23 weeks down!

Get used to seeing this chalkboard in different areas of the room. There's no telling where it'll end up! Right now, there's stuff everywhere! Haha!

How far along? 23 weeks down 17 to go!

Total weight gain/loss: IDK 10+ maybe

Maternity clothes: A few here and there

Stretch marks? Not yet

Sleep? Sleeping pretty good once I find a position to sleep in!

Miss Anything? Being able to breathe

Movement: She's crazy :-O

Food cravings? No "cravings" really but lately I love the BBQ or soup n' sandwiches. 

Anything making you sick or queasy? Those halloween costumes with the baby coming out of the stomach...puke city.

Gender: Girl

Symptoms: Really achy ribs, short of breath, heart.burn, and a few headaches this week

Labor signs? No though I did have an awful sharp cramp that about sent me spinning this week...but it went away pretty fast.

Belly button in or out? It wants out, haha!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy but too much drama to deal with lately. Welcome to student ministry! Drama + Pregnant girl = no bueno

Worst moment this week: ^^

Best moment this week: Getting stuff together for my sister's WEDDING in two weeks! 

Looking forward to: Getting away for the wedding & Filling up the nursery!

Baby info: She's the size of a grapefruit and is forming nipples, yeah...nipples. Her face is fully formed just needs some fat. She can hear loud noises (like the dogs barking outside our apartment at 3am. I'm telling you, people, Brooklynn ain't happy and neither is this Mama.

Fall Lusting

I'm going to do a two-parter here when it comes to things I'm lusting over for Fall and then things I'm lusting over for baby girl. You can say there's going to be a lot of sinning going on here. Haha. Since baby girl isn't here yet, I might as well put myself first while I can. Haha, that sounded bad. Anywho, here are the things I'm lusting over for this season!

1. Vests & Booties: I'm thinking that being pregnant is going to clearly work in my advantage this year. Normally, I'm always cold. My husband calls me "cold-blooded". Obviously, I'm not so cold this year {yet} so I'm thinking more times than not I'll just throw on a vest as opposed to my eskimo coat to go out. One perk of pregnancy. I also am determined to dress cute while I have the energy to do so, so booties will keep my feet warmer than flats and they'll give this short girl some height because though pumpkins are cute around the house, they're not so cute to look like. 

2&3. Plaid: I hope plaid never goes out of style. It's a go-to. I'm completely loving the way that you can mix & match plaid with other textures and patterns. It adds a more casual feel to a more dressy piece. And this girl ain't dressy. Which leads to the next one...

4. Casual comfy: If I had to describe my style it would be "laid back yet put together". Chunky sweaters with a cute graphic tee and a statement necklace is my deal. I basically live in leggings and baggy sweaters anyways. I try to get away with it during the Summer time around the house, too,  though it doesn't always work out. 

5. Harem pants: Though I don't own a pair of these, my mom does and they're so cute. It goes along with my laid back yet put together style. I'm not sure how a pregnant girl would rock these, but I'm tempted to try. To balance out the baggy pants, just add a fitted top, some booties with a heel, and you're good!

6&7. Light makeup and a bold nail/lip: Sorry Kardashians, but this year's Fashion Week set the stage for a clean face and eye added with a bold lip. Though I'm a hardcore mascara girl at heart, this would guarantee a faster getting ready approach to your day!

8. Nails: Nails have strayed away from being trendy. What I mean is; anything goes in the Fall. If you want a bright metallic pink nail or a matte black nail, it's okay to go for it! 

As far as home trends go: burlap, lanterns, pumpkins...basically, cozy.

Happy Fall Ya'll,

22 weeks

How far along? 22 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 8 lb.

Maternity clothes: A few hand-me-downs still. I refuse to go buy maternity clothes unless I just HAVE to have them! I'll just buy larger sizes! Haha. 

Stretch marks? No

Sleep? A little more difficult. Tossin' & turnin'

Miss Anything? Sweets & Carbs...since I'm on a high-protein/low-carb "diet" (coughcough)

Movement: Yes and it's still awkward/uncomfortable

Food cravings? No, am I really pregnant?!

Anything making you sick or queasy? Too much milk :-/

Gender: Little Miss

Symptoms: Let's see. Really achy back and feet if I stand or sit for too long, cramps, always hungry, and always out of breath

Labor signs? No

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy this week :)

Worst moment this week: I have a low tolerance for milk and I decided I wanted two glasses of it before bed last night. No sleep and spent the morning in the bathroom. Just sayin'

Best moment this week: My sister's bachelorette party Friday & Saturday! My mind got to venture out of pregnant mode into wedding mode!! :)

Looking forward to: Dragging my friends to help me register. I have not bought the FIRST thing (not even a hair bow) for this little chick. (except one box of diapers that were on clearance at Target) My doc says I need to get on it! Haha!

Baby info: Brooklynn weighs almost a pound now and is 7 to 8 inches long. Although she's filling out, her body still appears wrinkled because she lacks a significant layer of fat beneath her skin. Her nerve endings have become functional so that she can feel! She's formed lips and her eyes are complete!

Offbeat Finale

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:13

We wrapped up "Offbeat" last night. It was a heavy night. In order to live offbeat for Him, we have to confess the things that we think we are hiding from others and the Lord. We think that because others don't see our hurt and our pain, God doesn't see it either - that He is busy tending to other peoples' needs or cares. But He sees it all. We also think that if we advertise a person who has it all together, than people will see us as a person who has it all together. But, "It's not what you advertise that counts, but what you're made out of." Last night, we saw 165 students, 11 new guests, 2 salvations, 3 rededications, and TONS of freedom for many students!!

We all think we're expert hiders!

God wants to change us from the inside out but, first, we have to let the inside out. 

There's nothing you can confess that will make God love you any less.

You may be an expert at hiding things from other people but you're a rookie when it comes to hiding things from God.

We don't expect God to love us as we are! It's okay to not be okay!

It's comforting to know He sees our every move because we know that nothing catches Him by surprise!

It's not what you advertise that counts but what you're made out of!

No matter the scars, don't hide them! Use them for His glory! Our story for His glory!

God knew the real you -- and still died for you!

Lastly, we got to hear from one of our own seniors as he courageously shared his story of pain that later turned into a story of freedom! Thank you, Parks, for being used for His glory!

Here's to the next series!!

21 weeks

How far along? 21 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 8 lb. as of Monday and yes, it looks and feels like a lot more!!

Maternity clothes: A few things here and there...all hand-me-downs of course :)

Stretch marks? Not yet

Sleep? I've gone from 2 pillows to 5. Getting a little more complicated and shorter but I'm not complaining...yet!

Miss Anything? Clear skin :-/

Movement: Yep

Food cravings? Still none!

Anything making you sick or queasy? Just when I eat too much

Gender: Girl :)

Symptoms: Achy ribs still, just being uncomfortable, and pregnant brain a.k.a. memory loss. If I forget your name, it's not personal!

Labor signs? No

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Happy this week :)

Worst moment this week: Having to watch my sugar! Thank you, PCOS, for "allowing" me to be a borderline gestational diabetic!

Best moment this week: Not sure...Is that bad? Haha! I do have a mad respect for these moms who have 2+ kids of their own and "love being pregnant"! I haven't gotten to that point yet! Ha-ha!!

Looking forward to: Nursery decorating! I'm actually starting to look forward to having a little one as opposed to just being a "deer in headlights" and freaked out! But no, I'm still "not ready" ;)

Baby Info: She's the size of a pomegranate (10.5 inches and 12.7 oz.) She's already got a lifetime supply of eggs (6,000,000 of them) inside of her own womb. Nuts.

Offbeat week 3

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."     Galatians 6:7-9

We make about 5,000 decisions every day ranging from "Will I get out of bed?" and "What will I wear?" all the way to "Will I give in to the world in this area of my life?" When answering these questions we have one of two ways to respond: the narrow way or the wide gate. The narrow way leading to eternal life or the wide gate leading to destruction. After concluding week 3 of "Offbeat", hopefully you and I both will remember, "Direction not Intention determines your destination." (Andy Stanley)

Here's a catch-up from last night:

"When we choose to sin, we choose to suffer!" We reap what we sow! Jesus came to free us from sin; He didn't come for us to live in it, still.

"We are as close to God as we choose to be." 

Living offbeat can be on of the loneliest places. DON'T GIVE UP! We will reap a harvest!

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17

If someone was to mimic you, would they be mimicking Jesus? 

Is your twitter account imitating Jesus? Would He sign His name beside your tweets?

"We have to live for God's APPROVAL not man's APPLAUSE!"

"Jesus wants a full-time commitment not a part-time follower!" 

"Is heaven or hell celebrating your decisions?"

Your friends play a huge role in where to go in life. Where are you going?

 

20 weeks!

How far along? 20 weeks! 

Total weight gain/loss: I'll know tomorrow :-)

Maternity clothes: Still just maternity jeans

Stretch marks? None yet

Sleep? Getting a little more uncomfortable. Back and forth between sides all night long!

Miss Anything? Not having my stomach in my chest

Movement: She's a feisty one!

Food cravings? None

Anything making you sick or queasy? No

Gender: girl girl girl

Symptoms: Oh geez! Let's see. Aching back, sore ribs, swollen feet...baby B and I are gonna have to have a talk!

Labor signs? No

Belly button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or moody most of the time? Not moody...just impatient ;-) 

Worst moment this week: Aches!

Best moment this week: She's quite the kicker but I'm not sure I like it...lol! It's awkward and uncomfortable...I know, I'm not that sappy mom. But it's good to know she's a-movin'!

Looking forward to: Cute baby "stuff"