Anxiously Awaiting. . . . .

The last 2 weeks of pregnancy are going to be unpleasant. Unless sweet, baby cakes decides to come early - which I'm hoping and praying for.
I've definitely gotten to that stage to where nothing I do makes me comfortable - especially trying to sleep. I'm beyond exhausted. I'm pretty hungry but doesn't take much to fill me up. I feel like my stomach has shrunk due to the growing little girl squashing everything inside me! I was doing great until about my 37th week. Then the uncomfortableness set in. All my friends who are mothers keep telling me to get some sleep while I can. Do they not remember being 38 weeks pregnant?? I would love to sleep if I could get comfortable. But having a beach ball in your gut makes it slightly a little more difficult to do anything.
I went to the doctor this morning and Lexie is still a little gymnast. She was quite the little active one - which can be uncomfortable too. She is running out of room and when she moves or kicks - it sometimes hurts. Small price to pay, right? She is in position but hasn't dropped very much. Dave and I are starting the natural labor tricks. Eggplant parmesan (from Scalini's), taking long walks, and eating spicy foods. We'll see if those methods work in the next few weeks.
Dave and I are extremely anxious to see Lexie's precious face! Please keep us in your prayers for a safe (and easy) delivery! We'll keep you posted!

Congrats to Scott and Dana!

I'm thrilled to say that a couple (Scott & Dana McMeekin) so dear to Dave and me just found out that their second child is a GIRL!!!!! I got the exciting phone call from Dana last week. They have a precious little boy, Nolan, who is almost 3 years old. Now they are having a girl! The best of both worlds. Wahooo!
Scott and Dave went to high school and college together in Virginia. Then they moved to Atlanta around the same time. Who would have thought that Scott and Dave would have 2 little girls around the same time!?! I sense trouble! I almost feel sorry for our husbands - I like to say that Dana and I have the same taste in things and it's not always the cheapest. . . . . :-) Ha!
I know this little Miss McMeekin is going to be one darling and beautiful little girl!
Congratulations Scott and Dana - Dave and I couldn't be more excited for you guys!

The Choice

Once again, as I was doing my daily organizing, I came across this sheet of paper. It was from the chaplains report from one of the Wednesday night KD chapters. . . .10 years ago! Time flies!

The Choice
It’s quiet. It’s early. My coffee is hot. The sky is still black. The world is still asleep. The day is coming.
In a few moments the day will arrive. It will roar down the track with the rising sun. The stillness of the dawn will be exchanged for the noise of the day. The calm of the solitude will be replaced by the pounding pace of the human race. The refuge of the early morning will be invaded by decisions to be made and deadlines to be met.
For the next twelve hours I will exposed to the day’s demands. It is now that I must make a choice. Because of Calvary, I’m free to choose. And so I choose.

I CHOOSE LOVE. . .
No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY. . .
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse temptation to be cynical. . .the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE. . .
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE. . .
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clinching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDESS. . .
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS. . .
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.


I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS. . .
Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. My associates will not question my word. My husband will not question my love.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS. . .
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it only be prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only for myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL. . .
I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control.
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I will give thanks. If I fail, I will seek his grace. And then, when this day is done, I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

“But when the holy spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” Galatians 5:16

Last Minute Cravings. . . .

The common question I get these days in my last month of pregnancy is what do I crave? Up until about 2 weeks ago, I never really craved anything. But the things below are something I usually want/not always have daily.

The oh, so delicious Publix Bakery mini cupcakes. Super good - especially for a grocery store bakery!

Chick-fil-A's diet lemonade (even though it's splenda instead of sugar, it tastes just like the real stuff with only 5 calories for 9 oz)! Yummy to my tummy! Dave went out yesterday and bought me 2 gallons! Alexa is probably going to hate lemonade!

A good 'ol traditional green salad with ranch on the side. I've always loved salads but it seems like I'm wanting one every day.

So Ghiradelli has replaced my usual morning cup of coffee with their fabulous hot chocolate! Boy does it ever fill my chocolate craving. I have been known to make some at night before I go to bed. . . .

This one has to come as a shocker for the people that know me. MILK! Of all things I crave. I've never liked milk (besides a little to go with my brownies/cookies, cereals, or milkshakes). But you'd never see me go to the frig and pour myself a plain glass of milk! And it's not just milk - it has to be Horizon's Organic low fat milk. It seems to have more of a sweeter and less bland taste like regular milk.

And lastly, FISH! Yummm!

HA! Fooled ya - still hate fish and probably will until my dying day. Just wanted to see if you were still reading! :-)

Sweet Home Alabama

One of the reasons why I love going home is because there are still some of the most genuine and generous people that still live there. People walking down the street will say "Hi," or wave at you as you pass them in the car. It's mostly just a friendly atmosphere rather than horns honking because you're slow to gun the gas when the light turns green. Or people giving you those nice hand gestures. Going home is always so nice and refreshing. Going back to a little, small town can sometimes give you a different perspective on life. Like I said in my previous post, living in Atlanta (with all the chaos and people), it's so easy to get caught up in all the bad things that I can easily forget the important things in life.

Speaking of genuine and generous people. . . .This past Saturday, six wonderful people that I've known for years and years and years threw me a baby shower in Opelika. I'm still in a state of shock on how beautiful everything was (not that I expected anything less from these talented ladies). From the house (which is fabulous) to the floral centerpiece, to the food, to the serving pieces. I felt like I was invited to eat with the queen! These ladies were so amazing and so sweet to have done that for me and Alexa (Dave, too). Alexa got a lot of great things and a lot of her firsts. . . . like her first bikini, her first one piece, her first handbag, her first "War Eagle" undies, and even her first Tiffany & Co. gift. Not to mention all the other great gifts - which every single piece I got will come to great use. I'm a huge monogram fanatic - Alexa received a bunch of things with her name or initials on it. I think she is going to be one stylish infant. She'll be ready to going shopping with her Mommy!

The experience was perfect and appreciate everything that was given to us and done for us! Once again, I feel so blessed and honored to have you in my life (Mrs. Jane Teel, Britney Cooke, Scarlotte Vaughn, Laura DeLine, Sarah Martin, and Mrs. Anita Brown). You ladies are truly wonderful! I love you all!!!!

The Beautiful hostesses: Jane Teel, Britney Cooke, Scarlotte Vaughn, me, Sarah Martin, Laura DeLine, & Anita Brown

Today I will make a difference. . .

I was digging through a folder and found a print out sheet of part of a chapter from an author I'm quite familiar with (& one of my Dad's favorites), Max Lucado. I believe that God was speaking to me through this sheet. It is so hard to get caught up in all the negativity of what's going on in the world today. You can't watch the tv without seeing some type of drama or bad news. Living in Atlanta, it's so easy to quickly get irritated. Whether it's at the way people drive - (I don't know about you, but it can damper my mood pretty quickly), or not being able to find a parking space, or just having to deal with the "not all there"types of people. Sometimes I neglect the fact that I should be the happiest person in the world and shouldn't really have anything to complain about. I'm married to the most amazing man! He is letting me stay at home and raise our soon to be born baby girl. We live a comfortable life. I have the most amazing parents! And I'm surrounded by great families. I'm so grateful for everything that I have. What more could I want? My life could be far worse! So I hope that this finds you encouragement, optimism, and happiness as it did me!

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalms 118:24

Today I will make a difference. . . .

Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. I will not let petty inconveniences such as stoplights, long lines, and traffic jams be my masters. I will avoid negativism and gossip. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will by my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.
I will be grateful for the twenty-four hours that are before me. Time is a precious commodity. I refuse to allow what little time I have to be contaminated by self-pity, anxiety, or boredom. I will face this day with the joy of a child and the courage of a giant. I will drink each minute as though it is my last. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. While it is here, I will use it for loving and giving. Today I will make a difference.
I will not let past failures haunt me. Even though my life is scarred with mistakes, I refuse to rummage through my trash heap of failures. I will admit them. I will correct them. I will press on. Victoriously. No failure is fatal. It's OK to stumble. . . .I will get up. It's OK to fail. . . .I will rise again. Today I will make a difference.
I will spend time with those I love. My spouse, my children, my family. A man can own the world but be poor for the lack of love. A man can own nothing yet be wealthy in relationships. Today I will spend at least five minutes with the significant people in my world. Five quality minutes of talking or hugging or thanking or listening. Five undiluted minutes with my mate and my friends. Today I will make a difference.

Max Lucado

Blessed

Last night Dave and I had a couples baby shower (aka: a baby shower guys are actually invited to) given by Ashley/Prashant, Courtney/Jake, Michele/Stewart, Fran/Marc, and Cassie/Wade. It was amazing to say the least. From the beautiful house it was hosted in (thank you Michele and Stew), to the refreshing cocktails (that unfortunantely I couldn't partake in), to the guys smoking their stogies on the man porch, to the delicious food. Everything was perfect! (the food was catered by Ashley's sister, Emily Sasser. Owner & Chef of Mary Jane's Confection http://www.maryjanesconfections.com/. If you need a caterer in the metro area - call Emily. She's awesome)!
These couples put a lot of time and effort into the shower and it showed. It wasn't just about the gifts & food (though that part was great too). It was just so wonderful to see all of our dear friends come out and support Dave and me as we are creeping towards parenthood. We love everyone so dearly and are truly grateful for everyone coming last night. After opening gifts, Dave stood up to thank everyone and quoted his good friend , Rosing, by saying, "I like to think of my friends as family I got to choose. I love every one of you here tonight." It was so sweet and very true to how we feel about everyone. We are so dearly blessed to have such amazing friends!