I'd like to thank....

That's right! I've been nominated...by one of my favorite people in the whole wide world...H All of the kind stuff she said about me in her post may be true, but I never thought twice about it. It isn't often you meet people like H and I am SO thankful to call her my friend! Love you and only 13 more sleeps!! Woohoo!

Now for the rules...

1.Say thank you and link pass to the blogger(s) who awarded this to you.
2.Pass it on to other bloggers that you've recently discovered.
3.Link them and notify them.
4.Say 7 things about yourself.

I would like to nominate my college roomate from my Senior year...Carrie! She was such a fun roomate and though we haven't seen or "spoken" to each other since May of 2004, we are able to keep in touch through facebook and blogging! She is expecting their first baby in June! It has been quite a fun thing for us to have in common! So...congrats Carrie!

7 things about myself...

1. To this day I cannot watch Unsolved Mysteries...that man's voice CREEPS me out! My parents used to turn it on to get me to go to bed when I was younger! Abuse? I think so!

2. After I shower in the mornings, I go back to sleep for about 30 minutes, wet hair in my towel. I have done that since college!

3. I am addicted to reality television. Seriously.

4. I am scared of my own Grandma! Always have been...always will be...

5. I don't do well with female authority figures...okay well maybe just this one in particular, female authority figure.

6. My hands sweat all the time, dead of winter even!

7. I love Southern Gospel music!

That's all I can think of, and that took entirely too long for me to think of 7 random things!

19W 2D

How far along? 19 Weeks, 2 Days

Total weight gain: Movin on up to 4

Maternity clothes? YES! Funny story, my mom came to visit this weekend, I came in the door from work to "What are you wearing...can you breathe?" That was the sign I needed. Ahhhh relief!

Sleep: so crazy...I go to be early (8:30) only to wake up about 3 a.m. ready to save the world!

Best moment this week: Finding out that Baby T is a GIRL! Telling our families and friends and hearing the squeals! Shopping for lots of girl stuff with my mom and grandma! Ordering her crib!

Scariest moment this week: At our 18W ultrasound they had a hard time locating her kidneys and telling if her heart has 4 chambers. We go back next Monday to do it all again. I also got reprimanded for not drinking enough water.

Movement: Yes, more and more everyday! I love it!

Gender: GIRL!!! Millie Kaye

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still very much in

What I miss: nothing...I am finally at the "loving every minute" stage

What I am looking forward to: Going home today to our crib and dresser set up...I can't wait!

Cravings: Whataburger!

News!!

Yesterday was our 18W formal ultrasound appointment. I have been counting down the sleeps until yesterday! We have been SO excited to find out our baby’s gender, but more importantly, to make sure everything is where it should be.

When we got to the waiting room, I was a nervous wreck! I just KNEW baby wouldn’t cooperate. That was the negative coming out in me. They called us back, squirted the gel on my belly and off we went. The ultrasound was VERY unclear, due to me not drinking enough water. I got a little lecture about that too. We were able to get positive readings on most everything…head size, brain, blood flow, bladder, etc.

However, she could not find baby’s kidneys or clearly see the heart to make sure it was a 4 chambered heart. (we did hear it beating away at 140 BPM, though) I have to go back in 2 weeks. She said for me not to panic, baby is small still and that I needed to drink more water. I can’t help but to be a little concerned about these things….just being honest. My mommy heart is a little bummed that I didn’t have a superior visit, but I am praying all will be well when we go back March 1st.

Baby would NOT cooperate as I guessed, so we ended up doing a vaginal exam as well. No biggie and within ONE minute, it was VERY clear….we are having a GIRL!!!

Clint and I looked at each other shocked! We were just sure it was a boy, although we both wanted a girl. Everyone (almost) just KNEW it was a boy as well. We are tickled pink!

So…here’s to Millie Kaye making her appearance in July! Please pray that when we go back in two weeks, all is good and baby is healthy!


Here she is...in all her glory!

Here we are, anxiously awaiting the news!

Much love and thanks for reading,
Until next time,
Sam

18W

How far along? 18 Weeks

Total weight gain: Just 3 total

Maternity clothes? Still a no

Sleep: comes and goes...I get really really sleepy about 1:00 in the afternoon

Best moment this week: hearing what my 6th graders thought the baby would be. 34 votes for a boy, 20 votes for a girl. Their reasonings were hilarious!

Scariest moment this week: Nothing scary this week! PTL!

Movement: Yes.

Gender: 2 more sleeps!!! Please cooperate baby T!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still very much in

What I miss: having conversations with certain people without having to hear their opinion on anything baby...certain people just rub me the wrong way...and NO..it isn't anyone who reads this blog!

What I am looking forward to: Monday, 2:15...Ultrasound baby!

Cravings: Tuna fish!

Specific Request

I haven’t talked much about this lately, because I honestly feel it is a moot point (until about 3 years ago, I always thought that was said “mute point).
My husband needs a new job! Honestly for the last year and a half, I have been thankful that he even has a job period, but my thankfulness is running out. I know that is terrible to say, but I am so SICK of his job. In the last year and a half he has had MAYBE 3 Saturday’s off. In the last year and a half he has taken 17 furlough days. The more recent headache is the fact that he has to take 5 more before the end of March. I BEGGED him to at least get 3 of the 5 to be on Saturdays, but he can’t do it. Excuse me, but if you are making me take an unpaid day off…I should get to choose, ESPECIALLY because ALL of the other reporters work it to their advantage. One of the things I love most about my husband is that he is a man of integrity and character. He WON’T leave anyone in a bind, even if it is that Newspaper.

Now, we have a baby on the way. The concept of me driving 45 minutes one way after having little to no sleep to stand before a class of 6th graders and sound somewhat intelligent is beyond me. I can’t fathom what is going to happen with childcare and whether the baby should be in FL with me or stay in GA where Clint is, avoiding 2, 45 minute drives with a baby.

I am scared to death.

My job, believe it or not, is the money maker of the family. His on the other hand, is not. We have prayed about moving to another part of GA, but God has made it clear to us that it is not time for that right now. SO….here we are, in the SAME position we have been in for a year and a half….and I am over it. I am ready for a change….

I have done my best holding it in and keeping my complaining to a minimum, but I feel a blow out coming. I had a pity party for myself last night, stomped a little, cried a little, and even visited the porcelain throne due to the crying. I am sick of spending EVERY evening alone. I HATE watching American Idol by myself…and I hate going to bed every night without him.

Please, PLEASE, pray for us that he can get a job in FL. The sooner the better. Obviously we want what the Lord wants for us and we really believe this is WHAT He wants, we just don’t know WHERE and WHEN. Logically speaking, in my mind, It would be fantastic if his job could be in place and we could be moved before baby comes. But I continue to remind myself that His ways are not MY ways, His thoughts are not MY thoughts.

I know this is not a normal post for me, but please bear with me. And please…please don’t tell me it’s my hormones. K? Thanks!

Until next time,
Sam

Post-It Note Tuesday!

17W

How far along? 17 Weeks

Total weight gain: I have gained a total of 3 pounds!!

Maternity clothes? Still a no

Sleep: This week hasn't been the best week of sleep. A lot going on in the mind!

Best moment this week: Hearing Baby T's Heartbeat again...still holding steady at 150 bpm. It is a remarkable sound!

Scariest moment this week: Not really scary, but quite annoying. They had to draw my blood to check my thyroid numbers. They stuck me THREE times at the doctor's office and STILL couldn't get any. I had to go to the lab the next day and do it again, thankfully it worked the first time at the lab.

Movement: Yes.

Gender: We get to find out on the 15th! That is 9 more sleeps people!!!

Labor Signs: Nope.

Belly Button in or out? Still very much in

What I miss: Eating without thinking about what I am actually eating...bad I know!

What I am looking forward to: February 15th!

Cravings: Hot Wings!

What a Week!

It's weeks like these that make me wonder if I am really going to survive this school year! As much as I love being a teacher, it is exhausting...mentally and physically! For some reason, spring fever has ALREADY hit my lovely 6th graders...every last one of them. They think that THEY rule the roost and really believe they can do and say whatever they please whenever they feel like it!
Sheesh! Thank you LORD for Friday's!

So, in the midst of my on coming nervous break down, I have decided to write a few things that I am thankful for and what made me smile this week...because, regardless of the above, there were a lot!

*the birth of H's baby, Little Guy. Although it's not "official" (adoption), I truly believe in my heart of hearts...he's theirs.

*We heard the heartbeat of our Baby T on Tuesday! I LOVE that sound!

*My sweet hubby cleaned the kitchen for me last night...spic and span!

*My mom found CHEAP plane tickets to Colorado in March! Go mom!

*My sister officially has a boyfriend! Go Dani!

*While teaching about temptation in Bible this week, I gave a scenario about wanting a brownie, but not giving in to the temptation. The next day, a sweet student, brought me a brownie...and this time, I gave in!

*My mom's Culinary Arts program that she runs at their local high school was chosen as School of the Month for the local news station. They are getting filmed next week! GO Mom!

*In 7 minutes, I will walk out of this school...if only for 48 hours!

*I don't have to cook tonight. I love eat-out Friday's!

*My DVR is LOADED with goodness, just waiting for me for sit-on-your-butt Friday night!

*I found out the Bible Study that I attended last year with a different church starts up Feb 15th. They invited me back! :)

*One of our friends let Clint know of a job opening. That meant a lot!

*Talking to my BFF 2 more times this week...we are setting records people.

*Finding out that Tallahassee does indeed have a Babies R Us!

*Getting a "Monster Cookie" from a fellow teacher.

*Using up all the ink in my favorite red pen...I love when I use a pen all up! I feel like I have conquered something when that happens!

*Hearing that my crazy Gma bought her first baby gift, a lullaby CD that she heard playing at Wal-Mart...she "had to have it"

Well, I feel better! Thank you Lord for the blessings of this week! They are there...They are already there! I will try harder next week to not let the yucky parts of the week overshadow the blessings!

Until next time,
Sam

Welcome!

If this is your first time stopping by my blog, welcome! If you are a faitful reader, welcome!

I noticed that over on H's blog, she linked up to mine for people to have easy access to her friend Samantha! Here I am!

We are all waiting for the glorious news that Little Guy has arrived. I am the lucky one that will get updates throughout the day tomorrow and do my best to get them on here as fast as I can...even if my 6th graders have to sit for a minute without my guidance! :)

I have known H for about 4 years now! I am a better person for knowing her. She is incredibly kind, a wonderful listener, quite the funny one and we just "click!" For the longest time I wondered when H would have a baby. I never asked her because I didn't want to be nosey or pry. But I will never forget the day she gave me some news. I remembered that she had missed work here and there and had to leave early sometimes. Again, not wanting to be nosey, I said nothing. I knew she would tell me if it was my business. Something to know about H is that she is a planner...seriously. I always admired her ability to carry her day planner, write important info in it and actually remember to look at it! Anyway, she mentioned to me one day at school that she needed to talk to me that afternoon. Of course, in my all-knowingness, I KNEW what she was going to tell me. I just KNEW she was going to have a baby...what I didn't know was just HOW that would happen.

This is getting wordy, so I'll hurry. We talked, and she told me that she and her husband had been attending adoption meetings and that things hadn't gone according to their plan for growing their family so adoption would be the route they would take. It was at THAT moment, that I was determined to pray for my friend every single day. I couldn't imagine the pain and thoughts they had been going through for so long. So pray I did. Day after day, I prayed. As we all know in this life, not everyone is gifted with the ability to say the right thing. The last thing I ever wanted to do was to be the "ding-dong" that just spoke without thinking, so, I prayed.

Fastforward to now...I am still praying! My prayers have changed over time and I have made sure to offer prayers of thanksgiving to our Lord. Tomorrow is the day we've been waiting for. Tomorrow I will pray.

Love you H and please know that your family and friends are sitting at the feet of Jesus praying on your behalf as well as the behalf of your beautiful birthmother!

Can't wait!
Sam