Monday, June 24, 2013

Bumpdate {34 weeks}

Happy Monday! Today starts a new work week for my husband and he would appreciate any prayers. 

I know I am a little behind but let's do a bumpdate! (: 

How Far along: 34 weeks {in the picture.. But today I am actually 34 weeks 4 days}

Size Of Baby: baby v is about the size of a small cantaloupe {5.5 lbs. 19-22 inches}

Maternity Clothes:  summer dresses, and yoga pants at the house. 

Stretch Marks: oh ya! Got some beautiful proof of growing this baby boy.

Weight Gain: I have gained a whopping 35 lbs already! I am totally in shock!!!

Sleep:  it's okay. The hardest part is turning from side to side. I bet it looks hilarious! 

Best Moment of the Week:  today I received a package from my sister filled with adorable things for Seth! Blankets, towels, tons of clothes, and the cutest mustache pacifier! Looking at all those tiny clothes is making me even more excited! 

Movement:  tons and tons! My whole belly moves and you can see little lumps poke out. Hehe. I never knew what it would feel like but it is so incredible. 

Cravings: Frosty's from Wendy's. I could probably eat one every day. Oh! And frosted mini wheats with bananas. Mmm! 

Gender: all boy

Belly Button In or Out: out. Haha it looks funny in my shirt. 

Wedding Ring on or Off: my band is off -- but my new wedding ring is comfortably on. 

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick:  no

What I Miss: wearing shoes lol. My feet have started to puff up so all my shoes feel tight. I wear sandals when Martin and I go out and usually take them off haha

What I am Looking Forward to:  holding him! Hehe. But also my shower is Saturday! I am so so so excited for that! 

Nursery: it's sporty animals but we haven't really decorated. Lol I also got wood letters that spell out his name that I plan on painting. 

Emotions:  happy, excited, overjoyed, little nervous, and loving! I just love this little boy so much! I am excited to be a mother and to see him grow. 

What baby is up to: Seth is probably as long as he will be at birth but will grow in pounds. Possibly a pound a week! He can open and close his eyes and his toenails and fingernails are all grown! He is loved by his family and adored by The Lord. Seth is fearfully and wonderfully made! 

Baby bumps and love. - Monica 


Saturday, June 22, 2013

Thoughts on forgiveness

It's been way to long lovelies!!! 

The past few weeks have been filled with daily cleaning, snuggles with my pup, loving time with my Husby, and even more revelation from The Lord. 

Recently a good friend of mine forgave someone in their life for years and years of past hurt {like 20 or more years}. 
My friend's complete selflessness and understanding made me take a long look at my own unforgiveness in my life. 
I realized.....

.... I don't forgive well.

I hold on to the hurt as some strange way to protect myself. I distance myself so far from the person that I need to forgive -- even with people I shouldn't distance myself from. I justify my behavior because so-and-so did such-and-such so I don't have to forgive them. But the Bible says to forgive so that we can be forgiven {Luke 6:37} and that we need to forgive 70x7 times {Matthew 18:22}.... Although I know sometimes it feels like for some people we have almost forgiven that many times (kidding).  The Bible even says that we should PRAY and LOVE our enemies {Matthew 5:44-45}. That's a little hard to do when we have unforgiveness in our hearts. 

I was dealing with some unforgiveness recently that was just eating away at my heart. It was hard to focus. My heart felt broken. And.... I was angry. But after weeks of feeling this way I realized that this was just hurting me. So I started to ask The Lord to help me forgive and to see this person through God's eyes. 
Forgiving this person does not say that what they did was ok. Forgiveness says  that they hurt me deeply but I am CHOOSING to release that hurt. This person and I are restoring our relationship and working on trust -- and it's a great thing. 

We are all human. We make mistakes. People let us down. Forgiveness is something that is needed in all relationships and I pray that I can continue to grow in this area. 

I think that there is no magical number in how long it should take to forgive someone. Forgiveness is so personal. Also in some cases we need to move that person further away from our hearts... And I believe that is ok. Forgiveness is not is not for the person who hurt us - its for us. 

So those are some thoughts I have been having for the past few weeks. 
Praying for every single one of you and that a fresh encounter with The Lord will be experienced this next week! And if any of you need to forgive someone {even if its yourself} I pray that you can take that step and just release that person. 

Forgiveness and love. - Monica 

Friday, June 7, 2013

Fridays Letters

Lets write some letters today with Ashley! 

Dear Husby, 
I love you and I am so proud of you! I am so glad that I have you to work through things! I know marriage isn't perfect but I am beyond blessed to be figuring this out alongside of you! Thank you for pointing me to Christ and reminding me what grace looks like. 

Dear Southern Summer, 
I am sorry -- but I kinda hate you! Hot and muggy is not what I call happiness. I never want to leave my house. So lets work on this humidity. I am sure my husband would appreciate it too. Thanks! 

Dear Sophia Belle, 
You are so incredibly sweet when you snuggle up to me on the couch. Remember you have a brother coming soon and you will need to make room for him. Also thank you for staying out of the rain today! Kisses! 

Dear Baby V, 
Well I am sure you know your daddy's voice! At our ultrasound you didn't move until daddy started talking and then you waved. You are the most beautiful and precious boy I have ever laid my eyes on. We cannot wait to meet you, my love bug! Feeling you kick and hearing your heart beat are my two favorite things! 
 We pray for you every single day! I love you! 

Dear PUPPS, 
Thank you for picking me out of 200 pregnant women to attack! These itchy red bumps all over are so not fun! So if you don't mind - you have over stayed your welcome. 

Dear lovely readers/followers/friends, 
You are all beautiful and inspiring! Thank you for walking along this journey with me! I am praying for you all to have a fresh encounter with The Lord! Every single one of you have such an amazing story and gifts! Getting comments and emails from you warm my heart! 

And I leave you with a reminder for the single ladies (all the single ladies) and the married ones as well! (;