Overwhelmed

"Overwhelmed" a week before a baby is sometimes taken negatively, but that's not what this post is about...I've been allowing myself to prepare emotionally, physically, and environmentally for our second baby this week. I had a big test to study for last week and then Thanksgiving--so I kept telling myself I could "think baby" after all of that. :)

Colby & I went shopping to get the last few things I needed before the big day...baby Tylenol, trial size deodorant, a few things like that. I took my wedding ring to be cleaned & inspected while we were shopping, and wouldn't you know...they had to fix something on it. So, Colby & I went to the food court and had a little lunch date. I sat there with my little big boy and was so overcome & overwhelmed with a flood of so many different emotions, I have to try to describe some of them.

Admiration, respect, & love--for my husband. I can't even tell you how much my love for him has changed since we first met...from that cute, puppy love to what it is today. He works SO hard to provide for us and has sacrificed doing some things he REALLY loves so that I can stay home, raise our child(ren) and be closer to our family. His GOD-given talent is so big he can do 1,000 different things in a day and still know where he's headed fifteen minutes later...and do it all with incredible humility, patience, and effort. He doesn't get much time for himself but instead comes home to spend what little time he does have with us before Colby goes to bed--very selfless and I can't tell you how much I respect that. It pulls at my heart strings to hear him say "Daddy loves you!"...coming from a man who never really cared if we had kids or not! :) I could go on and on but...well, you know. This post will be long enough as it is!

Love & pride for Colby--If you're a parent, you understand. If you're not, you'd probably understand if you knew my kid. :) He's such a happy & friendly little boy, polite and (for the most part) very well-behaved. To hear him say "thank you" to the cashiers at the grocery store when they put each bag in the cart, "Hi!" to the Salvation Army bell ringer at the mall...I can't tell you how proud that makes me--knowing he has learned to appreciate people and what they do. He has a heart to learn and loves to sing & dance (although I promise you he got his moves from his daddy!) but will sit & cuddle when we need it, too. As I watch his relationship with Justin grow, I'm reminded of God's relationship with us...we can crawl up in His lap for comfort or give him high fives & pound fists when things are going great. I see SO much of God in my son and...wow. Just wow!

A relationship with our coming baby. I know this sounds a bit ridiculous, but hear me out. When we were expecting Colby, I protected my heart a little bit. After our miscarriage a few years prior, I was always nervous that something could still go wrong. This time and from being a little more experienced at the pregnancy thing, I've been playing with Caleb's arms & legs when they're noticeable and feeling a playful baby through my womb for the last several months. God is so good! It still seems so unreal, though--I remember going to the hospital to be induced with Colby, too...knowing I was coming out with a baby. Yowza!

Family, friends, and the bride of Christ--we've been in a few different places during our marriage. Three different states, three different churches (obviously), and have made friends wherever we are. Doesn't always happen quickly but it does eventually. I thank God for the friendships we've made, what God shows me through each of these individuals, and just being able to call people "friend" and "brother/sister". Our families are supportive of everything we do--whether it's moving (and whether they like it or not, haha), changing careers, having babies (I'm pretty sure we would never have an argument there, lol)...they're always there to support us and would give lots of body parts to make sure we're happy.

Much, much more, but that's about it for today. Getting ready for a new baby is always interesting...in every way! Thank you for your prayers, support, and everything that goes along with it! God bless!

Yeah, so it's been a few months...whoops. I can't guarantee it'll be any better once this baby comes (three days left!), but oh, well. That's what happens when "life happens", I guess!