Ahh, the nausea is here

Not too bad yet . . . this is the third day, though, and it is getting a little bit worse each day. Any suggestions for dealing with morning sickness?

I Love Reading

The Well-Educated Mind, Susan Wise Bauer
This book inspired me to take up a course of serious reading and review of Western literature and civilization. Let us hope I do better than Jane Austen's Emma! (Mr. Knightley: "Emma has been meaning to read more ever since she was twelve years old. I have seen a great many lists of the drawing-up, at various times, of books that she meant to read regularly through--and very good lists they were, very well chosen, and very neatly arranged--sometimes alphabetically, and sometimes by some other rule . . . But I have done with expecting any course of serious reading from Emma. She will never submit to anything requiring industry and patience, and a subjection of the fancy to understanding.") On a more serious note, I really did enjoy the book. Bauer offers insightful commentary without telling you what to think; instead she wants to train you to think for yourself.

I Will Carry You, Angie Smith
Angie writes the "Bring the Rain" blog. This book is about her daughter, Audrey, and Angie's decision to continue the pregnancy after being told Audrey had conditions making her "incompatible with life." It is a beautiful story of hope and faith. Sad and encouraging and really spoke to my heart.

Mary Barton, Elizabeth Gaskell
Nineteenth century British novel about class, industrial England, family ties, and love, of course. Throw in a murder trial and you're good to go! Haha I really did enjoy this story, though it did get a little preachy at times when the novelist steps in.

Moving Update

I am making progress on the list I posted a few weeks ago. We're down to about six and a half weeks till moving day, and I am getting excited!

1. Found a house to rent - YAY! The Gent and I traveled last weekend to house-hunt. We saw six houses, three of which were uninhabitable. Let's just say one was infested with fleas and leave it at that. UGH. One was workable, a second we liked, and the third we loved. It is double the size of our apartment, has a fenced yard, 1920s Craftsman style, lots of built-ins, high ceilings, and did I mention I love it.

2. Resigned my job - DOUBLE YAY! I had been planning that speech for a while. It went smoothly and I felt great after delivering it. My boss asked what he could do to change my mind, and I said "I think we're past that. I appreciate the opportunity to work here, but it is time for me to take a new direction."

3. Rented a moving van.

4. Lined up volunteer movers in the new city. Have to find a few here, but the Gent has been paying it forward and helping friends move, so that shouldn't be too hard.

5. We've started hosting parties and dinners for friends, just have about four more to get scheduled. I love entertaining. :)

6. Already got all my books back. Wow, friends, you were quick! Thanks!

7. And I have a nice box collection going . . . I'm sure we'll need more but the closets are full for now!

Worry

God's plan for my life is not that I would be happy. It is that I would find joy and be satisfied in Him. Not in my husband, not in my job, not in my role as a wife, not in my excitement over a new baby, not in any of those things. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Not my self, not my marriage, not my dreams. In Christ alone my hope is found.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that there is always something you will be waiting for and worrying about in life. But God wants us to live in the present. He commands us "Do not worry." My worrying is sinful. It is an announcement to God that I do not trust Him and His plan for my life. Ouch, huh?

So instead of worrying while I wait, instead I'm taking time to reflect on God's goodness to me. I remember how I used to worry if I would ever meet the right man and get married. I look back now at how abundantly God has blessed me with my husband. In him, God has surpassed any dreams I had about my future husband. Why do I so quickly forget to trust Him?

There will always be something to worry and fret about. I can worry now about this pregnancy, I can worry about my children as they grow, I can worry over their friends and their schooling and the bump they got on their head when they fell, and the list goes on and on. God wants me to start to get this battle under control now. With His help I'm working on letting my worries go.

Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always.I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Pregnancy Update

Just a quick post to let you know everything is going well. I feel great, other than being tired and making frequent trips to the ladies room! I am enjoying squeezing an afternoon nap into my schedule a few times a week. I've never been much of a napper so this is an indulgence.

I went to the doctor's office twice last week for bloodwork. My hormone levels are great - quite a bit higher than average for this point in the pregnancy. The nurse said maybe my dates are a little off, but I KNOW they are right (yay for charting). My first real prenatal appointment is July 2. I'm assuming there's only one baby in there . . . estimating my due date to be February 23 or 24.

The Best Father's Day Present Ever

Baby is due in February and we are thrilled!


PS - Dear friends from church, we'd like to just keep our news to our Sunday School class for now. So shhh!

Do you know about . . .

Groupon?!

If not, check it out: www.groupon.com. You'll score great deals!

Groupon has several deals a week for U.S. cities. Join their mailing list for the city closest to you, or cities you plan to visit.

The Gent and I have had some fun dates at restaurants we usually couldn't afford, thanks to Groupon 50% off deals.

Sign up and save some moolah next time you go out on the town.