My Pregnancy Journey... Part 1

I promised to share some of my pregnancy experiences with you. The fact that I got pregnant in the first place is a miracle itself...but aren't all pregnancies miracles? For those of you that don't know, I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was three years old.  I was on many medications when I was younger that had the possibility of making me sterile.

I honestly had no idea if I was ever going to get married.  That's a whole other story.  Find it here.

I was recently looking through my bedside table (you know, that place where you store a lot of "stuff") and found this prayer that I had written on Valentine's Day, 2012.  I have a journal that I write in, but for some reason I wrote this prayer on a single sheet of paper.  I share it with you to relay to you what my heart desires and fears were at the time.

Dear Lord,

So as you know, John and I have been thinking about trying to have a baby.  I laugh, because when we say "trying to have a baby" it sounds like the power is in our hands.  We know that you are Sovereign and have our best interests in mind. You also know the areas that I worry about: finances, teaching next year.  But I have to laugh at that too because what better position to be in than parenting if I am looking to teach.  So, basically I have complete trust in you to lead us how you want to.  You've always been faithful, and you know what is best for us. If you want us to have a baby at this time, then I ask that you open my womb. If it is not the time, then o.k. You know best.  I pray that if it's time to be pregnant that you take away my fears about being pregnant.  I pray that my body will react positively to pregnancy.  I pray that my knees and feet will hold up and be strong.  I just pray that you will sustain my whole body.  I pray for John as it might be stressful for him as well.  You know our needs.  We love you.  We trust you! 

Prayer played a huge part in my pregnancy....it has played a huge part in my LIFE for that matter. I think the greatest gifts (other than my salvation) have been the prayers that people have offered up on my behalf.  I have another cool prayer story that I will share in my next post that relates to my pregnancy. 

Our Newest Obsession

John and I have been to Italy and have tasted some of the best gelato in the world, but since we can't stroll the streets of Florence everyday, we have settled for second best.  Oh.My.GOODness. 

Ladies and gentlemen... our newest obsession. 

Merry Christmas.... a few days late

It's been way too long since I have posted last.  It's been busy with moving 

and staring a new job and new life. 

But, John and I would like to wish you a belated Merry Christmas...

Card by Less Ordinary Designs

Happy Birthday to my husband... you sexy thang!

Where did this year go?

Happy First Anniversary to my sweet, sweet husband John!

I love you more than words can express!

Life's a dance.... This has been a year of many, many changes.   

 Some easy, some hard.  

But... I'm glad  I have you to hold on to :) 

Love me some foil packs

John called me last week to see if I wanted to meet him after work for a picnic at a nearby park.

Yes!!

He said "How about foil packs for dinner?"

Yes!

You need to know that this simple meal is absolutely one of my favorite.  It all started when my dad would make hamburger foil packs when we went camping.  

All you need:

foil

ground beef

carrots, cut thin

potatoes, cut thin,

onion, diced

salt and pepper to taste

                    a fire or grill

Put all vegetable on the bottom and lay hamburger patty on top.  Seal up foil tightly and cook on low heat for about 40 minutes.  The low heat essentially steams the veggies.  

Oh my goodness... so much flavor!!

The fire

The park

Silly picture

Waiting for the goodness

Waiting

Waiting...

THE GOODNESS!!!!!!!!

Words truly cannot describe how flavorful this easy dish is!!

Beautiful sunset to cap off the night!

It's the little things....

So, I have an extremely soft heart for old men.... I don't know why.  Perhaps it is because I just loved my poppop so much and enjoyed his company.  But bottom line is... elderly men melt me.

I was at Giant two days ago and I was pushing my cart to my car.  I had just exited through the doors when I found an older man, probably late sixties, early seventies, walking alongside of me.  He was a Giant employee.  We chatted about how nice it was that the heat had broke a little.  As I approached my car, he waited until I unlocked my car and then....

 HE LOADED ALL MY GROCERIES INTO MY CAR FOR ME!

Sooooooooo sweet.   

Definitely made my day and put a smile on my face!