God Takeover

 Sometimes I think, "last night was something definitely worth letting the world blog-world know about." Then I think, "what could I possibly say that could iterate well enough what really happened." And then I get discouraged and go on with my day because although writing is something I'd always rather do, as opposed to speaking or taking tests in school, sometimes words can't serve the purpose you need them to. But, I'm-a-gonna-try.

We have been doing Pursuit all summer long. Most things in the summer shut down, but it's so hard to get the momentum back when Fall rolls around and we thought why not keep the students fired up coming off of their camp experiences. I was shocked at how many students we had over the summer. They weren't laying off so we couldn't either. Summer rocked. But last night was our Fall Kick-off and let's just say this, more than just our socks got rocked off. We had the highest number Pursuit has ever seen! And people can say all day that "numbers don't matter" but they do (even Jesus emphasized numbers:)). Numbers also show us that the students CARE about the lives of their friends and want them to MEET Jesus! If our "numbers" never grew, we might be making disciples but what is making disciples if they never reach others for Jesus? Isn't that what a disciple is, anyways? What about the rest of the world that will spend eternity in hell? Someone HAS to do something about reaching those people! So, we have pushed and instilled in them all summer that they have to be responsible for their friends! And so to us, the numbers matter!!

Two students (who by the way, were invited to Pursuit by two of our Seniors...enough said) stood on their feet at the end in front of 154 of their peers to proclaim Jesus for the first time! So, even though we had run-through banners, a balloon drop, t-shirt ropes that the students "helicopter-ed" around their heads as we played Sandstorm, and a "mild" (I said mild) firework display from the stage, the worship team brought their A-game and my husband gave a simple yet in-your-face realization of the power (dynamite) each one of them has living inside of them. And the Lord didn't stop there as he continued to work in the lives of students during their small group time following the service. We had a middle school girl rededicate her life and another middle school girl text later in the night confessing that she was not saved and needed to be. So, Jesus showed out last night, but we didn't expect anything less! You can look at Twitter (#Godtakeover) to read more stories!

Way to go, Pursuit...we love you and your hearts for bringing your friends to meet Jesus. It would all be pointless without your passion for your friends. Keep seeing the need and stay FIRED UP!

"When you realize the POWER inside you - you won't care about what's going on outside of you!"

"The face of our schools and our families would be drastically different if we talked about Jesus as much as Miley Cyrus has been talked about lately."

When we're passionate about something - we suffer for it. Can we suffer a little for Jesus?!?"

 

We're takin' over,

 

14 weeks

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

How far along? 14 weeks...slowly creepin' along!

Total weight gain/loss: Who knows. No scale=no problems. Haha.

Maternity clothes? Haven't needed to buy anything yet thanks to my dear friends :)

Stretch marks? No...stay away!!

Sleep: Heavenly. Always tired!

Best moment this week: Does this HAVE to be about our biological baby? Cause 19 of our big babies got baptized last night!! 

Miss Anything? Going a day without a killer headache or a week without a "put-me-in-the-bed-and-dark" migraine!

Movement: No...I'm not moving too fast these days either...I can only imagine later on...:-/

Food cravings: Just light and healthy foods...which is so not me! (besides Mexican food of course, I swear I was born in the wrong country)

Anything making you queasy or sick: We had a pot-luck at church last night. Lots of pasta and casseroles in the HOT heat...not a good feeling. I stuck with the fruit :)

Have you started to show yet: Yes. Though it just looks like I downed McDonalds. (which may or may not be true...)

Gender prediction: Still thinking girl! 

Symptoms: Head.aches. Though "aches" is an understatement. More like Headmightjustsnapoffs. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Gender-reveal and cooler weather. I'll be a happy pregnant girl in the cold months. Couldn't have planned it better myself :)

First Trimester Favs

As my first trimester ends, I thought I'd share some "must-haves" that came in quite handy these past few months. 

1. Fruit: Random, I know, but my taste-buds have craved healthy foods opposed to my usual fried-lovin' self. But don't let it fool ya, I've had my share of McDonald's cheeseburgers ;)

2&3. Mustela Hydration for bust and body: I started off using Palmer's Cocoa Butter to prevent stretch marks and I used it sparingly because of the caffeine in it. But, thanks to my girl Ginny, I'm now using these which feel so much lighter and smell SO much better than Palmer's. That stuff is straight gross. 

4. Be Maternity BeBand (Target): Though I can still fit into all of my pants, they aren't the most comfortable. But heck, what is these days? I can put this over the top of my pants and that way I can leave them open on certain days if need be.

5&6 Saltine's and Ginger Ale: Worked as a kid with an upset stomach. Works as an adult with an upset stomach.

7. Full of Life by Nancy O'dell: Now, I'm no reader, but I read this book in one afternoon. Thank you, Ginny for letting me read :) This is all the little things that no one tells you when you're pregnant. Until now! 

Cheers to the First Trimester,

13 Weeks

Second Trimester!

Labor Signs: That'd be bad news

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

How far along? 13 weeks...Second trimester, yeah!!

Total weight gain/loss: Only time I weigh myself is at the doctor's so I'm assuming still just 2 lbs.

Maternity clothes? I've inherited lots (Thanks, Ginny) but right now wearing lot's of leggings and jeggings :)

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: Gettin' those Zzzz's still and taking full advantage of it!

Best moment this week: Finally off ALL my prescription meds!! Hallelujah!! AND finally getting through the "dreaded" first trimester! Though I was NEVER sick (Praise the Lord...never puked once) I'm finally over being nervous ALL the time that something is going to go wrong! Still praying for a healthy baby all the way through, though!

Have you told family and friends: If they didn't know, they do now!

Miss Anything? Still missin' all the caffeine, sushi, and feeling useful (no one let's me lift a dime!)

Movement: No! I think I would FREAK out!

Food cravings: Fruit...though it's not really a "husband go out in the middle of the night type of craving". None of those yet! Thank goodness.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Smell of fish

Have you started to show yet: People can tell :)

Gender prediction: Still thinking girl! 

Symptoms: Dizzy when I stand up. One day I'll learn it's a bad idea to jump up.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy

Looking forward to: Gender-reveal in a couple weeks and moving so I can get better lighting to take these pics!! Haha!

Here's to rounding out the first trimester,

Home Is Where Family Is

Since we've been married, we've been ever-so-blessed to be able to spend some time in Florida with the Hux family and some time in MYB with the Leopard family each Summer. Most people have to pick and choose who they'll vacation with over the Summer but we've hit the jackpot and get to do a little with both. I'm not a picture taker. I don't take lots of pictures and I don't like my picture taken. I'm sure come February I'll be the most obnoxious picture-taker-ever but for now, I just benefit from my mom taking so many pictures. While away, we celebrated our 3-year anniversary along with my sister's 23rd birthday! Lots to be thankful for, like always. So, since I wasn't around to do an anniversary post, I'll leave you with three things I've learned thus far about my marriage:

1. You don't need an iron to iron your clothes. Going on three years and we've never owned an iron :)

2. Contrary to House Hunters, it IS possible to share a sink.

3. Is _________ really a hill worth dying over?

Now, pictures from our vacation :)

Here's to family,

12 Weeks

12 Weeks: Baby Hux has fingernails

As my first trimester comes to a close, I thought I'd try to do these little updates. We will see how committed I can be! I guess these are the types of reasons why I started a blog in the first place - so family and friends can keep up with us! Hopefully when we move into our new place in a few weeks the lighting and setup will be a little better to take these pictures! But this will do for now :) So, enjoy my 12-wk update!

How far along? Technically 12 weeks, 2 days but I'm measuring 13 weeks!

Total weight gain/loss: 2 lbs

Maternity clothes? Still squeezing into my regular clothes

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: Still get my 9 hours :)

Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat again!

Miss Anything? Feeling "normal" and caffeine!!

Movement: No

Food cravings: No
Symptoms: Headaches & Heartburn 

Anything making you queasy or sick: The first few weeks it was fried food and cheese. Nothing now.

Have you started to show yet: Yes, though mostly bloat.

Gender prediction: I'm thinking girl but we will see!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy but a little snappy the past few days ;)

Looking forward to: Finding out the gender!

Here's to baby,