Donald Miller: Prayer at the DNC

The Benediction for the Democratic National Convention on Monday Night

I was honored to deliver the closing prayer at the DNC on Monday night. Evangelical voices have been scarce within this party, perhaps since the Carter administration. But as strides are being made on key issues of sanctity of life and social justice, as well as peaceful solutions to world conflicts, more and more evangelicals are taking a closer look at options certain members of the Democratic Party are beginning to deliver. There is a long way to go, but sending a message to Washington that no single party has the Christian community in their pocket, thus causing each party to carefully consider the issues most important to us, is, in my opinion, a positive evolution. I am glad that, for the most part, the dialogue has been constructive and positive. Will you join me in keeping the conversation thoughtful and not reactionary?
-Donald Miller, www.donaldmillerwords.com

***this post bears no reflection of my personal choice of the next president. (mostly because i haven't chosen yet. but, call it my maternal instinct kicking in, but all the sudden i have a profound interest in the current decisions are local, state and national leaders are making that will affect Whitaker and our future kiddos)

father of the baby

I feel like I've left Joel out this blog- I thought I should remedy that immediately. The guy has been fantastic through out the pregnancy. Granted he isn't one to jump to make an ice cream run- but, he's been as patient as patient can be.

So far (until this weekend) he has mainly stayed on the sidelines of the pregnancy conserving any enthusiasm or nervousness until the final lap- which would be now.

"Get that man a drink!"

Joel is a 'white russian' kind of guy and now more than ever could he use one! My last doctor's visit I was told that I had already dilated a cm, I guess that shocked Joel's system to the present and now reality seems to be biting. Every plan we make (especially involving any type of travel), Joel is so concerned that I'll go into labor. He also has the idea that 'labor & delivery' consists of about 10 minutes, including beginning, middle and end- so we can't be too prepared! (it's adorable).
SO, when i told him to make himself a drink- he told me he couldn't, "what if you went into labor- who would drive you to the hospital!" :)

In the mean time, I've done my best to make sure he has plenty of time to play tennis with a co-worker, hit the gun range with a friend, AND OF COURSE, make himself a drink!

love love love him!

p.s. Praise the Lord! We just found out that Joel's company rolled out some revisions to their employee handbook and Joel has a total of 3 weeks worth of "vacation" time to take off this year (as of aug. 1st)! I am so happy he won't have to rush back to work after the baby is born and will be able to catch up on some sleep and bonding with Whitaker (i.e. learn how to change a diaper!).

tick tock

August 22nd - one month out! wow.

Went to the doctor today and PRAISE the LORD Whitaker was head down- (as of the last dr. visit he wasn't). I was dreading the thought of a possible c-section, granted that doesn't include any complications that may ensue during delivery- but we'll deal with that when the time comes.

I am starting to get VERY uncomfortable - the eviction notice has been served to this little man- I'm ready for one to become two! I'm sure that a month out from when he is born I'll be wishing it was as easy to tote him around as it is now.

(just a couple projects that have kept me busy)

nordies

shoes, shoes, shoes!
my fetish was able to be quenched this morning- at least for a while with a trip to Nordstrom Rack for their shoe sale. I felt like a kid in a toy store- who literally saved her birthday money just for this. I walked away with some great 'steals'. :)(Praise the Lord my foot has not "grown" at all through out this pregnancy- He knew it would have put me over the edge!)

umm. breath.

birthing class crash course = just breath. some how Joel and i walked a way from the class realizing that just breathing wasn't going to bring a baby in the world, no matter how slow your inhales and exhales were. Don't get me wrong, the instructor did a great job crunching a 4 week course into a 7 hour class.

We laughed, a lot, mostly at each other. As our world started to turn (upside down, that is) we couldn't help but look at each other wide-eyed and wondering what the heck we had gotten ourselves into.

It was the shock that came when we looked around and we were the youngest couple there. It was the men leaning back in the chairs, the same way they did when they were in their 5th grade sex-ed class pretending that they already knew everything about the female anatomy-and honestly scared to death. It was looking at 10 pairs of swollen ankles. It was learning that if your baby is in a transverse position with 4 weeks left, you have a 90 % chance of having a c-section. (thanks, whit!) It was the look on Joel's face when he heard the word 'plug' and 'bloody show.' It was the 100 page notebook they sent us home with- that only covered labor and delivery.

6 weeks left....

bare belly.

staying afloat

So I've been doing some research on how much water I should really be drinking (because I know I don't nearly drink enough).

According to the mayo clinic, water makes up on average 60% of our body weight. For a pregnant women, the daily recommendation is to drink 2.3 liters or 10 cups. For nursing mothers, it goes up to 3.1 liters. (www.mayoclinic.com)

I barely drink the recommended 8 cups!

My nalegne bottle is going to be my sidekick from now on.

shower of blessings

This past weekend was a whirlwind of friends, family and showers of love and and pint size gifts for the baby. Joel and I headed up for a baby shower and open house hosted by my parents and sister in Ohio. Below are some snap shots of the day (special thanks to everyone who captured the memories!) I have posted my Picasa Web Album in my 'Friends & Fav's" section to the right...



The weather this weekend up North was glorious- Saturday and Sunday it was in the high 70's - low 80's. For Joel and I that is fall weather in GA so I couldn't help but get excited for the leaves turning. You can feel the hustle and bustle beginning in the stores as kids drag their moms around picking out school supplies- can you believe they already have halloween costumes out- it's going to be Thanksgiving before we know it!
There are so many new beginnings occurring over the next 4 months- I can't imagine there will be a dull moment. Babies being born, friends planning weddings,
monumental birthdays, and loved ones going back to school
after a long absence- the list goes on and on. I am so excited!

only 7 weeks left...