A couple of weeks ago, I posted my daily schedule .  I've stuck to it most days; though I freely admit that on other days I've *gasp* completed the things completely out of order, or, dare I say it?, not done certain things AT ALL.  It's so unlike me.  Oh dear!  It appears that my organizational and scheduling habits might be flying out the window..... Kidding .  I don't think I'll ever not be organized.  Even now I'm dreaming of how (thanks to creative ideas on Pinterest!) I'm going to organize the changing table once it makes its way into our room.  Baskets and baskets of cloth diapering goodies!  I can't wait! You should know I'm on the verge of letting out a super girly, giddy squeal.  Anywho, in that schedule, I mentioned my quiet time with the Lord. Although prayers are a personal thing, I do also think that we can encourage one another in our prayer life.  I, myself, find great joy in hearing how others approach the throne of gr...

Last week, each morning after I read my daily Bible chapter, I read  a chapter in A.W. Tozer's The Pursuit of God .  I got it free (if I had an "I-got-it-for-free" dance, this would be where I strutted my stuff!) on my Kindle. If you have a Kindle, I highly recommend downloading this one.  The wording is deep and beautiful (but not too deep that one has a tough time grasping the concepts), and Tozer is completely honest that he's writing it for those who already know Christ.  It's for those who want to know Him more intimately.  I've only read the introduction and the first three chapters, but it's incredibly well-written, and I find myself wishing I could hear him speak in person. Here are some of the pieces I've gleaned and held fast to: "God is a Person, and in the deep of His mighty nature He thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves, desires, and suffers as any other person may.  In making Himself known to us He stays by the familiar pattern of...

Each Sunday, 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 .  I did this with my pregnancy with Hadley, as well, and I still think it is a great way to jot down the things that I don't want to forget later on.  I'll probably write these on Saturday nights and attach the picture the next day.  That way I can stay semi-technology free :) Pregnancy Highlights: How far along :  34 weeks - Third Trimester Size of baby:   Baby Boy is between 19 and 22 inches crown to feet and weighs as much as a pineapple (around 5 pounds) Total weight gain/loss :  At my appointment last Tuesday, I had lost another 1/2 of a pound, so my official weight gain this pregnancy so far is 16 pounds. Maternity clothes:   My "typical" clothing attire is a soft sleeveless tank and soft knit shorts.  If I'm feeling super fa...

"That was a long list of praises." That's what The Husband said last night after we had prayed together before calling it a night.  It was an incredibly long list.  It made us feel incredible to be so thankful for how God has moved recently in our lives and in the lives of those we love. He's moved a lot, and I want to share one specific example of how He's made Himself known over and over again in the last three months.  Hold onto your hats, Ladies and Gents.  ..............................................................................................................................................   Nearly three months ago, I received a Letter of Intent from my headmaster.  It's given to all members of the faculty and staff each year.  In simple terms, it lets the administration know what our plans are for next year:  to return and teach another year or to not return.  They were distributed on the last Friday of February, and...

Each Sunday, 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 .  I did this with my pregnancy with Hadley, as well, and I still think it is a great way to jot down the things that I don't want to forget later on.  I'll probably write these on Saturday nights and attach the picture the next day.  That way I can stay semi-technology free :) Pregnancy Highlights: How far along :  33 weeks - Third Trimester Size of baby:   Baby Boy is around 19 inches crown to feet and weighs as much as a honeydew melon (around 4 1/2 pounds) Total weight gain/loss :  At my appointment last Monday, I had actually lost 1 1/2 pounds (I'm sure due to the low/no fat, gluten-free diet I've been trying to follow.  But.  I have tried out a few foods in moderation that have fat and or gluten, and I've managed to tolerate...

I've got a busy day ahead of me, People. Prepare yourselves...I will be... ~Rearranging my Pinterest folders. ~Staring out the window. ~Playing Candy Crush---have you PLAYED that?? Geez.  The Bestie introduced me to it yesterday, and I can't seem to quit.  Until it makes me, that is. ~Giggling at this video (that The Bestie also introduced me to)! Oh Lawd! ~Searching real estate sites for my dream house.  Y'all, I've been so claustrophobic lately.  It's probably because I'm looking at the same walls day in and day out, which are still looking lovely in all their freshly painted glory.  But, I think I'm nesting, as well, and I really want to get things settled, but because of bed rest, I'm restricted in that.  I want to be washing baby clothes and putting them away.  I want to be arranging furniture in a way that works for our family.  But, the bottom line is, because of financial reasons, this would be the ideal time to move, if we c...

Several people have advised me to "schedule my day," as it were, to keep me from being bored or going stir-crazy while I'm on bed rest.  So, Monday morning, I did just that--I planned out my day.  Then, Tuesday, I tweaked it.  Yesterday, I followed it pretty closely, and this morning it totally went by the wayside. But , I'm almost back on track. :)  I realize I don't have to follow it precisely.  It is MY schedule, after all.  But, because I like organization, and I truly love a good schedule , I think I will enjoy sticking to it.  It seems to make my days go by quickly, and it gives me a sense of feeling productive!  Well, as productive as someone on bed rest can be.  Haha, I need a hobby. So, here's the schedule I planned out.  As you can see, blogging didn't happen until much later this morning.  I had several phone calls and received several texts, so that threw me off (in a good way!). Much of what I do has me either lo...

I thought it was time for another photo collage of my weeks of pregnancy.  This collage is of weeks 24 through 32.  I think my favorite one so far is this week's. :) One observation:  Good grief, I really need a haircut!  I wonder if the sweet gal who's cut my hair for years and years would drive up here and cut my hair.  For some reason, I don't think my doctor will okay a two-and-a-half hour drive just for me to feel less shaggy, haha, and despite the fact that my mom keeps urging me to find someone local to cut my hair, I just can't do it.  Angie's my friend, and more importantly, she knows how to cut my hair!  That's a rare thing!  I might have to do a search on Pinterest on how to cut one's own crazy hair! 

Here follows the story of how I got put on bed rest... Last Monday, after weeks of not having any back pain, we drove up to the Austin area for my uncle's funeral.  I don't know whether it was the long car ride, the church service, the food at the reception after, the long car ride back, or none of those things, but my back began to hurt.  As I've explained before, this pain is a not a dull ache.  It doesn't feel as if I've pulled something or as if something is just really tight.  It's a sharp pain directly behind my ribs on the right side.  It grabs on and stays for the long haul.  Some nights, it's difficult to sleep because no position brings relief to that one spot in my back. Anywho. That was Monday.  Tuesday and Wednesday I had the same pain, along with extra weariness, but I kept pushing along.  There's not much else one can do when one has between five and eight classes of children coming in and out of the library expecting to be re...

Each Sunday, 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 .  I did this with my pregnancy with Hadley, as well, and I still think it is a great way to jot down the things that I don't want to forget later on.  I'll probably write these on Saturday nights and attach the picture the next day.  That way I can stay semi-technology free :) Pregnancy Highlights: How far along :  32 weeks - Third Trimester Size of baby:   Baby Boy is around 19 inches crown to feet and weighs as much as a head of lettuce (4 pounds according to the doctor on Friday) Total weight gain/loss :  So far, I'm up 18 pounds total this pregnancy. Maternity clothes:   I *heart* maternity clothes :) Gender:   A very bouncy baby boy Movement :  Big, uncomfortable movements and small hits and jabs are his thing th...

I thought a collage or two would be fun. This one is from 12 weeks to 23 weeks.  I'll probably do another one in a couple of days for up to where I am now, and then I'll do one from that point until we meet our little man.  I feel huge now, and it's hard to remember what it felt like when I was thin and could wear everything in my closet.  I put on a slip this morning, and I was shocked at how tight it was! I feel like I'm wearing low-riders today, but in the form of a sheer piece of material instead of jeans! :)  

Each Sunday, 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 .  I did this with my pregnancy with Hadley, as well, and I still think it is a great way to jot down the things that I don't want to forget later on.  I'll probably write these on Saturday nights and attach the picture the next day.  That way I can stay semi-technology free :) Pregnancy Highlights: How far along :  31 weeks - Third Trimester Size of baby:   Baby Boy is around 18 inches crown to feet and weighs as much as a head of lettuce (about 3.1 pounds)--at my appointment on Tuesday, the doctor said he weighed 3.3 pounds, so right on track ;) Total weight gain/loss :  So far, I'm up 18 pounds total this pregnancy. Maternity clothes:   I *heart* maternity clothes :) Gender:   A very bouncy baby boy Movement :  He's ...

I don't know what I would do without my faith in Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life.  I think losing someone to death would be unimaginably difficult and completely unbearable. Two days ago, my Uncle David passed away.  It was a shock, and it tore my heart in two.  Uncle David was a man filled with kindness, generosity, love, and humor.  He loved Jesus.  He loved his family.  He loved teaching.  He loved baseball.  He and I had a bond (especially when I was younger), and I'll never forget the time he took with me, the letters he sent, and the small tokens of affection I'd receive periodically in the mail.  He took an interest in me.  And, he was downright fun.  I miss him.  It doesn't yet feel real that he's gone.  I grieve with and pray for my family (especially for his wife and children and his brothers). It's been one year ago today that I delivered and said good-bye to Hadley.  Some moments have been harder ...