Genitals: The Great Debate Part II

Aren't you so glad for friends who are rooted in the word of God? I have one friend inparticular and we share a friendship like no other I have ever experienced. Our friendship is unique in the sense that she is old enough to be my mother and I love it! In her case age doesn't equal wrinkles it equals WISDOM! LOTS of widsom!

I sent her an e-mail the other day and briefly mentioned what I had been thinking about concerning the sex of the baby. The day went on and there was no response (strange), the next day went on and I got no response (stranger) and today I got an e-mail that gave me the answer. Not an answer from her or one she conjured up but an answer from God's word.

Her answer is based upon Isaiah 46:10 which basically declares that God knows the end at the beginning. So, there is my answer. At the beginning-at the time of conception when God's hand first entered my womb, he knew. He knew this baby's sex, he knows his/her due date, he knows the traits and character my baby will have. He knew then and knows now. Hmm, now onto my next question-does he ever change his mind?

Haha...I know my mind is one big wheel that just keeps spinning and sometimes out of control! I think this baby is a girl. I think she is going to be curious, inquistive and a deep thinker. I don't know for sure, but He does.

Love So Amazing.

Genitals: The Great Debate

Bet you never thought you would see that as a blog title! And by the way not that is my belly currently, its from my last pregnancy with Dalen. I love that pic. Anyways, onto genitals. So I read that this week the baby is growing his/or her genitals. Ok...here goes my crazy thoughts-does God know from the beginning whether he is making a girl or boy or does He decide this week, week 12?

I can hear you now...why does this matter? who cares!? get a life?! But I am just so curious. I wonder what God's hands are doing way in there. Does He contemplate what he is going to make for weeks and decide on what parents pray for? Does He begin to make a boy & sometimes say nah, I think a girl would suit them best? Come on people you have to wonder these things!

As you can tell I am a little distracted today. I wonder what he is creating for us. I wonder why he is choosing to make a boy if its a boy or vice versa. I know one thing, whatever he makes us is prefect. Perfect in my eyes, perfect in his image and perfect for our family. Dalen recently began saying he wants a sister. If I were to guess at this point I'd say it's a girl. Would I put money on it? Not yet but if my feelings remain I think it's a gal.

One thing's for certain...God's hands are busy this week!

Life.

Are you a firm believer that everything in life takes you somewhere? One job will lead to a promotion, your current apartment will one day lead to a house, your clunker will soon be traded in for a set wheels with that new car smell-do you think like that? I think I used to.

Recently, it's almost as if the motions mean nothing. I could hear my dad's voice resound from younger years advising, "Get you a good education & it will lead you to a good job." I began to reflect on how easy that used to sound. Now that I have that good education that led me to that good job it's almost as if the more money we have, the more things we have to spend it on. So I think I am learning the motions are just that, motions. The only one who brings blessing and advancement is God.

I was thinking all of this while driving my 1995 Toyota Camry (with bald tires and a smoking muffler) to Chick-fil-a. Dalen and I were filling the atmosphere with sinus infected coughs and a CD softly sang, "Our God Is An Awesome God". I was startled as my 1 year began to shout, "WOE-SHUP!" (worship) My eyes filled with tears as I knew God was speaking to me to worship in the motions.

My rear view mirror reflected squinted eyes & hands raised. Wow. God used my one year to remind me of a valuable lesson. On the way home I believe God hand painted a sunset in the west just for me. It too was a reminder of a beautiful future in him.

Be reminded that even the motions of life deserve to be worshipped through.

Highlights

I love this new pic!

Does God use a check-list?

Today, as I read about what is going on with Little Hood Within, I couldn’t help but become so overwhelmed. My mind just shuts down when I think of all that is forming, developing, and growing. My mind and imagination just gets carried away by curiosity and I can’t help but wonder: Does God use a checklist?

Of course, then my mind comes to reality and I set my thoughts on his infinite perfection and yell inside my head, “Of course he doesn’t! He’s God!” But for some reason (I’m sure my icky hormones had something to do with it) I just began to worry…what if he forgets something!

Wow, humanity is the only excuse that can lead me to a thought that ridiculous & pathetic! But, I wish for peace of mind, He would use a checklist. Just for me! You know, just as a souvenir for when I cross over to that glorious place I can hang it in my mansion.

So just in case he’s listening and not totally offended by check-list request here are a few things that should be on it for this week (according to what I have read) and a few more from a mother’s heart.

-Place the finishing touches on hands so that he/she can make a fist (and preferably fists that won’t be used against anyone!)
-Create tooth buds under the gums
-Make bones hard for a strong body
-Begin the creation of the diaphragm
-Make heart extra strong and super sensitive to your will
-Instill talents that will be used for your glory
-Place an obvious destiny in the spirit of this baby
-Put a little less energy in this baby than what was in Baby Dalen

Spongebob

Who knew this silly and ridiculous character could cause so much trouble to one home? NOT ME! Several months back we got cable and Dalen was still not into watching cartoons but recently all he wants to watch is Pun-Bob (Spongebob) or Doe-Wah (Dora The Explorer). As a parent, I was irresponsible and just let him begin watching these two shows. Dora has been fine and we still welcome her every morning but Spongebob....UGH!

One night Dalen was watching it and began screaming and crying because a gorilla comes out of the sea and begins to beat up Spongebob and his friends and destroy his pineapple home. Since then Dalen has not been the same. He has been waking up with nightmares and when we ask him what is wrong he says, "montees!" (monkeys) At first I thought it was just that episode and then I began to watch and take in what was going on. Here are the things I found said and shown...

1) The words jerk, stupid, and worthless.

2) Bare butts of the characters and one very suggestive scene of male genitals

3) Violence

Yes, I guess I am old school. But my one year old will NOT be watching this anymore. At one a child can not understand what innappropriate is and I can TOTALLY see Dalen pulling his pants down to show people his bare butt. He repeated "erk" after they said jerk and that was the last straw for me. Isn't it sad I have to moniter cartoons???!!! WOW!

Any other cartoons I need to be warned about, moms?

UNDER THE INFLUENCE!

Under The Influence...of pregnancy hormones that is.

I have finally had one! A cry for no reason, snot everywhere, embarrassing beyond belief...hormonal breakdown! Just when I thought this baby wouldn't do it to me, my hormones got the best of me-thank God I was in my office alone on my break. Well, we all know I am not a good designer/decorator. But I KNOW, just know if I have a girl her nursery will be bright red, with black furniture, accented with black and white pictures on her walls (and maybe a touch of white somewhere in the mix).

So, I thought while I had a little time I would google some nursery themes. Of course, for girls all there is, is butterflies and flowers and pink! No thank you! I don't think there is anything wrong with pink I just prefer red...pink is was too traditional for a gal and waaaay too girlie. I like the timeless and elegant tone of red. But guess what...there are NO red nursery bedding sets anywhere! Not target, wal-mart, babies r us or even on the cool websites (that I could NEVER afford) like Banana Fish or Cocolo! A few had a little bit of red but then pink always shoved its way in.

That was enough right there to get me just a' boilin'! Ok, who cares if no one sells red! I'll make my own darn blanket! By this time I am sobbing! Snot, sweat, tears EVERYWHERE! Just the time I try to be in touch with my maternal, Martha Stewart side I was obviously way off. Red must not be for babies! I was so upset I asked a lady I knew on Facebook if she would teach me how to make a patchwork quilt! HA! Which honestly I have really wanted to do for some time now.

Then to make matters worse I kept getting pop-ups on my work computer for nursing bras! I am totally avoiding upping a size and this was just a reminder I needed to do so. I just know during our audit next week a nursing bra ad will pop up! YIKES! Of course time has passed and hormones have leveled out and I am ready to tatoo DORK across my forehead. Hope you got a great laugh out of this!

Birthday Remix

Well guys and gals, I am officially in my mid-20s! YIKES! I am like 5 years away from 30! My, my how time flies. I quietly snuck out of the house on my birthday as Dalen and Mario snoozed on and made it to work on time. I wore a great hand-me-down dress I just got from my friend Ann with a trendy necklace that was also hand-me-down! WAHOO, for new stuff without spending a dime! I spent the day cooped up in my office being trained on our client database. NO FUN! The I had to work until about 7 because it was our first board meeting since I was hired on. I made it home at about 7:03, ate Cracker Barrel take out, rocked baby Dalen to sleep, as I slowly drifted asleep as well!

The next morning came early...at 4:45 a.m. to be exact (this morning)! Dalen had to have tubes put in his ears and his adenoids removed. Only because his doctor is so stinkin' cute and can't be shy of 80 (no, I am NOT exaggerating) I was patient as we waited for over 5 hours to be released for a 20 minute procedure! YIKES! Dalen is having a hard time with the meds he has been on. They have made him VERY whiney and tired. Not to mention the poor guys is probably experiencing some pain. Another event and let's not forget baby #2 is along for the ride.

I know I promised I would post my hormonal breakdowns....BUT I haven't had any! This baby is so quiet, still and sometimes I must admit it's easy to forget the baby is there at times! I have had one ultrasound and the baby is already active, healthy and from the sizes in the 98% of growth! YIKES!

Free Hugs

Since I am now a casemanager for HIV/AIDS positive individuals I thought it would be neat to share what I am learning about this aggressive disease. I have honestly felt pretty ignorant at the end of most days because I believed so many myths out there about his disease.

1. HIV/AIDS is only spread bodily fluids suchs as blood, semen, vaginal fluid, and breast milk. YES! That's it. You can not get this disease from someone's urine, feces or saliva. *Research has documented only a few times that HIV has been detected in saliva. But it is important to know just because the virus is detected doesn't mean it can be transmitted when levels are very low.

2. The way you contract the virus through these fluids is from sexual intercourse, needle sharing or from breastfeeding (VERY rare).

3. Gay men AND heterosexual men can both contract this disease.

4. It is now suggested if you participate in high risk behaviors such as; sharing needles, if you are a male who has sex with other males, a heterosexual who doesn't use condoms and/or who has sex with strangers, you should be tested for HIV/AIDS every 6 months. Because medicine is so advanced if you detect this disease early on you can still live a full and fairly normal life. Many of my clients have an undetectable HIV count (which means the virus is detected but because of the meds they have no other symptoms).

You would be amazed to know that most HIV/AIDS sufferers who are recieving proper care and maintain a healthy lifestyle can look just like you and me, work in the same place we would work, achieve education, come from great families and even sit on the same pew in church. These people are worthy of love, care and Salvation just like the rest of us. God is expanding my heart to make room for these people and as my heart expands, His arms extend offering grace, mercy and most of all restoration.

A few weeks ago our young adult Bible study met on Thursday like we always do. Our discussion however, went on and on. It was great! We gathered and spoke about faith, trials prayer and God's will. It is always interesting to hear young people from different places and backgrounds share about their faith and interpretations of scripture.

Since that Thursday, my mind has thought a lot about faith and the sovereignty of God. Here is what I have concluded:

1) We must have faith to be saved and with faith we can move mountains. With faith the sick are healed and bondages are broken. Faith is required for everything involved in the Christian walk. But I believe if we ever lose sight of God's sovereignty, we lose faith.

2) Faith speaks possibility to impossible situations but always acknowledging God as sovereign, is acknowledging that God is the chief over all. In other words, with faith things can happen but if they don't we must not lose sight that God is sovereign-that he knows all, sees all and calls all things into existence. When we lose sight of his final say our faith diminishes to nothing. We begin to second what we believe, ask why and hoard bitterness in our hearts.

3) Faith and sovereignty go hand in hand. If we can not grasp that God is lordship over all, our faith is merely a routine. We can believe things can happen but when we lose sight that it is God's hand behind our faith moving those moutains we have trusted in our ownself and what we have done.

Humble Pie

This my friends...is Flo. We met first thing this morning as I ventured out to transport two clients to their doctor's appointments. Actually its a pic I googled b-c no matter how far I stepped back from the car she wouldn't fit in the frame of my camera.

Let me back up a little bit...so I must admit I have been a little proud of my new job with benefits, with vacation, with personal days and great pay. Part of my position requires some light transporting when necessary and another perk of the job is the benefit of using the agency car to do so. I have been telling everyone...I even get a car to transport clients!!! This morning was the first time I laid eyes on her.

There she was. This massive yacht on wheels was going to be impossible to maneuver I thought! I just knew God was having a GREAT laugh at this. To my surprise when I sat down in her I fell in love. This 1994 Buick Roadmaster is complete with plush leather seats, power locks/windows, sunroof and of course I CAN'T forget the "concert sound II" speakers (yes they actually say this). And once I got the thing going I realized why she is called "Flo"-because she does JUST that. She flows right alongside traffic making her grand entrance wherever she's headed.

She is a GREAT ride and only has 68,000 miles on her (less than both of our cars). I drove her all the way to Manufacturers Road, which is QUITE a drive!! Needless to say I didn't have desert tonight. I am still digesting my rather large piece of humble pie.

Thunderstorms With A Little One

One disadvantage of thunderstorms in an older house is everything feels as though it is going to collapse under the pressure of the deafening sound of thunder. The window panes rattle, the wood floors vibrate and the roof catches every raindrop which sounds like a thunderous applause. At the first sounds of the pitter patter of rain and the roar of thunder my mind became jubilant as I began to mentally check off everything we needed for a power outage! YES! This was the first time in our marriage we were prepared for a power outage. Working flashlight-CHECK! New batteries-CHECK! Candles for back-up-CHECK! A sudden clap of thunder sent our lights out, powered our TV down and the Hoods were....READY (or so we thought!)

Earlier in the week Mario had checked my throat with the flashlight to see if there was swelling. Dalen had then decided to play with the flashlight here and there throughout the week. BIG MISTAKE! The flashlight wouldn't light up and then Mario discovered the batteries were no where to be found. After flipping our couch over he found the batteries! YAY! Prepared at last! NOT!!! He placed each battery in, only to find the flashlight didn't work. Must have been one of the rough handlings from Dalen that broke it!

Oh well, we tried. The more storms we experience the more I realize Dalen doesn't like them and the anxiousness in him causes me not to care much for them either.

Drum Roll For Baby Names...

Well folks here they are....

Boy- Jaden Hezekie (He will be called Kie after my Great Grandfather and Grandfather and Kie is my Dad's middle name.)

Girl- Cola Leese

Dalen's 1st name was chosen by Mario and approved by me and these names were chosen by me and approved by Mario. We are super excited about baby #2 and I can't wait for my next appointment where I should be able to hear the heartbeat and hopefully have an ultrasound. And then of course will be the appointment to find out what we are having!