Almost 36

Here you go Aubrey, just for you! I'll have to give more details later about this part of pregnancy because I'm really, really dumb and worked way too many hours today! I literally walked in the door, grabbed the camera, took this picture and after this baby posts - I'm in bed! 

Aw man, ya'll might get another one tomorrow because I just noticed there's an interesting shadow under my rear. UGH! That's got to go... later.

I'm Lovin' This Prayer

My Aunt sent this to me in an email forward, and I'd seen it before - which prompted me to do some research on it. The email says it was offered by Billy Graham and aired over Paul Harvey's talk radio show, the last time I'd seen it they'd given credit just to Paul Harvey for it. However, neither of these men actually wrote this prayer, but it was aired on Harvey's radio show in 1996.

It was written in 1995 and given at a Kentucky Governor's Ball breakfast by Bob Russell. It was re crafted a short time later by a Wichita Pastor, Joe Wright (not to be confused with Obama's former pastor, Jeremiah Wright), in 1996 and offered at the Kansas House of Representatives session in which it ticked off more than a couple democrats, prompting one to actually walk out.

The email actually has a couple different lines than that of this prayer - I like them both equally. It's possible Billy Graham or Paul Harvey 're crafted' those couple lines again - but I highly doubt it. I rather think it was the nature of the mass grapevine that is email forwarding. You may have seen this email too, you may like it, you may not... but this is the story behind it.

"Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. Lord, we know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good," but that's exactly what we've done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values.

We confess that we have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it moral pluralism.
We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism.
We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building esteem.
We have abused power and called it political savvy.
We have coveted our neighbors' possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our fore-fathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us oh God and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free..."

(It went on in prayer and blessing for the Kansas officials but you get the idea)

Now, I can see how this would tick some off and offend others, which is why I'm also inserting another quote I liked by syndicated religion columnist Terry Mattingly, breaking it all down:

"The easy answer is that he read a prayer about sin. The complicated answer is that Wright jumped into America's tense debate about whether some things are always right and some things are always wrong."

Me? I think that I will continue to nightly to pray: "Lord, have your way in me"

(Cause his ideas and plans are just way cooler than mine!)

Water Retention

... I got this one figured out! For the last couple weeks my ankles, the right one especially, have just been ridiculously swollen. Doesn't matter what I do - they're huge. I'm sure working 6 days a week & stupid long hours doesn't help, but my doctor hasn't had any problems with it yet. I did go to weekly appointments early because last Wednesday my blood pressure was too high - but I'm pretty sure I know what that's from, and I told them when I got there I was sure it was going to be high. They stuck me on the monitor anyway for the non-stress test. I calmed myself down and Luke was just fine jumping around in there with the juice they'd given me. This week I stayed calm and my appointment yesterday went just fine. I'm measuring right on, some braxton hicks contractions but nothing to worry about. My blood pressure and his heart rate were good and they let me go about 5 minutes after I got there.

Back to the puffiness though - this is annoying! I had to take off my engagement ring Monday because both it and my wedding band were just a little too much for the hot-dog looking things that I used to call fingers. My face feels like a balloon, Ben thinks I'm overreacting because I've had such a sweet last 5 months, that may be... but it still drives me nuts! I think it's a lot worse than it probably could be because of the hair cut I got a few weeks ago. I'm so disappointed with it! It was supposed to be easier to maintain, but it's just a nightmare! The color is NOT what I wanted. She added a light tint of red so that when the browns faded they'd still be a warmer brown - she put in way too much. My hair is no longer a dark blond or even close to a light brown - it's freaking red! Which wouldn't be so bad had she not cut off about 2 more inches than I wanted her to. I wanted shoulder length - it's to my chin. I have a rounder shaped face, so I never go too short, pair it with the puffy preggo face and I'm resembling the blow fish a little too much. I know that I can change the color, but the length really has me bummed. My hair doesn't grow that fast, even with the pregnancy vitamins. I know it'll eventually get there - but not before the most photo documented time of my adult life thus far... All the pictures that will be taken when this baby comes - I won't be able to forget it.



Oh well, I thought I'd leave you all a picture of the updated, water absorbing me:

Happy Wednesday!

Cute kids!

I got pictures from Texas!!

Blayne

Makenna

Brendan

*Not sure what's up with the shades*

Tiff and I have been told that we definitely share some genes. Jake and Ben also have some appearance similarities... After looking at their boys, I'm curious if Luke will look at all like Brendan or Blayne. They sure are pretty cute, so I wouldn't mind =) I think Brendan has always looked like both his dad Jake, and his Uncle Jake! Blayne looks a whole lot more like Tiffany than Brendan ever did... We'll see!

And not to leave Miss Makenna out... she's kills me, she's so freaking cute!

25 things

I've been tagged via facebook and blogger with this same thing... So I'm posting it both places:

1. I don't like early mornings but love having a FULL day to do as I need when I can get up and moving
2. Not a big fan of chocolate, or anything really sweet. However put peanut m&m's in front of me and all bets are off
3. I enjoy every season, I'd alot the amount of time for each a little different, but still really love certain aspects of each seaso4. The thing I miss the most about not being pregnant is being able to hug by husband really really close.
5. I love the smell of summer rain on hot pavement
6. I am grateful to have learned early that the best way to live is with God in control. (It just works so much better!)
7. My husband is my most favorite person in the world.
8. I don't do the bickering/picking thing... It's all or nothing, be nice or lets hammer it all out.
9. My Dad's potatos are still my favorite breakfast.
10. I wish I could stay home with Luke when he's born but also appreciate the ability to help support my little family
11. I really don't like surprises - possibly because I've never been totally surprised.. So I should say that I really don't like knowing something's coming or going to happen and not knowing what it is. It's actually really frustrating for me!
12. Really hates the new style of 'scary' movies and get semi-irritated people see them. It takes a really sick mind to come up with this latest stuff and we're just throwing money at them.
13. (pre-pregnancy) Can't fall asleep unless it's completely dark!
14. If I'm going to eat anything sweet, it's got to be with a cold Diet Coke, or it's just not worth it!
15. Even though it wakes me up, isn't always comfortable, and makes me lose sleep - I secretly love that my husband has to sleep with at least one foot touching mine.
16. As tiring as it is, I work much better under pressure. When I have too much time to complete a project it becomes boring.
17. I hate doing dishes... Give me a dirty bathroom before a sink of dishes!
18. I have crooked pinky fingers, I think it's genetic. Thanks Grammy!
19. I get really, really grumpy and (attempt to) pick stupid arguments with my husband when I miss him - thankfully we're both aware and now he knows if I snap at him, that it means I need some of his time… and a hug.
20. Am constantly working on myself and my "need" for outside approval.
21. I've recently come to appreciate the quiet and stillness that can come when alone… but only for a short period of time… like a few hours :o)
22. I love to sing very loud to music when I'm all by myself… in the car... or in the shower - but again, only when no one can hear me!
23. …I wish one of my gifts was a good singing voice =)
24. I very frequently think that God had some paperwork mishap, and gave me the life He had set aside for a better believer… but I thank Him everday for it!!
25. It took me almost 3 days to complete all 25 of these.

Almost 33!

I feel like this kid's really starting to pop out. Seriously, like he's trying to escape! He stretches himself out, what feels like sideways across my torso, and tries to push as far out of my sides as he can. It's an incredibly odd feeling while I'm sitting, but when I'm trying to walk, the muscles are being used (I'm guessing) and it's actually a bit painful. My abdomen is pretty tight now all the time, still no stretch marks =) And I'm REALLY hoping that carries through the next 2 months! Interestingly enough I can eat Hot Tamales, strawberry lemonade, pizza and even a diet coke (not all together) and not get heartburn, but bananas and water seem to be the big red buttons. Gotta have water, therefore I have a travel pack of Tums that I grab for more often than my cell phone, wallet, and chap stick combined. Sleeping has been a bit of a joke lately. Between the 3rd trimester sinus drain down my throat, lower back pains from being up and moving all day, thinking about my previous/or next LONG & draining day at work, and needing to get out of bed every 1.25 hours to empty Luke's new speed (punching) bag - formerly known as my bladder... Not much resting happens. However, I still manage to get up, out of the house, and through my days alright. Even though it doesn't feel all that rejuvenating, it must be doing the trick.

All in all the most annoying thing is the sinus issue. I've read that it can feel like you have a cold during the 3rd trimester, unfortunately for me my sinuses are tipped or something because whenever I'm sick - it doesn't quite make it to the front of my face to drip out the nose, just flows right on back down the throat. TMI? Sorry, it's so gross, It's also not really new because of pregnancy for me. I was once told I had overactive glands in my sinuses and given a steroid nasal spray to shrink them. It worked after a few weeks, but you have to keep taking it... I'm not much of a medicine taker unless it's really necessary. I couldn't see the benefit of shooting steriods up my nose for months only for it to inevitably destroy all the tissue up there and cause other problems... Certainly don't think I can take any now anyway. Enough about that!

Otherwise, we're doing really well. Ben is gone this weekend for HIS LAST DRILL!!!!! I'm so excited! As proud of him as I am for serving, I'm ready to be done with this phase of our life. YAY!!