MONDAY MUSINGS

Well, hope everyone had a good week-end. Ours was wonderful. We did go down to San Diego and spent LOTS of quality time with our precious grandkids which had a lot to do with it I am very sure for this Grandma. They were just soo good! And I am not saying this as a very biased Grandma, they just really were. We got down there around 3 on Sat. afternoon and my son took off so he could finish preparing for services with some quiet, haha...We played with the kids for a while and then took them out to dinner as "kids eat free" on Sat. nights at Marie Calendars which seemed like a very good idea. The kids were as good as they could be and cleaned their plates (including their Broccoli ~ which is something I could NEVER get MY kids to eat, haha) and finished off with ice cream. It was a VERY cold and rainy Sat. night in California, complete with hail. We got the kids cozy in their jammies and put the movie UP on the video. Grandpa and I had never seen it, and we all enjoyed it quite a bit. James got home around 8:30 and he made short work of putting them to bed. Again, I don't remember mine going in quite that easy. He simply said, "Time for bed", they kissed us and he went up and he put them in their beds after prayer. The just turned 2 year old Tella, and her sister Capri share a room, and I thought this might be a problem putting them in there together awake, but NOPE, nary a word. The adults then put another movie on and we talked and enjoyed some time with our son. I slept great! Another thing I wasn't real sure about, haha...The next morning James left a little before 7 as first service is at 8:30, just as the kids were getting up. We were busy then I won't lie, feeding the kids breakfast, and getting ourselves and them ready for church. We wanted to leave the house all straightened for them, and have our stuff all packed back up in the car before church so we wouldn't have to come back to the house afterwards as well. I actually enjoyed doing the girls hair as like I told you before, I am a frustrated hair dresser, and I really do enjoy it.  I totally intended to take a pic or two and had even charged my battery up in my camera, but I ended up forgetting.   We even got to church early enough to get the kids a doughnut which they usually enjoy before going to their Sunday school rooms we'd heard. We got them settled in and walked into the church just as the worship music was beginning...perfect. Now we have been going down on Sun evenings for a few months to hear James teach, but it has been a while since he has done the Sunday morning services and I had forgotten just how packed the church is. 3000 people with their voices raised in worship is soo wonderful to hear. The message was great, and we sat outside afterwards and waited for James to finish up with prayer etc., so we could all go to lunch together. They have a HUGE patio area outside with a water fountain etc., and the kids kind of went nuts running around, haha. Good thing Grandpa was there to keep up with them, as Grandma watched from a chair on the sidelines. We went to a wonderful fish restaurant down there for lunch, and again the kids were just as good as they could be, though they didn't eat much. You don't suppose it was the doughnuts do you? haha...After lunch we headed home and James headed back to his house to nap the baby who was beginning to show the signs of needing one. The other set of grandparents were going to watch the kids last evening as James had another service to do, and Larissa was not do home until midnight. I am grateful that Larissa was able to go to that wedding in New Jersey. I know she has missed her family and friends that still live there. It was funny in some ways being back responsible for 3 little ones if only for a little while. It was a good thing Grandpa and I work well together in this department, otherwise it might have been a little more than either one of us could have done alone anymore. Just getting 3 wiggling bodies strapped into their car seats and seat belts took some doing, lol. There was also the usual brother/sister squabbles to settle, a mild melt down or two, and the need to be organized and moving so as to not fall behind schedule.  But again, I was soo impressed how quickly they obeyed and did what they were told to do, how polite and well mannered they were at the restaurants, and how sweet they were as they crawled into our laps for hugs and kisses. How grateful I am to be a grandma, and how grateful I am for their parents who are doing such a wonderful job with them!


Not much else new here. The weather is supposed to be about perfect this week, and I am looking forward to it. My poor Melly continues to be pretty sick...sigh....hopefully she'll get past the morning sickness soon, and settle into the rest of her pregnancy with no problems. This is one of those times where I REALLY wish I knew how to quilt as I would just love to be working on one for her. I do intend to make her up some nighties and matching receiving blankets though. And I might check around on-line and see if there is somewhere you can buy a beautiful handmade quilt.  Any ideas?

OH! I was glad to hear that the King's Speech won best picture, what about you?   It was SUCH a good movie I thought.  Hope you all enjoy your week. 

BACK IN TIME PART 1

I have tried to decide how to best handle going about writing an account of my life (to a degree of course) for my kids and grandkids to have some day in these "blog" books I am creating for them, and I have decided that one day a week (or so depending on how I do, haha) I will travel back in time to somewhere in my past, and just write about what I remember. It won't always be in order (though I am going to try) as that would be stressful and then this would become a chore instead of the pleasure that I want it to be. I will name all of the posts....BACK IN TIME..PART 1 OR 2 etc., so you will know in advance it's "one of those posts" haha, and then you could just skip it if you want to, haha.


I am not sure where to start, so I guess I will just start at the beginning. I was born in Lincoln Nebraska on Sept. 28, l954 to Greta and Albert Merrick, the second of what would later become 6 children. My older sister Diane is only 18 months older than I am, so ALL of my early childhood memories involve her. There really isn't a lot I remember about living in Nebraska, as I was only 4 years old when we moved to California. I do remember a few things. We must have had a front door with a glass window on it as I remember looking out at that window during a snow storm once, and watching the snow fall on trees with no leaves on them at all. It was early evening I am thinking as it was still light enough to see outside, but it was somewhat dark and kind of dreary looking at the same time, and yet I distinctly remembering thinking it was beautiful. It seems like a strange thing for a little kid to remember, but I remember it pretty vividly. I remember also loving to spend time with my grandmother on my dad's side. She was probably around 50 or so at the time and worked at the University of Nebraska at the training table for the athletes there on scholarship. This would later become even more significant as my husband Jeff ate at that very table when he attended there many years later, (by then my grandmother had recently retired) and knew and loved several of the women she called friends; such a small world. But anyway, she was widowed and I never knew my grandfather on that side. Her name was Ruby and though I don't remember much of what we did, I do remember loving to go to her house and always asking her if she had two days off in a row, haha. She had told me that I could spend the night at her house when she did, and so I was always checking. My dad's younger brother Bert lived with her still, as he was much younger than my dad. One day he was babysitting both my sister and myself while the others were all out Christmas shopping. My sister and I were apparently giving him quite the hard time about taking a nap, as I recall him finally telling us that he had called up Santa
Claus and told him personally how naughty we were being, and that he said he would just have to skip coming to our house that year. How horrified I was! haha...Later after we woke up I also remember him telling us that Santa had called while we were sleeping to see how we were doing and he had reported we were asleep, so he had said we had another chance to "be good". I remember dwelling on that ALOT after that and trying as hard as I could. How funny the things you remember huh? My brother David was born when I was 3 years old. This meant my mom now had 3 children under 4. Quite the handful I am very sure. One day when David was just a new baby, she had gone into the kitchen to get his bottle (few breastfeed in those particular days) and had left him laying on the coach in the living room telling me to stand by him till she got back and NOT under any circumstance to pick him up. Well, the minute she left the room, it was the first thing I did. He VERY quickly slipped right out of my hands and onto the floor! Now he was already crying so my mom never noticed the difference. Somehow I got that baby up off of the floor and back onto the coach with my little heart pounding out of my chest before she came back into the room. I of course NEVER told my mom (until just recently anyway) what had happened, and he must have been unhurt as he immediately stopped crying when she put the bottle into his mouth. Now we were on carpeting and my little 3 year old body couldn't have been far from the floor, but still! How wild was that?? haha...I don't think I ever told my brother I dropped him on his head as a baby. Too bad. Could have been a good one to use when he was annoying me when we were growing up, haha. I remember the swing set in the back yard, the neighbor’s tulips that my sister and I picked ALL the blooms off one day and gave to my mother as a surprise, much to EVERYONE'S horror, and the fact that there were no fences separating any of the yards. Something that in California was unheard of. I remember my mother teaching us to pray at night. Unfornately I don't remember a lot about my dad, except for the fact that I was very afraid of him. Sad really. I think I will end this here for today and pick this story up again next week.

I don't have much more to report other than I did lose another 1.2 pounds. Funny how important those little tenths of pounds are now. 1.2 sounds much better than just 1, haha. My total is 13 and I am feeling pretty good about it I guess. I have finished the book Made to Crave, but I am going to go back through it now reading MUCH slower and gleen as much as I can from it, and I have purchased the work book as well so hopefully that will be good too. We are going down to San Diego this week-end to help my son with the kids as Larissa is going to New Jersey to be in her girlfriend’s wedding, and James is doing not only the Sun. evening services at his church this week, but the Sat. evening and Sunday morning services as well as the senior pastor is away. I am looking forward to it. I will admit it will be a challenge to get us all fed and ready and have the kids checked into their various Sunday school rooms and still be on time in church as well; been a while since I did that, haha.  But I am sure between Grandpa and I we will get it done.  Hope you all have a wonderful week-end. 
 

GOOD NEWS AND A SWEET STORY

Well I have soo many things to be grateful for this Mon. that I just had to share some of them with all of you.  First, Melody had her first ultra sound this morning and we got GOOD news.  Everything appears to be totally normal and healthy and they both saw and heard the little heartbeat.  Mike was right there with her and they both were quite excited.  Her doc. told her that the chances now for miscarriage have gone down to less than 5% which is just wonderful of course.  However he wasn't able to determine at this early stage, one of the things we are concerned about, so she will have another in two weeks.  Most of the problems that are possibilities will not be factors until she is much further along, but so far sooo VERY, VERY good.  Poor Mel is quite sick with morning sickness which I guess is also good news as her doc assured her it means that her hormones are all doing their job well, and the pregnancy is healthy.  She has lost a few pounds which she DEFINITELY does not have to lose, and he did say he is OK with her not gaining in the first trimester, but that he doesn't want to see her lose any more.  So if she can't eat (right now it is SUCH s force...) he will have to give her something to help.  She is definitely one of those people (now where could she get this?? haha) that fights taking any kind of medication unless she absolutely has to, so we are praying it won't be necessary.  She is really pretty excited, and so am I, over this whole thing.  The due date is Oct. 15th...seems very far away right now for this anxious grandma.  And then...James & Larissa got back from their missionary trip to Costa Rica and all went well.  The kids did well while they were gone, so it was a win/win situation.  We went to little Donatella's second birthday party on Sat.  It was pretty low key as Jim and Larissa had just gotten back the night before and were sooo tired.  Think 7 days and 6 nights with 16 teen-agers, haha...My camera was dead so I didn't get ANY pictures.  = (  I am hoping Larissa might post some on her facebook and then I will steal them, but for now I haven't got any.  It was SUCH a nice day.  Donatella was just ADORABLE as always.  How I love to hear her talk.  And talk she does...in complicated sentences; just as cute as she could be.  We stopped and picked up little Jeffie on our way so that he could play with the kids.  I spent my day the way I like best...watching my grandkids enjoy life...I just have to tell you one more little story.  After the party we went out to eat with my son and his family.  It was sooo cold, and I am NEVER cold so you know it was pretty bad.  I had complained a couple of times about how cold my hands were.  Anyway, as we were walking out to our cars, little JD (4 years) says to me, "Grandma, are your hands still cold?"  And I answered and said, "Yes, JD they are freezing."  The next thing I knew he took one of my hands in his two little warm ones and began rubbing them back and forth to warm mine up.  It was JUST the sweetest thing.  But then he is just the sweetest little boy.   I have a busy week coming up and I am VERY grateful that my body isn't hurting nearly as bad.  Thank you for all the kind words, encouragement, and emails I received from you all.  I appreciate it soo much.

 
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MEDITATE ON THE GOOD THINGS

I have debated for a couple of days over what I might post about, as some of what is on my heart is NOT upbeat nor particularly newsworthy, or even probably all that interesting to most. And yet, as I thought about it, this blog is (at least partially anyway) suppose to be a journal of my thoughts and feelings, and if I only write about the GOOD STUFF (which let's face it does makes for the FUN and good blog reading posts) how well will any of my grandchildren really get to know me someday as they read through it? Or even more importantly, how will they ever know how much I depend on God to get me through these times, and how faithful He really is to do so? Because like it or not my life is a LARGE mixture of good times and bad. Soo I decided to write at least some of the feelings I have been having in the last few days down. If you chose not to read this, I can't say as I blame you, and let me say right from the very beginning there is very little to say or comment on to ANY of it so PLEASE don't feel like you must, as that is not really what this post is about.

I go about most of my life in a VERY upbeat frame of mind. I have MUCH to be grateful for, and have truly led a life that has been blessed in MANY different ways. I DON'T like to complain. I DON'T like to whine. I DON'T want to ever fall in a pattern of feeling sorry for myself. I believe I have the power to choose where to "park my heart" in other words. I believe in the biblical principle that is given to us in Philippians.

Phil. 4 8 - 9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

The ending of these verses is the promise and the part I like to dwell on most. "IF" we set our minds on the GOOD things in this life, REALLY meditate on them, then God's peace (which is a peace ONLY He can give ~ can't get it from the world or anything this world has to offer) WILL be with us. I have leaned on this verse soo many times in my life I could never count them up, and it has ALWAYS proved to be true. God is faithful and true to His promises. But of course it would then stand to reason that IF I let my mind dwell on the negative, the ugly, the hard, the bad, the unfair and on and on then I will lose that peace of God somewhere in the whirlwind of my anxiety, pity and fret. The old "put garbage in, take garbage out" comes into play. So much of the walk of the Christian comes down to the mind. Romans 12:2 speaks of the essential place of being transformed by the renewing of your mind and 2 Corinthians 10:5 speaks of the importance of casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. What we CHOOSE to meditate on matters, whether we think it does or want it to or not. So therefore it should be OBVIOUS to me by now the important of starting each day asking the Holy Spirit to fill me with His power, and bring ALL of my thoughts into captivity that aren't in line with His. And yet, even knowing down deep in my soul the truth of all of this I have felt myself in the last few days feeling somewhat down. I am VERY tired of being in pain. It has been particularly bad recently. The other night my knees literally burned they hurt soo bad. My lower back hurt. My hips hurt. My ankles hurt. My neck hurt. I am not sure if it was the rain coming (some say you feel it really bad if you have arthritis) or more likely it was because I had been a little more active than usual the two days prior. And trust me, I hadn't done much. I did a little shopping (had to get a Valentine's present for my hubby) and had walked quite a bit with my mom looking for a senior apartment dwelling for her to consider moving into. And here is where my thoughts really got out of control. My 78 year old, stroke victim mom has more ability to get around then I do!! Most of those senior citizens I saw that day did as well! I feel VERY old before my time, and am forced to do sooo little, else I am in the pain I felt the other night. I am tired of it. I watch MUCH older women whisking by my window on walks, puttering in their flower beds, and just generally getting around soo much easier than me it seems. I recently heard of an old friend of my mother's (she is 81) who is still winning first place ribbons for her quilts and pies at the county fair, is taking a new cooking class, goes to an exercise class 3 times a week, teaches a weekly women's Bible study group, AND (now here was the real kicker) just recently modeled in a fashion show for older women. She is a former model and school teacher and is as beautiful now as she was in her 30's and 40's. And to finish this all off is one of the kindest, most giving, Godly Christian woman it has ever been my good fortune to know. Now of course I know the danger of comparing yourself to ANYONE...because after all it is all in who you compare yourself to. I might not be able to do as much as some of these women, but compared to those who can't even get out of their beds, sit paralyzed in wheel chairs, or even have to have machines breathe for them, I am a world athlete. I do light housekeeping every day, all of our laundry, cook and prepare our meals, visit and play with my grandkids, drive my mom around on many of her errands as well as my own, and many, many things that keep my mind and hands busy. And when I get enough weight off I will do the surgery to repair my knees and hopefully open up a whole new world for myself. I do realize I DON'T have to wait to get all of my weight off, though my doc. did recommend getting quite a bit of it off first, but I am not really ready mentally to put myself through another major surgery just yet anyway. So I wait. And I follow my diet as best as I can. I feel like I am crawling in that department though I have lost 11 and half pounds in 6 weeks which I guess is really pretty good and as good as I should expect. But there is SOOO much more to go.

I am in a much better place today with all of this, which is why I considered not writing about the struggle I have had the last few days. And yet, I know what an important part the Lord has played in this struggle, which is why I felt like I just had to get it down. He gently reminded me (again) of what I DO have and how grateful I am for all of it. Let me just mention a couple of them....The fact that I don't have to work to put food in my mouth or a roof over my head as I am not even sure how I even could. That it was AFTER my 4 children were raised before this arthritis really flared it's ugly head as I know many aren't that fortunate and have to deal with the busyness of kids in the midst of their pain. My husband who waits on me all he can and does so without even really thinking about it. The other morning after I had showered and dressed I came out to my favorite comfy chair to find he had my various ice packs packed and waiting for me there, and my tea hot and ready. The fact that I have yet another grandbaby coming to love and cherish. The fact that my general health is really very good and I feel WONDERFUL as long as I don't move around much. The fact that there even is such a thing as knee replacement...The list could go on and on I assure you. We serve a mighty and loving God and He has loved me with an everlasting love which I have done nothing to deserve. And what better thing is there to post about?

Jer 31: 3  The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

So there you have it. I have many other things I could share, but this is long and I will wait for another time. Hope you are all having a good week, and remember to meditate on all the Lord has blessed you with.

HOW WIDE AND LONG AND HIGH AND DEEP IS THE LOVE OF CHRIST!

This week just somehow got away from me and I can't believe it is Sat. morning again. AND! almost Valentine's Day as well. Seems like I just got settled into winter, and spring is around the corner...time just has a way of moving on. Anyway, I am not even really certain what it is I have actually even been on this week. Let's see... I guess I should start with Monday so that I can tell you about George! He and his 2 male assistants are the new and WONDERFUL cleaning crew that Kristi from Rush Hour told me about and I was fortunate enough to get to come to my house! What a wonder he was...I knew I would love him when he walked through my house before he even began (to give me an estimate on what he would charge) and ran his finger over the top of the ceiling fan in the family room and said, "We better get this!" My home has not been cleaned this well since Nina....I was almost giddy. The 3 of them worked for almost 3 hours (which equates to 9 hours of course) and was fairly sparkling when they left. Blinds, baseboards, ceiling fixtures, and moving furniture was great, but when they (the REALLY young guy) got down on his hands and knees to scrub every square inch of my tile (and I have a TON of it) I was sold completely! I will admit when I heard it was a crew of men, I had my doubts, but not anymore. They were wonderful! And being men they easily moved furniture, reached "out of reach" for most women things, and had lots of strength scrubbing. On top of all of this, they were such nice guys. AND!! for the final icing, they are 25.00 dollars cheaper than the lousy cleaning crew I had the time before...SIGH....I am soo pleased by all of this...Does that seem ridiculous? A clean house is important to me (for some reason) and I have been most frustrated. THANK YOU Kristi for this wonderful find. Tues. I spent at my mom's as always. I took her to therapy (only 2 visits left ~ she is doing SOOO well) and then we lunched and ran her errands. The days have become somewhat routine with her, and yet there is comfort in the familiar, do you know what I mean? Enjoyed the day as always. Wed. I went to Jenny Craig (another 1.4 making my GRAND total 10 and half) then I ran my errands and finished off the day getting my hands AND feet done. I don't get many pedi's in winter time I will confess and my poor toes were in such a sad state. Thursday I headed down to Newport to address my grey roots (it takes sooo much maintence to keep me even half way presentable anymore, haha) and get my mop cut. I have gone a "little" darker but still have the blonde highlights, AND cut a good 3 more inches of the length. I love to change things up occasionally and Jessie is always soo good at helping me out. I enjoy my visits with her soo much. She is a funny, sweet girl and we hashed Mel's pregnancy to our little heart’s content. She already has BIG plans for a baby shower for her....soo fun. Friday found me doing laundry, working in my workbook for Made to Crave (such a good book!) and LOTS of talking on the phone. When you have 4 kids, 2 dil's, 3 sisters, 8 grandkids, 2 special girlfriends, and a mom, there is ALWAYS someone who has something that needs to be hashed over, haha. My son Jimmy and his wife Larissa left this morning for Costa Rica where they are taking the high school group on a missions trip. I am excited for Larissa as this is the first trip like this she has been able to go on since having their family. I would appreciate any prayers for them as they are away...not only for their safety and the success of the trip, but for my precious grandkids as well who will be spending this week with their other grandparents. I am sure that grandma will have her hands VERY full (the kids are 2, 4, and 6 ~ don't have to say more) and I have offered my assistance should she need it. This morning my hubby Jeff had to go to work and help move the office to their new location. (thus my being able to write a Sat. morning post) I am hoping it doesn't take too long as we have some things I want to get done before playing cards with my parents tonight. Mom had other plans for Friday night so we are changing it up some this week. = )


I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about what I should (or shouldn't) write about for Valentine's Day. I thought about just reposting my post from last year but that seemed lazy and somewhat pointless, and yet my thoughts have been soo similar to then. I LOVE this holiday (though I have planned and done almost NOTHING to prepare for it this year ~ as I mentioned earlier it just sort of snuck up on me) and it is too late to even get Valentine cards in the mail to my grandkids. I know of course that the retail world pushes this holiday to make their money, and yet it doesn't stop me from loving it. And while the majority of the world thinks of this day as a time to celebrate "romantic" love (which IS a wonderful thing to celebrate!) I like to focus on LOVE for not only my hubby, but for all of those in my life who bring me joy. And at the top of that list is my love for the Lord of course. His love for us is perfect, for He IS love...I came across this verse this week and it has always been one of my favorites and just soo fits for Valentine's....

Ephesians 3 17-19 "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

God’s love is wide enough to include every person.


God’s love is long enough to last through all eternity.


God’s love is deep enough to reach the worst sinner.


God’s love is high enough to take us to heaven.

The love of Jesus has width. You can see how wide a river is by noticing how much it covers over. God’s river of love is so wide that it covers over my sin, and it covers over every circumstance of my life, so that all things work together for good. When I doubt His forgiveness or His providence, I am narrowing the mighty river of God’s love. His love is as wide as the world: For God so loved the world (John 3:16) The love of Jesus has length. When considering the length of God’s love, ask yourself “When did the love of God start towards me? How long will it continue?” These truths measure the length of God’s love. Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3) The love of Jesus has depth. Philippians 2:7-8 tell us how deep the love of Jesus goes: but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. You can’t go lower than the death of the cross, and that is how deep the love of Jesus is for us. The love of Jesus has height. To see the height of God’s love, ask yourself, “How high does it lift me?” It lifts me to heavenly places where I am seated with Christ. He has raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). I read this quote and it just soo blessed me..

To be filled with God is a great thing; to be filled with the fullness of God is still greater; but to be filled with all the fullness of God utterly bewilders the sense and confounds the understanding.” (Clarke)

Sorry this is soo long, that is what happens when you only post twice a week, haha...My prayer is that you would all know and experience that love that Jesus has for us. Have a WONDERFUL week-end, and a joyous Valentine's Day!

To join the other Spiritual Sunday posts click HERE....You will be soo blessed!

SOO EXCITED OVER ANSWERED PRAYER!

Psalm 139:13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb.

I am soo excited to announce that my Melody is 5 weeks pregnant! I have experienced all the emotions that you would expect to experience of course, and many more as well. I have even debated (and talked over with Mel of course) rather or not to announce it before she reaches her 12 week mark (which cuts the likelihood of miscarriage WAY down) or to get her covered in prayer ASAP...She has decided to not announce it to her friends or on facebook until she reaches this mark as it will give her a lot less to deal with should that occur, and I totally understand and support this decision. All of the family on both sides knows though, so there are plenty of prayers being said. As I have already mentioned Melody has a very unique (and somewhat rare) female issue which makes any pregnancy high risk for her. The docs have told us from the beginning that she should have no trouble whatsoever conceiving, which I guess did end up being true. I was one of those very fortunate women who got pregnant immediately the first month I tried (and even when I wasn't trying) and so I had a hard time relating to her fears. (though I did have them myself for her) It only took 4 months for her though, and the doc assured her this was very average. The problem will occur (IF it is going to) in carrying the baby to term. She will be monitored MUCH more closely as a result and the fact that they know about her condition going into the pregnancy, greatly cuts the chances of there being any problem. Her doc. told her when he saw her last week that truthfully he saw no reason to not expect a totally normal pregnancy.  So far she is feeling really good, and is just starting to feel some of those "early pregnanacy" symptoms.   She will be having her first ultra sound done on the 21st of this month and hopefully that will settle a couple of the issues right off. I know in my heart of course that this whole thing is totally in the hands of a very capable and mighty God. What He wants to happen WILL in fact happen, as I 100% believe He is the giver of life. Sooo I (right along with Mel) will put my trust in Him, and ENJOY every moment of this pregnancy, KNOWING her best is what He desires. My joy right now runneth over. I am soo happy for her. I do wish I lived closer so that I could go to some of the appointments with her etc., but I am sure we will live on the phone as we hash over every tiny detail. Right now I wish I could at least give her a hug, but I am hoping it won't be too long till I see her. Her hubby is beside himself with joy as well, and I feel she is in good hands.

My week-end was a good one. We celebrated our anniversary on Sat. with a GREAT lunch out (easier for me to do lunch on my diet) on Sat. and my gift is getting to re-do our entire front planter area. I am quite excited about this and have already begun the process. Not that I am doing any of the actual work of course with these knees, but THE DESIGN is totally my call, haha. I guess I should have taken a pic of the "before", but I will get one of the "finished" for sure. I am not in a hurry to get this done, so it might be a at least a few weeks to get it all complete, but I have several ideas in my head.

My hubby went to Arizona yesterday to watch the super bowl with his dad. It is about a 3 and half hour drive from here and he wanted to do it all in one day so I didn't go. My back has been bothering a bit these last several days and 7 hours in a car didn't sound like much fun. I am really glad he got to spend this time with his dad, and my sister came over and spent the day with me. We had a good time. I think it is the first time I didn't watch the super bowl in my entire 36 years of marriage though, lol.

The diet is moving along...I lost 2 more pounds last week which puts my total for one month at 9 pounds. I am STILL swaying back and forth between it is no big deal at all to it is sooo hard. But my attitude is generally good, so I guess that is OK. I did get the book Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst and have begun reading it. It is REALLY good so far, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who stands in these shoes.

I am trying out Kristi's new cleaning crew today and I am soo excited. Hopefully I will be as pleased as she has been with them. It is a crew of 3 guys which does seem a little weird, but hey why not is my attitude.

I covet your prayers for Melody as she goes through this season in her life. I am still praising Him for blessing her with this answered prayer for a baby. How blessed I know we all are. 

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.