The home stretch

For those who may be curious, I’ll take this moment to fill you in on my progress now that I’m one day away from my estimated due date. Yesterday was my weekly check up with my OB/GYN. For whatever reason, I had high blood pressure and was ordered to get additional blood work done along with a sonogram. The doc needed reassurance that I was okay health-wise and that this baby boy wasn’t much bigger than what she had expected. Praise God, my blood work came back perfectly normal and my high blood pressure dropped dramatically after some rest and relaxation in Triage. The sonogram estimated Baby Isaac to weigh in at 8lbs 5oz…he’s a big boy!

Although I’m nearly 40 weeks in, this baby has not engaged himself for birth…at all! He’s still “way up high” but constantly kicks mommy like he insists on coming out. So what can we conclude from all this? He wants to come out but there’s not much room for him to make his big entrance.

Before leaving the hospital, I was told to pray and discuss my options with my husband and my mom, who is an RN and has the skinny on these types of medical predicaments. After a lot of talking and prayers lifted up for baby and me, I have decided to schedule an elective Cesarean on Valentine’s Day. Not only is my gut telling me to opt for a C-section, but it really is what’s best for baby.

But I must admit, I always dreamed of having my first child by experiencing all of the joys and pain accompanied by full-fledged labor and delivery. I envisioned enduring a 17-hour labor after public humiliation when my water breaks at the mall. I always thought I would have a “normal” delivery since I’ve been blessed with a “healthy” pregnancy from start until now. But God has other plans and I’m left to accept what is best for baby although it’s not my most favored option.

All in all, the outcome will be the same. My husband and I will finally get to meet our little (big) boy in a few days and we’ll finally get to try our hand in parenting. It’s crazy to think I’m going to be a mommy very soon. All I ask are for your prayers and to stay tuned for more as the rest of this exciting story unfolds…

Six-Word Memoir

A few days ago, Our Daily Bread Devotional referenced SMITH magazine, an online community that “celebrates the joy of storytelling.” SMITH asked their readers to write six-word memoirs to best capture their lives. They received thousands of responses with 6-word stories ranging from light-hearted comments like “Sweet wife, good sons—I’m rich” to the more brutal “Sixty. Still haven’t forgiven my parents.”

What is your 6-word memoir on your life? Mine would be one of the following:
- Truly blessed – couldn’t ask for more.
- Personal mistakes yield great lessons learned.
- My God made all this possible.

It’s now February and it’s crazy to think we’re going to have a baby in a matter of weeks…or maybe even in a matter of days! We’ve been so blessed over the course of this pregnancy, and I’m forever grateful to have such a healthy experience these past 9months. But I’m doing my best to look past the 45+ pounds I’ve gained and all of the water retention that makes me look like a bloated pregnant lady so soon to pop.



I just wanted to take the time to thank the special people who helped make all of our three memorable and enjoyable baby showers such a success. My husband and I have enjoyed three consecutive baby showers in the past three weeks. I have never eaten so much cake in such a short amount of time…but hey, I ain’t complaining.







Thanks also to everyone who showered us with such great baby gifts. Isaac is truly well equipped with the essentials and has more adorable outfits than I can keep up with. What I will remember most from all of these baby showers is the effort that everyone put into making each event a special one for us and for our guests. Many thanks to you all very special people in our lives. We feel so blessed to have your love and support. Thanks for everything! As in my 6-word memoir and thanks to you all I feel, “truly blessed – couldn’t ask for more."

A new way to start my day

I attended an all-day MK educational/work event yesterday. With a fresh start to a new year, I’ve been encouraged to experiment with my daily walk with God. I now want to make little tweaks to my daily routine to positively affect my livelihood in a HUGE way.

Although my husband and I have disciplined ourselves to include daily devotionals a part of our lives, I want my own discipline for me. My MK director encouraged me to wake up each morning thanking God for 10 blessings in my life. Yesterday, I wrote out a simple list of 10 things I’m grateful for, whether they’re material, spiritual or just personal items, I was sure to list them. My list of thanks included the following (in no particular rank or order):
1. My husband
2. My spiritual life
3. My spiritual wisdom
4. Our house
5. Our car
6. Our puppies
7. The health of our pregnancy
8. Our friends
9. Our family
10. My overall great life

It took only seconds to think of 10 things to be grateful for at that moment. My New Year’s resolution is to start off the day with a positive attitude so I can always expect great things to come. I have it in me to be the infectious positive influence to those around me. I could never see myself as being the killjoy in the group. I want to leave any room satisfied knowing that I may have brightened up someone’s day by just being happy and grateful for the blessings in my life. I have the wisdom to know that in order to start my day with “positive expectancy,” I must start from a place of gratitude. As Ed Young Jr., the emphatic preacher at Fellowship Church in Grapevine, TX suggests, I too strongly believe negative people are smaller than positive people in the grand scheme of things. But sometimes there are those influential people in our lives who seem to bring the cloud of darkness into every situation.

For instance, there was someone who was once a part of my church and social life. Although she’s been blessed with beauty, talent, creativity and outgoing charm, she seems to ALWAYS be miserable. Every time she walks into a room, instead of cheerfully greeting those she’s around, she dumps her ongoing struggles and problems. She can’t just be happy, and I can’t understand it. Every sigh she releases is one of frustration, disappointment and/or disgust with all things or people in her life. It’s as if her mission is to bring the storm rather than infect people with positivity. I wish I had the guts to ask her, why would you want to be the negative interruption in people’s lives? If you really care and love those around you, why dump your problems and frustrations on them? Does that show that you truly care and love them?

As my MK director so beautifully stated, “When you want more, you must be grateful for where you are now.” Positive expectancy is an area of attitude change that brings about abundance in life. We all want more and I’m sure we all feel we deserve more in our own right. Some of us work towards achieving more by surrounding ourselves with people who think bigger than us. Others surround themselves with people they aspire to one day be like. Purposely surrounding yourself in positively influential surroundings is a means of striving for positive expectancy, I believe. As I’ve stated in a previous blog post back on July 12, 2010, we are where we are by the choices we make. Why not choose to be positive? Why not be the person that infects positivity that leaves a lasting impression? It’s totally do-able, but only if we choose to be happy for where we currently are and purposely begin from a place of gratitude. Would you agree that we all have so many things to be thankful for?

But it’s so much easier said than done. In fact, this morning I already began complaining with my fears and worries about bringing home baby. We have our marriage and careers, 3 dogs and a house to care for. It’s daunting to think about juggling these while trying to figure out how to raise a child. I’m plagued with doubts… how am I ever going to learn how to care for this baby when I’ve got 3 yapping pups and other important priorities surrounding me? It’s hard enough at the beginning…but I’ve already set expectations that it’s going to be a nightmare at first. So what if it is? I’m a strong woman blessed with a huge support system. There is no reason I should dread how hard the first few weeks with baby could potentially be. Envisioning the stress and frustration at this point already negates my intention to live by positive expectancy. Why can’t I just expect that God will guide me as I find a way and make a way?

It’s so much easier said than done! But at this point, all I can do is trust that through my faith in the Lord and by positively expecting things could actually work out for the better, already my attitude can bring about a HUGE change in me. Coming from a place of gratitude for my support system and faith will set me up for living each day with positive expectancy. As I’ve stated in the beginning of this long post, that’s exactly my point!

Six more weeks to go!

Not only is it hard to believe that it’s now 2011, but it’s surreal to know I have just six more weeks to go in my pregnancy. Baby Isaac is due mid-February, and I love telling people I will have a baby next month! I don’t know what feeling overwhelms me more – excitement or absolute terror. Anyone who knows me is familiar with my rather low threshold for pain. How am I ever going to pop out a baby? But on the flip side, all I can think about is bringing a new life into this world. I can’t wait to see my husband as a father. I can’t wait to meet my baby boy for the first time. Already this baby is so loved. We’re all so eager to finally meet him.

I must admit, it makes my day when strangers congratulate me on my baby bump or receiving special treatment from passersby everywhere I go. Clearly, it’s hard for me to do simple things on my own. There have been so many nice people along the way who offer a hand to a pregnant woman on her feet. I get so tickled when people take notice of me noticing other toddlers from a distance. I’ve even had some businessman at Starbucks ask me if I’m ready for what’s ahead after watching me watch a mom with her baby boy.

Just before New Year’s my husband and I ate at our neighborhood Cheddars – I had a specific craving. In the parking lot, we both went gaga over this precious little girl who had to be 3 or 4 years old. She was too adorable for words. She was a spunky one. Funny enough, her family was seated directly across from us. Each time I could secretly admire her lovable spirit, I’d glance over to see her enjoying her food.

Just after we paid our bill, we got up from the table to leave and I noticed as I stood up, the little girl looked directly at me as if she’d been trying to get my attention. When she noticed that I noticed her, she gave me the biggest, warmest smile I’ve ever seen. This precious little girl completely made by day by flashing such a beautiful and genuine smile. My husband noticed and as we exited the restaurant, he leaned over to me and said, “Well that was the cutest thing ever!”

She warmed my heart and another fleeting moment overwhelmed my soul. Once again, I couldn’t wait to be a mommy. She was just so precious and so full of energy. I appreciated how she didn’t shy away when I smiled back. In fact, she just smiled bigger! It was a nice way to end the evening and I know I’ll never forget the way that little one warmed my heart so. Man…I’m SO ready to have this baby!

A New Year = A New Me

Back in ’09, I made horrendous choices to live by my own sinful pursuits and to rely on my own selfish gains…I chose the ultimate form of betrayal. I saw sin as sexy and secretly lived a double life. Since no one knew, how could I ever be ashamed of who I was pretending to be? I lived in this fantasy island where denial kept reality at a distance. I was not loyal…I was not kind…I was purely selfish and hurtful.

To my dismay, YOU knew all along. You sensed it from the start and although I dismissed my own premonitions of what could go terribly wrong, I flirted with sin anyway. I let go of you and was no longer devoted. I took my life in my own hands and played with fire. I knew that lifestyle was not worth living, especially at the expense of your unconditional love for me. But I knew what I wanted, and I went for it completely disregarding your kindness, your loyalty and your love for me. I was a woman on a mission. I made it happen because I so badly wanted to. I turned away from you…my world, my everything. You have always given me more than I ever thought I deserved…from material to spiritual. And in return, I betray you by choosing a life without YOU.

As life has its way of opening our eyes to what’s real and righteous, I finally got caught in the act. I had two choices…I could run away and continue to pursue my own selfish gains or I could do what’s right for once in my life. I made the decision to become submissive, to work towards faithful loyalty and to learn what it’s like to put others before me. It was the toughest thing to do but the easiest decision to have made. I chose to understand the meaning of TRUE love. It took this devastating lifestyle choice to get me out of the bottom-dwelling hell I secretly thrived in.

Now more than ever, I want you back in my life as my leader, my best friend and my provider. I want to know love like I’ve never known how great it can be. I want to wholeheartedly love and give back to you for all you’ve done for me…although I may not deserve it. I love you and can honestly admit how shallow my love once was. It took that life of sinful choices for me to finally get it.

I’m so happy for 2010 to come to a close, and I’m thankful to be ending this year on such a high note. This year I had to face damning consequences as a result to my irresponsibility. But looking back over this tumultuous year, I come to realize it’s been THE best year of my entire life. I have lived, loved and learned so much about friends, family, myself and my faith. More importantly, I’ve learned what gracious rewards await me should I choose a new life of doing good and working to be right.

So thank you for this second chance and for this new life. My promise to you is to remain devoted with a desire to live a life truly worth living. I will never leave you and will never forsake you ever again. This life isn’t my own…we’re in this together. I come only second to you. I can never repay you for all that you’ve done for me, but from this moment on I will love you, my God. Heavenly Father, I promise you this.
"I’ve strayed, O Lord, and turned aside,
I’ve disobeyed Your voice;
But now contrite of heart I turn
And make Your will my choice." — D. De Haan

The company you keep

In late July, I blogged about purposely surrounding yourself with the right kind of people. I recently heard a thought-provoking concept about how your personal character shines through the friends and family nearest and dearest to you. Now let’s pretend. Imagine you’re up for a big-time job interview. Instead of the prospective employer asking you to come in for a face-to-face interview, how would you feel if a family member or close friend was asked to interview on your behalf? Assume the typical questions regarding your character and work ethic were fired at will and your close friend or relative had to answer all grilling questions. Would that worry you? Or could you rest assured that their personality and professionalism would help your reputation? To put it simply, would your friend/family help or hurt your chances of landing that job?

The company we choose to keep is a direct reflection of our character, moral standards and personal ambition. Assuming that the friend/relative representing you is among the 5 people you hope to become the sum of, then you’ve got nothing to worry about. If not, it may be time to reexamine who you choose to surround yourself with and how they’ve influenced the person you claim to be when first impression matters most.

A year in review: 2010

Today’s Our Daily Bread Devotional was quite timely. I’m constantly examining the person I am today thanks to this unbelievable year of life-changing events. Thank God for this journey I’ve been blessed to learn and grow from! As recorded in my previous blog posts, I’ve learned quite a bit about life, love, faith and true devotion along my daily walk with God. The greatest bit of wisdom I’d like to impart for those still soul-searching is that all you can do is your absolute best and trust the Lord will take care of the rest.

(Psalm 77:11-14)
11 I will remember the works of the LORD;
Surely I will remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will also meditate on all Your work,
And talk of Your deeds.
13 Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary;
Who is so great a God as our God?
14 You are the God who does wonders;
You have declared Your strength among the peoples.

Today’s devotional encourages faithful followers to contemplate where you’ve been and what you’ve done this past year. Reflect and record the significant events in your life. Be sure to include any difficulties and disappointments while highlighting sweet memories and milestones. But please remember to consider all the ways God has been with you while carrying you through every trial and triumph.
“When we look back and contemplate
What we’ve been through this year,
We’ll praise You, Lord, for all You’ve done—
Your faithfulness is clear.” —Sper