I'm Thankful for...

my husband. I have been going through such a stressful week with my cheerleaders, my pregnancy, and my body hurting all over. My DH has been driving over 2 hours everyday to and from work just to come see me as soon as he can. I know this sounds weird because you would think your husband should be home everyday, but our situation is a little different. He lives over 2 hours away during the week because he works that far and we were trying to save on gas. Well now that gas prices have gone down, he has been driving his suburban back and forth all through the week and not just on the weekends anymore. This means he has to wake up at 4am to get to work on time up north and leaves around 4pm. He doesn't get home until around 6:30-8pm depending on traffic.
I drove up there to his place once and almost died because my butt hurt so bad from sitting for so long. He has been so helpful and has always been there to make me smile or laugh. Sometimes we take for granted the things we have so close to us because we don't realize what it would be like without that one thing. I am treasuring every moment I have with my DH and thank God everyday for guiding me on this path. He is truly amazing and I can't wait to spend our second Thanksgiving together.

Getting to know me... CHRISTmas Edition...

I got tagged by Sherry..read to the end to see if you've been tagged by me!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like both, but gift bags are easiest for me unless I am shipping it to relatives... then, wrapping paper!
2. Real tree or Artificial? Dad says ALWAYS real trees... but at my in-laws, it's fake and at home, it's real!
3. When do you put up the tree? I wish it was ASAP after Thanksgiving, but my dad normally has time the day before Chirstmas Eve... lol hopefully when I get my own house it will be up on Thanksgiving! =) I love Christmas trees...
4. When do you take the tree down? I think it is best in January but I remember having it up until Easter one year... I love my daddy!
5. Do you like eggnog? I never tried it... too afraid because I hate milk... maybe this year-the one that is non-alcoholic... thanks sherry!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Super Nintendo!! It was so awesome! My dad tried to spoil us as much as he could... that's why he is the BEST dad in the whole world!
7. Hardest person to buy for? My dad... he will love anything I get him, but I wish I could get him something he really wanted, yes, like a facet machine!
8. Easiest person to buy for? DEBORAH-she takes anything cute and usable! That's why her gift is already done! =)
9. Do you have a nativity scene? No, I wish... =(
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail!
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? It was at a Cheer Exchange my senior year... she bought a cheer charm and a silver charm bracelet that I saw at the $1 store right next to our school. The charm fell off the first day I put it on. =( I mean, at least try... I went all out with my gift!!!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Elf!!
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? In June from Bath and Body Works and then November and through December... hopefully!
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No, I either return it or use it some how.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My mom's Candy Yams and my dad's Candy Corn. I like sweet things, what can I say!
16. Lights on the tree? Yes. I love lights.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Carol of the Bells and the whole Michael W. Smith "Christmas" cd... when we traveled to California for Christmas my dad would have this cd in the player the WHOLE way there and never took it out. I know ever song in order!! My favorite part is listening to my daddy sing all the songs though!
18. Travel at Christmas or stay at home? We have traveled at Christmas...very long drives to California, but anywhere with family is best for me no matter where it is! ;]
19. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeers? oh great question... ummm, I just tried, maybe not all of them... there are 9 right? haha
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We have had the same melted angel on our tree from Germany but about 10 years ago my mom brought a beautiful angel from her store so now we have both angels up there...
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? We always try at least one present on Christmas Eve but everything else in the morning... after stockings of course and we can't touch anything until everyone is there... mom is usually the one who comes last just to make us wait longer...=)
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Cranky customers at the mall who treat you like crap because you won't give them some secret deal that no one seems to know about except for them... I don't like cheap people...especially when they are negative around this time of year.
23. What theme or color are you using? Christmas colors!!!!!!!
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Anything my mom and dad makes... dad loves making the turkey.
25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Probably gift cards to Babies R Us and Target to get some baby stuff... but for me, I am not quite sure... Gas cards so my DH can come home to me EVERY day. =)
Okay...I am going to tag: Deborah and Esther...they are the only people I know on here... besides Sherry and Hannah but they are tagged already!

I am Thankful for...

I am thankful for my freedom of religion. I had such a good day at church today and I loved the message. Lamentations 3:22-23~ Great is Thy Faithfulness. It was such a blessing to hear about how God will always be faithful to us even when we are faithless. One thing that I thought was funny was a little thing said in church today...

"If all of our thoughts were recorded throughout the week and the played back in church on Sunday, would we change churches?!"

haha... I don't know how much of a reality check that is for some, but for my husband and I, that was a big one. So many times I think things like, "ahhhh this stupid person, get out of my way" when I am driving on the road... or when I get in a fight with a loved one... I am going to try and think about my thoughts and make sure that it is clear because the Pastor ended the story with...

"God hears and knows ALL our thoughts."

This is so true... so be faithful and have a steadfast heart for God... this was my lesson today and I am truly greatful to have the freedom to learn about my Heavenly Father.

Friday Fill-ins

1. The last band I saw live was Rascal Flatts with my DH!
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is being with both families and enjoying a great movie!
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is wishing I had more money to spend.
4. Thoughts of my DH coming home from a hard day's work fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear clothes that fit me.
6. Bagpipes are the weirdest instruments .
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with my wonderful DH, tomorrow my plans include going to visit my parents and coaching cheer at Donkey Basketball and Sunday, I want to go to church, eat, and go straight to work!

Gas be Gone!

Thank goodness the gas is finally going down!!! I can't remember the time it was below $2.00!! Whoo hoo...

22 Weeks

My sisters have been wondering when I would put up some pictures of my belly... so here they are!!! This will probably be the last time I do it too because when I asked my DH to take the pictures he would laugh! I know he wasn't laughing at me, he just thought I was cute, but still... no laughing when I feel big!!! I wasn't sure which angle would be best to show and for some reason I feel bigger than what the picture looks like... you decide! My DH is mad because I have only gained 2 pounds but I asked my doctor and she said it is ok... I am trying to eat all day but I don't know where all the weight goes... Well here they are my darling sisters! Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you think!

I am Thankful for...

I am thankful for all the wonderful beauties God has created for us. I love trees and I love weather... It is wonderful to see all the amazing colors God can put together and have it turn out so gorgeous!

Challenges

So yesterday I decided to take a trip up to Seattle to visit my college roomie Kate. However, she did not live in Seattle, she lives in Kenmore, which is way up north farther than Seattle. Actually, it wasn't even near Seattle! haha, but yes, I went to visit her and we went out to lunch and i saw her apartment. It was great to see her because I haven't seen her since my wedding. We were finally able to catch up on everything! After she went to work I drove up to Snohomish because that is where my husband lives during the week for work. I thought it was 10 minutes away from Kenmore but found out it was bout 40 minutes away!!! I nearly died from having to go to the bathroom so bad and a numb butt from driving the whole day! I thought it was crazy that he lives all the way out in the middle of no where!!! When I knocked on the door he was SO happy to see me and gave me the biggest hug. I told him he was crazy for driving down so far every weekend and wanted to drive down at least once during the week. It made me notice how much he really does love me and cares for me so much. I wish so badly that he could get a job closer to my job so we could live together everyday. I mean, we are married right?! He works hard days doing concrete labor from 5:30am to at least 3 or 4pm everyday. In December he will be receiving full benefits for medical and dental so he is staying with that job for a little longer. His biggest dream is to make enough money to put a down payment on a house for us because he doesn't want to waste money on an apartment. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for the selfless husband I have. He knows that he has to grow up and take responsibility for his family now and he is doing such a great job. I feel bad because I always get on him about the petty stuff... don't leave dirty socks in the bed, pick your wet towel up and hang it in the right spot, don't lay down when you are eating (you kicking you blessings!) as my mom would like to put it, and so on... but what does he say to me when I later apologize for nagging on him? He tells me, babe don't worry about saying sorry, I know I have things to learn and I love you for teaching me new things. How could someone just say that instead of getting mad or make me feel guilty about it? Not him, my husband is so wonderful to me and even though I know we have challenges in our life, we are both doing what we can to make it through and I appreciate him and all his hard work. I love that man and I am so happy we have someone on the way to share our lives with!!!

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. – Galatians 6:9

"While he did have faith and passion he had many challenges to overcome. It was not an easy ride to success, but his through his faith and a passion he did make it." Catherine Pulsifer, from Yanni in Words

"Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character." Author Unknown, from Be Thankful

Changes

It all started with pickles and nectarines. I had my first craving and it was a weird one! Now it's all about new clothes, Jon and Kate Plus 8, A Baby Story, and of course, living in a new house. Right after college I had major life changes and to be honest, I am so happy I did. I love being married and I love being a coach... but most of all... I love being pregnant. Knowing there is a sweet little baby boy in my tummy makes me feel like there is more to life! Plus when I am bored I don't have to worry about talking to someone because he is right there inside of me. Here is a fun picture of how I found out my baby was NOT a girl... (which is what I was really hoping for!)
I don't know if you can see it but it is pretty clear that it does not have 3 white lines (that's how they know it's a girl). My baby was doing a head stand for almost 2 hours!!! It was so aggravating because they tilted the bed with my feet in the air and my head towards the floor. The ultrasound tech was trying to get a picture of my cervix and the baby's head measurements, but he just did not want to move! He even shook his fist at us and kicked me a couple of times... I can tell he will be a handful already! I am so excited for this baby to become a beautiful addition to my family. God has blessed me in so many ways and I am eager to start my new life!!!