Secret Life of Bees

For our March book club book we read "Secret Life of Bees". I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. We watched the movie this weekend, and in my opinion it doesn't even compare to the book. I really liked this book because it was an easy, quick read and it sucks you in from the very beginning.

Since the beginning of this book club last fall we have read:
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picolt
Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
and this next month will be Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

I have liked every book that we have read. It has been fun for me to discover that I have a love for reading. I love how it expands your mind! I really love the members of the book club as well and its always so much fun to get together with them.

Matt's Mission Call

My little brother got his mission call. He is going to the Mozambique, Maputo Mission and will be speaking Portuguese!! How crazy is that! If you are like me, I had no idea where that was at. It is in Africa...just above South Africa. He seems really excited about the call and the language he will be speaking. I am excited for him, I think he will be a wonderful missionary.

4 Years Ago Today....

I was at St. Marks hospital having a tumor and my left ovary & fallopian tube removed. We had so many fears of what the outcome would be. Is the tumor cancerous? Will we be able to have children? And today...I am almost 30 weeks pregnant. As I have been contemplating this, I feel overwhelmed with the blessings that Nic and I have received from our Heavenly Father. I feel so happy and thankful that all of this has come to be. I just don't have words to express how I feel!

Baby Classes...
Nic and I were able to take a Third Trimester Birthing class the last 2 weeks. Talk about a lot of information!! I am so glad we took it though. It was great to be surrounded by other first time parents and be able to ask all of the questions that we wanted. We were able to learn relaxation, massage, & breathing techniques which were awesome. We also got to take a tour of the Labor & Delivery unit at the hospital and see where we would be delivering. I think Nic definitely learned more then he would ever care to about dilating, breast feeding, & crying babies! We were both grateful to have taken the class. We have one more we will be going to in April for First Time Mom & Dad's to be. What an exciting time this is!!

A New Baby!

Baby #2 of this year was born! My little sister Jessica had her baby on Friday. She was 9lbs 6 oz and 22 inches long--big baby! Jess did an amazing job with her natural childbirth and it was a such an amazing experience to see another baby be born. She is so precious and perfect looking. Jess, Tyler, & baby are all doing great--just happy & tired! CONGRATS you guys!!

Third Trimester

Wow, I can't believe it! The third trimester is finally here. I feel so relieved to be at the point where the chances of delivering a healthy baby are so high. Looking back at the pregnancy thus far, I thought I would do a post of my pros & cons of pregnancy!

CONS

1. MORNING SICKNESS! I , along with a lot of pregnant women, was sick all day long in my first trimester. I threw up at least 1 time a day, if not 3 or 4. That was by far the worst part of the pregnancy so far.
2. Zits! I broke out like crazy in my first trimester.
3. Fatigue! I would sleep every chance I got. I went to bed at 8:30pm most nights and would take naps on my lunch break.
4. Weird pains! All over, random times!
5. No Mountain Dew :(
6. Anxiety! Constant worrying if the baby is ok, if you are ok, not knowing what to expect, wondering how you will be a good parent.

PROS

1. Losing weight because of the morning sickness!
2. Full Hair & Long fingernails
3. Maternity Clothes-they are so comfortable!
4. Feeling the baby move, especially the first few times!
5. The first ultrasound! There is nothing like that. I was overwhelmed that there was actually a human being inside of me and I could see her jumping around and moving. I was in awe!
6. The deeper connection that Nic and I have now that we have actually created this child
7. How Nic treats me, even better then before if that is possible! He takes care of me and always wants to to make sure me and the baby are taken care of.
8. Just being pregnant. I really enjoy it. I love how older women love to talk to you about the baby, how excited everyone is, having something in common with so many women, and just the neat spiritual feeling that you have knowing that you are going to be this child's mother.
   

Less than 3 months left! I can't believe it!