It's been a month since I've seen my family. I talk to at least one of them nearly everyday or so. While moving away from them has been a rather smooth transition, I realized last weekend just how hard it is to be gone.
Last weekend my *favorite brother (*read: only) came up to visit us. We had SO much fun having him come. I loved cooking for him and hubby enjoyed some man-time...doing manly things...involving sharp objects, things that make loud noises, and still more things that produce smoke. It was a great weekend.
After attending church with us on Sunday, bro said it was time to go. I knew he'd have to leave, so we hugged, said our goodbyes, and hubby started walking with him to his truck. Within moments of their walking away, I felt an awful emptiness from somewhere down deep and decided to see if "The Boy" had left yet. Seeing that he was still in the foyer, I sneeked over for another squeeze and saw both of my guys shrug their shoulders in wonder as my eyes welled up with tears.
Pregnancy hormones or not, I was reminded of the unique and deep bond of family relationships. Lord willing, I knew I'd be seeing my brother again, but there was still the ache that sprang up at the thought of being apart. Should it be any different with our brothers and sisters in Christ? The apostle Paul is such a beautiful picture of how it is to "ache" for the family of God. To desire their best. To see, encourage, and spend time with them. To have joy in knowing that they are growing in the Lord. Do our hearts beat like this? Does my own? I hope so. The ache for my immediate, blood-related family gives me an idea of how it can and should be with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
With all of this said, I am OVERJOYED at the opportunity to see not only my parents, but grandparents, uncle/aunt and cousins this weekend! It's been a month since I've seen my folks, and early summer since I've seen the rest of the family! It's going to be so special to be with everyone, and of course, to have some of my favorite people admire de belly.
One wonderful thing about the distance is that I'm not as prone to take my family for granted. They are a gift and I do indeed feel blessed to be part of their lives...even if at times it is from far away. :)
January 26, 2011
January 24, 2011
Lots of random
My thoughts are SO scattered so here's what's floating around:
Today I'm contemplating the paradox of time: it can seem to crawl by, but then it passes so quickly. I'm definitely not the first to ponder something like this, but there you have it; one of my deepest thoughts for the day.
I had a Dr's appointment today and it went really well. 13ish more weeks!!! The kiddo's heartbeat is strong and steady. Very similar to the times she decides to kick. Last night was the first time I wondered if I could manage to fall asleep because her kicking was so intense. Though I'm sure the pounding feet (hands, arms, elbows etc) will soon become really uncomfortable, it's a joy to be reminded about the life inside my belly.
"Moo". If I had a little comment bubble above my head, this would be it quite frequently. I feel like a cow. My belly is now big enough for random strangers to comment and congratulate me when they see my rounding figure. Normal clothing no longer fit and though I know I'm only going to get bigger for the next 3 months...I still feel HUGE. So...MOO!
Today I tried something new. My mother-in-law had once told me about the Chicken Wonton tacos at Applebees, and today I tried them. They were wonderful! How's about a lovely combination of (cough) deep fried flaky/crunchy taco shells, grilled chicken pieces, shredded cabbage with a creamy sauce and fresh squeezed lime? Dee-lishhh-ous! My preggo taste-buds fell in love. :)
My husband is wonderful. This morning I headed to the restroom to freshen up for the day and saw that he had written me a sweet note on the mirror. Awwwww!!! He is such a great picture of what it is to be manly and tender at the same time. Have I mentioned how much he makes me laugh? There are times I'm gasping for air because he's made me laugh so hard. Laughing makes my belly move in a funny way. This makes him laugh...which makes me laugh...and then then we're laughing at each other...and I end up clawing at the sky demanding more oxygen. I am SO blessed to be married to this man.
A nice lady in my community recently gave me an Amish Friendship bread starter. I remember my Mom tending a batch of this stuff and how yummy it was (this was long before she knew what evils gluten would cause the family). My first full week of caring for the starter and making the bread has made me wonder if it's worth it for two reasons. 1st: when it comes time to make the bread, the remaining dough has to be divided into 4 bags. These bags should be given away (hence the concept of friendship)...or maintained...which means that after a week, those 4 bags will be added to and divided into 4 bags themselves. I conclude that unless you have a large group of friends that love bread, then you're gonna be stuck with dough starter that multiplies faster than rabbits. 2nd: The oil and sugar content of a single loaf of bread could make a person's eyelids gain weight.
Time to hit the kitchen and make up some grub for my hungry working man.
Today I'm contemplating the paradox of time: it can seem to crawl by, but then it passes so quickly. I'm definitely not the first to ponder something like this, but there you have it; one of my deepest thoughts for the day.
I had a Dr's appointment today and it went really well. 13ish more weeks!!! The kiddo's heartbeat is strong and steady. Very similar to the times she decides to kick. Last night was the first time I wondered if I could manage to fall asleep because her kicking was so intense. Though I'm sure the pounding feet (hands, arms, elbows etc) will soon become really uncomfortable, it's a joy to be reminded about the life inside my belly.
"Moo". If I had a little comment bubble above my head, this would be it quite frequently. I feel like a cow. My belly is now big enough for random strangers to comment and congratulate me when they see my rounding figure. Normal clothing no longer fit and though I know I'm only going to get bigger for the next 3 months...I still feel HUGE. So...MOO!
Today I tried something new. My mother-in-law had once told me about the Chicken Wonton tacos at Applebees, and today I tried them. They were wonderful! How's about a lovely combination of (cough) deep fried flaky/crunchy taco shells, grilled chicken pieces, shredded cabbage with a creamy sauce and fresh squeezed lime? Dee-lishhh-ous! My preggo taste-buds fell in love. :)
My husband is wonderful. This morning I headed to the restroom to freshen up for the day and saw that he had written me a sweet note on the mirror. Awwwww!!! He is such a great picture of what it is to be manly and tender at the same time. Have I mentioned how much he makes me laugh? There are times I'm gasping for air because he's made me laugh so hard. Laughing makes my belly move in a funny way. This makes him laugh...which makes me laugh...and then then we're laughing at each other...and I end up clawing at the sky demanding more oxygen. I am SO blessed to be married to this man.
A nice lady in my community recently gave me an Amish Friendship bread starter. I remember my Mom tending a batch of this stuff and how yummy it was (this was long before she knew what evils gluten would cause the family). My first full week of caring for the starter and making the bread has made me wonder if it's worth it for two reasons. 1st: when it comes time to make the bread, the remaining dough has to be divided into 4 bags. These bags should be given away (hence the concept of friendship)...or maintained...which means that after a week, those 4 bags will be added to and divided into 4 bags themselves. I conclude that unless you have a large group of friends that love bread, then you're gonna be stuck with dough starter that multiplies faster than rabbits. 2nd: The oil and sugar content of a single loaf of bread could make a person's eyelids gain weight.
Time to hit the kitchen and make up some grub for my hungry working man.
January 12, 2011
Savoring
There are only 15 more weeks until our baby is due. Wow. So much change is about to occur that I would love to spaz out and over-analyze everything. My comfort in keeping sane is that God ordains the seasons of our lives. For us, parenthood (though we are parents now - just not as in demand as when baby will be out of the womb) is quickly approaching. God has ordained this as our time and will sustain us as he always has. I am so blessed with a husband that doesn't freak out over things like someone I know (ahem...okay, maybe it's me) can be prone to do. God uses him to balance me out and remind me that we can only take one day at a time. "For every time there is a season and a purpose under Heaven..." I have spent a great deal of my life looking to the "future" and feel that recently, through various means, the Lord has been reminding me to live in the present and enjoy THIS VERY MOMENT. Right NOW is a blessing. Right NOW will soon be past. Time is fleeting. Make the most of THIS VERY MOMENT.
"Remember that my life is a breath..." Job 7:7a
"Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!" Psalm 39:5
"Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow." Psalm 144:4
"Remember that my life is a breath..." Job 7:7a
"Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath!" Psalm 39:5
"Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow." Psalm 144:4
January 10, 2011
Burr-izzle
It snowed for a little while yesterday afternoon. I love watching snow fall. I am learning that I'm a big wuss and that if it's going to be cold enough to sustain snow, then by golly, it should snow! Otherwise it should be a temperate 70 degrees.
Today it's just plain cold. Monday mornings find me making a new "To Do" list for the coming week and this Monday's took me FOREVER to complete. I choose to blame the fact that I can't move (or think) as quickly on the chill that is trying to creep into our cozy little house.
Would it be overkill to wear 2 pairs of socks? I ask because after 2 years of serious lovin, I decided to wash my favorite pair of house slippers. They were a very bright coral color. And I washed them. With other laundry. I'm an idiot.
The result wasn't necessarily a freshened effect on my slippers, but that of leaving lovely coral stains on a few decently nice towels. Oh yes, and they shrunk. My feet are currently crammed into them in hopes they will stretch out and return to their former glory. Ahh-well...such things make life interesting.
Now to search for a second pair of socks. :-p
Today it's just plain cold. Monday mornings find me making a new "To Do" list for the coming week and this Monday's took me FOREVER to complete. I choose to blame the fact that I can't move (or think) as quickly on the chill that is trying to creep into our cozy little house.
Would it be overkill to wear 2 pairs of socks? I ask because after 2 years of serious lovin, I decided to wash my favorite pair of house slippers. They were a very bright coral color. And I washed them. With other laundry. I'm an idiot.
The result wasn't necessarily a freshened effect on my slippers, but that of leaving lovely coral stains on a few decently nice towels. Oh yes, and they shrunk. My feet are currently crammed into them in hopes they will stretch out and return to their former glory. Ahh-well...such things make life interesting.
Now to search for a second pair of socks. :-p
January 6, 2011
Town Talkin' It!
Some friends from church told me about an overstock grocery store in town that has quite selection of organic (and inexpensive!) foods. It worked out for me to go with them today and it was SO much fun. Because the store is mainly comprised of overstock/foreclosure/bargain-ish items/produce, it's a treasure hunt each time you go. The store was packed and I'm told the majority of their stock doesn't stay on the shelves for too long...so if you find something good - GRAB IT! As one who is always looking for a bargain, I was delighted to find high quality foods at less-than-grocery-store prices. Plus, I was able to buy a higher quality and variety of foods that would have broken the bank at a regular grocery store.
A few of my favorite finds were: organic goat cheese & brie, choice beef steaks, crab meat, an enormous tub of whole milk fat (organic) & live cultured yogurt, organic white teas, and 70-100% cocoa chocolates. YUMM!
After one visit I have become a fan of "Town Talk" groceries and will definitely be back!
A few of my favorite finds were: organic goat cheese & brie, choice beef steaks, crab meat, an enormous tub of whole milk fat (organic) & live cultured yogurt, organic white teas, and 70-100% cocoa chocolates. YUMM!
After one visit I have become a fan of "Town Talk" groceries and will definitely be back!
January 3, 2011
Life in a Small Town
Things I love about living in a small rural town:
~ At Christmas time, there was a manger scene set up on the Court House lawn. (Albeit...there was a snowman taking part in the landscape, but hey!)
~ Hearing church bells ring throughout the day.
~ Knowing that "We got stuck with a long train at the railroad crossing." is a genuine possibility for making a person late.
~ "Going into town" usually means making a 30 minute trip in the big city of Ft. Worth.
~ Normal small talk may include: gas wells or rigs and their issues, cutting horses and cattle, the terrible condition of the roads in town and subsequent road construction.
~ Common words and phrases such as: "fixin' to", "hitch in his git-a-long", "I reckon", and "I s'pose".
~ No one batting an eye when a woman wears spurs on her boots to go shopping; clanging and jingling as she goes.
~ Men tipping their hat, saying "Howdy", or "Good day, Ma'am" if they pass a lady.
~ Having a grocery store that still hires grocery boys to help people to their vehicles to carry and load their groceries! (This is especially appreciated by a certain pregnant Mommy!)
~ Living "in town", yet hearing the cluck and crow of chickens and roosters that live a few houses up the street.
~ Most parking spaces at the major stores off the highway are larger than normal size so as to accommodate the large pickups that most residents drive.
~ Men in cowboy hats, jeans and boots driving large trucks. (HEY! My husband is one of those! Hehe!)
~ Having been part of 4-H or FFA is as common as living and breathing.
~ At Christmas time, there was a manger scene set up on the Court House lawn. (Albeit...there was a snowman taking part in the landscape, but hey!)
~ Hearing church bells ring throughout the day.
~ Knowing that "We got stuck with a long train at the railroad crossing." is a genuine possibility for making a person late.
~ "Going into town" usually means making a 30 minute trip in the big city of Ft. Worth.
~ Normal small talk may include: gas wells or rigs and their issues, cutting horses and cattle, the terrible condition of the roads in town and subsequent road construction.
~ Common words and phrases such as: "fixin' to", "hitch in his git-a-long", "I reckon", and "I s'pose".
~ No one batting an eye when a woman wears spurs on her boots to go shopping; clanging and jingling as she goes.
~ Men tipping their hat, saying "Howdy", or "Good day, Ma'am" if they pass a lady.
~ Having a grocery store that still hires grocery boys to help people to their vehicles to carry and load their groceries! (This is especially appreciated by a certain pregnant Mommy!)
~ Living "in town", yet hearing the cluck and crow of chickens and roosters that live a few houses up the street.
~ Most parking spaces at the major stores off the highway are larger than normal size so as to accommodate the large pickups that most residents drive.
~ Men in cowboy hats, jeans and boots driving large trucks. (HEY! My husband is one of those! Hehe!)
~ Having been part of 4-H or FFA is as common as living and breathing.
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