Love... my baby

My baby boy at 20 weeks

My DH and I have finally started our birthing classes. We have one every Tuesday for the month of February and our first one was getting to know others and how a baby is born. Listening to everyone's stories in the class really helped me see how lucky I have it during my pregnancy. There were a lot of survival stories and some stories telling about how horrible their pregnancies are going... but mine, nothing to complain about through the whole thing until now. I am now in my eighth month and am now feeling the pain. God has really shown his love through this whole experience because I have not had it that bad. My DH and I talked a lot about the different stories we heard and how we are so blessed. It almost made me love my baby even more, if that is even possible! The love that has grown between my DH and I through this whole experience has made me stop and think about all the blessings our family really has. I know we are not perfect... just yet... but God is always there and He has been showing us what is really important and to make sure we don't let it pass us by. I have so much love for my unborn child and I cannot WAIT until I see him.

Love... through God's eyes

Love... John 13:31-35

We need to learn to do three things in order to love like God wants us to.

1. Accept others unconditionally - Romans 15:7


2. Commit yourself personally - I John 3:16


3. Forgive others freely - Colossians 3:13

God loves us no matter what... it doesn't mean He approves of what we do at all times, but He does accept us. Love needs commitment. One thing that I need to work on and I am sure everyone needs to work on this one is... Remember no more - Hebrews 10:17.

Why is it that we are so easy to judge those that are different or even those that need love the most? Why can we forgive but then say later, we can't forget? Imagine if God told us He would fogive everything we do but will never forget... How would that make us feel?!

My DH and I heard this during our message at church yesterday... it was an eye opener and my DH even wrote a note to me saying, "I will remember no more Yobo!" I thought it was really cute because we both knew this is something that would only help us in life and in our marriage.

We need to offer forgiveness and ask for forgiveness... we need to forgive AND forget. Believe me, it will help you live your life so much happier and it will be filled with love more so than any other feeling. I challange you... can you remember no more?

worst week... great day... what's next?

My car is dead... really dead... it wouldn't start and my DH and I tried figuring out what is wrong. When we couldn't figure it out my father came to Olympia to try and see if he knew what it was... he had no clue. This is the first time my dad didn't know what to do with my car. =( Monday I had a Dr. appt. and my FIL said I could borrow his eclipse. So I drove the eclipse and as I was trying to enter the on ramp to the highway, it went into neutral and wouldn't go... I tried pulling off to the side as much as I could but it was still in the middle of the road. I turned on my emergency flashers and called my FIL right away. It was so scary because people were speeding past me. I am no idiot when it comes to cars... my dad has taught me a lot about cars and what sounds means what problems, but this was a new one. The car started just fine and I could move the shifter, but it would stay in neutral as if it was stuck. I just broke down crying because this is the second car that broke on me. I didn't understand. So my FIL's father came and picked me up and dropped me off at my Dr. appt. I thought it was really nice of him to do that because he doesn't speak good English so we never really talk (or understand eachother) but it was still nice of him.

After the vehicle incident I was at my appt. Come to find out my Dr. wants me on bed rest and drinking lots of liquids. My ultrasound showed that my placenta isn't big enough to produce the amount of nutrients for baby JP. They couldn't find his Right Kidney and his Left Kidney is measuring smaller than it is suppose to. She said we can't do anything about it right now except watch it and tell the Pediatritian when he is born. This did not help my day at all.

That night PJ and I had to toe my car from Olympia to Spanaway. We had to take Yelm Highway because it is not allowed to be on I-5... we both have never toed vehicles before. I did not realize it was going to be an ice box in there and the windshield would be fogged up the entire time. Not to mention I was scared out of my wits to be behind PJ's big suburban being pulled all over. The corners were scary and my stomach was tense and my back was so sore. It turned out to be an hour and a half drive... Of course, right before we get to Roy the toe strap snaps from all the jerking and we have to pull over. Did I mention this is at 10pm and it is freezing?! This was definitely the worst day ever... PJ and I were trying to stay calm but were so frustrated communicating between eachother on our blue tooths... by the time we got to my parents house we were upset with eachother and I just wanted to go to bed...

Finally, Tuesday was cheer practice and a basketball game and I had to go to both because my JV coach was at the dr. with a sinus infection and strep throat. It was the perfect next day. ha!!

So Wednesday I was able to make my appt. to Gene Juarez because my dear friend Elizabeth bought me a spa gift card for my bridal shower gift. Who knew there was $240 enough for the maternity spa package!!! I love that girl so much and knew this was the perfect time to use it! I got the Vichy Shower, a maternity massage and an express pedicure. I went in at noon and was done around 3:45pm. It was exactly what I needed!!! The Vichy shower was amazing. I laid on this bed and was propted up on all these different pillows. Michael put exfoliants all over my body and rubbed it in and then I was showered off by 12 nozzles of water that was above me. I had big soft towels covering my top and bikini area and my face... it was like a pressure wash and my skin was so soft afterwards. Then came the massage and I thought it was going to be hard because I had to lay on my side. It was better than I could have ever imagine!! Topped off by a nice pedicure that made my feet feel relaxed and refreshed. It was a perfect day to help my week.

I know that things will happen and troubles will come my way but never did I think it would come all at once. I am keeping my head up and trying to rest and drink as much as I can... my baby shower is this Saturday and I have a medical test Friday and my ultrasound on Monday so we will find out how Julius is doing. Please pray for us... I know that God will take care of us no matter what... Ok, just had to get it all out... stress, express, and let it go! =)

Mom and her Acupuncture

Waiting in the office on the heating pad... "why only take my socks and shoes off?" -mom

So last week I was able to spend time with mom since my car broke down while being in Spanaway. It was nice because I got to relax and help mom feel better when she had to go get her acupuncture. My mom has a disk in her back that is slipping and it is really hurting her. Therefore, she thought it would be a good idea to get acupuncture at the "Korean Hherb hospital" according to her (emphysis on the HH) we waited for at least a half an hour and when the dr. came in he put a little tiny square sticker on her finger and toe. She started saying, "a po, a po, a po!!" It was the funniest thing in the world because the dr. kept telling her, no no no it doesn't hurt but she definately told him it did... So yes, he took the stickers out of her toe and finger... then she made an appointment to get her back done... she has done this before but she forgot. I remembered that I went with her before so I knew what they were going to do... they used a needle that looked like a clicky pen and poked all these holes in a circle, then they put the cups on and it drains all this blood. It is crazy... so here is what it looks like afterwards.... ta da, the finish product...

I hope it helps her... if not, she has to get back surgery and she does NOT want to do that! Please pray for her...

Pray for Katie

Please pray for my friend Katie. Her husband and she has been trying to get pregnant since last February and finally had their chance. Then, two days ago, God decided to take the baby back. Please pray for her and her husband because I know it is never easy to lose something so special.

30 going on 31... WEEKS!

I can't believe I am almost there! Today I had my 30 week doctor's appointment and learned about little Julius. I was so excited because she said he was doing good and seemed to be healthy. I was not excited, however, about the weight I gained... I gained 20 pounds!!! I could not believe it. I have never weighed 150 pounds in my life and it just shocked me. I know, I know, don't think I am trying to rub it in anyone's face... I have always been very picky about my weight and figure and have worked out long and hard days to keep myself in a healthy weight category. I am glad to know that I gained good weight though and that I am where I am suppose to be. My DH has been getting sad because he thinks I am not big enough... but my dr. assured me that I am where I should be and the baby is just laying in a different position. Good boy Julius... don't grow and lay in front of me!! =) So my DH took some pictures of what I look like now... Don't laugh... he thought it was like a photo shoot and wouldn't quit so I have some "mean" faces! lol Let me know what you think!!! =)


First Pic... not so bad...


How could he say I am not getting big?!


Not so bad...

OK! ENOUGH!!

Nesting

I finally got my Sweetpeace Swing and my Melbourne Pack n' Play!! I can't wait to get it all set up. I have to go to work today and I am too excited about my new stuff. I have been cleaning my room and rearranging it so much just to get it perfect for my little boy. It feels so weird that I am having a baby soon. It is crazy to think I am at this point already. I remember when I was a cheerleader in high school and never thought I would be in this stage in life at age 22. I have to be honest, I always said I would be married by age 22 and have my first son by age 24. I love the way God works because I said that up until my 3rd year of college. =) I look back on the year 2008 and think about all my accomplishments and successes... nothing really sticks out that brings me too much excitement. All I can really think about is what the year 2009 holds for me. I have grown in so many ways, watching all my siblings raise their children, I feel like I am ready for my own. I can't wait till baby Julius is in my arms and is helpless without me. I can't wait to be a mommy and I thank God how everything has turned out for me in my life.
I bought a new trial size bottle of lotion from my work, BBW, it is called Optimsm and that is what I am going to be for the new year. I will take everything God gives me and turn it into something positive-a blessing from God. Enjoy life, take it one day at a time, and dont be too busy that something great passes you by. We need to learn to be patient and take things slow... now a days we are rushing rushing... stop and look around you, stop and think of all the great things God has given us and stop to thank Him for everything you have.