The title of today's post comes from my dad. I have spoken with him a lot lately and every time I ask him how he is his response is everything going on and then, "Life is good". I think this is extremely fitting. Leo and I have been blessed beyond contemplation as I think of the choices that we have made, the people who have blessed us and the situations we have been fortunate enough to come through.
There is much joy in knowing that there is a person who loves you unconditionally and completely with a selfless heart. Leo does amazing things as he goes to school, studies, cooks dinner and for most of this pregnancy has taken it upon himself to do the dishes. He still manages to find time to spend with me and is cheerful even though he is being pulled in 30 different directions at once. In the midst of all this he even offered to do the laundry as well and during his week off, he cleaned our house. He pretty much rocks! There is so much joy and love in our home and we have been extremely blessed with a happy marriage and patience and understanding with one another at this time, though I am sure more him than me. I don't have to try to be patient with Leo, it is easy.
It is an honor to work with an organization that I can support. CARE focuses on helping the community and developing humanity within our neighborhood. The organization's head is loving and kind and goes about 3000 miles an hour. Running the food bank, the Santa shop, pediatric clinic, dental clinic, and after school program may seem like a huge enough feat, but she is still searching for ways to bring resources to her community. It is a privilege being a part of this organization and they have been so good working with me during this pregnancy.
This brings me to Baxter. Baxter is our baby. He is being named after my mom's parents who were strong, kind, faithful people. He started kicking 2 weeks ago and it is so much fun feeling him squirm in there and feel him getting bigger. Sometimes yes, I can get emotional, but I have been extremely blessed with an amazingly supportive husband who never complains and is never grumpy! Baxter is developing nicely and at his last ultrasound was in the 77% for size. This is not super news for delivery, but I am thrilled that he is healthy. Baxter loves daddy's voice and kicks when Leo stops singing or talking. Baxter also loves when daddy reads the scriptures to him or any of our other stories we read. Baxter loves upbeat music!
Preparing to become parents has been a lot of fun but a little stressful at times as we contemplate our financial obligations. We have been supported through our trials and relief has come when we didn't see a solution. This is a great blessing from our Heavenly Father who will not let us fail as long as we are trying our best. I am thankful for parents who taught me that the Lord will never forsake us, a husband who is faithful to his testimony and friends who listen to the Spirit and come to our aid to buoy up our spirits.
I have been extremely humbled and thankful as I look back on our year, the people we have met, the opportunities that have been made available and the closeness that Leo and I enjoy. Yes dear friends, Life IS good!
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Thoughts on Pregnancy
At 10 weeks pregnant I am feeling somewhat tired and a little nauseated. I miss eating what I want to eat without fear of this child's retribution. I miss being comfortable and having a desire to do things. I will say I am not nearly as hormonal as I thought I would be, I think I am actually fairly tame, other than crying a little bit more but at least I am not a shrew!
I love checking websites for the latest developments and think it is amazing that a bit of me and a bit of Leo have come together to make an earthly body for this little spirit. Women who have been pregnant before have brought me joy by offering their advice and small insights. It is fun to hear about the differences in pregnancies. I have been thinking about the earthly discomforts of carrying a child and have to say that as far as pregnancies go, mine hasn't been bad. I figure that as we are bringing one of God's children in the world, we should be becoming better people, taking time to look at what we want our children to grow up believeing and being surrounded by. We think about how to create the best possible world for our family, this takes effort and growth. Growth takes time and stepping out of your comfort zone, as this is such a monumental event, why should it be any different. It is a blessing and a privilege to do what is necessary to welcome a perfect spirit to our home.
I do rather enjoy being pregnant all around. I love the differences my body is going through and how connected I feel to this unborn child. I love the increase of love and joy in our home as we are preparing for becoming parents. I love the conversations Leo and I have about what we feel is important and how we will teach our children and the roles each of us have. I love having Leo tease me about names he wants to use and putting his hand on my stomach and talking to the baby. Nicole told me that pregnancy is a spiritual experience and I love it!
I love checking websites for the latest developments and think it is amazing that a bit of me and a bit of Leo have come together to make an earthly body for this little spirit. Women who have been pregnant before have brought me joy by offering their advice and small insights. It is fun to hear about the differences in pregnancies. I have been thinking about the earthly discomforts of carrying a child and have to say that as far as pregnancies go, mine hasn't been bad. I figure that as we are bringing one of God's children in the world, we should be becoming better people, taking time to look at what we want our children to grow up believeing and being surrounded by. We think about how to create the best possible world for our family, this takes effort and growth. Growth takes time and stepping out of your comfort zone, as this is such a monumental event, why should it be any different. It is a blessing and a privilege to do what is necessary to welcome a perfect spirit to our home.
I do rather enjoy being pregnant all around. I love the differences my body is going through and how connected I feel to this unborn child. I love the increase of love and joy in our home as we are preparing for becoming parents. I love the conversations Leo and I have about what we feel is important and how we will teach our children and the roles each of us have. I love having Leo tease me about names he wants to use and putting his hand on my stomach and talking to the baby. Nicole told me that pregnancy is a spiritual experience and I love it!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Am I Alone on This?
Is anybody else concerned with the world we live in? I hear vulgarity everyday, I see borderline porn in commercials and on billboards around my house. On TV men are constantly undermining women or objectifying them. There are jokes and scenarios that undermine or criticize marriage and families. I AM TIRED OF IT! I am starting to get extremely vocal with those around me about their language and off-color jokes, not in a rude way mind you, but letting them know that I don't like that language. Leo and I turned the cable off. I emailed the company with the billboards, you know what happened? THEY PUT UP MORE!
I have spoken with several friends of different backgrounds and religions who have similar concerns with the direction the world is going. I don't want to be difficult, I want everyone to get along, everyone has rights. Thats fair. I have rights too! Stop encroaching on them! It is my right to live my life and walk on campus without hearing 4-letter words or having cigarrette smoke blown in my face. I have a right to drive to work or to run errands without being accosted by billboards of half naked men and women with strategically placed fabric on them. I have a right to come home after a long day and NOT have cigarette smoke coming through the vents into our unit. I am done sitting idly by while the world criticizes and mocks marriage, family and purity. I will no longer welcome the smut that is being fed as "appropriate". I will have the courage to turn off TV or radio shows that are not uplifting. I have a reason to stand up for marriage and familyto be treated with respect. I have a responsiblity to change the world if I do not like where it is headed. This is long overdue!
The time has come for us to decide where we stand and fight for the right, the good, and the edifying. It is time to make our voices heard and start seeing that the media and regulations coming into force that reflect our standards and stop settling for mediocrity! I have found my voice. Have you found yours?
I have spoken with several friends of different backgrounds and religions who have similar concerns with the direction the world is going. I don't want to be difficult, I want everyone to get along, everyone has rights. Thats fair. I have rights too! Stop encroaching on them! It is my right to live my life and walk on campus without hearing 4-letter words or having cigarrette smoke blown in my face. I have a right to drive to work or to run errands without being accosted by billboards of half naked men and women with strategically placed fabric on them. I have a right to come home after a long day and NOT have cigarette smoke coming through the vents into our unit. I am done sitting idly by while the world criticizes and mocks marriage, family and purity. I will no longer welcome the smut that is being fed as "appropriate". I will have the courage to turn off TV or radio shows that are not uplifting. I have a reason to stand up for marriage and familyto be treated with respect. I have a responsiblity to change the world if I do not like where it is headed. This is long overdue!
The time has come for us to decide where we stand and fight for the right, the good, and the edifying. It is time to make our voices heard and start seeing that the media and regulations coming into force that reflect our standards and stop settling for mediocrity! I have found my voice. Have you found yours?
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