Still Pregnant

I haven't posted in a while so I thought I would check in quickly to update everyone to the fact that yes I am still very much pregnant, 38 weeks and counting. My intuition says that this baby is coming sometime this week but who knows. I've never done this before so I could be WAY off.

Right now it feels as if everything is about this little baby. Jon and I have been working hard to make sure everything is ready and all of the lose ends are tied up. The baby's bed is made, car seat is installed, phone tree set up, and the hospital bags are packed. Those items are just a few of the things I have been checking off my to-do list before the big day arrives. Thankfully there really isn't much else that needs to be done We're ready, well as ready as you can be when it comes to having your first baby.

Now that everything is in place we wait! I've told numerous people that I feel like a ticking time bomb. My sisters, mom, friends and other family members are anxiously awaiting the phone call telling them that I am in labor. I spend most of the day thinking about what our precious baby will look like and what my labor is going to entail. I wonder when I will go into labor, where I will be, how I will handle the pain, what it will be like to finally meet our child coupled with the excitement of finding out if it's a boy or girl and how it will feel to bring our little one home for the first time. This whole situation just seems so surreal. It almost feels as if it will never happen but my body is certainly telling me otherwise. My back hurts, bending/squatting down is a chore, getting out of bed and turning over are all monumental tasks that require more energy than I often feel like expending.

With all of the aches and pains that come with pregnancy I am still incredibly thankful. The past 9 months have been a huge time of growth full of challenges and stress. I know without any doubt that becoming a mom will teach me more than I could have ever imagined and will change me to my very core. This is really happening!

You Alone Can Rescue

We are singing this song in church today and the lyrics keep running through my head so I thought I would share this song in hopes that it encourages someone else. Enjoy!

You Alone Can Rescue:

Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,
Their own soul could heal?
Our shame was deeper than the sea
Your grace is deeper still

You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise

You, oh Lord, have made a way
The great divide You heal
For when our hearts were far away
Your love went further still
Yes, your love goes further still

You alone can rescue, You alone can save
You alone can lift us from the grave
You came down to find us, led us out of death
To You alone belongs the highest praise
To You alone belongs the highest praise
To You alone belongs the highest praise

You alone

We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life
We lift up our eyes, lift up our eyes
You’re the Giver of Life

The Provision of Our Great God

This is a duplicate post from my baby blog but I loved the post so much that I wanted to add it here too.

Last month was so full of the goodness of God. It's not that His goodness changes, just sometimes my heart is in a better place to take notice. We have been so blessed by the amazing love and support we have received from our friends and family. My mom and sisters threw me a surprise shower in Pennsylvania when Jon and I went to visit in July. Here is just a small pictures of the graciousness of those closest to us.

And this is how the love of Christ was displayed...

Last weekend, two of my dear friends here in Louisville put together a wonderful shower for me. I've told Jon this numerous times but I never imagined I have would made such amazing godly friends through such a crazy job. That Saturday I was surrounded by tons of girl friends and some family too. What did I say? Yes, we are blessed beyond measure. I love these girls!!

Can I just say that many of these women have the love language of gift giving. Their generosity is so humbling.

Now Jon and I are busy organizing and preparing our apartment for our new addition. I can't even say how wonderful it feels to have little baby things all over the place. It makes this seem even more real. We have what we need, and are putting everything in it's place...now I think we are about ready to meet our little one. I can't wait!!!!!!!!!

Summer Vacation

Well, I'm back. It has been a month or more since my last post. That's pretty shameful. In all honesty there hasn't been much to report. The past couple of months have been full of some discouragement and weariness brought on by our situation as we wait on the Lord's timing. I've just felt at a loss for words. There have been no dynamic revelations or miraculous answers to prayer but the Lord remains faithful just the same. His still small voice has been my close friend recently as I've taken joy in seeing God move quietly but lovingly through my friends, family, and especially Jon. His inerrant Word has been invaluable reminding me of His faithfulness. Often times I find myself repeating the truth that God is unchanging, his character remains the same. God is always faithful to his people, always. I know I've repeated that truth a lot lately in my blog but I need to hear it every day. In the midst of the waiting recently God has done a lot of renewal in the hearts of me and my husband. We are both feeling more refreshed concerning his ministry search and the excitement of our upcoming journey into parenthood brings so much joy as we get closer to meeting our little one. I have less than six weeks left for those who are counting!!

Part of this season of renewal came through time with family. Almost the whole month of July Jon and I traveled to different states to see our respective families. It was a time of much needed rest and relaxation and, like all vacations, it went far too quickly. I have a ton of pictures from these trips but I don't have access to most of them right now so I'll post back later with more pictures.

During the first part of July, Jon and I drove up to Chicago to meet up with some of his extended family, many of whom I hadn't seen since our wedding! It was a short trip but so worth it. After spending four days back at work we hit the road again to head up to Pennsylvania to visit my family. My mom and two younger sisters threw me a surprise shower. Jon and I were beyond blessed by the support and love we received through our friends and family.

Near the end of our visit Jon had a little surprise in store for me as well. He took me on a day trip down to Washington D.C. to celebrate our four year anniversary. Just to give you some background, D.C. holds a special place in my heart because that is where Jon proposed! So we spent the day visiting places like Ford's Theatre, the Peterson House, the National Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History and we even walked back up to the capitol to the exact spot where Jon popped the question. Since it was night when he proposed I wanted to go back and get some pictures taken.

A picture of us in front of the capitol building. Behind us you can see a reflecting pool and the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial. The platform overlooks the National mall. It was on that platform that Jon proposed.

Here are a few re-enactments.


After spending a whole day walking around D.C. (I have to say that I am quite proud of myself for braving the DC heat), Jon took me to the Old Ebbitt Grill, where we had an amazing meal and probably one of the best desserts I have ever tasted!

Now we are back to the grind working 3rd shift and feverishly preparing for the arrival of our little one. Not much longer and this family of two will become a family of three!!