjoyed this pregnancy so far, and I don't want these moments forgotten. :) I took her general ideas and mixed in a few of my own.  I would like to do these on Sundays when my weeks "change over," but Sundays are our technology - free days.  No cell phones or surfing the web.  Just us.  And maybe some re-runs of Lost . ;) So, here we go! ...

Alternately titled: Why I almost cancelled my Facebook account Life these days is hard is lovely is breath-taking is nail-biting is smile-inducing is nerve-wracking is special and wonderful and scary. Why do I often let myself fall into the trap of wondering whether my God truly cares about us, His children, His people, His creation? Why is my faith so small? Why do I cry and moan when my plans don't come to fruition? Because I'm selfish? Likely. Because I'm here , in this place, instead of over there , you know, where the grass is greener? More likely. Because I'm human? Likelier still. Because I'm hormonal? Haha, that's a given. Because Satan has been given authority over this world, and he gets his kicks by doing his best to push followers of Christ into feeling miserable, depressed, and separated from God? I think the answer is yes. Now, I don't want to give credit where it isn't due, but I do know that his desire is ...