Spring Church Campaign

This month our church is doing what we call a campaign month. The fall campaign was reading through the New Testament and living out each day as a New Testament Christian in 40 days. For the spring, we are concentrating on prayer. Each day there are things like assigned readings or other tasks.

To kick off the campaign we are to think of something to give up for the month and replace it with prayer or sharing. I have been giving this thought all day and came up with soda. Soda has definitely been something I have been drinking too much of...especially as of late! So far right now...no more soda!

Tomorrow, March 1st, kicks off with a day of fasting and prayer. Due to being pregnant, my fasting will be a bit different. I'm still thinking about it, but I think it is going to be no Facebook for the day. I think that's doable...right? ;)

The rest of the month will be filled with prayer challenges, praying for friends and family, and really just putting my mind to be with God more throughout the day!

If you'd like to take this challenge too let me know and I'll send you a copy of our campaign calendar!

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us." James 5:13-18

Check out our church at www.hamptonroadschurch.org

A Lesson in Love

Today for my quiet time I was doing another lesson in my Deep Convictions workbook. Today's lesson had to do with family and new relationships...specifically talking about Love. Through the various scriptures: Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Colossians 3:14, Galatians 5:6,13,14, 1 Peter 4:8-9, and 1 John 3:16 that love isn't just about the mushy stuff. It's about serving your brothers and sisters. It's about action and what you do to show your love. It's about laying your life down for others just as Jesus did for you and me.

Well...

A few weeks before Valentine's Day I found a giant package in our front hall closet. At first I though I had found my gift from my hubby even though he said he wasn't going to be buying me anything. I quickly closed the door and waited. Then Valentine's came and no gift. Hmm...okay maybe anniversary gift?

Well my curiosity got to me but I also was needing to get to some of my business supplies that the package just happened to be sitting on top of. I decided to email my hubby to question if the package was for me, could I move it when I needed my supplies. His response surprised me. He said he had no idea what I was even talking about and to email him a picture of it. 

I did, and he said he didn't know anything about it, but to open it and see what it was. So I did! And what did I find...the new car seat I wanted for Little Critter #2! I sent hubby a picture of it and after more emails back and forth he promises he did not do it and knew nothing about it. I contacted a couple of my friends and they denied having to do anything about it.

So why did I share this story today? It's about love...the love of one or more individuals that would do something so nice and to do so without expecting a thank you. No one has come forward to say...."hey I did it" to get a thank you or credit. They simply did it because they love me. I am absolutely certain that it definitely wasn't my hubby and it really is amazing to know there are others out there that care so much for me to do something so kind!

So while they may not want to step forward and claim the credit...a huge thank you to my Car Seat Fairy(ies) for such an amazing gift. And not just the gift of a car seat but for helping to remind me of Christ's love and that I too, need to show my love for others like Christ did for us!

Pregnancy Update Week 23 (well close enough!)

Each doctor appointment I look forward to going in and hearing Little Critter's heart beat. This week I had my (late) 22 week appointment on Tuesday. I love getting the early morning or first thing after lunch appointments...except this time! This time, I got to see one of the other doctors so that I could meet him and have a face to go with a name in case he were to be the one to deliver Little Critter. Well let's just say I didn't quite like him....well him keeping me waiting for an hour after his lunch break.

First thing he said when he came in was sorry, which is nice. Sometimes you don't even get that but what I couldn't figure out was what the heck he was doing as I saw what time he came back from lunch and I was the first appointment! Oh well...other than being annoyed to be kept waiting, he then literally found baby heart beat, kept it there for a couple of beats and then handed me my paper to leave.

I sat there with a thought of that's it? That's all. I get to listen for half a second and you send me on my way after keeping me waiting for an hour! Plus he didn't bother to even check the ultra sound notes to make sure everything was good. For all I knew, they forgot to call me with any issues that were found!

Thankfully all was great with the ultra sound. No low placenta like I was wondering. Not too much fluid at this stage like I had with RC. No abnormalities that they found! Little Critter is doing well.

Next appointment....glucose test! Yuck, but hoping they don't mess it up like they did someone else and I have to do it again! That would really tick this prego off! LOL

Prayerfully I will have no high risk issues this time around. With RC it was the too much amniotic fluid. This doctor does have me listed as high risk, but even the doctor yesterday when he asked I said my guess is because I had thyroid cancer or it's because my first came via emergency c-section. He kinda looked at me like I was nuts.

I'm sure you're all still waiting to know Little Critter's name. Well we haven't quite decided yet. Actually this time around I think we could have settled on a girl name before a boy name! With RC we were lacking big time in the girl name department...this time, we are lacking on boy names! Hopefully soon we'll have a name. I'd really like to start referring to him by his name, especially when I talk to him!

Pregnancy Update Week 22 & 1 Day

Well it seems instead of getting an update written here after my 20 week (well almost 21 week ultra sound) I only made the announcement on Facebook. Oops!

Well here is the update finally on how Little Critter #2 is doing and for those not connected to my Facebook...what Little Critter #2 is!

 So far Little Critter #2 is a very active one. During the ultrasound Little Critter was moving all about making it slightly difficult for the tech to get all the measurements needed! Guess this is what I'll have to look forward to as Little Critter gets even bigger and has less room to move.

So far everything is looking good with Little Critter. The tech was able to finally get good looks at things like the heart and brain and she said all is looking fabulous there. The tech estimated Little Critter to be approximately 13 ounces at the time and everything looked to check out. At least with what she was willing to tell me. I haven't had my next OB appointment yet (it's next Tuesday) so I'll find out then I guess if there were any issues they didn't bother calling me with.

Now, here are some pictures to enjoy of my Little Critter!

Face/head shot

When doing the finger count Little Critter gave us a thumbs up!

Saying hello to Big Brother

And introducing Little Critter #2 as

I think it's obvious but if not...IT'S A BOY!

I do hope that RC and Little Critter #2 will be best buds as they grow together!