Saela LOVES being outside!

Here are just a few pics from our afternoon...

...I'm pooped mom.

Take a Guess

My doc does not think I'll make it to 40 weeks with this baby. I am 36 weeks today. Saela entered this world at 36 weeks 5 days. Take our poll (located to the right) and we'll see how many people guess the right week.

Reflection and Thanks

So, I'll blame pregnancy hormones for my inability to stay dry-eyed at church over the last few weeks...

Two weeks ago, it was a message about the prodigal son. There are three types of prodigals - ones that have come home, ones that are coming home, and ones that are still "out there." Thankfully, I have come home - my hope is that if you are still "out there" that you will one day come home too.

This week it was the lyrics to the song: Mighty To Save

With the upcoming birth of baby #2, I have been thinking a lot about Saela's birth and her first two weeks...

...Saviour He can move the mountains

My God is mighty to save

He is mighty to save...

I say a prayer of thanks daily that God's plan was for Steve and I to have the opportunity to raise such a beautiful, wonderful little girl for He could just as easily have taken her home. I have thought much about how this new baby will change her life and wish there was a way that I could explain to her that I will still love her just as much...and in a small way am mourning her last days as an only child.

...So take me as You find me

All my fears and failures

Fill my life again

I give my life to follow

Everything I believe in

Now I surrender...

I surrender my fears of Saela feeling cast aside - for I know she won't be - but again, how do you make her see that...and my fears of baby #2 coming early and ending up in the NICU like his big sister. I recognize that God's plan was set in motion long before even my arrival on this earth and I thank Him and all of the others who helped lead this prodigal daughter home.

Helping Daddy Pack

While Daddy mowed the lawn, Saela decided she wanted to help pack for their trip to Arkansas to see her Aunt, Uncle, and Cousins.

Yes, that is her Easter basket that she frequently wears as a hat.

When it got right down to it, she decided that all she needed was one diaper, a pack of wipes, her baby, her teddy, and...

...some reading material.

Steve and Saela are headed to Arkansas this week to visit Steve's brother and his family. This will be the LONGEST that I have ever been away from her. I'm sure they will have a great time - but I sure am going to miss them. (I rocked her extra long tonight before bed.) Jax & Jilly will be here to keep me company while I try to tackle a laundry list of "things to do before baby." Please keep them in your prayers for safe travels there AND back.

Steaks and High Fashion

So, my Sweet Saela who wrinkles her nose and says no to ground beef, ground turkey, chicken, and all lunch meat (except ham) - apparently likes steak. Last weekend, Steve and I had steak for dinner and Miss Saela could not get enough. She kept saying AND signing "more, more, more."

When my friend Krisin was here we went shopping at the outlet malls about a half hour from the house. I splurged on a Coach wristlet which is an itty bitty little purse. This is my first ever "designer" handbag. Click the following link for a similar wristlet. (I could not find a picture of mine.)

http://i1.iofferphoto.com/img/item/218/849/82/COACH_WRISTLET.jpg

When I got home, Saela immediately picked it up and said, "mine."

We might be in trouble.

Friends

Ever have one of those friends - that no matter how much time has passed - when they walk through the door, it's like you just saw them yesterday? I had the blessing and opportunity to spend time with one of those friends this weekend. I met Kristin during my internship and the last time I saw her was at my wedding. (For those of you trying to do the math - almost 5 years ago.) She graciously drove up from Ohio to visit for the weekend.

She was able to meet Saela for the first time and we were able to "catch up" all day on Saturday. Steve kindly went to get bagels on Saturday morning :) and then he took Saela to his parents so we were able to have a free afternoon. We went to I Love You Man, a relatively new movie at the theatre (super super funny), and then we spent some time at the outlet malls (a successful day of purchases and great deals.) Here is a picture from before she left and of my sweet Saela looking like such a big girl in one of her new outfits.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too!

Easter

We had a very nice Easter. We went to church and almost made it on time even though our service time changed and it was an hour earlier than normal. The place was packed and the message was about how God uses "2nd chancers." ...and how we are ALL "2nd chancers" as nobody but Jesus is free of sin ...and how NOBODY is beyond saving if they will accept Christ as their personal savior.

We then headed to Steve's Aunt and Uncle's house for Easter supper. We enjoyed the afternoon - I would like to say we captured Saela with smiles and grins - but alas - this is the best we got:

Ehh...maybe next year.