Much To Be Thankful For!

Thinking about Thanksgivings of the past, I remember intentionally trying to be thankful for the journey – to find joy. To bring and GIVE all of our circumstances back to God. Reflecting back on those seasons of life, I can’t help but BE thankful for them. God taught us what it meant to be thankful in ALL circumstances, even when those words were uttered through tears. Giving ourselves to God in surrender through admitting that we had nothing left, but to entrust our lives to Him, who knew exactly why He allowed what He did.

And this year’s Thanksgiving, our words uttered through tears of joy. This season of life so drastically different from our past, but filled with so much hope – that same hope that we had amidst our struggles. We have learned that our hope hasn’t changed – our circumstances have, but our hope is still rooted in the Same – the One and Only Sovereign God.

That is why this Thanksgiving is so different, yet the same. We pray unceasingly that this little girl will one day be put into our arms alive and well. We have so much to be thankful for as we see this little life, so FULL of life! So full of innocence and so full of movement. Every time she moves, my distracted mind thinks about her, that special moment – that moment we prayed for for so long. I wish I could say I can multi-task, but with this girl, I have a one track mind. When she moves, I move too – my hand gently finds her little foot, hand, head, whatever it may be, and I just soak in all that she is doing inside of me. My mind often wondering what she is thinking and doing in there as she can get pretty wild, but those wild tendencies just remind of God’s grace in our lives.

Baby: This week she is around 13 1/2 inches long and 1 lb. 8 oz. We know that she is probably bigger than this as she was 1 lb. 2 oz. 4 weeks ago, but this is what the “average” is. I can feel her more and more, with those movements more defined and centralized. I was just telling Dan that back in October, I remember wondering if she was moving, where now, there is no question! I can now see her move on the outside, which is so much fun, and instead of her shying away from other people “touching” her, she now is active for them as well. What I would call her “awake” times are after I eat, after I exercise, and right before I go to bed. I think all of these reflect the fact that she enjoys me moving. After I am done exercising, I am sure she wonders where the consistent movement of me went, as I “rock” her to sleep, and of course food, well, if she is anything like her mother, she will love food.

My Body: I am realizing more and more, that this baby girl has potential to take after her parents in size and height. I have been told by many that I am carrying a basketball, which isn’t “the look” typically until a little later. But I am proud to be carrying a “basketball” as Dan often says she will be our basketball player (if she wants to). I would say I am carrying most of the weight in my stomach as my “normal” pants still fit, but obviously buttoning them is a different story! I am thankful that I do not have any back problems thus far and am still sleeping pretty well at night. Some nights I am a little sore, but nothing that I good night’s rest can’t take care of! I am realizing that taking time to take a 15 minute nap does wonders as constant activity can cause the yawns and sleepy eyes, but being able to do and participate in the activities I normally would, I am so thankful!

Food: I still haven’t craved many foods, but definitely enjoy anything with cheese. Sweets always taste good (pregnant or not pregnant), but I still do not have CRAVINGS. And I am okay with that!

Exercise: Still try to exercise when I can…walking/running on the elliptical and going on walks are my fav. I also coach JV basketball right now, so moving around and staying active in that sense, is great! I always have to preface that I COACH and do not PLAY basketball – though I am sure our baby girl would just love getting boxed out :). It’s been so much fun to share this whole pregnancy with the basketball girls!

Emotions: Yup, still can’t wipe the smiles off our faces, as this is just becoming more real! Especially as we feel her move and are able to talk to her, knowing she hears us. I am starting to think about the labor and delivery, but I know it’s in God’s hands so anytime I have an inkling of worry, I just verbally say “God, she’s yours!” That has done wonders and I know that staying active, eating well, and getting rest, is the best I can do. God will take care of the rest!

So, here’s to week 25!