My new favorites

Okay I have found some newer artists that I totally love and my favorite songs of their's are right below:

Jon McLaughlin
"Beautiful Disaster"












Brandon Heath
"I'm not who I was"










Disciple
"After the world"







Wavorly
"Praise and Adore (some live without it)"

Thursdays

The next 3 weeks on Thursdays we will be completing the childbirth prepared classes, as one the ladies in the class said so eloquently they're called prepared classes so you can get prepared to scream!

No not really! The classes have been very informative, Andrew and I have homework we TRY to do every night. Andrew was told he has to practice massaging my back every night (which has been soooo nice) and I have to do some exercises that he spots me on in case I lose my balance or something like that- Squatting, lunges, etc.

This last week has been hard as far as sleeping goes since you are only supposed to sleep on your side, my thighs and hips have been extremely sore when I wake up because I lay on my side, so I switch sides in the night but that doesn't help just makes both side sore so I walk like I am hobbling all day because my muscles are sore there. Other than that the baby doesn't wake me up with the kicking or anything in the middle of the night.

As to be expected, I am only 8 weeks away from my due date and of course I am getting anxious and nervous, wondering how I am going to do in delivery, will I have any complications, how long will I be in labor? You know the normal questions I am sure every mother who will be in labor ask themselves. I only have about 4 weeks left of work right now before I go on materity leave which I can't wait for. Work has been so exhausting and I can't seem to keep up like I would like to.

I have a lot of information I have to look up before the baby comes, like insurance for the baby after it's born because Andrew's work does not have good group rates and I won't be eligible for insurance once I go to part time status. I have been given some great information from IEHP and also the EDD for compensation of my income when I move to part time. God has really been good at providing for us once the baby comes, He is so awesome to us :) Yikes only 8 weeks left!!!!

Yippee!!!

Praise the Lord, the results are in Thank you for your prayers- I do NOT have gestational diabetes!! My test came back normal which was such a praise. Baby's heart beat was strong, and I have a follow up test to make sure my UTI has cleared up. I will be starting to have appts every 2 weeks until I get closer to my due date now, so my next appt is July 19th.

Today, we start our Childbirth classes at 6:30pm so this should be an interesting experience for sure!!! I will let you know how that goes later tonight.

Thank you again everyone for your prayers!!

In style

So, We have been moved in since March but haven't really done too much as far as decorating the house but since I am in mommy mode and feeling the nesting thing with everything being clean and all... I finally bought some items at my good ole' friend Target to move the process along. Here are some pictures of some items I have bought, I really like them especially my little trunk for the entry way!

31 Weeks

Hey Everyone, It seems like it has been a while since I have posted a new picture of myself seems like I am growing pretty fast here I can't believe it! Monday marks the beginning of my 31st week- Yikes can you believe that I am only 9 weeks away from my due date already??

We have been working on signing up for our childbirth classes, which I believe should be starting this upcoming Thurs. Kind of exciting and also becoming even more surreal and I have been starting to prepare for my maternity leave at work and then childbirth classes... It's been a whirlwind of sorts because it has flown by so quickly.
I have been pretty lucky so far in my pregnancy, the only stretch marks I have gotten are on my thighs of all places (go figure!), Seems like I am carrying mainly all in the front like I am growing straight out more than around. Also, the wedding rings have come off this week, I was barely able to get them off last night so I have resulted to not wearing them anymore as I have become a tiny swollen in my hands and a tiny bit in my feet but nothing too noticeable just yet.

The baby is doing some crazy things in my stomach- I feel a hard kick and I will put my hand of my stomach and I feel the baby's foot or something... I am like Whoa!! Okay- that is new! There are times that the baby moves so much that it actually tickles me especially when I go to lay down to sleep. It's a nice reassurance that everything is still going okay with the baby so far so I like feeling the baby rolling around in there.

We finished VBS this last Friday which I have to say is fun but also very exhausting at the same time because we go to work for 8 hours and then we are non-stop again until 8:30pm when VBS gets done every night. We had a lot of success this year with an average of 90 children attending our VBS. I am glad that it is over now though because I NEED SLEEP! ha ha.

Also, the newest show I started watching was Top Chef on Bravo, this is interesting another reality TV show in which I have found amusing now so I have been watching this. Andrew and I now are able to get YouTube videos on our Apple TV so we have watched a few performances from Britain's Got Talent show and an across Paul Potts, sells Cell Phones for a living but seems to be able to sing amazing Opera like Andrea Bocelli and Pavaroti- Even Simon Cowell was impressed. Crazy huh?

Alrighty, well that is it for now.

Diabetes?

So my glucose testing came back abnormal so I have to end up doing a 2nd glucose testing that is 3 hours and they take blood at different intervals to find out if I actually have gestational diabetes. I have to fast once again tonight and then go to the lab to do some more glucose testing again. Fun huh?

The rundown

Saturday- Andrew performed yet another wedding for Frank and Nicole Hoyos out in Fallbrook at the Enchanted Forest... this location was beautiful. Man made lake with swans, waterfall, gazebo, castle... beautiful! Then later that night went to Huntington Beach for a small bonfire and s'mores.

Sunday- Headed back on the road again to Cherry Valley for Andrew's brothers birthday and then spent the rest of the night doing 2 weeks worth of laundry- ugh!

Monday- Friday: Vacation Bible School for our church, I was supposed to be helping with the 1st and 2nd graders but ended up running the powerpoint and videos inside the church all week. Which is fine with me since I get to sit.

** With only 10 weeks left to go til my due date, we are trying to get everything as ready as we can. I am signing up for child birth classes this week hopefully I can squeeze them in before it gets to late. Baby is really starting rumble around this week with me having to stop walking at some points because she/he is moving so much. My next appt is next Thu- pray that everything is still going good!!

Newest items

Here are some recent pictures I have taken of my belly- baby is moving a lot and seems to be doing some somersaults now. Crazy, looks like a little alien inside my belly :)




























Also, newest on my items to buy for the wedding I am doing in July, ahhh It's so pretty and not expensive either and will take wonderful portraits. I can't wait to try it out already!!!

GPS owners: Beware!!

Yesterday marks the 3rd person I know to have their car broken in to for their portable GPS system. The GPS systems are mainly being stolen to re-sell because (mainly people steal because they don't want to work like normal people and get paid hourly- they decide they want to take something that other people have worked hard for and pay taxes.... ehh don't get me started) they can be worth anywhere from $250- $600. Anyone who owns these GPS's no matter what kind of car you drive are at risk for being broken into and stolen. This item seems to be the #1 stolen items now, a friend had their laptop and other items in the vehicle with this and they did not touch any of these items- they just broke the window to steal the GPS system. Please take your GPS with you at all times when leaving your vehicle, please make sure to share this information with anyone who owns one for their own protection.

29 Weeks - 7th month and other stuff

This week marks the beginning of my 29th week and my 7th month. It's crazy to think about how fast my pregnancy has gone and now I am looking forward to baby showers and the baby coming.... Ahhhh! I know it's a little scary sometimes just thinking about this little baby inside me. God has been so good to us though in preparing us for what may lie ahead. I know no books or anything can really prepare me for what is ahead for us, but I am relying on God to strengthen me for what kind of baby I will have. The baby is moving like CRAZY now- I can seem my whole stomach moving sometimes... and I can totally feel when the baby is rolling over or wiggling because it feels so different than a kick. It's exciting but also freakishly wierd to see my belly moving like this... it sometimes actually tickles me :)

My next venture is child birth classes- yikes! Hopefully they just teach the Lamaze method some of the other methods I am not so sure about! I am nervous a little about how I will be able to handle the contractions and I don't think any video will help me REALLY grasp how much it could hurt. I am open though to other drugs, and I know for sure that the epidural is pretty much out of the question because of the spine thing I don't think I can ever be okay with that spine thing.

In other news, we are waiting on a temp at work who will be qualified to come in and take my place during maternity leave. My boss wants me to sit in on the interviews and get my opinion on the candidates. In this also, my office is supposed to be moving at the end of this month to our rennovated building with a whole new set up, more storage room, etc. So training a temp, moving, maternity leave- yikes!! A lot going on right now.

Health clearance for Momma and baby!

I have my Dr's appt yesterday, and because I was sick lately the last couple of days my blood pressure has been a little higher than normal so I was getting just a little concerned as one of the girls in my office brought in their blood pressure machine to have us all check our blood pressure. Went into the Dr's yesterday and the nurse checked my blood pressure and it was 120/74 which is a good number! I was so ecstatic to hear this :)
I was on some medication Cipro for my bladder infection because of the Urgent Care visit on Sunday, I told her this is what the Dr put me on she immediately wanted to change me over to a different medication not because what I was on was bad but because she wanted me on something a little safer. The baby's heart beat was in the 150's which is good, I know every one thinks that you can predict the sex of the baby from this numbers- all wives tales! Before my next appt, I have to do my glucose screening which will tell me whether or not I have gestation diabetes, etc. I have to fast for 8 hours before the test, so they suggested do it in the morning before you go to work that is the easiest time. That's it for now, baby is moving quite a bit now and with some pretty hard thumps.

*Andrew is in Missouri or Misery as I like to call it until Sunday, I have to pick him up from Ontario airport. He and Josh went out there for a friend of ours Caleb's wedding, his fiancee is from this state and luckily both will be moving to California after they are married! Yippee! Congrats to them on their marriage tomorrow :)

Sad Day!!

Sad Day, yesterday, I found out that someone I used to go to church with Guin (Dixon) passed away just a few days ago. She left behind a husband and a baby girl, Please pray for her family and the Darling family as they get through this tragedy. Guin was 24 years old, and they think that she passed away from complication from her Diabetes. Funeral will be held on Friday.

Capt'n Crunch at Starbucks!!!

I have never much been a Starbucks person, I go every once in a great while and get a little something. Andrew has a habit of always asking the cashier what they order from here... This cashier one time said "I get the Capt'n Crunch" we both looked at each other and said what is that? He says "It is Strawberries N Cream with toffee" Andrew decided sure why not... Holy Cow! Have you ever had the Capt'n crunch with berries cereal? This blended creme tastes exactly like this- next time you head to Starbucks you gotta try this drink!!!!

Babies popping up everywhere and other happenings...

So exciting there now 2 couples more that recently found out they are pregnant...Babies are coming up everywhere!!!

Ty & Lauren Briggs

also Kendal & Katie Pool

Recent happenings in my life... Had a lot of drama at work with a new supervisor in a different department at work who tried to point the finger at me for a mistake he made and tried to lie about it my blaming it on me which I had nothing to do with. Luckily, I have been with the company for over a year now and have totally proven my trustworthiness to the company in my work that when I told them that wasn't the truth... they believed me and backed me up. I love my bosses, they are just such awesome supervisors!

Onto other things, Friday I thought I was having a lovely tuna fish sandwich which turned out to be not so lovely because I got FOOD POISENING!!! Freaking Tuna! Nothing was staying in my stomach all weekend, by Sunday still no food in my stomach and I had a really high fever. After calling my step-dad, David, (super nurse) advised me to get checked out just in case I am dehydrated. By 2:30 in the afternoon, went to Urgent Care and said I told the Dr what I had to eat, He said "Yeah that will do it, you would be surprised at how much bacteria is on Tuna after 3o minutes, just a word to the wise stay away from any Tuna salad, Chicken Salad or Egg Salad- You have Food poisoning....and after taking a urine sample said "Well, you're definitely not dehydrated and in addition to the food poisoning- you have a bladder infection" (no doubt from the dang Ultrasound where I had to hold my urine for the longest time ever!) The Dr gave me medication for the infection but couldn't give me anything for the food poisoning since I am pregnant so I had to suffer through an all liquid diet for 24 hours. For the first time in days I had some soup and a roll and it stayed in my stomach finally. I am going to take it easy on the food for a little while longer just to make sure I don't get sick again. All I have to say is never bu any pre-made food from a grocery store, don't be lazy and just make the dang sandwich yourself!!

Memorial Day Weekend!

Happy Memorial Day, I hope you all had a safe and fun Memorial Day! We spent Friday- Sunday afternoon down in Oceanside at a timeshare (via Josh read, thanks Josh!) with the Fitzpatrick's! We left Friday after work, picked up the Fitzpatrick's and headed down to Oceanside. We are so thankful, we left a little after 7pm and arrived a little after 8pm... Can you believe we hit almost NO traffic! It was awesome!

Saturday, we woke up at around 9:30am, ate some breakfast, and got ready to start the day. A group picture here of the group walking on our way to the movie theater (less than 1 mile) to buy our tickets to see Pirates of the Carribbean 3. Becca Fitzpatrick sewed us both cute little tube top dresses so here was a little picture of us being matchy matchy :)




We did a little shopping, ate lunch at Ruby's at the end of the pier where I had fish and chips, some zuchini and a vanilla shake... I know I know- slow down :) We also made several attempts at flying a kite, say attempts because it was just plain funny to watch. Below is a picture of a bike that we rented called the Cobi- It was incredibly hard to go up hills but it was so fun to watch people's reactions as we rode down the street.

We watched Pirates of the Carribbean 3 at the theater near the timeshare and with very little people... we didn't have to wait in any lines or get pushy with people. The movie was incredibly awesome and as to be expected everyone is wondering if there will be a 4th movie.... I say leave it alone we don't want to make it like the land before time, ha ha. By the end of the movie, my pregnant butt was so ready to take a stretch... and I have to ask- Did everyone wait til after the credits to see what happens?? After the movie, I was exhausted so I stayed in the room, but the other decided to take a walk to the beach to see if we could watch the grunion run, there were tons of grunion jumping out of the water and some poor little squid who ended up beaching themselves trying to catch the grunion- How sad!

Sunday, we woke up late after a late night.... and after some contemplating decided to go down to Seaport Village- which according to the timeshare receptionist was "just down the street"... that was about hmmm... 40 minutes! Anyway, we got there and had some sandwiches and took some nice pictures, did some shopping... Here are some pictures they took of Andrew and I... and my pregnant belly :)



Monday, We woke up very late did some laundry and headed to Cookie's house to do some swimming.... Here are some funny pictures they took of me in my maternity bathing suit!!

25 weeks

This week is the beginning of my 25th week of pregnancy also at the point if the baby happened to born at this point would be considered viable. The baby would be in the hospital for quite some time, but good news to hear at least. I am still working on getting rid of this darn congestion and cough from being sick last week. Friday, my work sent me home in the middle of the day because I still wasn't feeling good and of course I started crying- they all understood it was my hormones speaking... that's the first time I have cried for no good reason- ha ha!

Also, a little bit of interesting news: My clinic asked me if I would do some advertisements for the OB/GYN area with 1 of the Dr's from the clinic. They wanted someone pregnant, and I think I might be the only one left. All the other pregnant women either had their baby or is on maternity leave. So you might see my face with one of the Dr's in a Riverside Medical Clinic promo advertisement. I told the marketing guy, he had to give me notice so that I got myself looking cute and ready for anything like that!!! ha ha.
I am still feeling pretty good, just tired now! I have had the hardest time sleeping with my cold and the belly really isn't getting in the way just yet... just incomfortable really. Andrew and I were just laying in bed on Saturday morning laughing and watching my belly move because of the baby. It's so funny watching my belly move so much now. Everyone at church started to notice how much my belly started popping out now.

Anyway... that should be it for now!

All my favorite shows....

Are going to be ending this week and next week, Sad DAY! Grey's Anatomy season finale ended last night tragically, and totally not leaving me with a feeling that I am itching to watch next season at all. It was a painful last episode and very disappointing, I say very disappointing.

Heroes only has 1 episode left and unlike Grey's Anatomy, I am always left wanting more with Heroes, it's so intriguing and unpredictable! What is going to happen with Hiro Nakamura??

LOST, another one of my favorite shows- will be ending next week also. Unexpected turn of events with the characters, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next episode with Charlie! I was told they only have 1 more season and then it will be ending. I assume that they can only make the story last for so long before people get bored and want to see them get rescued already. I still love the show and would not mind if it continued on.

Our newest adventures, that we can still continue to watch because we are playing catch up is 24 with Keifer Sutherland. This originally was not a series that I thought we would like, but once I started watching it- Wow pretty intense shows. Also, Alias with Jennifer Garner- we started with Season 1 on DVD and have slowly worked our way up to Season 3 on DVD. Only 2 more season of Alias left before we complete it. I love watching all my favorite shows without commercials, so much time is not wasted sitting around waiting for it to come back.

There are definitely a lot of other shows I would like to watch, like America's next top model, Extreme Home Makeover, American Idol, etc. but I just can't get those on Itunes yet. Someday... it will come soon don't you worry :)

24 weeks

Here is an updated picture of me at 24 weeks (6months)! My belly is starting to grow rapidly, and I am really starting to notice such a growth. The baby is starting to put on the fat this month, according to all the weekly guides I have been reading. The baby is going through periods of activity, and I really start to notice my stomach moving when he/she is moving. Sometimes I can almost imagine the baby tap dancing on my bladder because I feel like I have to use the restroom all the time (ha ha!)

We got a crib given to us, it is a Delta Luv crib, rated extremely high on the Consumer Reports and we assembled it this week and put it in the room. Seeing the crib in the room makes the baby even more of a reality now, in just a little while there will be a baby in there- yipeee :)

Sitting at home!

Day 2 of being sick, Stayed home once again from work today because I think it is good to share with my co-workers everything but my sickness... ha ha. I am in between taking naps and my Sudafed to help with the sinus issue, coughing, headache, and fever. While there isn't much to do at home other than sleep, watch some movies, and well look on the internet- I just couldn't help myself but to look at some baby stuff. I know that everyone I knows hopes we have a boy, I still keeping my options open for a girl. I found these 2 cute little onesies I shared with Andrew as well because they are just tooooo cute!

From Old Navy



















From JCPenney by Carter's

Sicker than a dog!!!

Friday, it started with a sore throat and now I at home on a Tuesday with a sore throat, cough, runny nose, and slight fever. I made a call to the Dr to find out what medications I am able to take in order to make myself feel somewhat better. So, Dr Bryan said I am allowed to take Sudafed, Actifed, Cotylenol, and Robitussin. In between sleeping and watching movies I am hoping to get better before I have to go to work tomorrow. Keep me in your prayers :)

An update from the Holybee's

Friday- At work was our Healthcare Recognition for all employees and Doctor's. Hamburger, Hot Dogs, potato salad, starwberry shortcake: and Ice Cream. Very nice day but also very busy with all the planning and phone calls. At night, Andrew and I saw Spiderman 3, which I would not recommend. It was painful to watch- really! The story between Peter and MJ was totally ruined and I don't think I would watch this movie again.

Saturday- Woke up early to get ready for a wedding. This was Andrew's first wedding he has ever performed. He was nervous and hands were shaking, but made it through a very nice ceremony. It only gets easier from here :) The rest of the night stayed at home and tried to enjoy ourselves.

Sunday- Happy Mother's Day to all Mommies and soon- to- be mommies! We went to church in the morning and at 2pm went to Andrew's mom's house for a lunch and gave her a very nice glass Tea/ Lemonade container with a built in spicket for pouring. I loved it, even if just for decor. Got back into town at around 5pm and finished my laundry and watched the finale of "Survivor- Fiji" Yahhhh for Earl :)
Monday- Today I am struggling to get through the day, I have been trying to fight off this sore throat since Sunday. Someone must have gotten me sick or something... I thought I was going to be so proud of not being sick my whole pregnancy- I guess that is out now. I didn't want to come into work today, but because I have so much to do at work I couldn't miss. I feel yucky- wish I could have stayed in bed :( The baby is now kicking like crazy and now everytime I can, I grab Andrew's hand to feel the baby kickin. We both just smile, sometimes it actually tickles me when it kicks :) I sit at my lunch break and just watch my stomach move, it's so awesome!!!!! I can't wait to see what our little baby will look like!!! I am weighing in at 158lbs and only a few more months to go. I don't think I have ever weighed that much in my life, but it's for our little baby :)

That's about it for now!

Dr's appt today

I had my check up today with my Dr after the ultrasound. Dr reported that the baby looks great in proportions, placenta is where it should be and is correct size and our Baby's heart looks normal. Our baby's heart beat is in the 150's which is normal. My blod pressure seemed to be a little higher than my last appt (124/75). Andrew and I will be walking this afternoon to combat my elevated pressure... other than that, we're doing good. I have another another appt in 4 weeks.

Exciting news too! My stomach is actually starting to move now a little. Andrew was able to feel my stomach for the first time this last week. It's still so crazy to think our baby is flipping around in there!!! So awesome :)

Our newest addition...

As I blogged about a few months ago, we sold our beautiful truck to try and cut some costs before the baby comes... in place of the truck we bought a 1996 Acura Integra that was kept in perfect condition and for a low low price of $3800. It was such an awesome deal, and to top it all it is in great condition so that really made out day. We heard about this car being for sale from a girl at a Bridal Shower I was at a few weekends ago. We were so excited about this and of course, Andrew loves it because it is manual transmission just like he wanted. Got give praise to God once more for providing for our needs once again!

Ultrasound

Last Friday I had my ultrasound, the pictures are below! I had to do the whole full bladder thing (yipee!). I didn't quite know how much water to drink. As I am writhing in pain from TOO much water. I check in for my appt, and the receptionist tells me to have a seat should be about 15 more minutes so I am thinking.... MAN I can't wait that long. I went up to her and asked her "Can I please go to the restroom and let some out, this is totally killing me right now" She responded and said, "Go ahead, Count to 10 and you'll have to stop" I am thinking to myself... Yah! okay! I am going to stop in the middle. By the graces of God I did, I sit back down and am still writhing in pain, so I went to the restroom again and let more out. Right as I am walking back to the waiting room the Tech calls me back. I told her I didn't know how much water to drink and I am dying right now. We start the procedure and she says, "Oh Wow, you're bladder is way too full. There is a difference between a full bladder and torture, I will make this quick." After she finishes her portion, she lets me go the restroom (conveniently a bathroom is located right in the procedure room, I love Riverside Medical Clinic). I come back out and she began to show me images of our growing little baby. She showed me the baby's heart beating on screen, and I got to see her/him wiggling around. It was sooooo awesome :) Now, the baby is actively moving and you can tell when she/he is going through the periods of activity and when it isn't moving at all. Still can't feel anything from the outside of my stomach, Andrew is just aching to be able to feel his baby move after I keep telling the baby is wiggling around he always reaches for my belly to feel it but nothing. Hopefully Soon!

Happy 2nd anniversary for the Holybee's

Happy 2nd Anniversary celebrated April 30th. 2 years of being happily married and now beginning our own family. 2 years to grow more fond of each other and grow closer as husband and wife. 2 years to be better friends to each other, and better companions. I have been so blessed in our life to have God give me the husband that I have, and I have to thank God for allowing Andrew and I to have such an easy marriage. Everyone told us about how the first couple of years of marriage would be the hardest and I have yet to quite understand what they are talking about. We had such an easy transition into marriage and I know that was all because of God.

How we celebrated our 2nd Anniversary might seem uneventful of sorts but it happened to fall on our youth group night. Andrew so thoughtfully sent me flowers to my work to say Happy Anniversary and then surprised me by taking me out to lunch to "Backstreet" (which is where Andrew proposed to me). Then we proceeded to continue on our night by running our youth group night for church. Here is a picture of the bouquet of flowers.

Breathe

Moses has been walking this land for 40 years. It isn't as if the ground all of a sudden became holy. The ground didn't just change. It's that Moses became aware of it.

Are we standing on Holy ground all the time and we are passing by burning bushes left and right, but because we are moving too fast and distracted we miss them? Do we take for granted that what we stand on is Holy Ground?

The word LORD is in the Bible nearly 6,000 times. In Hebrew the name is really 4 letters, YHVH. These letter are pronounced "Yod, Heh, Vav, Heh. or as others say now Yahweh. In some traditions this is never even pronounced because it's considered so sacred, so mysterious, so holy. The rabbi's even believed that they were kind of breathing sounds and that the name is simply unpronounceable.

Is the name of God the sound of breathing?

Yod Heh Vav Heh

The word for ground is Adame, God breathed life into Adam from dust

Do you ever have moments when you feel like you're seconds from losing it?
Each persons life is but a breathe- Life is fragile. We've been breathed into by the Creator of the Universe, and this divine breathe is in every single human. If no one ever realizes this, the truth still remains that God gave us life.

Hebrew language the word for breathe is the same word for spirit. The Hebrew word for breathe is "Ruah" and the Greek word is "Pneuma" . Scriptures state that when God takes away the "ruah" they die and return to dust. Cultures actually believed that the breathe of God literally resided within their own body. Having that spirit reside in you, sanctified you.

What happens when you breathe is that you let God in and you realize everything that you need to leave behind. If we were to be totally Honest, is there anything in your life that you need to breathe out? The spirit guides us into truth. God gives the spirit without limit. Is there anything you need to breathe in?

You are a sacred creation of God, flowing through all of us is the breathe of God and we are standing on Holy ground.

When a baby is born what is the first thing they have to do to survive, does this baby have to take a breathe or say the name of God, What is the last thing we do before we die, we take our last breathe or is it that we can no longer can say the name of God.

Yod Heh Vav Heh!

As you slow down may you realize that we live and move and breathe, Yod Heh Vav Heh!

-Notes taken from "Breathe" by Nooma

Baby Holybee's head profile












Baby Holybee Leg











Baby Holybee laying on stomach












Baby Holybee Foot












Baby Holybee fist/ arm

21 weeks and other things going on!

Here is another recent picture of me at 21 weeks pregnant. I am really starting to show, with the help of the belly band I have been able to still wear a lot of my work pants luckily. Everyone at my work that comes in is now starting to notice. Although I am still feeling good about my growth because a girl came in and she was the same size as me but she was only 3 months pregnant, so that makes me feel pretty good! I still have a little bit of a belly button, I assume that should be gone pretty soon though. The baby has been really starting to kick a lot of harder now and not waking me up at night just yet, but man sometimes the baby will kick for like 5 minutes straight. Pretty cool, how God uses our body to create a BABY!

I am still feeling really good, just tired because work is exhausting me. I am on a record or something. Once this week has ended, I will have hired 10 new employees. Bringing my total for the month up to 19 new employees, that has to be a record or something... ha ha. Not just with that, but man... the rest of my job on top of keeping up on all the new hires. Crazy!!!

The newest and greatest thing we have purchased is the Apple TV... drum roll please! I know, we are such geeks. We mainly only watch TV shows through iTunes so this seemed to be the most reasonable solution. We are in the process of setting it up right now so that we can use it. We are so utterly excited to see what this bad boy can do :)

We are in search of a 2nd vehicle, we have done a lot of research on Consumer reports, and Auto Guide to try and find what would be most usable but not expensive and something we can pay cash for since we sold the truck now. Also, something manual transmission since we won't be driving it that much to begin with since Andrew and I carpool to work and so on. We first thought the Honda fit, but then we would be making payments because it would be a new car. And on top of it, it would be sitting in a parking space most of the time so it would be a waste of money. We will see, we are waiting for a call back on a manual Honda Accord, so we will see what happens with that.

Truck sold and other goings on

Well... we said "So long" to the truck yesterday. We sold the truck for $11,000. So sad to see it go, but another step towards saving for the baby and for a house. I am really going to miss that truck! There were so many memories, but more to come with all the new things happening in my life.

I have finally made some business cards because, before I didn't need them and now I am starting to need to give out.

The next Monday (April 30th) we will be celebrating our 2 year anniversary. Man! Time does fly by fast doesn't it? I am so happy to have such a wonderful and understanding husband! Celebrating an anniversary, then a baby! I just want to thank God for all the wonderful blessings He has given us in our life and I just can't wait to see what this new addition to our family will bring to our life. More to come...

A basic thought

"What do your attitudes toward church and toward Christ have to do with each other?
What tempts you to to disobey Hebrews 10:25? What spiritual benefits might you miss out on staying away from Christian gatherings?

'On the most elementary level, you do not have to go to church to be a Christian. You do not have to go home to be married either. But in both cases if you do not, you will have a very poor relationship.' How do regular attendance and participation strengthen your relationships with God, with family members, and with other believers?"

McChristians

" A friend of mine tell me that when he was a college student, a popular bumper sticker boldly stated "Jesus Christ- Yes, The Church- No!" Thought the bumper sticker is long gone, the sentiment has trickled down to a pervasive attitude of "Jesus Christ, Yes- The Church, When I need it and on my terms!"
These days church attenders are infected with a virus on conditional loyalty that has produced an army of church hitchhikers. The hitchhikers thumb says "You buy the car, pay for the repairs, unkeep, and insurance, fill the car with gas- and I'll ride with you. But if you get into an accident, you're on your own, and I'll probably sue!" Many church-goers have a similar agenda: "You go to meetings and serve on the boards and committees. You grapple with the issues, teach, entertain the children, and I'll come along for the ride. But if things do not suit me. I'll criticize and complain and I'll probably bail out. My thumb is always out for a better ride."

The "McChristian" mentality constantly checks to see what 's new on the menu ust in case there's a better deal down the street. "McChristians" have a telling vocabulary, using phrases such as "I go to" or "I attend" but not typically using the words "I belong to" or "I am a member of."

If you're a tried- and- true long-term member of a church, the following may or may not surprise you. "A 1999 George Barna Research poll showed that one in seven Americans change their church affiliationevery year, while one in six rotates between churches."

So here in the first decade of the new millenium, there's a phenomenon that would have been unimaginable in any other century- churchless Christians. There is a vast herd of professing Christianswho exist as nomadic hitchhikers without accountability, without discipline, without discipleship, without fellowship, living apart from the regular benefits of the ordinances."

- Taken from 'Disciplines of a Godly woman" by Barbara Hughes

Hiccups

Shortly before I left for lunch I am sitting at my desk and the funniest thing happened. I think the baby had hiccups, because for about 5 minutes I felt this rhythmic tapping on my stomach and then after that it stopped. I think that was about the only thing I think it could have been. Pretty cool I think!

* My Dr's appt last Thursday was good, Andrew and I were able to hear the baby's heartbeat again. Also, we got set up with the actual Ultrasound appt in 2 weeks, where you have to have full bladder and the whole deal. This would be where they would tell us the baby's age and if it is in line with my due date and if we wanted to know (which we don't) the sex of the baby. Pretty exciting because I haven't seen a new picture of the baby since I was 10 weeks pregnant and I am sure he/ she has grown quite a bit. Fun fun!!!

18 weeks and looking fine!!!

Here is a recent picture of me, I am just starting my 18th week, I am starting to get a little belly but not much yet. I am sure, it will pop out anytime now. I am still waiting to see if I can fill out any maternity clothes, right now I am just leaving my current pants unbuttoned and wearing long shirts to cover the pants.


Today marks the first day I actually realized the baby had kicked me... so exciting!!! I was bending over for something at work and I could feel a few little bumps, nothing too hard but enough to let me realize our baby is ....yep still in there!!

I have moment like this and I have to stop and really cherish it. How amazing it is that we as women get to go through the experience of carrying a child inside our bodies to take care of and keep safe. What a great responsibility, and yet still such a beautiful thing :)

John 17:6-8 & Ahava

After work I was catching up on some of my podcasts and was listening to Robert Elliott from Reformed Baptist of Riverside, has a Scottish accent, but man I have to say 95% of his sermon is all meat! Here are some notes I took while he was speaking, you can download his podcasts for free through iTunes:
John 17:6-8- Robert Elliott

He has made the Father known to us, as his disciples, like 4th of July fireworks- Big, Extravagant, and Colorful. His truths are visible even from thousands of feet away.

Moses, perhaps, the greatest man on earth- Even as great and righteous as he was was only allowed to see the back side of God.

Jesus tells us more about God here, in these passages, than Moses could ever show us. Jesus reveals to us the Holiness and Compassion of God- the Power of God and Tenderness of God. It's Christ that shows us these things not Moses. Moses only gave us glimpses, whereas, Jesus is the full sunshine that shows us through all generations the true God and all His attributes.

I have manifested You to men because YOU HAVE GIVEN THEM TO ME.

We can't look at anything the same once we've seen God. From the most beautiful star in the sky, to the most intricate flower growing out of the ground, we can never look at these the same once we've seen God's beauty.

James Montgomery Boice- Everything is God's, for he made it originally and can do with it what He pleases... Everything is God's and obeys the laws that He has set, from the smallest atom to the greatest star.

If God is God at all, then everything is His, if it isn't God's than God isn't God at all and we might as well find another God, right?

The Word of God has been presented and it opened their heart and has changed their minds, is now something that they have embraced and made their own. It is no longer about their own noble insights, it's about them embracing the Word of God and the Truth of God.
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Celebrating at the end of this month is our 2 year anniversary, and watching this NOOMA video "Flame" was pretty cool. What does love mean to you? Do you have a Raya, a Ahava, or a Dod flame in your marriage, or do you have all three? If you're reading those words and going... what are you talking about? Read below in the notes I have written and you'll understand.

"Song of Songs was originally written in the Hebrew language, which has three different words for our English word 'love'.

The first word we find is the word 'Raya'. Raya would be translated literally as 'friend', or 'companion'- somebody you hang out with.


Another Hebrew word we find for love is 'Ahava'

Ahava is the love of the will. Now, this is way more profound than fleeting romantic feelings. This is much more than temporary urges. Ahava is making a decision to join your life to the life of another. This is an emotion that leads to commitment.


There's a a third Hebrew word for love that we find in Song of Songs. It's the word 'Dod.'
Dod is translated in English, literally, as to 'carouse', to 'rock', or to 'fondle.'

Dod is the physical, sexual element to a relationship."

So, after reading these three definitions what kind of flame do you have, or do you and your spouse have all 3 flames? The kind of spouse that is your friend, your devoted partner, and your lover? Being close to our anniversary, and being appreciative of the kind of close relationship I have with my husband, this was a good video to watch.
In today's society, people are left empty because their marriage only had 1 or maybe even 2 flames. They are left unsatisfied in their marriage because the lack the 3 pieces that truly make a marriage last.

"We have our raya flame. We have our ahava flame. And, we have our dod flame.
One flame burning all by itself will never be as hot as all the flames burning together. I mean, we were created for all the flames to burn as one.

When you separate the flames, it can never really satisfy. It's like you're living outside of how God wired you to live"

True sexuality is vast and mysterious. It involves all of you. I mean, you have a body, but you also have a soul and a spirit. And love is two people coming together and giving all of themselves to each other forever."

Need I say any more? Happy Anniversary to us, April 30th!