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 

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 

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! (; 

Bumpdate {31 weeks}

I haven't done a bumpdate in awhile! And I am excited to tell you how I have been! 

Baby bumpdate 

How Far along: 31 weeks. Crazy, right?

Size Of Baby: baby v is the size of a small melon. He is about 19 inches and is weighing probably around 3.5 lbs!

Maternity Clothes:  leggings and shirts and then summer dresses!!! Although I wish I had some maternity shorts. 

Stretch Marks: I am covered! I told my husband that by the time Seth is born I will have stretch marks up to my chest! Ha. 

Weight Gain:  I weighed myself the other day and I am up 30 pounds! Whoop whoop! 

Sleep:  I am sleeping better since I started drinking mama peaceful sleep tea.

Best Moment of the Week:   My babymoon! Husby planned an amazing weekend getaway at the lake! {I will add photos at the end}. He also got me a beautiful new wedding ring as an anniversary gift. The waiter brought out this gold wrapped present and when I opened it the ring was in there. It was so sweet. 

Movement:  lots! Sometimes I wake up from sleep from a hard jab. Haha. Martin feels it too when we are snuggling. 

Cravings: cheese and crackers! I want it like everyday.

Gender: all boy! 

Belly Button In or Out: it is now out haha. 

Wedding Ring on or Off: my original wedding ring got too tight and i had to take it off. But luckily husby didn't get this new one sized and it fits perfectly. 

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick:  nope

What I Miss: uh.... Getting off the couch normally. Hehe. I look so silly trying to get up. 

What I am Looking Forward to:  our birth class and hospital tour tomorrow! 

Nursery: we changed our idea on the nursery and I really like it! I will add a picture. It's like a sporty theme. 

Emotions:  happy happy happy! I am just so joyful about this baby! Some days I get so emotional that I am having a son and The Lord has given us this beautiful gift. I am blessed. 

What baby is up to: Seth's permanent teeth buds are formed, his brain is growing, and he is plumping up with some fat (so cute!). He is being perfectly formed in my womb! 

Bumpdates and love - Monica 

Things I have learned since being a wife.

Hello lovelies! 

I feel like I have been sooo busy but if you asked me what I have done - I couldn't answer. Hehe. 

I have been doing a lot of cleaning and preparing for baby V, since he will be here in about two months! {eee!} 

Also I have been doing a lot a lot of thinking. God is showing me so much about myself, my marriage, and my life. It's amazing - but sometimes tough. 

I wanted to tell you all a little bit of what I have learned in the past {almost} two years of being married. 

• Just because you and your spouse fight doesn't mean you aren't meant to be.  

      I always thought that if you married the person you were supposed to be with then you would never fight. You wouldn't argue. You wouldn't really disagree. I don't really know where I got this idea but it was hard on us in the beginning. I felt if we got into a disagreement that we weren't meant to be. Now that I am freed from this our marriage is happier. Yes, we argue from time to time but he is my prince! 

• Two people will not drink a gallon of milk. 

     Check the dates at the store and get the furthest date available. I learned this in the beginning and yet I STILL throw out milk from time to time. 

• Communication is speaking and listening. 

     I always knew that "communication is key" in marriage ... But the longer I am married I am realizing what communication really is. We have to speak in a respectful and loving way -- but we also have listen without taking offense. We sometimes have to "read between the lines". I will say something to my husband but mean something totally different because I am talking through fear, insecurity, frustration, and/or disrespect. When that happens our spouse (or we) have to learn to listen a more carefully to their heart. {my husband is great at this!} 

• Insecurities will arise in marriage and its best to deal with it then ignore it. 

     A lot of insecurities in me have been brought up to the surface since becoming a wife. Things that I thought I dealt with when I was younger come up again. If I allow it -- it can really affect us and our marriage. Things from body image to issues with alcohol to fear. We have to deal with the insecurities when they come up.... And communicate and listen. 

- . - . - . - 

Those are some of the things I have learned so far that The Lord is reminding me now {well maybe not the milk one... I just thought of it because I have a half gallon of expired milk in the fridge}.

So what have you learned since being married or in a relationship? 

What have you learned with being single? 

Never stop growing and love. - Monica 

{leaving you with a wedding photo because I love to look back on this day.}

My birthday... And Happy Mother's Day!

Well, it was my birthday a few days ago! 

I love birthdays! Not just mine... But all birthdays. I love celebrating someone and showering them with love.

My husband totally did this! He bought me beautiful flowers, yummy coffee, lunch at Logan's, we went to a movie, and then had a romantic dinner at a local restaurant. We ended the evening with him singing me "happy birthday" as I blew out a princess candle in a Boston cream cake. (: A perfect and beautiful birthday. 

The next holiday to celebrate is Mother's Day! 

My first Mother's Day ever!!!! 

I am still in shock that I am going to be a mother in a little over two months. 

My heart is already exploding with love for this precious baby boy growing inside of me. 

So to all the mothers - the old and the new. The mothers with earthly children and the mothers with babies in heaven. The mothers with children they did not give birth to and the mothers whose children are being entrusted with other women. The mothers with babies still inside of them and the mothers whose babies are still in their dreams. I honor you and thank you for all that you do! Have a happy happy Mother's Day! 

May God bless you, not only on this day, but all year! 

Praying for ALL mothers and love. - Monica 

Bumpdate {26 weeks} and sharing my heart

Happy Wednesday!!!

I have been having such a sweet sweet time with The Lord lately.
I have been reading the SheReadsTruth devotional and participating in the Overcome The Lie challenge and its been really changing me!

I have noticed some things in me that needed to change and I am just so joyful.
Since moving here to Alabama {and probably even before} I have been putting a lot of unnecessary pressure on my husband for my spiritual walk with The Lord. I was, in a way, putting my husband as Jesus. I would run to husby instead of crying out to God. And since I put so much pressure on him -- when husby would struggle then I would struggle.

Now, I believe with my whole heart that the husband is called to be the spiritual leader..... But not the spiritual source! We, as wives and women of God, need to rely on The Lord. He is our one true source. HE is our savior. I am changing my heart in that area and running to God.

So that's a little bit of my heart.

Now for a bumpdate -


How Far along: 26w5d (yesterday) almost the third trimester!

Size Of Baby: baby v was over 2 pounds at our appointment last week. My baby app says he is the size of a cucumber (15 inches).

Maternity Clothes: husby bought me two more summer dresses!
None of my clothes are "maternity" clothes.... But just breathable and flexible clothes that I wear with a belt to show off the bump.

Stretch Marks: oh ya!!!!! Tons and tons!

Weight Gain: I actually didn't weigh myself this week but my guess would be.... 18 pounds.

Sleep: last night was bad! I didn't sleep at all and was to hungry to fall back asleep this morning. I am thinking of coming up with a evening routine to prepare my body for sleep.

Best Moment of the Week: husby feeling baby v kick!!! It still puts a smile on my face when I think about it.

Movement: lots and lots! It's such a joy to feel him.

Cravings: crepes!! Mmm! I finally made some last weekend.

Gender: all boy

Belly Button In or Out: in between... But on its way out lol

Wedding Ring on or Off: still not wearing it unless I go out.

Anything Making You Queasy or Sick: not a thing

What I Miss: sleeping on my back. Some nights I just want to sleep on my back but once I do, I feel like I am getting crushed by baby lol.

What I am Looking Forward to: I think we are going to paint the nursery this weekend and set up the crib!!!!

Nursery: blue and brown all the way!!! And I bought some wooden letters to spell out his name. Still trying to come up with more creative ideas.

Emotions: this week I have just been falling so in love with this baby boy! I am just so so excited! It's getting a little scary because time is just going by so so fast! But I am still so excited to see my little guy!

What baby is up to: baby v is opening and closing his eyes! He also gets hiccups and I can feel them! His immune system is rapidly developing too! He is our little world changer!!!

Baby bumps and love. - Monica