What I'm Reading...

or should I say...what we're reading.

I love reading books with my husband.

This is a wonderful book on marriage by Paul David Tripp.  Many marriage books don't address the fact that we are all married to sinners and vice versa. Most marital problems/issues, big and small, stem from sin...it's just the reality of it.  Growing more in love with our Lord thwarts sin as our desires become in line with His desires.  As we grow in godliness, so does our marriage.

another spotlight

Last week, I spotlighted some friends' blogs that I read and gave a little make-over.

Here's another blog that I spruced up a bit...

Celebrating Life is written by my friend, Sandy.  She writes about life as a mom to nine wonderful children, homeschooling adventures, recipes, and her love for and commitment to our Lord.  If you get a chance, check out her blog.  You are sure to enjoy it as much as I do.

"blue blank"

I have a child that is hopelessly attached to a blanket.  It wasn't something we planned or encouraged--it just happened.  Frankly, it's one of the cutest things about our little Rosie--her love for her "blue blank".  

• Aunt Ann made it especially for her.  Thanks a million, Aunt Ann!
• She's held tightly to it every.single.night.of.her.life.
• At some point along the way, we stopped allowing her to take it places unless we were staying overnight.
• But...around the house, she's always got it close by her side.  
• I smile every.single.morning. as she greets me dragging "it" behind her. 
• Aunt Ann made a "mini-me" version of "blue blank" (same yarn) that pacifies her when we don't have the real deal.
• It's beginning to unravel. *sigh*
• She's lovingly called it "blue blank" for as long as I can remember.

As I write this post, I'm reminded of a special word AG used as a toddler.  Remember wakiku? We still say it from time to time, but it is slowly fading away.  Sadly, it's almost gone.  

*AG is to wakiku as Edy is to blue blank*  They're both precious and priceless. 

The main reason I started this blog--stories such as these.  Some things are just too special to forget. 

baby things...

Just a few baby things...

So...third time around, the car seat is looking kinda drab.  I ordered a car seat cover, visor cover, blanket, and car seat canopy for 40 bucks.  The pattern is a little more bold/busy/not me, but it looks tons better than before.  I'm happy with the price and the newness it added to the old thing.

 

Even though I have a long while before I need this baby bullet, I'm excited to make Joy's food.  I'll keep you posted as that time approaches.  

I just received word that my baby bedding has finally shipped.  I can't wait until it gets here later this week so I can put the finishing touches on the room. 

My sweet friend, Kara, is a hostess for my baby shower and I just love the invites she picked out.  Aren't they cute!?! 

Friday, I have a doctor's appointment.  I'll have blood work drawn to see how the platelet's are doing.  I appreciate your prayers regarding this matter.  I am still trusting and obeying--day by day.  

11 to go...?

Yesterday, a friend asked me how far along I am and I couldn't remember.  I went blank.  I had to go to my pregnancy app to find out.  That is so unlike me, but I seem to be forgetting a lot of things these days. 

So...I'm 28 weeks.  Since I'm a planned c-section, I have 11 weeks to go.  Just 11 short weeks until we have another little babe. 

There's not much to tell since my last update a few days ago.  If you missed it, you can check it out HERE. 

Graham took this pic of me today--there's the baby belly some of you have been requesting to see.  I'm excited for my upcoming maternity photo session.  I've never had maternity shots and I am so glad that my talented friend is going to capture this pregnancy for us.  It was a long road to get here and may be the last pregnancy of mine left to capture--only God knows.

I just finished reading the post I wrote when I was 28 weeks along with Edy.  You can check it out HERE.  I am feeling about the same as I was then:  ready to clean, declutter, get a move on the nursery, I've gained the same amount of weight, and I'm feeling pretty good these days...other than some lower-back pain.  Can't complain.

Thanks for your continued prayers for our little Joy.

Spotlight on Some Friends' Blogs

I have a couple of friends that have recently started blogging (or should I say...Again, Amy!?!)  I love it when my friends jump on the "blogging-bandwagon"! I helped their blogs out a bit with a little make-over.  Check out Amy's blog:  The Crispins...Everyday Blessings.  She writes a about her family and life as a SAHM.

And check out my friend, Kara's blog: Milk & Honey.  She writes about her two little girls, life as a SAHM, and her new business: LaneyBugs.

These girls have been good friends to me since moving to Texas.  I have enjoyed reading their blogs and look forward to upcoming posts!  

Happy Valentine's Day

 

Our Valentine's Day

I've said it before and I'll say it again...We love to celebrate!  We are fans of celebrations and Valentine's day is no exception.  Although, it's not necessary to spend a fortune on gifts/treats, we always get a little something for one another.  

Sunday pic

*it rained a ton so the girls wore their cute rainboots*

Yesterday, we got a package from Tat and Gaga:  Shari's Berries = YUM!  How cute are those ladybug cakepops?

This morning, Graham woke us girls up with our Valentine's gifts...

 

 Graham gave each of his girls a rose.  AG: yellow, Edy: pink, and me: red.

Edy hasn't been feeling well...again.  She has fever, sniffles, and a terrible cough.  Poor girl missed all the Valentine's fun at MDO today! 

 

Graham got me a cutting board I've had my eyes on, a classic white pitcher, some chocolates, and a spa manicure and pedicure.  Wonderful!!

We finished up our day with Pizza Hut for dinner as a family. Thanks, Na and Pops!  Tomorrow night, Graham and I are going on a dinner date.  I'm looking forward to it!

Hope you had a Happy Valentine's Day!

New Park

Bullard got a new park and it is fantastic.  We went on Friday.  It was really crowded, but I know once the hype wears down, we will make regular visits.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-Valentine's Day Fun

Last night, we had a little pre-Valentine's Day fun.  We made a heart-shaped cookie cake complete with pink icing and Valentine's sprinkles. 

*Thanks, Na and Pops for the cake stuff.  It made for a fun family night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After decorating and enjoying a slice of the cookie cake, the girls watched Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown on the iPad.

They were really in to it!

My two very different little sweeties!

Trust & Obey

*I promised a pregnancy update, but this is much more than that. Please hear my heart:

How many of you struggle with an anxious heart?  My hand is higher than yours!!!  I lack trust due to my anxiety.  I know that it is sin and I find myself constantly bringing my sin before the Lord in repentance.

These past few weeks have been no exception:

Two weeks ago, I went in for my glucose test and blood work--protocol at this stage in the game.  I wasn't concerned because gestational diabetes has never been something that I've had to deal with.  Instead, the nurse called me to inform me that I passed the glucose test, but my blood levels were lower than normal (I'm anemic, not that surprising or concerning) and my platelet count was lower than normal (news to me).  At the time, I didn't think much of this diagnosis because the nurse assured me that no harm comes to me or the baby with this condition although routine blood work would be the norm from here on out.

As any anxiety-prone person knows:  Don't go searching the Internet in uncertain times.  So, what do you think I did?  You guessed it!  By Friday afternoon, I was worried.  My doctor called to talk about  low-platelet counts in pregnancy AKA gestational thrombocytopenia and did little to ease my fears. Apparently, about 8% of pregnant women have this complication.  Of the 8%, 30 percent of the cases are due to autoimmune disorders (Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc.) and the other 70 percent of the cases are just unfortunate to have this low platelet thingy.  I had ANA panels drawn to rule out autoimmune disorders (PTL, they were negative) and I am one of the 70 percent that just has this rare condition.  My initial blood work confirmed my platelet counts at 118,000 (normal is 140-400,000) and in one week's time the platelets had dropped another 4,000.  As it turns out, there isn't much I can do to raise the counts and there isn't anything I am doing, per se, to cause the platelet counts to drop.  It's all just science, unfortunate...end of story.  Well, sort of...Basically, if my platelet count drops below 100,000 I will not be able to have a spinal during my c-section.  Dr. can't monitor the puncture from the needle and there could be concern for excess bleeding. That means I will most likely be given general anesthesia during delivery.  In other words, put to sleep.

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Now some of you are reading this and thinking:  What's the big deal?  Baby is healthy, right?  Quit your belly aching.  It could be so much worse.  Don't lie, I know that is what some of you are thinking.  And to you I would say, you're absolutely right!  It could be a whole lot worse.  As far as we know, Joy Baby is just fine.  I am fine.  I am so blessed to be having another precious baby girl!  I hear you and I agree.

I am a little lot upset about not getting to hear my baby's first cry, not getting to see her face until a few hours after delivery, being more groggy compared to past deliveries...the list goes on and on.

This is all hypothetical.  There is a chance that my platelet count could stay above 100.  There is also a very likely chance that they could drop way below 100.  It's just not certain and I still have 12 weeks until delivery.

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Okay, now that I've spilled the beans with y'all.  Here's the great news:

I know from experience that God grows me leaps and bounds through the trials of life.  He teaches me more about Him.  He has done it before and He is at it again--To God be the Glory!  After my convo with the doctor, the Lord hushed my anxiety with this:  Leslie, are you going to trust Me?  This is just another attempt to get you to trust in Me.  To which I earnestly replied, Yes, Lord!

I am reading through Exodus right now.  Along with my Bible reading, I am going through Warren Weirsbe's commentary: BE DELIVERED.  I must share this little excerpt from my reading:

The question God asks is this:  "Will you trust Me?"  He asks, "Will you trust Me to deliver you from this perilous situation?  Will you trust Me to deliver you from financial ruin?  Will you trust Me to deliver you from the sadness of the death of a loved one?  Will you trust Me to deliver you from fear of tragedy, from anxiety about the future, from a dead-end job, from a crippling illness?  And if I choose not to deliver you in the way that you desire, for reasons of My own, will you trust Me to provide you with the strength to endure, believing that:  "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness?" (2 Cor. 12:9) The Big Idea:  An Introduction to Be Delivered by Ken Baugh

Our God is a mighty God!  He hears our cries from heaven and He cares!  "Do not fear, stop being afraid, for I am with you always."  Yes, He is!  I am convicted, challenged, and comforted by this truth.

Thanks for hearing me out.  I hope you heard my heart and not just a belly-aching whiner.  I am going to trust and obey my Heavenly Father.

Amen and Amen.

Edy's New Do

I told you in the previous post that I would post pics of Edy's new haircut.  It is so cute that I can't quit touching it, talking about it, and admiring it.  It's just the cut for her.  

These 'before and after' shots are a little deceiving   Her hair wasn't near as bad as those 'before' shots make it look.  I didn't do anything to her hair this morning so the 'after' shots look remarkable.  She has such thin, straight hair that her new little bob gives her so much more definition, body, and really highlights her cute round face.  It's just precious.

It's super short in the back which looks so darn adorable!  Almost makes me want to run out and get my hair chopped off again...almost.

week/weak review

Our week:

• AG has discovered infomercials.  This morning, she informed me that steel springs cause back pain and  lack of energy.  (Thanks, Sleep Number!)
• While eating dinner on Monday night, the drum light fell from the ceiling stopping just before it landed on the table.  Great!  Thankful that nothing was damaged and we weren't out any money to have it repaired. (gotta love that our church is full of handy-men)
• My computer semi-crashed on Tuesday.  I got it back yesterday and it is still having problems.  *sigh*
• AG just finished her fifth reader.  She read two new books this week!
• I just got word that the baby bedding should be here next week!  So excited.
• I got semi-bad/semi-good news from the doctor.  Apparently, this 'platelet thing' isn't going away.  I'll share in a later post. I've got some questions and concerns.  Good news:  Blood work is better and the anemia is lessening and platelets aren't affecting baby Joy.
• Edy has a mullet.  We are going for a haircut this afternoon.  Can't wait to see her with a new stacked bob.  I'll post pics later.
• Valentine's Day is fast approaching.  I love Valentine's!
• Got some Valentine goodies together for AG and Ro's MDO teachers.

How cute is this little treat?

How presh are these little girls in their new Valentine's shirts?  Thanks, Na and Pops!

• Getting baby things down from the attic this afternoon.  I'm excited!
• Edy spilled blood red Powerade on the carpet in her room.  It is NOT coming up. Suggestions welcome.
• We are checking out a new park in Bullard today.  Apparently, there are only 10 like it in the nation.  The girls are excited and I'm anxious to see what all the hype is about.
• I'm all caught up on Downton Abbey.  After being unimpressed with Season 1, I didn't jump on the bandwagon and watch Season 2.  A few weeks ago when Season 3 started, I DVR'd the episodes, checked out Season 2 from the library, loved it, and caught up on Season 3.  I'm all in and then some!!! #freebates #dowagercountess #sadaboutsybil
• I thought we had an interesting week, but after reading over this post, I find it rather boring--quite weak.  (That reminds me...To all the Downton fans out there, do you catch yourself trying to talk super proper after each episode?  G calls me out all the time! #southerngirlprobs)

Updates on the pregnancy, Edy's blue blanket situation, and baby room progress coming soon!  

Sick-O

We're on day 3 of fever for Miss Rosie.  It's been low-grade for the most part, but hasn't let up much.  Praying the rest of us can stay in the clear.

You know you're sick when you play LEGOS laying down!