My (unborn) son seems to have a new favorite game. It's called, "Hide From Anyone and Everyone But Mommy." Also known as, "Make Mommy Look Crazy."
You'd think I like this little game of his because it leaves me as the sole observer of his play. But, no. It just drives me crazy.
Why, you ask? I'll tell you.
See, this is how the game goes:
He moves around...not just sweet little moves inside...but major, "I'm busting outta this joint" kind of moves. I can actually watch my belly morph into the oddest, most random shapes. There truly have been a few moments when I feel like I need to hold on tighter to the computer for fear that it might get pushed off my lap...no exaggeration.
So, what's the "game" part?
As soon as I call Matt (or anyone else, for that matter) into the room, he stops. I'm pretty sure Matt thinks I'm making things up. While I was watching Jack and Caroline today, he was really going nuts in there. I made them pause the movie they were watching (yes, I let them watch a movie...have I mentioned that I'm almost 8 months pregnant???) and come over to watch him dance around. I thought they'd enjoy getting to see that. So, what did he do? He stopped. Didn't move at all. Because they have the attention span of ants, they "politely" asked if they could turn the movie back on.
Dear Sweet Son of Mine,
I love you more than I can say. But you are really causing me to question my sanity. And I'm fully aware that this is not the last time you will inadvertently make me, as your dear mother, look/feel like an idiot, but it's just too much for you not even being here yet. I just want you to know that I want to show you off to everyone, but I'll settle for just showing you off to Daddy. Please...I beg you...please bust a move. I'll give you chocolate, if you will.
(Am I already a bad mom for bribing my son with chocolate?)
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Why They Call It "Expectant"
Sometimes I find myself in a battle of mixed emotions. I can't seem to decide how I feel about the fact that there's less than three months left until Josiah's here. (!!!!!!) Maybe it's just another side effect and symptom of pregnancy as a result of hormones gone crazy, but I definitely feel sometimes like I'm schizophrenic.
One moment, I'll be freaking out that there's only three months left!!! Not only do we have nothing for him yet except a box of clothes, a semi-painted crib (that's not put together yet) and a single impossibly tiny little diaper. (Something tells me that that one little diaper won't last very long.) But I also have no idea how to get him from being cozy in there to the outside world. Sure, I have my ideas (or nightmares) of how it'll be; yes, I've watched A Baby Story and have seen other peoples' labor and delivery; of course, I've been reading through What To Expect and various other pregnancy books...but really, I have no clue what to truly expect. Not to mention that he's still not wholly and completely formed yet. So, yeah...most of the time I think there's not enough time to get everything done that needs to get done before he gets here. So, let's just leave him in there a while longer and let him get a little cuter. And let Mommy and Daddy enjoy a few more days of sleep.
But then I watch one of those episodes of A Baby Story (really, why do I keep torturing myself with this???) or see someone else get to hold their new life in their arms and I just completely lose it...uncontrollably. I get so jealous and my heart feels like it really can't take the wait a moment longer. I just have to know what he looks like and how he feels in my arms and what it sounds like when he cries and how his daddy looks at him.
But then, in both moments of unpreparedness and longing, the LORD's gentle peace comes over me, reminding me to stop thinking of the future and to take in all of today. To pause and truly experience the joy of expectancy now. To continue to marvel at the tiny kicks and flips because it won't be long until I'll be trying so hard to remember what they felt like. To enjoy the daily growth of my belly...aches and all. And to remember that He holds all time in His hands and He, in His infinite wisdom and understanding, has set aside this specific length of time to perfectly grow a baby and to get ready, in mind and resource, to take proper care of this little guy.
I want to enjoy every minute of today. And I plan on it. I mean, it is Friday...and a snow/ice day...and I have a pizza in the freezer and chocolate in the fridge...and lots of cuddling to do with my baby-daddy.
One moment, I'll be freaking out that there's only three months left!!! Not only do we have nothing for him yet except a box of clothes, a semi-painted crib (that's not put together yet) and a single impossibly tiny little diaper. (Something tells me that that one little diaper won't last very long.) But I also have no idea how to get him from being cozy in there to the outside world. Sure, I have my ideas (or nightmares) of how it'll be; yes, I've watched A Baby Story and have seen other peoples' labor and delivery; of course, I've been reading through What To Expect and various other pregnancy books...but really, I have no clue what to truly expect. Not to mention that he's still not wholly and completely formed yet. So, yeah...most of the time I think there's not enough time to get everything done that needs to get done before he gets here. So, let's just leave him in there a while longer and let him get a little cuter. And let Mommy and Daddy enjoy a few more days of sleep.
But then I watch one of those episodes of A Baby Story (really, why do I keep torturing myself with this???) or see someone else get to hold their new life in their arms and I just completely lose it...uncontrollably. I get so jealous and my heart feels like it really can't take the wait a moment longer. I just have to know what he looks like and how he feels in my arms and what it sounds like when he cries and how his daddy looks at him.
But then, in both moments of unpreparedness and longing, the LORD's gentle peace comes over me, reminding me to stop thinking of the future and to take in all of today. To pause and truly experience the joy of expectancy now. To continue to marvel at the tiny kicks and flips because it won't be long until I'll be trying so hard to remember what they felt like. To enjoy the daily growth of my belly...aches and all. And to remember that He holds all time in His hands and He, in His infinite wisdom and understanding, has set aside this specific length of time to perfectly grow a baby and to get ready, in mind and resource, to take proper care of this little guy.
I want to enjoy every minute of today. And I plan on it. I mean, it is Friday...and a snow/ice day...and I have a pizza in the freezer and chocolate in the fridge...and lots of cuddling to do with my baby-daddy.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A Shameless Plug: The Revival Study Bible
Any Bible in any form or translation is incredible. And I know everyone has their own favorite version. I, personally, grew up memorizing scripture in the NIV, so I tend to gravitate more towards it for simple reading and study.
Until we got this as a Christmas gift.
Seriously. It.is.AMAZING! Every single morning (and sometimes randomly in the day), I get excited about picking it up and reading through it because I know there's gonna be something good in there. I mean, it's the Bible. So, of course there's always gonna be something good to read in there. But I have never read through the Old Testament with such hunger and enthusiasm. I've always been more of a New Testament kinda girl, but I started noticing how one-sided my knowledge of the Word was becoming. I have tried so many times to read in the Old Testament (besides Psalms, Proverbs and a few others) but have never really stuck to it. So, I started the new year in the beginning and have really been enjoying it.
So, what's different this time around? It could be my maturity. It could be my determination to stick to it. It could be my sheer desire to learn more and be more well-rounded. It could be all these things and more. But I attribute my new-found excitement to all the incredible extra "stuff" packed into this particular publication of the Bible. I'm able to understand SO MUCH MORE about the implications of these stories that I've grown up hearing.
I wish I could give an accurate explanation/description of what I mean by "stuff" but unless you get your hands on one and flip through it yourself, my words are no good. I will, however, attempt to give you a taste of what I mean.
Throughout the whole Bible, there are little (and sometimes not-so-little) nuggets of truth, wisdom and insight to various passages, specifically in regard to revival. There are quotes from past authors and revivalists; pages of bios on men and women who were involved in or influenced by revivals from all over the world; information on what condition our hearts need to be in for revival and what conditions are hindrances to revival. The editors of this Bible left no stone unturned while putting this together. It truly is an incredible weapon and tool for anyone who wants to see a move of the Lord.
At the risk of making this post even longer, I feel I must give at least one example of what's in this massive book. Here's an extra that has left me challenged and thinking on it throughout the day:
From the story of Joseph's interaction with Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39...this is just a section of the quote written by Charles H. Spurgeon.
"In contending with certain sins, there remains no mode of victory but by flight...It is true that I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company, but I had better leave my cloak than lose my character; it is not needful that I should be rich, but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin."
There's so much incredible goodness in this Bible. If you happen to have a birthday coming up, or graduation or an extra $100 sitting around...please go here, to this website, and order one. You absolutely will not regret it.
Until we got this as a Christmas gift.
Seriously. It.is.AMAZING! Every single morning (and sometimes randomly in the day), I get excited about picking it up and reading through it because I know there's gonna be something good in there. I mean, it's the Bible. So, of course there's always gonna be something good to read in there. But I have never read through the Old Testament with such hunger and enthusiasm. I've always been more of a New Testament kinda girl, but I started noticing how one-sided my knowledge of the Word was becoming. I have tried so many times to read in the Old Testament (besides Psalms, Proverbs and a few others) but have never really stuck to it. So, I started the new year in the beginning and have really been enjoying it.So, what's different this time around? It could be my maturity. It could be my determination to stick to it. It could be my sheer desire to learn more and be more well-rounded. It could be all these things and more. But I attribute my new-found excitement to all the incredible extra "stuff" packed into this particular publication of the Bible. I'm able to understand SO MUCH MORE about the implications of these stories that I've grown up hearing.
I wish I could give an accurate explanation/description of what I mean by "stuff" but unless you get your hands on one and flip through it yourself, my words are no good. I will, however, attempt to give you a taste of what I mean.
Throughout the whole Bible, there are little (and sometimes not-so-little) nuggets of truth, wisdom and insight to various passages, specifically in regard to revival. There are quotes from past authors and revivalists; pages of bios on men and women who were involved in or influenced by revivals from all over the world; information on what condition our hearts need to be in for revival and what conditions are hindrances to revival. The editors of this Bible left no stone unturned while putting this together. It truly is an incredible weapon and tool for anyone who wants to see a move of the Lord.
At the risk of making this post even longer, I feel I must give at least one example of what's in this massive book. Here's an extra that has left me challenged and thinking on it throughout the day:
From the story of Joseph's interaction with Potiphar's wife in Genesis 39...this is just a section of the quote written by Charles H. Spurgeon.
"In contending with certain sins, there remains no mode of victory but by flight...It is true that I may be an apparent loser by declining evil company, but I had better leave my cloak than lose my character; it is not needful that I should be rich, but it is imperative upon me to be pure. No ties of friendship, no chains of beauty, no flashings of talent, no shafts of ridicule must turn me from the wise resolve to flee from sin."
There's so much incredible goodness in this Bible. If you happen to have a birthday coming up, or graduation or an extra $100 sitting around...please go here, to this website, and order one. You absolutely will not regret it.
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