I hope you all don’t mind me being honest and frank. I see this blog as an avenue of sharing my daily thoughts, feelings, and even struggles (and then triumphs over struggles through Him)…
Sometimes, in moments of weakness, I find myself getting disheartened. On March 23rd, I was just a regular 32 week pregnant lady! All I wanted to do was enjoy the last 8 weeks of pregnancy like any other expecting mommy. You know – putting finishing touches on the nursery, enjoying cute maternity summer clothes, picking up last minute baby items, and most importantly -- having lots of date nights with Daniel, taking advantage of the last days as a family of two. Then it all changed as I was 'sentenced' to a 3 week hospital stay!
I have to fight those "poor me" thoughts. The second they come into my head they have to be squashed or I will immediately spiral into a cycle of self pity. After all, who am I to complain? I have a loving husband, a healthy baby inside of me (where she should be!), a great prognosis for an uncomplicated rest of the pregnancy, a loving church family, supportive relatives, and most importantly a God who is in control!
See. There. By just listing how abundantly blessed I am, I can’t even remember why I started feeling sorry for myself in the first place! It’s all about perspective and attitude. ‘What you focus on expands.’ (April O Magazine, p.77). Today I choose to focus on my blessings and the Creator who gave them to me. Will you join me in doing so on this Lord’s Day?
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I just finished watching Bible study and worship services of the Hardin congregation (thanks Daniel for skyping them to me!). While it’s not the same as being there, it helped me feel a part of the congregation that I’ve so dearly missed! The blessings of opening His Word, studying from it, focusing on the ultimate sacrifice, hearing and singing songs of praise, and going before God’s throne in prayer lifted my spirits and wiped away any hint of negativity I was feeling earlier this morning when I wrote the words above.
In fact, I almost erased that first paragraph to leave behind no record of the ‘Debbie Downer’ I was being. However, I decided to leave them to share with you my struggles - yes, I am a real person. Perhaps you struggle sometimes similarly. If you do, let me make one last plea for you to give thanks for the blessings in your life, focusing on them and on the God who gave them to you!
Join me in thanksgiving! “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” [2 Corinthians 9:15]
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Did you think that I had forgotten a list for today? Umm... Okay, I'll admit it. I almost did forget.
My Favorite Things About Being Pregnant:
Sometimes, in moments of weakness, I find myself getting disheartened. On March 23rd, I was just a regular 32 week pregnant lady! All I wanted to do was enjoy the last 8 weeks of pregnancy like any other expecting mommy. You know – putting finishing touches on the nursery, enjoying cute maternity summer clothes, picking up last minute baby items, and most importantly -- having lots of date nights with Daniel, taking advantage of the last days as a family of two. Then it all changed as I was 'sentenced' to a 3 week hospital stay!
I have to fight those "poor me" thoughts. The second they come into my head they have to be squashed or I will immediately spiral into a cycle of self pity. After all, who am I to complain? I have a loving husband, a healthy baby inside of me (where she should be!), a great prognosis for an uncomplicated rest of the pregnancy, a loving church family, supportive relatives, and most importantly a God who is in control!
See. There. By just listing how abundantly blessed I am, I can’t even remember why I started feeling sorry for myself in the first place! It’s all about perspective and attitude. ‘What you focus on expands.’ (April O Magazine, p.77). Today I choose to focus on my blessings and the Creator who gave them to me. Will you join me in doing so on this Lord’s Day?
-----------------------------------------------------------
I just finished watching Bible study and worship services of the Hardin congregation (thanks Daniel for skyping them to me!). While it’s not the same as being there, it helped me feel a part of the congregation that I’ve so dearly missed! The blessings of opening His Word, studying from it, focusing on the ultimate sacrifice, hearing and singing songs of praise, and going before God’s throne in prayer lifted my spirits and wiped away any hint of negativity I was feeling earlier this morning when I wrote the words above.
In fact, I almost erased that first paragraph to leave behind no record of the ‘Debbie Downer’ I was being. However, I decided to leave them to share with you my struggles - yes, I am a real person. Perhaps you struggle sometimes similarly. If you do, let me make one last plea for you to give thanks for the blessings in your life, focusing on them and on the God who gave them to you!
Join me in thanksgiving! “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” [2 Corinthians 9:15]
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Did you think that I had forgotten a list for today? Umm... Okay, I'll admit it. I almost did forget.
My Favorite Things About Being Pregnant:
1. Hearing baby's heartbeat. The first time D and I heard her heartbeat was at an U/S we had after I was spotting. We were afraid that we would never have the chance to hear her heartbeat; but there it was at a little over 5 weeks! Now I get to hear it every day, two times a day in the hospital!
2. Not having to "suck in". You know what I mean! We ladies never want our stomach pouching out. But, it's a good thing during pregnancy!
3. The kicks and movements. Yes, even the ones that hurt. At 14-15 weeks I started feeling what I described as "butterfly" movements in me. About a month and half later D and I were with my parents in New Orleans. I was eating a muffaletta and starting feeling these weird things go on in my lower abdomen. I was scared! After they kept happening daily, I realized they were Jenaleigh's first BIG movements! How fun!
4. Elastic maternity pants. I remember teasing a friend, Robin, when she finally had to start wearing maternity pants when she was pregnant with her first. But, I didn't know what I was missing! How am I ever going to go back to pants that zip?!
5. Baby showers. I've been blessed with 2 wonderful showers. Thank you Sweetwater and Hardin congregations! I love baby showers!
6. Having my husband put his hand on my stomach and feel our daughter move. Those are some of the sweetest moments to me. Ever.
7. The 'Snoogle' Pregnancy Pillow. LOVE. IT! After Jenaleigh gets here, I have a feeling I'll have to fight Daniel for it. It can be used so many different ways, too. I even use it now during the day in my hospital bed!
8. Pregnancy Brain. Forget to put the clothes in the dryer? Serve spoiled milk? Placed the remote in the 'fridge instead of the basket next to the couch? Just blame it on pregnancy brain!
9. Hiccups! (Hers, not mine...)
10. Knowing that soon, she'll be here and Daniel and I will embark on the best adventure of our lives!
Absolutely the hiccups are the funniest. Betcha when Jenaleigh starts babbling/talking, you are in for an earful! She's already trying to catch another breath to keep on going!
ReplyDeleteAnd as for pregnancy brain, sorry, but from my experience that doesn't improve much even after birth. I'm convinced that there is some heretofore undetected direct connection between the uterus' usefulness as temp housing and the brain's not functioning optimally that begins immediately upon conception! Please let me know if you can add to the validity of my theory in a couple years. ;-)
P.S. Hi to your Mom!
Oh Martha, those pants! The first time, I kind of fought it. Like, oh me..I have to wear elastic pants now? And obviously, you remember this :) But THIS time around, I found out I was preggo with Zane, and I was like...okay Markie, let's break out my maternity clothes...Yay for comfy clothes for 9+ months!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite thing about being pregnant (in addition to the above items that you mentioned) is the parking space at Kroger and the mall ;)
@Tina - Ha! Great thoughts on pregnancy brain! Love it!
ReplyDelete@Robin - Yes, I definitely remember your resistance the first time with the pants! I'm glad you now appreciate their awesomeness, as do I! But you know... I've never used the parking spaces for expectant moms because I felt like I didn't look pregnant enough and people would wonder why I was parking there! Ahk!