Week 26

Posting from the white sands of Destin, FL! The hubs and I took a much needed weekend getaway to our favorite beach. It has been oh so relaxing! The weather is perfect and Mr. Levi Fisher is just kickin away not letting us forget he is with us.
For a while now, I have been needing to get away to devote some major quiet time to God. And while this weekend is a celebration of 5 wonderful years with the hubs and our last vacay before baby.. being on the beach surrounded by His vast oceans has been devoted to Him. The hubs and I are both on the verge of big things and so we needed to stop and thank God for all that He has given us and ask for guidance for whatever is coming next. We have been so overwhelmingly blessed the past six months- kind of like how overwhelming the ocean is. We know that our next steps will be like a baby's first steps- we'll probably fall down a couple of times and then there will be nothing stopping us. Please be praying for us!
So I have been anxiously awaiting that moment when a stranger asks me when I'm due- so far not a soul has asked without already knowing that I am preggers. And what do ya know- they didn't ask when I am due or what I am having. She asked if I am having twins.... It's okay I laughed. And replied with no I wish! Finally, the bump has become a basketball. I know some people hate when people comment on their pregnant belly- and maybe it will bother me eventually. But I've kind of been begging for it! I was on the beach in my tankini which covered the bump (most of the time) and yes I rubbed my belly 90% of the time! Only because Levi Fisher kicked and punched and rolled around 90% percent of the time. It was quite entertaining. Also entertaining, me getting up out of the sand to visit the restroom every hour. Somehow I still got sunburnt. Mainly my feet are fried which made for some uncomfortable walking which lead to some premature waddling- yep I was that girl. If the bump wasn't enough, my swagger was the pregnant clincher. I can't get offended by comments on the ole bump cause we've still got 3 months to go and nowhere to go but OUT! This chick was not blessed with height so I will most likely look like I am carrying triplets by August. Oh and did you catch that... THREE MONTHS TO GO!! We have officially entered the third trimester!!!!!!!! SUPER SURREAL! So thankful to have made it this far and praying that we are granted three more months of healthy growing.
I'm going to get back to this babymoon! Hope you take the time to remember who this three day weekend is for. Praying for all the men and women who sacrifice their lives for our freedom. Praying for families that they have peace as they remember their loved ones.

Week 25

*Listening to Kari Jobe's "You Are Good"*
This week was so super busy. B and I were blessed with some big opportunities. He and his catering partner had their first wedding- and oh my goodness they did amazing. I mean, yes I am biased, but they were bragged on- not only on their cooking skills but their professionalism. Super thankful that God is developing their dreams into reality. My first Mary Kay party is under the belt. There are definitely some areas I need to work on- BUT I L-O-V-E-D every minute of it. God has blessed me tremendously with this ministry and I am just tickled pink ;-) with this opportunity to serve Him.
God is good y'all.
He is so good, but what happens if we don't accept His goodness? What happens if we don't nurture what He gives us? When Levi Fisher gets here and we don't take him home- what's the point? If we take him home and we don't feed him and don't teach him how things work... what purpose does that life serve? God has given you and me talents and gifts. They're not suppose to be one of those wedding gifts that sit in some cupboard and never get used. This is a gift from your Maker. He has entrusted YOU with responsibility to bless others with that gift. Get excited yall! The Lord felt you are worthy to share talents with people! If you are not sure what those gifts are- PRAY!!! He will reveal it to you in a big way. The devil is going to try to tell you that you can't do that and you aren't worthy- but where in the Bible does it say that you are inadequate of doing big things.. NOWHERE! Over and over we are promised that God put us here to do great and mighty things. In fact, in John 14 Jesus is speaking to His disciples about believing in Him. He says,
"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do EVEN GREATER things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12
Kind of a big deal. This man has healed the sick, fed the five thousand, oh and after being killed on a cross- three days later is raised from the dead and lives today. So He intends us to do GREATER things than that? Are we really living to the full? Is God really living in us so that we can do GREAT things for His kingdom? For me- that's going to take me saying no to some things and letting Him have more of me. I'm confident the return on that will be far greater than anything Facebook, TV, or Pinterest can offer me.

So I think I lost about ten pounds in water weight last night because I was up every hour last night. And Mr. Levi Fisher's kicks are harder than ever. My mom was sitting across the room from me and could see him kicking. My little brother felt him kick for the first time- he was impressed at his soon-to-be nephew's strength. He is so funny. He turns 13 this week (O.O) and he is so concerned with my well-being. I love that little boy. And this weekend was wonderful because I got to see my older, younger brother and his wifey too. I love when we all get to be together. And after this crazy week it was just perfect to spend some down time with them.

Now that I'm making myself eat more, my energy level has gone up like a whole bunch. Feeling really really good. We passed the glucose test this week- which by the way is disgusting. I am so not good with bad tasting things. She said, you have 5 minutes to finish this drink. PSH! You take one sip of that nasty syrup and its down in 5 seconds without hitting a taste bud. Gives me the shivers just thinking about it. Mr. Levi Fisher is measuring right on target. And between his kicks, heard his heartbeat again. Which is the BEST sound ever. Me and TUMS are like bff now. Holy heartburn. Thankfully relief comes quickly from the chalky tablet.

So grateful for God's presence this week. Praying that we continue to open our lives to obey His plan. Fill your life with great purpose yall!!!

Week 24

Happy Mother's Day! Today was a true delight- especially getting about 20 texts with happy wishes. So thankful for all of those. And to be able to celebrate with my mom and B's mom. It was a blessed day. It was a good week actually. Finished off 24 at the doctor's office due to dizziness- but I'm fine, apparently not eating enough. Then celebrated the big 2-5. WHOA. :) So excited for this year- but very thankful the past year. It was definitely my favorite because I learned a little more about God's love and felt it in a big way. I think this year will be a lot of changes not just with Levi... I can just feel it. God has me praying about it. And with so many things up in the air, MOST of the time I am overwhelmed with peace. I know someone is praying big prayers for me out there because my first reaction to "waiting" is not patience. But God is good and I know His angels are fighting for me.
Mr. Levi is just getting more and more active. I felt him move for the first time standing up.. normally it's only when I'm sitting down or laying down (right before going to bed). I think I'm getting overly attached to his little kicks and jabs. They're so sweet and perfect. I know in a few months I will want him out of me and in my arms but right now I am so content with having him with me all day.
Yesterday we took on the great adventure of registering. It was quite overwhelming. B stayed pretty quiet through the whole store UNTIL we reached the strollers. His eyes lit up at all the wheels. He suddenly became a motor mouth and wanted to test drive them all. :-) I took one for a stroll and it hit me.... oh my goodness-we are having a baby. This is happening. It was so weird. And so wonderful. And as we talked to other couples at the store getting their opinions on things I just needed to sit down and digest that we are parents. We are going to have an opinion on diapers and strollers and monitors. When did this happen? Yep- had a meltdown. Thankfully we were at the end of shooting barcodes so I let it all wash over me in the car. It was a blessed feeling just kind of surreal. okay totally surreal.
We are getting nursery ready, slowly. Hubs moved out the bed that was in there and painted Levi's armoire. Still trying to find bedding- but trying to find a rug first. Which is a lot harder than it sounds. If anyone has suggestions I am open!
"I in them and you in me- so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." John 17:23
I saw this on a church billboard and looked it up out of curiosity. And I love it. I'm sure I've heard it before but I am thankful to have read it this week. It is Jesus praying to God. I don't even have words to explain what is going through my head everytime I read it. I just keep reading it over and over.

Week 23

Oh my goodness- you know those wonderful weeks when you're not really sure if you're listening better or if God is just talking louder. Praise God! It was one of those amazing weeks! It was seriously the most encouraging consecutive days. God is teaching me so much right now- I just hope it all sinks in and I don't sit in the classroom and take notes- I want to take action! I've been reminded over and over to not waste time.. LIVE TODAY!
God has presented me with this golden opportunity to sell Mary Kay. I am not Ms. Sales-lady-of-the-year. I have never done anything like this before. I am not business minded. I am a show up- do a great job 9-5, go home, go to bed, wake up and do it again. And so far it has served me well. I have met amazing people and God has taught me something at each job. But lately I have been praying for more. More opportunities to share His love. I have never felt this overwhelming urge to go out of the country to do missions, but I think I would love it. I think my heart would never be the same- but I have come up with excuses and I think God wants all of us to experience that out-of-your-comfort zone ministry. But I think God presents us with opportunities that we are called to seize.
Mary Kay will be my stepping stone and in its own way will be my mission field. I love sharing my story with people. And this company is all about your story and sharing it. What better way to minister to other women! I remember when I was in the 7th grade (I'll never forget it) I KNEW I wanted to be a youth director at a church. Over the years that dream has morphed and now I have this amazing new ministry to be a part of! I hope I can share His love to the ends of the earth through this platform!!
And what better motivation than this beautiful new life growing inside of me. And MAN he is coming to life!!! Those kicks and punches are more frequent and alot stronger! I LOVE it. I love having him with me all day. I even love when he wakes me up at 2:30 am to let me know he's still in there. It kind of makes me think about how God probably feels about us. He is our Father and I'm sure He loves when we just let Him know- Hey Dad! :)

I love getting to know this new kind of love.
What's New?
Besides the more frequent kicking/punching-- not much! We had a very busy weekend celebrating my brother's graduation (War Eagle!) and starting my birthday celebrating today. Yep I'm one of those people that commands birthday attention! I mean come on.. It's the day you're mom spent x hours pushing shoving to get you here! It deserves a little celebrating! 24 was such a great year filled with heart breaks, loss, and this overwhelming joy. It is the year that I am most thankful for... so far. I think 25 is going to be awesome and I can't wait to see what God does.
Good Lord willin and the creek don't rise..
Mary Kay is going to be a prayerful journey. My mind is fighting off so many attacks of the devil. It has kept me in prayer more and forced me to allow Him to carry me. We define our comfort zone not God. He is limitless. His love, His patience, His help... He's got this. We're going to do this together and I can't wait to look at this post in the future and praise Him for giving me bigger opportunities to share His love.
Praying for His love to overtake any doubt or fear you have. Surrender your biggest fear. And as I was encouraged tonight in a Mary Kay conference call.. "Declare war on your stinkin thinkin!" Think big. Think great. God is good!!!