A Big Week Coming Up

Praises that Bryan made it back safe and sound! Ben and I were really excited to have him back; I hugged Bryan and Ben just kicked him tons (our son obviously needs to learn some manners) LOL!!!

This week is a huge week for me so I am asking for lots of prayers. First of all Bryan will be starting his last quarter at UCSB and he will also be out of town for work again on the days that he does not have school so I am a little nervous about all the traveling. Second, I am starting my last online class that I need to clear my teaching crednetial and since I am gone this week, I am not really sure how that is going to work. Finally, the biggest worry that I have right now is taking my students to outdoor education this week with everything else that is going on! I am nervous to be cooking, cleaning, organizing, and implementing this trip for close to 60 people especially being 6 months PG. Please pray that I get the chance to rest when I need it and the energy and wisdom that I need so that this trip is successful. Also, this past weekend, I have been expeiencing some sharp pains so please pray that those subside and Ben stays safe and healthy!

22 Week Update

Sorry this update is sort of lagging but things have been mighty busy around here. The doctor's appt on Thursday went great. Ben is having a great time in there kicking and swimming like a fish. His movements are more pronounced now and many people are getting to feel him kick boxing in there. LOL! The soon to be dad is soing great, talking to Ben each day and "rubbing the belly" for good luck whenever he gets the chance. It is really fun and cute. I am going great, still enjoying being PG. The belly is growing for sure but I have only gained 7 lbs since becoming PG and I am almost 6 months so the OB says that I am doing great.

Praises: Bryan and I are just amazed at the experience of pregnancy! We can not get over all the new experiences that happen each day. I always thought that being PG was a miracle but now that I actually am, I am in awe!!! Praises that the Lord has blessed us with this opportunity!!!

Requests: Prayers for Bryan as he travels this week for safety and a quick return home. Prayers for me as I prepare to take 45 jr high students to outdoor education next week which includes cooking, cleaning, and organzing the entire event; I need all the energy and wisdom that I can get.

My Sweet, Yet a Little Crazy, Husband

So my dear sweet husband has this little game that he thinks is really funny . . . he loves to take pix of "the belly" so he goes around the house when I am not expectng it and starts taking pix of the belly and he keeps taking them until I smile. Oh dear, he is a funny guy! I love him to death but lets just say that not all belly pix are flattering. LOL. So here are the latest, "daddy cam" pix:




Our next appt is Thursday, so be sure to check out our website Thursday night for more updates! Love you all!

James 1:2-6

Today was our 2nd trimester "high risk US screening". My mom, dad, and Bryan were there to watch our little guy stand on his head, do flips, and kick at us to stop pushing in on his space. He is quite the active little guy. We were able to look at the hemispheres on his brain, each of his organs, blood flow to various parts of the body, and even the 4 sections of his heart. It was quite miraculous and I was awed at this great little gift that the Lord has given us.

While I feel overwhelmed with joy and thankfulness, my heart is a little sad. We learned at our US today that Ben's umbilical cord only has 2 vessels rather than three. There should be 2 arteries and 1 vein and instead he only has one of each. Now this is the not the end of the world but it does add some more caution to the pregnancy. Here are the three ways that this problem could go. First he could be perfectly fine and go till full term and be a healthy size. Second, his growth could fall significantly behind and I would need to be put on bed rest in hopes that he would be carried to full term just born small. Finally, he could stop growing and we would have to have an emergency c-section and he would stay in the NICU until he is healthy enough to go home.

Obviously options and 1 and 2 are preferred but this ordeal reminded me of the verse listed above in James. I need not wonder why this is happening or stress out about it. I need not be sad and upset because there is another hurdle to get through in this PG but instead I should ask the Lord for his wisdom and to be my strength. This verse reminds me that it is times like this when I can try to do it on my own or just fall back and let the Lord catch me and carry me. Matthew 11: 28 "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest."

Prayers for peace for Bryan and I and health for Ben.