Just a few days to go...

I am just sitting here and listening to my new number one CD, Jimmy Needham, and wondering about the experience that is soon to hit me come Friday. Last week our doctor said we could pick a day and have an induced labor if we wanted. We chose to go to have our little baby girl this Friday. It will be Sept. 12, the date my husband and I were engaged and the date that is inscribed in my wedding ring. It was the moment I said yes to the rest of my life and a future that was untold, but at the same time known. It is rather similar as we are being introduced to another major change in our lives. Of course, we approach these changes with the strongest faith, understanding the change is a celebration of our love and also just another step along our path.

Everyone is looking forward to seeing our baby girl. The moment I am anticipating most is seeing my husband see his little girl for the first time. Everyone keeps telling me that having a child changes you. I have a strong feeling that the biggest change will be in my husband rather than me. I am expecting my husband to be the best dad anyone has ever seen. Of course, there will be mess-ups along the way, but I admire him so much and know that our baby girl will have the best. Not the best of materialistic items, but the best efforts of parenting, the best love, and the best relationships.

Okay, aside from the many thoughts running through my head about the upcoming delivery...

Yesterday, my husband impressed me. Usually, he isn't bold, doesn't speak up much. His personality tends to run along the side of a people pleaser. However, his father came over for dinner last night and before either one of them ate, they waited for me to get to the table and prayed over the meal. We want to instill the best of a spiritual example to those around us, so I was impressed by my husband.

The other day my aunt and uncle came to visit with me. Nothing real special, but it meant a lot to me since I've been at home by myself for the last few weeks. I'm glad they came over.

Our house is still under construction, but it seems to be coming together more and more with each glance. The downstairs bathroom is a mess, but after putting the tub in last night, it looks a little more together. There is a lot of work to do. My uncle said it took them a month to redo their bathroom. We have the bathroom and a bedroom to finish and then we'll wait for awhile or so to put all new flooring down. Once these major projects are accomplished, the inside of our house will be finished of projects...or at least to our knowledge right now. I love my house. I am very blessed to have this home.

Okay...I'm done rambling on. My husband should be getting home for lunch very soon. Until next time...

Approaching the day...

I am just a few weeks away from my baby's delivery due date. I am dilated 2 cm and at 70 percent. I am excited, but at the same time, I am concerned as to what date the baby will actually come. My aunt believes the baby is coming Labor Day weekend. I would like the baby to hold off until at least Sept. 11 or 12, if not longer. The due date is Sept. 17th, so we'll see how it goes in time. My husband and I began gathering items in a bag to take to the hospital, but it still seems like there is a lot to do before checking in. Next week we meet with our pediatrician. I am relieved that it will be the same doctor my niece has. We also have a few more things to wrap up before the baby comes.

I am glad to be in a transition at work. I have stopped working for the time, but soon I will begin the stages of creating a monthly newsletter for the company I work with. It should work out where I will work from home and take care of the baby.

Okay, well I'm tired already, so until next time.

Pain I didn't know was possible...

I've had a rough couple of days. Being pregnant brings along several changes that can make a person stronger. I sure hope the pain I am dealing with is just preparing me to have a stronger endurance for pain to come in the future, because I am hurtin' all over. I feel bad when I complain my back hurts, my hips hurt, my feet hurt... etc, (you get the point). I feel bad based on the simple fact that I don't want others to think I'm just a big baby myself.
I woke up this morning and was in so much pain I just rolled on over until I felt the strength to get up and take a nice hot shower. Granted, the shower helped a lot. I would have liked the hot soothing water to beat across my muscles for most of the day. So, while I'm tired, hurting and at the same time, joyful to be pregnant, I hope the next couple of days start looking better as far as the aching goes.
Okay, well its off to work I go.

ahh....

So, it's been almost forever ago since I've typed up a blog. I moved, and my husband and I couldn't afford the Internet. However, he just graduated college and he'll be starting a really good job, so the Internet may be in the near future.

A lot is going on right now. I am just about six months pregnant with a baby girl. Her name is Autumn Joy and I'm so very excited to be a mother. Our house is slowly being remodeled which is frustrating at times and at others, very exciting. I'm tired all the time with this whole pregnant thing, but overall I've had a pretty easy pregnancy so far.

Last week, my husband and I celebrated out two-year anniversary. We went on a trip to Nashville and then to Pigeon Forge in the Smoky Mountains. It was so much fun. One of the best trips I've ever been on. Of course, the trip did not start out the way we had planned. Twenty miles out of town ont he Interstate I wrecked my car. It's a pain not having a car, but I should be getting my Honda back from the shop in a few weeks. There was $3800 in damages and while that seems like a lot, I have full coverage, so I wasn't out very much at all.

My aunt stole me away yesterday for the very first peticure I've ever had. It was interesting and not too bad.

Anyhow, I'm bored at work...I guess I'll go find something else to do. ....

stupid warranty people...

Okay, so we're still fighting on this furnace thing. I was hoping to have a furnace in the house by Thanksgiving at least. I'm not so sure about that now. It's already into cold temperatures and not having a heater is no fun. Hopefully, something pulls through for us and we'll get this whole thing figured out so that we aren't out of a few thousand dollars for a furnace.

I've been sick the last day or two. Yesterday, I stayed home from work. Man, it hurt to move or not to move. I think I had or have the flu..something like that. I took some dayquil last night, and now I'm at least able to work. However, my advice for the day is not to peel potatoes while you are sick and cannot see straight. I tried peeling my thumb instead of the potato.... not really, just slipped and added another wound-mark to my hand to match the others, like I don't have enough already. I'm pretty clumsy and accident prone.

Everyone is talking about the holidays now with Thanksgiving next week and Christmas soon after. Many keep saying that it approaches faster each year and even faster this year. I'm not sure how this works, given that it is the exact time span every year, but somehow this is the notion. Well, for me, last year's holidays seems like a very long time ago. I suppose because a lot has happened in the last year. I've had several different jobs throughout the last year, I've met and encountered a countless number of people and life has just been busy. Life has been so busy that I even forgot how old I was just last week. Someone asked me my age and I replied 21 going on 22...oops...no add another year to that. I'm 22 and will be 23 in March. I feel old. Mostly, I just wish that I could announce that I was pregnant. I see all of the young mothers at church each Sunday and it just kills me. I want to experience the joy, the pain and everything else that comes along with being pregnant and then a mother. Its such a strong desire that I have to be careful when around other mothers because I can get really down. Either way, eventually I plan to be the one caring for a child. Hopefully, that time will come sooner rather than later, and when it happens my friends and family will see one really excited person.

Anyhow, back to work...

New job...

I just finished a whole week of training for my new job. I learned several things about animals and I'm hoping the overload of information doesn't leave my brain when I go to work Saturday for the grand opening.

While going through my training, spending my first week in my first house was interesting. The first day I was there, I learned that my husband and I have to replace the furnace in the house. I went the entire week without a furnace and the first day without any heat at all. I later got a space heater for one bedroom. I went the whole week without a TV. That is an odd thing when you are used to coming home at night to relax on the couch and watch a few shows. I didn't even have a couch. I spent my time cleaning and hanging around the house for people to come look at our furnace. We're still working on that.

When my husband, Brandon, was in town, he spent most of his time outside trimming trees, tearing out flower beds, and who knows what else to make the yard look "a 100 percent better," according to our neighbor. I helped Brandon out on some things and by Sunday, my hip felt as though it was broke...along with other parts of my body. I'm not used to day after day of hard lifting work.

My dad came to town to visit with my brother and me this weekend. That was nice, considering I hadn't seen him since father's day, about five months ago.

Anyhow, I'm scattered brained right now, and should get back to working.
Until next time...

The youngsters are going off the deep end...

Anyone can look around and see many young teen-agers are not what they used to be. It doesn't even take an elderly person making this statement for it to be true. When my older brother and I were growing up, things were much different than they are now. First of all, we weren't spoiled nearly as much as my younger brother is. I love my brother, just as I'm sure many do their siblings....but his immaturity is enough to make me sick just thinking about it. I know this sounds harsh, but of course, I am and it's the truth. My brother recently got a letter in the mail telling him that his license will be suspended (too many tickets) and my mom is overwhelmed with worrying so much about his life. I told her to kick him out of the house. She is trying to figure out how he can still drive to work and school and many other things. Hopefully, my brother will graduate this year too. He has been held back and has failed numerous classes to get him a year or two behind. Though, many say he isn't like my older brother and me and it takes him a little longer to understand things, I still believe he is smart, just a little lazy without motivated parents. Shoot, my dad..well, my brother and I are lucky to hear from him once every few months, and usually my dad only calls me and doesn't really talk to my brother. It's almost as if he just gave up on my brother a long time ago. My mom tries her best, but because of her mistakes as a young mother, many of the issues my brother and I have are our problems now and she can't do anything about it anymore. Our step-dad...well, lets just leave it as that and not get into details. It's just crazy how the younger generations seem to be less resilient and more off the deep end.
It isn't just with my brother either. I have several other examples.
Of course, there is my husband's younger sister. She is the same age as my younger brother. She would have failed a lot of her classes in high school too if it wasn't for the fact, that her mother does most of her homework for her. I can count how many times I came over to their house and saw his sister watching TV and his mother on the computer or looking through a book doing her daughter's homework. That girl is more spoiled than anyone I've ever met. The daughter drives a brand new SUV and when she says jump, her parent's say..how high. She even throws fits on occassion that would make you believe she was a 13-year-old with a sailor's mouth.
I just pray that when it comes to the time where I encounter parenting that I don't make the same mistakes I've seen parents do, and I can guarantee my children will not be spoiled rotten...or at least not be me or my husband.
....venting over....