Post Potpourri

So much to say, about all different things...so here goes a "potpourri" of topics!

1) Doctor's Visit- We went to the doctor yesterday and started week one of our weekly appointments. Everything went as normal as it could go. It was my first real (clears throat) TEST if you know what I mean. I am not dialated, but my cervix is starting to thin and Millie's head is "nice and low." When I asked about her size, the midwife said it is average. We go back June 30th to the high risk doctor for an ultrasound, so we may know more of a "guesstimated" size! The midwife started going over the signs of labor with Clint and I...I felt like I should be writing things down! We are basically just supposed to pay attention to my body. The midwife also said "what got the baby in there, often times gets the baby out," just what Clint needed to hear! He was all smiles and ready to have the baby today. I have convinced him she needs to stay in for a while longer to help her lungs fully devlop! He believes me for now...I just can't think about all that! :)

2) Children's Ministry- I am no longer the Children's Director for the church. It's all good. I went last night to a meeting for every worker that works in some part of the Children's Ministry. I was surprised with cake and punch and balloons a few gifts and a big fat Target gift card from the volunteers in the Children's Ministry. So very sweet and once again, We are so very blessed!

3) Family Visit- My dad, stepmom, sister Katy and her boyfriend Mark came to visit us this morning. They arrived about 11:00, we showed off the nursery, chatted a bit then off we went to Longhorns for lunch. More baby talk and making my dad squirm, we had an enjoyable lunch and came back home. I made my dad a blackberry cobbler because I know it is his favorite. I had fresh blackberries and knew that would be the best use for them! ;) We had dessert...which he loved and they were off. We got to spend about 3 1/2 hours with them! It was really great to see them again...it's been a little while!



4) Father's Day- Father's Day is tomorrow! I love, love, LOVE my dad so so much! I am also very much looking forward to seeing Clint shine as a daddy! He is going to be great and I know a tear or two or three will be shed as I see him in action! I also, must say that I have the BEST father-in-law a girl could ask for! I love him!

5) Tifton- Normally this time of year, I find myself driving a tractor or a truck full of watermelons and/or cantelopes. Not this year. We are still going to visit for a week and a half to get Clint out there to help his dad a bit, but I will be confined to the couch. I have grand plans of shelling peas, writing thank-you notes and reading a book or two... of course there is always tv and movies. I just hope I don't drive my mother-in-law crazy. They are empty nesters this summer because my brother-in-law Wesley (20) is working at a camp in TN all summer. Hopefully they will welcome the company!

6) Pool- I LOVE THE POOL! I have been 5 times in the last 6 days. I do nothing but float around on my pink pool noodle (Thanks Honey!) It is the one place that I feel "weightless" and it is so great! I LATHER up the sunscreen for sure! I am getting quite the nice tan too!

I think that is about it for now!
Until next time,
Sam

Just Call Me Crybaby

Yes, I know I am hormonal! Yes, I know it is normal! I get it!

Over the last 4 days, I have cried more than I feel necessary!

I have ALWAYS been a crier! Just ask my mom and grandma. I cried about everything growing up. I didn't use my words well, I just cried. Living with my roommate Betty, watching TV, I would cry at just about anything sappy. I remember her always peering over the arm of the couch to look at me to see if it hit yet...now, Clint does the same thing.

This week though, Clint has been working every afternoon and evening, so I find myself with a lot of alone time. Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying it. There isn't much to do in this horrible HEAT with this humongous belly, so a lot of my time is spent reading or watching tv.

These are things that get me:

1) A Baby Story: Don't ask me why I watch that. I don't know. I am intrigued by it. I think to myself "can I really do that?" or even "oh I hope I don't scream like her." I am always fine until that baby comes out...then I am overcome with emotion for TOTAL strangers! I boohoo every single time! The whole concept of birth is unbelieveable and I can't wait for my own Baby Story to get here (well, maybe I can wait a little longer).

2) Karen Kingsbury: Ever heard of her? She writes Christian Fiction books. I have honestly read EVERY book she's ever written. I don't own that many since we have a nice library and over the years I have jut borrowed from friends. Anyway, Monday I pulled one our called "Ocean's Apart" and OH.MY.SOUL...I boohooed some more! I LOVE her books and reccommend them to anyone who asks! I can't wait until June 22nd...I get to go pick up "Take 4" in her series...Clint ordered it for me for our anniversary...just gotta go get it!

3) Phone calls from sisters: Elizabeth- Elizabeth is 24, married and stationed with her husband, Rob in Germany. Since May, Rob has been deployed to Kuwait. She has been alone in a foriegn land. She does have many friends, which I am thankful for. She is so strong. She is working her butt off and losing weight and anxiously awaiting time to pass so she can come back to GA for 30 days. I got to talk to her for the first time in a while the other day and when we hung up, I got emotional! She is one of the strongest people I know and has been through a ton. I am proud of her and couldn't help but have to take a deep breath when we hung up! Can't wait to see her and introduce Millie to her!

Danielle- 22, Colorado, works at the 3rd largest homeless rescue mission in the U.S. She deals mainly with the children and she is amazing! I miss her so so much and can't wait for her to visit in August. I am SO glad she already has her plane ticket! She called me Tuesday night really quick to let me know that she and her boyfriend of 4 monthsish, broke-up. I am not gonna lie, I cried a little. Not for any other reason, but because I am so proud of her. She handled it well and they are able to still be "friends", go to the same church and small group. He was great, just not for her, and that's okay! She is the coolest!

Katy-19 and having a baby in January. I love her! I always have! I have talked to her twice in the last two weeks and both times it was for close to an hour. She and I are in the "same shoes" so to speak. Her pregnancy is very new and very scary for her so I welcome the chance to get to talk to her and be there for her. She is coming on Saturday along with her boyfriend, my dad and Cindy. I am very excited to see her, hug her neck and pat her little tummy!

I have also shed quite a few tears for an aquaintence of mine. She lost her sweet baby girl yesterday. She was almost 6 months old. Sweet baby Mina had a rare disease called Pompes disease. She is with Jesus now, healthy and breathing heavenly air, but it hurts my heart to see people go through this kind of stuff. I am continually whispering their names to Heaven that the Lord would comfort them at this time and the rough times that are yet to come.

So you see, some silly, some serious, but I have my reasons to cry!

Until next time,
Sam

35 Weeks!!!!

Here we are my friends...week 35! I am still feeling pretty good! The only thing that is super tough at this point is bending over and rolling over...quite the act if I might say. Clint literally has to give me a push to get me going! I try really hard not to laugh because then it becomes nearly impossible! Still no major swelling or anything abnormal. I did officially take off my wedding rings for fear of swelling fingers and not being able to get them off. Just thought I'd take that percaution.

We survived my grandparents visit. Believe it or not, there was not one "incident" the entire trip. They arrived Thursday evening about 4:45, after saying they would be here at 5 then calling Clint in the morning saying they were coming at 2:30. After I pitched a fit, called them and made her promise not to go in Millie's room without me, they didn't end up coming until 4:45. I think there may have been a smidgen of guilt for changing their plans. They KNOW I like to have a plan and stick to it! IF you say 5, then it's 5!!!
Anyway, they got in and we immediately got sucked into Millie's room. They were amazed at all we have for her. I continually made sure to give credit to the Lord for providing for us. It is nothing we deserve or have done to make it happen, it is the provision of the Lord and I will claim that forever!

Friday I had to be at work from 9-11 which is when they took the opportunity to start Millie's curtains and start hanging stuff on the walls. I got home about 12, we ate and kept on going in the nursery! By 7:00 we were done! We enjoyed dinner and a few games at the card table and bedtime was here! This morning I got up about 8 to find my Grandma up and reading the paper. She announced that instead of leaving Sunday morning, they were leaving this morning. I was a little shocked and a little thankful all at the same time. She is not the type that enjoys "sitting around" at all, and she knows that at this point, that is all I can and should do, especially in this heat! She made me promise I would take the day and rest and relax! Not a hard promise to make at all!







We saw them off about 11 then headed straight for the pool! I feel THE BEST when I am in the pool! Totally weightless and wonderful! So glad I got a bathing suit when I did...I tried shoving myself into my old one, but seriously thought I was going to cut off circulation! BLT's for lunch with a little Cosby show and Clint was off to work!

I did venture out today in order to pick up some trash bags after throwing a fit in CVS because they wouldn't take my coupon. (It wasn't a real fit, but I just left my stuff and walked out...I hate it when that happens!) I went to the Christian bookstore to redeem a giftcard that I got from a student for teacher appreciation...I got a brand new Christian Fiction book that I can't wait to start! Now that summer is here, I have LOTS of time!

Tomorrow is our LAST time to teach Children's Church for a while! Also, Friday was my last day for my Children's Director job. I can't say I will miss it too much. I love the kids, but the extra weight on my shoulders is nice to let go!

Also, tomorrow Clint's parents are coming to visit for two reasons...one to see the nursery and the second because the CANTELOPES are ready!!!!! I have been waiting for SO long to get my hands on a Cantelope from Thompson Farms!!! I cannot wait and neither can Millie! :)

That is about all I can think of for the goings on in good ole South Georgia. I am looking forward to a week of sleeping when I can, wearing what I want, eating when I want and taking a dip in the pool when I can! Thursday we go to visit our babysitter for Millie...this give Clint a chance to meet them and find their house...we are very excited about that...plus she is making banana pudding! Friday is our last 2 week doctor's appointment...then it's everyweek! Praying for normal measurements!

Until next time,
Sam

Big Baby

We had our 34 1/2 week check-up yesterday! I managed to not gain a SINGLE pound in two weeks! Woo Hoo! Those were two weeks of baby showers, cake and yummy food too! Everything was pretty much routine other than having to get blood drawn to check my thyroid one last time...and she took it out of my hand...that hurts!

The midwife moved on to measuring my stomach which measured at a whopping 38 cm. Each time we go, it seems to measure exactly what week we are on. Apparently that is what is supposed to happen. But, not yesterday! Yesterday, should have measured 34 or even 35 or maybe even 36...but it was 38. When the midwife looked at me, her eyes were HUGE and in a serious tone she said..."that's a big baby!"

At this point I am not scared or anything, I just wanted to know what she meant by that because surely she meant something. She went on to tell me that if next weeks measurements are "abnormal" like this weeks they will do an ultrasound to see about how much she weighs and go from there. She mentioned something about possible induction, but that it's nothing to think about now...it's too early! It's all good, but Clint and I have made a unanamous decision to have the carseat installed in the Jeep, our bags packed and Millie's bags ready before our next appointment!

Holy Moly we are packing bags people!

On another note, I have added a people tracker to my blog just to see who comes and goes. Most of you I can figure out who you are, but then there are a few that I am just SO curious to know who you are! So...please introduce yourself! I would love to know who reads this!

Alrighty, must run and finish cleaning the other half of my classroom...little by little things are getting done! 2 more days of outservice then summer can officially begin for me!

Until next time,
Sam

Whirlwind

Can you believe I am 34 weeks pregnant??? I sure can't! There were times during the first 17 weeks of this experience that I thought I would NEVER see the light at the end of the tunnel...now that same light seems to be heading at the speed of light!

A friend of mine, due June 17th, had her baby on May 28th. Sweet baby Will was 3 weeks early. She and I talked about once a week and compared stories throughout most of her pregnancy and all of mine so far. She called me this past Tuesday, 4 days after giving birth to her son. She called with detailed details of her labor experience. Let's just say, I like information, but I am still scared! Not to the point of panic or even tears, but I will admit that it lays heavy on my mind thinking about what is to come! I know that the Lord will be with me every step of the way, and I know that Clint will be there too! I am claiming the old faithful Bible verse, "I can do ALL things through CHRIST who gives me strength!" (Phil 4:13)

Anyways...we have had a total of 4 baby showers! I cannot tell you in adequate words, how blessed we truly are! Millie is already an extremely loved little lady! After each shower, we'd come home and go straigt to her nursery with all our goodies. Let's just say the place is FULL! At this point it is hard to know what to do first. Her crib is totally done...and looks mighty sweet! As I type this I have a load of bibs, washcloths and birpcloths washing. Next is the load of blankets. I haven't even attempted the clothing yet and will probably just wash one size at a time...waiting for her to grow in to the next one. My grandparents are coming next weekend with the sewing machine in tow. Grandma will be making curtains while grandpa hangs curtain rods, her clock, a ladybug plaque and another plaque of Psalm 37. Hopefully that will keep them busy enough so as not to change/rearrange what I have already done. We shall see!

I never realized that baby stuff would need to be in the kitchen. Call me crazy, but the thought never crossed my mind. SO...today will be organize/purge the kitchen day. To be honest it has needed to be done for QUITE a while now, but I never "got around to it." So...if I want to be able to do it myself without input from a certain 75 year old lady, I must do it before she comes!

In other news, I am done with 6th graders!!!! We said our goodbyes on Thursday and I had a work day yesterday! It is such a rewarding feeling to know that I made it through 34 weeks of pregnancy only missing 2 1/2 days of school! I might just have to buy myself an ice cream for that! Next week we have meetings and will be cleaning out our rooms. I cannot complain! I still don't know what/where I am teaching next school year, which is never a great feeling, but I cannot add that to the list of things to fret about! Whatever will be will be! I am trusting the Lord to put me right where He wants me that is best for me and my little family, as well as what is best for the school!

That is about all for now...here are a few pictures of the nursery progress: