36 weeks

Yes, folks, we are nearing the end of this pregnancy.  At this point it seems like I've been pregnant forever.  I feel like I'm almost to the waddling stage and getting up off the floor is not as easy as before.  Wouldn't be a problem except that I have a toddler who wants mommy to play. 

I got my friend, Sally, to take some maternity pictures for us.  I got to take hers last summer and now she got to return the favor.  We had a lot of fun and I was able to share the tricks and tips I had learned.  She did a great job. 

Yes, that is a big belly.  Oh my.

I know, I know

An update is long overdue.  I'll try not to make excuses.  Things have been busy and different lately.  We have had some difficult things to work through.  We've had some decisions to make concerning our future and where we might be living in a year.  Josh has been working really hard with lots of overtime.  We are ready to get thing back to normal before our lives are completely rocked with James' arrival.  But overall things are going well.  Keep reading!

Mommy's helper

My girl is such a little helper.  She loves to take care of her babies - changing their diapers, wrapping them in blankets to take a nap, telling them she loves them.  She helps me unload the dishwasher and helps with sewing projects.

Today, Kate learned a new chore.  I got the urge to dust and wipe baseboards today.  Kate joined me. We put socks on our hands to use as dust-rags and started tackling the house.  As I was wiping baseboards I realized that two years ago I was doing the same thing with a huge pregnant belly...but I was doing it by myself.  Kate really got into the dusting and wanted to dust everything...even the beds.  So maybe she didn't really completely understand the purpose.  But at least I had a buddy to do my chores with. 

Grief and healing

It's amazing how life can be going along just fine and then tragedy strike so suddenly to try to knock you down.  Tragedy that reminds us of our own frailty, our own fallen nature, our own needs for Someone stronger.  Sadness that goes deep and comes forth sometimes at unexpected moments.

On Friday, February 11, we found out that our beloved pastor had lost his battle with a serious disease.  He was found dead on a ranch where he likes to hunt.  He had taken his own life.  He had struggled with depression for a while and this time did not find another way out.  Our church and our community have lost an incredible man. 

I am reminded that our God is a compassionate God, who knows our frailties.  Indeed, for He created us with His own hands and sent His Son as provision to bring us back to Him so that we would not wander hopelessly in darkness.  Yet in this world we will face trouble, pain, sorrow, and suffering that tries to suffocate us.  And God knows the enemy of our souls.  An enemy who does nothing but kill, steal, and destroy.

In this month since the incident we have gotten to see that we are a part of a healthy church.  We are grieving and learning how to move forward.  The enemy has attacked our shepherd.  The sheep have not scattered.