Great day!

Yesterday was a great day!! Thank God, I really needed it! Here's how it went...

6:45 - woke up with out hitting the snooze button 100 times. I was alert and ready to start the day...this never happens
7:15 - Got dressed and decided to wear a light sweater...since it's now fall
7:30 - To my surprise I stepped out side to go to work and it was Chilly!!! My car said 66 degrees...Oh the joys! I love fall.
Drove to work with my sunroof opened!
8:00 - got to work and there were Krispy Kreme Doughnuts...my favorite! So I indulged myself (yes, they were still warm). My day was extremely busy, which I enjoy. I so much prefer to stay busy then to be bored or feel like I'm watching the clock all day (which happens often). So with a pep in my step I embarrassed the craziness.
12:45 - Picked up Justin for a baby-Dr. apt.
1:00 - Weigh in...I gained 5 more pounds. (the ONLY low part of my day). We got to hear the heartbeat and had a great visit with the doctor. Next visit we get an Ultrasound!
2:00 - Back to work to play catch up from the morning madness. Worked hard until the end of the day.
5:30 - Ran errands with my hubby
7:30 - Went walking with my neighbor for the first time in weeks since it's usually raining every afternoon. It felt amazing!! I want this weather to stay forever. My hair could get used to this zero humidity!
8:15 - Started dinner, made Sheppard's Pie.
9:00 - Settled down to watched some of the wonderful season premiere shows that we TiVoed this week.
10:30 - Fell asleep on the couch.
11:45 - Woke up to Justin telling me one of our youth was at the door and I needed to go to bed. So I did, and slept like a rock.

What a great day!!! Just thought I'd share!

Chocoholic

Hi, my name is Julie and I'm a Chocoholic.

Yes, it's true. I must have chocolate everyday or I feel as if I'll go into withdrawals. My weapon of choice? Peanut M&M's.

I have concocted in my mind that it's okay because I'm giving Judah the protein he needs-peanuts...I know it's sad. I wonder why I'm having trouble sleeping; the doctor informed me that chocolate has caffeine. News flash for me!

Since being pregnant I have craved, no, needed chocolate to survive everyday. I have always had a sweet tooth, but geez by the end of this 9 months I won't have any teeth left to speak of. Judah's either going to come out loving or loathing chocolate. I know I just can't get enough. I guess I should watch it, Lord knows I don't want a ton of post baby weight to loose!

Confessions of a pregnant gal, to be continued...

Preggo Pic

This is me @ 23 weeks. He's getting bigger and so am I!

Who's yur Daddy?

The coolest thing happened last night at church. I was listening to Justin speak last night at youth group and Judah was just moving all over the place. The entire time Justin was speaking Judah was moving. It was crazy!! As soon as he was finished, it was like Judah went to sleep.

I have been telling Justin that he needs to talk to my belly more so Judah would recognize his voice when he's born, since he hears mine all day long. Well last night solidified that he knows who his daddy is, that is for sure!! I just thought that was so amazing...had to share.

Control FREAK!

Do you ever just have those moments in life where you feel overwhelmed by life? Well, I've been having that kind of week. I suppose it has something to do with the fact that Justin and I are about to bring a child into this world. (ya think?!)
Scary thought....We're responsible for him.
Financially, emotionally, morally, the list goes on.

I have been an emotional wreck this past week. Not just because of said above, but because of other financial loomings. As mentioned in previous posts I am a known worrier. I do it in spite of Matt. 6:34, which I cling to. I don't know why I constantly struggle with worrying. It's not like God has left me out to dry in the past. He's always provided, always taken care of my every need. Why then do I constantly succumb to the thoughts and trappings of Satan? He knows right where to get me and that makes me angry.

Do you remember that childhood song, "He's still workin' on me"? How relevant is that even still?! I am certainly a work in progress, we all are. I am so thankful that God knows me and knows the desires of my heart, for my son, for my life. I know he will provide for us. I just have to be reminded that it's His timing not mine. Thank God HE'S in control and not me!

Ike

Hurricane Ike is one it's way to devastating Texas. There is already a ton of flooding and the storm is not even there.

Living on the coast my whole life and now in FL, I have been through my shares of Hurricane Fears. Fortunately we have never been severely hit. When it looked like Ike was coming towards us, panic set in. Now that it's going towards Texas everyone, including myself seems to be relieved.

I feel awful. While we're relieved we're not going to be tortured, someone else is. My prayers are definitely with them and I hope everyone has sense enough to get out of Ike's way!!

I have a tendency to be glued to the TV during natural disasters. They are somewhat fascinating to me. So I'm sure I'll be up all night watching as weather men and women get pelted with wind and rain.

Let's Keep everyone in Ike's Path in our prayers!!

Straight Edge

***Disclaimer: The following post is controversial and additionally -my opinion. With that said, read on...

Okay, so I just want to talk about something that has been on my heart and mind lately...
Justin and I are what some might consider "straight edge". This is a term used for Christians who are extremely conservative. We don't smoke, drink, cuss, etc...This is a lifestyle choice we have chosen and would be this way even if we weren't in ministry. (besides aren't we all called to be ministers?..okay getting off track...) As Christians we are constantly being watched by others.

This is not a judgemental or condeming rant, so don't take this personally if you drink occasionally. I know plenty of people and friends who do. This is just something I wanted to get off of my chest and simply, it's not for us.

Titus 2:11-12
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age..."

I think the world is so wrapped up in pleasures...drinking, smoking, etc.... When do we separate ourselves from the world/the unsaved? If the world is drinking, shouldn't we be obstaining? When is it clear for others to look at our lives as examples and say "Oh, they are different."? Yeah being different isn't always easy, but I want to be set apart.

Titus 2:6-7
"Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness."

This is Paul's instruction to Titus...and to us. Set an example people, show integrity, get serious about your walk and how your life is being reflected to others. Sorry to be so "preachy", it just bugs me that so many Christians/people in ministry are so flippant with how they conduct their lives. I mean I know we're all human and slip up every once and a while, but lets set a standard here. 'Nuff said.

Check me out...

I got a real kick out of everyone else's yearbook pics.  Here's mine.  Check me out!!

2000
1994
 1978....I look just like my mom here!!
1966
1960
1954

Random Babyness

I think if someone, so far, asked me what was the worst part of being pregnant (for me there have been close to zero bad items to share), I'd have to say H2O. I have never in my life drank or felt pressured to drink so much Agua!!! My doctor recommends that I drink 1 GALLON a DAY! I mean are we serious? A gallon? I might as well just wear Depends or something because the little bladder I had before I was pregnant is even smaller due to an enlarged uterus constantly pushing on it.

This week I've been having some body image issues. I guess the whole gaining weight thing is taking it's toll on me. I had a breakdown the other day. It's not even like I'm gaining tons, but I'm starting to spread a bit in my booty, back and legs. For someone who used to have an eating disorder it' just hard. I mean I expected to gain weight being pregnant, and I know it's good for the baby...it's just rough...maybe it's the hormones too. Dunno. Anywho...

The best thing about being pregnant so far is...feeling Judah move everyday! He is one active boy! I feel like he's constantly doing something in there. It's such a reassuring feeling to know that he's alright.
The other thing is the attention. I mean who doesn't want it...right? I know that this will all change as soon as my little man gets here b/c the attention will be directly diverted to him (which is fine!) but I will lavish in the questions, comments, rubs on the belly for as long as I can. :)

The belly button is getting really flat.

No stretchmarks yet...PTL!!

We are going to register next week! I'm so excited about it!

I already have 2 baby showers on the calendar. This 9 months is flying by!!!

I talked to my niece Madison on the phone the other day. She's so cute and so talkative. She always asks me about Judah in the belly. She used to think he was in a dark cave (the sonogram pic confused her). "How's baby Judah?" she says. "He's a growin'?" So cute!

I'm really enjoying being preggers. Just thought you'd like to know the random babyness in my head.