29 (ish) Days Till D-Day!

I am now 29 days away from meeting sweet baby Adelynn! Crazy we're that close...and yes, I know my tentative due date because we plan it (that is unless I go into labor earlier than that). I'll do a post on the "planning" part later.
I had an appointment this morning and everything looks great! Her heartbeat was loud and strong in the 150's, my blood pressure was still in the normal range, and weight gain was on track. I was actually concerned about the weight gain because I've gained a significant amount in the past 2 weeks (about 8 pounds and you're suppose to be 1-2 per week??), but he said since I went through a phase where I lost/wasn't gaining over past few months, that I'm "catching up" now to some degree and that I'm right where I should be...let's just hope this doesn't trend the remaining 4 weeks.

My main issue right now is my sciatic nerve is irritated big time - especially when I work out, and when I'm done, it feels as if the entire right side of my body is being electrocuted from the hip down to my toes - not fun. Anyone have experience with this??? I've googled it and some say to keep working out/stretch to keep muscles loose, and others say absolutely stop working out or it will just get worse. Opinions???

Bethany has been trying to get me to do maternity pics for months now (seriously) and I keep putting her off because I'm not a fan of having my picture taken. I finally gave in last night. We found this super great spot within walking distance of my house that I'm excited to use for the kids when Adelynn gets here.
Here's a few...the rest are on my FB page.
HAve a great week!!! I'm excited for my shower this weekend my sweet friends put together!!! :)

How Cool is This?!

My sister has talked to me recently about how she feels God has been speaking to her through the sun in various ways. I think this is no exception.

I found this picture super inspirational they got last night while watching the sunset on Mt. Sequoya. I hope you do, too! 

Sisters

God draws us close through tragedy.
He reveals Himself to us in ways we've never experienced when a loss is involved. A wise man once told my husband that he believes God can't really use a person until he's experienced some sort of loss...until he realizes that everything fails, except for God, and there becomes a total surrender.

How has God been teaching me?
Through my sister...my best friend.

It's funny because she's my baby sister (okay, only by 16 months!), and sure God has used us in each other's lives at various points to draw us closer to him through the unique bond we share, but He has never shined through her so brightly as I've seen in the past few months.

If any of you who know her have actually taken the time to just sit and listen to her, you know the wisdom I'm talking about...the truths about God you walk away with...how alive the Holy Spirit is within her through this time, granting her peace, comfort, guidance...things ONLY of God at a time like this. If you get the opportunity to be around her - listen - don't miss it, because you'll miss Jesus speaking to your heart.

What the Lord has been teaching me through my best friend:
- That older doesn't mean wiser...how God uses anyone - regardless of age/gender/etc. who is willing and receptive - to speak His truths;
- about His quickness and readiness to bind up broken hearts...even if we need them binded 1000 times each day.
- that Jesus draws near (as He promises) when we seek Him; Amy starts her day every morning doing this, drawing on His strength.
- She's showing me how to love deeper; she is such a patient and gracious person to people, even in this time, and it's been a massive testimony to me about God's love for us
- How sometimes when you speak less, God shines even brighter. I admire my sister's quiet spirit.
- In the midst of (in my opinion) the worst thing that can happen in your life, Amy chooses to be fueled by her passion for Christ and her fervor for others to know Him - this is incredibly humbling and equally inspiring.
- She reminded me - through example - that it's ALL ABOUT JESUS. Period.

Thank you sweet sister...my best friend for teaching more about Christ! You cried when I went to college and I get misty-eyed on my drives home away from your house in Fayetteville these days because I cherish our time so much. I can't wait for the day we get to see Tucker run full speed into your arms again!!!!

You can follow her journey here at her blog...I'd encourage you too!



This Day

Good Friday...last year on this day, Bethany & Brandon watched our kids (during a tornado, mind you) while Jason and I went to watch The Passion with Amy and Nate at Fellowship. For some reason, last Easter weekend was the realest experience I have ever had of what Christ did for me. I remember thinking to myself, "Why have I never truly gotten the gravity and breadth of what Jesus did for me? For us?" And I felt a little guilty. But that was quickly followed by God's grace reminding me that my journey with Him is just that...a journey. And that the closer I draw to Him, the more He reveals about Himself and His love for me.

And then there is today...Good Friday...one year later. Some things are the same: My parents are coming to watch the kids tonight so we can go spend time with Amy & Nate. But for obvious reasons, this year is different. And my experience of Easter and what Christ did is, yet again, different. It's not that He changes, or what He did for us changes, but it's that He has continued to change me...to mold my heart....to again, make His death and resurrection even more real, even more amazing.

Today, many years ago, was the worst day in human history. Satan thought the battle was his. But then God took this day - the worst in human history - and made it the BEST day in human history three days later.

Thank you Lord we can call you REDEEMER! Thank you that, in light of our family's recent worst day in our personal human experience, you bridged the gap between our sinfulness and Your glory...creating a place where we can worship and dwell with you FOREVER! Thus though we experience immense pain, we can - with confidence - take heart because you have overcome this world.

"Oh praise the One who paid my debt,

and raised this life up from the dead!"

33 Weeks

Thought I'd do a pregnancy update...first with all that's been occurring in our lives over the past 5 weeks, there were a few times in there I would get nervous about little Adelynn growing in my belly. I know the immense stress, lack of sleep/proper nutrition, and added physical strain on my body due to the previous 3 was not optimal conditions for growing a baby girl in my belly. Then, add to that, a completely shot immune system, anemia, literally being sick for 2 months straight, and missing two of my scheduled doc appointments because I frankly just forgot - well, there were times I would stop and have a twinge of nervousness about her health.
But God is gracious (and humorous at times) and I swear has given me the gift of insane movement from her over these past few months! So much that I have literally been awake until 5:30 in the morning feeling her, unable to fall asleep because of its intensity.
At times it can be frustrating, but then I remind myself, there's no greater sign that she is alive and well. :)
The good news is I'm FINALLY sickness-free at least!!!!!

How Far Along: 33 Weeks

Gender: Girl - Adelynn Faith

Maternity Clothes: Um, yes. And because it's unseasonably HOT, I have about 3 shirts to rotate between. Fantastic.

Weight gain: 21 pounds

Movement: Lots of movement!

Sleep: Pretty good, but I can't get enough. This past week I have hit a crazy wall of straight exhaustion.

Symptoms: EXHAUSTION. This is way worse at this point than with either previous pregnancies. I went to Target today with a large list and left with a box of hangers because I could barely stand after being there a short time.

Cravings: Due to being sick for past 2 months and losing our sweet Tucker, I have had to remind myself to eat. Nothing has tasted good. But I'm finally over the sickness so I'm sure that will change.

Best moment this week: Accomplishing getting all the closets in the house cleaned out and cabinets organized with baby stuff. It was a massive accomplishment for me.

Hardest Moments of the Week: Getting through my workouts...it's all I can do to get through one these past few weeks (but I'm still trying!)

What I'm Looking Forward To: Some of my sweet friends are throwing me a shower in a few weeks!

Another glamour shot (ha):

JOY

I haven't had a computer for two weeks now (maybe longer actually), and I have tons of posts swirling in my head, but for now, I thought I'd share a little JOY on here. :)

"Whoever loves his brother abides in the light!"    John 2:10

Noble Faith

So last night was one of those nights...one of those where I go to bed exhausted, only to hit the pillow and have my mind suddenly start swirling about all the recent tragic events that have shaken up our family. These nights seem to be happening a lot this past week and I'm sure there will be many more.

Last night though I had more feelings of despair than of sadness/hope. I cried a lot laying there in bed, imagining the images Nathan described on that night, trying to place myself in their shoes through all of this in the most realistic ways possible, imagining the years to come where we won't get to see Tucker grow and develop through each exciting milestone, picturing the "what-if's" of Lincoln and Noah playing with their cousin through the years...all will a total despairing feeling...all through my tears...and all the while asking the big WHY???!!! question.

It was a complete lapse in faith moment that quickly headed on a down spiral.

So I began to pray and cry before Jesus asking for His new mercies to come with the morning...praying for Him to reveal more of His plan to Amy and Nate (and all of us), and asking forgiveness for my lack of faith.

I have come to love the verse describing how "His mercies are new every morning!". Because this morning, the were new, I was refreshed, and my faith was restored. I had the thought (probably off base) last night, that's it's almost as if when the dark of night comes, the mercies start to "run out" or get trampled over by the business/sins/issues of the day...and then how pertinent that verse...I love that it specifies they are new in the morning... Like after the darkness, comes in His new mercies...

And last night during my moment, our little baby girl in my belly started kicking like crazy. At first this even made me extremely sad. I started imagining Tucker when he was born and the joy we all felt...and even had some feelings of guilt that here I was about to have another baby in less than 2 months (which I know guilt is not of God!).

Then it hit me...her name.

Adelynn Faith.
Which means "Noble Faith"...a faith that set high apart from everything else.
We named her this in light of the issues we thought we might be facing with her early on in pregnancy. And now, God has broadened the meaning of her name much more, in such a more dynamic way. It reminded me of how that early scare became an answered prayer by Him...how He took care of her; took care of us.
And here He was again, last night, calling on me to continue to have noble faith. He reminded me of it through her little kicks.
Throughout her time in my womb, God has called on us now at the beginning of her life and here toward the end of her time in my belly, to have a faith like we've never had before.
We prayed about her name a lot, and I felt so strongly at the time that God was naming her for us.
Her name is absolutely perfect. More perfect than I had ever before even dreamed.
I can't wait to teach her all about the breadth of what her name represents and the lessons God brought with it...to teach her about the cousin she never knew...her God who is always faithful...and then how every time I say it, be reminded that God has, will, and will continue to carry us.
My little Adelynn Faith. I can't wait to meet her!!!!!!

My sis wrote an amazing blog about how her faith has been challenged and the ways in which Jesus is already teaching her more about Himself. I hope you read it and are inspired like I was!!!