Still I can say "blessed be the name of the Lord"

Does anyone else notice that it seems like trials come all in one lump sum? The month of January has been an interesting one to say the least. To start things off, Joe has been student teaching (the last stage in getting his teaching license) and things have been a little stressful. He has basically a new job where he is constantly being observed and all for no pay. Thankfully he was able to take a leave of absence from his job and still has his own classroom to go back to when this is all over with. But in the mean time we are living off my small income and savings.
Then two weeks ago I caught some virus and was sicker than I have ever been in my life. I'm talking about fluid coming out both ends (sorry but its the truth). I couldn't even keep water down. Being pregnant my dear husband called the doctor and we were told we needed to come in. Turns out I was so dehydrated that I required two liters of fluid via an IV. They gave me anti-nausea medicine, which helped tremendously, and after three hours in the doctors office was allowed to go home with strict instructions to drink a liter of Gatorade before going to sleep that night. I was so worried about the baby throughout this whole thing but the doctor quickly assured me that everything was alright. After several days of recovery, I was finally able to return to work.
A short time later, I received news that a good friend from high school had passed away over New Years. I hadn't talked to him in a while and had no idea he was even sick. Thankfully I believe he was saved and will see him again some day. RIP Jorma.
Then just last week, while driving to visit my aunt and uncle, I rear-ended a van and totaled our car. Thankfully no one was hurt and again the baby is fine, but now our poor car is no more. Our car was old and really uncomfortable to drive, but it was paid in full. Now we are looking at having to buy a new car (as a truck won't get us by with a new baby).
But you know what? After all this I still have a healthy baby girl, a loving husband, and an amazing God. You know that song, Blessed Be Your Name? "Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise, and when the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord." I love this song because it highlights such a truth. No matter what happens in our lives, no matter how I feel about things, or the emotional state I am in, God never changes. He is still good. He still deserves my praise and worship. So, Lord, whatever comes, give me the strength to face it with grace and patience. And blessed be the name of the Lord.

For those who haven't yet heard, we are having a little girl! (Or at least the ultrasound tech was "85-90% sure its a girl, I just don't see a little pointy thing") So unless our precious little one is hiding a "pointy thing" we are overjoyed to be getting ready for baby Grace.

The picture is one from early December (I have a newer one still sitting on my camera back at home)

The strangest things happen when you're pregnant. Like yesturday... All day I felt like my insides were stretching. There really is no other way to describe the feeling. It was uncomfortable and made me extreemly tired. When I woke up today not only did I feel I looked bigger, but I descovered that my belly-botton is no longer an innie but more of shallow indent on my stomach. Weird I tell you :)

Its that time of year again

I love Christmas!!! If you don't believe me, just ask my husband. :) I was feeling a little down last week so Joe suggested I get the Christmas music out and start decorating (mind you this was before Thanksgiving). So I followed his advice and you know what, it worked. I put on some music and put up some lights and I felt much better. (I would add a picture of our lovely living room here but our laptop isn't working correctly at the moment so maybe I will work on loading one later.) There is just something magical about Christmas and I love it.
On another completely unrelated note: I bought my first pair of maternity pants yesterday and they are so comfortable. I now have one pair of pants that fits me at the moment. Guess I'm going to get my money's worth out of them by the time I have the little kiddo ;) Again I had hoped to add a picture of my little baby bump, but maybe later.

Ten weeks and counting...

This week Joe and I are ten weeks, which according to my faithful baby book (lent to me by my good friend Sarah), means our baby is size of a plum. I have also started to feel better which is a great blessing. It's times like the last couple of months that the full effect of Jesus telling Eve childbirth would be difficult really hits home and I haven't even gotten to the labor part :). As a young girl whenever I was sick I would always get really mad at Eve for sinning thinking it was all her fault I felt so icky. But even through all the nausea, I can still say it is so worth it. The miracle of life is just that, a miracle. To think that a little part of Joe and a little part of me is growing inside me always brings a smile to my face. So keep on growing little one. I pray you are healthy and that the Lord gives your mommy and daddy wisdom in the coming years to teach you as you grow.

Good News

Joe and I are expecting! Due the end of May. We are in week eight and are finally getting to tell people which makes it even more exciting.

So I decided to try this blogging thing. I love reading others blogs so why not? Thought I would start with a few before and after pictures of our new house.
Here is the ugly pink carpet that smelled like cat pee. :{Here is the living room without all the nasty carpet but before the sanding of the floors. I would sand again because it made such a big difference but it was a little more time consuming than I thought it would be.

Here is the living room so far. I still have to put up pictures, but other than that it is coming together.
This is our bedroom. Pretty self explanatory. And the picture below is of the rug I found at Lowes. I love this rug!


The dinning room. There is a giant picture window on the other side of the table but I couldn't get a good picture of it.
And here's a picture just for fun. :)