Devos with Jade

I am fully aware that I have about a four track mind right now.  The vast majority of my thoughts are consumed by but a very few things.  Baby, kitty, food and sleep - pretty much in that order.  My husband reminds me of this quite often.  Thus, you may be seeing some very clear patterns in my blog posts.  Do forgive my repetitiveness.  If you are bored by hearing about the baby growing in my belly, my intense need for extra calories, or my adoration for a certain black feline, you might as well check back in about 5 months for posts about things that might interest you more.  I will ask tomorrow about whether or not I am allowed to bring a camera into Christ Central, so I can post about what we've been able to do there as we wait for answers regarding future ministry options.  If that would interest you more, do check back.

That being said, I will proceed with my purpose for writing this post.

I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions.  They never seem to work out too well for me.  But, as January rolled around for 2010, I made the resolution, or commitment if you will, to read the Bible every day.  That may sound like no huge task to many of you.  However, I will admit to letting life get in the way far too often in recent years.  Being an unashamed nonreader, it is not, or I should say was not, my most favorite thing to do.  I now very much look forward to climbing into bed at night and snuggling up with my Bible.  I am even enjoying reading the Old Testament.  

Many times in the past I have started to read the whole Bible through, start to finish.  I have failed every time.  If I ever got much past Genesis 17, I'd be surprised.  I used to just hop around the New Testament and Psalms.  Growing up we did family Bible studies regularly during the week, and always read from both the Old and New Testaments.  So, many of the stories I am coming across are familiar to me, however some of them have been brand new.  In an attempt to not start in Genesis and fail again, I started in the New Testament and bounced around book to book until I finished everything except Revelation.  I plan to do an in-depth study of Revelation, as it is a very detailed and at times difficult to understand book.  Now entering into the middle of the Old Testament, I am really appreciating reading about the kings and Israel.  During my time in the law books, I had to add a little joy in my reading so I read Psalm at the same time.  

It doesn't hurt that I have a sleepy little reading buddy.  Sometimes she comes and curls up with me as I read.  Other times, I have to scoot her over and out of my spot so I can get in the bed, too.  Regardless, she is attentive occasionally and I believe, learning as much as can be expected.

More typical is a position like this one:

However she wants to learn is fine with me.  I'm still trying to get her to fall asleep on it, hoping that maybe she'll absorb some into that fur brain of hers. 

At the very least, she's pretty.

That's all for now, folks.  My baby really likes banana pudding.

~Abby

Belly Jumps

Mmmmm...... The sweet feeling of baby thumps and bumps and jumps.  I look forward to climbing into bed at night and feeling my little guy - as that's typically when he is the most active, naturally.  Something tells me nothing will change after he makes his appearance into this world.  I might as well kiss sleep goodbye.  And I love sleep.

It really is spectacular to feel his little movements.  Sometimes I can't decide if I want to laugh or cry or pass out.  Yes, I said pass out.  Anyone who knows me well knows that I feel light headed and pathetic at the pretty much the drop of a hat.  The thought of something alive inside of me well......Is just a little freaky.  Fortunately, I have made it thus far (blood work and all) without keeling over.  We'll see how long this lasts.

Sensationally his movements have changed a lot since I first felt little "flutters" as they call them at nearly 18 weeks (almost exactly 4 weeks ago).  Now it feels exactly like little Morse code tappings.  Tap tap.  Tap. Pause. Tap tap tap.  If I could come up with a way to teach him Morse code, I could be rich and famous.  Feeling sure that someone has already thought of that and failed miserably, I've decided against wasting my time.

Kyle (it still feels weird to refer to him by his name although, I am trying to quit calling him "the baby") seems to really like hot chocolate.  And apples.  Actually, fruit in general makes him wake up and squirm about.  Okay, okay the truth is, he likes pretty much everything I feed him.  I'm such a great mom.  (That was said with much sarcasm.)  I am particularly proud of his affection towards hot chocolate.  It probably had something to do with all the marshmallows I stuffed in the top of the mug.  Regardless, he went crazy and giggled as it felt like my innards moved from one side of my belly to the other.  That'll probably be the last time I drink hot chocolate right before bed for a while.

Already practicing for his celebrity status in our house. 

~Abby

October

It certainly isn't hard to see that October is the most beautiful month of the year.  Okay, I know that statement was full of opinion.  However, I believe it to be true.  Fall is by far my favorite season.  I have thought many times about how wonderful it would be to live in fall year-round.  Sadly, I think it would lose some of its magic if it didn't come and go, so I just try to soak it all in while it's here.  There is nothing quite like a warm mug of cider or a freshly roasted s'more!  I love to fill my lungs with the crisp air and faint whiff of burning leaves.  Why, yes, I could go on for paragraphs about the many reasons I have deemed fall my favorite season; but in a nutshell, it comes down to this: I love everything about it.

I also just happen to have the perfect October accessory.  Not long after we were married, Jonathan surprised me with a precious little kitten.  She is completely black, ignoring the occasional white hair that pops up here and there. (I think I've counted about five in over a years time).  She also plays the role quite well as one of her favorite pastimes is to run around the house with her tail as fluffy as it'll get and her back arched.  I get my fill of laughs when she goes into demon cat mode.  Needless to say, I enjoy her company and have thanked Jono many times for her.

Boo!

During this time of the year, I also thoroughly enjoy listening to Celtic Thunder, a quintet of Irish singers.  Their debut CD is my favorite. Many of the songs just beg for a cozy robe and someone sweet to cuddle up next to.  If you've never heard any of their music, do check them out.

"What, Mom? I was just stretching my face."

So, grab a quilt and a mug of something warm and tasty and snuggle up to someone you love.

I think I will, too.  Happy Fall ya'll!

~Abby

A Well Balanced Breakfast

I feel like all I do these days is eat, think about eating, or plan what I'm going to eat next.  I assume that it's normal, but if not, don't tell me otherwise.  

After we found out that we're expecting a BOY, we popped into Sonic for a little celebratory treat.  However, I don't believe my strawberry-orange cream slush counted towards my necessary 5 fruit/vegetable servings for that day. 

Bummer! Oh well, I made up for it this morning at breakfast.  While my darling husband ate a bowl of ramen (aka the poorest excuse for human food ever created) for breakfast, I enjoyed a well balanced meal which consisted of:

Strawberries and grapes, half of a cinnamon raisin bagel wearing a little cream cheese (protein) and honey (natural sweetener, naturally) and a small glass of apple-raspberry juice.

Yumm-o!

Yesterday we went to the grocery store to stock up on healthy foods for this hungry bear, I mean mama.  Now when I want a snack (which is about 5X a day) I can reach for a fruit cup, an apple with natural peanut butter, some wheat thins, apple sauce, trail mix, raisins, carrots or a little hummus..... instead of the cookies or Captain Crunch. 

I read somewhere recently about what I should and shouldn't be eating during my pregnancy.  The book said something along the lines of, "before you take a bite, think about whether or not it will benefit you or the baby."  Talk about a major guilt trip every time I get the whim to eat a spoon of ice cream or a chunk of the maple-walnut fudge Brad bought me. 

Now off to weed through all the clothes that my 19-weeks body is rapidly outgrowing...

...as I dream about lunch...

~Abby

P.S. If you're interested in a ministry update, hop on over to J's blog  http://stclairsinmissions.blogspot.com/